Blue Wave

It will be important for Democrats to not get over-confident in the next two years. Although the electoral college numbers show a wide margin, the popular vote is within a few percent. This was not a landslide. More to the point, although Obama was a very strong candidate, other factors basically handed this victory to the Democrats.

First, the meltdown of the financial system made people much more receptive to the message of 'change.' Back on Labor Day, electoral projections had McCain ahead, and Palin was looking like a brilliant strategic choice. If things had been just a little different, this election would have been as close or closer than 2004 or 2000.

Secondly, as they fell behind, the Republican party became a 'circular firing squad' and a campaign that was unwilling or unable to provide a clear, consistent, positive message. It should go down in history as one of the most inept campaigns. The irony is that McCain's strategy of "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em"--hiring the same people and using the same negative tactics that took him out of the 2000 race--backfired so completely. Even members of the media--even people from FOX News!--were speaking out against the lies and smears.

Finally, the GOP shot itself in the feet so many times over the past few years that they were hobbled from the outset. The litany of scandals is long. Senators Stevens, Craig, Delay embarrassed, convicted, or driven out. The House page scandal. The many missteps and oversteps of the Bush administration just in the final term that resulting in the lowest approval rating in modern history.

So this was not a mandate for progressive policies, though it is a clear opportunity to enact them. However, in 2009 we can't afford to make the same mistake as in 1993, when Democrats took control of both branches and tried to ram down a huge health care initiative. We'll have to start small and go slowly. It's worth remembering that in 1992 as well, it was an external factor (Ross Perot's splitting of the conservative vote) that allowed for Democratic gains. Basically, what it comes down to is that the Democratic party still has a long way to go before they are consistently as strong as the GOP over a few decades.

Here's what the Democrat's did right and different this time around.

• Had a charismatic and articulate candidate
• Responded quickly and vigorously to lies and smears
• Advocated centrist policies that were good for the middle class and small business
• Effectively used the Net to organize and raise funds
• Had a "50 state" strategy to build a larger base
• Picked an exceptional VP candidate

The 'blue wave' was not a tsunami, but it is refreshing after so many years of American ideals being tarnished, and let's hope that it can be sustained.