Elections - Comparing 1994 & 2006

I wrote this just before the 1998 Congressional Election. Now that we are facing the 2006 Congressional Election, I find it interesting to look back 8 years ago and see the paralels to the modern day. Are we facing another realignment (the last one taking place in 1994)? I stated, and I still stand-by that premise, that a realignment cannot me observed over two elections. The Republican grip on Congress has been slipping, especially with the War in Iraq. Looking back, the election of 1994 was a realignment -- Bush was elected in 2000 and the Republicans have had control of the House and Senate ever since getting it in 1994. But also looking back we see that my conclusion still holds:

"One other major factor is for the Democrats [to] show how they could run America better. Even if the Republicans are not running America well, if the Democrats do not show how they can run it better most people would stay with the current Congress...Whoever wants to win this election should show how they can make America better."

We will see next month.

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AP Government and Politics
4^th Period
Mr. Behrend
10/26/98
Village Christian

Elections Essay

The 1994 election alone cannot indicate the beginning of a critical electoral realignment. Because of the many factors involved (campaign money, low voter turnout, etc.), a single election or even two elections cannot accurately predict a realignment. For a realignment to take place, the citizens have to switch their allegiance to the Republicans.

The Republicans, after winning in the 1994 and 1996 elections, have had four years to direct the Congressional proceedings. The critical election will be on November 3 this year. This election will give a clearer picture if there is a realignment. If the people believe that Republican control of Congress has been good for the country, then the Republicans should stay and continue to be in power. If the people believe that the Republicans have not accomplished enough, then the Republicans might loose some seats, if not the control of Capitol Hill.

For the Republicans to maintain control of Congress, they need to show what they have done that a Democrat Congress would not have done. They need to show that a Republican controlled Congress is good for America. Otherwise, there is no reason why not to switch back to the Democrats controlling Congress.

One other major factor is for the Democrats not show how they could run America better. Even if the Republicans are not running America well, if the Democrats do not show how they can run it better most people would stay with the current Congress. Whoever wants to win this election should show how they can make America better. If they do not and their opponent does then most likely their opponet will win.