Wednesday, November 5, 2014
Report: US turned to Iran for help in Afghanistan
Struggling to jump start Afghanistan’s fledgling economy, the United States reportedly turned to an unlikely country for help.
Even with strict sanctions on American companies doing business in Iran, the Pentagon established a special task force to seek out business relations with Afghanistan’s western neighbor, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The task force received special permission from the United States government to ask Iran to help establish Afghanistan’s first pharmaceutical company and in developing four mines, the journal reported.
Although talks ultimately failed, the olive branch to Iran shows the desperation of the American military to establish some sort of economy in Afghanistan having lost billions of dollars in 13 years of war there.
Even as the U.S. seemingly tries to garner a relationship with Iran, the country still strongly opposes Washington.
Tuesday marked the anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Teheran. Thousands of Iranians took to the streets to chant “Down with America.”
Many in the crowd chanted "Death to Israel" and "Death to Britain," neither of which has an embassy here. Several protesters burned the American, Israeli and the British flag.
Over the weekend Iranian officials blasted the U.S. as well.
The United States remains “the great Satan” and Iran’s “number one enemy,” Iranian military and defense officials said in statements that also called for “the prosecution, trial, and punishment of the White House,” The Washington Free Beacon reported.
The inflammatory comments, released over the weekend by Iran’s Defense Ministry and the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), come as nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran reach a critical juncture.
“The U.S. is still the great Satan and the number one enemy of the (Islamic) revolution and the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation,” the IRGC said in an organizational statement released Saturday to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, which has close ties to the group.
Fox News Exit Poll: Dissatisfaction with Obama, economy keys GOP wave
Dissatisfaction with President Obama, along with concern about the future of the economy and a sense the country is on the wrong track, contributed to a wave of Republican pickups, including Republican control of the U.S. Senate and additional gains in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A 59 percent majority feels dissatisfied or angry toward President Obama, while 41 percent are enthusiastic or satisfied with his administration’s performance. This is similar to his job rating: 44 percent approval vs. 54 percent disapproval.
Nationally, a third of all voters said opposition to the president was a reason for their in vote in House races, while only 20 percent expressed support for Obama in their choice of candidate.
Reason for U.S. House Vote
Support Obama 19 percent
Oppose Obama 33 percent
Not A Factor 45 percent
Meanwhile, there is a sense among voters that the economy continues to struggle: 70 percent rate the country's current economic condition as not good or poor, while 28 percent say the economy is in good condition and only 1 percent calls it excellent.
Condition of Nation’s Economy
Excellent 1 percent
Good 28 percent
Not good 48 percent
Poor 22 percent
Just over three-quarters of Americans -- 77 percent -- are at least somewhat worried about the direction of the nation’s economy in the next year, while 22 percent said they were not too worried or not at all worried.
Worried About Future of U.S. Economy?
Very 37 percent
Somewhat 40 percent
Not too 18 percent
Not at all 4 percent
More than a quarter say their family’s financial situation has gotten better over the past two years, while a similar number say their situation has gotten worse. Those who say it has gotten better supported the Democratic candidate for Congress by a 60 percent to 38 percent margin. Those who say it has gotten worse went for the Republican candidate, 67 percent to 31 percent.
Financial Situation
Gotten better 29 percent
Gotten worse 25 percent
Same 45 percent
All of that leads to a sense the country is on the wrong track. Only 31 percent say the economy is going in the right direction, down from 46 percent in 2012. Most voters -- 65 percent -- believe the country is on the wrong track. Voters who think things are on the wrong track backed the Republican candidate in their district by a 65 percent to 30 percent margin.
Direction of the Country
Right 31 percent
Wrong 65 percent
This pessimism extends to attitudes toward life for the next generation of Americans. Nearly half think life for their children will be worse than life today, while only 22 percent say it will be better.
Life for Next Generation
Better than today 22 percent
Worse than today 48 percent
About the same 27 percent
Despite the attention to issues such as Ebola and ISIS, the economy remains most prominently on the minds of voters. Nearly half -- 45 percent -- see the economy as the most important issue facing the country. Those economy voters split 49-49 in their House vote. Health care voters went for the Democrat by 60-38 percent, while immigration voters backed the Republican by 73-25 percent.
Most Important Issue Facing Country
Economy 45 percent
Health care 25 percent
Illegal immigration 14 percent
Foreign policy 13 percent
Nearly half of voters nationally feel ObamaCare went too far, nearly doubling the number who say it didn’t go far enough. About one in five (21 percent) say the law is about right. Voters who think the law went too far went for the Republican candidate in their district by nearly 70 points.
Feelings About ObamaCare
Went too far 48 percent
Not far enough 25 percent
About right 21 percent
Only one voter in five says they can trust the government in Washington to do what is right just about always or most of the time. Most voters trust Uncle Sam only some of the time or never.
Trust Government?
Almost always 3 percent
Most of the time 17 percent
Only sometimes 60 percent
Never 18 percent
The key voting group of independents made a big difference again Tuesday. While they made up the same amount of the electorate, they were more likely to back the Republican by 10 points. In 2010, independents went for the Republican in their district by 19 points.
National House Vote
Independents
Democrats 42 percent
Republicans 54 percent
Here are the key findings in some of the most contested states.
Colorado
In a Senate election where women’s issues were central to the campaign, Sen. Mark Udall emerged the leader among that group, but it was Rep. Cory Gardner, the Republican challenger, who won the day.
Women
Udall 52 percent
Gardner 43 percent
Gardner’s support came from many groups, including independents and male voters.
Independents
Udall 43 percent
Gardner 50 percent
Men
Udall 40 percent
Gardner 56 percent
Over half of Colorado voters disapproved of President Obama’s job performance, mirroring results in many other states. Gardner won the support of these voters by an 82-13 percent margin.
Obama Job Performance
Approve 43 percent
Disapprove 55 percent
Finally, almost two thirds of Colorado voters said most illegal immigrants working in the United States should be offered a chance to apply for legal status.
Policy Toward Illegal Immigration
Legal Status 65 percent
Deport 28 percent
Georgia
In Georgia, Republican David Perdue held the open Senate seat for the Republicans, defeating Democrat Michelle Nunn and garnered enough of the vote to avoid a runoff election.
A key to his victory was the independent vote. Independents broke strongly for Perdue. Perdue received 59 percent of the independent vote, compared with 36 percent going for Nunn.
Independents
Nunn 36percent
Perdue 59percent
Swafford 5percent
Georgia voters were sending a message -- 36 percent of voters said a reason for their vote was to show opposition to President Obama, while only 19 percent said a reason for their vote was to show support for the president. Other voters said the president was not a factor.
Reason For Senate Vote
Support Obama 19percent
Oppose Obama 36percent
Not A Factor 43percent
Three-quarters of Georgia voters said who controlled the Senate factored into their vote. These voters supported Perdue by a 53 percent to 46 percent margin.
How Important Is Party Control of Senate?
Very important 76 percent
Somewhat important 15 percent
Not too important 5 percent
Not at all important 4 percent
Iowa
Republican Joni Ernst took the open Senate seat in Iowa away from the Democrats, defeating Democrat Bruce Braley. Ernst played up her farming background, which resonated with Iowa voters. More than four-in-ten voters were from rural areas, and they strongly backed her.
Rural voters
Braley 38 percent
Enrst 58 percent
More voters agreed with Ernst on the issues, than Braley.
Ernst On The Issues
Too Conservative 37 percent
Not Enough 10 percent
About Right 47 percent
Braley On The Issues
Too Liberal 44 percent
Not Liberal Enough 10 percent
About Right 37 percent
President Obama is not popular in Iowa, with 60 percent of voters disapproving of the job he is doing, while 39 percent approve.
Obama Job Performance
Approve 39 percent
Disapprove 60 percent
Kansas
Republican incumbent Pat Roberts held onto to his seat in Kansas today as the party faithful put their support behind him.
Challenger Greg Orman, won a majority of support among fellow independents.
Independents
Roberts 37 percent
Orman 54 percent
Batson 9 percent
However, Orman’s advantage among independents and early deciders was outweighed by Roberts’ advantage among Republicans, who make up 48 percent of Kansas voters. Roberts won Republicans by a 85-13 percent margin.
Party Breakdown
Democrat 25 percent
Republican 48 percent
Independent 28 percent
Despite his win, 62 percent of voters said Roberts has spent too much time away from Kansas to represent the state effectively. Those voters broke for Orman 55-38 percent.
Roberts Away From
Kansas Too Much?
Yes 62 percent
No 33 percent
But the Republican leaning in Kansas remained constant among voters Tuesday. A majority of Kansas voters said they wanted the Republicans to win control of the Senate. Only 29 percent say they prefer the Democrats to win control.
Prefer to Win Control of the Senate
Democrats 29 percent
Republicans 56 percent
Does not matter 12 percent
Louisiana
Louisiana will host a runoff between incumbent Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu and her Republican challenger Bill Cassidy. Cassidy appears to have the advantage, with voters saying they would support Cassidy in a runoff by a 51 percent to 43 percent margin
Runoff Election Vote
Landrieu 43 percent
Cassidy 51 percent
No vote 4 percent
Over half of voters -- 57 percent -- say that Landrieu agrees with the president too often, while only 34 percent say she agrees with the president about the right amount of the time.
Landrieu Agrees With Obama On The Issues
Too often 57 percent
Not enough 6 percent
About Right Amount 34 percent
North Carolina
Incumbent Democratic Senator Kay Hagan was defeated by Republican Thom Tillis in the hotly contested race in North Carolina. One problem for Hagan was President Obama, with more Tar Heel State voters viewing the administration negatively than positively.
Feelings About Obama Administration
Positive 39 percent
Negative 60 percent
Additionally, about half of North Carolina voters said Hagan agrees with Obama too often.
Hagan Agrees With Obama
Too Often 52 percent
Not Often Enough 6 percent
About Right 37 percent
Nearly 40 percent of North Carolina voters were very worried about the direction of the nation’s economy. These voters supported Tillis, 72 percent to 25 percent.
Worried About Future of U.S. Economy?
Very 39 percent
Somewhat 36 percent
Not too 19 percent
Not at all 5 percent
Virginia
In a race that is still too close to call Wednesday morning, Sen. Mark Warner received an unexpectedly strong challenge from Republican candidate, Ed Gillespie. The race was driven in part by dissatisfaction with President Obama’s job performance.
Obama job performance
Approve 40 percent
Disapprove 58 percent
Seniors, who strongly supported Warner in 2008, broke for Gillespie Tuesday, which contributed to the closeness of the race.
Seniors
Warner 46 percent
Gillespie 54 percent
Four out of five Virginia voters are worried about the direction of the nation’s economy next year. Only 40 percent of those voters went for Warner, while 58 percent went for Gillespie.
Worried About Future
Of US Economy?
Worried 82 percent
Not Worried 18 percent
Methodology
Edison Research conducted this exit poll for Fox News and interviewed over 18,000 voters as they left randomly selected polling places around the country.
Republicans claim Senate majority, take control of Congress
Voters handed control of the Senate to Republicans for the first time in eight years on Tuesday, putting the GOP in charge of Congress for the remainder of President Obama's term.
Republicans swept to victory in a string of contests across the country, retaining every one of the GOP-held seats up for grabs and picking up more than the six seats needed to take control of the Senate. Republicans enjoyed a banner night after mounting campaigns from coast to coast that, almost without exception, sought to cast their opponents as rubber stamps for the unpopular president. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who fended off a Democratic challenge in Kentucky, is now poised to ascend to majority leader next year.
Republicans also are projected to retain control of the House -- and gain at least 12 seats, expanding their majority beyond their post-World War II record of 246 seats set in 1946.
The landscape means Republicans will have new powers to challenge Obama's agenda in the final two years of his term, able to launch investigations and hold hearings from both chambers; hold up key appointments; and pass GOP-favored legislation, if only to force the president to employ his veto pen. The division of power also could yield areas of agreement, on areas ranging from immigration to energy -- though the Affordable Care Act and efforts to undermine it could continue to sour talks on other issues.
McConnell, after winning his own race, said some things won't change next year -- but stressed that lawmakers and the White House don't have to be in "perpetual conflict" and "have an obligation to work together."
"Tomorrow, the papers will say I won this race, but the truth is ... tonight we begin another one, one that's far more important than mine -- and that's the race to turn this country around," McConnell said in Louisville.
In a written statement, current Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid congratulated McConnell and said he looked forward to working with him as the next majority leader.
So far, Republicans have gained seven Senate seats. In North Carolina, Thom Tillis, a Republican member of the state legislature, is projected to oust U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, a first-term Democrat, in a closely fought race that saw spending top $100 million. Republican Joni Ernst also beat Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley in Iowa.
Echoing a campaign ad about hogs that helped her gain attention early on in her race, Ernst declared, "We are heading to Washington, and we are going to make 'em squeal."
Republicans picked up seats in territory all over the country Tuesday night. In Montana, Republican Steve Daines defeated Democrat Amanda Curtis, flipping control of the seat to the Republican Party for the first time since 1913. In Colorado, GOP Rep. Cory Gardner ousted first-term Democratic Sen. Mark Udall.
South Dakota Republican Mike Rounds also won the race to replace retiring Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson. Further, GOP Rep. Tom Cotton unseated two-term Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor in Arkansas and Shelley Moore Capito beat Democrat Natalie Tennant for an open Senate seat in West Virginia.
In a vital set of victories that helped put the party on the path to the majority, Republicans also held onto all three seats that were in contention this year.
In Kentucky, McConnell defeated Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, Kentucky's secretary of state. Republican David Perdue, former CEO of Dollar General, beat Democrat Michelle Nunn for the open Georgia Senate seat; and three-term Republican Sen. Pat Roberts survived the political scare of his life by beating independent challenger Greg Orman in Kansas.
In a setback for Republicans, Democratic Sen. Jeanne Shaheen beat Republican challenger Scott Brown, despite Brown's late-surging campaign.
But Republicans' momentum was undeniable.
A handful of other races remain too close to call -- most notably, in Virginia, where Republican Ed Gillespie is running a late-surging campaign against Democratic Sen. Mark Warner.
According to Fox News exit polls, this race is looking much closer than it did in pre-election polling, in which Warner, a former Virginia governor, held a months-long, 20-point lead over Gillespie, the former chairman of the Republican National Committee. Gillespie eventually cut that lead in half, but the race now appears even closer.
The Senate race in Alaska also is not yet called.
Fox News, though, can project that the Louisiana Senate race will go to a runoff on Dec. 6, meaning there will be no winner from Tuesday night. Based on exit polling, Fox projects that three-term Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu and Republican challenger Bill Cassidy will both fail to exceed 50 percent of the vote, sending both into a runoff, this time without competition from candidates such as Republican Rob Maness.
At stake Tuesday night were 435 House seats, 36 Senate seats, and another 36 gubernatorial races.
The U.S. Senate battle, with control of Capitol Hill at stake, was the most closely watched.
The following Republican incumbents also won Tuesday: Sen. Thad Cochran in Mississippi; Sen. Lamar Alexander in Tennessee; Sen. Susan Collins in Maine; Sen. Mike Enzi in Wyoming; Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Tim Scott in South Carolina; Sen. Jim Risch in Idaho; Sen. John Cornyn in Texas, Sen. Jeff Sessions in Alabama; and Sen. James Inhofe in Oklahoma. Republican James Lankford won the seat being vacated by Republican Tom Coburn. And university president Ben Sasse, a Republican, beat Democrat David Domina for an open Nebraska Senate seat.
The following Democratic senators also won: Sen. Dick Durbin in Illinois; Sen. Cory Booker in New Jersey; Sen. Brian Schatz in Hawaii; Sen. Jeff Merkley in Oregon; Sen. Tom Udall in New Mexico; Sen. Al Franken in Minnesota; Sen. Ed Markey in Massachusetts; Sen. Chris Coons in Delaware; and Sen. Jack Reed in Rhode Island.
In Michigan, Democrat Gary Peters won an open seat.
The Obama factor may have weighed heavily over the vote Tuesday night. Fox News Exit Polls show more than a third of voters -- 34 percent -- said they voted to show they're opposed to Obama's policies. That number was a bit higher in 2010.
By contrast, just 20 percent voted to show support for Obama. Forty-five percent said it was not a factor.
The economy was by far the biggest issue for voters; 43 percent said it was the most important issue. Of those worried about the direction of the economy, they voted for the Republican candidate by a 20-point difference, exit polls show.
Most the campaigning and the big money in recent months concentrated on roughly 10 competitive contests. Seven were for the seats held by Democrats: in Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Louisiana, New Hampshire and North Carolina. Three were for the seats held by Republicans: in Georgia, Kansas and Kentucky.
Surprise developments colored the elections in several states -- perhaps most notably, the Democratic candidate's decision to drop out of the race for Senate in Kansas. His decision immediately boosted independent Orman in his race against Roberts, who until that race shakeup was leading in the polls. Roberts ultimately survived.
In Kentucky, Grimes also suffered a PR blow after she repeatedly refused to say whether she voted for Obama. In the final days of the race, both campaigns turned to accusing each other of putting out inappropriate mailers.
At the state level, nearly a dozen U.S. governors were considered in political peril, making it one of the toughest years for incumbent governors in decades. However, most of them held on, and Republican candidates did well in several races -- including in Wisconsin, where GOP Gov. Scott Walker survived yet another challenge.
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