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Democrats
see hope on the
horizon
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Democrats have
a chance of making some significant gains in this year’s November elections. The
elections are theirs for the losing. Despite the popularity of George W. Bush, the
economy is tanking, there are questions about the wisdom of a war with Iraq and the post
9/11 cheerleading has subsided, leaving an electorate that is uneasy about the future.
That often spells victory for the party that is not in power. A number of Republican
powerhouses are leaving Congress.
They include the 99-year old Sen. Strom Thurmond (S.C.), Sen. Jesse
Helms(N.C.), Sen. Phil Gramm (Tex.), and Sen. Fred Thompson (Tenn), all of
whom decided against seeking reelection this fall. They are also joined by two-term Sen.
Robert C. Smith (N.H.), who by a unseated in his state's Republican primary.
The best chance for a gain by Democrats in these races appears to be in Texas, where
former Dallas mayor Ron Kirk is running even with Attorney General John Cornyn. And,
as if the possibility losing the Gramm seat isn’t embarrassing enough for Bush, there
is a good chance that Bill McBride may beat Jeb Bush for Governor in Florida, even though
the Republicans will undoubtedly rig yet another election there.
For once, the Democrats have discovered that they need to campaign on the issues people
care about: the economy and health care and social security. Also, the Dems seem to be
trying to appeal to their core constituencies: minorities, women and labor.
And, Democrats have finally grown weary of letting Republicans define them. It has been a
long time since a Democrat has been seen running from the “L” word—liberal.
And, the Democrats chances aren't being hurt by a president who is unsure of himself who
has a fractured cabinet and even members of his own party questioning aspects of his war
on terrorism.
(Martin is a freelance political columnist living in Austin.) |
