If you want to talk about the future of the Democratic Party, you first have to talk about the present Republican failures. After six years, Americans seem to be tired of Republican authority.

It is important to consider what is happening with the midterm elections, in which the Republican majority could possibly lose both houses of Congress. Recent polls have been released targeting races in several states across the nation, indicating that several Republican and a handful of Bush-supporting Democratic incumbents are in big trouble.

For example, grassroots organizations favoring Democrat Ned Lamont in Connecticut are to blame for fellow tired, worn-out, 400-term former Democrat Joseph Lieberman being overwhelmed and outdone in the Senate primary. Not only are Democrats responding forcefully to high gas prices and an unpopular war by voting out the Republican majority, but also they are opposing fellow Democrats who are supporting the president.

The blue party is only getting stronger by the critical mistakes made by the Bush administration. In prior years, these elected Democrats have been criticized for not having “a plan” for our nation and avoiding social topics that might be considered controversial.

But Democrats are not in a position where they have to speak out about issues concerning, for example, gay marriage, abortion, stem cell research and high gas prices. Instead, Democrats watch Republican candidates and elected representatives self-destruct as they fold to their conservative voting block. Another anti-gay marriage amendment failed in the Senate, national polls show a majority of Americans favor a certain degree of stem-cell research, and let’s not even begin to discuss how I overdrew my checking account filling up my car this past summer.

Other factors bolstering the success of the Democrats cover a wide spectrum of issues including, but not limited to, no exit strategy in Iraq, the National Security Agency’s absolutely clear invasion of the privacy in the name of terrorism, Karl Rove’s ignorance and wide-ranging Republican scandals. Ohio’s beloved Gov. Bob Taft, in a SurveyUSA May 2005 poll, was the most unpopular governor in the nation – a poll released prior to his most recent scandal.

With all of the problems still at the forefront, I feel confident in saying the Democrats will pick up some seats at local, state and national levels.

Ten or 20 years from now, the Democrats will have to begin to unite and increase their base in America society.

There are untapped resources within traditionally liberal groups that are generally apathetic toward the political process, and the Democratic National Committee must strategize its arguments to bring in non-voters. While I do understand the point of this column was to discuss the Democratic Party’s future, we can create a better outline if we turn our attention to the future of the Republican Party.

While the Republicans have been very successful in the past at controlling both houses, the presidency and a majority of state legislatures and governorships, they are now doing a poor job of satisfying the needs of the American people and are out of touch with an agenda that can be accomplished.

No, abortion is not going to be outlawed.

It’s time Republicans address real American needs and values.

Christopher Taylor senior nursing major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact him [email protected].