Sure, Democrats padded their majority in the Washington legislature and Senator Maria Cantwell won a surprisingly easy reelection. But there were hints of challenges to come.
Cantwell dispatched Republican Mike McGavick by about 17 percentage points, as of early today. McGavick had run a strong campaign until the final months, when it veered into wedge issues like promoting drug testing for welfare mothers and clamping down on the Mexican border. Challengers from third parties had a negligible impact. At her victory rally at the Seattle Sheraton, the most cheritable thing Cantwell could say was "thank you to my opponent for putting his name on the ballot."
Now it's clear that the Democratic majority needs to translate its gains -- especially on the state level -- into visible improvements on issues like transportation and education financing, while still improving the climate for job-creating businesses. State party chair Dwight Pelz noted that the reelection campaign begins today for Gov. Chris Gregoire, who faces another challenge from Republican Dino Rossi.
There were a few other signs of obstacles ahead. Congressman Dave Reichert held a narrow lead over Democratic challenger Darcy Burner, suggesting that voters want to vote for opposition candidates rather than against incumbents. Meanwhile the Democratic base isn't entirely united. Cantwell's victory speech was interrupted by a group of supporters who loudly chanted "Stop the war!" until the dozens of supporters on stage drowned them out with a rehearsed "Six more years!"
Before the polls had even closed, disgraced former U.S. House leader Tom Delay told TV interviewers that the Democrats will likely face a "lame-duck majority" when they take office. National Republican strategy may be to obstruct any policies by Democrats. But without substantial accomplishments Democrats won't be celebrating in 2008.