It is already December and already Christmas wish lists are being sent to old St. Nick. What a completely different Christmas this will be than one year ago. With the changing political fortunes from the 2002 elections, the political wish lists from a year ago have changed more dramatically than anyone could have imagined. Here are the likely wish lists for this Christmas:

For the National Democrats, the top of the Christmas wish list has to be a White House scandal – any kind of scandal; just some kind of scandal. The integrity quotient for this President is off the scale. As a result, it has been impossible for Democrats to develop any kind of agenda. As a President who is not largely motivated by polls, George W. Bush has demonstrated that he will adopt good ideas, even if from the most Democrat of Democrats, i.e., Ted Kennedy. He will oppose bad ideas regardless of the temporary political winds of the moment. The result is a leader who the American people will follow because they do not question his motives or his integrity.

For National Republicans, the Christmas chant has to be "we want another one just like the other one" -- an election that is. Unfortunately for Republicans, there is not another national election for two years. And, during that time, the pressure is on to win the war on terrorism, turn the economy around, and bring the deficit back in line. With control of the White House, and both Houses of Congress, there will be no excuses. As they say on the playground, it is time to put up or shut up. Fortunately for Republicans, there are already signs of economic recovery, and the patient persistence of the President appears to be paying dividends in the war on terrorism. With the recent suspension of pay increases for certain federal employees as some indication, the Administration appears serious about budget restraint. If these patterns hold, Republicans could get their political Christmas wish a couple of years from now.

For Georgia Democrats, the Christmas wish has to be "please let it all be just a really bad dream." The political turnabout from the November 2002 elections was so unexpected that many still can not believe that it is true. Most Georgia Democrats fully expect to wake up and find the election just days away as the incumbent Democratic governor begins to spend his multi-million dollar war chest to seal victory for his reelection and a sweep of gerrymandered Congressional and legislative districts. The problem is that Santa can not turn the clocks back and it was not a dream. There will be no joy in Democrat Mudville this Christmas as the mighty Governor and his team have fallen and Georgia is forever changed. For Democrats, the grinch came early and he had no change of heart.

And finally, Georgia Republicans quietly whisper their request, "Don’t let this be a dream." Winning the United States Senate race was near the top of their wish list. Winning the Eleventh and Twelfth Congressional Districts was beyond their fondest expectations. Electing a Republican governor was something they only dreamed of. But then for Georgia Republicans, Santa came early and it is not a dream.