After Mark Foley resigned for his egregious e-mails and instant messages, most political analysts assumed that the seat would automatically go to the Democrat, Tim Mahoney. Joe Negron, a well-respected Florida state representative, filled in as the Republican nominee, but Foley's name stayed on the ballot. Political commentators surmised that many voters wouldn't realize that a vote for Foley wouldn't actually go to Foley but to Negron, and so they would just overwhelming elect the Democrat. However, analysts underestimated the intelligence of those Florida. Negron, despite his limited time, ran an excellent campaign. His educative and catchy campaign slogan, "Punch Foley for Negron" was perhaps the most effective in the country, and it seems to have worked. Though almost nobody would want to vote for Foley, Negron received a massive amount of support for his name not even appears on the ballot. The final tally, with Mahoney receiving 49% and Foley (Negron) receiving 48%, was shocking. Yes, Mahoney won, but it was one of the closest races in America, especially after being though a guaranteed Democratic pick-up.
If there is one lesson we can take from this it is that we can't assume populace is uneducated and uninterested in politics. Votes aren't just based on caprice or emotion, but rather information and facts, something I think many politicians have yet to fully realize.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. And we thought the talking heads were good at twisting!
Hang on! You have a future in politics.
Percivel at 10:58AM on Nov 10th 2006
2. Ah, Foley/Negron? Perhaps the fact that the Republican Party was identified on the ballot made that pretty obvious. Tim Mahoney won because the people in his district voted for him. Not everyone in Florida votes a straight Republican ticket!
Patti Davison at 11:05AM on Nov 13th 2006
3. THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL HAS ISSUED A WARNING ABOUT A NEW VIRUENT STRAIN OF SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE.
THE DISEASE IS CONSTRACTED THROUGH DANGEROUS AND HIGH-RISK BEHAVIOR.
THE DISEASE IS CALLED GONORRHEA LECTIM AND PRONOUNCE "GONNA RE-ELECT HIM". MANY CONTRACTED IT IN 2004 , AFTER BEEN SCR-WD FOR THE PREVIOUS YEARS.
COGNITIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF INDIVIDUALS INFECTED INCLUDE;
ANTI-SOCIAL PERSONALITY DISORDERS,DELUTIONS OF GRANDEUR WITH MESSIANIC OVERTONES ,EXTREME COGNITIVE DISSONANCE,INABILITY TO INCORPORATE NEW INFORMATION,PRONOUNCED XENOPHOBIA AND PARANOIA,INABILITY TO ACCEPTRESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN ACTIONS ,COWARDICE MASKED BY MISPLACE BRAVADO,UNCONTROL FACIAL SMIRKING,IGNORANCE OF GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY,TENDENCIES TOWARDS EVANGELICAL THEOCRACY,CATEGORICAL ALL-OR-NOTHING BEHAVIOR, AND PRONOUNCIATION DIFFICULTIES.
NATURALISTS AND EPIDEMIOLOGISTS ARE AMAZED AT HOW THIS DESTRUCTIVE DISEASE ORIGINATED ONLY A FEW YEARS AGO FROM A BUSH IN TEXAS.
EVIDENCEROOM1 at 11:58AM on Nov 10th 2006
4. Hey, evidence, that's funny. Keep up the good work. And, Sean, there was never really a lock on that seat for anyone. I love how the republicans can lose an election, but still run a brilliant campaign, but it is never so for a Democrat. You could be on Fox News with your fair and balanced point of view.
Brian at 12:41PM on Nov 10th 2006
5. Voters are not ignorant and it is high time talking heads and politicians realized it!
The middle class is sick and tired of being ignored and proved it in the mid-term elections by coming out against the GOP.
Gridlock has been restored to Congress purposely. Now neither party can pass Bush's agenda without working together in the middle. This ensures wingnuts from both parties have been pushed aside.
The GOP marched lockstep with the Bush Aministration, instead of doing their job over the past 6 years. They were punished for doing so.
Our Constitution and Bill of Rights are more important to We the People than any person or party. The people spoke and both parties had better pay attention. We are sick and tired of FEAR being used to destroy our Democracy.
Tevroc143 at 12:57PM on Nov 10th 2006
6. I don't at all think this proves voters (lumped together) have that much smarts. It's more likely that many of those who voted for Foley were so unaware that they didn't know he had quit in disgrace, and were just blindly voting for the guy they thought was the incumbent Republican.
Bill at 1:07PM on Nov 10th 2006
7. I love it! Voters aren't so dumb after all. We keep hearing how the nation's voters have spoken and we are changing course and have to work together to get anything done. What surprises me is that many of the seats that were picked up by democrats weren't by a landslide, but a few percentage points. The fact is, the nation is still divided on who we should believe. Just because the democrats came out on top doesn't mean they are right! It will be years before we know the real reason we went to Iraq, fortunately for the Clinton's. I believe that had the FBI properly investigated and followed leads from the Oklahoma City bombing, we would have realized the threat and links that all of the terrorists are utilizing. Thanks slick willy you got us again.
jeff j at 1:20PM on Nov 10th 2006
8. sean wrote this:
"The final tally, with Mahoney receiving 49% and Foley (Negron) receiving 48%, was shocking. Yes, Mahoney won, but it was one of the closest races in America, especially after being though a guaranteed Democratic pick-up."
how was it a guaranteed pickup? the area, which i happen to live in btw, is heavily republican. republicans have also been elected there for 25 yrs straight. and the final tally had mahoney at 49% and negron at 47%. it was close but not as close as you claim. the virginia senate race was decieded by less votes as was the montana senate race. sorry, but the people, including alot of republicans, are tired of rubberstamping, lying, pedophile GOPs in capitol hill. only thing now is to start with the impeachment process as soon as the dems get sworn in in january. bush must be held accountable for his actions and alot of people, including republicans, feel this way.
mike at 2:21PM on Nov 10th 2006