America is still conservative regarding areas, except in big cities

[Straw Man]

In all fairness, the governors of New York and New Jersey did resign, along with the mayor of Detroit (but not without a fight).  And John Edwards had already lost the primary when his misdeeds came to light, so he couldn't really resign from anything.

(I was being sarcastic.)      

On the other hand, Rep. William Jefferson didn't resign, nor did Rep. Tim Mahoney, the mayor of L.A., or the mayor of S.F.  
 
We're about due for a mayor or governor to screw up pretty badly.  

Edwards didn't hold an elective office and didn't break any laws

The mayors of LA and SF didn't break any laws either

[Hedgehog]

Dems are better politicians.  They play the game better and have been since at LEAST 94.

As far as who play the game better - I totally disagree.
Right now, yes the Democrats are dominant, and owns the game.
But in the mid 90's - it was all about the Republicans. Clinton's outstanding charisma (stuff like that are important in US politics) and decent record prevented the Republicans from trying to go up against him seriously in 96. But Gingrich, Rove, Cheney and other neo-cons dominated US domestic politics.
The Republicans won more and more gubernatorial and senator seats.
USA just got more red in general.
The Democrats were crushed and defeated when Bush entered. His years would put the final touch to the power shift that would make the Democrats an irrelevant party.
Instead the Democrats has revamped their party on some issues, they don't force issues that are sensitive anymore. They want gun control - not ban on guns. But it's not really an issue they press either.

Add to that a president who's killed the national economy, handled foreign relations questionably  and started an illegit war he wasn't even able to finish.

Then it's easy to see there's a problem.
But just as the late 90's and early 2000's belonged to the Republicans, these last two years have belonged to the Democrats.
And it may get even worse.
Republicans are the ones who should be guarding Obama with their lives.
When Palme was murdered in Sweden in 86, his party was down in ratings, were heading for a likely loss in the election.
But the following year his party got almost record high votes in the election and won easily.      

[24KT]

As far as who play the game better - I totally disagree.
Right now, yes the Democrats are dominant, and owns the game.
But in the mid 90's - it was all about the Republicans. Clinton's outstanding charisma (stuff like that are important in US politics) and decent record prevented the Republicans from trying to go up against him seriously in 96. But Gingrich, Rove, Cheney and other neo-cons dominated US domestic politics.
The Republicans won more and more gubernatorial and senator seats.
USA just got more red in general.
The Democrats were crushed and defeated when Bush entered. His years would put the final touch to the power shift that would make the Democrats an irrelevant party.
Instead the Democrats has revamped their party on some issues, they don't force issues that are sensitive anymore. They want gun control - not ban on guns. But it's not really an issue they press either.

Add to that a president who's killed the national economy, handled foreign relations questionably  and started an illegit war he wasn't even able to finish.

Then it's easy to see there's a problem.
But just as the late 90's and early 2000's belonged to the Republicans, these last two years have belonged to the Democrats.
And it may get even worse.
Republicans are the ones who should be guarding Obama with their lives.
When Palme was murdered in Sweden in 86, his party was down in ratings, were heading for a likely loss in the election.
But the following year his party got almost record high votes in the election and won easily.      

As a general rule... Conservatives campaign far better than they govern
and the left usually governs far better than they campaign.

This year, ...they flipped the switch, and conservatives ran a stupid campaign consistent with their ability to govern
and the left, ran an almost flawless campaign... no doubt consistent with how they will govern. 

[a_joker10]

America is a conservative nation
49 seats in congress are held social conservative democrats.

Move against guns and reverse Roe V Wade and all bets are off.

In 2010 there will be another adjustment in congress.
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/articles/boundaries/a_conApport.html
Most likely leading ot more seats in the south and the West.
Both Areas of social conservativism.

Most likely the liberal democrats will govern to closely to the left and will alienate all of those voters.
Thats what happened to Clinton.

[Brixtonbulldog]

I don't know guys.  I still see the repubs as their own worst enemy.  Dems always seem to want it more and willing to go through greater lengths to achieve political victory. 

[Hedgehog]

America is a conservative nation
49 seats in congress are held social conservative democrats.

Move against guns and reverse Roe V Wade and all bets are off.

In 2010 there will be another adjustment in congress.
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/articles/boundaries/a_conApport.html
Most likely leading ot more seats in the south and the West.
Both Areas of social conservativism.

Most likely the liberal democrats will govern to closely to the left and will alienate all of those voters.
Thats what happened to Clinton.

brilliant analysis as usual joker.
One thing that is pretty interesting though is that here in Europe strategists considers party politics dead as far as young voters goes.
Ie, they vote on issues, not on a certain party.
I'm no genius, but it seems to me like this is how Obama and the Democrats approached the young vote this election - eg, allowing them to text vote on what issues to push. 

So it may be that Democrats will stick more to a moderate agenda, eg being populistic.
Time will tell.
They no doubt have an enormous machine to pick up trends and agendas.

[Dos Equis]

Edwards didn't hold an elective office and didn't break any laws

The mayors of LA and SF didn't break any laws either

Oh yes.  We need clarification.  All Edwards did was deceive the entire country into believing he was a choir boy while he was cheating on his wife who is suffering from cancer. 

The mayor of LA only had an affair with a reporter who covered him. 

The mayor of SF only had an affair with his campaign manager's wife. 

[Straw Man]

Oh yes.  We need clarification.  All Edwards did was deceive the entire country into believing he was a choir boy while he was cheating on his wife who is suffering from cancer. 

The mayor of LA only had an affair with a reporter who covered him. 

The mayor of SF only had an affair with his campaign manager's wife. 

all correct

what's your point?

[Al Doggity]

The map in the original post is largely the result of gerrymandering.

[Dos Equis]

all correct

what's your point?

I could have said "I was being sarcastic" again, but you didn't get it the first time I said that. 

 

[Straw Man]

I could have said "I was being sarcastic" again, but you didn't get it the first time I said that. 

oh you were being sarcarstic

so you meant the opposite

got it

[a_joker10]

brilliant analysis as usual joker.
One thing that is pretty interesting though is that here in Europe strategists considers party politics dead as far as young voters goes.
Ie, they vote on issues, not on a certain party.
I'm no genius, but it seems to me like this is how Obama and the Democrats approached the young vote this election - eg, allowing them to text vote on what issues to push. 

So it may be that Democrats will stick more to a moderate agenda, eg being populistic.
Time will tell.
They no doubt have an enormous machine to pick up trends and agendas.

Obama has many built ins that will help him.
A solid 95% base with African Americns. This most likely won't change
The youth of America like him like they liked Clinton.
He could stay for 2 terms just on that.
If they don't pander to social conservative wing of their party and the protectionist wing.
I can't see how Pelosi or Reid will be able to keep the congress and senate.

[Decker]

A conservative country just elected a liberal in a smackdown election.

Modern Conservatism failed miserably.

[a_joker10]

That's why 11 new democrats in congress consider themselves social conservatives.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/262123
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=64035

[Decker]

That's why 11 new democrats in congress consider themselves social conservatives.
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/262123
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=64035

Too bad the top dog is a liberal who won the presidency in convincing fashion.

Mandate! Mandate! Mandate for rule!

[a_joker10]

Too bad the top dog is a liberal who won the presidency in convincing fashion.

Mandate! Mandate! Mandate for rule!

He governs left.
He will be another Bill Clinton.
2 years with a liberal mandate then 6 years with republican senate and congress.

According to the latest news.
The first liberal causality might be Head of the energy committee.
60 democrats might side with the republicans to make it happen.

http://www.freep.com/article/20081112/OPINION04/811120329/1072/OPINION

[Decker]

He governs left.
He will be another Bill Clinton.
2 years with a liberal mandate then 6 years with republican senate and congress.

According to the latest news.
The first liberal causality might be Head of the energy committee.
60 democrats might side with the republicans to make it happen.

http://www.freep.com/article/20081112/OPINION04/811120329/1072/OPINION

I think you're a little closer to the truth with that Clinton statement and that would be a mistake on Obama's part.

He should mirror FDR's efforts only without the same mistakes.

[Hedgehog]

I think you're a little closer to the truth with that Clinton statement and that would be a mistake on Obama's part.

He should mirror FDR's efforts only without the same mistakes.

IMO, words means little. It's action that means something.

Pelosi has said she wants and expects Obama to rule from the middle.
We'll see how that plays out in reality though.   

[Decker]

IMO, words means little. It's action that means something.

Pelosi has said she wants and expects Obama to rule from the middle.
We'll see how that plays out in reality though.   

I agree.  All we've had are words to this point.

[240 is Back]

2 years with a liberal mandate then 6 years with republican senate and congress.

You think they'll lose NINE senate seats in 2010?

That would be a complete collapse.  Maybe they stop gaining seats, but losing NINE?

[LurkerNoMore]

Ever notice that the so called rural areas - in red - always seem to have the highest high school drop out rate, the highest unwed teenage pregnancy rate, the highest rate of poverty, highest rate of conservative religious view and tend to be Republicans,  etc.. 

All the smart people tend to move. 

[TrapsMcLats]

The educated areas vote blue.  Pretty simple.

[LurkerNoMore]

The educated areas vote blue.  Pretty simple.

Bingo!

[a_joker10]

You think they'll lose NINE senate seats in 2010?

That would be a complete collapse.  Maybe they stop gaining seats, but losing NINE?

It would actually be 7 seats.
We will see after the recounts.

[CQ]

Ever notice that the so called rural areas - in red - always seem to have the highest high school drop out rate, the highest unwed teenage pregnancy rate, the highest rate of poverty, highest rate of conservative religious view and tend to be Republicans,  etc.. 

All the smart people tend to move. 

The educated areas vote blue.  Pretty simple.

Not PC to say, but yes it overwhelmingly seems that way from all the exit polls etc.