Think Progress

ThinkFast: November 4, 2009

By Think Progress on Nov 4th, 2009 at 9:00 am

ThinkFast: November 4, 2009


Michael Steele and Bob McDonnell

Concerns over jobs and the economy helped propel Republicans to sweep the gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia. In Virginia, Governor-elect Bob McDonnell pledged “a wise and frugal government” and to keep taxes, regulation and litigation “to a minimum.” In New Jersey, Governor-elect Chris Christie pledged to cut regulations and spending and “get government back under control.”

In New York’s 23rd congressional district, Bill Owens scored a historic victory by becoming the first Democrat to carry the district since the mid-19th century. In California, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who “never retreated from his support of progressive policies” during the campaign, easily won a special election.

Fifty-three percent of Maine voters chose to repeal the state’s same-sex marriage law yesterday, with 47 percent voting against the proposition. There was brighter news for gay rights advocates in Washington state, where voters narrowly approved Referendum 71 granting “registered domestic partners additional state-granted rights currently given only to married couples.”

On a 344 to 36 vote, the House yesterday rejected a U.N. report that accuses Israeli and Palestinian forces of war crimes during last year’s war in the Gaza Strip as “irredeemably biased and unworthy of further consideration or legitimacy.” The nonbinding resolution urges the Obama administration “to oppose unequivocally any endorsement” of the report.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has set aside an earlier ruling that would have allowed five victims of the U.S. rendition program to sue the U.S. government. At the behest of the Obama administration’s Department of Justice, the case will be re-heard before an 11-judge panel December 15th.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton will be squaring off for their second public debate on Feb. 25 at Radio City Music Hall. The event is being billed as an “uncensored, unedited and unpredictable” forum.

The British government announced yesterday that it will be breaking up major banks that were bailed out by taxpayers. “There are lessons here for the United States,” said Richard Portes, an economics professor at the London Business School. “The supposed economies of scale of massive financial institutions are outweighed by the difficulties in controlling risk inside them.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs is pledging $3.2 billion with the goal of curbing the number of homeless veterans within five years. “No one who has served this nation as veterans should ever be living on the streets,” said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, adding that the plan is focused “on preventing as it does on rescuing those who live on the streets.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said the Senate may not meet President Obama’s goal of passing a health care bill by the end of the year. “We’re not going to be bound by any timelines,” he said. Republicans have mapped out a strategy to “delay, define and derail” the bill.

And finally: President Bush has lost his touch: While he may have been booed throwing pitches during his presidency, at least they made it to the plate. But at Game 3 of Japan’s World Series yesterday, Bush managed only a dirtball.

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84 Responses to “ThinkFast: November 4, 2009”

  1. Dr. Hussein Matt says:

    Teabaggers, conservatives, and OSarah bin Palin were resoundingly defeated again last night!!! NY-23 goes to a Democrat for the first time in over a 100 years! HAHAH Priceless.

    conservatives = losers.


  2. USNclerk says:

    And finally: President Bush has lost his touch:
    Ha, the only touch he ever had involved booze!


  3. Pilotshark says:

    So by all accounts i believe the Democratic s picked up another house seat. That would cancel out the one governor race. NJ as the other in VA was going to happen any ways no matter what message the wrong side party tried to spin.


  4. Dr. Hussein Matt says:

    And finally: President Bush has lost his touch: While he may have been booed throwing pitches during his presidency, at least they made it to the plate. But at Game 3 of Japan’s World Series yesterday, Bush managed only a dirtball.

    Will Insean Vannity have a meltdown that his master and god throws like a girl?

    ….no offense to girls…


  5. Purple State says:

    Natturally, President Bush decided to put on the Giants jacket in order to avoid booing, but that just makes me boo even more. Wearing a Giants jacket is like wearing a Yankees jacket to me.

    Naturally, I’m disgusted that this could be a year that the two baseball teams I hate could win their respective series.


  6. Zimzone says:

    ‘Bush managed only a dirtball’

    Are they referring to Dick ‘I can’t recall’ Cheney here?

    Congrats to New Yorkers in the 23rd District! Maybe Doug Hoffman and Douglas Holtz-Eakin can find some health insurance now.

    Cue the Trolls bragging about the Republic victory in 1,2,3…


  7. Uncle Ho says:

    Good Morning campers.

    Lets see…I do not yet know the outcome of California’s 10th District race. A Democrat wins NY’s 23rd District over the hard-core conservative Rethuglican.
    Butt, on all three networks this morn, because the GOP won a couple of governerships, they declared Repiggies are resurgent and it is a rejection of Obama’s reign?

    WTF?


  8. Dr. Hussein Matt says:


    Pilotshark says:
    So by all accounts i believe the Democratic s picked up another house seat.

    The Democrats/Pro-Americans also picked up a congressional seat in California.


  9. Pilotshark says:

    . “No one who has served this nation as veterans should ever be living on the streets,” VA Secretary Eric Shinseki,

    Hey Hey 100% behind you on that one General. Glad to see some one actually trying to do right for the ones who make this a great country. Lots of them have lay down the second most supreme sacrifice a arm leg mental etc…

    Long life to all my brothers and sisters that have servered!!!!!!!


  10. Uncle Ho says:

    “Bush managed only a dirtball”

    And if he was bowling, he’d only manage a gutterball.
    snicker


  11. Dr. Hussein Matt says:

    Oops….correction: The Democrats/Pro-Americans retained a congressional seat in California.


  12. EnnuiDivine says:

    I’m disappointed, but not terribly surprised, about NJ. Dems should’ve booted Corzine’s ass from the election when they had the chance, and coaxed Bill Bradley or Dick Codey or Frank Pallone to run. I’m not looking forward to the next four years (rollback of civil rights, decreased benefits for the unemployed/underemployed/working class, gov’t shutdowns because Christie will try to force his ideology on the state legislature). Still, no news organization can seriously frame this as a referendum on Obama (and, yes, I’m aware FoxNews has probably done this already. hence my qualifier, “news organization”). The bigots are back in full swing in Maine, but all that does is prevent a law passed from being implemented. In theory, all the legislature has to do is pass an identical law. And…for the 23rd: Serves ya right, teabaggers. You can’t expect that much outside meddling without blowback. Scozzafava was well liked and would’ve likely run neck-and-neck with Owens had Palin et.al. not come swooping in. Now, the GOP lost a district they’d held since 1871. One of the focal cities in the district, Watertown, had not been represented since 1854. Way to go, “conservatives”. And there are “Republicans” who blame the loss on Scozzafava. Maybe this will be the impetus for a third party. Either let the teabaggers have their own party, or let the GOP purge all moderates and have the moderates form their own party. Electoral politics in this nation have failed again.


  13. Peter C says:

    I’m saddened by the repeal vote in Maine. Some day, we will be a more just and open-hearted country. Some day.


  14. Zimzone says:

    Uncle Ho says: Butt, on all three networks this morn, because the GOP won a couple of governerships, they declared Repiggies are resurgent and it is a rejection of Obama’s reign?

    Exactly.
    The Right Wing media needs sensationalism on a 24/7 cycle. They will spin, distort & outright lie to influence viewers.

    Exit polls show the vast majority of voters stating President Obama didn’t figure in to the vote whatsoever, yet the media will furrow their brows, act ‘concerned’ and make shit up to boost ratings…very much like the Christian Taliban.

    This was an off year election, and has little bearing on how 2010 will shape up. We need to gain the young voter’s interest again to counteract Right Wing mania.

    Have I mentioned that Doug Hoffman is a jerk?


  15. tom says:

    “Bush managed only a dirtball”

    For eight years in the Oval office, GDumbya actually had a dirtball managing him! Probably even a couple of them . . . Darth Cheney, KKKarl RoverBoy . . .


  16. RUCerious says:

    On a 344 to 36 vote, the House yesterday rejected a U.N. report that accuses Israeli and Palestinian forces of war crimes during last year’s war in the Gaza Strip as “irredeemably biased and unworthy of further consideration or legitimacy.” The nonbinding resolution urges the Obama administration “to oppose unequivocally any endorsement” of the report.

    The Israeli lobby hard at work. Making sure our representatives represent their interests first.


  17. raynman says:

    From all the numbers, this wasn’t about the Republicans showing up in record numbers to ‘reclaim’ their country. Republican numbers were fairly consistant from previous elections. The Democrats lost in those areas where Democrats didn’t show up to vote.

    So, what we have here isn’t really a Republican referendum against Obama, but a Democratic/Progressive shot across the bow of the Democratic Party reminding them who got them in that position of power in the first place and that they better start living up to the expectations that we have for them.


  18. RUCerious says:

    Last time I looked, governors didn’t vote in the federal legislatures…
    Just sayin repukes, so shove it.


  19. USNclerk says:

    The British government announced yesterday that it will be breaking up major banks that were bailed out by taxpayers
    I suck at math, and therefore suck at trying to figure the logic bankers use, is this a good idea? It seems like it to me.


  20. www.fikrinne.blogspot.com says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  21. Pilotshark says:

    Dr. Hussein Matt says:
    Oops….correction: The Democrats/Pro-Americans retained a congressional seat in California.

    Thats ok i was going to say that myself about two seats. But the big news there is he ran as a progressive and single payer candidate in a more conservative area. So whats that say?



  22. Dr. Hussein Matt says:

    http://www.fikrinne.blogspot.com says:
    Lets see…I do not yet know the outcome of California’s 10th District race.

    Democrats win California House seat


  23. Dave N says:

    Zimzone says:
    Exit polls show the vast majority of voters stating President Obama didn’t figure in to the vote whatsoever, yet the media will furrow their brows, act ‘concerned’ and make shit up to boost ratings…very much like the Christian Taliban.

    Over 50% of NJ voters voted against the Republican.

    Bob McDonnell had to campaign from the center to win in Virginia against a hapless opponent. Current Gov. Tim Kaine (D) also has a 60% approval rating here.

    NY-23 goes to Democrat for the first time since the Civil War era.

    CA-10 goes to a candidate who was more progressive than his Democratic predecessor.

    56% of voters in NJ and VA say Obama did not figure in their decision yesterday, and Obama still has a 53-54% approval rating, according to the latest Gallup and CNN polls.

    Yeah, it’s a real wake-up call.


  24. Zimzone says:

    No way is Palin sharp enough to have been aware of the NY 23rd race.

    Someone, and I suspect it’s a 4 letter word beginning with R-O-V-E was pulling her puppet strings.

    The fact it backfired on them and, as EnnuiDivine points out above, a Dem is seated for the first time in a century and a half will be conveniently glossed over with lame excuses. I’ve already heard an audio clip stating, ‘it’s just a year for that seat, & we’ll take it back next November’.

    Maybe KKKarl got a free Sarah book for his backseat driving.


  25. johnny dol1ar says:

    If only the Chimperor could plaster his meal with wasabi thinking it is guacamole…


  26. paleolib says:

    Hopefully the lesson in Va. will be that you can’t stick a “D” next to your name and expect left leaning voters to flock to you if you come off sounding almost as conservative as your opponent. The lesson from N.J. should be a reminder that competence counts. Failure to learn those lessons will mean trouble. Fortunately, I strongly suspect that the Dick Arm(e)y of teabaggers will learn nothing from their meltdown in upstate New York and continue to split their misbegotten little cult of a party.


  27. missmolly says:

    Spammer alert at Post #20. They’re getting more clever, hoping it will take longer for us to catch them and vote them down.

    Now what they do is cut and paste part of somebody else’s post to look legit (in this case, it was Uncle Ho’s post at #7), and link to their Turkish chat site.

    Vote it down and flag it.


  28. Shayne says:

    Why is the so called liberal media not holding Palin responsible for the major loss suffered by the GOP in the 23rd?


  29. katy says:

    i always watch the first 1/2 hr of Today – to see if the world ended overnight…

    neither matt, nor todd, nor gregory wanted to talk about NY 23…
    but they sure wanted to ask each other if NJ and VA meant a “repudiation” of President Obama…

    if i remember correctly, that NY 23 race was all the rage before … before the Dem victory..

    good on tim caine for trying to shine that light on NY23, btw…
    he was up against can’tor (who wasn’t as obnoxious as i’d expected)


  30. jwmuiyaai says:

    Fifty-three percent of Maine voters chose to repeal the state’s same-sex marriage law

    Yet another example of xtian love and compassion.

    Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said the Senate may not meet President Obama’s goal of passing a health care bill by the end of the year. “We’re not going to be bound by any timelines,” he said. Republicans have mapped out a strategy to “delay, define and derail” the bill.

    No hurry, congress. We won’t miss the 3700 people who will die each month that you dick around as long as your loved ones are taken care of, right?


  31. RUCerious says:

    MissMolly @#28.
    Turkish apricots, spas yes, spam no. Nice catch…


  32. RUCerious says:

    Methinks the voters of Virginia will see the real Bob McDonnell over the next four years and rue the day they elected this fundie in centrist clothing to their governor’s mansion.


  33. EnnuiDivine says:

    Sure to be reported on later but….

    The “final” House Healthcare bill stripped the Kucinich amendment that allows states to implement a single-payer system.

    Pelosi has screwed us. Yet again.


  34. Keith H. says:

    What do we want ?!?
    Campaign finance reform !
    When do we want it ?!?
    Now !

    What do we want ?!?
    Campaign finance reform !
    When do we want it ?!?
    Now !


  35. The Dogfather says:

    Sad day for us progs in Virginia. Not so much because McDonnell won the governorship; that was pretty much a given since Deeds was such an abysmal candidate who ran a historically inept campaign.

    The one that really discourages me, however, is Ken Cuccinelli winning Atty. General here in Virginia. This guy is a bit to the right of Atilla the Hun; he once introduced a resolution in the state House of Delegates calling on Congress to amend the US Constitution to revoke the citizenship of children born in this country to undocumented immigrants; he also says he won’t enforce laws he doesn’t personally agree with (and he disagrees with every law that has any possible progressive tone to it, including a woman’s right to make her own reproductive choices).

    We’ll just have to work harder in Virginia the next four years, cuz with this gang of regressives at the helm, we’re heading back into the dark ages I fear…


  36. johnny dol1ar says:

    I can’t wait for tomorrow and Batsht crazy’s tea bagging farce in D.C.

    20% chance of rain, highs in the 50s.


  37. Uncle Ho says:

    katy says:

    I concur. For weeks, all the networks could talk about was the NY 23rd district race, but after the Democratic win there, the silence about that particular contest was deafening. Guess it didn’t meet their agenda if the Repiggies lost there.


  38. DRxJ says:

    Although the ordinance gained little national appeal, Proposition 18-65 passed with 62% voting yes!

    It was a proposal to extend equal rights to gays, lesbians, and transgenders.
    It seemed to be a quiet, no nonsense bill, until the pathetic Focus on the Family type pseudo-(c)hristian organization became involved. They noticed one little provision, that transgenders should be able to choose which restroom they can utilize.
    Suddenly, the foaming right had their calling.
    Television ads about “sexual predators” stalking our public restrooms.
    Newspaper ads criticizing one major business (who supported the bill) here because the founder is gay.

    It was pathetic, because the bill is most important because it protects gays and lesbians from unwarranted firing or evictions.
    But the whole restroom scenario feed into some people, including friends and one employee.
    So much that they felt they had to post negative comments on my wife’s facebook.
    Mistake!
    My wife, who think I’m crazy for my political bloggin’, and friends went nuts!
    (Ironically enough, my employee, a 22 year old college graduate, who is very anti-gay and states she can’t accept “ungodly” decisions, is quite sexually active and not married.
    Just got to love those pick and choose sins).

    Anyways, Kalamazoo came out and voted for this bill! 62% realized this was about compassion, and not restrooms.
    GOOD JOB KALAMAZOO RESIDENTS!!!


  39. P.D. says:

    All this morning MSM was highlighting the Governors races and barely talking about what happened in NY. I guess the fact the ‘Tea-Baggers’ had a resounding defeat wasn’t that newsworthy? All frigging week MSM was banking on the fact Hoffman would win. MSM MADE this a huge story, now they treat it like fodder. Typical.


  40. missmolly says:

    Pilotshark says
    November 4th, 2009 at 9:21 am

    But the big news there is he [Garamendi] ran as a progressive and single payer candidate in a more conservative area. So whats that say?
    _____________________________________________________________

    It says a lot. Even though pundits proclaim this district to be politically balanced, I remember the five years I spent living in the San Ramon Valley, and how rabidly conservative people were there.

    And Garamendi didn’t even run as a Blue Dog. He proudly ran to the left, campaigning on the need for health care reform with a robust public option. And won. In this district.

    It’s amazing.


  41. Dave N says:

    Methinks the voters of Virginia will see the real Bob McDonnell over the next four years and rue the day they elected this fundie in centrist clothing to their governor’s mansion.

    Since we have term limits for Governor here (McDonnell is, this morning, officially a “lame duck”), he’s basically got carte blanche. And he’s also got a Rethug-controlled House of Delegates (the Senate is in Dem hands, thankfully, or I’d be moving out).


  42. Purple State says:

    By the way, just wanted to say, regarding the NY-23 race…

    Go to hell, Dick Armey.


  43. RUCerious says:

    johnny dol1ar says:

    I can’t wait for tomorrow and Batsht crazy’s tea bagging farce in D.C.

    20% chance of rain, highs in the 50s.

    Chances of drowning in BS… 93.7%


  44. TXProgressive says:

    “Concerns over jobs and the economy helped propel Republicans to sweep the gubernatorial contests in New Jersey and Virginia.”

    Ah…wasn’t it republican ideology that crashed the economy coupled with their trickle on economics that created fewer jobs than any other admin in recent history? I don’t understand how their concerns translate to moving back to the republicans.

    I thought the repudiation of Dick Armey and his vitriolic minions in NY23 was more of a statement. It may be a local race, but it’s a seat now held by a Democrat for the first time in history. I guess “Sarah’s values” don’t play well even in the most conservative districts.


  45. P.D. says:

    Purple@43, Yeah, You would think good ole Dick would learn his lesson. But don’t worry. The ‘Tea-baggers’ will blame it on ACORN (They aren’t even in the district) or minorites or some other Boogie-man. People like Dick can’t blame themselves. They need a scape goat.


  46. RUCerious says:

    Dave N. Thanks for the info. I didn’t know they had single term. I still think many voters who voted for McRepuggie will be sorry as they watch him hose up the populace over his term in office.


  47. Dave N says:

    RU @ 47 – yep; otherwise, I believe Kaine would still be governor. He and Mark Warner before him turned this state around after the George Allen/Jim Gilmore debacle of the 8 years prior.

    And dogfather @36 – you’re absolutely correct. Cuccinelli as AG is very, very troubling – moreso than McDonnell winning. he is your typical Christo-fascist Rethug, and I’m just amazed Virginia as a whole didn’t see through him.


  48. har5125 says:

    There are some interesting results in yesterday’s elections, but the saddest trend I’ve seen so far is the level of voter turnout. From what I’ve read turnout ranged from 20-40%. Ok there wasn’t a presidential race, but come on people we still have to have a voice in our local politics.


  49. Dr. Hussein Matt says:

    Shayne says:

    Why is the so called liberal media not holding Palin responsible for the major loss suffered by the GOP in the 23rd?

    The librul media is too busy blaming President Obama for NJ and VA.


  50. Dr. Hussein Matt says:

    RUCerious says:

    johnny dol1ar says:
    I can’t wait for tomorrow and Batsht crazy’s tea bagging farce in D.C.
    20% chance of rain, highs in the 50s.

    Chances of drowning in BS… 93.7%

    And a cumulative IQ of 4.


  51. Pilotshark says:

    missmolly says: @41

    Yes i lived in concord for about 8 years and walnut creek as well as Danville was about as red as one could be.

    So i have to say that if there was a message it was to the tea baggers and the wrong side party.


  52. Dr. Hussein Matt says:

    An hour later and no trolls have slithered in yet? Ouch. They really must be crushed that their teabagging terrorist candidate was trounced by a Democrat/Pro-American.


  53. RUCerious says:

    The Department of Veterans Affairs is pledging $3.2 billion with the goal of curbing the number of homeless veterans within five years. “No one who has served this nation as veterans should ever be living on the streets,” said VA Secretary Eric Shinseki, adding that the plan is focused “on preventing as it does on rescuing those who live on the streets.”

    It’s about effing time!
    How about 32 billion over five years for some temporary housing + job training???


  54. gummitch says:

    Most of the MSM are spinning this as a defeat for the president and a “warning” to moderate Democrats to run away from the dirty socialist agenda.

    Christian Science Monitor
    (which I used to respect), is typical.

    Republicans won two big races Tuesday – the governor’s races in Virginia and New Jersey – in a rebuke to the Democratic Party and a blow to President Obama.

    Though most voters in both states said in exit polls the election was not a referendum on the Democratic president, the result sends a warning to moderate Democrats nationwide concerned about their reelection chances next year. That could deal a blow to Mr. Obama’s ambitious agenda, foremost healthcare reform and energy legislation, amid continuing high unemployment.

    In one bright spot for Democrats, the party’s candidate won the special election for the House seat in New York’s 23rd district – a takeover of a historically Republican seat. It was a wild contest, marked by dissension within the national GOP, as conservatives effectively drove the Republican nominee out of the race for not being conservative enough.

    In the long run, Democrats might actually have preferred that the Conservative candidate win, as it would have emboldened conservatives nationally to take on moderate Republicans in districts and states where the moderate may be a better fit. But for the short term, the victory of Democrat Bill Owens in NY-23 provided the one bright spot in a gloomy night for the party.

    CNN, on the other hand:

    Victories in New Jersey and Virginia Tuesday provided a major shot in the arm for the Republican Party heading into the 2010 elections, but the Democratic losses of these two governorships should not be interpreted as a significant blow to President Obama.

    While the economy and jobs were the chief concern for voters in both states, 26 percent of New Jersey residents said property taxes was also a major issue, while another 20 percent mentioned corruption, according to CNN exit polling. In a similar CNN survey taken in Virginia, health care was the most important issue for 24 percent of the voters, while 15 percent named taxes and transportation was mentioned by 7 percent.

    Further proof that this election was not solely focused on Obama, 56 percent of Virginians said that the president was not a factor when it came down to their vote. In New Jersey, that number increased to 60 percent of the people who went to the polls on Tuesday.

    And even more significant, IMO, the CNN piece is clearly labeled “analysis” while the Monitor hit piece is a “news” article. Dang librul media.


  55. DRxJ says:

    Okay, I’m really not following the media circus, but weren’t Virginia and New Jersey pretty much conservative to begin with?
    If so, isn’t it telling that in a predominately (R) area that the elections were so close?


  56. 5th Estate says:

    Bloomberg just paid almost $90 million to barely get a job he doesn’t need and that he barely retained.

    If his motive is to do good for the city and it’s citizens then he could easily spend the same amount or more injecting that kind of capital into the NYC economy or government departments.

    If he was so great at being Mayor, he wouldn’t have had to outspend his opponent by such a huge margin to persuade everyone how great he is.

    When he first ran, he was all for term limits. Once in power he hypocritically manipulated the system to then succesfully oppose term limits.

    It’s all about ego and the pleasures of power for Bloomberg now. It’s been my observation that in general that when an official makes it to a third term whatever merits they had go out the window.

    Bloomberg isn’t a terrible mayor IMHO, but his end-run around the term limit ordinance was unconscionable. I think he’s going to really suck this time around.


  57. 5th Estate says:

    DRxJ says: Okay, I’m really not following the media circus, but weren’t Virginia and New Jersey pretty much conservative to begin with?

    No. When it comes to Governors, NJ is a pretty consistent swing state.


  58. DRxJ says:

    Thanks 5th Estate.
    So a victory for (R) in New Jersey, and a victory for the rabid (c)hristian right in Maine.

    I gots to echo Dr. Matt, but where are the trolls to tell us how wrong PRESIDENT Obama is for our nation?

    (Maybe because the true lithmus test was NY-23, California, and Kalamazoo?)


  59. Rich H says:

    Personaly, I don’t think a governors race is too much of a big deal. Although I was pretty upset when Arnold was elected and they do have real consequences. However, I think this may portend a larger problem. Obama got millions of young, perhaps first time voters excited about change and recieved their votes.

    I also think he’s turned into too much of a corporatist, and he’s probably turned off many of the voters who put him in office.

    The damage could be immediate, but it also could be long term if it permanently turns off young voters to the process.

    Calculating, negotiating, working with the stone age ideology of the republicans was/is not the way to go. It’s only going to lose you votes.


  60. 5th Estate says:

    gummitch says:

    From CSM: Though most voters in both states said in exit polls the election was not a referendum on the Democratic president, the result sends a warning to moderate Democrats nationwide concerned about their reelection chances next year. That could deal a blow to Mr. Obama’s ambitious agenda, foremost healthcare reform and energy legislation, amid continuing high unemployment.

    Oh yeah! Although the majority said ‘X’ was not a factor, we’ll just ignore that fact and say X is a factor–because we have a self serving narrative to pitch.


  61. Dave N says:

    DRxJ @56: Virginia has had a Democratic governor for the past 8 years, both sitting U.S. Senators are Democrats, 6 of the 11 congressmen are Democrats, and the State Senate is Democratic-controlled.

    I guess you could classify us as “purple”.


  62. The Dogfather says:

    We’re definitely “purple”, Dave N — that’s what needs to keep us going into the elections next year.

    BTW, where are you located in our great Commonwealth? I’m in NoVa, straddling the Fairfax/Prince William county lines…


  63. noseeum says:

    It’s plain to see you threw your own election, Dougie, when you claimed Glenn Beck as your mentor.


  64. 5th Estate says:

    DRxJ says: Thanks 5th Estate.
    So a victory for (R) in New Jersey, and a victory for the rabid (c)hristian right in Maine.

    Borrowing from Gummitch’s research:

    While the economy and jobs were the chief concern for voters in both states, 26 percent of New Jersey residents said property taxes was also a major issue, while another 20 percent mentioned corruption, according to CNN exit polling.

    That’s the situation in NJ every goddamn election! Especially property taxes. Homeowners have a major motivation to vote because of that issue, renters do not (there are a lot of renters in NJ), so property taxes always come up because that gets the votes.

    Fortunately you have to be a moderate Republican to win and function in NJ so Christie hopefully won’t be able to do much harm.
    BUT the national GOP could push him to take on a conservative agenda and if so he may eff-around with their interests rather than serving NJ as a whole–so NJ’s economy is going to go further into the toilet I think.
    And gay equality could be messed with too of course.


  65. Papirini says:

    Don’t forget that parts of Colorado have legalized medical marijuana.

    Go Colorado! :)


  66. Dave N says:

    dogfather@64 – I’m in Leesburg, off Route 7, just east of Route 15.


  67. Kalshann says:

    “Fifty-three percent of Maine voters chose to repeal the state’s same-sex marriage law yesterday,”

    I’m not a lawyer or even close to aware how judicial systems work -but this is the second time a state has granted these rights then repealed it. Isn’t this detrimental to the rights of the citizens it affects? Sort of like “Women can vote, oh wait no you can’t! Yes you can! No you can’t!!” or something?

    Is there legal footing to claim this sort of state-by-state, changed at a whim (or changed by whoever pours more into ads), decision making is intrinsically unfair and improper? I’d even go so far as to ask- intrinsically opposed to the pursuit of life and liberty and all that?


  68. ralph the wonder llama says:

    Did anyone catch this latest bit of wingnuttery from, of all people, Pat boone?

    C&L reported on it — ol’ Pat wants to “tent and fumigate the White House” to “get rid of the vermin”.

    Classy.


  69. Oval12345678 aka James K. Sayre says:

    Republicans + Teabaggers = Democratic victories.

    You do the math…


  70. lux says:

    I think yesterday was a Repudiation of their so called ‘Referendum’

    The facts would speak for themselves.. if they weren’t bound and gagged by the conservative media.


  71. katy says:

    gummitch says:
    [...]
    Christian Science Monitor (which I used to respect)

    yea! what’s that about???

    when did the CSM go to the dark side… i wasincluding them as reliable sources until just recently…

    new ownership? what?



  72. noseeum says:

    TP voters reject STORM


  73. noseeum says:

  74. katy says:

    ralph the wonder llama says:
    Did anyone catch this latest bit of wingnuttery from, of all people, Pat boone?
    C&L reported on it —

    as did rachel maddow the night before…

    she is rightly concerned about all the dog whistles calling for, basically, armed insurgency… coming from many sources…

    i wish it were only sour grapes…


  75. DRxJ says:

    SPERM says:
    Maine voters reject…

    SQUIRREL!


  76. Zooey says:

    In New York’s 23rd congressional district, Bill Owens scored a historic victory by becoming the first Democrat to carry the district since the mid-19th century. In California, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, who “never retreated from his support of progressive policies” during the campaign, easily won a special election.

    This is the big news of the day — let’s not forget this one!

    Even all the big-wig whackjob Rovian Palinites couldn’t get their man into that office — in a solid conservative seat.

    EPIC FAIL.


  77. STORM says:

    This comment has been voted down. Click to read.


  78. Luis Chapulin M says:

    The nonbinding resolution urges the Obama administration “to oppose unequivocally any endorsement” of the report.

    Non-binding? Perfect. Israel has been ignoring dozens of UN non-binding resolutions through the years. Let’s hope Obama ignores this resolution.


  79. Exit Stage Left says:

    MSNBC has been running Humana and anti-healthcare reform ads all week. When the good guys are cashing big checks from the health insurance companies and anti-reform scumbags, it shows me how truly one-sided the “paid-for” debate is. The only thing that will come from the eventual healthcare bill is a photo op.


  80. MapleStreet says:

    Thinking more about Boehner’s health plan and the idea that the insurance company could choose to be seated in the most lenient state (towards the industry) and apply that state’s laws to everyone in every state.

    IT IS EVEN WORSE: What is to stop the insurance industry from finding a state willing to take their money. Then the insurance industry pours all its money into controlling the politics of that *ONE* *INDIVIDUAL* *STATE*. States already make sweet tax deals to entice industries to settle in them.

    I CAN SEE IT NOW: AS A CONDITION OF RECEIVING ALL THE TAXES FROM THE INCOME OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY, STATE X HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ALL REGULATIONS ON THE INDUSTRY.


  81. Doc Rock says:

    Fire Reid and get a real Democrat in his leadership position!


  82. Purple State says:

    Hi, STORM.

    Wanna get married?



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