Political Junkies: Predictions for U.S. Mid-Terms?

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Don't worry Iowa, I think the Democrats will screw it up. They have two years to make a negative impression with voters that will guarantee the Republicans another term in the seat that really matters. President McCain will be okay with the loss of 2006 as it will lead to the victory of 2008!

.... I wish I didn't agree with that....

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

Well, since this was originally a "predictions" thread, I thought it might be instructive to post the final (such as they are) results of the elections, as reported by MSNBC. Note that CNN hasn't called any race where the results are within 1%, so their numbers look somewhat different.

House:
Democrats: 234 (A pickup of 33)
Republicans 201 (A loss of 32--one independent seat was won by Democrats)

Senate:
Democrats 51
Rebublicans 49

As far as I can remember, none of us predicted that the night would go that well for the Democrats. Though many of the margins were small, I'd say this qualifies as a wave. I'm still amazed that they didn't screw this one up like they usually do.

I wouldnt call it so much a wave but rather a bitchslapping of the nth degree.

It will be interesting to see how the Dems do, Pilosi needs to coddle some of the newer less David Suzuki/NPK members else they are likely to bolt (ie Montana etc). I found it interesting how NY, California, and Illinois are projected to dominate the high profile positions.

I still think it would have better for the Dems to have left full control of the Govt to the Reps until 08. In taking over both houses now they are almost obligated to fix Iraq - I can see Bush pretty much ok'ing any plan brought forth in a hope it will fail so the Dems take a fall in 08.

MYK

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

I still think it would have better for the Dems to have left full control of the Govt to the Reps until 08. In taking over both houses now they are almost obligated to fix Iraq - I can see Bush pretty much ok'ing any plan brought forth in a hope it will fail so the Dems take a fall in 08.

MYK

I don't like the guy either, but that's almost comic-book supervillain style evil. Nobody is that bad.

Well, maybe Cheney.

[North East Goon]

President John McCain wouldnt be so bad. The guy seems to do things by his thoughts, not along party policies. If that makes any sense?

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

President John McCain wouldnt be so bad. The guy seems to do things by his thoughts, not along party policies. If that makes any sense?

He'd be a strong candidate for the GOP. It's hard to imagine that he wouldn't be the presumptive nominee at this point. Especially since this election seems on some level to vindicate the "strategy of the middle," and McCain's strength is his popularity among independents. He'd be tough to beat, that's for sure.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by North East Goon

President John McCain wouldnt be so bad. The guy seems to do things by his thoughts, not along party policies. If that makes any sense?

IMO, McCain sold his soul to the devil. The guy was smeared by the Bush campaign during the run up to the RNC nomination, including runs at his wife and daughter, and he has bent over backwards to accomodate them. Bush and his campaign has never apologized for doing so either. McCain lost a ton of respect IMO when he allowed them to do that to him. He was a hero for supposedly "not breaking" while a POW, yet he rolled over so easily for the Bush admin, abandoning his principles and morals for potential political gain. That is not the man I would want as my President. It pains me to say that because I was hoping McCain would be the Republican nominee in 2000. McCain is not the man I once thought he was.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by Iowa_Flames_Fan

He'd be a strong candidate for the GOP. It's hard to imagine that he wouldn't be the presumptive nominee at this point. Especially since this election seems on some level to vindicate the "strategy of the middle," and McCain's strength is his popularity among independents. He'd be tough to beat, that's for sure.

Guilani was supposed to be a strong contender as well, not sure if this is still the case or not. His strong association with competently handling 9/11 might come back to bite him though, people might want to just move on now.

[Vulcan]

I've gotten the impression that McCain has climbed in bed with the Neo-cons. Could be wrong though, also he's in favor of staying in Iraq but with an increase in troops. The turmoil going on in Iraq makes me think that it's too late to put a lid on the gong show.

[Flame On]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

IMO, McCain sold his soul to the devil. The guy was smeared by the Bush campaign during the run up to the RNC nomination, including runs at his wife and daughter, and he has bent over backwards to accomodate them. Bush and his campaign has never apologized for doing so either. McCain lost a ton of respect IMO when he allowed them to do that to him. He was a hero for supposedly "not breaking" while a POW, yet he rolled over so easily for the Bush admin, abandoning his principles and morals for potential political gain. That is not the man I would want as my President. It pains me to say that because I was hoping McCain would be the Republican nominee in 2000. McCain is not the man I once thought he was.

He went on some uber evangellical religious show too didn't he recently, which previously he always sort of stood against?

[eazyduzzit]

Let the Dems lead for 2 years and only 2 years. The Republicans clearly won this election for the democrats, they certinly didn't win it themselfs. Polosi is crazy and it's going to cost them a chance at the presidency in 2008.

The next 2 years will simply consist of the democrats trying to reverse Republican legislation, they have never really been the party to do good legislation. The Democrats rely on the court system to legislate their agenda because a good chunk of America is against them.

Game on for one big Liberal Gongshow in Washington.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by eazyduzzit

Let the Dems lead for 2 years and only 2 years. The Republicans clearly won this election for the democrats, they certinly didn't win it themselfs. Polosi is crazy and it's going to cost them a chance at the presidency in 2008.

The next 2 years will simply consist of the democrats trying to reverse Republican legislation, they have never really been the party to do good legislation. The Democrats rely on the court system to legislate their agenda because a good chunk of America is against them.

Game on for one big Liberal Gongshow in Washington.

The Republicans aren't that much better.

Its become a political #####-show..

[North East Goon]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

IMO, McCain sold his soul to the devil. The guy was smeared by the Bush campaign during the run up to the RNC nomination, including runs at his wife and daughter, and he has bent over backwards to accomodate them. Bush and his campaign has never apologized for doing so either. McCain lost a ton of respect IMO when he allowed them to do that to him. He was a hero for supposedly "not breaking" while a POW, yet he rolled over so easily for the Bush admin, abandoning his principles and morals for potential political gain. That is not the man I would want as my President. It pains me to say that because I was hoping McCain would be the Republican nominee in 2000. McCain is not the man I once thought he was.

I know a little about what you are saying (new to the whole U.S. political scene) Smearing the Bush campaign back wouldnt have made him a better candidate for 2008. He was probably strong-armed by the Bush family name. Once your party starts shifting to another person, you are basically screwed. What will be funny is George W, trumpeting McCain as the only option for presidency. That is if McCain even wants W campaigning on his behalf - which I wouldnt.

[Lurch]

Let the Dems lead for 2 years and only 2 years. The Republicans clearly won this election for the democrats, they certinly didn't win it themselfs. Polosi is crazy and it's going to cost them a chance at the presidency in 2008.

The next 2 years will simply consist of the democrats trying to reverse Republican legislation, they have never really been the party to do good legislation. The Democrats rely on the court system to legislate their agenda because a good chunk of America is against them.

Game on for one big Liberal Gongshow in Washington.

This kind of junk baffles me. What is it that is bad about Pelosi? Any specific issue where she is crazy?

Also, what exactly are you talking about Democrats relying on the courts to push an agenda, not passing good bills, etc? What legislation is Democrat vs Republican? Why not just say I like Republicans and don't like Democrats, when that is really the sum total of what is said here.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Lurch

This kind of junk baffles me. What is it that is bad about Pelosi? Any specific issue where she is crazy?

Also, what exactly are you talking about Democrats relying on the courts to push an agenda, not passing good bills, etc? What legislation is Democrat vs Republican? Why not just say I like Republicans and don't like Democrats, when that is really the sum total of what is said here.

Don't worry. Someone's just a little bitter about the "thumpin'" his heroes took.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by eazyduzzit

Game on for one big Liberal Gongshow in Washington.

Yes, because the "conservative" one that has been going on for the past six years has been such a winner!

[Looger]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Yes, because the "conservative" one that has been going on for the past six years has been such a winner!

hey, nothing's more conservative than huge government sending programs and gun control legislation!

left and right change with the election, there is only one party in power EVER in the united states, that is the federal reserve party.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

Yes, because the "conservative" one that has been going on for the past six years has been such a winner!

I'm glad you put it in quotation marks. A true conservative should want to "conserve" the core values of American society, which are individualism, enlightenment/rational thinking, practicality and liberty. The people who now call themselves conservatives are actually more aptly described as "radicals"--it's just that they've managed to reframe the debate so that it sounds like they're defending American values when in fact those values are under assault by a group of radical reformists who want to increase government's power and involvement in private life. Is John Roberts a "conservative"? Paul Wolfowitz? Hardly.

[Iowa_Flames_Fan]

Originally Posted by eazyduzzit

Let the Dems lead for 2 years and only 2 years. The Republicans clearly won this election for the democrats, they certinly didn't win it themselfs. Polosi is crazy and it's going to cost them a chance at the presidency in 2008.

The next 2 years will simply consist of the democrats trying to reverse Republican legislation, they have never really been the party to do good legislation. The Democrats rely on the court system to legislate their agenda because a good chunk of America is against them.

Game on for one big Liberal Gongshow in Washington.

The Democrats have "never done good legislation," huh?

I'm going to go ahead and assume that you're not an aficionado of American history there. Heard of the New Deal?

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Lurch

This kind of junk baffles me. What is it that is bad about Pelosi? Any specific issue where she is crazy?

http://www.tcsdaily.com/article.aspx?id=110906D

Of course until she does something everything is speculation. But I would say there is a threat whenever someone new comes to political power that their payback to their respective supporters could injure the country. This is especially true in a time of war.

[Calgaryborn]

Originally Posted by Flame On

He went on some uber evangellical religious show too didn't he recently, which previously he always sort of stood against?

McCain needs the christian vote to win. Of course he is going to court them.

http://time-blog.com/real_clear_poli...y_in_2008.html