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Republicans keep House, retake Senate
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| Senate Minority Leader
Trent Lott, R-Miss., tells reporters at the Capitol that he believes
the GOP looked "well positioned" to take back the Senate.
(Gannett News Service, Heather Martin Morrissey) |
Updated Nov. 6, 12:45 p.m.:
Following an unprecedented midterm election that should
mute partisan bickering, Mississippi Republican Sen. Trent Lott said
President Bush gave him marching orders: "Let's go get it done,"
Lott recalled of his late night conversation with Bush. During a victory
tour of TV news shows Wednesday morning, Lott, who will replace Sen.
Tom Daschle, D-S.D., as the Senate majority leader next year for the
108th session of Congress, said Tuesday's election would grease the
way for GOP reform.
Voters
show little desire for dramatic change in deciding hotly contested races
Updated Nov. 6, 12:45 p.m.: Americans
gave a hint of direction to Congress on Tuesday by giving Republicans
narrow control of the Senate again. But the broad parity that has defined
and restricted U.S. politics over the last decade remains.
Bush uses
bully pulpit to tip scales to Republicans
Updated Nov. 6, 9 p.m.:
The
barnstorming president tipped the scales in his party's favor. George
W. Bush, whose coattails were questioned in the days leading up to the
elections of 2002, energized enough voters to carry the Republicans
back into the majority of the Senate. Bush did it in a fashion that
has marked his presidency, with a message repeated over and over again,
even if it's sometimes delivered imperfectly and a persistent belief
that his direction is the right one for the country.
Daschle says
he has no regrets about Democrats' campaign
Updated Nov. 6, 9 p.m.:
On
the morning after Republicans surged to power again in the Senate, Democratic
leader Tom Daschle looked back on the fall campaigns and found nothing
his party could have done to change the outcome of the historic Nov.
5 elections.
Election 2002
had its share of winners, losers
Updated Nov. 6, 9 p.m.:
The Bush political dynasty
was a big winner in Tuesday's elections. So was former Christian Coalition
operative Ralph Reed, who now chairs the Georgia Republican Party. Losers
included anyone tied to the Democratic leadership. They lost ground
in Congress, and there were post-election rumblings of a challenge to
House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt.
GOP limits Democratic
gains in governor's races
Updated Nov. 6, 9 p.m.:
Women held ground Tuesday in governor's campaigns as voters narrowed
the balance of power between the two political parties nationally. In
another reflection of a divided America, Republicans and Democrats will
likely emerge from the midterm elections with a near-even share of governor's
offices. The split could have an influence on the 2004 presidential
election because governors, aside from setting a state's political agenda,
are important players in fund-raising and get-out-the-vote drives.
More Americans
vote, but black turnout might have faltered
Updated Nov. 6, 9 p.m.:
Americans went to the polls in greater numbers Tuesday
than during the 1998 midterm elections, partly because of intense campaigning
by President Bush, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and other top
Republicans and Democrats. Preliminary data also indicates that heavy
voter turnout among two minority groups - Hispanics and American Indians
- helped Democrats win congressional races in Texas and New Mexico.
But low to moderate turnout in some areas among blacks, a group that
traditionally supports Democrats, benefited Republicans.
Republican
gains include state legislatures
Updated Nov. 6, 9 p.m.:
Republicans' electoral gains Tuesday included an
historically strong showing in state legislative elections, where they
took control of at least five chambers and gained parity with Democrats
in two others.
Environmentalists
lose big in congressional elections
Updated Nov. 6, 9 p.m.:
Environmentalists
on Wednesday bemoaned the Republican takeover of the Senate, saying
conservatives will have much greater power to weaken clean air, clean
water and wildlife protection laws.
Voters just
say no to pot, and other ballot questions
Updated Nov. 6, 9 p.m.:
Election Day delivered a victory for pregnant
pigs and a defeat for pot smokers. Voters throughout the country were
in the mood to help animals, punish cigarette smokers and boost education
funding, but they rejected measures to legalize marijuana and keep drug
addicts out of jail. In Oregon, which led states in the number of ballot
measures, voters rejected proposals to provide universal health care
for all residents and require labeling of genetically modified food.
Fittingly,
season of the unexpected ends with more twists and turns
Updated Nov. 5, 9:30 p.m.:
The meltdown of the media's vote-projection system during Tuesday's
election was a fitting end to an election season marred by the unexpected.
It was scarred by death and, in the end, by the negative partisanship
that so many politicians had temporarily foresworn in the national unity
following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. In many ways, America
remains a house divided. A few thousand votes scattered in a few intensely
fought elections could determine control of Congress and governorships.
Congress will be
missing some colorful, notable members in January
Updated Nov. 5, 7 a.m.: The
next Congress is going to be a little less fun. Some of the quirkiest,
most colorful, charming and maddening House members and senators will
be gone. There will be no more, "Beam me up, Scotty," from
Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio, who is in jail for taking bribes. No longer
will Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., tool around in the motorized cart he
used to maneuver around tourists, staff members and reporters as he
came and went to cast votes in the Senate. There will be a little less
class with the absence of the late Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., and
a little less glamour without Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn.
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