Berkeley Forum

The new head of the DCCC (Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee) Rahm Emanuel has the tough task of winning back the Congress in the 2006 midterm elections. The 2 term democratic congressman from Illinois has proven to be an energetic, charismatic leader with a clear vision and understanding of what elections are all about. This time around the Democrats can not afford to be “the nice guys”. They must go on the offensive and do what it takes to win back the lost congressional seats which were under their control for over 50 years. The Democrats need to nationalize the election, the same strategy used by the Republicans in 1994. Newt Gingrich and his Republican allies defeated the Democrats in 1994 midterm elections due to Clinton’s unpopularity and numerous ethics scandals on the part of the Democratic leadership. The Republicans succeeded in nationalizing the election and won every contested seat in 1994 midterm elections. Mr. Emanuel must take advantage of President. Bush’s unpopularity and make a connection between Bush and Republican candidates in the minds of the voters. No one denies the difficulty of taking back the Congress, especially the House, for the Democrats but that does not mean the successors of Andrew Jackson’s party are allowed to lose without a fight.

-Arash Aramesh