I am not a fan of politics, nor do I understand it. But I have really been trying to understand the last two election processes. I want it to change. And I am fully aware of the fact that my vote does count. It counted in the 2004 election and in this election.
When I found out that a few people that I knew did not vote. I was disappointed. Their excuses were:
- *shrugs* no answer
- it’s getting too dirty
(that I agree with, but I just ignored most of the political slandering) - I forgot to send in for my absentee ballot
(I think this is almost reasonable, but then again….can’t always make excuses) - I don’t really care
(or do you really mean you don’t understand what is going on?)
In all honesty, it is a challenge trying to understand what each candidate is for and against. So this year, I actually did my research. I found out about their issues and I made my decision based on that. It didn’t take much time at all to Google their names and go to their websites. Viola! There’s your information.
I only did my research on the Senators and Governors. Yes, there’s so much more, but that’s when it got overwhelming. and I really didn’t want to bother (maybe that’s apathetic) But I did vote.
I’ve been interested in this year’s election because I think it will bring huge changes. America is finally stepping up and saying, we want to change this country. I was fascinated by CNN website that showed us how states are divided in their political party voting and affiliation.
I have always perceived Maryland as a Democratic state. But in reality, most of Maryland is a Republican state. However, Maryland has now elected a Democrat governor, Martin O’ Malley, as well as a Democrat Senator, Ben Cardin. Both races were tight, but the Democrats won.
Montana and Virigina are the two states that everyone’s waiting on so they can find out whether or not the Democrats have taken over the United States Senate. Montana’s candidates were Tester (D) and Burns (R). From reports–Tester won by just 3,000 votes. Based on the charts, Montana’s a strong Republican state.
Based on the close votes, we can safely say that your vote does count.
Virginia is the last state that has not produced official election results. The CNN.com map of Virginia is mostly Republican, yet this is one incredibly close election. Webb (D) and Allen (R) are separated by approximately 7,000 votes.
If Webb wins this election, then the Democrats will have the majority of both the House and Senate. If Webb does not win, then the Senate will be split down the middle.
What will the outcome of this election be? What kind of changes will be made? Will we start pulling our troops out of Iraq? Will the Democrats and Republicans be able to work together to improve our country?
I think what needs to happen is the Democrats and Republicans need to come together and figure out:
- What is going to happen in this country?
- What kind of changes need to be made?
And by doing that, they need to put aside their beliefs and figure out what will work for the United States,. They need to realize that the changes to our country will also impact the rest of the world. I hope this works out for the best.
Our next step– who is going to be the next U.S. president in 2008?
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19 Comments
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This is the first year I’ve ever voted (I’m 27, so I’ve missed quite a few). I guess living in NY it was a pain and I didn’t think it mattered much, since I’m a democrat and NY is very blue. Then I was moving around every few years, I missed NJ somehow, and I never did register in MD. Now I am in VA, and I was registered when I changed my drivers license. So I went and voted. It was quite painless, and I’m pleased that I (hopefully) made a difference.
The Election 2006 was an interesting reflection of the “overstressed’ and “misdirected” American society since the horrors of the War Between States (Civil War).
Too bad, our American voting system have to undergo major reforms like extending the voting day to one week for giving consitutents more time to cast their ballots like their European counterparts. Why didn’t the federal government mandae the issuing of national cards as our Voter ID?
I was horrified to learn about the lax of enforcement within the VA voting system yesterday afternoon. I was not required to write my signature for verification purpose or prevent any kind of voting fraud. I somewhat questioned the decency of Virginia voting system. Look at the Loudon County’s absentee ballots on Senator George Allen and Challenger Jim Webb. 2,200 for Allen and 2,300 for Webb. How can the possibility of even numbers occured for absentee ballots within this growing county (VA)?
I personally witnessed how DIRTY the Allen (George Allen) campaign team was at the local Leagues of Voters forum at the Arlington County library. The Allen people consistenly stood around the table with campaign flyers and brochures to keep other people from checking out and taking the opponent’s campaign materials.
I had to snap and told the Allen people to get h** out of the way. The volunteers within the League of Voters stood beside and applauded my gutsy move to tell the Allen people stop undermining our rights to the choice of our candidate and examine all campaign materials. The Allen people were really dumbfounded by my bold moves. Another hearing blogger got in real trouble with the Allen people few weeks later which many of us already seen on local TV newsreporting. The Allen people done everything in their power to get his man elected at all costs. I was not really impressed with Jim Webb at all.
I absolutely AGREE with President GWB (Bush) that the outcome of voting results were not largely about the Iraq War. How true! No questions about the majority of Americans question the quality and effectiveness of GWB’s leadership itself on the “War on Terror” and possiblity of deeper cuts on entitlement programs.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
Could you, Erin, please kindly give me some specific and examples of why you believe that Maryland is really the Republican state, not the heavily Democratic?
The official reportings of Maryland being the Democratic state coming from the statistical information on voter registration itself. Nothing to do with the political spectrum of Marylanders!
No questions about some regional area in Maryland to be politically conservative like the Western Maryland and Eastern Shore. The people of Western Maryland are for the heavy government handouts, but socially conservative on liberal issues. Not all the people in Western Maryland being socially conservative.
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
I’m aware that Maryland is a democratic state, but when you look at the map of Maryland– on the CNN website (when they were showing how the counties were represented). The map shows that almost all the counties are red (republican) with the exception of the dense counties close to DC are dominately Democratic.
The irony of this is: I’ve always felt that Montgomery County is a strict county. Seeing as I grew up in Frederick, MD & I see so many changes constantly (mainly because there are not as many laws & regulations to go through). Montgomery County– the changes are much more slow & the laws are STRICT here, yet it’s a Democratic county. That’s where I think it’s ironic, how it’s a dominately Democrats.
I meant to add that I see Maryland as a liberal republican state or should I say, conservative democratic state? However way it goes, I see Maryland as one of the few that do have the Republicans and Democrats working together.
As for the governor races, I always perceived Erlich as a liberal Republican because I do feel that he did do some good while he was in office. Hopefully O’Malley will continue on to making good changes in Maryland, seeing as O’Malley has improved Baltimore quite a bit since being Mayor of Baltimore.
Many thanks for clarifying on your observation why you and Lonely Deaf Republican have seen Maryland as a true Republican state.
I learned something from both of you! *grin*
From what both of you espouse about the large picture of political leanings within the state of Maryland to be wholly true.
I have not checked out the total statistical datas out of Maryland’s General Election 2006 voting tendency yet.
Thanks again for sharing such information with all of us!
Robert L. Mason (RLM)
Saying Maryland is a Republican state is like saying Massachussetts is a Republican state because it had Republican governors for almost fifteen years.
Most of Maryland’s counties are actually Republican, but the more densely populated counties closer to DC are Democratic. So you can interpret it however you want.
Those counties are rural, and the same goes for Massachussetts. The rural areas there lean Republican, and the urban areas Democratic.
Who do I want for Pres in 2008? Someone who will make sure that terrorists do not get to fight us on our soil.
Who’s going to be the next U.S. President in 2008? Well, how about Hillary Clinton? Anybody fancy her?
IF the nominee is Hillary, you can bet your last silver dollar that whoever is the Republican nominee, unless it’s that ****, Condi, will be the winner in a landslide. Hillary is a complete tool who thinks that she deserves to be President even though she has done nothing. Her marriage to Clinton and her non-achievements in the Senate don’t merit her the title of “Madam President.”
Barack Obama or General Wesley Clark!
I would definitely root for Barack Obama. I was in awe of his speech during the 2004 Democratic National Conference. It was the first time I heard about him and the thought crossed my mind about him being a president material.
Gore/Feingold
Gore/Clark
(I know. Al probably won’t run agan, and I don’t blame him)
Clark/Obama
Feingold/Obama
And as for Hillary, I’m not really crazy about her. I don’t think she has a chance in h*ll of winning an presidental election because there is so much bile out there against her. That, and I’m tired of the Clintons.
But if there was a woman out there I’d vote for as President, hmm, let me think..
Olympia Snowe…
Nancy Pelosi (?)
who else?
As long as none of the candidates are in any way affiliated with the dirty Bushes and his friends. :)
Noelle said that Maryland had Republican governors for almost 15 years.
It is not correct. In fact, Maryland had been solid Democrat governors since 1968. In 2002, finally Enrlich became the first Republican governor.
However he tried to get re-elected but he lost.
Do you want to know who was the last Republican governor of MD in 1968?
It was Spiro Agnew who decided to resign his governor position in order to become nominated for the US Vice President position with Richard Nixon. They barely won the US presidential election to defeat Herbert Humphey as called ‘HHH’, who used to be the US Vice President serving under LBJ. In 1972, VP Spiro Agnew forced to resign due to his tax evasion problems. Gerald Ford took over VP position until 1974, he became President after Richard Nixon resigned
I often wonder if Spiro Agnew does not get his tax evasion problems, he could become the first Greek desendent president but it never happened.
Maryland - Kathleen Kennedy Townsend in 2002 was the Democratic Candidate for Governor. She was the Lt. Governor at that time. She ran a sloppy and lousy campaign and that coupled with the poor job by Glendening - the previous governor - led to Ehrlich’s election (barely won). This time - strong Dem candidate so O’Malley won.
Trend nationwide is for divided government. Oklahoma is a strong red state and yet reelected their Democratic governor. Arizona the same - Colorado, etc. However, Maryland remains a strong blue state with conservative and liberal Democrats mixed together with areas of republicanism.
One other thing:
The Youth vote was dramatically up this year. Turnout was high - there may have been people who did not vote but the percentage was higher this year for a mid-term election and that was because the issues were more national in nature.
I would have to admit that if Hillary does become president, I’d pack my bags and move to DC. Work as her aide for free long as I can have a cot in the office and access to the white house kitchen. She is one powerful woman and I’d hate to miss out on the experience.
Obama - he is very very promising but he needs a few years on him. He’s young.
There’s many other names but see what happens next year when campaign season is underway.
I hope this is a good lesson for people who didn’t think their vote would count. I hate researching on local politics especially in NYC. Too. Many. People. To . Vote. For. on city, county, state, and federal levels. I feel winded thinking about it.
Nancy Pelosi - I’m watching you.