Free Republic

Now that we have all had time to fully digest last week's election stunner and rake through all the reams of exit-polling data, it's time to assess the political winners and losers. Who's stock rises and who's on the outs as a result of the GOP triumphs? What issues prevailed with voters? Who's a has-been? Who's a rising star? Here's my armchair assessment, of how the world of politics in Washington changed on November 5. Winner: Social Security privatization — Dole, Graham, Sununu, and Talent all campaign on private-accounts option — and win. Loser: Campaign for Working Families-Left-wing group...

For many, the Senate election in South Dakota, home of Senate Democrat Majority Leader Tom Daschle, is a burning issue. Democrat Senator Tim Johnson has been declared winner of that race with 528 votes more than Republican challenger John Thune. Prior to the election the Washington Times reported "Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said Republicans had targeted minority groups for intimidation. ‘In my state of South Dakota, we are now seeing a concerted Republican effort to make allegations and launch initiatives intended to suppress Native American voting.’" McAuliffe’s and Daschle’s definition of "voter harassment" is requiring voters to provide proof...

Way back in the 1950's when I first tasted politics and journalism, Republicans briefly controlled the White House and Congress. With the exception of Joseph McCarthy and his vicious ilk, they were a reasonable lot, presided over by that giant war hero, Dwight Eisenhower, who was conservative by temperament and moderate in the use of power. That brand of Republican is gone. And for the first time in the memory of anyone alive, the entire federal government — the Congress, the Executive, the Judiciary — is united behind a right-wing agenda for which George W. Bush believes he now has...

A GOP Sweep: African Americans React By Stephanie A. Crockett, BET.com Staff Writer and Reuters News Service Posted Nov. 6, 2002 -- Republicans consolidated their hold on the U.S. government Wednesday after a historic sweep of both chambers of Congress gave President Bush new power to enact his agenda, including a war against Iraq. With Republicans in control, what does it mean for African Americans? To BET.com message board user Lifesaver, it shows that more Blacks are voting Republican."It makes a serious statement about the traditional Blacks and other minorities in America," Lifesaver wrote. "The common stereotype that all Blacks are Democrats has become more and...

Democrats lost because they didn't (and can't) tell their agenda to the American people Reading the following quote in the Washington Compost that Drudge linked to about voter turnout got me thinking that the main reason, contrary to everyone's spin, that the Democrats lost the election is because they presented no programs, they just bashed Republicans. "The Republicans got their vote out better than the Democrats," he said. "The Democrats lost votes nationally, and the Republicans gained votes. The Republicans did nationalize the vote. As far as I can see, the Democrats tried to raise the economy as an issue...

RALEIGH, N.C — The good news from Tuesday's elections just keeps pouring in for the Republicans: The results are in from state legislatures, and the party of an incumbent president has broken with tradition by making substantial gains at the state level.It's been a rule of politics at least as reliable, if not as widely known, as the phenomenon of presidential losses in midterm congressional elections. As the National Conference of State Legislatures has noted, the president's party has lost at least 350 legislative seats in every midterm election since the 1930s. This year, Republicans not only appear to...

Here's to long election nights. Let's hope Tuesday was the start of a trend.A beautiful trend, unless you happen to live in one of the various centers of the universe, including the offices of NR, where the amphetamines must have been tumbling like cheap dice through the all-night vigil (occasioned by the meltdown of the great exit-polling machine).Here in Slo-Moville, the gradual rollout of electoral history made for a nice evening. One didn't have to wait too long after the polls had closed to get an inkling of what was to come. Down in Florida, where Senor Humidor and...

The Army has been saying it for years: Air power alone won't win the battle. You need troops on the ground. The 2000 election proved it. The GOP spent liberally for on-air advertising, but record turnout gave Democrats more than a few upsets. Republicans now believe they learned their lesson. Strong Republican turnout in Tuesday's elections gave the GOP a historic victory. It was the first time a GOP president has taken the Senate and gained ground in the House in his first midterm election. Republicans picked up three Senate seats and lost just one, for a 51-seat majority. They...

What do we know about any outstanding house races and governor races? Have not heard anything more about AZ gov, and looks like AL gov going to recount. Louisiana will get resolved in one month, and SD is hard to say. I think Thune definitely needs to fight on and at least try to uncover what happened in those last 5 precincts to report. A one vote pickup in each precinct would put him over the top by about 300 votes, so it is certainly worth it. The SOS for SD said that recounts typically favor the guy ahead, but...

President Bush's post-election press conference this afternoon in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. A short 5 minute statement, followed by a nearly 40 minute period answering reporter questions. Well worth your time. If you can waste 45 minutes on primetime tripe, you can certainly give that much to President Bush's comments. C-SPAN Website direct video link (RealOne RealVideo)

WSB Exclusive: Democratic Defectors? (WSB Radio) -- WSB News has learned that some Georgia Democrats may defect to the Republican Party. Minority Leader Eric Johnson says they're confident republicans will take the majority in the state senate. "We're working on a functioning, governing majority to support the governor-elect and his issues. I believe we'll have it very shortly." WSB's Sandra Parrish reports that two Democratic senators may have already switched parties which would make the senate comprised of 28 democrats and 28 republicans. If republicans do take the majority it could mean that Lieutenant Governor Mark Taylor may not...

<p>Bill Simon's political team inadvertently accomplished what no one thought possible just two years ago: They ran a campaign against Democrat Gov. Gray Davis without mentioning the energy crisis.</p> <p>Team Simon tried to run the Republican candidate for governor as an ethical standard-bearer in moderate California. The strategy wasted four years of work by Republicans in the Legislature, who hammered Davis on energy missteps and then heroically sustained a budget debate until September even as it was obvious that Team Simon was doing nothing to take advantage of their efforts. Instead, the Simon campaign defied the wisdom of all its polling, its extensive focus groups and even recent California political history. It entered the ethics minefield.</p>

The Choice Before Us Americans face a clear choice in the mid-term elections this November: give the Bush administration and the Republican leadership complete control of the entire government, or give them some serious opposition. It’s the most important election we’ve had for many years, because the results of it are going to determine not just the future of the US, but of the world. Never mind what a vote for Republicans means as far as domestic policy is concerned. We all know what they stand for: less regulation, lower taxes for the rich, etc. It’s a tune we’ve heard...

Exit polling done for FOX News found that GOP outreach efforts to Hispanics was the difference in key races. In Florida, Jeb Bush won 50% of all non-Cuban Hispanic voters!!! (This is an astounding number, especially once you include Cubans) In Texas, Rick Perry won 35% of the Hispanic vote despite running against a Dem Hispanic! Pataki won 30% of the Hispanic vote in NY! These are simply incredible numbers, and validate Bush's strong insistence on GOP outreach to Hispanics in both the 2000 election and since. With Hispanic support like this in Texas and Florida. Many here denouced these...

Two years ago, following a bitter and closely-fought presidential election, George W. Bush---who ran on a claim of bipartisanship and "getting things done"---strode into Washington and proceeded to try to bridge the gaps with the Democrats. Two years ago, especially after Jumpin' Jim Jeffords handed the Senate back to the Democrats in an immoral and illegitimate, self-serving act, the Democrats slapped Bush's open hand rather than shake it. Last night, they paid for their obstructionism, anger, and partisanship with as thorough a trouncing as I can recall. Even as the pundits tried to downplay the incredible historical implications of this...

I Want the Moderators and Freepers in the Houston, TX area to bookmark this, save this, remember this, and call me on this come Election 2004. Attached is a link regarding my experience as an election judge for Election 2002. I intend to do that again, but I also make the additional pledge. I am starting a "You Walk Mine - I Walk Yours" block walking for voter registration and get-out-the vote efforts. What that means if a Freeper volunteers to walk a portion of my precinct in any of these efforts, I will return the favor in their precinct....

Poll Watcher COB1 said it best, "What a day". Before I begin, I want to thank the clerks who assisted in the day. My precinct went smoothly with only a limited number of events, all of which were handled professionally and ethically. Fortunately, several of the clerks had experience in previous elections and that only made the task easier. A good crew can make all the difference. PRE-POLL OPENING The day actually started on Monday evening. All the E-Slates, television video, and election paperwork was set-up the night before to get a head-start on things and to examine potential traffic...

The implications of the Republican Party's victory is just now really starting to sink into my sleep-deprived brain. I've been up since 7:30, and I watched some quick TV coverage, and also reviewed the election returns I had been pouring over late last night. The reality is finally hitting me. A popular Republican president, a few seats added to our House majority, and at least 51 (possibily as high as 53) seats in the Senate, giving Republicans control of the legislative agenda. To be sure, legislation can't be just steamrolled in, but the legislative momentum is clearly in the Republicans'...

GOP extends control of Congress By Sandra Sobieraj, The Associated Press Exultant Republicans took control of the Senate and strengthened their hold on the House, handing President Bush historic bragging rights and two years to push through an agenda starting with deeper tax cuts. Sweetening the prize, Republicans claimed a majority of the governors' races and left Democrats grumbling about a popular wartime president. President Bush talks with House Speaker Dennis Hastert, left, and Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, right, while watching election returns. By Eric Draper, AP Bush made celebratory calls into the early morning hours Wednesday and already...

Capitol Hill (CNSNews.com) - Democrat incumbent Sen. Jean Carnahan has conceded to her Republican opponent, Rep. Jim Talent, effectively returning control of the United States Senate to the Republican Party as soon as Talent is sworn into office. "Thank you very, very much for waiting out this evening, because it's been a long, long evening, I know, for you," Carnahan told supporters at her campaign's election night headquarters. "I have just called Mr. Talent and conceded this race. I want to congratulate him for his effective, and his victorious campaign." That word came as Republicans announced that they are set...