The Hill: Tide Appears To Be Growing Against GOP

[Mark E. Smith]

The Hill - August 16, 2006

Despite a divisive Democratic primary in Connecticut and renewed attention to homeland security in the wake of a foiled
terrorist plot, the political wave that Democrats hope will wash out Republican majorities in Congress appears to be getting
larger.

With 83 days before the election, independent analysis and political observers say that the universe of competitive congressional
races is broadening. Most of these newly identified endangered incumbents are Republicans, increasing the chances of a
Democratic takeover of one or both chambers of Congress.

Republicans were expected to benefit politically from the thwarted plot to blow up airplanes bound for the U.S. and Sen. Joe
Lieberman's (D-Conn) loss to Ned Lamont, an anti-war candidate, in the Democratic primary. But lawmakers and political
strategists noted that those events have not shifted preceptions about President Bush or the GOP-controlled Congress.

"I don't think this is much of a reprieve for the Republicans," said a widely respected Republican strategist. "This foiled airliner
attack won't have a lasting impact on the electoral process because it didn't happen. I don't think it changes much of the
dynamic."

Anita Dunn, a Democratic political consultant, said, "The fundamental dynamic of this election is there is an unhappy
electorate that wants change. Nothing that happened last week will change that.

http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/081606/news3.html

[wakeme2008]

1. Yes and gas is still high and people are reminded of that every

time they fill up...

[Vinca]

2. The pundits say the Iraqi war is the main concern of people, but

I think it's the price of gas that will sway the election. All the sheeple who don't know the names of the Supreme Court justices know what $3.00+ a gallon is.

[Mark E. Smith]

8. Osama has now been running around for 5 years after 9-11

I think that Bush failure needs to be talked about a little more than it has. If Georgie is the so-called indispensable man in the war on terror, how come he couldn't get Job #1 done?

[tanyev]

3. Look out! Here comes the tsunami!

[ixion]

4. gee, gotta love that lead...

:eyes:

This is a great example of subtly biased reporting. Apparently, a free election is now 'divisive', and the foiling of an imaginary terror plot is supposed to boost repukes, despite the fact that they've proven themselves incapable of dealing with the country's policy, both foreign and domestic. :grr:

[NJmaverick]

5. I think that Howard Dean has to be credited

I think his 50 State Stategy is already paying dividends. If nothing else it will force the Repubs to spend time and money where they didn't want to.

[MessiahRp]

9. I agree

Emanuel and Schumer reamed him for this and not blowing our wads in the most competitive races only but over time we can start to create a presence everywhere so we can win everywhere...

Besides Schumer only wants to help his corporate approved Washington Insider-type candidates that will appease the DLC.

Rp

[gratuitous]

6. Glorioski, how can that be?

I mean, the Republicans have ruled us faultlessly for the past six years. No mistakes, no miscalculations, the economy roaring ahead, the Dow up over 500 points during W.'s tenure, and all the no-bid contracts anyone could want! Millionaires are creeping up to billionaire status, and billionaires are doing incredibly well. How in the world could Republicans be in any kind of trouble?

It's a puzzlement to the beltway insiders who write The Hill and The Note.

[leesa]

7. I wonder what this statement about the foiled airliner attack means.

"This foiled airliner attack won't have a lasting impact on the electoral process because it didn't happen."

I mean, I think it was phony too, but it's rare for these guys to state it.

[ieoeja]

11. It means the attack didn't happen.

People did not rally around Clinton when his administration foiled every Al Qaeda sponsored attack in the United States because, in foiling them, there was nothing for the people to see. During the 2000 presidential campaign the Bush team went so far as to poke fun at the Gore team for overstating the dangers posed to this country by terrorism.

Conversely, the 9/11 attack gave people cause to rally 'round the flag and president. While yet again with the Brits foiling a planned attack on the airline industry, the attack "didn't happen" which gives the people no focus of excitement.

Basically, the source is stating that national security failures work better for a president than does success.

[theanarch]

16. what was it JFK supposedly said in response to the failed

Bay of Pigs invasion? "The more you fuck up in this job, the more people like you"?

[corkhead]

10. the sheeple are finally building up their Koolaid tolerance?

[Sapere aude]

12. Can this upcoming election still be stole? What will be said if it is and

all the prior signs pointed to a Dem take over?

MSM, "Well we read the tea leaves all wrong. People were not as dissatisfied as they told us they were."

[donkeyotay]

14. Fox nitworks had a banner that asked if America would remain divided

until the next terror attack. Chilling. Are they saying we'll all be GOP soon, and libruls will repent?

I'd just like to say in advance that I'm sooo sorry that I laughed my ass off at the terra alert this morning, and I hope the smartass at AP who set them up with the phony info about the props is sent to Siberia.

[Qutzupalotl]

15. It can still be stolen, but it will look fishy as hell.

Check the top of the Greatest page today. 25% of voters in one blue precinct in Texas have been removed from the rolls.

Suppress the vote. That's their strategy.

[AX10]

13. Interesting:

"With 83 days before the election, independent analysis and political observers say that the universe of competitive congressional races is broadening. Most of these newly identified endangered incumbents are Republicans, increasing the chances of a Democratic takeover of one or both chambers of Congress."

Usually the number of competitive seats decreases as an election nears.