By Stephanie A. Crockett, BET.com Staff Writer and Reuters News Service

Posted Nov. 6, 2002 -- Republicans consolidated their hold on the U.S. government Wednesday after a historic sweep of both chambers of Congress gave President Bush new power to enact his agenda, including a war against Iraq. 

With Republicans in control, what does it mean for African Americans? 

To BET.com message board user Lifesaver, it shows that more Blacks are voting Republican.

"It makes a serious statement about the traditional Blacks and other minorities in America," Lifesaver wrote. "The common stereotype that all Blacks are Democrats has become more and more not true. The manipulation of the Republican party to be more culturally diversed and accepting of any and all hard working citizens may be the ultimate political scheme to began the monopoly of the political party as a whole." 

Users Black_MBA agreed: "Democrats lost because they don't have an agenda. Running on the same old rhetoric will only get you so far. As more and more Blacks move into the mainstream by seeking entrepreneurship opportunities and furthering their education, the tactics of racial division and class warfare become obsolete."

But others think the GOP sweep means not enough Black people made it to the polls:

"Quite frankly, I think that one of the worst things that could happen, happened last night," user jg2000 wrote. "The losses in Georgia and Maryland and other Democratic states are largely associated with the lack of a Black turnout. We needed to be heard and counted and we weren't. The Republican party understands that they do not have our support, so their polices will have less to do with our social improvement interests and more on conservative issues, such as tax relief for the rich and the pursuit of war."

We went on the street to find out what other African Americans had to say about the election results and the implications for Black America. Check out their responses at left, then tell us what you think by hitting the Discuss Now button.