Senate Loss May Soon Be Democrat's Gain

Mitch McConnell proudly standing for "gun rights" at CPAC 2014 in Washington, DC.By: Gage Skidmore

When soon to be Majority Leader McConnell takes control of the Senate he will be thrust into the unenviable position of cajoling the two ideologically opposite camps I his party to actually get something done. Will the presumptive leader use this golden opportunity of running the Senate to pander to the far right wing of his party or will he build consensus and actually try to pass some legislation? I think we all know the answer to that question and that will help Democrats going into 2016.

Tonight's losses may wind up being a positive for the Democratic Party. McConnell can no longer hide behind his minority status and will have to work overtime to keep his party in line. That is going to be a monumental task and one I'm not quite sure he is going to be able to handle. How will he handle the disputes between the two wings of his party? How will he be able to make the Tea Party happy while at the same time getting any legislation passed? The Tea Party Caucus in the Senate are constantly at odds with him. I only see that divide widening if he ever wants to get something done.

We also have to remind ourselves that there is a very real possibility that this will be one heck of a short lived Republican majority. The map is much more in our favor in 2016 and it also helps that it's a Presidential year. Republican infighting will only exasperate their problems, which will undoubtedly help Democrats moving forward. Americans will once again be reminded why they gave Republicans the boot back in 2008 and that will be a good thing.

Democrats have to think of the long game here. Sure, it was a bad night for us, but don't think for one second that all hope is lost. The Republican's offered no policy ideas this election and that will likely come back to haunt them once they are handed the keys in January. Now the Republicans will have to prove they can govern and that is going to be a lot harder than anything they've done recently.

Now all we have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the show that will be the 114th Congress!
2 Recommendations