The Loss of Rep Chris Shays (R-CT)

[nerdgirl 0]

While others may offer different interpretations and opinions, I was saddened to see Rep Chris Shays (R-CT) lose his re-election bid. He represents a moderate, collegial/non-ideologically adversarial Republican who is willing to work in a bipartisan manner and is a smart legislator. I mean no disrespect for his opponent, Mr. Himes, knowing little other than that he ran as a Democrat and made his fortune as a Goldman-Sachs trader. Imo, this is an example of negative trend furthering the 2006 loss of Sen Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) in dearth of moderate Republicans. One could make a similar argument w/r/t loss of Sen Elizabeth Dole (R-NC).

Was glad to see Sen Mitch McConnell (R-KY) keep his seat. While he’s been a proverbial pain in the ass for the chemical demil program, he’s got authority and seniority to keep the pressure on the Army and OSD to complete (once they get it started) demil of Blue Grass Depot chemical weapons (CW) stockpile. Eliminating the remaining stockpile of offensive CW around the planet is one of my issues.

Rep Heather Wilson would have been a good moderate Republican candidate for Senator to replace Sen Pete Domenici (‘St Pete’ to LANL & SNL), imo, but she lost to far right wing Republican in the primary. Sen-elect Tom Udall looks to be a moderate, mountain state Democrat. The midterm of election of 2006 saw a number moderate ‘blue dog’ democrats.

Most disappointing and still not-called is the likely win of incumbent Sen Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) over Jim Martin (D). While not surprised at the outcome, I was also watching the Enzi-Rothfuss race in Wyoming – Chris is a PhD chemical engineer with good real-world experience to address issues of energy dependence and a friend.
There will always be pockets of the far left (e.g., Rep Maxine Waters of LA and Rep John Lewis of Atlanta) and far right (e.g., parts of rural Utah). Imo, they do play an important role in representing sectors of America and sometimes unpopular voices.

There is a need for post-partisanship. The type of legislators that Rep Shays and Sen Dole represented is the type of legislators that the country needs. The class and graciousness exemplified by Sen MccCain in his concession speech is also what the country needs.

VR/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[Thanatos340 1]

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Most disappointing and still not-called is the likely win of incumbent Sen Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) over Jim Martin (D). While not surprised at the outcome

This was a tough call for me. I am NOT a fan of Chambliss but Martins Constant Mudslinging TV ads were a HUGE turn off. Never once did I see an add for why I should vote for him, Just hundreds of TV commercials for why I should vote against Chambliss. It seemed like every other commercial on TV was another Attack ad from Martin. I voted for Buckley.

I talked to several of my neighbors and they said they voted for Chambliss mostly because they were so sick of Martins mudslinging Ad`s.

[nerdgirl 0]

Thanks for the additional information. I don't watch a lot of tv, so didn't see that.

VR/Marg

Act as if everything you do matters, while laughing at yourself for thinking anything you do matters.
Tibetan Buddhist saying

[JohnnyD 0]

I was really surprised to see the fate of moderate republicans such as Elizabeth Dole, who I believe is very popular and well liked. I can't help but wonder if McCain's attaching himself to Palin and turning the party to the right had a more far reaching effect than we would have thought.

[Amazon 7]

It is interesting to note. and I have not checked it yet but on MSNBC this morning they were saying that at this time there is not a single Republican in the House of Representatives from any of the northeastern states. The party has shifted so far to the right ideologically that what I equate to the old school moderate Rockefeller Republicans no longer have a voice in the party. We do have some of them left out here in the west and I voted for a couple on the state level. I have been trying to tell people that the policies brought on by the religious whacko's are NOT good for America. America is supposed to be a country of inclusion.

The same John McCain I voted for in 2000 disappeared over the last year as he courted the base of fringe right evangelicals... with the final straw of selecting one for his running mate. The Party of Lincoln.....is no more.

[kelpdiver 2]

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I was really surprised to see the fate of moderate republicans such as Elizabeth Dole, who I believe is very popular and well liked. I can't help but wonder if McCain's attaching himself to Palin and turning the party to the right had a more far reaching effect than we would have thought.

Knowing little of these particular districts, there may be a simple cause.

Moderate Republicans tend to be in districts that require that moderation. A "Californian Republican" is definitely more of a moderate than the party regulars.

Given that sort of voter population, these are actually the most vunerable to a loss in party popularity - these voters are highly accepting of a moderate Democrat. If this was a more ideological district, the only way the party loses is if the demographics of the voters changes substantially, like when Dornan finally lost to Sanchez in Orange County.