My Take On the Election Results From Last Night..

[Bob Sakimano]

despite what the mainstream media will try to tell you, it wasn't a massive sweep for conservatives..

I'd say it was a slight victory for republicans but that most conservatives, if they're willing to be honest with themselves, are not terribly energized...

Virgina

you have a republican candidate in a southern state win. when is the last time that has happened?

he campained overwhelmingly on fiscal issues: taxes and jobs. He did not tow the conservative religious kook line regarding homosexuals, gay marriage, pro-life, etc. and the voters responded to that.

New Jersey


as someone mentioned yesterday, it was like choosing between airline food and hospital food.

Christie doesn't even look all that fat to me by American standards. I mean, of course he's obese, but isn't that kind of normal for America?

Not sure why Corzine made an issue out of Christie's obesity.. oh - it's because he didn't really have any other valid points to make.

regardless, not a big deal nationally. The folks of New Jersey will get what they voted for which is always a good thing.

NY - 23


the election result that really suprised me the most. Maybe not the actual result, but with how conservatives don't seemed too concerned with losing a US House seat.

they have chosen to narrow their already close-minded definition the republican party and look what happens - they actually lose a seat in the United States House of Representatives. Color me shocked.

though right wing hate radio and the mainstream media will somehow attempt to spin this into a victory for conservatism... - (if this is their standard for victory, I only wish them more success), the reality is that the voters of a republican district elected a democrat. Feel free to spin that in any way your paranoid, delusional mind allows you to.


again, overall it's probably a slight win for republicans, which is good. It simply follows the trend of the party in the minority doing well in a non-presidential election year.

but no matter how conservatives try to spin it, "conservatism" didn't do well.

[spartanMF]

You are trying way too hard.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Who are you and what have you done with Bob Sakimano?

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

Who are you and what have you done with Bob Sakimano?

[Heaph]

Originally Posted by Bob Sakimano

despite what the mainstream media will try to tell you, it wasn't a massive sweep for conservatives..

I'd say it was a slight victory for republicans but that most conservatives, if they're willing to be honest with themselves, are not terribly energized...

Virgina

you have a republican candidate in a southern state win. when is the last time that has happened?

he campained overwhelmingly on fiscal issues: taxes and jobs. He did not tow the conservative religious kook line regarding homosexuals, gay marriage, pro-life, etc. and the voters responded to that.

New Jersey


as someone mentioned yesterday, it was like choosing between airline food and hospital food.

Christie doesn't even look all that fat to me by American standards. I mean, of course he's obese, but isn't that kind of normal for America?

Not sure why Corzine made an issue out of Christie's obesity.. oh - it's because he didn't really have any other valid points to make.

regardless, not a big deal nationally. The folks of New Jersey will get what they voted for which is always a good thing.

NY - 23


the election result that really suprised me the most. Maybe not the actual result, but with how conservatives don't seemed too concerned with losing a US House seat.

they have chosen to narrow their already close-minded definition the republican party and look what happens - they actually lose a seat in the United States House of Representatives. Color me shocked.

though right wing hate radio and the mainstream media will somehow attempt to spin this into a victory for conservatism... - (if this is their standard for victory, I only wish them more success), the reality is that the voters of a republican district elected a democrat. Feel free to spin that in any way your paranoid, delusional mind allows you to.


again, overall it's probably a slight win for republicans, which is good. It simply follows the trend of the party in the minority doing well in a non-presidential election year.

but no matter how conservatives try to spin it, "conservatism" didn't do well.

Bob,
Do you really still relate the Republican party to conservatives? I ask because they are really the Dem-lite party in my mind. They have abandoned the conservatives long ago. I mean, they talk a good game but look at their actions. How many sex scandals have come out? How many times have they voted for huge spending increases?
Finally, I would gladly vote for a Democrat if I feel he/she will represent the same values and standards (for the most part) that I want represented.

[Gotham_Spartan]

You saw two moderate Republicans who stayed away from social issues win, and one conservative Republican who campaigned on the social issues lose a Congressional seat that had been in Republican hands since Grant was president (literally).

In Virginia, you had the added issues that the Dem was not a strong candidate, was not from the part of the state where Dems need to do well to win, and engendered voter resentment when he tried to make too big of an issue of the social issues using very old evidence. In NJ, you had the added issue that the incumbent Dem was personally unpopular and a former Goldman Sachs CEO at a time when everyone hates Wall St. In both those states, the overwhelming majority said that Obama had nothing to do with their votes.

In NY #23, by contrast, the right wing made that campaign their own, and they lost. Translation: if the Republicans continue to let their right wing dictate decisions, they will continue to lose.

Electorally yours,

[Vlad_the_Impaler]

Originally Posted by Gotham_Spartan

You saw two moderate Republicans who stayed away from social issues win, and one conservative Republican who campaigned on the social issues lose a Congressional seat that had been in Republican hands since Grant was president (literally).

In Virginia, you had the added issues that the Dem was not a strong candidate, was not from the part of the state where Dems need to do well to win, and engendered voter resentment when he tried to make too big of an issue of the social issues using very old evidence. In NJ, you had the added issue that the incumbent Dem was personally unpopular and a former Goldman Sachs CEO at a time when everyone hates Wall St. In both those states, the overwhelming majority said that Obama had nothing to do with their votes.

In NY #23, by contrast, the right wing made that campaign their own, and they lost. Translation: if the Republicans continue to let their right wing dictate decisions, they will continue to lose.

Electorally yours,

That sums it up pretty well. (I had never heard of Craig Deeds until yesterday.)

Now, being a resident of NJ, I'm looking forward to Christie cutting my property taxes! Although I probably shouldn't hold my breath, since 70% of my property taxes go directly to the school system, and the school systems across this screwed up state refuse to consolidate. Every podunk town in NJ has its own school system.

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Heaph

Bob,
Do you really still relate the Republican party to conservatives? I ask because they are really the Dem-lite party in my mind. They have abandoned the conservatives long ago. I mean, they talk a good game but look at their actions. How many sex scandals have come out? How many times have they voted for huge spending increases?
Finally, I would gladly vote for a Democrat if I feel he/she will represent the same values and standards (for the most part) that I want represented.

hey dude...

to be honest, I think there is (maybe) a slight shade of grey between democrats and republicans... however, in the Virginia and New Jersey race, a "republican" won running on a moderate platform. Neither went the social values route.. and I believe that's why they were appealing to voters.

again, it's going to be spun however the spinner chooses to do so, but conservatism didn't win last night.

and I agree with you - I'm not real big on the (R) or the (D) beside someones name.. I'll vote with who is most closely consistent with my beliefs and values.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Originally Posted by Gotham_Spartan

You saw two moderate Republicans who stayed away from social issues win, and one conservative Republican who campaigned on the social issues lose a Congressional seat that had been in Republican hands since Grant was president (literally).

In Virginia, you had the added issues that the Dem was not a strong candidate, was not from the part of the state where Dems need to do well to win, and engendered voter resentment when he tried to make too big of an issue of the social issues using very old evidence. In NJ, you had the added issue that the incumbent Dem was personally unpopular and a former Goldman Sachs CEO at a time when everyone hates Wall St. In both those states, the overwhelming majority said that Obama had nothing to do with their votes.

In NY #23, by contrast, the right wing made that campaign their own, and they lost. Translation: if the Republicans continue to let their right wing dictate decisions, they will continue to lose.

Electorally yours,

You don't think the compressed time frame, the dropping out of the GOP candidate and the RINO's endorsement of the Dem had anything to do with it?

How well do you think the Dem would have done on a 2 candidate ballot?

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Gotham_Spartan

You saw two moderate Republicans who stayed away from social issues win, and one conservative Republican who campaigned on the social issues lose a Congressional seat that had been in Republican hands since Grant was president (literally).

In Virginia, you had the added issues that the Dem was not a strong candidate, was not from the part of the state where Dems need to do well to win, and engendered voter resentment when he tried to make too big of an issue of the social issues using very old evidence. In NJ, you had the added issue that the incumbent Dem was personally unpopular and a former Goldman Sachs CEO at a time when everyone hates Wall St. In both those states, the overwhelming majority said that Obama had nothing to do with their votes.

In NY #23, by contrast, the right wing made that campaign their own, and they lost. Translation: if the Republicans continue to let their right wing dictate decisions, they will continue to lose.

Electorally yours,

pretty much what I said initially, just in a fancier-packaged fashion.


eyes rollingly yours,

[Bullwrinkle]

Originally Posted by Bob Sakimano

despite what the mainstream media will try to tell you, it wasn't a massive sweep for conservatives..

I'd say it was a slight victory for republicans but that most conservatives, if they're willing to be honest with themselves, are not terribly energized...

Virgina

you have a republican candidate in a southern state win. when is the last time that has happened?

he campained overwhelmingly on fiscal issues: taxes and jobs. He did not tow the conservative religious kook line regarding homosexuals, gay marriage, pro-life, etc. and the voters responded to that.

New Jersey


as someone mentioned yesterday, it was like choosing between airline food and hospital food.

Christie doesn't even look all that fat to me by American standards. I mean, of course he's obese, but isn't that kind of normal for America?

Not sure why Corzine made an issue out of Christie's obesity.. oh - it's because he didn't really have any other valid points to make.

regardless, not a big deal nationally. The folks of New Jersey will get what they voted for which is always a good thing.

NY - 23


the election result that really suprised me the most. Maybe not the actual result, but with how conservatives don't seemed too concerned with losing a US House seat.

they have chosen to narrow their already close-minded definition the republican party and look what happens - they actually lose a seat in the United States House of Representatives. Color me shocked.

though right wing hate radio and the mainstream media will somehow attempt to spin this into a victory for conservatism... - (if this is their standard for victory, I only wish them more success), the reality is that the voters of a republican district elected a democrat. Feel free to spin that in any way your paranoid, delusional mind allows you to.


again, overall it's probably a slight win for republicans, which is good. It simply follows the trend of the party in the minority doing well in a non-presidential election year.

but no matter how conservatives try to spin it, "conservatism" didn't do well.

Wow - an actually thoughtful and insightful post that didn't contain the words "knuckle dragging" and also didn't remind us for the zillionth time that Obama is indeed a black man.

Are you delirious from HIN1 or did you crack open your Merlot stash a wee bit early this morning?

[Dr. Strangelove]

Originally Posted by Bullwrinkle

Wow - an actually thoughtful and insightful post that didn't contain the words "knuckle dragging" and also didn't remind us for the zillionth time that Obama is indeed a black man.

Are you delirious from HIN1 or did you crack open your Merlot stash a wee bit early this morning?

Bob has a stash and I can assure you it's not Merlot.

[Bullwrinkle]

Here's my take on the results - big deal. This year and next are going to be tough for incumbents regardless of party. The economy sucks, people are dissatisfied and the grim realization has settled in on the fact that our President is great at giving speeches and not good for much else. Since there are more Dem incumbents than GOP, that means more GOP successes are likely. But it doesn't signify anything else. The GOP is still as void in direction and empty on principle as before.

Steele: Election returns show 'transcendent' GOP

Reuters - WASHINGTON – An ebullient Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele asserted Wednesday that GOP victories in governors' races in New Jersey and Virginia demonstrate "a transcendent party" on the move again. Democratic Party Chairman Tim Kaine said that nothing about the election returns amounted to a repudiation of President Barack Obama.

"We're not crowing, we're just smiling," Steele said in a nationally broadcast interview. "I think it's a bellwether for the party ... You look at where we were nine months ago."
Steele said he believes Chris Christie's victory in New Jersey and Robert McDonnell's win in Virginia show that the GOP has "really found its voice again" after sustaining damaging losses last year.

Kaine, who will be succeeded at the Virginia statehouse by McDonnell, said he thought voter anxiety about jobs and the economy played heavily in the balloting and said the defeat of incumbent Gov. Jon Corzine in New Jersey and candidate Creigh Deeds in Virginia shouldn't be seen as a referendum on Obama. He said Obama "really retains a strong popularity among the voters."

Exit polls showed many independents who voted for Obama in 2008 voted for Republicans this time around, and Kaine did say in a CNN interview, "We're going to have to scratch our heads a little bit on that one." He said Obama continues to enjoy even stronger support among independent voters than he has in the past.

Of course Steele and Kaine see things differently,but neither have a clue, what a surprise.

[Enrico Palazzo]

what I find most amusing is that folks like Limbaugh and Beck heavily promoted the conservative candidate in NY 23 and when they pushed the moderate out called it a slam dunk victory for conservatism. Then to seal the deal, the outside conservative forces, particularly the Club for Growth, who spent over $2 million on the race, brought in Sarah Palin to seal the deal - that turned the polls in favor of the Dem!

Yes cons, your party leaders and standard bearers turned one of the most conservative districts in the country Blue. Keep up the good work and keep pushing your girl Sarah!

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Bullwrinkle

Wow - an actually thoughtful and insightful post that didn't contain the words "knuckle dragging" and also didn't remind us for the zillionth time that Obama is indeed a black man.

Are you delirious from HIN1 or did you crack open your Merlot stash a wee bit early this morning?

a better-than-average run this morning through the dark, quiet streets of East Lansing.


merlot? dudes like me don't drink wine...

[Zakath]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

You don't think the compressed time frame, the dropping out of the GOP candidate and the RINO's endorsement of the Dem had anything to do with it?

How well do you think the Dem would have done on a 2 candidate ballot?

I believe we're going to find out in 363 days (11/2/2010).

[Dr. Strangelove]

Originally Posted by Enrico Palazzo

what I find most amusing is that folks like Limbaugh and Beck heavily promoted the conservative candidate in NY 23 and when they pushed the moderate out called it a slam dunk victory for conservatism. Then to seal the deal, the outside conservative forces, particularly the Club for Growth, who spent over $2 million on the race, brought in Sarah Palin to seal the deal - that turned the polls in favor of the Dem!

Yes cons, your party leaders and standard bearers turned one of the most conservative districts in the country Blue. Keep up the good work and keep pushing your girl Sarah!

NY-23: Who Spent What? - The Atlantic Politics Channel

Democrat Bill Owens - Roughly $2 million spent
Bill Owens - $373,836
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee - $1,111,136
Service Employees International Union - $391,342
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) - $199,850


Conservative Doug Hoffman - Roughly $2.5 million spent
Doug Hoffman - $229,878
Club for Growth - $1,022,040
National Republican Congressional Committee - $897,404 ($731,466 of which was in opposition to Owens exclusively, while the rest was spent contrasting Owens and the NRCC's candidate, Dede Scozzafava)
Susan B. Anthony List - $87,922
National Republican Trust PAC - $93,322
National Organization for Marriage - $50,864
Life and Liberty PAC - $33,580
Campaign for Working Families - $25,000
Eagle Forum PAC - $25,000

Scozzafava
New York teachers' union NYSUT - $48,250

[Gotham_Spartan]

Originally Posted by Dr. Strangelove

You don't think the compressed time frame, the dropping out of the GOP candidate and the RINO's endorsement of the Dem had anything to do with it?

How well do you think the Dem would have done on a 2 candidate ballot?

Fair question. Consider that, if it had been a two candidate race from the beginning, it is less likely that the right winger would have attracted as much money or attention. The question then becomes whether the deciding votes were cast against him because they resented the outside right wing interference or because they disagreed with him.

Remember, in upstate New York, much Republicanism is still for the most part close to the Lincoln-T. Roosevelt-Dewey-Eisenhower-Rockefeller Republicanism: conservative on law and order issues and balancing the budget, but moderate even on the issue of taxes and government size and definitely moderate on social issues, physical or at least philosophical descendants of people who would have supported the underground railroad. If you want an example of somebody they would really like, look to the Governor of Montana -- a Democrat. They generally like Giuliani, who spent most of his career pro-immigration, pro-abortion rights, even pro-gay rights, and never made a move to cut any social programs. They distrust people who are too insistent on government preaching about how people should lead their lives. I have a lot of Republican relatives upstate, socially conservative Catholics, who in many respects view the Repuiblican alliance with fundamentalist Protestants with considerable distaste. Also, Hillary did a masterful job of serving upstate New York while Senator and resulted in a lot of people up there voting for a Democrat for a major office for the first time in their lives. When she ran for re-election as Senator, she carried counties up there that a statewide Democratic candidate had never carried since the Civil War. The economy up there sucks, and some middle class people view the situation there as the product of Republican policies that reward other parts of the country at their expense, similar to the attitudes that resulted in Obama carrying Ohio and Indiana.

Bottom line: I think the Dem would still have won, perhaps by a slightly narrower margin.

Empire Stately yours,

[Gotham_Spartan]

Further to my post:

I took a look at the election returns up there. The Dem did best in the counties at the southern part of the district, near Utica and Syracuse, areas formerly rural that in recent years have become more exurban, even suburban, in other words, much more moderate. Also, the conservative said he would oppose all earmarks, and earmarks have been a big part of keeping Fort Drum going, which is one of the larger employers in the southern part of the district, so at least some of the army types who would have otherwise been reliable Republican voters probably voted their own economic interest.

Note that the Dem is an Air Force veteran from Plattsburgh, where there's an Air Force base, so he probably picked up votes in that area that a Dem would otherwise never get either because he's a vet or because he's a hometown boy or both.

Finally, the last Democrat who represented this district left office in 1857. The Republican Party was founded in 1856, and had held that seat ever since.

Upstately yours,

[lars]

Originally Posted by Bob Sakimano

despite what the mainstream media will try to tell you, it wasn't a massive sweep for conservatives..

I'd say it was a slight victory for republicans but that most conservatives, if they're willing to be honest with themselves, are not terribly energized...

Virgina

you have a republican candidate in a southern state win. when is the last time that has happened?

he campained overwhelmingly on fiscal issues: taxes and jobs. He did not tow the conservative religious kook line regarding homosexuals, gay marriage, pro-life, etc. and the voters responded to that.

New Jersey


as someone mentioned yesterday, it was like choosing between airline food and hospital food.

Christie doesn't even look all that fat to me by American standards. I mean, of course he's obese, but isn't that kind of normal for America?

Not sure why Corzine made an issue out of Christie's obesity.. oh - it's because he didn't really have any other valid points to make.

regardless, not a big deal nationally. The folks of New Jersey will get what they voted for which is always a good thing.

NY - 23


the election result that really suprised me the most. Maybe not the actual result, but with how conservatives don't seemed too concerned with losing a US House seat.

they have chosen to narrow their already close-minded definition the republican party and look what happens - they actually lose a seat in the United States House of Representatives. Color me shocked.

though right wing hate radio and the mainstream media will somehow attempt to spin this into a victory for conservatism... - (if this is their standard for victory, I only wish them more success), the reality is that the voters of a republican district elected a democrat. Feel free to spin that in any way your paranoid, delusional mind allows you to.


again, overall it's probably a slight win for republicans, which is good. It simply follows the trend of the party in the minority doing well in a non-presidential election year.

but no matter how conservatives try to spin it, "conservatism" didn't do well.

Bob you are wrong. Heard a townhall of voters in virg last night. Many voted obama. All those who went repub were angry. Concerned about jobs, economy, taxes and spending in DC. Worried about the future debt for their kids, thought healthcare bill moving too fast and not thought out. And many of these concerns came from obama voters. Voters are pissed about what is happening in DC

[ChicagoMark]

These elections are a waste of time and a huge distraction. Nothing changes in Washington and our country will continue to decline regardless of the self-serving, scumbag, moron The People elect. We need a massive revolution.

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by lars

Bob you are wrong. Heard a townhall of voters in virg last night. Many voted obama. All those who went repub were angry. Concerned about jobs, economy, taxes and spending in DC. Worried about the future debt for their kids, thought healthcare bill moving too fast and not thought out. And many of these concerns came from obama voters. Voters are pissed about what is happening in DC

that's cool dude.. but you sort of prove my point.

this election wasn't about tradtional bible-beating, flag waving "conservatism" - those aren't the issues that people voted on. Which is a good thing.

it's always funny how people put their social issues aside when they're worried about paying bills.

but that's just my take on things.. you have yours.

[Bullwrinkle]

Originally Posted by Bob Sakimano

that's cool dude.. but you sort of prove my point.

this election wasn't about tradtional bible-beating, flag waving "conservatism" - those aren't the issues that people voted on. Which is a good thing.

it's always funny how people put their social issues aside when they're worried about paying bills.

but that's just my take on things.. you have yours.

You are correct, but then again, those same reasons led to the big Dem gains in the last elections. What goes around comes around...

[Bob Sakimano]

Originally Posted by Bullwrinkle

You are correct, but then again, those same reasons led to the big Dem gains in the last elections. What goes around comes around...

oh yeah the republicans will gain quite a few seats in 2010... I doubt they will win back a majority but who knows... a lot can happen between now and then.

[Enrico Palazzo]

I rather liked this analysis from NY23, which was linked on Sullivan:

"Thought I’d share a newly developed recipe for Elephant Upside-Down Surprise Cake. First you take a congressional district that has had Republican representation in the U.S. House of Representatives since two decades before the Civil War, then add a teabag, pour on some hot steamin’ Sarah Palin, add a squeeze of Rush Limbaugh, then carefully strain the mixture until there is no trace of the moderate Republican. Then just wait and watch. Pretty soon you’ll have….Surprise! A Democrat! There you go folks. Dems across the land can now send thank you notes to Our Lady of Perpetual Meddling. Can’t wait to find out whose fault THIS one is going to be," - Mudflats.