Matt Stone columnist

These are heady days for the Democratic Party. With Democrats holding steadfast, John Bolton - now the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations - was unable to receive confirmation from the Senate, only earning his sinecure through a shaky recess appointment by President Bush.

Paul Hackett, the Democratic candidate for an Ohio congressional district and a veteran of the war in Iraq, returning from combat less than a year ago, was able to garner 48 percent of the vote in a heavily Republican district without a platform to speak of.

And, with the recent unveiling of John Roberts taking time to advise a gay rights group pro bono, the Democrats have an incognito David Souter to boot.

Times are good for the Democrats, even without a majority in either congressional chamber or a president by the name of Clinton. And they've been able to do so much by saying so little - in fact, three simple words: "Just say no."

Whither ideas? Whither leadership?

For all its success, the Democratic Party is methodically suffocating itself: It has forgotten how to voice new ideas or an agenda that appeals to anyone but Bush-bashers. The Democrats have staked their own success on being the anti-Bush party, but when Bush goes, then what?

This is not a formula that will win a single vote beyond 2008.

At the recent AFL-CIO labor union convention, Democrat after Democrat mounted the stage to lambaste free trade, the tinkering of Social Security, China and any other scapegoat that could be exploited.

Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts lamented the "most anti-worker, anti-labor, anti-union administration in memory." Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois expressed his desire to see "labor rise again."

Since last year, Democrats have spent a great deal of their time dismantling the very concept of Social Security reform, despite the irrefutable need for reform soon.

It appears the Democrats have little to say of substance except to say "no!" Many pundits have predicted the glorious return of the Democratic Party in the mid-term elections of 2006, comparing the current political mood to that of 1993-1994, when Newt Gingrich led a "Republican revolution" into Washington. Yet, the Republicans of 1994 had a "big idea" or "big ideas" as it were - welfare reform and a balanced budget. Today's Democrats do not have that "big idea" with which to rally support.

The Democratic Party is counting on the protest vote. Doing the same in 2004 wasn't a winning formula either.

Now is the time for some Democratic soul-searching. Luckily, some members of the Democratic leadership are doing just that. Howard Dean, former presidential candidate and chairman of the Democratic National Committee, wants to offer a "big tent" to welcome anti-abortion Democrats.

Sen. Hillary Clinton, in a recent speech to the Democratic Leadership Council - the moderate organization that helped sweep her husband into power in 1992 - called for the Democratic Party to focus on centrist voters in 2008, much to the chagrin of liberal activists. More must be done.

It is time for the Democrats' "big idea." Without one, the Democratic Party is systematically relegating itself to the position of eternal protest party. No one wants to be led by a gaggle of complainers and pessimists. Americans admire and desire leadership, and a dearth of leadership is exactly what America is getting from the Democratic Party.

Perhaps the Democrats should look toward the future: The labor movement is dying, Social Security reform deserves a respectful debate, and free trade is critical to the economic well-being of America and others.

Perhaps the Democrats should stop worrying about Bush and Rove and start worrying about their next "big idea."

We need innovation from the Democratic Party. Without it, we get one-sided debate. Without it, we all lose - Democrats, Republicans and independents alike.

Matt Stone is an international studies and economics junior. He can be reached at letters@wildcat.arizona.edu.