Mid Term U.S. Election

[CaptainCrunch]

I thought it would be interesting to have a thread for the U.S. midterm elections. With 7000 elections happening today. What you could perceive as the rise of the Tea Party in American Politics, the polar shift in both houses, and the possible road blocks that could be placed in from of President Obama.

As stated this morning on CTV and CNN, American's to an extent are angry, they don't see anything happening on the economic side, and their trust in Obama has eroded.

From a politics point of view, this could be an interesting day.

So I thought I would thread it.

[mikey_the_redneck]

I don't think much will change even if the Republicans take control of the Senate and Congress.....which is likely to happen.

Unfortunately the Tea Party has been co-opted by the establishment Republicans, so don't count on seeing any of their values implemented like smaller constitutional government, spending cutbacks or war cutbacks.....

[mykalberta]

I know how this is being framed as anti Obama but he hasnt really gone against anything he said he would do.

While I may not agree with his politics or policies and find it odd that he would push through health care in his first term (why not leave it till your second). I think any President deserves at least the 4 years before you can judge him on his record.

I think if the Dems are to lose any seats it will be soft D support only and only those seats that are the classic seesaw seats that go one way one election and the other the next. Its why I think health care was a mistake in the first term, adding to what is already a crazy amount of debt seems odd. Had he not pushed that through and just worked on economic issues in the first term he could have had the old faithful blame Bush for the economy come 2012, he still has that now except with health care being the one large caveat.

I havent really followed it closely (I dont really care who wins/loses senate/house seats), US foreign policy is all I care about - not their domestic issues. I am still on the fence as to the positive nature of the Tea Party vis a vi Conservative ideals. I once thought they were a joke, and now I think their momentum and money might propel Palin to the RNC presidential candidate in 2012.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I havent really followed it closely (I dont really care who wins/loses senate/house seats), US foreign policy is all I care about - not their domestic issues. I am still on the fence as to the positive nature of the Tea Party vis a vi Conservative ideals. I once thought they were a joke, and now I think their momentum and money might propel Palin to the RNC presidential candidate in 2012.

Since the Tea Party has been mostly hijacked by the Republicans, don't expect the wars to come to an end, and don't expect a change in foreign policy. Palin is a war monger and supports invading Iran.

The CFR and the Neocons have dictated US foreign policy for a long time I wouldn't expect that to change.

[La Flames Fan]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

I don't think much will change even if the Republicans take control of the Senate and Congress.....which is likely to happen.

Unfortunately the Tea Party has been co-opted by the establishment Republicans, so don't count on seeing any of their values implemented like smaller constitutional government, spending cutbacks or war cutbacks.....

I don't think the Senate is likely. Just the house.

[Pinner]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I know how this is being framed as anti Obama but he hasnt really gone against anything he said he would do.

It didn't matter who became President, they were going to hate anyone.

14 Trillion reasons to hate government. Time to buy gold.

[La Flames Fan]

[GirlySports]

I find the independents interesting. They're generally unhappy and will vote for the party not in power. In Canada we don't really have independents. A person is usually Conservative, Liberal, NDP or Bloc and it's very difficult to change any of them.

[Displaced Flames fan]

The guy that is going to win the 4th district seat here in KS, my district, has no business in Congress. I voted for the Democrat, split my ticket. Hope he pulls out the miracle win.

I do hope that Reid goes down in Nevada. He's a useless POS.

[Table 5]

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s declaration that “The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president” is basically all you need to know about fatad up politics are in the US these days.

So much for the economy, huh Mitch? It's much more important to stick it to the other guy!

Just when you think these politicians would come together to help their country, they're working even harder on blaming each for every little thing. The ads on tv running up to this election have been an absolutely disgrace. I can't vote here, but honestly, I probably wouldn't bother even if I had that opportunity. It really doesn't matter which one of them is at the wheel, they are both equally corrupt and incompetent. In my eyes, American politics have never been more disenchanting than they are now.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I find the independents interesting. They're generally unhappy and will vote for the party not in power. In Canada we don't really have independents. A person is usually Conservative, Liberal, NDP or Bloc and it's very difficult to change any of them.

You don't have independents in the States either. It's largely a myth. What you have is voter enthusiasm and people enjoying the label "independent." A huge number of the independents vote Republican or Democrat 90% of the time. American politics is extremely polarized, much more so than Canada.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by Displaced Flames fan

The guy that is going to win the 4th district seat here in KS, my district, has no business in Congress. I voted for the Democrat, split my ticket. Hope he pulls out the miracle win.

I do hope that Reid goes down in Nevada. He's a useless POS.

And be replaced with six years of Sharron Angle? Or are you counting on her having to resign before then?

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by La Flames Fan

I don't think the Senate is likely. Just the house.

You are right, the Senate is a long shot.

I think Rand Paul will get in though.

[Thor]

I hope as many of the more nutty tea baggers make it in as possible, the amount of awesome political humour we'll get in the next 4 yrs will be worth it.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Weiser Wonder

You don't have independents in the States either. It's largely a myth. What you have is voter enthusiasm and people enjoying the label "independent." A huge number of the independents vote Republican or Democrat 90% of the time. American politics is extremely polarized, much more so than Canada.

This is what I don't get though. It seems polarized as in "If the Republican says the sky is blue, the Democrat will dispute it as lies." But how can it be really polarized if a significant number of votes continue to jump back and forth. The US could have one-term presidents for awhile if this keeps up.

[Clever_Iggy]

I'm just glad it's almost over. Here in California, the TV ads and campaign signs are just ridiculous.

Plus having to listen to retread Jerry Brown or windbag Meg Whitman for another day has me on the edge of going postal. Between Whitman's primary run for the Republican nod and this election, I feel like she's been campaigning since Obama was elected.

The only thing interesting, for me, is whether Prop 19 passes in California. It's not whether I agree with it or not... it'll just be interesting to see if California takes that big of a step with marijuana.

[Weiser Wonder]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

This is what I don't get though. It seems polarized as in "If the Republican says the sky is blue, the Democrat will dispute it as lies." But how can it be really polarized if a significant number of votes continue to jump back and forth. The US could have one-term presidents for awhile if this keeps up.

Voter enthusiasm is the biggest reason. Mid term elections are not well attended, so the party with momentum will see its supporters show up in far greater numbers.

[mikey_the_redneck]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

The only thing interesting, for me, is whether Prop 19 passes in California. It's not whether I agree with it or not... it'll just be interesting to see if California takes that big of a step with marijuana.

I am also interested in this. I have read that the Feds plan to enforce drug laws regardless of what laws are passed by individual states. I would like to see the States stand up to the Federal gov. and do what is best for their people.

It is similar to the immigration law that Arizona passed in which the Federal gov. is taking them to court over. Stay tuned I guess...

[troutman]

This is the big proposition in California, which could impact the entire energy industry:

http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/23/

SUSPENDS IMPLEMENTATION OF AIR POLLUTION CONTROL LAW (AB 32) REQUIRING MAJOR SOURCES OF EMISSIONS TO REPORT AND REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS THAT CAUSE GLOBAL WARMING, UNTIL UNEMPLOYMENT DROPS TO 5.5 PERCENT OR LESS FOR FULL YEAR. INITIATIVE STATUTE.

[Calgaryborn]

Gridlock will be good for the average American. It will keep spending and new regulations down. Of course Obama has already pushed through health care which will hurt small business in the next couple years.