George W. Bush Administration in the United States

Republican Party: The 2006 Midterm Elections

Introduction to George W. Bush Administration

The Democrats regained control of the House and Senate in the 2006 midterm elections. Democrats also took six state houses from the Republicans, giving them control of 28 governorships, including outright control of both the state house and the state legislature in 15 states. The Republicans lost key Senate races in Montana and Virginia, albeit by slim margins. But perhaps more disconcerting were the defeats of moderate Republicans in Senate races in Ohio and Rhode Island. Democratic gains in the Rocky Mountain states of Colorado and Montana, and other gains in the West threatened to make the Republican Party an increasingly regional party based in the South. Democrats, however, eked out gains even there and according to some polls, made inroads among evangelical Christians.

Most political observers agreed that the Iraq war and corruption scandals badly damaged the Republicans in the midterm elections. Polls showed that the continued U.S. occupation of Iraq and the Bush administration’s handling of the war there had become increasingly unpopular. Corruption scandals involving favors from lobbyists and kickbacks from defense contracts led to prison sentences for several Republican members of Congress. Just weeks before the election, Republican congressman Mark Foley resigned after it was disclosed that he had sent sexually suggestive Internet messages to male congressional pages.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about George W. Bush Administration in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to George W. Bush Administration