The Future Implications of the Election The election is to be held this Tuesday. This very election is essential to the very definition of what it is to be an American. If the Democrats win we shall see the end of an era, and the construction of an entirely new foreign policy. If the Republicans win we shall see more of the same current policies.

My personal prediction is this: based on the Washington Post, Real Clear Politics, and several other sources, I believe that the Republicans will hold the Senate by a small majority. The Republicans will lose the House.

Some predict the Democrats to win both houses, which would be a blessing and a curse. Taking this hypothetical position, the Democrats would use the congressional powers of subpoena and oversight to investigate the Bush administration and their methods. They would not under any circumstances try and impeach the president - this would only polarize the Republican base and kill any chances of Democratic election in the future decade or two...and the Democrats know this. So if they take the majority, they will be a thorn in Bush's side. The upside to a Democratic majority in both houses is that the Republicans will win the presidency in 2008. The Democratic agenda in the next two years would be to undermine the Bush administration and not actually do anything good for the nation as a whole, and that will hurt them come the next presidential campaigns.

Alternatively, if the Republicans hold the majority in both Houses (somewhat unlikely at this point) it is more likely for a Democratic backlash in the presidency in 2008. So the short term gains would be good, while the long term would hurt us as a party.

The most likely outcome is a Democratic small majority in the House and a small Republican majority in the Senate. This will clog the government for the next two years, and I doubt much of anything will get done. Bush would probably be forced to come up with a more moderate position in Iraq and on other issues and for this outcome I have no predictions for the presidency in 2008.

So ironically I believe it would be most beneficial to the Republicans if the Democrats win right now. It really hurts me to state this, because I never ever wish Democrats a victory. The Democratic position will only result in us paying more taxes, unnecessary gun-control laws, and a vulnerable foreign policy.

I do not doubt a surprise Republican victory, however. I am involved in several grassroots GOTV (Get out the vote) movements, and the Republican Party has 4x more funds than the Democratic party and plans a 72 hour media blitz, as well as phone calling and door knocking (and I myself will participate in this Republican 'ground army' movement in hopes of a victory.)

In the end though, everybody must vote. I predict a higher showing than the average midterm election because this very election is so polarized. But certainly less than 50% of the electorate will turn out, and that is a travesty. I urge you all to go out and vote Republican, because not only does the future of the nation depend on it, but so does our safety and rights as citizens.  ¶ 6:10 PM