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Voters flee GOP, but no shift left is seen
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exactly | 12:27 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Which is why if Republicasn get back to basics they will return to paower and
also why if Obama heads east (with massive left wing policies) - he will crash
quickly
what goes around comes around | 1:18 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
And let me be the first to say that if Obama and the Democrat Congress go
spinning off to the left raising gas prices for the tree hugging
environmentalist,
bankrupting coal plants that now supply your electricity,
putting taxes so high small businesses and investors go under.
The Congressional elections of 2010 will look like a fire sale.
Congress will swing back 60 percent Republicans and 40 percent Democrats.
Go ask Bill Clinton what happened 2 years after he got elected?
bankrupting coal plants that now supply your electricity,
putting taxes so high small businesses and investors go under.
The Congressional elections of 2010 will look like a fire sale.
Congress will swing back 60 percent Republicans and 40 percent Democrats.
Go ask Bill Clinton what happened 2 years after he got elected?
It might be hard to understand | 3:28 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
I know it might be hard to understand for some who post here but in my opinion
it is a general rejection of the Bush/Cheney administration.
The thought of four more years of a Bush III administration was just to much for the majority of the electorate.
Before some one says that McCain is not Bush not many people truly believe it.
The thought of four more years of a Bush III administration was just to much for the majority of the electorate.
Before some one says that McCain is not Bush not many people truly believe it.
Comments continue below
awsomeron | 3:56 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
They did not flee the GOP, they fled McCain, who is to far left for most of
them, to include my self. I got in the booth and could not vote for McCain, not
even in Hawaii, where it did not matter. Even Indigenes LDS Broke Core Values
and went strongly for Obama. You would think a basic love of unborn life would
prevent that but here apparently not so much.
I went with Nader, who I deeply respect as a human being. Also as a spoiler of Al Gores Election in 2000. Thank you Mr. Nader.
There is no switch to the Left not by a long shot. However you cannot pass a Centrist off as a Conservative, it just will not work.
There would have been a better chance of the Fundamentalist Right excepting Mitt, then accepting McCain. Turn out was No Higher then 2004, so that means Repubs stayed home, Wrote in Jesus, or like me went with Nader. Registration was up due to Acorn and other things, like Registering people to Vote when they get their drivers license, or sign up for the draft, which millions have not.
John McCain was the reason for his defeat.
I went with Nader, who I deeply respect as a human being. Also as a spoiler of Al Gores Election in 2000. Thank you Mr. Nader.
There is no switch to the Left not by a long shot. However you cannot pass a Centrist off as a Conservative, it just will not work.
There would have been a better chance of the Fundamentalist Right excepting Mitt, then accepting McCain. Turn out was No Higher then 2004, so that means Repubs stayed home, Wrote in Jesus, or like me went with Nader. Registration was up due to Acorn and other things, like Registering people to Vote when they get their drivers license, or sign up for the draft, which millions have not.
John McCain was the reason for his defeat.
Another opinion Poll??? | 5:19 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Voters flee GOP? I am not buying it. Did anyone know that the vote for Obama
vs McCain was less than a 3% over all margin? Which translates in numbers of
seven million voters that man this election appear to be won by the Democrats.
It was broadcast that the polls during the campaign were trumped to again appear
as hopeless for the GOP. McCain was running neck and neck with the other guy.
The emperor's new clothes took on a cloak to cover the wolf's clothes.
So I do not buy this one for the GOP slam. You notice how quite the GOP is
about all the misleading information and how loud the Democrats are gloating?
Just how long is freedom of speech going to survive is my concern. If you
cannot take the heat, then stay OUT of the kitchen.....?
Anonymous | 6:47 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
The presidential campaign saw Republicans taking the low road while the
Democrats took the high one.
Only the angry, Limbaughites full of rage relate to the this new version of Republicanism.
Only the angry, Limbaughites full of rage relate to the this new version of Republicanism.
Awsomeron is Right On | 7:32 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Exactly right, awsomeron. The whole premise of the story is false because the
baseline theory is off. McCain isn't and wasn't a true conservative.
He's always been a political gadfly. No man is an Island, it is said -- no
one, except John McCain. You could never count on him to be consistent on
anything. Who can forget his joining to help Democrats with Campaign Finance
"reform." And then when his own political fortunes were impeded by
the very law he helped create, he tried several ways to get around its limits.
And on earmarks, the self-proclaimed keeper of the public purse helped engineer
favors for his home-state interests, like America West Airlines when he was
chairman of aviation subcommittee. What a hypocrite. I'm glad he's
had his turn and we can get him out of the way and back to true conservative.
Then you will see a majority of Americans go back to support a GOP Presidency.
liberal Larry | 7:42 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Times are rapidly passing the conservative mentality behind. When we lived on
the far, and things were simple, conservatives were in their element. Now with
pressing issues, of peak oil, global warming, over population, etc, the best
that the reactionary right can muster is a huge campaign of denial.
Long-time right wing | 8:19 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
All must consider the undeniable fact that leftist media outlets have had GWB in
the cross-hairs since the final year of the Clinton era. Hungry for the Oval
office these leftists have lied and twisted the truth to viewers/readers for
nine years. Seems that if they repeat lies often enough too many voters come to
believe those lies. Case in point: Mitt was wrongly labelled a flip-flopper.
WRONG! Since when does one change of position merit the label of
"flipflopper'. I am experienced enough to know that to make abortion
an issue in Massachusetts is tantamount to suicide. A smart politician picks
his battles cautiously and wisely, not letting the media or the opposition
dictate his agenda or hi-jack his campaign. Furthermore name me ONE politician
who has not changed position two or three times. You have even this most recent
election to see Dems change position within the same week, just a different
audience. NO, GWB was not the best President since Reagan but none had the
Saddams and Osamas of the terrorist world to deal with. Just remember DO NOT
listen to the left-wing media.
JMT | 8:21 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Think about this, one of Obama's biggest campaign planks was to cut taxes
for 95% of Americans! He was for fiscal responsibility.
Let me be clear, that is his campaign rhetoric but it worked. He campaigned as a fiscal conservative.
Once you got into his details, and towards the end of the campaign it became clear that his rhetoric was just that; he wants to bankrupt coal powered plants, redistribute wealth, etc.
But he campaigned as a fiscal conservative.
And he campaigned that McCain is just 4 more years of the Bush wreck.
Game, set, match.
This election was 99% rejection of anything and everything Bush. And 1% love of Obama. OK, maybe not that big a spread but you get the point.
I sincerely believe that we need a new Amendment to the US Constitution. We need a Balanced Budget Amendment, just as all 50 states have.
We the American people can no longer afford to play partisan politics with our economy this way. Fight over what money is spent on, but not how much. Our national debt broke the $10 trillion mark. Obligation (promises to pay in the future) exceed revenue by another $60 trillion!!
Balance the budget!
Let me be clear, that is his campaign rhetoric but it worked. He campaigned as a fiscal conservative.
Once you got into his details, and towards the end of the campaign it became clear that his rhetoric was just that; he wants to bankrupt coal powered plants, redistribute wealth, etc.
But he campaigned as a fiscal conservative.
And he campaigned that McCain is just 4 more years of the Bush wreck.
Game, set, match.
This election was 99% rejection of anything and everything Bush. And 1% love of Obama. OK, maybe not that big a spread but you get the point.
I sincerely believe that we need a new Amendment to the US Constitution. We need a Balanced Budget Amendment, just as all 50 states have.
We the American people can no longer afford to play partisan politics with our economy this way. Fight over what money is spent on, but not how much. Our national debt broke the $10 trillion mark. Obligation (promises to pay in the future) exceed revenue by another $60 trillion!!
Balance the budget!
falcon's beak | 8:22 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Considering the tremendous bias of the media, network TV, magazines, newspapers
plus the weight of two wars, an economy melt down I thought McCain did pretty
well. 53% is not a landslide. I wish Obama well, but I hope we don't put
up with him if he goes for higher taxes, loss of secret ballot on union
certification, trade restriction, increased government control, etc.
SadDad | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
It's obvious America wanted change, because just over half of them liked
Obama's "change" message. He was smart enough to recognize that
message would ring home with enough of the voters to get himself elected.
Voters didn't "flee" Republicans so much as vote for change. It was a rebuff of the party in the White House over how bad things are now, not a vote for Liberal Socialism.
Bush (nor the lower-rated Congress the past two years that the demos have controlled it--you never heard those numbers from the left-wing press) didn't do enough to fix the country's financial problems. He had some good ideas early (in first term), but didn't follow through with any of them. His lower tax policies helped before the Dems got hold of the purse stings (owning Congress the past two years). But that wasn't enough.
If Obama doesn't quickly (within two years) figure out how to fix many of America's financial woes without raising taxes, including the impending bankruptcy of Social Security, the makeup of Congress in the mid-term elections will change in favor of the Republicans, because they'll have plenty of ammunition from the failed economic policies of the Democrats.
Voters didn't "flee" Republicans so much as vote for change. It was a rebuff of the party in the White House over how bad things are now, not a vote for Liberal Socialism.
Bush (nor the lower-rated Congress the past two years that the demos have controlled it--you never heard those numbers from the left-wing press) didn't do enough to fix the country's financial problems. He had some good ideas early (in first term), but didn't follow through with any of them. His lower tax policies helped before the Dems got hold of the purse stings (owning Congress the past two years). But that wasn't enough.
If Obama doesn't quickly (within two years) figure out how to fix many of America's financial woes without raising taxes, including the impending bankruptcy of Social Security, the makeup of Congress in the mid-term elections will change in favor of the Republicans, because they'll have plenty of ammunition from the failed economic policies of the Democrats.
Utah Republican | 8:53 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Any shift is solely attributed to luke warm fence sitting apologists like
Huntsman, McCain, and Shurtleff.
The conservative mentality is alive and well... just looking for someone to step up and lead!
The conservative mentality is alive and well... just looking for someone to step up and lead!
Anonymous | 8:58 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
No, take your time GOP. Obama has work to do, so you've time to wallow in
destructive issues like gays and guns and abortions while the rest of the world
moves on.
denying larry | 9:02 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Pressing issue #1 - peak oil: the Dems refuse to allow full expolration and
exploitation of proven reserves in the OCS, they insist on dumping billions into
an enthanol subsidy that disrupted the food chain last summer, they refuse to
allow new nuclear power plants to supplant coal fired (Europe gets over 40% from
nuclear), they tout alternative energy sources that are nearly cost prohibitive
without subsidy and contribute negligible amounts of energy to the grid, etc.
etc.
Pressing issue #2 - global warming: consensus is not science, see Michael Chrichton.
Pressing issue #3 - overpopulation: quit reproducing, tell China, India and Latin America to quit reproducing, quit fighting diseases, start a big war, remove airbags. Of all 3, this one is the most laughable. To think a Dem would ever regulate reproduction or the termination thereof!
There is no denial here. The Reps just need a real leader. McCain was not it. He made his career from being obstructionist and was just the next Rep in line (see Bob Dole). Here's one Rep hoping a real leader emerges from this.
Pressing issue #2 - global warming: consensus is not science, see Michael Chrichton.
Pressing issue #3 - overpopulation: quit reproducing, tell China, India and Latin America to quit reproducing, quit fighting diseases, start a big war, remove airbags. Of all 3, this one is the most laughable. To think a Dem would ever regulate reproduction or the termination thereof!
There is no denial here. The Reps just need a real leader. McCain was not it. He made his career from being obstructionist and was just the next Rep in line (see Bob Dole). Here's one Rep hoping a real leader emerges from this.
Young in Heart | 9:11 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Another factor to consider is that many of the young and new voters are voting
more liberal than they have in the past.
Craig | 9:15 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
No time has not passed conservatisim behind. Freedom is always in style. What
has happened is republicans have become 80% democrats. That is they spend and
regulate a little less than liberals. A true conservative is ashamed of what the
republican party has become. When they can champion the conservative values of
freedom and self reliance they will become the dominant party.
half isn't bad | 9:28 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
McCain lost,
The gay marriage ban was upheld.
I voted for both, and am still very happy!
The gay marriage ban was upheld.
I voted for both, and am still very happy!
Cats | 9:32 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
This is NOT a political realignment! It was a vote for change because people
are concerned about the economy. They just wanted a change and Obama happened
to be the guy standing there.
It is NOT that Obama is the messianic figure the liberals portray him to be. I don't think any Republican could have won this year. Even under those circumstances Obama only won by a few points. The country isn't really that sold on him.
Also, there seems to be a problem with many voters understanding that the Dems have been in charge of the Congress for the last two years which is the lowest rated Congress in the history of poll taking.
Exit polls have shown that the country is STILL center/right. Only 22% of voters identified themselves as liberal. 34% identified themselves as conservatives and the rest called themselves moderates or independent.
The pendumlum swings left and right and currently it is swinging left. It is part of the natural cycle of politics. We Republicans will go back to our roots, stop getting caught up in earmarks and other distractions and come roaring back in 2010 and 2012.
MITT FOR PRESIDENT!!!
It is NOT that Obama is the messianic figure the liberals portray him to be. I don't think any Republican could have won this year. Even under those circumstances Obama only won by a few points. The country isn't really that sold on him.
Also, there seems to be a problem with many voters understanding that the Dems have been in charge of the Congress for the last two years which is the lowest rated Congress in the history of poll taking.
Exit polls have shown that the country is STILL center/right. Only 22% of voters identified themselves as liberal. 34% identified themselves as conservatives and the rest called themselves moderates or independent.
The pendumlum swings left and right and currently it is swinging left. It is part of the natural cycle of politics. We Republicans will go back to our roots, stop getting caught up in earmarks and other distractions and come roaring back in 2010 and 2012.
MITT FOR PRESIDENT!!!
Madden | 9:47 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
More proof of the obvious. The Republican party left us, not the other way
around. They get what they deserve after years of greed, corruption, lies,
deficits and flat-out not living up to the ideals they promised while
campaigning.
Good for them! Now we just wait 5 years for the Dems to follow suit as they always have, maybe this time we'll get better results out of the GOP primaries than we have in the last decade.
Good for them! Now we just wait 5 years for the Dems to follow suit as they always have, maybe this time we'll get better results out of the GOP primaries than we have in the last decade.
OMG | 10:12 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Never have I heard so much whining...McCain was the candidate and he lost...yet
was intelligent enough ot say put these partison differences behind us now and
work together. And for 5:19am....let me remind you that Bush lost the popular
vote. America's system of government has spoken. So how about an end to all
the divisive chatter. Oh...and the LDS Church isn;t a branch of the republican
party..go back and read the D & C regarding consecration...the begining...
sure sounds like amodern day socialistic view... but hey...silly men didnt write
that down... it was revelaion wasn't it?
Shift? | 10:31 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Except in Utah.
Nomas | 10:58 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
These "liberal" and "conservative" labels are meaningless
anymore. The vast majority of us are independents, like myself, who like the
policies that tend to greater equality the Democrats supposedly were for and yet
abhor the social agenda Democats push, like gay rights and abortion. We equally
abhor the trickle down economics of the Republicans, as they have clearly
demonstrated yet again that bestowing taxpayer money on wealthy elites does not
trickle down, but actually leads to more trickle-up from the masses to the
elites. It would be nice to have a third party that embraces economic equality
and a socially sound stances. I voted for Obama because the government weighs
with much more detriment on economic policies (note Bush) and is basically
nuetral on social issues.
cannot believe | 11:03 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Policies of the GOP in this state is exactly what they really want. Total
domination. Districts changed to enhance their voting blocks. Utah County
votes one ticket. Thats it. As long as the GOP votes the way they want,
demo's will never really have their voices heard.
Grimble | 11:07 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Cliff notes version of the conservative commentors here working through their
Kubler-Ross grief stages:
"Political realignment? Who ya gonna believe? Me, or your own lyin' eyes?"
"Political realignment? Who ya gonna believe? Me, or your own lyin' eyes?"
Ing | 11:09 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
I used to consider myself a Republican, and not so long ago, the mere thought of
voting for a Democrat gave me heartburn. Not anymore. I just vote for the best
choice available. And the way the Republican party has been runnng its
elections the last 4 to 8 years has made it really, really easy to NOT vote for
their candidates.
"Madden" said it well: greed, corruption, lies, massive overspending...
Not to mention the foolishness of starting a war in Iraq that drains trillions of dollars better spent (or saved) at home. These days their national party is all about fear and division--"if you vote Democrat the terrorists win" hijacked the last election, and gave a second term to the least deserving incumbent in history. The only thing the Republican party has these days is a death-grip on its favorite wedge issues.
I think this presidential race, we were lucky to have two such solid candidates. Unfortunately, one of them had the appalling mess of the Republican party dragging him down.
I voted not for the Democratic party, but against the Republican party on this one. And they made it easy.
"Madden" said it well: greed, corruption, lies, massive overspending...
Not to mention the foolishness of starting a war in Iraq that drains trillions of dollars better spent (or saved) at home. These days their national party is all about fear and division--"if you vote Democrat the terrorists win" hijacked the last election, and gave a second term to the least deserving incumbent in history. The only thing the Republican party has these days is a death-grip on its favorite wedge issues.
I think this presidential race, we were lucky to have two such solid candidates. Unfortunately, one of them had the appalling mess of the Republican party dragging him down.
I voted not for the Democratic party, but against the Republican party on this one. And they made it easy.
Christian Values | 11:29 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
It appears to me that the democrats voted in Florida,California, Arizona, and
other states for Christian values. We will see if they follow the will of the
people.
shuttdlrl@aol.com
shuttdlrl@aol.com
to OMG | 11:31 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Without debating the doctrinal arguments inferred in your D&C vs socialism
question, I think we can agree that there is a big difference between being
forced to give to the system and voluntarily participating in such a system.
From the religious perspective, participants would be of the same philosophy,
share the same beliefs and goals and have the same work ethic. The same can not
be said for secular socialism. Helping one's neighbor is a virtue.
Coercing that help is tyranny.
tOSU | 11:33 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Conservatives, especially Utah Conservatives, are so brainwashed by AM hate
radio and Fox "News" Entertainment Channel, that you will keep on
voting against your own best interests.
GOD GUNS GAYS is what you are about.
The Karl Rove's and Newt Gingrich's have fooled you suckers in such a big way.
Bush was President and repubs had the House and the Senate, plus a right leaning Supreme Court.
Why is abortion still legal? Why were there no Federal laws passed regarding gay marriage?
Because they are wedge issues and having the sheep to vote for them based on these issues is the only way republicans to win elections and further goal of destroying the middle class, going back to the un-Christian cuts and deregulation of the Ronnie Raygun administration.
GOD GUNS GAYS is what you are about.
The Karl Rove's and Newt Gingrich's have fooled you suckers in such a big way.
Bush was President and repubs had the House and the Senate, plus a right leaning Supreme Court.
Why is abortion still legal? Why were there no Federal laws passed regarding gay marriage?
Because they are wedge issues and having the sheep to vote for them based on these issues is the only way republicans to win elections and further goal of destroying the middle class, going back to the un-Christian cuts and deregulation of the Ronnie Raygun administration.
wandrew | 11:39 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
There have been indeed some signs of unhappiness with the Republicans, even here
in Utah. The last 8 years have been very rough on our liberties. I, for one,
hate to rely on Democrats to protect our rights. So, as Utah Chair of the
Libertarian Party, I invite everyone to look into a real alternative. We are
quietly building that alternative, and ask for your help. And I think
"Superdell" is gone, to the relief of many (though he polled well over
the 2% threshhold necessary to keep the party on the ballot).
liberal Larry | 11:58 a.m. Nov. 9, 2008
If conservatives would figure out what the heck they stand for and translate
this into responsible governance they would be the dominante party for years to
come. If they were guardedly suspicious of the military industrial complete,
like Eisenhower, fiscally conservative and libertarian like Goldwater, and
thoughtful and well reasoned like Bush one, heck I'd be a conservative.
But this obsession with gays and abortion (without doing anything about either!)
is just not an answer to the complexity of the modern world.
Palin | 12:58 p.m. Nov. 9, 2008
Palin will save us in 2012. The woman is going back to the ice box to get her real wardrobe and will be back in four years to show us the way.
Four years of peering through a telescope will get her vison set for dealing with Russia. Four years of inhaleing natural gas will clear the brain for more intellectual banter.
Sarah will save the day for the party. The woman is organizing the menue for the 2012 innagural as we speak. Moose stew will be left over for the breadlines and military recruitment will soar as she plans for war in Pakistan.....now that should reduce unemployment.
Joe Moe | 8:17 p.m. Nov. 9, 2008
to OMG 11:31
Well said. A guy told my friend that if he would read and understand one chapter in Mosiah, my friend would become a Democrat. What arrogance. It is exactly as you are saying. There is nothing in the LDS doctrine that supports the claim.
I am actually extremely interested in what happens the next 4-8 years in this country. I believe this Democrat leadership (Congress and POTUS) will overreach and upset a lot of moderates. Obama is already overreaching, and he's just getting warmed up. My prediction: just as Bush and Cheney wounded the GOP, Obama & Pelosi & Reid will do damage to the Democrats.
Well said. A guy told my friend that if he would read and understand one chapter in Mosiah, my friend would become a Democrat. What arrogance. It is exactly as you are saying. There is nothing in the LDS doctrine that supports the claim.
I am actually extremely interested in what happens the next 4-8 years in this country. I believe this Democrat leadership (Congress and POTUS) will overreach and upset a lot of moderates. Obama is already overreaching, and he's just getting warmed up. My prediction: just as Bush and Cheney wounded the GOP, Obama & Pelosi & Reid will do damage to the Democrats.
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