What are the Americans voting for this week--A new president?

Answer 1

No, we are not voting for president. The president's term is 4 years, and the last presidential election was in 2004. (That's why this election is called a mid-term election, being halfway into the current president's current term.)

Terms for members of the House of Representatives are 2 years, so all members are up for re-election every two years.

One third of all Senators are also up for re-election every two terms (that way, no more than 1/3 are new in any given election year).

The mid-term elections are also when governors are up for election (they have 4 year terms, too).

Similarly, members of the various state legislatures are up for re-election, as are a lot of even more local candidates, such as school boards, judges (in some states), county supervisors (in some states), and others.

Also, some states have propositions, which is to say laws that are directly voted on by the electorate.

The reason this election is being seen as being about Bush is that party politics tends to rule our elections. There's a good chance that the president's party (Republicans) will lose the control they've had over Congress. If Democrats take control of Congress, they may be able to stop Bush from continuing at least some of his policies.

They probably won't be able to do much good, since Bush would veto any good they try to do, and they won't have enough votes to over-ride his vetoes.

But at least Bush will no longer have a blank check, as it were, to commit every atrocity that comes into his empty skull; he will, for a change, have to deal with people who disagree with him.

Answer 2

That's what makes this election such a joke -- the liberals are bashing Bush left and right, and he's not even up for election today! The next Presidential election will be in 2008. So why, do you ask, are the liberals doing this? Simple. It's a smear campaign, nothing more. They're portraying all conservatives as fascist supporters of big business and big oil companies, hoping the American public will shy away from them (you know, the whole "guilt by association" thing). To answer your question: This year's election involves the House of Representatives and the Senate, and in some states it also involves election of Governors. It's an important election because the conservatives control the House and the Senate right now, but if the Republican candidates lose enough elections that could change. The Democrats are hoping for a landslide but they're not going to get it. They may gain a few seats here and there, but it's not going to be the blowout the mainstream liberal media is alluding to...

Answer 3

we wish we could vote for a new president right now. Unfortunately, we have to wait two more years for that opportunity. Today we are voting to determine whether Congress remains controlled by the Republicans. Unfortunately most Americans don't even get to decide that, because Congressional districts are mostly gerrymandered in favor of the incumbent. But enough Republican seats are in jeopardy that the Democrats are likely to take control of the House, and possibly the Senate as well.

Answer 4

Elections this year are for propositions, Governors, Senators and local government & initiatives.

The presidential election is not until 2008.

I am counting the days till Bush leaves office.

Answer 5

In my state:

Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
State Comptroller
several state Judicial positions
some other State offices

1 US Senator
2 US Representatives

Answer 6

They are voting for survivor and american idol finalists.

Answer 7

oh my god. this is a joke right?

Answer 8

i wish!