In a POTUS election for acompletely NEW administration:
Ike brought in a GOP majority in ‘50
Kennedy won the DEMs a clear majority in ‘60
Johnson kept the DEM majority in ‘64
Nixon gained seats for the GOP in ‘68 (althought DEMs in control)
Carter gained seats for the Dem majority in ‘76
Reagan won a GOP majority in ‘80
Bush 41 stayed even in ‘88
Clinton gained DEM seats in ‘92
W is the anomoly; In ‘00 he was elected but lost the GOP majority.
Point being - Coattails do occur
I appreciate the facts you compiled regarding Presidential coat-tails. I sincerely do.
I initially responded to you comment: “If McCain wins, do we know what his coattails will mean for Congress?”
I said: “Republican coat-tails in 2008?”
My point was merely that McCain does not even have a strong chance of winning against the Democrat in 2008. If he does win, it will be by the seat of his pants, not with coat-tails.