AP: Republicans Gain in Critical Swing States

[ProgressiveOne]

Excerpts:

WASHINGTON (AP) - Republicans have made significant gains in crucial swing states, in large part because of President Bush's post-Sept. 11 stewardship, according to an extensive analysis of American voters.

The percentage of registered voters who identified themselves as Republicans increased in Michigan, Minnesota and Iowa - three states that Democrat Al Gore captured in the 2000 election. At the same time, the GOP experienced a hefty gain in Arkansas, while grabbing the edge in Tennessee and Florida, according to the analysis by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.

In Florida, the decisive state three years ago, Democrats held a five-point advantage leading up to the 2000 contest. Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, 37 percent of Floridians identify themselves as Republicans, 36 percent as Democrats.

The swing toward the GOP could make it easier for Bush in next year's election, with fewer competitive states in play, and harder for the eventual Democratic nominee to unseat the president.

"Republicans are in much better shape than they were four years ago," said Andrew Kohut, director of the Pew Research Center.

Time for us to dump Terry MacAuliffe and purge the party of the Arkansas gang. We finally get an *authentic* progressive in Dean, and the Clintons foist Clark on us to split the vote. MacAuliffe promises that the Kentucky and Mississippi races will give the voters a chance to send an agry message to the White House, and we lose both races.

If the AP is correct, we're in real trouble unless heads roll soon.

[vi5]

1. Yes, Dean is an authentic progressive....

Unless you're worried that he's too liberal, then he's not really progressive he's more a centrist. But if you want a progressive candidate then he's an authentic progressive. And he says what the base wants to hear. Unless you're including people who have spent the past how many years fighting against the NRA, then with his A rating....not so much.

Please. I like Dean as much as I like any of the other candidates in this horse race. And he's for the most part run a decent campaign. But it can't work both ways as a lot of people want. If he's an authentic progressive then he's going to face the hardest battle of anyone against bush. If he's a centrist then the "authentic progressive" line is BS. WHich is it?

[ThorsteinVeblen]

2. Wake up people!

The Democratic Party is over.

If you didn't learn it in 2002, then you are going to learn it in 2004 and then 2006 and then 2008. You will keep learning it until you finally accept that ALL OUR CURRENT DEMOCRATIC LEADERS NEED TO GO. They are corrupt, they are weak, they are cowards, they don't have any principals, they don't know what they believe, they don't have the guts to stand up for anything.

Fuck Them.

MacAuliffe, Clinton, Lieberman, Daschle, Gephardt, Schumer, Pelosi, Kerry, Edwards. Fuck them all.

[metisnation]

9. relax

and pick up a classified section for toronto or vancouver

[0007]

15. Please enlighten me!...

your classified section for Toronto or Vancouver comment.

[Guaranteed]

18. He's saying move.

He might be right.

[Atlant]

28. Are you sure that's far enough? I mean, they're only an hour or so...

...from the Fatherland.

Atlant

[MartinAmbroseForan]

12. Agreed

[West Coast Democrat]

3. I predict a lot a Independents will register as Democrats

in the coming months before the primaries.

[Wellong]

7. For what reason?

Because they are fed up with Bush and want to vote in the dem primary for the candidate that has caught their eye? This is a very real possibility.

Less of a possibility... are they going to do it to vote for Dean because they see him as the best chance of Bush being reelected because the media has pouned "unelectable" into their skulls about Dean?

[demodan]

4. "AP: Republicans Gain in Critical Swing States"

Time for us to dump Terry MacAuliffe and purge the party of the Arkansas gang.

Amen :-(

[GOPBasher]

14. Hello demodan

Welcome to DU! :-)

[qanda]

27. and Amen!

Welcome to DU. Enjoy joining in the DU blues.

Someone said on C-SPAN this morning that the Republicans control everything and they will for at least the next 20 years. Even though it pains me greatly, I have to agree. Honestly, it's the most frightening thought of all.

Being a Christian, I understand that the Republicans are indeed the party of the anti-Christ because they are wolves in sheep clothing. They want everyone to think they are so moral and pure. However, they rape and pillage the people while they play on their moral sensitivities. America is headed for the most dangerous time in all of its history and I truly fear for the future of our country and the future of my children.

I think people like Terry MacAuliffe and gang are just Democrats in name only, because when you uncover the surface they all have the same ambitions in mind-- money and power for themselves and their friends. If the Democratic Party won't get itself together we may need to scrap it and start over with a new opposition party that will be for the people and that will help us take our country back.

[chromotone]

5. Let's see if I understand this...

according to an extensive analysis of American voters

Why is this "extensive analysis" allowed to come to fruition and be made public, yet the "extensive analysis" conducted by VNS in 2000 is allowed (encouraged) to die a quiet death due to "flaws?"

In addition to the panel's review, CNN funded --- along with the other networks --- a separate report by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) of Raleigh, N.C. on the operations of the Voter News Service (VNS), an organization created and jointly funded by ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and the AP. VNS provided, and all the networks used, Election Day survey data for projections and analysis and also provided a nationwide vote tabulation reporting system. As has become clear, VNS' flawed operations were central to the mistakes of election 2000, and a thorough examination of VNS' specific role was crucial.
http://www.cnn.com/2001/ALLPOLITICS/stories/02/02/cnn.statement/

(Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't CNN the network who’s CEO went groveling to the GOP during the 104th Congress on "how to best serve the Republicans?")

On edit: Sounds like selected extensive analysis.

[Racenut20]

6. It looks to me like

It is time for Dean and Kerry to withdrawl and support either Gephart or Clark, who might stand a chance to win those midwest states.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

10. Clark is my first choice!

He can unite the base of the party as well as the conservatives that supported Saddam's removal! In my view, Clark is a voice of reason for the party.

[mndemocrat_29]

25. Kerry WILL be able to win the Midwest

Minnesota, Iowa, and Wisonsin, all states that Gore barely won, will all go to Kerry. He is the sort of candidate that can win these states.

[Tony_FLADEM]

8. This AP article is wrong about Florida......

According to the FLA Secretary of State, there are 300,000 more Democrats than Republicans

<http://election.dos.state.fl.us/voterreg/affiliation.shtml>

[MartinAmbroseForan]

13. They may be speaking of new registrations SINCE 9/11

[AP]

17. Then this would be spin. Why spin?

Because the Dems actually did well in swing states in Tuesday's elections.

They did very well in one crucial state that Republicans desperately need: PA. They won liberal referenda in OH. They won local races in OH and IN. The ONLY place where Rs did well was in KY and Miss, which is why we've heard so much about them. The media can't say anything about Philly unless it's to say, "can you believe how corrupt Street is and he won anyway?"

[villager]

11. the key is to get *new* voters to the polls...

...all those who've given up. The GOP counts on an electorate of angry honky males (don't worry, I'm a honky male), or at least, AHMs represented in disporportionate numbers...

I know the Dean campaign has talked about this, and I hope others have: Bring the non-voters to the polls!

And yes, dump the current Democratic "leadership" which frantically tries to appeal to a thin sliver of the middle...

[Pompitous_Of_Love]

16. Typical lemming behavior

Not you, Progressive One. I'm talking about the corporate-dominated media which can only be bothered to derive the most obvious lessons from events such as this week's elections. The problem is that these obvious lessons -- conventional wisdom -- won't mean dogshit two or three months from now. This AP story is journalistic laziness at its most full flourish. At least, until the David Broder column recapitulating it comes out sometime later this week in the Washington Post.

[Guaranteed]

19. Link, please?

Thanks.

[dusty64]

20. I really don't know what to

make of this, is it more corporate media propaganda? I find it difficult to grasp that despite the utter mess the rethugs have created home and abroad that people are tripping over themselves to sign on to the agenda. There is NO mention anywhere of ANY gains made ANYWHERE by Democrats, does this mean they have had none or that they simply are left out. This "study" confuses me, I simply find it unbelievable. In the slight chance it is correct we are in deep trouble, I am skeptical of EVERYTHING I read in the media cause they DO have an agenda. I could be another tool to demoralize us or it could be seen as a wakeup call, better come up with a reason and an agenda to appeal to the People that actually opposes the extreme right and explain the truth of why they are dangerous.

[Catt03]

21. Sad but probably true

I live in south Florida and there has been substantial change in attitudes since 9/11.

Where Palm Beach County was once considered a Democratic stronghold, it is no longer. I get the impression the voters do not particularly like Bush but they do not seem to be drawn to any Democratic candidates.

Maybe after Iowa and New Hampshire things will change. There are too many candidates and too much bickering. People need to be concentrating on fewer messages and platforms.

[Ouabache]

22. Most voters don't really pay attention until 2 weeks before the election

Maybe a month out for the presidential election.

[salin]

30. sinookas - did you notice how well - across Indiana - dems did in local

elections? Several mayor races that were predicted to flip back to republicans - didn't. Numerous mid and smaller sized cities went democratic or stayed democratic.

While the media is busy focusing on the two governor's races - I would love to see a state/region breakdown of local races.

I never thought of Indiana (outside of Bloomington and the region) as terribly democratic - but it sounds like local municipalities might be reflecting something a little different. So what is going on?

[Neecy]

23. oh, I see

The groundwork is being laid for the Republicans to steal Michigan, Minnesota, Iowa, Arkansas, Tennessee and Florida next year.

[John_H]

24. Does anyone think this story is fair and accurate? Please.

A Pew study treated as infallible truth? What's the margin of error? the 4 points we lost in FL--is that within the margin? Does the story mention how Pew works--some Dems some Repugs? Dems have made no gains anywhere with this economy? Please. Ohio, maybe? Wisconsin? Notice how it doesn't say that Repugs are in the majority in any state except FL? You know, like "Cubs make huge inroads in bottom of ninth, lose 8-7."

This is whore spin at its best.

[Tippy]

26. Accurate...no..........nt

[TahitiNut]

29. Link to NewsMax version of AP story.

"Republicans Gain in Crucial Swing States"

A corresponding NewsDay story cited in Google was the only one I found with this particular version of the headline, but has now been replaced.

Please, whenever possible provide a link to the original story when posting to LBN.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,
TahitiNut - DU moderator

[Piperay]

31. That's irrelevent, w hat difference does it make

whether they actually have gained in swing states or not, they control all the voting machines and THAT is all that really matters. :argh: :grr: :mad: