I don't think the Foley issue will have a negative impact in any district but his own. Additionally, the Democrats may overplay their reaction to it.
I personally think the online gambling issue will have more of a negative effect than the Foley scandal.
Whatever "kebosh" is? But Foley's story may backfire on the dims, as the American people didn't want hear about him, but rather those childrne in PA and Las Vegas.
I doubt it, ask any Joe on the street and more than likely they haven't even heard of the man.
Most people are too busy with entertainment, sports events, movies, and eating out than they are with the overall events of the country.
I am having trouble seeing why someone would vote against their own congressman because some other congressman resigned.
Even the Hastert stuff, lets say HIS voters don't turn out for him, I don't think he even has an opponent, or at least not a serious one, so there's no way he's going to lose.
Raynolds was the only person involved who looks like he's in some trouble, but I think he came out of this looking fine, because everybody agrees he took the matter to the appropriate people.
So while I'm OK with Hastert stepping down as leader, and I am concerned that some values voters WILL stay home because their own congressman doesn't thrill them and they don't see the need to "save the republicans", I hope we can minimize the damage from that.
And I like the new guy put in for Foley -- if he can win, we'll have gained valuable ground.
Actually in about a week the rat coverup will start to be the talking point out there
I'd bet more like 210 now.
The DEMS strategy when the take congress will be this:
They will continue to fund the war in Iraq but will attach tax increases to the appropriations bills.
This forces the GOP to either support the military or tax cuts. It will be politically popular for the Democrats to do this. Either the GOP supports the war and unravels 26 years of conservative policy on taxes or they abandon the troops in favor of the rich.