The Democrats control both houses of Congress come January when the newly & re-elected are sworn in.
It should be an improvement. But some are saying that, exit polls be damend, "We know what voters voted on, but what they really meant was . . ." That's the tired 'go to the center' arguement that's always trotted out when Democrats win by the mainstream.
It's as laughable as the special advertising section for big business that The New York Times ran in Wednesday's paper the day after the election. Did big business really think the paper of record needed a reminder who provided the bread & butter that rescued it oh so long ago or who keeps it alive today?
The 'move to the center' is always a faulty argument. It sets up Dems to look like liars.
Right now, while expectations are still high, all eyes are on the Democratic Party. If it doesn't produce, that will be noted.
"Bipartisanship" is being tossed around as the buzzword not only by the mainstream press but also by some 'leaders.'
Those citing the war in Iraq in exit polls as a reason for their vote (six out of ten) aren't going to be thrilled if the new leadership decides to let the war ride out. It won't build anger at the Bully Boy and the GOP. It will discredit the Democratic Party.
For all the smears tactics from outside, nothing hurts the Democrats more than their own leaders. They appear to not only follow their own press but get taken in by it. Tubby Russert isn't the party's base. Early indications suggest that along with the base, they grabbed a number of swing voters (and first-time and non-voters). Those people didn't flock to the polls to say, "Can't we all just get along?"
They want change. They've handed the ability to make those changes to the Democratic Party.
"Bipartisanship" indicates that now the Dems can give a little and the Repubes can give a little which will make everyone happy.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Republicans were rejected. That wasn't a request for a brief detour, it was a request that the car be turned around. Failure to do so will be seen as an indication that someone's unable or unwilling to drive.
"Power is made, by power being taken" -- "Vultures" written by John Mayer Pino Pallidino and Steve Jordan, off Mayer's Continuum.
For six years, elected DC Democrats have refused to take and own the power they did have. Stands taken ended up being brief ones. One moment they were lip synching to Tom Petty's "I Won't Back Down," the next it was Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry."
Despite that, enough people in this country were willing to hope that this just resulted from the fact that the party wasn't in power. A party that won't lead will make a mockery of that hope.
It's equally true that if Dems hadn't buckled during Iran-Contra, it's unlikely Bully Boy would be occupying the Oval Office right now. If Poppy Bush had been exposed, the son couldn't rise off the backs of Supreme Court Justices. There's a whole crop of junior league Bushes today. George P. may be the 'star' they flaunt, but there's a whole crop. Failure to hold Bully Boy accountable means we'll see more of the same and see more pardoned felons returning to the White House.
It's the Dems to blow it. Based on past history, we won't be surprised if they do. But we hope we're wrong.
Failure to do so will be noted.