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Political expert: Republicans will bounce back
The Republican Party will bounce back from its significant losses in last night’s election, an East Carolina University political expert says.
Jody Baumgartner, assistant professor of political science at ECU, said gloom surrounding the GOP is understandable, but common among parties losing a presidential election.
“You are going to get that after every presidential loss,” Baumgartner said. “Some of it makes sense, but some of it is just overreaction. We heard the same thing from the Democratic Party in 2004, and look at how things have changed.”
Baumgartner said he believes the unprecedented success of Barack Obama’s campaign, and the inability of Republican presidential nominee John McCain to excite people, played a large role in Obama’s ascent to the White House.
The presidential election, Baumgartner says, highlighted an uneasy alliance that exists between fiscal conservatives, social conservatives and foreign policy hawks.
“Those groups are sort of the three components of the Republican Party, and this election highlighted the fact that there was no consensus candidate among them,” Baumgartner said.
Baumgartner said he believes Democrats were able to broaden their control of Congress during this year’s election due to the effects of an unpopular Republican president and an unpopular war.
Democrats are guaranteed at least a 56-44 majority in the Senate and a 252-172 majority in the House. Some races remained undecided.
But Baumgartner says people shouldn’t read too much into the current state of Congress.
“I have trouble with pinning too much significance on one thing,” Baumgartner said. “What we know about American politics is the more things seem to change, the more they actually look the same that they always have. Every time a party loses an election, they cannibalize each other for a little while, but then they bounce right back. It is a two-party system, and one of them has not died.”
Comments
By H. Kendal
November 5, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
This proves without a doubt that black racism is alive and will in the US. Why would you ever vote for someone just because of the color of their skin. You talk about racism. This is one of the most blantant examples of racism in the history of this country.
By Melbabe
November 5, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
H. Kendal, you need help. Seriously. I hope that you will let go of your bitterness and racism and get behind our new President.
By McCain
November 5, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
No Melbabe…. you need help. I bet 90% of the black people that voted for Obama could not tell you his position on any of the matters at hand. The black community stood together and voted for their own. That is racism. I don’t care if he was purple, gold, blue or yellow… he doesn’t have any experience. Wonder when he takes the oath of office if he will be sworn in on the Bible????????
By nikki
November 5, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
I guess the thousands of caucasians they showed on TV that were all President Obama Supporters are racist too. Get over it, Jesse Helms days are over in NC. If you don’t like the president leave the country.
By nikki
November 5, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
I guess the thousands of caucasians they showed on TV that were all President Obama Supporters are racist too. Get over it, Jesse Helms days are over in NC. If you don’t like the president leave the country.
By Melbabe
November 5, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
McCain, you couldn’t accurately describe any of Obama’s positions either, judging by your Bible swearing in question. You, sir, are racist. Perhaps nobody has ever had the nerve to tell you or H. Kendal that those views are racist. But it’s time you were told. What kind of human being suggests that black people voting for the best candidate is the MOST blatant example of racism in this history of this country? So, that’s more racist than slavery? Than public lynchings? Than segregation? You disgust me.
By Drew Peacock
November 5, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
I find many offensive things in the previous posts. McCan’t talking about racism…. saying 90% of blacks voted due to skin color? That, my friends, is a racist statement.
And this fella wonders why the GOP lost? Because of boneheads like him, and statements that have no basis. Obama not putting his hand on the Bible during the swearing in? That sounds like someone who has no clue….and chose the cold war ideology over common sense. A DYING BREED!
By Tony Jones
November 6, 2008 4:19 AM | Link to this
Do I believe race play a role in this election the answer is Yes.If you think not you are foolish. I may loss people who I thought were my friends over this election just because I do not agree with Obama policies. but it their loss and I will move on, I guess they were not my friends any way.I believe alot of minorities believe they will get a free a pass, And Mr. Obama is already changing his tone in reference it will take time and maybe a few years to get America back on track. So now the Democraties control the House,Congress and Senate so there should be no excuses. As you know as America we want instant gratification.I hope Mr. obama can fullfill all your hopes and dreams.the best of luck the next four years.
By Melbabe
November 6, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
As an Obama supporter, I do not expect instant gratification. I am realistic about the situation the country is in, and it will take time to turn it around. I think I speak for most of his supporters when I say that we aren’t expecting things to change immediately. That would just be silly and naive.
By HATCH
November 13, 2008 9:41 AM | Link to this
I am sitting here reading and don’t think any of you are completely in tuned to what is going on! If you look at the facts, Obama did what no one else in history has ever done…..look at voter turn out for people 25 and under as well the african american and hispanic population. There were 60,000 unregistered african american voters in one county in Florida that the Obama campaign got registered and voted! This is how he one this election and that is not racist it fact and smart on his part. I am just tired of everyone in this country comparing every other republican to Bush. You people dont realize that Bush has indured more as a president than any president we have ever had in this country…War in Iraq, Katrina, the Economy just name a few and he inherited the majority of it. I hope people can appreciate that our men and women are over sea’s so that every one of you can sleep better at night confident that some terrorist is not going land a plane on your roof top! Lets get real this country didn’t have the greatest of choices in its canidates this year but, I personally cannot support someone that does not recognize our nations flag or anthem! That is just unamerican! I cannot support someone who is for aborting babies at full term!! I cannot support someone that is for pulling our troops out before Democracy is in place leaving our country open to terrorist attack! People should have read his positions and plans before voting. I think everyone is hung up on the african american ideolgy “first black president”. People…..his mother was white and he was raised by his grandparents who are also white and he went by the name of Barry until now!!! People need to get off of the racial kick and actually do some homework!
By Charlie
November 22, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasure. From that moment on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most money from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship.
The average age of the world’s great civilizations has been two hundred years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence: from bondage to spiritual faith, from spiritual faith to great courage, from courage to liberty, from liberty to abundance, from abundance to selfishness, from selfishness to complacency from complacency to apathy, from apathy to dependency, from dependency back to bondage.
Alexander Tyler
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