N-Philes :: Forums - 2006 Midterm Elections Thread

11-05-2006, 08:16 PM

Game Guru

Golden f*cking Sun!

Join Date: Feb 2005

Location: L.A., Tuskegee, AL or Albany, GA depending on time of year.

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2006 Midterm Elections Thread

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006/

GOP, Democrats battle it out in the final hours

Quote:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House control at stake, President Bush campaigned Sunday in endangered Republican districts across GOP-friendly middle America. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, hoping to become the first female speaker, stumped for Democratic challengers in the left-leaning Northeast.

"Here's the way I see it," Bush told a crowd inside an auditorium in Grand Island, Nebraska. "If the Democrats are so good about being the party of the opposition, let's just keep them in the opposition." Republicans are hoping their party's acclaimed get-out-the-vote operation can prevent a Democratic rout in a campaign marked by voter fury over the Iraq war.

Pelosi, D-California, was cautiously optimistic about her party's chances Tuesday. "We are thankful for where we are today, to be poised for success," she said in Colchester, Connecticut. "But we have two Mount Everests we have to climb -- they are called Monday and Tuesday."

Her party appears increasingly confident it can ride a wave of public disenchantment with the administration's policies to victory in the House and, possibly, the Senate.

Two days before the election, both parties focused on turning out voters. The numbers historically are low in nonpresidential year elections, with only about 40 percent of U.S. citizens of voting age population casting ballots.

Republicans and Democrats have sent out thousands of volunteers in states with the most contested races to work phone banks and canvass neighborhoods. Both parties also have assembled legal teams for possible challengers in case of voting problems.

Candidates were making their final pitches. Republicans repeated their assertion that Democrats would raise taxes and prematurely pull out of Iraq if they controlled Congress. Democrats pressed their case for change, arguing that Republicans on Capitol Hill blindly have followed Bush's "failed policy."

Up for grabs are 435 House seats, 33 Senate seats, governorships in 36 states, and thousands of state legislative and local races.

In 37 states, voters will determine the fate of ballot initiatives, including whether to ban gay marriage, raise the minimum wage, endorse expanded embryonic stem cell research and -- in South Dakota -- impose the country's most stringent abortion restrictions.

Already, this is projected to be the most expensive election cycle ever, at $2.6 billion.
Dole: 'Democrats appear to be content with losing'

Iraq has dominated the campaign season, and Republicans and Democrats sparred over the war again Sunday following Saddam Hussein's conviction on crimes against humanity. He was sentenced him to die by hanging; an appeal is planned. (Watch why Iraq remains the top issue on voters' minds - 4:57 )

"To pull out, to withdraw from this war is losing. The Democrats appear to be content with losing," said Sen. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, who leads the Senate GOP's campaign efforts.

Infuriated, Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, the Democrat in charge of the party's House campaign, shot back, "We want to win and we want a new direction to Iraq."

In his sixth year in office, the president faces the likelihood of losing GOP seats in both the House and the Senate, as well as fewer GOP governors.

Voters are agitating for change. They give both the president and GOP-controlled Congress low job performance ratings; they do not like the direction the country is headed; and they are particularly frustrated with the war as costs and casualties mount.

"It may not be popular with the public. It doesn't matter, in the sense that we have to continue the mission and do what we think is right," Vice President Dick Cheney said.

Further complicating an already difficult environment for the GOP, the public also has been turned off by allegations of corruption in Washington and political scandals dogging the GOP.

"There's wind in our face," acknowledged Rep. Tom Reynolds of New York, the head of the Republican House campaign effort. But, he said, "I believe we have a great opportunity to hold the House by turning the vote out."

Said Emanuel, "I'd rather be us than them."

Races in more than 50 Republican-held districts are competitive.

Democrats initially targeted GOP-held seats left open by retiring Republicans as well as districts where the president won by close margins in 2004 -- many in the Northeast and Midwest. In recent weeks, Democrats have been able to expand the battlefield, making plays for seats long in Republican hands, such as in Wyoming and Idaho.
Bush works to fire up base

That offensive -- and Bush' unpopularity -- explains why the president was in the midst of a campaign swing in America's most Republican states. He was in Nebraska and Kansas on Sunday to fire up a dispirited conservative base in hopes of saving two seats. (Watch how Western races could decide the balance of power in Washington -- 2:49 )

In western Nebraska, GOP state Sen. Adrian Smith and Democrat Scott Kleeb are competing to replace retiring Rep. Tom Osborne in a district that last went Democratic 45 years ago. Bush won 75 percent of the district's vote in 2004.

The president also was appearing in Topeka, Kansas, for Republican Rep. Jim Ryun, who is facing an unexpectedly tough challenge from Democrat Nancy Boyda. The race is a rematch. Ryun beat her two years ago by 15 percentage points.

Pelosi, a Democrat from San Francisco, was appearing at separate events in Connecticut with Democrats Chris Murphy, Joe Courtney and Diane Farrell, Democratic challengers trying to oust GOP Reps. Nancy Johnson, Rob Simmons and Christopher Shays -- three of the most at-risk Republican incumbents.

Republicans all but conceded six House seats or more are lost to the Democrats.

Still, two public polls gave Republicans reason to be hopeful that they could stave off a Democratic takeover.

Republicans were posting higher marks among likely voters on the question of which party should control the House, a shift one poll attributed to the GOP making gains among independent voters and party faithful becoming more engaged. The independent Pew Research Center found that Democrats now have a four-point edge over Republicans, narrower than the 11-point advantage two weeks ago.

Compared with the House, the Senate outcome is more of a question.

Democrats need to pick up six seats to win control and are expected to defeat Republican Sens. Rick Santorum in Pennsylvania, Mike DeWine in Ohio and Lincoln Chafee in Rhode Island. The state of four races is less clear -- Sens. George Allen in Virginia, Conrad Burns in Montana, Jim Talent in Missouri and the Tennessee seat that Majority Leader Bill Frist is leaving to run for president.

"We will hold the majority," Dole insisted.

Her counterpart on the Democratic campaign committee, Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York, said: "We're right on the edge of taking back the Senate. I wouldn't open up the champagne or do the high-fives, but we are feeling very good."

Cheney appeared on ABC's "This Week." Reynolds, Emanuel, Dole and Schumer were on "Meet the Press" on NBC.

So who's gonna take the senate? The house is almost a sure thing for the Dems. but, the senate's up for grabs. If nothing else, I want Harold Ford elected. The Dems. need to start reclaiming the South, not to mention it's been awhile since black dude got elected in the Confederate states.

__________________

Investors Business Daily on Obama "death panel":

"People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn't have a chance in the U.K., where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless."

Needless to say, Hawking, who is recognized as one of the great theoretical physicists of the 20th and 21st century, was born in the UK and has lived his entire life there.

Last edited by Game Guru : 11-07-2006 at 06:40 PM.

11-05-2006, 08:28 PM	#2
Advance Like the Groundhog Phil. Join Date: May 2002 Location: Punxsutawney, PA Posts: 28,222	The House is locked up. Democrats could have as much as a 30-seat lead when Tuesday is over. The Senate is very unclear. Democrats will need Missouri and Virginia, and I'd say, despite everything that's happened, that Webb is still the underdog going into Tuesday. But stranger things have happened, and the continued influx of politically-minded Democrats into Northern Virginia continues to reshape the political direction of the state. Of course, Democrats also need Montana and New Jersey, but those seem pretty locked up. Tennessee was the other wild card, but the GOP seems to have stabilized that one. I think best case scenario for Dems is 50-50. If the Democrats can bring out the voters necessary to take both Missouri and Virginia, then we're off to the races. Maybe Tennessee comes back into play and who knows what the margin becomes in the House. __________________ *What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?*

11-05-2006, 09:16 PM	#3
BEan Microsoft certified Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On a rooftop with a bullhorn. Posts: 10,871	I hate election years, crap flinging politicians and constant bitching. __________________ The sounds of DKL screaming and yelling in agony is magical and relaxing.

11-05-2006, 11:22 PM	#4
Drunken Savior Jeffersonian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Coast Posts: 5,040	I already voted. I voted for Ahnold and not Angelidas. Sorry Democrats, but your candidate was garbage...and everyone knew it from the start. __________________ "Because most people think, "Life sucks, and then you die." I disagree. I think life sucks, then you get cancer. Then you go into chemotherapy. You lose all your hair, you feel bad about yourself. Then all of the sudden the cancer goes into remission. You look good you feel good, you're going great, and all of the sudden you have a stroke. You can't move your right side. And one day you step off the curb at 68th by Lincoln Center and bang, you get hit by a bus. And then, maybe, you die." "I do not advocate drug use. I advocate education and proper science"

11-06-2006, 08:43 AM	#5
~~Mourning Star~~ "HERE'S JOHNNY!" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Raleigh, N.C. Posts: 1,185	Democrats-House Republicans-Senate(By 1 or 2 seats) I guess the Democrats shouldn't have celebrated and picked out the drapes.......1 year ago that is.

11-07-2006, 12:22 PM

~~Mourning Star~~

"HERE'S JOHNNY!"

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: Raleigh, N.C.

Posts: 1,185 Mourning Star has disabled their Cookie Jar.

FBI looking into possible Va. voter intimidation

Quote:

News4 reported: “The viewer's e-mail stated after he had voted, he received a call from an unknown caller who said they knew the voter was registered out of state and would be arrested if they voted today. The viewer's e-mail stated he's been registered to vote in Virginia for the last three years and has the Virginia Voter Registration card to prove it.”

The Webb campaign also said other voters are getting calls telling them their polling location has changed.

There are also allegations that fliers that say, "Skip This Election," are blanketing African-American communities, News4 reported.

Quote:

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Voting appears to be very popular in Daggett County, Utah.

Daggett County has registered 947 voters for Tuesday's election. According to the most recent Census figures, that's four more than the county's population in 2005.

A spokesman for Attorney General Mark Shurtleff says complaints of vote-stuffing in the county are being investigated. Democrats suspect County Clerk Vickie McKee is letting outsiders swell the Daggett County registration rolls to give Republicans an advantage. The Democrats also say the father of a Republican deputy running for sheriff has 14 adults registered at his household. McKee hasn't responded to messages from The Associated Press.

11-07-2006, 12:27 PM	#7
Cody vvvvvv Join Date: May 2002 Location: internet space station Posts: 12,565	I'm about to go do my part. <-- see avatar

11-07-2006, 12:30 PM	#8
Joester Needle Mouse Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 14,643	I don't care who wins Missouri... they are both the same. I'm just voting on the Amendments and issues. __________________

11-07-2006, 12:30 PM	#9
Aidan_702 lolsassinator Join Date: May 2005 Location: Co.Cork Posts: 4,336	My american politics are a little rusty, but what exactly is the difference between the house and the senate? Please don't hit me __________________ THE G IS FOR G*

11-07-2006, 12:38 PM	#10
~~Mourning Star~~ "HERE'S JOHNNY!" Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Raleigh, N.C. Posts: 1,185	The House does not vote to -- but the Senate does -- confirm Presidential appointees and to ratify treaties. All revenue bill are supposed to originate in the House.

11-07-2006, 02:54 PM

#11

~~Mourning Star~~

"HERE'S JOHNNY!"

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: Raleigh, N.C.

Posts: 1,185 Mourning Star has disabled their Cookie Jar.

Quote:

Harold: "Like I've always said I like girls and football, so if that's a problem..."

Tucker: "Hahaha... no matter what happens, to me that's the line of the campaign."

Harold: "You certainly won't have to worry about me e-mailing any young male congressional paiges, anyway!"

Man, this guy is awesome. The race is so close.

11-07-2006, 03:26 PM	#12
Crunchy to jue Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: the "Employee of the Month" parking spot Posts: 7,246	I'm just glad those damn campaign commercials are over.

11-07-2006, 03:46 PM

#13

chowdy

wat

Join Date: Jun 2004

Location: UC San Diego

Posts: 2,363 chowdy has a pleasant aroma

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crunchy

I'm just glad those damn campaign commercials are over.

Yes and i won't get anymore calls from "#RestrictedNum" telling me about a candidate over and over again.

__________________
steamid: chowdy

11-07-2006, 05:22 PM

#14

Advance

Like the Groundhog Phil.

Join Date: May 2002

Location: Punxsutawney, PA

Posts: 28,222 Advance spends too much time pretending to be cool

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joester

I don't care who wins Missouri... they are both the same.

They might be, but Missouri is one of the three states that will determine who controls the Senate, so you should care which party wins, regardless of whether the candidates are distinguishable.

__________________
What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?

11-07-2006, 07:57 PM	#15
Xavius Sabor de Soledad Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NM Posts: 32,274	I voted woo! And I actually voted for the same amount of Republicans as I did Democrats. Who knew? __________________ I was young and confused and your mom didn't want me around no more. Now pass me dem damn collard greens!

11-07-2006, 08:03 PM	#16
Crunchy to jue Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: the "Employee of the Month" parking spot Posts: 7,246	Polls are closed!

11-07-2006, 08:16 PM	#17
Paul Weller Lakitu Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 11,516	virginia is sooooooo ****ing close. __________________ We're all just hapless victims of knowledge and learning and such The man you thought you licked 'em but you choked in the clutch Brent Black, you said it yourself it's an ethereal kind of flu A Mac virus reveals the plot of the fiendish Fu Man Chu

11-07-2006, 09:25 PM	#18
Xavius Sabor de Soledad Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: NM Posts: 32,274	Santorum is dumped. Goodbye, asshole. __________________ I was young and confused and your mom didn't want me around no more. Now pass me dem damn collard greens!

11-07-2006, 09:54 PM	#19
Game Guru Golden f*cking Sun! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: L.A., Tuskegee, AL or Albany, GA depending on time of year. Posts: 6,453	Come on Harold, you can pull through! __________________ Investors Business Daily on Obama "death panel": "People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn't have a chance in the U.K., where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless." Needless to say, Hawking, who is recognized as one of the great theoretical physicists of the 20th and 21st century, was born in the UK and has lived his entire life there.

11-07-2006, 09:54 PM	#20
Drunken Savior Jeffersonian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Coast Posts: 5,040	I voted for Arnold(Gov), No to a loan of 15M for highways, Yes to fund alternative energy research no to parental notification 48 before an abortion No to more cig taxes (and less hospital accountability) Keep eminent Domain, no allowing gov to sieze private property for another private owner. No to UCSC growth Yes to Marijuiana the lowest law enforcement priority Yes to fixing the city reservoir (geology jobs! haha!) Yes to an extra 1/4 cent sales tax for fixing roads Hope they all pass. __________________ "Because most people think, "Life sucks, and then you die." I disagree. I think life sucks, then you get cancer. Then you go into chemotherapy. You lose all your hair, you feel bad about yourself. Then all of the sudden the cancer goes into remission. You look good you feel good, you're going great, and all of the sudden you have a stroke. You can't move your right side. And one day you step off the curb at 68th by Lincoln Center and bang, you get hit by a bus. And then, maybe, you die." "I do not advocate drug use. I advocate education and proper science"