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The End of Republican Congressional Rule |
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….was greeted with much excitement by not only Liberals but also more centrist quarters. Understandably so. Perceived and documented corruption amongst the Republican Party coupled with a controversial war effort was sufficient to secure a Democratic majority in both the House and the Senate. The Democrats toed a self-admittedly more centrist line en route. In the wake of their victory, many have described it as a resounding cry for change. It is hard to say how articulate was the cry.
Some dissonance can certainly be heard from those who see something deficient in the dual A or B selection currently presented in American politics. This does not intend to be dismissive of Libertarians or Greens, but, when taken on immediate political potential, the treatment is warranted. The spectrum, for these intents and purposes, is comprised of two colors. Of recent they’ve proven to be ever more subtle variations of a single hue. The Republican “thumping†reaffirmed this perception.
Nine “blue dog†candidates, running on a platform of “positions which bridge the gap between ideological extremes,†were elected into office. These extremes are presumably those of the Republican and the Democratic parties. Not counted amongst these more conservative blue dog candidates was Hillary Clinton, though what The Economist called “her journey towards the center†was rewarded with 67% of the New York vote. Acknowledging this centripetal trend Speaker-To-Be Nancy Pelosi stated that the Democratic Party’s would recognize the Centrist vote by the subsequent Congressional direction.
Which direction that line will take has been alluded to only vaguely. There is little doubt inquiries, investigations and committees will be embraced. That minimum wage, tax-break subsidies for college and stem cell research–comprising half of the Demorats “Six for ’06‖ will be addressed is assured. Some of the most pressing issues on the American agenda, however, have been treated ambiguously, if at all. Little firm policy accompanied this campaign season. Ironically, the Democratic platform was one of stubbornly hugging the middle road while simultaneously proclaiming a change in course.
That more has not been said of this strange political theory is surprising. What is not surprising is that it was enough to sweep them to majority. Interviews at exit polls echoed the sentiment that votes were cast more eagerly against Republicans, than for Democrats.
What will come to bear from these Democrats is pure speculation at this point, but to speculate that the change will not be considerably different from the current course seems safe.
A scant pluralism that passes for democracy contracts a little further.
