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OPEN ELECTION THREAD
Gloat if Republicans or Democrats win! Seethe if Republicans or Democrats lose! It’s your choice!
UPDATE. Attention, voters! Is it raining where you’re at? If so, that’s the work of Gaia and Rove:
A new study of voter behavior confirms something political operatives have long suspected: rain hurts Democrats and helps Republicans. The study found that 1 inch of rain reduces overall turnout by slightly less than 1 percent and cuts the Democratic vote by 2.5 percentage points.
UPDATE II. Patricia: “I think tomorrow everyone should all meet in the public square and have a big fistfight, until we are spent. The anger in the land makes the 2000 election look like a love-in.”
UPDATE III. Greg Palast:
Here’s how the 2006 mid-term election was stolen.
Note the past tense. And I’m not kidding.
And shoot me for saying this, but it won’t be stolen by jerking with the touch-screen machines (though they’ll do their nasty part). While progressives panic over the viral spread of suspect computer black boxes, the Karl Rove-bots have been tunneling into the vote vaults through entirely different means.
Means explained by Dave S.: “All went according to plan. The poll worker who was handing out the ballots pulled up her sleeve a bit, showing the Mark of the Beast on her wrist (a ‘KR’ encircled by a dragon eating its own tail, for those who missed the meeting - I’m looking at you, Wron). I gave her the verbal countersign (‘There was blood on the moon last night’), and she handed me the special ballot and directed me to booth #13, where I found the invisible-ink pen and wrote the initiation code (‘666/Scorpius’) in the appropriate place. I fed the ballot into the Diebold, it gave the confirmation tritone (the first three notes of ‘Black Sabbath’), and bang! There’s my 100 votes!”
UPDATE IV. Post-election discussion tonight at the Nelson Hotel, Oxford St., Bondi Junction from 8pm. Wear protective attire.
UPDATE V. Paperweight deployed:
A man who reportedly believed Republicans were conspiring to steal today’s election entered an Allentown polling site, signed in and proceeded to smash the screen of one of the electronic voting machines with a metal cat paperweight, poll volunteers said.
UPDATE VI. Jonah Goldberg: “It looks bad for the GOP right now.”
UPDATE VII. NRO has excellent ongoing coverage here. Outlook remains grim for Republicans.
UPDATE VIII. Richard McEnroe: “Lamont crashed and burned. Kos is now officially O-for-EVERYTHING.”
UPDATE IX. Ramesh Ponnuru: “If I heard him right, John Kerry just called Ted Kennedy the greatest senator in American history.”
UPDATE X. Mark Steyn: “So much for post-9/11 realism: The United States now has its first self-declared socialist in the senate - my Vermont neighbor, Bernie Sanders.” Also from Steyn: “The Democrats are close enough to smell those House chairmanships now - as well as the big chairwomanship.”
UPDATE XII. An election promise from Michael Moore:
I’LL PUT YOU ON MY WEBSITE. That’s right. You can appear on my home page and be seen by millions later today. All you need to do is bring a broom when you go to vote. The broom is our mascot today because we’re going to sweep the crooks and the warmongers outta office. Take a picture of yourself holding a broom outside your polling place, e-mail it to me, and I’ll put as many of you as I can up on the home page of my website.
UPDATE XIII. The SMH:
Democrats swept Republicans out of power in the US House of Representatives today, riding public doubts about the war in Iraq and President George Bush’s leadership to victory.
UPDATE XIV. Steyn: “Okay, looks like it’s time to start saying ‘Madam Speaker’ ...”
UPDATE XV. Ned Lamont is a Hero.
I cast my ballot this morning. I live in Rahm Emmanuel’s district in Chicago, so the outcome is a foregone conclusion. There were some local elections that are competitive, and my ballot may help nudge better people into office.
On the back of the Illinois ballot was a referendum on the question of whether US troops should withdraw immediately from Iraq. Nonbinding, of course, but if it carries, it’s blood in the water for the moonbats. Voted no, of course.
In some ways, the ballot here is a sham: the outcomes are a foregone conclusion, and many Democrats are running unopposed. It’s almost like a Daily Kos wet dream come true. But when I think of those brave souls in Iraq, who risked their lives for the right to put their X on a ballot for the person or the party of their choice - well, in good conscience, I couldn’t stay home.
Posted by Urbs in Horto on 2006 11 07 at 12:26 PM • permalinkFirst!<-- I struck that out Andrea because I know it is the wrong thing to do,even though I was FIRST.Oh, I almost did it again.Actually I might both gloat and seeth if the Republicans win. I agree with Rebecca that they don’t deserve to win considering their “do nothing” performance in Congress. But the only party that does nothing more than the do nothing Republicans are the do jack Democrats.
Bring back the Federalist Party.
Posted by wronwright on 2006 11 07 at 12:26 PM • permalinkRats. I wasn’t even, you know, that word that rhymes with “burst”. Good thing I struck all that out, or I would have looked really really really stupid.
Posted by wronwright on 2006 11 07 at 12:28 PM • permalinkI reckon it’ll be a Democrat House with a Republican Senate....followed by a NYT editorial saying how it is all (the election, the war in Iraq, global warming, poverty in South Asia) Bush’s fault.
Posted by Villeurbanne on 2006 11 07 at 12:34 PM • permalinkRebecca—you in Chicago too?
Urbs—I live in Danny Davis’s district. Forgone for the Dems and in many of the lower ballot positions, the Dems were running unopposed.
For governor, I actually voted Green. And the guy is a full blown, moonbat, far left watermellon of a Green (watermellon—green on the outside, red in the middle). I agreed with him on two issues—he is for concealed carry and emminent domain reform) So why vote for him? Because Topinka, the GOP canidate was horible and this was my protest.
In reality, the only race I cared about was Cook County Board president, where the GOP actually has a chance to win. This was an important race to address the corruption of Chicago and Cook County. Mayor Daley is up for election in February and will either be reelected OR a left winger will be elected. A reforming Republican beating Daley’s handpicked candidate will keep Daley honest.
As a wag once paraphrased Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for Congress to do something.” Since the “something” that Congress would do under a Democratic majority would be more horrific than what the Republicans have done, or would tend to do in the future, I will be voting the straight Republican ticket. And as I’ve said here before, it’s not that I wouldn’t vote for a good Democrat; I would very likely have voted for Grover Cleveland - maybe even twice. But I can’t think of any since then that particularly appeal to me.
If the donks win, I’ll be seeing some of you in the tumbril, no doubt, or certainly at the gallows, where my last act will be to request that John Kerry pull all of his military records out of his magic hat and release them to the public.
Paco-I have many firearms that you can borrow before it comes to that.
I would not fear a small Dem majority in the House (222-213 say) except for the committee chairs-thoughts of Alcee Hastings and Charlie Rangel being in positions of power are enough to send me into convulsions. Unless they get a majority of 230-205 or more, the Dems probably won’t be able to prevent enough blue dogs from crossing over to do too much damage.
I vote during the day--just got back--with all the senior citizens. So while the lines are short, and the voting machines are older than I (no Diebold in NYC--voting machine mechanics are a high-paid patronage job, obviously), the seniors act like they’ve never seen a mechanical levered voting machine. I just hope that reaction is not a senioritis memory thing.
Alas, I voted Repub against Hillary, Eliot Spitzer, and the crook comptroller Hevesi. What a line-up power hungry pols!
#10 I think you’re right. A small Dem majority would result not in a radical change in policy, but in a golden opportunity to publicise the ideology and shady backgrounds of people like Rangel and Hastings in time for the next election. I remember Hastings from my days in Florida as a rather clumsy public cutpurse; I assumed, at the time(naively), that his days on the public payroll were ended. Not so, obviously. He’s certainly a representative who looks like part of America, but I thought it was that part that had largely been deprived of its voting privileges due to felony convictions. Live and learn, I suppose.
Obi Wan’s late thougths (Geraghty at NRO)
11/07 11:16 AM
Mid-evening, on November 6, Obi Wan went to Yoda and other members of the Jedi Council.He laid out what he thought were some interesting indicators: Three major polls, all showing the generic ballot lead for the Democrats cut in half. His pollster of choice, Andrew Kohut at Pew (formerly with Gallup), wrote a summary of findings that has a fascinating tone:
What follows is an analysis and then the predictions of the Jedi Council.
I just voted. Long lines, about 50/50 black/white. Parents with kids, old people, young, some confused lady wearing bedroom slippers who couldn’t remember for whom she was voting.
I have voted in this same high school for the past 5ish years. But now they have those electronic things that the election judges can’t seem to figure out. At least mine couldn’t. She kept typing my street address where my name was supposed to be typed in, and not finding me. Moron.
The African (accent) man in line ahead of me commented on how nice it is to see so many people voting. Everyone seemed in a quiet, amiable mood. No singing hippies yet.
Anyway, I got to vote, and left. Some reporter with his cameraman outside tried to corner me for an interview, but I eluded him.
The Dem for Gov guy was there, and so was his bus. Pumping out diesel fumes for at least a half-hour. I wouldn’t vote for him for ratcatcher, as the city he governs has had its murder rate zoom past NYC’s, with far less the population (well, now, anyway).
Actually, any gains by the DNC at all will do harm.
Our enemy has been stumping for the DNC. They’ve been doing everything they can to influence voters to display that weakness, stupidity and lack of resolve that the DNC, as a party, represents.
Any gains by the DNC will be seen by our enemy as a victory and as proof possitive that if they only hold out awhile longer, we’ll fold, just like vietnam, just like somalia.
A vote for the DNC is a direct aid to our enemy.
Also at stake, issues of cultural rot and appeasment of the enemy such as
Teaching Johnny About Islam in our public schools. This is nothing but a blatant attempt by radicals in both the industry of education and sitting as judges to help promote our enemy and his views.
Yojimbo-I didn’t say no damage, I said not too much. Don’t put words in my mouth. Look, I am hopeful for a continued Pubbie majority, but with a small Dem majority some blue dogs would cross over on important issues (for instance I can’t see Gene Taylor voting against funding the war). The Dems are clearly in the wrong on almost every issue, but they have at least some in their coalition who will still do the right thing.
I cast my write in ballot this morning, as usual for Cthulhu. I mean why vote for the lesser of two evils?
After all a “Vote for Cthulhu is a Vote for Rove™®”
Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2006 11 07 at 02:27 PM • permalink91B30:
You also have to consider that if the dims win even a single seat majority that they then take control of the committees and will be able to dictate what is and what is not allowed to be even considered for process.
Also, the fact that the dims are even in contention is proof that nearly half this country can not wrap their heads around the reality that if you support the party that is aiding and abetting those that want their own children slaughtered in the streets, then they are, in fact, voting to offer their children up for slaughter in the streets.
We are at war and nearly half this country is unable to think any farther than the reach of their own gonads or the bottom of their own bellies.
These people are worse than worthless. They are the cultural rot that constantly encourages our enemy to aggress against us.
I got to the poll at 7:05 this morning and was surprised there were about 5 people ahead of me. I live in a very small beach community in Orange County, CA, and I’m not used to seeing that many people voting. (I thought it was supposed to be a light turnout.) Anyway, things went smoothly, and then I walked across the street to a table that was set up in a neighbor’s garage, and I bought some raffle tickets for a chance to win a spirit basket(s)- alcohol. Hopefully, the Repubs will sweep AND I’ll win a basket of good booze.
Just another thought(whoa!)
A great deal of this will probably hinge(assuming a dem victory in the House) on the margin of victory. While there are many conservative dems in the House, all of the important cmte’s will be run by very liberal dem’s with iron fist power. The real key, as I see it, is whether Pelosi retains her power. If there is a large shift she will likely retain power and thermo nuclear war will ensue. If it is a very narrow margin then there is a good chance that she will be out on her butt. If that is the case then there is some hope for comity.
<That’s right. Real mean don’t need paragraphs>
Room 237 - damn, I voted Green too. Feels weird, like I was wearing somebody else’s shoes. But you’re right - Topinka is the sort of Republican who makes Democrats look good; her support for Mayor Richard II’s casino lost my vote from the git-go. And you’re right - the business with the Strogers Fils & Pere has been just nuts.
You know, so many of live in or near Chicago, maybe we should get together some time and lift a few. That would be fun.
Posted by Urbs in Horto on 2006 11 07 at 03:27 PM • permalinkGrimmy-I spoke to the issue of committee chairs in post #10.
Yojimbo-there are already three members of the Blue Dog coalition on the ways and means committee (John Tanner, Earl Pomeroy and Mike Thompson).
Look, we may be faced tomorrow with a narrow Dem majority. In which case we are going to be relying on men like Taylor or Ike Skelton to cross over and continue to support the war. 15 members of the current coalition voted to authorize the use of force in 2002 (plus others who are not members like John Spratt).
I do not intend to dismiss them as worthless.
All went according to plan. The poll worker who was handing out the ballots pulled up her sleeve a bit, showing the Mark of the Beast on her wrist (a “KR” encircled by a dragon eating its own tail, for those who missed the meeting - I’m looking at you, Wron). I gave her the verbal countersign ("There was blood on the moon last night"), and she handed me the special ballot and directed me to booth #13, where I found the invisible-ink pen and wrote the initiation code ("666/Scorpius") in the appropriate place. I fed the ballot into the Diebold, it gave the confirmation tritone (the first three notes of “Black Sabbath"), and bang! There’s my 100 votes!
I voted at lunch and I have to say that I love election day.
The fire deparment that serves as the pollin place for my precinct had pulled the trucks out of the bay so that the machines could be set up. The nice ladies running the polls were eating lunch (soup, perfect for a cold rainy day in western NC) and I was in and out in less then five minutes. No senate race in NC this year and my congressman runs in the safest Republican district in NC but I still did my civic duty. Despite the weather, everyone seemed to be in a pretty good mood. I remain cautiously optimistic.
I voted this morning - in the district that is looking to replace Tom DeLay (whom I miss and think did a great job as Representative, no matter what the naysayers bitch about) - we had a WRITE IN slot however for her...some lady with three names...We’ll see how it goes, but the bet is that she will win the seat.
First time our district used computer ballots...only five at our polling area!! Took 30 minutes to get through the line. Voted straight party Republican, even though I am not at all thrilled with the choice for governors we have had. Perry has turned Rockefeller on us, and Kinky gives me the Perot Heebies.
I think Texas will pretty much be a clear shot by this time tomorrow, but will be interesting to see what happens in the other states…
Posted by Sharon_Ferguson on 2006 11 07 at 03:42 PM • permalinkS. Ferguson:
in the district that is looking to replace Tom DeLay (whom I miss and think did a great job as Representative, no matter what the naysayers bitch about)
From what little I understand on that issue, isn’t the only thing Delay is guilty of is being indicted by an overtly political prosecutor that had to “shop” his way through a few Grand Juries in order to find one willing to indict on an issue that is standard political process after a census?
S Ferguson-You are in TX-22?
S-H-E-L-L-Y S-E-K-U-L-A G-I-B-B-S (LOL)
How difficult was it to use the write in function on the electronic voting machines?
Anyway, I hope you are right and she pulls it out. All the tracking websites have had this as a Dem lock, despite the recent poll from a Houston TV station showing it close. If we win there, it seriously hurts the Dems chances of taking the House.
Mark Steyn thinks the Pubbies will hold both houses—optimistic, I know.
If not, he writes,
The American people will have chosen to reward a September 10th party mired in sour oppositionism and cobwebbed boomer pieties. Don’t get me wrong. Both wings of the political class have underperformed since 9/11, and this unlovely election is the consequence.
More distrubing, he continues:
But even a narrow Dem victory will embolden the media: Unlike 2004, they’ll have succeeded in dragging the dead horse of the Democratic party across the finish line, and they’ll be even more audacious in two years’ time.
From what little I understand on that issue, isn’t the only thing Delay is guilty of is being indicted by an overtly political prosecutor that had to “shop” his way through a few Grand Juries in order to find one willing to indict on an issue that is standard political process after a census?
Yes sir, it is! And it turned out Ronnie Earle didnt mean it after all because the warm breath it took for Tom to say he was getting out was no sooner floating out into the air, Earle was backtracking and the detractors were declaring victory. DeLay was an EFFECTIVE Congressman.
I should say his OTHER more notorious crime was that he successfully redistricted the Houston area - which NEEDED it desperately because the untold secret about Fort Bend County (west of Harris) is that it is growing by leaps and bounds...mostly because Houston has taxed to death everyone living in the inner city (such as it is in the Blob That Ate East Texas). All the farmlands around my little hometown are now master-planned communities...yet the Dems wanted to keep the age old districts the way thyeve been for the last 50 yrs (or at least thats the way I understand the situation).
In a word, the job on DeLay was purely political, and there were outsiders who were willing to fund it because DeLay in Congress was a force to be reckoned with.
/OFF soapbox now
(can you tell I’m not overly emotional about this? LOL)
Posted by Sharon_Ferguson on 2006 11 07 at 03:55 PM • permalinkS-H-E-L-L-Y S-E-K-U-L-A G-I-B-B-S (LOL)
OMG! Thats not how I spelled...chalk one up for the Dems now!! LOL
Yep, thats what I wrote in!!
Posted by Sharon_Ferguson on 2006 11 07 at 03:56 PM • permalinkHow difficult was it to use the write in function on the electronic voting machines?
Anyway, I hope you are right and she pulls it out. All the tracking websites have had this as a Dem lock, despite the recent poll from a Houston TV station showing it close. If we win there, it seriously hurts the Dems chances of taking the House.
Well, never having used a computer ballot before, I took more time just trying to make sure to go through the “pages” to make sure everything checked out, but once I got to the ‘write-in’ it was fairly easy...my next worry was actually spelling it correctly...if I hadnt seen the signs going in to vote, I would have named a SHEILA (which Im sure would cause some to say there was a foreign Aussie intrusion somewhere...) Sekula-Gibbs.
Do you think that evidence that I read Tim Blair’s blog too much?!
Really, it wasnt that difficult. I just ended up taking my time because I didnt want to make a mistake.
Posted by Sharon_Ferguson on 2006 11 07 at 04:01 PM • permalinkAgreed 91B30 ! :D
*crossing fingers*
Posted by Sharon_Ferguson on 2006 11 07 at 04:12 PM • permalink#34 Urbs in Horto:
You know, so many of live in or near Chicago, maybe we should get together some time and lift a few. That would be fun.
I live in the western suburbs of da great city a Chicaga, so keep me in mind. I once organized a meetup for the Chicagoland LGF bunch, and it was a hoot and a half. The best part was, outside of meeting Iowahawk, the diversity of people that commented on that site in age etc. was amazing. And nobody looked like the image you’d formed from their comments. Alas, the owner of the L & L tap wasn’t too happy after the fact finding out his fine liberal establishment had been invaded by a bunch of RWDBs, but he’s probably a Cubs fan anyway.
My vote was documented by an AP photog, who snapped a picture every time I put a ballot in a box (we had four ballots, for different levels of govt, each with its own box)
I can only assume that they will find somebody better looking to actually run in the paper.
By the way #45, if they can figure out what you meant, they have to count it. At least according to The Corner on NRO.
Just got back from voting a few mins. ago. It is chilly and raining here in Columbia, SC. I took my 9 y.o. son in with me. I must have the “Republican” look about me. My younger brother swears he can look at someone and tell how they vote. Anyway, I stood waiting in line while a lady in front of me was chatted up by the lady working at the polling place. When it was my turn in line, she went all dour on me. When I got to the little booth, it was easy enough to punch the straight Repulican button. There were several amendments up for vote as well. When we left each of us got the “I Voted” sticker. My son replied that he hadn’t voted. I made a smart-arsed remark about how if we had been Dems he would have been allowed to vote. Sarcasm aside, we had a nice conversation in the car about the responsibility of voting and how the soldiers in Iraq defend our right to do so. I got choked up explaining it all. I remembered what a privelege and honor it is to be able to do so.
Thanks #43.
Watching the BBC this morning, there’s a program on saying that future historians will judge Americans (regarding Iraq) as “believing they knew what the world wanted, without knowing very much about the world at all.” The presenter has gone on to trumpet the ‘diminishing influence’ of Imperial America and suggests this is the time when Americans will realise they have ‘very little power to change the course of events in the world’.
Ian Deans
You can go to house.gov (also senate.gov)
On house.gov you can go to the various committees and see what their responsibilities are and who happens to ah,er inhabit them. Also on house.gov there is an “educatin link” that explains the entire legislative process. Hope this helps.P.S. How do you like your new “charaties law”. Cue the stormtrooper music. Good God! Yikes!
In today’s Opinion in The Australian. To read the examples follow the link.
The larger cultural picture - in which (today’s mid-term) election is but a minor political datum - remains strikingly bleak for American liberalism…
...These are just three examples of the cultural patterns that continue to strengthen the Right in America. Many more can be found in fertility patterns, the effects of education and elsewhere. They tell us that conservatives have much to smile about, no matter what happens today at the polls.
Posted by walterplinge on 2006 11 07 at 04:45 PM • permalink#36 Dave S -
All went according to plan. The poll worker who was handing out the ballots pulled up her sleeve a bit, showing the Mark of the Beast on her wrist (a “KR” encircled by a dragon eating its own tail, for those who missed the meeting - I’m looking at you, Wron). I gave her the verbal countersign ("There was blood on the moon last night"), and she handed me the special ballot and directed me to booth #13, where I found the invisible-ink pen and wrote the initiation code ("666/Scorpius") in the appropriate place. I fed the ballot into the Diebold, it gave the confirmation tritone (the first three notes of “Black Sabbath"), and bang! There’s my 100 votes!
Oh good lord. I so much hate it when some of you theatrical types carry out your orders. You must do the Hamlet, the last scene of Macbeth, in carrying out the mundane.
For the thousandth time. All you had to do is walk in, tell the non-minority poll worker “I’m with Karl” and she would give you the special ballot. That’s it.
But ooooh nooooo. Where would be the fun in that? We must do the secret code words. The cyptic poems. The winks and nods. The tattoos. And the sinister looking black clothes, oh gee whiz. Would you believe paco even showed up in black cape and jack boots, carrying a cane, and speaking with a fake British accent. Why? Why would someone go through all that trouble just to vote?
Posted by wronwright on 2006 11 07 at 04:49 PM • permalinkI voted noonish in Jersey after working as a volunteer all morning. I’m in a decidedly elderly district so the voting at the senior center is sedate. These folks start voting around here at 6am. We’re a republican ward in a republican county in this criminal enterprise and moonbat capital that is Joisey. Never any trouble - not with the Greatest Generation on the case.
Now back to volunteering - this time to drive seniors to the polls.
Sort of a waste voting in Jersey. Our republicans can make a fair imitation of moonbat green illiberal progressives. You can imagine what the other side looks like.
My prediction. Wingers keep the Senate and the House is so close that it doesn’t matter. Trust in Rove. The man is a freakin’ genius. I expect that if the Dims win the house he has already set up the switcheroo of some more sane Dims to the side of the Angels.
As a nation, with no outside considerations, we can survive just about any political perturbations and come out the other end in one piece. Both Nixon and Carter proved that point.
What will harm us now is how domestic events are read abroad, especially by our enemy and those that support our enemy.
Our enemy has worked hard to secure victory for the DNC, because our enemy knows that victory for the DNC is victory for them.
The enemy has stated, time and again, that all they have to do is wait us out and we’ll eventually fall because we are weak and stupid. Victory for the DNC proves that point sufficiently well to further the resolve of those that are bankrolling the trigger pulling jihadi.
And yes, 91B30, I do discount them, totally and utterly. I discount them because such nuance means zero, nadda, zip in the one area that really matters to us in this war and as impact upon our chances of victory or even of simple survival.
There is no “business as usual” in this vote. The final tally matters much more to how it will be read abroad than how it might impact the petty mundane in domestic politics.
OK Grimmy-if the Pubbies come up short then what? That isn’t what I want to happen, but by your logic if that is what happens we have lost.
Sure, our enemies will interpret a Dem win as a victory, but if we can continue to get the votes to continue to fight they will find their expected victory will not come to fruition.
I think most of the Democrat party is pretty lousy, but there are some who can’t vote pro-surrender and survive in their districts (they also don’t want to be seen as having any association with George Soros). They know it and will vote accordingly. Results are more important than perceptions.
”... he’s probably a Cubs fan anyway.”
So am I. But that’s my problem. I’ll check with our Esteemed Host, and set up some sort of time/place. Password: “Karl Sent Me”.
Posted by Urbs in Horto on 2006 11 07 at 05:53 PM • permalinkI just voted on one of these new-fangled computery devices.
I love computers, but I like voting with paper.
sigh.
Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2006 11 07 at 06:05 PM • permalinkI just voted in Beverly Massachusetts. My polling place is at the city’s senior center. There were only 3 other people there when I was there; not even any sign wavers but their signs were all leaning against a chain link fence. God help the Commonwealth of Massachusetts if Duval Patrick wins the governor race! I did get to vote against fat Teddy K!
Posted by Two in the Hat on 2006 11 07 at 06:18 PM • permalinkFYI for our Aussie friends-the first results (from Indiana and Kentucky) will start coming in after the polls close there in less than an hour. Some of the races there will help us get a picture of what is happening (Northup’s seat in KY and three IN seats). Also pay attention to results from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York and Ohio in early returns.
>Attention, voters! Is it raining where you’re at? If so, that’s the work of Gaia and Rove:
It was not quite raining here in Chicago, more of a permanent mist all day. As I was walking to the polls, I was thinking “Great! Rove is on the job!”
And Urbs and the rest of the Chicagoland contingent, remember “Da Bears!”
Seethe if the misspelling of seethe makes you seethe.
Posted by ultraloser on 2006 11 07 at 06:29 PM • permalink#54 the ‘diminishing influence’ of Imperial America and suggests this is the time when Americans will realise they have ‘very little power to change the course of events in the world’.
This is the default position of those whining media Europeans, whom the Rusty Left BBC trumpets.
It’s made up of equal parts of envy, ingratitude, ignorance of real US world influence and reach, blind parochial interests, 19th C snobbishness, and old Marxist venom.Voted with My Chief earlier, right after a good Waffle House high cholesterol feast. No lines, no waiting. Upbeat, friendly mood. LOVE it! Then when Lovely Daughter got off work, he took her to vote, too. Bless her little heart, she’s voted every election since she turned 18 & got to vote for President Bush.
Didn’t know any of the judges seeking to return but voted no on all of ‘em.
Mrs. Paco and I just got back from voting. I was dressed in full Republican regalia: brown fedora, light brown suit, caramel-colored double-breasted cashmere topcoat, diamond-patterned maroon and green tie, burgundy wing-tips. Mrs. Paco was dressed in subdued fascist black and gray. Lines in the evening were not too long. Laptop-type voting machines. A poll worker hauled one of them out shortly before I voted (I had given him the secret sign: another computer full of Democratic votes taken out back and deleted!). I was disappointed that there were no television cameras; if asked to volunteer some comments, I had a whole routine planned ("Of course I voted the straight Republican ticket! Take a gander at these duds! What do I look like, a bolshevik!). Alas, the missus and I departed quietly, disappearing into the foggy evening.
My polling place was a (gasp) CHURCH! And not a politically correct Mosque or Buddhist temple but a red state Neanderthal knuckle-dragging Jesus church! Isn’t that a violation of some kind of right or something? I felt oppressed into voting for Republicans (and a few Libertarians. And Kinky Friedman)!
Some invisible force prevented me from voting for any of the 7 county offices where Democrats ran unopposed! I demand a recount, investigation, lawsuit, a Supreme Court hearing, and a Michael Moore documentary!
It rained here all day. Don’t know how much impact it had in my district, as it’s largely Republican anyway. I’m not in Chicago, room237, I’m in Ohio. There are a lot of us here too.
The latest news I have is that there are “problems” with early voting, and exit poll data is in “lockdown” by big media. Hmm. What do you suppose that means?
Voted early this a.m. here in Northern Virginia. The polls seemed pretty busy, but I’m new in this district and don’t know what the norm is. One odd incident—a woman was in line with a young man (probably mid-20’s) who claimed to be her son. When the people running the polls ascertained that he wasn’t voting, they firmly told him that he was not permitted in the voting area and had to wait outside. He got pretty huffy, but did as he was told. Not sure what he was up to, if anything. From his demeanor, I would guess he was a democrat. Karl’s minions are much more subtle in carrying out their nefarious tasks.
I voted for Allen, but expect that Webb will probably win.
Posted by Polish Frizzle on 2006 11 07 at 07:19 PM • permalinkIan Dean #54.
I hear the BBC line repeated constantly.
“without knowing very much about the world at all”
What puzzles me is how the U.S. becomes the most prolific trading nation in history, reviled for its power and influence—all without knowing its way around the neighborhood. What a backhanded insult to everyone else.
It’s raining cats and dogs here. It’s been a generally shit day for a number of reasons in my neck of the woods—election day madness seems to have had some odd effects on people. I can’t go into more detail about it than that, for employment reasons.
On the other hand, they said they would install my burglar alarm on Tuesday and lo and behold they actually managed to install it without breaking anything or setting the apartment on fire or shorting out the electricity, and my internet connection still works (cross fingers), so that’s a bonus. On the whole, though, I am glad I am under my roof away from the madding crowd.
Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2006 11 07 at 07:28 PM • permalinkKarl Rove reckons the Senate is the Republicans and the House might just be theirs too. See the transcript at townhall.com under Hugh Hewitt’s talk radio section.
For those who want to watch certain states by the hour, here is a good diary of times (all US times): http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110009204
Posted by manbag's bagman on 2006 11 07 at 07:40 PM • permalinkI’ve managed to escape the exit pollers so far - I don’t know if I’m just lucky or it’s a reflection on my personal hygiene. It’s the how-to-vote brigade that catch me. There must be a dozen at every polling booth. Do you have them over there in the US too?
Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 11 07 at 07:50 PM • permalinkI think tomorrow everyone should all meet in the public square and have a big fistfight, until we are spent.
Yes! The Great Outdoor Fight!
Let me take this opportunity to thank Australia for developing the secret ballot. Great hack, Aussies.
#93
>I’ve managed to escape the exit pollers so far - I don’t know if I’m just lucky or it’s a reflection on my personal hygiene. It’s the how-to-vote brigade that catch me. There must be a dozen at every polling booth. Do you have them over there in the US too?
It depends on the race and the location. I now live in a heavily liberal/Democratic district in a city where the dead vote 4 or 5 times (Chiuago). I never see them here.
When I lived outside DC, I would see them sometimes, as the area, though liberal, had lots of retired military and current and former COngressional aides.
When I lived in Brooklyn, the only time was when a guy who looked like he hadn’t washed in about a week ask me if i “want to hear about the Green Party?” I responsed (dressed like paco., but without the hat, and with my briefcase, which was then GOP issue) “Do I look like I want to hear about the %^$%%ing Green Party?” We both laughed. I went off to my job, he went back to composing a note to his parents asking for more money.
How bout that Senate choice, eh? Sorry..I just threw up a little bit in my mouth.
Eh. Better than Jean Schmidt or a Democrat for Congress. And infinitely better than all the referenda. Two smoking issues? Raising the minimum wage?
Posted by Rob Crawford on 2006 11 07 at 08:12 PM • permalinkPalast’s rant against properly registering and ID’ing voters is very convincing. How else are you going to get all those graveyard votes?
Posted by Crispytoast on 2006 11 07 at 08:13 PM • permalinkNice comeback, Room 237! Over here the Greenies are notorious for their lack of humour. For a wisecrack like that they’d gather round and club you with zucchinis.
Organic zucchinis, mind you.Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 11 07 at 08:33 PM • permalinkThe study found that 1 inch of rain reduces overall turnout by slightly less than 1 percent and cuts the Democratic vote by 2.5 percentage points.
What is it about Lefties that they’re so goddamn scared of the weather?
Dave, haven’t you ever seen a Democrat voter get hit by water? They start melting into a puddle of smoking green goo, and screeching something about ‘Curse you and your little dog!’
Patricia, and I happily voted at Sacred Heart parish hall myself. They have two of the most enjoyable poll-workers around. A very elderly black couple who do that married-for-50-years back-and-forth that borders on comical.
Once I stopped travelling so much for my job, one of the first things I did was to go back to poll-voting instead of absentee. Somehow it feels more like voting, if that doesn’t sound too dumb.
Posted by David Crawford on 2006 11 07 at 08:57 PM • permalinkI voted around 2:00. Same rules apply to elections as late Christmas shopping: from 1:30 or so until 3:00 you miss the lunch rush while avoiding those leaving work early.
I typically vote early but the lines for early voting were the longest I have seen in my life. I concluded that election day could not be worse and sure enough, I got in and out in about 10 minutes. I guess I’ll never understand the argument over showing a photo ID. Every state I’ve lived in (KS, CA, LA and TX) all require a photo. Seems reasonable to me, unless of course you are an alien (from Zorg or somesuch) who is trying to steal the election and insert their evil rulers.
I didn’t vote straight Republican ticket. You really can’t do that, even in Texas, where many of the judges, hangers on from the old Democratic rule, run unopposed. Then you must, of course, vote Libertarian (not really).
Sadly, we get no moonbats monitoring our elections here. Wonder why that is (snigger, snigger)?
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 07 at 09:12 PM • permalinkOh, and the very best news: hubby didn’t vote so my vote wasn’t cancelled out! Hoorah!
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 07 at 09:15 PM • permalink91B30
Alcee Hastings, Charlie Rangel and John Conyers, heading committee’s, what a country as Yakov Smirnoff said. To bad Yakov didn’t mean it the way I, OR we all will.
The next 2 years will be spent investigating things people...National Security? ROTFLMAO.
For those who do NOT know....Alcee Hastings....After his impeachment and removal from office for corruption and perjury (see below), Hastings was elected to the House of Representatives in 1992. He is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and was elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Coöperation in Europe in July 2004.
If the Democrats were to regain control of the House, as of 2006 Hastings would be next in line, due to his seniority, to chair the House Intelligence Committee.
answers.comThat sound of gunfire coming from your Northeast, no problem, it’s just usin’s.
Anyone volunteer for Robert E. Lee’s job? I’m in for J.E.B. Stuart’s, myself. Wish us well, OZ.
I voted by mail last week, as I am on the road this week. Straight Republican, although I held my nose in a couple places.
But it’s raining here in Bend, OR, and in fact there’s flooding all around western Oregon and Washington. Good job, Lord Karl! That weather machine must be working overtime.
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2006 11 07 at 09:33 PM • permalinkAs usual, the exit poll ‘data’ is ridiculously out of step with the numbers. This is why I ignore election night coverage. I’ll know what’s what tomorrow…
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 11 07 at 09:37 PM • permalinkOutlook remains grim for Republicans.
One must remain philosophical about these things. If the Repos win, great. If the donkeys win, well I’ll just bury myself in video games and the Professional Cheerleader Blog for the next two years.
Posted by Shaky Barnes on 2006 11 07 at 09:39 PM • permalinkWell I voted. I wasn’t going to. My wife went to the hospital last night with a pain in her chest. They found out it was just indigestion (she probably ate her own cooking), but of course I had complete responsibility for getting the children up, fed, dressed, and to school. I came through very nicely I think and I’m sort of expecting some Father of the Year award.
Anyway wife and mother-in-law wasn’t up for cooking, which all things considered is probably just as well. So I stopped at Big Boy for some Big Boys, fries, etc. Yeah, all that grease should help the old ball and chain recover. But I didn’t get to vote this morning due to my selfless acts of fatherhood of a Hallmark movie of the year caliber. Yet since this election is so important, I stopped at the voting location (a church, probably Republican) before going on to Big Boy. The gals were hungry so they were a bit pissed but I know I did the right thing.
Posted by wronwright on 2006 11 07 at 09:45 PM • permalink#63, 91B30:
If the dims do gain seats even if falling short of taking House Or Senate, simply gain more toward their obstructionist possition, then yeah...everything gets that much harder.
If they do win either House or Senate, then any of those dims with actual integrity will easily be countered by those rinos who go ‘where the wind appears to blow’.
If we do pull out of Iraq or pull short in any way, we lose it all. We’re done. It’s over. We will have proved, once and for all, that we are the weak, stupid, feckless, cowardly and easily dispirited nation that our enemy claims us to be.
As ugly as it is, Iraq is our last chance to put ourselves up as a nation with the endurance and will to stand the line and hold back the darkness. If we give up, everything falls.
#116 Richard: you’re right. Right up there with buying a “great” stock and watching it hourly. Pretty close to mental masturbation. I’ll see the returns tomorrow.
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 07 at 09:51 PM • permalinkGood God, wronwright. BIG BOY?? My last memory of that place was at KU (that would be the great University of Kansas, as in Rock Chalk Jayhawk to our Aussie friends) embarking on a road trip. My fellow traveler ate some big assed hamburger from there and promptly hurled in the parking lot. Nice seven hour trip after that, I can tell you. Just the memory sends chills up the spine.
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 07 at 09:57 PM • permalinkKathy,
That was probably the patty melt your friend had. Or the tuna melt. They’re part of Big Boy’s expansive line of diet foods designed not to stay with the consumer for very long. Check out the menu, you’ll see what I mean.
Posted by wronwright on 2006 11 07 at 10:06 PM • permalinkNo, sorry wronwright. I SAW the deed. It was the double chuck and cheese. **shudder**
You do, however, get brownie points for getting the kids off to school a ‘la single parent.
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 07 at 10:10 PM • permalinkIf we do pull out of Iraq or pull short in any way, we lose it all. We’re done. It’s over. We will have proved, once and for all, that we are the weak, stupid, feckless, cowardly and easily dispirited nation that our enemy claims us to be.
I agree and so I am willing to work with those who I find loathesome to prevent that from happening.
I’ve been worried about us being able to win the war since September 12th 2001 when I found that my students seemed utterly uninterested in what would happen next-like far too many people the world ended at the end of their respective noses.
We may lose some of the RINOs tonight and many of the Dems are running as conservatives (Shuler and the sheriff from Indiana whose name escapes me). I think the Dems will have a tough time with a pro-surrender agenda in Iraq. Skelton and Taylor both have bases and defense plants in their districts-let them explain any vote against the war there.
Yes, I do think I went beyond the call of duty.
breakfast: bowl of Reese puffs, glass of milk
attire: whatever was in the closet, socks of the same color, sort of
shoes: uh, yes
Their hair was also brushed, as were their teeth. I tried to tie a bow in my daughter’s hair, but I gave up. It’s impossible for a straight male with very virile sperm cells to do that little girl shit.
Posted by wronwright on 2006 11 07 at 10:15 PM • permalinkShaky Barnes—the Professional Cheerleader Blog is the acme of Western Civilization, AFAIK…
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 11 07 at 10:17 PM • permalinkCouldn’t agree more, mcenroe.
Just the thought of the Professional Burqua Blog - the horror! THE HORROR!Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 11 07 at 10:26 PM • permalinkWhat is it with you guys and the hair bow thing? Good Lord. Young daughter wore her hair down every day I was out of town because my highly educated husband could not fathom how to put a pony-tail in. Passive aggressive, I say.
Good for you on the matching socks, though. Color me pleasantly surprised.
Andrea, are we about to get booted off for being so oafish and infantile?
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 07 at 10:29 PM • permalinkLamont crashed and burned. Kos is now officially O-for-EVERYTHING.
Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 11 07 at 10:49 PM • permalinkDewine is gone in Ohio. Perhaps crying on the Senate floor over Bolton had something to do with it. Just a thought.
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 07 at 10:59 PM • permalinkVoted on my way home from work, doing my humble part to try to push this wretchedly blue state just the tiiiiniest smidgen to the right. For some of the propositions, I wanted a ‘not just no, but hell no‘ option. On the other hand, we had an eminent-domain-buster on the ballot, too, which ended the list on a more ‘positive’ note.
Not much of a crowd there. Couple of people already voting and one person in line ahead of me. Oddly, though, there did seem to be significantly more traffic out on the streets.
Still there? Lucky hound.
BTW my Miranda rash has cleared up. Didn’t use the Tanqueray - hell, that stuff’s precious! Tried a mix of Jack Daniels and Lemon lime and bitters. It was a race to see which of us would die first, me or the rash. Pleased to say the rash won.Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 11 07 at 11:20 PM • permalinkMike DeWine lost to Sherrod Brown in Ohio, so that’s a Senate seat for the Dems.
I’m hoping the Democrats will win juuuuust enough to send the Republicans a message, but not enough to actually do anything. Congress can lock up in paralysis for the next two years, for all I care, just as long as they can’t cater to the nutroots. If nothing else, people who voted Democratic can get a good, long look at what they thought they wanted.
Although the neighbours didn’t really appreciate the sight of me bathing in it on the front lawn. Put them off their lunch, or some such thing, the policeman said.
Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 11 07 at 11:21 PM • permalinkMy wife went to the hospital last night with a pain in her chest.
Glad it was nothing, wron. But as a woman with heart troubles myself, I always tell people it’s nothing to ignore.
Also, I’m incredibly impressed with the manly way you stepped up to the parental duties. You should break open a cask of that Golden Akkadian now. You owe it to yourself. And, of course, we minions and henchment would take it kindly if you offered to share.
Kathy: don’t know your location but w/ any luck you got to vote against that lispy femme Mark Strama.
Posted by Shaky Barnes on 2006 11 07 at 11:26 PM • permalinkSwinish
BTW my Miranda rash has cleared up. Didn’t use the Tanqueray - hell, that stuff’s precious! Tried a mix of Jack Daniels and Lemon lime and bitters. It was a race to see which of us would die first, me or the rash. Pleased to say the rash won.
Excellent, and yes my good sir...the T, to good to rub....well a dab behind the ears maybe...:).
OK, after shave too...lol.
Oh and will be at the beach for a good while.
#149 Shaky: I’m in Texas and I can assure you, most postively that we have no lisped femmes here for any office that I’m aware of. :)
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 07 at 11:34 PM • permalink#152 yojimbo (thou of great KU knowledge and appreciation and otherwise well, wise): I thought Tennessee was going our way?
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 07 at 11:36 PM • permalinkyojimbo
You had bloody well stay there at the beach since you’re losing parts of TN for us.
I voted early. Can’t help what those effete elitist metro university areas are doing, beside their sweet little head tilts.
But I cancelled one of the bastards out. Wish I could have accomplished more...but Brushy Mountain is a tough go...lol.
yojimbo
I could be wrong on TN but according to Fox Indiana is a killing field.
Could be, I’m not watching. I’ve had a feeling that while the Kossacks lost one, they gained. Have had that feeling for a long while.
Will deal with whatever comes, however I can, whenever I can, to whomever gets in the way. As the nomenclature of the day is..."all options are on the table”.
I still think El Cid should stay at the beach on general principles, if nothing else.
Daiquiri’s, can be purchased just about every mile or so....just enough to get one back to his beach place, for Martini’s.
I agree on the general principles...lol
Voted after work, straight Republican ticket. Held my nose on Dewine. Voted for whoever was running against Marcy.
Voted down Issues 1 (BWC), 2 (a fargin’ CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT to raise the minimum wage with annual COLAs!!!!), 3(COSI), 5 (smoking ban). Voted for the Zoo.
I will spend this evening with a nice bottle of Scotch. Tomorrow is another day, and by God, we will win the War on Terror.
Posted by Tex Lovera on 2006 11 08 at 12:00 AM • permalinkI’LL PUT YOU ON MY WEBSITE. That’s right. You can appear on my home page and be seen by millions later today. All you need to do is bring a broom when you go to vote. The broom is our mascot today because we’re going to sweep the crooks and the warmongers outta office. Take a picture of yourself holding a broom outside your polling place, e-mail it to me, and I’ll put as many of you as I can up on the home page of my website.
Maybe those wishing to counter protest could take a rifle?
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 08 at 12:35 AM • permalinkLooks like Hayworth and Graf are going down in Arizona. At this time I would like to express my appreciation to Senator UberEgo for all of his help with those two races. His contribution was exactly zip to Graf and probably no more than that for Hayworth.
Thanks a heap, we really appreciate that. It will be GREATLY noted and LONG remembered.
Hmmmm.
As an American conservative utterly disgusted with the Republican party I must add this:
This election was not a defeat for the Republican party nor a victory for the Democrats.
No this election was a defeat for *both* the Republicans and the Democrats and a victory ... for conservatives. Because in many cases the ones who lost were liberals and those that won, or even ran in opposition, were conservative.
So in a lot of cases I’m ok with the outcome. Not because the Republicans lost. Nor because the Democrats won. Or vice versa. But because conservatives have begun their domination of American politics on both sides of the political divide.
Frankly I think in a few election cycles what will emerge from the current detritus is a new independent conservative movement. This is in part because conservatives put enormous amounts of energy and money into the Republican party for many decades. And not much to show for it as the GOP had taken our money, effort and votes as their given right.
A lot of conservatives, including myself, have concluded that the Republican is no longer a fit group to trust. Time and time again Republicans have seen fit to stab conservatives in the back. Time and time again conservatives were given lip service and nothing else. This latest bit of crap, the Fence Bill, is utterly without question nothing less than a panacea. A meaningless pap meant to convince conservatives to once again step up to the stump and open their wallets. Meanwhile there is no intention whatsoever by the GOP to actually follow through.
And in 2008 when conservatives demand an answer to “where the hell is the fence?” all they’ll get is bullshit.
*shrug* like anything else, we’ll have to see. But frankly I didn’t vote Republican at all today. And I’m pretty damned pleased about it.
Posted by memomachine on 2006 11 08 at 01:23 AM • permalinkThis Palast fellow brings to mind a quote from that classic film, From Dusk Till Dawn: “Are you such a loser you can’t tell when you’re won?”
So what time is the flight? When do all our children come back from Iraq?
Posted by Jim Treacher on 2006 11 08 at 01:36 AM • permalinkMalaise forever!
Have fun kowtowing to the UN, America.
Posted by Crispytoast on 2006 11 08 at 01:43 AM • permalinkThey won’t be coming “home” from Iraq merely “repositioned in Bulgaria or somewhere.
Ed
I’m a conservative who votes Republican-not just a Republican.
We’ll see how sanguine everyone is when the Dems institute instant global warming on the Patriot Act. Ditto the surveillance programs. We’ll see how inventive this administration can be in the GWOT after Waxman to Hastings to Conyers gets into all their hearings. Those are real problems without a Republican majority.
Hey, Ronnie never had a Republican Congress.
It’s not the end of the world. If they take the Senate as well, they’ve still just got one of the three branches. And with Pelosi front and center, America will be getting an assful of the Dems.
If the Republicans are smart, they’ll get Newt back on the job.
Nuh-uh, all the children are coming home! They’re staying at Cindy Sheehan’s house. She’s making pancakes.
Posted by Jim Treacher on 2006 11 08 at 01:55 AM • permalinkAny Americans looking to spend the next two years in Australia are most welcome.
Thanks, but we’re not Democrats. We don’t cry, pout, whine and threaten to run away. We say, “OK, you won this round. Congrats. See you in ‘08.”
And also unlike Dems, we know this country is strong enough to weather temporary bouts of disagreeable leadership.
On the bright side, we all get to piss and moan and nag them until they actually do all the amazing things they wanked about the last 6 years: no more people in wheelchairs, no more little girls needing warm coats, etc, and hey, we’ll get to pay for the privilege. Oh, and the world will love us now too! Yay
Posted by Vanguard of the Commentariat on 2006 11 08 at 02:02 AM • permalinkHave I got it right that the Speaker of the House is third in line after the President and the VP?
Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 11 08 at 02:13 AM • permalinkThanks, Dave S. Although I’m almost sorry I asked.
Gave Update XV a quick scan. ‘Ned Lamont is a hero’ seems to be code for ‘Ned Lamont is about to get his arse kicked’.
Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 11 08 at 02:33 AM • permalinkOnly 25% of the results in in my state so far. Only sure things look to be:
Arnold seriously kicking Angelides’ arse (yay!)
Feinstein trouncing Mountjoy (boo!)The ‘Quit Robbing the Highway Fund For Your Pork Projects’ Proposition is ahead 80/20.
Prop. 83, which gets draconian on violent and repeat sex offenders, and child molesters, is ahead 70/30.
Prop. 87, the global warmongers’ tax attack to drive the oil companies out of the state looks to be going down in flames at 57/42.
Prop. 88, a tax on property for the children is getting trounced 80/20.
And Prop. 89, a twofer horror that basically taxes corporations in order to fund a McCain-Feingold-on-steroids, is losing 75/25.
Unfortunately, it also looks like most of the bond issues are going to pass, proving once again that blue staters are completely incapable of living within our means.
But, if eminent-domain-buster Prop. 90 passes (it’s 50/50 right now), I’ll be a reasonably happy camper overall.
That’s it. I’m moving to France. Anyone know where I can look up Alec Baldwin?
Posted by Brian O'Connell on 2006 11 08 at 02:49 AM • permalink#188 SwinishCapitalist
Have I got it right that the Speaker of the House is third in line after the President and the VP?
And if they manage* to impeach both Bush and Cheney, the ignorant blathering twit will be President. A legal coup d’etat.
And you thought Bush sounds inarticulate…
*assuming semi-rational Democrats like Joe Lieberman don’t get cold feet.
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2006 11 08 at 02:50 AM • permalinkSpiny - With Nancy Pelosi that close to The Power, Hilary must be close to spontaneously combusting! Jealousy is such an ugly emotion.
So far among the comments I haven’t seen much about John Kerry. Did that pic of the soldiers not get around?Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 11 08 at 03:05 AM • permalinkSpiny, they’d need to impeach and convict to get Bush out of office. Conviction requires 2/3 of the Senate, and Chief Justice John Roberts, a Bush appointee, would preside over the trial.
They still might go for impeachment though.
Posted by Brian O'Connell on 2006 11 08 at 03:18 AM • permalinkOh dear… anyone for lame duck?
How satifsying to see the blogmire become engulfed with a desperate search for scapegoats and demons. Look in the mirror guys and see death at work.
Posted by Miranda Divide on 2006 11 08 at 03:20 AM • permalinkTwo-thirds? I thought it was just a simple majority. Are you sure about that?
And wouldn’t Roberts have to recuse himself?
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2006 11 08 at 03:27 AM • permalinkSee death at work? Are we going to be lined up against the wall now?
Asswipe.
Posted by Spiny Norman on 2006 11 08 at 03:28 AM • permalinkAnyone for “gosh, the moonbats are even worse victors than they are losers!”
Feh.
Posted by Patrick Chester on 2006 11 08 at 03:37 AM • permalinkOh well. 25 years from now, you’ll get up, hop in your hovercar and scoot to work on The George W. Bush Skyway. You’ll look back at all this and think, actually come to think of it, Doogie Howser was kinda gay.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 08 at 03:38 AM • permalinkOh shit, Infidel, some of us having been thinking that for 25 years already!
Posted by SwinishCapitalist on 2006 11 08 at 03:49 AM • permalinkSimple majority of the House to impeach, then a trial in the Senate where 2/3 is required to convict. Don’t know about the recusal though-it’s a good question.
Posted by Brian O'Connell on 2006 11 08 at 03:50 AM • permalink#203 - Damn gaydar must be on the blink. Only got the message this week!
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 08 at 04:00 AM • permalinkOh dear… anyone for lame duck?
Do some research, dear. That’s the natural state for a President halfway through a second term.
How satifsying to see the blogmire become engulfed with a desperate search for scapegoats and demons.
You have a very sad life. And what’s this “scapegoats and demons” nonsense? We’ve got the Presidency, the Supreme Court, and so far still half of the legislative branch. No sackcloth and ashes here. Stop projecting. It’s your lot who thinks every bump in the road is Mount fuckin’ Everest.
Look in the mirror guys and see death at work.
Oh, good Lord. You leftards are such drama queens. Go feed your cats, dink.
Welcome back Miranda Divide! We missed you, sweetie.
Look in the mirror guys and see death at work.
OK, where are the extermination centres we need to report to? But congrats on keeping that Democrat policy under wraps! Outstanding! Will Beazley copy it?
Posted by Stop Continental Drift! on 2006 11 08 at 04:59 AM • permalinkI see Arnie got back in California.
I love doing sequels (video link)
Posted by Stop Continental Drift! on 2006 11 08 at 05:10 AM • permalinkO/t
Tim Robbins shows his “tuthiness” and depth of research on issues that concern him“The actor has long been known for his outspoken political views and says he learned a lot from living in South Africa.
“I really didn’t have much of a perception of what white South Africa was about,” he said.
“I had been against apartheid and had gone to rallies and stuff in the 80s and early 90s about it but I had no idea of what the rational for apartheid was and the rational for the torture.”
The whole silly article
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=160164
Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2006 11 08 at 05:26 AM • permalinkLook in the mirror guys and see death at work.
Miranda! The Democrats aren’t that bad! Take some smelling salts and have a bromo, dear. It will be all right.
Posted by Andrea Harris, Administrator on 2006 11 08 at 06:44 AM • permalinkLooks like the Democrats will win the Senate, as well, with the final two seats in the balance but both showing small Democratic majorities.
Posted by Jack Lacton on 2006 11 08 at 06:54 AM • permalinkI agree with rinardman. I’m pretty relaxed about the whole thing (weeping, gnashing, hissy fits are for moonbats). If the people wanted the Democrats, now they have them. Let’s see what happens. At least one local Dem here in PA was offering something better than the Republican candidate, so let’s see what they do. If they get their heads screwed on straight and deal with America’s problems, great. If they go hysterical with anti-Bush fervor and spend the next two years doing nothing but parroting anti-war nonsense and giving Cindy Sheehan awards, then I don’t think 2008 is even going to be close.
Sad. Very sad. I’d been hoping against hope that Americans would somehow find the courage to face the reality that war is tough and it sucks. I’m so disappointed that so many of my countrymen would chose to cut and run and think that turning things over to the Democrats would somehow make things better. Fools. So now we are a country at war with a pack of mindless hobgoblins steering the ship in a circle. Yeah, this’ll make things a lot better. My God, Nancy Pelosi doesn’t have the sense He gave to a hamster. I guess I’m in the seethe category.
Suggestion: let’s not make a bunch of “I’m Sorry” pictures since that would look as pathetic as the ones from 2004. ;-)
Posted by Patrick Chester on 2006 11 08 at 08:00 AM • permalinkIf the people wanted the Democrats, now they have them. Let’s see what happens.
Yep. “You have it, now let’s see what you do with it.”
If the Donks spend the next two years as I expect—endless hearings, attempts at impeachment, trying to override vetoes on bills that would cut funding for Iraq, letting taxes go back up, etc.—then they’re going to have an interesting 2008.
On the other hand, the press is going to be insufferable. They know they delivered a good percentage of votes for the Donks, and will want their payback. Look for an attempt to reinstate the “fairness doctrine”, the extension of “campaign finance” laws to private statements like blogs, and maybe even hearings on “hate sites” on the web that specifically target anti-jihad sites.
Posted by Rob Crawford on 2006 11 08 at 08:39 AM • permalinkSomething good might come of all this.
The Democrats will be emboldened by the results and take this as a sign the time is right for Queen Hillary to make a run for the Roses.
I just hope the Republicans don’t select John McCain as their standard bearer. I have a problem understanding why Republicans would support a Condi candidacy but consider Mitt Romney to be “unclean”.
Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2006 11 08 at 08:41 AM • permalinkI’m so disappointed that so many of my countrymen would chose to cut and run and think that turning things over to the Democrats would somehow make things better.
Well the Dems certainly have a chance to prove absolutely correct everything Osama bin Laden’s said about cowardly Americans running when they get cut. Making bin Laden look like a statesman possessing great foresight will be quite an accomplishment. Why not, we now officially have a Democrat Muslim congressman who ran on the cut & run platform.
Posted by Shaky Barnes on 2006 11 08 at 09:31 AM • permalinkI have a problem understanding why Republicans would support a Condi candidacy but consider Mitt Romney to be “unclean”.
Actually, given Condi’s performance at State, I think she should retire and never serve in any office again. That may be the office more than the person; the State Department seems to make people willing to sacrifice real allies and cozy up to dictators.
As for Romney; I’ve never heard anyone say any such thing.
Posted by Rob Crawford on 2006 11 08 at 09:35 AM • permalink#231 - Man up like you got a pair, jetson. If every day were sunshine and lollipops, you’d end up with skin cancer and tooth decay.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2006 11 08 at 09:57 AM • permalink#231 - jetson, I learned how to turn off the tv & turn down the radio many decades ago, when the President spoke with a soft Georgia drawl. Then again when it was an Arkansas drooler…
I thank G-d for internet news sites & especially this blog, because it means I get the news I need without having to put up with the blather from the Left & other people whose sanity & intelligence I question. I can read/listen/use what I need & let the rest go.
With Tim Blair’s blog, I get some of the finest commentary, disection, discussion & comedy about politics & Life in general from some of the smartest people in the whole world. I’m thankful to be a part of it. The folks HERE and in my neighborhood make my day, not the Government.
Suicide is not an option for me, because 1) I try not to be that selfish 2) this is STILL the greatest nation on Earth - with Oz & the Great White North running second.
Onward and Upward, Mates!
[/gratitude rant]
I’m with Kimberly. No time to overreact. Let’s see what happens when they actually, for the first time, have to institute a plan vs. merely engaging in vile rhetoric. Also remember that a pretty high number of the new democrats in the house are moderates or they would never have been elected. This victory is going to underscore the divisions in the Democratic party. The Lieberman hawkish group, the social conservative democrats, and the nutroots featuring Nancy Pelosi and Kos. The fact is they may be so divided amongst themselves that they will be paralyzed.
That works for me.
Posted by Kathy from Austin on 2006 11 08 at 10:39 AM • permalinkDave S
Guns are not really a problem. Many of the Dems elected were pro-gun.
Many of the Dems elected were as conservative as the Reps. You’re actually seeing the beginning of a conservative coaliton within the two parties. The Problem: the new leadership are all hardcore oldline liberals that will just have to be blunted somehow. If it wasn’t for the GWOT I would say that this was not too bad. The litmus test might be if Murtha actually gets the Appropriations post. If he does, it’s time to fix bayonets.
Roberts doesn’t have to technically recuse himself, and Boxer sat in the Senate even though she was married to a Clinton. The legacy media didn’t raise a question about this, of course.
Hmmmm.
@ yojimbo
We’ll see how sanguine everyone is when the Dems institute instant global warming on the Patriot Act. Ditto the surveillance programs. We’ll see how inventive this administration can be in the GWOT after Waxman to Hastings to Conyers gets into all their hearings. Those are real problems without a Republican majority.
1. Republicans in control of Congress and the White House were absolutely out of control. The Republicans lost because they deserved to lose and because they ignored the wishes of their voter base.
If Republicans want to get back into power, then they need to reform themselves.
2. Lincoln Chaffee lost. That’s a bright spot as he was an insufferable ass.
3. Mark DeWine lost. Another ass.
4. For 25+ years now I’ve held my nose and voted Republican even for people who completely opposed my conservative values because pundits and conservative thinkers proposed that getting a Republican majority in Congress would give Republicans and opportunity to get things done without Democratic obstruction.
Well conservatives worked their asses off and finally achieved it. And then the Republicans promptly started acting like insufferable jerks. My favorite quote by a Republican:
“You *HAVE* to vote Republican! You’re a conservative. Who else can you vote for?”.
Wrong. So now I support conservatives regardless of party. And if that means a Republican gets spanked? Ask me if I really care.
5. So the Democrats have the House and may have a slim majority in the Senate? So what? Now they get a chance to step on up and get things done. And if they cannot or will not, then that’ll rebound on them in 2008. Which is a far more important election.
6. The economy is doing well right now. And if the Democrats monkey around with it and trash the economy, then that’ll be their fault.
7. If the Democrats refuse to continue funding the war in Iraq I’m not sure I’d weep any. The one biggest failure by Republicans was in holding Iraqis to a much higher standard than they have. So far we’ve gotten a lot of hand-wringing and statements about how the Iraqis are doing their best.
No they are not doing their best. What they are doing is screwing around because the Republicans have been showing them that they can do so without any consequences.
Additionally the Republicans have been fighting this war as if it weren’t a frigging war. It’s a WAR dammit! Iran has been sending in money, weapons and fighters. And we all know this. Why hasn’t the administration done something about it? How about the idiotic “catch and release” program they have in Iraq. Where if they cannot prove that a suspect is a terrorist then they have to let him go, and they only have a very short time to prove it.
Or how about Al-Sadr? When that pustule showed his face he should have been hanged from the nearest tree. Instead we’ve pussyfooted around with the guy and now he’s one of the biggest pain in the asses in Iraq!
So I fault the Republicans for getting into a serious war and then fighting it in an incredibly unserious fashion. If you’re going to start a goddamn war then fight it as a goddamn WAR!
8. As for the GWOT. My ass. If this GWOT were really such a big deal when WTF about the borders?? Why is Bush pushing to keep the borders completely unguarded? Bush promised to hire 2,000 Border Patrol agents each and every single year. He met that promise only in his first year. His second year saw only the hiring of less than 300 Border Patrol agents.
Instead everything was done to make the whole Border Patrol efforts on the border completely ineffective.
Here’s the deal: When there’s 1+ million frigging illegals crossing the damn border each and every frigging year you cannot convince me that:
A. The war on terrorism is being done in a serious manner.
B. That less than 15,000 detention spaces is sufficient for 1+ million frigging illegals. Especially since the deportation process can last up to 6 months!
C. When the emphasis is on catching OTM (Other Than Mexicans).
You cannot convince me that spending $350 billion on Iraq alone and countless more billions on the GWOT is the right thing and then tell me that nobody can frigging find the money to build a fucking fence?
...
Summary: Fuck the Republican party. Let it die.
Posted by memomachine on 2006 11 08 at 12:38 PM • permalinkHmmm.
Sorry about the rant and the profanity.
As you can imagine. I’ve been pretty angry at the GOP the last couple of years.
Posted by memomachine on 2006 11 08 at 12:39 PM • permalink#237: I have to agree with your opinion about this blog and the people here. This is where I come to regain a sense of sanity, and I always end up having a good laugh.
Well, Jetson, the Devil hates laughter, so this is the place to be over the next two years, if you are concerned about your immortal soul. Tim and his Comment Academy stand four-square behind truth, justice and the timely placement of the whoopee cushion under the behinds of raving lefties everywhere, so belly up to the bar, amigo, and let’s get on the outside of a couple of cold ones!
Yo1 Ed!
Read #240 & 241
You want to nuke Iran, fine, do you think I, stopping you.
I would also like to point out that I am living in Tucson. Get a bleeping map out and take a look! Those are our trauma centers out there that are being dismantled!
Do you think I care about clowns like Chafee in R.I. Try finding a compass!
We have two parties right now. The one with the conservastives in it is the Rep party. The only way you even got a fence authorization was because of the conservastives within the Rep. Party.
Without the Reps in the majority;
Large parts of the Patriot Act are BLEEPING DEAD.
Bank surveillence is BLEEPING DEAD.
Terrorism as a police issue ALIVE and WELL!
Itel Agencies as a greater threat than terrorists ALIVE and WELL!
Any hope for a fence-DEAD!Now you go mail that to bleeping 1600!
Let’s check the Wikipedia article for any looney tune connections that Greg might have:
Greg Palast is a New York Times [check] bestselling author and a journalist [check] for the British Broadcasting Corporation [check] as well as the British newspaper The Observer [check]. His work frequently focuses on corporate malfeasance [check] but has also been known to work with labor unions [check] and consumer advocacy groups [check]. Notably, he has claimed to have uncovered evidence [check] that Florida Governor Jeb Bush, Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris, and Florida Elections Unit Chief Clay Roberts, along with the ChoicePoint corporation, rigged the ballots during the US Presidential Election of 2000 [check] and again in 2004 [check] when, he argued, the problems and machinations from 2000 continued, and that challenger John Kerry actually would have won if not for disproportional “spoilage” of Democratic votes [check].
Palast has lectured at Cambridge University [check] and the University of São Paulo.
(snip)
On September 13, 2006, after photographing [check] the camp of Hurricane Katrina refugees [check] in Louisiana near the massive Exxon facility [check], the US government said that this videotaping was a threat to national security [check] and issued a warrant for Palast’s arrest [check]. As of mid-day on September 13, Palast was reportedly on the run from the police [check], according to the Alex Jones Radio Show [check].
Representatives from the Palast office later that day indicated that Exxon had “called off the dogs” [check] and that no charges would be filed.
Sort of makes sense, doesn’t it. The man is beyond parody. Frankly I’d be surprised if the guy doesn’t sit beside Jimmy Carter at the 2008 Democratic Convention.
Posted by wronwright on 2006 11 08 at 01:26 PM • permalink
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Here’s a description of voting in my district: After making sure you are who you say you are, they give you a couple of sheets of paper on which are printed the names of office-seekers, with their party affiliations and the offices they are seeking, and summaries of issues and levies. You blacken out an oval next to your choice, then take the ballots to an electronic machine and feed them in, and the machine squeals if you made an error (such as voting for two people for the same office). The little old ladies who run the poll give you a sticker saying “I voted today” (although I would rather have had one of their doughnuts).
We’re small, so there were no dour-faced guardians of the public honor watching us from the corners.
The basement of the Methodist Church still smells like licorice, and it rained again. It always rains on election day. Glowball woofing, probably.
Seething or gloating to follow later.