However, while Republican success was significant in the 80s, their more recent success has been on very narrow ground. In 1980, 1984, and 1988, they won quite handily. In 1992, Ross Perot stole a lot of votes from them in an election that was a lot closer than it looked. In 1996, they lost by a landslide. In 2000 and 2004, the margin of victory was mere thousands of votes in a single state. A fact that the Republican leadership seems to conveniently forget when pushing policies at the edge of constitutionality.
There are signs that voters are starting to think for themselves instead of digesting the slogans on a superficial level. The Democrats won the Congress back in 2006 based on dissatifaction with the Iraq War and the mishandling of the Katrina disaster.
And for those upset with Democrats for not having ended the Iraq War, one needs to read the War Powers Act and look at the actual Party breakdown of Congress. Against an unfriendly President with a valid authorization already in hand, they need a 2/3 majority to override his veto. They don't have it. With a friendly President, it'll be a lot less difficult.
Personally, I think people are starting to wake up to what has happenned. But there's still a lot of gullible ones out there.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-09-26 01:15 pm (UTC)However, while Republican success was significant in the 80s, their more recent success has been on very narrow ground. In 1980, 1984, and 1988, they won quite handily. In 1992, Ross Perot stole a lot of votes from them in an election that was a lot closer than it looked. In 1996, they lost by a landslide. In 2000 and 2004, the margin of victory was mere thousands of votes in a single state. A fact that the Republican leadership seems to conveniently forget when pushing policies at the edge of constitutionality.
There are signs that voters are starting to think for themselves instead of digesting the slogans on a superficial level. The Democrats won the Congress back in 2006 based on dissatifaction with the Iraq War and the mishandling of the Katrina disaster.
And for those upset with Democrats for not having ended the Iraq War, one needs to read the War Powers Act and look at the actual Party breakdown of Congress. Against an unfriendly President with a valid authorization already in hand, they need a 2/3 majority to override his veto. They don't have it. With a friendly President, it'll be a lot less difficult.
Personally, I think people are starting to wake up to what has happenned. But there's still a lot of gullible ones out there.