[Cicero]

Normally, 9 times out of 10, the party in power loses some seats in the midterm.

That did not happen in 2002, because the Dems screwed up and Bush was popular. The pro-life vote and the Evangelicals, in particular, were a major factor.

This time it's less clear. Bush has not done a whole lot the past two years, compared to his first term, except for the major accomplishment of two strong SCOTUS appointments. It was a big mistake to come out of the gate with Social Security as his lead item, because he lost a ton of momentum on that.

However, it would be delusional to think that Republicans will vote for the Democrats because of Iraq or Foley. Far from it. Republicans who vote regularly will certainly get out and vote Republican. There may be some possible loss among Evangelicals, who in the past often didn't vote, because they were more focused on the next world and not too excited about either party. But I now doubt that, too.

The Dems and the media have done a lot to anger the conservative voters this past month. And they have offered very little in the way of a program to their base. Nothing but Bush hatred, in fact.

It is certainly key to get out and vote, and bring any friends with you that you can.

[Beagle8U]

"That did not happen in 2002, because the Dems screwed up and Bush was popular. The pro-life vote and the Evangelicals, in particular, were a major factor."

One big factor you forget.

Every year millions connect to the Internet and don't depend on the old media for news or facts.

Conservatives control that market because they tell the truth and it makes sense to the average Joe.

Al Gore created a monster when he invented the Internet.

[mr_hammer]

"The Dems and the media have done a lot to anger the conservative voters this past month. And they have offered very little in the way of a program to their base. Nothing but Bush hatred, in fact."

Me thinks you are so right!

[attiladhun2]

I think under the old paradigm, when the MSM could actually sway (rather than antagonize) likely voters, the party in power loses seats. Hardly a single election since '92 has been "normal." Bush I should have beat handily the Slickster, his approval rating was the highest any President had ever had in history. The '94 election was a blowout, the Republicans picked up some 60 seats, way more than the avg. for the party out of power, esp. so early in Bubba's first term. The '96 seems to be the most normal, however, even it had anamolies. Clinton should have won by far more than the the 49% or so he received. In the'98 election, the Republicans actually lost about 25 seats, contrary to "normal." In the 2000 election, Gore was sitting pretty. The economy was going strong (at least on paper). Gore should have rode in on Bubba's coattail by over 300 electrol votes, instead, he lost 269 to 272. The Republicans picked up seats in the '02 election, which was also contrary to "normal." No President had ever been re-elected before who had won the electrol vote but did not win the popular vote. Yet, Bush II pulled it off. Something is going on here. There is definately a radical shift happening and I think it has to do with the control of information. That is why I am optimistic about this Nov. There are other signs that the base of the party is not only motivated, THEY ARE P!SSED OFF AT THE DEMS, THE MSM, AND THE TERRORISTS far more than they are disgusted with the party leadership. Giving to the party is up. In places like Colorado, Republican requests for absentee ballots far outnumber the Dems. Republican candidates are reporting an enthusiastic base. Volunteerism is up, whereas the Dems are relying on paid volunteers to a great degree, plus they are running out of money. I can feel this enthusiasm myself, I heard a speech by the POTUS yesterday, and from the applause he got from the audience, you'd think he was a rock star.

I was in the dumps for a while myself, but then I quit listening to ScarredBurro and the rest of the Chattering Chumps. Now that I've voted absentee, I plan to give to Santorum, Irey, and some others and volunteer a few hours to the local party org. Nothing like getting involved to battle the negativism generated by the MSM, the DEMS, and the phony conservatives who kiss their backsides.

[Gondring]

However, it would be delusional to think that Republicans will vote for the Democrats because of Iraq or Foley. Far from it. Republicans who vote regularly will certainly get out and vote Republican.

Actually, that's not so true in tbe Philadelphia suburbs, where the registration figures are 2:1 Republican over Dem, yet Kerry came within one vote in my precinct. That's why three of the seats in jeopardy are right in the Philadelphia suburbs. I heard the anti-Bush sentiment in Republicans here during phone bank calls of 2004..I can't imagine it now!

[Bushbacker]

The key mistake the D's are making is that they think the voters hate Bush as much as they do...the voters are diappointed in Bush, but they do not hate him...he is not a Nixon during Watergate,,,,nor is he an LBJ during Viet Nam...in the end, the House and Senate will be held.