A16 ◆ Nation
The Mountain Press ◆ Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Tea time: GOP nears House control, piling up wins year tenure as the first to solve problems. By DAVID ESPO The preliminary findings AP Special Correspondent female speaker in history seemed near an end. were based on Election With unemployment Day and pre-election WASHINGTON — Republicans marched at 9.6 percent nationally, interviews with more than confidently to the brink interviews with voters 9,000 voters. All 435 seats in the of House control Tuesday revealed an extraordinarinight in midterm elections ly sour electorate, stressed House were on the ballot, shadowed by recession, financially and poorly dis- plus 37 in the Senate. An promising a conservative posed toward the presi- additional 37 governors’ majority certain to chal- dent, the political parties races gave Republicans lenge President Barack and the federal govern- ample opportunity for further gains halfway Obama at virtually every ment. Sen.-elect Paul, appear- through Obama’s term, turn. The GOP gained Senate seats, as well, but ing Tuesday night before although Andrew Cuomo a takeover there appeared supporters in Bowling was elected in New York Green, Ky., declared, for the office his father out of reach. “I’ll never let you down,” “We’ve come to take our once held. Republicans were cerHouse Republican leader government back.” About four in 10 voters tain of at least four Senate John Boehner, the likely next speaker, told tea party said they were worse off pickups, defeating veteran supporters in his home financially than two years Sens. Russell Feingold in ago, according to prelimi- Wisconsin and Blanche state of Ohio. Among the House nary exit poll results and Lincoln in Arkansas. In Democrats who tasted pre-election surveys. More addition, North Dakota defeat was Rep. Tom than one in three said their Gov. John Hoeven claimed Perriello, a first-termer for votes were an expression a seat left vacant by retirewhom Obama campaigned of opposition to Obama. ment, and former Sen. More than half expressed Dan Coats easily won the just before the election. In Senate races, tea negative views about both Indiana seat he voluntarily party favorites Rand Paul political parties. Roughly gave up a dozen years ago. But Democratic Gov. in Kentucky and Marco 40 percent of voters conRubio in Florida coasted to sidered themselves sup- Joe Manchin won in West easy Senate victories, over- porters of the conservative Virginia for the unexpired coming months of wither- tea party movement. Less portion of the late Sen. ing Democratic attacks on than half said they wanted Robert C. Byrd’s term, and their conservative views. the government to do more Attorney General Richard But Christine O’Donnell lost badly in Delaware, for a seat that Republican strategists once calculated would be theirs with ease. Republicans needed a • Spacious 2 Bedrooms • Fully Equipped Kitchen • Mini Blinds gain of 40 seats for a House • Washer/Dryer Hookups • Club House • Pets/Ask majority. With polls still • Ceiling Fans • Swimming Pool open on the West Coast, they had gained 34 and led River Country for 27 more. Apartments They picked up five Old Newport Hwy., Sevierville, TN Democratic-held seats in 428-5186 Pennsylvania, and three each in Ohio, Florida, and Virginia. Democrats conceded nothing while they still had a chance. “Let’s go out there and continue to fight,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi exhorted supporters in remarks before television cameras while the polls were still open in much of the country. But not long after she spoke, Democratic incumbents in both houses began falling, and her own four-
Blumenthal was victorious in Connecticut, dispatching Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment. A Republican takeover of the House would usher in a new era of divided government after two years in which Obama and fellow Democrats pushed through an economic stimulus bill, a landmark health care measure and legislation to rein in Wall Street after the near collapse of the economy in 2008. Republicans opposed all three of the measures, accusing the president of supporting an everexpanding role for the government with ever-rising spending.
Obama was at the White House as the returns mounted. He scheduled a news conference for Wednesday. Paul’s triumph in Kentucky completed an improbable rise for an eye surgeon making his first race. He drew opposition from the Republican Party establishment when he first launched his bid, then struggled to adjust to a statewide race with Attorney General Jack Conway. Rubio, also running with tea party support, was gaining about 50 percent of the vote in a three-way race in Florida, months after he forced Gov. Charlie Crist to leave the Republican
Party and run as an independent. Democratic Rep. Kendrick Meek was running third. But a third tea party-backed candidate, O’Donnell, who went from a virtual unknown to primary winner to fodder for late-night comedians in the span of a few months, lost overwhelmingly to Democrat Chris Coons in Delaware. Republicans had counted on taking the seat from the Democrats early this year, but that was before O’Donnell defeated veteran Rep. Mike Castle in a September primary. Democrat John Carney easily won the seat that was Castle’s for nearly two decades.
“Christmas Cards of the Smokies” by local artist Randall Ogle New for 2010 “Sevier County Courthouse”
“Silver Moon Memories”
My sincere thanks to everyone who has purchased my Christmas Cards over the years. New for 2010, I’ve just finished “Silver Moon Memories”. Now celebrating 41 years of Painting.
“Middle Creek United Methodist Church”
Christmas Card Prices To place your orders call 25 - $53.40 • 50 - $64.25 The Mountain Press 75 - $75.10 • 100 - $85.95 at 865-428-0748 ext. 229 or 238 All orders over 100 call for prices. Full color cards 119 Riverbend Dr. • Sevierville, TN 37876 with envelopes includes tax. Add $6 for shipping & handling. “The Old Mill at Pigeon Forge”
“Peaceful Hollow”
Visit our website to view these prints in color www.themountainpress.com/randallogle
“Winter’s Peace”
“Headrick Chapel”
“Missionary Baptist Church”