As I write this article CNN is reporting Democratic gains in the House and the Senate. At my deadline it seems clear there will be a shift of power in the House, but the Senate is still too close to call. Regardless of the final tally, it's an exciting time to be a Democrat. In my home state of Ohio, Democrats picked up a senate seat and the governorship for the first time in eight and 16 years, respectively. On the national scene, not only did the Dems win big, but some impressive individual victories were earned, most notably the landslide ousting of Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum-the third-ranking Republican senator. But Santorum was not alone, as pundits reported throughout the evening on "long-time," "stalwart," incumbent Republicans who fell to Democratic challengers. As a liberal Democrat who campaigned in four states for John Kerry in 2004, I'm obviously giddy about my party gaining power on Capitol Hill, but my excitement is measured.

My reservations come from some experience at home. The rural-and very red-county I live in has elected one Democrat on the local level in the last 15 years (including yesterday's election). That fortunate county commissioner was only able to claim his seat because of a scandal involving his opponent. Predictably, his bid for re-election-this time against an untainted foe-failed. How is the recent political history of my tiny county relevant to the current national climate? I worry that like Preble County's one-term county commissioner, the national Democratic Party's victory yesterday is not a sign of things to come.

Just as the Dems tasted victory in Preble County, Ohio because of votes against the Republican rather than votes for the Democrat, their victories yesterday represented peripheral concerns rather than an ideological shift to the left. In the Buckeye State, "Coingate" and the criminal convictions of Governor Bob Taft and Congressman Bob Ney influenced votes. Nationally, we all know that the Abramoff scandal, the Iraq war and the Foley scandal were some of the driving forces behind Democratic gains. Voters rejected Republicans not because of changes in ideology, but because the congresspersons were tainted by connections to very public and unpopular scandals. There is little reason to believe that without those disgraces the Democrats would have been so successful.

To add to the asterisk next to yesterday's results, some of the seats that shifted power were won by conservative Democrats such as Representative-elect Brad Ellsworth of Indiana. Mr. Ellsworth is pro-gun rights, anti-gay marriage, anti-abortion and endorses the Republican enforcement-oriented stance on immigration. Moderate to conservative Democratic candidates are admittedly the only hope the Party has of winning elections in the Midwest, the South and the rest of "flyover country," but with a slim Democratic majority these new representatives could play a major role in Congress.

Two years ago I never would have imagined the Democrats regaining the House this year. But despite my delight, I have to wonder how long the majority will last. My county went for President Bush as well as Bob Taft by a margin of 70-30, and yesterday sided with Ted Strickland 50-45. If Republicans can stay away from criminal convictions and keep their AIM conversations private, is there any reason to believe that districts like mine won't swing back solidly in the Republican camp? I can only hope that the Democrats will prove me wrong again in 2008.

Andrew is the former Editor-in-Chief of The Amherst Student. Except for a little occasional golfing, he is currently living comfortably in his retirement home in Morrow Dormitory. Comments should be sent to asbruns@amherst.edu.