LAT: (2006) Storm Clouds Hanging Over Republicans

[DeepModem Mom]

Storm Clouds Hanging Over Republicans
Some in the GOP worry that a spate of legal and ethical problems may translate into political gains for Democrats in the 2006 elections.

By Janet Hook, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON — With legal problems buffeting GOP leaders in Congress and the White House, skittish Republicans are beginning to worry that the issue of ethics could strengthen Democrats' position in the 2006 elections.

The issue has rocketed to prominence as GOP power brokers have come under scrutiny, including President Bush's right-hand man, party leaders in both the House and Senate, and an influential Republican lobbyist.

Democrats are trying aggressively to spread the cloud to other Republicans and to make a broader case that the GOP has brought a "culture of corruption" to Washington. They are hoping to create an anti-establishment mood on par with the one Republicans brought about in 1994 that propelled the GOP to gain control of the House and Senate for the first time in 40 years.

The Democrats have run ads criticizing questionable conduct by some Republicans. Liberal activists have shown up at town hall meetings conducted by GOP House members to spotlight the lawmakers' connections with Rep. Tom DeLay, the Texas Republican who stepped down as House majority leader after being indicted on money-laundering and conspiracy charges. Democratic campaign operatives have recruited a bevy of nonpoliticians to run for the House as "outsider" candidates, hoping that will appeal to disillusioned voters....

***

Polls last week underscored the sour mood of the electorate that Democrats hope to tap. The Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll found that just 28% of those surveyed believed the nation was heading in the right direction — a 10-year low. And 48% said they wanted the Democrats to control Congress after the 2006 elections, compared with 39% who preferred the GOP....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop17oct17,0,2791904.story?coll=la-tot-promo&track=morenews

[truthisfreedom]

1. cool.

the numbers look good.

[shockingelk]

2. A hard rain's a gonna fall

Or "Here Comes the Rain" or "Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain!"

[ClintonTyree]

3. "Culture of Corruption"........

that's exactly what the Cons have sewn and that shall they also reap. The Democrats MUST hammer this home, in '06 especially. If they do, '08 will take care of itself.

[JoFerret]

4. Cronyism, corruption and incompetence.

.

[dusty64]

5. They OUGHT to

be nervous, but they still have the voting machines. I predict they will suffer just a couple losses, mainly in areas that still do not have extremist created, top secret, nonverifiable, "voting" machines. Do you think everyone might catch on then?

[Tiggeroshii]

7. A lot of machines now have paper ballots

they aren't the unverifiable crap we had in the 2004 primaries and ge. These actually give you proof of what you voted for.

[Rowdyboy]

6. They should be far more worried than they are.....

History has a way of biting you in the ass and I believe there's going to be lots of ass-biting in November 2006.