Editorial: Are the Democrats poised to make history in 2008?

Are the Democrats poised to make history in 2008?

By Matt Romines Class of 2007

The results from the polls are in, and the news is not good for Republicans. There will be many new faces in Congress this year, as there were 41 newly elected Representatives and 9 brand new Senators. The majority of the new congress members are Democrats, including three key Senators who won formerly Republican seats. This trend of new Democrats should come as no surprise, and it indicates hope for compromise in Congress. The results show that the voters are simply tired of Republican partisanship in Washington, and the extremely divided legislature it has caused. Many voters were therefore willing to stray from their traditional Republican voting habits, and they should be applauded. Most of the newly elected Democrats are not liberal extremists, but rather a new group of moderate Democrats trying to appeal to the majority of the population. Therefore, the new congress should not be expected, nor should it try to make sweeping ideological changes similar to the 1994 Republican takeover. Democrats won these new seats by convincing voters that they could work to make progress on the tough issues and not get caught up in ideological wars within Congress. A large portion of independent voters, as well as some traditionally conservative voters have decided to let them try. The freshmen Representatives and Senators will now be under pressure to produce results, and work to tackle tough issues, especially those concerning affordable health care, as well as working towards a viable exit strategy in Iraq. Left wing extremists say that now is the time to take advantage of the new Democratic majority and push for major action on gun control, abortion, and other ideological issues. This would be a mistake, as it would just add to the gridlock in Congress, and it would alienate the independent and moderate voters which the Democratic party has worked so hard to gain. If the Democrats wish to have any opportunity to take the White House in 2008, this is a time to take advantage of new opportunities for progress and compromise, and not a time to demand controversial changes while widening old philosophical discrepancies. Congress has a rare opportunity to make new progress, and they must take advantage.