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Bush caught in bushfire as Democrats savour their victory
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Bush caught in bushfire as Democrats savour their victory
Democrats swept Republicans from power in the US House of Representatives and moved to the brink of capturing the Senate, where their final victory could be delayed by a possible recount in Virginia.
Democrats rolled up gains of about 30 seats in the House , riding to a huge victory on a wave of public discontent with the Iraq war, corruption and Republican President George W. Bush’s leadership.
In a setback to Bush and Republicans, Democrats picked up four of the six Senate seats they needed for a majority and led in races for the other two, in Montana and Virginia, threatening to take control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in 12 years. A potential recount and possible legal challenges in Virginia could delay the final result, dredging up memories of the 2000 presidential election recount that lasted five weeks.
Virginia Democrat James Webb had an 8,000-vote advantage over Republican Senator George Allen out of more than 2 million cast. A recount could stretch into December, leaving Senate control uncertain. In Montana, Democrat Jon Tester also held a narrow lead on Republican Senator Conrad Burns, but a final result was not expected until later yesterday.
The narrow governing majorities in Congress, especially the Senate, were almost certain to spawn more partisan gridlock and political warfare during Bush's final two years in the White House. Bush scheduled a news conference to discuss the results. Democratic control of the House will make outspoken liberal Republican Nancy Pelosi the first female speaker and could slam the brakes on much of Bush’s agenda and increase pressure for a change of course in Iraq.
“Tonight is a great victory for the American people,” Pelosi told a Democratic rally on Capitol Hill. “Today the American people voted for change, and they voted for Democrats to take our country in a new direction.”
All 435 House seats, 33 of the 100 Senate seats and 36 of the 50 governorships were at stake. Democratic Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton sailed to an easy re-election win in New York, setting up a likely 2008 presidential run.
Democrats also scored big wins in governors’ races, taking six seats from Republicans and winning a national majority that could give them an edge in the 2008 presidential election. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger rolled to easy re-election. In ballot initiatives on social issues, voters in seven states rejected same sex-marriage, providing one of the few bright spots for conservative Republicans in otherwise disappointing elections.
The Democratic sweep in the House reached deep into Republican bastions like Indiana, where three incumbents lost, and Kansas, where incumbent Republican Jim Ryun was defeated.“We’re finally beginning to become a national party again after 12 years,” said Democratic Party chief Howard Dean, who has worked to build up party operations in all 50 states.
The Democratic victory in the mid-term elections gives the party control of House legislative committees that could investigate the Bush administration’s most controversial decisions on foreign, military and energy policy.
Democrats have promised votes on much of their agenda within the first 100 hours of taking House power, including new ethics rules, a rise in the minimum wage, reduced subsidies to the oil industry and improvements in border and port securit. Early exit polls showed voters disapproved of the war in Iraq by a large margin, but voters said corruption and ethics were more important to their vote, CNN said.
History was with the Democrats – the party holding the White House traditionally loses seats in a president’s sixth year.
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<B>Hillary Clinton re-elected amid presidential talk</B>
Former first lady said in a victory speech after defeating Republican challenger John Spencer. Clinton had been expected to win easily, having outpolled Spencer. Her second Senate term in hand, Clinton now faces widespread speculation that she will pursue higher political office. Prior to Election Day, Clinton insisted she was concentrating on her re-election campaign and had not made a decision on a White House bid.
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Profile : Nancy Pelosi</B>
Following major Democratic gains in the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi stands to become the first woman to serve as US speaker Widely respected for her organisational and fund-raising skills, Pelosi has a low public profile compared with the Democrats’ other female big-hitter, Hillary Clinton. But her position as representative for a liberal San Francisco district means her promotion from House Minority Leader is bound to attract controversy.
The Republicans have already sought to play on conservative voters’ fears by portraying her as the embodiment of everything they dislike most about the Democrats, with campaign ads suggesting she will raise taxes, help illegal immigrants and back same-sex marriage. For many within her party she represents a new hope that Democrats can make their mark after a decade on the fringes of power.
Arnie holds on to California</B>
With a second term ensured, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger plans to use the next four years to showcase California as a one-of-a-kind model of bipartisan cooperation – and to forge a legacy that will be a springboard for his next political move. Demonstrating that government can rise above partisanship and be an effective force for improving lives will be the centerpiece of Schwarzenegger’s next term, say those who work closely with him. It is a message the governor believes will resonate down the road.
Aides said he may run for the US Senate against Barbara Boxer, a Democrat who is planning a reelection bid in 2010.
South Dakota rejects abortion ban </B>
Voters in South Dakotans have rejected a near-total ban on abortion, in one of the highest profile state referendums taking place alongside the US polls.
Voters rejected the ban signed into law in March but not yet in effect.
In several states, voters rejected gay marriage, by limiting marriage to unions between a man and woman.
There were 205 various referendums in 37 states. The referendums,known as ballot measures, are proposed state laws that must be decided by voters. Tobacco and smoking taxes, property rights and minimum wage levels were also big issues put to the vote.
Black Democrat makes history</B>
Democrat Deval Patrick, a former top US civil-rights enforcer, was elected governor of Massachusetts, becoming the second black ever elected to lead a US state. Breaking a 16-year Republican hold on the office in the liberal state, Patrick won 55 percent of the vote to beat Republican Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey by 15 points. Two other black candidates, Kenneth Blackwell in Ohio and Lynn Swann in Pennsylvania, lost bids for governor as Republicans.
“This was not a victory just for Democrats. This was a victory for hope,” Patrick, 50, told cheering supporters.
<B>First Muslim congressman elected </B>
Keith Ellison, a Democrat, has become the first Muslim to be elected to the US Congress by winning a Minnesota seat in the House of Representatives.
He overcame personal attacks emphasising his past association with Louis Farrakhan, leader of the radical Nation of Islam group. The 43-year-old lawyer sought to downplay his religion and ran on a populist platform. He has called for the immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. On the campaign trail, he also urged a greater reliance on renewable fuels and the establishment of a government-funded universal healthcare system. “Tonight, we made history,” Ellison said in a victory speech to supporters. “We won a key election, but we did much more than that.”
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