Six months before the November elections got here the main issues that were going to shape the competition began to emerge. It seemed at this time both parties were thinking they had certain advantages on their sides. The Republicans have had and were still counting on their strong financial advantage. The redrawn district lines were also in their favor. Republicans have also always the religious and faith based issues and constituent services to sway certain narrow majorities their way. These advantages got and kept and Republicans in office for the past twelve years, which historically that is their longest continual run in power. In about May of 2006 we see the Democratic Party starting to push certain issues to the forefront. The Democrats need to pick up at least fifteen seats in November to regain control of the House, six seats for Senate.
One of the issues that the Democratic Party began to pushing early was the War in Iraq.
iraq
Iraq
A graph labeled "Figure 109," and found on page 12...The Democrats are banking on AmericanÃÂs unhappiness over the war to swing votes their way. Since Bush ordered the invasion of Iraq in 2003 his approval rate among Americans has dropped. In 2003 BushÃÂs rating was 69% and in one year it dropped to 55%. Another statistic that has steadily gone down is the number of AmericanÃÂs who thought the war wasnÃÂt a mistake. In 2003 that number was 75% and now six months before the elections that number has dropped to 42%. With this one issue alone, granted it is a big issue, veteran Republican pollster Lance Tarrance says, ÃÂAt this moment, it doesnÃÂt look like the Republican Party can dig out of this hole.ÃÂ He said this in May 2006.
The immigration issue has made the republicans have to sweat a little. This has become an issue focusing...