[Shocker]

For the most part, I figured that the Dems would at least gain the House, so I was a little surprised they won the Senate too. However, my prediction is that regardless of the Dems ideology, if they don't pass laws that the President likes, then there is not going to be any change. They may have a majority, but it is such a slim majority that they will have a very hard time overcoming a veto. I am sure we will see more vetos in the last two years in office for Bush than we have in the first six.

That said, I would not be surprised if the Democratic gains this year are erased or at least marginalized in 2008. The reason for that is because if you look at the Democratic Party as the party for liberals, then 2 things will happen to this new Congress...

1) They will attempt to pass lofty and liberal policies and laws in order to appeal to the Democratic leadership and base. In that case, if they try to pass anything too liberal, count on a veto, and no progress is made.

2) They anticipate vetos and so in order to pass legislation, they will stay away from passing any legislation that could be considered part of the liberal agenda, i.e. gay marriage, higher taxes, etc. In this case it will appear that they are caving to Bush's demands and will in effect disenfranchise their base.

In either senario, what will result will just be another unhappy electorate looking for change. The Republicans will be on good ground to retake some of thier lost seats, arguing that in two years the Democrats haven't accomplished anything they said they would, and that if America wants results then they should vote Republican.

I also anticipate that the next President to be elected in 2008 will also be a Republican. If you look at the two big names in the Democratic party, Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, here is why. Hillary is just too much of a polarizing figure to be able to win the Presidency any time soon. Obama is at this point still very much inexperianced in the political arena. My prediction is that we will see McCain as the next President. A lot of people like to talk of Rudy Giuliani as a potential contender, however, I believe he is too much to the left of what many in the Republican party would be comfortable as a Presidential nominee.

So anyways, that is my analysis of the election and what I expcect to happen in the next 2 years.