2006D = 1994R?

A recent poll indicates that 48% would like to see a Democratic Congress come 2006, versus only 39% who wish to see the Republicans maintain their control. According to MSNBC, “that nine-point difference is the largest margin between the parties in the 11 years the NBC/Journal poll has been tracking this question.” If we do some math, 2005-11 = 1994, the year the Republican revolution bumped Democrats from power. What’s more, only 28% of Americans now believe this nation is headed in the right direction. The climate is ripe for the Democrats to make serious positive gains, perhaps even regain control of some or all of Congress in 2006, even though we must remember much can happen before then.

Before celebrating, however, we must find a leader. As we found in 2004, it is difficult to rally around a negative. Who will be our Newt Gingrich? There are timing issues as well – 1994 came half way through the first of two Clinton terms, not two years before the first open election in upwards of 50 years. Anyone trying to become a leader now will also have greater aspirations. Other factors, such as the war and the ongoing struggle against international terrorism also present themselves as critical variables. I continue to believe the timing of the Bin Laden video right before the 2004 election was responsible for the discrepancy in pre-election polls favoring Kerry and the actual results. Still, if we can find ourselves a leader with a positive vision for the future, if we can seize the day and take advantage of Republican mistakes and corruption, we can begin the process of getting this country back on the right track.