Let's just celebrate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSxkAZcnMPA
Posted by Richard Bottoms at November 8, 2006 11:45 PMWhat's this?
Ad Nags spouts off about Rahm and Chuckie?
Rahm lost several races, compared to netroots which was the force that put the D's over the top.
But the real force was the public. Until the public is ready to change political alliances, nothing happens. This year, the public wanted some change.
Ad Nags....what a wanker.
Posted by boilerman10 at November 8, 2006 11:47 PMMy only thought, at 1:30 in the morning, is that once again 41 had to send in his friends (Baker-Hamilton Commission) and put 43 on notice that the adults will be taking over from here on out. Would love to sit around the Thanksgiving table with the Bush's this year.
Funny isn't it. According to Bush just recently, a vote for a Democrats was a vote for terrorists. We have been called unpatriotic, cut and run Democrats, and haters of America. Now Bush wants to hold hands and work together (of course I don't believe that one). The little bully just got the shit kicked out of him, and the smirk wiped off his face.
Posted by Judith at November 8, 2006 11:59 PMIs anyone else having a hard time believing that the nightmare is over. I keep pinching myself. Think back a year or even six months ago when it looked like nothing could stop the train. The WIN is ever so sweet. I'm still high on the Democratic win. Democracy may have just been saved from the fascists in this Country. It all hasn't totally sunk in yet.
Posted by Judith at November 9, 2006 12:10 AMYouth turnout in election biggest in 20 years
BOSTON (Reuters) - Young Americans voted in the largest numbers in at least 20 years in congressional elections, energized by the Iraq war and giving a boost to Democrats, pollsters said on Wednesday.
About 24 percent of Americans under the age of 30, or at least 10 million young voters, cast ballots in Tuesday's elections that saw Democrats make big gains in Congress. That was up 4 percentage points from the last mid-term elections in 2002.
"This looks like the highest in 20 years," said Mark Lopez, research director of the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, which compiled the data based on exit polls. "Unfortunately, we can't say if it's a record because don't have good comparable data before 1986."
Rock the Vote, a youth-and-civics group, said young voters favored Democrats by a 22-point margin, nearly three times the margin Democrats earned among other age groups and dealing a potentially decisive blow to Republicans in tight races.
Thank you young voters.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061108/ts_nm/usa_elections_youth_dc
Posted by Judith at November 9, 2006 12:17 AMMoveOn.org has the right idea: a $250,000 reward for evidence leading to voter fraud convictions.
Judith,
I'm having the same reaction to this republican butt kicking. We temporarly turned the fascist back. This will stop the social security heist, limit domestic spying on citizens that oppose fascism, and limit the U.S. treasury heist. It's about time!!!
It's like fighting a demon in a horror movie. For now, the demons are licking their wounds.
Posted by smooth at November 9, 2006 12:37 AMCan't still believe either, Judith, but I'm happy to let this great feeling that Democracy has won sink in slowly.
Glad to learn that the young crowd had such hand. After all, more than for anyone else their future was at stake.
I pray that, soon, those youngsters back in Iraq can make it home safe and sound.
PAZ
Posted by quídam at November 9, 2006 12:43 AMI agree the Nagourney piece is solid. Emanuel and Schumer deserve huge credit for strategy, recruiting, and for some powerful advertising. But they aren't the whole story of this victory. I wish the piece had also acknowledged the contributions of the Dean 50-state strategy and netroots for sustaining candidates that were simply not on the lists of the DCCC and DSCC until very late in the game
Posted by Mickeleh at November 9, 2006 01:01 AMMy Cousin sent me this. We must NEVER AGAIN allow America to be threatened by people who do not love this Country and want the best for it's people.
Quotes By Henry A. Wallace ,33rd Vice President of the United States (1941–45)
"They claim to be super-patriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution."
"The American fascist would prefer not to use violence. His method is to poison the channels of public information."
"The American fascists are most easily recognized by their deliberate perversion of truth and fact. Their newspapers and propaganda carefully cultivate every fissure of disunity, every crack in the common front against fascism".
"The dangerous American fascist is the man who wants to do in the United States in an American way what Hitler did in Germany in a Prussian way".
"The worldwide, agelong struggle between fascism and democracy will not stop when the fighting ends in Germany and Japan. "
"Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjection."
"With a fascist the problem is never how best to present the truth to the public but how best to use the news to deceive the public into giving the fascist and his group more money or more power. "
"American fascists of this stamp were clandestinely aligned with their German counterparts before the war, and are even now preparing to resume where they left off, after 'the present unpleasantness' ceases. "
"If we define an American fascist as one who in case of conflict puts money and power ahead of human beings, then there are undoubtedly several million fascists in the United States. "
In a letter from Michael Moore, he says:
"If you want to do one thing today, send an email or a letter to your senator and your member of Congress and tell them, in no uncertain terms, what this election means: End the war -- and don't let George W. Bush get away with any more of his bright ideas."
"Congratulations, again! Now let's go find a spine for the Dems to do the job we've sent them there to do."
Posted by Judith at November 9, 2006 01:14 AMOur respect in the world just went up. Hopefully the world will see that not all Americans are crazy, or war mongering, or hateful, or corrupt, or lusting for power, money and control.
"I pray that, soon, those youngsters back in Iraq can make it home safe and sound." Quidam
quídam, 2837 Americans have lost their lives and thousands of Iraqis and those of Afganistan. Loss is an universal grief. I pray that this is the beginning of the end of this madness we have been living.
Posted by Judith at November 9, 2006 01:25 AMI don't want to rub it in, but Peter, Baggy, Benito, Muckdog, etc.
WE WON
WE WON
WE WON
WE WON
WE WON
WE WON
judith..i know exactly what you mean..i can hardly believe what happened..at least to the exent that it happened..it has been a very long six years...i could never really get over what they did to gore...i've always felt that democracy died the day the election was decided by the supreme court...but it's a new day...they have failed..his and their legacy is written..he has been a failure his whole life he is a failure now...rumsfeld..santorum..burns ..allen..and so on...all gone in a single day..it's like a miracle....the road ahead will be a hard one..but this is a great country and that was proven once again on tues..i believe that america can once again become a beacon for the world....and not for revenge but for justice...dick cheney belongs in prison..
Posted by dennis at November 9, 2006 02:36 AMChuck raised a lot of cash, but Dean's 50-state strategy is the winner here, not Emanuel's targeted races. I don't mind that they underestimate the net roots, that's fine. But Dean deserves the credit, otherwise the Dems will return to business as usual.
Posted by Brian Bell at November 9, 2006 02:38 AMrub it in all you want..you deserve it and it kinda feels good doesn't it?
Posted by dennis at November 9, 2006 02:39 AMbrian..i agree dean deserves a lot of credit and he was against this war from the getgo...one of the few..
Posted by dennis at November 9, 2006 02:41 AMI'll throw out the name of another unsung hero for this election. MURTHA. He was the only guy who could vocally come out and shout that the emperor has not clothes in regard to Iraq. Why? Because he is a thirty eight year veteran, retired Marine Colonel, much decorated, incapable of being demonized as a wimp lefty. Of course, that didn't stop them from trying. But he put antiwar in the mainstream and showed that you could criticize Nero without getting thrown in Guantanomo. Made antiwar respectable.
Posted by howard hughes blues at November 9, 2006 03:01 AMThanks from a brit.
Posted by littlejohnuk at November 9, 2006 03:43 AMJust to add to that - you have taken your country back and embraced humanity and civility.
We were all praying and wishing you on and you didn't let us down.
I was going to cancel my trip to see my Democrat friend in Houston as if the result had gone the other way i couldn't stomach it - today I will book my ticket.
Thanks and well done - keep smart and keep safe.
Posted by littlejohnuk at November 9, 2006 03:46 AMIs anyone else having a hard time believing that the nightmare is over.
Judith,
Yes. I even found myself angry yesterday, it made no sense, then I realized, I've been in the minority for 12 years, and fighting to survive in a one partyAmerica for 6 years.
I suddenly understood why Palestinian and Iraqi youth fired guns into the air in celebration of their freedom.
By afternoon, the anger turned to joy and by evening and the relaization that we took the US Senate too, I was exhausted and simply stunned.
The Bush/Cheney/Rove nightmare is over. Let's party.
Posted by Christopher at November 9, 2006 04:08 AMI can't even type today: s/b "realization."
Posted by Christopher at November 9, 2006 04:09 AMI walked around smiling all day yesterday and felt incredibly hopeful. I know it won't last. I know everything will be the dems fault for the next 2 years and I know the dems have to work with the repubs and W, but revenge would be so sweet. I think they should get an immigration bill passed early on--that's one thing (THE one thing) dems agree with W on. I'm not hopeful about judges. There were enough pro-life conservative dems elected into the senate, that I would worry about another supreme court vacancy.
But I'm going to hold onto this hope and hold my nose that I'm sure the dem congress will make Bush look much better in the next 2 years because good things will get done.
Posted by CG at November 9, 2006 04:25 AMYes, I agree with others when they say that it was also Dean's 50 state strategy that was significant here. Plus, I am not too fond of Rahm right now because imo he is out there taking credit for the victory. Don't get me wrong I not trying to take away anything he did (or Shumer), but I don't like people who tout their accomplishments without giving credit to others like Dean, the netroots,and the candidates themselves. After reading an Atrios post yesterday on the subject, they media appear to be giving these 2 me(Rahm in particular) way too much credit. I say give Rove credit too because he's the one with the brilliant idea of placing their weakness, the Iraq War, front and center and having toxic Junior go campaign for Talent and Burns just prior to voting. Way to go!
Both Shumer and Emmanuel deserve credit, but there certainly is more credit to be passed out here. Hopefully this will put an end to The Worst. Administration. Evah! And as Judith has mentioned it's a amazing and predictable to see Junior being bailed out (again) by Daddy and Friends....what a loser!
Posted by emal at November 9, 2006 04:48 AMI have been disappointed at just how little credit Howard Dean has been in this win! His 50 state strategy is clearly making a difference and I look forward to aiding it in the runup to the 2008 election.
Posted by fred at November 9, 2006 04:49 AMI would think you need both Dean AND Rahm.
Both men's efforts dovetail with each other - the 50 state strategy for capacity building - and the attack dog/rebuttal with headhunting to show you're strong.
Posted by littlejohnuk at November 9, 2006 05:04 AMIf anyone wants to read a great write up on Dean's, "Planting For Success", by idiosynchronic
at Low and Left.
Everyone deserves credit for this one, especially the American voter! This is just the start for taking our Great Nation back again!
Is the nightmare really over? We'll have to wait and see. Bush still has his signing statements pen.
Good piece by Nagourney. I agree that Dean's 50 state strategy was the winner. The netroots I don't think did so good: Lamont, Duckworth, Laesch all lost.
Posted by ann at November 9, 2006 05:35 AMI agree with Judith: Bush 41 is cleaning up his son's mess again and providing political cover (Gates) to get the spotlight off of him. You might just as well view it as Big Daddy is trying to save his investments in the Carlyle Group and the sooner he gets junior in the backseat the better. I suspect Rumsfeld will have some dealings with Halliburton and Carlyle pretty soon--about the time of his book deal.
I still think the Repubs will co-opt Lieberman and get him to take over for Gates after the 'change of course'.
Posted by gtash at November 9, 2006 05:37 AMDon't think for a minute President Pelosi won't set up impeachment proceedings against Dumb and Dumber; she's third in line, why wouldn't she? Next she ought to put Condi back on the street hooking like she's meant to do.
Big impeachment crime? Bob Gates! Iran Contra? Give me a break.
M Moore is right, all of LC'rs should make a habit of emailing your senator and several other senators EVERY DAY to keep them straight.
Posted by Mal Feasance at November 9, 2006 05:44 AMAnd I concur that Dean's 50 State "Fight Everywhere" strategy was the key factor in this race. He gets my vote for top honors. But I also think this guy Schecter--the guy who gets int he face of Republican Dittoheads on the air should be recognized for saying the things that folks like Rahm refuse to say and doing it without taking a long pause, a short breath, or stammering word.
Posted by gtash at November 9, 2006 05:44 AMAs Americans, we have to be proud. A lot of Independents and Republi-cons finally saw through the bullshit of bu$h. Manipulated gas prices, CEO's making a killing, the middle class getting squeezed, Katrina, incompetence and the endless moneypit in Iraq!
Remember people, this is only one election, we have to continue our vigilance. Basically, as long as Rove is out there and the Republi-con Attack Machine is operating, our work as citizens is not over! We must continue the struggle!
Steve, your blog and commentators are the best!
Posted by Seven of Six at November 9, 2006 05:50 AM
As Charlie Rose said last night, it's like the Bush Administration just went into receivership.
Thanks to all here. Like Phidipides, I too had no place else to go to rant and rave. My language level dropped to four letters words only, and there were days I was depressed and days I was angry. I came here to vent. Thank God I had this site.
When people would look at me like I was crazy, while relating some piece of information, I knew you guys would know I wasn't. Even my ultra Liberal sister would look at me like maybe I was going over the edge. Sometimes having too much information is trying, when others do not have the same information.
You all have educated me beyond belief. I came here knowing very little, and these past couple of years I have learned more from your intelligence, insight, and experience. You all have made me a better American. Thank you.
Posted by Judith at November 9, 2006 05:56 AMAnjha, who kicked our collective butts more than once and told us to stop complaining and do something constructive, thank you.
Posted by Judith at November 9, 2006 06:14 AMAlso, thanks to Phidipides, who's humor made us laugh often, and just when we needed it.
Posted by Judith at November 9, 2006 06:16 AMTidbit from New York;
Standing on the MetroNorth train platform this morning waiting for the train. Everyone had their papers with the "Rummy Out" headlines. A small cluster of the suit and overcoat crowd was chatting. "What a stupid idiot" one guy says. "How transparent can you be to dump Rumsfeld the day after getting creamed in the election?" "He's a fool" another guy says. "If he would have fired Rumsfeld before the election they might not have lost so badly". And then the speculation about Cheney. "Cheney's next out the door". "He's gotta go if Bush wants to accomplish anything in the next two years!"
Just a little sense of the mood of the New York commuter crowd.
Posted by snark at November 9, 2006 06:18 AMIs anyone else having a hard time believing that the nightmare is over. I keep pinching myself.
Not a hard time believing, just a hard time adjusting to the possibilities. The last 6 years, and more specifically the last four years, have been a very bleak hole. To watch the country march towards totalitarianism and have the republi-cons so gleefully parade in lock-step to a fascist tune was very difficult. It's like a bad dream where you're trying to shout a warning but the words never come, and when you do finally shout, no one listens.
I am so very pleased that despite everything -fasicst MSM, corporate lobbys, ending the Bill of Rights, outright treason and blatant sedition- that the voters prevailed. No one had to rise-up and surround the White House with pitchforks. Our democracy shrugged off the republi-cons because the one thing that makes a real difference, the people and their their vote, prevailed.
I too think Dean deserves the lion share of the credit. What made a difference in each individual race was the Dean plan to work from the bottom and include all voters, not just those in targeted races. That is precisely why we took races that were off the radar, and entire states went almost totally blue (that and the incredible rot of the republi-cons).
You all have educated me beyond belief.
How very true. I continue to learn so much from this blog. I've come to think of it as the most wonderful expression of what our Founding Fathers intended: A Town Hall, a forum, a place where people come together and discuss their democracy. I am really looking forward to the new session when we really start to discuss policy! Man! I can already tell it's going to be damned interesting!
Pay attention, republi-cons and neo-cons. You'll see democracy working first hand. You'll witness that there is no need to agree with everything 100%, as you must do with your fascist overlords.
IMPEACH BUSH!
There, that'll stoke the fire a bit.
Posted by at November 9, 2006 06:31 AMFWIW, snark, I think your fellow commuters have it right. If Bush had discharged Rumsfeld days, weeks, months ago, it could have changed the election. I think the Foley scandal sealed up the House at that point, but the continuation of business as usual doomed the GOP and White House to an election that was far more than a typical mid-term loss.
So if Cheney's out soon - and if it doesn't happen now I think it'll be the mother of all "heart attacks" - Who replaces him? An old guard Poppy insider like Baker who will run the White House to bail out Jr., leaving the GOP 2008 field empty? Or will they name a Presidential-Candidiate-in-waiting?
I think Jim Baker's likely to be out next Vice-President.
Posted by idiosynchronic at November 9, 2006 06:36 AMSo if Cheney's out soon - and if it doesn't happen now I think it'll be the mother of all "heart attacks"
Where the heck is Cheney? He's completely dropped off the radar since before the election. Another "hunting accident?"
Posted by ann at November 9, 2006 06:45 AMWell good morning all...Judith your comment above hits home....many of my friends thought I was losing it as I railed on about this group of liars and cheats....as to Adam Nagourney's piece....I tend to agree with Rick Perlstein's piece in the New Republic (thanks to Digby's piece: "Mainstream Progressives") ..Netroots, Howard Dean, John Murtha and especially the hubris of Junior and Rove deserve more credit than Emmanuel and Shumer.....at any rate, it is time to move forward and rebuild world confidence in America....let the Repugs point the fingers....ps: Keep Kerry under wraps til 2009
Posted by Goyo at November 9, 2006 06:56 AMThe fact that Rick Santorum got his political ass handed to him in itself made this entire election worth it.
Posted by snark at November 9, 2006 08:00 AMI think one of the netroot missions very soon will have to be makig sure Murtha becomes majority leader over Steny Hoyer. It will kill me and show me that Dems still don't get it if they can't immediately see that this is the OBVIOUS thing to do.
Blather about bipartisanship for awhile, but understand that the Republican Party must be endlessly described as corrupt, authoritarian, and against the public good. That must be their permanent branding. It's not like they will ever admit they wildly screwed up, punish those party leaders responsible and ask for forgiveness---so keep calling a spade a spade. Never stop.
If Republicans aren't constantly villified and the public constantly reminded about their previous crimes, corruption, perversion of Congress and attempted destruction of the Constitution, they'll be right back.
As we find out about more and more of their mountainous corruption, we must point out matter of factly that this is what this criminal party is all about: benefitting special interests in violation of the law--that's what Republicans do, that's what their party is about.
They were willing to destroy the Constitution to benefit their party, and they still are. If we don't keep telling the people that they saved the Republic in 2006, this party of criminals will be right back, choking us into unconsciousness.
Acting like this criminal organization is a responsible party that you can "work with" will be a big mistake.
Posted by euzoius at November 9, 2006 08:08 AMsnark
and george allen to boot..how good is that..
Posted by dennis at November 9, 2006 08:13 AMWhere the heck is Cheney?
Poppy has the job of babysitting his errant brat kid for the final two years in office.
Cheney is toast: roadkill: so not relevant now.
Posted by Christopher at November 9, 2006 08:18 AMdick who??
Posted by dennis at November 9, 2006 08:48 AMCondi who?
Posted by Christopher at November 9, 2006 08:54 AMgeorge whats his name..
Posted by dennis at November 9, 2006 09:00 AMCNN reports: Mehlman going down, no pun intended!
Posted by Seven of Six at November 9, 2006 02:35 PMWhy Conservatives Are So Angry
Debt Matters
We elect congressmen and congresswomen to represent our interests. We vote for self-described fiscal hawks who favor less government. But all we get is:
• A Congress that represents the lobbyist-money-changers in Washington
• A near $9 trillion debt
• An explosion in government spending that puts Liberal tax-and-spenders like Lyndon Johnson to shame
Integrity Matters
The moral lapses of the Clinton administration were, of course, distressing. We voted for self-described conservative representatives who claimed they would do better. But all we got was a never-ending chain of scandals ranging from sex crimes to bribe-taking to gambling promotion.
Each is driven by a combination of greed, power-lust, and arrogance. Of course, mistakes do happen. But even when individuals are caught red-handed, they refuse to take responsibility. All that results is finger pointing and excuses from congressmen hiding in rehabilitation centers. Misbehaving congressmen should be removed—period. Are we supposed to look up the definition of is again?
Immigration Matters
We are a country of laws. If you don’t like a law, change it. But a government that intentionally refuses to enforce select laws is weakening the whole “rule of law” and breaking its most sacred pledge to the governed.
Some employers are using illegal immigration to drive down wages and eliminate hard-working Americans from their payrolls. And of illegal immigrants gangs run roughshod over our communities, bringing with them:
• Violence (and the threat of violence)
• Crystal meth and other illegal drugs
• Prostitution
• And perhaps terrorists
Yet Congress and the White House repeatedly turn a blind eye in exchange for big business campaign donations and lobbying loot. The best they’ve done is pass a lame fence bill that covers no more than 10% of the problem (and they aren’t even obligated to follow through on that much). Yet many existing laws remain un-enforced.
What Should We Conservatives Do?
The Democratic Party is not the answer. It is at best beset by the same corruption as the Republican Party, and at worst completely at odds with our values. The only practical solution is to challenge Republican incumbents who fail to:
• Vote against bloated spending bills
• Demand immigration reform
• Hold their fellow members to the highest level of ethical conduct
We must stop giving money to any candidate who represents special interests over our interests.
Posted by John Konop at November 9, 2006 04:29 PM