As the Democrats retake Congress and statehouses and governorships across the country -- and as President George W. Bush replaces NeoCon-in-Chief Donald H. Rumsfeld with the reportedly more pragmatic Robert M. Gates, colleague of Brent Scowcroft in the elder Bush administration (the one that chose not to embark upon a debacle in Baghdad) -- it again becomes apparent, as it has throughout our history, that the power in the United States of America ultimately resides in the people.

Even in the face of the most dictatorial administration we have ever been cursed to experienced.

That most democratic fact -- more than all our wealth, military might, and miraculous technology -- truly makes America great.

But the most formidable challenges still lie ahead. It now becomes the duty of the Democratic Party to put together and unite behind legislation that meaningfully addresses the very problems that motivated the electorate to repudiate Bush and empower our party: the war in Iraq, our economic inequalities, the rampant corruption in the halls of power, and the rest of our list of quite righteous, long-neglected grievances.

Lord help not only the Party but also the Republic if we fail to at the very least challenge this lamest of ducks to veto in public good laws that we pass before the next president is elected. For the power of the people is an often fickle master, itself sometimes mastered by the demagogues amongst us.

Feigning no false modesty, but recognizing our awesome responsibility, we who promote progress -- social and economic justice at home and abroad -- represent the last, best hope of the American people.

Other than the people themselves, of course.