what is the potential political impact of the new congress after Tuesday's election ?

Answer 1

Bush will discover the word veto . No one told him about it yet and when they do he will use it a lot .

Answer 2

A very FAR reaching question. If the democrats control one or more houses of congress, (senate and/or house of representatives), president Bush and the republicans as a political force, (at least for the next two years) are done. If that happens, and the democrats are SMART, they will not seek revenge for 6 years of abuse at the hands of the republicans, but will work with moderates to further the democratic agenda. If they are vengeful, little or nothing will get done in congress, there will be accusations of partisan politics against both sides, and the voters will likely vote the republicans back in after the 2008 elections. The democrats in power would mean a drastic change in the course of the Iraq war, most likely with a timetable of withdrawl of U.S. troop. Social issues like Medicare, perscription drugs, universal health care, education, and social security will be the main focus of the democratic agenda, IF they don't seek revenge. With Bush/Cheney still in the Whitehouse for the next two years, progress on those issues is limited.
A partial or total repeal of the "Patriot Act" might be in the works with the democrats in charge, but a presidential veto is assured. Donald Rumsfield would almost certainly be asked to resign by a democratic congress, but I doubt he would. They would literally have to throw him out. Though the democrats would love to impeach Bush, the negative backlash from the Clinton impeachment would likely keep them from doing so. For at least the next two years, not much will change. IF the democrats win the Whitehouse in '08, and have the majority in both houses at that time, THEN you might see some DRAMATIC changes in the political landscape. My guess (and fear) is that the republicans will win in '08, especially against Hillary Clinton, or Obama (D) of Ill.... Kerry is finished, Edwards is a long shot, Wesley Clark is an "also ran" Dean lacks creditability in knowelage of foriegn affairs, and there have been no real qualified contenders at this stage of the political process.

Answer 3

The Democrats may soon become aware that they have won the battle but lost the war. If they control Congress during the last two years of the Bush presidency, things could go badly with the economy when the tax cuts expire and the country's mixed messages give encouragement to our enemies. It is quite possible that a Democrat victory this year may spoil any chances they might have for taking the White House in 2008.

Politically, this mid-term election could change the course of history. However, it would be unwise to underestimate the power of either party to gain or lose power through dumb luck or absolute blunders.

Answer 4

If Nancy Pelosi becomes Speaker of The House, it could be a big problem for America. She's a true "Bleeding Heart" liberal.

Also, if the Democrats win a majority in either House of Congress, you should expect more crippling restrictions and "hand tying" in the war on terror.

Your taxes may go up, too.

Answer 5

Who Knows for sure? I think this might be good for Bush like the republicans taking over congress was good for Clinton. It will force both parties to work together, and hopefully get something done. This congress has the nickname, "do nothing" for a reason. They need to rememeber who they work for.

Answer 6

Not much, the president can veto their bills. They can run investigations that go nowhere and tie up everything.

The most serious consequence is some of the tax cuts have a sunset clause and require congressional action to remain in place. So they can raise taxes by doing nothing.

Answer 7

The news media will suddenly become quiet, while the new Demo's draft fresh new socialist programs behind de-facto closed doors.... The reasons for immediate tax increasses will bring tears to our eyes, and the phoney Limbaugh prosecutions will resume....

Business as usual.

Answer 8

You are assuming dems win majority? First off if they don't win, there will be lawsuits to protest their losses. If they do win (which they should based on historical averages), then we will get higher taxes on the productive middle class workers, legalize partial birth abortion, surrender to Iraq and anyone else who wants war, economic recession and stock market failure, impeachment proceedings, and all the while the liberal media will blame Bush for anything that isn't working, which is nothing new.

Answer 9

and steve, dont forget the supreme court nominees. we will not get a good constitutional judge on the bench. they will block everyone pick of the president. its what they do best, obstruction. the only way they have been able to do anything is legislate from the bench; stevens, ginsburg, souter and kenndy. the ones who use euro law to interpret the constitution. its disgusting!

and truth, if you think spending is bad now, wait and see what the democrats will do!

Answer 10

Bush & team are going to answer a lot of inconvenient questions.
like , what happened to the reconstruction in Iraq , where the money went , why went to iraq on lies and Why he wont pullout even when he admits mistakes in intelligence leading to the invasion.
If he got a plan for Iraq? When will he feel the mission is accomplished . etc etc..

Answer 11

Historically, the impact will be negible as it always has been when a party comes in with a 'negative' agenda.