Month: November 2002

Status quo in the Senate

One thing I haven’t heard in all the commentary on the Senate races this year: they reaffirmed the status quo. Not the apparent status quo that had the Senate under Democratic control through a couple of backhanded moves, but the status quo that prevailed the last time the Senate’s composition was decided by voters. Remember … Continue reading “Status quo in the Senate”

One thing I haven’t heard in all the commentary on the Senate races this year: they reaffirmed the status quo. Not the apparent status quo that had the Senate under Democratic control through a couple of backhanded moves, but the status quo that prevailed the last time the Senate’s composition was decided by voters.

Remember that the 50-49-1 Democratic majority was the product of two extra-electoral moves, the appointment of Jean Carnahan and the defection of Jim Jeffords. The voters, after all, elected a 50-50 Senate and a tie-breaking Republican vice-president, but a couple of backroom deals by Democrats nullified the election. Now that the issue of the Senate’s makeup has been put directly to the voters, they’ve once again voted for Republican control, which will send Tom Daschle packing. Fox News even says he won’t run for re-election, which would be a real hoot.

That’s what happens to people who mess with our Democracy.

The happiest woman in America

Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Congresswoman from Frisco, is beside herself with joy tonight. Because her party was wiped-out in the national elections, Dick Gephardt will step down as minority leader in the House, clearing the way for the current number 2, Pelosi, to take over the leadership. With her in charge, the Dems will become … Continue reading “The happiest woman in America”

Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic Congresswoman from Frisco, is beside herself with joy tonight. Because her party was wiped-out in the national elections, Dick Gephardt will step down as minority leader in the House, clearing the way for the current number 2, Pelosi, to take over the leadership. With her in charge, the Dems will become stridently anti-war and even more obstructionist, and the 2004 elections will be Year of the Woman II. How that plays is anybody’s guess at this point, but I’m betting it will be a disaster for the Democratic Party, and may even help to resuscitate the moribund Reeps in CA. We’ll see.

Early returns

Simon leads Davis in early returns Simon has a slim lead now (read the second sentence): Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and Republican challenger Bill Simon were in a virtual tie with 26.8 percent of precincts reporting. Simon led Davis by 6,000 votes out of 1.8 million cast. Now supposing this continues, will the Chron will … Continue reading “Early returns”

Simon leads Davis in early returns
Simon has a slim lead now (read the second sentence):

Democratic Gov. Gray Davis and Republican challenger Bill Simon were in a virtual tie with 26.8 percent of precincts reporting. Simon led Davis by 6,000 votes out of 1.8 million cast.

Now supposing this continues, will the Chron will say Simon won a virtual victory?

UPDATE: With 31.4% counted, the lead has flipped back to Davis, with a margin of 18,000 votes. See the slow-loading Secretary of State’s web page.

McClintock has a nice, 6-point lead. He’s the one Republican endorsed by the Chronicle, and he’s clearly a better candidate than the dabbler Democrat running against him.

Olberg and Shelley are neck-and-neck for Secretary of State, and Dems lead all other state-wide races.

The momentum is shifting to the Dems at this point (10:45). Only 2% of LA county, 6% of Frisco, and 30% of Santa Clara are in, so Dems will rack up some major votes before it’s all done. A wipeout for Republicans in California, once again. Will the religious people say they’re happy they sent a message? Of course.

UPDATE: OK, it’s over and Davis killed. Only McClintock has a chance for the Reeps, and he’s hanging on by a thread.

Election Predictions

In the finest Blogistan tradition of offering opinions without any factual foundation whatsoever, here is how I think the election will go today: New Hampshire – Shaheen beats Sunnunu due to the Smith write-in campaign. New Jersey – Lautenberg beats Forrester but dies before swearing-in. Massachusetts – O’Brien beats Romney Maryland – Ehrlich beats Kennedy … Continue reading “Election Predictions”

In the finest Blogistan tradition of offering opinions without any factual foundation whatsoever, here is how I think the election will go today:

New Hampshire – Shaheen beats Sunnunu due to the Smith write-in campaign.
New Jersey – Lautenberg beats Forrester but dies before swearing-in.
Massachusetts – O’Brien beats Romney
Maryland – Ehrlich beats Kennedy Kennedy (Townsend)
South Carolina – Lindsay Graham beats crazy guy
North Carolina – Liddy Dole beats Bowles
Florida – Jeb beats McBride, barely, and there’s lots of hassle about counting
Minnesoda – Mondale squeaks by to beat Coleman
South Dakota – Johnson holds on over Thune
Georgia – Chambliss beats Cleland
Missouri – Talent beats Carnahan
Colorado – Incumbent Allard holds on to beat Strickland
Arkansas – Pryor beats Hutchinson handily as Christians don’t vote
California – Amidst record low turnout and the largest Green vote in history, Simon shocks the world and narrowly beats Davis after absentees are counted. (If you believe that, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.) Seriously though, Arnie’s initiative passes, much to the dismay of liberals, who see their bond issues fail. Tom McClintock wins the only other statewide seat for Reeps. Reeps gain two Assembly seats and hold even in the state senate.

Summary: Senate remains 50-49-1; more Dem governors; House remains in the Reep column; basically a status quo election.