Reflections on the Election - looking forward

Like many, I was not surprised with the message that voters sent Washington this election cycle. What did surprise me was the swiftness in which change has begun, and even more important, how the President can be held almost directly responsible for the outcome of the election.

It is easy to point toward the discontent with our citizens over the issues of Iraq, and countless domestic issues that have not been met with any real solutions over the past 6 years. It is easy to see that moderates and the center of the voting spectrum really called the shots in this election. What is truly amazing to me, is that had Bush been honest with the country regarding Rumsfeld, the Republicans may very well still be controlling the house and the senate.

If what Bush admitted yesterday is true-that he had been considering a change for Rummy more than two months ago-then the blame for the losses falls squarely on his shoulders. Had Bush made the switch even a month ago, making it clear the American public that a policy change and direction in Iraq was in the works, I believe that the Republicans who were branded as part of an administration who had its collective head in the sand, could have been saved from the slaughter at the polls.

Why would Bush refuse to be upfront? The answer has far less to do with the political process than it does the man himself. He has proven to be stubborn and self-righteous in a way that even his own party members could have predicted. By remain mute, and even stating that Rummy would be there "until the end of my term," when he knew otherwise, did as much as throwing the party to the wolves, and the contempt of the citizens of this country who have grown weary of "stay the course," when the "course" leads into a morass of indecision and destruction.

That said, all I can do is believe that if God really does talk to the President, then maybe he was getting back at old George for being such a stubborn ass, while ignoring the reality on the ground, and the countless signs that a change of course was needed. Perhaps God is apolitical, and simply realized that a change in power had to take place, and knowing that George's stubborn nature would sink the Republican jaugernaught that had become mired in the sandbar of rhetoric that kept the nation from moving forward. Whatever the case, the events of November, 7th, 2006 will go down as a true measurement of the greatness of the Democratic system. If it is "broke," the voters, the "People" have the ultimate power to change the system.

It is with this newfound belief in the common sense of the American People, that I look forward to the coming years. There is no doubt that we have a long list of issued and problems to be solved, the least of which is out continued involvement in the Iraq and the rebirth of the Taliban in Afghanistan. But with a new move toward the center, away from extremist politics and a culture of focusing on winning over solutions, I have faith that we will see the kind of changes that will bring about a fresh, new attitude and direction to our national leadership.

Bush has been rendered a true "lame duck." But this should be nothing new to him, as his administration has done little or nothing except tell people to "stay the course" without a focus on reality, or even worse, to congratulate and reward those who abjectly fail in their missions, like Tennet and Brown. The control and vision of the country has been wrested back from ideologues and handed to people who will seek bi-partisan consensus. Those remaining in power have been taught a lesson by the swift removal of the extremist dead wood on Capital Hill. Those who try to continue down the same "Pre-election path" may very well be given their walking papers in the next election cycle. Here's to a new sense of hope. Here's to the voice of the electorate speaking in unison.

Here's to a brighter future, based on solutions, consensus, and bi-partisan coalition.