Mississippi Win Gives House Dems Three Victories In A Row

JACKSON, Miss. — It's becoming a disturbing trend for Republicans: losing traditional GOP strongholds to Democrats in some hard-fought congressional races.

It happened again Tuesday, as Travis Childers beat Greg Davis in a special election to replace Republican Roger Wicker, who served in the House since 1994 and was appointed to the U.S. Senate to fill the seat vacated by Trent Lott.

Childers' win will give him the chance over the next several months left in the seat's two-year term to build a fundraising and publicity advantage as he heads into November's general election. He will again face Davis, as well as two other opponents.

Childers' win gave Democrats a 236-199 edge over Republicans in Congress.

Earlier this year, Democrats captured the Illinois district long represented by former Republican Speaker Dennis Hastert, who resigned from Congress. This month, Democrats claimed a seat in Louisiana that Republican Rep. Richard Baker vacated and that the GOP had held since 1974.

Childers is a socially conservative county official, while Davis is mayor of a fast-growing city across the state line from Memphis, Tenn.

Vice President Dick Cheney campaigned for Davis the day before the special election, and Davis ran ads trying to tie Childers to Barack Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and the national Democratic Party's policies.

Childers stressed his independence, emphasizing his support of gun rights and opposition to abortion. He said his values match those of most voters in the deeply conservative district.

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Tom Cole, chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the Mississippi race showed that "Republicans must be prepared to campaign against Democrat challengers who are running as conservatives, even as they try to join a liberal Democrat majority."

Cole said voters are "pessimistic about the direction of the country and the Republican Party in general" and the GOP must offer "positive change."

Marty Wiseman, a political scientist at Mississippi State University, said if Democrats can carry districts that traditionally have been safe bets for the GOP, "Republican strategists have to be terrified."

"If you think about the House and the Senate ... and the number of Republican Senate seats that are exposed, this could turn into something bigger than the presidential race this fall," Wiseman said.

Elsewhere, in right-leaning Nebraska, Republican Mike Johanns, the former U.S. agriculture secretary and Nebraska governor, easily won the Republican primary Tuesday in a race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel. On the Democrat side, Scott Kleeb beat three other Democrats.

And in West Virginia, a conflict-of-interest scandal derailed the state's top judge from serving another term. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, Chief Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard, once considered a shoo-in for re-election, was third in a field of four candidates.

The two top vote-getters will face the lone Republican in the race for two high court spots in November.

Maynard lost his advantage when photos surfaced in January of him vacationing with the chief executive of a massive coal producer. He faced a former justice, a Huntington lawyer and a West Virginia University law professor.

Maynard raised the most money, and his allies included the state's chamber of commerce and medical association. But the photos taken during a 2006 Monaco vacation, when he met up with Massey Energy Co.'s chief executive, quickly became campaign fodder.

Maynard blamed the furor on political foes, but withdrew from several Massey-related cases. He had said he would do the same if re-elected.

West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who hasn't lost a statewide race since 1972, easily beat two challengers as he seeks a fifth six-year term. He'll face Republican Jay Wolfe in November's general election.

Gov. Joe Manchin easily fended off a primary challenge and will take on Republican Russ Weeks, a former state senator, in November.

___ Associated Press Writers Lawrence Messina and Tom Breen in Charleston W.Va. and Anna Jo Bratton in Omaha, Neb. contributed to this report.

Comments

[RSU]

Come on Mod’s it’s the truth!!!

Why is it that so few do any actual research into these contests?

District 1 in Mississippi did not flip to the Democrat column because there was a sudden rejection of Republican values but rather because District 4 (which had been heavily Democrat since 1995) was wiped out after Katrina passed through. This election win for Democrats is a direct result of shifting demographics that moved northward after the storm. Most of the cities in this district are still a full 1/3 larger than they were pre-Katrina and most of those folks voted Democrat in their previous districts.

The same thing happened in Louisiana’s District 6 where Cazayoux beat Woody Jenkins for the seat vacated by retiring Rep. Richard Baker.

This congressional district(6) took the brunt of Katrina evacuees from New Orleans that inexorably changed the entire political makeup of this former, mostly Republican district. For example, Baton Rouge swelled to more than double its population after Katrina wiped out the Ninth Ward. And while many have moved on or returned to New Orleans, the city's population is still a full 1/3 larger than it was pre-Katrina with an est additional 100,000 new residents. The same thing happened in the cities of Zachary, Baker, Merrydale, and Shenendoa as well the outlying areas that make up District 6.

I hate to break the news here folks but it’s highly unlikely this will translate into more of the same throughout the nation.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

So in other words this is still Bush's fault for his inept handling of Katrina. Glad you see the light. As for what happens in the rest of the nation, we will see.

[RSU]

You can see it however you like but I wouldn't go counting those chickens before they've hatched. It isn't healthy.

[trbone]

not to mention he is a DINO. he is a prolife anti illegal immigration democrat.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

What exactly is wrong with being anti-illegal immigration? It is breaking the law. What most democrats don't agree with is the feasiblity of hunting down some 11 to 12 million people who are here illegally. Think of the man power and the cost to enforce such a measure. The idea is to stop more people from coming into this country illegally.

[Chillinout]

So, if what you are saying is true, then it is still the GOP's fault since they seem to be refusing to rebuild New Orleans.

[BigTuna]

So should we assume that sufficient numbers of Katrina evacuees also fled to Illinois to ensure the Democratic trifecta?

I'm sorry but you provide no proof other than a plausible-sounding explanation. Considering that "people are sick of the GOP" is also a plausible-sounding explanation, especially given recent right track/wrong track polling, it looks like you're in a two-way runoff.

[haleywins]

Wishful thinking, not based in fact. Republicans broke their necks with support from George having a fundraiser in Baton Rouge to Dick showing up in Mississippi on Sunday. The tide is turning and Katrina had little to do with it. You'll find most evacuees in Houston and Atlanta.

[polaris12]

Am I missing something here? From what I have read, the Democratic winner had exactly the same political positions as the Republican. All it means is that the Democrats have become successful at parroting Republican ideas; it's not that voters in these states are becoming somehow more liberal or progressive in their views. Much the same happened during the 2006 elections. It just proves that the Republicans have been very successful in pushing the country in a more conservative direction.

[dooleynoted]

You're missing the big picture. Even conservative Democrats will vote with the Democratic majority on procedural issues and will be much, much more likely to vote for a progressive issues like raising the minimum wage than a Republican - not always following the party line but they can be pressured more easily than a Republican, especially on economic issues.

[polaris12]

I don't know if that is the big picture, or the procedural picture. The big picture is whether it leads to changes in important national policies such as the war in Iraq and national health care, etc. So far, what's happening in Congress with the Blue Dog Democrats doesn't look very promising.

[trbone]

The bigger picture is will that translate into people embracing ultra liberal Obama. Doubt it.

[sheaftosser]

Smells like Republican desperation in here.

[Pragman]

Maybe, but Republicans are also highly biased, mean-spirited hypocrites who have seriously brought the country down in recent years. They deserve to be punished, and there's only one way to do that--by electing Democrats.

[dadw5boys]

But ther Democrate is not lieing about his position !!!!!!!

He will do what it takes to protect Americans and not at the expense of our rights or jobs!

[S1m0n]

"The same positions" except who he plans to caucus with, you mean.

[Moose49]

And we welcome to Congress the Honorable Robert De Niro (D-Miss.)

Sorry, but I can't look at photos of him without thinking of Rupert Pupkin.

Regardless, congratulations on an awesome victory!

[frappe]

Advice to All Republican Candidates for Office:

All Republicans running for office should show political courage and embrace their fearless leader. ride his coattails (or is that his monkey tail?), and surge ahead.....­.deep into the political abyss. Because if they don't, using their own logic, they will be branded terrorist sympathizers and would be seen by the electorate as cutting and running. :-))

[BPCentrisAmerican]

If you read the Cook Report, this is a very disturbing trend for the GOP, because the seats the Republicans have lost, were considered safe, This could signal a wipe out for Republicans in moderate districts in the North East, Mid-West and West. My own Republican Rep. has announced his retirement after winning his 4th term by 1%, which he won easily by 17% in 04. More disturbing yet the GOP dose not have the resources to defend every sit. Than again they did not have to follow George Bush and their own leadership in lockstep over a cliff either.

[dadw5boys]

Bury the Republican Party under their won crosses. No Where near any Soldiers!

[SaddieMcCall]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/5/14/83711/2522/281/515348 new poll released today shows Obama easily beats McCain nationally

[eej]

Obama got more votes in W.Va. last night than McCain got.

Now if the Hillary voters will make good on their promise to stay home in November..­.

[SpoxLogic]

Before we all get too happy over Childers' win, I will caution all Dems to take a look at the GMA interview of that WVa lady at the polls yesterday. You know the one who wouldn't listen when told that Obama was indeed Christian and not Muslim?
As Dems, if Obama is the nominee, we need to start our own campaign to put out the facts and not allow lies to perpetuate. If you have friends and/or families in these so called "blue-collar" states, such as KY, PA, WV, NC, MI, MO, etc, please try your best to pass on the facts to them.
It was very disturbing to watch this lady not even think about what she was being told. How easy was it for her to latch on to misinformation adn not contemplate anything else that contradicted what she had been hearing. And I am sure she has many, many friend just like her.

[joselopez]

This is why the Super Delegates will nominate Obama. It is a Democratic year, because the Republicans are disillusioned with the way things are int his country, they too want change.

AND THE ONLY THING THAT WILL CHANGE THAT IS THE DEMOCRATS PUTTING CLINTON ANYWHERE ON THE TICKET!!!

[JackND]

This interview of this WV woman will soon be seen around the world.

Another reason the superdelegates will nominate Obama.

[nomobull]

yeah but they won despite the gop trying to attach negativity through connecting them to obama.this should more than prove how ready for change this country is. they basically told the gop not this time. as for that wv voter no one was surprised by her attitude. but this should serve as a wake up to west virginia is this the picture you want to present to the world.

[Nochnoi]

I reckon it was just a bit of show of which way the wind is blowing...­.. change is coming perhaps?

[lavndrblue]

Big deal, Childers won.......­..........­he is a social conservative so for women and the LGBT community this is not a win what so ever! It is another big loss. When will the Democratic Party stand up for women and the LGBT community andn not settle just to have a 'D' attached to someone's name? Haven't we learned anything after electing Blue Dog Democrats that want to continue the war in Iraq and illegal spying on Americans? Geez......­..........­...

[SaskiaStars]

Baby steps.....­....

[lavndrblue]

Baby steps? We've been taking baby steps for most of my fifty odd years! When will the Democratic leadership get some courage? Probably not while I am on this earth.....­..........­.I'm heart sick over what my party has turned into.

[IslandGyal]

This is 2008, the race baiting will not work "this time".

[dollars2donuts]

It worked in WV and PA. It does seem to work in some places...I­'m glad it didn't work this time, maybe the Rethugs will back up a bit and reassess this race baiting strategy..­..nah, they it's in almost in their DNA, they seem to not be able to help themselves, LOL.

[nomobull]

west virginia yes but that's their problem. pa not so much considering the drop in her lead.

[atowngirl]

That is so true and I guess it is hard for some to grasp when you live in a world where all that is wrong is because the Black Person did it. What dim light are these folks living under?
Accept responsibility for what you are not doing while you are spending so much time trying to build a coalition of race mongers. Stop breath and try to do for yourself. The ones with the race filled statements have probably seen Blacks only on TV. I know they are now in your FAVE FIVE Circle!

[Tommygun264]

Let's hope this is just the beginning of a Democratic landslide. The Bush/Cheney crime administration has sewn more debt and destruction for out nation than even the most jaded among us ever could have predicted and we are going to need to clear both houses of obstructionists, Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats alike, if we are going to restore our Constitution, our Bill of Rights, our economy, infrastructure and our standing in the international community anytime soon. Bridges don't collapse because two boys kiss, steam pipes from the 1920's don't explode because single women use birth control, democracy can never flourish in a country that is occupied by a foreign army and Democrats don't win elections by moving to the right, compromising their principles or parroting Republican talking points. Yes, there will be tough times and hard work in the years ahead, but throughout our nation's history it has always been our ability to set aside our differences, come together as Americans, to ignore those who embrace the philosophy of every man for himself and tell us "no, you can't", and achieve our greatest strength during times of greatest adversity.

[freerangemessiah]

"Childers' win gave Democrats a 236-199 edge over Republicans in Congress."

No. It gives the Democrats a 236-199 edge over Republicans in the House of Representatives. Congress also includes the Senate!

[nrafter530]

Which included means the Democrats have a 287-258 majority in the entire congress.

[BermudaGirl]

Thank you America! You are finally growing up, making your own decisions and not being influenced by the MSM.
Keep your goal in sight, don't be misled by lies. You deseve better.
I wish you well.

[JimmyCrackcorn]

I'm glad Childers' won but In My Eyes he's still a Bastard for tossing Obama to the Wolves like he did.

You can just tell in other times he'd be a Bush Enabling Democrat.

Oh well, so long as he's (D-MI) I guess I should be somewhat happy.

[ftprairiedog]

Big Deal! The Dems. are part of the problem they won't end the war or impeach the little deserter. So why give a shit how many elections they win.

[racom]

It's not how many they win, it's how many the repugs lose. With a bigger majority the dems are out of excuses and will have to act on issues or lose their base.