And Now for GOP's Real Test

[papau]

Did Bilbray's victory "demonstrated the limits of Democrats' ability to parlay President Bush's unpopularity and the public's disdain for a scandal-racked Congress into concrete gains"(Bilbray was held to about 49% of the vote in a district Bush won with 55% in 2004).????

"..there are no moral victories in American politics; either you win, or you don't"

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-elect8jun08,1,80600.story?coll=la-headlines-politics

CALIFORNIA ELECTIONS
And Now for GOP's Real Test
By Ronald Brownstein and Janet Hook
Times Staff Writers

June 8, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Republican victory in a closely watched San Diego-area House race showed that even in a hostile political environment, the GOP can defend its strongholds against a stiff Democratic challenge.

The result, however, shed little light on what seems the key question in November's election: Can Republicans keep their House majority by also holding on to enough seats in districts more evenly balanced between the two parties?

Throughout Washington, GOP officials Wednesday shared a widespread sense of relief after Republican Brian Bilbray defeated Democrat Francine Busby in Tuesday's vote to succeed former GOP Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, who resigned after pleading guilty to corruption charges last year.

Most analysts cautioned against reading too much into a race that amounted to Republicans holding serve by retaining control of a district that has voted reliably Republican.<snip>