Obama versus McCain (versus the rest)

[Surtt]

Interesting that the main Socialist candidate picked a 23-year old as her running mate. Not as if being a socialist party candidate for VP would be a real resume booster, tho.

Party for Socialism and Liberation: Meet Eugene Puryear (http://www.pslweb.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7882)

Can you have a VP who can not serve as president?
(age requirement)

[Coffee Warlord]

Anything left on CNN's map flips for Obama, it's over, if you factor in the west coast going blue.

[Coffee Warlord]

Which...CNN just flipped NM over. We're done.

[sabotai]

And McCain seems to be holding a 50k-60k lead in Indiana as the numbers keep coming in so it looks like he'll carry that one.

Of course, just as I say this, Obama gets within 25k votes in Indiana.

[DaddyTorgo]

CNN calls NM for Obama and LA for McCain

[DeToxRox]

I shoulda' written in David Aceveda.

SHIELD IN TEN!

[GrantDawg]

Which...CNN just flipped NM over. We're done.


Yet the popular vote is still tight. Obama might not end up with a full point in the end (but then again, California might move it a couple of points).

[Maple Leafs]

Every time they cut to that CNN reporter at McCain HQ, I have to fight the urge to make the "Why the long face?" joke.

[JonInMiddleGA]

CNN calls NM for Obama and LA for McCain

They just called LA? Didn't Fox call that one about a half hour ago?
(I know CNN has been cautiously a few minutes behind some of the others, I just hadn't noticed them being that far behind on any mentioned here)

[sterlingice]

I just said pretty much that same thing to my wife. If you told me NC went Obama, I would have assumed without hesitation VA did too.

VA still hasn't counted a lot of the DC area (only 25% counted with a 60-40 edge to Obama), Virginia Beach (25% counted with a 55-45 edge McCain) and only 75% here in Richmond with is roughly 80-20 Obama. I think that one will be Obama's before the night is over- it has a lot more to do with what has been counted so far.

SI

[Coffee Warlord]

Yet the popular vote is still tight. Obama might not end up with a full point in the end (but then again, California might move it a couple of points).

.1%? MANDATE!

Sigh. 4 years of insane taxation and a further expansion of the welfare state.

[sterlingice]

They just called LA? Didn't Fox call that one about a half hour ago?
(I know CNN has been cautiously a few minutes behind some of the others, I just hadn't noticed them being that far behind on any mentioned here)

CNN is being very slow. They haven't called some stuff that MSNBC called a half hour and more ago, too.

SI

[DaddyTorgo]

They just called LA? Didn't Fox call that one about a half hour ago?
(I know CNN has been cautiously a few minutes behind some of the others, I just hadn't noticed them being that far behind on any mentioned here)

lol yeah

hey i'm enjoying them being a bit more cautious though - i feel like it's less likely they'll screw up

[JonInMiddleGA]

hey i'm enjoying them being a bit more cautious though - i feel like it's less likely they'll screw up

I'm all for that myself, since getting the call right would logically matter more than getting it first.

[Tigercat]

.1%? MANDATE!

Sigh. 4 years of insane taxation and a further expansion of the welfare state.


I believe their is some business raping and massive baby slaughtering planned as well.

[sterlingice]

And, as soon as I mention Virginia, it goes from McCain by 7K to Obama by 10K

SI

[BYU 14]

CNN is being real cautious. I am listening to CNN on Sirius while I get some work done......I almost find it amusing how McCain's campaign is still slipping in an ad on almost every break attacking Obama for one thing or the other. Is there really anything you can put out at this stage of the game to make a difference?

[DeToxRox]

I don't even worry about taxation. I am just going to marry a fat, ugly trust fund chick.

[Swaggs]

Rocky Mountain News calling Colorado for Obama.

[Coffee Warlord]

I don't even worry about taxation. I am just going to marry a fat, ugly trust fund chick.

She won't be worth it after he brings back/ups the death taxes.

[Karlifornia]

.1%? MANDATE!

Sigh. 4 years of insane taxation and a further expansion of the welfare state.

If you're complaining about Obama's proposed tax policies, then you must be rich enough to where you needn't worry about it.

[Maple Leafs]

McCain's concession speech should be fascinating.

Does he start setting the stage for 2012? Does he try to rebuild a legacy for himself? Is it even possible to do both?

[JonInMiddleGA]

I think this race came up at least once or twice in the past 10k posts, so I'll mention that incumbent Jim Marshall (D) will hang on to his House seat in middle Georgia by around a 55-45 margin.

[DaddyTorgo]

CNN projects IA to Obama

UT+ KS to McCain

also saw on 538.com that Rocky Mountain News is reporting that CO is going to go hugely to Obama...no confirmation yet

[Flasch186]

And I call dibs on Maria Bartiromo.

Ill call a menage with Melissa Francis and Margaret Brennan

[JonInMiddleGA]

McCain's concession speech should be fascinating.

He made that weeks ago, in the "Obama is an okay guy" speech. The race largely ended right there, as he lost the confidence of too many core voters.

[GrantDawg]

McCain's concession speech should be fascinating.

Does he start setting the stage for 2012? Does he try to rebuild a legacy for himself? Is it even possible to do both?


There is no way McCAin will ever be a viable candidate again. Ever.

[JPhillips]

She won't be worth it after he brings back/ups the death taxes.

Dibs on first in line to assfuck the rich!

[Coffee Warlord]

If you're complaining about Obama's proposed tax policies, then you must be rich enough to where you needn't worry about it.

Me? No. I come from a wealthy family, and will theoretically (assuming he doesn't tax it all into oblivion) be wealthy one day, as a disclaimer. I have none of that money right now, and support myself entirely.

That said, being wealthy is not a crime. It shouldn't be punished like one.

[Klinglerware]

Chris Shays lost his re-election bid in CT. There are now zero Republicans representing New England in the House of Representatives...

[Galaxy]

McCain's concession speech should be fascinating.

Does he start setting the stage for 2012? Does he try to rebuild a legacy for himself? Is it even possible to do both?

No way McCain will go for 2012. I expect the GOP to really do some re-branding and look for new blood going into the 2010 Congressional elections.

[DaddyTorgo]

Chris Shays lost his re-election bid in CT. There are now zero Republicans representing New England in the House of Representatives...

Haha that's awesome :D

[sabotai]

I think Obama has said yes to the death tax, and yes on raising the amount that it kicks in (I think he said $2.5 million which I think is up from $1 million).

[terpkristin]

I've switched channels from ABC to Comedy Central.

/tk

[GrantDawg]

Me? No. I come from a wealthy family, and will theoretically (assuming he doesn't tax it all into oblivion) be wealthy one day, as a disclaimer. I have none of that money right now, and support myself entirely.

That said, being wealthy is not a crime. It shouldn't be punished like one.


I think I'll go give a dollar to my local wealthy people. They are really going to need our support now.

[JonInMiddleGA]

There is no way McCAin will ever be a viable candidate again. Ever.

You say that as though he was one this time.

[Flasch186]

Me? No. I come from a wealthy family, and will theoretically (assuming he doesn't tax it all into oblivion) be wealthy one day, as a disclaimer. I have none of that money right now, and support myself entirely.

That said, being wealthy is not a crime. It shouldn't be punished like one.

However thats not generally the argument made by the "rich". Usually it's how hard theyve worked to get the $ that is the "rich" equivalent and admittedly not the hard working money you earn now.

[Coffee Warlord]

I think I'll go give a dollar to my local wealthy people. They are really going to need our support now.

Hey, we're sharing the wealth now, right? Sharing goes both ways!

[JonInMiddleGA]

I've switched channels from ABC to Comedy Central./tk

You switched to MSNBC?

[Karlifornia]

I think I'll go give a dollar to my local wealthy people. They are really going to need our support now.

lol. Yes...I will add any tips that I get tomorrow to the Wealthy Citizens Of The Poor fund.

[sabotai]

Obama is now neck and neck with McCain in Indiana.

[terpkristin]

You switched to MSNBC?

LOL.

I really did switch to Comedy Central, where Jon Stewart & Stephen Colbert are doing Indecision 2008. It's still liberal media, but at least it knows how to make fun of itself.

/tk

[DaddyTorgo]

AR for McCain per CNN (heh)

[JPhillips]

So over the last two elections

House +50-60 Dem

Senate +12-14 Dem

President Dem

Deep dark truthful mirror for the Republican party coming tomorrow.

[SirFozzie]

Deep dark truthful mirror for the Republican party coming tomorrow.

Not sure the mirror will be truthful. I've seen a lot of folks say the R's need to go HARDER to the right.

[Coffee Warlord]

However thats not generally the argument made by the "rich". Usually it's how hard theyve worked to get the $ that is the "rich" equivalent and admittedly not the hard working money you earn now.

Hey, I'll be the first to admit I will not have worked for the money that I will one day inherit. That said, I've worked damned hard to keep myself living comfortably and NOT having to live off my parents.

The simple truth is....the rich are an easy target to tax into oblivion. It's the bread and circus show of the modern age. Tax the shit out of the rich, keep the plebes on the government teet, and you've got yourself an angle to be popular.

I find that thoroughly irritating.

[sterlingice]

I've switched channels from ABC to Comedy Central.

/tk

I went from MSNBC to CC

SI

[Coffee Warlord]

Not sure the mirror will be truthful. I've seen a lot of folks say the R's need to go HARDER to the right.

Good lord. Are they TRYING to lose every shred of credibility with 99% of voters?

[Groundhog]

I get back from lunch and you crazy fucks have added another 4 pages to this thread.

[Galaxy]

I think Obama has said yes to the death tax, and yes on raising the amount that it kicks in (I think he said $2.5 million which I think is up from $1 million).

I hate the death tax. To me, it's double taxation.

[Karlifornia]

Hey, I'll be the first to admit I will not have worked for the money that I will one day inherit. That said, I've worked damned hard to keep myself living comfortably and NOT having to live off my parents.

The simple truth is....the rich are an easy target to tax into oblivion. It's the bread and circus show of the modern age. Tax the shit out of the rich, keep the plebes on the government teet, and you've got yourself an angle to be popular.

I find that thoroughly irritating.

Did you just wake up out of an 8 year coma?

[Karlifornia]

I get back from lunch and you crazy fucks have added another 4 pages to this thread.

What are you doing having lunch now? It's the middle of the evening ;)

[sabotai]

I hate the death tax. To me, it's double taxation.

I hate it too. But if it's not going to be completely abolished, pushing the level at which it takes effect up a lot higher is better than nothing.

[JPhillips]

Hey, I'll be the first to admit I will not have worked for the money that I will one day inherit. That said, I've worked damned hard to keep myself living comfortably and NOT having to live off my parents.

The simple truth is....the rich are an easy target to tax into oblivion. It's the bread and circus show of the modern age. Tax the shit out of the rich, keep the plebes on the government teet, and you've got yourself an angle to be popular.

I find that thoroughly irritating.

Returning to the Clinton tax rates is hardly taxing the shit out of the rich.

[DaddyTorgo]

wow - Obama is whomping McCain among Latinos - that's hurting McCain in the southwest

[samifan24]

Chris Shays lost his re-election bid in CT. There are now zero Republicans representing New England in the House of Representatives...

I can't wait to get out of New England.

[Coffee Warlord]

Did you just wake up out of an 8 year coma?

Do you honestly think Captain Change is going to magically make it all better?

[JPhillips]

I hate the death tax. To me, it's double taxation.

Every second tax is a double tax. Why do I pay a gas tax when I've already paid tax on that income?

[DaddyTorgo]

mmmm Campbell Brown....yummy!

[Coffee Warlord]

Returning to the Clinton tax rates is hardly taxing the shit out of the rich.

Helluva different economy then.

[Galaxy]

I hate it too. But if it's not going to be completely abolished, pushing the level at which it takes effect up a lot higher is better than nothing.

Is it going to just to revert to the old tax brackets, or is he actually going to increase it even more?

I see it as a easy tax because it escapes most Americans. A lot of more liberal-leaning countries have or are abolishing the death/estate taxes.

[JPhillips]

Not much different when he took office.

[Galaxy]

Every second tax is a double tax. Why do I pay a gas tax when I've already paid tax on that income?

No argument with that.

[JonInMiddleGA]

re: Palin -- Bill Kristol talking about the exit polling data, showing McCain ran 4% better among those for whom Palin was an important factor versus those who said it was not important to their vote.

Basically she accomplished what she was intended to do, just not enough of it.

[Tigercat]

The simple truth is....the rich are an easy target to tax into oblivion. It's the bread and circus show of the modern age. Tax the shit out of the rich, keep the plebes on the government teet, and you've got yourself an angle to be popular.

I find that thoroughly irritating.

Taxed into oblivion? Someone paying taxes in the middle class, including you if that applies to you right now, is much closer to being taxed into oblivion when every dollar is more important to them than someone who makes/inherits over 250k.

[DaddyTorgo]

TX for McCain per CNN - at least that gets McCain over 100 (while Obama is over 200)

[Galaxy]

I don't see Obama being able to do what he wants to do in terms of spending and taxes for his first term.

[DaddyTorgo]

MS to McCain per CNN *shrug*

[Karlifornia]

Do you honestly think Captain Change is going to magically make it all better?

Actually, I was implying that it was good...good for you and your tax bracket. Bush loved rich people, and he treated them pretty darn well.

The problem is, however, that the wealthy are not the majority of citizens. I see the wealthy as having three choices. They can either try to use their money to rig an election (probably not going to happen), they can realize that being rich doesn't absolve them from will of the majority, no matter how hard they've worked, or they can leave, and see how just how good they've got it here.

The world doesn't call Americans "Capitalist Pigs" for nothing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Not sure the mirror will be truthful. I've seen a lot of folks say the R's need to go HARDER to the right.

It's the only choice possible. We've just watched the embarrassing results of running a sorry ass RINO.

It wasn't too many pages back in the thread where someone described the core of the country as center-right. Maybe even more than that, we don't seem to have much liking for candy asses & half measures, which is exactly what McCain came across as.

[sabotai]

Is it going to just to revert to the old tax brackets, or is he actually going to increase it even more?

How I understand it, and I may be wrong, is that since 2001, the level has gone up and the % tax has gone down. In 2010, there will be no death tax, but in 2011, it kicks back it. Everything in a person's estate over $1 million value will be taxed at 55%.

From what I remember seeing awhile back, Obama wants to make it so that the first $2.5 million of a person's estate is exempt, but I have not seen anything on the % that he wants to tax it.

[Coffee Warlord]

Taxed into oblivion? Someone paying taxes in the middle class, including you if that applies to you right now, is much closer to being taxed into oblivion when every dollar is more important to them than someone who makes/inherits over 250k.

Gonna slowly back away from all this, but, to respond...I don't suggest we shift the tax burden away from the rich to the lower end of the spectrum. I suggest we stop wasting metric fuckloads of money in just about all areas of the government, and keep everyone's taxes low. I don't want ANYONE to be paying for the seemingly endless bloat and nanny state bullshit that comes outta Washington.

[JonInMiddleGA]

MS to McCain per CNN *shrug*

Relevant if it foreshadows the outcome of the MS Senate race. I believe the current projections (assuming they held) would mean that the filibuster proof Senate majority would no longer be in play.

[Arles]

I think McCain = Bob Dole. He never really seemed like he wanted the election as much as his opponent and he seemed very much out of touch with most voters.

It will be interesting to see how McCain handles going back to the Senate. Given pretty much everyone who used to support him (most of the media, democrats in the senate, ...) almost completely turned on him in the election, I wonder if he will continue to be the "maverick" against the republicans he used to be.

[DaddyTorgo]

but Jon, if the (R)'s go harder to the right while the (D)'s have (at least according to most commentators I've heard) started to rebuild the base of their party power on center-left moderate Democrats, how can the (R)'s hope to win anything??

[sabotai]

It will be interesting to see how McCain handles going back to the Senate. Given pretty much everyone who used to support him (most of the media, democrats in the senate, ...) almost completely turned on him in the election, I wonder if he will continue to be the "maverick" against the republicans he used to be.

I think he'll just go back to doing what he used to do, but he may be so annoyed or downright angry at how this election turned out, that he may retire at the end of his current term.

[cuervo72]

"You cannot be a viable national party if you are getting beat almost 60/40 in the suburbs and then getting beat 60/40 among Latino voters. It simply...you cannot sustain yourself as a viable national party." - John King, CNN

Now, it's not the first time I've heard this, but I'm not sure I've heard it put quite that bluntly on CNN (or other network media) before. What voters *do* the Republicans go after exactly? Assuming the Dems can avoid doing anything insanely stupid, they could have the White House for quite a while (as it was, things in 2000/2004 had to cut nearly perfectly for Bush, which they did...).

[DaddyTorgo]

Relevant if it foreshadows the outcome of the MS Senate race. I believe the current projections (assuming they held) would mean that the filibuster proof Senate majority would no longer be in play.

which i'd be quite okay with, as we discussed earlier, so that's cool.

[Galaxy]

but Jon, if the (R)'s go harder to the right while the (D)'s have (at least according to most commentators I've heard) started to rebuild the base of their party power on center-left moderate Democrats, how can the (R)'s hope to win anything??

I agree. I think the GOP needs to actually do what they stand for. No more spending like a drunken sailor.

[Arles]

LOL at Jack Murtha. Despite no network calling the election for him, Murtha has decided to give a victory speech to the media. He will probably win, but it's a crackup that he's telling everyone he won before the election is called.

[JonInMiddleGA]

but Jon, if the (R)'s go harder to the right while the (D)'s have (at least according to most commentators I've heard) started to rebuild the base of their party power on center-left moderate Democrats, how can the (R)'s hope to win anything??

By tying those allegedly "center" Dems to their evil left counterparts. They're be more than ample opportunities in the next two years to pin that tail on a number of donkeys (pun wholly intended & without particular malice).

One thing about the R's, they've got plenty of history of being the minority party. Hopefully they'll get back in touch with some of the don't give an inch spirit which led to their surge in the 80's.

[Tigercat]

OK, things making a little more sense now, looks like VA will go Obama and NC McCain.

[Noop]

I blame Joe The Plumber.

[Karlifornia]

What voters *do* the Republicans go after exactly?

I think they'll always have traditional family values voters, possibly the far-reaches of the upper-middle-class, and the deep south. That just isn't enough of a base to overcome an absolute blunder of a Presidency.

[sabotai]

The estate tax: McCain vs. Obama - Aug. 6, 2008 (http://money.cnn.com/2008/08/06/smallbusiness/estate_tax.fsb/)

Looks like I was off. Obama proposes (or did back in August) at freezing the estate tax at its 2009 level. $3.5 million, 45% ($7million level for married couples).

McCain still favored a death tax, but at a 10% tax rate and $5m ($10m for married couples).

[Tigercat]

As predicted, even if Obama doesn't win Indiana, the amount of fight he put up there was indicative of the rest of the election. Indiana is turning out to be incredibly close.

[Maple Leafs]

There is no way McCAin will ever be a viable candidate again. Ever.
No way McCain will go for 2012.
Yes, yes. Not for himself, obviously. For the Republican party.

[Alan T]

but Jon, if the (R)'s go harder to the right while the (D)'s have (at least according to most commentators I've heard) started to rebuild the base of their party power on center-left moderate Democrats, how can the (R)'s hope to win anything??


This would be ideal for me if this were true. I guess I'm not holding my breath though and we will wait and see what happens.. but if the Democrats lock up the senate and house with huge numbers plus Obama as president, I have a fear that they won't have any reason to stick to the center and we will keep the see-saw up where moderates such as myself get just as fed up with them after 4-6 years and lean back to vote Republican again.

[sabotai]

Indiana and North Carolina are neck and neck now. Obama's pulled away in Virginia.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Yes, yes. Not for himself, obviously. For the Republican party.

Gee, that'll be helpful :D

Best thing he can do is serve as an example of what not to do.

[DaddyTorgo]

By tying those allegedly "center" Dems to their evil left counterparts. They're be more than ample opportunities in the next two years to pin that tail on a number of donkeys (pun wholly intended & without particular malice).

One thing about the R's, they've got plenty of history of being the minority party. Hopefully they'll get back in touch with some of the don't give an inch spirit which led to their surge in the 80's.

but there are very few "evil left" Dems - and the electorate that they're building the party on is center-left - if you scream at those people that they're evil they will turn away from you

[Arles]

"You cannot be a viable national party if you are getting beat almost 60/40 in the suburbs and then getting beat 60/40 among Latino voters. It simply...you cannot sustain yourself as a viable national party." - John King, CNN

Now, it's not the first time I've heard this, but I'm not sure I've heard it put quite that bluntly on CNN (or other network media) before. What voters *do* the Republicans go after exactly? Assuming the Dems can avoid doing anything insanely stupid, they could have the White House for quite a while (as it was, things in 2000/2004 had to cut nearly perfectly for Bush, which they did...).
Most conservatives didn't want McCain. He won the nomination on the backs of independents who were more apt to vote for Obama and the fact that Huckabee (social conservative) and Romney (fiscal conservative) kept splitting the conservative vote. I think if the republicans could have nominated a truer conservative (Huckabee or Romney), they would have had a better chance.

Still, this climate was murder for republicans. The economy, the dislike of Bush and a complete lack of passion on the right meant this election was a feit accompli. In 2012 (and even 2010), you will see a lot more interest from the right (and probably better candidates). I think the republicans are in much of the same situation they were in 1992 and I wouldn't be surprised to see 2010 swing things a bit back to the right like 1994 did. And I don't remember the republicans going to the middle in 1994 - in fact they went fairly heavily to the right.

[DaddyTorgo]

yeahhhh wolf - throw it bck to my girl....yeahhhhhhh campbell brown !

[JonInMiddleGA]

but there are no "evil left" Dems

Just under 50% of the voters disagree with you. The R's just have to knock some common sense back into a relative handful of those & order can be restored. But it can't be done by tip toeing around buddying up to the enemy. If they fail to provide a clear difference they'll get beat indefinitely.

[Mustang]

What voters *do* the Republicans go after exactly? Assuming the Dems can avoid doing anything insanely stupid, they could have the White House for quite a while (as it was, things in 2000/2004 had to cut nearly perfectly for Bush, which they did...).

Who knows what the next 4 years hold. Maybe the economic situation worsens, interest rates climb, tax rates aren't what they were made out to be. I don't think it is written in stone that the next 4 years will be better. We hope obviously, but who knows. If things don't go fantastic, going to be real hard to point a finger at the Republicans with a Democratic Congress and President and put the blame on them. To say that the Republican party isn't viable as a national party is a little quick on the trigger.

[Galaxy]

Most conservatives didn't want McCain. He won the nomination on the backs of independents who were more apt to vote for Obama and the fact that Huckabee (social conservative) and Romney (fiscal conservative) kept splitting the conservative vote. I think if the republicans could have nominated a truer conservative (Huckabee or Romney), they would have had a better chance.

Still, this climate was murder for republicans. The economy, the dislike of Bush and a complete lack of passion on the right meant this election was a feit accompli. In 2012 (and even 2010), you will see a lot more interest from the right (and probably better candidates). I think the republicans are in much of the same situation they were in 1992 and I wouldn't be surprised to see 2010 swing things a bit back to the right like 1994 did.

I can agree with this. I also think Obama will be rather conservative in his plans during his first term, not trying to go too far left in order to run in 2012.

[DaddyTorgo]

oooh campbell babe...you dropped that one! you need a spanking girl!

[MrDNA]

yeahhhh wolf - throw it bck to my girl....yeahhhhhhh campbell brown !

I love that DT's comments in this thread are now almost entirely Brown-centric :D

[sabotai]

I seem to remember a lot of people talking about the death of the Democratic Party just 4 years ago. I wouldn't go off and write the obit for the Republicans just yet.

[Coffee Warlord]

Is it too late for a push by the Boston Tea Party? :)

[DaddyTorgo]

I love that DT's comments in this thread are now almost entirely Brown-centric :D

dude - she's smokin tonight! and really there's not TOO much suspense left at this point (there is some, but not a massive amount).

is it good that i'm censoring myself? because I was going to say in that last segment how i'd love to throw her up onto the table with the holographic capital-building and do dirty things to her...

[Galaxy]

I love that DT's comments in this thread are now almost entirely Brown-centric :D

I know. At least he's got good taste (well, besides being a Pats fan).

[MrDNA]

Hey, I'm just pissed I don't have cable. I definitely don't want to fondle these old white dudes.

[JPhillips]

Who knows what the next 4 years hold. Maybe the economic situation worsens, interest rates climb, tax rates aren't what they were made out to be. I don't think it is written in stone that the next 4 years will be better. We hope obviously, but who knows. If things don't go fantastic, going to be real hard to point a finger at the Republicans with a Democratic Congress and President and put the blame on them. To say that the Republican party isn't viable as a national party is a little quick on the trigger.

Short term i think you're right, but long term the Republicans have to be worried that their leadership is pushing in a direction opposite of demographic trends.

[DaddyTorgo]

sweet holographic technology by cnn actually, i'd like to point that out

[Lathum]

This is my first election spent on the west coast and it is kind of odd. It seems like my state is obsolete. I guess if the election was closer it would be different, but its kind of depressing

[sabotai]

CNN HAS CREATED THE HOLODECK!!!!

[Buccaneer]

I had said a while ago that it is all about turn-out. The extra 12-15% will easily be the difference.

[BishopMVP]

Hey, I'll be the first to admit I will not have worked for the money that I will one day inherit. That said, I've worked damned hard to keep myself living comfortably and NOT having to live off my parents.

The simple truth is....the rich are an easy target to tax into oblivion. It's the bread and circus show of the modern age. Tax the shit out of the rich, keep the plebes on the government teet, and you've got yourself an angle to be popular.

I find that thoroughly irritating.Sweet, sweet, economic populism.

Depending on how much of Obama's platform passes, we'll probably surpass 50% of voters receiving government programs.

"A democracy only lasts until the population realizes it can vote money to itself."It's the only choice possible. We've just watched the embarrassing results of running a sorry ass RINO.

It wasn't too many pages back in the thread where someone described the core of the country as center-right. Maybe even more than that, we don't seem to have much liking for candy asses & half measures, which is exactly what McCain came across as.Or they could go back to running as fiscal conservatives, which is what led to Reagan's dominant victories and the huge 1994 sweep. (Or they could have lost 2 more senate seats and given the Democrats a veto-proof majority. The pendulum is going to begin swinging back hard in 2010, and 60+ in the Senate would make that even bigger.)

[JPhillips]

Roughly ten minutes until the networks call it for Obama.

[Galaxy]

Depending on how much of Obama's platform passes, we'll probably surpass 50% of voters receiving government programs.

"A democracy only lasts until the population realizes it can vote money to itself."Or they could go back to running as fiscal conservatives, which is what led to Reagan's dominant victories and the huge 1994 sweep. (Or they could have lost 2 more senate seats and given the Democrats a veto-proof majority. The pendulum is going to begin swinging back hard in 2010, and 60+ in the Senate would make that even bigger.)

It'll be interesting to see how the congressional seats are re-allocated (and the districts are drawn up) and the electoral votes are also re-allocated for 2012.

[Tigercat]

Sweet, sweet, economic populism.

Depending on how much of Obama's platform passes, we'll probably surpass 50% of voters receiving government programs.


We surpassed that long ago, as has every industrialized country I can think of.

[JPhillips]

Sweet, sweet, economic populism.

Depending on how much of Obama's platform passes, we'll probably surpass 50% of voters receiving government programs.

"A democracy only lasts until the population realizes it can vote money to itself."Or they could go back to running as fiscal conservatives, which is what led to Reagan's dominant victories and the huge 1994 sweep. (Or they could have lost 2 more senate seats and given the Democrats a veto-proof majority. The pendulum is going to begin swinging back hard in 2010, and 60+ in the Senate would make that even bigger.)

The Senate likely won't change greatly in 2010 as the 04 elections left a pretty Dem favorable map in 2010. But things will eventually swing back, likely in 2012 and 2014 when the Dems have to defend their recent gains.

[DaddyTorgo]

lol - bill bennett has to take off at 11, it's his bedtime

[Tigercat]

Holy Hoosiers batman! Obama leads in Indiana! (for now... by 8k with 94% in)

[Galaxy]

No Erica Hill on CNN tonight? I would like to be in the middle of an Erica Hill-Campbell Brown sandwich.

[Lathum]

CNN just called Virginia for Obama

[DaddyTorgo]

No Erica Hill on CNN tonight? I would like to be in the middle of an Erica Hill-Campbell Brown sandwich.


mmmm absolutely

think i have time to go have a little alone time with that thought before they call this thing?

[Galaxy]

CNN calls Virginia for Obama. 220 plus the 55 votes from California gives him 275. It's over.

[Tigercat]

Networks calling Virginia might mean they call the election in 30 seconds with California for Obama.

[Vegas Vic]

CNN calls Virginia for Obama. 220 plus the 55 votes from California gives him 275. It's over.

This is huge for any student of politics. Virginia hasn't voted for a Democrat in 44 years, when LBJ beat Barry Goldwater.

[Galaxy]

CNN called it. Obama is the man.

[DaddyTorgo]

CNN calls it for Obama

[sabotai]

No Erica Hill on CNN tonight? I would like to be in the middle of an Erica Hill-Campbell Brown sandwich.

CNBC - Maria Bartiromo and Michelle Caruso-Cabrera. I'd love to get me in the middle of that.

[Greyroofoo]

MSNBC called the race for Obama

[SirFozzie]

They're calling it!

[Flasch186]

Ill wait for MBBF's poll of polls.

[Lathum]

CNN calls it for Obama

[lordscarlet]

NBC called it.

[Young Drachma]

Watching this is like watching another city's team celebrate a championship.

[BYU 14]

Game, set, match!

[Vegas Vic]

CNN called it. Obama is the man.

And for the first time I can recall in television history, they didn't announce the president elect's full name when he went over the top.

[JonInMiddleGA]

These here interwebz are pretty cool things.

My TV (here in the basement) has stayed on a marathon of Dirty Jobs all evening.

I've checked 5 mins or less of TV coverage a few times tonight when delivering local results to my wife but otherwise I've pulled everything I needed from online. And there's a wealth of resources that I could have used that I didn't even bother with, it's not like I wrung everything I could out of it.

[cuervo72]

No Erica Hill on CNN tonight? I would like to be in the middle of an Erica Hill-Campbell Brown sandwich.

Hey, ain't nothing wrong with Soledad.

[Flasch186]

nice final stab by VV.

[sterlingice]

Hell, Comedy Central just called it

SI

[MrDNA]

How the heck do they call this now? I seriously don't understand how it works. I'm not celebrating until this stuff is on lockdown. I'm a Browns fan - it ain't over until it's double zeroes for me.

[Vegas Vic]

nice final stab by VV.

I called this days ago. Why do you guys think that a long standing tradition was broken tonight? Political correctness?

[Young Drachma]

These throngs of happy black people can't be quelling the fears of white people who thought black folks were gonna take over the country now.

lol

[Flasch186]

dont want to show his true muslimism.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Or they could go back to running as fiscal conservatives, which is what led to Reagan's dominant victories and the huge 1994 sweep.

You'd have enjoyed the young Rep from Wisconsin, Ryan, on FXNC a little while ago I imagine.

I liked the fact that he at least seemed to have some spirit about him & talked about the need to start standing for things again. Even if the stands he chooses aren't the ones I'd prefer, at least he seemed like an (R) that still had a pair. And that was a damned nice change of pace to see/hear.

[cartman]

I would guess that less than 20% of the electorate can say without looking what McCain's middle name is. (Sidney)

[Coffee Warlord]

These throngs of happy black people can't be quelling the fears of white people who thought black folks were gonna take over the country now.

lol

I keep getting images of the movie Head of State, with the million California yuppies screaming and sprinting to the polls.

[DaddyTorgo]

eh, it's a huge moment for black americans, let them have their moment. you see plenty of white people celebrating too

[JonInMiddleGA]

How the heck do they call this now? I seriously don't understand how it works.

Unlike football, there's only a finite number of "points" (electoral votes) available. Once you have locked up more than half of them, it's over. All that's left at that point is the final score.

[JonInMiddleGA]

you see plenty of white people celebrating too

Proving once & for all that P.T. Barnum was correct.

[Noop]

:)

[Swaggs]

AP calls Florida for Obama now, too.

[Groundhog]

youporn.com just called it.

[Cringer]

These throngs of happy black people can't be quelling the fears of white people who thought black folks were gonna take over the country now.

lol

Minutes before everyone started calling it, the guys on Comedy Central were joking about "the black guys on their shows" taking over the hosting duties now that Obama would be President.

[Vegas Vic]

I would guess that less than 20% of the electorate can say without looking what McCain's middle name is. (Sidney)

Perhaps.

But I can guarantee you, if McCain had gone over the top tonight, the call would have been "John Sidney McCain has just been elected the 44th president of the United States".

[sabotai]

All of the news websites already have long articles written and posted. I would love to read the "McCain won" articles, just to see what they said.

[JonInMiddleGA]

youporn.com just called it.

Appropriate, considering how screwed the nation is.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I would guess that less than 20% of the electorate can say without looking what McCain's middle name is. (Sidney)

First time I had heard of McCain's middle name.

[DeToxRox]

All of the news websites already have long articles written and posted. I would love to read the "McCain won" articles, just to see what they said.

Those are with the Tampa Rays World Series Champs shirts in Senegal.

[Young Drachma]

eh, it's a huge moment for black americans, let them have their moment. you see plenty of white people celebrating too

Well, that's how he glad elected...so naturally it's a multiracial coalition of happy people. I was just noting how MSNBC has shown tons of footage of black students at historically black colleges and at black churches and lots of crowds of specifically all black or whatever...so I could imagine the horror in a hilariously cynical way.

I'm not enjoying what the commentators are saying, but I guess that's the only approach they can take...

[MrDNA]

Unlike football, there's only a finite number of "points" (electoral votes) available. Once you have locked up more than half of them, it's over. All that's left at that point is the final score.

But since it's all projections, couldn't the votes that are yet to be counted be so heavily McCain-ized that he would then win? See, I literally don't understand. Epic brain fail.

[DaddyTorgo]

Proving once & for all that P.T. Barnum was correct.

in which quote? should i even bother asking?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Appropriate, considering how screwed the nation is.

Relax, Chicken Little. If this country survived the "leadership" we had to suffer through for the last 8 years, we'll be fine, just fine...

Well done, America. Well done.

[Young Drachma]

Those are with the Tampa Rays World Series Champs shirts in Senegal.

They don't do that anymore. They just destroy the shirts now.

[lordscarlet]

Does anyone have voter turnout numbers yet?

[Groundhog]

All of the news websites already have long articles written and posted. I would love to read the "McCain won" articles, just to see what they said.

"Rioters take control of all major cities as civil unrest spreads faster than the National Guard can handle"?

[Lathum]

Well, that's how he glad elected...so naturally it's a multiracial coalition of happy people. I was just noting how MSNBC has shown tons of footage of black students at historically black colleges and at black churches and lots of crowds of specifically all black or whatever...so I could imagine the horror in a hilariously cynical way.

I'm not enjoying what the commentators are saying, but I guess that's the only approach they can take...

exactly. They are making it very much about a black achievment thing. And don't get me wrng, It is a huge accomplishment and I think Obama will serve us well.

But it really seems to me like and old vs. young thing.

[sabotai]

"Rioters take control of all major cities as civil unrest spreads faster than the National Guard can handle"?

Really? Fuck, I wanted McCain to win then!

[Pumpy Tudors]

I'll be watching the mailbox for my "black president" check to show up... unless I don't get one because I didn't vote. Then I'm just gonna be pissed.

[SirFozzie]

Florida and Virginia. just wow.

[Lathum]

in which quote? should i even bother asking?

my guess would be " a sucker is born every minute"

[Lathum]

they are going wild in the streets of Seattle right now

[cartman]

I'll be watching the mailbox for my "black president" check to show up... unless I don't get one because I didn't vote. Then I'm just gonna be pissed.

I think Danny Glover has your check.

[Cringer]

Oh, Carl Rove just said the Cosby family was a "black" America's First Family, so this isn't a first. Yeah, same thing.....

[Pumpy Tudors]

I think Danny Glover has your check.
I feel the need to make another video for YouTube.

[Lathum]

I think Danny Glover has your check.

nope.

Kevin Weeks does, and the fucker better earn it.

[Flasch186]

Welp, MBBF inner polls were absolutely off target by a wide wide margin.

[DaddyTorgo]

CNN had stats earlier showing that age was a bigger factor than race - just FYI.

[BishopMVP]

We surpassed that long ago, as has every industrialized country I can think of.I meant to say receiving more in government programs than they pay in taxes.The Senate likely won't change greatly in 2010 as the 04 elections left a pretty Dem favorable map in 2010. But things will eventually swing back, likely in 2012 and 2014 when the Dems have to defend their recent gains.Senate, no, but the House will shift 25-30 seats minimum, unless the fight for control of the Republican Party between Fiscal and Social Conservatives is still ongoing and they're tearing each other apart.

[lungs]

You'd have enjoyed the young Rep from Wisconsin, Ryan, on FXNC a little while ago I imagine.

I liked the fact that he at least seemed to have some spirit about him & talked about the need to start standing for things again. Even if the stands he chooses aren't the ones I'd prefer, at least he seemed like an (R) that still had a pair. And that was a damned nice change of pace to see/hear.

He might be one to watch. The fact that he is a (R) in a district that contains Janesville (GM plant that is closing) Racine and Kenosha (pretty much Milwaukee) is telling.

I wonder if he'll someday look to succeed Jim Doyle as Governor or maybe waiting for Herb Kohl to retire from the Senate. Feingold is unbeatable in Wisconsin so he'd be crazy to run against him.

He would even possibly be an (R) I could get behind, so that tells me he's probably not your kind of (R), Jon.

[Arles]

Yeah, this is a nice moment for the country. I think Obama is a good person and will try to be a good leader. I hope he succeeds.

[Lathum]

how amazing must it be for the older generation of black people to see this.

Despite what side you fall on, we are witnessing a form of history tonight that comes along once in a lifetime.

[Pumpy Tudors]

nope.

Kevin Weeks does, and the fucker better earn it.
Times are changing. Two black players in New Jersey and now a black president-elect. I can already see the Jamaican bobsled team winning the gold in 2010.

Yep, this check had better show up soon.

[Kodos]

I don't know that I have ever been more proud of our country. God Bless America!

[sterlingice]

You stay classy, McCain camp boo'ers

SI

[sabotai]

Florida's Gay Marriage ban amendment: 75% reporting, 62% "Yes" (needs 60% to pass)
Arizona Gay marriage ban amendment: 58% reporting, 56% "Yes" (don't know what it needs to pass).

California is just 2% reporting, but 56% "yes".

[Greyroofoo]

Wow, McCain seems quick with the concession speech

[digamma]

And for the first time I can recall in television history, they didn't announce the president elect's full name when he went over the top.

My guess is that your memory is pretty selective.

[Noop]

Is McCain going to cry?

I have all the respect in the world for John McCain.

I am however glad Sarah Palin will not be a heartbeat away from the presidency.

[Easy Mac]

they're booing Obama during mccain's concession. You stay classy republicans.

[sterlingice]

That said, McCain, extremely classy

SI

[lordscarlet]

OK. This has bothered me the ENTIRE election. Maybe I am remembering wrong, but I don't recall any election, and I haven't seen anything on the Obama side during this election, where there is so much booing from the crowd. McCain is doing his concession speech, and says "I just had the pleasure of speaking to Barack Obama a few moments ago" and people start boing. What the hell is wrong with these people?

On another note, for those that don't know, I live in downtown Washington, DC. There are tons of cars driving by with a cheerful honking. There's also a lot of local footage of people cheering in the streets (only 6 or so blocks from me, but I have already settled in for the night. :) )

[Cringer]

Damn good speech by McCain. It shows the part of him that I like.

[Galaxy]

What's is the popular vote right now?

[DaddyTorgo]

classy speech by McCain here I gotta say. kudos

[MrDNA]

I kinda wish McCain would've come out with a "F*%k that guy! You voters are morons!" speech :)

[SirFozzie]

*applauds McCain*

[Celeval]

I don't agree with McCain politically, but I certainly respect him.

[MrDNA]

They're chanting "Mumble John?"

[sabotai]

What's is the popular vote right now?

Obama: 41.6 million
McCain: 39.0 million

[DaddyTorgo]

What's is the popular vote right now?

41.8 - 39.2 (million)

51% - 48%

[Honolulu_Blue]

That said, McCain, extremely classy

SI

I like McCain. I feel bad for him.

[Young Drachma]

exactly. They are making it very much about a black achievment thing. And don't get me wrng, It is a huge accomplishment and I think Obama will serve us well.

But it really seems to me like and old vs. young thing.

Young versus old and frankly, a very well run campaign versus one that wasn't done quite as well and against a candidate who had a very, very hard task ahead of him. Sad to see McCain have to go out like this, honestly...but at the same time, this is an Obama victory borne out of sheer will and tactical organization.

I'd hate for this thing to turn into something more than just a "OMGZ! Black folks win," because if were only about that...this would've happened a lot sooner.

He seems calmer right now, McCain in this speech. I think he expected that this thing would go a little longer into the night.

[MrDNA]

McCain's mom is alive?! Wow.

[Swaggs]

Nice speech by McCain.

[Lathum]

Wow, McCain seems quick with the concession speech

It's because it is 3 hours past his bedtime

[BYU 14]

classy speech by McCain here I gotta say. kudos

Agreed, extremely classy, I definitely respect him, just couldn't give him my vote.

[Noop]

I see he gave Palin the rub.

[mauchow]

+3 million pop vote now.

[DaddyTorgo]

classy republicans booing

[fantom1979]

Great speech McCain. Nice work.... the people in the crowd on the other hand.... very disappointing.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, I'd say it's as official as it gets until January so I'll sum it up.

Without question, it's the darkest day in our nation's history, no pun particularly intended. The lowest point we ever descended to, and perhaps the first time I've truly been ashamed to be an American. We have no one to blame but ourselves for it ultimately, decades upon decades of mistakes & missteps all leading to this moment.

While I believe a good bit of the blame rightfully rests at the feet of those who came before us, I can't deny that this ultimately happened on our watch. We allowed the utterly clueless to put the equally clueless in charge and barring a miracle, or even a series of miracles, we'll never reach or even approach greatness again. Mediocrity, or much much worse, is officially the new standard and that isn't something that's easily overcome because the reality is that mediocre regenerates faster than greatness.

It's sad, but it is what it is. Defeated and without any reasonable degree of hope, all that's left is to fight to the end & deny the enemy as much of the spoils as possible. Maybe there's at least enough backbone left to do a decent job of that.

That's about all the emotion you're likely to get out of me tonight, subpar rant though it may be, I'm simply too sad to do rage very well. And I'm not planning to deny myself whatever pleasure I might find in playing with the numbers, screwing around with the hypotheticals, and fantasizing about the scenarios in which we might manage to survive this disaster but (to the disappointment of my liberal friends I'm sure) I definitely won't be holding my breath for them to take place. I'll just get what good I can get from it & leave the rest.

[Flasch186]

me too, Arles, me too.

[MrDNA]

This crowd really is pretty crappy.

[sabotai]

I see he gave Palin the rub.

I bet he did!!!! Ba-ZING!

[Karlifornia]

McCain did pretty well, considering the Chevy Yugo he had to try and sell.

[lordscarlet]

OK, Wade and I were just discussing this. The Virginia Republican party made a huge mistake when they chose to have a nominating convention to choose their Senatorial candidate rather than a primary. Tom Davis would have been a far superior candidate over Jim Gilmore.

[sterlingice]

I like McCain. I feel bad for him.

A friend and I were talking about this on AIM. We just feel bad for him. He had such awful handlers and a bad running mate. He deserved a better fate.

SI

[Cringer]

You can tell it's a small group of idiots who are booing. It is not everyone there. Still idiots though.

[Tigercat]

Obama making a comeback in North Carolina, down only by a few thousand. He still leads in Indiana, but only by less than 2k. The quest for 360-370ish?

Howard Dean is a genius.

[MrDNA]

Jon, is that you booing on my TV?

"the darkest day in our nation's history" Get a grip, man.

[BishopMVP]

The Crimson Tide song? Fucking fantastic.

[mauchow]

Will we hear of Palin anymore?

[Groundhog]

Yeah, I may be glad Obama got in, but that was a pretty nice speech. Certainly raised my respect levels for the man.

[Karlifornia]

Okay, I'd say it's as official as it gets until January so I'll sum it up.

Without question, it's the darkest day in our nation's history, no pun particularly intended. The lowest point we ever descended to, and perhaps the first time I've truly been ashamed to be an American. We have no one to blame but ourselves for it ultimately, decades upon decades of mistakes & missteps all leading to this moment.

While I believe a good bit of the blame rightfully rests at the feet of those who came before us, I can't deny that this ultimately happened on our watch. We allowed the utterly clueless to put the equally clueless in charge and barring a miracle, or even a series of miracles, we'll never reach or even approach greatness again. Mediocrity, or much much worse, is officially the new standard and that isn't something that's easily overcome because the reality is that mediocre regenerates faster than greatness.

It's sad, but it is what it is. Defeated and without any reasonable degree of hope, all that's left is to fight to the end & deny the enemy as much of the spoils as possible. Maybe there's at least enough backbone left to do a decent job of that.

That's about all the emotion you're likely to get out of me tonight, subpar rant though it may be, I'm simply too sad to do rage very well. And I'm not planning to deny myself whatever pleasure I might find in playing with the numbers, screwing around with the hypotheticals, and fantasizing about the scenarios in which we might manage to survive this disaster but (to the disappointment of my liberal friends I'm sure) I definitely won't be holding my breath for them to take place. I'll just get what good I can get from it & leave the rest.

:D

[TheOhioStateUniversity]

Without question, it's the darkest day in our nation's history, no pun particularly intended. ...wow

[sterlingice]

Oh, and Bartlett Pears! Bartlett Pears! Bartlett Pears! (Colbert Report joke for those who don't get it)

SI

[Groundhog]

JiMGA, you are exaggerating beyond belief. You may not be happy with who got the presidency, but I'm willing to bet that your life will not nearly be so adversely affected by it as you seem to think.

[Mustang]

Yeah, this is a nice moment for the country. I think Obama is a good person and will try to be a good leader. I hope he succeeds.

Hopefully the expectations aren't ridiculously out of line. Lots of things to work on so, hopefully people dont' expect everything to change overnight. (Or the flip side that he feels pressure to do everything overnight and does things too fast or haphazardly)

[Lathum]

put me in the camp of classy speech from McCain with a few morons sprinkled in

[wade moore]

Whatever your political stance is you have to recognize that this is a big moment in US history. I hope it will help us to move to the point where race (or sex for that matter) can take a back seat in future elections.

[Swaggs]

Well, the bar seems to be set pretty low for Obama among the JiMGs of the world, so it shouldn't be too hard for Obama to win him over by 2012. ;)

[Noop]

Whatever your political stance is you have to recognize that this is a big moment in US history. I hope it will help us to move to the point where race (or sex for that matter) can take a back seat in future elections.

+1

[lordscarlet]

Okay, I'd say it's as official as it gets until January so I'll sum it up.

Without question, it's the darkest day in our nation's history, no pun particularly intended. The lowest point we ever descended to, and perhaps the first time I've truly been ashamed to be an American. We have no one to blame but ourselves for it ultimately, decades upon decades of mistakes & missteps all leading to this moment.

While I believe a good bit of the blame rightfully rests at the feet of those who came before us, I can't deny that this ultimately happened on our watch. We allowed the utterly clueless to put the equally clueless in charge and barring a miracle, or even a series of miracles, we'll never reach or even approach greatness again. Mediocrity, or much much worse, is officially the new standard and that isn't something that's easily overcome because the reality is that mediocre regenerates faster than greatness.

It's sad, but it is what it is. Defeated and without any reasonable degree of hope, all that's left is to fight to the end & deny the enemy as much of the spoils as possible. Maybe there's at least enough backbone left to do a decent job of that.

That's about all the emotion you're likely to get out of me tonight, subpar rant though it may be, I'm simply too sad to do rage very well. And I'm not planning to deny myself whatever pleasure I might find in playing with the numbers, screwing around with the hypotheticals, and fantasizing about the scenarios in which we might manage to survive this disaster but (to the disappointment of my liberal friends I'm sure) I definitely won't be holding my breath for them to take place. I'll just get what good I can get from it & leave the rest.

Sounds similar to how Democrats felt in 2000 and 2004; and that's pretty much what happened.

[DaddyTorgo]

Without question, it's the darkest day in our nation's history


dude...get a grip. 9/11? Pearl Harbor? There's plenty of better candidates for the darkest day.

if you want to say it's the darkest day in the history of the republican party you could MAYBE make an argument for that i suppose, but darkest day in our nation's history is pure hyperbole and grandstanding for attention and a response

[Greyroofoo]

Okay, I'd say it's as official as it gets until January so I'll sum it up.

Without question, it's the darkest day in our nation's history, no pun particularly intended. The lowest point we ever descended to, and perhaps the first time I've truly been ashamed to be an American. We have no one to blame but ourselves for it ultimately, decades upon decades of mistakes & missteps all leading to this moment.

While I believe a good bit of the blame rightfully rests at the feet of those who came before us, I can't deny that this ultimately happened on our watch. We allowed the utterly clueless to put the equally clueless in charge and barring a miracle, or even a series of miracles, we'll never reach or even approach greatness again. Mediocrity, or much much worse, is officially the new standard and that isn't something that's easily overcome because the reality is that mediocre regenerates faster than greatness.

It's sad, but it is what it is. Defeated and without any reasonable degree of hope, all that's left is to fight to the end & deny the enemy as much of the spoils as possible. Maybe there's at least enough backbone left to do a decent job of that.

That's about all the emotion you're likely to get out of me tonight, subpar rant though it may be, I'm simply too sad to do rage very well. And I'm not planning to deny myself whatever pleasure I might find in playing with the numbers, screwing around with the hypotheticals, and fantasizing about the scenarios in which we might manage to survive this disaster but (to the disappointment of my liberal friends I'm sure) I definitely won't be holding my breath for them to take place. I'll just get what good I can get from it & leave the rest.

Amazing, I had the same thoughts in 2000/2004

edit: Damn you lordscarlet!

[JonInMiddleGA]

What the hell is wrong with these people?


Umm ... they don't particularly like the worthless SOB that McCain just referred to? Seems to me that would be pretty obvious, not sure why that is bewildering.

[mauchow]

no chance for filibuster proof now, right?

[Noop]

Jon you can always move to another country like France for instance. Or some other European country that doesn't have a 'dark' leader.

[cartman]

Darkest day is US History?

http://www.thegreatcornholio.com/images/tiniest-violin.jpg

[DeToxRox]

Jon don't you have a Militia that needs to kick it into gear?

[SirFozzie]

Now I just have to hope and pray 8 goes down

[Groundhog]

Umm ... they don't particularly like the worthless SOB that McCain just referred to? Seems to me that would be pretty obvious, not sure why that is bewildering.

Can someone who paid attention over the past 100-odd pages of this thread give me a quick rundown on what exactly JiMGA despises so much about Obama?

[mauchow]

Obama increases big lead in NC now. Wow.

[DaddyTorgo]

Umm ... they don't particularly like the worthless SOB that McCain just referred to? Seems to me that would be pretty obvious, not sure why that is bewildering.

that would be the SOB who beat McCain - which makes him what...less than worthless?

[sterlingice]

Jon, is that you booing on my TV?

"the darkest day in our nation's history" Get a grip, man.

You don't get it. Jon isn't one of those guys in the crowd booing. Read what he wrote- that's not what he's saying. I strongly disagree with his sentiments but it's not as if he's shallowly just dismissing this.

SI

[Swaggs]

no chance for filibuster proof now, right?

Depends on whether or not Franken beats Coleman in MN and Chambliss gets over 50% tonight (if not, there will be a highly contested run-off).

Alaska and Oregon also have somewhat contested races, but they will likely both break for the Dems.

[KWhit]

Okay, I'd say it's as official as it gets until January so I'll sum it up.

Without question, it's the darkest day in our nation's history, no pun particularly intended. The lowest point we ever descended to, and perhaps the first time I've truly been ashamed to be an American. We have no one to blame but ourselves for it ultimately, decades upon decades of mistakes & missteps all leading to this moment.

While I believe a good bit of the blame rightfully rests at the feet of those who came before us, I can't deny that this ultimately happened on our watch. We allowed the utterly clueless to put the equally clueless in charge and barring a miracle, or even a series of miracles, we'll never reach or even approach greatness again. Mediocrity, or much much worse, is officially the new standard and that isn't something that's easily overcome because the reality is that mediocre regenerates faster than greatness.

It's sad, but it is what it is. Defeated and without any reasonable degree of hope, all that's left is to fight to the end & deny the enemy as much of the spoils as possible. Maybe there's at least enough backbone left to do a decent job of that.

That's about all the emotion you're likely to get out of me tonight, subpar rant though it may be, I'm simply too sad to do rage very well. And I'm not planning to deny myself whatever pleasure I might find in playing with the numbers, screwing around with the hypotheticals, and fantasizing about the scenarios in which we might manage to survive this disaster but (to the disappointment of my liberal friends I'm sure) I definitely won't be holding my breath for them to take place. I'll just get what good I can get from it & leave the rest.

You've made some ridiculous posts over the years here, but I think this one may take the cake.

[DaddyTorgo]

Jon don't you have a Militia that needs to kick it into gear?

i think it's pretty easy for them to cut eye-holes in white sheets

[Honolulu_Blue]

Okay, I'd say it's as official as it gets until January so I'll sum it up.

Without question, it's the darkest day in our nation's history, no pun particularly intended. The lowest point we ever descended to, and perhaps the first time I've truly been ashamed to be an American. We have no one to blame but ourselves for it ultimately, decades upon decades of mistakes & missteps all leading to this moment.

While I believe a good bit of the blame rightfully rests at the feet of those who came before us, I can't deny that this ultimately happened on our watch. We allowed the utterly clueless to put the equally clueless in charge and barring a miracle, or even a series of miracles, we'll never reach or even approach greatness again. Mediocrity, or much much worse, is officially the new standard and that isn't something that's easily overcome because the reality is that mediocre regenerates faster than greatness.

It's sad, but it is what it is. Defeated and without any reasonable degree of hope, all that's left is to fight to the end & deny the enemy as much of the spoils as possible. Maybe there's at least enough backbone left to do a decent job of that.

That's about all the emotion you're likely to get out of me tonight, subpar rant though it may be, I'm simply too sad to do rage very well. And I'm not planning to deny myself whatever pleasure I might find in playing with the numbers, screwing around with the hypotheticals, and fantasizing about the scenarios in which we might manage to survive this disaster but (to the disappointment of my liberal friends I'm sure) I definitely won't be holding my breath for them to take place. I'll just get what good I can get from it & leave the rest.

CLiMGA.

[Lathum]

Can someone who paid attention over the past 100-odd pages of this thread give me a quick rundown on what exactly JiMGA despises so much about Obama?

my guess is that he is black

[Swaggs]

MSNBC calls Nevada for Obama.

Up to 338 EVs now.

[lordscarlet]

You can tell it's a small group of idiots who are booing. It is not everyone there. Still idiots though.

Umm ... they don't particularly like the worthless SOB that McCain just referred to? Seems to me that would be pretty obvious, not sure why that is bewildering.

For someone that I believe would feel that respect is an important virtue, continually booing someone you dislike like (I really am containing just throwing out vitriol at the "worthless SOB" comment, particularly with what the Republican party has given us for the last 8 years). I don't recall hearing this from Democrats in 2000 and 2004 and they thought Bush was worthless. There really are not enough 4 letter words to describe the type of person you have proven yourself to be throughout the latter days of this campaign.

[SirFozzie]

Guys, that's unworthy. For Jon's faults to me, I can't see him as a racist. Come on. Call him on what he does that's wrong, but let's not invent things.