People sometimes repeat certain phrases because they’ve heard them used repeatedly when they actually want to say something else, even if they aren’t conscious. Or, put another way–if you want to know why Democrats lost the special election in New York, I’d argue it has a lot to do with the Obama Administration’s failure to hold Wall Street accountable for the financial crisis.

No, it’s not the only reason for the loss in the election.

   Terrible, uninspiring, political machine-chosen Democratic candidate who could not even get the federal debt number right (does he even read a newspaper?)? Check.

   A few votes in there because of same-sex marriage and, go figure, Israel? Check.

   A few people who probably still wanted to give a final poke in the eye to the previous holder of the seat? Check.

   But, when you hear a comment like this:

“I am a registered Democrat, I have always been a registered Democrat, I come from a family of Democrats — and I hate to say this, I voted Republican,” said Linda Goldberg, 61, after casting her ballot in Queens. “I need to send a message to the president that he’s not doing a very good job. Our economy is horrible. People are scared.” [emphasis added]

   …It is worth pausing for a moment to consider what this voter and others are also thinking or feeling.

   I would argue it goes something like this: I look around and the world is falling a part. I had nothing to do with this mess. And the people who caused this mess made out like bandits and are still employed, while a lot of others aren’t. And it seems like all the people in power don’t want to make those people pay. It’s not fair"

   The economy is in depression. No doubt about it. And there is a whole long list of things we should have done and did not, starting with a less-than needed $787 stimulus-JOBS bill back in 2009.

   But, if a bunch of Wall Street or bank CEOs were led off in handcuffs rather than being slapped on the wrist with puny fines and, rather than come down on public officials like New York’s Attorney General who are trying to protect the people from the banks, the president was out front encouraging prosecutions of those responsible for the economic mess, I’d argue that a lot of "angry" people would be more receptive to the message that, hey, the economy sucks but at least our president is going after the bad guys.

   And he didn’t.

   And that, my friends, is a huge mistake. Morally and politically.