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Title: Republican mixed fortunes in midterm election results
Source:
Guardian
URL Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentis ... us-midterm-elections-2010-usa1
Published: Nov 3, 2010
Author: Guardian
Post Date: 2010-11-03 08:27:57 by go65
Keywords: None
Views: 668
Comments: 49
So, the Republicans won the House of Representatives, as expected. That's no great surprise; and while their new margin seems considerable, it is, in fact, not dissimilar to those of nearly every president's party that has lost seats during the midterms, including President Bill Clinton's. But actually, that's not the big story the day after America's midterm elections of 2010. In fact, there are two big losers: Senate Republicans and the Super PACs that failed to catapult them to victory. First, Senate Republicans. Let's recall that just two days ago, Democrats were said to be in the "fight of their lives" to retain the Senate. Suddenly, last night, Republicans were backpeddling furiously to depict a race that was never really in play. As a seemingly bewildered Alex Castellanos, leading Republican strategist, asked CNN viewers at around midnight: "Why aren't Republicans doing a little bit better in Senate races than in the House races? We can still win Pennsylvania and Illinois, but Colorado, California don't look so good. And I think it's the weakness in the Republican party we're seeing tonight." He was right. Last night, the Republican Senate non-meltdown started in West Virginia, the first race Republicans were boasting as a "done deal" for their candidate. They had certainly spent enough: the shady Super PACs, the American Action Network and Karl Rove's Americans Crossroads spent a combined $1.3m trying to defeat Governor Manchin, to no avail. And so it went, in state after state throughout the night. Yes, they won some Senate seats – in Pennsylvania and Illinois. But the flagship races – those that the GOP had targeted as highest priorities – were held firmly by Democrats. The best example? Senate majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada – whose predicted defeat was supposed to be the flagship of the Republican sweep. As Manu Raju, political reporter for Politico told me: "The National Republican senatorial committee has all along made Nevada a top target this election." It was so important, they poured $5.2m into their unsuccessful attempt to defeat Reid – including $3.6m from Karl Rove's American Crossroads. All to lose the seat with the Tea Party-backed candidate Sharron Angle by a whopping 5%. In California, the NRSC spent more in that state than in any other race: $8m in supporting Carly Fiorina's effort to unseat Senator Barbara Boxer – far more than the committee spent in any other race in the country. The result? A 9% loss. "This is the perfect case illustrating that dirty money doesn't always talk," Eric Schultz, director of communications for the National Democratic senatorial committee told me last night. "Republican shadow groups spent $5.8m in their unsuccessful attempt to defeat Senator Boxer – including $1m from Karl Rove's Crossroads GPS, and $3.9m from the US Chamber of Commerce. They threw good money after bad." This says nothing of the apparent Republican shoe-ins in the states of Washington and Colorado. Here, strongly predicted victories turned in to super-tight races, as yet undecided as the Republican base apparently failed to deliver the massive support to their candidates that had been foretold. And so to the Tea Party, some of whose candidates won, many of whose candidates lost. It's the worst of both worlds for Republicans. One the one hand, the Tea Party most likely cost the Republicans the Senate. Extreme Tea Partiers like Sharron Angle in Nevada and Christine O'Donnell in Delaware all but handed their elections to their Democratic opponents. Had reasonable Republicans run in those states, it might have turned out very differently and the Senate might have flipped to the Republicans – that was the conclusion being circulated in Republican circles last night. As one senior Republican strategist, who asked to remain anonymous, put it to me last night: "We got royally screwed by the Tea Partiers in these states – without them, we might have had a better shot at the Senate." Chief suspect in this screwup: Sarah Palin, who made, at best, questionable endorsements both in primaries (Christine O'Donnell in Delaware) and in the general election (Joe Miller in Alaska). So, while the Tea Party may be credited for generally increasing energy and turnout for Republicans, it's clearly time for recriminations in the Republican party about their ultimate effect. Already, last night, Republican party leaders were bracing themselves for an internal battle – not just over Tea Party- precipitated losses, but more importantly, over the implications of Tea Party wins. As the candidates made their speeches, it became quite clear that the Tea Party movement's ultra-partisan approach was going to stand in stark contrast to the conciliatory note being struck by both John Boehner, the new House majority leader, and the White House. It's the start of an important and likely contentious debate. Not just between Republicans and Democrats who seek to find common ground (or more likely political advantage), but rather between moderate Republicans willing to compromise and Tea Party supporters determined to continue to be "the party of no". The latters' stance does not seem to accord with the instruction that seems to have been delivered by American voters: "Work together, or else!" One thing is clear: this isn't a sweeping mandate for Republicans. At best, it's a second chance after their 2008 rout. Unless they can reconcile the strident voices of their Tea Party movement candidates with listening to the strong message from Americans for conciliation, it's a second chance they're going to blow.
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#1. To: All (#0)
Obama and Reid ought to send a floral bouquet to Sarah Palin and the Tea Party for allowing them to retain control of the Senate. Hopefully the losses of Palin candidates in Nevada, Delaware, Colorado (where the GOP is heading for minority party status) and the utter rejection of Palin in Alaska puts an end to Palin- 2012 talk. Perhaps the biggest winner yesterday was Mitt Romney.
The spin has already started. Unreal. Here are the facts: The GOP will pick up 63 to 65 House seats -- the largest turnover since WWII. Not only were the Democrat classes of 2006 and 2008 largely purged from the House, several long time Democrat Congressmen (like Ike Skelton) were defeated. The GOP won almost 500 state legislative seats. (I thought I was being optimistic when I predicted at least 300). 20 or 21 state legislatures will change party control, just in time for redistricting. North Carolina and Alabama have GOP state legislatures for the first time since the 1870s. Several governors races are still too close to call, including Oregon and Minnesota, which the Democrats were supposed to win handily. The GOP won at least 6 Senate seats. Rand Paul won by double digits. Marco Rubio had a larger than expected margin. One of the most liberal members of the Senate (Russ Feigngold) was handily defeated. We'll see what happens in Colorado. (No, Dino Rossi will not win in WA). The GOP elected the first female Latino governor (Susana Martinez), the first female Indian governor (Nikki Haley), and two other women governors (Mary Fallin and Jan Brewer). The GOP also elected three Latino Congressmen, including a woman (Jaime Herrera) from my state. They also elected and two black Congressmen (we'll see if they are allowed into the Congressional Black Caucus). The only bad news for the GOP is that three successful business women (Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorini, and Linda McMahon) went down in flames as did Christine O'Donnell, and Sharron Angle.
the bad news for the GOP is that Sarah Palin and the Tea Party cost it control of the Senate.
(laughing) Owe-bama can't run against congress...and you think thats a 'great thing' huh? rotfl. Works for me.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Yep. That said, Democrats really hurt their standing with women overall as a result of the 'whore' attacks, not just with them, but also Nikki Halley. Its yet to dawn on most just how devastating the Governor races are for Democrats. Owe-bama has zero chance of winning Ohio now, for example, with or without the coming redistricting. And if you don't win Ohio, you don't win the Whitehouse. Period.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Again, it all depends on who he runs against. Given most folks thought Harry Reid had a "zero" chance of being reelected, yet just got reelected, you should see that as a lesson.
You don't think Obama's happy that Democrats will hold the keys to his judicial appointments?
This is what I said. Judicial appointments are the right of POTUS. I've never stated otherwise. All he gets at the Supreme Court level is a chance or two to maintain the status quo, which works for me as you know. It won't help him in 2012 anyway. Its still the economy, stupid (chuckle). Owe-bama lost quite a bit of his fading hope for reelection last night. He can't run against a GOP congress, because they only control the Senate. He's going to either veto extending the Bush tax cuts, and thereby ensure Independents, 'mortgage moms' don't vote for him in 2012...or he can further piss off the uber left of his own party. He's lost the 'center' GO. He never had the Right. And he has troubles on the Left, as the ongoing AIDS activist heckling demonstrates...btw, he lied when he yelled back at them as it related to who has spent more on AIDS research, and fighting that horrific disease globally. Bush did more than any POTUS in history on that score, and his (Owe-bama's) flat out lying publicly about it will return to haunt him when the time comes. Now...lest watch redistricting.....(grin)
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Knowing Nevada's heavy unionized population, I know better than to believe that has any 'lesson' related to the 2012 national election of POTUS. 12% of the workforce is 'union'. That translates to less than 3% of the total 'voting population' nationally.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Again, most Americans support extending the Bush tax cuts only on less than $250k in income. And again, if the GOP raises the debt ceiling and doesn't cut spending, it will implode before 2012, but if it does, it will make the economy even worse. Obama can just sit back and watch the Republican civil war intensify. The GOP will learn on January 3rd that governing is actually difficult, and that it's impossible to eliminate a $1.2 trillion deficit when you have exempted all but $421 billion of federal spending from cuts.
Did you see the exit polls from Nevada? Most voters disapprove of Reid, the problem for the GOP was that they nominated a nut-case. If they do the same on the Presidential level (e.g Sarah Palin), they will face a similar fate. Again, Mitt Romney was a big winner last night, he will spend the next year telling GOP financiers over and over again that Angle/Miller/O'Donnell=Palin
That's the establishment spin, but it's not true. Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Nikki Haley and dozens of GOP Congressional candidates who did win would have not won their party's nominations without the Tea Party. There would have been far less energy behind the GOP without the Tea Party. The Tea Party were the big winners last night.
Perhaps this explains Meg Whitman's loss: Maybe it's a metaphor for the entire California gubernatorial race, but we media folks just got the estimate of what it will cost to travel with candidates Meg Whitman and Jerry Brown for the final days of the campaign. So here's the breakdown: Brown is charging media $700 a day for transportation, meals and hotels on the final days of the campaign, according to campaign spokesman Sterling Clifford. The Brown campaign plans for two charter planes, one for the media, and one for the candidate, with the possibility of interviews and media availabilities on the final swing, reporters were told. Whitman is charging the media a whopping $1,350 for one day, and an astronomical $2,050 for another -- hotels not included. And so far, no details of what itinerary is planned, with a week to go. Whitman campaign spokeswoman Sarah Pompei, in an email to reporters, gave those figures out with the observation that "we have worked to keep the cost for travel during the day as low as possible." http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/bl...ion/detail?entry_id=75471 Who are you going to trust to cut government spending - the guy who is frugal with his own and other's money or the woman who talks frugal while spending record amounts?
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
And the State Legislatures. The GOP will likely be able to draw 20 to 25 additional safe House seats for themselves prior to 2012. Guess what also happens in 2012? 23 Democrat Senators are up for reelection, including several that are in very red states and several others that are in states that swung heavily to the GOP last night. The GOP only has 10 seats at risk, 9 of which are probably safe.
Yep. They don't understand you don't get a job from the poor. Nor do they understand that eliminates small business owners completely from realizing any benefit from it. There is no 'Republican Civil War' GO. Thats happening on the Left, where the bloodletting last night took down the so called 'blue dog dems' as we all know. And the Democrats are in charge of 'governing'. Owe-bama and Reid still control 2/3rds of the Federal Government. As the economy continues to disintegrate, Owe- bama will be held responsible for it. You cited Clinton winning in 96. He had a booming economy. Owe-bama doesn't, and won't, in 2012. Bush won in large part in 04 because of a booming economy. Reagan had it in 84. Bush 41 didn't, and lost. Owe-bama WISHES he had Bush 41's economy in 1992 today. And he will wish for it even more in 2011 and 2012. You know this as well as I do.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Still haven't figured out its much better politics to co-opt the Tea Party than to call em 'nuts' huh? Works for me.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
This one hurts the most. Buck looked solid. Bennet Retakes the Lead in Colorado Tweet Reddit Facebook StumbleUpon Yahoo! Buzz By Jesse Zwick 11/3/10 9:19 AM When most East Coasters could no longer follow the returns from sheer exhaustion, Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) had fallen behind challenger Ken Buck (R) in his Senate race, and the momentum was not leaning his way. By morning, however, he’s regained a narrow lead in the polls: With 87 percent reporting, he holds 774,410 votes to Buck’s 767,470, or a mere 6,940 vote margin.
And note that Only the Reps can lose and STILL appear on tv. 8D Like any failed system, it's best to pull the plug ASAP. See Blue Dogs for details. ;}
NYT/fivethirtyeight, various pre vote polls. LMFAO http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/forecasts/senate/colorado
Bingo. The 2012 Presidential campaign began last night. A very steep uphill climb for Owe-bama just became a mountain. He's got an approval rating of 33% here in Ohio as I type this. As we move into 2011, and the economy staggers under the weight of 3 trillion in new (relatively) national debt, more regulations that curtail GDP growth and job creation, AND Owe-bama's continued class war against those of us that actually create jobs, that approval rating will drop another 5 to 10 points. Toss in the redistricting here and elsewhere...he can't win reelection. Nobody can lose Ohio and remain/win a POTUS race. Period.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
$190 million of own money: Whitman McMahon. And lost. That's Got TO Hurt. 8D
Why anybody took this ill-educated political hack from a state with a population smaller than many cities seriously is beyond me. Luckily for the Democrats, Sarah is too dumb to realize what she's done and will keep plodding along, sinking Republicans right and left.
“You know, the two wars that we’re in right now is exactly what we’re in.” - Sharron Angle, Tea Party Loon and Whitman McMahon. And lost. We in California thank Megabucks. We needed the money.
“You know, the two wars that we’re in right now is exactly what we’re in.” - Sharron Angle, Tea Party Loon and You in California are nothing but leeches on the nation's ass now.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
You are delusional, aren't you? What exactly was the win-loss record of Palin and the Tea Party versus Obama's democrats? Don't forget the governorships.
How's the Gulf Coast evacuation proceeding, mcclown? You are such a fookin dope!
Not surprising from the state of fruits, nuts and faggots or the state that foisted crooked Chris Dodd on the nation!
Hey, easy there buster - she was PRESIDENT of the PTA. {;-)
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
Not to mention Ronald Reagan.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
When California wasn't full of fruits, nuts, faggots and illegals! You're living in the past.
She makes you envious halfwits tie your panties in knots. The vile hatred and extremism of you leftwingnuts is frightening, but not unexpected. You're psychotic LOSERS!
Why would I be envious?
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
Naaa - you just don't know how old that fruits and nuts thing is.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
You tell me! She's got a great life. A real man for a husband, a family, a great job, attractive, accomplished, courageous and a person who has stirred the political pot, quite possibly being instrumental in changing the course of history.
There are plenty more faggots and illegals.
In California there is plenty more of everything including money and conservatives.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
I agree. The DNC needn't change a thing. Continue with the enimies and the get in the back strategy. Please!
-----------------------------------------------------------
So why do they have Pelosi, Boxer, Ahnold, Brown, et al? Don't "all" those conservatives with money have influence and vote?
As a matter of fact, they did try to buy the vote. Trouble is voters figured it out and got resentful.
Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
In other words you lie, there aren't that many conservatives in California!
How many is "that many"? Merchants have no country. The mere spot they stand on does not constitute so strong an attachment as that from which they draw their gains. Thomas Jefferson
Comments (42 - 49) not displayed.
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On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#2. To: go65 (#0)
(Edited)
Republican mixed fortunes in midterm election results
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson
#3. To: jwpegler (#2)
The only bad news for the GOP is that three successful business women (Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorini, and Linda McMahon) went down in flames as did Christine O'Donnell, and Sharron Angle.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#4. To: go65 (#1)
Obama and Reid ought to send a floral bouquet to Sarah Palin and the Tea Party for allowing them to retain control of the Senate.
#5. To: jwpegler (#2)
The only bad news for the GOP is that three successful business women (Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorini, and Linda McMahon) went down in flames as did Christine O'Donnell, and Sharron Angle.
#6. To: Badeye (#5)
Its yet to dawn on most just how devastating the Governor races are for Democrats. Owe-bama has zero chance of winning Ohio now, for example, with or without the coming redistricting.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#7. To: Badeye (#4)
Owe-bama can't run against congress...and you think thats a 'great thing' huh?
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#8. To: go65 (#7)
Owe-bama can't run against congress...and you think thats a 'great thing' huh?
#9. To: go65 (#6)
Again, it all depends on who he runs against. Given most folks thought Harry Reid had a "zero" chance of being reelected, yet just got reelected, you should see that as a lesson.
#10. To: Badeye (#8)
Owe-bama lost quite a bit of his fading hope for reelection last night. He can't run against a GOP congress, because they only control the Senate. He's going to either veto extending the Bush tax cuts, and thereby ensure Independents, 'mortgage moms' don't vote for him in 2012...or he can further piss off the uber left of his own party.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#11. To: Badeye (#9)
Knowing Nevada's heavy unionized population, I know better than to believe that has any 'lesson' related to the 2012 national election of POTUS. 12% of the workforce is 'union'. That translates to less than 3% of the total 'voting population' nationally.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#12. To: go65 (#3)
the bad news for the GOP is that Sarah Palin and the Tea Party cost it control of the Senate.
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson
#13. To: jwpegler (#2)
The only bad news for the GOP is that three successful business women (Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorini, and Linda McMahon) went down in flames as did Christine O'Donnell, and Sharron Angle.
#14. To: Badeye (#5)
Its yet to dawn on most just how devastating the Governor races are for Democrats.
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson
#15. To: go65 (#10)
Again, most Americans support extending the Bush tax cuts only on less than $250k in income.
#16. To: go65 (#11)
#17. To: go65 (#0)
"Why aren't Republicans doing a little bit better in Senate races than in the House races? We can still win Pennsylvania and Illinois, but Colorado, California don't look so good. And I think it's the weakness in the Republican party we're seeing tonight."
#18. To: All (#17)
#19. To: All (#18)
#20. To: jwpegler (#14)
Guess what also happens in 2012? 23 Democrat Senators are up for reelection, including several that are in very red states and several others that are in states that swung heavily to the GOP last night. The GOP only has 10 seats at risk, 9 of which are probably safe.
#21. To: All (#19)
#22. To: go65 (#1)
Hopefully the losses of Palin candidates in Nevada, Delaware, Colorado (where the GOP is heading for minority party status) and the utter rejection of Palin in Alaska puts an end to Palin- 2012 talk.
future US Senator
#23. To: mcgowanjm (#21)
$190 million of own money:
future US Senator
#24. To: Skip Intro (#23)
We in California thank Megabucks. We needed the money.
#25. To: go65 (#3)
the bad news for the GOP is that Sarah Palin and the Tea Party cost it control of the Senate.
#26. To: mcgowanjm (#21)
That's Got TO Hurt.
#27. To: jwpegler, go65 (#2)
The only bad news for the GOP is that three successful business women (Meg Whitman, Carly Fiorini, and Linda McMahon) went down in flames
#28. To: Skip Intro (#22)
Why anybody took this ill-educated political hack from a state with a population smaller than many cities seriously is beyond me.
#29. To: Ibluafartsky (#27)
Not surprising from the state of fruits, nuts and faggots or the state that foisted crooked Chris Dodd on the nation!
#30. To: lucysmom (#29)
Not to mention Ronald Reagan.
#31. To: lucysmom, Skip Intro (#28)
(Edited)
Hey, easy there buster - she was PRESIDENT of the PTA.
#32. To: Ibluafartsky (#31)
She makes you envious halfwits tie your panties in knots.
#33. To: Ibluafartsky (#30)
When California wasn't full of fruits, nuts, faggots and illegals! You're living in the past.
#34. To: lucysmom (#32)
Why would I be envious?
#35. To: lucysmom (#33)
you just don't know how old that fruits and nuts thing is.
#36. To: Ibluafartsky (#35)
There are plenty more faggots and illegals.
#37. To: go65 (#1)
Obama and Reid ought to send a floral bouquet to Sarah Palin and the Tea Party for allowing them to retain control of the Senate.
Barrack Hussein Obama
President of the United States of America said that some Americans ; "They can come for the ride, but they gotta sit in back."
#38. To: lucysmom (#36)
In California there is plenty more of everything including money and conservatives.
#39. To: Ibluafartsky (#38)
Don't "all" those conservatives with money have influence and vote?
#40. To: lucysmom (#39)
As a matter of fact, they did try to buy the vote. Trouble is voters figured it out and got resentful.
#41. To: Ibluafartsky (#40)
In other words you lie, there aren't that many conservatives in California!
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