I just read Zogby's Post '04 Election Report. Some interesting excerpts:
It is interesting to note that while the Democrats assembled a broad coalition in the congressional contests it did them no good. According to this Zogby post-election study, Democrats won 50 percent and 52 percent of the votes cast in the Senate and House contests respectively. But the structure of these races favored the Republicans. For example, GOP House incumbents - with lots of help from their governors and state legislators - drew district lines designed to protect their majorities.
More after the fold.
Remember Texas redistricting? 5 seats lost just there just because of redistricting. Not to mention other swing and blue states that usually vote democratic but their congressional delegations have republican majorities.
Arizona - Democrats hold just 2 of the 8 House seats there.
Florida - Democrats hold just 7 of 25 House seats. 5 Republicans run unopposed in '04
Michigan - Democrats hold just 6 of the 15 seats there.
Ohio - Democrats hold just 6 of the 18 House seats there.
Pennsylvania - Democrats hold just 7 of the 19 House seats there.
These are either swing or blue states. This is unacceptable. Something has to be done. We can't expect Democrats take back the House with some of the most democratic states have 2R for every 1D in their delegations. If these states reflect the actual voting patterns we would control the House right now.
More from Zogby:
As for other contests, votes for governor were frequently cast along party lines. 90% of Democrats supported their gubernatorial nominee, only 7% defected to the Republican ticket. Likewise, 84% of Republicans backed their party's candidates; 13% voted for a Democrat. Overall, this Zogby International post-election poll finds Democrats captured 51% of the total gubernatorial vote, Republicans, 45%.
So, do you see the right wing turn yet? Me neither. And these results were achieved with the non stop right wing whoring by the media, with al the paid 'columnists' and Armstrong Williamses in the media...
- Democrats don't need to move to the center. They just need to start fighting.
- Bring back the Fairness Doctrine. I am sick and tired of all the RW propaganda on TV these days.
- Capture blue states' Gov and SOS offices and redistrict where possible.
- Elect DNC chair with balls (Dean gets my vote)
So, next time you hear someone talk about family values and that the country is turning right, not to mention talking about a
man-date, you tell him
'bite my ass'.