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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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Thank God! There is some hope for this Country yet. People are finally beginning to wake up and see how insane and dangerous the teabaggers are.
From Here to There: This just shows you no nothing about the tea party maybe you should read some things on the tea party then just maybe you would begin to understand what they are about
If you are not from Ohio like me, I love you because you have no idea what Ohio people are all about. I don't think you'd get it even if I tried to explain.
Keep dreaming pal. And keep thanking God. From him all blessings flow.
Danny I know plenty and I enough well enough to know how out of touch and dangerous the teabaggers are. They will destroy this Country if given half a chance. Fortunately, people are beginning to see through their insanity.
Oh Yaa, those dangerous Tea Party people want you to keep more of your own money and want you to have less government and more liberty.
Man, that's some scary stuff there.
IMHO This is how you treat someone that pays for you DemocRATS to sit on your ASSES and get that free extended unemployment and or Welfare check One day you will understand Republicans are for less Government less taxes and more freedom I am a Republican and I think a women should be able to make up her own mind on having a abortion
So you hate the poor and unemployeed, you look down your nose at them. You are a very sad individual indeed!
Golly gee whiz, Gomer, the Democratic Party has won places that they almost always win. Shazam, it must be a revolution!
It looks like a small victory for those whose refuse to allow real democracy to bring any change at all within the United States. Just the same old, out-of-date, Democratic Party treadmill of government gluttony, laziness, and self-serving arrogance.
Amen And they wonder why they live the life they live maybe one day they will take a chance and change something
Only "arrogance" I see here is from you Jeff.
WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!!
Good to see Progressives fighting back. It was a good night, looking forward to 2012.
As a Mississippian I'm especially happy to see the Personhood Amendment defeated. If they can't pass it here, they can't pass it anywhere.
Keep fighting the good fight !
And don't forget to bring your picture ID the next time you vote. Progress on the Move in MS.
Retardicant pu$$ies keep cryin.
This shows that the US people are just like the Greeks and will face the same outcome.
Democracies ultimately fail when the citizenry start demanding that the government print more and more money out of thin air. That is occurring now.
Care to cite any historical examples of this happening?
I believe he just pointed out that it's happening in Greece as we speak.
You're not too bright are you ?
Greece can't print it's own currency. The US is nothing at all like Greece.
Fail.
Ohio voted for more Union pink slips and the "pro-union" crowd is applauding....classic!! ...morons
Everyone knew that if 2 passed union workers would get let go. They didn't just find that out this morning.
Like I said earlier, that's a bunch of B.S., it was NOT about saving money, it was about saving the CBA.
That is because most DemocRATS do not understand what they are voting for But I am glad when the unions ask for more money and the State don't have it then we will see how happy they are with a trip to the welfare line
Democrats are beginning the long fight back and they still have a ways to go. But with less than a year to goit's time for Demcrats to begin to seize the day.
Fisrt oan formosst they need to call the Republicans to account onhealth care. They need to sayloud and clear where's you''s. Democrat know full well Republicans are divided andtotally inarticlagte on health care. The only arguen ment is "It cots too much'. If you have cancer and it cost $25,000 to cure woud you let your self die? How much is too much? Let's have that debate.Do they really think human life canbe measured by dollar signs Ask any prolife Republican that..
Democrat never have put the whole helath care in terms Republicancan under stand, And if they do they win big time-because the arguement is on their side.
Mdecal exchanges? Already int he bill!
NO abortion fund? already inthe bill!
Entitlment reform? Already i nthe bill!
It's timeto take the wood the the rublicans and beat them over the head!
Too muchj obstruction-it's timefor heads to roll!
wake up honey... you are dreaming
so the swing has started. rightwingnutreligionazis have discovered that PEOPLE don't TRUST them any more.
A good lesson for the bible bangers and right to lifers in Mississippi - Don't F#*K with the "Steel Magnolia's"...........
can you say TAKING IT BACK ?
How is handing out pink slips to a third of Ohio's public workers taking it back?
These small cities do not have the money to pay them. What part of a MILLION taxpayers have left Ohio don't you understand?
What part of 9.7 unemployment in Ohio don't you understand?
People are leaving Ohio as we speak and have been in mass. Take that back?
i do appreciate your response 3rd party . do you think those where repubs that just won ? its called the people matey not the rule of the few .
I guess you missed the news on OHIO's issue 3. those same *people* rejected Obamacare mandate nearly 70%.
The last time unions led the masses to the polls for union issues they did win but those same blue collar workers voted for Ronald Reagan.
Yes people pal I get it. Yes I do.
no actually i did not miss a thing sir .
So the morons in Ohio prefer to have schools in which teachers are not held accountable? And to ask someone to pay 15% of their health care: why, it's criminal (unless you're an employee of a private company - which then is seen as almost miraculous).
No wonder Ohio is sinking like the Titanic.
we got it george the people spoke and know they are not to smart . lol lmao . you have a big trip telling US we are stupid
In a merit-based system, who defines merit George?
Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a uniter and one of the brightest stars in any political camp and more overly, she is a friend of the people, regardless of party. Â Perhaps she will consider a run at the presidency in 2016 after Mr. Obama's second term.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a uniter and one of the brightest stars in any political camp and more overly, she is a friend of the people, regardless of party. Perhaps she will consider a run at the presidency in 2016 after Mr. Obama's second term.
Wasserman is an IDIOT!!!!
Hahahahahaha............you're kidding right?
hopefully this servers a huge notice to the GOP that the public is not going to stand their bs any more if I were then I would start to worry about 2012 big time.
Oh Please ! Did you think that when the GOP kicked your ass in Wisconsin?
I didn't think so !
As usual unbelievable ignorant polarization - On the right they blame liberalism, on the left they blame the conservative GOP for the nation's economic woes when history tells us that Democrats never did anything to curb in those excesses. As a matter of Fact Roosevelt's New Deal benefitted only big Agriculture and Big Business and did nothing to reduce unemployment. WWII did that. Politicians of all stripes have been beholden to the money lenders for their campaign funds, and they are spending more money on the campaign than they will receive in salaries? Unbelievable Show my one democrat or one republican who is not being funded by some special interest group that cares about its cause more than it cares about the collective good! That is why they are called special interest groups. Today most legislators dod not represent their constitutencies, but the special interest groups that fund them. Sorry, but I see nothing for either side to cheer about in last night's special elections. Unemployment is still high, the federal budget is where? People still getting laid off. When will we get of the special interest train and get back to the moderate center. The collpase of the moderate center and the polarization of the American Electorate will end in disaster for us. I lay the blame at the feet of educators who teach without thinking and don't need to use their minds thanks to life time job guarantees. I also blame the give me society which demands all things be given but do not want to sacrifice in return, a society that like to live a life of ease, on line, looking for fun without self-discipline. Faced it the ecesses we have inaugurated are coming home to roost. Last night was an example of the lack of a moderate consensus on everything from economic to social issues. It was literally us or them. One bitter lesson our own history has taught us, is that when compromise fails, trouble follows.
The cheering is not about the elections...it's about defeating the two most fascist and undemocratic bills put forth by any groups in a long while....1) the banning of of collective bargaining rights and 2) the attempt to replace women's reproductive rights with a state endorsed belief system. Also being cheered is the partial victory over a coordinated GOP attempt to repress the most basic of American rights, the right to vote.
All Progressives are DUMB!
Leave it to the Liberal media to feed the sheep "feel good" headlines.... and they will wonder once again how they could have been so gullible when 2012 is another landslide against Democrats.
Ohio union leeching on taxpayers : Democrats
Election Day voter registration : Democrats
Initiative 26 - "Both the Republican and Democratic candidates for governor had backed the measure." : No winner
Mississippi Voter ID - Republicans
Kentucky governor - Democrat (though he actually stands up to Obama's agenda)
Mississippi governor - Republican (freshman vs 4th term Dem)
Virginia - "Republicans appeared headed toward a major victory"
This is the Democrats "Big Win" - bankrupting Ohio, election Day voter registration, and re-electing a "Democrat" governor who doesn't tow the party line?
got some proof of your rant ?
Try reading the article knucklehead.
please do quote the article go ahead .
Just like a lib, they want someone else to do the work for them.
in other words drummer you have nothing ?
LOL @ pjam09.
You're obviously not from Mississippi.
Your arguments make no sense.
Wow, it's like being in school again. Now I see why this country is in so much trouble. So sad. Mass majority on here shouldn't even be allowed to vote.
This only confirms the already known fact that most people from Ohio are not that intelligent. Either 55% of the voters belong to unions and work for the state or the voters don't mind paying for bloated government salaries and union benefits that the private sector will never get. The Ohio taxpayers are the victims. If Ohio declares bankruptcy, ALL union and benefit and pension plans will become null and void and will be wiped out. This is a real possibility. What justice that will be...The Voters of Ohio have not thought this through to its conclusion. Ohio will go bankrupt. This only confirms the already known fact that most people from Ohio are not that intelligent.
the only truth in your rant is ;ky voted dem , Mississippi voted no . so please do prove your other rant
OHHHH look apple toad says we all knew that now . LOL LOLOL
I agree pjam. If you read past the headline, this is no big victory for the demorats. The voter ID should weed a lot of illegals out of voting for Obama. Virginia is in good shape.
Ohio just voted itself higher unemployment ! You show 'em Ohio !
Bunch of fools !
The fun thing is that Ohio will end up declaring bankruptcy and WIPE OUT all Union contracts, benefits, pension obligations, etc. The slate will be wiped clean. What fun it will be! Pigs get fat, but HOGS get slaughtered!!!
so thats your vote then ? they voted dem so they must pay ?/????
OBAMA + DEMS 2012 Yes We can!!! GOP 6 feet under is a good Number!
If you like the 40 hour work week, 8 hour days and not having to send your small children to work in factories, then Thank a Union Member!
If you like driving to work, Thank Henry Ford.
I believe Karl Benz is credited with the invention of the automobile.
OK
Would that be the same Henry Ford who started his company by halving the working hours and doubling the pay of his assembly line workers because he realized it was important that his workers be able to afford the very commodity they were producing for him and needed the time to enjoy that commodity on their time off?
Kind of sounds like what a union would ask for doesn't it? Hmm....
And Henry Ford is credited with the invention of the assembly line which made Karl's invention affordable capable of being mass produced and mass purchased.