The Election 2006 afterglow: Democratic delight

By Sarah Tereniak
Collegian Staff
November 15, 2006

For me, Christmas won’t fall on Dec. 25 this year. It already happened Nov. 7.

I pulled up CNN.com on my laptop as soon as I got back from class on Election Day and kept the election results page open the entire night. I had to multi-task when 9 p.m. rolled around—House was on, so I half-watched the show while refreshing CNN.com every two seconds to check for new results. I didn’t tear myself away from my laptop until about 1 a.m. when I realized that studying for my 9 a.m. Ed Psych test might be a good idea.

As one of those annoying bleeding-heart liberals who has been completely disgusted with the state of the country over the past six years, the midterm election results sent me into a state of utter euphoria. My favorite politicians—Governor Ed Rendell, Reps. Joseph Sestak, Jr. (7th district) and Chaka Fattah (2nd district), all Democrats—won by large margins. Ex-Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), one of the GOP’s most powerful spokesmen (for whom I harbor an especially strong disdain) was solidly defeated by newly-elected Senator Bob Casey (D-PA). Best of all, the Democrats won back the House and the Senate. As I said, it was Christmas in November.

So many people whine about how their individual efforts in politics mean absolutely nothing in the end. I’ve never felt that cynical toward my role in our political system, but in the wake of this election, I feel prouder of myself than I ever have in the past. My helplessness in the 2004 presidential election overwhelmed me because of my inability to actually do anything besides vocally support the Democratic Party, but college has significantly broadened my options. I joined the Young Democrats when I came to La Salle. I attended an antiwar march in Center City. I supported Governor Rendell when he came to speak Nov. 6. I turned 18 over the summer, so I sent in an absentee ballot. These may be insignificant efforts in the grand scheme of things, but they make me feel accomplished. Even though the Democrats did take the election, I think I would have felt the same pride in my labors if they hadn’t.

I don’t particularly mind that many of the Democrats elected in the midterms are moderates. The country needs to take one step at a time, and the message that the American people expressed in this election—a general displeasure with the Bush Administration and with Bush’s Republicans—is clear enough. Now something can be done about our numerous messes, and if it takes a force of moderate Democrats to push for change, then I’ll take it. I’ve put all my faith in these men and women, and I’m on the edge of my seat, hoping that they accomplish the things our country needs for a drastic turnaround.

tereniaks1@lasalle.edu