Compare that to the public’s impression of the Republicans. The public overwhelmingly doesn’t see the Republican Party as qualified to run this country. Just look at the results of a recent Washington Post poll:
Poll respondents are evenly divided when asked whether they have confidence in Obama to make the right decisions for the country’s future, but just 19 percent express confidence in the Republicans in Congress to do so. Even among Republicans, only 40 percent express confidence in the GOP congressional leadership to make good choices.
Only 20 percent of adults identify themselves as Republicans, little changed in recent months, but still the lowest single number in Post-ABC polls since 1983.
Are Americans frustrated by logjams in Congress? Undoubtedly. Are they going to vote the Republicans into power because of it? Unlikely.
You do a nice job of trying to talk yourself out of a great fear you liberals have lurking in the backs of your minds. The Governor's races coming up will be a first good look of what Americans are thinking. Personally, I think many Americans who voted Obama into office, including those of wealth, would vote differently today. If the media would do it's job in the future, and report the "read my lips" moments we are about to experience, we would see this past election was one of the biggest con jobs of our time.
Ahahahahaha! Ahem. You are full of it, sir.
CMan, when Democrats win at least half of the Governor races coming up will you admit you were wrong?
Of course he won't.
Go back and read MDE archives leading up to the races in 2006 and 2008 and then read the comments right after the elections. Then stop reading. These guys never take responsibility for anything. Them losing the election is due to a con job, not their horrible failed policies.
Now they want to go more conservative on us. I say we let them live in Imagination Land and we work on governing.
1932 all over again.
As to who is whistling past the graveyard Mr. Cman… read the poll. Less people identify politically as Republican than believe in UFOs. 34% of Americans believe in UFOs which is a full 14% more than your fellow party members.
As Nelson Munch would say… "Ha Ha!"
Maybe as a reference you could research where public opinion stood on Republicans 13 months out form the 1994 elections?
I'll do better than that… THE HARRIS POLL on Party Identification:
To the question: "Regardless of how you may vote, what do you usually consider yourself: a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent, or some other party?"
1991 32% Republican 37% Democrat 26% Independent
1992 30% Republican 36% Democrat 29% Independent
1993 29% Republican 38% Democrat 27% Independent
1994 32% Republican 37% Democrat 26% Independent
To get to the low level that the Republicans have now in party identification you need to go to…
1974 during the Nixon resigning in disgrace and Ford stepping up period…
1974 21% Republican 46% Democrat 25% Independent
I repeat… Nelson Munch "Ha HA!"
Muntz.
What are the 2009 stats on party identification?
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/20...
This a good article on interpretation of the numbers. First the actual Republican numbers are 23% that identify as of May 2009, before the August recess. In addition, 36% of people now identify themselves as Independents. That was only 26% in 1994. Who will these "Independents" vote for in 2010? Let's say half and give 5 more points to the Republicans. With a plus or minus error difference you are now at 32% for Republicans just like 1994.
I'm not saying that the Republicans will take back the House. But any gain will be significant seeing what the minority with their numbers have already done to shed light on the healthcare and cap and trade debates.
In 1994, the Democrats had been in control of both Houses of Congress for 40 years (save for a brief interlude in the early 80s when Republicans controlled the Senate). The Republicans were able to play on that record (polls showed that voters knew who had been in control of Congress for so long), and tap into voter resentment.
Things are different now: the Democrats have controlled both houses only since 2006, and their control is not necessarily seen as ironclad. Vociferous Republicans may be shooting the party in the foot by creating an impression that they have more influence than they do. Being the loud-mouthed opposition makes for good headlines, but it also makes you part of "that crowd in Washington," not an outsider.
There is also now the lack of a strong Republican leader in Congress, or at least a leader who can present himself as an agent of change (as did Newt Gingrich). I'm not talking about a Rush Limbaugh type, I'm talking about an actual leader who knows how to forge an electoral majority. The "Contract with America" was a pretty meaningless document, if you looked at it, but it made the newcomers look like they were serious about governing.
Never mind "republican leader" in congress. There is not ONE REPUBLICAN in congress who fits the bill.
The Democrats will lose a few seats, but it won't be like 1994 because the stink of the pre-2006 Republican congress is still in the building. As Randy (more elegantly) points out, the Democrats had been in forever and the Republicans seemed to have something to offer in 1994. That turned out to be BS and if anything the Republicans have just gotten worse, having purged their moderates and replaced them with nutbags.
I think that this election is made for a resurgent Independent Party, if there was such a thing. There are a whole bunch of people unprepared to be Democrats but being shuttled out of the Republican Party. At the point there is no place in either party for moderates, what happens? Of course I think that there is room and a warm welcome to moderates in the Democratic Party… we have many and welcome more.
Interesting piece of information: In the 2010 Senate elections, 18 seats up for election are held by Democrats, 18 by Republicans. And there are six retiring Republicans, compared to only two retiring Democrats. Sorry, but if there's going to be a big GOP swing in the Senate, it won't come until 2012 or 2014, since the Democrats made all their gains in 2006 and 2008. Remember, 2004 was still a pretty Republican friendly year, if you all catch what I'm getting at about why the GOP will probably still have a tough time in 2010.
I think this will all really come down to turn-out. When (if?) health reform passes, the moderate and progressive Dems will show up, unlike in '94, to neutralize any "wave." From all the analyzes I have seen, I would expect the Dems to lose around 20 House seats, and perhaps 2-3 Senate seats, although that could be offset by Republican Senate losses.
And that's it. That's the only shot the Republicans will have. By 2012, the economy will have improved, and no matter who the Republican nominee is, she (he?) will be crushed. Its gonna be more like Clinton/Dole then anything. Of course, this is assuming nothing unforeseeable (Comet impact, Zombie attack) happens. But that's what I think will happen.
Neither political party really gives one toss about what any mere citizen thinks. The politicians in Washington are in Washington to pad their egos, line their wallets, and secure their retirements. Politics is a job for them, a career. What the people want has little to do with it, so why bother paying attention to their drivel.
Not my congressman. He is a true public servant.
How convenient. No need to engage, or give a rat's rear. It doesn't make any difference, so we all might as well stay on our couches watching Family Guy reruns.
That attitude makes you part of the problem.
Because its still our government and the decision they make affect our lives everyday from the organic milk I pour over my FDA approved breakfast, to the speed I drive to work, to the safety of the elevator I ride on, to the justice delivered in the court system every hour.
Jason half of a successful life is just showing up. Throwing up your hands and walking away guarantees that what you think is happening will continue to happen. At whatever level you can get to recognize the elected politicians and politely express your viewpoint at every turn… you may not get what you want but you officially did something and have earned the right to complain. Do nothing and you have nothing to complain about.
The other day I had a few words with a County Commissioner, a powerful but basically faceless political office, and mentioned that I supported him because I didn't have to worry about him. His politics and mine coincided. Had the man been someone else I might have simply said, "Sir I do not agree with what you are doing as a County Commissioner and here's why…" I saw the same guy get an earful about property taxes and he heard what his constituents were concerned about.
Say nothing, do nothing and you are politically nothing. (Being rich really helps in getting political things done, the rest of us have to work harder at it.)
I stand corrected on my Simpsons reference.
Worst. Apology. Ever.