Republicans surprised everyone in 1994 and 2002. What about 2010?

[Edubb]

In 1992, Bill Clinton won 370-168 electoral vote s(Obama won 365-162). Two years later, the Democrats went down in flames, lost many House and Senate seats, and Governorships. Where do we stand now? Should we expect the pendulum to continue to swing?

[The Wielding Truth]

1. We won't let anyone forget the lousy job Republican

administrations do trying to run this Country!

[Marsala]

2. Unless we REALLY blow it, I'm expecting the 2010 elections to be a draw

No major pickups on either side.

[VADem11]

3. Let's see what Congress does first

You really can't compare the situations with what we have now. In 1994, the conservative movement was still going strong and the Democrats had controlled the house for 40 years. Clinton's missteps also helped. In 2002, there was the nonstop use of the terrorism card that helped the Republicans. Right now, the GOP is in tatters and if Obama is relatively successful, there won't be huge changes in either direction. Plus, in 2010, the Republicans will have to defend more Senate seats than us.

[Whoa20]

4. depends on how Obama handles the job

when he gets to office. Losing seats right after taking office is nothing new. Reagan, even after the 1980 landslide, got slaughtered in 1982, and in early 1983, looked like Clinton in 1995, after 1994. Taking over the job is extremely difficult. Bush I even lost seats in 1990. It doesn't just happen for no reason, its because the job of President is politically so radically different than anything else, or difficult. Obama is smart to planning his ascent to power so carefully, so he avoids such pitfalls.

[lapfog_1]

5. Depends on how fast the economy recovers. - n/t

[Eric J in MN]

6. The Senate should be OK in 2010. The House I'm less confident about. NT

NT

[Touchdown]

7. No gays in the military ambush debate this time.

Besides, why not wait until Obama gets into office, before you start to worry your little head about this?

[bowens43]

8. geez

do we have to start worrying about 2010 now? How about we at least let Obama be sworn in first? We don't know what iis going to happen over the next two years.

[JCMach1]

9. It all depends on what Obama does the next two years...

We have no excuses as Democrats not to get things done our way now.

[NYC Liberal]

10. Umm, Republicans won in '94 because Dems had been in control for over 40 years.

We won't be having that problem in 2010 because the reverse is true: we've had 8 years of Republican rule and look at the disasters they've brought upon us.

No, we'll be fine.

[Whoa20]

11. they may not win the entire chamber

but they could pick up a lot of seats if Obama's first two years aren't done right. He does have a full plate, more than any President in a while. Problem is if the Dem Congress is still sitting on their asses like they are now, the GOP will blame them for the problems. I think Pelosi needs to go. She has been ineffective and will lead us down a bad road in 2010 at this rate. Sure they won seats this year, but only cuz they've been shielded by the prez. when its of the same party, they will get the spot light.