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Opinion

How do you think the election will turn out and why?

Forum Friday: Election time

On Tuesday, voters will be flocking to the polls to pick their future leaders. Who do you think will win and why? (Hint: It's probably not the Republicrats.) 

Democrats may take House; Senate too close to call

I think the Democrats will take the House of Representatives, but the Senate is too close to call at this point. We may witness a few recounts in some races. 

For Senate races: Jon Tester will win in Montana; Sherrod Brown may win in Ohio; Jim Webb will win in Virginia; Bob Menendez will in New Jersey; and Ben Cardin will win in Maryland. Arizona may have an upset in its Senate race with the Democrat Jim Pederson coming out on top. 

As for the gubernatorial races, the Democrats will hold a majority in governorships for the first time in more than a decade. Rick Perry, David Dewhurst and Kay Bailey Hutchison will win in Texas. -- David Salinas

Congress may not see much change

In each election, about 70 percent of representatives and 90 percent of senators get re-elected. Understanding this fact, we may not see much of a change in Congress.

Interestingly enough, Democrats have held a consistent lead over their Republican opponents in recent months, according to an Oct. 22 Gallup poll.

This means next to nothing for Texas. Both Republican and Democratic candidates lead strong races, especially for the gubernatorial seat, but Texas voters will switch to default and stick to their Republican ways. Even if Democrats regain control of Congress -- the House is their best chance -- Texas will still vote Republican.

The governor's race was interesting this year because two independents had strong followings in the polls. Most likely, it will be between Rick

Perry and Kinky Friedman because we're dealing with an incumbent and a country music star -- Reagan, The Body and Ahh-nold have all shown us the power a celebrity can have over the people. It will be a tough homestretch, no doubt. -- Rami Ollikkala

Foul play should be suspected if no change

Though the polls are showing a shift toward the Democrats, the Republicans will make gains. This is not because people want them to be in power, though.

Instead, they will disenfranchise those who are unlikely to vote for them and rig the computer voting machines in such a manner as to report a Republican victory regardless of what votes were actually cast.

Let's face it: These people are desperate, and they have previously shown a willful disregard for the Constitution and the rule of law. Even Sen. Rick "frothy mixture" Santorum of Pennsylvania will probably keep his seat despite the fact that he's behind in the polls by double digits. These people are addicted to power and will not surrender it to the will of the people.

If, however, the foul play is kept to a minimum, we could see a change in party control of both houses of Congress. In fact, if neither house changes party control, foul play should be suspected. -- James McCormick

Gov. Rick Perry in for a fight

As midterm elections take place next week, political advertisements have taken control of the airwaves. Many voters are still undecided. Texans can choose from Gov. Rick Perry, whom voters feel did not deliver, to the other candidates who are promising to deliver.

Re-electing Perry, who has been in office since 2000, does not seem likely. Texans are ready to elect a new governor. Voters will have to vote for Democratic candidate Chris Bell or between independents Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman.

Kinky Friedman's political views are too radical, while Carole Keeton Strayhorn, who calls herself "one tough grandma," is claiming to do what is right for Texas.

Texans might not be ready for an independent leader, so Bell will probably assume office as Texas' new governor. -- Mayra Moreno

Incompetent people will still be in office; get to polls anyway

No matter who wins the elections Tuesday, incompetent people will still be in office.

But apathy isn't going to solve that.

In an election season riddled with scandals and embarrassments, it's hard not to lose faith in the folks up on Capitol Hill, but instead of giving up on the system, now is as good a time as any to try and change it.

The best turnout for Tuesday's election would be a good turnout.

If all the verbal miscues, shady real estate deals and titillating instant messages in Washington, D.C., have gotten you angry or disappointed, don't just curl up and wait for someone else to fix everything. Use this opportunity to effect change in the government.

No matter what party is in power, it's important to get more people to the voting booths, especially for a midterm election, and as vocal as people get when it comes to Fox News or Pacifica, even for a midterm election, it would be great to see an overwhelming number of people come to the polls Tuesday. -- Zach Lee
 

Send comments to dccampus@mail.uh.edu