However joyful may be the news that President Bush's ratings are in the toilet, that Republicans are mistrusted by the majority of Americans, and that individuals as politically canny and astute as Jessica Simpson are treating Republicans like the pariahs they are - this is a dangerous time for America; perhaps one of the most dangerous ever.
In a moment of sober reflection, we must consider the true political consequences of having a president whose leadership is so mistrusted and whose person is so little respected. The inevitable result will be a paralysis of government that can easily lead to dire events: an external attack, perhaps, or - more likely - a desperate move to regain political capital.
This is why the Democratic Party should and must organize a complete Shadow Government so as to direct effective strategic and policy initiatives to counter any crisis.
I know that some will respond to the news of the imminent death of Republican political control as Capt. Kirk did when informed that the Klingon race was dying: "Let them die!" But the continuity of government is imperative to the functional security of our nation and all political interests must take a backseat to the primacy of that concept.
A strong, sober and mature Political Opposition will prepare for the continuity of government by offering strong leadership as the party in power collapses; an alternative to the crumbling power of the leadership and a rallying point to those whose patriotism outweighs party concerns. A Shadow Government would provide such a rallying point and an alternative leadership. Instead of standing on the sidelines, helping to sink the Republicans, Democrats can slowly take over the watch on deck and replace those at the helm.
Now, some may argue that an external attack would strengthen this president; I think otherwise. This president is too unpopular and the end of his term is too near. There are already internecine struggles within the Republican Party by those jockeying for position in a new Republican Administration. Whether or not these forces would deliberately sabotage any response to an external attack, they will certainly compromise it, as did the war between idealogues at the CIA and White House compromised the Iraq war. They have a vested interest in making sure that the president's response to the attack appear muddled and confused. This president would not need any help in that regard and this nation would not benefit from the actions of those in his own party helping him.
Far more likely, perhaps, is that this president would precipitate some incident - like another ill-advised and precipitous war - to boost his popularity. Or he may cave in to pressure from other forces within his party and effect restrictive fiats against abortion providers or other targets. In short, there is no way to predict what a desperate and despised person would do when backed into a corner, which is why President Nixon's complete authority over the military was quietly buffered during his impeachment crisis.
Given the grim political situation before us, the only mature response by the Democrats will be to form a Shadow Government. This body would create policies for all branches of government to respond to whatever crisis develops and form a coherent counterpoint to the leadership government. While having no political power, it can still direct political opposition in a more unified manner than the current minority leadership, since they are bound by Congressional rules and traditions.
I think this is something that should be put together immediately by an Extradordinary Democratic National Convention. Such an event - indeed such a response as this - would rally both our base and excite those undecided voters who crave some sort of alternative to our current leadership.
Politics is more than a game, so our response to the Republican plight should be more than cynical smiles and laughs. There is a serious need to be ready to step in at a moment's notice, because when this Administration does collapse it will necessarily be under such conditions as will require immediate and decisive action by its successor.