What Matters

The following are some media narratives currently being driven, ALL of which we should be paying ZERO attention:

1. Speculation about cabinet positions. We'll know when we know. No Drama Obama tends to land in a good place. Just chill. (OK, I had a bit of a freakout at the thought of John Kerry at State...guilty as charged)
2. Sarah Palin. This chick was yesterday before, during, and after the campaign. She is taken seriously by men who want to have sex with her. Period. And some of them don't even take her seriously.
3. Joe Lieberman. Small potatoes. Or, in his case, small latkes. : ) I mean really, what the hell difference does it make where he lands? What Lieberman cares about most is preserving his own sanctimonious self-image, which is something you can't do when you have no friends and are a sure bet to be defeated for re-election. So, his options are pretty limited--kiss Obama's ring or be marginalized. The Meshugenah in Winter.
4. The Republicans. They are less relevant than they've ever been in my lifetime. Here is a challenge. Name one of the following: (a) a leader of the Republican Party; or (b) a probable 2012 presidential candidate who could plausibly win. These guys are in such sorry shape that they almost put the Democrats to shame. Almost.

No, what matters now is purely and simply this: what the Democrats do after January 20. Democrats have been given a more significant mandate, with larger Congressional majorities, and a more focused, engaged public, than they are likely to see for a long time. This convergence has enormous potential. They will either seize this opportunity, enact MAJOR legislation around big issues like health care, energy, market regulation, and taxation, or they will show themselves unfit to be a governing majority. It's not just the majorities they have, it's also the very full plate of issues they face, and the status of the Republicans as a discredited brand. It is virtually impossible to overstate the magnitude of the opportunity, and alas, the risk, of the environment that the Democrats will operate in next year.

In foreign affairs, what will Obama do? Will he get us out of Iraq? Will he go after al Qaeda in Pakistan and Afghanistan? Will he close Gitmo? Will he restore habeas corpus? Will he end torture? Will he strengthen our alliances? These are BIG tasks.

The Obama presidency is already a tremendously powerful symbol of the possible. It can also be one of the most consequential in American history in policy. POLICY is the key output of this administration. What policy changes do we really make?

THAT...is "what matters". The rest is fluff.

This is it, guys. Super Bowl time.