Random Thoughts, Notes, & Incidents

When I posted on Wednesday morning I made a rude remark about the Republican sweep of the Congressional races on Tuesday. In California, however, the Democrats made clean sweep of the statewide offices. (Although, one race may still be challenged to a recount, as the tally shows a margin of less than 1/2 of 1%).

The positive side of Tuesday's Congressional sweep is that some of the Democratic leadership responsible is stepping aside. Better yet, it looks like the replacement team may be a return to "real" Democrats.

Nancy Pelosi, a San Francisco liberal, is poised to be the new Minority Leader in Congress, now that her chief "moderate" rival, Martin Frost of Texas, has stepped aside.

Frost still maintains that his policy of going along with the President and the "mainstream" is what will return the Democrats to power. It's fairly obvious, however, that this strategy has finally proven itself fatal. Having failed to offer any alternative to the Republicans, the Democrats have now also failed to defeat the Republicans.

Personally, I hope that Pelosi's impending victory (she was one of the few, and certainly the highest ranking, representatives to oppose the Iraq resolution) is a sign that the Democrats may, once again, actually stand for something. Maybe, just maybe, they'll even turn back into a party I can support.

But I'm not holding my breath.