Posted on 11/08/2006 2:10:38 PM PST by KMAJ2
Anyone who cannot admit it was a good day for democrats and a bad one for republicans is not admitting reality.
It appears the democrats picked up 30 seats in the House, giving them a 29 seat majority, most of the new seats are moderate democrats.
While the Senate has two seats undeclared, an initial assessment would be that democrats will take both and control of the Senate, as they have the lead in both Virginia (down 8000) and Montana (down 4000). AP has declared Tester as the winner in Montana.
This was the democratic process in action. So why did it happen ? The republicans were too smug and have moved away from the ideas that put them in the majority, smaller government and accountability. The conservative base became too combative among themselves fighting over their own pet issues, the democrats used these conflicts to their advantage, highlighting the in-fighting to prop up their own arguments, effectively saying "See, even some conservatives/republicans disagree with that policy" and, by implication, agree with them. And while at the end, conservatives managed to mobilize, the months of in-fighting turned the independants away. Make no mistake, in the close races, the difference was the independant voters turned off by the scandals and in-fighting.
They republicans left themselves open to a three pronged attack, an unpopular war, scandals and a left biased media. Their responses to all three were woefully inadequate and totally misgaged the attitude and frustration of the electorate. Much of how the democrats won was based on manipulation of the facts and was aided by a biased media propaganda campaign. It cannot be denied that the democrats were handed a bludgeon with the Abramof Scandal and, especially, the Foley Scandal, a well timed democrat attack that should have broken much earlier, as a major factor. The republicans reacted very poorly to both scandals, and with an adversary biased media that was a fatal flaw. Those scandals were the tipping point that determined the outcome of many of the close races that went to democrats. Without the scandals, I think, you would have seen a far different result on election day, Iraq alone would not have been enough.
So what now ? It should be an interesting next two years.
Here are some thoughts/opinions, if the democrats think this election was over anything more than the war and scandals, and try to move the country to the far left on other policies and raise taxes or pursue impeachment against the president, they will suffer a backlash. The one thing this election wasn't, was a mandate for left wing ideas because they did not campaign on any ideas, they ran against the war (even there democrats are divided - see Lieberman/Lamont results) and scandal on Capitol Hill. Many of the victories the democrats gained were with moderate/conservative democrats, not those on the far left.
Personally, I fear the decisions on the War on Terror and Iraq, if not well thought out by democrats, will severely endanger us and embolden terrorists. Anything that terrorists could perceive as being able to claim victory will heighten the terrorist threat.
The democrats will no longer be able to simply obstruct and say no, they now have power and will be creating a record that can be used against them in 2008. The republicans must return to the policies and ideas that delivered the majority to them in 1994, and it will be much easier to attack the democrats now that they are the majority.
To repeat myself, we are in for some interesting times in these next two years. Will the democrats further polarize this country ? I have very serious doubts that they can do anything to unite this country. Too many harsh words and too many attacks have made the climate an unsuitable atmosphere for there to be any trust that is necessary for bipartisanship. Will they misread what this election tells them ? Are we in for two years of gridlock ? Stay tuned, time will tell.
>>Are we in for two years of gridlock ?
If today is any indication, there will be no gridlock - GWB will sign any bill put in front of him.
Gawd, I hope so....
there really arent that many moderate/conservative democrats who won. i dont know why people keep trumping this. tester, mccaskill, brown, whitehouse are anything but moderate. the 3 indiana seats and schuler are the only moderate/conservative dems i can find.
What caused this? If you ask me, it was 1) Single Issue voters, and 2) Voters that believe somehow they are teaching the republicans a lesson by effin themselves (by no-vote, or dem-vote).
We cannot fall into the trap the DUmmies set for themselves. We lost. It only had a little to do with Republicans, though. Democrats exploited scandals even after the guilty party had been held accountable. Do not deny that this was a Dem win, though. If we get stuck on this election, we cannot focus on '08.
now that the lib/dems are in charge....there will be no gridlock....the war will be won....bin laden will be cuaght....there will be universal health care...there will be the most open & honest congress in history....santa claus will bring everyone presents....the easter bunny will bring the eggs....pigs will fly...wait...hillary is still running!!!!
Is that vodka? Stalin would be proud.
"Are we in for two years of gridlock ?"
No government is good government. I hope both sides sit and glare at each other across the aisle for the next 2 years.
"most of the new seats are moderate democrats. "
Tell me another one, Pinochio.
You want to blame this on the voters???
The voters just weren't buying what the Republicans were selling. It's that simple.
And attitudes like yours are not going to woo a whole lot of voters back to the GOP either.
No. It is essence of spinal fluid from her last two political competitors victims.
Those may not be fair or logical - but that is what the voters voted for.
If the GOP thinks that all they have to do is the same old thing - they will lose again in 2008, imo.
He will "work with the people that will grease the skids for the USA". You are absolutely right. Pubbies were too nice for two long, now they are castrated completely.
Of course the blame lies with the voters. Last I checked it is the voters that choose our government, so yes, ultimately the voters are to blame. I'm not discounting that the Republican Party should change their mascot from an elephant to a Rhino, but to vote on one issue, or to vote the enemy of this country's foundation into office to "get back" at the Republicans is just plain ignorant.
Democracy is rule by demagogues. What do you expect?
Good analysis. Foley did a ton of damage.
So, at least a change got us.... 3,000 troops dying in vain when Dems succeed in cutting and running (which is their plan), no permanent tax cuts, probably a repeal of many of the existing tax cuts, a sure amnesty for illegals, a weaker stance toward terror and/ or the enemies of our country, more entitlement programs...I could write a book. BUT AT LEAST IT IS A CHANGE...
it is a great day,
if you are a terrorist
or an illegal alien
sarc off/
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.