Democrats See Dreams Of '06 Victory Taking Form

The New York Times ^ | October 13, 2005 | Robin Toner

[Clintonfatigued]

That sense of political opportunity has Democratic operatives scrambling to recruit more candidates in Congressional districts that look newly favorable for Democratic gains, to overcome internal divisions and produce an agenda they can carry into 2006, and to raise the money to compete across a broader field. In short, the Democrats are trying to be ready if, in fact, an anti-incumbent, 1994-style political wave hits.

[Ben Mugged]

And I have dreams of hoards of Dims jumping off bridges like lemmings following Howard Dean into oblivion. I like my dream better.

[JillValentine]

"Democrats see dreams of '06 victory taking form..."

Then the LSD wore off.

[jveritas]

[Clintonfatigued]

If the election were held this year, Democrats would do very well. With the aftermath of Katrina, the seemingly never-ending war in Iraq, the exorbitant price of gasoline (perceived as corruption by oil companies), and record deficits, the people are not happy with the direction of the country.

Fortunately, there's plenty of time for things to turn around.

[bnelson44]

They lost it today in Iraq.

[Congressman Billybob]

It is utterly irrelevant that some "Democrats" see the possibility of victory in '06. The proven experts like Stuart Rothenberg and Charlie Cooke see less than 30 House seats that are actually competitive. The Democrats cannot sweep that bunch.

On the Senate side, the Democrats have more of their Senators vulnerable than the Republicans. The votes for John Roberts as Chief Justice show that some Democrats running in '06, are running scared.

The bottom line: This is an example of the Democrats on the staff of the Times fooling themselves and taking seriously the Democrat "theoreticians."

Congressman Billybob

Latest column: "Racially-Based, Academic Nonsense"

[gaijin]

The conservative base is upset with high spending and foolish appointments, so they may stay away. This is a real risk!

Fortunately, the lib whacko base is perhaps even more upset, and may stay home.

I predict an INCREDIBLY low turn out, in spite of all the anger flying around.

All in all, we're in better shape than they are.

[DTogo]

Is the GOP listening, or are they still absorbed in alienating their Base on the Miers nomination, drunken sailor spending, the AMNESTY immigration policy with no border enforcement, no policy for energy independence, McCain Amdt. No. 1977 hog-tieing our troops in the field trying to gather intell, etc.

[hispanichoosier]

Fortunately, there's plenty of time for things to turn around.

And, fortunately, most of the electorate's memories are very short indeed.

[SandRat]

By the spring of '06 Iraq will have had it's election to formally establish it's own government without terr violence, Saddam's trial on the first charge will have wrapped up with a guilty conviction, Iraqi troops and police will be able to handle much more of the action of clearing out the terrs, Iraqi locals will be turning in the terrs in large numbers, US Troops will be returning home and staying home, New Orleans will be well on it's way to recovery, the Plame Blame Game will be over and the members of the Bush admin cleared, the SCOTUS will have ruled that the pledge as it is right now is not unconstitutional, ...... and the Dems will continue to walk around in an LSD induced hallucination.

[maxter]

The delusion continues.

[Osage Orange]

If the election were held this year, Democrats would do very well

I am not as convinced...as to say they will "do very well".

IMO...the sheeple are ripe for any Bill Clinton-like silver tongue chameleon to come along. No matter the political party...

[NeoCaveman]

Just wait until the winter heating bill come in and the credit card bills come in with their minimum payments doubled. Things will get worse before they get better.

[Maceman]

Dreams . . . that's the only place where Dems EVER will see a majority for the foreseeable future.

[DogBarkTree]

"All in all, we're in better shape than they are."

All and all I totally agree with you. Fate can be cruel so we must not take that shape for granted. The public is fickle and can turn stupid in mass in real short order.

[OldFriend]

Their dreams are crack fueled.

[FeeinTennessee]

They wish, lol!

[zbigreddogz]

It's beyond that. The map still just looks bad for them. Given their better candidate recruiting, and some dissatisfactiion among the R base, they might gain a seat in the senate, maybe a few in the house, but they are dreaming if they think they are going to recapture either of them.

[John Jorsett]

Let's call this the, "hey, it could happen" approach. Hope that the public finds your party somewhat less repulsive than the other guy's at some future time. Strategic genius.