Posted on 11/09/2005 6:24:13 AM PST by new yorker 77
The Democrats have another thing coming if they believe this election is good news for them as a harbinger for 2006.
There was a consistent theme that ran strongly through every election yesterday: Status Quo.
Republicans retained Republican seats, Democrats retained Democrat seats, propositions to change or create new laws all failed, and traditional marriage was reaffirmed.
Every single issue went status quo, with the exception of local down ticket races where Republicans took Democrat seats. This does not signal a public that wants to shake things up much, which is what Democrats really need to win in 2006. It is pretty clear that there is not going to be a Democat version of the Reagan Revolution riding in on the heels of the anti-Prop 13, or a national push to "throw the bums out" that swept in Newt Gingrich's Republican Revolution.
Sorry, Dems, but it looks like we're going to be in for more of the same for a long time to come. The public spoke loud and clear and said, "keep things the way they are!"
That isn't too surprising, I guess. The favorable/unfavorable numbers for both Forrester *and* Corzine were horrible. Corzine simply isn't liked that much in this state. The NJ GOP is going to *have* to find a more convincing standard bearer than Doug Forrester, though. When are they going to learn?
It almost looks as if Whitman's 2 wins as governor were just an anomaly now. Both times she won narrowly with under 50% of the vote. So that makes Corzine's victory look that much more unremarkable.
How big is the Dem's margin in the NJ state legislature now btw?
A win is still a win.
Corzine is the governor-elect.
That is a fact.
Regardless of whether it was by 1% or 99%.
Regardless of what the Dems did in previous elections.
Regardless of whether Gore actually won in 00 or Kerry in 04.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Deep observations. Thanks.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Ok, so W was elected and re-elected with less margins than Reagan or his father's first term win. Does that discount his victories?
Kilgore was up double digits for much of the campaign and was favored. Kaine was a weak but inoffensive candidate with few ideas. Kilgore should have won easily. Ultimately though I don't think this is a referendum on Bush. It was a referendum on Kilgore. He ran a horrible campaign that was very negative but presented no new ideas. I think you can see that Kaine's election was Kilgore's fault by seeing how Republicans did well in the other state wide elections in Va.
Er... The FACTS are that the D's won. That's the only FACT that has any relevance.
Facts? Sorry to bust your bubble but the GOP lost in both NJ and VA. Its sad but true.
Regardless of what we read or hear, I don't see the nationwide result as good for the GOP.
This is a wake up call to elected Republicans everywhere.
In all high profile races except NYC ( where he have a Dem who masquerades as Republican), the GOP candidates and initiatives ALL WENT DOWN IN RESOUNDING DEFEAT.
Count them --- Virginia ( where Bush campaigned for Kilgore, who was supposed to be endorsed by the favorite to run for POTUS in 2008, George Allan), New Jersey ( where a scandal ridden Dem party could not be unseated), and California, where 4 emninently reasonable propositions touted by the Governator went DOWN in RESOUNDING DEFEAT.
The voters are telling us something and we ought to listen. We HAVE NOT been governing as Republicans thats for sure. The base were not energized and simply let the other side win.
Virginia has not elected a Governor of the same party in 32 years.
So, George Allen would have lost yesterday were he the candidate?
And reasonable reforms in California were shot down. Don't sugarcoat. Yesterday was not good for conservatives who want lower taxes and less spending and more control over their children's lives.
Oh, I agree, there are positives to take from yesterday. But, I am just the type of person who hates losing and finds little consulation in the bright sides of it. There is no question we were playing on there field in this off year election, but all the more reason I wanted a win here or there. Even worse, I am stuck in NJ and its about to get a whole lot worse.
Yeah, but you can't "...take out the Independent..."
The ability to capture us GDI (Gosh-darned-Independent) voters is a major factor in any election.
"It's the candidate, stupid."
Besides, and correct me if I'm wrong, but Democrats won in these same races in the 2001 elections and that had no real impact on the 2002 Congressional elections. Republicans still picked up seats.
You are correct. I hope the GOP gets its act together.
This means spending less and securing the borders.
VA was a real loss... and watching our Senate Republicans(and Bush himself) piss-away whatever 'capital' he had, in six months, should be a wake-up-call to every member on this forum.
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