The Tea Party made lots of noise and woke the neighbors, but precious few in-roads into the political system. True, Marc Rubio and Rand Paul were big winners but each benefited from some peculiar circumstances. Rubio won in a three way race punctuated by former spurned Repub Governor Crist’s independent bid along with a Democratic challenger who won just enough to split the vote of the rational and give Rubio the nod. Rand benefited from the strong conservative sentiment in Kentucky and what Mark Twain best described this way: “When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky because it’s always twenty years behind the times.”
Other Party guests did not fair so well — even in a time of popular disenchantment with government and a bad economy. Unpopular Senator Harry Reid survived a bid from Sharon Angle of “there is no separation of church and state” fame. First Amendment scholar, former Wiccan, and Angle devotee, Christine O’Donnell, sank against Chris Coons by 18 points. Even in far off Alaska, Palin-approved candidate Joe Miller looks to be a loser in a three way race to a write-in candidate and incumbent, Lisa Murkowski.
How did that poster child for The Movement and likely 2012 Presidential candidate, Sarah Plain, do with her endorsements? Well, that sprinkling of Alaskan tea resulted in 33 loses and 27 wins. Not exactly the “Golden Touch.” All in all, the Tea Party can claim some measure of victory, but the win is less than satisfying. After the Party’s hangover, the realization will set in that “winning” requires “fixing” else-wise the fickle electorate will turn you out like yesterday’s newspaper. And that, my revolutionary friends, is the hardest tea to swallow of all.
–Mark Esposito, Guest Blogger
Wow,that was fast.And from their own leaning polling outfit.
“The polling firm Rasmussen is out with a relatively shocking poll given the results of yesterday’s election. Here’s the gist:
Hold the celebration. Most voters expected Republicans to win control of the House of Representatives on Election Day, but nearly as many expect to be disappointed with how they perform by the time the 2012 elections roll around. ”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/03/house-gop-disappoint-2012_n_778281.html
Tony S.,
Palin is indeed a poison pill for the GOP.
She frightens away any moderate or independent with an IQ larger than their shoe size.
I was watching MSNBC, and it was pretty amazing how the pundits all stuck to their scripts even when Harry Reid sailed home with a vote margin of 50-42 or so. Even as this was happening pundits and reporters alike were describing this as “eking out a win”, when in any honest terms it was a pretty thumping victory for Reid.
Another problematic bit of myth-making is the Sarah Palin effect. Palin made scattershot endorsements in a few dozen races, and less than half of her endorsements won. Her wildest pick was Christine O’Donnell who turned out to be both as charismatic as Palin and as impenetrably stupid. As a result of Palin’s endorsement O’Donnell ousted excellent Republican candidate Mike Castle in the primaries, but despite a huge war chest from well wishers nationwide she walked into a brick wall in the campaign because of her patent unsuitedness for office. And yet such is Palin’s charisma and talent for self-promotion that this will be overlooked by much of the media.
In short, I suspect that Palin is the Democrats’ greatest secret weapon. She has wrought havoc within her party and will no doubt continue to do so for some time.
Byron said, “I only was awake 1 or 2 nights staring at the ceiling in stark naked terror after Buddha told me he wasn’t a capitalist and you mentioned free market socialism.”
To which I can only respond with those famous words of Bush the Traitor . . .
“Mission Accomplished”
You’re dangerously close to being a fascist, B. It’s not your fault, you just can’t distinguish between money and other people’s rights. There’s nothing I revile worse than fascists except for Nazis and pedophiles.
If I made you lose sleep, I hope I’m giving lobbyists heart murmurs and ulcers.
Byron,
And what do I think?
Other than there were more decided in these elections than Congressional delegates, and that it’s fairly easy to find out that the Democratic party had larger gain in seats in 1948 than the Republicans’ gain last night?
Byron:
Not calling you a skeptic,from the article:
“The Dow closes at a new 2010 high after the Fed says it will buy $600 billion in Treasury bonds in a bid to stimulate growth. Skeptics worry about inflation.”
SwM,
Sometimes, if the wind is just right and coming in from the southwest, we northern Ohioans get a whiff of the stink coming off his solid republican district … the guy he beat back in the 90’s was also a Republican but too corrupt even for his constituency … which is saying something cause they love their corrupt leaders down there. At one time the Ohio Republican Party was known for being almost as corrupt as the Kentucky Republican Party … I’ll bet Boehner’s district resented the “almost”.
Eniobob:
with whose money are they buying those securities. cant the fed print money to buy those securities? Wont that lead to inflation?
I am surprised gold is down. the woods are dark and deep and there are miles to go . . .
Mepso:
I have had to suffer 4 years of democrat control, 2 at 2/3rds and 2 at 100%. I slept fine, especially after I got to see how you, Buddha and Gyges thought. I only was awake 1 or 2 nights staring at the ceiling in stark naked terror after Buddha told me he wasnt a capitalist and you mentioned free market socialism. 🙂
If I can do it you can to, the first day or 2 will be hard so I would recommend at least 3 fingers of a good single malt Scotch. Glenmorangie comes to mind as does Balvenie.
Blouise:
Yes Boehners beak is beyond wet:=)
eniobob Also, the cheap dollar makes commodity prices rise which is hard on middle class people.
eniobob Since the republicans don’t want any more government stimulus, the fed will buy assets to stimulate the economy as you said. It doesn’t really help main street much just Wall St or Bill Gross of Pimco. No wonder the rest of the world thinks Americans are crazy.
Corruption … just wait till John Boehner takes over:
1996 – John Boehner is caught red-handed in an amazing act of corruption, and his biggest critics are fellow Republicans. (tobacco – PBS Special))
“Boehner: Mine asked me to give out a half dozen checks quickly before we got to the end of the month and I complied. I did it on the House floor which I regret and I should not have done, it’s not a violation of the House rules, but it’s a practice that’s gone on here for a long time.
Were the checks from tobacco companies?
Boehner: Ahh, I think if my memory serves me correctly, I think it was a tobacco company, yes.”
John Boehner received $32,500 in political contributions from Indian tribes represented by fallen lobbyist Jack Abramoff, placing him in the top tier of lawmakers who got donations from the lobbyist or his clients. Only 12 other members of Congress raked in more money than Boehner.
Swarthmore mom:
Your comment on the 1st of November:
““It looks like a wave and nothing will stop it until independent voters realize in 2012 that the tea party actually made them even worse off. Looks likes a good time to invest in the stock market as corporations will rule.”
Dow at 2010 high after Fed makes move
The Dow closes at a new 2010 high after the Fed says it will buy $600 billion in Treasury bonds in a bid to stimulate growth. Skeptics worry about inflation. Auto sales rise. Gold drops.
Posted by Charley Blaine Wednesday, November 03, 2010 12:25:54 PM
Updated: 4:09 p.m. ET.
For the second time in the last two years, the Federal Reserve has decided to inject more cash into the economy and hold longer-term interest rates low to generate more growth.
Stocks were lower ahead of the move. But a rally kicked in afterward, and the Dow Jones industrials ($INDU) closed at a new 2010 high.
The central bank announced it will buy about $600 billion in longer-term Treasury securities between now and June 30, 2011, in a move called quantitative easing. Quantitative because a dollar amount is specific and easing because the goal is about keeping interest rates low
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/Dispatch/default.aspx?feat=18043855-4325-4c2f-8129-e5eca5e1ebdb>1=33009
On a side note,there has been much said about Nancy Pelosi,but I know I will be corrected if I’m wrong she comes away from her speaker position with no corruption tied to her name.As a couple of guys who came before her.
Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert’s perk costs taxpayers $1 million
Hastert’s aides and allies benefit from archive fund
February 17, 2010|By Katherine Skiba and Gerry Smith, Tribune reporters
Former House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert has plowed through about $1 million in taxpayer dollars in the last two years for an office and staff in west suburban Yorkville, thanks to a little-known perk given to ex-speakers.
Hastert, 68, a lobbyist and business consultant who retired from Congress in 2007, has hired three of his former staffers at salaries of more than $100,000 apiece to run the publicly financed office.
Taxpayers also are paying monthly rent of $6,300 to a company partly owned by three sons of a Hastert mentor and business partner. Other public funds go for an $860-a-month 2008 GMC Yukon leased from a dealership owned by a Hastert friend and campaign donor.
The Tom DeLay campaign finance investigation led by Texas Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle led to the indictment of Tom DeLay in 2005 on criminal charges of conspiracy to violate election laws in 2002 by a Travis County, Texas grand jury. On Oct. 20th 2005, Tom Delay turned himself in to the Harris County Sheriff Office, one day after an arrest warrant was issued.[1] In accordance with Republican Caucus rules, DeLay temporarily resigned from his position as House Majority Leader, and on January 7, 2006, after pressure from fellow Republicans, announced that he would not seek to return.
DeLay publicly denied the charges, saying that the actions of Earle, a Democrat, have partisan motivations. After DeLay moved to dismiss all charges, trial judge Pat Priest dismissed one count of the indictment, which alleged conspiracy to violate election law. However, Judge Priest denied DeLay’s motion to dismiss the more serious charges of money laundering and conspiracy to engage in money laundering, and the prosecution is proceeding on those charges.
Obama Doubles Down On ‘Civility’ In Somber Post-Election Remarks
Because that’s worked so well so far in dealing with corruption and criminals within the government, hasn’t it, President Spineless?
Until you do the right thing and set loose the DOJ on the Bush Administration, you’re simply and aider and abettor of GOP high crimes and treason. Your slavish devotion to “bi-partisanship” is just about as smart as trying to reason with a rabid dog. But you’d know all about that, Barry, as you scratch at the fleas you’ve gotten from laying down with them.
Here’s the deal . . .
I’ll start being civil when Cheney is arrested.
Until then, Mr. President? Screw you and your call to capitulation. Because in context, capitulation and placation is exactly what you are calling for, not civil bi-partisanship.
I’m done rolling over for fascists.
That includes you too, Mr. “Let’s Look Forward And To Hell With The Constitution And Due Process”.
I don’t take orders from you, Mr. President. Because you’re MY employee and you’ve been nothing but an insubordinate disappointment since you were hired.
http://www.politicususa.com/en/obama-maddow-netroots Rachel Maddow outlines the accomplishments of Obama with the help of Nancy Pelosi. She does it much better than I could. Sorry folks, that’s as good is gets for the next two years. Look for cutbacks at the state levels with your newly elected republican governors. In Texas, they are going after education and entitlements. I wish I lived in California.
Former Federal LEO
1, November 3, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Swarthmore mom,
……… The electorate—myself included—handed Obama the “Change” mandate on a golden platter and he could have waltzed through that door of justice with dignity, grace, and conviction; instead, he stumbled helplessly over the threshold like a drunken sailor on cocaine.
===================================================
… harsh, but never-the-less, true … but, I don’t believe SwM was all that enthusiastic about him from the get-go … she knew his record.
If the Senate democrats do not fix the Senate rules so a simple majority prevails, I am likely to find that the predicament I observed as a grade-school child in Wisconsin has won the day, that adamant ignorance combined with intransigent stupidity is the apparent self-directed fate of humanity.
Search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI)? Why not look here, on earth, first. If we cannot find any trace of intelligence, or intelligent life, here, how ever can we possibly recognize it somewhere else?
Obviously, as would readily be recognized by any actual intelligent life form, it is blatantly obvious from my prior writings on this blog that I am utterly without any aspect or form of intelligence whatsoever, and I do not know this.
Swarthmore mom,
As a registered Republican, the Dems could DEMonstrate their sense of conviction of purpose–if they have any at all.
The electorate—myself included—handed Obama the “Change” mandate on a golden platter and he could have waltzed through that door of justice with dignity, grace, and conviction; instead, he stumbled helplessly over the threshold like a drunken sailor on cocaine.
Mike S.,
Welcome back! It’s good to hear from you. We miss you when you’re not around. 🙂