The Mid-Term Elections

[August1991]

ABC is predicting a net gain of 4 senate seats for the Democrats. Not enough to take the Senate.

It looks like the Senate will stay Republican.

The House was 232 Republican and 203 Democrat. Now, it'll be 225 Democrat and 210 Republican. In parliamentary terms, that's decisive. The Democrats have control of the House.

I haven't seen the governor results.

American democracy is alive and living. One criticises such a country at one's peril.

[lost&outofcontrol]

Let's hope this is the beginning of restoration of democracy in the United States.

ketchup - ketsup

[Ricki Bobbi]

Let's hope this is the beginning of restoration of democracy in the United States.

Wasn't America always democratic

Anyways, as for the right wing up here being quiet, a poll showed a majority of Canadian Alliance voters would vote democrat, and I'm sure the same would go with most conservative voters. Remember Canada is a very left wing liberal country. Our conservatives would be considered closer to the Dem's then the GOP.

I think it depends where you sit in the Conservative Party of Canada.

Republicans are for the most part pro-life, pro- capital punishment, against gun control, against national health care, etc. etc. etc.

Despite the rhetoric of the left this characterizes very, very few supporters of the CPC.

As people from the Canada politics thread may know I support the CPC here.

I supported the Democrats in the US. If I were a US citizen I would probably lean Democratic, but the absence of party disicipline in the house makes it more important there to really look at your local candidates than it is here.

[scribblet]

I think it depends where you sit in the Conservative Party of Canada.

Republicans are for the most part pro-life, pro- capital punishment, against gun control, against national health care, etc. etc. etc.

Despite the rhetoric of the left this characterizes very, very few supporters of the CPC.

As people from the Canada politics thread may know I support the CPC here.

I supported the Democrats in the US. If I were a US citizen I would probably lean Democratic, but the absence of party disicipline in the house makes it more important there to really look at your local candidates than it is here.

I think I would vote Democrat if I were in the U.S. The democrats are closer to our conservatives, although it would depend on the candidate too.

Now that people are celebrating the rise of the democrats can we assume that we will see and end to all the foolish overseas fighting and negotiate with the reasonable elements of the Taliban and AlQaeda; in fact if they hurry they may be able to overturn Saddam's guilty plea. Last night's win has assured "PEACE IN OUR TIME".

[Liam]

It looks like the Senate will stay Republican.

The House was 232 Republican and 203 Democrat. Now, it'll be 225 Democrat and 210 Republican. In parliamentary terms, that's decisive. The Democrats have control of the House.

I haven't seen the governor results.

American democracy is alive and living. One criticises such a country at one's peril.

Not so fast. The current headcount reflects a tie 49R-49D (actually, 47D and 2I but with the two independents siding with the Democrats). Two races (VA and MT) are heading for recount and in each of those, the Dem is ahead. Both should fall into the D column soon enough giving the Dems the Senate.

Regarding the House -- not one single Democrat lost in his/her re-election bid, many Rs lost theirs.

Regarding governors races -- again, not one single Democrat lost his/her re-election bid and the Dems picked up six states (NY, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Arkansas, and Colorado).

[YellowDuck]

I'm just so happy to see Rick Santorum go away.

Must admit though - his concession speech was probably the classiest I have ever heard. He is a lunatic, but he is a well-mannered lunatic. Can't take that away from him.

Unfortunately, he is still a very young man, and I doubt very much that we have heard the last of him.

[kimmy]

I think it depends where you sit in the Conservative Party of Canada.

Republicans are for the most part pro-life, pro- capital punishment, against gun control, against national health care, etc. etc. etc.

Despite the rhetoric of the left this characterizes very, very few supporters of the CPC.

That is my feeling on the subject. Despite the hysterics of some, Canada's Conservative party has adopted moderate positions on these issues. Even their stance on gay marriage, which gets branded as "hateful" here in Canada, would be considered loony-liberal and a huge victory for the "gay agenda" by American conservatives.

While some people seem to feel it's logical that Conservative supporters in Canada would support Republicans in the US, they're really two very different animals. If Canada's Conservatives were ideologically close to the US Republicans, I wouldn't support them.

As for the actual results...

Let's temper our enthusiasm for a couple of reasons. First off, there's apparently a strong protectionist sentiment among the resurgent Democrats. And, they apparently feel just the same on the passports issue as the Republicans.

-k

[Canadian Blue]

I'm thinking democrats will win both houses. Apparently Bush was well known in Texas for being able to reach out and work with democrats on the issues. So maybe the last two years of his presidency might actaully bring about something positive.

[Black Dog]

I think I would vote Democrat if I were in the U.S. The democrats are closer to our conservatives, although it would depend on the candidate too.

Now that people are celebrating the rise of the democrats can we assume that we will see and end to all the foolish overseas fighting and negotiate with the reasonable elements of the Taliban and AlQaeda; in fact if they hurry they may be able to overturn Saddam's guilty plea. Last night's win has assured "PEACE IN OUR TIME".

So let me see if I get this straight: the Democratic Party is in the same ideological neighbourhod as our CPC. So, if as the latter half of your statement implies, the Dems are also freedom-hating terrorist lovers, well, what does that make our Tories?

That is my feeling on the subject. Despite the hysterics of some, Canada's Conservative party has adopted moderate positions on these issues. Even their stance on gay marriage, which gets branded as "hateful" here in Canada, would be considered loony-liberal and a huge victory for the "gay agenda" by American conservatives.

Which is why I don't really care for the Dems (I'm happy for their gains if only because the alternative is so much worse) and I bloody well loathe the CPC.

I'm thinking democrats will win both houses. Apparently Bush was well known in Texas for being able to reach out and work with democrats on the issues. So maybe the last two years of his presidency might actaully bring about something positive.

After six years of gross partisanship, if I'm the Dems and Bush dusts off the old "uniter, not a divider" schitck, I'd tell him to stick it up his ass.

[kimmy]

After six years of gross partisanship, if I'm the Dems and Bush dusts off the old "uniter, not a divider" schitck, I'd tell him to stick it up his ass.

At their peril. While they'll naturally want to capitalize on Bush's plummeting support, they also need to avoid looking petty and vindictive. They need to avoid the appearance that they're putting politics ahead of getting things done. They need to create the appearance that they have goals to achieve and an agenda that goes beyond "Bush sucks". They have to show voters that they have viable policies and something positive to offer in 2008.

-k

[Black Dog]

It looks like the Senate will stay Republican.

We'll see...

American democracy is alive and living. One criticises such a country at one's peril.

WTF?

At their peril. While they'll naturally want to capitalize on Bush's plummeting support, they also need to avoid looking petty and vindictive. They need to avoid the appearance that they're putting politics ahead of getting things done. They need to create the appearance that they have goals to achieve and an agenda that goes beyond "Bush sucks". They have to show voters that they have viable policies and something positive to offer in 2008.

Y'know what? Fuck that. Petty and vindictive have been the hallmarks of this administration and the GOP for the past 6 years and beyond, while the cream-puff Dems have taken every punch, every slander that's come there way without so much as a peep. You don't hear anyone apply such rigorous standards to the Republicans: it's almost as if they are expected to act like thugs and bullies. But god forbid the Dems stand up for themselves. Oh no. Don't want to "play politics" or be seen as overly "partisan". So what does that get you? One party with a licence to kill and the knowledge that, no matter what dirty trick they pull, no matter how low they stoop and no matter how bad they fuck it up, the other guys can't call them on it due to the ridiculous double standard in place. Sweet deal for the G.O.P. No, it's time to get some payback because if you let these Republicans off easy, they'll come back and shank you in the back as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow.

And here's another thing: voters don't give a shit about viable policies or whether a party has something positive to offer: two Bush election wins in a row is proof positive of that. American voters are like sports fans: they don't care how their team wins, as long as they win. They don't care about who has the best vision: they care about who looks best on TV. American politics in the 21st Century is not about the head: it lives in the guts and the groin. The Republicans know this and it took six years of incompetent administration, an economy that is making the middle class an endagered species and a costly, demoralizing and uneccsary war for people to clue in.

[southerncomfort]

Some thoughts on this, and petty and vindictive doesn't even begin the describe some dems.

1. The US election is no way any endorsement of the liberal extremist position, heck a quite a few of the new dems are conservative or at least centrist in nature.

2. We know Iraq is not going well, but they can't do much at this point, more likely will engage in trying to pillary Bush and endless enquiries

3. The Democrats will wake up and realize (like Bob Rae in Ont.) that its a different kettle of fish to continually opposing for the sake of opposing, they need solutions and committments and have to offer something positive in order to govern the next time. Their platform two years down the road will be what makes or breaks them next time.

5. PresBush has executive veto power so unless a bill can be passed with a majority of two thirds in both the House and the Senate they are outa luck..at least based on last nites results

6. Lets remember that when Bush was Texas Gov. heworked well with the Dems in the Texas Legislature.

Mind you, a San Francisco Democrat, like Nancy Pelosi is a lot different than a Texas Democrat. History tells us how the Dems govern which is sometimes quite scary and radical so veto will help stop new legislation, but won't get funding for the war effort passed.

Its possible that the Dem. whacko element probably won't find enough votes in their own party for their extemist ideals.

If the Dems defund the US Military and simply walk away they will be toast in 2008 the most they can get away with is try to get rid Rumsfeld - whoops too late they've been pre-empted on that one.

Just think, if they simply walk away from Iraq, oil prices will go sky high and the ensuing violence will make recent stuff look like a cakewalk. and guess what, Iran will claim victory.

[Riverwind]

Just think, if they simply walk away from Iraq, oil prices will go sky high and the ensuing violence will make recent stuff look like a cakewalk. and guess what, Iran will claim victory.

I call B.S. on that assertion. Iraq's oil infrastructure is so badly damaged that it not even in the top 10 producing countries anymore. IOW: taking Iraq's oil off the market would not create a crisis but it would likely cause oil prices to spike until other producers picked up the slack.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/topworldtables1_2.html

First, who cares if Iran declares victory? Iran spouts a lot of rhetoric and is looking to be the dominate diplomatic power in the region but that does not mean Iran is a problem for anyone other than their immediate neighbors.

[Black Dog]

The US election is no way any endorsement of the liberal extremist position, heck a quite a few of the new dems are conservative or at least centrist in nature.

What's "liberal extremist position"? Hmm?

We know Iraq is not going well, but they can't do much at this point, more likely will engage in trying to pillary Bush and endless enquiries.

They can stop the bleeding (and hopefully hld those who got them into it acountale as well).

3. The Democrats will wake up and realize (like Bob Rae in Ont.) that its a different kettle of fish to continually opposing for the sake of opposing, they need solutions and committments and have to offer something positive in order to govern the next time. Their platform two years down the road will be what makes or breaks them next time.

More bullshit "just-so" story. For 12 years, the G.O.P have made their hay with smear campaigns and empty sloganeering. Yet for some reason the Dems are recquired to have articulate, intelligent policies? Uh. Huh.

5. PresBush has executive veto power so unless a bill can be passed with a majority of two thirds in both the House and the Senate they are outa luck..at least based on last nites results

Ah yes and how will hat look for the GOP when Buush, who has ruber stamped every single piece of paper that's passed before him (save for the bipartisan stem cell bill) suddenly starts running obstruction?

6. Lets remember that when Bush was Texas Gov. heworked well with the Dems in the Texas Legislature.

And when Bush was president he basically gave the Dems this.

Mind you, a San Francisco Democrat, like Nancy Pelosi is a lot different than a Texas Democrat. History tells us how the Dems govern which is sometimes quite scary and radical so veto will help stop new legislation, but won't get funding for the war effort passed.

Its possible that the Dem. whacko element probably won't find enough votes in their own party for their extemist ideals.

What extremist ideas? I'm waiting.

If the Dems defund the US Military and simply walk away they will be toast in 2008 the most they can get away with is try to get rid Rumsfeld - whoops too late they've been pre-empted on that one.

Yeah, Americans would love for them to continue the Sissiphysian project in Iraq. That's why they gave the Repubs such a big vote of confidence last night. Oh wait...

[southerncomfort]

Just think, if they simply walk away from Iraq, oil prices will go sky high and the ensuing violence will make recent stuff look like a cakewalk. and guess what, Iran will claim victory.

I call B.S. on that assertion. Iraq's oil infrastructure is so badly damaged that it not even in the top 10 producing countries anymore. IOW: taking Iraq's oil off the market would not create a crisis but it would likely cause oil prices to spike until other producers picked up the slack.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/topworldtables1_2.html

First, who cares if Iran declares victory? Iran spouts a lot of rhetoric and is looking to be the dominate diplomatic power in the region but that does not mean Iran is a problem for anyone other than their immediate neighbors.

Since when does it matter how much oil is in Iraq or how it flows and so on, prices will sky rocket anyway. Iran declaring victory will bolster the terrorists it matters to them. It would give Iran less reason to back down and will encourage them to be more beligerent.

[Riverwind]

Since when does it matter how much oil is in Iraq or how it flows and so on, prices will sky rocket anyway.

Why? Oil is affected by supply and demand. As long as the oil flows the price will stay in the same range.

Iran declaring victory will bolster the terrorists it matters to them. It would give Iran less reason to back down and will encourage them to be more beligerent.

Iran had nothing to do with any terrorist attacks against the US in the last 20 years. The only thing that Iran has done is funded anti-Isreal groups. However, that is no different that what the US has done in central america for decades.

[jdobbin]

It looks like the Senate will stay Republican.

The House was 232 Republican and 203 Democrat. Now, it'll be 225 Democrat and 210 Republican. In parliamentary terms, that's decisive. The Democrats have control of the House.

I haven't seen the governor results.

Five Senate seats now. The last one they are leading in. Could be a while before anyone knows.

The Democrats captured a few governorships which is important because the Supreme Court said that gerrymandering is okay.

[jdobbin]

NBC is now saying that the Democrats have won Virginia.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15620405/