Another Red November? There's no reason 2006 has to be an off year for Republicans.

Opinion Journal ^ | February 15, 2005 | BRENDAN MINITER

[AliVeritas]

In trying to sell his reform agenda this year, President Bush must first overcome history. As everyone inside the Beltway seems fond of repeating, parties that control the White House tend to lose seats in Congress in off-year elections. Some Republicans now fear even worse losses should they embrace Social Security reform or any other dramatic change. More than a few congressional Republicans would rather just play it safe and hold onto power.

So far, Mr. Bush isn't making much headway. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas and others have already hinted that the president's Social Security ideas will take a pounding in Congress. Meanwhile, Mr. Bush is reported to have personally asked Rep. Candice Miller to challenge Michigan's Sen. Debbie Stabenow next year. Ms. Miller, declined, preferring to play it safe by running for re-election.

[Terpfen]

"House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas and others have already hinted that the president's Social Security ideas will take a pounding in Congress."

Really? Where and when did they say this? Or by "pounding," did they really mean "We're going to go even farther than the President is willing to go?"

[Always Right]

In trying to sell his reform agenda this year, President Bush must first overcome history. As everyone inside the Beltway seems fond of repeating, parties that control the White House tend to lose seats in Congress in off-year elections.

Well except that most of the Dumocrat base will have either left the country, committed suicide, or will be in a mental ward.

[jocon307]

I wish people would stop overlooking the serious flaws in "Hillarycare" as it's come to be called. It wasn't rejected just because it was "too sweeping"; the plan was dreadful and that is why it failed. If Bush & Co. come up with a dreaful plan to reform soc. sec. it will fail also, and deservedly so. If they come up with a good plan, it will succeed.