Election Results a Victory for Progressive Movement

Nov. 8, 2006— -- Bush and Rove drove the Reagan coalition straight off the cliff thiscycle. Their strategy to divide the nation into "us and them" and hope toturnout more of "us" reached its limit yesterday as millions ofpragmatic, moderate-to-progressive Americans chose a different coursefor the nation.

According the national House exit polls, Democrats won every incomecategory under $100,000; all non-college educated voters; and Catholics.They essentially split married voters. They won nearly 6 in 10 of bothmoderates and independents. The Reagan Democrats have returned home.The conservative "markets and morals" coalition is in shambles, fallingon the weight of its own deceptions, extremism and incompetence. Andthe progressive coalition is strong and growing in this country.

Equally important, all of the Bush/Rove messages about progressivescoddling terrorists, cutting and running from Iraq, and harming theeconomy failed dramatically. Many voters do not believe the economy isworking to their benefit. They do not believe the war in Iraq is on theright course or that the President's strategy is worthy of going "fullspeed ahead." They did not believe the fears and smears the GOP hurledfor months. They do want action on wages, jobs and pensions;healthcare; energy independence; and a more intelligent and effectiveapproach to Iraq and terrorism.

The results yesterday represent a clear victory for the entireprogressive movement. All aspects of the progressive infrastructurefired well from high quality candidates and good ideas from think tanksto strong ground organization and strategic smarts and passion frombloggers. The progressive faith community did a tremendous in provingthat the GOP does not "own" religious voters. In the end, millions ofAmericans agreed with progressives that our government should be doingmore to serve the common good and to help struggling citizens and theleast fortunate among us find quality work and greater opportunities toget ahead.

John Halpin, senior fellow, Center for American Progress