Many months before it became common media fare, I wrote here that polls showed political winds shifting to the Democrats. That's been thanks largely to the Republicans' unwillingness to take on immigration and other issues important to Americans. Now their majority power is in peril.

The question is why. Why should voters allow the Democrats to take control of the U.S. House of Representatives, and possibly even the Senate?

Let's look at the issues. First, Iraq. Support for the war is low. Less reported is that surveys indicate a general unwillingness by Americans to strike our tents in Iraq and just go home.

When and how do Democrats believe we should leave? They know civil war and increased regional stability would result if the United States simply quits. It's far-fetched to try to persuade anyone that the supposedly more compassionate Democrats would, in essence, sign the death warrant of the entire Iraqi nation.

The Republicans have no plan to effectively exit Iraq. Neither do Democrats. So this colossal issue is a political draw.

The second issue is the culture of corruption in Washington. Names like Tom DeLay, Mark Foley and Bob Ney are too familiar to many people. The GOP has had its share of scoundrels.

But what about Democratic Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid? He conveniently made a cool million bucks off the sale of land he didn't personally own. The sale was never properly reported until the press uncovered the deal. Looks like the muck in Washington, D.C., is greasing wheels on both sides of the partisan aisle. Call this sordid issue another draw politically.

The third issue is one that really moves Americans -- illegal immigration. Unquestionably, congressional Republicans have played footsie for too long on this.

But let's give credit where it's due. At least they passed something that moves us in the direction of securing our borders.

As for Bush's so-called "amnesty plan," it's gotten nowhere with House GOP leadership, and the Republicans are suffering in public sentiment because of the president's position. Continued...