OneJerusalem.com

In a clear and decisive mandate on President Bush’s domestic and foreign policies, The Democratic Party appears close to sweeping both houses of Congress in the aftermath of one of the most important mid-term election campaigns in U.S. history.

Democratic Party personalities, such as Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, pictured, celebrated what they considered long overdue victories; not only personal, but ideological as well. Pelosi, a California Democrat and House Minority Leader, stands to become the first woman House Speaker in U.S. history. For those who aren’t aware, Speaker of the House is one of the most important positions in the U.S. government, and is only a ‘heartbeat’ away from the Presidency, being number three in succession to America’s highest political office. Other ‘Dems’ achieving victory in their campaigns include Senator Hillary Clinton (D. N.Y.) and Independent candidate Joe Lieberman of Connecticut. Lieberman became a real “come-back kid’ after losing his state’s Democratic nomination in July. He plans to side with his former party in upcoming legislation, he remarked, following news that he had won re-election.

A number of governorships changed political hands, including a very important one in Massachusetts when Black American Democratic candidate Deval Patrick defeated his Republican rival, making Patrick the first Black American in history to be elected to the governorship in his state. Arnold Scharzenegger easily won re-election in California, despite numerous controversies over his administrative record in America’s most populated state. That in a way is all right, as it will give talk show hosts like Jay Leno and Colin O’Brien continuing ‘material’ to use for jokes on their shows.

The election victories also included several important state legislative questions, including ones on stem-cell research and abortion; both of which have been important subjects for President Bush. Reversal of abortion bans in some states will be a definite blow to Bush’s “pro-life” Republican Party legislative bills. Certain special interest groups such as single parents and gay marriage should also benefit.

The Administration foreign policies, particularly in the Middle East and Iraq will see a number ‘changes’ as well. A Democratic held House will undoubtedly demand an early end to the American presence in Iraq, especially since Congresswoman Pelosi will be House Speaker. How these changes will effect countries like Israel remains to be seen, as the Bush Administration has tried to present itself as being closing allied with Israel on many matters, including the recent war in Lebanon; and concerning Israel’s on-going conflict with the Palestinians. What America’s policies will be concerning Iran and North Korea will also be influenced as well.

What this all boils down to, goes back to an old protest song composed and sung by American icon Bob Dillon during the Vietnam War era:

” Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’. ”

photo: www.cnn.com