Steele: Elections show GOP has regained its voice. What voice is that?
On the eve of the first anniversary of Barack Obama's election as president, his party lost the governor's seats in Virginia and New Jersey, both by fairly decisive margins. They're both states that the president carried last year, and they're both elections in which he campaigned for the Democrats this year. What does that mean? Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele was on CBS's "The Early Show" this morning saying the results showed a "transcendent" Republican Party that the GOP "has really found its voice again."
That's a bit of a stretch.
Those results certainly aren't a great sign for the president, but then again, the sitting president's party, whichever one it is, routinely loses the gubernatorial races in New Jersey and Virginia. The exit polls in both states showed more voters approved of President Obama's job performance than not, and most people in both states said he had nothing to do with how they voted. (In fact, those who said the president was a factor were evenly split between showing support and opposition to him)
People expressed much more concern about the economy than anything else, but local issues in both states -- Democrat Creigh Deeds' inability to connect with voters in Virginia, and a desire for change in scandal-ridden New Jersey -- also played major roles. (ABC News has a good rundown of the numbers here.)
But if anything belies the notion of a "transcendent," unified GOP, it's the victory of a Democrat in the solidly Republican 23rd Congressional District in upstate New York. In that race, Republicans nominated a socially liberal Republican, Dierdre Scozzafava, only to see conservatives rally around a much more right wing candidate, Doug Hoffman. National Republicans, including Sarah Palin, Fred Thompson and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, endorsed Hoffman, and Scozzafava dropped out over the weekend. She endorsed the Democrat, Bill Owens, and recorded robocalls on his behalf. He won.
So what voice exactly has the GOP found? The moderate one that brought victory in Virginia and New Jersey, or the hard-line conservative one that flopped in New York?







Comments
It's the voice of freedom, lower tax, more jobs, less govenment, back to the roots of what this country is all baout, that is why they left there father land where ever that was..........
Posted by: tony sacco | November 4, 2009 10:17 AM
As is befitting anything published in the Sunpaper, Andy Green has manged to downplay the importance of this election and spin it. Good job Andy! We can always count on the Sunpaper to take us down the road to socialism.
Posted by: heaven help us all | November 4, 2009 10:18 AM
As a "Used -to-be" Republican, I see that party swinging so far to the right as to be almost a fringe fanatics group. Shoot first and just plain don't ask! After a $16 trillion dollar spending spree and two badly planned and executed wars,They've lost credibility. I just don't see them as a power at all. Even at a local level, I wouldn't vote for them. What can they do? Say "No" some more?
Posted by: Marcus | November 4, 2009 10:19 AM
No surprise here, more bias reporting..just more democrap...
Posted by: Jason DeVries | November 4, 2009 10:19 AM
Looks like I'm the only one who has read this article. I don't think anyone here cares about this guy.
Posted by: AWF | November 4, 2009 10:22 AM
The Kenyan born Obama has been defeated. We will march on Wash DC and impose our RIGHT thinking will on America, and take it back from these commie, muslim, liberals! Right now I'm thinking Jeb Bush, Lez Cheney as the winning Republican ticket in 2012!
Posted by: Anonymous | November 4, 2009 10:23 AM
Scozzafava's knife in the back of Hoffman allowing a Democrat to win the district reflects just what Conservatives can expect from Republicans-In-Name-Only. The Obama style priorities and spending have already trashed California, Michigan and New Jersey and are producing economic stagnation across America now. Either the Republican party will represent a genuine alternative or Conservatives will need to found a third party, a Conservative Party, based on free enterprise, individual empowerment and responsibility, limited frugal government and freedom of conscience to roll back the tide of collectivism and statism that Obama Democrats are using to destroy traditional American values and systems.
Posted by: student1776 | November 4, 2009 10:23 AM
Your'e and idiot.
Posted by: FBrown | November 4, 2009 10:24 AM
Your'e an idiot.
Posted by: FBrown | November 4, 2009 10:24 AM
Well, you have to have some excuse, don't you?
Posted by: Mel | November 4, 2009 10:25 AM
wow your ridiculous. Clearly people are not agreeing with our one term president.
Posted by: chuck | November 4, 2009 10:25 AM
Obama got elected because he was not Bush. That's all to it. He is not doing what is necessary to create jobs such as green jobs. His health care reform is an unpopular idea.
We need a new political party for independents.
Posted by: Observer1234 | November 4, 2009 10:27 AM
All you liberals are hoping you can continue to BS the Republican Party with your "big tent" nonsense. Obama is a communist, surrounds himself with leftwing nuts, and he is another Jimmy Carter and will be gone with one term.
Reagan showed the way and the GOP better learn...or listen to you kooks...and lose.
Posted by: Jerry (Ohio) | November 4, 2009 10:29 AM
I finally have to agree with something this far left rag has opined.
I am a Republican and I didn't hear any message that spoke of unity and direction.
This election was about the economy and fear for where this country is headed.
Posted by: Phil | November 4, 2009 10:30 AM
'Pubs heads are so far up their arses they are looking out from behind their own teeth.
And they think they are seeing the light....
Posted by: Gill Bates | November 4, 2009 10:31 AM
Great article. Everyone is playing their part on the morning shows, but the correct focus is the 23'rd of New York where stident outside voices won a pyrrhic victory of ousting the Republican candidate in favor of a "Conservative".
That loss by the loud voices of the far right will do more to help Mr. Steele win seats next year than both governor races combined. The lesson is crystal clear -- if you divide the party along narrow "litmus test" lines you will have lots to talk about -- from the outside. The other lesson is that the "tea party" movement is about: not bankrupting the country, respecting the Constitution, and diminishing the role of government, rather than an obsession on women's choices and personally demeaning The President.
But, of course, it was a clear message to those who will cast their votes in the "Healthcare Revolution" that they will be thrown out if they don't include all of America in their discussion.
Posted by: Tom Mariner | November 4, 2009 10:31 AM
Maybe if Democrats weren't so scared of being called liberal, they'd actually win an election or two. Instead, they pander to the Right, lose the Right anyway and in the process, turn off Left wing voters who end up staying home. Great strategy. It's almost like they're trying to throw the fight.
Posted by: Hilary | November 4, 2009 10:32 AM
My only hope is that people are just as fed up with this "red" vs "blue" rubbish as I am.
It is crazy to think that of the problems in our country can be solved by a single choice between two polar ideals.
Obama is good, but some of these democrats such as pelosi need to hit the road and make room for smarter, more conservative monds.
Posted by: pete w | November 4, 2009 10:32 AM
Creigh Deed's campaign would probably have lost to KKT, it was that lackluster and poorly run.
Posted by: Odie B | November 4, 2009 10:33 AM
I think the GOP needs to be strictly conservative when it comes to govt spending and constitutional matters, but needs to have a somewhat moderate voice on social matters. Social matters are ones that can be decided by a majority/populist vote. I think this is where the country is for the most part.
Posted by: Golfmanjeff | November 4, 2009 10:35 AM
There is no "voice" what happened last night was a response to the arrogance of Obama and his rubber stamp party.
they best learn their lesson and fast.
Steele, quit making crap up.. you still have Pain-lin and McLAME out there floundering the party. Deep six those two and get some message going.
Posted by: Joe West | November 4, 2009 10:35 AM
Steele represents a party that represents nothing of interest to most people any more. Independent is where it is at and both major parties should realize their days are numbered.
Posted by: Chris DeGreef | November 4, 2009 10:37 AM
Paaleeasee, Steele is a dummy..
"...Garbage in, garbage out.." George Carlin
Posted by: abetuar | November 4, 2009 10:37 AM
It's interesting that this article is the first I've seen today that mentions Owens' win, versus 4 or 5 headlines about the GOP gubernatorial wins. As I understand it, the 23rd has never elected a democrat, and this should have been a GOP gimme. This seems a bigger news story.
Posted by: Tom McComb | November 4, 2009 10:37 AM
Michael Steel and the rest of the republicians were not too smart When they support that woman in new york. What were they thinking of. could have won new york i f they picked right person
Posted by: dickie bobo | November 4, 2009 10:37 AM
Agreed.
Have you seen the coverage done on these elections. It's almost as if the media needs this to be a referendum on Obama. Even though it's not.
Who cares what the party of freaks wants to say about anything?
Fringe racists, followers of propagandists, weird angry old people, and confused anti-intellectuals are all that’s left of the Republican Party.
YIKES!! The Blue Sky Tribe has not left the building......but they do want you to hate somebody.
Posted by: ApostasyUSA | November 4, 2009 10:37 AM
What a head line. Let me guess, you are a Democrat and cannot just report the news. You had to put your bias in the headline. What happened to reporting the news?
Why can't this country realize that a party is not a high school team that you support regardless of the score. Pathetic!
Posted by: c reynolds | November 4, 2009 10:37 AM
Not from me they didn't unless they can stop playing political games with we the people. Come down to my level than maybe we can talk.
Posted by: Carole | November 4, 2009 10:38 AM
Let me get this straight: the Dems lose two Governor races handily, one in an overwhelmingly Democrat state, and that means nothing.
They win a tight race for a Congressional seat in New York and that's meaningful.
Riiiigghhht. Maybe the Phillies should use that strategy. They'd be up in the series 2-0 because those 3 losses weren't meaningful.
Posted by: rick p | November 4, 2009 10:38 AM
There are many Republicans that would love to see Sarah Palin as their 2012 Presidential Nominee. There are many more Democrats that wish the same thing. Your atrticle defines the reason why as polarizing as the election would be.
Posted by: Texas Cynic | November 4, 2009 10:39 AM
What voice is that? NO MORE TAXES, LESS GOVT, SCREW OBABA AND HIS READICAL AGENDA. HE IS GOING TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE WORST PRESIDENT OF ALL TIMES. INEPT, INEXPERIENCED AND IN FOR 1 TERM..IG HE EVEN MAKES THAT. I HOPE HE IS IMPEACHED FOR TRAMPLING THE CONSTITUTION AND TREASON AGAINST AMERICAN PRICINIPALS
Posted by: zapperz | November 4, 2009 10:39 AM
I guess some of the dummies that voted for our racist, communist president are waking up at last.
Posted by: Gabbo | November 4, 2009 10:40 AM
Or have democrats lost the momentum in the two races they "flopped" in, while surprising nearly everyone in a clawing fight in what was supposed to be a shoo -in? C'MON..Try and report without subjectivity. Voters have spoken. And we're ALL sick of partisan media coverage.!!
Posted by: DK | November 4, 2009 10:40 AM
Whoopsie.....did you forget to mention the defeat of same-sex marraige in Maine?
I can smell yer fear......smells....awesome!
Posted by: george dekornfeld | November 4, 2009 10:41 AM
That would be the voice that tell all of the Liberal Socialist She-Males and Barack Hussein "Babooma the Organ Grinder's Monkey" Obama that we have had enough of their pipe dreams of a Communist/Socialist Nirvana.
Posted by: panielsen | November 4, 2009 10:47 AM
There is another voice that the mainstream of both parties and the major media outlets are trying to ignore. Its the voice that says "Stop wasting tax money on bailouts and stimulus and audit the Federal Reserve." The same voice recognizes that the healthcare "debate" is not about expanding availability. It is about more government control of your life.
Posted by: rick | November 4, 2009 10:50 AM
Maybe if Democrats weren't so scared of being called liberal, they'd actually win an election or two. Instead, they pander to the Right, lose the Right anyway and in the process, turn off Left wing voters who end up staying home. Great strategy. It's almost like they're trying to throw the fight.
Posted by: Hilary | November 4, 2009 10:57 AM
I am a Republican by "card carrying" status. I would be hard pressed to think the party has found a voice at all. To me its a great deal closer to folks telling the current administration to "get off and get on." Its an old army term meaning to vacate your seat and employ your feet. I believe everyone of all parties is ready to see movement - not talk.
Posted by: Chuck | November 4, 2009 11:00 AM
Tom McComb: I think it's bit more of a story that two republican candidates won in states that had democrat governors, were states Obama carried last year, were states in which Obama campaigned for the democrats candidates (heavily in N.J.'s case), and relied on his star power to carry the day (especially in N.J.) than it is that a democrat won a traditionally republican congressional seat (one of 29 in NY) in a rural upstate district. But that's just me.
Posted by: brstevens | November 4, 2009 11:01 AM
The fact is that NY is a faily liberal state as is. The district that was up for election may have been a republican district, but its still a "moderate" republican. And lets not kid ourselves, moderate = liberal. Just like Pro-choice = Pro-aboition. its a play on words to make it sound not so offensive.
So for a true conservative to do as well as he did in a "moderate" district speaks volumes for how things are starting to lean.
Sorry, but its proven in the past that is a true conservative is running for office, most independants lean right!
Posted by: jeremy | November 4, 2009 11:03 AM
Wow, look at all the racism on this board!!!
Some can't make up their mind if Obama is a socialist, Marxist, communist, etc. (Wonder if these same idiots know the difference. From their comments here, it's plain to see they're too damn stupid to know the difference). Then others call him a baboon, but call the President a racist.
You trash the name of what was once a good party (GOP). Now you have turned into carnival act where sissies like panielsen can hide behind message boards to spread their idiocy. Shame, shame, shame...
Posted by: ItIsMe | November 4, 2009 11:04 AM
I am glad that the grown ups are taking over.I am looking forward to the resurgence of the Republican party.This is a beautful country to lose to pandering,lack of leadership and misplaced political correctness.
Posted by: Manhattan lady | November 4, 2009 11:06 AM
It's the voice of freedom, lower tax, more jobs, less govenment, back to the roots of what this country is all about....
I totally agree with the statement above....couldn't have said it better myself.
Posted by: sbechtel78 | November 4, 2009 11:07 AM
I'm unaware when a 20 point victory gap became "decisive."
Posted by: Mike P | November 4, 2009 11:08 AM
Andy, this is a great use of your time. You could have chosen to write about lots of different and more meaningful topics in the wake of yesterday's elections, but you elected to use this as an opportunity to parse words with the RNC's chairman. C'mon, you can do better. At least be balanced and critique the "spin" emerging from the post-election leaders of both political parties.
I've also got to address your comments regarding NY-23. Dede was not nominated in any sort of traditional or fair primary process; she was selected by a small group of local party leaders in a process that had all the trappings of a smoke-filled room. She was a horrible candidate (and, as you describe Mr. Deeds in dismissing his 20 point defeat, unable to "connect with voters"), and the fact that she endorsed the Democratic candidate should tell you all you need to know about her philosophy and public policy positions. Finally, your use of hyperbole is as bad as Steele's and the other spin-meisters ... to say that a third party candidate "flopped" after winning 45% of the vote seems a little overboard to me.
Posted by: cb | November 4, 2009 11:11 AM
I'm a life-long Republican, but I haven't voted for a Republican candidate since Reagan. Ronald Reagan had vision and was the right man for the job at the right time in history. Since then, all today's Republicans seem to trade on is fear. That's not good enough.
Posted by: Blackberry82 | November 4, 2009 11:18 AM
McDonnell is not a moderate he was a social conservative. Did you even read the Washington Post articles blasting his college thesis. Christie is only moderate on gun control and thats about it. Regarding NY 23 Hoffman was virtual unknown until 2 weeks ago and lost because of the endorsement of the Republican candidate for Owens remember MD congressional district 1 Gilchrest endorsing Kratovil. The message last night was low taxes, jobs, and less government intrusion. Sometimes the truth is hard to hear. In my opinion you fail to recognize the current political climate. President Obama's political capital has diminished. He could not get he vote out in NJ a state that relatively stays blue. So, I'll ask a question. What is the voice of the Democratic Party? They seemed to be split as well. President Obama couldn't deliver NJ for the party and Reid and Pelosi can't get on the same "political page"
Posted by: JR | November 4, 2009 11:23 AM
The Kenyan born Obama has been defeated. We will march on Wash DC and impose our RIGHT thinking will on America, and take it back from these commie, muslim, liberals! Right now I'm thinking Jeb Bush, Lez Cheney as the winning Republican ticket in 2012!
NICE RACIST POST YOU JACKASS.
IF YOU CANNOT DEBATE IDEAS THEN PLEASE DONT OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
OBAMA IS A US CITIZEN AND RELIGION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. CRAWL BACK INTO YOU CAVE WITH YOUR GUNS AND BIBLE YOU CLOSET KKK MEMBER.
Posted by: jay | November 4, 2009 11:27 AM
Don't get too excited. This is just a small victory and it may not translate to anything more in 2010.
It was a BIG win in a liberal state like Maine that made it 31 for 31 to maintain the centuries old definition of marriage.
31 for 31 when left to the voters. Name ANY other issue with such a consistent vote!
And now this election WILL indeed delay the government takeover of the health care industry.
And it HAS shaken the boots of dumocraps everywhere in the 2010 election.
Posted by: Fed Up | November 4, 2009 11:39 AM
Conservatives won in New York. Their objective was to stop allowing RINO's like that woman who quit and supported a Democrat to represent Republicans. It worked.
Obama's multiple trips and $30 million couldn't get Corzine re-elected and you think Obama is doing just fine. Keep thinking that way and 2 things will continue to happen-more Dems defeated next year and the Sun's circulation will continue to drop.
Posted by: Larry | November 4, 2009 11:51 AM
I love how people blame every problem today on a president that has been in office for 10 months. I think it's crazy. The financial melt down in this country started years ago, well before Obama came into office. I love how Republicans preach "less government". How quickly they forget the Patriot Act. The single most damaging peice of legislation ever written. Essentially gives the government free reign to walk on the constitution. We're stuck in 2 wars we can't get out of and in a recession. All started before Obama, but people want to blame him for everything. It's going take years to get this country back on track. Not 10 months.
Posted by: Jeff | November 4, 2009 11:54 AM
Nice to see the semi-literate fringe whackos out in force today.
"You're and bias idiot who left there father land & Obaba READICAL AGENDA PRINCIPALS!"
This is why it's a mistake for republicans to "come down to my level." That level can hardly read & write, much less make competent decisions that affect the future of our state & country.
Posted by: Sean Brinkley | November 4, 2009 11:56 AM
I'm conservative, and hear's my voice.
VOTE OUT EVERY INCUMBENT
I don't care what party you are from. If you keep stealing me and my children, I hope voters KILL your political career.
Nuff said.
Posted by: Ballz Mahoney | November 4, 2009 12:04 PM
What is it with conservatives in a liberal state complaining about "Republicans in Name Only?" Do liberals in conservative states sink the candidacies of "Democrats in Name Only?"
Someone referred to a third party. That would be an excellent development, but it would be the centrist party, not the "Conservative" one, that would be the third.
Posted by: Joseph | November 4, 2009 1:09 PM
So in NY-23, the Republican got nudged out of the race and a brand a new kind of insane came to town. The voters rejected insane. NY-23 was a Republican stronghold for over 100 years.
I seriously hope they pursue this strategy nationwide.
Posted by: Paul_D | November 4, 2009 1:09 PM
There are two realities at play here. The first is that the Democrats are way too premature in declaring the GOP a dead party. The second is that these gubernatorial races had absolutely nothing to do with President Obama and the way he is handling his job. To think otherwise is just plain silly.
Posted by: Sean Tully | November 4, 2009 1:09 PM
"We live in a city that has had a one party government longer than Cuba, the difference is that theirs is a tyranny and we elect ours."
Posted by: Dunn | November 4, 2009 1:09 PM
Winds blow quickly in politics and Mr. Steele should know that. Reagan's first term was shaky also and lost seats to Dems in both the Senate and House as well as many state elections. President Obama has only been in office 10 months, he has time to correct the mistakes he's made. If he has any type of success, the ball will fall back into the Dem's court again. And while he is basking in the glow of these election results, Mr. Steele needs to realize that the candidates won because of THEIR actions and not his.
Posted by: Robert | November 4, 2009 1:09 PM
Jeff - Your complaint sounds familar. How long was Bush in when 9/11 occurred. Lots of crazy's wanted to assign blame on him for that. In fact during his two terms he seemed to get blamed for everything except the weather. It comes with the job and anyone who takes the job does or should know it.
Posted by: Tony | November 4, 2009 1:11 PM
"I love how people blame every problem today on a president that has been in office for 10 months. I think it's crazy. The financial melt down in this country started years ago, well before Obama came into office."
The financial meltdown started when radical liberals in power in the house blocked measures by a Republican President to regulate Fannie Mae and Freddit Mac, headed up by Clinton, Peloci, Reid and Obama.
Those democrats ALLOWED Fannie & Freddie to give mortgages to whoever wanted one KNOWING it would bottom out the market which they could blame on the Bush administration using propaganda machines like the mainstream media.
They then promised to bail them out after the blame was rested on republicans. Democrats then controlled both houses and the presidency as a result of their game to make conservatives look bad with ruined countless American lives.
The problem began with socialist communists like Obama (you don't have to dig far to find he's surrounded himself with openly proclaimed socialists in his many czars) and they did exactly what they promised to Fannie & Freddie. They bailed them out with our tax dollars. A double-whammy for the American people.
Bob Hope hit the nail on the head, liberals are like zombies.
Posted by: Matt B. | November 4, 2009 1:11 PM
Michael Steele?
Never underestimate The Stupidity of Americans
Posted by: Ray Barcia | November 4, 2009 1:52 PM
"What voice"? The voice that is going to swallow up the 2010 elections, THAT'S "what voice".
Ask this question again next November...and you can answer it as well!
Posted by: Bobbi | November 4, 2009 1:52 PM
What voice is that?
It's the one that should be telling Steele that moderate Republicans can win elections, and that hard-line "conservatives" who can't even win in NY's backwoods 23rd District have zero relevance to national electoral success.
It's the one telling Steele that returning the Republicans to rational moderation is the future of the party. I sure hope he listens.
Posted by: Ravens530 | November 4, 2009 2:27 PM
There are two realities at play here. The first is that the Democrats are way too premature in declaring the GOP a dead party. The second is that these gubernatorial races had absolutely nothing to do with President Obama and the way he is handling his job. To think otherwise is just plain silly.
Posted by: Sean Tully | November 4, 2009 2:36 PM
Some of you whites are sickning , one thing for sure is that democrats will stay in power for the next 6yrs , don't get you flat panties in a bunch , I rather have healthcare for all than go back to the yrs of Reagan and Bush 2 , what the media really need to do is remind you racist idiots what republicans has done tro this country and our standing in the world , and get over that mantra you want less taxes and smaler government , show me one republican president who actually pulled that off , and if you haven't look into your presidential history lately , every republican president left this country in shambles , and some of yopu racist are yelling that the gov , is taking your rights away ,now isn't that the kettle calling the pot black..................
Posted by: songod7 | November 4, 2009 3:07 PM
Now , just get O'malley out and things will be perfect !!!!!!
Posted by: pete Liebig | November 4, 2009 3:14 PM
Its funny how these rethuglicans can yell about they want to get back smaller government and smaller taxes and they don't their freedoms taken away , hahaha that's funny , considering that there's no republican president who has ever lowered taxes and and provided less government , it's always the other way around exploding deficits and budgets even their great Reagan left office with the country in shambles......republicans are like sheep being led out to be slaughtered if they think greedy republican politicians are going to help them.......
Posted by: songod7 | November 4, 2009 3:31 PM
Dems' losses would have meant more if 3rd party candidates could have won. Otherwise its same stuff, different party name. We don't have a two party system, we have a one party system with two different names. Look no further than Obama's continuation of Bush's abysmal policies in several areas for all the proof you need.
Posted by: Bill | November 4, 2009 3:43 PM
Nice spin move, Andy. But living in denial is simply avoiding the Truth, which is inevitable. Many comments I have heard in recent days from the electorate could be summarized as, "2010--Are we there yet?"
NJ & VA --Change we CAN believe in!
Posted by: St Reformed | November 4, 2009 5:02 PM
As a Republican, I'm more upset by my fellow Republican commenters' horrible spelling and punctuation than I am about the opinion expressed in this piece. How do some people even figure out how to turn the computer on?
Posted by: Steve D. | November 4, 2009 5:11 PM
Steele and his followers are all over the place. They don't know where they belong. They are jumping on anything they can find to blame on President Obama's Administration.
The Republicans would fair a lot better if they would stay in the background and figure out what to do, instead of making a mockery of themselves.
Posted by: Dinna | November 4, 2009 5:31 PM
Steele is a lap dog. How can his children or his wife look him in the face every day? It was a good day for the GOP, but it reminds me of most Raven fans. They beat a couple of lightweights and now all of a sudden they are the best team in the NFL. Last I checked, the Dems won the last BIG GAME. Let's keep it in perspective GOP!!!
Posted by: Mack | November 4, 2009 6:36 PM
It's amazing how many people throw the word socialism around without a single, minuscule idea of what it actually is. It's dangerous and is stifling of true and uninhibited political discussion.
Posted by: C. Collins | November 4, 2009 8:00 PM
How is this a "second opinion"? As far as this paper is concerned, it's the Truth.
Posted by: Dan | November 4, 2009 9:10 PM
You people do not understand. A Democrat campaign manager in Missouri announced that the Republcan Party is irrelevant. You see, if there is only one party then we can have a dictatorship. That is not going to fly in the good old USA, When enough freedoms and rights are taken away there will be a revolt. Right now the trough still has some space so the pigs have enough to eat. Did you notice that the latest report predicts that 90% of African American children will be on food stamps. If I were an African American President and I heard that I would find out why all these people have lost their dignity and have resorted to relying on the government dole and fix it. We have created another type of slavery. People have given up their freedom to vote Democrat and get rewards that allow just enough to eat but not enough to succeed. Just like in Egypt hundreds of years ago, people kept giving everything they had to the Pharoh who promised he would feed them. When the people had no more to give they starved to death.
Posted by: Digger | November 4, 2009 10:46 PM
Ok, the guy whose writing the opinion article is a democrat. So what? It's an opinion piece, and opinion is not news.
As for the stuff he wrpte, no one here has actually proved his point wrong. I am a democrat in Virginia, yet I voted for McDonnell. The reason that I voted for him is that he is from my area (NoVA) and understands the importance of traffic improvements.
As for who won, if anybody won it was moderate republicans and RiNOs. What you far right conservatives cant understand is that you can't govern without the middle. McDonnell won the race specifically because he stuck to the issues, and avoiding social ones like they were the plague. Christie ran against the constant NJ corruption (from BOTH sides, mind you). In comparison, it doesn't take that much reason to understand that the NY 23rd was lost because Hoffman was way too polarizing, and as a result, the district is democrat for the first time IN A CENTURY.
When Republicans were in power, they still managed to get a lot done (i.e. Bush tax cuts) with moderate republicans and even with Blue Dog democrats (whom I love), the majority now is getting things done (and health care will pass). You may not get everything you want, but it's better than nothing.
Swapping governing for ideology is beyond stupid, and a means to keeping yourself out of power for a long time.
Posted by: Andrew P | November 5, 2009 5:35 AM
It is clear that no one in the Dem party took the ground swell of anger in country seriously. It is very real--witness the tens of thousands today down in DC protesting Governement takeover of healthcare. And while we focus on this, they are trying to sneak by Cap and TAX which will hurt all of us.
There is enough long term damage Obama is doing to the economy between healthcare, Cap and Tax, ( which will kill this country's economy--whats left of it after healthcare), deficit spending, Loss of jobs, self avowed communists in his administration, a czar for every left fringe cause you can think of, attempts at controlling the media, regulating the internet, non stop apologizing and appeasement tour that is part of the worst foreign policy since Jimmy Carter etc...etc....
Point is this: independents see it. Clearly. The Original Democrats see it clearly..( by that i mean, NOT the left wing nut fringe that contriols most of the policy and speaks on behalf of dems--but the they Shafer type Dems". Black Voters-- CLearly still show an unyielding loyalty--based on Color--so a lrage portion do not get it.
It will take decades to recover from this Disaster of a President.
Posted by: Carlhk1 | November 5, 2009 9:40 AM
Could Maryland be next?? Please please--MD!! Its time for the old school Dems to look the democrat party and see how far out of touch it is with mainstream Amercia and the Consitution. It has become a left winged nut job far out fringe party that wants government to control everything we do.
NJ gets it--VA Gets it--
Could we be so lucky that Marylanders will get it??
One party rule has destroyed this state and continues to do so...
Time to look to the GOP to fix this stae by way of shared power--
Posted by: carlhk1 | November 5, 2009 9:56 AM
The Kenyan born Obama has been defeated. We will march on Wash DC and impose our RIGHT thinking will on America, and take it back from these commie, muslim, liberals! Right now I'm thinking Jeb Bush, Lez Cheney as the winning Republican ticket in 2012!
NICE RACIST POST YOU JACKASS.
IF YOU CANNOT DEBATE IDEAS THEN PLEASE DONT OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
OBAMA IS A US CITIZEN AND RELIGION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. CRAWL BACK INTO YOU CAVE WITH YOUR GUNS AND BIBLE YOU CLOSET KKK MEMBER.
I'm not a KKK member, I believe in his holiness Rush, the purity of Hannity, and the logic of Beck! Fox News has exposed the muslim commie Hussien presidency. All RIGHT thinking americans need to rise up and kick this Keyan out of our WHITE house! Then, the Supreme Court should install a sane, competent President - Jeb Bush. Lez Cheney would be a capable Vice President. We Republicans can then install family values and expand tax cuts for the wealthy!
Posted by: Anonymous | November 5, 2009 11:55 AM
Anonymous it is people like you who prevent me from regestering as a Republican. Plus dont preach to me about morality and family values, that is my decision not some political party. Go home and reread Mein Kampf you empty fool.
Yesterday's results show that the huge fiscally unsustainable agenda of the Liberal Democrats is giving pause to moderate Independents like myself. And I voted for Obama. And I am very disappointed with him.
To stay in power the Democrats need to rule from the center.
Otherwise see ya
On the bright side let's hope OMalley gets bushwhacked in 2010.
Posted by: jay | November 5, 2009 12:38 PM
The two party system is broken. Until we have a legitimate multi-party system where candidates are free to express how they really feel and would truly govern our elections will continue to be fruitless exercises.
Unfortunately, a lot of people in our beautiful country would have a hard time voting without being able to identify a candidate as R or D, because they lack critical thinking skills to evaluate candidates based on merit rather than party affiliation.
I look to the NY 23rd as a glimmer of hope for my former party, and hope that the Republican party will steer away from it's current positions which do border on the fringe as someone already commented. Until then, I'll remain a conservative independent and keep voting my conscience rather than either party's ticket.
Posted by: kateebee | November 5, 2009 1:16 PM
Obviously,m the Post by Anonymous is a PLANT by some left winged DEMOCRAT deliberately spoofing with malice--so that he can influence the weak and uneducated--dont be fooled--you should know their tactics by now
Posted by: carlhk1 | November 5, 2009 5:06 PM
god bless baltimore
jesus christ is king
do you actually believe in that crap?
when one of you out there dies, please come back and let us know there is something else but the dirt i am buried in
otherwise, politics is just a modern form of religion. so there is no need for trying to make a rational argument.
Posted by: Anonymous | November 5, 2009 9:40 PM
Obviously,m the Post by Anonymous is a PLANT by some left winged DEMOCRAT deliberately spoofing with malice--so that he can influence the weak and uneducated--dont be fooled--you should know their tactics by now
Don't be a hater you Obama loving commie. I need to be annonymous because Hussiens left wing death squads are trying to "take out" all true, pure, right thinking Americans. Go back to Kenya!
Posted by: Annonymous to avoid Facist Hussien | November 6, 2009 11:24 AM
The voice that Republicans have found, is AMERICA's voice. Rush Limbaugh. Rush is an American family man who has exposed the Keyan born, commie, muslim Barak HUSSIEN Obama. Rush believes in family values and doesn't believe in legalizing drugs like Obama. It's time to take back our WHITE house and have the Supreme Court appoint Jeb Bush President and Lez Cheney VP.
Posted by: Jeb Bush / Lez Cheney 2012 | November 6, 2009 2:48 PM