Electoral prospects

The Republican Party won the 2002 midterm elections. They did not win every race, but managed to pick up seats in both the House and the Senate. Many political analysts have attributed their success to the clear, comprehensive message broadcast by Republican candidates. The same analysts cited the Democrat's lack of a clear message and vision for government as the cause of their failure.

The Republican Party has greater ideological cleavages than the Democratic Party, yet they delivered a better message than the Democrats did. Two years from now, Americans will again decide who should control our government. Both parties have an excellent chance of electoral success in 2004.

The War on Terror was likely the major cause of this year's Republican electoral victories. Americans everywhere recognized the ever growing threat posed by terrorism, and responded by electing candidates who promised to support President George W. Bush's fight against terror. In 2004, the War on Terror will still be a rallying issue. Terrorists are an elusive enemy, and they will still be waging a war against America in 2004.

However, the Republican Party needs to broaden its focus. The economy had better pick up under President Bush's leadership, or the Republicans will be vulnerable on economic issues. The political party that prides itself on economic policy needs to focus more on the economy. If President Bush can show viable victories in the War on Terror, beyond the creation of new government agencies and departments while simultaneously achieving economic improvements, the Republican Party will sweep the 2004 elections.

The 2002 elections were difficult for the Democratic Party. Wartime elections pose serious problems for candidates challenging the President's party. Americans do not support massive political attacks on wartime Presidents, so Democratic candidates had trouble highlighting errors made by the Republicans. Without substantially differentiating themselves from the Republicans, Democrats could not attract enough voters.

By 2004, the Democrats will be able to attack President Bush's conduct in the war if he has not shown any progress. While attacking the President at the beginning of a war is unpatriotic, if the President is not successful after three years he will be vulnerable. The economy should also be a rallying point for the Democrats. The state of the American economy will still be an issue, and the Democrats, who have fewer ties to corporations, can attack the President's response to widespread corporate fraud. There are plenty of issues for the Democrats to focus on; they just need to agree on a platform and create a clear message.

Many new issues will arise before the 2004 elections. Both parties' responses to these issues will also determine their electoral success. The Democrats have a better chance of regaining the Senate and possibly the House. By continuously challenging the President on the same issues, the Democrats can choose the main issues in the 2004 elections. The Republican Party, with more incumbents and a popular President, has an electoral edge. The Democratic Party has clear issues to attack with, and a bitter sense of defeat. With the proper leadership, either party could succeed. The battle has already begun.