Election Results Affirm the Republican Message

What a difference eight years makes. In Tuesday’s midterm election of George W. Bush’s first term, Democrats lost two and perhaps three Senate seats and lost the one-seat advantage achieved when Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont became an independent within a year of being elected as a Republican. They also lost three seats in the House of Representatives, rather than gaining the seven seats required to gain control of that body.

Eight years ago, in the midterm elections of Bill Clinton’s first term, Republicans gained nine seats to take control of the Senate and an astounding 54 seats to take control of the House. There is no doubt the voters rejected the scare tactics, obstructionism, nonconstructive criticism and lack of vision exemplified by the Democrats and embraced the leadership of President Bush and the positive Republican message.

Thomas R. Damiani

Newport Beach

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Now that voters nationwide have given the green light to the Bush war agenda, I hope they are ready for all the ugly stuff that’s going to come with it: increased terrorism, alienation from former allies, more limits on our basic rights. Who wrote the quote about it being “a time to dance on the edge of the crater”? Looks like we’ll all be doing that over the next few years. I hope we can keep our footing.

Dave Schmerler

Westminster

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Now that the midterm elections are over, hopefully the GOP will take the time to thank the man responsible for its sweeping victory -- Saddam Hussein, without whom it might have actually had to address the real issues that affect Americans. Assuming Bush is serious about his war with Iraq, how will we pay for it? With tax cuts?

Garner Simmons

Westlake Village