With a Democratic Majority arising in both houses of Congress following the concession of Virginia Senator George Allen, many are wondering what this means for the Democratic Party. After all, through the last days of the campaign, Bush was on the defensive in red states- campaigning for Republicans who, under different circumstances, wouldn’t have had a problem winning. Bush campaigned in the Bible Belt, the Midwest and through the Old West, ensuring that the Republican turnout was sufficient enough for the GOP candidate to resist prevailing winds. This did not happen.

Not a single Democratic incumbent lost their reelection bid. In a country where the average incumbency rate is 96%, this last election saw tidal wave of new Democrats into the House and Senate- with a rate of about 93%. More people turned out for this midterm than any other in our nation’s history, and likewise, more money was spent in this midterm election, than in any others past.

It is amazing how the American people can essentially flush the toilet on corruption and Republican domination given these unprecedented facts. But were the new Democrats who were elected to the U.S. House & Senate necessarily “liberal?” I know Chairman Howard Dean would disagree when I suggest no.

The Democrats were on the offensive- plain and simple. The Republicans lost in districts, which before 2006 would have been considered strongholds. Fortunately, the circumstances regarding the unpopularity of a certain president shifted the tide of American thinking- and those Democrats who were once ignored in their congressional districts- were suddenly given a fair shake. As a result, in order to be competitive in their conservative districts, candidates were more moderate, and “Democrat-in-name” only. Sure, they support Medicare, Medicaid, affordable college tuition, and a potential rise in the minimum wage, but they aren’t proponents of social liberalism (gay marriage, abortion, or gun control.) They were strong on government helping people economically, while using the President and his ongoing War in Iraq to their every possible benefit. It was this strategy, coupled with Republican unpopularity that swept Democrats into the House of Representatives in districts where they never thought possible.

Now that DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel’s (D-IL) strategy worked, how will this play for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)? It is inconceivable that the Democrats wouldn’t try to push their agenda despite a Republican president, but would these new Conservative Democrats vote with the Democrats?

For instance, Jon Tester (D-MT) is Senator-Elect from Montana. I personally, love Tester’s genuineness. He’s a farmer from rural Big Sandy. He does like Washington lobbyists, nor resemble the stereotypical senator. He is a conservative in many respects, and opposed to gun control, gay marriage, and wants to keep abortion “legal, safe and rare.” By all accounts Jon Tester is emblematic of that rugged countryman, who works hard on his farm and knows the value of real hard labor; it appears his values match our conception. He supports helping the middle class, and finding an exit strategy in Iraq. However, he may be a senator whose votes will not always coincide with his party- and over the question of whether or not he’ll be a liberal Democrat is answered with a resounding no. He is a Montanan, and Montanans are fairly conservative people. He will represent his new conservative constituents, and if the Democrats are lucky- party lines.

This is true for so many Democrats who got swept up in the tidal wave of November 7th, 2006. With a new 230-some Democratic majority, there will need to be sufficient members who will vote with the majority. If anything on social issues, Republicans are benefited, and subsequently, Democrats will avoid controversial social issues. The main prospects these next two years will be on Iraq, the economy and securing America. This is how the Dems will maintain their majority, and this is how they will get bills through Congress. In 2008, all those districts where the Democrats got swept in by popular current will be prime territory to Republican attacks given their conservative nature. Hopefully, the forces of good will are able to prevail over the forces of Rove-evil, and keep the Reps on the defensive.

Congressman Emanuel, recognize that we have a new wing to our party- a conservative wing- and aid them in 2008 by avoiding bills that will be controversial in their reelection bids. I hate suggesting the delay of government action on the account of politics- but in 2008 Republicans will be on the run for several of their senate seats- and I am only thinking of what is good for my party, and within that dream, America.