Operation Meltdown

"House GOP Shifts Into Panic Mode"

That's the headline of Reid Wilson's illuminating story over at Real Clear Politics, and it's not only true, it's music to the ears. Here's the lede (emphasis added):

After losing two previously Republican-held seats in special elections earlier this year, House GOP aides worry their party is on the brink of an election year catastrophe, and as a key test looms on Tuesday, the party is already pulling out all the stops.

This is the real deal. The GOP is in a tailspin nationwide, but the very fact that they're on the brink of losing a seat here in MS-01 is a bellwether of what's to come in November. The NRCC is hemorrhaging cash, and is having a hell of a time rounding up new donors. And no wonder, as Hillary Clinton is realizing, people are just not inclined to fund a loser.

Even mo' better, the disarray is sowing friction and dissent amongst the GOP:

The fallout has encouraged a brewing feud between House Majority Leader John Boehner and National Republican Congressional Committee chairman Tom Cole, two top Republicans who have spent much of the past year fighting. And while other Capitol Hill Republicans are almost unanimous in agreeing the trouble is not all Cole's fault, someone has to take the hit. "The two offices are positioning themselves to avoid blame or to lay blame," the aide said.

Man, that's gotta suck.

It's so clear that even Newt Gingrich, Mr. Movement himself, sees the writing on the wall:

"Without change we could face a catastrophic election this fall," Gingrich warned. "Without change the Republican Party in the House could revert to the permanent minority status it had from 1930 to 1994."

I'd go so far as to say that, change or not, they're doomed in the fall, and maybe for quite some time to come. The American public saw very clearly - and has suffered the ramifications - of full-tilt Republican rule. A maniacal and criminal executive branch with a compliant GOP majority in the house, senate and on the Supreme Court have pushed America to the brink.

Not that it matters. Change isn't on the Republican menu. They've still only got the one page play book, and can't come to grips with the fact that the play's been played out. Americans aren't buying it anymore. That includes the good people of Mississippi.

While the GOP likes to think they're mindless sheep who can be manipulated with culturally divisive issues and meaningless scare tactics, they're actually fully functioning human beings with minds of their own, and who will base their vote on their own decisions and not stale Republican dark side Jedi mind tricks.

So this stuff?

"Republicans are committed to winning in Mississippi and we believe the momentum is on our side," NRCC spokesman Ken Spain said. "Voters will have a clear choice on Tuesday between Greg Davis who will represent Mississippi values in Congress, and Travis Childers who will say one thing on the campaign trail, but will undoubtedly do the bidding of liberal Speaker Nancy Pelosi."

Ain't gonna work. Not today. Not anymore.

The most recent national poll showed Republicans trailing Democrats in a generic ballot matchup by eighteen points, the same margin by which Democrats led the week before the 2006 election.

And, it's not just generic ballots....they're losing in some very specific, and unlikely, races. Here's to one more come Tuesday.