The Democrats’ exercise of the “nuclear option” to gut the Senate filibuster was a serious blow to American democracy, at least as a constitutional republic. But it has a few advantages: it will help Republicans repeal Obamacare, and it proves Tea Party contentions that President Barack Obama is a would-be tyrant.
The message for 2014 is now simple, and unifying: Stop Obama, Repeal Obamacare. A president who is willing to cast aside all rules, tradition, and restraint–from the filibuster to the Monroe Doctrine to the Constitution itself–must have a strong opposition. And every Republican Senator is now the 51st vote to repeal Obamacare.