For Democrats, Wave Is Building

Washington Post ^ | 7/16/06 | Thomas E. Mann

[Coop]

There's probably no way congressional Republicans can lose this fall, no matter how unpopular President Bush is or how unhappy the voters are with the war in Iraq. That's the prevailing view in Washington today.

But it's wrong.

If history is any guide, we're heading into a major political storm. And that means we could see a national tide in November that will sweep the Democrats back into the majority.

Virtually every public opinion measure points to a Category 4 or 5 hurricane gathering...

But many analysts have noted the absence of strategic behavior on the part of the Democrats, who have failed to recruit good candidates and have allowed the Republicans to maintain a fundraising advantage...

Over the past year, the Cook Political Report has increased the number of Republican seats it considers highly vulnerable from two to 10, and those it considers somewhat vulnerable from 16 to 25. Eighteen others are potentially vulnerable. That's a total of 53 GOP seats at risk, double the number of a year ago. During the same period, the number of competitive Democratic seats declined from 14 to 10;, while the total number of Democratic seats at risk remained at 21...

[GoodWithBarbarians JustForKaos]

I think we still must vote against Democrats at all costs after the primaries. Even if our only choice is a RINO. A Democratic majority in either the House or Senate would ruin this country and the world, right now.

[PattonFan]

and it also might mean a Democratic congress.

May God forbid!

The only answer to another democratic takeover would be a Civil, uh, not going there....

[Dont Mention the War]

Mann has nothing to lose by publishing this. If the RATS take the house in November, he'll be able to milk this article for years; "See what a great political prognosticator I am?" If the GOP maintains control, the article will be quietly forgotten.

Somewhere around here is a study someone did showing that the NYT, WaPo, etc., published absolutely nothing predicting a potential GOP tidal wave in 1994 (nor did the TV MSM), while coming up with dozens of articles and TV pieces predicting a RAT recovery in '96, '98, '00, '02 and '04.

[Coop]

and I will also add - long ago there should have been reforms in the financial markets preventing hedge funds from speculating in oil - its a massive problem, and its adding $20 to each bbl right now.

I don't know if the solution is as easy as that, but I completely agree that this oil speculation is beyond absurd. A true free market should result in lower prices when inventories are at historic capacity. But I'm also hesitant to have government stick its nose into said market.

[W04Man]

Help FReep Johnny "In Cold Blood" Murtha on Thursday, July 20.

On this Thursday, July 20 at about noon, John "in cold blood" Murtha will be receiving the "Edmund S. Muskie Distinguished Public Service Award" from the Center for National Policy (cnponline.org), at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. They are located on Capital Hill at 400 New Jersey Avenue, NW..

We are planning to FReep this event starting about 11:00 AM. If anyone would like to participate, please reply. We will furnish signs, etc.

If you have friends in the Washington DC area who might be interested in helping, please contact them

Bump and Elect Diana Irey

http://Vets4Irey.com

[NicknamedBob]

"... noted the absence of strategic behavior on the part of the Democrats," -- No Leadership

"... who have failed to recruit good candidates ..." -- No Leaders

"... and have allowed the Republicans to maintain a fundraising advantage..." -- No Money

But they're going to win. -- Sure.

[shalom aleichem]

Tom Daschle and Tom Foley went down over their cry that "I am da man!". Foley was House Speaker Tin Tim was Senate Minority leader. It was done by forrays into their areas by important folks who assured voters that the challenger will have more sway with us than the incumbent. We need Hastart and Dubya in there (not Spechter or Santorum).

(I'd still like to see a certain resident of Ligonier, a town in the 12th district, approached for help [soto voce: Richard Mellon Scaife. http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:SuQAJDgsn1cJ:archives.cjr.org/year/81/4/scaife.asp+ligonier+pennsylvania+scaife&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2]).

[Prodn2000]

So, by your argument, the Dems have a right to boot Lieberman in the CT primary?

[Prodn2000]

So, by your argument, the Dems have a right to boot Lieberman in the CT primary?

[Coop]

I think Santorum will certainly be there. He needs Diana to have a good turnout to help his chances statewide. And having the #3 guy in the Senate supporting her campaign won't hurt.

Hastert would be good, but I still think Dubya might backfire - turning it into a Murtha vs. President Bush contest. I'd still like to see VA's George Allen help her out, and increase his standing with veterans in the process.

[Coop]

So, by your argument, the Dems have a right to boot Lieberman in the CT primary?

What a silly question.

[jazusamo]

We need Hastart and Dubya in there (not Spechter or Santorum).

I totally agree with you and I'm sure everyone is aware of the resident of Ligonier now. :-)

[Conservativegreatgrandma]

So, by your argument, the Dems have a right to boot Lieberman in the CT primary?

Of course, if that's what they want to do.

[Coop]

I decided to check out some of our new friend's posts. Not surprisingly, I found him/her quite active on the "Bush brought down the WTC" thread. And not very supportive of the Al Qaeda "theory!" :-)

[misterrob]

Uh, look at the RINOs who have not helped out on this....

I support what Bush has tried to do here but you cannot say that he has 100% support on this.

Hagel
Sphinctor
McLaim
Chaffee
Etc,
etc.

[Prodn2000]

You might want to reread what I had written on that thread. I never said our government had anything to do with it. I just said there were some questions that needed to be asked.

Anyway...FR has been abuzz for the last 2 months about how the dems are throwing Lieberman "under the bus." People have also said that the CT dem party was wrong to mount a challenge to Lieberman.

[68skylark]

Bookmark for reference after the election.

[Almondjoy]

Deal with what you got basically.

You have a primary but your choice may not win.. don't choose to stay at home.

A Republican beats a Democrat anyday.

[Coop]

No, not at all. But the GOP's approach is FAR superior to the Dems'.

[Coop]

FR has been abuzz for the last 2 months about how the dems are throwing Lieberman "under the bus."

They are throwing him under a bus. But for once they are actually following election rules and regulations.

And I read and understood exactly what you said on that thread.