Column:
Democrats lead now, but GOP will change
Published Dec. 11, 2008
Democrats had a pretty great year in 2008. The tides have turned and, at least for the next two years, they will be running the country. After such an embarrassing defeat, it seems that Republicans have a lot of work to do to recover from the destruction of a complete landslide victory by the Democrats.
One would think, after looking at the results from the election, that the Republican Party has been rescinded to an ultra-right, out of touch group of Joe six-packs and hockey moms.
The Republican Party might be down, but don't count them out. In the last eight years, Republicans have become exclusive, intolerant and have used fear to dominate politics, but that won't be the Republican Party of the future. They will reinvent themselves out of necessity and will return to be a powerful force to challenge Democratic dominance.
This is in no way an endorsement of the Republican Party. It is a warning to my fellow Democrats that we will no longer be able to rely on the progressive direction the country is going or traditional party bases to continue winning elections.
I, as with President-elect Barack Obama, like to surround myself with rivals, people who disagree with me. I feel that my beliefs become stronger if they are tested. Through my associations and conversations with conservatives and Republicans, I have observed that Republicans of our generation are much more progressive and moderate than the older Republicans. Young Republicans are tolerant, open-minded and more likely to support civil rights issues, such as gay rights, that Democrats have used to rally their base.
In fact, disparity between young Republicans and young Democrats tends to be less on social issues and more on economic and foreign policy issues.
In the past decades, America has been a center-right nation, but when our generation seizes control of the political system, we will become a center, maybe center-left nation.
The Republican Party will begin to appeal to the bases that Democrats have always claimed: young people, African Americans, Hispanics, maybe even gay people. Twenty or 30 years from now, the physical differences will be gone and the only difference between the Republican and Democratic parties will be their ideology.
The face of politics will completely change in the next several years. Stereotypes will have to be redefined as both parties take on new members. Democrats will have to be ready to fight to hold on to the voters they gained this year. As Republicans become a more inclusive big tent party again, people who flocked to the Democratic Party because of its diversity will see new light with a redefined party.
Democrats can enjoy the next couple years as America's choice to lead this country, but we cannot forget that Republicans are still there and will continue to be the other option for America. If we mess it up, America will choose to be Republican. So, to my fellow Democrats across this country, don't screw it up!
Trevor Turner is a member of the MU College Democrats. He can be reached at tturner@themaneater.com.
