A Hard-learned Lesson: The Democratic Party Cannot Afford to Undervalue Traditional American Values

by Anita S. Lane

On Tuesday November 2, 2004, nearly 120 million men and women, young and old, stood in line for hours to cast their vote. The President of the United States received the largest number of popular votes in the history of this nation. Republicans retained the House and gained four seats in the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle lost his reelection bid to Republican challenger John Thune—the first Minority Leader in history to ever lose reelection. Eleven states voted to amend their constitutions to define marriage as being only between a man and woman. All eleven measures passed with a clear majority.

Four years later many in the nation are still reeling from the debacle of the 2000 Presidential election. Many of these individuals feel President Bush’s win was illegitimate. Yet this time around President Bush wins a clear majority—not large, but decisive. What happened? Why did the nation come out and support whom many believe was a President crowned illegitimately?

You may not want to accept it, nor may you like it but it’s called values. Traditional ones, I might add. In a surprise to most of the major media, exit polls showed that the number one issue for voters was “moral values” (21%) followed by “the economy” (20%) and “terrorism” (18%). But the popular media didn’t see that coming. It appears not many of the political pundits placed much value on the nation’s core values—no one but those in the Bush camp. (Source: MSNBC News).

Many criticize the Bush campaign for stirring up division and playing to the “fears” of conservatives and evangelicals who are opposed to partial birth abortion and gay marriage. But is it merely these individual’s fears that drove them to the polls or could it be their faith? Is it possible these individuals actually read and believe the Bible when it says “male and female He created them,” and “thou shall not kill?” even if it is a baby in the womb? Is it possible these individuals feel that God holds them accountable for their actions—even for the way they vote? If so, then it’s possible that it is their faith that led them to the polls, not fear.

Unfortunately for America, it appears as though the Democratic Party as been taken hostage by high profile, out-of-the mainstream groups that don’t hold nor really respect traditional American values. And as an individual who likes having quality choices at the voting booth--not just the lesser of two evils--this is disheartening.

I heard one life-long, politically involved Democrat say that there was a time when Americans held the same core values and elections were decided upon a candidate’s vision for the economy and other social, domestic and foreign issues. Not anymore.

Maybe next election—if they want to win, Democrats will be smart not to undervalue traditional American values.

Copyright ©2004 by Anita S. Lane