Were you surprised

Aliantha · 11-23-2006, 06:30 PM

When the liberals got more seats than the conservatives at the recent elections?

I was going to ask only for conservative viewpoints on this one, but I guess everyone's opinion is valid, as has been demonstrated.

I was surprised. I really didn't think there would be enough support for liberal viewpoints or policies. I honestly thought that the majority of voters would have continued to support the conservatives.

slang · 11-23-2006, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I really didn't think there would be enough support for liberal viewpoints or policies.

I dont believe that people voted for liberal policies, but that's what they will most likely get.

The Republican party is the home of the conservatives. There are some Democrat conservative leaning pols though.

In this case the Dems "out-conservatived" the Reps. They said things that liberals would never say like, I believe in gun rights, love Jesus, believe that abortion is wrong and the like. Saying things like that and not being under indictment pulled them over.

Once in Congress they will probably be "influenced" to vote liberal by the senior leadership there. Those that thought for one second that they would be able to effectively support anything conservative were'nt paying attention. They were just intent on getting rid of the Reps.

To be sure, I know what's coming and I'm not the least bit happy.

Shocker · 11-24-2006, 03:10 PM

For the most part, I figured that the Dems would at least gain the House, so I was a little surprised they won the Senate too. However, my prediction is that regardless of the Dems ideology, if they don't pass laws that the President likes, then there is not going to be any change. They may have a majority, but it is such a slim majority that they will have a very hard time overcoming a veto. I am sure we will see more vetos in the last two years in office for Bush than we have in the first six.

That said, I would not be surprised if the Democratic gains this year are erased or at least marginalized in 2008. The reason for that is because if you look at the Democratic Party as the party for liberals, then 2 things will happen to this new Congress...

1) They will attempt to pass lofty and liberal policies and laws in order to appeal to the Democratic leadership and base. In that case, if they try to pass anything too liberal, count on a veto, and no progress is made.

2) They anticipate vetos and so in order to pass legislation, they will stay away from passing any legislation that could be considered part of the liberal agenda, i.e. gay marriage, higher taxes, etc. In this case it will appear that they are caving to Bush's demands and will in effect disenfranchise their base.

In either senario, what will result will just be another unhappy electorate looking for change. The Republicans will be on good ground to retake some of thier lost seats, arguing that in two years the Democrats haven't accomplished anything they said they would, and that if America wants results then they should vote Republican.

I also anticipate that the next President to be elected in 2008 will also be a Republican. If you look at the two big names in the Democratic party, Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, here is why. Hillary is just too much of a polarizing figure to be able to win the Presidency any time soon. Obama is at this point still very much inexperianced in the political arena. My prediction is that we will see McCain as the next President. A lot of people like to talk of Rudy Giuliani as a potential contender, however, I believe he is too much to the left of what many in the Republican party would be comfortable as a Presidential nominee.

So anyways, that is my analysis of the election and what I expcect to happen in the next 2 years.

tw · 11-24-2006, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shocker

I also anticipate that the next President to be elected in 2008 will also be a Republican.

Most new-coming presidents are not even front runners in years previous. New presidents typically are not 'discovered' until the last 9 or 6 months. Making such predictions are as 'logically based' as knowing which race horse will win. Posted are the current 'hyped' names. History says they are not probable possible 'victors'.

One fact that America desperately needs is outright contempt of extremists - people who tell Limbaugh types what to say in broadcasts. People who tell American 'brown shirts' how to think. Will that outright and patriotic contempt happen? Current climate says so.

But again, almost every reader of this post is that fickle. Most will deny how fickle they are. And yet we have a benchmark. Determine if you think logically or are easily manipulated. Did you believe Saddam conspired to create 11 September? The logical answer on 12 September was completely and obviously 'not'. That 'in your face' question - and whether you can answer that question logically - demonstrates how easily your conclusions and attitudes are manipulated even within one year.

Since so many are so easily manipulated by lies, then we have no idea who will be president elect in two years. To make such predictions means that prediction is only for amusement. Put quarters in a slot machine to get better answers. Meanwhile test yourself. Are you so easily manipulated as to think Saddam had something to do with 11 September? The correct answer on 12 September was that obvious to those who are not easily manipulated. A benchmark to learn who you really are and learn why we have no idea who might be a next president.

keryx · 11-24-2006, 06:02 PM

I was a bit suprised by the Dems gaining majority.

I was more suprised that liberal WI approved both ballot measures that reinstated the death penalty with DNA evidence and banned civil unions.

AND kept a do nothing Democrat governor.

lumberjim · 11-24-2006, 06:53 PM

I'm surprised that someone in Australia cares more about american politics than I do. wait, no I'm not.

Aliantha · 11-24-2006, 08:24 PM

Why aren't you lumber?

lumberjim · 11-24-2006, 11:10 PM

disgust, dismay, disbelief, disenchantment, disestablishmentarianism.

Aliantha · 11-24-2006, 11:13 PM

not antidisestablishmentarianism?

yesman065 · 11-27-2006, 03:03 PM

I fully expected the "knee-jerk" reaction of the masses (sheep) to vote primarily democratic. I was not at all surprised that the Dems dominated the elections. Dismayed and disappointed yes, but not surprised in the least.

DanaC · 11-27-2006, 04:44 PM

So.....knee jerk sheep vote Democrat and deep thinking politically savvy people vote republican?

Clodfobble · 11-27-2006, 05:08 PM

A new corollary to Godwin's Law:

Ewe's Law - the first person in a debate to categorize the other side as "sheep" (or, God forbid, "sheeple,") loses.

DanaC · 11-27-2006, 05:33 PM

I think I like that Clod. That works.

yesman.....maybe democracy would be better if people weren't given a choice between two parties...that way they couldn't fuck it up by voting for the wrong party?

lookout123 · 11-27-2006, 08:07 PM

i've said it before, i'll say it again. america is a pendulum. we swing to far to the right, then back to the left, then to the right... somehow in all that the media forgets that most americans are somewhere in the middle and they spend most of the time trying to ignore the geniuses taking us too far in either direction.

DanaC · 11-27-2006, 08:18 PM

What's really bizarre is that America's idea of too left is Britain's idea of Middle-ground. Funny how the political spectrum can be so different in different countries.

11-23-2006, 06:30 PM	#1
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Were you surprised When the liberals got more seats than the conservatives at the recent elections? I was going to ask only for conservative viewpoints on this one, but I guess everyone's opinion is valid, as has been demonstrated. I was surprised. I really didn't think there would be enough support for liberal viewpoints or policies. I honestly thought that the majority of voters would have continued to support the conservatives. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

11-24-2006, 03:10 PM	#3
Shocker Knight of the Oval-Shaped Conference Table Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Your Mom's house Posts: 378	For the most part, I figured that the Dems would at least gain the House, so I was a little surprised they won the Senate too. However, my prediction is that regardless of the Dems ideology, if they don't pass laws that the President likes, then there is not going to be any change. They may have a majority, but it is such a slim majority that they will have a very hard time overcoming a veto. I am sure we will see more vetos in the last two years in office for Bush than we have in the first six. That said, I would not be surprised if the Democratic gains this year are erased or at least marginalized in 2008. The reason for that is because if you look at the Democratic Party as the party for liberals, then 2 things will happen to this new Congress... 1) They will attempt to pass lofty and liberal policies and laws in order to appeal to the Democratic leadership and base. In that case, if they try to pass anything too liberal, count on a veto, and no progress is made. 2) They anticipate vetos and so in order to pass legislation, they will stay away from passing any legislation that could be considered part of the liberal agenda, i.e. gay marriage, higher taxes, etc. In this case it will appear that they are caving to Bush's demands and will in effect disenfranchise their base. In either senario, what will result will just be another unhappy electorate looking for change. The Republicans will be on good ground to retake some of thier lost seats, arguing that in two years the Democrats haven't accomplished anything they said they would, and that if America wants results then they should vote Republican. I also anticipate that the next President to be elected in 2008 will also be a Republican. If you look at the two big names in the Democratic party, Hillary Clinton and Barrack Obama, here is why. Hillary is just too much of a polarizing figure to be able to win the Presidency any time soon. Obama is at this point still very much inexperianced in the political arena. My prediction is that we will see McCain as the next President. A lot of people like to talk of Rudy Giuliani as a potential contender, however, I believe he is too much to the left of what many in the Republican party would be comfortable as a Presidential nominee. So anyways, that is my analysis of the election and what I expcect to happen in the next 2 years. __________________ “I live only for posterity. Death is nothing, but to live defeated and without glory is to die everyday." - Napolean Bonaparte

11-24-2006, 06:53 PM	#6
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	I'm surprised that someone in Australia cares more about american politics than I do. wait, no I'm not. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

11-24-2006, 08:24 PM	#7
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Why aren't you lumber? __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

11-24-2006, 11:10 PM	#8
lumberjim I can hear my ears Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 25,571	disgust, dismay, disbelief, disenchantment, disestablishmentarianism. __________________ This body holding me reminds me of my own mortality Embrace this moment, remember We are eternal, all this pain is an illusion ~MJKeenan

11-24-2006, 06:02 PM	#5
keryx Mrs. Fargon Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: La Crosse, WI Posts: 85	I was a bit suprised by the Dems gaining majority. I was more suprised that liberal WI approved both ballot measures that reinstated the death penalty with DNA evidence and banned civil unions. AND kept a do nothing Democrat governor.

11-24-2006, 11:13 PM	#9
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	not antidisestablishmentarianism? __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

11-27-2006, 03:03 PM	#10
yesman065 Banned - Self Imposed Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 1,847	I fully expected the "knee-jerk" reaction of the masses (sheep) to vote primarily democratic. I was not at all surprised that the Dems dominated the elections. Dismayed and disappointed yes, but not surprised in the least.

11-27-2006, 04:44 PM	#11
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	So.....knee jerk sheep vote Democrat and deep thinking politically savvy people vote republican?

11-27-2006, 05:08 PM	#12
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	A new corollary to Godwin's Law: Ewe's Law - the first person in a debate to categorize the other side as "sheep" (or, God forbid, "sheeple,") loses.

11-27-2006, 05:33 PM	#13
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I think I like that Clod. That works. yesman.....maybe democracy would be better if people weren't given a choice between two parties...that way they couldn't fuck it up by voting for the wrong party?

11-27-2006, 08:07 PM	#14
lookout123 changed his status to single Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Right behind you. No, the other side. Posts: 10,308	i've said it before, i'll say it again. america is a pendulum. we swing to far to the right, then back to the left, then to the right... somehow in all that the media forgets that most americans are somewhere in the middle and they spend most of the time trying to ignore the geniuses taking us too far in either direction. __________________ Getting knocked down is no sin, it's not getting back up that's the sin

11-27-2006, 08:18 PM	#15
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	What's really bizarre is that America's idea of too left is Britain's idea of Middle-ground. Funny how the political spectrum can be so different in different countries.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)