Happy Hour Roundup
* Chuck Todd and the MSNBC gang say that which must not be said: Tonight’s elections aren’t really a referendum on Obama. Of course, being a left-wing version of Fox, MSNBC would be expected to say this.
* But: National Dems are closely watching turnout today to gauge the depth of their problems heading into 2010.
* Indeed, new CNN numbers suggest Americans are divided over Congress, with 50% saying they’d vote for a Dem versus 44% for a Republican, a spread that’s at the edge of the margin of error.
* Monitor Virginia results here. New Jersey results here. NY-23 results here. Or you can find comprehensive scoreboards at sites like TPM and Politico.
* Still more signs that a GOP victory in NY-23 won’t really be an indicator of Sarah Palin’s awesomely powerful brand of populism.
* Did a poll worker for conservative Doug Hoffman have his tire slashed? Actually, he may just have run over a bottle.
* Chris Christie says the Jersey election is not about Obama, though he’d be expected to say that.
* House Dem leadership aides and some moderate Dems appear to be blaming a leak to yours truly and others for difficulties in rounding up votes for health care. Not kidding!
* Obama is really, really, really not heeding demands that he hurry up and make a decision on Afghanistan.
* A State-Defense turf war underway?
* Joan McCarter, on the roughly 30 House Dems who are known to be holding up health care reform over abortion funding: “Incidentally, 28 of them are men. Shocking, I know.”
* Drudge protege Andrew Breitbart makes the master proud, publishes poll with hilariously loaded questions finding strong opposition to health care proposals.
* Don’t miss Snowe versus T-Paw.
Got anything else?
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all, any problems this afternoon commenting? site felt sluggish to me. trying to figure out whether others had same experience.
To every Democrat on a ballot next year: 2010 will be a base election. Placate to the blue dogs means Dems will lose big, because the base will stay home.
If Dems want to win a 3rd election cycle in a row, further control Congress and gain more political capital…then it’s easy. Please the base. Pass a public option, push populist financial reform, pass EFCA, move forward on Climate Change, and tackle immigration reform…then run on the platform that you need to keep winning if you want to get it all done. The base will deliver for you.
If you don’t think that’s a sound political strategy, then look at what the Republicans are doing – sucking up to the base. The base is what wins elections in mid-terms.
@Greg
It’s a little slow…but not terrible.
Greg… no problem here.
Thanks BBQ. Figured. Drove me nuts today. And agreed on the base. Dems historically seem to be much less willing to believe this, and Repubs know it cold.
I heard that voter turnout in Maine seems to be higher than expected. Most people expect that bodes well for gay marriage rights.
Naughty Greg! Who leaked the whip count to you?
“A Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to marry a couple because the bride was white and groom was black resigned Tuesday.”
“Senior Congressional Democrats told ABC News today it is highly unlikely that a health care reform bill will be completed this year.”
I’m keeping a copy of the whip count on hand for 2010–especially for Loretta Sanchez (CA-47) who we now know talks out of both sides of her mouth.
Here’s a little more on the alleged tire slashing incident.
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — At a short press availability in his campaign office here, NY-23 Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman said that a GOTV volunteer’s tires had been slashed, and all but blamed Democrats for the dirty trick.
“There are reports that they’re bringing in the troops and they’re bringing in ACORN,” said Hoffman. “I think the Democrats are doing anything they possibly can to steal this election away from the 23rd district.”
@Greg
In regards to the site, I’m curious if traffic is higher this evening because of the races. It’s not a Presidental or anything…but I’d think you’d be getting some carryover. Not sure if it’d be enough to slow it down…but I’m a data junkie so I’d still be curious!
I love how ACORN is stealing the election in NJ…since they haven’t worked in NJ at all this year.
#GOPfail
lmsinca:
“I heard that voter turnout in Maine seems to be higher than expected. Most people expect that bodes well for gay marriage rights.’
Ahem, maybe that’s so in your corner of California, but usually people don’t get off their butts to vote in order to maintain the status quo.
Rather the opposite.
BBQ:
“I love how ACORN is stealing the election in NJ…since they haven’t worked in NJ at all this year.”
Do you have some outside reference for this that we can all look at, or are you responding to the voices in your head again?
Welcome to ABC’s “V,” the most fascinating and bound to be the most controversial new show of the fall television season. Nominally a rousing sci-fi space opera about alien invaders bent on the conquest (and digestion) of all humanity, it’s also a barbed commentary on Obamamania that will infuriate the president’s supporters and delight his detractors.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-tc-tvcolumn-v-1102-1103nov03,0,7062976.story
Virginia polls close…
https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2009/37C2EDEB-FACB-44C1-AF70-05FB616DCD62/UnOfficial/2_s.shtml
I heard that voter turnout in Maine seems to be higher than expected. Most people expect that bodes well for gay marriage rights.
I’ve read this, too. Sully’s got a good observation. He suggests paying attention to the average voter age in exit polling. On gay rights issues all across the country there’s a big demographic divide between young & old, so avg. voter age is probably a good indicator of how the referendum will go.
Rep. Cantor just told MSNBC that this is Obama’s economy now. Wow a real shot across the bow!. I know that some Rs think that’s a good strategy but clearly they’re not following the economy that closely. So, what are guys like Cantor doing to help his country’s economy, maybe he should listen to what the President said in NJ Sunday:
“And I’ve been saying all over the country, I don’t think it’s right for those who helped get us into this mess to be somehow standing back and saying, “Well, why haven’t you fixed it?” I don’t mind grabbing a mop and cleaning up somebody else’s mess. (Applause.) That’s fine. Jon Corzine doesn’t mind cleaning up somebody else’s mess. But don’t stand there and say, “How come you’re not — how come you’re not holding the mop the right way? How come you’re not mopping fast enough? Why are you using a socialist mop?” (Laughter.) Why don’t you grab a mop? (Applause.) Grab a mop.”
There you have it the Obama presidency is over… NBC gives Virginia Gov. to McDonnell!
@Bileman
“Do you have some outside reference for this that we can all look at, or are you responding to the voices in your head again?”
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/acorn_were_not_even_working_in_new_jersey.php?ref=fpc
@sbj:
Seriously, the “V” conspiracy? HAHAHAHHAHA. What an utterly pathetic parody of itself the right-wing has become.
Given that Kenneth Johnson had to foresee the Obama Presidency all the way back in the early 80’s, when he created it…that puts him right up there with the diabolical parents of Obama who put birth announcements in local Hawaii newspapers!
Politico just called it a GOP sweep in Virginia.
Woot!
BBQ:
““Do you have some outside reference for this that we can all look at, or are you responding to the voices in your head again?”
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/11/acorn_were_not_even_working_in_new_jersey.php?ref=fpc”
That’s a new one on me. Voter fraud and election rigging in New Jersey?
Why would anyone think they’d need to import anyone to Jersey to do THAT?
Yessh.
@Bileman
*pats head*
Who’s a good wingnut? You’re such a good wingnut. Who’s a good wingnut?!?! Dat’s a goooood boy! GOOOOOOD WINGNUT!
All quiet on the Lib Front….hello…any libs here?
Yay. Hopefully all the VA schools go from being some of the best in the country to the worst in the country since Republicans don’t believe in funding public schools.
VA’s children can’t wait!
I hope they go to **** so VA Dems will wake the hell up.
Hopefully McDonnel doesn’t mess up VA’s #1 ranking on the best place to run a business also.
mike from arlington:
Y’know, pal, we can always cede your butt back over to the District if you like.
See how you like living under a terminally Democratic regime.
BBQ:
“Who’s a good wingnut? You’re such a good wingnut. Who’s a good wingnut?!?! Dat’s a goooood boy! GOOOOOOD WINGNUT!”
LOL.
Hey Greg… is it pretty safe to say that if Hoffman wins tonight he wouldn’t be caught dead caucusing with the house GOP? I mean it seems a little embarrassing that the leader of the house GOP endorsed Hoffman’s opponent and gave her $5,000 to kick his butt.
Bilge. VA has had Democratic Governors the last two times. #1 place to run a business the last 4 years. Some of the best public high schools in the nation.
This all happened under Democratic leadership.
That is reality.
Spin those facts how you want.
For your reference, here is a listing of the best schools out there. VA ranks 5th overall on the list.
Note which states rank last and how they lean politically. Republican ran states are failures in education. That’s not by accident either. Republicans are notorious for not being interested in education.
http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/high-schools/2008/12/04/best-high-schools-state-by-state-statistics.html
It’s a sad reality but Republican leadership is destroying our education system.
I know I should be taking this more seriously since the winds of political change tonight are hurricane like, but if 44 doesn’t have to then why should I????
From POLITICO:
‘NOT WATCHING’ — A few hours after telling reporters they shouldn’t expect “any great insight” into 2010 based on the outcome of Tuesday night’s elections, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told POLITICO the president wasn’t even following the results.
“He’s not watching returns,” Gibbs said.
mike from arlington:
” VA has had Democratic Governors the last two times. #1 place to run a business the last 4 years. Some of the best public high schools in the nation.
This all happened under Democratic leadership.
That is reality.
Spin those facts how you want.”
Sonny-boy, I’ve been a Virginian for over 40 years, now I don’t know how long YOU have lived in the Old Dominion, but we have always had a respectable public schools system…and it hasn’t been thanks to any moonbat liberal notions that may have been in vogue in pedagogy curricula, but because we pretty much let the counties and the cities tend to their own schools.
If folks want to abide with crummy schools,that’s up to them, (and if you want a pretty good indicator of where the crappy schools in Virginia are, look to the areas colored blue on Politico’s map).
Business-friendly? And you think that that’s because of having eight years of Democratic governors?
Not quite, buckaroo. Democrats in Virginia don’t MAKE it to the state level without being business friendly.
You might want to write this down, because it seems to have escaped your notice, but despite 4 years of Guv’nah Prettyboy Warner and another 4 years of Guv’nah Eyebrow Kaine, the Commonwealth remains a Right-to-Work State…which means there is no such thing here as a closed union shop.
“It’s a sad reality but Republican leadership is destroying our education system.”
Ace, you know bupkis about thios state.
Having a good public school system is one of the ways counties, (and our state), compete for business.
And as you are at least aware of, business seems to like what we offer.
You REALLY should try and get beyond the beltway more often, y’know?
As a amatter of fact, I think Guv’nah Cheeseburger will make it easy for you by widening I-66 to eaight lanes all the way in to DC…that oughtta help ease traffic congestion…AND do a number on Arlington.
I lived on 10th Road North right off of Wilson Blvd when they were first punching I-66 through…that was fun. Cut the county in half.
No reason not to carve it up wider now, though.
Politico just called New Jersey for Christie.
Woot!
Bilgeman, if you’ve been living in Virginia for more than 40 years, you’re too old to say Woot.
It’s not like Christie got elected homecoming king. He was the lesser of two evils. My favorite kind of election.
I chuckle when pundits say the Goldman connection may have helped do in Corzine. I know NJ, and one look at the map shows you the counties where all the Wall Streeters and live went 60+ for Christie. Everything to do with property taxes. Nothing to do with Goldman. Good luck to Christie cleaning up that swamp.
hhttp://www.northjersey.com/news/AP_exit_poll_NJ_voters_not_thrilled_with_choices_.html
Leftwing bias so strong it covers up issues leftwingers ought to care about: CNN reports that one year after Obama’s election, don’t ask, dont tell “remains in place”? How about “remains in place and is vigorously defended by Obama Administration lawyers.” Notice the difference?
So, Dems gain two more votes possibly in Congress. Republicans none.
How you like them apples?
Elections have consequences, kids.
DNC Chairman Timothy “Eyebrow” Kaine couldn’t deliver his own state and his succesor for the Democrats.
(In fact, as of this writing, Deeds tallied less votes than any of the other Democrats on the ticket!)
New Jersey, which is a reliable Blue state usually, goes Red for Christie.
New York 23 is too close to call at closing time, and this from a schlub accountant from nowhere that no-one had ever heard of until Sarah Palin mentioned his name and highlighted him favorably against the hand-picked GOP RINO.
So what do you think one of the consequences of tonight’s elections will be?
The Blue Dog Democrats won’t be so timid anymore.
The Alleged Hawaiian doesn’t swing as big a d!ck as he thought he did.
Public Option/Single Payer/Socialist Utopiacare is DEAD.
Democrats are not going to DARE to try ramrodding anything that radical through on their own.
Cap and Trade is DEAD.
And if the supposed economic recovery underway doesn’t start translating into more jobs and less foreclosures,while you moonbats will blame Bush until your dying day, election night 2010 is going to be sickeningly familiar to you.
bilge, think again.
A Dem just won in a district that hasn’t voted a Dem into Congress in 150 years.
Dems pick up two more house seats.
Republicans – zero.
Sorry. Get some sleep. You’re spinning head will feel better in the morning.
Biggest news today – hoffman and that twit from tundras bite the dust. Eat it, you wingnut trolls.
Sarah Palin Big Loser in Tonight’s Races
>> Virginia: GOP gov candidate tells Palin to stay away, she does, he wins big.
>> New Jersey: See Virginia.
>> NY-23: Palin et al. diss local GOOPer, back NY Conservative Party non-local candidate, Dem wins district for first time since before the invention of water.
E.J. gets it right…
“…one immediate lesson from these off-off-year elections is already clear: Democrats have a lot of work to do to bring Obama loyalists to the polls, particularly the young. Early exit polls suggest that the share of the electorate represented by voters under 30 will be cut roughly in half compared to 2008.” http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2009/11/less_than_fired_up.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
How to do it is the question.
“The myth of Fox News’ ratings spike” http://mediamatters.org/columns/200911030004
This is a classic example of the right’s expertise in manipulating media narratives. Understanding modern media habits/propensities (fact checking commonly absent, horse-races excite, repetition implies consensus and truth, over-arching framework of assumed equivalences, etc) allows one to forward pretty much any desired version of ‘reality’ so long as one merely understands these institutional tendencies of modern meda.
mike from arlington:
“Sorry. Get some sleep. You’re spinning head will feel better in the morning.”
By God, you’re right! It’s morning and I feel GREAT!
You?
Congratulations on your glorious win in NY-23, where e bucket of rancid chicken gizzards defeated a nobody from nowhere.
Did anyone catch if Chicken Gizzard Owens could be called a “Blue Dog” or not?
Hmmmm.
I expect some mass resignations from the GOP’s NY-23 component Party Committees quite soon.
Maine Voters B!tch-slapped Gay Marriage, too.
(Sorry kids, you’re just going to have to live in sin or move to Vermont).
All, morning roundup posted, all about last night’s results:
http://theplumline.whorunsgov.com/democratic-national-committee/the-morning-plum-4/
Today’s best quote from another planet…
“After years of steady moderation, conservatives think it might be time to give their ideas a try.” – Jonah Goldberg NRO
Maine Voters B!tch-slapped Gay Marriage, too.
By a 2% margin.
Some slap…………