what's going to be different policy wise now that the democrats have the house & senate?
931040
Now that some of the Republicans out there have thrown in their "two cents" worth.... I'll try to give you a more comprehensible answer.\nTo tell you all the differences between the two parties would take pages, but I'll try to break down a little of it.\n\nBetter for Iraq?    Time will tell.  The major difference in regard to Iraq is that with the last election, Bush finally got the message that the people in this country are not agreeing with his "stay the course" philosophy.  The arrogant, swaggering "cowboy" is learning a little lesson in being open to other ideas than just his own (or Cheney's and Rumsfeld's).\nObviously, what's being done there right now, isn't working.  It's hoped that there will be some policy changes in Iraq now, to bring it to a speedy conclusion.\nThe only ones I have heard advocating a "cut and run" solution are the "left-wingers" (extremists of the Democratic Party).  The rest of us recognize that to do so would be disastorous to the region.  We do want to start a gradual pull-out, though, forcing the Iraqis to take a more active role in their own security and future.  And get this mistake resolved once and for all.\nWe went in there under-manned (according to military higher-ups), poorly equipped, with no exit strategies.\nThe three top men in our government, with no military experience between them, unless you count a few weeks in the National Guard, decided they knew best and wouldn't listen to the generals.  A lesson other countries should learn from.  As I write this....Daddy Bush is trying to rein in his wayward son now.\n\nAs far as America is concerned....the system of checks and balances is being restored.  For the last six years, the White House, Senate and Congress, were all controlled by the Republicans.  A one-party system.  Good for them, but bad for the country as a whole.\nThe worst that will happen is gridlock, as both sides battle with each other, and occassionally compromise.  But the downward momentum will be stopped.\n\nThe excessive taxation you hear some of them whine about, is nonsense.  That comes down to a fundamental difference between the two parties.  Republicans are all for keeping as much money for themselves as possible, while Democrats have a more giving nature and believe in helping one's fellow man.  Without making them totally dependent on you, of course.\nWill taxes be raised?   Hard to say.  Our credit-card generation doesn't seem to understand that SOMEONE has to pay the bills!\nI don't know where they think this money is coming from to pay for this war, and their representatives' "pork" projects.\nHopefully, this new congress and senate can cut back, or cut out, some of these projects....and rein in some of these people.  If not, it comes back down to....someone has to pay the bills.\n\nI could go on, but I've ranted long enough.  Sorry this is so long.  I felt I had to play counterpoint to a number of the responses above me.
469169
Political analysts seem to generally concur that this midterm is going to be especially bad for Republican candidates, although they differ considerably in their estimates of how bad exactly.  Some think that Democrats will only pick up a few especially weak seats (think DeWine, Chafee, and Santorum in the Senate, or Cunningham in the House) but remain relegated to the minority.  Others believe that general anger against the "culture of corruption" will produce a wave effect that may give the Democrats back the House and even (although more unlikely) the Senate.\n\nCalifornia, where I live, is an interesting situation.  First of all, it's huge, so it depends where you're talking about, specifically.  The coastal areas, which are heavily Democratic, are likely to remain so.  The Republican seats inland, with the exception of Cunningham (who was ousted after being charged with bribery), are also fairly safe, however, merely because our disricts are so gerrymandered - I believe that over 90% are considered to heavily favor one party or another.  California's senator up for re-election, is Dianne Feinstein, who is almost sure to win another term.  Governor Schwarzenegger is facing strong competition from two Democrats, Phil Angelides and Steve Westly, and preliminary polling indicates that either of the two, both largely unknown, would be able to defeat him - he lost a lot of goodwill after calling a special election.\n\nVirginia, I will openly admit to not knowing nearly as much about.  However, I do know that their former governer, Democrat Mark Warner (who is now eyeing a Presidential bid) was extremely popular, and helped to raise pro-Democratic sentiment there, leading to a surprisingly large win for their current Democratic governor, Tim Kaine.  All this suggests a growing shift to the left in Virginia, which could manifest itself in Republican losses in the House.  However, I'm not sure that it's enough to sweep out Allen, who is the Republican senator currently up for re-election.  He is facing a fairly strong candidate, but is still not considered to be one of the weakest candidates.  He is considering a presidential bid, though, which may eventually leave his seat open.\n\nI hope this was of some help! I didn't get any information from it, but if you're still interested, you might try looking at the Cook Political Report ( http://www.cookpolitical.com/ ), which is a non-partisan group of analysts.
706288
The Democrats used to be the ones with the huge voter drives, getting their people to the polls.  The Republicans have easily taken over the lead in this department.\n\nThis election will be fun to watch to see how the Democratic 'machine' responds.\n\nUmmm...I guess that means my answer is "I dunno".
750101
Specific sectors will benefit from coming policy changes and adjusted priorities.  A few sectors will suffer.\n \nBig pharma stocks have fallen with the sure knowledge that Democrats will push through provisions that permit medicare and other federal programs to negotiate lower prices for drugs and encourage the re-importation of drugs from Canada.  Sectors involved in alternative fuels will surly get a bump with the solid support for energy independence.  The old energy sector -- Exxon for one -- will take a hit with the certainty that obscene profits will be taxed as windfall profits and some of the Cheney energy policy advantages for big oil will be reversed.  \n\n(These are the prognostications from one who has lost plenty in the stock market.)
805980
i agree, but it's been a while since democrats have had control of congress. and don't forget they only control the house right now, it'll still be a while before all the votes for senate are counted and sorted out. here's to hoping for the senate!
986382
I don;t know if they will learn much...They have been this way for awhile. But now there can be a bit of a check and balance with the House...and hopefully in the Senate. Now the Dems. just have to get some stuff done and stick to what the have promised. The Presidential election in 08' has a lot riding on how the Dems do now. I love politics!!!
1098818
It will be in time for the Republicans to use it as a campaign tool.  They'll say, "We're bringing them home while the Democrats never came up with a plan."  All the while it was actually the Dems idea, the righties just took it after they shot it down.
827531
The only thing that will change since the Dem's won their fight are domestic issues. They haven't a plan to get out of Iraq either. They are soft on illegal immigration, the Patriot Act, and abortion. Having Nancy Pelosi, a notorious San Francisco liberal, Speaker of the House, is a disaster for America.
826835
"While majority Democrats will have the power to demand information from the White House and control the federal pursestrings, their constitutional ability to control defense and foreign policy issues will be limited. The president still commands the armed forces and oversees diplomatic dealings with other nations.\n\nFurther, even though Democrats will control the Senate, they will do so only by a narrow 51-49 margin. Democrats will lack the two-thirds majorities needed to override presidential vetoes and enact bills the White House might oppose, and the 60 votes needed to prevent Senate Republicans from filibustering legislation."\n\n\nThey may preach change, but they lack the power to enforce it.
845787
Democrats will take the house.\n\nAs for the Senate, it could be a tie!
791651
Look, the draft is still probably the only issue that will unite Americans against the party that pushes it through.  It becomes more complex with the Dems in charge in the House and Senate and a GOP president.  If they all agree to re-instating the draft, I think you will see an absolute revolt in main street America.  One thing is for sure, reinstating the draft (assuming House and Senate Republicans largely vote against it) will ensure that the Democrats only hold the House and Senate for 2 years.  In '08, there would be a big swing back to the GOP and probably a Democrat president.
949587
I am a Republican and I get it.  The people have spoken and democracy is the name of the game.  Not to take away from the Democrats' victories or anything, but I am afraid that people voted for "anything but the same ol' same ol'."  I still have yet to hear what the "new direction" is that the Democrats are planning to lead us in.  Quite frankly, I don't think the Republicans had a plan and I don't think the Democrats have a plan.  The Democrats now have control of the House back after 12 years.  It's a cycle, it always happens that way.  I am not one of those whining Republicans.  My congratulations to the winners all around!!
484990
You might want to take a look at who is in favor of what before you jump to conclusions.  Check your representatives' web pages on this issue.\n\nThe Republicans control the House that put out the stricter of the bills, for example.  It says nothing but protect the border and felonize illegal immigration.  The felony provision will drop out per the House majority leader, and I predict that some sort of path to citizenship will likely come in, but that is because of the Senate.
827612
It's ending right now. If the Democrats don't take a majority in both houses as predicted, they will certainly make gains. The pendulum is starting to swing the other way. Now all the Democrats need to do is nominate a strong presidential candidate who won't let himself (or herself) be defined by the Republicans.
300179
I believe the Democrats will pick up 10 or so congressional seats and 1-2 senate seats.  Republicans will still control Congress but the Senate will be deadlocked 50 -50 making it difficult for Republicans to push their agenda through. Watch for all Republicans to distance themselves from the President who will go from lame duck to dead duck. Republicans will start harping on Iraq and Democrats will try to take the lead on fighting terrorism and the economy and will be criticizing Republicans for a record deficit, high oil prices, poor Iraqi and Iran policies, and corruption. The Presidential hopefuls will all be trying to balance themselves On the fence --- in other words, politics as usual
940103
Impeachment starts in the House and ends in the Senate. The honey moon is over. Bush will veto anything Congress sends him except the confirmation of Gates. Also without the 2/3 vote in the Senate Congress is somewhat at a dis-advantage still. The repubs. will just filibuster any positive legislation, it's the only card they have to play. Democrats have no choice but to play the best card in the hand. The investigations will be greater than Nixon and Clinton added. BTW, how many Republicans are now looking for work?\nThey just lost the do nothing jobs in Government in every State.
920028
The Democrats will give the following:\n\nLack of secure borders and illegal immigration control\nEnglish as one of many language for this country\nIllegal aliens amnesty\nAnd reinstatement of the draft.....\n\nOHHH they are going to do wonders for this Country.....yea, right!!!