There is growing concern among Republicans that questions surrounding the federal response to Hurricane Katrina, among other issues, could hurt the party in next year's mid-term election.
When Republican House members participated in a telephone conference call Sept. 1, the air was blue with complaints about the Bush Administration's handling of Katrina. According to CNN, there was much hand-wringing about Republican prospects in the 2006 elections.
"Incumbents in both parties are dancing perilously close to the edge right now: Gas prices are out of control, we are bogged down in Iraq and now politicians seem to be doing more talking than acting," veteran pundit and political advisor David Gergen told the Washington Post, for a story in today's issue. "We may be heading toward an election in which the attitude is to throw the bums out, and if that happens, Republicans will pay the bigger prices because they are in control."
A number of issues — the federal response to Hurricane Katrina, mounting frustration over the Iraq War, the recent London and Egypt bombings tied to Al Qaeda, and an enormous increase in gas prices — have lowered President Bush's approval rating to below 40 percent. Congress' approval rating is even lower.
Still, the Democrats face an uphill climb if they want to take back control of either the House or Senate. That would require Democrats to hold onto any contested seats held by Democrats (or being vacated by Democrats), while making significant inroads into Republican-held (or to-be-vacated) seats.
By this count, just 25 Republican-held House seats will be in play next year. Eleven Republicans are retiring — many to run for other political offices — and another 14 Republicans won by small margins in 2004. The current House is composed of 231 Republicans, 202 Democrats, 1 Independent and 1 vacancy.
In the Senate, 33 seats are up — including 15 held by Republicans. Republicans currently hold a 55-44-1 advantage in the Senate.
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This article first appeared at Journalists Against Bush's B.S.
Article comments
1 - Amanda
I don't think the republicans have to worry with Bush in command. Bush is shouting out against all of this at this very moment. Here have a look:
http://desperatetimes.org/images/bush_monkey.jpg
http://bitumen.cyber-poll.hu/pic/bush-monkey.jpg
2 - Bob A. Booey
It's not enough to swing control of either chamber, but the GOP will lose seats as things are going right now in the midterms of 2006.
That is all.
3 - The Fifth Dentist
I don't think they need to worry. A majority of the country has demonstrated that it doesn't care at all about results. They continue to vote for these clowns like they own stock in the party. And don't forget the advantages of having your own little Izveztia: Fox News. It's only five minutes from Karl Roves poison pen to Sean Hannity's ape-like mouth.
4 - Jeremy Potratz
I wouldn't doubt for a minute that the Repub's will continue with its hold on all parts of the federal government. I have almost no faith anymore in the Democratic Party. They don't know how to fight and will continue getting smacked around until they realize they are in a dog fight. They had better begin fighting like they want to win or no one will ever vote for them again. Could Kerry's campaign have been a worse example of what not to do to win an election??
5 - John
Giving more control to the republican party was like a test to see if having tha much power would help. They failed. The near dictatorship like goverment needs to end. When you see Bush praying, it's because he doesn't really have a clue. If that really worked so well, we could all simply pray and not have a president. We need a president that undersands this country. Also look what happened with Katrina! My daughter died in that storm!