Exactly right, EJ

Washington Post writer, magnificently liberal E.J. Dionne, discusses the 2014 midterm elections:

Democrats defeat in 2014 is worse than it was in 2010

Yes, it was bad.  We knew that.  But still, I have a lot of confidence that the Republicans will misjudge their mandate (they don't really have one), and take a lot of steps that are out-of-step with the way that most Americans think.

And one thing that most Americans think is that they should be able to breathe clean air, drink and bathe in clean water, be able to visit national parks and forests that aren't shrouded in haze, and protect the amazing natural heritage of this country that previous generations and governments have preserved.

What the Republicans start doing when they come into power in situations like now -- they've done it before -- is dream about dismantling the remarkable environmental protection and natural heritage (also historical) preservation that currently exists.  Not to mention pushing increased exploitation of resources in natural areas like national forests, which actually gets hunters and fishers (who would more normally be on their side) pissed off at them. 

And they also go after education, which most mothers and several fathers tend to think is important for their kids.   And as E.J. notes below, when they overstep and overreach, it makes them vulnerable.  The nice thing about Republicans is that on these issues, they ALWAYS overstep and overreach.  They don't think that the environment is an important issue to "the American people" because when polls are taken about issues important in an election, jobs and the economy and defense against terrorism and prevention of the spread of killer epidemics tend to be on the minds of Americans, especially if the Democrats have been in power and have prevented the worst instincts of Republicans from turning into law.  But with Republicans in power in the halls of Congress, they get these grandiose dreams that they can rein in the EPA and repeal the Endangered Species Act (as was discussed during the prior "Republican Revolution").  This makes them look bad.  But they don't remember that this makes them look bad until it's too late. 

So here's what E.J. wrote about that:

"Moreover, as Bill Clinton showed after the Democrats’ 1994 midterm defeat, the surest way to beat conservatives is to confront them when they press for steep cuts in government programs that voters like. Clinton’s mantra defending “Medicare, Medicaid, education and the environment” was revealing and successful. If Republicans move to repeal Obamacare — a cause they used to mobilize their base — the GOP will only remind Americans of the many parts of the Affordable Care Act they want to retain."

 So, if they act like Republicans in power usually act, they will make themselves vulnerable.  And environmentally and energy (clean energy) minded voters like me will make sure that everybody knows what they're thinking about dangerously doing.  Because when it comes down to it, Americans don't want their Congresspersons attacking the protections we have in place for clean water, clean air, national parks, national forests, our historical heritage, and our public health.

Keep that in mind, GOP.