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Subscribe to RSSThe outcomes Tuesday in balloting from Maine to Mississippi included enough wins for Democrats, abortion rights advocates, and labor unions to give a bit of a lift to President Obama and his allies as they look toward the 2012 elections, 12 months from tonight.
In Ohio, voters overwhelmingly rejected the law enacted last spring by Gov. John Kasich and the Republican-controlled legislature that limited the ability of public employee unions to collectively bargain.
The law also would have required performance-based pay for most public employees and required them to pay 15 percent of the cost of their health care benefits.
Democratic National Committee Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz cheered the outcome in Ohio calling the law “a blatantly partisan attempt to lay the blame for our economy on middle-class Americans, while letting the wealthiest and special interests off the hook and not asking them to pay their fair share. Voters in Ohio know that targeting public employees for political reasons will do nothing to create jobs or boost Ohio’s economy.”
Yet at the same time that Ohio voters were boosting labor unions, they also delivered at least a symbolic rebuff to Obama’s health care reform law by overwhelmingly approving a ballot measure saying that no federal, state, or local law or rule could compel any person or employer to participate in a health care system. The practical effect of that Ohio measure hinges on the outcome of legal challenges in federal courts to Obama’s health care law.
In Mississippi, abortion rights advocates scored a somewhat surprising victory as voters defeated Initiative 26, a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution that would have defined the word “person” to include every human being “from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof.”
More than 55 percent of voters were voted “no” on the ballot measure, The Associated Press reported, falling far short of the threshold needed for it to be enacted.
A statement from Planned Parenthood cheered the victory, saying “Mississippi voters rejected the so-called ‘personhood’ amendment because they understood it is government gone too far, and would have allowed government to have control over personal decisions that should be left up to a woman, her family, her doctor and her faith….”
Both the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor had backed the measure.
Proponents of Initiative 26 said its passage would be a historic triumph for anti-abortion forces, but Republican Gov. Haley Barbour indicated he had misgivings about its effect on in vitro fertilization and ectopic pregnancies, even as he said he had voted for it.
Veteran conservative lawyer and anti-abortion activist James Bopp had criticized the ballot measure, saying it might open the way to a new Supreme Court ruling strengthening abortion rights.
Meanwhile, Mississippi voters also gave overwhelming approval to a ballot initiative that will create a photo identification requirement for voters. According to the National Council of State Legislatures, Mississippi will now be the 31st state with a voter ID requirement and the eighth with a strict photo ID requirement.
In Arizona, Republican state Sen. Russell Pearce, architect of the tough immigration law cracking down on illegal immigrantst that thrust the issue into the national political debate, was ousted from office in a recall election. The moderate Republican who defeated him had made immigration a constant theme, saying Pearce's hard-line policies harmed Arizona's image.
In another victory for Democrats, Maine voters were headed toward a rejection of an attempt by the Republican-controlled state legislature to put an end to Election Day voter registration in the state.
Maine has had Election Day voter registration since 1973.
In two governors’ races, the parties each picked up a win:
In Kentucky, Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear, as expected, won a second term, defeating Republican state Senate President David Williams.
In Mississippi, also very much as expected, Republican Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant defeated underfunded Democrat Johnny DuPree, the mayor of Hattiesburg and the state’s first African-American gubernatorial nominee.
Barbour could not run due to Mississippi’s term limit.
With Bryant’s victory, Republicans have now won five of the last six gubernatorial elections in Mississippi. No Democrat has carried the Magnolia State in a presidential election since Jimmy Carter in 1976.
In Virginia Republicans appeared headed toward a major victory -- gaining control of the state Senate. As Election Day started, the Democrats controlled the 40-member Senate with 22 members.
Democrat Roscoe Reynolds lost his bid for a fourth term to freshman GOP Sen. Bill Stanley in the state Senate's marquee race, bringing the GOP to within one seat of a 20-20 split.
In the deciding race, Democratic Sen. Edd Houck trailed Republican Bryce Reeves by 86 votes out of nearly 45,000 cast with all precincts reporting in a race too close to call, according to The Associated Press. The narrow margin is likely subject to a recount.
An evenly divided Senate gives Republicans an upper hand, since Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling would have the power to break a 20-20 tie, but will likely yield equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans on Senate committees, the AP reported.
Political strategists were carefully watching the Virginia elections to see glimmers of insight into how Obama and Democratic Senate candidate Tim Kaine might fare in 2012.
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To the Repugs & Rock90210::::: If you think public employees don't earn every benefit they deserve, why do I go to the firehouse for extra duty on my kids birthday's, Christmas, Easter and every other day that's important to my family. Payment of these benefits come from two places, my paycheck and the employers (the town). But, when times are good, I continue to pay my percentage the same as always, and the Town, well, they figure times are good, so they don't put in their percentage. So lets go to modern times like now. The benefits due the employees are short and the towns across the country are strapped to finance my retirement, why you ask, because the Town "POLITICIANS" figure the good times will cover it and they don't need to contribute the designed amount and then you have the problems they have caused the system, not the Union employees that like always, have done their part in the designed contribution plan. Get educated buddy...It's not the workers, never has been...
boohooo....welcome to the real world! You don't get off when you choose and there is no such thing as a "pension" in the private sector anymore. Public sector employees should not have pensions...they should have self-funded 401ks, just like the majority of everyone else!
so wall street can get there cut...no thanks...
Not true in all cases. The John Deere Union drove wages and benefits so high the average farmer could not afford the equippment they manufactured. It also got to be a hand me down job from father to son via the union. So yes Unions played an important role in labor legislation and labor rights, but they also went overboard. Once they tasted success the leadership became just like the politicians they began to cohort with. Reason and moderation is the real answer. No one denies workers the irght to a decent wage, decent health care and retirement. But Unions are not the Holy Temples you make them out to be. The Teamsters are a shining example of past corruption.
Ohio = Stupid Voters
Drummer = Cry Baby...man up b!tch.
Gid = Blow Me !
Drummer = awesome blumpkin giver!
Ohio will end up declaring bankruptcy which will cancel all union contracts, pensions, etc. Rehires will be non-union and paid 1/4 of current salaries and benefits. Wait and see! Ohio has shown it is like a mini-Greece, and we know what is happening there!
eat @!$%# poor loser ,,,the people have spoken that's democracy....you don't like it i'll help you pack...
I'm just planning on sitting back and laughing as the pink slips start to fly!
yes us firefighter are rich rich rich...i only pay 15% income tax oh sorry that hedgefund guys oh my corporate jet loophole oh that's right that only the rich but there's my yacht deduction as a vacation home...oh that's only for the rich people.... remember this we had to work to kick your asses today in ohio,,,,not just throw koch money at it republican style..... the people 66% have spoken ...you lose...big big big you screw with us again so i can keep my rich lifestyle and 10 year old car with a broken windshield and 98,000 dollar mansion.......you bite off more than you can chew gop
if you are a firefighter from Ohio...you may be "unemployed" shortly. ...great opportunity to change careers to something you don't feel the need to whine about!
doubt it dickhead you can't demonize firefighter's in most the public's eyes must be something about risking our lives to save other's.....police fire teacher nurses construction iron steel...we're are ohio...
You ever notice people like Marc Huff talk in rehearsed sound bites.
It's like he can't think for themselves because the government is his Daddy. All he can do is spit out all the catch phrases his Daddy taught him. "The rich are evil" "so wallstreet can take their cut". Things like that. That make no sense. They're just grounded in stoking emotion in people. Like "Hope and Change". It really boils down to nothing you can take to the bank.
we know allow better what we need than you....
dude it's my ass in the fire not your's so just congratulate us on our victory ...you obviously don't know @!$%# about why people become police or firefighter....or me or my city or my department...eat @!$%# and die..
you tag is spelled wrong it's spelled dumber sorry can't talk celebrating with my cop friends....you should come...i'm sure they would like to hear your opinion....ha ha ha
in every silver lining you guys can find the dark cloud....nite chumps....
........you're the city dog catcher right!?
Great, Ohio goes broke in four years and they coming to the US Taxpayer to cover the promises they couldn't keep. Just shows there are more welfare mongers in Ohio than job creators.
Not "welfare mongers", socialists, Komrade!
An avowed pro-union person doesn't know the lengthy racist history of unions (or is a perpetuater himself), or know the unions' manifesto to forcibly spread socialism, nor its intent to send US union workers' earnings to equalize wages in third world countries as "economic justice". Only an imbecile would support unions or be a member in one. Or, they are a red crook.
If you haven't done the research (not on the net either), don't bother to reply. The unions wrote their own history.
Ohio voted for the layoffs of a lot of public workers and the "pro-union" crowd here is applauding this? classic.....
ha ha ha ha ha ha,,,you lose get use to it.. you pissed off the working middle class...with you're rank stupidity....90% of fire and police were republicans they won't forget your party's agenda....
Hey, I'm from NJ and proud that we shut the Unions down here! The smart police and firemen know that they can't continue to remain employed under an unsustainable system. The unions are mostly in it for themselves, and removing them from the equation or limiting their power actually offers more benefits to the police and firemen involved. Key example.....most police in NJ are still Republican!
blah blah blah i'm from new jersey kasick took are pay and concession and gave it to corp 100million bonuses for his staff and donators obviously it was more about getting rid of unions and there money than than budget...duh stay in new jersey.....you know @!$%# about ohio and prove it with every line
United we stand, divided we fall! If the left and the right do not learn how to meet in the middle, yes, we seem to have forgotten how, then divided we will fall!
the left won't meet in the middle hell you watch the news obama gave boehner 4 trillion in cuts the meparty said no....over and over the dem bend to keep the goverment running and avoid the debt ceiling no that's the right no compromise plan no no no...don't blame the left for @!$%#s on the right...
lmao you are the "deciders" LMAO have a big trip folks.
Dear GOP, Can you hear me now! The people have spoken. We want our country back!
issue 3? Obama was soundly defeated!
When did you escape? Better read more than the deceptive headline (not that I like the Greedy Old Party more than the lying DemoRATS).
"the AP report said" The AP is filtered by the White House before it becomes public (not unlike the press in Moscow). Relying on it more than the weight of a grain of sand is to your own detriment.
Note that there was no mention of the other 105 registered political parties.
Actually the AP is know to lean slightly to the right. But nice try though.
Sad day in teapublican land..
Squirmy hermy is going down faster than a republican Sen. in an airport mens room, a federal court upholds the healthcare law, and now this...
Sweet Victory! And how about that Cain Press conference today. Let's see 5 now have come forward and all he gives us is a song and dance about taking a lie detector but he was for it before he was against it!
The people have made their wished known, so those of you that don't like it.... just shut up because there is NOTHING you can do about it! Tough S*#T! Hey there...YOU, Republican , I'm laughing at you!...Fool! Try that on for size and think twice before you bible thumpers try and force your beliefs on us!
It is possible that most of the teabagging whiners have gone to bed. They need to get up early to be at Walmart in time for their job handing out shopping carts.
Performance based pay for public union employees? Wait how is this a bad idea? OH RIGHT! Public union workers in Ohio dont want to be held accountable for their poor performance and prefer self entitlement from the tax payers coffers! WAY TO GO OHIO! Your communism is showing.
yes if a cop shots someone he gets points.....wow really merit pay for police and firefighters ...or teacher that have to undone what you've done to your kids....wow...yeah have that one on my desk by c.o.b. tomorrow...what's the zip code there in the state of denial..what a wonderful workable plan...we'll have judges like ice skating....ha ha ha.
So ....Maybe their communists but that is better than being a stupid, bible thumping, Republican liar!
...........this is unfair??
Ohio overwhelmingly rejected Obamacare with none of the constant advertising like on issue 2. The Unions spent over $25 million of their members dues on the issue 2 vote....$25 million!!! there are only 300,000 state union workers in all of Ohio...
The Court of Appeals upheld the legality of the Obama Health Care Law today. That is a pretty good win for the President!
One of many courts that rule against it. The Supreme Court will decide this one.
Actually no other courts have ruled against it. But this does clear the way for a Supreme Court challenge but many believe that they will take a pass and let today's ruling stand.
i spend 23 buck on breakfast this morning for the guys 25,000,023.00 ah money well spent priceless....
look at the scoreboard nothing means more for obama than kasick pissing off the working class people of ohio....
Incorrect. Three appeals courts have ruled for the mandate (Cincinnati, Richmond and DC), and one has ruled against it (Atlanta). Given the conflict b/w the courts, I'd be shocked if the Supreme Court passes on this case entirely. The main issue would be when the Supreme Court decides to hear it.
crap I WANT cain to get the nomination . you HOOOOO blame obama spin it how ya want , it was and is a defeat for ya tea party patriots .
Thanks to all the people who fought so hard to keep their rights! Ohio,Mississippi,& Maine your awesome!!!!
This just goes to show how important your vote is.
Wow.. Ohio. Huge presidential swing state.
And it appears the teapublicans just completed a "swing, and a miss"
Oh well. There's alway 2016. Maybe Dan Quayle will be availble...
whats 2 million ohioians sound like voting no....victory.....
The teapublicans, the conserative christain fake artist and the gop in the words of John Boenher we got what we wanted( a good old fashion beat down tonight by some real american people). All of the republicans should go over to Mitch Mcconnell's house and have a piss off to see who will win the fool of the month award and have Bachmann and Palin supply the alcohol to make them feel better if possible, or have Ted Haggard and Pat Robertson come over and pray for them for being so dam dumb.
but you conservatives still have mitt romney...lol lol lol scott walker recall starts tomorrow....bye scott....
LIKE!
THANK YOU Ohio and especially to you, Mississippi, for restoring hope in this jaded progressive that my country might ultimately, FINALLY, be waking up and smelling what the GOP is shoveling!
@IMHO-2730490 your drivel is what causes problems like this. If they agreed to the cuts why the fuss. Dishonest commentary. The middleclass jobs were driven away by the refusal of the unions bosses to understand the threats to businesses and work with businesses to prevent job loss. You do know there is international competition from countries with very low wages?
IMHO you do know that 8 of the 10 richest members of congress are democrats. Shouldn't you be angry with them for not teaching you how to be rich like them?