Framing the Post-Election Results: The Popular Vote
Fri Nov 03, 2006 at 02:35:23 PM PDT
I apologize if folks have already discussed this.
There is a lot of question about how many seats Democrats will pick up on Tuesday. Dems could gain anywhere from 2 to 8 Senate Seats, and 15-50 House seats. But there is little doubt that Democrats will pickup a bunch of seats, make a bunch more closer than they should be, and win a bunch of Governerships.
There has also been some smart discussion about the expectations game. Democrats trying to play down our chances, while Rethuglicans try to play up our chances. The better things look before the election for Dems, the less stunning the stunning victory appears (since it will be stunning whether the media acknowledges it or not).
Losing a lot of close races could appear, in the minds of the spinners, as a defeat. But there is a way in which to correct that misconception.
Huh!? The Media Cannot be This Stupid Anymore!
Fri Nov 18, 2005 at 06:33:38 PM PDT
OK, first it was the NY Times and now it is CSPAN. I was off of the news sites for a couple of hours after the earlier debate and turned it back on 20 minutes ago. Did I miss something? The resolution on the floor is still the sham Republican resolution right?
Well, CSPAN just declared that the vote is a vote on Murtha's resolution and that they are interested to see how the moderates address "Murtha's resolution" by "cutting and running". This just followed the following statement in the NY Times article:
The vote tonight may force many Democrats to stand by Mr. Murtha or go on the record against his proposal. But Ms. Pelosi urged House Democrats to vote with the Republicans against the resolution being considered tonight, according to The Associated Press.
Compelled to Remember and Wonder
Fri Oct 28, 2005 at 07:55:36 PM PDT
I just finished reading the indictment. And I am sure that there have been numerous diaries, and I know that there have been numerous main thread entries. So, I write this diary with a little bit of hesitation and perhaps it says nothing new. I hope that is not the case. But I digress...
White House Withheld Documents
We now know some significant new information. And as Armando just wrote (his behavior problems aside), the indictment provides us with a number of facts - including that he and Rove outed Valerie Plam. I say Libby and Rove because Rove knowingly told Novak who actually broke the cover. Libby tried to break the cover (and he did) but with less success. So Libby broke her cover first but failed to succeed at making it totally public and Rove succeeded where Libby failed. What kind of an idiot is Novak... for another day.
The Supreme Court and Plame
Mon Oct 24, 2005 at 08:28:33 PM PDT
If indictments do come down, or even if they don't, I think we need to make sure that the man at the top (Bush) is held accountable for his administration. I believe that this comes down to a series of talking points that are simple and yet bring every issue of significance back to where it should be: "Why should an administration as corrupt and dishonest as this one be trusted to choose a Supreme Court Justice - that only THEY know well?"
Why Should an administration that lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq and raised false alarms about mushroom clouds and that has consistently put their own agenda before national security be allowed to stay in the White House?
These are the broad statements from which a series of distinct soundbites can be developed: "How can a White House without morals be trusted to place one of their own on the Supreme Court?" That is only a start.
The bottom line is that this is the most corrupt administration we have seen in our lifetimes (makes Nixon look soft) and they cannot be trusted to lead this country.
Election Handed to republican by "Computer Glitch"
Fri Nov 12, 2004 at 11:06:25 AM PDT
Well, these stories keep popping up everywhere.
Please donate to the Ohio recount so we can find out how widespread this is. And why does it ALWAYS benefit Republicans?
Note this. The Republican actually slipped two places. So this was a major error.
AP Reports:
Computer Glitch Changes Election Result
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 12, 2004
Filed at 1:01 p.m. ET
BROOKVILLE, Ind. (AP) -- A hand recount of ballots cast using optical scanning technology gave a Democrat enough extra votes to bump a Republican from victory in a county commissioner's race.
The erroneous tally was caused when the Fidlar Election Co. scanning system recorded straight-Democratic Party votes as votes for Libertarians in southeastern Indiana's Franklin County.
The recount Thursday pushed Democrat Carroll Lanning from fifth to third in the three-seat commissioners race, while Republican Roy Hall fell to fifth.
Reclaiming the Abortion Debate
Fri Nov 05, 2004 at 12:00:54 PM PDT
There have been several diaries now on how to reclaim the issue of abortion. Naturally, most folks here support defense of Roe v Wade. Many folks here also support reducing the amounts of abortions in this country. As many have pointed out, abortions have risen during both the Reagan and Bush eras. However, abortions declined during the 1990s when the government pushed policies that led to reduced abortions.
Some of us are teaming up to take on this debate. The pro-life movement is OUR movement. Republican leaders back it primarily because they can use it as a wedge. They are more interested in defeating a "liberal" court ruling than in actually reducing the amount of abortions in America. Overturning Roe will not stop abortion.
<read on>
Pro Life Now!
Wed Nov 03, 2004 at 08:47:27 PM PDT
ok, I'll be posting more on this tomorrow but we have discussed on this site extensively how much Bush's position on abortion is a failed policy. I've always fet frustrated by the rift created by the "pro-life" movement and their allegiance to over-turning Roe v. Wade versus actually reducing abortions. They have backed Bush heavily even though he backed a ban on late-term abortions that he knew would fail in the courts. They have backed Bush despite the fact that abortions are on the rise.
I believe that over-turning Roe v. Wade is a mistake for the pro-life community. It is a failed policy because even if it happens, abortions won't stop. And while in theory abortions might be lowered, they would be extensively more dangerous. And I can't help but wonder how many new-born infants that will be found in college dumpsters if Roe were to be overturned. That scenario is so much worse than what Roe allows.
<more after the jump>
Anecdotal Reports
Tue Nov 02, 2004 at 12:06:29 PM PDT
These are worthless anecdotal reports from Pittsburgh. However, turnout has been real good. Apparently, one poll worker found at his home by our canvas reported turnout more than twice normal (over 400 votes where 180 is typical). All of the canvassers are reporting that folks who are home are reporting haven already voted.
The best story comes from a trio of utility union guys. At their last house, they met an elderly lady who hadn't voted in years and had no way to the polls. She wanted to vote so they carried her out and helped her to the polls. This kind of phenomenal drive to vote is probably making ahuge difference.
Get Out the Vote in Pittsburgh - It's Your Turn!
Mon Nov 01, 2004 at 02:19:28 PM PDT
Get Out the Vote!
Pittsburgh, 11am to 8pm
Please show up early and often
We have 24 hours left. And we need your help NOW!
I've been working down here in Pittsburgh at the Steamfitters Hall with American Votes since Saturday. It has been a good experience, but we have been woefully short on the volunteers we need to get out the vote in the Burg. That means that we need folks within driving distance of Pittsburgh who aren't already committed to getting out the vote to come on down.
Are you supposed to work? Call in sick.
College Clases? Call in sick.
Doctor's Appointment? Call in sick.
This is the most important election in our lifetime. Directions and more info below the fold.
Oops! Cheney Shifts his argument
Thu Oct 28, 2004 at 04:16:13 PM PDT
In the growing conundrum that is the Bush-Cheney shifting argument (you should be familiar by now based upon the Iraq War alone), Dick Cheney once again shifted the response on 380 tons of missing explosives in Iraq. What else can be said.
The link. Article below the fold...
Yuk! Get out of my Inbox!
Mon Oct 25, 2004 at 12:46:06 PM PDT
Not sure how this grossness got in my inbox. But I thought folks would know what Republicans are fundraising on. They want money for a Zel Miller ad.
What a joke! "Hey, America, here is some good ol' hate that we Republicans agree with!" And don't you think it is pretty funny that they wrote, "Dear Fellow Patriot". Calling themselves patriots is a joke. They would betray everything America stands for for a quick buck.
Red Sox Win! HISTORIC COMEBACK WIN - Delivers Kerry Series Surge
Wed Oct 20, 2004 at 08:25:22 PM PDT
OK, This is part II of the Hex. As a Yankees fan, and therefore apparently a Republican, it only seems appropriate to offer up this intentional hex. The Red Sox have won and there is nothing that the Yankees can do about it.
The World Series John Kerry SURGE is like no other.
hexhexhex
ABC/Wa Post Poll: Bush 50, Kerry 47
Wed Oct 20, 2004 at 02:04:25 PM PDT
Sinclair Fires DC Bureau Chief
Mon Oct 18, 2004 at 09:03:31 PM PDT
They did it. While it is no surprise, this is a complete outrage:
BALTIMORE (AP) -- The Washington bureau chief for Sinclair Broadcast Group said he was fired Monday after he criticized the company's plans to produce a news program based on a documentary critical of John Kerry's Vietnam-era anti-war activities.
Jon Leiberman said he was fired by Joseph DeFeo, Sinclair's vice president for news, and ``escorted out of the building.''
``I was told I violated company policy by divulging information from a staff meeting to The (Baltimore) Sun in this morning's edition,'' Leiberman said late Monday.
That staff meeting took place Sunday at Sinclair's headquarters in Hunt Valley, Leiberman said. It was announced that the news division would produce an hourlong special based on the documentary ``Stolen Honor: Wounds That Never Heal,'' he said.
The documentary features former prisoners of war accusing Kerry, a decorated veteran who took up the anti-war cause upon returning from Vietnam, of prolonging the war and worsening their plight.
This will come back to haunt Sinclair by extending the story!
Action on Post/ABC News Poll
Fri Oct 15, 2004 at 03:58:48 PM PDT
I found it kind of ridiculous that the Washington Post would ask if the public approved of John Kerry stating the truth about Mary Cheney but not ask if the public approved of George Bush lieing about his past statements regarding Osama Bin Forgotten. So I wrote this note.
Please add your own
Cheney, He Who Dealt with the Enemy, in Western PA!
Tue Oct 12, 2004 at 10:43:07 AM PDT
Come one and all and tell Cheney what you think of his dealings with our enemies in Iran, Libya, and Iraq. Cheney is doing some, eh hem, campaign appearance in disclosed locations. Tell him why Americans would prefer not to vote for traitors!
And while we're at it, lets tell him that his energy policy sucks.
Rasmussen Reports Bush Drop After Second Debate
Tue Oct 12, 2004 at 09:25:59 AM PDT
Check this out
Oct 9 (Debate Day)
Bush 49.6
Kerry 45.9
Oct 10
Bush 49.5
Kerry 45.5
Oct 11
Bush 49.0
Kerry 45.4
Today
Bush 47.4
Kerry 45.8
20/20 on Reeve
Mon Oct 11, 2004 at 05:50:22 PM PDT
20/20 is doing a great piece on Christopher Reeve and stem cell research. First of all, it is great background on the fantastic work Reeve did. I, quite honestly, didn't realize how much great work he had done. But I am impressed. Chris is a real loss to society.
Great coverage of the Presidential politics related to his death including the fact that Reeve called Kerry after the debate and thanked him for mentioning his work in the debate. Let us hope that in his death that Chris can help move forward the work of his life.
I was typing this and missed mention that a Congressman has put a hold on some sort of bill honoring Chris because of his speaking out for stem cell research. We need to find out who this is.
