Let me add another angle. How many votes do you all think we lost (or didn't vote) because of the Internet Gambling ban tacked on to the Ports Security bill by Frist late at night?
I know that I was seriously pissed at that action and expressed my displeasure to both my texas senators, Frist's office and the White House. I also considered not voting but reconsidered when I decided there were more important issues.
But how many folks do you think reacted in a negative way to the Republicans?
Could it have been 6000 voters in Virgina?
How about 2000 voters in Montana?
To me, it was a stupid, pandering bill to tack on. Something that the US will have to overturn at some point because of the WTO litigation we are going to receive.
I would be willing to bet that the Republicans lost more votes then we gained by this action.
Also, Frist will not get my support when (or if) he runs in 2008 for the Presidential nomination.
More than most people realize. I personally know several people who are normally not involved at all in politics that went out to vote Dem. for that exact reason.
That was one of the biggest gaffes I've seen this year. I don't see how it got a single vote from people opposing "gambling", because it was never debated so nobody was expecting it.
And it wasn't highly touted, so people who cared to stop gambling didn't even know that Frist had thrown them a bone.
But gamblers knew, and investors in gambling stocks knew, and limited-government conservatives knew.
The republicans hoped that fear over having democrats run the house and senate would be enough, but it wasn't, because conservatives understand that we control our own lives, not the government.
Also the robust economic numbers, made the whole immigration issue a non-starter this election cycle. And it cost the GOP the Hispanic vote.