I'd like to know what this "New Direction" the Dems have planned is?
953684
I don't know what that direction is but even though I did not vote democrat I am glad the Republicans lost and I will tell you why, they had become too complacent and not follow through on what they had promise they remind of a sports team that is ahead by 19 points in the fourth quarter and end up losing by a point and after the contest one ask why didn’t the team that was ahead by 19 points keep playing like they did for the first 3 quarters instead of playing prevent defense for the last quarter. This might be the kick they need to set a agenda like they did with the contract with America so the American people can have a clear choice and actually have something to vote for and hopefully this time stick to their agenda.
1176242
Republican Senators and even Kennedy are hinting they would compromise with a 'close border first then do the rest' approach they previously rejected.  However, what exactly that means isn't clear.  They do seem to be changing their position at least slightly, however.
860679
I really think we will see a virtual stalemate for the next 2 years and I do not believe it will be because of the Republicans. Many of the Democrat leadership are beholding to the far left, but many of the newly elected Democrats are much more moderate. Personally I think what you will see is a lot of Democrat infighting, especially if the remaining Republicans stand up for traditional conservative principles. The one area where I am very worried is on the illegal immigration front. I think there is a definite chance that they will try to pass the Kennedy/McCain immigration bill from the Senate. The stumbling block before was the House, but that block has been removed and if it makes it to the President' desk he will sign it because it is exactly what he has wanted all along.
672209
I think the Dems are losing now and will continue to lose until they can come up with a way to define their party.  And until they can produce a good, strong, likable, trustworthy candidate.
948606
Tell it to democrats.
696345
I don't know about that, but I do know that the dems will now be forced to work WITH the president instead of just shooting off their mouths. Since they have the majority, if nothing gets done, it WILL be blamed on them. They can't simply obstruct any longer.
697767
Yes. It is time for a real change...it is time to let the Democrats play offense.  Here is their agenda and it is time we need these changes to take effect in our country....\nHonest Leadership & Open Government\nDemocrats will end the Republican culture of corruption and restore a government as good as the people it serves.\n\nReal Security & A New Direction in Iraq \nDemocrats want to protect Americans at home and lead the world by telling the truth to our troops, our citizens and our allies, and we will heed the advice of our commanders on the ground and force a change in the failed Republican strategy in Iraq.\n\nEnergy Independence & Lower Gas Prices\nDemocrats want to create a cleaner, greener and stronger America by reducing our dependence on foreign oil, eliminating billions in subsidies for oil and gas companies and developing energy alternatives.\n\nMore Jobs, Better Pay & College Access for Everyone\nDems. will create jobs that stay in America, raise the minimum wage, and open the doors to college for every American. \n\nHealthcare that Works for Everyone & Life-Saving Cures\nDemocrats have made it clear that they want to join 36 other industrialized nations in making sure everyone has access to affordable health care, and we will make decisions to invest in stem cell and other medical research based on science, not politics.\n\nRetirement Security\nLastly, the Democrats will ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of every single American, starting with protecting workers' pensions expanding saving incentives and preventing the privatization of social security.
706779
Well TJ (can I call you TJ?), I honestly do not think much will change. Sure, the Dems now have the House, and apparently the Senate too... but that Senate Majority is SLIM! When you look at the fact that there are several conservative Dems like Joe Lieberman that will side with the Repubs on the War on Terror, I suspect we'll get more of the same. There will be some change in strategy as Bush got a lesson from the election but he's not the type to cave and fold under pressure either. We'll continue in Iraq but may reassess our strategy (which I, as a Repub, agree we need).
763556
Most people voted for "change". That is what the Dem's promised... The question is What change..  The economy- Best its ever been\nUnemployment-Lowest its ever been\nTax breaks-Dem's promise to increase taxes\n  We will have to wait and see what "change" is , good or bad it was never explained just promised..
941572
Good pun! However, I think that Pelosi's 'new direction' will be to veer hard left, and lead the country towards a socialist ''paradise' with the limosine liberals in charge of everything.
715455
There's already been a rift in the GOP, between the moderates and extreme right-wingnuts.  The latter of which, calling moderates "RINOS", for Republicans In Name Only.  The general insider scoop says this has backfired, as many alienated moderates swung towards Democrats.  \n\nAs for the Dems, it's been argued that had they stuck to a more liberal agenda in the first place, they'd have made stronger gains.  Instead, in the wake of 9-11, they became complacent and unwilling to challenge the President's stance lest they be labeled unpatriotic or "sympathetic to terrorists".  The rhetoric heaped on any possible form of dissent was incredible.  Some still survives to this day, though in wake of Bush's bungled record on Iraq, homeland security, and foreign relations, his critics have become more vocal.  \n\nMy gist is this -- moderate left can work, but so can "liberal left".  The sway of the pendulum indicates that after six years of ultra-conservative rule by the Bush administration, people are open to a new course.  Modest for now, but still tracking to the left.  Give it a couple more years.  This should be a good fireworks show........
506806
How about E...f u c k the republicans and f u c k the democrats.  Hopefully some new party will emerge in that time that takes the baseline consevative look with a feel for liberal change.  All I know is I'm voting for S.B. Squarepants, Esq. again...he'd do a better job that any constituent backed monkey puppet that runs.
852907
I've already heard mention that some investigation of Bush's conduct in office will probably be instituted in the future. Right now the Dems are savoring their win and will proceed slowly at first. Don't look for too much rhetoric about this investigation until after the Dems take control in January. We still have two months of a lame duck Republican congress to endure.
1009525
get spending back under control, clean up shady lobbying in DC, put together a true military plan that solves the problem rather than making it worse. they'd have the national guard at home and not in iraq so they could deal with katrina issues and/or temporarily help out on the border. all in all there's alot different, and more effective, that dems would do when they take charge. and btw, they'd educate the future workforce, our children.
277899
For better or worse, it'll still be a Republican. Admit it or not, the Dems STILL don't have a PLAN for anything of substance. That's the prime failing that will keep them out of the White House for another decade or more. \n\nIf whining were votes, they'd have been in a long time ago.
1097598
The democratic party is defeating themselves by moving to the socialist party.\n\nNo on in the USA wants that at all!!!!
984375
This is speech from Nancy Pelosi, who will be the new Speaker of the House. Just to give you an idea of some of the changes I hope we'll be seeing in the near future. I included the whole speech. I hesitate to call it the democratic agenda, but rather a step forward. Instead of the two steps back we've been taking for the last 6 years.\n\nIn 100 hours, the top five oil companies will take in $4.3 billion in profits.\n\nIn 100 hours, $1.1 billion will be spent on the war in Iraq.\n\nIn 100 hours, the public debt will grow by $4.9 billion.\n\nIn 100 hours, the top 10 pharmaceutical companies will gain $2.6 billion in profits.\n\nIn 100 hours, the top CEOs will earn an average of $2 million each.\n\nIn 100 hours, a minimum wage worker working 8 hours a day will earn $171.67.\n\nAnd if all goes as expected, in less than 100 hours my sixth grandchild will be born.\n\nI want my grandchild to be born into an America where government is for and by the people. I want my grandchild to be born into an America that rewards and values hard work. I want my grandchild to be born into an America where you are not labeled a terrorist coddler when you honor the Constitution.\n\nI want my grandchild to be born into an America where if the U.S. Central Command judges the situation in Iraq to be near chaos, with "violence at all-time high, spreading geographically", if the top intelligence agencies tell you that the war in Iraq is inspiring the very terrorism it was purported to prevent, and if four highly respected military newspapers say of the Secretary of Defense that "his strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised...[he] must go" that you fire your Secretary of Defense and change the course.\n\nI want my grandchild to be born into an America whose government honors its duty for accountability and oversight.\n\nI want my grandchild to be born into an America that inspires innovation, that leads with dignity and diplomacy, that rejects fear mongering, and whose leaders start each day remembering that the Constitution begins with the simple but revolutionary phrase "We the people," which announced to the world that here, the people rule.\n\nIf you honor Democratic candidates with your vote today, in the first hundred hours of a Democratic Congress: We will restore civility, integrity, and fiscal responsibility to the House of Representatives. We will start by cleaning up Congress, breaking the link between lobbyists and legislation and commit to pay-as-you-go, no new deficit spending.\n\nWe will make our nation safer and we will begin by implementing the recommendations of the independent, bipartisan 9/11 Commission.\n\nWe will make our economy fairer, and we will begin by raising the minimum wage. We will not pass a pay raise for Congress until there is an increase in the minimum wage.\n\nWe will make health care more affordable for all Americans, and we will begin by fixing the Medicare prescription drug program, putting seniors first by negotiating lower drug prices. We will also promote stem cell research to offer real hope to the millions of American families who suffer from devastating diseases.\n\nWe will broaden college opportunity, and we will begin by cutting interest rates for student loans in half.\n\nWe will energize America by achieving energy independence, and we will begin by rolling back the multi-billion dollar subsidies for Big Oil.\n\nWe will guarantee a dignified retirement, and we will begin by fighting any attempt to privatize Social Security.\n\nI say this as a grandmother (of almost six) and as the Democratic Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.