Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Battle won, war still ongoing.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

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

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

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

Republican obstruction dressed up as bipartisanship. Again.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

This really is a full service blog.

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

He really is that stupid.

A last alliance of elves and men. also pet photos.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

I was promised a recession.

I wonder if trump will be tried as an adult.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

Consistently wrong since 2002

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

Take hopelessness and turn it into resilience.

This fight is for everything.

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

You are here: Home / Politics / Number two goes down the drain

Reader Interactions

251Comments

  2. 2.

    Martin

    I just want to say – if the initiative in Mississippi passes, anyone that stays in that state is a fucking idiot. Seriously, that’s Taliban-level shit.

  7. 7.

    suzanne

    So the race that I’m most interested in tonight is over in Mesa, where State Senator and President of the State Senate Russell Pearce (a.k.a. the “brains” behind SB1070 and all-around fuckwad) is in a recall election against Jerry Lewis, who is the father of a friend of mine. Some good friends of mine have been deeply involved in the recall effort, so even though I don’t live in the district anymore, I’m pretty nervous. Pearce is a stain on us all, and he’s a big reason that Governor Brewer has been able to get away with her Reign of Terror.

    Apparently we won’t know the final results until next week. ARGH.

  9. 9.

    SIA

    @rikyrah: According to Rachel the no votes against the personhood amendment are at 57%, 43% yes. Just 16% reporting. That one needs to go down.

  11. 11.

    jharp

    @BruceFromOhio:

    I heard Rush making some noise about Issue 3 in Ohio the other day.

    I really have no idea what it’s all about. It sounds like a vote to allow Ohio to ignore federal law. And I have no idea if a yes vote or a no vote is for the good guys.

    Anyone?

  13. 13.

    Reality Check

    Next: the GOP will pass each measure of the bill yet again, except this time one-by-one to make it impossible to repeal. Meanwhile, Crossroads and Crossroads GPS have a job to do…

    BTW, we’ll still win the Personhood Amendment in Mississippi and take back the State Senate of Virginia. And Ohio will vote to repeal the individual mandate on Obamacare. Still gonna be a good night for the GOP.

  14. 14.

    Martin

    Ok, hearing Haley Barbour say ‘fallopian tubes’ was pretty awesome. tyoooooooobs

    Reminded me of ‘what’s a yoot?’

  16. 16.

    Steve

    @Martin: What do you have against cute little embryos? Or, as one of the sponsors actually called them, “our tiniest boys and girls.”

  18. 18.

    PaulW

    It’s the percentage that impresses me so far, about 63 percent right? That’s a whopping majority of Ohioans telling the GOP to stuff their anti-union plans where the sun don’t shine. In a prohibitively GOP-friendly state for God’s sake.

  19. 19.

    Martin

    @jharp:

    It sounds like a vote to allow Ohio to ignore federal law.

    Yep. PPACA allows states to opt out of the federal system by providing a functionally equivalent state system. Issue 3 doesn’t do that. It just says ‘fuck you, we’re not going to follow that law’.

    So yeah, it being rightly ignored.

  20. 20.

    Steve

    @Reality Check:

    Next: the GOP will pass each measure of the bill yet again, except this time one-by-one to make it impossible to repeal.

    Please please try this. Please please please.

  21. 21.

    Reality Check

    @PaulW:

    You don’t know anything about elections then. Only a minority of precincts are reporting.

    BTW, any news on the Personhood Amendment? How about the Virginia Senate?

  23. 23.

    Reality Check

    @Steve:

    Crossroads and Crossroads GPS will make even bigger ad buy to get people to support the conservative point of view. One by one…at least a few elements won’t be repealed. Time for the Governor and the legislature to get back to work.

  24. 24.

    soonergrunt

    @jharp: A NO vote on issue three in Ohio is the vote we’d like to see. That would be Ohioans rejecting the idea that their state should attempt to ignore the new health insurance law.
    Of course, those laws that are being passed to try to nullify federal laws are pure and utter bullshit, because short of secession, there is no way a state can avoid federal law. And secession as a valid course of action was pretty solidly rejected in 1865.

  25. 25.

    Percysowner

    On Issue 3 in Ohio the No vote is for the good guys. Issue 3 wanted the State Constitution to say that no one could be required to purchase health insurance. Issue 3 looks like it is going down to defeat, crossing my fingers.

  27. 27.

    Linda

    Jharp:

    Issue 3 is an initiative that would allow the state to ignore parts of “Obamacare.” It’s a tea party thing, which I believe was put on the ballot partly to lure the tea partiers to vote and push Issue 2 across the finish line. Didn’t work.

    And Maine said yes to same-day registration, even though they started rumors that it was backed by…TEH EVIL GAY!

    http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/updates/1741

  28. 28.

    Spaghetti Lee

    @Reality Check:

    Gotta say, Checkers, I appreciate the honesty. “We will totally ignore the will of the people and bring in outside money to trample it into the ground.” Man, why hasn’t the GOP hired you as their PR guy?

    And since you asked, you’re losing in Mississippi, something like 57-43.

  29. 29.

    Steve

    @Reality Check: I’m begging you…. convince yourselves you can magically overturn the will of the people with a few ad buys. Pretty please. I promise there will be no electoral backlash whatsoever.

  31. 31.

    Reality Check

    BTW, nice to see my neighbor across the river (Kentucky) at least choose a conservative, right-wing, blue dog Democrat. Nice to see at least some Blue Team folks on the “RIGHT” side…pun intended.

  33. 33.

    Reality Check

    @Spaghetti Lee:

    It’s early, we’ll win and win big down in ‘Ol Miss. And Virginia will go our way, too. And next up Gov. McDonnell over in Virginia can pass better voter ID laws and education reform, one he has full control of the VA Legislature.

  35. 35.

    Martin

    @David Koch: And what’s really impressive is that reinstatement of same-day registration in Maine. ACORN must be a seriously efficient operation, because there’s only like 4 black people in that state.

  39. 39.

    Reality Check

    Issue 3 will pass. The Personhood Amendmet down in Mississippi will pass. And the Virginia Senate will TURN RED.

  41. 41.

    scav

    RC_Cola likes his lemonade extra tart (a boy can dream, no?) and he’s got a fair bit of it tonight.

  42. 42.

    Samara Morgan

    @Reality Check: Personhood has failed twice in Colorado by 70% to 30%, in 2008 and 2010.
    in spite of focus on the family and michelle maulkin.
    so FotF is trying to get it passed in other, more religious, more backward states.
    good on mississippi if it fails.

  43. 43.

    chopper

    @Steve:

    we all know how the federal courts are so behind the idea that state law trumps federal when it comes to regulating interstate commerce.

  45. 45.

    Davis X. Machina

    @Martin: It’s the students. Because students flock to Orono from the four corners of the world to study. Like Boston, or Oxford. Except with more cows.

  46. 46.

    BruceFromOhio

    @Omnes Omnibus: ARGH, reading it wrong from AP, looking at the Cuy County BOE, and Issue 3 is running away. YOU GOT IT RIGHT, NO ON 2! WTF is wrong with people?!

    AAAAARGHHHH

    ETA: Leaving the computer to drink heavily and bang my head on the cement wall in the basement.

  47. 47.

    Reality Check

    @Samara Morgan:

    Issue 3 in Ohio: VICTORY, Personhood Amendment in Mississippi: VICTORY, Virginia Senate: VICTORY. Hey, “progressives”, I guess 1/4 isn’t SO bad for you, huh?

  49. 49.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @soonergrunt: Oh, Issue 3 is a dead letter- no doubt about that. I am just saying that it looks as though it will pass. Since it won’t have any real effect, it is perfect that RC is celebrating it.

  52. 52.

    Litlebritdifrnt2

    Oh fer christs sake, I have just been having a discussion with my DH and he said “Sandusky had a whole lot of victims and one of them was JoPa” WTF, over the last three days we have been discussing this and he is still “JoPa is God” I give up.

  54. 54.

    chopper

    cheering for issue 3 is like cheering for some horseshit state bill that makes all abortion illegal and gets immediately shot down by the courts. moronic.

  55. 55.

    Marc

    Does the deluded republican think that he’s convincing anyone? Voter suppression in Main gone; union busting in Ohio gone; and you appear to be flat-out wrong in Miss too. And the Dems look to be holding on in VA too.

    Not man enough to admit that your side did badly tonight?

  57. 57.

    xian

    wait some righting bullshit might pass in Mi’ssippi? That’s unpossible?

    of course a wingtard would miss the real story: that Ohio’s solid blue for 2012.

  58. 58.

    Steve

    @chopper: Interestingly, here in New Jersey we had an amendment on the ballot to allow sports betting, even though it will remain illegal under federal law. In a sense it’s the same thing!

  59. 59.

    soonergrunt

    @Litlebritdifrnt2: Well, Sandusky’s victim count (as regards little boys) is over 20 and counting, according to MSNBC.
    And JoPa could’ve been the hero, had he called 911.

  60. 60.

    "Fair and Balanced" Dave

    @Linda:

    Issue 3 is an initiative that would allow the state to ignore parts of “Obamacare.” It’s a tea party thing, which I believe was put on the ballot partly to lure the tea partiers to vote and push Issue 2 across the finish line. Didn’t work.

    The best part is that Ohio pushed through a Draconian Voter ID law (I had to show my driver’s license at the polls) so the wingnuts can’t scream “voter fraud”

  62. 62.

    redshirt

    Remember, to most Republicans and Wingtards, this is all just a game. Their side wins, your side loses. Doesn’t matter what the issue is, it’s all just a game. This holds true for all aspects of their behavior at all levels.

  63. 63.

    CarolDuhart

    Issue 3 only wins because nobody has heard of it, and since the individual mandate doesn’t even come into play until anyway, there’s plenty of time for repeal. I think next year during a Presidential is just the right time,don’t you think? Most patients like the new options in Obamacare just tine, and the mandate hasn’t even taken effect yet. I only heard about it when I went to the polls today, which is another reason Issue 3 won.

  67. 67.

    Will Reks

    “The issue does not block the federal health care bill – should it ultimately prevail in the Supreme Court – from going into effect in Ohio. But it would prevent Ohio from enacting a Massachusetts-style health care system”

  69. 69.

    BruceFromOhio

    @Reality Check: I’m confident there will be the drumbeat of how this is all good for the Republicans. What escapes is how this is actually any good at all. Issue 3 will rear its furry little head somewhere in a future “no could have predicted,” after the idiots in the Statehouse have been run out on a rail in 2012. “Personhood” doesn’t cut taxes or add jobs, and Mississippi will remain resolutely at the bottom of the foodchain. And putting a can’t-get-shit-done-worth-a-damn bottleneck in the Virginia legislature does … what, again?

    Yes, victory! Pump your fist! Shout “woot! woot!” at the next person you see! And in the end it means…. what, exactly? A roadblock, a claim to ignorance, and a roadblock. Yes, well done, GOP. Cash the checks before the moneychangers change their minds. Woot, woot! Victory, motherfucker!

    @@redshirt: Clearly.

  72. 72.

    Xecky Gilchrist

    Issue 3 in Ohio: VICTORY, Personhood Amendment in Mississippi: VICTORY, Virginia Senate: VICTORY.

    Bookmark it, libs!

  76. 76.

    soonergrunt

    @dmsilev: Oh, no. I’ve known it since about his second post.
    I just like telling him that he’s a dumb motherfucker.
    He’s the kind of guy we wouldn’t give grenades in country, because you just couldn’t be certain if he’d get himself and his crew killed because he was pants-shittingly stupid or slightly less stupid than that, but fucking squirrelly, you know?

  77. 77.

    Villago Delenda Est

    Reality Bites has to cheer on 3, because it’s very, very obvious that the big one…2…is going down, hard, and the fuckstick Kaisch is beyond butthurt on this one.

  80. 80.

    Linnaeus

    As a born and raised Michigander, I’ll have to accept that I will have to say something nice about Ohio. :)

  82. 82.

    Xecky Gilchrist

    All my predictions will be true. Bank on it.

    Indeed, someone will achieve victory in all these elections. We just don’t know who, but Reality Dreck didn’t say who so there.

  84. 84.

    Reality Check

    @Xecky Gilchrist:

    Republicans will take control of the Virginia Senate in a VICTORY. Issue 3 will go on to VICTORY, the Personhood Amendment in Mississippi will also go onto VICTORY.

  85. 85.

    Spaghetti Lee

    Anyone more informed about the VA races know which districts in particular I should pay attention to?

  86. 86.

    soonergrunt

    @dmsilev: well, my hobbies are building computers, playing computer games, and carpentry.

    Telling dumb motherfuckers that they are dumb motherfuckers is more of a social service thing. Some people usher at Church. Others do charitable volunteering. It’s like that. I feel like I’m giving back to my community, see?

  89. 89.

    burnspbesq

    @Reality Check:

    For someone who professes to love the Constitution, you surely have some fucked-up notions about what it says and what it means. SUPREMACY CLAUSE, dickhead.

  90. 90.

    West of the Cascades

    @Spaghetti Lee:

    Supremacy Clause, dipshit.

    Spaghetti Lee, FTW. Truly pathetic that the single right-wing “triumph” of the night is unconstitutional.

  92. 92.

    John - A Motley Moose

    Here’s a link to the Virginia gov results page – https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2011/EB178FD6-875D-4B0D-A295-900A0482F523/Unofficial/7_s.shtml

    Dems are currently leading in 21 races and Gopers in 19.

    With 44% of the precincts counted Initiative 26 in MS is holding steady at 59% no to 41% yes. And, with 66% reported, Issue 2 is a solid 62% no.

    Looks like RC will have to console himself with a meaningless ballot issue in OH. That’s alright. That’s exactly the kind of initiative the Gopers in Congress have been pushing this year.

  93. 93.

    Reality Check

    @burnspbesq:

    It’s still a VICTORY against Obamacare in a swing state. The VICTORY proves how much swing states hate the Obamacare mandate, something our nominee will exploit in 2012. Have fun with that, “progressives”.

  94. 94.

    Steve

    Did anyone even spend money opposing Issue 3 in Ohio? Was there a substantial campaign against it? It seems like the kind of non-binding blah blah that only one side would get worked up over, not to mention the misleading ballot language.

  95. 95.

    suzanne

    New Democratic mayors in Phoenix (Stanton) and Tucson (Rothschild).

    I feel like going to Mississippi and fucking in the public square. Before ostentatiously gulping Plan B.

  98. 98.

    burnspbesq

    @Reality Check:

    Seeing as how it’s essentially impossible for any Republican presidential candidate to get to 270 electoral votes without Ohio, and you side got trounced in the only vote that has any meaning, shouldn’t you be shutting your fucking pie-hole right about now? Four more years of Obama, and he’ll get to make four Supreme Court nominations in his second term.

    Suck on that, ya fookin’ idjit.

  100. 100.

    Spaghetti Lee

    @Steve:

    It’s something I heard about just days ago. I think it’s one of those things that gets snuck in and, like someone upthread said, is supposed to get the wingnuts excited enough to make the difference the races that really matter. Because 3 is a joke. It’s not remotely constitutional. If that’s all RC can cheer about, it’s been a bad, bad night for the GOP.

  102. 102.

    West of the Cascades

    @Reality Check: That would be the nominee that was for the individual mandate before he was against it? Good luck with that.

    Or are you speaking of some other nominee? Maybe one that gives speeches drunk? Or has sexually harassed four women (and counting)? Or committed serial infidelity? Or maybe the one who utters batshit crazy statements every time she opens her mouth?

    Or is your nominee going to be a dark horse, coming in at the last minute to exploit your VICTORY tonight?

    Maybe Sarah Palin?? Does that thought excite you?

  103. 103.

    redbeardjim

    @Steve: I didn’t even know it existed until a couple of weeks ago, and that was because I got called by a pollster. For a proposed constitutional amendment, it got very little press.

  106. 106.

    The Dangerman

    So, let’s see if I got this right.

    Ohio 3 goes on the ballot in order to draw out the tea type troglodytes in the hope of saving 2.

    Even with this draw, 2 goes down in flames.

    3 may pass, but is worth less than a single square of toilet paper (not worth much, but when it’s the last one…) because it gets voided immediately.

    Seems like a waste of time and money all around to lose 2:1 instead of 2.5:1.

  108. 108.

    Jenny

    The landslide rejection of Mississippi’s personhood crap and the landslide rejection of Ohio’s union busting was in reality a rebuke of Obama’s middle east policies and big victory for the Teaparty.

    /WaPo’d

  111. 111.

    Linda

    Ladies and Gents, do you find it interesting that you can get up-to-date election results at talkingpointsmemo, and none at politico? Which is also supposed to be about POLITICS? Whereas the latter has more sex speculation than a high school locker room?

  112. 112.

    soonergrunt

    @suzanne:

    And “personhood” goes down like a five-dollar hooker for a ten-dollar tip.

    Very much like Reality Check. Or rather, his mom.

  114. 114.

    Mr Stagger Lee

    @rikyrah: A salute to all you Mississippi Rebs! That popping sound you hear is Southern Baptist preacher heads exploding. Rev Wildmon’s group must be sitting there in shock!

  116. 116.

    Spaghetti Lee

    @Linda:

    I get your point, but I’m afraid I can’t string “Politico” and “interesting” together in the same sentence without going unconscious.

  118. 118.

    Reality Check

    Republicans will still take control of the Virginia Senate and Issue 3 will pass in a VICTORY.

  119. 119.

    taiko

    Sorry, @rc, the only real “Victory” regarding Obamacare was in the DC district court, where Pat Robertson’s Regent U geniuses lost yet again. You’re on an impressive losing streak tonight!

  120. 120.

    Will Reks

    @Reality Check: Hell. I probably would have voted the same way. I don’t particularly care to be forced to buy insurance from an insurance monopoly. That’s a huge bailout to a failure of an industry. But is it constitutional? I believe so and i reckon the Supreme Court will affirm that.

  121. 121.

    Judas Escargot

    @Reality Check:

    Ohio is ALSO voting against Obamacare.

    Yay! 26 year olds kicked off their health insurance! People with pre-existing conditions, uninsured!

    Victory!

    (I’m no angel, but seriously, you are one sick-souled fuck).

  123. 123.

    BB

    Reality Check, your version of VICTORY is pretty shitty, since it will only include a worthless gesture. But such is your lot in life, I suppose.

  126. 126.

    Reality Check

    Obamacare goes down in Ohio, and Republicans take control of the Virginia Senate in a swing state. Democrats are on the way out…

  133. 133.

    Reality Check

    Obamacare has gone down to defeat in a crucial swing state. With Republicans also poised to take control of the Sate Senate in another swing state (Virginia) what does this say about Obama’s chances?

  136. 136.

    Joel

    With Virginia still undecided, almost all the issues of substance went the Democrats’ way today. Hopefully that bears good tidings for the Democrats next year. Who knows.

  137. 137.

    dmsilev

    Hmmm. It has stopped talking about Mississippi for some reason.

    Perhaps its ‘s’ key is broken?

  139. 139.

    Chyron HR

    @Reality Check:

    The Personhood Amendmet down in Mississippi will pass. Personhood Amendment in Mississippi: VICTORY. The Personhood Amendment in Mississippi will also go onto VICTORY. Respect my VICTORAH!!

    Can we get a new troll? This one is broken.

  140. 140.

    kay

    Do it, Reality Check.
    Pass Kasich’s union busting bill piece meal in the budget.
    Try it again and you won’t win another election in Ohio.
    Remember the Reagan Democrats? Union members who lean Right?
    I was sitting with them tonight.
    You know what they are now?
    Democrats.
    I’d like to personally thank the Koch Bros. for bringing us all together.
    One big happy family.

  141. 141.

    burnspbesq

    And in New Jersey, despite Christie’s 54 percent approval rating and a huge influx of out-of-state Republican money, it looks like the Dems are going to retain control of both houses of the Legislature.

    I got your reality check right here, pal.

  142. 142.

    Judas Escargot

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    I’ve been wondering that, also, too. I’m a late arrival here so I missed those early years, he was already a front-pager by the time I showed up to the BJ party.

    Excellent simulation of a sick-souled fuck, if true.

  143. 143.

    cintibud

    @Steve:

    Did anyone even spend money opposing Issue 3 in Ohio? Was there a substantial campaign against it? It seems like the kind of non-binding blah blah that only one side would get worked up over, not to mention the misleading ballot language.

    Very little was said about it. Heck, regulars here know Kay talks a lot of Ohio politics and I don’t recall her mentioning this, at least in a top level post. Compare that to the constant buzz about issue 2. If the troll above was at all serious about his claim that this was a “split decision”, he sure wasn’t pimping issue 3 before the election and didn’t drive any discussion of it here. It’s just grasping for straws.

  145. 145.

    Citizen Alan

    I must admit that I am gobsmacked that 26 went down in Mississippi and so decisively too! It was neck-and-neck just two days ago. And our new imbecile governor-elect made national headlines today by publicly stating that anyone who voted against it was in league with Satan!

    On the downside, voter ID passed which opens the door for mischief next year, but I have to think it bodes well that nearly 60% of this extremely conservative state rejected the overreaching of the GOP and the Talibangelicals.

  146. 146.

    Ms.B

    @Reality Check:

    If you have a chance between trolling opportunities, be sure to take a gander at the Ohio PPP presidential poll results coming out tomorrow, ‘kay?

  148. 148.

    Chyron HR

    @Reality Check:

    The GOP will WIN the VA Senate, just like they WON in Kentucky.

    You mean, the Democrats will win and you’ll magically declare VICTORY anyway?

  149. 149.

    FlipYrWhig

    FWIW Bluevirginia.us, which is apparently the successor to once-noteworthy blog Raising Kaine, has been covering the VA elections in painstaking detail.

  151. 151.

    bago

    Alternately, you could whip up a regex to replace Victory with Lose, and bring Reality Check closer to reality.

  153. 153.

    Bostondreams

    @Reality Check:

    The VICTORY proves how much swing states hate the Obamacare mandate, something our nominee will exploit in 2012.

    So, not expecting Romney to be the nominee, eh? Obama can just run ads with material provided by the Heritage Foundation and point out that he and Romney are on the same page. Healthcare will not be an issue if Romney is the nominee.

  155. 155.

    Reality Check

    @Chyron HR:

    As I said, I’m glad to see my neighbors down across the river in Kentucky elected a Democrat who is on the “RIGHT” side!

  156. 156.

    Will Reks

    @kay: I wish we had more of a platform to solidify those votes. To make a case for expanding union rights in the USA.

  157. 157.

    SuzieC

    Thank you citizens of Mississippi. This result means that the personhood amendment people will have a much harder time in my state, Ohio.

  158. 158.

    Judas Escargot

    @kay:

    I don’t even live in your state, but thank you (by proxy) for all your activism and hard work to help make this happen.

  159. 159.

    PaulW

    @Reality Check:

    Holy crap, you’re right! Just because I spent 20+ years of paying attention to elections and projected results doesn’t make me an expert! I need 30+ years! Shame on me!

  162. 162.

    Quincy

    Issue 3 was a referendum on the individual mandate, not Obamacare. The wording was something like, “In Ohio no law shall compel a person to get health insurance.” If voters were asked to repeal the least popular provision in any bill without having to repeal any of the benefits, the result would be the same.

  164. 164.

    Sly

    @BruceFromOhio:

    Yes, victory! Pump your fist! Shout “woot! woot!” at the next person you see! And in the end it means…. what, exactly?

    The conservative movement gets one more death rattle than it deserves before its tossed into a shallow, unmarked grave in the desert where it belongs. They’re dead and they don’t even know it. Just shambling around as corpses, muttering “braaaaaaiins…. obaaaamaaacaaare….” and fueled by pure spite alone. Worse than nihilism.

  167. 167.

    suzanne

    Ohhhh, Joe Arpaio’s fat, fat tears are all the more delicious knowing that he’s shedding them over the loss of his wingman Pearce.

    I am HAPPY!

  169. 169.

    stinger

    Iowan checking in – Dem Liz Mathis wins state Senate special election, and Iowa proudly remains a haven for marriage equality!
    (edited bec. first draft was a little wacky)

    !

  172. 172.

    G

    OK, I searched, and didn’t see it.

    In Ohio, they came for the trade unionists.
    and lost the statewide vote.

  174. 174.

    ds

    “I must admit that I am gobsmacked that 26 went down in Mississippi and so decisively too! It was neck-and-neck just two days ago. And our new imbecile governor-elect made national headlines today by publicly stating that anyone who voted against it was in league with Satan!”

    It’s a well-known phenomenon that “pro-life” ballot measures tend to do much worse at the actual ballot box than they do in pre-election polling. When I saw the last poll I knew the personhood amendment was doomed to defeat, because the “yes” side was well below 50%, and you could expect the undecideds to break heavily against it.

    There’s a substantial bloc of voters who tell pollsters they’re pro-life, but vote pro-choice. This is especially true in conservative states where pro-life is the politically correct answer.

    It’s similar to how many voters claim to be supportive of gay marriage but then vote to ban it at the ballot box, but this time working in favor of the liberal position.

  175. 175.

    Reality Check

    Annnnnnnd….now it seems….we CAN CALL…The Virginia Senate FOR THE REPUBLICANS! It’s over, folks!

  177. 177.

    suzanne

    @Ms.B: It sure is! That district is very conservative, and the winner, Jerry Lewis, is also a Republican, but he’s much less ideological than Pearce. He’s also known for being much more friendly on immigration.

    Lewis was also physically attacked a couple of months ago. The police were never able to find out if it was related to the election or not, but it was pretty shitty.

  180. 180.

    Steve

    The Democratic side in Ohio is so well-organized for next year at this point, you wonder if the GOP should even bother trying to contest it.

  181. 181.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    I find it amusing that a “conservative”, on a night when they purportedly are having so many “VICTORIES“, is spending his time trolling a liberal blog.

  186. 186.

    EmanG

    Just sitting here enjoying watching the local Fox affiliate ignore the fact that RUSSELL PEARCE WAS JUST OUSTED!!! I am finally proud that I live in Mesa (politically that is, the people here are getting it done)!

  192. 192.

    Cacti

    Russell Pearce is gone! Russell Pearce is gone!! The man whose pudgy fingerprints were all over every bigoted, black hearted piece of legislation vomited out from the AZ State Capitol is gone.

    Enjoy your retirement as a guest lecturer on the White Power circuit you peckerwood pig!

  196. 196.

    Steve

    One story that has been underreported here (although DKos has been on it) is the recall of State Rep. Paul Scott in Michigan. This has been widely viewed as a referendum on the “reforms” of new R governor Rick Snyder. Snyder isn’t nearly as odious as Scott Walker or John Kasich, in my opinion, but I’m not a fan of his agenda just the same. Most people have probably heard about Michigan’s “emergency manager” law.

    The latest word is that Scott has apparently been recalled by a razor-thin margin.

    This is a symbolic victory, but it is likely to lead to a great deal of partisan recrimination. Things are just starting to heat up in Michigan.

  199. 199.

    suzanne

    I don’t wanna jinx anything, but this is looking like a pretty great night for Arizona, and the rest of the country. I’m pretty damn happy. Not gonna lie. Going to bed.

  201. 201.

    suzanne

    @Rome Again:

    I thought these crazy Phoenician Republicans were going to keep him on.

    Pearce is from Mesa, actually, which is waaaaay more Republican than Phoenix. Phoenix just elected themselves a nice Democrat as their mayor tonight. :)

  202. 202.

    Rome Again

    It feels like a liberal landslide tonight… so, if the presidential election were held today… (I hope these people don’t forget what Republicans tried to do over the last year on next Nov. 6th).

  203. 203.

    jefft452

    @Steve:
    “Most people have probably heard about Michigan’s “emergency manager” law”

    When I was a kid they showed films in school about the evils of communism.

    I remember one about what life would be like if Stalin conquered the US – an appointed commissar walks into the office of the Mayor of Anytown, USA and tells him he’s not the Mayor anymore

    Something like that, no?

    “one man, one vote …. one time” – the teabag motto

  204. 204.

    Rome Again

    @suzanne:

    Well, yes, I realize that, but, he’s in the Phx metro area. I’m in Phx. I don’t live in ‘Mesa though. I said Phx because we’re in national (and international) company.

  205. 205.

    ExurbanMom

    Your humble ExurbanMom is now a school board member in my little town. And stupid Issue 2 went down in flames. But the idiots of my state decided that we are going to somehow opt out of Obamacare. By what, seceding from the union? Since when can we opt out of a federal law if we don’t like it? What a freakin’ joke.

  207. 207.

    suzanne

    @Rome Again: Ah, okay, sorry. No offense intended.

    I just used to live in that god-forsaken shithole of a district for about fifteen years (went to school with both Pearce’s and Lewis’ kids for, like, EVAR), and feel badly about the rest of Phoenix being tarred with that brush.

  209. 209.

    Steve

    @jefft452: Honestly, I think the emergency manager law has been overhyped a little bit, but still, you may have noticed something not-quite-rule-of-law about all these reforms that supposedly need to happen now now now, in Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan, and elsewhere.

  213. 213.

    Tom Q

    @Rome Again: And, keep in mind: in turnout terms, all non-presidential elections are more favorable for the GOP than presidential ones — even in a great Dem year like ’06, Bush’s approval rating among voters was 5+ points higher than it was among the general electorate.

    Plus, all this good stuff (VA, by a hair, the only blemish on the evening) happened with the president’s approval rating still in 44-49% range. If you believe, as I do, that recent more respectable economic numbers will push those numbers up over 50 as we get into 2012, mix that with presidential year higher turnout, and you can see Dems doing very well next year. (Despite pundit consensus to the contrary)

  214. 214.

    Rome Again

    @suzanne:

    I understand. I spend very little time (like NONE actually) in that area. I went to Apache Junction once, just once, and only because I HAD to. I stay close to Glendale/Peoria.

  219. 219.

    Rome Again

    @suzanne:

    Cool. :)

    I go out to Wild Horse Pass in Chandler sometimes. I used to spend a bit of time in Tempe at the Big Bang (dueling pianos bar). I stay out of Mesa though. LOL

  220. 220.

    amk

    Congrats Kay on a whoopass victory over rethugs.

    And that racist mofo of a pig in AZ pearce is gone is the icing on the cake.

  221. 221.

    Rome Again

    @Tom Q:

    Yes, I would like to thank Republicans for scaring the hell out of our electorate and getting them off their derriers. ;P

  223. 223.

    MikeTheZ

    Wow, just now heard about the Miss. personhood law failing. Shocked, honestly. Actually find it restores just slightly more faith in humanity than I lost due to it being proposed in the first place.

  224. 224.

    Geoduck

    Here in Washington state, looks like the latest Tim Eyeman travesty will get shot down, and that the state’s hard liquor monopoly has been abolished. Good news on the first, the second.. Bah. I don’t drink, so I can’t directly complain, but I’d prefer the state get the revenue, a bunch more people are getting thrown out of work, and Costco basically buying themselves an election vote sticks in my craw.

  226. 226.

    MikeJ

    @Geoduck: My guess is it won’t take long for the lege to jack up the liquor tax to make up for the loss of profit. If you like to drink, stock up now, prices are going to skyrocket.

  227. 227.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    I get a good laugh every time I see one of those “Ron Paul: the Military’s Choice for President” ads on the website.

  228. 228.

    MikeJ

    @MikeJ: And of course they’ll need the extra revenue to send state employees around to check for underage sales. Before today there was no incentive to sell to kids, and a state employee checked ID on every sale. Now the cops get to do it.

  229. 229.

    dead existentialist

    Tomorrow when the pollsters ask me “Is America on the right track?” I can honestly answer, “Yes!”

    Thursday’s another matter . . . .

  230. 230.

    Donald G

    With regards to the Virginia Senate, last I checked, the count was at 20 Democratic seats to Nineteen Republican seats with one too close to call. A potential draw is hardly a resounding VICTORY for Republicans and Reality Check.

  233. 233.

    Donald G

    Okay… let’s recap:

    Ohio Issue 2 wins, overturning SB-5, the Union Busting Law, issuing a spanking to their teabagging governor: VICTORY!

    Maine voters approve same-day voter registration, over the wishes of their teabagging governor: VICTORY!

    Arizona state senate president Russell Pearce, author of the SB1070 draconian anti-immigrant law loses recall election: VICTORY!

    Mississippi rejects theocratic, misogynistic “Personhood for embryoes and fetuses” ballot measure: VICTORY!

    Michigan state republican representative Paul Scott recalled: VICTORY!

    Balloon-Juice commentator ExurbanMom wins school board seat: VICTORY!

    Ohio Issue 3 wins, apparently allowing Ohio to opt out of the provisions of the Affordable Care Act in apparent violation of the Supremacy Clause: IRRELEVANT! pending legal challenges, of course.

    Virginia Republicans eke out, at most, possible tie in the state senate: This is a victory for Republicans???

    So, Seven wins for people who don’t call themselves “Reality Check” out of a possible nine. And two “whatevahs” (but certainly not clear victories) for “Reality Check”.

    Reality called: the check has bounced.

  234. 234.

    ruemara

    @ExurbanMom: Thank you. Thank you so much. I hardly see progressives take these local seats, so bloody hell thank you. Way to go and I apologize in advance for the length of your meetings. But I’m pretty sure mine will win hands down no matter what.

  239. 239.

    Splitting Image

    @Donald G:

    You left out Iowa. The G.O.P. was hoping to pick off a seat in the state Senate. Taking control there would have given the G.O.P. the ability to ram through the same crap Wisconsin and Ohio have been fighting off, plus it would have endangered Iowa’s policy on marriage equality.

    VICTORY!

  240. 240.

    Jebediah

    @Donald G:

    Reality called: the check has bounced.

    Nice. I was going to go for that pun but you beat me to it… so has Reality Check bounced on out of here? Given his night of failure, I expect he hears his mommy calling.

  243. 243.

    Ivan Ivanovich Renko

    Finally, at long last, I’m in my hotel in Seoul, and at last I can exhale. Ding dong, Issue 2 is fucking dead!

    Thank FSM for early voting- I was able to vote on Friday before I left the country.

  244. 244.

    Kathleen

    @ruemara: Good news in Cincinnatii slso, too – 4 Rethuglicans lost their seats on City Council. That’s NEVER happened before. No one predicted 4 incumbents would lose, but they did. Although one of the replacements is a right wing tool.

  245. 245.

    bjacques

    @Donald G:

    That’s a lot of spankings issued to the GOP last night. Maybe they should automate. When I was in grade school, it was said that the principal had a paddling machine in her office. There might be a few still around.

  247. 247.

    Snowball

    @Reality Check:

    People want FREEDOM in their healthcare. That’s whats “wrong” according to you.

    Would you mind defining what you mean by FREEDOM? Somebody in Canada has the freedom of quitting their job and still have health care. In Ohio, if you quit your job, chances are you no longer have health care especially if you have a pre-existing condition. How does someone in Ohio have more freedom than say someone in Canada when it comes to health care?

    A neighbor of mine has a pre-existing condition. He literally cannot quit his job because he is scared to death of losing his health coverage. How is this freedom?

  249. 249.

    Rome Again

    @Snowball:

    A neighbor of mine has a pre-existing condition. He literally cannot quit his job because he is scared to death of losing his health coverage. How is this freedom?

    That’s actually quite common. I know someone who had the same problem, and at the same time, the job was so stressful that it was killing him (and exasperating his pre-existing condition also).

  251. 251.

    Shade Tail

    Hey, reality check. Come back and be a blithering dimwit some more, so I can point at your dorky face and start laughing hysterically.

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