Comments on: Absentees, provisionals, recounts and runoffs: Update on the 10 remaining congressional seats

By: KELL

KELL — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 14:08:38 +0000

Tom B…

Very well said, I couldn’t put it any better myself.

I was also overjoyed for Obama winning on Tuesday night, especially after OH and VA were called, and then elated even more when FL, IN, and then NC. NE-02 is just the topping on the cake. The ultimate would have been to see Missouri and Montana go, oh so close.

But I was disappointed no doubt in other areas. While we look to get 20 seats in the House, there were some races I thought we would have won. And in the Senate, going to bed with only 5 seats was very discouraging. I’m glad we now have Oregon and Minnesota looks like it could go our way. Alaska disgusts me. There is something wrong up there given the total vote count and who has the most. Finally, Proposition 8 in Cali and 2 in Florida passed by 2% in each case (52 in Cali, 62 in FL). Florida doesn’t surprise me, but it’s already state law here and heterosexuals screwed themselves by this vote as well. In California while I agree a court isn’t the best way to go, it protects minority rights (e.g. inter-racial marriages). I hope they go back to the courts and they rule that proposition unconstitutional as well. I’m ready for the Repeal Prop 8 campaign to get started.

KELL

By: Tom B

Tom B — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 03:12:45 +0000

What is insidious about Proposition 8 is that it ensrhines discrimination into the state constitution. The courts were well in their right to protect a minority group from further discrimination by the majority population, and the fact that this vote came as a direct result of the court’s action makes it an execrable move. Marriage is not the issue at all. The issue is legal protection according to the same standards for all people. If straights would commute their marriages to civil unions, there would be no discussion on the matter. 8 was a low blow to the concept of equal treatment and justice for all.

By: Mainiac

Mainiac — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:50:37 +0000

Rumors are swirling in Maine that Sen. Olympia Snowe may be offered a position in the Obama Administration (it REALLY feels good typing “Obama Administration”). Don’t know how valid this rumor is, since I haven’t heard or seen it anywhere but locally. But our this would ultimately turn another Senate seat blue.

Also–I’d like to add my voice to the chorus of appreciation for Taniel’s great work this election season. Campaign Diaries has become the go-to for political-numbers junkies. Thanks.

By: dsimon

dsimon — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:45:27 +0000

Gay rights activists and the courts pushing ahead of public opinion have caused this backlash.

I’m a strong supporter of gay marriage, but I think the courts are not the way to go. Courts are generally not an effective way of promoting social change. Prop 8 passed by a slim margin, and opposition to gay marriage drops substantially by age group. Even young evangelicals don’t consider the issue as important as their parents.

I know it’s frustrating to ask people to wait for something that should be theirs now. But I think there will be more equality faster if advocates just keep trying to change people’s minds and let demographic change take its course. In a few years, if two out of 100 voters in CA change their minds, Prop 8 will be reversed.

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:24:57 +0000

Dan come on. Obama winning is a bigger deal than one state barely stopping gay people “marrying”. They can still live together, have civil unions etc etc. I didn`t want gay marriage banned in the constitution but it isn`t that big an issue compared to having a Democratic President and all the thing he can do for the country.
Gay rights activists and the courts pushing ahead of public opinion have caused this backlash.

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:16:46 +0000

The World Herald just called NE 02 for Obama.

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:05:07 +0000

I know it was supposed to be a happy occasion the election of President Obama but for me and many others here in California prop 8 took all the joy out of the night and well, it turned out to be pretty depressing…..

By: Jaxx Raxor

Jaxx Raxor — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:21:03 +0000

The Nebraska Democratic Senator is Ben Nelson, and yes Mike, he wouldn’t be a guaranteed vote: he is considered to be the most conservative Democrat in the Senate (one reason why he is so popular in his home state).

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 00:10:12 +0000

I don`t see the obsession with 60 Democrats. There are numerous moderate Republicans (like the two Maine GOP senators, Arlen Spector of PA) who would sometimes vote Democratic. And if 60 was reached the more conservative Dems like Bachus of Montana and the Nebraska Dem senator wouldn`t be a guaranteed vote.

By: Jaxx Raxor

Jaxx Raxor — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:52:43 +0000

There isn’t going to be a 60 seat Senate majority, even if Democrats pull off the very unlikely feat of winning the last 3 outstanding races. Reports are that Reid is talking about stripping Lieberman of his chairmanship in Homeland Security, and talks between McConnel and Lieberman about Lieberman caucusing with the GOP. Of course, kicking Lieberman is a core liberals dream, because if Lieberman is caucusing with the GOP, all the easier it is to get rid of him once and for all in 2012.