Republicans play to be liked. That dynamic had better change or the next united government Republicans see will be a Congress united under Democratic leaders in next year's election and a White House recaptured by Democrats in 2004. Democrats are running energy commercials in California, ludicrously blaming Republicans for high gas prices. Polls suggest Dems are also making inroads with their claims that big oil is running the White House. So far, Republican responses have been tepid and ineffective.
Republicans clearly face a political energy crisis.
Senate Democrats will now tie up every important Bush legislative initiative and block conservative court and agency nominees. Then, with the help of their ideological buddies in the big media, they will blame Bush and the Republicans for gridlock. Certainly not with guns loaded with civility, the ideological equivalent of blanks, while the Democrats are firing rhetorical bullets. Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist.