Of all of the races yesterday, the most interesting for me was the Missouri Senate race. Senator Claire McCaskill was one of the least popular members of the Senate and a virtual guarantee for defeat until Rep. Todd Akin delivered victory from the jaws of defeat. Akin’s infamous rape remarks made him completely toxic to the entire nation and the GOP leadership quickly called for his withdrawal from the race. Akin treated the suggestion as absurd and allowed two deadlines to pass that would have allowed his party to repair the damage that he caused. At one time, politicians would put the interests of their party and their country before their own. However, we live in a different time and Akin is the face of the times: egotistical, selfish, and extremist. Linda MacMahon in Connecticut cut the same intensely egotistical image: spending $100 million of her own money in two unsuccessful efforts to make herself a Senator despite a fairly toxic personality and image associated with professional wrestling. Despite the sound defeat in the last election, MacMahon spent even more of her own money as the former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment to secure a second defeat. The question for the GOP is whether the disaster this election will cause anyone in the party to consider the eradication of moderates in their party and the loss of what we once called “Rockefeller Republicans.”
In the end, Akin appears to have been unable to even break 40 percent of the vote.
Had Akin withdrawn, the GOP would have likely secured the seat in Missouri. Not only Akin but the entire Tea Party worked last night to the great benefit for the Democrats — alienating moderate voters and securing wins across the country.
Akin will be left to history as a sad clownish figure who refused to accept the obvious reality that his own comments and extremist views destroyed any chance for election. MacMahon will fill another footnote on the amount of money someone is willing to spend in pursuit of egotism. Notably, MacMahon never appeared to have any particular vision or idea or cause — she just wanted to be a Senator and thought she had the money to guarantee it like some choreographed WWF bout. They are not the only such figures in this election.
The question is how we end up with such caricatured candidates in national elections and the overall low quality of politicians in this country. I have long blamed the monopoly of the two major parties on our politics. I still hold that view. However, Akin also represents a sad cultural reality today. It is not just the loss of moderation in politics but a loss of a sense of personal integrity and responsibility. Akin immediately blamed others and refused to stand aside for the benefit of his state and party. He is for me the face of what is wrong with our politics: an anti-intellectual extremist who ultimately shows little sense of duty or calling beyond himself.
Source: USA Today
Awwwww. More appeal to emotion.
How adorably logically and factually meaningless.
If you think violence can’t be funny, I bet Looney Tunes really twists your nipples, don’t they, nick? And black comedy. Oooo. That’d be right out so no Addams Family or Gahan Wilson cartoons for you either.
Really. Rye may be a grain, but it isn’t good for breakfast in some formats.
The guys have sobered up and are at it again.
The Olympic peace has ended.
Disgusting, on Republicans. THAT was the word that I was looking for all this year.
Asia/Americans amaze. Must be the largest margin of all.
You know, it is said that: they are smart/study a lot/respect their duties. Choose several if desired.
Can’t wait to hear what Grayson finds to slay Republicans with.
Vote count stop in Miami? Guess that Repugs needed time to manipulate the software.
Gene, I have worked too many murder, assault, rape cases. I have sat down and interviewed too many family members of spouses, children murdered. There is nothing funny about muder or violence…NOTHING! I would and have called out other people than yourself on this issue. You went over the line on this. Give us all one more pontification and then please let’s move on.
Apparently you’re the one with both a self-control problem and a marked lack of a sense of humor, nick. Also, really, Gabby Giffords? Appeal to emotion using false equivalences much? You need to stop drinking before noon.
How’s that vendetta you’re harboring for me consistently pointing out you being wrong on various subjects working out for you, slick?
Moderator, I think I know who you are. 😉
If calling someone who is arguing for killing a person is “douchey” in your book, then you are more disturbed than I thought. In your effort to be the smartest, toughest on the block you have no self control. I guess Gabby Giffords didn’t teach the smartest guy on the block anything.
Douchey.
I do not know who you are, but have you ever driven behind someone texting? Yes, I have a problem with texting and driving. Do you not have a problem with that? Asian drivers need not be dealt with as the term speaks for itself.
Classy
Mitch McConnell is not only a perfect poster boy for what is wrong with American politics, he’s not a bad argument for retroactive abortions.
SWM, Specific congrats to you, I know this election meant a lot to you. Ryan’s Congressional District[1st] is fairly large and quite diverse. Rock County is only part of his district[westernmost edge] and it includes several other counties stretching east to Lake Michigan. You should research how the 1st District voted on the Presidential race to get a more accurate account. Let me know the results if you do.
“People feel they are entitled to things, and which candidate is going to give them things.” (Guess who said this?)
http://www.twd4u.com/2012/11/twd-election-2012-aftermaths-1st-thread.html
The second video clip is a classic.
raf:
“It was amazing that Sen. McConnell’s comment after the election was called was basically telling Obama that he better agree with them if the Dems know what is good for them! Disgusting”
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10:48 am EST poll…
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still HAPPY!!!!
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
😛
A great night to say the least. It was fantastic to see Akin and Mourdock go down as well as Allen West. It was also refreshing to see Allan Grayson return to the Congress.
It was amazing that Sen. McConnell’s comment after the election was called was basically telling Obama that he better agree with them if the Dems know what is good for them! Disgusting
Akin and company went the radical religious right meme and got burned for it.
Moderator, Asian Americans backed Obama 73 -28. What is your problem with Asians?
idealist, I meant that the non cuban hispanic vote is going to give Obama Florida when they call it.
Swarthmore Mom,
Goodness, enumerating has its risks. Yes, by all means the latinas, they are women too—-I thought.
Not to begrudge you. Just quibbling. A known fault!
BTW, how is our Scct one doing? Well by us, I hope.
Now I sound snarky, which was not my intent at all.
Just eliminate all previous and replace with “YES”,
BIG REALIZATION: That fewer words minimizes mistakes.
There is nothing worse than an Asian woman driving and texting at the same time.
Nick, I know but they sure did not want him to be VP.