Constant Comments
Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts. — Anonymous
A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves. — Edward R. Murrow
Publisher & Editor: Marie Burns
I have a Bluesky account now. The URL is https://bsky.app/profile/marie-burns.bsky.social . When Reality Chex goes down, check my Bluesky page for whatever info I am able to report on the status of Reality Chex. If you can't access the URL, I found that I could Google Bluesky and ask for Marie Burns. Google will include links to accounts for people whose names are, at least in part, Maria Burns, so you'll have to tell Google you looking only for Marie.
The Commentariat -- November 3
Harry Reid isn't just Dracula, he isn't just Lazarus, he's our Leader and our whole caucus is thrilled that he's unbreakable and unbeatable. -- Sen. John Kerry
Karen Tumulty of the Washington Post: "For the third election in a row, Americans kicked a political party out of power." ...
... Dave Gilson of Mother Jones follows the money and finds that, for the most part, secret "dark money" & super-PACs got what they paid for -- in the races they heavily financed, their candidates won. ...
... George Packer of The New Yorker: "This midterm is the [Republican] party’s first salvo in its first order of business, to end Obama’s Presidency. There will be little mercy and a great deal of rancor.... I see one of the ugliest political periods in my lifetime, which has seen a few." ...
** ... Glenn Greenwald: "... for slothful pundits who want to derive sweeping meaning from individual races in order to blame the Left and claim that last night was a repudiation of liberalism, the far more rational conclusion -- given the eradication of 50% of the Blue Dog caucus -- is that the worst possible choice Democrats can make is to run as GOP-replicating corporatists devoted above all else to serving corporate interests in order to perpetuate their own power...." Greenwald updates his post with a snide rebuttal to Evan Bayh's New York Times op-ed, which you'll notice I didn't link -- but Greenwald does. ...
... Ari Melber of The Nation agrees with Greenwald. ...
... AND Paul Krugman adds, "So, we’re already getting the expected punditry: Obama needs to end his leftist policies, which consist of … well, there weren’t any, but he should stop them anyway. What actually happened, of course, was that Obama failed to do enough to boost the economy, plus totally failing to tap into populist outrage at Wall Street. And now we’re in the trap I worried about from the beginning: by failing to do enough when he had political capital, he lost that capital, and now we’re stuck." ...
... Dana Milbank: "At Rupert Murdoch's cable network, the entity that birthed and nurtured the Tea Party movement, Election Day was the culmination of two years of hard work to bring down Barack Obama - and it was time for an on-air celebration of a job well done." ...
... Meanwhile, back at the White House, time for some finger-pointing & back-stabbing. Nothing for attribution, of course. Glenn Thrush of Politico: "Frustrated current and former West Wing staffers, speaking on condition of anonymity, told POLITICO they hoped Tuesday night’s humbling losses would persuade President Barack Obama to pursue a much more sweeping fix than just the 'natural' post-election churn of personnel his administration has insisted will take place." ...
... John Dickerson of Slate: the voters returned Republicans to power, but not because they like them. They don't.
A friend writes -- It is the height of insanity that, for one of the most important jobs in the country, that of helping to RUN the fucking place, we have morons who believe that the only ones qualified to do that job are other morons with no qualifications.... Would you really prefer to have your chest cracked open by someone who has never been to medical school, and oh, by the way, HATES medicine, and has never read a book of any kind, never mind a medical book? ... Hey, we need a bridge built. Forget the engineers. My cousin hates bridges and the people who build them. He's never even been ON a bridge. Perfect!! Let's hire him! Let's hire Joe the Plumber to build the next space station, because all those NASA scientists have been doing that job way too long and it's time for a Teabagger to show them how it's done.
Andy Kroll of Mother Jones: "... there's something of a silver lining in Florida's elections. At the same time they elected numerous Republicans to office, Florida voters approved two constitutional amendments making it more difficult for the party in power to redraw state legislative and congressional districts in their favor." Here's the AP story on the Amendments 5 & 6.
If you want to watch and/or read John Boehner's victory speech, it wasn't as obnoxious as it was maudlin. You'll find it here. It could have been way worse. It could have been like Rand Paul's, which is here, but you probably will not want to hear, at least not if you've eaten recently.
Tim Egan of the New York Times: "For no matter your view of President Obama, he effectively saved capitalism. And for that, he paid a terrible political price." ...
... Bill Vlasic of the New York Times: "... interviews with G.M. and federal officials show decisions by the government have played a pivotal role in shaping [GM]’s leadership, its business strategies, and now its initial stock offering, which will raise an estimated $10.6 billion at the same time that it reduces the taxpayers’ stake in the company from 61 percent to below 40 percent." ...
... Alan Zibel of the AP: "The nation's homeownership rate remained at its lowest in more than a decade, hampered by a rise in foreclosures and weak demand for housing. The percentage of households that owned their homes was unchanged at 66.9 percent in the July-September quarter, the Census Bureau said Tuesday. That's the same as the April-June quarter." ...
... How Bad Is Foreclosuregate? George Packer of The New Yorker: "the banks have been servicing mortgages and chasing delinquents with the same carelessness and indifference to due process that they demonstrated when they underwrote and securitized the mortgages in the first place.... Criminal charges are likely, and justified." But there are some upsides: the banks may be forced to make the loan modifications they have resisted, the time it takes to straighten out the mess makes it easier for people to stay in the homes, & banks will have to start doing a better job of servicing their loans & protecting their investors.
Jeffrey Smith of the Washington Post: "Former president George W. Bush writes in a new memoir that he briefly considered dropping his vice president, Richard B. Cheney, from his 2004 reelection ticket but said he still considers Cheney a steady adviser who helped him achieve his goals."
Post Mortems
Peter Grier of the Christian Science Monitor thinks he sees some lessons from Christine O'Donnell's defeat.
Mark Thompson of Time: "Rep. Ike Skelton, "chairman of the House Armed Services Committee – and a Missouri congressman for 34 years ... was one of the Democratic heavyweights felled in Tuesday's election."
Michael Scherer of Time: California Republican nominee Meg Whitman, who lost her bid for governor, along with $142 million, "largely spent her dough on keeping herself away from the voters: On consultants, on television spots, on a press team that largely acted like an offensive line."
Election Returns
MSNBC's "Decision 2010" page.
Politico's "2010" page.
The Washington Post has two 2010 pages: here and here.
Starting at about 6:00 pm ET, the New York Times will have mapped results & related live video on its front page. Michael Shear is liveblogging the results. Nate Silver is liveblogging the numbers. Plus, Tobin Harshaw's Opinionator blog, which he's updating, adds some perspective from around the blogosphere.
This loon won.It's Worse than You Think. With the notable exception of California, Republicans won the major races nearly everywhere they fielded credible candidates. Democrats should take no solace in winning races against the likes of Sharron Angle, Christine O'Donnell, Linda McMahon & Carl Paladino. -- Constant Weader
See the Alaska page here or under Campaign 2010/Alaska on the navigation bar for developments in the vote count for the Alaska Senate race.
ABC News, November 5: "Unofficial results from Tuesday's gubernatorial race between Democrat and former Sen. Mark Dayton and Republican businessman Tom Emmer give Dayton a 8,781-vote lead, or less than one half of one percent of the vote. If the slim margin holds after election officials finalize the tally and no candidate concedes..., it would trigger an automatic statewide recount of all ballots."
Hartford Courant: "Official numbers released by the Secretary of the State Friday evening show that Democrat Dannel Malloy will be Connecticut's next governor. But Republican Tom Foley still wouldn't concede defeat in the state's closest gubernatorial election in half a century, and didn't rule out the possibility of a lawsuit to force a statewide recount."
Chicago Tribune: "Republican challenger Bill Brady this afternoon conceded defeat to Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn...."
Chicago Sun-Times: "Gov. Quinn said Thursday he had built up an 'insurmountable' lead of 'way more than 19,000 votes' in his bid for governor. Hours later, the Associated Press reported that its analysis showed that Quinn was the winner."
The Seattle Times projects that Democratic Sen. Patty Murray has won re-election to a 4th term. "Sen. Patty Murray has won a fourth term, riding a wave of strong Democratic support in King County to defeat Republican challenger Dino Rossi. As of Thursday evening, Murray was leading Rossi by more than 45,000 votes, taking 51 percent to Rossi's 49 percent. That's up from a 14,000-vote lead on Election Day. According to a Seattle Times analysis, Rossi would need to get about 54 percent of the estimated 591,000 uncounted ballots statewide to overcome Murray's lead."
New York Times: in Connecticut, both the Democratic & Republican gubernatorial candidates are mobilizing their transition team, because they both think they won.
Somebody in Connecticut can't count, so the outcome of the governor's race remains up in the air.
Really Stupid Voters. Bill Rigby of Reuters: "Washington [state] voters knocked down plans for a state income tax on the wealthy intended to fund education and health spending, ending a fight pitting Bill Gates against other Seattle tech billionaires...."
The Oregonian: "Democrat John Kitzhaber has taken the lead in the race against Republican Chris Dudley and will become Oregon's next governor."
Epoch Times: "Ben Quayle, the son of former Vice President Dan Quayle, won in Arizona’s 3rd congressional district on Tuesday."
The Illinois governor's race still has not been decided, but on Wednesday, the Chicago Tribune reports, "Leading Republicans this afternoon are privately expressing doubts that Bill Brady can overcome Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn's narrow lead following Tuesday's election, and a Tribune survey of election officials likewise indicates there may not be enough ballots left uncounted to make a difference."
Politico: "Republican Brian Dubie concedes the Vermont governor's race to Democrat Peter Shumlin."
Firedoglake: "The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) won a hard-fought victory in Iowa today, getting three of the judges who ruled for marriage equality in Iowa booted from that state’s Supreme Court.
Miami Herald: "... with thousands of votes in Democrat-heavy South Florida uncounted, [Republican Rick] Scott couldn't declare an outright win late Tuesday over Democrat Alex Sink, Florida's chief financial officer. Sink held out hope that she could close the gap and at least trigger a recount as votes slowly broke her way." ...
... St. Pete Times Update: Sink concedes. CW: we now have a governor-elect who defrauded the taxpayers of at least $1.7 billion. He should be in jail, not in the statehouse.
Democratic Rep. Bill Owens, who won a special election in New York's 23rd, will pull off another win in this traditionally red district, thanks again to Conservative spoiler Doug Hoffman. Kate Pickert of Time has the story.
The Washington State Senate race remains too close to call. Seattle Times: "Democratic U.S. Sen. Patty Murray held a lead Tuesday night over challenger Dino Rossi, raising hopes among her supporters that she would survive the national GOP wave." The count Wednesday at 10:00 am ET was Murray 722,396, Rossi 708,391 -- don't know what % of votes counted that is.
Hartford Courant: "The hotly contested governor's race was still too close to call Wednesday morning after results were delayed when a judge ordered a two-hour extension of voting at some sites in Bridgeport. As of 5:44 a.m. Wednesday, Republican Tom Foley was leading Democrat Dannel Malloy in unofficial results by 50 percent to 49 percent, with 90% of precincts reporting. The difference amounts to 11,083 votes."
Denver Post: "Incumbent Democrat Michael Bennet and Republican challenger Ken Buck remained locked in the country's closest U.S. Senate race as the vote tally stretched into the early morning." ...
... Update: "Appointed U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet will be elected to the U.S. Senate after pulling ahead of challenger Ken Buck this morning.... Returns from Denver and Boulder moved Bennet past Buck and into the lead, 47.5 percent to 47.1 percent."
** NBC News projects the Republicans will take control of the House of Representatives. New York Times story here. ...
... Firedoglake Update: the districts where there was a change of parties, with losers & winners. As of noon Wednesday, it looks like a 67-seat pick-up for House Republicans.
... Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's statement.
** NBC News projects that Nevada Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will win re-election. Las Vegas Sun story here.
In Alaska the write in candidate(s), whoever that may be, is ahead, but the state will not even open the write-in ballots for two weeks. Here's an early Anchorage Daily News story.
Anchorage Daily News: "With just over half of the vote counted, Republican incumbent Sean Parnell held a commanding lead over Democratic challenger Ethan Berkowitz in the contest for governor."
Unfuckingbelievable. Salon: "A ban on U.S. courts considering Sharia law passed overwhelmingly in Oklahoma today."
AP: "For the second time, Colorado voters have overwhelmingly rejected an anti-abortion proposal that would have given unborn fetuses human rights in the state constitution."
Boston Globe: "Barney Frank, the irascible powerbroker who has survived scandal, repeated redistricting, and the ups and downs of the Democratic Party, yesterday easily beat back his strongest challenge in years."
NBC News projects that Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer will retain her governorship.
NBC News projects that South Carolina Republican Nikki Haley will win the gubernatorial race. The State story here.
NBC News projects that Rhode Island Independent Lincoln Chafee, a former Senator, will win the governorship.
The Los Angeles Times projects that California Democrat AG Jerry Brown, the former governor, will win the governorship.
NBC News projects that Pennsylvania Republican Pat Toomey will win the Senate seat.
NBC News projects that Republican John Kasich will win the Ohio gubernatorial race.
** NBC News projects that Republican Mark Kirk will win the Illinois Senate seat, the seat held by President Obama.
NBC News: it appears Democratic Sen. Daniel Inouye will retain his Senate seat, denying Republicans a Senate majority. No link.
Los Angeles Times: "California voters appear to have rejected Prop. 19, an effort to legalize marijuana and allow local governments to tax the sale of the drug."
NBC News projects that Nevada Republican Brian Sandoval defeated Harry Reid's son Rory Reid for the governorship. Las Vegas Sun story here.
NBC News projects that California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer will retain her Senate seat.
NBC News projects that Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden will retain his Senate seat.
NBC News projects that Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo will retain his Senate seat.
NBC News projects that South Dakota Republican Dennis Daugaard will win the gubernatorial race.
NBC News projects that Wisconsin Repubican Scott Walker will win the gubernatorial race. Wisconsin State Journal story here.
** NBC News projects that Wisconsin Republican Ron Johnson will defeat Sen. Russ Feingold. AP story here. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel story here.
NBC News projects that Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley will retain his Senate seat.
NBC News projects that Colorado Democrat John Hickenlooper will win the governorship. Denver Post story here.
NBC News projects that Utah Republican Gary Herbert will win the governorship.
NBC News projects that New Mexico Republican Susana Martinez will win the governorship.
NBC News projects that Wyoming Republican Matt Mead will win the governorship.
NBC News projects that Nebraska Republican Dave Heineman will win the governorship.
NBC News projects that Kansas Republican Sam Brownback will win the governorship.
NBC News projects that Pennsylvania Republican Tom Corbett will win the governorship.
NBC News projects that Massachusetts Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick will retain the governorship. Boston Globe story here.
NBC News projects that Maryland Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley will retain the governorship. Baltimore Sun story here.
NBC News projects that Oklahoma Republican Mary Fallin will win the governorship.
NBC News projects that Alabama Republican Robert Bentley will win the gubernatorial race.
CBS News projects that Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain will retain his Senate seat.
NBC News projects that Michigan Republican Rick Snyder will win the race for governor. Detroit Free Press story here.
NBC News projects that Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry will retain the governorship.
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Republican Nathan Deal claimed victory Tuesday night in Buckhead. He said he had spoken with Democrat Roy Barnes on the phone before making his speech at about 11:45 p.m."
NY1 projects that New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand will retain the seat to which she was appointed in 2009 when Sen. Hillary Clinton became Secretary of State.
NBC News projects that New York AG Andrew Cuomo will win the gubernatorial race. New York Times story here.
NBC News projects that New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer will retain his seat.
NBC News projects that Missouri Republican Roy Blunt will win the Senate race.
NBC News projects that Louisiana Republican Sen. David Vitter will retain his seat.
CBS News projects that Robert Hurt will defeat Rep. Tom Perriello in Virginia's 5th District.
NBC News projects that Kansas Republican Rep. Jerry Moran will will the Senate race.
NBC News projects that South Dakoda Republican Sen. John Thune will retain his Senate seat.
NBC News projects North Dakoka Republican John Hoeven will win the Senate race.
NBC News projects Florida 8th District Republican Daniel Webster will win the House Seat held by Alan Grayson. Orlando Sentinel story here.
NBC News projects that Democratic Arkansas Gov. Mike Beebe will retain his seat.
NBC News projects that Democratic Gov. Joe Manchin will win the Senate seat in West Virginia. Charleston Gazette story here.
NBC News projects that Republican Rep. John Boozman has defeated incumbent Democrat Sen. Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas. Arkansas Democrat Gazette story here.
NBC News projects that Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal will win the Senate seat in Connecticut. Hartford-Courant: "A judge has extended voting in Bridgeport by two hours [till 10:00 pm ET] after a lack of ballots created major problems as citizens were trying to vote in the hotly contested race between U.S. Rep. Jim Himes and Republican challenger Dan Debicella - as well as all other races on the ballot."
NBC News projects that North Carolina Republican Sen. Richard Burr will win re-election.
NBC News projects Democrat Chris Coons will win the Senate seat in Delaware. 8:08 pm ET.
AP: "Former lieutenant governor John Carney has claimed Delaware's lone U.S. House seat for the Democrat." The seat is currently held by Republican Mike Castle who lost his primary bid to Christine O'Donnell, the loser in tonight's Delaware Senate race.
NBC News projects that New Hampshire Democratic Gov. John Lynch will retain his seat.
NBC News projects that Tennessee Republican Bill Haslam will win the gubernatorial race.
NBC News projects Demcratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski will win re-election to the Senate in Maryland. 8:08 pm ET.
NBC News projects Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson will win re-election to the Senate seat in Georgia. 8:08 pm ET.
NBC News projects Republican Marco Rubio will win the Senate seat in Florida. 8:01 pm ET. Miami Herald report here.
NBC News projects Republican Sen. Tom Coburn will win re-election to the Senate in Oklahoma. 8:01 pm ET.
NBC News projects Republican Kelly Ayotte will win the Senate seat in New Hampshire. 8:01 pm ET. Manchester Union Leader story here.
NBC News projects Republican Sen. Richard Shelby will win re-election to the Alabama Senate seat. 8:02 pm ET.
NBC News projects Republican Rob Portman will win the Senate seat in Ohio. 7:31 pm ET. Cleveland Plain Dealer story here.
NBC News projects Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy will win re-election to the Vermont Senate seat. 7:07 pm ET. AP report here.
NBC News projects Republican Rand Paul will win the Kentucky Senate seat. 7:02 pm ET. Lexington Herald-Leader report here.
NBC News projects Republican Dan Coats will win the Indiana Senate seat. 7:06 pm ET. Indianapolis Star report here.
NBC News projects Republican Sen. Jim DeMint will win re-election to the South Carolina Senate seat. 7:02 pm ET. The State report here.
CNN Exit Poll Results: