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You are here: Home / Politics / Results Open Thread

Results Open Thread

by John Cole|  May 18, 20109:21 pm| 161 Comments

This post is in: Politics

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Reader Interactions

161Comments

  1. 1.

    Alex

    May 18, 2010 at 9:22 pm

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

  2. 2.

    Lisa K.

    May 18, 2010 at 9:29 pm

    Yay Joe!

    In other news, Celtics up by three…

  3. 3.

    valdivia

    May 18, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    I read somewhere (TPM?) that specter has to win Philly 60-40 to really win it. But who knows eh?

  4. 4.

    AhabTRuler

    May 18, 2010 at 9:32 pm

    Some of us are Venus Flytraps, and prefer boggy soil.

  5. 5.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 9:35 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 9:36 pm

    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.

  8. 8.

    valdivia

    May 18, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    @Mike Kay: that is something no?
    @kay:
    how is that looking?

    I have to get back to a shavuot dinner so see you all later

  9. 9.

    Chuck Butcher

    May 18, 2010 at 9:38 pm

    @Mike Kay:
    Have to copy and paste your lack of wit?

  10. 10.

    kay

    May 18, 2010 at 9:39 pm

    @valdivia:

    It looks good. I think they must count by hand in Pennsylvania.
    One person, counting, per county.

  11. 11.

    Sentient Puddle

    May 18, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    @Mike Kay: Careful with that stat. Democrats have about a 3:2 registration advantage in Kentucky.

  12. 12.

    SIA

    May 18, 2010 at 9:41 pm

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

  13. 13.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 9:45 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 9:45 pm

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

    dms

  16. 16.

    demo woman

    May 18, 2010 at 9:45 pm

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

  17. 17.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 9:46 pm

    @Chuck Butcher: only a loser like you finds bitterness on a sunny day.

  18. 18.

    Martin

    May 18, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    @dmsilev: Actually he’s about a thousand votes behind. I also misread the 8,9s at first…

  19. 19.

    geg6

    May 18, 2010 at 9:47 pm

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

  20. 20.

    Martin

    May 18, 2010 at 9:49 pm

    @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.

  21. 21.

    SIA

    May 18, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    @geg6: dmsilev got more recent numbers from TPM (Thanks dm)

  22. 22.

    Martin

    May 18, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    @geg6: TPM is updating quite well. Don’t even need to refresh the page.

  23. 23.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 9:50 pm

    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.

  25. 25.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 9:51 pm

    @geg6: try this

    http://www.swingstateproject.com/

  26. 26.

    MikeBoyScout

    May 18, 2010 at 9:52 pm

    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.

  27. 27.

    demo woman

    May 18, 2010 at 9:52 pm

    Here’s a county by county number in PA. Specter is doing good in Philly

  28. 28.

    Martin

    May 18, 2010 at 9:52 pm

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

  29. 29.

    JGabriel

    May 18, 2010 at 9:52 pm

    Sestak 50% Specter 50% with 36% reporting.

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

    .

  30. 30.

    kay

    May 18, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 9:53 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 9:56 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 9:58 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 9:59 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:01 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:04 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    Sestak 52% Specter 48% with 45% reporting.

    Lincoln 46% Halter 41% with 5% reporting.

  40. 40.

    dmsilev

    May 18, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:07 pm

    MSNBC: Specter insiders privately concede defeat.

    Howard Fineman is in shock and mourning. Heh!

  44. 44.

    Martin

    May 18, 2010 at 10:08 pm

    @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.

  45. 45.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:09 pm

    Jack Conway wins KY Demcoratic nomination with stunning turnout!

  46. 46.

    Jules

    May 18, 2010 at 10:09 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    @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.

  48. 48.

    fucen tarmal

    May 18, 2010 at 10:12 pm

    sestak kicking ass in w.pa, my peeps representing, send your gop geezers to us, we will knock them out.
    mama said knock you out

  49. 49.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    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.

  51. 51.

    Martin

    May 18, 2010 at 10:13 pm

    AP calls it for Sestak. Wow!

  52. 52.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:14 pm

    MSNBC: SESTAK WINS!

  53. 53.

    El Cid

    May 18, 2010 at 10:15 pm

    @Jules: A king size mattress will shake a little less on your side if your partner rolls over or gets up.

  54. 54.

    Martin

    May 18, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:16 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:17 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:18 pm

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

    Fire her azz.

  60. 60.

    demo woman

    May 18, 2010 at 10:20 pm

    @JGabriel: You win!!!

  61. 61.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:20 pm

    @El Cid: no, thankfully they have a sore loser law that prevents that.

  62. 62.

    JGabriel

    May 18, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    @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.

  64. 64.

    Chuck Butcher

    May 18, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    @Mike Kay:

    finds bitterness on a sunny day.

    KY news makes me a tad more hopeful for KY in Nov, but you’ll still be an ass then as now.

  65. 65.

    El Cid

    May 18, 2010 at 10:21 pm

    @Mike Kay: I didn’t see it, but I draw strength and joy from the fits thrown by Mrs. Greenspan.

  66. 66.

    Midnight Marauder

    May 18, 2010 at 10:22 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:22 pm

    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.

  68. 68.

    El Cid

    May 18, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    @Mike Kay: Maybe there’s space to run for the Connecticut For Lieberman Party nomination, Pennsylvania division!

  69. 69.

    Martin

    May 18, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:23 pm

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

  71. 71.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:23 pm

    @El Cid: win.

  72. 72.

    kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    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”.

  73. 73.

    El Cid

    May 18, 2010 at 10:24 pm

    @kezboard: Yes! That’s why all those Democrats turned out — to register their anger at being Democrats!

  74. 74.

    JGabriel

    May 18, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    PA-12

    Critz-D 54% Burns-R 43% with 39% reporting

    .

  75. 75.

    Tom Q

    May 18, 2010 at 10:25 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:27 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:27 pm

    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.

  78. 78.

    minachica

    May 18, 2010 at 10:28 pm

    @kay: PA vote counters were trained in Iran?

  79. 79.

    El Cid

    May 18, 2010 at 10:28 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Sestak haz wins?

  80. 80.

    JGabriel

    May 18, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    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?

    .

  81. 81.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    And we say farewell to “the single bullet theory” as Penn goes Back-and-to-the-left.

  82. 82.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:30 pm

    @JGabriel: Hallelujah!

  83. 83.

    JGabriel

    May 18, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    All your base are belong to WaPo editors.

    Hah! The Kaplan Test Division will cut WaPo loose to avoid embarrassment.

    .

  84. 84.

    John Cole

    May 18, 2010 at 10:31 pm

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

  85. 85.

    SIA

    May 18, 2010 at 10:33 pm

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

  86. 86.

    demo woman

    May 18, 2010 at 10:34 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:34 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:35 pm

    @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.

  89. 89.

    demo woman

    May 18, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    PA-12 has 70% in and Critz leads by 8% or 6,000 votes. fingers crossed.

  90. 90.

    David in NY

    May 18, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    @Mike Kay:
    Oh shut up.

  91. 91.

    JGabriel

    May 18, 2010 at 10:38 pm

    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

    .

  92. 92.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:38 pm

    Not all the news is good.

    Celtics winning.

    Red Sox losing.

  93. 93.

    SIA

    May 18, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    @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.

  95. 95.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:40 pm

    @David in NY: truth hurts.

  96. 96.

    JGabriel

    May 18, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    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.

    .

  97. 97.

    El Cid

    May 18, 2010 at 10:41 pm

    @Mike Kay: The single primary theory?

  98. 98.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:43 pm

    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.

  99. 99.

    Mike Kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:44 pm

    @El Cid: you’re on, tonight.

  100. 100.

    Martin

    May 18, 2010 at 10:44 pm

    Woo! Dems win PA-12! Burns has conceded!

  101. 101.

    Johnny Pez

    May 18, 2010 at 10:45 pm

    Also, this is excellent news for John McCain. Also.

  102. 102.

    kezboard

    May 18, 2010 at 10:45 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:46 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:46 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:47 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:49 pm

    @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.

  108. 108.

    kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    @oklahomo:

    That might be good, right? She’s have to continue to pretend she cares about financial reform.

  109. 109.

    Ailuridae

    May 18, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    @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.

  111. 111.

    valdivia

    May 18, 2010 at 10:51 pm

    @demo woman:

    the author is Cristina Bellantoni qho used to work at the Wash Times in her world, as in a lot of the Villagers world, 8% is very narrow…

  112. 112.

    geg6

    May 18, 2010 at 10:53 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    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.

    .

  114. 114.

    oklahomo

    May 18, 2010 at 10:56 pm

    @kay: Ha ha, she’s even pretending to love health care reform now.

  115. 115.

    SiubhanDuinne

    May 18, 2010 at 10:57 pm

    Pundit electoral math is to math as Alabama geometry is to geometry

  116. 116.

    jwb

    May 18, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    @geg6: Oh, don’t be so mean. Andrea just wants the country her husband ran into the ground back.

  117. 117.

    kay

    May 18, 2010 at 10:58 pm

    @valdivia:

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

  118. 118.

    SIA

    May 18, 2010 at 10:59 pm

    The freepers are wetting themselves trying to explain away PA-12. The comments are priceless. What? Why yes, I believe I am gloating.
    http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2516381/posts

  119. 119.

    SIA

    May 18, 2010 at 11:01 pm

    @oklahomo: That’s one of the better handles I’ve ever seen. Brilliant!

  120. 120.

    JGabriel

    May 18, 2010 at 11:02 pm

    @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.

    .

  121. 121.

    SIA

    May 18, 2010 at 11:03 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: DING DING DING WE HAVE A WINNER!

  122. 122.

    kay

    May 18, 2010 at 11:05 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:05 pm

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

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

  124. 124.

    SIA

    May 18, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    @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.

  125. 125.

    oklahomo

    May 18, 2010 at 11:06 pm

    @SIA: I got lucky then, I’m usually lame at that sort of thing, and suffer handle-envy.

  126. 126.

    JGabriel

    May 18, 2010 at 11:10 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:11 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:14 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:15 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:17 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:21 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    @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.

    May 18, 2010 at 11:25 pm

    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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:28 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:32 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:33 pm

    @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?

  140. 140.

    oklahomo

    May 18, 2010 at 11:35 pm

    @Mark S.: What @MikeBoyScout: said at #136. I believe Arkansas run-off races (there’s one for sure for a state senate seat) will be June 8.

  141. 141.

    jwb

    May 18, 2010 at 11:37 pm

    @SIA, @SiubhanDuinne: Hats off for wading into that toxic sludge pit to find the gems. Your work is appreciated!

  142. 142.

    ruemara

    May 18, 2010 at 11:50 pm

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

  143. 143.

    Cacti

    May 18, 2010 at 11:54 pm

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

    If not, what’s taking them so long?

  144. 144.

    Yutsano

    May 18, 2010 at 11:54 pm

    @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

    May 18, 2010 at 11:57 pm

    Any news on McCain and the danged fence?

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

  146. 146.

    MikeBoyScout

    May 18, 2010 at 11:58 pm

    @142 ruemara:

    The voodoo doll is working. Don’t let go quite yet.

  147. 147.

    SIA

    May 19, 2010 at 12:12 am

    @jwb: They’re so lame over there. The wide range of excuses was very entertaining.

  148. 148.

    Ailuridae

    May 19, 2010 at 12:18 am

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

  149. 149.

    Brien Jackson

    May 19, 2010 at 12:21 am

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

  150. 150.

    Midnight Marauder

    May 19, 2010 at 12:45 am

    @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.

  151. 151.

    Mike Kay

    May 19, 2010 at 12:48 am

    @Midnight Marauder: no, markos is a real douche. that’s why his blog traffic is down 20%.

  152. 152.

    HRA

    May 19, 2010 at 12:48 am

    @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

    May 19, 2010 at 12:53 am

    @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

    May 19, 2010 at 12:54 am

    @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

    May 19, 2010 at 12:56 am

    @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

    May 19, 2010 at 12:56 am

    @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

    May 19, 2010 at 12:59 am

    @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.

  158. 158.

    Bruce

    May 19, 2010 at 4:56 am

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

  159. 159.

    ChockFullO'Nuts

    May 19, 2010 at 5:04 am

    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

    May 19, 2010 at 5:13 am

    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.

  161. 161.

    kezboard

    May 19, 2010 at 11:52 am

    @SIA: Mine is the one blaming Critz’s election on “bohunks”.

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