Posted on 11/09/2005 4:50:09 PM PST by zbigreddogz
Let's just be honest about it: 2005 was a disaster for Republicans and conservatives.
No, we never really had a chance in Jersey, even though it looked like it, but we got beaten even worse then we should have.
Kilgore blew the Virginia race. Yes, Warner's popularity was big, and yes, it's an off year election, and no, Bush isn't at the height of his popularity, but this race was mainly Kilgore's fault. Why did this happen though? What made him think he could run Hitler ads and piss off the NRA and get away with it?
California was almost a complete disaster. We lost every initiative. Sure, we made the Unions blow their wad to beat it, but they got what they paied for.
Washington State was a disaster too. I-912, repealing the outrageously expensive gas tax hike to fund undefined, unaccountable transportation projects appears to have lost, and King County Executive Ron Sims, who essentially fixed the last Governor's race for Christine Gregoire (D), was re-elected as well.
Sure, there were bright spots. Bloomberg coasted to re-election (yes, I know he's a RINO on a lot of issues, but he's still FAR better then NY D's.), we won the Mayor's race in San Diego, which isn't a small matter, and the Manchester, NH mayor's race is very interesting too, seeming as how Kerry, Biden and such campaigned for the D.
But all said and done, it seems to me that this was a much worse year for us then 2001. This is like 2003 was for the Dems. Sure, they got a few neat things (Lousiana Governor's mansion, although I think they regret that now, and Philadelphia Mayor's race), but overall, it was a good year for us going into a very important year. It seems to me, we need to think of the implications of this year, and figure out what do to from here.
I don't think I'm being overly pessimistic, I'm not. I don't think the Dems are going to get either house back next year, but to make sure they don't, I think we need to reflect a little. These aren't simple 'Drive the RINO's out!' questions, or 'Run more moderates' or any such BS. Top down, what do we need to do differently?
It was a wash. Otherwise, BS.
Sinmple solution.
VOTE.
The democrats did.
Yeah, you're full of it. Try listening to Rush once and while.
As I pointed out, it wasn't just the NJ and VA Governor's races. The ballot initiatives in Washington State and California were important too, and those went poorly. If you don't think that had anything to do with the mood of the country, I think you are being naive, especially considering NJ and VA.
How is status quo a thwacking? You've been watching CNN again, haven't you?
We didn't get "twacked." The status quo is hardly a bloodbath.
I said real arguements.
'You're full of it' isn't a real argement.
So, let me get this right.
GOP ballot initiatives in heavily-liberal states were defeated, and because of this, we're supposed to be in a panic.
Right.
There was a HUGE victory in Ohio....
Stolen by Diebold. /DU Mode
And several liberal-backed initiatives designed to make vote fraud easier were trounced in Ohio, a veritable battleground state. Again, hardly a bloodbath.
Yes. Vanities are getting way out of hand.
2. Bring back Ari Fleisher.
3. Unleash Cheney on the Dems.
4. Have Bluto speeches at every local Republican club before the 2006 midterms: "REID, he's a DEAD MAN, KENNEDY, DEAD! PELOSI, DEAD!
New Jersey - Democrat state, Democrat Governor, we were outspent by millions and we lost. No big surprise there.
Virginia - A democrat governor and we loss to a democrat. OK, Virginia is a red state, but I am not convinced that this is an omen for 2006.
California.... Washington? Two of the top five Blue states.
Let's not read too much into this recent low turnout election. 2008 is a long ways off.
You assert the right got thwacked. Fine. What arguments can you provide that buttress your position?
Democrats didn't gain any ground, and Republicans sat on their thumbs. I quite frankly don't get what Howard Dean is all excited about. It's no different now than it was 2 years ago.
Soros lost bigtime in Ohio. And Silvers legislature power grab in NY went down in flames. There WERE no big losses for Repubs.
Turn off your TV and quit reading the paper. You're too easily influenced by the spin.
OHIO ISSUE #2 Vote By Mail
11081 precincts of 11559 reporting
NO 1,738,353 63% (W)
YES 999,572 37%
OHIO ISSUE #3 Campaign Contrib Limits
11119 precincts of 11559 reporting
NO 1,815,804 67% (W)
YES 886,782 33%
OHIO ISSUE #4 Redistricting
11119 precincts of 11559 reporting
NO 1,898,781 70% (W)
YES 813,636 30%
OHIO ISSUE #5 Election Board
11119 precincts of 11559 reporting
NO 1,896,196 70% (W)
YES 795,487 30%
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