Analysis
For GOP, 2006 Now Looms Much Larger
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, November 10, 2005; Page A01
In a season of discontent for the White House, Tuesday's election results intensified Republican anxiety that next year's midterm contests could bring serious losses unless George W. Bush finds a way to turn around his presidency and shore up support among disaffected, moderate swing voters.
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"It's not just that they lost these elections," said Democratic pollster Geoffrey Garin, "but that none of their old tricks worked that they've relied on to give them the edge in close contests."Rep. Thomas M.
Davis III (R-Va.) said the GOP's reliance on cultural issues, popular with rural voters, "are just blowing up" in suburban and exurban communities. "You play to your rural base, you pay a price," he said.For Bush, the results from Tuesday and a succession of new polls showing him at the lowest point of his presidency mean further tensions with congressional Republicans.
"It creates an environment where individual members start looking out for themselves rather than the whole team," Republican pollster Bill McInturff said.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/09/AR2005110902276.html