American Elections

[Seamus Fermanagh]

For those of you keeping tabs:

As of 11pm EST, projections show the Democrats controlling the House of Representatives (starting in January) with a pickup of 20-25 seats [15 needed for control]. The Senate seems likely to be retained by the Republicans, but by a much narrower margin than previously. It is still possible that a near tie will occur, making the role of independents Leiberman and Sanders more important.

By-the-way, Sanders, just elected to the Senate from Vermont, is the USA's one ardent socialist in high political office. Vermont adores him.

[Xiahou]

Well, I certainly won't miss Chafee... Too bad about Santorum, but if Casey is anything like his father and sticks to his campaign positions they have similar views anyhow- pro-life, pro-Iraq, yada yada.

The GOP House leadership was pretty feckless, so I certainly won't mourn their losing positions of power either. And with apparent GOP control of the Senate retained, there's still some hope for judicial nominations.

Edit: I'm also glad to wave goodbye to the mistress strangling philanderer in the next disctrict over from mine. My only regret is not being able to vote to help send him packing.

[Hurin_Rules]

Headline: Public Finally Realizes Emperor Bush Has No Clothes.

And yes, like liberty, freedom and the Democrats, I'm back :)

[Crazed Rabbit]

Well, the GOP has lost the house. Hopefully it keeps the Senate.

Also, I hope this sends a big smack to the stupid faces of the GOP leadership who seem to think pork is the way to go.

CR

[Xiahou]

Also, I hope this sends a big smack to the stupid faces of the GOP leadership who seem to think pork is the way to go.

Amen to that. But, as I've said before- I'm afraid they'll think they lost because they didnt bring home enough pork instead of too much.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Oh crap, it looks like Burner is in the (slim) lead right now. Gah, we already have Jim Mcdermott, please don't let WA elect Darcy Burner

CR

[Celtic_Guardian]

Kerry Healey learned negative campaign ads dont work.......she won most of the rich Massachusetts towns, surprise surprise she lost the following by wide margins

Fitchburg (featured in a book as one the worst places to live in the US)
Worcester-low income
Springfield-low income
Gloucester-fishing town/low income
Boston-urban
New Bedford-low income
Lynn-low income

I guess all her "cop killer" tv ads were ineffective. Good try, next time, try doing more than screaming "COMMUNIST" if you want to be a govenor.

Deval Patrick will be the second African-American govenor in U.S history.

[Lemur]

I'm afraid they'll think they lost because they didnt bring home enough pork instead of too much.

How is that possible? They increased our unfunded debt by 100% over four years! How much pork would they need to buy one-party power forever? I mean, really. There's be pork in the trees, bacon on the roads, ham blanketing the countryside. This last Congress approached the hypothetical limit of pork. They were the lightspeed of pork, past which no object can move. They were the black hole of pork, from which not even light escapes.

Having lived at the apogee of pork, surely even the G.O.P. must now see that bloated pet project spending isn't the way to retain power ...

[Crazed Rabbit]

I hope you're right Lemur. Otherwise, we may have two vastly incompetent parties.

CR

[Prince of the Poodles]

Hmm.. If Iraq is still going poorly in 08, the democrats will lose a big part of their appeal.

By taking power, they are now taking some responsibility(in the eyes of the average voter) in what happens in Iraq.

This could set the Reps up perfectly for 08. Bush will be gone, dems wont be able to blame everything on the Reps, and the problems over the last few years may well be forgotten.

If the Reps get their act together, they could sweep in with a new Pres and a fresh set of politicians.

In my opinion, the Reps have much better presidential pickings than the Dems. If anybody thinks Barak Obama is the next US president, Ive got a bridge to sell you.

[Xiahou]

How is that possible? They increased our unfunded debt by 100% over four years! How much pork would they need to buy one-party power forever? I mean, really. There's be pork in the trees, bacon on the roads, ham blanketing the countryside. This last Congress approached the hypothetical limit of pork. They were the lightspeed of pork, past which no object can move. They were the black hole of pork, from which not even light escapes.

Having lived at the apogee of pork, surely even the G.O.P. must now see that bloated pet project spending isn't the way to retain power ...

My statement was based on the derisive term used to refer to the Republican Study Committee (aka the real conservatives). They had been referred to as the "minority caucus", because if their policies were implemented the GOP would be the minority party again.

Obviously, they were stupid and wrong to say such (this election is evidence), but when arent politicians stupid and wrong? I hope the notion is wrong too- but I have to consider the worst case as well. On the bright side, the GOP leadership in the House is likely to have their leadership positions now challenged, so maybe the influence of these knuckleheads will be lessened.

[Hurin_Rules]

The Senate is still in play folks.

As of midnight EST, Webb just pulled ahead of Allen by 2,500 votes in Virginia. There will surely be a recount and lawsuits, but it looks like control of the entire senate will come down to a single race in Montana that is way to early to call.

Looks like it'll be a long night... but a bit longer for the Republicans.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Well, I remember the Dem Senate candidate from Montana being very conservative. So maybe not all is lost.

On the bright side, there might be a purge of big-govt republicans.

CR

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Wow that webb v allen race is close. Don't the Dems need 3 more seats to control the senate?

[Hurin_Rules]

Yep, they need Virginia and 2 more, out of Tenessee, Montana and Missouri... odds are still against them, but wow, is it ever a nailbiter.

[discovery1]

Oh man, AP has the dems ahead in VA by 3,000 votes. Pretty close in Montana too, also 3,000 although that is Montana. The dems also seem to think that TN can be taken, but I doubt it. Note that 2025 of 2330 Precincts Reporting in TN as of now.

[Proletariat]

Nice. I live in Va and got a real brow-beating from my Momma for not getting out and voting. I just didn't feel like wasting the gas and time on voting libertarian, but unfortunately I promised her dinner if her party lost by one vote.

[Xiahou]

Yep, they need Virginia and 2 more, out of Tenessee, Montana and Missouri... odds are still against them, but wow, is it ever a nailbiter.

I'd be surprised if Tennessee doesnt go to the GOP. The other 2 states are far more uncertain.

[Lord Winter]

3 more 2 for a tie.

Looks like we're going to a stand still, as dems don't control enough to override a veto. It will be interesting to see if bush stays as the president with the lowest amount of vetos.

[Prince of the Poodles]

God help us.

Look into her eyes. Pure evil.

[Csargo]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOO

[Sasaki Kojiro]

God help us.

Look into her eyes. Pure evil.

Day One: Put new rules in place to "break the link between lobbyists and legislation."

Day Two: Enact all the recommendations made by the commission that investigated the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Time remaining until 100 hours: Raise the minimum wage to $7.25 an hour, maybe in one step. Cut the interest rate on student loans in half. Allow the government to negotiate directly with the pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices for Medicare patients.

Broaden the types of stem cell research allowed with federal funds _ "I hope with a veto-proof majority," she added in an Associated Press interview Thursday.

All the days after that: "Pay as you go," meaning no increasing the deficit, whether the issue is middle class tax relief, health care or some other priority.

Sounds pretty good to me

[Lemur]

Look into her eyes. Pure evil.

And Hastert was pure good? Feh, the Dems are going to have a narrow majority of at leasy one House. Whether or not Pelosi is the apotheosis of Baby Boomer foulness, she'll be limited in what she can do.

[edit]

Interesting poll:

By a wide margin, Americans who voted Tuesday in the midterm election say they disapprove of the war in Iraq.

But when asked which issue was extremely important to their vote, more voters said corruption and ethics in government than any other issue, including the war, according to national exit polls.

[Hurin_Rules]

I'd be surprised if Tennessee doesnt go to the GOP. The other 2 states are far more uncertain.

Yep, I agree, I think the GOP has Tennessee. Which means it's down to Montana and Missouri, and both seem up for grabs.

This is turning out to be a longer contest than fighting back the Mongol Horde in MTW 1.

[Divinus Arma]

Congratulations to the ORG leftist liberals of America. You and your ilk will now control a major component of the U.S. Congress.

It has been a long road and analysis is not something I feel like undertaking at this hour. Regardless, I congratulate you on your victory.

If nothing else, this vote has shown us all how wonderful the United states is when compared against the backwards tyrannical theocratic governments of the world. Our people will freely choose to be taxed, to be controlled by madmen, and to have American values sacrificed at the altar of instant gratification.

Thank God this will be a divided lame duck government and the lunatic left can push nothing through. The only thing that matters now is 2008. John McCain seems to be the frontrunner, and with a Democrat congress:

VIVA EL UNITIDO STATES OF EL MEXICO!!!!

Prepare for the invasion. The United States will fall to a 3rd world invasion because of this. Liberals will dominate for 100 years. And that means we will die in a terrorist nuclear holocaust.

Congratulations.

[Crazed Rabbit]

And Hastert was pure good?

No, he was only partially evil. Well, mostly evil as he's a politician, but not pure evil.

Yep, they need Virginia and 2 more, out of Tenessee, Montana and Missouri... odds are still against them, but wow, is it ever a nailbiter.

They might get Virginia, but I don't think they'll get Missouri or TN. Montana- who knows?

So I think we'll keep the Senate.

Sounds pretty good to me

One word: Veto.
Oh, and bi-cameral legislature.

CR

[Samurai Waki]

Hmmm... I've always liked Montana Dems...much like myself. Socially Conservative, Economically Liberal.

BTW, the Whole Iraq mess isn't going to be resolved in the Senate anyways, it's the House that matters, and it's now in control of the Dems. Bush is going to be in power for 2 VERRRRY Long Years.

PS: The GOP Lost Montana.

[Divinus Arma]

Socially Conservative, Economically Liberal.

The worst of the worst: we want to control your pocketbooks AND your lifestyles. Th exact opposite of everything I believe in. I tolerate social conservatism for economic conservatism.

The most important quality os constituional conservatism: Social liberalism and economic/governmental conservatism. This is the idea that government should not legislate American culture.

[Proletariat]

Seriously! Socially conservative but a left on economics? I think I'm gonna be sick...

[Samurai Waki]

mwahahahaha

I Love Reactionists.