The Other Election
The presidential primaries have diverted attention from down-the-ballot House and Senate races, yet political observers say Congress could be where the Democrats win their most significant victories in November.
While polls show Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama running neck and neck for the presidency, the Democrats appear poised to significantly expand their congressional majorities. A couple of factors are tilting key races their way.
First, the faltering economy, gas prices, and the ongoing war in Afghanistan and Iraq seem to be higher priorities for voters than social issues. Second, in regions where social issues still count with voters, Democrats are once again nominating faith-friendly social moderates in some conservative congressional districts, a strategy they employed with some success in 2006.
So long as the strategy works, Democratic leadership will continue to recruit candidates from the conservative wing of their party, said Amy Black, associate professor of political science at Wheaton College. This year, pro-life Democrats have already won special elections in Louisiana and Mississippi.
"The special elections in Louisiana and Mississippi show that traditional GOP voters are prepared to switch parties for Democrats who run as social conservatives," said Mark Silk, founding director of the Leonard E. Greenberg Center for the Study of Religion in Public Life.
Republicans were already in trouble before the special elections. More than 20 Republican members of Congress have retired since 2006, some hastened, perhaps, by the party's loss of majority status. Senate Republicans are defending 23 seats compared to just 12 for the Democrats. In addition, the Democrats have lost none of their incumbent senators.
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A Hermit
A simple, good informational article. The emotional responses of other readers to this article are out of place and betray a lack of consideration of the whole of the gospel in applying it to the politics of our day. Materialism, greed, and the wars they spawn (Iraq) are the biggest threat to 'family values' and continued human existence, not gay marriage and abortion (though they are serious issues). The political choices of today are not black and white. To vote Democratic often means to vote for abortion and 'gay rights'. To vote Republican means to vote for materialism and greed (those who support the wealthiest and most powerful people and corporations through cutting taxes, environmental regulations, and social programs for the poor, supporting building weapons of mass destruction and militarism). I consistently vote Democratic as the lesser of two evils, but don't condemn those who don't.
ann
we just need to remember that God isn't a member of any political party.
Ruth
Jesus invited the lost to the table. When was the last time a Republican Christian invited anyone but his colleagues to the table? I believe in Jesus Christ as my personal Savior, not the Democratic Party. I do not support abortion nor do I support gay marriage; however I do support the Lord's way, each one must choose, not be cohersed nor subjected to; but they must believe in their own heart that He is Lord. If He is indeed Lord in your life then choose a president that is willing to serve all mankind not just the one that agrees with you for the moment, that is what has been done for the last eight years.