Exit polls: Scandals and Iraq hurt GOP

[cal04]

The Iraq war and congressional scandals hurt Republican candidates in the midterm elections, as the GOP lost the advantage on their central issue of terrorism, exit polls found.

Three-fourths of voters said corruption and scandal were important to their votes, and they were more likely to vote for Democratic candidates for the House. Iraq was important for just two-thirds, and they also leaned toward supporting Democrats.

Voters who said terrorism was an important issue split their support between the two parties.

With many voters angry at President Bush and the Republican leadership in Congress, Democrats were winning the vote among several groups that have usually been very closely contested — independents, moderates, the middle class and suburban women, according to exit polls.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061108/ap_on_el_ge/eln_exit_poll

[benEzra]

1. Another thing that hurt repubs immensely...

was the fact that in many closely contested races, they couldn't use the "Dems'll take yer guns" meme since the Feinstein ban is FINALLY off the table. I frequent a lot of gun boards, and a lot more gunnies were comfortable enough with Dems winning that they felt comfortable voting against the repubs.