Thoughts on Mid-Term Elections (UPDATE)

With Democrats gaining control of the House, and very close to doing the same in the Senate, here are my thoughts:

- This was indeed a vote for change. This reaction is very typical, very human. You think something's not working, you change it. The only problem I see with this is, what exactly are we changing for? The Democrats have been woefully lacking in ideas (real ideas, not just rhetoric), and now it's time for them to tell us what they have in plan.

(Note: "cut and run" in Iraq is not an acceptable option).

- A bunch of conservative Democrats - "blue dogs" - tipped the scales. Will they be able to tip the scale of their own party to the center, or are they mere opportunists who saw blood in the water?

- Now that the Democrats are in a position of power, how will New House Leader Nancy Pelosi (gulp!) deal with not only the President, but with the emergent conservative side of her own party. The burden of proof is not on Bush, but on Pelosi. She's talked a lot, now it's time for some action.

Here's Pelosi's reaction:

"Today, the American people voted for change, and they voted for Democrats to take our country in a new direction,— and that is exactly what we intend to do," Pelosi said at a raucous victory rally in Washington.

"Let us work together to find a solution to the war in Iraq," she said, adding: "We cannot continue down this catastrophic path."

If the following quote is any indication of the mainstream Democratic attitude, then we're in trouble:

"Tonight is a total repudiation of the Bush administration," said Terry McAuliffe, a former chairman of the Democratic National Committee. "The Bush administration in America is over. It doesn't exist anymore. There is no Bush presidency."

Of course not, McAuliffe, that guy in the White House is a figment of your imagination.

Compare his response to that of outgoing Majority Leader John Boehner:

"I'd like to congratulate House Democrats on a hard-fought campaign," he said. "We are deeply disappointed in the outcome, but as Republicans we must recommit ourselves to the principles that brought us to the majority and renew our drive for smaller, more efficient, more accountable government."

Here are some reactions from the local blogosphere:

- Pitbull at Babalu:

I can tell you with one word why Republicans lost: principles. Conservatives have not held the feet of our representatives to the fire enough when it comes to our core principles. Republicans have lost their way and this is the result. I am unhappy and upset. But I know one thing for certain. Until and unless Republicans in elected office come back to their conservative roots they are doomed.

- Click here for a quickie from Rick from Stuck on the Palmetto, who never misses an opportunity to paint the President in anything but a negative light.

- Srcohiba at Cuban-American Pundits warns us about the consequences of the Democratic victory:

In any event, with the Dems now in control, the tax cuts will sunset and we'’ll be paying a lot more in taxes again. I pay enough money for my 60-80 hour weeks in taxes, but that isn'’t enough. We’ll folks, don'’t cry me a river when you have less money in your pocket.

- SWLiP has some interesting thoughts:

I can't read the mind of every voter who punched a ballot or pulled a lever, yesterday, but in general terms I agree with Glenn Reynolds that the Republicans probably deserved to lose this election, mainly due to a series of unforced errors on their part. Reckless spending, inability to pass immigration enforcement reforms, pork, corruption and other issues all added up.

The Democrats talked a lot about change, about bringing the country back together. The ball's indeed in their court now. Let's see what happens. You can bet we'll be watching.

UPDATE: La Ventanita has more.