Daschle Corners His Own Party

humaneventsonline ^ | 4/29/02 | Terence P. Jeffrey

[Coop]

Point being that popularity of the president and a war does not lead to his party gaining seats in midterm elections.

Look at recent history, then. In '98 the party in power gained seats (unfortunately). Redistricting slightly favors the Pubbies, fundraising most assuredly does, and the polls look favorable (though we're still six months out).

[ravingnutter]

I generally agree with the article, except that the stalling of judges is not an issue that the average voter cares about.

On the contrary, dear, groups like Planned Parenthood and NOW that advocate baby killing are very concerned about the issue and are lobbying hard to stall conservative judges that will ban partial birth abortions and/or overturn Roe v. Wade on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.

[Rodney King]

Of course they do. The article was about Bush having a bunch of great issues against Daschle, and I just don't think that the average voter understands or cares about the judges that much. I did not say that it was not important.

[RedWing9]

Dasch-hole bump!

[diotima]

Thanks for the bump, I think.....:^)

[Always Right]

pick the Democrat and get judges who think child pornography is free speech but the Ten Commandments are not.

Ouch.

[SJackson]

The Republican's may have the issues, but for them to have traction they have to be "nationalized", as the Contract for America was, Republican candidates running on a common theme orchestrated by the RNC. Terry McAuliffe knows how to do this very well. So does Carville.

So far I've seen no evidence that the RNC is preparing to run an aggressive national campaign this fall, or that GWB is going to expend some of his political capital. It's still early, but these issues won't matter if they're not placed in front of the electorate. If R's run on local issues, and selective national issues locally, there's no reason this won't be a typical mid term election.

[StockAyatollah]

Vote for a third party. Fantasize about your state seceeding from the whole mess. Or just go bang your head on the wall. You will effect as much change which ever way you choose. Sad fact is that most voters just want free WWF, Jerry Springer and Oprah on TV and their SS check in the mail. Freedom is dead in the US.

[StockAyatollah]

I don't know what we can do with the Rinos from the liberal states.

Kick these states out of the Union. Since that isn't going to happen, nothing!

[sphinx]

The RNC has never, IMHO, been very aggressive.

Let's point the firing squad in the right direction. The RNC will be exactly as aggressive as President Bush tells it to be. The RNC took a lot of unfair heat for the '92 and '96 campaigns. The fact is, in those years the RNC was full of blood-on-the-floor partisans who were in despair at the unwillingness of Bush and Dole to attack (not to mention their inability to speak the language). The candidate, and now the President, controls the campaign. As he should. Don't blame the spearcarriers; it's OUR job to nominate the right candidate.

[finnman69]

Rush is discussing this op-ed now.

[princess leah]

Since the election debacle in Florida, and of course the 9/11 tragedy, Americans are paying attention (just see how much Fox news has jumped in ratings)and I am hopeful that these issues will bring about much needed changes in the Senate!

[Bodie]

I hope it's there AFTER November

[Hacksaw]

So far I've seen no evidence that the RNC is preparing to run an aggressive national campaign this fall, or that GWB is going to expend some of his political capital.

That is why I give my money to people who do run aggressive campigns, like the NRA and the Club For Growth (who is running commercials slamming the 'Hole in his home state).

[Dan from Michigan]

Granholm has all the right qualities. She'll have coattails, even though she's Fieger's handmaiden.

Not if I have any say in it....primaries....

[Phantom Lord]

The party in power gaining seats is a very rare occurance. If memory serves me right, 98 was only the 3rd or 4th time in history that it has happened.

[Coop]

I know it's rare, that's why I said look at recent history. Trends do change (not that I'm saying this trend definitely has, just that it could have). The GOP does have quite a few things going for it in this election. Too bad there's still six months to go.

[Phantom Lord]

The dems will play the race card, mediscare, and claim the GOP has a "secret plan" to take away the blue hairs social security. Has worked for 40 years and is likely to work again. That trend is not showing any signs of changing.

[Coop]

Has worked for 40 years

Apparently not, since the GOP has held the House since '94.