The Republicans may not control everything

for the first time in my life, come Nov. 7th:

The White House is bracing for guerrilla warfare on the homefront politically if Republicans lose control of the House, the Senate or both — and with it, the president's ability to shape and dominate the national agenda.

Aw, sad Repubwicans....

Lieberman is already calling for an end to the partisanship if the Dems win.  I say the Republicans shouldn't have started hyper-partisanship if they didn't want to get burnt with it when it turned against them.

Comments

[Mike]

This is a typical off year strategy...nothing new.

[Thomas Williams]

Some things will change if the Dems take control, not much though. They won't have enough votes for cloture and there is the same amount of dissent within in their camp as with the Republicans. Also, the 2008 Presidential race will begin to mount and there will be those of both parties wanting to stake out individual claims on certain issues and will be obstacles for whatever party they belong to. Also, MONEY from lobbyists will affect people you never would have expected. It is the same in each session.

Tom

[fcc]

"This is a typical off year strategy...nothing new."

Exactly, which is what only 35% of Americans will vote. They will spend the next two years bickering about which party is worthy for the prssidency in '08.

[Bev]

Suggestion:
Everyone call your local political party today and ask them what you can do to help in the next two weeks.

[BAWDYSCOT]

I dunno fcc, the strategists here in Arizona are saying we might have 60-65% voter turnout. This might have to do with the fact we have many referendums to vote on.

[csm]

And I'm still worried that our voting system can be corrupted:

http://www.computerworld.com/blogs/node/3790?source=NLT_BLOG

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=269075

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9003721

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=268797

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/11717105/robert_f_kennedy_jr__will_the_next_election_be_hacked

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/11983301/diebolds_letter_to_rolling_stone_and_robert_f_kennedy_jrs_response

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/10586714/was_the_2004_election_stolen

[Bev]

And, if may I just ask a serious question that may seem bizarre?

If there is an anthrax scare in 10-15 major US cities on or around Nov. 3 and the election must be "postponed" due to "national security"...
I'm just curious what everyone who posts here would do? If you've ever been under martial law (I have; Kent State University nad I promise it is no joke) citizens have NO rights, and can literally be shot for going outside of their homes.

The most powerful man on the face of the earth (and his brain) isn't going down easily. If anyone believes Nov. 7 will be a cakewalk...
well, what WOULD you do if you are ordered into your homes on Nov. 3 until it is "safe"?

[Thomas Williams]

Man, I am so tired of all the paranoid things about fascism and martial law. I can promise you people like myself wouldn't stand for it and I don't think (I could be wrong) they would be able to enforce it. We are still a very independent minded group of people in this country. They would have to take down the internet, the telephone system, amateur radio, the cellular system and quite a few I haven't thought of. I have more respect for the voting machine malfunctions than anything else. That could easily be a problem as any computer system can be hacked; especially if so designed. Money can buy just about anything.

Tom

[VJ]

Quote: If there is an anthrax scare in 10-15 major US cities on or around Nov. 3 and the election must be "postponed" due to "national security"...
I'm just curious what everyone who posts here would do? If you've ever been under martial law (I have; Kent State University nad I promise it is no joke) citizens have NO rights, and can literally be shot for going outside of their homes.

Well, of course I'd stay in my home and cower in fear like I do every other day. Fortunately I've had my antrax vaccination, but I'd still expect that a government official show up everyday at 9am, 5pm, and 10pm to walk my dogs and take out the trash- just in case.

[BAWDYSCOT]

I live in a small town of 2600, I doubt we have enough active duty personnel and law enforcement to actually facilitate what you are suggesting. And personally, I don't think many in the armed forces or law enforcement would follow along with something as blatantly unAmerican as this.

[Bev]

Tom: "I can promise you people like myself wouldn't stand for it and I don't think (I could be wrong) they would be able to enforce it."

Please read the Constitution if you don't think "they" can't enforce it.

Anyway, I've been ready to march in the streets since the Supreme Court actually stopped votes from being counted in the United States of America.
How did that happen?
I still don't understand.
My friends who are overseas watching us still don't understand.
How did we stand for that?

Sorry if it's too stupid of a question.
I'll retract it.
Again, having actually BEEN under martial law in the United States of America, maybe I just concern myself too much with re-living the nightmare.

However, I still contend that the most powerful man in the world is not going down on Nov. 7 if he can do anything to stop it.
Don't be planning on taking back the House or the Senate.

[Thomas F. Williams]

I have a copy at hand and the Declaration of Independence. As a Marine it was required reading. Anyway, none of the circumstances are in place for that to happen. I am not even going to go into 2000 as that horse has been beat to death. I also live in a very rural area Bawdy and feel as you do about that. There is just too many good 'ol boys around here with firearms to actual stand for that too long. There is a very libertarian streak when it comes to these types of issues.

Tom

[Bev]

I withdrew the question; if it was dumb, it was dumb.

But I'll ask another:
Do you actually know how few people it takes to enact martial law?
It's called a "national security threat" via the Constitution and the commander-in-chief gives the order.
If you disobey the order, they're authorized to shoot you.

So, an anthrax threat in 10-15 major cities around the country wouldn't be considered a threat by the nation?
Great. I'll sleep better getting that Nov. scenario out of my mind.

But, on the other hand, please don't anyone expect the Minority Party to take the House or the Senate in a couple of weeks.

[BAWDYSCOT]

Bev,

I have heard of the "national security letters" you speak of and it is one more way this administration has chipped away at our Constitution. It is a way to get around Congress and the court system. I found out about them from Cato. You are not going crazy. One thing to watch for is this administration has looked into softening the Posse Comitatus Act and using the military in law enforcement situations(Katrina) which when used in tandem with national security letters could be problematic for individual citizens, especially ones who speak their minds.

[Bev]

Exactly, bawdy!
Have we been "up in arms' about anything under GWB?

Maybe I'm more Thomas Paine than John Witherspoon (my relative who signed the D of I) but, from my pov, we've all been a bunch of pussies for the last 6-8 years. I've tried my hardest to stir up trouble, but I guess I'm not much of a leader.

"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis shrink from the service of their country... Tyranny, like hell is not easily conquered."

So, do you think the most powerful man in the world is going to relinquish any power of Nov. 7?

p.s. I find the Cato Institute to be very intelligent.

[Thomas Williams]

I believe the democratic process will take place and if the Democrats win the House and/or Senate, the process will go as designed.

Tom

[BAWDYSCOT]

You still make it sound "divine", Tom.

"the process will go as designed"

Sure sounds like you think God has something to do with it(and I'm sure you do). You would think if "your" God had anything to do with it the Democrats will be in for a big suprise. Since I find Democrats to be as odious as Republicans I would normally not care, but I am hoping for deadlock, so I am pulling for the Dems, but I ain't votin for them.

[fcc]

“an anthrax threat in 10-15 major cities around the country wouldn't be considered a threat by the nation?”

LOL, do the conspiracy theories ever stop? This is why blog have little respect. Masood, you like conspiracies, you want to chime in on the November elections? Maybe GWB will fly a plane into the Sears Tower, blow up the Hoover dam and while he is at it blow up 4 to 5 Nuke Power plants in key American cities. Some folks need a reality check as well as an allegiance check. So if Dems win will Reps claim voter fraud? If Reps win,will Dems claim voter fraud? Ah, geez we have a conspiracy theory regardless!!

I mean really, does anyone really believe things will change if Dems take the House? I just don’t see it. I will actually be voting to put my Dem Represenative back in because of his local impact and the fact the only other choice is another major party. My vote is not on national issues because he will have not impact on them. I feel many will vote on the local issues not the national issues.

[Thomas F Williams]

When I say designed, I am talking about as designed in the Constitution by our Founding Fathers. Do I think God's will will be done? Yes. Might it go the way I expect? I have no idea. I am really in your camp as I want a deadlock. I won't be voting for Republicans or Democrats.

Tom

[VJ]

fcc,

What is this allegience check?

[Mike]

fcc has a point... Posse Comitatus has been breached on the Mexican Border... the Administration has funded military weapons and training to local police departments under federal auspises. USSR (and Russia) militia (local police departments) in cities have long held the position of a military organization. We are following that model at this time.

Add the Patriot Act and we are on a path that has heavy implications.

[BAWDYSCOT]

What point does fcc have? If the Dems take one of the houses we will effectively have deadlock, which is much better than either of the parties having control.

[fcc]

"If the Dems take one of the houses we will effectively have deadlock"

C'mon Bawdy, that is what we have had all along. War was only possible because dems agreed. Remember, they GAVE their vote to Bush. What is to stop them from doing the same thing again? The only way things CAN happen is if dems agree. There must be a much larger swings toward Reps in order for deadlock not to be reality.

[csm]

I think perhaps that many Dems have learned the lesson about abdicating their responsibility as they did with the Iraq war... but I might be wrong.

[BAWDYSCOT]

I don't think you are wrong csm and I think if the Dems try to lay down again the Democratic voters would have their hides.

fcc,

All you have to look at is Bush's veto record(or lack of one) to figure out everything Bush wants he gets. The Republicans have also had a field day with the federal budget, filling it with pork(I know the Dems do too, maybe this is the Reps throwing them a bone). Bush gets his Supreme Court nominees through, he gets to torture terrorists, he gets faith-based NGOs the money they want, everything he wants he gets(oh yeah, invade Iraq too). I do not consider this deadlock. That is when the government does nothing. And one thing I have to admit, this ain't no do nothing government, alas.