The Meaning of Democratic Gains, Republican Losses in the 2006 Elections

American voters fired six incumbent Republican US Senators on Tuesday, and dozens of Republicans in the House. Democrats also won the majority of state legislatures, and several Republican governors lost their jobs, too.

Republicans garnered not one Senate, House or gubernatorial seat from Democrats. Not even one (of all election results considered final).

The Republican Party suffered massive, nationwide losses despite the fact that "Republicans broke all of their fundraising and voter contact records this year."

What Do Republican Losses Mean?
* It means that the American people can't necessarily be bought with slick TV ads, "bridges to nowhere" pork for their city and state, and hollow promises of better times for the middle class.

Voters have heard it before, and they bought it in 2004. But now they know better. It was all just campaign rhetoric of politicans desperate to stay in power. It means that the American people are smarter than the Bush Administration thinks they are.

* It means that the Republican culture of corruption matters to Americans. CNN exit polls surprised the pundits by reporting that "42 percent of voters called corruption an extremely important issue in their choices at the polls, followed by terrorism at 40 percent, the economy at 39 percent and the war in Iraq at 37 percent."

Morality Matters
Republicans campaigned as if the Jack Abramoff scandal didn't matter. Or the Duke Cunningham scandal didn't matter. Or the Tom DeLay scandal. Or the Bob Ney scandal. Or the Mark Foley scandal. And as though all other instances of Republican cronyism, coziness with lobbyists, and war/disaster profiteering didn't matter.

But bribery, lying, embezzlement and fraud do matter to the American people. They hate it, and they fire politcians for doing it... especially when those leaders refuse to punish unethical acts within their own ranks.

* And it means that the American people believe that Republicans have led our country off-course. The Bush Administration demands complete loyalty from Congressional Republicans to its agenda.

So yesterday, voters fired the Republicans in Congress, and handed control over to Democrats.

What Do Democratic Gains Mean?
* It means that voters believe that Democrats have the better ideas.

About an exit plan from Iraq. About Social Security, embryonic stem cell research and minimum wage rates. About health care for the uninsured and Medicare drug prices for seniors. About trade agreements and taxes. About spending and deficits. About global warming.

* And it means that voters trust Democrats more than Republicans.

Voters trust Democrats more to tell the truth. They trust them more to engage in ethical behavior. And they trust them more to competently protect the American people, in both war and natural disaster.

Feelings Today of American Voters
I received an email this morning from a fellow About.com (non-political) guide who perfectly captured the feelings of American voters today when she wrote:

"Last night restored my faith - I only wish we had come to our senses a couple of years earlier and thousands of lives sooner, but, so be it.

At least enough of us cared to make an overwhelming difference, this time around :) Let's hope they can do something, now that they have the job."

Well said, my friend. Well said.

Related Reading
The Democratic House, New York Times editorial on November 8, 2006