There is a recurring theme that has circulated throughout this election cycle. It is a down year for Republicans. Republican commentators and politicians have been talking about their struggles as if it is simply an unfortunate set of circumstances that have made this election year exceedingly difficult. They seem to be ignoring the fact that their wounds are entirely self-inflicted.

"If not for the economy the Republicans would be in fair shape this election," is the common mantra among political pundits. It is as if they are lamenting circumstances that are beyond their control. In reality all the political elements that are making this a tough year for Republican candidates are elements they created. It is not an unfortunate set of problems that they face. It is a set of problems they put in motion. Whether it is the economic collapse, the endless war they started but cannot finish, a budget deficit beyond belief, a divisive social agenda they have pushed far beyond what public opinion dictates, an international reputation at its nadir, and dismal record on everything from environmental issues to global job loss, the Grand Old Party is suffering from its own policy agenda.

While it is true the presidential election was much tighter prior to the economic turmoil, the economic problems were building over the summer and the economy was already cracking. In reality, the economy began its downturn a year ago and the downturn itself is the direct result of the Republican policy decisions to make credit as cheap as possible. The present economic situation was actually quite predictable given the desire to build an economy based on borrowing and spending. In 2004 the Republicans touted the GDP growth that appeared to be strong. However; that growth was due almost entirely to consumer spending from credit. It was never a solid platform for economic growth. It was a bubble they created and promoted. That the bubble burst is not an unfortunate twist of fate. It is the natural result of trying to prosper on credit and pretend that hundreds of years of economic theory no longer applies in a global environment.

In 1977 the Democratic Party began the year in control of all parts of government. Four years later they would lose 2/3 of this because of their own failures. In 1980 the Democrats got what they deserved. They had an opportunity to control policy and failed miserably. In 2000 the Republican Party found itself in the same situation and now they face the real possibility of a sound trouncing. If ever there was a party that deserved to be trounced it is the 2008 Republican Party.

If the polls are accurate it will be a down year for Republicans. It is a downturn well earned; not one created by mere unfortunate circumstances. If John McCain is handicapped by his association with President Bush, it is his own damned fault. No one but John McCain and the Republican Party are responsible for their own struggles. The Republican Party has further compounded its problems by running away from the financial community that funded party's elections for the past fifty years. By shunning Wall Street the Republican Party has cut its ties to its money machine, which has swung dramatically to the Democrats. Five the Barack Obama's top ten contributors are Wall Street financial institutions. At one time, this was the Republican money source. If the Republican Party does end up losing dramatically, they have only themselves to blame.