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Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

Republicans do not pay their debts.

It’s time for the GOP to dust off that post-2012 autopsy, completely ignore it, and light the party on fire again.

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

They think we are photo bombing their nice little lives.

Every one of the “Roberts Six” lied to get on the court.

Roe isn’t about choice, it’s about freedom.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

In after Baud. Damn.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

The next time the wall street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

American History and Black History Cannot Be Separated

We are aware of all internet traditions.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

We still have time to mess this up!

This fight is for everything.

We’re not going back!

You are here: Home / Politics / Results Open Thread

Reader Interactions

161Comments

  1. 1.

    Alex

    Sestak’s pulling back into it. It’s only 52-48 Specter now, but still only 17% of the results in.

  5. 5.

    Mike Kay

    It’s the Turnout, Stoopid.

    Here’s a real interesting fact that the corporate media will ignore, as it doesn’t fit their prepackaged narrative, in redstate Kentucky, turnout in the democratic primary is 50% higher than the heavily contested teabagger republican primary (328K vs 212K).

    Chuck Todd is now picking up on the SURGE in democratic turnout.

    So much for the year long meme in the old and new media over lack of base “enthusiasm” and how the base wouldn’t turnout.

    Once again, the silent majority of the base (who voted for Obama and Clinton) is more adult than the neurotic blogging counterpart (who supported Edwards).

  6. 6.

    kay

    @valdivia:

    I can’t make myself care. I sort of loathe Specter, I think he’s a big blowhard fraud, but I’m not impressed with Sestak either.
    I’m just watching PA 12.

  7. 7.

    Martin

    I may have spoken too soon on KY. Conway down to 9K votes with 10% still to collect.

    Things not looking so hot for Specter.

  12. 12.

    SIA

    Latest on PA (from DK) – Sestak gaining:
    Pennsylvania: 27.8 percent in, Specter 50.7, Sestak 49.3

  13. 13.

    Mike Kay

    @valdivia: That is BIG and welcomed news. The Base once again defies all the “conventional wisdom” of the corporate media and the blogging elite.

  14. 14.

    cat48

    Rand Paul has a message from the tea tards: “He’s coming to take our country back{

    To which I say, sit down and shut up. It’s only a primary. You get nothing except to run in the General. So, Zip it!

    Had it with these overcovered by the liberal media teatards!

  15. 15.

    dmsilev

    @SIA: TPM has slightly newer numbers (32% in), showing a 50/50 tie, with Sestak very slightly ahead.

    dms

  16. 16.

    demo woman

    @kay: Over at Kos, they said that Philly is 50% in.
    I must admit that I have an Anita Hill grudge against Specter.

  19. 19.

    geg6

    For some reason, I can’t get onto GOS. Somebody better keep me updated. Need PA gov and PA-12 too.

  20. 20.

    Martin

    @Sentient Puddle: Well, I suspect that a party-backed Dem might do okay against a teabagger even in KY, with that voter differential. I’m just not convinced that the Republican base is going to come out for the teabagger bullshit.

  23. 23.

    Mike Kay

    @Sentient Puddle: ya, but the CW by “experts” was Dems would stay home because obama stabbed them in the back and teabaggers would stampede the voting booths.

  24. 24.

    Ailuridae

    Unless I am missing something (and its possible as I am working) I think this can safely be called for Sestak. I have no particular preference between the two besides Sestak likely faring better in the general.

  26. 26.

    MikeBoyScout

    The first senate campaign I worked was Specter vs. Bob Edgar in 1986. We got hammered. Tonight a congressman from Bob’s old district meets Specter on Dem turf.

    My gut tells me that Arlene has come to the end of his political career…. but then again maybe I’m just hoping.

  28. 28.

    Martin

    And things are looking good in PA-12. Someone needs to kick the doombringers in the junk.

  29. 29.

    JGabriel

    Sestak 50% Specter 50% with 36% reporting.

    AK still less than 1% reporting, but it’s Lincoln 48% Halter 40%.

    .

  30. 30.

    kay

    @demo woman:

    I hate how Specter behaves in those Senate hearings. I can’t help it. He drives me freaking crazy. Blah, blah, blah, and he always talks about how he was a prosecutor once, a hundred years ago.
    So, I’m just watching PA-12. Which is coming in a little slowly.

  31. 31.

    Sentient Puddle

    @Martin: You may be right. Rand Paul’s brand of libertarianism is pretty much the polar opposite of the socially conservative, economically liberal Kentucky. It’s something of a shock that he did well in the primary, but it’s a standing question as to whether or not he can win a general.

  32. 32.

    MikeBoyScout

    Nate says:

    “9:45 PM [Nate]. Sestak officially takes the lead. And 2/3 of Philly has been counted. How can Specter win? He probably can’t.”

    yippee ki yay!!

  33. 33.

    dmsilev

    @Martin: Damn small fonts…

    Moot point anyway; latest update is 40% in, Sestak up 51/49 (a differential of less than 10K actual votes).

    dms

  34. 34.

    Martin

    @Sentient Puddle: Not shocking to me. We’re seeing the same thing in Florida, Arizona, and Cali where the GOPers are running as far right as they possibly can to win the primary. I think the GOP is going to be very disappointed in November because they’ve radicalized all of their candidates and that’ll be used against them constantly by the Dems. The GOP may still pick up seats, but I don’t think it’ll be interpreted as a sea-change.

  35. 35.

    JGabriel

    @MikeBoyScout: Still too close to call. Keep an eye on Pittsburgh and Scranton, which has only 3% counted so far.

    But if I had to bet, it’d be Sestak at this point. He’s running strong everywhere but Philly and other urban areas, and leading by a small margin in Pittsburgh with 57% in, with the other urban areas close or not reporting much yet.

    .

  36. 36.

    geg6

    Thanks folks. I appreciate all the help but nothing but BJ seems to be working on the iPhone tonight. Keeping the fingers crossed that Sestak pulls it out along with Onorato and Critz.

  37. 37.

    Mike Kay

    Sestak in the driver’s seat.

    With 40% of the vote in, Sestak now has a narrow lead over Specter, 51-49, and the remaining vote seems favorable for Sestak.

  38. 38.

    Michael

    @Martin:

    Well, I suspect that a party-backed Dem might do okay against a teabagger even in KY, with that voter differential. I’m just not convinced that the Republican base is going to come out for the teabagger bullshit.

    They didn’t. Sadly, in my county, that meant that the teatards have elected the county executive – there wasn’t even a Democrat filed. The regular GOP stayed home, and will probably come out to dutifully check the straight R box come November.

  39. 39.

    JGabriel

    Sestak 52% Specter 48% with 45% reporting.

    Lincoln 46% Halter 41% with 5% reporting.

  40. 40.

    dmsilev

    The TV machine thingy has just informed me that “unnamed Specter supporters” have given up hope, and that Sestak is ahead 53/47 with 53% of the vote counted.

    dms

  41. 41.

    hal

    The Kentucky results are stunning! A Republican won a Republican Primary in a conservative leaning state. Not the race, mind you, but the primary, where the choice was for one Repub over another. Shocking!

  42. 42.

    MikeBoyScout

    @35 JGabriel:

    Allegheny county and the tri county area will be close, but the Critz race in PA-12 will help Sestak out.

    It is the split in Philly (now with the Ed machine ostensibly pulling for him) that matters most.

    I’m feeling fine and popping a cold brewskie. :-)

  43. 43.

    Mike Kay

    MSNBC: Specter insiders privately concede defeat.

    Howard Fineman is in shock and mourning. Heh!

  44. 44.

    Martin

    @Mike Kay: I agree. I suspect that AR-Sen is off to a runoff, which likely favors Lincoln. I’m actually neutral on that race – I don’t particularly wish Blanche to lose, but I won’t shed a tear if she does. I think the easiest path for the Dems to hold the seat is for her to win, however.

  46. 46.

    Jules

    Has it occurred to you that if you need a King Size bed then you don’t actually like your spouse that much?

    I’m bringing this up from the other thread because I feel the need to defend folks who like a bit of space when they sleep.
    I waited 26 years for my husband to finally break down and get me a king size mattress and I feel like a new woman.
    I sleep all night now and my back stopped hurting.
    Plus I no longer sweat all night because my husband radiates heat.
    So yeah, love my hubby but I might love my king size mattress more….

  47. 47.

    Martin

    @hal: Well, it’s stunning in a sense because there are two party-supported candidates losing to outsiders in KY.

    It doesn’t say good things about the GOP right now.

  49. 49.

    Mike Kay

    andrea mitchell is such a douche bag.

    She says fire breathing teabagger Pat Toomey will move to the middle. Why doesn’t she just call him a “maverick” while giving him a hand job. That’s some liberal media bias.

  50. 50.

    Mumphrey

    I ight be the only one here, but I hope Specter pulls this thing out. He’s been a better Democrat over the last year than Sestak has. He can’t go back to the Republicans; if he pulls this out, he’ll be as reliable a Democratic vote as anybody in the Senate. And I don’t like Sestak. He was an ass 2 years ago when Obama was running against Clinton. He’ll be a thorn in Obama’a side; Specter won’t.

  54. 54.

    Martin

    @Mumphrey: A lot of politicians were a thorn back then. Remember Debbie Wasserman-Shultz? Man, she came across as 200 proof PUMA, but the day Obama won the nomination, she was 100% behind him, and she’s been great ever since. So I don’t think you can read much into what sides people drew up back then.

  55. 55.

    El Cid

    Sestak wins? Clearly this is all about the TeaParty. Let’s turn to FOX for continued coverage.

    (Bye Arlen!)

    [Oh, wait – is Arlen going to run on the Pennsylvania For Specter party ticket now?]

  56. 56.

    Mike Kay

    As Mark Twain would say, the rumors of the Dems death are greatly exaggerated.

    TURNOUT!

    TURNOUT!

    TURNOUT!

    Can’t say it enough, Dems are FIRED UP AND READY TO GO.

  57. 57.

    schrodinger's cat

    @Jules: Kingsize bed is also great when you have kittehs who like to sleep with you and are bed hogs. We need that much space for the four of us!

  58. 58.

    JGabriel

    @Martin:

    It doesn’t say good things about the GOP right now.

    It won’t be reported that way. It’ll be reported as a win for the teabaggers and all Americans everywhere!

    .

  59. 59.

    Mike Kay

    I can’t stand Andrea Mitchell Greenspan. She’s furious and throw’n a tantrum over Specter’s defeat.

    Fire her azz.

  62. 62.

    JGabriel

    Congrats to Sestak. I suspect the numbers might tighten a little before the end, but it’s unlikely Specter can pull ahead at this point.

    Sestak 53% Specter 47% with 63% reporting.

    Lincoln 48% Halter 39% with 11% reporting.

    .

  63. 63.

    Gravenstone

    @Mumphrey: Um, dude – Specter has been a “better Democrat” because of Sestak. Arlen’s tacit embrace of core Democratic principles happens to have neatly coincided with Sestak getting into the primary against his ass.

    And if you think Specter won’t be a problem for Obama if he gets re-elected, you simply haven’t been paying attention. Specter cares about one thing, Specter.

  66. 66.

    Midnight Marauder

    Well, hot damn! It looks like Sestak is going to do it. I am downright giddy to see how Specter behaves and votes the rest of his time in the Senate. And here’s hoping Conway can hold in Kentucky. I would love to actually enjoy supporting the candidate who gets the chance to drive a stake in the heart of the tea party “revolution.”

    +8

  67. 67.

    geg6

    Awesome! Just awesome! Go Joe and go Dan! Here we go into November! I’m so happy to see the victories by the non-establishment Dems. And I can’t tell you how weird it is to see Onorato as the non-machine candidate. But in a state where state politics are dominated by the Philly machine or the eastern and central conservatives, I’m thrilled to get a ‘Burgh guy on the ticket.

  69. 69.

    Martin

    @JGabriel: It’s a fun narrative so long as there’s virtually no polling and no spending out there yet, but things are going to quickly change and I’m not sure that narrative will hold for long.

  70. 70.

    kezboard

    Some clown on Fox just said that Sestak won because of an “anti-Washington, anti-incumbent vote” that is also “anti-Democrat”.

  72. 72.

    kay

    Can someone explain to me how Pennsylvania can have 70% of the Senate state-wide count in and only 30% of a single House district in?
    So much for “rural reports first”.

  75. 75.

    Tom Q

    And, right on cue, Howard Fineman tells us that all the results so far point to the Democrats getting wiped out in November.

    It must be so easy to opine when any set of facts justifies your pre-established conclusion.

  76. 76.

    Tom Q

    @kay: In most general election contests, the rural areas DO come in first. I in fact got worried about Sestak’s prospects when Specter had that early lead, until someone told me Philly was coming in first. I have no idea why it’s different tonight.

  77. 77.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Just got this news alert headline from WaPo in my inbox:

    Breaking News: Rep. Joe Sestak has wins Democratic Senate primary

    All your base are belong to WaPo editors.

  80. 80.

    JGabriel

    So.

    Now we’re stuck with a lame duck Specter for the next 6 months. Will he rise to the occasion to make his last 6 months great, or will he frustrate the Dem agenda over pique at his loss?

    .

  85. 85.

    SIA

    @Jules: Mr Screaming and I have separate rooms. Happily married, and both comfortable with what feels like a civilized arrangement.

  86. 86.

    demo woman

    @JGabriel: I wonder how many Republican senators will call him tonight trying to bring him back into their clan for the next few months.
    The President has already figured that out, I’m sure, and has another plan in place.

  87. 87.

    JGabriel

    @Martin:

    … I’m not sure that narrative will hold for long.

    I think you’re right, Martin. I certainly hope so, as I’m getting fucking sick of the pro-teabagger oh-they’re-so-American narrative. As far as I can see, they’re a bunch of insurrectionist wanna-bes, and there’s nothing American about it.

    .

  88. 88.

    SIA

    @JGabriel: I’d be more worried if Specter won. With the prez not making that last campaign appearance, and AS knowing it’s probaby his last term, he could be a real stinker for the next 6 years.

  91. 91.

    JGabriel

    Sestak 53% Specter 47% with 74% reporting.

    Lincoln 48% Halter 39% with 20% reporting.

    PA-12

    Critz-D 53% Burns-R 45% with 70% reporting

    .

  93. 93.

    SIA

    @Martin: I used to cringe when Debbie Wasserman-Shultz would show up for Clinton; she was such a fantastic advocate. I’m always happy to see her representing the dem position.

  94. 94.

    Johnny Pez

    @El Cid:

    The WaPo fired a bunch of copy editors last year so they could use the money to hire William the Bloody. As you can see, it’s working out great for them.

  96. 96.

    JGabriel

    John Cole:

    And wait till Sestak shows his true colors. Can’t say I will be surprised.

    Well, you know I agree with you about that, but I’m trying to hope for the best from Sestak anyway – maybe we’re wrong about him.

    .

  98. 98.

    Mike Kay

    Chuck Todd saying PA-12 will go to Dems in “decisive fashion.”

    Once again, the beltway “Experts” predicted gop victory in this seat for months.

  102. 102.

    kezboard

    @El Cid — The anti-Democrat Democrat voters are kind of like the anti-American US government.

    By the way, Specter is apparently not going to pull a Lieberman (at this point, I guess, it would be a double Lieberman). He’s supporting Sestak, because he’s just that loyal a Democrat.

  103. 103.

    JGabriel

    @demo woman:

    I wonder how many Republican senators will call him tonight trying to bring him back into their clan for the next few months.

    Actually, I would think not too many. The far right ones will still hate his guts, while the more moderate ones probably sympathize a little.

    Arlen’s in a good place to bring back some goodies for PA in exchange for guaranteeing his now ambiguous vote, and I’m sure he’ll take advantage of it, but, ultimately, returning to supporting the GOP will buy him nothing.

    I expect Specter will be getting a lot of calls from the finance and oil industries, though. He’s gotta think about his retirement now.

    .

  104. 104.

    demo woman

    Mark Critz (D-PA) appeared to narrowly win a special election today to fill the late Rep. John Murtha’s seat, a victory the Democrats believe means the fall midterm elections might not be so bad after all. He’ll be quickly seated by House leadership once results are finalized.

    This if from TPM and if Critz win’s by 8%, I don’t think it’s a narrow win.

  105. 105.

    oklahomo

    Looking at the Arkansas numbers, Republican turn-out was lame in a lot of districts. And it looks like Lincoln will have to do a run-off. It’s now 44-41.

  106. 106.

    jwb

    @demo woman: He’s a Dem, so if he wins by 25%, it would still be a narrow win. Of course, the flip side is that a 1% win for a Gooper constitutes a landslide…

  107. 107.

    kay

    @demo woman:

    That’s what I thought. Democrats are their own worst enemies, I swear.
    Rather than claim victory, let’s call it a “narrow win” and thank Republicans profusely for letting us have it.

  109. 109.

    Ailuridae

    Conway v Paul was the best combination Dems could hope for in KY right given the pre-primary polling, right?

    If anyone has some handy links to that polling it would be appreciated …

  110. 110.

    Martin

    @kezboard: Well, Specter isn’t a dick. You can say a lot of things about him, but I don’t see him as a sore loser. He’s certainly not going to do anything to help Toomey out – after all, it was Toomey that forced him out of the GOP.

  112. 112.

    geg6

    Andrea Mitchell sucks. Gawd I hate her. She is pissed that Specter lost and that Critz won. And Howard Fineman can DIAF. He’s an embarrassment to all Pittsburghers and I wish he’d quit talking about being from here. Howard is no Yinzer.

  113. 113.

    JGabriel

    Sestak 53% Specter 47% with 81% reporting.

    Lincoln 44% Halter 41% with 27% reporting.

    PA-12

    Critz-D 53% Burns-R 45% with 70% reporting.

    .

  117. 117.

    kay

    @valdivia:

    They would have been absolutely unbearable, for months, had Critz lost.
    As horrible as they are, every day, just multiply that by 10.

  120. 120.

    JGabriel

    @SIA:

    With the prez not making that last campaign appearance, and AS knowing it’s probaby his last term, he could be a real stinker for the next 6 years.

    I could be wrong, but I don’t Specter will be a stinker about the next six months, anyway. He might be recalcitrant on a couple of issues until he gets some goodies for PA, but overall I think he’ll be working for his constituents and mostly working with the administration; Specter’s a moderate, not a wingnut jackass.

    .

  122. 122.

    kay

    @oklahomo:

    I was in the car for a lot of the day, so I heard her talking about that. I realized I was not familiar with how she actually sounds. She has a pleasant voice. I like that accent, I guess. I had turned her into this demon, in my head. It was a little jarring listening to her. You know, she wasn’t cackling maniacally or anything, like I imagined.

  123. 123.

    Mike Kay

    it’s sickening how the beltway media is crying over Specter.

    I wonder if they’ll freak out if Mccain loses.

  124. 124.

    SIA

    @JGabriel: I don’t doubt that; my comments were in the event Specter won and stayed in office. The lack of support at the end of the campaign from the WH and knowing it would be his last term could potentially make him go all mavericky. Or something.

  126. 126.

    JGabriel

    SIA: I kinda doubt it, at least in the short term. But for better or worse, Sestak won, and it’s not a concern anymore. I’m still not sold on Sestak, but I’ll hope his supporters are right about him.

    .

  127. 127.

    Allan

    @geg6: I loved how Olbermann threw it over to the panel. Basically, he said, well that makes 12 special Congressional elections in a row won by the Democrats, let’s hear you guys try to concern-troll that into disaster for Obama. And they didn’t disappoint, especially Mrs. Greenspan.

  128. 128.

    SIA

    @SIA: Here’s one of my favorites!

    There are some parts of America that just WANT to be enslaved.

    Yes! A Democrat keeping a Democrat seat! Slavery! Oh the horror!

  129. 129.

    oklahomo

    @kay: How funny, because that accent drives me up the wall. In her TV spots it comes off just a bit strong and sounds kinda hokey. But oh god some of the tea-bagging commercials that have been airing over in Arkansas. “There comes a time when citizens have to answer the call and take back their government. Candidate Doofus will serve the people and restore or our constitutional and God-given rights and fight Obama’s health care take over.”

  130. 130.

    JGabriel

    Sestak 54% Specter 46% with 87% reporting.

    Lincoln 44% Halter 42% with 43% reporting.

    PA-12

    Critz-D 53% Burns-R 45% with 75% reporting.

    .

  131. 131.

    JGabriel

    @oklahomo:

    Candidate Doofus will serve the people and restore or our constitutional and God-given rights and fight Obama’s health care take over.

    Doofus is running in AK? What happened to Gallant?

    .

  132. 132.

    SIA

    @JGabriel: Yeah, I can’t really warm up to Sestak either, and I have nothing against Specter personally. Of the two, I prefer Sestak, but it’s not a strong preference. I wasn’t politically active during the Clarence Thomas hearings, but a lot of women I’ve heard from and read really despised Specter for his actions during that time.

  133. 133.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @SIA #118 and #128:

    My personal fave of all the Freeper comments was this one:

    It’s a sad commentary when this kind of news is only available on Twitter.

    Yes. Yes it is.

  134. 134.

    Mark S.

    I’m slow on the uptake, but am I right that this Arkansas primary doesn’t mean anything because there will be a run off?

  135. 135.

    oklahomo

    @JGabriel: I honestly can’t remember the dude’s name who runs this atrocious commercial; I just cringe whenever I hear the “restore the constitution and our God-given rights.” And of course it’s got old engravings in the background of the original tea party.

    Ah, local Fort Smith News confirms, it’s a run-off for Halter and Lincoln.

  136. 136.

    MikeBoyScout

    @134 Mark S.:
    It means the blue dog incumbent has to try and win for a 2nd time. Most observers credit a run off as a victory for Halter, and think it bodes well for his upsetting Blanche in the runoff.

  137. 137.

    jwb

    @MikeBoyScout: I’m not sure about that, but it almost certainly means she’ll have to continue tacking left until the runoff, which improves prospects slightly for a decent bank regulation bill.

  138. 138.

    JGabriel

    @Mark S.: Definitely looks like there will be a run-off. It means something, to the extent that a sitting Senator, Lincoln, failed to get 50% of the vote in a primary.

    It’s bad news for her. Not good.

    .

  139. 139.

    SIA

    @SiubhanDuinne: I know. I’m crying right now.

    How about this one?

    Tonight was a victory for conservatives. Chill.

    Or:

    Still it is very disappointing. Almost makes Scott Brown’s win look like a fluke.

    No! Ya think?

  142. 142.

    ruemara

    Is it wrong to still hold out that Halter beats Lincoln? Or should I let go of the voodoo doll?

  143. 143.

    Cacti

    Is the media spinning Specter’s loss as a crushing defeat for Obama?

    If not, what’s taking them so long?

  144. 144.

    Yutsano

    @ruemara: If this goes to runoff, we get to do this all over again. And maybe then Halter comes out swinging even harder and Lincoln may be gone. I think we won’t know that for sure until tomorrow.

  145. 145.

    Salt and freshly ground black people

    Any news on McCain and the danged fence?

    I’m really happy about Halter vs Lincoln, mixed feelings about Specter.

  148. 148.

    Ailuridae

    So Halter might be pulling ahead of Lincoln before the end of tonight’s counting.. Stay Tuned.

  150. 150.

    Midnight Marauder

    @Brien Jackson:

    Incredibly, Markos’s douchiness on Twitter actually has me pulling for Lincoln.

    Come on. There’s no way it can be that bad.

  152. 152.

    HRA

    @John Cole:

    “And wait till Sestak shows his true colors. Can’t say I will be surprised”

    That’s how I feel as well and it’s not only a recent feeling about him. There is something I can’t quite explain about him from the first time I heard him on TV. What I saw this evening of his speech after the win gives me more of the same feeling.

  153. 153.

    Yutsano

    @Ailuridae: The real big question is where the votes from the third participant in the race (it was a three-way contest but the third guy didn’t get much attention) will go in the runoff. If he basically says vote for either Lincoln or Halter then this may get decided for sure in June, if not then it gets very interesting. I wonder if he didn’t do this primary just for the hope of becoming kingmaker here.

    Also: anyone see the Dem/Rep voting stats for Arkansas? Seeing the numbers for Kentucky is giving me a small sense of hope for November.

  154. 154.

    Brien Jackson

    @Midnight Marauder:

    Well I don’t really care that much about the race either way. I don’t expect either of them to be that competitive in November, and even if Halter were to pull it out, I don’t think he would be that much different than Lincoln or Pryor. So that’s the baseline. Markos is just going on incessantly about it (and has been for months) like it actually means something, which I guess it does, in a way. It’s just that I don’t really care about Kos’s desire to feel important.

  155. 155.

    Corner Stone

    @John Cole:

    And wait till Sestak shows his true colors. Can’t say I will be surprised.

    I’m curious. Are Sestak’s “true colors” right in line with Republican Specter, to his Left or to his Right?
    What did D’s lose here?

  156. 156.

    Violet

    @HRA:
    Sestak always makes me think of the Sleestaks from Land of the Lost. That just can’t be good for him. Has anyone done a photochop?

  157. 157.

    Mike Kay

    @Brien Jackson: ironic, Markos goes all-in against moby dick Lincoln, to the exclusion of the PA race, and it’s Sestak who pulls off the upset.

  159. 159.

    ChockFullO'Nuts

    A great day for Arizona, on two fronts.

    One, landslide victory for an emergency tax increase (Prop 100) to bridge the “recession” budget shortfall, save the schools and the medicaid program. and public safety.

    A total finger in the eye to the tax nihilists, as lopsided a victory as you may ever see on a tax initiative.

    Two, the appearance of Janet Napolitano in front of the Senate and her pushback to John McCain who tried to taunt her on the SB1070 issue. “As you know, Senator, and are well aware, this was not a bill I would have signed.” The former governor doesn’t blink, and shows me that she fully understands what SB1070 is all about … a political ploy, designed to force politicians to do exactly what McCain has done … cave into the hardliners on immigration and border control, and exactly what Napolitano would never do, which is not to play their game. Napolitano pushed hard on the feds to improve the border situation and deal with the immigration issues, but never in a million years would have signed that bill.

    Also, present governor Brewer deserves praise for fighting hard for Prop 100 passage in the face of tax nihilist opposition, which could be a threat to her own reelection bid for the governor’s office. The jury is still out on whether she is cut out for that job, one she assumed from the Secretary of State chair when Napolitano took her cabinet post. The Dem street talk here is that unless Hispanics step up and raise their voter turnout percentage from the 40’s to the 60’s, our very competent Democrat Attorney General is going to lose to whoever wins the Republican primary, thanks almost entirely to public sentiment over SB1070. Hispanics can rescue Arizona from the Mormons and Republican big money interests, but only if they vote in big numbers. Hispanic leaders are feverishly working on mounting a big GOTV operation this November. Yours truly committed to renting a passenger van and driving voters to the polls on election day.

    That’s the news from Arizona. Thank you Arizona voters, for passing Prop 100. Take that, tax nihilist assholes.

  160. 160.

    ChockFullO'Nuts

    Oh, and I almost forgot this story in Arizona news today:

    Newly appointed interim REPUBLICAN county attorney stands up to Sheriff Arpaio on immigration enforcement!

    Romley, former longtime prosecutor here, as tough on crime as any prosecutor in the country … some would even say too tough … refuses to go along with Joe Arpaio’s grandstand legal play to bascially take over federal immigration law enforcement from the federal government.

    Sheriff Arpaio is now accusing Romley of trying to undercut his efforts to prosecute illegal immigrants.
    __
    Romley is now requiring federal documentation to prove the immigration status of suspects before they’re charged with human smuggling. It takes a week to get that proof — but suspects can only be held for 24 hours if they aren’t charged.
    __
    A few weeks ago, Romley said he wanted to focus on prosecuting large smuggling organizations and drug cartels, instead of undocumented workers at traffic stops.

    Requiring Arpaio to go in front of the cameras and basically charge Romley with being soft on illegal immigration.

    Arpaio is crazy, but Romley is one tough sonofabitch, and fought Arpaio tooth and nail for over a decade when he was the County Attorney before the most recent elected guy, who just resigned to run for another office.

    Romley is the rarest of the rare, a principled Republican who won’t be pressured by the party machine.

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