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Kevin Lamarque / Reuters
Campaigning with Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, voting and election results.
Obama’s demographic edge… And the GOP’s demographic dilemma… Breaking down last night’s results… Do status-quo election results = status-quo governing?... Obama’s swing-county swagger…His tactical dominance… And lots of history was made last night.
*** Obama's demographic edge: Yes, the auto bailout mattered in Ohio. Sure, Hurricane Sandy helped the president. And, yes, the economy was the No. 1 issue. But make no mistake: What happened last night was a demographic time bomb that had been ticking and that blew up in GOP faces. As the Obama campaign had assumed more than a year ago, the white portion of the electorate dropped to 72%, and the president won just 39% of that vote. But he carried a whopping 93% of black voters (representing 13% of the electorate), 71% of Latinos (representing 10%), and also 73% of Asians (3%). What’s more, despite all the predictions that youth turnout would be down, voters 18-29 made up 19% of last night’s voting population -- up from 18% four years ago -- and President Obama took 60% from that group. The trend also played out in the key battleground states: The president won about 70% of the Latino vote in Colorado and Nevada, and he won 60% of it in Florida (a high number given the state’s large GOP-leaning Cuban-American population). On Monday, we wrote that demography could determine destiny. And that’s exactly what happened. While the campaign’s turnout operation deserves all the credit for getting these voters to the polls, the most significant event of this presidential contest might very well have been the 2010 census.
*** And the GOP’s demographic dilemma: Obama’s demographic edge creates this dilemma for the Republican Party: It can no longer rely on white voters to win national elections anymore, especially in presidential cycles. Indeed, according to the exit poll, 89% of all votes Mitt Romney won last night came from whites (compared with 56% for Obama). So the Republicans are maximizing their share with white voters; they just aren’t getting the rest. And come 2016, the white portion of the electorate will probably drop another couple of points to 70%. Politico’s Martin puts it this way: “Battling a wheezing economy and a deeply motivated opposition, Obama still managed to retain much of his 2008 map because of the GOP’s deficiencies with the voters who are changing the political face of once conservative-leaning Virginia, Florida, Colorado and Nevada. Republicans face a crisis: the country is growing less white and their coalition has become more white in recent years. In 2004, George W. Bush won [about 40 percent] of Hispanics. Four years later, John McCain, the author of an immigration reform bill, took 31 percent of Hispanics. And this year, Romney captured only 27 percent of Hispanics.”
NBC's Chuck Todd discusses how Florida may be used as a model for the rest of the country to show how changes in demographics, particularly an influx of Hispanic voters in key counties, affected the outcome of the election.
*** Hard for the GOP just to turn to the Midwest: Now Republicans might argue, “Look, we can win back the Midwest -- Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin.” Yet those account for 34 electoral votes. But the Sun Belt states where Obama campaigned and which have more diverse populations (Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia) have a total of 57 electoral votes. And then there are Arizona, Georgia, and Texas. Do those states come into play in 2016? What about 2020? Come 2016, you could argue that Arizona and Georgia become for Democrats what Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania are for Republicans -- just slightly out of reach.
*** Last night’s results: The morning after, here are the results (so far) from last night: Obama holds 303 electoral votes and Romney 206. (NBC News has yet to call Florida and its 29 electoral votes, but Obama leads there 50%-49%.) In the popular vote, it’s Obama 50%, Romney 48%. Also, Democrats have held on to their Senate majority and might add to it -- with undecided races in Montana (where Democratic incumbent Jon Tester leads 48%-48% with 77% in) and North Dakota (where Democrat Heidi Heitkamp is ahead by about 3,000 voters with 93% in). But Republicans held on to control of the House, holding 237 seats vs. 197 for the Democrats, plus-minus four seats.
President Obama and former governor Mitt Romney both spent billions of dollars and logged thousands of miles on the campaign trail, and it all culminated in one very dramatic election night. Take a look back at the long road that led to the Presidential election.
*** Does status-quo control = status-quo governing? So in the end, we got a status-quo result -- with Obama holding on to the White House, Democrats keeping control of the Senate, and Republicans maintaining their grip on the House. But here’s the question with the “fiscal cliff” negotiations coming up: Will the governing be status quo, too? Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell released this statement last night: “To the extent [Obama] wants to move to the political center, which is where the work gets done in a divided government, we’ll be there to meet him half way. That begins by proposing a way for both parties to work together in avoiding the ‘fiscal cliff’ without harming a weak and fragile economy, and when that is behind us work with us to reform the tax code and our broken entitlement system.” And House Speaker John Boehner makes a statement on the “fiscal cliff” negotiations at 3:30 pm ET. But who holds the mandate here? The GOP? Or a president who waged a national campaign on raising taxes for the wealthy, and who won? And here’s another question: Do Boehner and McConnell take advantage of the lame duck to compromise?
*** Obama’s swing-county swagger: Turning back to last night’s presidential contest, Obama beat Romney in almost all of the swing counties (won by Bush in ’04 but by Obama in ’08). Indeed, Obama won three of four swing counties in Florida (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Osceola), four of six in Ohio (Hamilton, Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky), 11 of 14 in Virginia (including Loudon, Prince William, and Henrico), and all six in Colorado (including Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Larimer). And despite losing North Carolina, Obama may have proved that the state is changing, becoming more “Mid-Atlantic” but not quite all there, as Charlie Cook has said. Obama won nine of 13 swing counties in the Tar Heel State (including the large counties of Wake, Forsyth, Cumberland, and Buncombe).
*** And his tactical dominance: But it was more than winning the swing counties for Obama; it was tactical dominance. Romney made inroads all across the country from previous GOP performance. What happened, however, was that the Obama campaign exploited the census and changed the margins. The best example of this was in Florida.
*** Making history: Finally, it was an historic-making election. With Obama’s re-election, we now have the first time since Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe that Americans have elected three two-term presidents in a row… Tammy Baldwin will become the Senate’s first openly gay member… The Senate will have at least 19 female members -- the most ever -- and there’s a chance that number could increase to 20 if Heitkamp wins… Maryland and Maine became the first states to approve of gay marriage at the ballot box… And initiatives to legalize marijuana passed in Colorado and Washington state.
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VICTORY !!
For the middle class
For America
For our Veterans
For our children
For our future
VICTORY !! even for our opponents and those that hate
4 MORE FOR 44!!
Congratulations to President Obama on a clear win!
We look forward to 4 MORE years.
Many more great things to accomplish together...
Thanks to everyone who stuck close, and never doubted this very special leader.
My Highlights:
Last night President Barack Obama, a Democrat, twice garnered 50% of the vote in his bid for POTUS. This feat has not happened since the election of FDR.
This is the first election since the Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United and all the millions of dollars spent did not equal the will of the middle class.
Attempts of voter suppression failed as Americans stood in long lines for hours to have their voices heard. Last night we learned that the right to vote is what makes American great and no party should stoop so low as to deny citizens their voting rights.
For the first time in American history minority groups consisting of Hispanic Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans and women elected this President. The significant gender gap revealed that women do care about their economic and reproductive rights and will vote to protect them.
Watching the people in the background at the Romney concession speech one could see mostly old white men. Their days are numbered.
Romney's concession speech was excellent. He took the stage alone and took full responsibility for the loss. If he had demonstrated that sincerity during the campaign, he might have won. In contrast, the participants at the Obama acceptance speech had many shades of brown, young, old, men, women, multiple ethnic backgrounds: a representation of what America has become.
The Republicans could have gained senate seats, but the Tea Party candidates of Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock sealed the fate that the Democrats are still the majority party in the Senate.
Right now I see no leader in the Republican Party. Romney will fade out of politics and Mitch McConnell and John Boehner are not leaders. The GOP will have to decide whether they are a party of right-wing extremists or if they want to win Presidential elections. Can they change their position on women's rights, immigration, and become an inclusive party? I don't know because I don't see the conservatives relinquishing their power.
We are at the end of a chapter, but the book of American politics still has many, many more chapters.
CLEBRATE!!! WE DID IT. YES WE DID We BEAT THE KOCH FUELED MACHINE.
Oh happy day!!!! I what to thank all my liberal friends for never giving up. Fiesty, I glad the scary crow and deadbeat dad can can find a brain. I want to thank all the peeople who stood in long lines in Florida and Ohio, despite the early-vote/absentee margin proving once again deomcracy can't be brought. . I want to thank First Read for providing a forum for us to discuss and raise our voice.
To those of you in whiner-land welcome to the 21st century. Don't let your bitter wingnut tears in your Star Bucks. You'll soon feel better once realize President Barack Hussein Obama is the best choice for this country. The people have spoken.
To MYTH Romney watch out for those hidden cameras . They are you enemy.
President Barack Hussein Obama we love you and trust your leadership.
4 more years
Congratulations Mr. President for a decisive win!
It's a new day in America...
The question now becomes, are the Republicans ready to roll up their sleeves and get down to business in moving this country forward?
Or did they learn nothing from the mandate they were handed last night?
Time will tell...
PS: How about the "GIRL POWER" winning House & Senate seats?
Don't mess with the ladies...
There must be a hundred lessons in yesterday's elections, but for the time being, try this one. Being wealthy doesn't mean you're smart. The Obama team outmaneuvered, was better organized, and was tactically superior in every way to Romney's. The team of the wealthy, wise, and savvy businessman - Mitt Romney - was hopelessly inept. Gee, maybe those community organizer guys are just plain smarter than those business guys.
For those of us who supported President Obama, let's be honest. It was touch-and-go for a while. We watched in disbelief as Romney carpet-bombed us with bald-faced lies. We couldn't believe he wouldn't release his tax returns or answer questions from the press. We were truly shocked to see that he stayed so close in polls.
This morning our feelings have to be mixed. We have to be feeling relieved. Romney and Ryan really are a scary pair. Yet, we are also pleased and happy that the right guy - President Obama - will spend another four years in the White House. For me, I am also going to indulge in some revenge. For the right-wingers who complain about cut and paste jobs.......Well, I have a cut and paste job just for you and it's your own words.
Herewith a timeline of ignorance and blather beginning about three weeks ago:
Svenolafson
"Obama's reelection teams pulling out of VA, NC, and Now FL. I hear a distant rumbling. I feel the earth shaking. What is that?! OMG!!!!! It's a Landslide!!!!!! :)"
JH-479998
"I see the usual MSNBC cheerleaders here every day. They spew their lies about Romney but can't come up with anything positive about their failed candidate. I can't wait to see how you guys feel on 11/7. I've already got my tickets to head to Phoenix and watch some NASCAR and CELEBRATE the new direction in America.
President Romney, sounds great doesn't it?"
This is from Me-First Bill:
"That's why Romney not only wins this election, he wins decisively."
Jody-1593626
"Obama wanted to mix things up, to raise the temperature. Romney wanted to cool things down, to be reassuring.
Who was more Presidential? Romney, of course! Great job, Mitt!
I will be proud to call you "Mr. President!""
Proud to be AMERICAN-2087718
"Just to set the record straight for all you dreamers who think Obama is great. Romney will be our next President. now stop crying and wipe your tears away and go find a job and stop asking for those who work hard to pay for you free loaders."
White Collar Auto
"From those posting Trolls who willing attempt to change topics or bring false claims through satire, lies or outright vile language.
No worries Mark, about a week or so from today, a large number of people won't be here.
Sadly, if Romney wins, I think most of the left that remain will become a bit more disgusting.
If Obama wins, I think most of the right will simply not bother posting any more."
truetexan
"The traitor Bozo and his court jester loses by a LANDSLIDE next week people. I TRULY hope you unamerican liberals are packing your bags and move OUT of this country!!"
7.62x39mm
"Benghgazi will be obama's destruction.....ROMNEY/RYAN 2012-2020"
Independent Thought
White Collar:
"If Obama wins, I think most of the right will simply not bother posting any more."
"I will have to leave my kids with an illegal nanny so I can get a job to cover the family healthcare and the massive increase in our taxes.
Romney/Ryan 2012"
JH-479998
"Do any of you lefty wing nuts remember the 2010 elections? How about the Wisconsin recall? All these polls are useless. This failed administration is going to be shellacked one more time in 2012. It should obvious to anyone with just a few brain cells, yes you Fiesty dumb fux, that this country is tired of the BS from Obama and friends."
truetexan
"I cant wait the day after bozo get his a$$ handed to him. I am going to LOVE the crying & moaning from the left. It will be music to my ears. The senate will go as well! How SWEET the sound!"
Ticked off in Ohio
"Headline November 7th, 2012
ROMNEY WINS!!!...RECORD REPUBLICAN VOTER TURNOUT!!!
Hamilton County Ohio is already in the bag for ROMNEY...
AS HAMILTON COUNTY GOES...SO GOES OHIO!!!
BYE BYE OBAMA!!!"
hungrymongoose
"Congratulations President Romney!"
Drill Baby Drill-3459380
"It's time to close this chapter on the most uneffective President in History...
President Romney will fix this mess. I'm so giddy!"
KingK
"If Obama wins I'm offering to replace one month of Feisty's food stamps with real cash to be spent at the grocery store of her own choosing on real food, no alcohol. maybe we can sober her up for a few days."
The nation says you're wrong. Now, go away. You have nothing to offer. You never did. We have work to do and you're in the way.
They mad!!!!!
Oh no, you know they mad!!!!
4 more for 44!!! I'm trying not to rub it in the face of our hapless repub friends that come over here... but I can't help it for now!! Well folks, wait about a week and I'll be more cordial... but for now... screw u... WE WON!!!
And we can get back to fixing this nation, while you keep trying to drag us back to the 50's.
PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!
Go get em' Joe!! and Hillary!!
Enjoy Barry’s victory today lefty liberals.
Tomorrow, doing the hard work of actually being President begins again.
For the sake of the country, I hope Barry is up to the job.
America will know the answer to that question very quickly as the fiscal cliff is less than two months away.
BTW, Dr. Ron: What the Hell happened in the Indiana Presidential race??
I don't know how FLA is going to turn out, however, I'd like to thank you Florida for not giving up on your right to vote. You inspired an entire nation.
Ohio. I don't think any state worked harder for President Obama's re-election.
I loved President Obama's victory speech. Right from the get go.
As Rachel Maddow said, it was in step with what Sen. Obama said at the 2004 Convention. But to me, what I heard immediately was this same man talking to the same people, only we're all 8 years older. He sounded like a president about to begin his second term to finish what he and all of us began in 2004. It was a mature, strong look to the future right now speech. It was beautiful.
We are all older and wiser. Last night's victories in the Senate proved that.
To Karl Rove: David Axelrod and David Plouffe and Jim Messina and Robt. Gibbs and OFA changed the course of this country forever. They reached us to us, street by street, regardless of color or religion. Something you nor your party ever did.
The Senate couldn't be bought. The presidency couldn't be bought. We the people couldn't be bought.
I just have one question. When did it become okay to say the election was going to be close, when the polls said otherwise in the swing states for the last month of the campaign? Why was it okay to just believe the lies of the Romney campaign?
The Obama campaign and democrats/progressives all across this country again were correct. They kept saying over and over and over that this wasn't a national election any longer, it was a battleground state election.
When is the power of the GOP going to stop influencing inside the beltway journalists and pundits with their lies?
Oh, and Joe the Plumber? He lost.
I never thought I would be looking forward to Christmas ads. So long political ads. So long Adelson.
Time to end another war and looking forward to us all working together as one nation for a brighter future with a hopefully more mature progressive Senate and House. It's what the Nation wants.
Thank you Massachusetts for Elizabeth Warren. Thank you America for supporting her.
Martin Bashir, Chris Matthews, Rev. Al, Ed Schultz, Rachel Maddow, Lawrence O'Donnell. You are the very definition of Lean Forward in this the 21st Century.
President Obama. Welcome back.
Hey Walker, if you're going to attribute Quotes from me, you should at least have the courtesy to get them right, idiot. You seem to be so worried about Grammer and punctuation, it would appear you missed italicizing my name in IT's quote.
Please find where I said anything about a Nanny.
It wasn't 3 weeks it was last week and my comment was to the one liberal poster here I respect, Yellowdog Mark.
Kind of funny Walker, he and I have had sebveral very good courteous discussions about the issues. We don't agree, but we repect each others comments. Maybe you should try that sometime.
The sad thing is you were probably up all night putting that little list together.
Pathetic.
Thought you folks might give it a rest now, but I see, unlike Feisty says, It is not a "New Day".
Just more of the SOS.
Not going to be around much today, but just wanted to congratulate the President and his supporters on a hard fought win. He ended up winning thanks to the hard work and dedication of his supporters who helped get his voters out to the polls. My candidate didn't win...and it sucks to be on the losing side, but I'm hoping that all those who did win (President, House, and Senate) will start to work together. I wish nothing but success for this country, its leaders, and its President.
Always gracious, Frank.
Maine, the oldest and white-est state in the nation, demographically, supported President Obama's re-election decisively.
But, don't let me spoil your spin, mainstream media pundits.
Maine also gave the majority to the Democrats in the state legislature, after two years of Tea Party control, in a move widely seen as a rebuke to our governor, Paul LePage.
66% of Mainers voted for someone other than the Republican, in the race for the Senate. We elected INDEPENDENT former governor, Angus King, with 55% of the vote. Yes, I'm going to say it...as Maine goes, so goes the nation!
Hi Pat:
Congratulations on electing your new senator. She will be a great servant for the middle class. Oh, and btw, we do have a long history together. May it continue for years to come. Have always enjoyed your progressive thoughts. Today we can rest easy.
NH made history last night. All four Congressional seats plus the Governor's office are now held by women!
A Victory for the People of the United States.
Rove, Romney, Koch brothers, et. al., learned they cannot buy the presidency.
How sweeeeet it is!
President Obama won Ohio, as I predicted, and it put him over the top. I am very proud of my home state, my country and my president.
I won't criticize or disparage those who supported Mitt Romney, that is what democracy is about.
I will denounce those posters who came on here day after day and said the 'lying liberal media' was reporting the race inaccurately or that the polls were 'biased'.
This continued inability of some Republicans to accept the facts when they don't fit their opinions or beliefs is troubling, and the cause of many of the problems we face today as a nation.
Facts are facts, math is math, and Republicans need to accept that if we are all going to work together to improve the country.
I lifted a glass of Pappy Van Winkles (a very fine bourbon) to our President last night and toasted his victory. But now, for once I agree with Joe in Albany - it's time to get to work. The Fiscal Cliff is looming, and strong leadership will be needed to complete the rebulding of our economy.
I am confident our President is up to the task.
Pat, hi to you. The giant hole created by the unimaginable losses in 2007, 08, and 09 are on the mend, thanks to the policies of our President. The economy is projected to comeback strongly. We're on the right track, and folks around the country feel it.
RIP America...
Hello Europe!!
Good morning, everyone. My offering today is not a snarky gloat about the Presidential election, although I admit I was tempted. It is, instead, a political cautionary tale that has, at its roots, my own state’s politics.
In Wisconsin, we say, "if you don't like the weather, wait 5 minutes." This year, we've proven that if you don't like the political landscape, wait 2 years. Or even less.
In 2008, we voted for Barack Obama, if not overwhelmingly, then certainly firmly.
In 2010, we voted for Scott Walker and replaced one of the most liberal members of the US Senate, Russ Feingold, with a man who has to be among the most conservative, Ron Johnson. The Tea Party, it seemed, was upon us, and we were in for a bumpy ride.
Walker’s election seemingly sparked a revolution in 2011. But in June, 2012, Scott Walker easily survived a recall election. At the same time, however, the State Senate flipped over to Democratic control.
Last night, we not only voted firmly to re-elect President Obama, but also to replace a moderate/conservative Democrat senator, Herb Kohl, with a woman who has been labeled, rightly or wrongly, as the most liberal member of Congress, Tammy Baldwin. Baldwin, an openly gay woman, beat Tommy Thompson, who is, rightly or wrongly, perhaps the most beloved political figure in Wisconsin in the past 30 years.
The side irony here is that, while Wisconsin was, I believe, among the first states to ban discrimination against its citizens because of their sexual orientation, Wisconsin remains, collectively, still firmly opposed to gay marriage. Perhaps the times are a’changin’. (Dylan was here last weekend, so I felt compelled to slip that in.)
And perhaps not.
As a final punctuation mark on all this, it is important to note that, while voting to re-elect President Obama by what appears to be a larger margin than in 2008 and to put Tammy Baldwin in the Senate, we also put Paul Ryan back in the House and voted to re-flip the State Senate back to the Republicans, giving total control of state government back to Scott Walker.
I don't know about you, but my head is spinning. Welcome to the loony bin that is Wisconsin. In politics, it seems, you don’t build it so much as you have to keep on earning it.
And sometimes, you just struggle to understand it.
Four years ago, I thought it was morning in America again. It wasn't. But perhaps, at long last, today is the day. Let's try to put aside our differences and go forward together.
I came here a short time ago compared to some of the people I now call my First Read Friends. I want to thank each of you who came here day after day with your passionate support of our President. You have each in your own way helped him to win re-election.
But there is one person who the people on the right seemed to have the most contempt for that I want to single out and give my most heart felt thanks to and that is Feisty. Your posts always seemed to have just a little more passion for the support of Obama that I admire.
Today is no different. Soon after Romney gave his concession speech last night I started to think about the reality of the next four years because of the division in the House. Your post #1.4 mimicked my thoughts. Will the GOP/TP continue to sit on their hands for the next four years like immature children defying authority, or will they finally begin to do what is best for this country?
As the president said last night, this is not about blue or red states any longer. This is about the United States. This is about the future. The GOP/TP can help to make it a better place or continue to act like spoiled children and once again damage the hopes of the American people as they try to defy everything the president asks of them. I hope they chose the first.
Congratulations to Obama/Biden!
Joe in Albany - I'll make you a deal: If we can't get congress to start representing their constituents compromising for the good of Americans in a prioritized manner - then you join me in getting a peaceful march on the capital to demonstrate that Americans will no longer stand for inaction. "People are People" my friend! It may be time for a new civil rights movement to take place and it'll be a movement that has nothing to do with color, gender or sexual preference!
Join me in that and we'll be doing something hugely beneficial for generations to come. Government must work for the plurality and I'm not talking about handouts or entitlements, I'm talking about a government that protects it's citizens from all evils and deceptions. These our are elected officials - we can find lots of common ground on where we both want to hold them accountable.
A leader will let us know when that time has come. I am ready.
Are you?
Today we can rest easy
So true Ron. So true. I was up until 3AM, up again @ 6AM, just sitting here with my tea looking around the web at all the exciting headlines. What a stressful beginning of the evening, and ending with such great results.
I'm wondering now if I want to go to the inaugeration. Not sure yet.
But for today and next week and next month and next year I don't care what the GOP has to say any longer. I just don't care, particularly here on First Read. Their nastiness, their racism lost. Big time.
What a great day. America the Beautiful.
btw, so long to Romney's 5 photogenic sons.
Appears my prediction was 100% accurate when I said this place would be like a morge the morning after the election... lol
Where OH where have all the RWNJ's gone?
I'm especially missing TICKED OFF IN OH yelling at us right up until the election was called that OH would go to Romney!
PS: Grimey - I appreciate the positive thoughts!
Good morning. Did I miss something last night?
Just kidding. Congratulations to President Obama on his re-election. I voted for the other guy, as most of you know. Still clear that we have not been behaving like a "United" States now for the last 12 years. Oh I believe it is OK to have differing opinions on a host of matters. I'm a fiscal conservative. I am more liberal on social matters. I think that is what the founding fathers envisioned when they drew up the Constitution in the first place.
There has been so much venom and pure hatred spewed from both extremes out here, anything people can say, name calling and the like, to push their agenda to get their person elected. I tried to rise above it but often got pulled in just because of sheer human nature. But I do hope that this President and this Congress will figure out a way to find some purple ground. And I do hope that we as a nation figure out quickly how to put aside extremities and hate and find some common ground to re-thread this nation together. We just cannot afford socially, morally, financially and any other -ally you can think of to continue down our present path.
Have a great day everyone. I'm going to catch a nap and then go to work.
Cheers to Chris, Backhouse, Ron, Feisty, Beverly, David W, Pat Boston and the rest of the "leftie libs", well said.
I can personally affirm Pat's comment about OFA being out there, person to person, street by street. I've been volunteering since March, the core volunteer group remained in place since 2008. For five long, busy and fun GOTV days, we volunteers worked to reach every voter one more time. Last night at 9:15 PM, I entered the last of the 2012 voting data into the OFA data bank. I was one person among many who worked to re-elect President Obama and VP Biden along with other democrats. President Obama's recognized each and every single one of us last night.
Who saw this coming? TRUTH.
The day cynicism failed and the day truth prevailed, Nov 6, 2012.
God Bless the United States of America and her President!
I have to say I was wrong about a lot of things. I thought Obama would win but not by this great a landslide and mandate!
I'm pleased to see the Senate increased democratic seats. All across the land saw states and races turning blue it gives me hope. One sad note, sorry to see my old state of Nebraska didn't send back former Gov. former Senator, Congressional Medal of Honor winner Bob Kerrey to his old seat. Also surprised that the House didn't get to at least 200 Democrats.
On the larger scale. Democracy won, the people have been heard by nearly one hundred in the electoral college and by millions in the popular vote. This election earned Obama capital, political capital. I hope he uses it to resolve pressing issues. The republicans must learn to compromise, to give a little to help our nation forward and stop trying to drag us down.
The population and values are changing, the GOP saw that when even Fox anchors were flabbergasted by the shellacking they took. It was not the messenger. Yes Romney was soundly rejected but it was more than that. Their policies and vision were rejected.
Adelante.
Brian,
Thank YOU!
I am humbled by your kind words! *blushing*
Nicely said Anna. I know how you feel. I felt the same way when we elected Scott Brown a few years ago. It didn't make sense to me.
I think the country turned a huge corner last night and President Obama's win in Wisconsin was huge.
TNSEVOL, "continued inability of some Republicans to accept the facts when they don't fit their opinions or beliefs."
Over 60% of Americans say they want to raise taxes on the wealthy.
But McConnell and Boehner are ignoring this fact. They're already saying that they'll protect taxes for the wealthy!
All the economic signs are strong, despite four years of McConnell/GOP obstructionism. Yup, they're still at it. McConnell & Co still turtling around in the mud...
Amen Bev, and we sent a message to the crazy tea baggers that Obama Care is here to stay.
Jody, I am so looking forward to the day when I can finally meet you. Congratulations to you and and Bev and the entire volunteer staff of OFA. You are the true MVPs of this election. Outstanding outstanding work.
Yellowdog: The House will be at 200 Democrats probably by the end of the week when the recounts in NC and Arizona are completed. The Democrats hold small leads in both of those races and recounts in district races rarely overturn initial counts.
Obama ran a campaign on hate, division, race, blame, and excuses. Hopefully his lust for the job was only about retaining the keys to AF1 and running up the nations debt, and not the fact that Obama actually does have an agenda.
Rick-3416939 - You've learnt nothing. Stupidity never pays and you saw that last night. We have spoken, 4 more yrs for O.
Please guys, on Karl Rove, how's he going to payback the millions spent?
Backhouse, Sen. McConnell now has Elizabeth Warren and the new Senators to deal with. He has a re-election campaign in two years and I don't think he's particularly popular in his home state as it is.
He went to bed last night with the knowledge that he himself is to blame for not being able to become Majority Leader.
He got what he deserved. Nothing.
And to your work here on First Read - outstanding each and every morning.
Congratulations to Pres. Obama and all the other winners. Better luck next time to all those who lost. We now know who will be responsible for solving the problems that our government can solve.
Our problems of unemployment and long term budget deficits deserve top priority. Country before Party should be the mantra. Hopefully, the rhetoric of divisiveness will fade and Democrats and Republicans can agree on some aspects of the underlying causes of our unemployment and budget deficits and get on with the business of solving them.
My personal opinion is that we need to invest in America now and get our growth rate to 3% + to reduce the budget deficit with solid growth. Budget deficits can also be reduced by making more cuts in a time of lower unemployment (1 to 3 years from now) and returning rich's tax rate to those of the Clinton years where business experienced record profits and our economy was near full employment. Keep in mind that cuts in spending will put people out of work and they need to find jobs quickly to keep our country from the European experience of an 11% unemployment rate.
Good luck to our new government.
California. The land of "fruits and nuts". But, also a part of the West Coast that can determine an election. As goes the West Coast, so goes the Nation. What a resounding victory for our President. All of Romney's and the Repug lies and bluster was for naught. The People, smarter than the Repugs give them credit for, just blew the GOP out of the water.
Now, will we get any cooporation out of the Congress? I doubt it, but the beat will go on. We'll get more accomplished this term than this last term.
If the Repugs continue to attempt to block everything that President attempts to do, They may never get back in the White House.again. What a pleasant thought.
Congratulations Mr. President, and the same to all my Democrat friends here on First Read.
HILLARY IN 2016.
Pat,
You couldn't be more correct!
McConnell stood on the Senate floor and proclaimed it was his #1 priority to ensure Obama was a one term President!
Another EPIC F-A-I-L!!
PS: Tammy Duckworth won by 10% - tea bagger Bob Dold was sent packing in the IL 10th & career Congresswoman (R) Judy Biggert also lost her seat in the IL 11th district!
OH Happy Days!
Tim Heth
Joe in Albany - I'll make you a deal: If we can't get congress to start representing their constituents compromising for the good of Americans in a prioritized manor - then you join me in getting a peaceful march on the capital to demonstrate that Americans will no longer stand for inaction. "People are People" my friend! It may be time for a new civil rights movement to take place and it'll be a movement that has nothing to do with color, gender or sexual preference!
Tim, I certainly hope Joey in Albany takes your challenge; particularly since Joey is so concerned about his version of what direction this country should take.
Message to Joey: the journey of a thousand miles starts with one foot.
4 more years
Yellowdog-
I sincerely hope that Republicans can accept the fact that in the face of changing demographics at least some of their policies and visions are now severely outside of the mainstream.
I fear Tea Party Republicans will blame the messenger and continue to tack hard to the right in the primaries, which will give them victories in only the most conservative areas and leave them little room to compromise.
Couldn't be happier this morning!
What a night!
Congratulations President Obama!!
Two-Term President Elect Barack Obama!!!
My observations while watching NBC News:
Right on cue, right from the Rove playbook, key states such as Virginia, Florida, New Hampshire, and Florida were kept off the "Win" projection column to make it seem that the election was going to be close.
Tamarind Hall, while standing on the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center, called it correctly. 6 in 10 in Ohioans approved of the auto bailout.
Why did NBC keep showing 'Live' coverage from the Romney Headquarters and absolutely NONE from the Obama Headquarters?
Tom Brokaw emphasized that the MAJORITY of Americans want Congress to get along.
Savannah Guthrie should NEVER wear red lipstick while on the air.
Kristen Welker is absolutely delightful reporting from the McCormick Center.
Democrats had the advantage with early voting and the ground game.
Local television stations got a TON of money from all the ads.
70% of voters approved of the President's response to Sandy.
Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Colorado all had President Obama leading, but they kept saying it was "too close to call".
Once again, it was plainly obvious, that the Rove media wanted Romney to have a perceived early lead as the night went on.
At 7:30 PM MST, President Obama FINALLY takes the Electoral lead.
Thank you, New Hampshire!!! And that completes the Governors Big ZERO of all of his and his running mate's states.
Go figure. Iowa, Colorado and Minnesota, too early to call.
Yeah to Elizabeth and Claire!!!
Romney got the majority of the white vote, majority of seniors (I have no idea why).
President Obama got the Latino, African American, young unmarried women, and the youth vote.
8:30 PM. Karl Rove is sweating bullets trying to find a way to steal it. Still none of the 'too close to call" states yet.
Arizona goes to the Governor. The Media STILL won't call the obvious.
So, at 8:42 PM MST, the media goes into idle chit-chat stalling mode, while Rove and his henchman manipulate their next move behind the scene. They are determined to make President Obama wait.
9:00 California, Washington, and Hawaii puts the President at 243. 27 to go.
"Apparent winner" in North Carolina??? WTF, That's pure Karl Rove.
So, the media can't call just one more state to put the President over the top.
9:10 PM MST, FINALLY, Iowa goes to the President.
9:14 PM MST Wooo Hooo!!!!! FINALLY, PRESIDENT ELECT BARACK OBAMA!!!!
Time to PARTY!!!
Salud
Amy, Maine did great. You live in a drop dead beautiful state with progressive no nonsense intelligent citizens. Is NE all democratic/independent now?
Romnesia is bliss.
I get great pleasure in knowing that the fat cats such as the Koch Brothers spent millions of dollars and failed in their attempt to buy America.
4 More For 44
The victory is even more better than 08. Like Biden said, This is HUGE.
Job1 - They're rich but stupid. This shows common sense might not be that common.
Feisty, McConnell may be on his last legs. These new Senators aren't going to put up with him. Good job btw ridding our nation of Joe Walsh.
Pat, you are inspirational.
McConnell has been extremely abusive and divisive, and still at it. He made sure that measures critical to our recovery, like the President's American Jobs Act (2 million jobs) did not pass - by filibustering at 3 times the pace every seen in our history.
That is not love of country, or a vision for the 21st century. That is not strengthening the middle class, or even taking the steps that CAN be taken. McConnell blocked steps that were well within our reach. Maybe this angry fossil can be voted out in the midterms?
Pat, Boston --
Thank you for the kind words. Needless to say, I was thinking about you last night when the Massachusetts results came in. I could not be happier for Elizabeth Warren and for your state, which has surely produced an heir worthy of the legacy of Teddy Kennedy.
We've come such a long way since the old days at News Hole. But always, it seems, moving forward.
Congratulations to you and to Massachusetts for rejecting cynicism and embracing hope.
Job1, what you bring up is the true story of the election. Money couldn't do it. Who would have thought it? Certainly not Karl Rove and Adelson and the Koch Bros.
What a huge huge victory for America. Huge.
Rick, either get with the President or get the the heck to the back of the bus. You guys LOST.
Well, I'm feeling a little like Michelle Obama today- except, for me, this is the first time in my life I've been ashamed of my country.
No other president with such a record of failure would ever have been re-elected- not Carter, not Johnson, (who read the writing on the wall and declined to run for re-election).
So, why Obama? Well, read the above article. We hear all the time about "dog whistles"- this article is full of them. So, democrats depend on racism to win elections? Well, it seems the more things change, the more they stay the same.
My granddaughter is three, and faces a debt of over fifty thousand dollars today- and that will increase daily. The economy is limping along, and will continue to do so for as long as Obama is in office.
Me? Well, since this will be my last post for quite a while, let me clue you- I will be fine. In fact, more than fine. So, before the next nor'easter bears down on my little corner of New Jersey, I believe I will go out and comfort myself by buying a new fur coat.
Mahogoney Mink may do the trick.
Hey WCA -
Really got those panties in a twist this morning, don't you? Here's your entire post. You know, the one you bitched about.
White Collar Auto
From those posting Trolls who willing attempt to change topics or bring false claims through satire, lies or outright vile language.
No worries Mark, about a week or so from today, a large number of people won't be here.
Sadly, if Romney wins, I think most of the left that remain will become a bit more disgusting.
If Obama wins, I think most of the right will simply not bother posting any more.
#1.69 - Thu Nov 1, 2012 9:17 AM CDT
There it is, sissie. Punctuate it properly.
Here's how this shakes out. You ignorant punks and liars got your collective ass handed to you yesterday. You've run away every time I've asked you a question and you come back with this kind of BS. Why don't you just run away? Pack it in, take your drivel, and be gone.
Oh yeah, it's G-R-A-M-M-A-R.
We have all been waiting for this day- and now it is so sweet that it has arrived. Thanks to all of you great Obama supporters who helped us all sort out the lies. Feisty you were an inspiration, Pat, your calm words of wisdom helped us all, there are too many to mention, but as you all know the work doesn't stop now. How lovely not to have the wack jobs spewing their lies- at least for a few days. Thought Romney gave a good concession speech-lets see if he follows it up with action to help repair the divide in our great nation. And the GOp knives will be comoing out- should be entertaining.
Bev,
AMEN GF!
Job1,
Karl Rove & gang of gofers couldn't steal it either!
THANK YOU JESUS!
The end of bat @!$%# crazy Snookie-Joe!
Don't let the door hit ya where the Lord split ya!
I can only imagine how many poor little minks will have to give their lives to cover the size of it!
Good riddance!
Thank You America for ReElecting President Barrack Hussein Obama !
Now that the counting of Votes is done(pretty much), let's get down to what all this means(from my perspective way out here in Occupy SoggyBottom)!
President Obama & Speaker Boehner & Senate Majority Leader Reid held pat(Reid actually picked up seats), BUT Senate Minority Leader McConnel LOST BigTime.
McConnel will try & Spin this otherwise, but the Facts are Real. He'll try to hold onto his leader position, but $hit does'nt Run UpHill. He has been delegated to sideline Coach(up for reelection in 2014). His Defensive posture has been his Undoing. There are ZERO & I can't Stress this enough, ZERO, accomplishments that can be directly tied to McConnel's time as a Senator(30 Years) , that can Sav'em from Loseing his Minority Leader Position.
With that said, Democrats Now Control the Next 20-30 YEARS of the Direction of America by way of Supreme Court Appointments. The Voters have determined that Corparations "Are Not People To, My Friend"! The Voters have Determined that "We The People" are Many, not just 16-18 Rich Old White Men, who tried to Buy "The United States of America", for thier Own Pleasure.
There are Many, Many "We The People", & we're better Off for that Reason!
Thank You Real America !
On Malibu Mitt's 1st day, he'll ReCoup his Losses from his Tax Returns of 2011.
You Betcha!
Occupy SoggyBottom!
Feisty. Per your post #1.28, you are welcome. It is my sincere pleasure and honor to have you consider me your friend here. Again, thank you for everything you have done with tireless effort in support of President Obama.
I also want to give a nod to White Collar Auto.
Unlike many of the other Romney supporters or probably more accurately noted, the Obama haters, that came here during the time I shared, WCA is back today without hate. That is what this country needs. We all don't have to agree upon everything, but we need to realize that the election is over and the country has spoken. Now if we could just get Congress realize that and to work WITH the president, we could bring unemployment down to a reasonable level and get our economy moving strong again bringing hope to people instead of despair.
Congratulation to our neighbor New Hampshire for electing five women to public office, in one fell swoop!
Thank you, Jack for helping re-elect President Obama, I always knew NH would swing to the best candidate, eventually!
Is it just me, or does today seem exceptionally grand? It seemed like the birds were chirping ever so more cheerfully. I even spotted a doe and buck just peacefully standing in the grass on the side of the road. The skies were clear and the sun was bright. Oh, what a glorious day. A special thanks to all the Obama volunteers. Truly the greatest Presidential campaign ever run!
Haven't been on here in a while with all this hurricane madness, but had to stop by today. Its a good day we found that the majority of Americans want to move forward with our President. I was not expecting such a large victory, but I am very happy about it. Hopefully our government works together so we do not see some of the inaction we witnessed the last 4.
My one comment is to all that talk about the minorities and young people staying home this election. I never believed it and quite honestly did not understand where it was coming from. It is glad to see more and more Americans getting involved.
Rick, had forgotten about the Supreme Court appointments.
Just think if Romney had got in, he'd be repealing Roe versus Wade, and the ACA before breakfast.
Anna, it's so funny you mention News Hole. I was thinking of that blog all last night. I still think of someone and I think his name was Larry from South Carolina. He was still fighting the GD Civil War and my goodness he just couldn't stand ANYONE from the north, particularly me. LoL.
I recall back in those days all of us democrats in 2007/2008 on News Hole had different ideas on who should be the democratic nominee. It was tough but always fun. At least we all had one thing in common - Keith Olbermann, the reason we all got together in the first place.
I also recall way way back hoping that Russ Feingold would run for the presidency, but he bowed out pretty early and disappointed a lot of us here in MA. This was way before Obama announced his intention to run. Feingold was always popular here.
Anyway, where HAVE THE YEARS GONE!?
NJNB-
Wow. How can you be ashamed of hundreds of thousands of people who stood in line for hours just to exercise their right to vote?
How can you be ashamed of a country that has two presidential candidates who both acted gracefully after a contentious election filled with personal attacks?
This is America, where a peaceful transfer of power and a gracious acceptance of the will of the peole is not only expected but demanded.
Your country should be ashamed of you.
Cheers to Joe in Albany and WCA for showing up today and keeping things civil.
no joe - who is intent on demonstrating the depth of her ignorance - wrote:
For starters, you might want to check the components of that debt. The primary driver is the cost of Bush 43's. There's also the cost of unpaid wars and prescription costs as well.
About that clue! If you'll be more than fine, what the hell have you been complaining about all this time? You and the Albanian idiot. We're financially set, we eat well, we buy mink - but it's not enough.
If you're really worried about that three-year-old granddaughter, you could take the cost of a mink and invest it for her. But you don't really care and we all know it. You have no more honesty and integrity than Mitt Romney. You know - the loser.
Congratulations to our President, to his crackerjack team who engineered the victory so beautifully. Congratulations to all the volunteers who worked their hearts out....looking at you Jody IA. you have much to be proud of, I know the President will make you proud too.
Congratulations to all the regular Lib/progressive posters here, especially Feisty who suffered the slings and arrows here and with ugly emails, through it all you kept your focus with grit and humor and that helped the rest of us keep our eye on the prize.
To Mark, Domenico and all the writers and staff at FR thank you for providing us with a forum to use our voices to help reach so many of our silent readers, the numbers over the past few months have been phenomenal and you have to feel great pride in how FR and FT has grown since the last Presidential election. Now go spend some extra time with your families, they are the most important assets in your lives and I'm sure they've missed your presence, thank them for us.
It has been an amazing journey, a roller coaster ride of highs and lows, but it is now all worth the heart aches and of course we had laughs. Along the way I have made many new friends who shared my passion for wanting to make this country a better place for themselves and their families but for knowing that our President was who we best felt would lead us forward. Thank you dear friends you are amazing men and women.
To many of you of a different persuasion, it is my hope you will accept this win as graciously as your leader did last night it will help in moving the country forward.
YES WE DID.
Jason -- It's a most beautiful day! Well said.
Victory yes.
But the job is not complete. Only 729 days until the next one.
The obstructionists who would hurt the Country rather than break a pledge to King Grover need to be identified and their electors educated. The middle class must grow and have money to spend if America is to have a chance in this century.
Akeem, nice to see you and hope recovery is coming along. Such a horrific storm for you down there in NJ/NY.
Speaking of young people, did you see that crowd last night for the president's victory speech? All young and all being inspried by our president. And that's a huge probem for the GOP for years to come.
Take care of yourself and again, nice to see you here at First Read on this day after the election morning.
Wow. I'm a little burned out this morning because I stayed up too late waiting to see what the heck was going on in Ohio after it was called for Obama but Romney edged ahead in the vote for a while and refused to concede the state. But I'm still feeling pretty good this morning, given the final outcome.
Congratulations to the President, all his campaign workers, and to all those folks who stood in those long lines waiting to vote for him in Florida and Ohio. I feel kind of sorry for Romney's campaign workers, because a lot of them worked as hard as Obama's workers to get out their vote.
Who I do NOT feel at all sorry for are those crazy billionaires who blew hundreds of millions of dollars in a futile attempt to buy the election for Romney. It couldn't have happened to a nicer bunch of plutocrats. So much money. So little to show for it. At least they provided some economic stimulus buy pouring vast amounts of money into Romney's losing effort.
Unfortunately, it looks like the money they spent on down-ballot races was effective, as some feared it would. That money seems to have bought two more years for Michele Batcrap Crazy Bachmann and Steven King (the scary one in Congress, not the novel writer). I haven't heard if Allen West won, yet. These people say things that are just as crazy as losing tea bag Sentae candidates Todd Aiken and Richard Mourdock do, and they say crazy stuff all the time. I think the main reason the crazies still retain control of the House is because congressional seats being essentially local offices, they tend to fly under the radar screen of the national media. You only hear about their buffoonery on MSNBC and liberal blogs. Not on CNN or PBS.
I would like to think that the Republicans have learned their lesson and will work with Obama, now that their goal of making him a one-term president has been thwarted. But I doubt it. They seem incapable of learning. But at least now, they won't be able to reverse the achievements Obama made during his first term, like Obamacare. It's ironic that the word "Obamacare" was invented by Republicans as an insult to the president, but now that he's adopted the word himself, it will be associated with his name in a positive way for decades to come.
Gosh! I got to bed early last night.
Feisty. Was the Dew Drop Inn rocking into the wee hours?
Time for the GOP to get to work and help the president move this country FORWARD.
GM, I concur with you about Feisty. I too received some pretty ugly emails, but without a doubt Feisty was the one they went after.
But you know what? They lost and Feisty won. It wasn't possible for it to turn out any other way.
Democrats lose in the House
Republicans lose in the Senate
and Republicans lose in the White House.
This is actually going to work out just fine. At least for two more years, we can expect gridlock. Hopefully, the vaporhead radicals won't negotiate and we will destroy ourselves fiscally. Which is, if you look at it, exactly what YOU AND I WANT!
Yes you do. Don't lie. Because you and I put most of the incumbents back to work. You know, not doing what we need. But we like it.
I love you fellow Americans. We are like little jihadists!
A wise man once said there are few permanent victories in American politics. Yesterday certainly wasn't one of them, so the good fight begins anew today.
Oh, congrats to Ohio and Florida and Colorado for deciding this election for us. For a while there, most of us in New Jersey thought we'd have to pay attention to the election rather than clean up the storm mess. Thankfully, you all there are running things for us!
Congratulations to President Obama on his re-election.
Congratulations to Senators-elect Warren and Kaine, sorry that Brown lost but I don't know if we needed Mookaka back...sorry to see Jim Webb leave.
Please crawl back to the hole you come from candidates Akin and Mourdock.
Nate Silver, you are a awesome GEEK GOD!!!
Now, if you could do the same with some lottery numbers, I'd be most appreciative.
:-)
Salud
Agreed! It was encouraging to see the more moderate people reject the extremes.
Now if we could just get the HOUSE cleaned up!
Suddenly, I love watching FOX news.
See the Dow is congratulating Mr. Obma. DOWN 232 in the first hour and a half. Yesterday, moderate gain on the hopes Romney and the GOP would win. Business KNOWS what is good for the country.
You libs may want to freeze your 401K or whatever you have for awhile.
Where's Ben? Wanted to tell him SHE/He has spoken.
B White,
You have NO idea how much this means to me!
Gingerbread Mamma & Pat,
I'm always willing to take a few for the "team"! lol
Am so looking foward to seeing both of you in DC next year!
Good morning to all ...especially my leftie, libbie, libtards......lol
I ♥ 44!
Pat Boston MA.
I'm wondering now if I want to go to the inaugeration. Not sure yet.
But for today and next week and next month and next year I don't care what the GOP has to say any longer. I just don't care, particularly here on First Read. Their nastiness, their racism lost. Big time.
What a great day. America the Beautiful.
Pat,
Congratulations on your getting a fierce consumer advocate, Elizabeth Ann Warren, defeating the flavor of the month, Scott Brown. I'd love to share yesterday with you. OFA in Chicago had a raffle for tickets to McCormick Place to phone bankers who did 3 hours for 3 days or 1 trip to canvas in Iowa. I couldn't do Iowa but signed up for phone banking. As it turned out I could only do one of the 3 hours. I felt so guilty that I had to weight if I would forgo being an election judge or going to phone bank on election day (I heard on our local news last night when I got home extremely exhausted a trolley of phone bankers went to McCormick). I'm not sure if they were raffle winners or those who came in to volunteer.
Anyhow, I know how the republican election judges try to steer democratic voters away so I decided to work the polls. Pat, it was the most spiritually, beautiful, day in my life. A nasty, dirty disheveled, unkempt, Black man came in to vote. He said he couldn't read could some one come in the booth to help him. Of course, the you know who said he couldn't. I said it wasn't true some one could. Another election judge helped him. She said he really could not read; but keep mumbling Obama,Obama, Obama. It brought tears to my eyes. Hah, so much for the incredibly, divisive, talking points the colorphobics over @ FOX NOISE complaints of President Obama does nothing for Blacks. My interpretation of the FOX NOISE stalking points is this guy was given hope by President Obama.
The other was a Caucasian lady from Ohio insisting that she must show her ID. I told her she didn't need it. She got so nervous because she didn't believe me. She wanted her vote to count. I told her Illinois is neither Ohio or a 3rd world country. I'm glad I could calm her down.
4 more years>>>>Forward
My favorite election story so far
http://bocanewsnow.com/2012/11/06/woman-wearing-mit-shirt-banned-from-voting-in-boca-raton/
Boy do we need some better teachers in schools.
Isn't it wonderful to know that the characters on FR never change their spots? No jo, who claims to love animals, is back in the '50's buying a coat that ANIMALS ARE MURDERED TO MAKE.
You, no jo, have now blown the "reprehensible meter" out of all compass!
But, since we know that no jo is truth disabled, I am quite sure no animals will die to cover her ample frame.
But, we shan't miss you.
To those republicans and others who supported Romney who were also cordial, argued thoughtfully and passionately yet didn't make asses of themselves, I would say, better luck next time. Let's all try to work together for a better country.
To the regular, 'over the top' republican a$$holes on here who shoved "Obama is through" down everyone's throats for months on this blog, I say:
Ow, bitch! That's got to hurt! :-D
And, I will add for those repub jerks who love to "hahaha" in all caps:
YOU LOSE REPUB' JERKS HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHaHAHAHA WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!! HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lick it up!
Congratulations to President Obama for being re-elected. Congratulations to all of those who fought the good fight to help him win.
I hope the next 4 years will see us find a way to work together as Americans toward the goal of making our great country even greater.
No Joe - no, today is the day you should be ashamed but not of our country, of your ignorance and divisiveness which is one of the reasons this country is in such desperate straights. It is hatred and ignorance like you that breeds the hatred and we have no place for it moving forward. Either join in to help make the country better or just go the hell away!
We managed to defeat hatred for women last night by NOT electing Akin and Murdouch. Now we need to build a country where everyone is viewed as equal - no matter their age; sex; sexual orientation; race; beliefs. We HAVE to work together and I believe we are too good not to.
President Obama - you have a big job ahead of you. Better make sure the White House makes a lot of that beer. You're going to need it for some of those sessions with Republicans and Democrats - but you can do it!
For an even Better United States - the operative word - UNITED!
"Ask not what your country can do for you-ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy, 1961 inaugural address
Unfortunately, President Kennedy is probably rolling over in his grave today because this election was about the exact opposite of what he stood for. This was an election that put self-interest above the interest of the country. This was an election about social issues when our economy and our people are suffering greatly. People are more concerned with their lusts and instant gratification than they are the long term economic strength of this country. Look at what else was on the ballots…same sex marriage and legalization of marijuana. Again, it was lust of the flesh and is a great example of just how far America has fallen away from its core values. Instead of voting to "take the country back 50 years", Americans voted to take it back to the time of Sodom and Gomorrah.
I agree with Obama on one thing…we must improve our education system because people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. I wonder how many people out there have ever heard of the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977, the Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act of 1999, or the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. These 3 acts, combined with several others, were at the root cause of the housing bubble that latter burst and caused the financial crisis because banks had extended too much credit to people who were not credit worthy. If you were educated on these things, you would understand that it was not a matter of whether or not America was going to experience a financial crisis, but when. Had John Kerry won in 2004, it would have been under his watch. Uneducated people want to blame Bush, but it wasn't his fault. It was the fault of BOTH parties that continued to pass legislation to promote self-interest for certain groups of people, but was not good for the long term prosperity of this country. Why didn't the American people get a "bailout" in 2009 like the banks and GM did? Why were we allowed to go bankrupt?
Last night's vote by America was to increase our debt load to $20 trillion within the next four years, legalize marijuana, legalize same sex marriage, and to continue to take away more of the religious freedom of Americans, which is guaranteed under the Bill of Rights to the Constitution because Americans are more concerned with instant gratification of self and what the government can do for me. I guess that is what we have become and that is really pathetic.
Bill in Farifax,
Last night ,I learned that Fairfax county went for Obama 60% in 2008.
What was the % this time?
How about we think of positive change moving forward, from all branches of government?
If Romney didn't put his foot in his mouth saying..."I'm not worried about the other 47% of the nation at a private MILLIONAIRE$S fund raiser" he might of been closer then way below.
Seems Romney only had 48% of the nation who worried about him!
FOUR MORE YEARS- OBAMA 2012
HILLARY 2016
Bill, Fairfax VA-
Bill, with all due respect, the fighting's over.
Starting today, whether you accept it or not, it’s a whole new ballgame, and not just the next 4 years, but the next 40.
The word you should be talking about today and from now on is ‘compromise’.
Either Republican’s accept this as the way things are going to be done, or they will lose over and over again for the next 40 years.
Last night, Democrats PROVED we have the demographics on our side.
Salud
Pat, thanks; I look forward to meeting you one day, too!
Grimey, said as only you could say it. Texas T, Alan NJ, it is good to see that you are also gracious this morning.
LOL, I can't see Snookie No Joe's posts but thanks to others who copied and pasted some, I once again realize why I put her on ignore. What I would really like to tell No Joe is to take her ridiculous spoutings and "stuff it" but that wouldn't be very nice. Oops, "epic fail", will blame the gremlins!!
This is for NOJO from your duly elected President:
"Focusing your life solely on making a buck shows a certain poverty of ambition. It asks too little of yourself. Because it's only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you realize your true potential." - Barack Obama
Take that with you, and dwell on it, I hope it will be the seed that will sow a kind thought in your mind. Let it bloom within in you for the sake of your granddaughter so you won't poison her mind as she grows, hopefully into a fine citizen.
TomasGrande, Nate Silver took it right to the status quo and my goodness did it make me happy. The GOP pundits couldn't stand his predictions. It got in the way of their "we're closing in" theme that most of us knew was BS.
I was reading that last night during the returns, the Romney camp shut down to the media. Completely shut down. Big deal. As far as I was concerned, the candidate himself shut down weeks ago. It was obvious.
The definition of a landslide is this election, by the way?
I think not. Put on the brain. If George W actually cared to remember that he didn't win in a landslide election in 2004, maybe Democrats wouldn't have taken both House and Senate 2 years later?
f**king radicals, always gotta put their spin on everything. It isn't just enough to win the election. No. Have to be all up in the face about it. Fine. Nobody said people didn't have the right to be ridiculous. But it doesn't really garner a reputation for thought.
Now, back to the gridlock. I want to see if we actually pass a budget here or we are just going to blow off the Fiscal Cliff like Thelma and Louise. I say we blow right off the cliff.
What is important is that some things will actually work out, like a tax raise will give us more revenue. At the same time, our ratings will be lowered and the recession will be extended. I figure, if you are a Tea Party protestor or an Occupy Wall Street protestor, you better consider that your job now. Well for no pay, unless you can find a way to get paid for it. Like Maddow and Limbaugh do. Woot!
It is a great day in America. In spite of Super Pacs and outrageous sums of money. In spite of ridiculous assertions of birth certificates and religious beliefs. In spite of the hatred and scorn for the less fortunate in our country, the powerful rich white voter cannot buy his way into the White House.
Of course my state Texas was as red as it could be. And apparently still living in 2010 as Ted Cruz was elected to the Senate. But the demographics in Texas are changing too, and not soon enough.
I cannot wait for 2016 to elect another Clinton to the White House.
Talk to the Hand - anyone who watches the market knows it has been up and down - much more than today - over the past few weeks. Today is not a reflection of the President's win but of news from a few companies. Why do you CONTINUE to just post lies?
A Clinton?
That's funny! Really, are you a liberal? Are you sure?
A liberal wanting another Clinton is like a conservative wanting another Bush. Suicide isn't really that patriotic in most Americans views, by the way. They do have a monarchy in Saudi Arabia. Might want to check it out if you are thinking that way....
Excellent editorial in today's LA Times regarding second terms and how difficult they are. When things go really bad for a president, it happens in years five through eight. You think Mr. Obama's hair is grey now!
I doesn't look like the overall picture changed much. In my opinion this dramatically ups the expectations for both executive and legislative branches. When an election results in great change, such as happened in 2008 (and 2010) I think the electorate focuses on change for change's sake. But now in 2012 the status quo is largely maintained. Regardless of how one views the President, House, and Senate we can all agree as a unit they were not terribly effective over the past few years. Mr. Obama starts out his second term largely as a continuation of the second half of his first. I think this makes his job that much more difficult. This also puts the legislative branch in the hot seat as well. Even the most ardent extremists on both the left and right have to acknowledge that for America to move forward the level of bi-partisan cooperation must be increased.
GBM....that was beautifully stated!
Pat Boston MA.
There were SO many GREAT things about last night, it's going to take me a week of new posts just to say it all.
For today; Happiness, Relief, and Contentment has me smiling ear to ear and walking with a brisk step.
Salud to ALL my First Read Friends.
I'm comforted by the fact that they lost a lot of money this election season.
Tomas Grande, well done #1.93
What has changed in Washington besides nothing? Obama didn't run on an agenda, so he has no mandate. All the same players are still there, and after four years of not leading are we to believe Obama gets it now? Obama was elected in 2008 with no plan, and now again with the same credentials. You have to wonder about the intelligence of Obama's base, because they still believe that letting the Bush tax cuts expire on the top earners is going to get the nation out of debt.
Here are some predictions for the immediate future. Unemployment will rise to 9% before the end of 2013 as recession returns. Gas is going to hit 6.00 a gallon nationwide in 2013 as the Middle East falls into chaos when Israel either strikes Iran or is attacked, since the world knows the US no longer has their back. Hyperinflation arrives in 2014, and as a result the Republicans take control of both houses in the midterm election.
There is always optimism for the unknown, but that definition doesn't fit Obama. We have had four years of Obama, and he has failed miserably. Obama was first elected on talk, and he was re-elected on hate, division, race, blame, and excuses. Obama is simply hype and not reality. Obama has yet to show any ability to actually do the job of POTUS, but he has shown emphatically that he loves the ride. Until Obama proves he can be the president, hype simply isn't good enough.
Beverly, I noticed you weren't here too much in the final week of the campaign and I assumed you were doing OFA volunteer work. But never did I expect such a moving story from you. Wow.
It kind of puts an exclamation point into what Barack Obama has meant to people everywhere since first being introduced to the Nation in 2004.
I am saving your post to bring into work tomorrow to share with everybody. Thank you for not just your kindness but for your tenacity in your support for Barack Obama and democrats everywhere.
Amy B. Portland, ME
That kind of annoys me, too. Sure the results were in part due to demographic changes -- more so than they should have been. But Obama won because of other factors as well, like saving the auto industry, averting a Great Depression, taking out Bin Laden.
Obama generally did a fine job under difficult circumstances. You know, the kind of stuff that they taught you in high school civics class that SHOULD be the ONLY factor determining your vote, not the trivia and superficial fluff that the pundits think is all-important. The fact that Romney came off as just plain scary and untrustworthy was a major factor, too.
The fact that so many white people voted against Obama is a reflection of their poor judgment, not on Obama.
A lot of people lost money. I'd even argue the Democrats who shelled out millions lost a lot of money. Because I really don't think that most of the money spent made a difference on either side.
That might have been different if only one side was spending money. But the airwaves were filled by nonsense and mostly what this election served is the loss of millions for the wealthy on either side of the aisle.
If moron SuperPACs had never been allowed, maybe some of that money would have made it to more hurricane victims? Probably not. Probaly instead Soros and the Koch Brothers would be, you know, building black fiberglass boats to support/break up Japanese whale boat hunting....
Regarding Maine: What? Nobody cares about Maine. They have no population. Ever been North of Portland? There's a reason. Go live in your freezer. Its closer and has the same charm.
Dear GOP,
You didn't lose because Americans are stupid. You didn't lose because Americans are lazy. You didn't lose because of voter fraud. You didn't lose because of Sandy. You didn't lose because we're Socialists, Communists or Marxists.
This is why you lost...
"Self deportation"
"Binders full of women"
"I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman"
"They're are 47%, who are dependent on government, who believe they are victims"
No, you lost because the term "Americans" encompasses more than rich, straight, white men. So if you're ready to acknowledge that and move forward with the rest of us, well great. If not, than yes, you will have nothing but gridlock. But it will be gridlock of your own making.
Oh, and WOW, it seems a lot of you woke up with psychic abilities today. That must have been creepy. So I guess we'll all be forced to get gay married and drive hybrid cars, right?
Two words for you that explain the re-election of incumbents: Gerrymandered Districts
Until you get rid of gerrymandering you will never get rid of incumbents being able to run in SAFE DISTRICTS.
That is the next task for WE THE PEOPLE, that is to get our representation back from the" partisan poles" who view running for office as a full time job.
Louie,
Floyd is still sweeping up the *confetti*! ☺
Rick - you're the epitome of a poor loser. Our President ran a campaign that was based on hope. The hatred and division was from the far right - "no one's ever asked me for my birth certificate."
You're either going to help work to get things done or you're the problem. Which will it be?
Alan, whoever wrote up that story from Boca, have it wrong. Having been a precinct clerk for over 10 yrs in Palm Beach County where Boca Raton/ Boca West is located, a voter can wear whatever they want to vote supporting whomever. Once they are finished doing so, they must leave the precinct but the law allows them to stand 100ft from the polling station.
Also, the home of the nouveau riche known as Boca Raton translates as Mouse Mouth, that thought would make many recoil.
concernedamerica -
Maybe you should educate yourself more on this issue. The housing bubble did NOT collapse becasue the banks loaned money to people who weren't credit worthy.
The financial crisis occured because deregulated banks issued risky financial instruments using loans as collateral. These risky CDOs were insured like they were less-risky investments because the rating agencies were in collaboration with the financial institutions. When some mortgages began to go unpaid, the insurers couldn't cover their bets and the 'house of cards' collapsed.
The Levin-Coburn report in the US Senate determined that the root cause of the crisis was "high risk, complex financial products; undisclosed conflicts of interest; the failure of regulators, the credit rating agencies, and the market itself to rein in the excesses of Wall Street."
We need to learn from our past or we are doomed to repeat it.
Wow...Some people are still floating around in a fantasy even after Obama won...! So, Obama is an "INDEPENDENT" now, Amy? Put down the crack pipe.. The election is over.
@Talk to the Hand - Puuuh_lease! The market is down from RWNJs like yourself selling all of your investments to move into gold. Everyone on wall street knows the stock market has ALWAYS gone up with a Democratic President. Even the Republican wall street analysts that hate that Obama won can admit that much. So go sell everything and let the rest of us buy it up at a cheaper price!
Sayinitaintso, you are 100% correct. When I see Bachman squeek by with a win, I know its all about districting.
Sarah is right, though Sarah, I'd say it this way:
Despite Rick saying otherwise, the Democrats DO have an agenda. The Republicans had an agenda, but it was successfully painted as anti-woman, anti-latino, and slash and burn business tactics. The Democrats under Obama are beginning to put together a brand and that brand has sold enough to get re-elected.
The new agenda for the White House should be domestic. But I am willing to bet it will end up foreign. There's a lot of s**t to hit the fan in the Middle East. We'll see if people can put aside their differences long enough to balance the budget AND stop a nuclear Iran.
I doubt it, but just saying.
Great lets party as we go "Forward" over the fiscal cliff. Nice job "revenge" voters you have your wish and the government will continue to mill around looking for leadership that is clearly lacking.
I wonder if the suicide rate will quadruple again in the next four years?
"The rate of increase in suicides has quadrupled since the recession began, the report found. From 1997 to 2007, the rate of increase in suicides was 0.12 per 100,000 people, but from 2008 to 2010 it jumped to 0.51 per100,000 people.
The report will be published online Nov. 5 in the journal The Lancet, just one day before American voters head to the polls to elect a new leader for the coming four years."
www.healthyliving.msn.com/health-wellness/suicides-up-in-sagging-us-economy-1
How many big money Democrats will join Denise Rich in moving to Europe to avoid the taxes they have caused?
www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/09/denise-rich-us-citizenship_n_1658479.html
I hear President Obama is moving to Washington State or Colorado to spend the next four years rolling fatties and telling us it is "cool" I have it all under control...want to take a toke?
Did you notice the Stock market slide this morning? I guess the investors are about to get "revenge" on the policies of the Democratic Party. Watch for backlash in the mid-term elections if you can't make dramatic improvement in the economy in 2013. Good luck with that...and enjoy the biggest tax increase in history on the middle class...the ACA.
Next
Of note in Florida … bye bye Alan West … welcome back Alan Grayson.
Gingerbread Mamma, #1.95 deserves a standing ovation. Bravo!
Concernedamerica
Everyone on this board should read your post. You are spot on. Too many Americans have been hurt by special corporate interests. I voted for the President. Will this fix things? Doubtful. But hope springs eternal.
What's Florida waiting for? 100% of all precincts have reported. Come on Jeb give it up.
I have always followed the same pattern in my political activities. I watch, read and listen and then make my decision as to whom I will vote for. Once I make my decision I almost never watch the debates and on election night I read, eat and hit the hay early. As I have gotten older I fear my blood pressure can't take the pressure of dealing with election night. I voted very early ( I was voter #! in my northern Illinois precinct) went to work, came home and watched Simpsons' DVDs and finally finished my copy of Ken Follet's second volume of The Century Trilogy. Before going to bed I literally prayed for an Obama victory. I had contributed money and time to his campaign and figured I had done all I could.
To all my friends on the Vine, to Feisty, Pat, Ron, David Walker and so many more, I say thank you. Thank you for being more eloquent, more level headed and more articulate than I could ever be. Thank you for everything you have done to keep our country from falling into the clutches of the fascist right, for helping to re-elect one of the finest men to ever hold the office of President. When I awoke this morning and finally faced the results from last night I cried tears of joy. Thank you all!!! Forward!!!
It's Great to see tea baggers such as Allen West and dead beat dad Joe Walsh saying bye bye.
Quick! Someone call the Guinness people! I've stumbled upon the world largest circle-jerk!
Any body missing THIS jackass, from eight years ago?
“When you win, there is… a feeling that the people have spoken and embraced your point of view," Bush said. "And that's what I intend to tell Congress, that I made it clear what I intend to do as the president; now let's work."
Bush told reporters: "I earned capital in this campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it. It is my style."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Sorry, but sometimes a simple reminder of ass clownery is necessitated.
this article was a good read:
http://www.thenation.com/blog/171085/obama-bigger-win-kennedy-nixon-carter-or-bush?rel=facebook#
(to paraphrase Drew Barrymore's character in the First Charlie's Angel movie, "...And THAT'S kicking your ass!"
:D lol!
Oh come on, you knew whoever won was going to do that. And you knew even if it was a close election, the winner would all be pretending it was a LANDSLIDE etc., etc., snicker ;)
Anyway, we can all be glad Akin lost. I don't need neanderthals, whether Democrats or Republicans, even in MISSOURI, in the government at all. FYI, I used to travel to St. Louis a lot, and I don't recall seeing any primitive people, so I really am wondering where Akin came from...
It is disappointing that this article distills it down to the "white".
Republicans' problems have nothing to do with the "white" and everything to do with their lack of repentance for 2 unfunded wars (one of which was wholly uunjustified. Their inability to see the connection between the economic crash and deregulation. Their cavalier attitude with regards to the environment. Their rejection of science and pandering to religious extremism. Their inability to stay out of the bedroom, and out of women's dr's offices.
They actually think the answer to their problem of not getting elected is to go more to the right.
The "white" has nothing to do with it.
To Mr. Talk to the Hand:
The sharp drop in the market is due mostly to more bad news about a possible recession in Europe. It may well also be due to a panic of the plutocrats over the reelection of Barack Obama. But the market can take a hit of a couple hundred points, having nearly doubled in value since the market's collapse because of the lax regulatory oversight and the unbridled greed and financial trickery of the Bush era.
I don't know if this has been reported -
Democrat Joe Kennedy III won Barney Frank's seat here in MA
Quick! Someone call the Guinness people! I've stumbled upon the world largest circle-jerk!
-------------------------------------------------------------
it's called a celebration. It's what the victors get to do. What you have done is what sore losers do.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Quick! Someone pour this poor man a Guinness people! I've stumbled upon a sad jerk!
Sounds so much better than what McConnell said last time. Thanks Mitch.
Congratualtions Mr. President!
Obama/Biden 2012!
Bluelake, what a lovely post. Thank you.
I think social media will from now on play a huge huge role in presidential elections. No longer will the media be able to drive the narrative.
TNSEVOL, please take the time to read up on these acts. The last one was the act that deregulated the derivatives ("complex financial instruments") that you mention as being at the root cause of the crisis and it also strengthened the first one that Carter had signed into law. Clinton and the Republican Congress thought it was a good idea. They were both wrong. Now we have Dodd-Frank that has regulated banks so much that none of them will lend money so we can grow the economy. We went from one extreme to the other and that has prevented economic recovery. We must find common ground and common sense. You seem to forget that I also mentioned "others" that caused the crisis and yes, I have read the report. I blame BOTH sides and don't "spin it" to only blame Bush.
Obama will not be around long Benghazi attack will kill his administration he will be impeached
Pat --
May it be so. We would be better off with fewer pundits on the air as well. They were out of control last night.
Rove, completely lost his faculties. LOL
American Girl -- McConnell is not trustworthy. Look how he threw our 1st amendment rights under the table when it came to disclosure with the SuperPacs.
Really what was his hopeful agenda when he was running all those Bain Capital advertisements?
It was only in the last week that Obama let slip his intended agenda. Immigration reform...what convenient timing. Just like he manged to throw the Dreamers a bone in the summer.
And the Hispanics bought it. He promised the same in 2008. Let's see his massive political skills get this past the house in 2013.
2/3rds of states with Senate races were won by Democrats despite huge spending by Republican super-pacs. Many House races are noncompetitive because of gerrymandering. Election results clearly show a big night for Democrats.
Republican leaders already claim they have a mandate in the House. This is not a good sign for bipartisanship.
I believe it is important to begin pressuring by calling or emailing your House Representative on policy issues facing our country such as:
Infrastructure spending: Needed to stimulate the economy and take up slack in construction industry until housing fully recovers from that bad recession of 2008-2009. We need to invest in America now when we have a surplus of construction workers and low interest rates to finance needed upgrades of transportation and energy systems.
Climate change. It is increasing severity of storms and costs us billions in infrastructure repair and replacement costs such as recent Hurricane Sandy's recent devastation. It is time we agree that the consensus in scientific community is the best information we have available. Due to the dire nature of their predictions, it is an issue that must be dealt with now.
Growth: We need to moderate budget cuts until economic growth is above 3% and unemployment is below 6% to allow for sales growth for the many small businesses that are really hurting from years of sluggish sales. Growth of our economy increases tax revenues, lowers unemployment and costs with sustaining the unemployed.
Ours is a government of the people, by the people and it is our job to let them know what we think.
Blue Lake,
Love your post.
Hope we see you more here in FT.
Pat Boston MA.-
Spot on.
Camera's in cell phones, instant Tweets, etc. and so fourth.
Karl Rove became a dinosaur overnight.
If you watched NBC last night, Brian Williams interviewed a Republican polster and he said the same thing. There is going to be alot of infighting in the GOP.
It's real simple to me. It starts at the top. Get rid of Karl and his ilk and you can re-build the GOP.
Salud
Unfortunately, I don't see that happening. Rural Kentucky is pretty solidly Republican, and it is difficult to imagine who the Democrats could nominate that could overcome his name recognition and sizable war chest.
However, if the Republicans are smart, they will dump him as their senate leader for someone less dogmatic and more willing to negotiate and compromise for the good of the country. Prior to becoming Republican Senate leader, McConnell's claim to fame was adamantly opposing any attempts at campaign reform, and he was rewarded with bags of cash by those interests who wanted to buy elections. He distributed this money to other Republican senators, essentially buying their support for his senate leadership position. Now that the Supreme Court has ruled that corporations are people, his blocking of campaign reform is probably viewed as unnecessary by the moneyed interests, and his ability to buy support among his senate compatriots is likely to be diminished.
A somewhat late comment on the article above, and the points they are trying to make about Demographics.
I heartily disagree. Minority voters did not vote in large numbers for Obama simply because he is a Democrat and they are minorities.
In order to win election, a campaign must have a good messenger and good communication, but more importantly a message that resonates with the voters.
Minority voters, like almost all voters, vote for issues and candidates not just party affiliation. The Democratic party offers policies and positions that minority voters feel are more closely aligned with their beliefs.
The Republican party continues to cater to the extreme right and is failing to offer the vision, policies and positions that capture minority voters.
The Obama/Democratic wins last night were not due simply to demographics or a better ground game - it was a better Vision for America, smarter Policies, and Positions that better reflect the beliefs of more of America.
So glad to hear Mitch McConnell talking about working together. THIS election of Obama, was also a referendum on his policies. The citizens looked at how he governed and said, "Yeah, for the most part we'll take four more of that". Which means, to obstruct everything he does, is to NOT speak for the majority of Americans, but to, for lack of a better term, @!$%# all over them.
Get it done, Congress. Please. Compromise is NOT a dirty word. Trust me, I know a lot of dirty words.
Alan, NJ-
Care to clarify your un-informed opinion?
Perhaps you should ask Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor's opinion on this subject.
Salud
Sorry, I didn't vote for Romney. This thread isn't celebration, it's gloating. It's "Hooray for our team" If not for the (D) after his name, or put more plainly, if based on merit alone, Obama would not have had a chance in hell.
Do away with the (D), or (R), and even the (I) and politicians would be forced to actually do things to merit support. Right now, as things are, all a politician needs to do is "don the right colors (red or blue)" and he is assured votes regardless of record. Cases in point: Marion Berry and Jesse Jr.
Tim heth... Sorry you miss the point of a constituency...
"I'll make you a deal: If we can't get congress to start representing their constituents"
Any congressional member gets elected because the majority of the voting constituency agrees, if not in whole then at least with the majority of what the candidate supports. The failure of obamas first term, his "shellacking" in the 2010 midterms and the congressional gridlock lay not with each party's representing their constituents, but rather the lack of leadership to define Americas path and then to convince the constituency of how this will benifit them.
Obama failed in this as well as the congressional majority and minority leadership. Only when the legislative and executive branches define the long term goals needed can compromise be met to best acheive the goal. It is sheer folly for the president or congressional leaders to insist that specific actions need to be taken before any compromise.
Both government branches need to understand this over the next two years, especially in light that for all the campaigning done and rhetoric used there has been no mandate given to any political party's policies except to have America become united for growth. BTW, let all of of the bush/obama tax cuts expire, if not Jan 2013 then fractionally over the next 2-3 years.
I don't post often, but I do come here and read. Thanks to all my fellow Libs, Libitards, and leftists that have daily given me hope that there are normal people out here! I live in NC, in a very backwards area (I only know one other liberal here), and it is refreshing come here for a reminder that not everyone thinks like the folks I am surrounded by. I would name you all, but I think my fellow libs here will know whom I am talking about! BTW...I am damn proud to be called a leftist liberal...and it happens very often in my town!
Bluelake:
Thank you for the shout out. As I read your post I see great talent. Please post more often. You have a lot of good things to say and we want to hear them.
Good morning shaak. Isn't that funny??! These guys better get real. Two thirds of government is controlled by Democrats. They will look like the obstructionists they are if they continue down that path.
The onus will be on Boehner to get his gaggle to actually work for change. I'm tired of paying them to DO NOTHING.
Conratulations Mr. President!
Congratulations all of us who worked to get us to this place (that's you Jody!)
Congratulations to all of us who argued and debated and stood up for our principles.
Congratulations to a ticket that won by representing a cross section of Americans rather than one or two groups.
Both Romney and Obama were noble and gracious in their post-election speeches.
Now, we need to listen to both of them. We need to put aside our differences. We need to compromise, get to work and help America. Compromise means each sie gives a little and each side contributes.
We are not blue states or red states, We are the United States!
Ask not what you can do for your country, but what can your country can give to you. - Barack Obama 2012. Last nights winners, racist blacks, illegals, ignorant youth, liberals, pole smokers and carpet munchers, confused women, women who want to use abortion as birth control, people who abuse the social saftey net, the union bribe worked. Last nights losers, America, God, Economy, Small buisness, People who work for a living, Fetuses, America IS heading toward Bankruptcy so all the people who want free stuff better get while you can. I will blame your selfishness on the next 4 years, our Complainer In Chief CAN NOT blame bush for the next 4 years. So who will he blame.
Feisty - I notice there has been no JAS for quite a while. Think she saw the writing on the wall? And, where is Pizza man today? No Latin words of wisdom from him?
How did all of those GOP people maintain control over the house? Did we not learn enough over the past 4 years that THEIR agenda is to gridlock any vote just to prove a point to the President? Keeping Mutt out of the White House was a huge priority but aren't we left with the same dance card of the last 4 years with Congress?
Thank you President Obama! I woke up yesterday with my stomach in such a knot it make waiting for Sandy to pass by seem mild. My prayers to the people just north of me who took it the hardest. A super big thank you to the liberals who post hear; reading your post was a major form of good cheer. Love you all. I will continue to read your post.
One last though Hillary in '16
I posted this yesterday and had decided it was enough. But then I read White Collar Auto's comment here this morning and I thought it'd be worth another quick showing (with names added and adjusted from those of you who gave me good suggestions yesterday…thanks for that).
And, Frank 'Grimey' Grimes: thank you for your beautiful words. You are NOT on this list...
This is a message for the people who's First Read usernames are on this list:
hardtostarboard-2708767 (first place!!)
snuffy (aka joannasmith1)
Concerned Citizen
Jim Mahoney
tammy
bob180054
Caesar Augustus
no jo no bo
robb in ma
Ticked off in Ohio
American Girl (my apologies to Alaska Girl)
Mike in Delray
ldo
DB Akron
Will Haas
Ben-636050
billybob-6210632
Can'tAffordNoMore
JH-479998
bubba-1946427
the thinker-318752
Independent Thought
Talk to the Hand
Bill-2910238
Marla-3071717
Steve-446303
witchrunner
mike-2598123
fold fat guy-1144960
White Collar Auto
fiefly
Brianb1956
GermanGem
survived-from-Sandy
Beezlemaestro
Ken-3829064
Cellisis
Redhead Ranting
northern MI
dikdialook
PangoBa
mcpaddywack
AlexTheBlade
Spanky
Kannin
Adam44
jdbird
BigATC
Avenger-2464988
John Doe-2241225
RobGC
Duqu
Va Ind
tothetop777
Fool's Gold
7.62x39mm
Hendy329
Laker Steve
Box Lunch
pjam09
Skup
Don Harris
Dee Ten
John-2032532
jim-1455434
Bob in Virginia-5210392
Ryan Cooper-7201501
Sane-2794278
just a cleaning lady
JK1963
1funnygirl
Jim - Oregon
Kaumanns0909
11EAGLES
hot daddy-4087878
Tammy-311614
bucsdad-4541537
Thinking Long Term-3675506
Concern Citizen-856329
Daniel Streibig
Gil-2872519
Am.Vets
RP-2387990
big twinz2
Obama Lies
itsnotatax
ROY WILSON-336103
Laurence Vickery
DAWG POUND
All4Areason
jerry-717350
reg-3071362
Nevada1050
Doug in SC
Truth Conveyer
jr158222
Caposurf
Robert Simon Gondwe
Anilof
mjbo44
ElectionDayCometh
UAWPleeeeeeeese
Norm Chiles
dogs80
sirie
smbilemwob
FrankO-2
Boozer-1248521
Drill Baby Drill-3459380
Intel2
American_Dream101
demoblat
Marc Chamot
ArnoldLayne56
KR MSTN
Jose V.
elliott-3020456
US citizen-701707
Sam Smith
Kate Anderson's Real Picture
Joseph Boell
thetotas
mygirl1
Zman2012
perturbative approximation
Trevor1973
E. Deboo
Rocco-2976776
Steve-446003
ROCCO1-604435
Boiler83
I'm sorry…what was that you said? Yeah. That's what I thought. You don't seem too vocal about the election results now (other than maybe just continuing to embarrass yourselves with your sore loser-ism).
And, yes, I plan on posting this again and again. And then again. And again. And adding names as I go.
If your username is on this list, it means that you have posted something during this election season that was unnecessarily mean, snide, immature, untrue, unintelligent, uninspired, or it attempted to attack others personally. I'm calling you out now because you lost. And all of that negativity caught up with you. It would be nice if you just admitted it and moved on instead of just going on with your usual stuff. I don't have high hopes for that, though.
In the mean time, why don't you guys take some time and research President Obama's record? Not opinion or analysis. Just facts. And statistics. Real numbers. In a very neutral environment, like say, c-span and/or politico. Clear your mind and seriously start reading.
I also encourage you to watch some of his policy speeches. Not campaign speeches, just ones that he has made in support of efforts such as supporting military families. Before you start watching, have a talk with yourself so that you can watch it without any pre-conceived notions or opinions. Like you've just dropped into America with the ability to vote, but with no information at all about any past or current policies, opinions, and/or politicians.
Afterward, please think about everything you've learned. Then, and this is the big step, won't you please join us?
We're ready to receive you with open arms and open minds. And even open hearts. We'd like to hear what you have to say. We're ready to collaborate, cooperate, and come together. We're ready to not hate.
You can spend the next four years stewing in anger and bad mojo, or you can work with us to get something done.
Personally, I think it's going to be really great. But if it doesn't happen, that's ok, too. Maybe you'll need the time anyway to pull yourselves back together. Or, as many of you have now said as your 'closing comment' in reaction to knowing you've lost, that you can't live in an America that would elect Mr. Obama twice so you all think you'll move somewhere else. A notion to which I say: Have a good trip!
And I look forward to the way it will be in 2016 when, after Mrs. Clinton gets the nomination, you all will be so ready and excited for a female president - not to mention a bi-partisan ticket when she asks General Colin Powell to be her running mate - that it will be the time when you finally do join us.
Or…did you want to start stretching the truth and complaining about her right now?
That's what I thought. You better get to gettin'.
Clinton '16! Even more forward!
Seeking,
Nah! I think she's back in re-hab!
Little Seizure is serving his second "time out" in less than a month! lol
Ok...is it too early for me to announce my candidacy for the 2016 Republican Presidential nomination? I already have my tagline: "Vote for Grimey: He's really good with numbers!" Simple and to the point. LOL!! Now all I need is property in New Hampshire and a speech somewhere in Iowa. ;-)
geo, the loser I see from reading your post is you.
If you cannot overcome your differences, care about the country, and work with us, please get out of the way.
I'm just glad that little girl can stop crying about Mitt this and Obama that and get her life back on track.
Feisty and Seeking -- I think JAS1 was a paid poster who was fired last week. Ha!
geo-1957883 - you're a sad little person. Last night's win for the President was bolstered by strong, working men and women; people who don't fear others just because they don't look like us; people who have come to this country to make a better life for themselves and their families; young people who know that hating everyone is not the way to go through life; people who know that gays don't cause problems for straights and should be able to live their lives just like everyone else; those who are going through rough times but trying to find jobs and work their way back to the American dream; women who know that their lives should be their own - not controlled by old pale men; small businessmen and women who know their lives are better under an Obama Presidency.
Your ignorance and hatred are the problem. YOU and others like you are taking the Republican Party oveer the cliff and do not understand there is no coming back for you.
Congrats in Chicago... Jessie Jackson Junior got re-elected and was not even present or has been anywhere near congress since june...
Go dems Go! ...Jessie Jackson Jr. is your man in CHICAGO... LOL
It is my fervent hope, this day is the beginning of the DEATH of republicanism. These gwaddamned "drag queens" of patriotism, have weakened, and in many areas, and among many people, almost destroyed that, which from inception, has cast It's bright and hopeful beacon, even into and upon, the darkest manifestions of the EVILS of Mankind throughout the World.
My Good and Faithful President; Sir, With the raw power and might the people have bestowed upon you, may you, with great power, steely resolve, and brutal force, go forth through the land, re-establishing that, which is the basis of the power, and the beacon of light that lives, and is brought forth through the labor and unyielding efforts of BIG HEARTS and abundant Charity flowing from the SOULS of Americans as they go about living their lives within the warmth of "the pursuit of happiness". Good Sir, You are much loved. Partake of It, and your burden will become as the fullness of fruit borne by the Tree rooted in Earths best, and most fertile ground. Sir!
The voters blame Bush for the Great Recession, and most were smart enough to know Romney/Ryan were proposing the same failed policies. Romney could not separate himself from the extreme-Right that has hijacked the Republican Party, but truth be told, Romney WAS a "severely" conservative candidate and his attempts to hide that only added to his historic Flip-Flop record.
But in the end, it was Romney himself who was the problem. I have never seen a more cynical campaign in my life, starting with his refusal to come clean with the American people about his taxes -- and worse lying AGAIN about his taxes. The man never passed GO for many voters like me.
I am SO relieved that a fraud like Romney was not rewarded for his lack of transparency about his tax returns, his lack of details, and most of all his lack of ethics and patriotism in they way he campaigned. Had Romney been elected, the bar would have been lowered to a historic low.
I am SO grateful that Romney/Ryan were rejected by the silent majority, as the ripple effect was so immense. From the Supreme Court, to women's rights, to the constitution and the governments responsibility for the WELFARE of it's citizens -- And preserving the middle class and programs like Social Security that are vital to the 99%.
In 2014, Obamacare will go into full effect. Many of the voters who wavered in the 2012 election yesterday will move into the Democrat camp. By 2016 the economy will be greatly improved thanks to President Obama and the Dems, despite Teapublican obstruction -- And due to this victory, the president and the Dems will be able to take credit where credit is due.
Mac Forrester
It is my fervent hope, this day is the beginning of the DEATH of Tea Partyism. I am not holding my breath that the Republican Party can rid itself of the extremism, by which they will hang themselves (for who knows how long).
The Democrats have a superior platform and welcome everyone open-minded person to their tent. The Democrats have a better bench and rising stars. It isn't just demographics on their side -- It is true MERIT that will continue to overcome dark money, election fraud, and general "strategery" of the rightwing. I am giving thanks this day for the reelection of our president, and gains in congress, and that our country can now continue on the correct path to greatness.
TO: Dont_carry_it_all who wrote:
I wish I had seen Rove lose it, that would have been the second highlight of last night! Of course the best part was seeing President Obama win that second term.
I just had the feeling for a minute there that old Mitch might have had an epiphany and finally realized that it was terribly wrong to say things like he would do everything in his power to "make sure the President of the United States would fail" and that his [Mitch's] job was "to make sure President Obama was a one-term President" those were not only the WRONG things for Mitch to say AND the wrong attitude to have, but old Mitch actually carried out those plans of his, and, as it turned out, it was Mitch McConnell who failed. I couldn't help but feel that's why Mitch changed his tune.
Not only did Mitch McConnell say and do terrible things, but he failed at them too! What a slap in the face that must have been for old Mitch!
I also heard that Donald Trump had a tantrum when he found out that Romney lost.
malarson-
My guess is they are consoling thier master Sith Lord Karl Rove today.
Salud
@TomasGrande
What are you unclear about? You mean the appointment of a Latina to the Supreme Court makes up for the broken promise of comprehensive immigration reform? If you accept that then good luck to you.
So what will be different this time? Do you expect the Republican House to propose a new immigration law?
Can I also ask what you think comprehensive immigration reform is, and how it will prevent a similar problem in 20 years? I ask this because we were told that the amnesty granted during the Reagan Administration would be the last and the issue of large numbers of illegal immigrants would be solved by this amnesty. I'm curious as to what is being proposed now and how it is different.
A government "Of" the people, "By" the people, "For" the people! The wisdom of our forefathers holds true. When one looks at the GOP it's glaringly clear that the Republican party has come to represent a narrow slice of the electorate. An extremely right leaning, non-inclusive group that doesn't look anything like the crowds at the winning, Democratic rallies. Wake up Republicans! You have to give us better alternatives than the Romney, Ryan, Palins in the world! This is your last chance to prove to the electorate that you care about more than yourselves. If changes are not made to the GOP platform and the party continues to "Obstruct" any and all attempts to solve the pressing problems that we face as a nation then I predict the GOP will go down in flames in two years. They will lose control of the House but even more they will lose the respect of the people and disappear as a legitimate alternative/option to Dems. ala the Wiggs!
I've loved all of your posts this morning FR friends! What a night! So excited to see our President re-elected!!! Was late this morning as that party at the DDI kept me up long after my regular bedtime but what a party!
Malarson .... due to the fact that most of the comments yesterday were actually on the NBC boards, quite a few of those you listed were banned from the Vine yesterday.
Oh the sweet smell of justice!
Forward!!!!
First thing you can do Joe is quit calling him "Barry" and recognize him as President of the United States of America and REALIZE that everyone is in the same boat and the oars must be syncronized in the same direction in order to extricate the economy from the mess it is in. The election is OVER!
Celebrations, Reflections and Agendas:
I've tried, in my hilariously saucy manner, to warn our "tighty righty" colleagues here what would happen
but they wouldn't listen. Showed them the "Thirteen Keys" by Allan Licthman and Vladimir Keilis-Borok,
but to no avail. Displayed unto them the sublime perfection of Nate Silver's "538 Political Calculus".
Verily, pointed them to Real Clear Politics, so their neo-con predilections could be slaked like a trench
coat wearing theater stalker might do. Alas and lack-a-day, our right leaning companions would not
heed the ever present harbingers of doom, numerous and dire as they were. So, it comes down to
to bursting the scales of their eyes and saying, "SCOREBOARD, SCOREBOARD, MOFO'S, SMELL IT,
TASTE IT, LIVE IT! Because this is how it is, what was destined to come to pass has been made
manifest by the will of the electorate. YOU MAD, BRO? The President is only leading the Mittronic
Rombot by 30 JerryWorlds!!! At this point the President could give Florida and Ohio to Rombot and still
win, so November 7, 2012 is a most satisfactory day of delivering a well couched, "Told you so!"
Can I say I was without doubt? Sadly, I cannot. Can I say I kept the faith? Humbly and gratefully,
yes I can. That is what makes sharing this victory so extremely satisfying. After all the harsh slander
and vilification of the President's heritage, character, motivations and actions, it's certainly more than
satisfactory to witness the results that transpired last night. It's a gratifying lesson in persistence,
perseverance, patience and political primacy. Just...freakin'...AWESOME!
Now that the President has been unyoked from the electoral oxcart, it would be great if he hammers
the Tea Party for the next two years and adds a Democratic House to a Democratic Senate from 2014
until 2016. Those two years can add to the nation's forward progress to the benefit of people as
well as the next Democratic nominee, whomever he or she may be.
To all the RWNJ's who promised to leave but are still here (you know who you are), the five stages of
Grief are in effect and Turd Blossom has got a head start for you with stage one, DENIAL. Next, will
come your bitter spiteful ANGER (though as vituperative as you've been this season, it's hard to
fathom how you would have any left).Thirdly, you will seek to BARGAIN to a position of tolerability,
so try to keep the pentagrams and dead chickens to a minimum. Now following, a long and melancholic
DEPRESSION for which many fine medications are available. Or, you could move to Colorado. Just
sayin'. Finally, eventually, after a Gollum-like existence of no succor, ACCEPTANCE, where you have
finally become relaxed about Barack Obama being re-elected President. Hopefully, that will be many
years before selected loved ones are dropping handfuls of earth on the box holding your mortal coil
after it was gently deposited in the bosom of the cold, cold ground on a bright, sunny Wednesday,
much like today.
4 more 4 44
O and Joe, running the show.
T. Money Trim/A Play Run-"We had a great time spending you rich dopes money!"
Suds in Denver -- Agreed, particularly candidates like Michele Bachmann. But... their days are numbered, thank heavens! In other words, now the REAL work begins. Fellow progressives, learn from the GOP who began plotting on day one of the president's election. Do not think we can sit back on our laurels.
There is election reform, tax reform, jobs bills, getting Supreme Court appointments, taking larger control of congress AND more gains in state legislatures most notably governor races we need to focus on. Jeff Flake the Mormon fundamentalist Teabagger won in Arizona last night. But unlike Kyl before him, he will not enjoy that seat forever.
And if the GOP (Boehner/McConnell) think they have a mandate and can continue to obstruct, they will get an even bigger spanking in the future.
American Girl-
I wonder if Donald Chump will want proof President Obama won the election?
LOL
Salud
shosyn - Jesse Jackson Jr is not in my congressional district so I don't have an influence on his election. However, the people he represents apparently like him better than those who ran against him. He is suffering from an illness and is being treated. Hopefully he will be able to go back to his duties soon.
I notice you left out Senator Kirk who has been missing from his job for almost a year now. Are you also calling for him to be out of a job? Like Jackson, he is suffering from a medical situation - having had a stroke in January of this year.
Whether a stroke or a mental illness, both men are suffering and getting the help they need. Intelligent people know both types of illness should be treated with concern and respect. And, I wish them both a complete recovery.
Ain't gonna lie - that sucked.
Of course I am not pleased with the result, but still damn proud to be an american, and to settle so much so easily.
Contentious, sure, but no blood shed, not violence, and now we come back together and try to get things done.
I will say this though for all - Libbies won yesterday and connies lost, but things change fairly rapidly around here. I will not get to down, and I suggest that the winners not get too high.
And I do appreciate that most are very restrained. I know it must be tough not to really rub it in.
Me, I'm looking to take a break from all things politics for a while. It was fun, especially here, but man, it does suck a lot of time.
Time to get to work.
The times, they are a-changin!
Too bad the GOP failed to keep up.
Old fossils are being laid to rest, and this country is better for it.
Congrats you guys, your guy won fair and square. Please note there has been no or minimal allegations of fraud, chicanery, voter intimidation, etc from our side. Please also note that your hated Fox News was the first network to call Ohio and thus the election. Karl Rove did not like it, and cute little Megan Kelly in her cute little dress walked about a half a mile in her stilletos to talk with the "situation room". They basically pointed out the votes, the counties that had voted, etc. Karl gets paid the same amount either way. Most of the talking heads ( Rush, Hannity, Beck) prefer to be in the minority because it increases their ratings.
I thought James Carville had some of the best comments of the evening. CNN actually has too many analysts all talking at the same time. Next time, they should just have 2 or 3.
I actually liked Mitt Romney. For those of you that thought George W was too dumb, Bob Dole and John McCain were too old and DC insiders, Romney is the best GOP nominee since Bush 41. We gave you some freebies with the Senate, not because we nominated Tea Party guys, but because they kept going off script and talking about abortion, when this election should have been about the economy.
Kudos to the Obama tactical team for feeding the gullible media a never ending series of distractions to keep their minds off of important topics like the economy and national security.
The GOP primaries cannot allow the candidates to carve each other up and then expect them to win. Gingrich is a hero for his 1994 revolution, but his behavior in the primaries hurt our guy.
My old nemesis Anna Molly from Wisconsin had one of the best posts I have read which contradicts the major thrust of this story. Every election, the media talks about "permanent realignment". Not going to happen. My buddy Paul Ryan won in Wisconsin and my girlfriend Michelle Bachmann won in Minnesota. Nancy Pelosi gets more irrelevant every day. The same voters are going to elect a very liberal senator and then turn around and turn your state house GOP. They really don't want one party rule.
Back to permanent realignment. In 2004, the GOP was never going to lose another election. The 100 fastest growing counties were all GOP, so demographics were going to carry the Republicans for the next 75 years.
In 2006 and 2008, we were told the democrats had a permanent majority. The mid terms in 2010 changed that talk. And now they are saying that democrats will never lose again.
Let's see what happens in 2014.
If the economy continues to mend, and things actually get done, it could be very good for the dems. If the next two years are like the last two, expect the voters to rise up again and make changes. At some point, Obama will have to own his record.
Regarding demographics, if the GOP can lead on immigration reform, hispanics are back up for grabs. They are socially conservative, hard working people. Don't consider them permanent democrats. When the young people realize the failure of tax and spend, they will drift to the GOP. Another 4 years of no jobs for college graduates will not be good for democrats.
The people, not the pundits decide things.
American Girl -- Thankfully Trump's loud mouth was silenced by the thunderous applause of the President's speech last night!!!
Thanks for that perspective. In the end, Mitch McConnell and the others who conspired to make the President a one term President failed. That's just icing on the cake, isn't it?
True Patriot -- I think you are spot on about that silent majority!
Has anyone seen Willard today?
OH SNAP!
That's right, he has an appointment with his CPA to amend his 2011 tax returns...
Gary - you're off on a few things. Hispanics do not have short memories and the ones I know will NEVER become Republicans. They may become Independents but they will not vote for the hated espoused by the far right. Young people are learning that diversity is a GOOD thing and they will not go backward to the party of old stale white males. Young women are proud to be independent and will not be told what they can do with their lives - so no to the Republican party.
If you're girlfriend is Michelle Bachmann we can send you with Jesse Jackson for help at the Mayo Clinic. Surely they have a cure for whatever mental illness you have come down with and you'll feel much better when you're well.
Feisty - Williard is going to the Caymans today to roll around in his money. It always makes him feel better.
Thanks for that at least. However, the suppression of the vote by Teapublicans DID happen, and we must now have election reforms to ensure these shenanigans don't keep cropping up. We need to take elections out of the hands of the states, and make these a federal, standardized, regulated process. And hopefully we can also begin to work on ending gerrymandering, but at least we can continue with removing anonymity behind dark money with legislation to counter Citizen's United.
The anonymity to dark money is just like the KKK. Let's rip off the white masks and see who is behind this crap.
Alan, NJ
I pointed out your broad generalization that you think Hispanics “bought it” in order for the President to get votes.
I sighted the Supreme Court Justice as an example that it is unwise to think Hispanics are easy push-over’s and are just as respected as any American.
Jorge and Maria are correct in expressing Hispanics growing impatience with “immigration reform” and have given the President a pass to this point because he has proven to work with and listen to Hispanics.
The President is also correct in that the Republicans in congress, who have worked with Hispanics in the past, have not these past two to three years for political purposes.
The immigration “problem” is mostly about Amnesty and needs to be a bi-partisanship issue.
Hispanics helped President Obama win re-election. Deferring the deportation of younger Hispanics was a positive gesture. The President did that. Congress didn’t.
Like All Americans, jobs for Hispanic Americans is still our number one priority over immigration and to this point, the President has shown greater effort in creating jobs than Republicans in congress.
Salud
Now what are we going to do about the GOP obstructionism in the House? How about e-mailing them constantly to get off their lazy a----, and start getting something done positively. Get rid of Mitch McConnell next, who was up to his same ole' B.S. remarks again last night. Threaten these radical GOP with no vote for them on the next round.
There are some interesting facts about this election. Obama's base was single women, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and the under 29 crowd. The election polls showed that Americans think the country is headed in the wrong direction, and that Romney would have been better able to improve the economy.
So how if the country is headed in the wrong direction, and Obama is not the one to improve the economy does he get elected? Obviously free abortion and free birth control pills. Both of which mean more to single women then married. Blacks voted exclusively on race. Hispanics for a previously broken promise and the summer carrot. Asians, no clue there. The under 29 uniformed voters just love seeing their president on SNL, the late shows, and of course The View. All adds up to popularity and not substance.
Obama got a do over. Obama said he could do the job in four years and failed. Then he claimed all he needed was more time and his base ignored his record and said okay. Obviously the endless blame and excuses work on liberals, and as such will probably continue for 4 more years. It will be funny when 2016 rolls around and the Democratic Party candidate is still trying to blame Bush for the mess in the country, but it does appear it will still work on liberals. Of course the markets are plunging today, so apparently the Obama do over isn't spreading joy on Wall Street.
Yay! More debt than any other state [so goes the nation], voted to increase taxes (Prop 30) in a state that already pays more taxes.
Yay! Look at the market. As if Europe all the sudden on Tuesday night went into some skids. No the market is down because of who was elected.
Yay! Obama admitted drilling permits are up. This is why gas prices have come down since that debate.
Don't you people understand economics?
What about demographics? Look at the maps 80% red even in the blue won states. If Democrats are for the poor lower classes then why were all of the votes for Obama in the rich cities?
Oh well, no different today than yesterday. I hope we don't have more layoffs. Hope that new accounting procedure for unemploment makes things look better than they are.
Yay!
To all those Mormon Ceo's I work for in this stupid republican right to work state, the result of this election is the voice of women you have abused in your companies, in your state, in your homes.
For not giving women equal pay.
For the sexual harrassment women have to endure at work.
For trying to take away our medical care.
For trying to take away our access to an education through pell grants.
In your face bloated creeps!
Spanky,
Thanks for checking in.
I have the day off, but will certainly be back to work tomorrow.
Yes, there is tons of work to do.
I am just hoping that Congress got the message....
Can't wait to see our new women senators working to clean up that chamber.
Job1
CELEBRATE!!! WE DID IT. YES WE DID We BEAT THE KOCH FUELED MACHINE.
Amen Bev, and we sent a message to the crazy tea baggers that Obama Care is here to stay.
Job1
Can you believe the kiddies over @ FOX NOISE are still stroking the flames of division. Somehow those morons thought President Obama would win the electoral college but lose the popular vote. Hah!!! That hasn't happened. They are such idiots.
Take for example one in particular, Fox Noise commentator Brian Kilmeade said Voters Approving Of Obama's Response To Sandy that America Is "The Shallowest Country In The History Of Man"
How about Karl Rove's being in denial about O-H-I-O?
4 more 4 years>>>FORWARD
@Tomas
Thanks for the reply. I have to say I disagree with your solution of an amnesty. This only alleviates the current problem and creates no disincentive to future illegal immigrants. Until there is a way of stopping illegal immigration in the future I do not see a bi-partisan solution for the current problem.
I have been going back and forth with YellowDog on this, but I don't see an easy solution. I don't see a physical barrier working, I believe there has to be economic disincentives, and I also think an amnesty is unfair to those who are waiting to enter the country legally.
Rick - President Obama was re-elected by a DIVERSE group of Americans. That is the point since America is made up of many faces. Your trying to make it less so doesn't make it true. Many white men and women - as well as minorities went to the polls for our President. Women voted for him because we WILL NOT go backward and the Republican party chooses to make women 2nd class citizens. The loss is no one's fault but the Republican party. It has become a party of hate and divisiveness. Until they come into the 21st Century and realize that each person has value, they will not flourish!
The ONLY thing last night proved is that this country truly has gone insane.
Def. insanity: doing the same thing over and over, while expecting different results.
From where I stand, NOTHING HAS CHANGED! Everyone b!tched about the status quo... and then you all voted it right back in. Nothing has changed in the White House, in the Senate or the House. NOTHING.
What do you fools expect will happen now? Honestly! We are going to see four more years of the same cr@p we saw for the last four years. And our country will continue to decline. Watch what is happening in Greece today... and know that it is not far off for us.
We are all doomed!
:OP
Rick-3416939 ... right out of the blocks you start mouthing right wing crap!!!!
Firstly ... you left out Obama did well with Educated Whites ....
AND ... the problem with Wall Street today was due to an announcement in Europe .....
But hey ... we have no illusions that the right wing nuts will go away .... you are just proof!
TO: Rick-3416939 who wrote:
Wow Rick, you know, if it hadn't been for all that lying and hate speech coming from Republicans, old Mitt might have had a shot.
So, maybe I should say "Thank You" to all the wackos who wasted their time with amnesia, the "liars and deny-ers", and to all those right wing nut jobs that made the Republican Party so toxic that Republicans can't get elected anywhere except locally in their own tiny districts
Congratulations Mr. President !
Dont_carry_it_all
Trump pretty much had a meltdown on Twitter last night. He railed against the electoral college among other things...apparently not noticing the popular vote. The dude is not helping anybody.
Derek, James
Let them be enjoy the moment.
In elections there are consequences the ones to the losers are obvious. For winners, the consequences aren't always so obvious.
This was a close election, what it really means is maintain the status quo. Unfortuneately it won't be seen that way by many.
And Marlarson
What on earth do you call your post?
Forgiving? Healing? Being a welcome into the "Big Tent"?
I call it divisive, "Spiking the Football", and looks like a black list or hit list.
The only list in life that counts is the names in the book of life!
Is your name there?
Having said that I am sick of the electoral college. $2B spent on a campaign and it didn't even take place in NY, California, Texas or even New Jersey. I move that they change the it to at least proportional allocation within state. It would be nice if our future leaders were forced to campaign in all the states and not just the "lucky" 9.
Gary 420
Congrats you guys, your guy won fair and square. Please note there has been no or minimal allegations of fraud, chicanery, voter intimidation, etc from our side.
Please also note that your hated Fox News was the first network to call Ohio and thus the election.
Gary 420
That just isn't true.
Fox Begins To Invalidate Obama Victory With Baseless Voter Fraud Charges
http://mediamatters.org/video/2012/11/07/fox-begins-to-invalidate-obama-victory-with-bas/191195
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
One thing, for sure, we can invalidate FOX as being news.
University Of Mississippi Students Riot Over Obama Victory
http://www.buzzfeed.com/johnstanton/university-of-mississippi-students-riot-over-obama
DingleB -- Read a few of those tweets. It's never pretty witnessing a child having a tantrum. Ha!
Sarah
Actually, the exit polls said Obama's handling of Sandy was the reason for their votes. I think was reason number 4 or 5.
@True Patriot-445959#1.167: My good Friend. Tea party is a construction, not of It's own conception. It is rather, a very wicked exploitation of the uneducated, and often, actual mentally deranged individuals, who hold little or no concept of factual reality relative to the necessities of the welfare of their fellows, or the general security and overall enhancement of this nation. This mess, of the most rotten of political discourse was constructed, directed, and maintained by that which many, maybe even you, call "moderate republicans", and the hierarchy of that party. I cannot differentiate, in good conscience, between those who bought the poison, then, directed the contemptible jesters to the water supply, simply because the fools poured the poison into the water. Fact, I personally contend, the architects and managers of "Bedlam" are the evil upon which the wrecks of the wretched so wished to emulate. As always, best regards. Mac
Conservative Group On Obama Victory: "We Are In A War"
The right gives no ground after a big defeat. A new video from Heritage Action for America.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=p7D0d7ztLY0
4 more years FORWARD 4 America with President Obama minus the haters
Seeking Sanity - Once again you are misinformed, Working men and married women DID NOT vote for this President. Do you really believe any small buisness owner would vote for Obama, Why? If you manage to get ahead, he wants to give it to someone who didn't. Fair? My mother is a war refugee who came to this country not speaking a word of english, she and her family worked as indentured servents for a year to EARN their freedom. She can't stand immigrants who come here to take advantage of this country. As far as hatred, it was developed over years of watching pathetic Democrats want something for nothing, as in free food, free homes which they destroy. This can not last. But as long as it makes you feel good, that's all that counts.
@ Maxx Power --
I hate to be the one to break this to you, but if you don't like Obama and his socialist ideas, then you are definitely NOT going to like Europe. And if you go to France or Germany, they really don't like Romney, so you might want to keep your lips zipped and not mention politics at all. But the food is awesome, and by all means, enjoy the landscapes. Europe is awesome!
DingleB . . .
Not sure who had the bigger Twitter meltdown last night, Trump or Ted Nugent!
http://www.salon.com/2012/11/07/ted_nugents_twitter_meltdown/
So many good comments on the Vine today by my fellow liberals that I don't know whom to praise. So I'll just pick one. Malarson: That was a great post!
There were very few stupid, vindictive posts, but Rick Lotsanumbers (at #1.187) did a fine job vying with no jo and Maxx Power for the top spot. (Charlie: Maxx was snidely insinuating that the USA is becoming Europe. He's wrong, of course. And you're right--Europe is a wonderful, sane place to live.)
Spanky--there are times when I almost admire you. That was a gracious-in-defeat post. Thank you.
Alan in NJ--rarely agree with you, but you're more thoughtful than many on the Right who post here. Maybe one day we'll win you over to our camp.
Grimey--wish there were dozens more of your crowd here; we could have some productive conversations.
geo - your hatred blinds you to facts. The owner of my company voted for President Obama as did many. I know no Democrats who don't work - just another Republican lie to try to frighten the low information voters - which you clearly represent. All of my friends work and the great majority of them voted for the President. Oh, and we're all white Americans!
Those of us who love this country will work to keep it great - right alongside our President. You can whine and try to put others down or you can be part of the country's success. Your lies are just that - lies!
no joe - did not know rats in NJ were mahogany black but I'm sure you'll find one that's close to that in color!
Rick,
You are a racist, sexist idiot. The blacks voted exclusively on race?? Are you kidding me? Did you know there are black Republicans?
Your best statement was, "No clue there." You admit to know nothing about Asians, and that is true. What's also very true is that you don't know anything about minorities in general. Women are not stupid. Hispanics are not stupid. They all have long memories. They remember things like trans-vaginal ultrasounds, 'legitimate rape,' and the Right's undying efforts to make this a non-Latino country.
For four years (longer actually) the Republicans have been ignoring facts and lying to themselves saying that America is sick of Obama or liberals in general. Look at the vote results. What they failed to see is that this country is not controlled by white wealthy men anymore. Liberals work in facts, like math, and science. Republicans turn a blind eye to anyone or anything that doesn't share their beliefs. That is why, no matter how hard they tried to blame everything on the President, the vast majority of the people (most of whom are not white) told the GOP that they are too old-fashioned and out of touch with the true Americans to be trusted with the job.
TO: Beverly in Chicago who wrote:
Bev, thanks for the link!
Just so happens the "Karl Rove Meltdown" video was there too! What a tickle!
It looked as though Karl thought someone was "throwing" the election the way he threw it to Bush in 2000. Amazing!
Good one!
Congratulations President Obama!
TO: geo-1957883 who wrote:
Yes, we did vote for President Obama to be re-elected and so did millions of other workers AND business owners, which is why President Obama won.
As far as giving money away, you must mean "Who's going to pay for that lie called the War in Iraq" which Republicans like to refer to as "redistribution of wealth".
Well, I feel like, since the Republicans lied us into that war, and since Republicans made so many millions in the stock market gambling and buying war equipment stocks, then THEY ought to pay for their lies.
Republicans have no business trying to pile a big debt like that on working class people, and THAT'S why Romney lost!
If you don't like the outcome of this election, why not go park it over in China for the next 12 years?
Congratulations President Obama!
Congratulations Mr. President!
Congratulations Senator-elect Elizabeth Warren
And Congratulations to all who supported President Obama.
Hearing "President Obama - projected winner" last night was just awesome, especially so early on.
Where are all the right-wing jerks who usually clog these threads? Off foaming at the mouth no doubt.
@Tomas Grande: Good Sir, while there are so many who state their heartfelt best for the betterment of their fellows almost daily on this forum, and without diminishing anyone of them in any way, I wish to express my appreciation especially to you. You are a warm, caring, thoughtful and intelligent Gentleman. I believe the wind and sun envelope you in even temperament. Best regards
American Girl-724855
TO: Beverly in Chicago who wrote:
Bev, thanks for the link!
Just so happens the "Karl Rove Meltdown" video was there too! What a tickle!
It looked as though Karl thought someone was "throwing" the election the way he threw it to Bush in 2000. Amazing!
American Girl, you're welcome
I take great delight in seeing the floating heads over @ FOX NOISE discombobulate. Did you seethis one?
Rudy Giuliani Calls on Obama to Resign
Says he should quit over economy, and that McCain would have helped prevent the Benghazi attacks.
Here's the reality. President Obama is no stranger to the hard work of "being President". He did it for 4 years with absolutely no help from the "loyal opposition".
I would like to point out that election day, before the first polling place closed, John Boehner made a very adversarial statement regarding cooperation with the Democrats. Now both Boehner and McConnell have changed their tune. Why do you suppose that is? Because they suddenly like the president? Because they've suddenly become patriotic and only want what is best for the American People? I think not.
There are two stone cold facts staring them in their faces.
1. The Tea Party Freshmen last year held the American economy hostage (Debt Ceiling debates) until the Democrats compromised with an agreement to institute a "Super Committee". The compromised backup was Sequestration if the "Super Committee" was unable to perform...clearly they didn't. Now we are facing an unprecedented fiscal cliff (20% across the board cut to the Federal government). The Tea Party will finally get their way with a decimated Federal Government, though they weren't bright enough to figure out that includes Department of Defense. The Republicans in Congress are finally understanding they have set fire to their own beds by not controlling their freshmen. If the Democrats do nothing but point out what caused Sequestration, the American people will eat the Republican Party alive...and they know it. Add to that the insult of another impending Debt Ceiling vote and the Republicans have no choice for their own self-preservation but to claw their way to the middle and compromise.
2. The changing national demographics and the Republican hatred of change. A wise old man once said "Change or go the way of the dinosaur". Oh wait, that was me. Either the Republican party reverts back to what they once were, or they also "go the way of the dinosaur".
@Ron Indiana (post #1.2)
What a vile, bigoted, racist and hateful thing to say. This is what's wrong with America.
BigJeff-2931255
you are trying to explain logic to someone who supports a party that doesn't give a flying f*ck about those who do not look like a white male.
Congratulations, Mr. President Obama!!
Goodbye 401k's. At least there are good write offs this year for the other candidates. I am tired of the negative commercials and am glad they are over.
Thank you for the new dawn of healthcare that wil go forward.
A new United States is moving Forward!
Congratulations, Mr. President Obama and Joe Biden.
As I often say I am simply fiscally responsible. Bush was awful and Obama has been as bad. I'll give the benefit of the doubt for the first couple of years but the last two have shown no improvement.
On woman's rights, gay rights and immigration I am pro-choice, pro gay marriage and pro immigration reform. With these positions there are caveats. Contraception should not be a federal mandate but included with whatever co-payment the plan stipulates and I take the Clinton position on abortion; safe, legal and rare. On gay rights I just don't understand the objections. Who cares what people do in their lives if it doesn't affect anybody else (so I suppose I'm pro polygamy as well if that's what people want. On immigration I still feel that amnesty is unfair to those who are still waiting. People who come here illegally are not victims.
Jo Ann-666954
you are a prime example of someone in denial. Ron's statement is 100% true. It's been said over and over and over, and not just be the Left but by your own party.
Guess what, the Republican Party is fully aware that if they do not change their litmus test (too old, too white, and too male), pretty soon they will start losing states like TX.
Well, modesty prevents me from pointing out that over a year ago I predicted Romney would be the nominee and that Obama would be re-elected. Ouch! I hurt myself patting ME on the back.
In fact, when I saw Nate Silver's numbers last week I was so confident I wouldn't need the money, I raided my Costa Rican immigration fund and bought myself a new Jazz Guitar. NOW..if the darned postal service would just deliver it I"ll be pretty happy.
So, here's what I learned this morning while waiting to see my eye doctor, Obama won because of....
Sandy
Voter Fraud
The media called the election too soon
Mitt Romney was a poor candidate
The "47%" of minority welfare freeloaders turned out to keep their sugar daddy in office.
Now the honest working people of the country will be burdened even more to pay for the lazy 47%
All real Americans should rise up and take the country back through revolution per Donald Trump
The election was a sham per Donald Trump
Ted Nugent congratulated the welfare pimps and whores and their drug-addled children on their win.
The GOP is right and everybody else is wrong. They don't need to look inward or question their core values, they just need to step up their efforts to convert minorities to their way of thinking. Expect a Spanish language version of FOX news early next year.
So, what did THEY learn? Apparently nothing.
Good work everybody, now rest up because we're going to have to do it all again in 2014 and 2016.
Where is ticked off in Ohio? The coward isn't here because his head is busy exploding from the loss given his candidate by his home state. Most of the righties have been cordial as it should be. Most of the left would have been cordial had the election gone the other way. In America we traditionally work together to get things done for the greater good of all the people. We've lost our way in Congress as of late. With pressure from us on both sides we can make Congress work together and stop the partisan bickering. It is one thing for ordinary folks on some annonymous blog to be devisive. Some of us enjoy needling the other side. When the chips are down, however, as Americans we would all stick together. Congress needs to work with the other side and with the President. Give as well as take. Great things can be done in the next two years, by this Congress. If not we can replace them with some who will work together..
Beverly in Chicago, Fox was the first network to call Ohio. Your beloved Chicago Tribune reported it this morning.
To everyone that thinks Hispanics are part of the permanent democrat victim majority.
Two Words : Marc Rubio.
BTW, there are more elected GOP hispanics than democrats. One party talks and the other party gets it done. The new US Senator from Texas is a Tea Party Hispanic. Talk about your nightmare for the libs!
Peace out guys. I will let you enjoy your victory. I know you wanted a conservative to kick around today and I am more than happy to oblige.
So, after 4 years of Obama nobody but Wall Street improved, nobody. And all you idiots voted for him for WHAT. Lower median income (-$4000.00) fewer jobs than when he took office, higher unemployment, a laughing stock in Iran, God please help us! The next 4 years will be rough with NO leadership, maybe we will get a budget? Does anyone know what the hell his plan is?
And there, I think, you put your finger right on the problem. Citizens elect politicians to serve our country and its interests not their own ends. Republicans have totally lost sight of that. "if they want to win Presidential elections" - sadly, that is all that they want. The Republican party has become obsessed with power - winning it, consolidating it and keeping it no matter what the cost to their country and its people! I think they have proven that over the last 10 years.
Take the mortgage crisis - the plan was to turn illegal immigrants into home-owning loyal Republican voters by making the only requirement for a home mortgage to be breathing. By doing so, Karl Rove and George W. Bush hoped to establish a voting block that would insure Republican dominance for decades. So they practiced economic idiocy that trashed the US economy and most of Europe's economies, also.
And the US credit downgrade - Republicans crying the loudest about an increase in the national debt limit were the same ones who passed an increases in the debt limit no less than 7X under George W. Bush with nary a whimper. Their big problem with it? Obama - the hell with the country and whatever hardship it may suffer - as long as it made Obama look bad and furthered Republican needs, the country didn't matter!
And the economy itself - who cares? If the economy improved, it might hurt Republican chances to win the next election cycle. So, at any cost to the country and its people, Republicans had to make sure that the economy did not get any better so that Obama looked bad! So Republicans embarked on a campaign of stalling any bill that might help the economy in the HR and filibustering any bill in the Senate to death!
No, I am afraid that the only thing the Republicans wanted was to win Presidential elections. And they have proven themselves quite capable of sacrificing the US and the voters who put them into office in the first place to do it!
@ bayllie,
I'm not in denial. The way he said it was hateful. Sorry to burst your bubble but some day we are all going to be old.
When a person is young they see the world in a different light. No bills, no worries, all carefree and so cool to be voting for a President who is so hip.
But then years later people age and reality sets in. The damage done years earlier by a hip President will strike the now older person in the face and will be left with huge bills and low paying jobs while the hip President, who happens to be millionaire, is set for life with a great government pension (in addition to his millions in the bank).
Where does that leave us? Too old, too white, too black, too asian, too male, too female and too poor.
American Girl-724855
Here's a little tidbit for Gulliani... President Obama becomes the first Democratic President since FDR to win two times with more than 50% of the vote.
4 more years FORWARD!
All i know is this, Obama winning the white house is the beginning of the end for the out of touch republicans, who's only agenda is trying to trick the average person into believing that what is good for them, is actually bad for them. I now feel that the average person has finally realized this. The republicon party's days are over. they have alienated most of the people in this country. The republicons only support a few percent of voters in this country. Its a mystery that Romney has 49% of the poular vote, so i guess that around 46 or 48% have been duped, and i hope that changes in the future. The other few percent of the romney voters actually knew what they were voting for. With a middle class under attack at all times, and the poor not only forgotten, but ignored. I hope that the republicon party has finally failed itself. I guess it shows that you dont have to be smart to be rich, and that for the most part, people who have made a fortune, or at least 100"s of thousands of $ have just been in the right place at the right time, Or born rich, and have just been given the opportunity that most people are not entitled to. I hear more stupid things come out of the mouths of very successful individuals, and it makes me wonder how in the hell that they did become successful. Please dont misunderstand me, There are very many well off people that busted their ass to get what they have, and they deserve everything that they have. However, to change the subject a bit more, some people, like romney for example, Although born rich, Have created their success at the expense of others, Some of them by being smart and cunning, and others that take advantage of the opportunity that comes with having the right connections and wealthy family and friends. As for the republicons aversion to wealth redistribution, wealth distribution has been alive and well, especially the last 40 or so years, only difference is that the wealth has been sucked out of the middle class pool of the common hard working people, and shared among a few of the already super rich elites that feel that they are "entitled" to the money because "we deserve it because we work harder than the common man/woman. Well, now its our time, the middle class peoples time to get our money back, Its not wealth redistribution, its been our money all along, its been stolen out of our hard working hands, very slowly over many years, Well not that slow i guess, folks that were already quite wealthy helping themselves to 500% or more pay increases, as the common folk has lost money, over the years when you factor in inflation. We need to wake up, see through the bull@!$%#, Quit agreeing with the republicons on what is good or not good for us. See the truth. Change the future by eliminating the republicons from the face of the earth so that 100 years from now, our childrens children will read about the republicon party in history books as the evil elites that were knocked out of existence due to the great awakening of the middle class that were tired of being duped and change the course of history, and become the great middle class again. Again, im not talking about becoming a socialist country or anything, but just getting what we the middle class are entirely entitled to, good jobs, with good pay, for skilled workers and a little less wage disparity, ok alot less wage disparity. On another subject altogether, who the hell gave these elitists the notion that they are so damn important to this world that they should make ten times as much money as our president of these united states. I mean really? and who the hell thinks it is right for skilled workers to make less and less every year when you add inflation to the mix. How dare you elitist upper class (no class in my opinion) say that we, the middle class, just have not worked as hard as you so therefore its our fault that were not rich, or even just making a decent. Id say its your fault (the elitist pig) that the middle class has been neglected, leading to this country going broke, A strong middle class would add billions of tax dollars to fix the crumbling roads, schools, etc. Instead of hiding the money overseas to avoid paying "your fair share" as the rich folks would say about us middle class and poor. Yeah, the rich, and the republicans really think that a single mother, making 8 bucks an hour, needs to pay a huge portion of her pay and basically have her children starve, all so that "the rich" can keep an extra million of their money on top of the 20 million that they made during the year while they vacationed while their money was the only thing that worked to make more money, oh plus us middle class along with single mom with, say, an associates degree or better getting paid 8 bucks an hour instead of maybe ten or twelve that would make all the difference in the world for her and her children, and her dignity so that the president of the same company can get paid 40 times more than they are worth, as they destroy the company with bad decisions ans maybe even slimming and stealing while they are at it. And then there is the fact that in this country of wealth (for some), one in four kids go hungry, But thats ok because you weathy folks give to charity, But only if theres a benefit to them with a tax deduction. Fact is that the middle class give far more of their money to good causes, and to help others, unlike the wealthy that only help themselves. damn this is a long winded rant. Il step off my soapbox now. I say again though, this republican parties days are over. A change is coming, and im not talkin bout obama, but thats a good start. Congrats to obama, and good riddance to Mittens, Havent you learned after two tries. Your never going to become president. Not even your magic undergarments will change that.
THERE'S STILL TIME FOR THE GOP TO TOTALLY SELF DESTRUCT.... THEY'RE NOT QUITE FINISHED YET....
1) Keep aligning yourself with big money, corporate interests, and tax favors for those groups.
2) Identify yourself as the party of angry white men. (IS Dick Cheney still alive and available to run?)
3) People love to have their bodies, sex lives, and religious beliefs legislated.
4) Let the TEA Party (and shrill bitches like Sarah Palin and Anne Coulter) help select your candidates.
5) Don't release tax returns, insult 50% of the country early on, and pretend everyone has hired help.
6) Keep putting Mitch McConnell and John Boehner on television.
7) Cover up the fact that your hero, Ayn Rand, died on welfare and medicaid by smoking herself to death.
8) Start unfunded wars to reward your donors whenever you get into office. Send the bill to the next Pres.
9) Listen to Karl Rove and sign tax pledges with Grover Norquist so that you can't possibly compromise.
10) Make sure you put up the weakest possible slate of candidates in the primary and then have them devour each other, slavishly trying to prove who is the nastiest and most out of touch with reality..
FOUR MORE YEARS OUGHT TO FINISH YOU OFF FOR GOOD....
This was a win against the religious nutbars but will ultimately hasten the collapse of the US economy.
Good luck USA, you got the president you deserve.
Jo Ann-666954
there is nothing hateful about Ron's post unless you assume that when he wrote "their days are numbered" he meant "old men" and not the Republicans.
I don't know what you understood when you read that sentence, I can only guess. I don't want to assume but if I am correct, you did exactly what the Republicans did with President Obama's "you didn't build that" statement.
I'm going to vent a bit here, so if you're easily offended, then don't read it.
I'm pissed, very pissed that obama won.
Now I have an 80 year old father, and a 76 year old mother (with dementia) that will have their treatments/healthcare put in the hands of a non-medically educated board who will dictate what they can and can't have treated. Their medicare is going to go downhill. Finding doctors to treat them will be more difficult due to doctors leaving the industry since medicare reimbursements have been drastically cut.
I have a wife who's work health insurance plan is going for bid yet again, the last bid raised her premiums 10%, and it'll looking that will go up even more with the new bids. My work health insurance is safe this year since we were grandfathered, but we've been warned of drastic hikes next year. My wife and I are looking at having to drop some of our health insurance since we won't be able to afford it.
With the new epa regulations, my Avista (gas heating) bill will be going up due to new regulations on natural gas.
My electrical bill will be going up due to new epa regulations.
Small businesses where I live are closing down due to all the new regulations making it harder and harder for them to turn a profit.
I haven't had a raise, nor a bonus, in three years due to the economy AND the new regulations put in place.
All of this is directly due to activity by the obama administration. This is NOT due to bush.
Now I have another four years of this bull@!$%# to deal with, and you all are partying and gloating.
Do you have any @!$%#ing clue on what you've done to this country?
Honestly I could give a rats ass about gay marriage, abortion, illegals, etc right now. All I'm trying to do is take care of my parents (who worked all their lives) and support my family. This is administration is NOT helping me out. He says he cares about the middle class? He cares about me about as much as he cares about when his dog @!$%#s.
So in closing, @!$%# you, @!$%# your liberal ideas, @!$%# your freeloading selfish ways, you have ruined this country.
Good day.
Just like they won the race they will lie cheat and steal from the real hard working Americans that voted to put a business man in office and not a Egotistical Bully/Party Planner( never met a photo op with his ultra rich buddies in Hollyweird he didn't want to capitalize on) He Just has no idea what he is doing,I think the first Debate showed him at a weak moment when he decided he was out of his element,then all the firestorm starts and he has to repay those Uber rich Folks that have backed him all these years,they have invested everything into their Perfecting the O,so he turns on the Shapeshifter and becomes whatever he needs to be to brainwash anyone who lines up for him,The media has treated him with soft fury gloves,and lame basted Romney or anyone on the Right,actually anyone who disagree with their AGENDA.
Fox News and other media outlets have projected that President Obama has been reelected to a second term. If, in celebrating his victory Obama wanted to give credit where credit is due, he might want to think about calling some of America's top journalists, since their favorable approach almost certainly made the difference between victory and defeat.
Reviewing the 2012 presidential campaign, here are five ways the media elite tipped the public relations scales in favor of the liberal Obama and against the conservative challenger Mitt Romney:
1. The Media's Biased Gaffe Patrol Hammered Romney: The media unfairly jumped on inconsequential mistakes — or even invented controversies — from Romney and hyped them in to multi-day media "earthquakes." Case in point: the GOP candidate's trip to Europe and Israel in late July. A Media Research Center analysis of all 21 ABC, CBS and NBC evening news stories about Romney's trip found that virtually all of them (18, or 86%) emphasized "diplomatic blunders," "gaffes" or "missteps."
Conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer blasted the news coverage in an August 2 column, calling the trip "a major substantive success" that was wrapped "in a media narrative of surpassing triviality."
Similarly, when the left-wing Mother Jones magazine in September put out a secretly-recorded video of Romney talking to donors about the 47% of Americans who don't pay income taxes, the networks hyped it like a sensational sex scandal. Over three days, the broadcast network morning and evening shows churned out 42 stories on the tape, nearly 90 minutes of coverage. The tone was hyperbolic; ABC's "Good Morning America" called it a "bombshell rocking the Mitt Romney campaign," while ABC "World News" anchor Diane Sawyer declared it a "political earthquake."
None of Obama's gaffes garnered that level of coverage. After the president in a June 8 press conference declared that "the private sector is doing fine," the ABC, CBS and NBC evening newscasts gave it just one night's coverage, then basically dropped the story — nothing further on ABC's "World News" or the "CBS Evening News" in the weeks that followed, and just two passing references on the "NBC Nightly News."
And, when Obama infamously declared, "You didn't build that," ABC, CBS, NBC didn't report the politically damaging remark for four days — and then only after Romney made it the centerpiece of a campaign speech.
2. Pounding Romney With Partisan Fact Checking: There's nothing wrong with holding politicians accountable for the honesty of their TV ads and stump speeches, but this year the self-appointed media fact-checkers attacked Republicans as liars for statements that were accurate.
For example, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter writing for PolitiFact branded VP candidate Paul Ryan's convention speech anecdote about the closing of the General Motors plant in his hometown as "false," even though Ryan was correct in all of his details. The slanted review became TV reporters' talking points; the next day on NBC, correspondent Chuck Todd grumped that while what Ryan said "was technically factual, by what he left out, [he] actually distorted the actual truth." Matt Lauer greeted Ryan the following week in an interview on Today: "There are some people who are claiming that you played a little fast and loose with the truth...."
The same thing happened when Mitt Romney talked about Obama's "apology tour" during the final presidential debate. While in 2009 Obama had, in fact, criticized the United States as "arrogant," "derisive" and having "too often... set [our] principles aside," the networks said to call it an "apology tour" was "false" because, as CNN's John Berman tenuously insisted, "even if he was critical of past U.S. foreign policy, he issued no apologies."
Writing in the New York Times August 31, correspondent Jackie Calmes scolded that "the number of falsehoods and misleading statements from the Romney campaign coming in for independent criticism has reached a level not typically seen." That's not true, either; Romney's team was, at worst, guilty of highlighting those facts that best illustrated their points (something done by all politicians), and the Obama campaign certainly put out their share of tawdry TV ads and dubious campaign claims.
But with "truth cops" who mainly policed just the GOP side of the street, the media used "fact-checking" as another club to tilt the playing field in favor of the Democrats.
3. Those Biased Debate Moderators: Upset liberals scorned PBS's Jim Lehrer for taking a hands-off approach in the first debate on October 3, with MSNBC analyst Howard Fineman slamming him as "practically useless" for not jumping into the debate on behalf of President Obama.
Such criticism may have encouraged the activist approach taken by ABC's Martha Raddatz in the vice presidential debate October 11, and by CNN's Candy Crowley in the October 16 town hall debate, as both of those journalists repeatedly interrupted the Republican candidate and larded the discussion with a predominantly liberal agenda.
Crowley earns extra demerits for taking the media's penchant for faulty fact-checking to new heights when she jumped into the October 16 town hall-style debate to validate President Obama's claim that he called the attack in Benghazi, Libya, "an act of terror" the very next morning. Crowley endorsed Obama's story, telling Romney: "He did, in fact, sir, call it an act of terror."
Not according to the transcript, which had Obama only speaking generically about how "no acts of terror will ever shake the resolve of this nation," not assigning that label to the violence in Benghazi.
Wrong though she was, Crowley became a heroine to many in the liberal media; ABC's Matt Dowd, for example, cheered: "What Candy Crowley did, I actually thought, was laudable....I hope we get to do more of that in this discourse."
Moderators are supposed to ensure both sides get a fair hearing, not pick sides. By leaping into the fray, Candy Crowley epitomized the media's itch to tilt the scales this year — again, in Obama's favor.
4. The Benghazi Blackout: Right after the September 11 attack in Libya, the networks proclaimed that the events would bolster President Obama — "reminding voters of his power as commander-in-chief," as NBC's Peter Alexander stated on the September 14 edition of "Today." But as a cascade of leaked information erased the portrait of Obama as a heroic commander, the broadcast networks shunted the Benghazi story to the sidelines.
News broke online in late September, for example, that Team Obama knew within 24 hours that the attack was likely the result of terrorism. That starkly contradicted claims from White House press secretary Jay Carney, U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, and President Obama himself that the attack was a "spontaneous" reaction to an anti-Muslim video posted on YouTube. Yet, ABC took nearly two days to bring this story to viewers, while CBS and NBC held off for three days.
This was, shamefully, the broadcast networks' pattern in October: New developments exposing the administration's failure to provide adequate security, or contradictions in their public statements, were either given stingy coverage or buried completely. The puzzle pieces revealed a disturbing failure of Obama's national security apparatus, but the networks flitted in and out of the story, never giving it any traction.
Instead of an "October Surprise," the networks engineered an "October Suppression" — keeping a lid on the boiling Benghazi story until Election Day. Who knows how voters might have reacted if the media had covered this story as tenaciously as they did Romney's "47% gaffe"?
5. Burying the Bad Economy: Pundits agreed that Obama's weakness was the failure of the US economy to revive after his expensive stimulus and four years of $1 trillion deficits. But the major networks failed to offer the sustained, aggressive coverage of the economy that incumbent Republican President George H.W. Bush faced in 1992, or even that George W. Bush faced in 2004 — both years when the national economy was in better shape than it is now.
According to a study conducted that year by the Center for Media and Public Affairs, from January through September of 1992, the networks ran a whopping 1,289 stories on the economy, 88% of which painted it in a dismal, negative light. That fall, the unemployment rate was 7.6%, lower than today's 7.9%, and economic growth in the third quarter was 2.7%, better than today's 2.0%. Yet the media coverage hammered the idea of a terrible economy, and Bush lost re-election.
In 2004, the economy under George W. Bush was far better than it is today — higher growth, lower unemployment, smaller deficits and cheaper gasoline — yet network coverage that year was twice as hostile to Bush than it was towards Obama this year, according to a study by the Media Research Center's Business and Media Institute.
When Republican presidents have faced reelection, network reporters made sure to spotlight economic "victims" — the homeless man, the woman without health insurance, the unemployed worker, the senior citizen who had to choose between medicine and food. But this year, with an economy as bad as any since the Great Depression, those sympathetic anecdotes have vanished from the airwaves — a huge favor to Obama and the Democrats.
Given Obama's record, the Romney campaign could have overcome much of this media favoritism and still prevailed — indeed, they almost did. But taken together, these five trends took the media's historical bias to new levels this year, and saved Obama's presidency in the process.
Rich Noyes, is research director for the Media Research Center.
Read more: #ixzz2BZGZaPky
Yes the demographics have changed.. but how does can we justify that the 'greatest country in the world' 'the land of opportunity' enables a few fat cats to get fatter and the middle class gets wiped out. No we do not need socialism nor do we need extreme capitalism. Any system - be it dictatorial, communist, capitalist will diminish as there is a natural human tendency for accumulation of power through money (capitalism) or money through power Communism. Just natural human tendency. The only sustaining model therefore is one of moderation, tolerance, law and order, sane and enforced regulation.
The Koch's and Adelson's of the world can't buy their way and so the Republican party better wake up and understand what is at stake here. They have totally lost their bearings. The party of NO, The party of EXCLUSION is merely going to become the party of a FEW.
No one begrudges Millionaires and Billionaires but when they pay less than 10% in taxes where the average person shells out literally 50% in all forms that is grossly unfair.
What is needed FIRST is a significant and sensible tax reform / simplification. What is wrong with a 15% flat tax no exemptions with only one deduction - charitable contributions with a cap at a percentage of earnings. Imagine the savings just in the collection process !
Solutions are simple and right under our nose... but we need the will to act
I still have to hear a good explanation of how the question "How are you different from George W Bush" is a fair debate question. What exactly did Barack Obama have to answer? He simply attacked Romney, and Bush.
It would be like asking Obama "How are you different from Clinton" and then allowing Romney to answer that the Clinton economy was actually good for the middle class.
@bayllie,
I assumed both. There should always be a two or more party system and the parties should all be strong. This is what makes America great, so far at least.
No one should want a one party system. Might as well get another Hitler or Saddam Hussein to run the country.
Thank you, we'll make the most of it.
President "Jimmy Carter" and Grandson. A BIG THANK YOU! A Great Man with a "CLASSY" family!
No Jo Ann, what is vile is a party that would cater only to old white men.
Voters in this country are masochists!
Not only because they voted for obama but because he and romney got their party's nomination. Voting for either one was sure to cause agony, so that means you like it. Particularly the women voters.
It seems strange that obama/romney got 100% of the vote with me voting libertarian? Apparently, my vote did not count. I will not, intentionally, hurt myself, if I can avoid it.
Unless of course one of those parties is willing to work for the destruction of the American economy in order to gain power by discrediting the President. In which case, that party needs to end. I'm sure another party will rise to replace. Maybe the Libertarian Party or the Green Party.
You are correct, your vote did not count. Not that your opinion as an American doesn't count, but when you vote for a candidate who receives less than 1% of the votes; the only person to whom your vote counts is you. If you feel you did the right thing for yourself, your family and your Country...be satisfied.
None of Obamas gaffes received that level of coverage, because obamas gaffes did not reach the same level of stupidity.
Ster2,
"Invented controversies"? Wow, are you delusional! Better go back on your meds, son.
Yah ol_doc, people are what they are. The funny thing is that people don't know it.
Anna Molly, thanks for the recap on Wisconsin. Unfortunately, while the rest of the country recovers, we'll be heading into the abyss with an undereducated puppet of a governor being controlled by rich special interests with no way of stopping him.
He illegally passed Act 10, which is now being challenged on numerous parts for its unconstitutionality. We re-elected the most sexist representative, Glenn "fair pay isn't important to women" Grothman and face more cuts in education, environmental protections as well as millions in lost loans to Walker's crony owned companies.
I am happy about the national scene, but Wisconsin got the shaft this time around, I hope that there's some way to stop the TEA party agenda. Wisconsin is divided and Walker and Ryan have to learn to listen to the 100%, not just their rich, white puppet masters.
Jo Ann and Ol doc, how bout a no party system, where the candidates are all independent, and think for themselves. And just put their own ideas out there for a change to Just a thought.
Wow, some people never learn from mistakes, eh?
"It's the fault of the liberal media. They weren't fair to Romney!" (Ignoring the fact that Rupert Murdoch owns a big chunk of the media on this planet, and he sure wasn't giving anything away to Obama.)
"It's because Sandy disrupted the campaign!" (Talk to God.)
"It's because Hispanics don't really know what's good for them!" (Talk to the KKK.)
"It's because we didn't have a 'real' conservative candidate!" (Good luck with that one.)
Yaaahhh!!!
So much happy reading. Woof woof, woof!
Ol_Crock
Ok_Crock - you're phoney best wishes for the President are betrayed by your inability to refer to him by either his name or title.
Part of Romney's failures was Ryan, what a waste !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It is like music to my ears as it indicates a bright future for reason, moderation, along with compromise and getting rid of the crap on the right. It might be slow, but the reasons why are the reasons the republican is in for trouble year after year after year ahead!
Patriotic,
Yes, but now we are stuck with Lying Ryan in Janesville for another term of lie after lie after lie!
I remain hopeful that in the second term the President can turn around his less than impressive first term performance. Deep down however, I feel that the election result, 4 more years, is disastrous for the country and everyone in it!
Time will tell!
Still trying to sober up. This is a clear win for America. Good job!
This is a win for the people of America ovwer the aristocracy. It is a win against the 26 billionaires that tried to buy our government.
The average Democrat donation was $35. It took a LOT of donations to beat those 26 billionares. And 44% of that money came from women.
But the arictocracy is not finished. They have not learned. They are already talking about the Fiscal Cliff. They will continue to take hostages and use extortion to get their way just like they have for the last 4 years.
I say let them go off that cliff. Let's help them on their way! Only then will they be free of their party over country pledge to Emperor Norquist. And only then will some of them be willing to work for America. Or am I being too optimistic about those RWNJs?
Oh, one last thing. The most expensive city to live in in California is Los Angeles. Nationally it is in 12th place, tied with Raleigh, North Carolina on the list of most expensive cities.
Obama just lied and lied and lied and people believed the idiot. Lied about Romney's record at Bain capital while Bill Clinton said Romney's record was "stellar". Didn't matter. People believed Obama and his lies. Obama lied about saving the auto industry while GM is still struggling to make it because they are now totally controlled and owned by the unions. The truth is they would have been better off with a structured bankruptcy, reorganizing the company not an Obama (I don't know what the f**k I am doing) restructuring. (I guarantee you, I will never buy a GM product. No way in hell. I'll buy a Ford first.) He lied about employment being better when it is still over 8% and black unemployment is over 14%. He lied during the debate about Benghazi when he never called it a terrorist attack until 14 days after it happened, and he knew it was a terrorist attack on day one. And he goes on and wins the election. WTF? Its incredible. He could say its dark outside when the sun is shining at high noon and people will believe him.
The stock market crashed because this son of a bitch was re-elected. There is going to be a huge sell off as people sell their stocks and buy gold or some other untaxed asset. How people can re-elect such a failure is beyond me. Now there will be more layoffs as companies dump people because they cannot afford Obamacare and a tax increase. We lost a well qualified man, Mitt Romney, who could have made a real difference. Hold onto your hat people, because it will be a long four years.
@ Ol_Doc,
You need to understand that Obama caters to old white men too.
Obama caters to old black & old white people in the music & Hollywood business. He caters to the young white & young black people in the music & Hollywood business. It's all the same thing.
Well alan3008, if romney had been very smart, he would have known that nobody liked him from the start, not even the republicans. I knew it and if you have read any of my posts, you know that I'm not very smart.
If he had stayed out of it, the republicans might possibly have stumbled onto a credible candidate.
My My, do we have a Bad Loser above !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jo Ann, #1.263 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@ Ol_Doc,
Even the democrats have complained about Obama not working with them. This "not working with me" line is getting really old. I guess America will be hearing that line for the next 4 years.
Obama is really good at diverting blame on someone else. Could be the reason why Hillary will not be returning as Secretary of State. The Benghazi fiasco was a terrorist attack and Obama knew it from day one. He fed the lie to the American people and they accepted his lie.
Don't swallow Republican BS!
... the numbers for Bush's last three months. Between October and November, 597,000 jobs were lost; between November and December, 681,000 were lost; and between December and January, 741,000 were lost.
Obama Created 4.2 Million Private Jobs In 27 Months; 1.2 Million More Than Bush’s 8 Years
DJIA Dec 31, 2008 8,776
DJIA Aug 10, 2012 13,165
Dec. 29 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. corporate earnings probably fell for a sixth-straight quarter, the longest streak in at least 20 years, as consumer spending on automobiles, homes and retailers collapsed.
May 11, 2012 Fortune magazine released its ranking of the 500 biggest US corporations Monday, which showed that they received a record-breaking $824 billion in combined profits in 2011, up 16 percent from 2010.
VOTERS NATIONWIDE
KEY GROUPS FOR OBAMA
93% Black
71% Latino
67% Unmarried Women
60% Age 18-29
99.9% Stupid Idiots
89.8% Mental Patients
98% Mexicans Waiting to be Deported
94.7% Mexican Drug Cartels
95.7% GangBangers who claim to be Community Activists from Chicago
96.9% Illiterate
94.8% Need a Bath
97.9% Have Crabs
66.6% Satan Worshippers
99.9% Pregnant Women with at least a 4th Grade Mexican education
100% No Child Left Behind
@Ster2#1.238: Bullsh^t!
Iwonder,
How can you say something so idiotic? 57 million Americans liked him vs 59 million for Obozo. How in the hell do you think? Obama is a COMPULSIVE LIAR and people believe him. That is how he won. If he told the truth about everything, Romney would be president. I could give you many many examples. I am tired of trying to educate so many simple minded, blind to the truth, people.
Amvets,
Love it!--
Look in your Mirrors alan & Am. Vets !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nah alan, they didn't like him, don't kid yourself. There were several big reasons people voted the way they did, but like for romney was not one of them.
Some voted for him because they were republicans and that is what they do, some vote against obama because he is incompetent and some voted for him because they thought that he was the lesser bad.
Amvets & alan - 100% sour grapes.
Remember how you claimed that anyone who didn't support Bush was a traitor?
What's good for the goose is good for the gander, boys.
Ster2
The Media Research Center (MRC) is a conservative content analysis organization based in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 1987 by conservative activist L. Brent Bozell III. Its stated mission is to "prove — through sound scientific research — that liberal bias in the media does exist and undermines traditional American values" and to "neutralize [that bias's] impact on the American political scene".
And we should take their articles as truthful, unbiased reporting...seriously?
alan3008
Always nice to hear from a fan of democracy.
Since the world is ending on December 21st, OBAMA will never see his second term.
All that work for nothing!
According to PEW, Fox is the least biased of all the news media. I couldn't say, I don't believe any of them.
By the way, democracy was proven to be a failure several thousand years ago. We have lasted this long because of our constitution, in spite of the liberals.
My fellow Americans:
In the spirit of Thomas Jefferson, I come to say that we are all Democrats, we are all Republicans. The American people have chosen not to fall for the same sales pitch that sent us into a recession and plunged us into a sea of red ink as far as the eye can see, or for four more years of gridlock, extremism, and obstructionism. Instead, they chose a moderate candidate and a moderate agenda, one that champions political change and a shift from extremism to bipartisanship. I note the growing sense of bipartisanship among some conservative commentators, something I didn't expect. I thank them for this and for their spirited debates over the past year and a half. This is the time for bipartisanship and negotiation, not extremism and obstruction. The days of 80-20 deals and "getting 98% of what we want" are over, if not for the President's reelection than for the looming fiscal cliff. Today, not tomorrow, is the day for a bipartisan agreement on deficits and debt, a deal that will preserve and protect entitlements, reduce spending, raise significant revenues, and set the stage for comprehensive tax reform. We need to deal on big issues like reforming immigration, education, and increasing job creation. The path ahead of us will be fraught trials and tribulations that will test the very stamina of the American spirit. But through the path and beyond the horizon lies a glorious sun rising into the sky, symbolizing our nation's great potential in the coming years. I have no doubt that we will rise together and face our problems head on, because of my belief that we are united by our country. And that is what it's all about; we may be Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives, moderates and hawks, but we are also Americans, and that, my dear friends, is who we really are.
AMERICA 2012
Looks like the Party of Palin and Limbaugh can't rely on the votes and money of religious, aging, angry, wealthy Caucasion men, any more.
And who will Romney and Friends, and the RNC owe all of their money to, now? Will the Koch Brothers and people like Adelson call in their mega-millions in lost campaign debts?
Now that Obama has won another term, odds are the angry divisions within the GOP will widen. Who will they crucify among their rank and file, I wonder, for their man Mitt, losing the race? And they lost numbers in Congress, as well.
Let the accusatory finger-pointing, and tell-all, tongue-wagging, circular firing squads within the GOP Tea Party, begin their internal civil wars and purity purges!
Cannot say how much I appreciate a re-reg WHO is currently serving a suspension, chiming in!
Buh Bye little man!
Amvets,
Voters for Romney and Lying Ryan,
100% cry babies!
@ Beverly in Chicago #1.3
"YES WE DID We BEAT THE KOCH FUELED MACHINE."
Ever heard of a Pyrrhic Victory? So essentially what you did was put George Soros' puppet back into office. (Oh yeah, George Soros is saintly man, collapses economies and currencies to make a buck, but he is a saintly man and he does it for the good of mankind)
And why do you hate the Koch Bros? Do you know them? Do you know anything about them? Do you know how much they donate to charities and the Arts? Or do you simply hate them because some one in the media told you to?
And would someone explain to me "Why you 'LOVE' Obama? I mean this scares the hell out of me. The German People (well the liberal nut jobs any way) 'LOVED' Hitler, and swore allegiance to him, not Deutschland.
And it would be very easy to substitute "the Rich" or the "the 1%ers" for "the Juden".
Or do any of these question enter into you thought process as you spew forth your idiotic diatribe?
And why is it, when an election is close, the winners, especially you Liberals, have to over emphasize "THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!" the last I checked, the popular vote was about a dead heat, separated by less than 3 million votes (or less than 1% of the population)(2.4% of the voters) Yep, that's a huge margin!, DAMN The people really put the foot down. Loud and clear... 51% to 49%,
Does anyone remember how close the popular vote was for Bush? and he stole it!..
@ Am.Vets2 #1.268
That one plows pretty close to the ditch. Good one.
Latino groups to Obama: You owe Latinos the election, now pass immigration reform
"Leaders of immigrant rights and Latino groups told reporters in a conference call on Wednesday that Obama owes his second term to Latino voters, and should repay them by passing comprehensive immigration reform. Obama promised to pass a law legalizing many of the estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the country while he campaigned four years ago, and he's been chastised by Latino leaders for breaking his promise."
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/latino-groups-obama-owe-latinos-election-now-pass-194113601--election.html
Imagine that, race-based groups telling the President he owes them... the respect for his "leadership" is clearly immense. (sarcasm)
Congratulations Mexico, enjoy the remains of what used to be a place worth running TO.
"Yes, you did" - Satisfied Democrats?
pjam09:
LA BAMA has a sworn duty to protect REAL AMERICANS against foreign invaders who sneak into the US and squat showing CONTEMPT FOR AMERICAN LAWS. These LATINO INVADERS are stealing the resources meant to feed America's poor. Where's THEIR humanity?
Jo Ann-666954
ahhh, Jo Ann, there is proof that YOU don't even understand what YOU write. You wrote that "Obama caters to old white man too" and the very important word you used is TOO. While Obama catered to white men, WOMEN, MINORIITES, OTHER RELIGIONS, AND THE GAY COMMUNITY, the Republicans catered to white christian old men ONLY. And that is why the Republicans lost.
No president will ever satisfy 100% of Americans - it's impossible. But every president should attempt to represend all races, sexes, ages, religions and sexual orientation. Your party refuses to do so and until they change their ways, the Republicans will witness more losses.
1. And the last Republican President got over 4,000 Americans killed by invading a country that did nothing to us.
2. His administration lied to us about yellow cake uranium then outed a CIA Agent as retribution for exposing the lie.
3. According to the Downing Street Memos the Bush Administration fixed the intelligence around the policy.
4. His inept ignorance of the warnings of an impending Terrorist attack resulted in the deaths of over 3,000 Americans.
Shall I go on?
.
Feisty -
This one's for your favorite stalker, the mysteriously AWOL Dean Moriarty:
"Hey, Jen - that's the most intelligent thing you've said all day!"
A little after 10 pm last night on my way home from "Election Night with Joe & Mika" at the 92Y, a small group of young adults were talking quite animatedly on the subway - leaning in toward the central person to hear every word she said. They were so wrapped up in their discussion that I doubt they noticed me eavesdropping. Little good it did me, though, as their conversation was in Spanish and, alas, I am not bilingual.
Then she said the magic three words I COULD understand: Ohio-Ohio-Ohio and her little audience all nodded in agreement. That's passion, my friends, and I was delighted to see it in the faces of the young people who will be our future.
Ursula,
I have been trying to learn Spanish for years.
Still stuck in the intermediate class.
but my grandchildren are learning Spanish in grade school.
Heard that the Latino vote went 70% for Democrats in many areas.
Diversity is good for our country.
JoAnne,
Didn't you hear?
Dino was banned! lol
Ursula---I worked a phone bank on Sat. with a young lady who is in high school and can't vote, but wanted to see Barack Obama elected.
My doorbell rang last night around 6:30 and it was 2 young men canvassing the neighborhood to be sure I had voted and cross my name off their list! They did not look old enough to vote either.
How heartening to see young people being politically active. This won't be their last campaigns!
Ohio Ohio Ohio. What happened to you Democrats bloggers who said it's fixed in Ohio with Romney owning the voting machines. Feisty is right, it is like a morgue without your democratic drivel.
How little you truely know....
Phinster66
Truth does not matter, just the reality they create.
Phinster ....
Well, we know how to spell truly correctly . . . .
Steeler Fan-380417
Ursula---I worked a phone bank on Sat. with a young lady who is in high school and can't vote, but wanted to see Barack Obama elected.
Steeler Fan, I have had that same experience at OFA and in canvassing. Those kids give me so much energy and determination. They are so sincere.
Good one, Layton!
But I would add "democratic drivel" to the list. Do you suppose he meant "Democrat drivel"?
Methinks he is not as bright as he thinks he is.
I'm surprised Feisty hasn't referred to him as "Sphincter66. . . ."
Oh how you must wish there had been voter fraud phinster you poor bastard.
To all my liberal progressive intelligent friends on here, WE DID IT!! AND THANK YOU!!
Thanks to all of you for standing your ground in the face of the monster that is the right. Hopefully (but I doubt it) the right learned it's lesson and will expel those radical voices that have begun to dominate them. But alas, it is doubtful.
So suck it up you poor deluded rightwingers, the country has spoken, and it happened just as we all knew it would...4 MORE 44!!!!
USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
PS:To all the moderate righties that read this : TAKE BACK YOUR PARTY!!
You did it thru lies, deception and deflection,nothing to be proud of.
The good 'ole white boys days of the GOP are passe'! Good riddance to Trump, Rove, Kock Brothers, Big Mouth Lumplardbaugh, Romney, Ryan, Murdock, Akin, radical extremists fundamentalists, etc., etc. The women are your equal and not your kitchen/closet slaves. If you think you can redefine "rape", then you shouldn't be so hypocritical about not allowing contraception's. We are a Nation of many colors with many talents, and many different religions, too. Now it's time for this Nation to start showing the proper respect for all religions, all races, and stop without shoving one religious set of beliefs down the throats of all others as attempted by the radical extremist fundamentalists in this last election. It's time for the constituents tell the Radical GOP Boehner, McConnell , and all other Republicans to change their Obstructionist paths before it destroys their political career for good. Tell GOP, the entitlements are not on the board, but more fair taxes for the elite will be on the board. Let them know that the middle class has already suffered enough from all the cutbacks dumped on them while the elite just get more exemptions and benefits. Tell the GOP to get off their butts, or move on down the road, just as done with Adkin, Brown, Murdock, etc. Let them we are sick and tired of their lies, manipulations, and 100% " Party of NO & Do Nothing" except for the 2% elite. Most importantly, it time to start removing the State Governor's sponsoring redistribution and voter's suppression. Do you hear that FL Medicare thief, ole' Scotty boy?
Isn't it great how the Nation showed the wealthy, corporate elitists that they cannot buy the Oval Office? Just think of all that money they lost. Their money isn't everything that they think it is!!!! Now, should make them real happy (sarcastically) !!!
Obama won by emotionally manipulating demographics. He promised latinos immigration reform- AGAIN. He promised the poor a fair, shake despite high unemployment- AGAIN. He promised to "work hard" - AGAIN- when instead of fighting to get more jobs, he wasted control of Congress on health care reform-- that doesn't kick in for four years.
He demonized opponents and his supporters bought into it. Now Obama supporters use 'tolerant' and inclusive terms like "tea bagger", "repubtards" and other derogatory statements when they speak of their opponents.
Obama supporters have learned from their leader how to treat people badly and then turn as if nothing just happened.
If Republians are the "party of NO" then Democrats are the party of "duh", because they are mostly emotion and short on facts.
Obama is officially an affirmative action. Manage expectations by lowering the bar (ex: hi unemployment the new normal), whining about his "disadvantaged" start in office and complaining how the evil white man making his way hard.
P.S.- If you gain a lot of jobs- but lose even more jobs than you gain, that's not progress. That's like walking up 2 steps then falling down 3 steps. Not only have you not progressed but you actually lost ground. Think!!!
GOP needs to keep in mind that you don't take remove the right of representation leadership groups away from some professions and allow the elitists to have their lobbyists, special interests groups, etc to represent the 2% wealthy elite. Also, if the companies choose to go overseas, then they should not expect tax exemptions, but should receive an extra tariffs or extra taxes for removing the company from the U.S.
David Walker (posts # 1.5 & 1.158)
Outstanding posts! But you forgot to list David-475776, and oy-vay! (post # 2.14 & fake posting name).
Elect more Democrat Governors and House of Representatives. Congratulations to Grayson in Central FL!!!
Yes, it's great to have Alan Grayson back!
The Republicans in the House think they're going to sit on their hands for another 2 years. Alan will keep them moving!
No. President Obama and the Democrats ARE STILL pursuing Immigration reform. Already, there is a dreamer's act on the books by executive order, that prevents children from being deported.
The spin on how the Obama campaign was 'mean' to Old Romney is beyond the beyond. Romney and Ryan came out lying - and lying BIG about very serious things, like MediScare. And they never left up. They said "facts wouldn't get in their way".
Romney began by lying about his tax returns. Their massive, expensive LIE Campaign ended up with Chrysler and GM telling RomneyRyan to knock off scaring working folks, with their disgraceful Chrysler/Jeep whopper ad. Udeterred, Romney doubled down on that lie, many times.
It is time for FAUX to concede that their guys tried to lie, conceal, and faslify their way to the White House. And the fabled "47%" didn't buy it.
The TeaReTards destroyed Romney when they pushed Ryan on him, farewell to two Losers !!!!!!!!
Next thing the middle class needs to do is to vote out the orange guy boner, and that ancient old man mitch mcconnell, and all the other republicons that have destroying the middle class on their agenda. then well see some changes.
Ahh I forgot to add.........Hello newcomers to Congress!
How does this sound? Warren/Grayson 2016
Feisty and all her liberal friends should be banned as well.
Hope you are all happy as the USA goes to hell-in-a-handbasket. Pretty sad. Just watch as our debt goes up over $24 trillion and China decides to collect. They will own us.
The GOP should pay off the Debt from "W" ( "$10.6 trillion" ) when he left office + two unfunded wars the jacka$$ dumped on President Obama !!!!!!!!!!
@ Patriotic American USA #2.23 (omg, I am throwing up in my mouth as I type this)
I know this will do no good, because you are too feeble minded to understand this, but there is no such thing as an unfunded war. The Congress must approve the Army Budget every two years, so somebody funded it(even if they borrowed the money). It is in the Constitution, you might want to read it, I mean really read it, get out a dictionary (and not a modern PC'd one either) for the big words.
So if the Democrats wanted to end the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, when they got control of the Congress all they needed to do was take away the President's Money to wage war, which they could have done in 2007.
And just exactly how is it we had TWO unfunded wars? Were we not attacked? I distinctly remember being attacked. Again, is your drug addled brain having trouble remembering the facts, (in the house the vote was 420 for and 1 against, 10 not voted in the senate it was 98 for, 2 not voted) so just exactly when did this become a Republican only thing?
Also, If you want to blame someone for the housing crash(and the associated debt), that lies at the feet of the Democratic party and in their enthusiasm to ensure every minority American owned a house (and a bought vote). If you don't believe me, go ask a mortgage broker or a real banker (not some BoA, or Citi stooly) about the requirements placed on them by the Fed.
Ever hear of Country Wide Home Mortgages? the ARM? Freddie? Fannie? Government corruption at it's finest.
"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can exist only until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury. From that time on the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury, with the results that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.”
Social Security, Welfare, Subsidies, etc. yep, well on our way.
You should also know that the Democratic party has been in control of both houses of congress for 60 of the last 80 years, (go look it up) And it was a Republican Held Congress that gave Clinton the first Budget Surplus since 1957 (btw, Dems controlled both houses from 1955 to 1995, except for an 6 year period '82 to '88 when Reps had the Senate.
So who is responsible for which Debt?
And does this mean the Democrats alone will be paying back the debt that was accrued while they controlled the Government? didn't think so.
Oh do get your facts straight!!! They started both wars without the funds to begin with. And Bush used up all the surplus that Clinton left for him. Then he went through the entire SS account, and borrowed all that money to pay partially for the wars. And what did he leave behind? Nothing but crapola for Obama to clean-up and plant the blame on. Do check your so called facts again as to how many years the Democrats controlled both houses at the exact same time. Republicans, once a manipulative B.S.er, always a B.S. er !! That's why the people voted for Obama, because they got sick and tired of the Republican lying, dirty trench, political tactics, esp. in Congress! The GOP is passe'!!
@ An Indepentent Thinker #2.25
OK, then in your world where do the funds for war come from? War Bonds?
And just exactly when did "they" start the war with Afghanistan? Before or After 9-11? Because if it was after 9-11-2001, I would argue that the terrorists STARTED it, not "They".
I'll concede "they" started the war in Iraq. (But how many Dems voted for it as well?)(of course they were lied to, but hey, who wasn't right?)
Did I or Did I not include the Congressional Vote to go to war in Afghanistan? Were those facts wrong?
That somehow Democrats magically "Unvoted" to go to war with Afghanistan and left it all to the Republicans?
And Technically speaking, it was and is the Congress' responsibility to right the checks (operate the budget) the President merely signs off on it. So it was a Republican Congress that created the surplus. Yup, that's a fact.
But as I said to Patriot, you wouldn't understand it.
Also, you evidently don't understand the SS system either, but it is NOT an independent revenue system, that is a hoax. All the SS funds are paid into the General US Treasury, in accordance with SCOTUS rulings in the 1930's.
I guess I had miss calculated, my bad, In the last 80 years The Dems have held simultaneous control of both houses for only 52 (not 60, a huge error on my part) of those years, of course in that same period the Reps have only had simultaneous control of both houses for only 14 of those years. Yet some how, all the nations ills are the Republicans fault? Curious.
Something else that is curious, during the Reagan Administration, (with a split House and Senate)
At least according to the CATO Institute. Somehow, Reagan was able to work with the Dems to get the Economy working, Curious. And Yet Reaganomics doesn't work, huh?
NO, you don't sound much like an Independent Thinker to me, more like another liberal hit and run, blabber mouth, towing the liberal line.
#2.24, I'm sorry if I got you sick but your name says it all !!!!!!!!!!!
This massage was approved by the Liberal press for righteous !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You just don't get it do you? It wasn't what Obama promised, it was what Romney promised...more Trickle-Down Economics and the Neoconservatives back in power.
1. CATO Institute? Could you have cited a source further to the right?
2. The only people "Reaganomics" worked for are the wealthy. Even George HW Bush referred to Supply-Side Economics as "Voodoo" Economics. Also consider he had to raise taxes 8 times in 8 years to keep the economy from crashing. Now we're living with the end results of "Supply-Side" Economics. How's it working for you?
@ ol_doc
then where is your evidence to contradict the numbers given by the CATO Inst.?
Are these numbers incorrect? Was real Real economic growth less than 3.2 percent?
Did Real median family income grow less or more than $4,000?
Or are you just regurgitating the liberal mantra...Change the subject, ignore the fact and marginalize?
But as someone who lived through the 80's and saw first hand the change in the economy and the standard of living...I'll take it anytime as opposed to what you Dumbocrats wish to foist off on us.
With one exception, I would go to town with the Anti-Trust laws and break up any non-family(with the exception of Wal-mart,) owned corporation or union that employs more than a few thousand employees.
@ pat am #2.27
I no longer live on a farm, hence the "Dumb" part, worse thing I ever did was get a Degree in Mechanical Engineering and move to the City and have to live in and amongst bigoted, myopic, inane morons like you. (see I can name call too)
And I was correct, it does no good to talk to you. Like all the rest of them, you fail to refute any part of my post.
My guess is you are too ignorant or of a sufficiently diminished mental capacity to formulate a cognitive and cohesive argument to support your position. And You simply parrot what others have said, even though you fail to fully comprehend what was said. But hey, you're cool, right? You sure told me off.
To President Obama and Vice-President Biden: God, I love the sound of that! Thank you for the last four years and thank you in advance for the next four. And to your lovely wives and families, thank you for sharing these guys with us so generously.
To Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan: My sincere condolences. Our politics may have been worlds apart, and I may never forgive you for some of the lies you told, but I'm not completely without feeling and I know how painful loss can be. Take some time off to regroup and spend some quality time with your familes - they deserve it.
To the conservative posters here: My sincere apology. You've been telling us for a long time that the only poll that mattered was the one on November 6th. You were absolutely right, and I'll never doubt you again! Seriously, though - for those of you who have already mentioned possibly retiring from this board after today, that's of course your decision. But you still have every right to let your voices be heard.
To my liberal friends, both those I've met and those I haven't: Thank you for letting me a small part of this amazing group. Your passion and dedication never cease to amaze me, your insight and analysis always teach me something new, and your wit and good humor have gotten me through the last two years. You guys are the best!
To anyone just reading here for the first time and to the faithful but silent readers who never post: Hey, try it - you'll like it! Your vote will always be your most important voice, but if you've got some honest discussion to bring to the table, and not just cheap shots and name-calling, then bring it on - if I can do this, anyone can!
To Mark and Domenico and everyone who really does work here at First Read: Wow, do you guys earn your pay! Thanks for guiding us through the last four years. I realized last night that thanks to you, I now watch the returns in a whole new light and am so much better able to grasp what's going on. Please take a well-deserved rest - and if it's not asking too much, could we please avoid starting the countdown to 2016 till at least Friday? :)
Finally, to ALL my fellow Americans - liberals and conservatives, red states and blue states, voters and non-voters: Spend today celebrating or commiserating or just being thankful you don't have to watch any more tv ads for a while. But after that, let's think about something - we've been given a second chance to put the bitterness and anger and divisiveness behind us and start all over. I think if we put our minds to it, we could actually get it right this time. We're still Americans first, and America deserves better than we've given it. We can ALL do better; we just have to be willing to try. It's really pretty simple -
"Let there be peace on earth - and let it begin with me".
P.S. - To Mother Nature - Seriously.....another nor'easter heading up the east cost today? Can't we just skip ahead to the sunny and 60's weekend they're forecasting? Stay safe and stay dry, everyone.....
Great Post!
JoAnne,
I agree whole heartily.
I will take your advice today.
Relax, enjoy the view of our great country today.
Analysis will come in due time.
going to the spa today. think I will get my toenails painted in red, white and blue! :-)
JoAnne, Pa - Great post. As long as thanks are going out. I would like to thank you as well as others who continue to make this thread a diverse, engaging site.
Both liberal, conservative and moderate voices need to be heard both here and in the offices of power. Real issues still need to be addressed. One thing I like about Obama's speech last night, was when he said that "You might not always agree with everything I do but I will work everyday..."
I'm hoping that this starts a new realization that the Tea party and its influence is dying. Four years of idealogical battles is enough. The President won and he must with our help work to continue to move our country forward.
Como Obama dice, ahora es tiempo de trabajar.
Adelante.
Great post JoAnne. Many many thanks to Mark, Domenico and everyone at First Read---your hard work is very much appreciated.
I am so grateful to have shared this election experience with my liberal friends here at FR---you folks are the best and kept me going through the challenges of an election.
To those on the right---I took my President at his word that he wants to work with you to solve our nation's problems together. I hope you take him up on his offer. We have important issues to address and surely there is room for compromise.
Northstar---enjoy the relaxing spa day; I'm doing the same over the weekend!
Thanks JoAnne,
We've earned a little peace, and I wish it to all on here.
You were saying... if as a nation we could work together. If we put all our energy, time and resources into visioning a green planet - starting on our own turf - we could extend the life of humans & the incredible life that has sustained us on this little planet.
Yes, today is the day to "R&R" but not the R/R of yesterday's election. Tomorrow everyone in the Obama grassroots and every other citizen of this country needs to get involved in the Popular Amendment Movement and help pass the Election/Campaign Finance Reform Constitutional Amendment (and the Term Limits amendment) before the 2014 election cycle begins (remember, some of those House incumbents and their potential opponents will begin that 2014 campaign in the next week or two, even if not "officially"). Go to www.faircampaignreform.us, download the petitions, sign them, get all of your adult family members to sign, then go to every neighbor, co-worker, and friends and get them to join in. Start a local, county, regional, and state-wide grassroots organization to circulate and collect the petitions, then file them with your Secretary of State. Be sure to verify what YOUR state's signature requirement would be for such a petition since it may vary from state to state. Be sure to make a copy of each petition for your records before filing the originals, and get those copies DATED STAMPED WITH THE FILING DATE/TIME. I quickly learned that lesson when I spearheaded a recall effort in St. Croix a few years back. Since i was the originator of the petition drive, I was the one responsible for the filing, and I made sure that I had a copy of every single petition turned into me. But I forgot to take them with me to have them stamped along with the originals. We were told that we did not get enough qualified signatures for the recall. This past year, in another recall effort (of the actual Election Board members), the organizers learned that my effort before had been given the wrong data for number of signatures required and we actually were successful in our petition drive to call for the recall election...two terms too late. When our founding fathers wrote the constitution (as the introduction information indicates), they did not explicitly outline this Popular Amendment procedure as an avenue, but the path that the PAM is taking is indirectly allowed for in the "second" method...through the states and a constitutional convention...of getting amendments to the Constitution passed. You can do it if you all get involved. Take back total power of our elections. Get involved. Help pass the ECFR amendment. I'll be keeping the website up for at least another two years just to keep this effort going. That is my contribution as a "disenfranchised" citizen towards the future of our election system. As many of you know from my posts over the past two plus years, living in the US territories, I and all of my other territorial residents have NO vote for the president, NO representation in the Senate, and NO VOTE on the floor of the House (only committee votes on whatever committee(s) our delegate can get assigned to. Yet the Congress has basically total control over our lives and our governments through the Organic Act, especially in the US Virgin Islands.
Here is the text of the two amendments. BTW, JoAnne, I agree. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me, and all of the rest of the American citizenry.
Petition for US Constitutional Amendment For Election Reform
We, the undersigned US citizens, duly registered voters in our respective states/territories, do hereby petition for our state to approve the following amendment to the United States Constitution by the method noted below.
Election Reform:
1. Abolish the Electoral College (Repeal Amendment 12)
2. ONE NATIONAL primary date to be held on the Tuesday eight (8) weeks prior to the General Election day for Congressional offices and for the President. Candidate petitions must be filed with the local/state elections boards 60 days prior to the Primary Election date. Federal election petitions shall be uniform in every state and shall include a “contract with the voters” that spells out clearly what that candidate stands for on all issues that they may have to address in elected office. They shall be held accountable in court for breach of that contract if elected and any/all terms are not met.
3. NO campaigning allowed for any elective federal office more than 60 days prior to the National Primary Date.
4. NO campaign contribution shall be donated to any candidate of more than $200 from an individual or $500 maximum from a family (spouses/children living in the same household.) No donations shall be made to a candidate more than sixty days prior to the primary date. No candidate shall contribute from their own funds more than 60% of the total donations from other private individuals.
5. NO campaign contribution from any PAC, corporation, union, non-profit organization, special interest group, etc. shall be allowed for any elected federal office.
6. NO third party campaigning (separate PAC ads, corporate ads, etc.) for/against any candidate shall be allowed at any time during or before the election season.
7. NO party conventions shall be held to select the presidential candidates. The selection must be done at the ballot box in the primary election.
8. The One Man/One Vote Supreme Court ruling shall be enforced by this Amendment, namely that NO federal candidate selection shall be by any means other than the ballot box on Primary/General Election Dates.
9. National Party Organizations shall NOT raise money for or donate to specific candidates of their party prior to the dates outlined above.
10. PAC’s shall NOT be granted tax-exempt status by the IRS, and any non-profit organization who uses their funding for political purposes shall lose their tax-exempt status.
11. All lobbyists shall be outlawed from influencing Congress at all times.
This amendment shall be approved ONLY by State Constitutional Conventions to be called within 90 days of this petition being submmitted to a state’s Secretary of State. A minimum of 25% of the registered voters in each state shall be required to further this petition to the respective Secretary of State.
Name Signature State Address
Petition for US Constitutional Amendment For Congressional Term Limits
We, the undersigned US citizens, duly registered voters in our respective states/territories, do hereby petition for our state to approve the following amendment to the United States Constitution by the method noted below.
Term Limits for Congress:
1. Representatives to Congress shall serve no more than two two-year terms in the House.
2. Senators shall be elected to no more than two six year terms in the Senate.
3. No elected official shall serve more than six terms in office in any combined elected offices (House/Senate/Presidency.)
This amendment shall be approved ONLY by State Constitutional Conventions to be called within 90 days of this petition being submmitted to a state’s Secretary of State. A minimum of 25% of the registered voters in each state shall be required to further this petition to the respective Secretary of State.
Name Signature State Address
Great post Jo-Anne -
To our friend PhinePhancy.....We all know you are looking down today with a great big smile...we missed your voice of calm and reason..RIP>>>
One of the great things here in the US is our ability to express our thoughts with out fear of retribution..we may not always agree with each other....but I will support your right to say what you think as long as you respect my right to say what I think.....
It is up to us, We the People, to ensure our elected officials do what is RIGHT for America and not just the party....As Tim (?) Heth mentioned above....if our elected officials DON"T learn the art of the compromise let us, The PEOPLE, march to Washington to demand they compromise....and that goes for BOTH sides of the aisle...Dems, Repubs and everyone else!
Today is the start of the next 4 years......let's all work together to see how GREAT America can be!
To those who lost....you put up a good fight....too those who won - congratulations - but let hands reach out to help each other! THAT's what Americans do best!
Congratulations fo Pres. Obama and VP Biden!
My only post for the day - Congratulations and Thank You Mr. President!!! Looking forward to 4 more years.
Really Glad my state of Virginia stayed True and Blue this election.
Peace, Relaxation and Rejuvenation to all!
Paul - I was thinking of Phinephancy too! I'm sure she's smiling and confetti is raining down in heaven!
Phinephancy - enjoy - we are thinking of you!
Cheers, JoAnne, terrific post!
Speaking of Phine, our OFA Team Leader met an elderly WWII veteran during this election season; he was terminally ill but filled out a Vote by Mail request; he wanted so badly to vote for President Obama again but before the ballot came, he was gone. The entire OFA Team here felt his loss even though we did not know him personally. No doubt he joined Phine to smile and toss confetti.
Proves that money & Lies, hatred leave you empty handed. The American people did the right thing for us ALL.
Jody - Okay your post 3.10 made me cry. How sad to get so close yet not see the President re-elected. I'm sure you're right - he's with Phinephancy and they're dancing in heaven!
i won't give condolences to Mr. Romney and Mr. Ryan, but i will commend Mr. Romney for conceding with class and dignity. At the moment of truth Mr. Romney showed character and integrity, and for that he deserves a bit of recognition.
So the day of truth has passed, and the biggest winner other than the people of this country who faced poll taxes (in the form of losing 8-9 hours out of their day standing in line) was the truth. The campaign of lies and smears funded with the money of the elite couldn't persuade the majority of this nation from the evidence in front of us, yet we move forward into the 21st century with a perilous path in front of us.
So what happens now? Although the president won convincingly in the electoral college, and Liberals performed better than expected against their conservative counterparts in the senate, The house remains under the control of the GOP and already the congressional GOP leaders are stepping right back into obstruction mode, hoping that the 2014 midterms will be more favorable to them with President not being on the ticket.
The time for partisan games just ended. The people of this country deserve leaders who work in the framework of their principles to provide the most good for the most people. Voting is using political force in a democracy, and for the President to win while republicans win down ticket in congressional races (outside of the impact of gerrymandering, which was on display in full force here in the nebraska district 2 congressional race in addition to the presidential race) shows that the people want the agenda of the president enacted, but are afraid of the rampant change that occurs when one group is in full control of the machinery of our republic.
Election day has passed, and now as citizens we need to pay attention to the actions of our elected officials, and hold them accountable for their action or inaction as our representatives in this republic. Democracy isn't one day that we speak our voice and then sit silent until the next election, we must remain engaged and ensure that our elected representatives do the work of the people, for the good of the people.
Alan, NJ-
I pointed out your broad generalization that you think Hispanics “bought it” in order for the President to get votes.
I sighted the Supreme Court Justice as an example that it is unwise to think Hispanics are easy push-over’s and are just as respected as any American.
Jorge and Maria are correct in expressing Hispanics growing impatience with “immigration reform” and have given the President a pass to this point because he has proven to work with and listen to Hispanics.
The President is also correct in that the Republicans in congress, who have worked with Hispanics in the past, have not these past two to three years for political purposes.
The immigration “problem” is mostly about Amnesty and needs to be a bi-partisanship issue.
Hispanics helped President Obama win re-election. Deferring the deportation of younger Hispanics was a positive gesture. The President did that. Congress didn’t.
Like All Americans, jobs for Hispanic Americans is still our number one priority over immigration and to this point, the President has shown greater effort in creating jobs than Republicans in congress.
Salud
I am not a Obama supporter and I did not vote for him, but I still congratulate him on his victory. There is a lot of work still to be done and I hope that both parties can and will come together to help solve the problems plaguing our nation. It is time for the blame games to end and worry about the present and the future, not the past. There are a lot of good people on both sides of the aisle that can help if only we let them. Let's do what is right for America and not it's political parties!
What kind of dolt believes that Obama isn't a politician whose campaign spent billions of dollars and spouted lies about his opponent's character? Are people really that dense?!
The average Democrat donation was $35. That is where Obama's money came from.
And those were not lies. We fact checked.
TomasGrande
Latinos/Hispanics/fill in the blanks have consistantly shown the American people that they are little better than beggars that can't fend for themselves as the immigrants from Europe did. They need constant attention much like the children that they are. Why would any first world country want to invite a backward people into their land to spread ignorance?
Standing and Applauding America
BCWC,
you are a class act. You should have a well deserved catnap
Lori,
Thank you, and deserved or not a nap is always part of my daily schedule.
I could use one right now. It was 4:30 this morning (AST in the Caribbean) when I finally shut down the computer after nbcnews.com went off the air with the live coverage. Was awakened by my rescued dog at 6:30, and never really got back to sleep. Thank you for all of your comments over the past few months bcwc.
blackcatwhitecat - thank you for being here with us through this election. I HAVE to get back to your beautiful country soon. Wanting to see Banff and Whistler - try doing a few slopes!
Seeking, and I to yours, perhaps a trip down the Mississippi with the collected works of Mark Twain.
BCWC, Mark Twain lived in my town along the Mississippi for a time; his brother owned the local paper which still exists today; Twain occasionally penned some articles here or so the story goes but back then, the writers names weren't always listed by the article so no one knows for sure which ones if any were done by Mark Twain.
I finally went to bed around 2 AM but at 5:37 woke "fired up, ready to go". Don't usually nap but I intend to take one today!
BCWC,
Start you trip down the Mississippi on one of the steamboats that leave from the lower levee in St. Paul MN.
I will treat you to a great dinner before you begin you Mark Twain journey down the river.
I live one block from the confluence of the MN and Miss rivers, in this great river city.
bcwc, if things had gone differently yesterday, I might be coming to see you sooner rather than later!
Thanks for your perspective, your candor, and your valuable insight. We have a lot to learn from our neighbors to the north.
Come visit me in St. Croix sometime bcwc. Nice mild tropical weather all year long. That was why I left NWOH 17 years ago this month (left 11/13/95) and never went back until my mother's funeral last year, just shy of her 90th birthday.
BCWC,
BRAVO!! Good post, and thanks to you for being there, posting away as you do!
You not only deserve a catnap, I'll even throw in some quality catnip to boot!
Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel has nothing to hold him back now. He knows that Obama, even if not an enemy is not going to back up Israel. He will now push the button on Iran and the end is near. Israel has no friends in any nation and he now realizes that their existence requires them to take care of themselves. I say to them Go For It. The world is a cesspool of immorality, murderers, homosexuality, beastiailty, porngraphy, children sold as sex slaves, children allowed to sell themselves on street corners, drug infested, liers, cheats, infanticide, elderly abuse, love of money over all else, and human kind does not deserve to occupy it anymore. I trully believe that God has abandon America and all other so called Christian nations, and now will sit back and watch us destroy ourselves. His plan will never change and the remnant that he holds in his hand will be saved. I wil also add that Obama's being re-elected is not the real cause of our destruction, we have been headed this way for a long time, but his being re-elected will bring on world war three sooner, because of his approval of homosexuality and the murdering of babies. The End. Has anyone even noticed the news reports of soviet submarines being discovered off the eastern sea board during the elections. Makes you wonder what would have happened if Obama had not won since Obama and the soviet leadership have a pending agenda.
As long as were not involved, and also, as long as Iran does not think that we are behind the Israelis. I dont want to be guilty by association. Israel has its own agenda. they could give two @!$%#s about us.
Another thing about Israel and the way they treat others in their country. We all know they hate the Arabs, however, they also hate Christians and their Christ. and any other religions beside their own.
They act like spoiled little brats, i always hear the words ours, and mine, anytime i see a video or videos of an Israeli talking about Israel. They will move in across the street from a family of palestinian descent, and taunt and torture them, throwing rocks at them when they go outside, even the children. By the way not all palestinians are muslim. there are many palestinians that are orthadox christian.
Final Battleground Analysis for Election 2012
This is simply a comparison of my predictions versus the outcomes in the battleground states. Overall, my daily analysis performed on par with most of the aggregator sites that average the leads a given candidate has in the polls versus developing a trendline of the number of polls that give the candidate a lead over the other candidate.
Colorado: Analysis - Obama, Actual - Obama, Verdict: Accurate
Florida: Analysis - Romney, Actual - Romney (Apparent), Verdict: Inaccurate
Iowa: Analysis - Obama, Actual - Obama, Verdict: Accurate
Michigan: Analysis - Obama, Actual - Obama, Verdict: Accurate
Nevada: Analysis - Obama, Actual - Obama, Verdict: Accurate
New Hampshire: Analysis - Obama, Actual - Obama, Verdict: Accurate
North Carolina: Analysis - Romney, Actual - Romney, Verdict: Accurate
Ohio: Analysis - Obama, Actual - Obama, Verdict: Accurate
Pennsylvania: Analysis - Obama, Actual - Obama, Verdict: Accurate
Virginia: Analysis - Obama, Actual - Obama, Verdict: Accurate
Wisconsin: Analysis - Obama, Actual - Obama, Verdict: Accurate
Electoral College:
Battleground Analysis Predicted: 303 Obama/235 Romney
Actual (Apparent): 332 Obama/206 Romney
Performance: My daily battleground analysis accurately predicted 98% of the state results in the 2012 presidential election, while accurately predicting the placement of 95% of the electoral college votes.
The Daily analysis predicted a final Senate composition of 54/46 in the favor of the Democrats. With races still to be determined in Montana and North Dakota, but with the Democrat leading each race with nearly unrecoverable leads, the final Senate composition appears to be 55/45 Democrats, assuming both independents caucus Democrat as expected. The Daily Analysis therefore predicted the final composition of the Senate with 98% accuracy.
Notes: Heitkamp's lead in North Dakota is only 2996, but the two counties with outstanding vote are Mountrial and La Moure. Mountrial is the larger of the two and went 50/48 in the last two presidential elections, once for the Republican and once for the Democrat - not the type of place where Berg might run up a 3000 vote advantage. La Moure County is heavily slanted Republican (65/35), but has less than 4000 people total (including children). So the overwhelming likelihood is that Heitkamp will win this seat if the vote count thus far is accurate.
The Daily analysis predicted that Democrats would win 2/3 of the disputed House seats for a final House Composition of 200/235 in favor of the Republicans. With 4 House seats yet to be determined, the composition stands at 198/233 with a Democrat having a tiny lead with 100% of the vote counted in at least 2 of the disuted House races, therebry requiring recounts. Recounts rarely overturn election results, so I can say with confidence that the Analysis will be within 1 or 2 of its prediction if it does not meet the prediction.
So what conclusions can we draw?
Well, obviously, the most immediate conclusion is that the outside polling across the board during this election was amazingly accurate in predicting the eventual winners, if perhaps not determining the margin of victory in all cases. Since the analysis and the aggregator sites largely reached most of the same conclusions, it is difficult to say with any authority whether one method is clearly better than the other.
I decided not to complete a Battleground Analysis on election day itself, so I went back and looked at the final polling for Florida and determined that even if I had conducted one, the Analysis still would not have accurately predicted the Florida result as Romney held a weak 3:2:1 advantage in the final set of polls, which was one poll for Obama away from categorizing it as a 'tossup.' Similarly, RCP's average of leads did not accurately predict Florida as it gave a +1.5 lead to Romney. Nate Silver's 538 blog listed the state as 50:50, which is roughly equivalent to my 'tossup,' but in this instance, you can probably support the notion that Silver was slightly more accurate than I was.
Finally, this has been an involving project and one that I will likely try again in future elections - time permitting.
Very well said Michael!
Michael....well done. You and Nate were great.
I would be remiss if I didn't include Dennis, you did a lot of work and I for one really appreciate the time and effort you gave to a winning cause.
You all gave us hope and now let's move forward.
Michael,
Are you saying that Romney is the apparent winner in Florida? I thought it was looking like Pres. Obama would pull it out?
Thanks for your thoughtful analysis throughout this campaign.
GREAT Michael, you and Nate got it right!
No, I'm saying that my Analysis was not accurate when I called it for Romney.
My personal suspicion is that the polls in Florida were not accurate because a certain amount of the polling included in the aggregator sites was conducted only in English, which skewed the results slightly in areas that had higher concentrations of Spanish-only speaking households than demographics earlier suggested.
Remember, the vast majority of hispanic households, no matter how many eligible voters there are in the household, have one or more members that speak only Spanish. If that person answered the phone at the time the call was made, then it's entirely possible that the survey was never completed and for that reason, the sample population was not representative of the overall population. That would also partially explain the wild variations in lead sizes found by local newspapers, (which typically lack the resources to conduct a professional poll), and an expert polling organization that would have a Spanish version of their survey ready for such a respondent to answer.
This is only an idea I am floating because it seems that most of the advantage Romney believed he had in the I-4 corridor evaporated in the face of the Hispanic vote. And it's the most simple explanation for why the Hispanic vote in the area was undercounted.
Michael, thanks, well done. Your posts along with Dennis and Job 1 kept us "poll" informed.
Oops, now I see what you were talking about up there. I made an error in my writeup. It should say that the actual apparent winner in Florida is President Obama, not Governor Romney.
Obama is predicted to win Florida once Miami Dade finishes their count.
Romney is not predicted to overcome the votes in the outstanding Dem leaning counties.
Michael, Dennis and Nate Silver were my inspiration daily that my instincts were accurate.
And I am just SO proud of the women who prevailed in their Senate races. Our government needs to start reflecting our racial/gender makeup. Even if it's just 2-3 seats at a time!
I am so thankful to Missouri voters for returning Claire to the Senate and disappointed that they would cross the ticket for a woman; but not a black man.
Our Dennis, Job 1, Michael, (and Nate) -
Are real wonky champions, and no mistake. Thanks for all your time, and for giving us that "other view" that was so needed.
Florida is still counting the ballots from 2000.
Good Morning, Blatina’s goodbye, as promised.
Well, Congratulations to the President and his supporters. It was a good fight but we felled short. I hope the hate disappears from all hearts. As you say let's go forward.
MSNBC, you are the biggest looser and it is goodbye to you too.
Just don't come back here pretending to be a loyal American, patriotic and all that stuff after your lame half apology of a post and all of the libelous comments you've made during the past 11 months.
President Obama is YOUR President too, even if you don't support him.
See YA. Don't go away mad, just go away.
Concern -
You had to try and get a parting shot in, huh?
Your oft-mentioned attempts to sway voters must have 'felled' short, and your candidate is the 'looser'.
Concern - the losers are people like you who only spew hatred and don't try to understand the issues. Apparently you didn't "turn" as many voters as you claimed.
MSNBC is not a loser just because you don't like facts. That would make YOU the loser!
Concern Citizen - Very big of you to offer your congratulations to the President. We don't agree on much but I suggest you stick around.
It would be an echo chamber in here if people like you, White Collar Auto, Alan NJ, Frank Grimes and others left.
edit -
People let us try to differentiate who we want to leave. Conservative posters no, Trolls yes.
God. Concerned, in a butchered message, assures us she is leaving.
Did you all just feel the intelligence quotient of FR go skyrocketing up?
Michael......one other point on that area in Fl the I-4 corridor, last night Chuck Todd said Osceola Co which is part of that corridor now has a very large Puerto Rican community that went solidly for the Pres. whereas in '04 it went to GWB. And apparently the Romney campaign didn't pick up on that, preferring instead to focus on the old demographic that is what made the President's team so good, they had their data correct.
The face of Fl is changing and I'm certain in years to come it will be a lot bluer.
Sore winners are even more annoying than sore losers...
Too much Krauthammer-ing from both sides, but when you win you are supposed to be gracious...
Can't even give it a break for one glorious day?
Another one bites the dust!
They're dropping like flies... lol
Concern,
I seriously hope you mean it. I have met wonderful people on these boards and many of us have endured your horrible personal insults for months and your passive/aggressive posting style.
Good riddance and please feel free to let the door smack your backside on the say out.
All the righties claiming to leave are lying. Again!!
Celebrate your moment, as it will be short. It's clear this was all about race and everyone getting their hands in for a piece of free Obama pie, insults about old white men's time is up is plenty to go around here,
so when obama triples the deficit in the next 4 years most of them "old men" will be dead and then who ya gonna blame ? I know I'm going to get a ton of flack on this so let me have it,
But I remember affirmative action when my "white old man" father was pulled off a Union job running a machine 35 or so years ago and a black man put on it just cause my father was white and the other man was black, my father took it well and said "that's the law and we'll abide by it" my "old white man" father fought in Korea and brought his Army buddy (Who by the way was black) home for Christmas in Newark, NJ, People gave him crap. He told them to shut up an mind their own business, that the man was his buddy who he fought in battle with.
And I like my father watch as "young white men" are limited on union jobs so minorities can work, so you've had Obama for 4 years and you have him for another 4 more, let's see what you do with it.
I will not let you racists and bigots disgrace my "white old man" father.
No one forcing you to read these boards.
Hey Rasmussen lovers -- did you happen to see hos "accurate" your favorite pooling organization was?? Try this ---
Nationwide --- wrong
Virginia -- wrong
Ohio --- wrong
Wisconsin --- wrong
Colorado -- wrong
america first - your post shows the racist and it isn't everyone else posting. Our deficit is something both parties have to work to decrease. But it means the Republicans can't dig in their heels but they have to work with the President and not pay homage to Grover Norquist but work for the country as they were elected to do.
Hope Rises, It's a New Morning in America. Monday night, watching President Obama give the final campaign speech (for himself) in Des Moines before a crowd of 20,000, the election of Obama had come full circle. It started in Iowa, it was fitting that the final stop be Iowa. Tuesday night, Iowa turned blue again because Iowans remembered the man they met and remembered why we voted for him that 2008 Caucus night. Hope and change are not abstract, they are real--we know because we see the change, feel the hope and know that change comes from the bottom up, change takes time.
President Obama's winning speech last night was inspiring; it was trademark Obama: reminiscent, poignant, hopeful, and positive. Despite the ideological differences argued so hotly, both sides of the political aisle have more in common than not. It is time to focus on our sameness instead of our differences. We are the United States of America, we are not red states and blue states; together we win, separately we lose.
President Obama won re-election despite the efforts of republicans in Congress whose #1 goal beginning the night of January 20, 2009, was to make Obama a one-term president, to defeat him. Despite all their efforts, President Obama won. Now is the time for the GOP to realize they lost in 2008 and 2012; now is the time both sides to put aside ideology, roll up their sleeves, find the common ground and compromise. Now is the time to begin solving the huge problems this country faces, begin solving the problems that have been kicked down the road for 30 years. Together, we can achieve great things.
Republicans may not feel it is "morning in America" today as the sting of defeat last night remains fresh. Both parties have felt that sting over the many years since our founding; it hurts. Regardless of the sting, let us all move FORWARD together, let us embrace a new "morning in America" by putting aside what divides us and opting for what unites us. Yes, we can.
Jody -
Iowa also turned blue again because of the tireless efforts of people like you and your fellow volunteers. I suspect that in future elections, the Obama ground game and GOTV efforts will be the standard for every campaign to aspire to. My own experience in 2008 was one of the best times of my life, and I'm soooo glad that you got the reward of being able to see both the president and Vice-President in person. It'll be something you'll be proud of the rest of your life. Well done!
Oh, and P.S. - Remember the "pumpkins"!
Great post, Jody--and thanks for all your hard work for the President, here and in Iowa. It really made a difference.
There are lessons for the Republicans to learn from this election. It remains to be seen if they wil decide the lesson is to spend even more money, blame Hurricane Sandy and Chris Christie and double down on voter suppression. Or they could learn a lesson that they aren't a "big tent" any more and have allowed one wing of their party too much power, marginalizing the centrists or forcing them out of the party. If they roll up their sleeves and work with the President, it would mean they think the second lesson is the way to go.
Jody,
Iowa looked like the Rock of Gibraltar to me! It really did. Congrats to you and your friends Jody, so well done.
JoAnne - I'm soooo glad that you got the reward of being able to see both the president and Vice-President in person.
My wife is jealous of all the swing staters. She never got to see Obama, unfortunately in Texas we are used as an ATM when he comes here. I'm not the one to pay thousands, or hundreds or even dozens of dollars to attend campagin dinners. Can't wait for Texas to turn bluer.
Maybe in 2016 Obama will campaign for________— for president. I would like to see the President once.
Oh but what about what about Rasmussen????? What about Rasmussen? Didn't Rasmussen say Romney by 6?
Sorry - someone had to post it! :-)
Thanks, friends. I had the great pleasure of shaking President Obama and Mrs. Obama's hands this summer; such an honor. I'll never forget that feeling.
I had great fun despite the hard work at OFA. It was so satisfying to see Iowa blue again along with all the others because I know WE made a difference.
JoAnne, I will always remember the "pumpkins"! My secret decoder ring works now.
Yellowdog -
I feel your wife's pain, but just think of the deluge of negative ads you get to miss!
I was lucky enough to see both Obama and Biden in 2008 and Biden again last year at our local Veteran's Day ceremonies, which makes.....let's see.....six presidents I've seen in person either before their Presidency (Nixon, Clinton, and Obama), during it (Ford and Reagan) or after (Harry S Truman, out for one of his famous walks in his later years in independence, MO with the much younger Secret Service agent struggling to keep pace with him). Shook hands with both Nixon and Clinton, and I leave you to imagine which was the more rewarding experience.
Maybe your wife will get to see the President when he campaigns for Julian Castro some day!
Great post and good job, Jody!
Seeking ... you crack me up!
Layton - thank you! I think we're all here with lighter hearts today! Well - most of us anyway!
You got me beat.
George H.W. Bush spoke at my grad. ceremony. He shook my hand and handed me my diploma and congratulated me.
If I still lived in Nebraska, I would've took trips to Iowa to see the President campaign.
Congratulations Mr. President!
Four more years to move change forward!
My bags are packed , ready to go,
on Jan21 to be part of the festivites on Jan 21 in Washingto DC !
I am loving today ...
Nate Silver rocks!
pssst ... so do the boys at Princeton ... they basically nailed it.
Yes they did bcwc, yes they did.
The polls be damned we now know in whom we can put some faith as opposed to the likes of Gallop and Rasmussen, not that I ever put any in them, but they were the darlings of the right.
Comedians didn't do too bad either...
BCWC,
i was amiss, of course the Pricenton guys were spot on too.
Dangerfield, you can hold your head up high today too.
I do like John Stewart type of NY humor, looking forward to his show tonight. :-)
Northstar -
I can't wait to be there again myself (I'm only a two-hour drive away) and I look forward to meeting you in person this time! Be sure to wear really, really comfortable shoes, and I hope you like big crowds!
I think we can retroactively say the Denver model failed failed to predict the election outcome. My first thoughts were to remain silent today to let the GOPTP mourn their losses, however the speech from McConnell needs a response. To both Cantor and McConnell, Americans voted last night and they voted specifically and overwhelmingly, against you. The mandate you two received last night is clear. It is time for you to give up your partisan stance, act like adults, walk to the middle, and propose solutions that move this country forward vs. your prior stance of drawing a line in the sand. If last night taught you nothing, which according to your loser speech, it didn't, be prepared to be replaced with forward thinking Republicans. They are out there, and they are willing to improve the country and the perception of Congress. McConnell and Cantor, if you are unwilling to turn the corner, your days are numbered, and good riddance.
Northstar, the Nate-ster said 303, and for now it is. But soon it will be 332?
RedDevs, I feel the same way. We had to dust off the gloves and respond to Mister Demolition-Destruction-Me-Me-Me McConnell, right away.
Obama lied and ran a smear campaign with the help of the media and uneducated,uninformed voters that put him there the first time.
FAUX is giving that one a go, isn't it?
RomneyRyanRoveAdelson did the biggest "lie and smear" campaign in all of American history.
Romney racked up 533 (five hundred and thirty-three) LIES in 30 months. All documented BEFORE he was nominated.
And it just got worse and worse. Ended up with Chrysler asking him to knock it off and stop trying to scare working people with his big Jeep whoppers.
At the polls yesterday, the fabled "47%" did not buy it.
Congratulations to President Obama on his reelection.
Many "pundits" should probably be going on vacation for a few weeks until folks forget how wrong they were...
My friend implored me to watch fox when the win was announced
It was like a Hawk Harrelson announcing a White sox game where the other team hit a home run.
I saw the "class" that is Charles Krauthammer
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/11/06/krauthammer_soul-searching_of_party_will_produce_reaganite_conservative_candidate.html
I saw Karl Rove refusing to concede Ohio even as his own pollsters had...It was funny...
=========================================================
I have been saying all along that this election parallels 2004, when an unpopular (that means an approval rating right around the 50% mark, not that nobody likes him) faces an uninspiring challenger, (usually from Massachusetts)
Kerry 2004 47.4
Romney 2012 47.4
The two challengers are polling identically in today's RCP averages.
George Will, Dick Morris and Michael Barone predict electoral landslide for the challenger. Of course, they all picked the incumbent 8 years ago.
Final pop vote was;
50.7-48.3 for the incumbent
(2004)296-242 projected(2012) 303-235
286-251 actual
The Parallels will hold. The incumbent will be reelected
The Dems will pick up 2-3 Senate seats
The Dems will add a handful of seats in the house...
that's the way I see it.
#7 - Mon Nov 5, 2012 9:22 AM EST
Well DF, it's been a tough fall of predictions for WCA (Although I caveat the elections by noting I said it was a toss up, so I had to go with my guy.)
Time to pull the Oars in and hunker down for the oncoming economic apocalypse.
Luckily, I have a good port to put up in to ride out the storm.
Hell, California voted to raise Sales and Income taxes. I really don't have a feel anymore for where this country is headed anymore..
But I'll tell you what, if the Debt gets to $25 Billion in the next 4 years, a ROn Paul type will have a chance at becoming President.
drum roll ending with a cymbal smash ....
Errr, $25 Trillion. It was a late night.
Yes, if the national debt is $25 billion by the end of 2016, I imagine that Obama would either be hailed as the greatest fiscal genius of all time or the man who simply defaulted on nearly all of the nation's debts.
WCA, tickedoff and so many other right wingers, it couldn't be any clearer...
that writing on the wall is in 3-D.
And WCA, why do you hate America so much? Why do you take but never give? That is what is wrong with your party and why I am glad to see it take its last dieing breath. Good riddance.
WCA-
The Tigers were a better bet...and the election was a toss-up until about 10 days out, according to my fund raiser buddy who told me last Friday that the internals from both camps showed movement to the incumbent and almost certain electoral victory.
And if things get better I am sure that you will be happy no matter who is President.
bcwc-
Kept wondering how much of that scotch and pizza you went through before the big moment, and whether the boys at Princeton will be sending you a bottle of something for your yeoman efforts on their behalf...
Whatever the outcome (I nailed the senate! but the house was a wash) the fact that we have a liberal a conservative and a dangerfield communicating with humor and civility on the morning after a hard fought election says that there is hope that the disparate factions that we are stuck with legislatively might be able to do the same.
At least the Speaker and the President can share a leisurely 9 holes and a couple of smokes, and make another try at that "grand bargain", before we all fall off that "cliff"...
And maybe the winners could try to be a little more magnanimous and the losers less
Krauthammer-y
Last night America Won.
Dangerfield ... last slice is being eaten as I type, as to the Jameson, I am loathe to look at what remains.
Princeton introduced me to-
hint.fm/wind/
bcwc-
Raising a glass to the memory of Phine...
Who would have told everyone to be gracious in both victory and defeat, as she was always...
Florida is coming in as Phine would have liked and she would have been very gracious about it. ... I will join you Danger.
I'll join in the toast to Phine.
And to the notion that, together, we can get things done. For Phine's memory and for our future.
Last night America lost. The national debt and free loaders won.
Actually America won. And you lost.
Nice try Bill. Maybe you all will have a slim chance again in 2020.
Sigh..........The national debt has been going down for three years................
They tried to BUY the vote, and we said NO! They tried to suppress the vote, and we came and voted anyway. They tried to stop the vote by not extending voting time for the thousands of people that came, and we refused to yield our place in line.
This is a victory for each and every American who took their Constitutional duty seriously and voted, sometimes at great hardship.
Oh, and congratulations to Nate Silver!
Congratulations to all of us. Now the real work begins.
NewDay---I am in awe of the people who waited in line for 4 or more hours to vote. I felt a little guilty that it only took me 5 minutes (and I even got a great parking space!). As Rev. Al Sharpton said, you don't wait in line 4 hours to vote fraudulently.
I hope that the media does a better job of keeping us informed of the laws being passed at the state level so that we aren't blindsided by attacks on reproductive rights, voting rights, collective bargaining rights.
The GOP voter suppression tactics backfired. In the end, their tactics angered and energized voters. In part, it resulted in a coalition of minority voters who stole the night. Going forward this coalition has served notice that they will be a force to be reckoned with.
Given the ugliness of the GOP brand, the denial. suppression and refusal to accept of minorities, bridges they've burnt, and the distrust they've sewn among these groups, one wonders how they attract new blood to make the party viable in the near term.
Their future is contingent on big changes, which is likely to disenfranchise their large base of older, rigid and right wing supporters. Many of them would rather burn the house down than accept minorities, so how they bring minorities in the front door while preventing a mass exodus of long time party supporters out the back door will be something to watch.
It may fuel a larger splinter group that evolves as an even more radical Tea Party.
The GOP will not take the White House until it realizes that there just aren't enough old angry, straight white males out there. But, that demographic will hang on until the bitter end and take the party down with it.
You can't always draw universal truths out of a single election.
Certainly the Republican Party positioned itself too far to the right to reach just over 50% of the people who voted yesterday.
It has happened before, to both parties: in 1964 with Goldwater, in 1972, with McGovern. It will happen again. It does not mean that all ideological principals espoused by the Republicans are foreign to the American people, or that they will never hold the white house again.
In 2008, the GOP scared the moderates by putting Palin on the ticket and forcing McCain to the right. That party isn't learning from its mistakes.
Congratulations to the president for his victory. Thank you also to Governor Romney, who conceded with uncommon grace for these times and who will hopefully be more of an example in defeat than the usual talking heads on the right like Trump, (calling for revolution? Seriously, Donald?), to our right wing friends. Hopefully, this will lead to a future where compromise and cooperation again become the norm between the parties rather than a dirty word that can end a moderate politician's career.
And thank YOU, Michael, for the number crunching. You, Dennis and Job 1 really called it.
@ THE KOCH ....... A Big F _U
We the minorities Kicked your azz.
I realize that poor no jo is deep in mourning somewhere, trying to adjust to the reality that she is, once again, WRONG!
So I will write her post for her, feeling a bit satirical myself;
I say, Mark and Domenico, if you knew anything about MATH like I do, being a bean counter extraordinaire, you would realize that Democrats were over sampled in the election, leading to a false outcome that my President won! If you adjust downward, taking out the Democratic vote, why, you can certainly see that we should kneel and salute our new King and Queen, Mitt and Annie Romney.
Where are your professional ethics, and all that...
Now that is funny NDD!
You forget "scientific" Snookie who informed us, rape disrupts ovulation along with Akin... lol
I suspect the old gal is bawling in her Cheerio's somewhere, frantically searching for her next conspiracy theory to peddle!
Yeah, I couldn't resist.
NoJo may very well be bracing for the noreaster hitting New Jersey. I hope she is safe and sound after the hurricane, I really do, but I've got to wonder... do you think she believes in climate change science now?
Speaking of Snookie No Joe, while at OFA yesterday, I had a few minutes early in the day to check out FR. Could only read and since I was not on my computer, I read No Joe's comment about New Hampshire and the small town that voted 5 for Obama, 5 for Romney--as usual, Snookie took what she liked and ignored that in the other small NH town which votes at midnight, it was Obama 23, Romney 9. This is what happens when only half the information is used to suit the poster's narrative--"We want the facts to fit the preconceptions, when they don't it is easier to ignore the facts than to change the preconceptions." Jessamyer West, American Author 1902-1984.
NDD, I'm so tired this morning (but happy) that I forgot to tell you what a big laugh your impersonation of No Joe gave me this morning! It's just perfect.
NDD,
HILARIOUS! Thanks,
I haven't seen a word that ding bat has written in well over a year, and quite frankly - I am better for it!
Congrats to the TREEHOUSE gang and the Landlord (First Read)!
We survived another election. According to my Facebook feed, the apocalypse is now only moments away, so I must tell you all how much I've enjoyed being in the trenches with you.
In the future, whenever I think of NoJoe and math, I will always have a fond memory of how the membership in the Obama cult had steadily dwindled down over the last four years to just the 14 "cool kids" in the treehouse.
Looks like our "messiah" hasn't lost his touch with that whole loaves and fishes thing!
New Day---you forgot the part where in his victory speech (read from a teleprompter, of course) President Obama strangled a puppy on stage and the crowd cheered!
NDD - you are naughty, and gave me a good laugh. Me thinks NoJo is still wandering around some random airport in Singapore, pedaling her FreakFest jugs, trying to get a plane ride home.
Feisty - thanks again for all your leadership through this round.
Jody - thanks to you for all your hard work on the ground. After some much well deserved rest, I hope we can look forward to your Friday wrap-ups in the near future.
Steeler Fan -
How could I forget all the poor strangled puppies? Especially from the "dog-eating homophobe" President?
And the crowd roars..... :)
JoAnne---how can the President be a homophobe and also be secretly gay? Inquiring minds want to know.
Thanks, gang! I did forget the puppy part, RedDev, but no jo is off to murder mink this a.m.
Really a pip, isn't she?
We're all such horrible people! /s Loving the posts! Too funny NDD!
Well, she may lust after Mahogany Mink, but she might want to stick with simple old 'shameless' Ivory Rabbit.
Great things happen when Democrats actually get to the polls. Don't stop now! Vote in every election. I hate it when we slack off in the midterms!
NDD,
It was a great day in our country when people never waiver, stood in lines for hours ,to have their voice heard in the ballot box.
In fact, here in a local precinct near University of St. Thomas, they had 1,000 same day registrations . Everything was orderly. Looks like the Voter ID here in MN will be defeated.
And Obama said he wants to do something about those long lines in his speech last night.
SOMETHING needs to be done, Northstar. God, we are starting to look like a third world country.
Ballot initiatives...
Marriage equality won on the ballot for the first time. It is a watershed moment in civil rights.
Marijuana legalized in more than one state...Federal law supersedes but...Yay!
Foe a libertarian (and this comedian) it was a pretty good night for "freedom"...
----------------------------------------------------------------
Barone, Will, Rove, and the cadre of "pundits" with an agenda who made predictions that flew in the face of reasonable expectation should be called to explain and forever be recognized as the entertainers that are and not as the journalists they purport to be.
Watching PBS is really the antidote to the partisan propaganda machines...
Congratulations to President Obama on being re-elected!
Congratulations to the millions of Americans who refused to be disenfranchised and who stayed in line!
Congratulations to us human people for beating the corporate people!
YES WE CAN . . . AND DID! :o)
Even though I didn't vote for Obama, congratulations to you and all the Democrats. Godspeed in the next 4 years.
Very gracious, alan. Best wishes to you.
alan_staic,
Been on the losing side for my candidates many times.
but we can all look forward to our government doing their job for the benefit of all of us.
what gives me hope is that the money interests cannot stop us from making our voices heard, even voices of the minority. but true change will take moving beyond the rhetoric and doing the actual work of governing.
Alan, my sincere hope is that more people on the right can begin to show the civility that you have demonstrated. It is sorely needed in this country right now! My hat is off to you sir.
Alan, thanks for that.
Alan - let's hope Congress buckles down, gets to work, and actually gets this country moving forward.
Alan - nicely put - shows a great deal of class. Thank you and let's hope we ALL work together not only over the next 4 years but from now on.
Did not know Puerto Rico voted for statehood last night!!!! Didn't even know it was being considered. Now it has to go through Congress - oh wait - it will get nowhere, right?
I have to be the only one here at work this morning who is happy with the results of the election. Yes I live in a red state, also I feel if I show that I am happy about the election, I'd be fired. Kind of scary if you ask me, but I sit at my desk doing my work as always being productive, but I could NOT and would not vote for Romney.
Congratulations Mr. President. Now get to work for everyone of the UNITED STATES.
Good Morning, America. First I want to say to Frank "Grimey" Grimes, you are a class act! I loved what you said and how eloquently you put it. Continued blessings to you.
I also agree with Nashville -fan, millions of Americans took their destiny in their own hands and voted. They refused to be disenfranchised and I was moved to tears by pictures of parents who brought their children with them to the polls.
Now the work begins, again. Let's put aside any and all differences and support the President. He's not perfect and nothing is going to get solved overnight, but I do believe we can work for the changes that are needed.
With God's grace and the guidance of the Holy Spirit I do believe we can turn things around.
God's blessings to Mr. Romney and his family and God bless us all.
:)
I love what you said but the reality is that this President does not work well with anyone that does not fully agree with this policies.
Come on tracy, you don't need to lie anymore about our president.
Seems like President Obama could work with Christy or do you think that Christy is a democrat and not the key note speaker for the republican convention?
Your hate lost, get over it.
Hi Missy...
Thanks for the kind words to me as well as Mr. Romney. A person's character shines through not only in how they accept defeat but also how they handle victory. You have shown to be a class act as well!! :-)
tracy - you clearly aren't paying attention. President Obama will work with everyone - provided they haven't taken an oath to Grover Norquist not to work with him.
Congratulations President Obama. I was inspired by his speech last night and hopeful for a better future. Fingers crossed!
Nojo,
Please tell me the mink stole will be made of faux fur.
thetotas -
Nicely put. We haven't always agreed on the issues, but seeing so many classy and gracious comments from people on the other side today has renewed my faith. Your hope and your crossed fingers are much appreciated!
Very classy, thetotas! Really. And that fur thing was off putting. Who DOES that in this day and age?
Minorites go for Obama. He can not run for re-election again so what will he do for you he did not do the first 4 years? Answer: Nothing
tracy,
I think that a comprehensive immigration bill can be cafted to provide real solutions for this country.
If there is a will there is a way.
Even some Repulicans want to do this.
tracy, you are truly sad, and bitter to the end. Like many on the right you make statements that cannot be substantiated. Hang on to your bitterness, it will make your life so fulfilling!
Don't forget that Romney was offering so much more lucrative options. Self Deportation? Really?
Clara, that would also be called obeying the law. A new concept maybe, but a sensible one. Obama won with the unending assistance of the media that bashed his opponents all along the way and refused to report on anything negative that Obama may have done. Let's see what the next 4 years brings us. I hope Obama has great success in curing some of our financial woes and I hope that he can keep the UN out of our business since they are clearly anti American. The Obamacare employer mandate promises to kill many businesses since it will be so expensive to comply with. I hope that there is some alternative. To all the MSNBC employees that post here everyday, Feisty Redhead et al, your man won and I hope that in four years we can all be happy about that.
Well, Dangerfield, the vox populi has spoken, but the pundits seem to be hard of hearing.
Last night I watched the returns with my remote in hand, switching from NBC to CBS to ABC, all night ( I don't have cable, and in my area that means I can't watch PBS.)
On every channel, the atmosphere at the anchor booths was funeral. The journalists reported the returns in disbelief. The only pundit I saw with something relevant to say, ironically, was Republican Mike Murphy, who manned up to the failures of the Republican Party in steering so hard to the far right.
Finnally, the President came out to speak, .... and I burst into tears. Listening to this inspiring, articulate and brilliant man, I realized what was missing in the night's election coverage. The media has no inkling of how much the country needs a positive leader. The media is so scared of ticking off their wealthy clients, they cannot report the writing on the wall. The country wants to hold those people responsible, who tanked the economy in 2008.
Romney lost, but the big loser last night was the mainstream media, who have lost the trust of the American people.
I agree totally Amy. The media needs to stop dividing and help bring our country together.
Amy-
I don't ever watch the major networks, and I don't feel like I'm missing anything, so I am certain that I didn't miss anything last night.
As a moderate/libertarian/realist, I told a liberal friend that watching Fox for 15 minutes last night was turning me into a liberal. But, I am certain that watching NBC would have had the opposite effect.
Turning back to PBS, it was like watching beings from a different planet, or another dimension.
A lot of the opinions expressed here (and my oh-so-popular opinions) are directly related to the places where you get your information and biases of the editorial staff(s)
========================================
Now, I'm prpbably going to make you mad and I'm sorry;
Just like George Bush before him, President Obama was elected to his first term as "A uniter, not a divider", but won his second term by using micro targeting of voting blocs and wedge issue demographics.
The President, who could have insured every child in America without a fight in his first term, and should have focused on the financial crisis, the housing crisis, and the employment crisis, in an act of misplaced ego and hubris, instead squandered almost every penny of his political capital on a convoluted, bloated health care reform act that, barely has 50% support today. It isn't that we didn't need some kind of HCR, but it was the wrong fight at the wrong time.
Tomorrow the President could have made the "Medicare for All" program one of the centerpieces of his 2nd term.
"In 2009, we secured quality medical care for EVERY CHILD in America", Today I am announcing that we are going to expand the current Medicare program to cover the remaining 25 Million adults not covered by insurance, completing the work begun by the Great Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Lyndon Johnson."
So much more could have been accomplished.
In his 1st term, The President failed to build the kind of relationships with members of the opposition and worse his own party and that oversight/failing impacted negatively on many legislative and strategic initiatives.
The reticence to challenge his own party, (and by doing so the opposition) in the aftermath of the Simpson-Bowles commission report, was a missed opportunity that we are paying for this very day and that failure will dominate the political news in the form of that "fiscal cliff"...
The President has earned some "political capital" with his victory. He had far more in the bank after his victory in 2008 and IMO squandered it in the wrong place. Has he learned from his experience? Will he be able to bend the congress to his will and challenge himself and them to do great things for the people who elected them, or will we have the same pettiness, gamesmanship and partisan maneuvering that has marked tha past 12 sad years?
I hate the long ones and this is a long one, (sorry)
But the President is the one who must gain the trust of the majority of the American people. The MSM are sheep and will follow a leader. Let's see if the President can spend the next four years leading the "news cycle" instead of reacting to it.
We have a lot that needs to be done. I wish him well, but all the well-wishes and worship in the world won't change a single vote in the House of representatives...