Dems In Congress Wary Of Overreaching

Pelosi Vows To Govern From The Middle Despite Democratic Control Of House, Senate And Presidency

(AP)  President-elect Barack Obama is facing a Congress with bulked-up Democratic majorities in both the House and Senate to put much of his agenda into law.

Obama will inherit a Congress with Democratic House and Senate majorities comparable to those enjoyed by President Clinton when the party last controlled both Congress and the White House in 1992. While Democrats are eager to churn out the new president's legislative programs, they're also anxious to avoid the electoral wipeout that swept them from power in the 1994 congressional elections.

That's one reason top leaders like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi promise not to lurch to the left and give in to pent-up demands from party liberals.

"The country must be governed from the middle," Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters Wednesday. "You have to bring people together to reach consensus on solutions that are sustainable and acceptable to the American people."

One of the complications for Pelosi and Obama is the demise of GOP moderates like Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., who lost his re-election bid.

"Never in modern day history has the Republican Party been more bereft of a center," said former Rep. Jim Leach, R-Iowa. "So the center has to come from the Democratic Party."

There are other reasons too, such as a coalition of Republicans and a few conservative Democrats in the Senate. In the House, a big bloc of moderate-to-conservative "Blue Dog" Democrats also could put the brakes on overreaching by Obama and allies like Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

But after 14 years of either a GOP-dominated Congress or a Republican president, Democratic Party regulars are under intense pressure to deliver on an agenda they've been promising long before Obama announced his bid for the White House.

"I'm not worried about overreaching," said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass. "I'm worried about being too timid and too cautious, and not stepping up to the plate and doing what we promised we would do."

Added Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, "This election ushered in the next progressive era for our nation. From health care to trade to education, progressive values will now be the priority in Washington. It's time to get to work."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., countered that Democrats would impose "self-discipline" because so many House newcomers come from conservative-leaning districts.

"If we focus on the core issues of jobs, of health care, of education, of the environment ... I think we will not make mistakes," Hoyer said.

Inside Pelosi's caucus of House Democrats, whose numbers will swell to at least 254 from 235 now, some tensions are already apparent.

Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., a liberal Pelosi ally, launched a bid to challenge 82-year-old Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., for the chairmanship of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee, and take the lead on issues like global warming, energy and health care. Dingell is a staunch protector of Detroit automakers, and his battles with Waxman over clean air laws date to the Reagan administration.

Dingell, who has either chaired the committee or been its top Democrat since 1981, was "mounting a full-out war" to save his chairmanship, a top adviser said Wednesday.

Republicans, too, are facing tensions and a shake-up of party leaders in the wake of Tuesday's disappointing election results.

Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia launched a bid to become GOP whip, the No. 2 post, while Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, is seeking to replace Rep. Adam Putnam of Florida as the third-ranking Republican in the House. Putnam announced he would step down after Tuesday's losses for Republicans. The current whip, Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, was considering his options but did not immediately announce a bid to keep his job, a sign that he'll likely step aside.

Both Cantor and Hensarling are more conservative than the lawmakers they're seeking to replace, leading some Republicans to grumble that the party was moving to the right when it should be reaching toward the center if it is to regain its majority. House Minority Leader John Boehner of Ohio said he would seek to keep his post.

Leon Panetta, a former House Democrat and White House chief of staff for Clinton, said Obama "has to make an effort at bipartisan cooperation, which means that he has to reach out to the Republicans and see whether or not they're willing to cooperate on some issues," like education and immigration. He added that Obama will need to develop coalitions on issues that divide Democrats.

Shake-ups also are possible in the Senate, where Democrats have increased their effective majority to at least 56 seats in the 100-member chamber. Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, one of two independents who align with Democrats, is threatened with the loss of his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee as payback for actively supporting the presidential bid of Republican Sen. John McCain. Reid, the majority leader, said he would meet with Lieberman later in the week to discuss the matter.

"Now that the election is over, it is time to put partisan considerations aside and come together as a nation to solve the difficult challenges we face and make our blessed land stronger and safer," Lieberman said in a written statement. He had harshly criticized Obama in a speech at the GOP nominating convention in September.

Then there's the game of musical chairs in the Senate that has to be played because of the departures of Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden to the White House. Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a Democrat, will appoint someone to fill out the remaining two years of Obama's term. Speculation has focused on Chicago Reps. Jesse Jackson Jr. and Danny Davis, along with Rep. Jan Schakowsky.

Biden's departure opens up not only his seat - he won a seventh term Tuesday - but also the prestigious chairmanship of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Delaware's departing Democratic governor, Ruth Ann Minner, likely will name a successor to serve until the end of next year, when a special election will be held to fill the remaining four years. Speculation surrounds Lt. Gov. John Carney and Biden's son Beau, who is Delaware's first-term attorney general.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., could be in line to fill the Foreign Relations post, depending on whether Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., decides to stay on as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee to deal with the financial meltdown.

Democrats have added at least five seats in the Senate, to bring their numbers to 56 - for now. But three GOP-held seats - in Oregon, Alaska and Minnesota - have yet to be decided. A fourth still-disputed Senate seat now held by a Republican incumbent will be settled by a Dec. 2 runoff in Georgia.

[joanne11kh]

I truely hope the democrates do not overreach. That is the only way they will retain a majority in Congress. I will not vote for far left or far right people, and I believe a lot of people feel the same way. The reason I like Obama is because he is the first presidental candidate for a long time, that gives me hope for the future. Congress needs to realize people want to take responsibility for their actions, and are fed up with politians who pander to the lowest common denominator.

[sayfud-deen]

i want to see bush and his gang impeached for war crimes and crimes against humanity! this is what iam and have been looking for from the democrates. bush and his gang are right up there with hitler,stalin,and that serbian fool that hung himself before he could tried! i can''t think of his name! he is of no consequence to me anyway. he''s dead and that is a good thing! i wish somebody would have the guts to start prceedings against these guys. they should not be allowed to walk away from what they did!

[megawhy]

I am not confident that the Democrats will govern from the center because of all the promises they made to the left. I think they will lurch to the left, attempt to pass very socialistic far left policies and will offend the American people. As a result they will lose many seats in Congress in two years.

I do not think the Democrats have the capability to be bipartisan. They have never demonstrated that quality. It was the Republicans who demonstrated bipartisanship and they were soundly slapped in the face and humiliated because of it. However, I do love the fact that the truth will be revealed. The sheeps clothing will come off of the wolves and the lash back will be terrible.

The Democrats have over promised and can do nothing but under deliver. Obama is an unknown because people turned a blind eye. With power a leftist can not resist over doing things. We can already see that with his Chief of Staff appointment and the choices he is considering for his cabinet.

Character always shines through and unfortunately I don''t see evidence of it yet. However, I will remain hopeful because I am very interested in the success of America, unlike the Democrats who did every thing they could to make America look bad so they could achieve the election victory they secured on November 4th. I really do fear for our country, but frankly we must bear the consequences of the decisions we make.

May God Bless our leaders to do what is right.

[citizenusa-2009]

Can anyone tell me how far of a "reach" it will be to finally end the Iraq War and bring our troops HOME?

Money seems to be the primary thing on everyone''s mind and ending the war will stop the waste of Billions of dollars being burned every single month.

I want the blood letting to stop. Pure and simple, and if the Democrats will finally extend their "reach", we will ALL be a lot happier.

[citizenusa-2009]

Two years ago Pelosi promised that the Dems would "put the brakes" on Bush. They didn''t. Therefore, NOTHING she says holds any credibility with me.

I will look to President Obama for the solution. He seems to have the courage and intelligence to get things done. If it can be done, he will do it.

Pelosi is simply a glad hander. (Watch her clap and smile while she stands behind Bush). It''s sickening.

[observantx]

The best way to not have the Dems overreach and stay centered is to wrap duct tape over Nancy Pelosi''s mouth.

We''d all be better off if she just would just keep quiet.

[citizenusa-2009]

A friend of mine just said it was "unfair to cover Pelosi in the "stink" of the Bush Administration". I replied that if she didn''t want the stink, she should have washed herself of the Bush "Doctrine" and did what she promised. She didn''t.

Nothing changed in 2 years. Our troops are STILL in an Iraq. She even allowed a "surge". Shameful!

[bailmeout1]

I am not confident that the Democrats will govern from the center because of all the promises they made to the left. I think they will lurch to the left, attempt to pass very socialistic far left policies and will offend the American people. As a result they will lose many seats in Congress in two years.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by MegaWhy at 05:20 PM : Nov 06, 2008

So if they keep the promises they made, the country will wake up and realize all the problems and vote them out? hahaha I wish it was like that. But no, that felon Senator in Alaska not only has the gall to actually run, but looks like he will win. The racist Murtha guy in PA won. Nancy Pelosi keeps getting re-elected. I give up. What is the point of even voting if you people cant make better choices than Barney Frank? They say its a ''long time coming'' for Obama, well all they gave us so far was Jesse Jackson Sr and Al Sharpton. I say white America is 1 outta 1 on that deal.

No, I want them to follow through on every last single promise those liars made. Then maybe we will get an honest campaign.

[bailmeout1]

If you wimp Democrats can not stand up for what you campaign on, and suddenly now want to ''govern from the center'' - then why the heck did you blast McCain to all HolyHell? that goes to the media also. You vote against a centist, and now want something from the center? GTH.

[likeitis5050]

Pelosi has earned the stink....and she and Reid and Frank are lucky to still have jobs. And they know it.

It seems to me that one of the components of this mess the republicans have left behind is that the old principle that no one is above the law in this country has been compromised.
This cannot be left behind, forgotten, or left unaddressed!
The idiot-son needs to answer to the law!!

[joule18]

Did you hear that the Illinois "Pick Three" lottery for the Nov 5th draw was 666? I heard it on the radio today and thought it was creepy, but apparently true.

[joule18]

If you want the law followed, how about BO violating the Logan Act when he went to Iraq. Or, how about his showing his birth certificate?

[toolmangler-2009]

Stupid Whities You Guys Arent Done Paying Yet For Our Slavery
Posted by theblackman9 at 06:52 PM : Nov 06, 2008


If you were a real black man, I would say that you were the most ignorant, mindless/stupid black I had ever seen, but since Blacks are nowhere near as stupid as you seem its my guess that you are even more conniving and a bigger trouble maker than the Shrub. and that going some. You seem to be a white guy trying to cause trouble and spread hate where you can.....

[hypnotoad72]

Pelosi has earned the stink....and she and Reid and Frank are lucky to still have jobs. And they know it.

Posted by likeitis5050 at 07:11 PM : Nov 06, 2008
---

I''ve got to agree. It almost seems obvious what the American people want and, unlike what Oprah saw from a bunch of inner city school kids, more than just ipods... (Oprah''s done good, but even I could think through "Well kids, what do you do in order to get an ipod? That''s right, get an education!")

I could be cynical and say it''s about the "race to the bottom" like how some of the bankruptcy lawyers talk about, but that''s too ridiculous. Even for me.

[shanev137]

Next November we''ll get our filibuster-proof senate.

[tincup356]

One thing they need to do is redo the 911 investigation, I have never believed that a 757 hit the pentagon.That building has more security cameras than any other building in the world, and they have never shown us ONE single video of that jet hitting the building...why not?because a 757 didn''t hit that building thats why, and if they lied about that..how much more were lies?That administration has lied about everything else , why not lie about the reason to make up reasons for all the other lies.I would like to see someone test the contaminated soil from the site for thermite also, tall buildings have a habit of collapsing when exposed to it.too many things didn''t add up and we have sacrificed enough rights and liberties not to be shown the truth.

[sincity_q]

"Dems In Congress Wary Of Overreaching"

As well they should be. They do not have a mandate to recreate America. All they have is a limited pass to proove that they can do a better job than the guys before them. If they get too happy... they could be tossed out just as quickly as they were voted in.

[sincity_q]

"One thing they need to do is redo the 911 investigation, I have never believed that a 757 hit the pentagon."
-tincup356

A disturbing as it is to contemplate, I must agree. There are too many inconsistentcies and contradictions in both the visual evidence and the official report, to be accepted as-is.

One thing I have been surprised at over the years is the number of people who feel the same way but either out of patriotism... or maybe fear, they remain silent. And these are indeed painful questions to ask.

But in the end... I don''t think that it will happen. Nobody on Capitol Hill will want to open a can of worms like this... especially since they can see the same things that we do.

[txgrouch2007]

Starting next year, THE DEMOCRATS WILL BE TO BLAME FOR EVERYTHING!!!

They have no more excuses. They have TOTAL CONTROL, just like the GOP did 8 years ago.

Let''s see how THEY handle it.

[karenbe111]

All fine and dandy Nancy, but you better know the middle has now moved much further left!!!

[the74blaster]

Starting next year, THE DEMOCRATS WILL BE TO BLAME FOR EVERYTHING!!!

They have no more excuses. They have TOTAL CONTROL, just like the GOP did 8 years ago.

Let''''s see how THEY handle it.

Posted by txgrouch2007 at 09:39 PM : Nov 06, 2008,

The election results clearly indicate that most Americans felt a change in direction was necessary. However, I agree with your point because now we are going to see how well the democrats will handle the problems our country faces.

Personally, I believe the country made the right choice since Obama was offering more solutions and the GOP appeared to be more interested in smearing the other guy.

However, I certainly hope President Obama takes the best people available to fill the positions on his cabinet and puts partisan politics asside. The person who has the best idea could be a republican or democrat so they all need to be involved. Our problems are too severe to worry about whether a cabinet member has the correct party affiliation.

All I am going to say is standby for one wild roller coaster ride! Hang on dude!

[misha128-2009]

"The country must be governed from the middle," Pelosi, D-Calif

Here it is!!! The first excuse why we won''''t see any significant changes from Obama. Rather, the U.S. will stay the course--a steady downhill slide since 1963.

Posted by anon00 at 09:22 PM

Bush and the Republicans have no idea where the middle is now -- they lost any view on that a very long time ago.

[misha128-2009]

Next November we''''ll get our filibuster-proof senate.

Posted by shanev137 at 08:26 PM

2010 is the next year some Senators are scheduled for elections. 19 Republicans and 15 Democrats.

[misha128-2009]

Posted by MegaWhy at 05:20 PM

Did you miss Karl Rove''s commentary since the election? Obama won because he was a center or center-right candidate. You missed the talking point changes that followed the election losses for the Republicans.

[cdfoxtrot5]

If they can just stay away from red herring issues like gay marriage, *** in the military, abortion, etc. they''ll have a better chance of not allowing the extreme right-wing distract them.

[cdfoxtrot5]

Interesting. The CBS censors seem to think that "gay_s" is a naughty word, but not the word gay.

[txgrouch2007]

There are too many inconsistentcies and contradictions in both the visual evidence
Posted by sincity_q at 09:17 PM : Nov 06, 2008

What are the contradictions in the visual evidence? I''ve read two different accounts.

I take special interest in this, because I saw the person who supposedly flew into the Pentagon. I flew in the same trainer plane he did with the same instructor. I even discussed his flying skills with the instructor.

For example, did he hit from above or from the side? Either approach would be plausible and on par with his flying skill level.

[donbl1]

Nancy Pelosi is a ticking time bomb.

This could end like 1994 or it could be something.

I suspect, someone will place a gag on Pelosi before too long as she tries to be the face of the Democratic Party..... Oh yeah, there is a Democratic President. Is there enough room for all those egos in the same room?

[txgrouch2007]

I suspect, someone will place a gag on Pelosi before too long as she tries to be the face of the Democratic Party..... Oh yeah, there is a Democratic President. Is there enough room for all those egos in the same room?
Posted by donbl1 at 10:33 PM : Nov 06, 2008

Snicker! Already the absolute power of Democrats starts to unravel them...

Will Pelosi disappear in the middle of the night like DeLay did, only to phone in from A THOUSAND MILES AWAY and pretend she went on a hunting trip? WITHOUT A HUNTING LICENSE???

Maybe she and Hillary will throw back some shots with beer chasers and go duck hunting. I heard Hillary SHOT A DUCK.

[txgrouch2007]

Two years ago Pelosi promised that the Dems would "put the brakes" on Bush. They didn''''t. Therefore, NOTHING she says holds any credibility with me.
Posted by CitizenUSA at 05:28 PM : Nov 06, 2008

In one speech, Pelosi INVENTED A VERSE FROM THE BIBLE. Just totally made it up. And used it to prove her point. Incredible. Did she think no one would notice? Or, in Clinton style, did she NOT CARE that everyone would know she was lying? ABOUT THE BIBLE???

Obviously she lacks the slightest trace of integrity.

[smirk5]

I wonder when McCain will visit his "soul-mate" Sarah Palin again in the future. After all, he actively consulted her advice when it came to foreign policy if he is to be believed.

[erasmus81]

Pelosi is Catholic. Catholics do not read the bible. She was probably repeating something her priest said while he was molesting one of her kids.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 11:19 PM : Nov 06, 2008

You are sooooooo baaaaaad.

[erasmus81]

"You have to bring people together to reach consensus on solutions that are sustainable and acceptable to the American people."

I think Obama can bring the people together.

I don''t know about the gun nuts though.

[erasmus81]

See how easy that it?

Posted by tuckerndfw at 12:26 AM : Nov 07, 2008

Yes, you''re very good.:)

[erasmus81]

The gun lobby has as much clout in the Dem party as in the Repub party and gun nuts have nothing to worry about. No one is going to take their bibles & guns away from them.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 12:29 AM : Nov 07, 2008

I know the gun nuts have nothing to worry about. Obama has told them they have nothing to worry about. He has no intentions of taking them away. BUT, I don''t think they believe him. They are all paranoid.

[erasmus81]

You aren''t going to read my other comments?

[samthetvcat]

You could play a drinking game with the number of times partisan politicians claim their all about bipartisanship. They''re not off to a good start if all they are doing is paying lip service to the concept rather than citing the positions of the right and the left and how they foresee reconciling those two to move the ball forward . . .

Remember how Nancy Pelosi kept talking about ''bipartisanship'' during the bailout, and right at the end she just couldn''t help herself from getting her digs in and the whole thing fell apart? I''m not sure Reid/Pelosi/Barack really have it in them to be bipartisan on their own without being forced into it through actual GOP representation.

If not, it really would be a waste for them to be so hesitant to act when they had the chance that only comes around once every two decades . . .

[erasmus81]

No one is going to take their bibles & guns away from them.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 12:29 AM : Nov 07, 2008

You mean all the gun lovers carry bibles too?

[samthetvcat]

---"*BIG SMILE & SERIOUS LOOK FOR THE CAMERA* Makes me want to puke. A bi-partisan puke. . ."---
Posted by tuckerndfw

ROTFL ha ha ha omg that''s so funny :D

I just read somewhere else that Congress'' approval ratings are worse than Bush''s - like WOW!

I don''t know what they can do to turn it around - maybe they should just take what they can while the gettin''s good and call it a day because that''s an awfully huge hole for them to be digging out of . . .

[erasmus81]

It is a huge mess that is beyond any politician''''s ability to fix. The fixing is up to us, we, the people.

Posted by tuckerndfw at 01:55 AM : Nov 07, 2008

I agree. The problem is getting the people off their butts to do something. They have felt "hopeless", I think. Maybe now things will change. They now have a President who will "listen".

[samthetvcat]

---"The problem for Congress is that we as a nation are divided"---
Posted by tuckerndfw

I''m interested to see how much longer Dems are going to be able to get away with blaming Bush, because conciliation at its root is fundamentally about understanding of differences and RESPECT for those who don''t think the same.

I just don''t see that in ''spread the wealth'', ''Fox are haters'' - implicit in that is judgment, and when it comes from above from people who are supposed to represent the entire nation, it becomes an abuse of power.

Nancy Pelosi''s not as antagonistic as Bush with his ''us against them'' philosophy in that she''s willing to compromise to get things done, but the lack of respect that I saw evidenced in her diatribe right before the bailout failed to me doesn''t indicate tolerance at any level of depth.

Bill Clinton annoyed the Right with his extra-curricular activities, and Hillary was polarizing, but he himself was an exceptionally tolerant person - he was as comfortable in the rural deep south as he was with the Washington Establishment, with high-school dropouts as fellow Rhodes Scholars. I don''t know that there''s anybody at the upper Dem levels who''s like that (?)

[samthetvcat]

You know what Dems maybe need to do is just get the job done - if most people think they''re better off for having voted Dem in 2008, then they''ll likely vote Dem again in 2010. If people don''t think they''re better off, then they''re going to start analyzing why not and if they perceive it to be the incumbent''s fault, then maybe they''ll be more open to giving the GOP another chance if they''ve done a better job of proving themselves . . .

I think too much is being made of ideology and not enough is being made of merit . . .

[erasmus81]

Posted by tuckerndfw at 02:36 AM : Nov 07, 2008

The one thing I''ve noticed in the almost 2 years I have been reading comments on here, is the absolute HATRED for the "Republicans" and the "Democrats". People are OBSESSED with politics. I don''t see that here. I have asked several people if they talk about politics while they are having s-e-x.:) And something else, but we won''t mention that one.

[samthetvcat]

---"Discussing policy differences is productive, discussing ideological differences is not"---
Posted by tuckerndfw

You know what Congress didn''t do much of during the bailout was listen . . . I think what people don''t like about Government are those tactics of like adding ''sweeteners'' to push something through rather than listening, thinking, problem-solving.

And it''s probably not government involvement in healthcare that''s going to get people upset, but rather an inefficiently run government involvement . . .

I guess maybe what we''re both trying to say is that it''s not the left versus right contrast that troubles the electorate nearly as much as the government versus the people contrast - like I guess it''s more accurate to say we all just want the government to be a little more relevant to our lives, more productive, more efficient, less costly (?)

[samthetvcat]

---"Which is why Obama is a good choice. His demeanor is one of quiet reassurance. And, I do believe that he will be able to calm the nation in a way that McCain could not."---
Posted by tuckerndfw

Okay, just summarizing the thrust of your posts, it''s sounding like what you''ve really been saying is that bipartisanship to you means that Repubs need to get in line and all get on board with the Obama ship and then everything''ll be great - Repubs are divisive.

I mean you maybe didn''t mean to say that but in terms of how you think people ought to be acting right now, you don''t really don''t want the Dems to have to bother with competition in the marketplace of ideas (?)

[samthetvcat]

Actually though, you know what in the long run it might actually be win-win for Repubs to lay off the filibuster and claim that with so little votes they didn''t want to stand in the way of Dems and that they''d let Dems be judged on their performance.

They might also be better off in the long-run not caving in to the sweeteners - no filibuster, but no votes . . .

Like if Dems start looking for cover rather than truly cultivating bipartisanship with depth, Repubs might be better off resisting business as usual if they truly believe people don''t want an expansive Government and that''s all Dems are offering (?)

[hissteps4u]

tuckerndfw They serve no useful purpose and we''''ve had enough of it.We all need to stop doing it now.

Well put the massive challenge we face is somehow forceing our representatives in Government to sit listen and evaulate and learn to work together to accomplish the task at hand.

The Infighting and particenship is killing us. I personally think Term limits would go a long way to end much of the Power hungry brokers in washington yet Washington needs a clean sweep and full wash of the old guard in both parties who''s power baseis based on their party affiliation and not what they are able to accomplish.

I am sick of Politics as usual and hope that Obama has the audacity and the cunning to cut through the garbage and to reign in the folks and bring some sanity to an insane situation as it curently is in my view

[carolab1]

Let me explain something. In 2004, there were 72 million registered Democrats. In 2004, there were 55 million registered Republicans. Since 2004, in the 29 states that record party affiliation with registration, Democrats added 700,000 and Republicans lost one million registered voters. When you add in the other 21 states, how many more were registered for 2008? This is not a 50/50 country. There is no middle. This is a Democratic country. We have been governed by the wrong party for at least the last eight years. If Madame Speaker doesn''t understand that, it is our duty as Democrats to remind her. What was it President-Elect Obama said? Oh, yeah: ENOUGH!

[thcarson-2009]

Let me explain something. In 2004, there were 72 million registered Democrats. In 2004, there were 55 million registered Republicans. Since 2004, in the 29 states that record party affiliation with registration, Democrats added 700,000 and Republicans lost one million registered voters. When you add in the other 21 states, how many more were registered for 2008? This is not a 50/50 country. There is no middle. This is a Democratic country. We have been governed by the wrong party for at least the last eight years. If Madame Speaker doesn''''t understand that, it is our duty as Democrats to remind her. What was it President-Elect Obama said? Oh, yeah: ENOUGH!


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Posted by Carolab1

I guess all of those registered democrats should have gone out and voted. I could see your point if Obama had won the election by a 60-40 split, but it didn''t shake out that way.