by Yesterday’s national election results send one clear message to the Bush administration: The game is over. The jig is up. Ye shall come clean.
With the Democrats wielding hard-won power in the House of Representatives and pseudo control over the Senate, we ordinary Americans — and the rest of the interested world at large — can finally get answers and accountability we have wanted for the past six years. With subpoena power now in their hands, the Democrats owe it to the rest of us to call Cheney and his gang to testify in public and under oath about all the details of the Iraq war.
Lies shall be exposed.
Truths must be told.
Accountability will be held.
The most disappointing result of the night was Harold Ford, Jr.‘s loss by 3% in Tennessee. When the better, and deeper experienced, man
— by far — loses by just a little bit, you cannot help but wonder why the candle of Racism is held alive in a state and a region that hasn’t elected a Black Senator since the Reconstruction ended in 1877.
Jim Crow is alive and well in Tennessee. Shameful. The strangest moment of the evening happened during CNN’s round table discussion of the election results when Bill Bennett — a conservative moral blowhard and a confessed gambler who reportedly lost between $8-11 million in bad bets — began a bizarre and staunch defense of Rush Limbaugh as “a good son of Missouri” while talking about the Senate race in that state. It was a wild and incongruous moment in political history as the gambler defended the arrested drug addict.
The greatest result of the vote is the total repudiation of the current state and status of this nation’s domestic and international policies. Perhaps now we can begin to pay a fair minimum wage here at home and tether back home our beloved soldiers who fight with their blood and being every moment of every day in a war that is already lost and none of it is their fault.
Virginia and Montana seem so close – particularly Montana.
A pseudo-majority – would that mean 51? 51 seems miles better than 50 in the Senate.
It is close, Gordon. The two independents are the key. One is Lieberman who will stay with the Democrats so he doesn’t lose his committee seniority and the other independent is a Socialist so he’s closer to the Democrats than the Republicans when it comes to setting up programs and policy.
I think VA will go to Webb. Montana is interesting.
Dave —
I’m not so sure Karl Rove is finished. The shine is off the genius boy and now he has something to prove. I think he’ll make things tighter and harsher instead of better.
If Al Gore had been drinking and shot his friend in the face — there would have been Special Prosecutors all over that mess! Not with Cheney, though. The old boy club protects its own. Quite incredible, really.
Harold Ford, Jr. must really be stinging today. He attended a great prep school. He went to an Ivy League college. He graduated Michigan Law.
http://usliberals.about.com/od/2006ussenateraces/p/HaroldFord.htm
It must wound him very deeply that after all those great accomplishments in chasing the American Dream, it came down in the end to Race-baiting and the color of his skin. It’s a horrible lesson that you cannot escape your hue no matter how good you are or how hard you try.
I hope you’re right, Dave.
Bush isn’t really known for compromise. It will be interesting to see what he says at 1:00pm. Will he be conciliatory in his devastating defeat? Or will he be indignant and testy and harsh as usual?
Pelosi struck all the right tones in her news conference.
Now it’s Bush’s turn.
It will be interesting to watch if there’s any disconnect between his words and the emotion in his face. Everything he’s feeling is visible in his visage. He has no poker face.
I think the Baker/Hamilton report will be the way out of the Iraq mess. Once again, Daddy and his friends, rescue the misbegotten son:
http://urbansemiotic.com/2006/10/03/the-decider-when-a-father-fails-a-son/
DEMS: WE’VE WON THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE….
Hi fred —
It seems the Dems have the Senate as well — including Montana and Virginia. The re-count/challenge/provisional/absentee math seems to be solidly in the Democrat camp.
I have to say it’s great to see a Constitutional return to “Checks and Balances.”
Oh, and historically, Americans have always like a Republican president and a Democrat House and Senate. The balance of power is fair and even and real things get done in the end.
MSNBC is reporting Donald Rumsfeld is resigning as Secretary of Defense after the disastrous Republican defeat last night and the wishes of the American people to get out of Iraq.
The President is speaking now. He seems strained and disingenuous. It must be hard to see a plan for world domination crumble between your fingers.
The President just said “we cannot accept defeat in Iraq.”
What he still fails to realize is Iraq was lost the moment we stood on their soil.
The President just said “we cannot accept defeat in Iraq.”
What he still fails to realize is Iraq was lost the moment we stood on their soil.
The President just confirmed Rumsfeld it OUT at the Pentagon.
That’s a big step in the move out of Iraq.
The President just confirmed Rumsfeld it OUT at the Pentagon.
That’s a big step in the move out of Iraq.
Bob Gates is the new Secretary of Defense.
Bob Gates is the new Secretary of Defense.
Comment: It’s too bad a Democrat tidal wave had to shake this administration back into an American reality.
Comment: It’s too bad a Democrat tidal wave had to shake this administration back into an American reality.
The president confirmed the troops will not return home until there is “victory” in Iraq. He still doesn’t get it.
The president confirmed the troops will not return home until there is “victory” in Iraq. He still doesn’t get it.
Dave —
The president is bitter and heartbroken. He needs to get over it. When he voice raises it’s a clue how furious he is at losing.
Smiling and letting the Democrats “have their way” is the best way for the GOP to win in 2008. He won’t do that, though. Humility isn’t in him.
I agree getting Rumsfeld out is the quickest path out of the tar pit. We gotta get out of there before we lose all moral credibility in the world.
Dave —
The president is bitter and heartbroken. He needs to get over it. When he voice raises it’s a clue how furious he is at losing.
Smiling and letting the Democrats “have their way” is the best way for the GOP to win in 2008. He won’t do that, though. Humility isn’t in him.
I agree getting Rumsfeld out is the quickest path out of the tar pit. We gotta get out of there before we lose all moral credibility in the world.
Making fun of Karl Rove was the best line of the day. More of that kind of humor and the president will have a valuable two years.
Making fun of Karl Rove was the best line of the day. More of that kind of humor and the president will have a valuable two years.
Pres. started out quiet and humble. Soon turned into SOTB (same old testy bastard).
Pres. started out quiet and humble. Soon turned into SOTB (same old testy bastard).
Yes, he did fred, but he seems to be loosening up a bit more now. If he plays the easygoing “frat boy” persona he’s perfected over the years, he’ll actually do well over the next two years. People seem to respond to that kind of indifferent, non-intellectual, capacity in their leaders.
Yes, he did fred, but he seems to be loosening up a bit more now. If he plays the easygoing “frat boy” persona he’s perfected over the years, he’ll actually do well over the next two years. People seem to respond to that kind of indifferent, non-intellectual, capacity in their leaders.
Oooof! He’s getting petulant and preachy now. He’s making fun of the Press. Yikes! Coming apart at the seams…
Oooof! He’s getting petulant and preachy now. He’s making fun of the Press. Yikes! Coming apart at the seams…
We have been watching from over the water …… ( until 4.30 am this morning) and agin through the day here. In fact I have Mr Bushes voice in my ears as I write. He seems very uncertain now he is answering questions as opposed to reading a written and rehearsed speech.
We watch closely as where you go we soon follow – we hope this wave is catching and leads to a similar change over here.
(Personaly delighted to hear of Rumsfelds departure).
We have been watching from over the water …… ( until 4.30 am this morning) and agin through the day here. In fact I have Mr Bushes voice in my ears as I write. He seems very uncertain now he is answering questions as opposed to reading a written and rehearsed speech.
We watch closely as where you go we soon follow – we hope this wave is catching and leads to a similar change over here.
(Personaly delighted to hear of Rumsfelds departure).
Hi Nicola!
I’m glad you’re following along with us in real time.
The president is always this way while free speaking — he’s forever flailing, uncertain, checking his notes — that’s why people get the gut feeling he has no original thoughts of his own.
Rumsfeld out is big news. Let’s hope Bob Gates is a free-thinker.
Ouch! He’s picking on the Press again. Big mistake to pick on people who buy ink by the barrel.
I, too, hope this Democrat wave washes over you as well!
Hi Nicola!
I’m glad you’re following along with us in real time.
The president is always this way while free speaking — he’s forever flailing, uncertain, checking his notes — that’s why people get the gut feeling he has no original thoughts of his own.
Rumsfeld out is big news. Let’s hope Bob Gates is a free-thinker.
Ouch! He’s picking on the Press again. Big mistake to pick on people who buy ink by the barrel.
I, too, hope this Democrat wave washes over you as well!
I don’t think Bush thought he’d lose the House or the Senate.
Rumsfeld’s leaving was his decision, not the president’s. Rumsfeld is a bully. If people aren’t buying into his perceived power then he doesn’t want to play any longer.
Now MSNBC is spinning how Bush stood up to Cheney who wanted Rumsfeld to stay and if he left for a Neo-Con to replace him and Bush aid “no.” Not buying it. This is more Rove spinning.
Bob Gates is Bush’s father’s former head of the CIA, it seems. The father is now finally saving the son. Again. A bit too late, but at least it is happening. Again.
I don’t think Bush thought he’d lose the House or the Senate.
Rumsfeld’s leaving was his decision, not the president’s. Rumsfeld is a bully. If people aren’t buying into his perceived power then he doesn’t want to play any longer.
Now MSNBC is spinning how Bush stood up to Cheney who wanted Rumsfeld to stay and if he left for a Neo-Con to replace him and Bush aid “no.” Not buying it. This is more Rove spinning.
Bob Gates is Bush’s father’s former head of the CIA, it seems. The father is now finally saving the son. Again. A bit too late, but at least it is happening. Again.
There was no need for the president to volunteer Cheney and Rumsfeld were staying no matter what. The obvious deception hurts his credibility.
There was no need for the president to volunteer Cheney and Rumsfeld were staying no matter what. The obvious deception hurts his credibility.
Don’t overlook the fact that Sir Hilary got her substantial margin of victory that likely puts her into the top 3 Dem presidential candidate list. Over a year ago I posted on my blog that ’08 would be Rice v Clinton, I stand by that prediction!
Don’t overlook the fact that Sir Hilary got her substantial margin of victory that likely puts her into the top 3 Dem presidential candidate list. Over a year ago I posted on my blog that ’08 would be Rice v Clinton, I stand by that prediction!
Hi Rich!
The Republicans won’t run a woman against Hillary because it would be a wasted effort and Rice is ruined by Iraq no matter what happens after Rumsfeld.
I think Republicans will run someone like McCain/Romney while the Democrats would run a Hillary/Obama ticket.
You’d have polarizing, but smart, meanies at the top and religious warm fuzzies as seconds on each ticket and the Democrats would win that match because of all the history being made.
Hi Rich!
The Republicans won’t run a woman against Hillary because it would be a wasted effort and Rice is ruined by Iraq no matter what happens after Rumsfeld.
I think Republicans will run someone like McCain/Romney while the Democrats would run a Hillary/Obama ticket.
You’d have polarizing, but smart, meanies at the top and religious warm fuzzies as seconds on each ticket and the Democrats would win that match because of all the history being made.
I don’t think Foley or any of the other scandals mad much effect on the election.
I think people are tired of the lies and tired of the war and they’re tired of the killing. They had to get the Democrats in there — like ’em or not — with enough voice to have power to stop the bloodshed.
I don’t think Foley or any of the other scandals mad much effect on the election.
I think people are tired of the lies and tired of the war and they’re tired of the killing. They had to get the Democrats in there — like ’em or not — with enough voice to have power to stop the bloodshed.
This election might be a good thing for the Democratic party.
For a long time, it seemed like any Democrat who professed belief in God or expressed any pro-life views was shut out of the party.
If you look at my biography, I’m a natural Democrat who has been forced to look to other parties for candidates that aren’t opposed to my personal convictions.
And, in my local area, I also have to make sure to look for candidates who won’t end up getting convicted when they put their hand into the taxpayers’ cookie jar.
The new crop of moderate Blue Dog Democrats might allow people to start thinking about voting for Democrats on the national level — if they are allowed to survive and prosper.
While the more left-leaning pols are popular with the internet crowd, they cause the regular guy working at the steel mill or struggling to make ends meet to feel left out of the conversation.
These guys and gals want someone who will look out for them without any paternalistic attitude or “pie-in-the-sky” ideas that end up to be all “fancy talk” by “fancy boys” who’ve never done anything tough in their lives.
Instead of grandiose ideas destined to waste money and end in failure, regular people want common sense ideas and solutions.
They’d rather have a regular person represent them, as opposed to some big-hair Hollywood star who hasn’t worked double shift or struggled through a layoff at Christmas time.
The newly elected Democrats fit the mold of these regular people who make up the majority of the electorate. These people have been feeling put upon for a long time and had been pulling the “R” lever because the “D” candidates weren’t in touch with real working people.
The Democratic Party’s history is littered with people who entered the party being moderate, but later turning their back on their deeply held convictions when it came time to get some campaign money.
I was speaking to someone from Indiana who said that he was going to keep a close eye on the newly elected Democrats — especially the candidate elected from the 8th Congressional district — to see if they end up making a lie of their expressions of faith and values.
He said he wasn’t confident that it won’t turn out bad for moderate Americans who supported these candidates. He said he hope that it doesn’t turn out that the Democrats lied to him to get his vote.
The newly elected moderate Democrats must remain true to their campaign promises or they will end up suffering the fate of the Republican candidates who got drunk on power and turned their backs on the people.
Pols of all stripes need to be very careful — Bridges to Nowhere and any hint of corruption will get you tossed in the next election cycle.
I only hope the new Democrats can resist the urge to sell their souls in exchange for a few bucks.
If the new Democrats turn their backs on the people who elected them, they risk suffering the fate of the GOP representatives who didn’t live up to their promises.
This election might be a good thing for the Democratic party.
For a long time, it seemed like any Democrat who professed belief in God or expressed any pro-life views was shut out of the party.
If you look at my biography, I’m a natural Democrat who has been forced to look to other parties for candidates that aren’t opposed to my personal convictions.
And, in my local area, I also have to make sure to look for candidates who won’t end up getting convicted when they put their hand into the taxpayers’ cookie jar.
The new crop of moderate Blue Dog Democrats might allow people to start thinking about voting for Democrats on the national level — if they are allowed to survive and prosper.
While the more left-leaning pols are popular with the internet crowd, they cause the regular guy working at the steel mill or struggling to make ends meet to feel left out of the conversation.
These guys and gals want someone who will look out for them without any paternalistic attitude or “pie-in-the-sky” ideas that end up to be all “fancy talk” by “fancy boys” who’ve never done anything tough in their lives.
Instead of grandiose ideas destined to waste money and end in failure, regular people want common sense ideas and solutions.
They’d rather have a regular person represent them, as opposed to some big-hair Hollywood star who hasn’t worked double shift or struggled through a layoff at Christmas time.
The newly elected Democrats fit the mold of these regular people who make up the majority of the electorate. These people have been feeling put upon for a long time and had been pulling the “R” lever because the “D” candidates weren’t in touch with real working people.
The Democratic Party’s history is littered with people who entered the party being moderate, but later turning their back on their deeply held convictions when it came time to get some campaign money.
I was speaking to someone from Indiana who said that he was going to keep a close eye on the newly elected Democrats — especially the candidate elected from the 8th Congressional district — to see if they end up making a lie of their expressions of faith and values.
He said he wasn’t confident that it won’t turn out bad for moderate Americans who supported these candidates. He said he hope that it doesn’t turn out that the Democrats lied to him to get his vote.
The newly elected moderate Democrats must remain true to their campaign promises or they will end up suffering the fate of the Republican candidates who got drunk on power and turned their backs on the people.
Pols of all stripes need to be very careful — Bridges to Nowhere and any hint of corruption will get you tossed in the next election cycle.
I only hope the new Democrats can resist the urge to sell their souls in exchange for a few bucks.
If the new Democrats turn their backs on the people who elected them, they risk suffering the fate of the GOP representatives who didn’t live up to their promises.
Here’s an interesting story from the Financial Times:
I hope all of the parties can work together for the common good. It’s great that they are talking that way.
Here’s an interesting story from the Financial Times:
I hope all of the parties can work together for the common good. It’s great that they are talking that way.
Chris!
Thanks for sharing your fine comment on your voting pattern and hopes for the future. That should have been an article here, not just a comment!
😀
Chris!
Thanks for sharing your fine comment on your voting pattern and hopes for the future. That should have been an article here, not just a comment!
😀
We’ll see how well it goes, Chris. I think the Right Wing radio thugs make their living off causing great dissent and pain — they won’t be happy or winning ratings unless they continue to demonize Democrats. Even the Blug Dawgs.
😀
We’ll see how well it goes, Chris. I think the Right Wing radio thugs make their living off causing great dissent and pain — they won’t be happy or winning ratings unless they continue to demonize Democrats. Even the Blug Dawgs.
😀
FYI:
Here’s a farewell to Rumsfeld I just published:
are the Virginia ballots being counted by a group of three-toed sloths?
Here’s an election result and some trivia that will go down as asterisks in our local history books.
Michael Essany — of E! Television reality TV fame with his Michael Essany Show — lost his bid to be Center Township Trustee in Porter County, Indiana. According to the election results published in the Post-Tribune, Essany had 4,891 votes to his challenger’s 5,854.
Also, my county had a polling place set up in a cemetery and another in a bar for the convenience of voters. 😉
Gordon —
Either that or Thomas Jefferson!
😆
Chris! I used to watch Michael Essany! It was like watching a car accident. It was so awful but you couldn’t stop watching!
Disco balls and ghosts — what a perfect representative democracy!
The Michael Essany Show was pretty scary television. That scariness made it compelling to so many people, however. It’s too bad he pulled the plug when he felt that the producers were picking on him.
Plus, just knowing that Essany’s parents did everything for him (and he didn’t have a driver’s license) put him into a category of his own.
Most Hoosier kids are driving with permits as soon as they are legal to obtain them — I was in a car driving with a driver’s ed instructor and my learner’s permit before I turned 16!
And, my parents refused to drive me anywhere once I got old enough to hop on a bike and go places without getting lost.
Rumors are that Michael Essany plans to run for mayor of Valparaiso, Indiana.
He’d probably make a good mayor because he’d probably be detail oriented and serious about his duties.
Maybe Flak Magazine’s prediction that he’ll be a Member of Congress one of these days will come true.
Chris —
Michael Essany is the sort of person you love to hate. I guess he’s made for the political arena!
I, too, was driving the second I was able! Car keys are your freedom into your own world.
I haven’t read all the comments, so perhaps this has already been said. Despite my jubilation in the recent election returns, I can’t shake this worry that voters voted against the GOP rather than voting for the Democratic agenda. I consider myself to be a Democrat and I found myself unclear of what the national Democratic agenda is. I think that the DNC suffers from a serious image problem ( I am working on a post related to this). This election was clearly a referendum on the current administration’s policies. However, now the Democrats are left to do damage control, a very hard road even when you control the budget.
where is my Gravatar??
Hi Jonathan —
The Democrats have a plan for their first 100 hours in power. Raising the minimum wage is one of the things they will make happen in those first, fresh, precious hours of power. Here’s what Frank Rich said in today’s NYTimes about the election:
I think what happened is the silent middle-class majority stood up on Election Day and said, “Enough!” Those good people are the core of the United States. They are both conservative and liberal. They live in the conflict between wondering about the “rightness” of abortion and the “wrongness” of trying to deny stem-cell research. They don’t want to be punished for that conflict of belief in people and in the Gods. They want a quiet moderation. They want leeway. They want choice. They want freedom in their lives.
Jonathan —
Read this concerning your Avatar:
http://urbansemiotic.com/2006/10/26/welcome-to-wordpresscom/
Michael Essany won’t be elected Trustee or Mayor.
He really should run for city council, I would support him for that.
We had lots of chat rooms and bulletin boards talking Essany for President and whatever else here in Northwest Indiana, all kinda foolish and worked against Micheal.