While Democrats go into 2006 energized and refreshed from victories in New Jersey and here in Virginia, Republicans find themselves awash in self doubt, searching for focus, and mired in national failure.
In 1994, Republicans gained control of congress promising to clean it up and to get the fiscal house in order. Democrats and Moderates have long since abandoned the Republican shill game. With unprecedented scandals, fiscal irresponsibility, and possibly America's worst strategic blunder in history on their minds, even the Republican's most avid supporters are getting itchy.
In 2006, there's much more bad news on the horizon for Republicans.
In May, Republicans will yet again drive away the most dedicated voting block in America when seniors face a deadline in the vastly expensive, overly complex and much-hated new Medicare Prescription bill.
Immigration threatens to divide anti-immigration Republicans from the pro-business wing of the party.
Bush will be forced to request an increase in the $1.8 Trillion debt ceiling, thus proving beyond any doubt that Republicans have no claim to the mantle of Fiscal Responsibility.
When top level Republican activists are quoted as saying, "We have seen the enemy, and he is us." and talk about an "enthusiasm deficit", there are grey clouds on the horizon for Republicans.
Kate Obenshain Griffin, the Chair of Virginia's Republican Party is "concerned" about increased spending and speaks of getting "back to basics". With George Bush and his rubber-stamp congress borrowing more money than were borrowed in every previous Administration in American history combined; it'll take a lot more than basics.
It'll take a revolution.