Ramesh Ponnuru: Another 1998 disaster for Repubilicans?

[Dawson Leery]

http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2014-09-02/another-1998-disaster-for-republicans

"With elections looming in November, Republicans are counting on President Barack Obama's unpopularity to deliver them control of the Senate. They're not running on an agenda, refusing even in broad outline to say how they would reform the tax code or replace Obama's health-care law.

Some conservatives are unhappy about that. National Review complained in an editorial today that this approach "will not maximize the Republican opportunity, because it does nothing to dispel the public's justifiable doubts about whether Republican rule would be good for the country."

[Dawson Leery]

1. kick

[msongs]

2. republican agenda: re-enslave blacks, cancel health care, deport latinos, eliminate non christians n

[shenmue]

5. And let all the women die

Who needs cancer screenings?

[Vogon_Glory]

3. Those Doubts Are Fully Justified BUT

Those doubts about Republican politicians' intentions are fully justified. Unfortunately, this election has a lot of apathetic and I'll-informed voters on the left and center, and a lot of I'll-informed but enthusiastic voters on the Right.

If too many of the novelty voters remain detached and indifferent because the Millenium didn't come despite Republican spite and obstructionism, the few gains of the last six years could be wiped out.

[FBaggins]

4. Odd to compare it to 1998

The "disaster" of '98 was that they failed to pick up seats (something that hadn't happened in a midterm election in over 60 years - 150 if you just look at the second midterm election of a reelected president)... but they still retained a 55-45 majority in the Senate.

In the current scenario, there's essentially zero chance of a no-net-gain election for Republicans. We're going to be ecstatic if we hold them to a four-seat gain.

[yeoman6987]

6. We will gain the Governorship though, right?

I think it will be an over all horrible night for Democratic Party everywhere, but the top seat in Pennsylvania will be ours....I am assuming.

[FBaggins]

7. Probably

There are a couple more red seats in play than blue, so we should net at least a couple (with PA being by far the most likely).

[Dawson Leery]

8. Repubs managed no gains in the Senate in 98.

There was talk of a filibuster proof majority for them.

[Dustlawyer]

9. Republicans cannot talk about what they would do or they would lose the House too!

What they actually want to do sucks so bad even the dumbest RW idiot could see it would hurt him/her. They are much better off throwing rocks at Obama!