Showing posts with label 2014 election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014 election. Show all posts
Friday, December 26, 2014
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Saturday pickup line
Louisiana holds its runoff election for senator Saturday.
Looks like another Republican pickup.
The drive for 55 seats will be just one short, and Mary Landrieu can leave Louisiana and go home to her big D.C. house.
Looks like another Republican pickup.
The drive for 55 seats will be just one short, and Mary Landrieu can leave Louisiana and go home to her big D.C. house.
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
We lost and you're stupid
Blue Virginia gives space to another whine by a liberal about why Democrats lost Election Day.
Like Jonathan Gruber, the author blames the stupidity of the American voter.
1. Everyone lost. But we the citizens lost big time. The 1% has gerrymandered and vote-suppressed us in numerous ways. If only they turned their creativity into solving real problems. But this is a post-Citizens United world and the GOP and their voters are too obtuse to know they lost too.
You can believe others view things differently.
Or that they're stupid.
Which is probably the most stupid way to explain Democratic losses.
Like Jonathan Gruber, the author blames the stupidity of the American voter.
1. Everyone lost. But we the citizens lost big time. The 1% has gerrymandered and vote-suppressed us in numerous ways. If only they turned their creativity into solving real problems. But this is a post-Citizens United world and the GOP and their voters are too obtuse to know they lost too.
You can believe others view things differently.
Or that they're stupid.
Which is probably the most stupid way to explain Democratic losses.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Not going to help
Before Election Day, Mary Landrieu said people in Louisiana were racist and sexist.
Now, before the runoff, she must think they are really stupid.
Why else would she think a quick vote on the XL pipeline would keep her in the Senate?
The votes of the eight states that replaced Democrats with Republican senators in the incoming Congress pushed the XL pipeline a step closer to reality.
Landrieu and her Democratic friends kept it bottled up for the past few years.
Now, before the runoff, she must think they are really stupid.
Why else would she think a quick vote on the XL pipeline would keep her in the Senate?
The votes of the eight states that replaced Democrats with Republican senators in the incoming Congress pushed the XL pipeline a step closer to reality.
Landrieu and her Democratic friends kept it bottled up for the past few years.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Eugene as Obama
The Walking Dead had a big plot point this week - Eugene admitted he isn't the scientist who can save the world.
His lie provided hope in a tough time for Abraham Ford - giving him a focus that the world could be better. His mission was clear - get Eugene to Washington.
Now he's found that hope is a lie.
How will he react?
Btw, how will Democrats react now that their hope (Obama) has been exposed?
His lie provided hope in a tough time for Abraham Ford - giving him a focus that the world could be better. His mission was clear - get Eugene to Washington.
Now he's found that hope is a lie.
How will he react?
Btw, how will Democrats react now that their hope (Obama) has been exposed?
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Obama's shadow is on the ballot
How does the terrain look for 2016 now?
Politico ask pollsters for their opinions.
Reading between the lines, the battlefield will be the same in 2016 as today.
Do voters like President Obama and his policies or not?
If they like, Democrats have a chance in 2016.
If not, Republicans will have majorities in the House, Senate to go with the White House in 2017.
For all the discussions that Republicans have to get thing done the next two years, it ignores the shadow of Obama.
If Obama doesn't work with them, the negative feelings of gridlock stick to him.
Republicans have two years to express their agenda for the future.
Parts blocked by Obama become reasons to vote for them in 2016.
Parts becoming law become reasons to vote for them in 2016.
Over the past six years, Obama has not taken rejection well.
If that pattern continues, he'll be welcoming a Republican into the White House when he leaves in two years.
Politico ask pollsters for their opinions.
Reading between the lines, the battlefield will be the same in 2016 as today.
Do voters like President Obama and his policies or not?
If they like, Democrats have a chance in 2016.
If not, Republicans will have majorities in the House, Senate to go with the White House in 2017.
For all the discussions that Republicans have to get thing done the next two years, it ignores the shadow of Obama.
If Obama doesn't work with them, the negative feelings of gridlock stick to him.
Republicans have two years to express their agenda for the future.
Parts blocked by Obama become reasons to vote for them in 2016.
Parts becoming law become reasons to vote for them in 2016.
Over the past six years, Obama has not taken rejection well.
If that pattern continues, he'll be welcoming a Republican into the White House when he leaves in two years.
Friday, November 7, 2014
The losing winner
How happy should Mark Warner be on his re-election?
His Democratic friends aren't happy with him.
The numbers look terrible.
And he's now a member of the Senate minority - where the only action will be helping Republicans.
Enjoy your new term, Senator.
His Democratic friends aren't happy with him.
The numbers look terrible.
And he's now a member of the Senate minority - where the only action will be helping Republicans.
Enjoy your new term, Senator.
Christmas comes early
Remember when Santa Claus didn't arrive at the mall until after Thanksgiving?
Then he started showing up the Friday before Thanksgiving.
Today, Santa arrived at Harrionsburg's mall - three weeks before Thanksgiving.
But that's okay.
Republicans got their Christmas present on Tuesday night.
Then he started showing up the Friday before Thanksgiving.
Today, Santa arrived at Harrionsburg's mall - three weeks before Thanksgiving.
But that's okay.
Republicans got their Christmas present on Tuesday night.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
After the thumping
Peggy Noonan examines Election Day - and the president's reaction.
First, the reality.
It was not in the least a charisma election, a sweeping expression of support for a character or personality or movement. It was a message election. Sweeps like this come down to policy and governance. America on Tuesday told one party no, you’re not doing it right, we don’t like what we’re seeing, and your preoccupations (birth control, “War on Women”) are not our priorities.
The president said he was not on the ballot but his policies were. Those policies were resoundingly repudiated.
And Obama's reaction at his press conference.
His answers were long, filibuster-y, meant to run out the clock. It was clear the White House wanted to say he met with reporters for more than an hour. He did. At one point he tried to smile but couldn’t quite pull it off; it came across as a Nixon-like flexing of the rictus muscles. (I tried to describe it in my notes. “Hatey” was the best I could do.)
First, the reality.
It was not in the least a charisma election, a sweeping expression of support for a character or personality or movement. It was a message election. Sweeps like this come down to policy and governance. America on Tuesday told one party no, you’re not doing it right, we don’t like what we’re seeing, and your preoccupations (birth control, “War on Women”) are not our priorities.
The president said he was not on the ballot but his policies were. Those policies were resoundingly repudiated.
And Obama's reaction at his press conference.
His answers were long, filibuster-y, meant to run out the clock. It was clear the White House wanted to say he met with reporters for more than an hour. He did. At one point he tried to smile but couldn’t quite pull it off; it came across as a Nixon-like flexing of the rictus muscles. (I tried to describe it in my notes. “Hatey” was the best I could do.)
Landrieu's debate challenge
I think Bill Cassidy's response to a challenge for six debates for the Louisiana Senate runoff.
One debate.
Another one if Barack Obama comes to the state.
Two more if he comes twice.
He'd probably let Obama share the stage with him and Landrieu.
One debate.
Another one if Barack Obama comes to the state.
Two more if he comes twice.
He'd probably let Obama share the stage with him and Landrieu.
Saluting Hogan's heroes
The best Republican win Tuesday was Larry Hogan becoming governor-elect.
NRO tells how.
“For the past year I’ve been telling everybody that this was the sleeper race of the year, and they would look at me like I was crazy,” says Russ Schriefer, Hogan’s media consultant and a veteran of several presidential campaigns. His belief was bolstered by polls he conducted over the summer showing that Brown’s favorability ratings were low. “He’s a Democrat running in Maryland and you couldn’t blast this guy over 45 [percent favorability],” Schriefer says. In one poll, asked whether they would vote for a third term of the O’Malley administration, 58 percent of those surveyed said no.
Republicans have now won two of the four gubernatorial races since 2000. Maybe there's change in the air.
NRO tells how.
“For the past year I’ve been telling everybody that this was the sleeper race of the year, and they would look at me like I was crazy,” says Russ Schriefer, Hogan’s media consultant and a veteran of several presidential campaigns. His belief was bolstered by polls he conducted over the summer showing that Brown’s favorability ratings were low. “He’s a Democrat running in Maryland and you couldn’t blast this guy over 45 [percent favorability],” Schriefer says. In one poll, asked whether they would vote for a third term of the O’Malley administration, 58 percent of those surveyed said no.
Republicans have now won two of the four gubernatorial races since 2000. Maybe there's change in the air.
Bubblegum pops Democrats' dreams
I left West Virginia in 1995.
Back then, Democrats held both United States Senate seats and all three House seats.
Plus the state House and Senate.
After Tuesday, they only have Joe Manchin in the U.S. Senate.
Republicans won seven Senate seats Tuesday to knot the chamber 17-17, then state Senator Danny Hall switched sides Wednesday evening to give Republicans control.
The new senators include Jeff "Bubblegum" Mullins.
He was a college basketball player in the late 1980s at a local college when I arrived in the state.
I covered his play in numerous contests.
Now he's popped the Democrats' bubble.
Back then, Democrats held both United States Senate seats and all three House seats.
Plus the state House and Senate.
After Tuesday, they only have Joe Manchin in the U.S. Senate.
Republicans won seven Senate seats Tuesday to knot the chamber 17-17, then state Senator Danny Hall switched sides Wednesday evening to give Republicans control.
The new senators include Jeff "Bubblegum" Mullins.
He was a college basketball player in the late 1980s at a local college when I arrived in the state.
I covered his play in numerous contests.
Now he's popped the Democrats' bubble.
Wednesday, November 5, 2014
The tallest dwarf
Vox stretches to find nine takeaways from Tuesday's election.
They even think Hillary Clinton was a winner.
Rand Paul doesn't agree.
See if you agree with the reasoning.
A more Democratic year could have led to some new stars who might have been able to challenge her in 2016. Instead, some potential challengers were cut down. Gov. Martin O'Malley, for instance, saw Anthony Brown, his lt. governor and handpicked successor, defeated in Maryland. That's not going to help him make the case that he can appeal to voters she can't.
She's the only candidate left.
She's the tallest dwarf.
Whoever the Republicans nominate won't be a dwarf like her fellow Democrats.
They even think Hillary Clinton was a winner.
Rand Paul doesn't agree.
See if you agree with the reasoning.
A more Democratic year could have led to some new stars who might have been able to challenge her in 2016. Instead, some potential challengers were cut down. Gov. Martin O'Malley, for instance, saw Anthony Brown, his lt. governor and handpicked successor, defeated in Maryland. That's not going to help him make the case that he can appeal to voters she can't.
She's the only candidate left.
She's the tallest dwarf.
Whoever the Republicans nominate won't be a dwarf like her fellow Democrats.
We did good
The last two months, I've joined the Ten Buck Friday crew.
How did we do?
Seven wins out of eight.
Good to be part of the winning team.
How did we do?
Seven wins out of eight.
Good to be part of the winning team.
How the Democrats lost
It didn't take long for the Washington Post to tell how Democrats lost.
And for their team to start pointing fingers.
And for their team to start pointing fingers.
Make 'em squeal
It's a day to enjoy seeing Democratic suffering.
While they struggle to find a few scraps of joy.
Ousting Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) and avoiding what would have been an unbelievable upset of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are about the only small morsels that Democrats can hold onto. Otherwise, the map couldn't have been any worse for Democrats -- or better for Republicans.
While they struggle to find a few scraps of joy.
Ousting Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett (R) and avoiding what would have been an unbelievable upset of Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) are about the only small morsels that Democrats can hold onto. Otherwise, the map couldn't have been any worse for Democrats -- or better for Republicans.
Enjoy the wave
In the days to come, Republican victories Tuesday will be viewed by the media as a problem - will they be able to work together?
But it's not the major problem.
How are Democrats going to react to being back in the minority?
Will they work with the Republicans?
I just can't wait for Democrats to squeal.
But it's not the major problem.
How are Democrats going to react to being back in the minority?
Will they work with the Republicans?
I just can't wait for Democrats to squeal.
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
This is the moment to get rewrite
Remember President Obama's big speech in June 2008, when he clinched the Democratic nomination.
After this mid-term, time to rewrite the ending.
Because we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we ended the national nightmare of strife; this was the moment when the rise of political hype began to recede and our nation began to heal; this was the moment when we awoke from our stupor and reclaimed our nation's status as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment - this was the time - when we came together to restore this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals.
After this mid-term, time to rewrite the ending.
Because we are willing to work for it, and fight for it, and believe in it, then I am absolutely certain that generations from now, we will be able to look back and tell our children that this was the moment when we ended the national nightmare of strife; this was the moment when the rise of political hype began to recede and our nation began to heal; this was the moment when we awoke from our stupor and reclaimed our nation's status as the last, best hope on Earth. This was the moment - this was the time - when we came together to restore this great nation so that it may always reflect our very best selves, and our highest ideals.
Monday, November 3, 2014
Wrong number
Lynn Mitchell's friend heard a surprising voice on the phone today - President Obama asking him to vote for Mark Warner.
The friend looked out at his Ed Gillespie signs in the front yard and laughed.
The friend looked out at his Ed Gillespie signs in the front yard and laughed.
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