New York Times backs only Democrats

[Debbie]

From today's New York Times editorial:

On Tuesday, when this page runs the list of people it has endorsed for election, we will include no Republican Congressional candidates for the first time in our memory. Although Times editorials tend to agree with Democrats on national policy, we have proudly and consistently endorsed a long line of moderate Republicans, particularly for the House. Our only political loyalty is to making the two-party system as vital and responsible as possible.

....

This election is indeed about George W. Bush — and the Congressional majority’s insistence on protecting him from the consequences of his mistakes and misdeeds. Mr. Bush lost the popular vote in 2000 and proceeded to govern as if he had an enormous mandate. After he actually beat his opponent in 2004, he announced he now had real political capital and intended to spend it. We have seen the results. It is frightening to contemplate the new excesses he could concoct if he woke up next Wednesday and found that his party had maintained its hold on the House and Senate.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/05/opinion/05sun1.html

If anyone is wondering why there always seems to be important elections in the USA, it's because the American political system uses staggered terms of office. Every two years, a third of the Senate members and a third of the House members have their seats up for election. All members of Congress are appointed to terms of office of either 6 years (Senator), or 4 years (House of Reps Member). This means that America effectively has important national elections every two years.

 

[kilo39]

Thanks Debbie.

I hope the democrats kick their butts though I despair of a free election with the present scandals involving voter machines (which digg is full of.)

Bush essentially has power to do whatever he wants including locking up anybody he deems 'undesirable' and calling war on any he sees fit, including american citizens (without asking congress - to him he already has their permission.)

Read House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, Washington, DC. APRIL 6, 06 for a real eye opener.

Latest news: US Citizens to be Required ''Clearance'' to Leave USA

... and the endless list of scandals.

The bush government is out of control. My fervent wish is that GB would end up on the front line in Iraq but of course there is no hope of that.

Scumbags.

 

[bwana]

If anyone is wondering why there always seems to be important elections in the USA, it's because the American political system uses staggered terms of office. Every two years, a third of the Senate members and a third of the House members have their seats up for election. All members of Congress are appointed to terms of office of either 6 years (Senator), or 4 years (House of Reps Member). This means that America effectively has important national elections every two years.

Not a bad summary however its two yrs for a Congressman, not four, so the entire lower house faces re-election every two years.

You may have confused the four year term with that of the President?

 

[Debbie]

From your link kilo:

Mr. Nadler: Well, does the law permit us to send someone to another country without any due process, without a hearing before an administrative, an immigration judge or somebody? Just grab them off the street and put them on a plane, goodbye without--we've done that. Does the law permit us to do that? Do we claim that right?
Attorney General Gonzales: I'm not going to confirm that we've done that----
Mr. Nadler: Well, wait a minute. That was confirmed in court. There's no question it was done.

.

 

[Debbie]

Not a bad summary however its two yrs for a Congressman, not four, so the entire lower house faces re-election every two years.

You may have confused the four year term with that of the President?

My apologies Bwana, I thought House of Reps was 4 years.

So it's just the terms of the Senators which are staggered then, leading to a third of the Senator seats being up for re-election every two years, correct?

 

[bwana]

My apologies Bwana, I thought House of Reps was 4 years.

So it's just the terms of the Senators which are staggared then, leading to a third of the Senator seats being up for re-election every two years, correct?

Thats right Its also staggered in such a way the both Senatorial seats are never up for re-election at the same time.

 

[Debbie]

Ok, I see how that's good for continuity purposes.

Question: Do they work it so that State elections also happen in conjunction with national elections? Not only for local State legislature, but also for Governor? i.e. Are there any States currently also electing Governors?

 

[bwana]

Ok, I see how that's good for continuity purposes.

Question: Do they work it so that State elections also happen in conjunction with national elections? Not only for local State legislature, but also for Governor? i.e. Are there any States currently also electing Governors?

Yes - afaik they all have their general election on the same day* - which is Nov 7 this year. The date, for federal at least, is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

For a list of who's running for what and where have look here - http://www.nytimes.com/ref/washington/2006ELECTIONGUIDE.html

*EDIT - I was close

State elections

Elective offices of most U.S. states are also filled on Election Day, but different states choose different patterns; every odd numbered year, for at least some offices, is a popular choice. Most states now hold elections for governors in those even-numbered years when there is not a presidential election, in part to stimulate a higher voter turnout for "off-year" Congressional elections.

Local elections

Elective offices of municipalities, counties (in most states), and other local entities (such school boards and other special-purpose districts) have their elections subject to rules of their state, and in some states, they vary according to choices of the jurisdiction in question. (For instance, in Connecticut, all towns, cities, and boroughs hold elections in every odd-numbered year, but as of 2004, 16 have them on the first Monday in May, while the other 153 are on Election Day.)

 

[Debbie]

Great map they have there - does all the mental legwork for you!

Wow, ok, so plenty of Governors also up for defeat/re-election then.

I'll be watching the elections on CNN etc through the night I expect. The American system is not perfect - no system is - but they seem to be the most successful at this 'democracy' thing, so I figure we South Africans could maybe learn a thing or two

Unfortunately, I will be without internet access :/ <damn damn damn damn! >

 

[jarr]

don't know if all of this is correct (see the note at the top of the page) but here's some more info on the federal government