There's hope in the polls. Victory, too.

[BobcatJH]

With President Bush's approval ratings so low, it's easy to not look past the sub-freezing numbers. While most attention-grabbing headlines concern the president and his handling of the issues, there's an even bigger story developing.

There's hope in America.

Hope for the future. Optimism that things will improve. And, despite the fact that faith in Bush and the Republican Party is plummeting, a belief that better days are ahead. Ahead thanks, in no small part, to growing support for Democrats. That these feelings prevail despite all that Bush and his party have done is a testament to the fact that there's no problem the next election can't fix.

Taking a look at the most recent Washington Post-ABC News poll, it's clear that Americans aren't satisfied with their president - or his party. Reaching a new low in their polling, Bush's approval rating now rests at a precarious 33 percent. To put that in perspective, his approval a year ago at this time was 48 percent. Two years before that, 71 percent. Clearly, a lot has changed since Bush saw a 92 percent approval rating shortly after September 11. In short: Bush happened.

Thanks to the president and his mismanagement of numerous issues - Iraq, ethics, gas prices - Americans in record numbers (69 percent) feel the nation is headed on the wrong track. And, as far as the president and his party are concerned, Americans don't think things will get any better under the current leadership. Those surveyed are pessimistic in the policies Bush will pursue in the coming year and now trust Democrats over Republicans on each of the 10 issues pollsters queried.

Think about that. From health care to the economy and everywhere in between, Americans trust us on the issues. In fact, these numbers give lie to nearly every Republican talking point. Tax-and-spend Democrats? Try majority support for Democrats on taxes, the budget and the economy. Weak on terror and afraid to fight? Try majority support for Democrats on Iraq and a plurality on the campaign against terrorism. Soft on immigration? Try plurality support for Democrats on the hot-button issue. These numbers tell me that Americans trust Democrats to do the job. Why? Because they now realize that a party that doesn't believe in government probably isn't the best at governing.

While faith in the Democratic Party is on the rise, so, too, is optimism within Americans. Eighty-four percent of those polled are satisfied with their personal lives. Further, 89 percent are optimistic about their personal future, while 65 percent are optimistic about the future of the country. Contrast this with the 50 percent who are pessimistic about the way things are going and the overwhelming dissatisfaction with the president and his party and you immediately recognize the problem.

Republicans.

Republicans are at the root of America's problems. They can claim ownership of each and every one of them. Despite their rhetoric, they can't run from their record. And Americans know this. That Republicans are either unwilling or unable to do anything about them has caused Americans to lose faith in the party and, sadly, in their government. The seeds of true change are there. It's up to us to help them grow.

To do that, however, requires action. Action those polled feel isn't happening. In a cautionary note - but one that can be learned from - 52 percent of respondents said that Democrats weren't offering the nation a "clear direction that's different from the Republicans". Is it because, like right-wingers love to say, we don't have any ideas? Doubtful, because, on every issue, Americans prefer Democrats. No, I think this belief has more to do with our leadership's seeming silence in the wake of the Republicans' overwhelming failures. I say "seeming" because I see my party speaking out every day. But there is the lesson to be learned from this poll. It's time to keep punching. Harder, too.

I recognize, of course, that it's hard for Democrats to give voice to our solutions when the party in power is so unwilling to give us a platform. But it's more than that. Now is the time to step up. Now is the time for the issue ads. Now is the time for the party's moderates to cut their ties with a dying administration. Now is the time for this fall's candidates to follow the lead of true Democrats like Ned Lamont and be bold and be proud to be Democrats. Now is the time for us to support those candidates. Now, more than ever, is the time for Americans everywhere to organize, to share ideas, to seize power. The door is open. Let's kick it in.

Like Americans everywhere, I have faith in the future. A faith that stems from my belief that we can win on our issues. Issues that built this nation. And issues that will save it.