Republicans gain control in Washington

Republicans hope to use their newly-regained control of Congress and the Presidency to push through a number of President Bush's policy goals. Although they will still face opposition from Democrats, the consolidation of power will help Bush make his post-Sept 11 plans a reality.

The election results do not necessarily mean that the United States has made a conservative shift, Tufts professors say. The number of close elections and the small lead the Republicans have in Congress show that most Americans remain middle-of-the-road. The Republicans likely won this election because of their increasingly moderate stance, and on the continued coattails of Bush.

Republicans emerged victorious from Tuesday's mid-term elections, winning majorities in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. For the first time since the Truman administration, the president's party has gained control of Congress during midterm elections.

In the Massachusetts gubernatorial race, Republican candidate Mitt Romney defeated Democrat Shannon O'Brien. Romney campaigned as an "outsider" to Beacon Hill and on his experience of running the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Political Science Chair James Glaser said the gubernatorial race "was a standard Republican-Democrat fight" the Republicans won by commanding the center ground and winning over independents, he said.

Romney's victory means that the Republicans' 12-year hold on the Corner Office will continue for at least another four years. But things will not be altogether easy for the new governor, who will face a state legislature that has been controlled by Democrats for the last 40 years.

Republicans also won gubernatorial races in Florida, Texas, Minnesota and New York. Democrats gained the governors' offices in Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Maine. The party held onto California.

"The governors' races are local" and don't necessarily reflect national issues or trends, Political Science Professor Jeffrey Berry said. "When you need to throw the rascals out, you only have one other party to put in," so voters disappointed at the incumbent party's performance will naturally choose the other side.

States are facing less revenue from a drop in taxes and a weak economy, so "the incumbents are less popular" because they couldn't do as much with less money. In states where the governorship transferred from one party to the other, the change was "because of fiscal pressure, not necessarily a swing to the right or left," Berry said.

Democrat John Kerry was re-elected to his seat as Massachusetts' junior Senator, without any major opponents. Libertarian Michael Cloud ran against him but only won 19 percent of the vote.

Republicans hold the US Senate with 51 seats, with two races undecided at the time of print. Last year, Democrats gained the majority with 50 senators, after one senator from Vermont defected from the Republican Party to become an independent.

"The election was razor-thin up until the last day," Glaser said. "It's a period of even-steven but the Republicans have the opportunity to push their agenda and shape public opinion."

With Republican majority in Congress, Bush will likely be able to pass legislation with greater ease. But, "the Senate is a graveyard for legislation," Glaser said. The Republicans still do not have 60 percent of the Senate, which is necessary for a filibuster, Berry said.

No matter what, he said, "Republicans control the agenda." The swing "diminishes the Democrats' microphone" and puts the party "in a bit of shock and disarray."

The main goals of the Republicans include creating an extensive Homeland Security department, domestic tax cuts, a national energy plan and the confirmation of conservative judges.

The shift will not have an immediate effect, however. Bush will begin preparing for his re-election campaign in 2004, and is likely to be the leading candidate. If he is re-elected, the Republicans will have up to six years to institute their policy changes.

Some have speculated that a Republican Washington will encourage conservative Supreme Court Justices, notably Chief Justice William Rehnquist and Sandra Day O'Connor, to retire because a conservative judge will likely replace them.

In a reverse effect, liberal judges may stay on longer than they had planned, Glaser said. He pointed to Justice John Paul Stevens as a judge who is at retirement age, but does not want to be replaced by a successor who will undo his works.

Democrats have already begun pointing fingers to explain Tuesday's loss, which was greater than expected. Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota has been under scrutiny _ critics blame him for letting the Democrats go along with too many of Bush's initiatives. The Democrats seemed to lose their character and not have anything to stand out on. "[They] have to stand for something," Glaser said. "They need stronger leadership."

"They need a compelling alternative on the economy," Berry said. While the Democrats are still strong on social security and pharmaceuticals, they "need to communicate to the American public that their version [of Medicaid] is better."

Missouri Representative Richard Gephardt has announced he will step down from his post as Democratic Leader in the House, after eight years on the job. Gephardt is likely to begin a presidential campaign, as he has been making frequent trips to Iowa and New Hampshire.

Martin Frost of Texas and Nancy Pelosi of California are the front-runners to succeed Gephardt. If Frost takes the position, both Democrat and Republican leaders of the House will hail from the Lone Star State. Dick Armey, from Irving, Texas is the Republican House Leader.

But the exact balance of power in Washington has not yet been finalized. Senate races in South Dakota and Louisiana have yet to be determined _ although the two seats up for grab would not change the Republican majority. In Louisiana, Democrat Mary Landrieu won the most votes, but had under 50 percent of the electorate. Under state law, she will enter a runoff election in December.

Four House races remain undecided, as well as three Governor spots. In Alabama, both candidates claim they won the election, as both presidential candidates did in Florida in the 2000 election.