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Democrats could miss their 'super-majority'
Paul Thompson in Miami5 Nov 2008
THE Democrats made a series of gains in the Senate elections but seemed certain to fall short of the "super-majority" they were hoping for.
The party had hoped to achieve 60 of the 100 seats in the upper house of the American legislature, which would have prevented Republicans "filibustering" their legislative proposals.
With most results in, Barack Obama's party had picked up at least five new seats taking them to 56 but they appeared unlikely to gain the full complement of 60 they were hoping for.
Elections were still undecided in Minnesota, Oregon and Alaska, with the hope among Democrats that they could win as many as 59 seats and at least 57 - the number they held in 1993-94 under Bill Clinton.
The Republicans lost New Hampshire and North Carolina, where two sitting senators were voted out, as well as seats in Virginia, Colorado and New Mexico left vacant by retiring Republicans.
Among the defeated Republicans was Elizabeth Dole whose husband failed in a presidential bid in 1994.
Even without the 60-seat super-majority the Democrats believe they can get through the vast majority of Mr Obama's legislation.
The Senate is much less partisan than the lower House of Representatives and independent-minded Republicans are unlikely to stand in the way of a president elected on a wave of popular support. Mr McCain's pledge of loyalty to the new president is also likely to sway opinion.
Reader views (3)
Although I am no fan of Barrack Obama, to call what is happening in the US, Marxism shows a high degree of ignorance and stupidity. I suggest you read the works of Marx before making stupid comments (know your enemy)
- Andrew, zurich, Switzerland, 05/11/2008 16:06
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"a full-blown Marxist takeover" - I don't know which is worse, the politically-ignorant delusions bordering on paranoia, or a very sore Republican loser.
- Austen, London, 05/11/2008 12:47
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Republicans who support Marxist proposals will be defeated when they stand for election again. The failure of Democrats (now, the Marxist party in the US) to attain their filibuster-proof Senate is the only impediment to policies designed to destroy the US capitalist system. Given the disgraceful state of US public education and the complete lack of journalistic standards, the only defense against a full-blown Marxist takeover of the US government will be Senators who stand up to the legislative agenda of the Marxists who have come to power.
Europe had better realize that this new regime has no intention of providing US support for freedom anywhere on the planet. Europe will benefit from the further destruction of the US economy through renewed bans on drilling for oil and gas, skyrocketing costs for fuel and electricity, and a tax scheme that will through the US into a full blown depression.
Hang on to your hats.
- R. D. Webster, Vero Beach, FL, United States, 05/11/2008 10:19
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