Historic swing places responsibility on Democrats
As the White House and Congress swing to the Democrats, along with the spoils of victory come the responsibility of ruling.
It’s been more than 40 years since one political party has controlled the White House and held a filibuster-proof lead in the House and Senate. If that happens tonight, and it now seems possible, that’s a lot of power in a few sets of hands.
John McCain tried vainly to convince American voters that giving control of Congress and the White House to the Democrats was a bad idea.
But voters apparently were more angry with the way the Republicans handled their turn at the helm than worried about Democratic control.
Still, with power comes responsibility. And with the nearly absolute power voters have given the Democrats comes a greater responsiblity to not screw it up.
Checks and balances are a good thing. That’s why our government is set up the way it is, with three branches, each holding different powers, and with two houses of Congress. And that’s why one of them, the Senate, requires 60 of the 100 votes to move legislation along.
I’ve always been a fan of the famous line, sometimes attributed to Thomas Jefferson and sometimes to Henry David Thoreau, “That government is best which governs least.”
With the mess we’re in now - both the economy at home and our place as a leader in the world - it would be good if the folks atop the Democratic Party moved carefully and slowly.
Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have their hands on the steering wheel and their foot on the throttle. Even if they miss the 60 seats in the Senate, they’ll be close.
This isn’t a time, however, to show off how fast you can drive your new wheels - or to stick it to the Republicans by flexing your muscles.
It’s a time for smart, thoughtful, cautious change. And for bringing the minority party and mainstream America along for the ride.