...seem to be the Republican Party's ace-in-the-hole.

The Albuquerque Journal reports that Rep. Heather Wilson, who was trailing by as mush as 8% on election night, has won her race, due to the large number of absentee ballots cast for her.

The GOP has traditionally led the Democratic Party in absentee balloting, (due in part to the high percentage of military absentee votes), but she received 15,000 more absentee votes than did her opponent. That is a staggering number for a congressional race.

Similarly, Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX), won his contest, after receiving a 21,000 vote advantage over his challenger, according to this report in the San Antonio News-Express.

I know of these results because both of the winners were Republican incumbents, rather than challengers. I wonder how many challengers won on the strength of absentee ballots, and I wonder if they will affect the totals in the close races for the senate in South Dakota, and the Gubernatorial races in Oregon, Oklahoma, Arizona, and Alabama, where the GOP candidates trail by small margins.

posted on November 07, 2002 06:28 PM



Comments:

It's disturbing to think that the DoD might become too closely affiliated with a political party. Makes me think of the Romans, with the praetorian guard choosing emporers. The Dems really ought to find a way to be more war-monger friendly. But I can't imagine how.

posted by Anna on November 10, 2002 02:59 AM

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Anna,

It's not the DoD that is affiliated with a political party; it is its members. The top leadership will follow the prevailing winds, but until the anti-military core of the Democratic Party adjusts its attitudes toward the armed forces, the GOP will continue to receive the lion's share of votes from the military's members. It's only self-interest on our part...

posted by timekeeper on November 10, 2002 02:57 PM

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