2 Days and Counting…

So we now have two days until we all go out and vote.  I’m very happy that we’re just about ready for election day.  Between the daily polls that are released on the morning news and the predictions, we’ll finally have a decided winner.  This election is historic for many reasons, but the reason I would like to touch upon today, is the fact, that for the first time since JFK was elected in 1960, we will be electing a sitting senator to be president of the United States.

This fact got me to thinking about what type of relationship, no matter who wins, that either Senators McCain or Obama would have with Congress, in particular, with the Senate.  There’s a great article in today’s Washington Times about this very topic and it can be viewed here.

Since the Senate is made of only 100 members, there is more of a club feeling than you might find in the House.  If either were elected, I don’t foresee their former colleagues being overly cordial toward either a President McCain or Obama.

If Obama were to lose on Tuesday, I’m confident he’ll return to the Senate and be a strong presence in opposing any McCain administration policies and proposals.  He could ride this tide of opposition to a renewed White House bid in 2012.

However, if McCain were to lose, I’m not so sure he would return to the Senate, and if he were to return, what type of role would he play?  Would he be like Senator Kerry and just fade into the background for the remaining two years of his term, and quietly retire?  I don’t know for sure about that.

If Obama wins, will his Senate colleagues continue their cordial behavior toward him?  I question, beyond the election on Tuesday, just how united the Democratic party truly is.  True, Obama is one of the most liberal members of the Senate, but once he’s elected, will he become more centrist in order to generate more appeal toward the masses?  Plus, I already know that members of his own party are far more radical and liberal than Senator Obama is.  For example, Barney Frank in the House is in favor of decreasing military spending by 25%, before our efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan are completed!

True, you would figure that since it appears the Democrats are in store for a huge landslide victory on Tuesday, will unified government automatically mean progress?  I think an Obama presidency may be weakened simply due to internal party division, and because Obama will be so beholden to his massive donors and their particular policy stances.  I wouldn’t count on too many serious policy shattering changes during a unified democratic government.

If McCain were to win, I think we will see massive gridlock, and the continuance of gotcha politics that we’ve seen since 2006.  If the democrats gain as much as they’re projected in the house, and reach 60 in the senate, the democrats could, potentially, override any McCain vetoes and get their agenda passed regardless.

Either way, I think whoever is elected, I think we very well may be in store for a do nothing presidency simply because congress won’t be as cordial to either candidate, whoever wins.