2010 GA election predictions: What are your thoughts. (insurance, violent crime)

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

Elections are essentially competitions and over the last decade the Republicans are dominating any elections that are held here.

Not just here, but throughout the country. Funny thing is if you look at the last two times the Dems won the Presidency and both houses of Congress, they were then swept from power nationally just two years later. This country does not, as a whole, want leftist big gov't. When Dems like Bill Clinton move to the center, they do OK, but they have to sound like a conservative or a moderate to get elected.

While places like MA, CA, NY will tend to slant liberal and keep voting for big gov't, most of the rest of the country is solidly middle of the road or conservative. Some places like NJ vote in Dems until things get so bad that they need to do some cleanup, and then they vote in the GOP. If you look at this last election, the GOP swept up the state houses as well as the US House and Senate. Places like Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, even Illinois voted in Republicans.

In 2006, people were pissed at George W Bush and wanted out of the war. The Republicans in Congress had also turned into Dems with big gov't spending on things like the prescription drug program, and other earmarked projects. Many independents sided with Dems to send the GOP a message.

In 2008, many blacks and other minorities came out of the woodwork to vote specifically for Obama, and some Dems followed on his coattails. Obama and the Dems mistakenly took that vote as a mandate to spend and to ramp up big gov't. They dismissed principled opposition as "extremists" and refused to listen. They're listening now. Georgia is just a bit more red, but most of the country has clearly said that they do not want big gov't spending and massive redistribution of wealth. When will Dems get the picture?

[K-SawDude]

Originally Posted by neil0311

Not just here, but throughout the country. Funny thing is if you look at the last two times the Dems won the Presidency and both houses of Congress, they were then swept from power nationally just two years later. This country does not, as a whole, want leftist big gov't. When Dems like Bill Clinton move to the center, they do OK, but they have to sound like a conservative or a moderate to get elected.

While places like MA, CA, NY will tend to slant liberal and keep voting for big gov't, most of the rest of the country is solidly middle of the road or conservative. Some places like NJ vote in Dems until things get so bad that they need to do some cleanup, and then they vote in the GOP. If you look at this last election, the GOP swept up the state houses as well as the US House and Senate. Places like Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, even Illinois voted in Republicans.

In 2006, people were pissed at George W Bush and wanted out of the war. The Republicans in Congress had also turned into Dems with big gov't spending on things like the prescription drug program, and other earmarked projects. Many independents sided with Dems to send the GOP a message.

In 2008, many blacks and other minorities came out of the woodwork to vote specifically for Obama, and some Dems followed on his coattails. Obama and the Dems mistakenly took that vote as a mandate to spend and to ramp up big gov't. They dismissed principled opposition as "extremists" and refused to listen. They're listening now. Georgia is just a bit more red, but most of the country has clearly said that they do not want big gov't spending and massive redistribution of wealth. When will Dems get the picture?

You're only reading one side of the equation.

The general historical trend is that any time one party is in power of all branches, the population votes against the party in power for the next 1-2 election cycles. Moreover, what's *weird* about this election is that the House flipped Republican but the Senate didn't. In fact, it could have flipped, but it was the extreme conservatism/tea partyism of Republican candidates in Delaware, Colorado, West Virginia, and Nevada that actually helped Democrats hold the Senate. In other words, voters rejected conservatism in some places outside of the coasts, even in the most absolutely favorable climate for conservatives in the last 50 years.

Also, you could argue that George W. Bush also "moderated" to a certain extent to stay in office, especially on spending and immigration. It's part of why many conservatives don't call him one of their own. I think most presidents, including Barack Obama, tack to the center far more than people realize. Heck, Ronald Reagan actually *raised* taxes when he needed to (despite how much present-day conservatives would like to pretend otherwise).

That's not to deny the sea change of red that just happened. But I think most polling data show that voters aren't really embracing conservatism or Republicans as much as voting against the party in power, as they've always done historically.

[RandyWatson13]

I am beyond tired of people saying Republicans are for small government. That is so far beyond the truth. They grow the government and spend and put us in debt too. Just in recent memory, Regan, Bush Sr and Jr greatly expanded the government, spending and the deficit. So stop acting like it is just Democrats.

Ridiculous. We need a damn history test for those that vote.

[green_mariner]

Here is a question to ask: What do you think will be best for everyone in the USA?

[AcidSnake]

That's an impossible question to answer. There are waaaay too many religious, social, ethnic, political, and racial factions who have their own unique visions on what they think that the United States of America should do for them.

Good luck finding the answer, though.

Originally Posted by pirate_lafitte

Here is a question to ask: What do you think will be best for everyone in the USA?

[spotch]

That's not to deny the sea change of red that just happened. But I think most polling data show that voters aren't really embracing conservatism or Republicans as much as voting against the party in power, as they've always done historically.

Voting against the party in power, but maybe even more importantly, voting against the economic conditions that are still roiling the country. And granted, Obama didn't pull us out of the worst economic slump since the great depression in 22 months, but jesus... it's a hell of a time to say "well things are very slowly starting to get better, let's totally reverse everything that's been done for the past year and a half"

[suprascooby22]

Originally Posted by spotch

Voting against the party in power, but maybe even more importantly, voting against the economic conditions that are still roiling the country. And granted, Obama didn't pull us out of the worst economic slump since the great depression in 22 months, but jesus... it's a hell of a time to say "well things are very slowly starting to get better, let's totally reverse everything that's been done for the past year and a half"

Obama is out of touch with what Americans want. Focusing on Healthcare reform instead of the economy and jobs is why the Republicans just won a resounding victory. Republicans were elected because people were fed up with Obama and the Dem's NOT listening to the will of the people. Thats as simple as it gets. When you go against the majority of Americans on Healthcare reform, the AZ Immigration law and the Ground Zero Mosque you are OUT OF TOUCH and the voters showed that overwhelmingly last Tuesday.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by suprascooby22

Obama is out of touch with what Americans want. Focusing on Healthcare reform instead of the economy and jobs is why the Republicans just won a resounding victory. Republicans were elected because people were fed up with Obama and the Dem's NOT listening to the will of the people. Thats as simple as it gets. When you go against the majority of Americans on Healthcare reform, the AZ Immigration law and the Ground Zero Mosque you are OUT OF TOUCH and the voters showed that overwhelmingly last Tuesday.

I agree, but I'd add that the economy is as bad as it has been in 70 years. No matter who was President, they'd get blamed for it. The collapse of the economy in 2008 was what really put the final nail in the McCain campaign. No way a Republican could get elected President that year.

You also have to factor in that probably half the Congressional seats the Dems won in 2006 and especially in 2008 were traditionally Republican districts. Many voters were turned off by the Iraq war and the rapidly weakening economy. So the fact that the returned to Republican hands is hardly surprising.

[green_mariner]

Originally Posted by AcidSnake

That's an impossible question to answer. There are waaaay too many religious, social, ethnic, political, and racial factions who have their own unique visions on what they think that the United States of America should do for them.

Good luck finding the answer, though.

Part of the reason for voting is to have a voice in what goes on. Alot of people have different visions for what they want. I voted and things didn't turn out the way I wanted it. I guess my vision doesn't line up with the vision of alot of Georgians.

[arjay57]

Good for you for voting, however!