Lessons not learned.

While Democratic leaders are (appropriately for now, I think) sending messages of conciliation and promises of bi-partisanship, Rep. Mike Pence is having none of it in his announcement for the position of Minority Leader...

Our mission has now changed. Our mission in the Majority was to pass legislation reflecting Republican principles. The duty of the Republican Minority in the 110th Congress is to defeat the liberal agenda of the Democrat (sic) Party and become the majority in Congress again. We will only defeat the Democrat agenda by presenting a positive, conservative message in vivid contrast to the big government liberalism of the new Majority.

Yeah, the Newtonian 'Democrat' slur again. The same one Bush used in his press conference this morning. That's certainly helpful.

And what's that liberal agenda almost-Speaker Pelosi's pushing again? Clean up corruption, support the middle class, defend America and restore civility to government? That's what Pence is against. OK, then.

Rep. John Shadegg strikes a similar not in a 'Dear Colleague' announcing his run for Minority Whip...

"Last night's election was NOT a revolution, nor was it an endorsement of a true or real Democrat alternative. It was a rebuke of the way Washington has conducted itself as of late. This past year, we were presented with many opportunities to act decisively, but instead we wavered in our responsibilities. Yet in defeat there is hope, and now we are presented with an opportunity to reevaluate, unite, and change course."

"It is for these reasons, along with the urging of my colleagues that I have decided to run for Minority Whip. Now is the time to return to the ideals that swept us into a governing majority. The Democrats that were elected yesterday do not represent the reform that Americans want. They do not stand for a strong national defense, nor do they stand for fiscal restraint. They will not end pork barrel spending or reform the earmarking process, and they will not change the way Washington works."

Yep, more slams and slurs. And a big lie. The election wasn't a "rebuke of the way Washington has conducted itself…" It was a rebuke of the way Republicans have conducted themselves in Washington. One of the reasons the Democratic victory is so magnificent is that it was so unilateral. Not a single Republican pickup. Not one.

This wasn't about (the other) Washington. It wasn't about incumbents. It was about Republican arrogance, incompetence and corruption.

They haven't learned a damn thing, but I really don't mind. Actually, I like the sound of 'permanent Democratic majority...'