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November 10, 2006
Final Thoughts for Cycle 2006
Now that the curtain has fallen on cycle 2006 and we find ourselves looking at governing for the next two years, it is important to remember several things. First, while this was definitely a victory for the Democrats (and not just a loss for the Republicans as Delay/Limbaugh/Krauthammer/Will/etc. have all claimed), we must not lose sight of how this is a divided country. As a party we've demonstrated willingness to embrace a range of the ideological spectrum - from conservatives like Ben Nelson to socialists like Bernie Sanders.
Some campaigns were very well run and fell short. Other campaigns were piss-poorly run and yet still managed to eek out a victory because the opposition was even worse. It is foolish to mistake an incompetent win for genius or validation, just like it is foolish to mistake a defeat in a tight race as a mandate.
We must govern for all the country, and once and for all establish us as America's Party. This does not mean that we should compromise our core principles, nor should we be concerned with trying to keep every single person happy. It is ok to offend extremists on both sides of the ideological spectrum - we must stand up to both the ultra-right and the ultra-left. It's time that we return to Bill Clinton-style governance - lower taxes for the middle & working class, work to improve health care accessibility, expand free trade, ensure the rights for ALL Americans regardless of race/creed/orientation, and return our country to a time of prosperity not just accrued wealth.
We have been handed the chance to reshape the world around us for the better. Will we take this opportunity to try to extract some petty revenge like a Tom Delay or a Newt Gingrich? Or will we use this opportunity to rediscover our principles as Democrats - the ones that drove Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society, or Bill Clinton's Bridge to the 21st Century?
Let's not blow it.
Posted by MikeSager at November 10, 2006 4:00 PM
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