November 3rd Election Poll

[Dworkk]

Originally Posted by Vandyn

There is another side to that story though. When Liebermann lost the Democratic primary, a good number of Democrats, including Joe Biden who was his friend, turned their back on him and supported the guy who did win the primary (forgot his name). So he said fuck this, I'll run as an independent and still beat him. Some Dems may have campaigned for him, but not the hardline ones that he associated himself with before then, namely Biden and Dodd. He's always been bitter about that, his performance at the convention may of had more to do with Biden then Obama.

It's one thing to endorse a canidate, it's quite another to trash someone who helped you keep your senate seat.

[Mimirswell]

Originally Posted by Vandyn

There is another side to that story though. When Liebermann lost the Democratic primary, a good number of Democrats, including Joe Biden who was his friend, turned their back on him and supported the guy who did win the primary (forgot his name). So he said fuck this, I'll run as an independent and still beat him. Some Dems may have campaigned for him, but not the hardline ones that he associated himself with before then, namely Biden and Dodd. He's always been bitter about that, his performance at the convention may of had more to do with Biden then Obama.

Which would be fine if it wasn't Barack Obama who personally helped him get elected in 2006. Trashing Obama to get revenge on Biden is stupid and petty and if he did do that, he still deserves to be booted from the party.

Edit for link: Obama rallies state Democrats, throws support behind Lieberman - Boston.com

[Etoille]

Anyone else find it hilarious that Sarah Palins 150k wardrobe that "wasn't hers" or "would be donated to charity" has gone missing in part?

At least we know where that 7 year old got the 3k Louis Vuitton bag.

She spent RNC money on it hehe.

[Simas]

http://change.gov/

New Obama website up.

[chaos]

Originally Posted by Vandyn

The irony about the whole situation though is he's become an outsider to the party but if not for a few hundred hanging chads in FL 8 years ago, he probably be one of the top ranking Dems today.

Now that I think about it, if the situation was different 8 yrs ago, Obama would still be a senator. That result fast fowarded Barack Obama to the presidency by 4 years.

And don't think that a lot of Democrats don't remember 2000. I think that shapes a lot of the feelings around him.

[I'm Rich Bitch]

[I'm Rich Bitch]

One other thing: this is a country whose President-elect's middle name is Hussein. That is a fact to be celebrated. I received an email from a young friend, an entrepreneur in Kabul, this morning. He said, "We are all smiling now," and he attached a Pakistani press clipping--the Taliban greeted the new President and said they were ready to commence talks.

Source: Joe Klein

Republicans tried to use "Hussein" as a four letter word. Is it possible that this new President may fundamentally change the Arab-Israeli conflict in ways that no President up to this point could have possibly done?

[Sunder]

NBC News has called the Oregon Senate race for Democrat Jeff Merkley. The defeat of Republican incumbent Gordon Smith means that Dems will have picked up six seats in the U.S. Senate. It also makes the 2008 election year the second consecutive cycle that Democrats have gained six Senate seats.

Oregon Senate seat goes to Dems - First Read - msnbc.com

With Georgia looking like it is going to at least go to a run-off which will hurt the Democrat's chances there, it would seem the Democrats will not be able to reach 60 seats. That being the case I can understand them kicking Lieberman to the curb. He was only going to be important in order to reach the magic number of 60. With that becoming a more remote possibility as time goes by, there isn't a whole lot of difference between having 58 seats and having 59 seats in the Senate. Either way you would still need to find moderate Republicans to vote for ending any filibuster, so why not do what should have been done a long time ago and tell Lieberman to take a hike.

[Mimirswell]

Originally Posted by Sunder

With Georgia looking like it is going to at least go to a run-off which will hurt the Democrat's chances there, it would seem the Democrats will not be able to reach 60 seats.

There are four weeks until the run-off and if Obama takes a 3 day detour a few days before December 2nd to speak with Martin in Atlanta, Athens, Columbus, Macon, Augusta and Savannah (the biggest cities and also places where Obama did better than Kerry, Gore, or Clinton and places he didn't even visit), then it could push Martin over the top.

With that becoming a more remote possibility as time goes by, there isn't a whole lot of difference between having 58 seats and having 59 seats in the Senate.

There definitely is a difference. Even having 60 is no guarantee that you won't have defectors on a particular issue and each seat you win now is one less seat you have to win in 2010 to get the supermajority.

[Sunder]

Originally Posted by Mimirswell

There are four weeks until the run-off and if Obama takes a 3 day detour a few days before December 2nd to speak with Martin in Atlanta, Athens, Columbus, Macon, Augusta and Savannah (the biggest cities and also places where Obama did better than Kerry, Gore, or Clinton and places he didn't even visit), then it could push Martin over the top.

Obama's campaigning is over. He is now focused completely on transitioning to the White House. He will not be making anymore campaign trips as he now has to take on the mantle of President-Elect. He's going to be focused on getting his top appointments together, getting things lined up for his first 100 days in office, and attending policy and intelligence briefings on current events. If the Democratic candidate in Georgia is hoping Obama will win this for him, he's already lost.

There definitely is a difference. Even having 60 is no guarantee that you won't have defectors on a particular issue and each seat you win now is one less seat you have to win in 2010 to get the supermajority.

The problem is, they are going to have to find help from across the isle AS IT STANDS anyway. Kicking Lieberman out now means you know you won't be counting on him for anything, instead of hoping he'll be there in a crucial vote and watching him submarine the Democrats at a crucial time.

[Mimirswell]

Originally Posted by Sunder

Obama's campaigning is over. He is now focused completely on transitioning to the White House. He will not be making anymore campaign trips as he now has to take on the mantle of President-Elect. He's going to be focused on getting his top appointments together, getting things lined up for his first 100 days in office, and attending policy and intelligence briefings on current events. If the Democratic candidate in Georgia is hoping Obama will win this for him, he's already lost.

He definitely has to focus on the transition but I guarantee he can spare 3 days to get in another democrat, especially a democrat that owes him his seat entirely.

The problem is, they are going to have to find help from across the isle AS IT STANDS anyway. Kicking Lieberman out now means you know you won't be counting on him for anything, instead of hoping he'll be there in a crucial vote and watching him submarine the Democrats at a crucial time.

I agree with kicking out Lieberman because he is not a democrat and has proven he can not toe the line. I just disagree with your assessment that they should give up potential seats because they cannot get 60. They always have to consider 2010 and having one less moderate republican to convert is enormously helpful.

[Sharmai]

If Obama campaigns for him it will be an automatic loss of a seat imo.

The only reason Obama would be there is to achieve a democratic super majority which the republicans would run as "shoving liberal legislative policies down our throats that we don't want".

Advantage: Republicans

They will say if Obama really cared about bi partisanship he would focus solely on the transition and not interfere with local state politics

Advantage: Republicans

Obama is already president. The euphoria is done. People are tired of this long campaign cycle and having Obama come out there trying to get them riled up one more time is just going to weary the democratic base there more.

Advantage: Republicans

Republicans are pissed, angry, jaded, etc, etc, etc. Any chance they can get to stick a knife in Obama's plans for a minor victory they can gloat over is a chance they are going to take. Such a close election as it stands is one of the better chances out there. If Obama goes out there he may energize the republicans more then anything he could do for the democratic base.

Advantage: Republicans


So how can Obama help him? Send him money and wish him luck.

[Tuco]

Bush: 'Can I Stop Being President Now?' | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
ASHINGTON—In a press conference held this morning on the White House lawn, President Bush formally asked the assembled press corps and members of his own administration if, in light of today's election, he could stop being the president now. "So it's over, right? Can I stop being president now?" Bush said after striding to the podium in a Texas Rangers cap and flannel shirt, carrying a fully packed suitcase. "Let's just say I'm done as of now. Presidency over." When informed by Washington Post reporter David Broder that his presidency would continue through early January, Bush stared at him quizzically, sighed, and shuffled silently back into the White House.

[Mageling]

Originally Posted by Tuco

Bush: 'Can I Stop Being President Now?' | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
ASHINGTON—In a press conference held this morning on the White House lawn, President Bush formally asked the assembled press corps and members of his own administration if, in light of today's election, he could stop being the president now. "So it's over, right? Can I stop being president now?" Bush said after striding to the podium in a Texas Rangers cap and flannel shirt, carrying a fully packed suitcase. "Let's just say I'm done as of now. Presidency over." When informed by Washington Post reporter David Broder that his presidency would continue through early January, Bush stared at him quizzically, sighed, and shuffled silently back into the White House.

Is it sad or scary that I can actually visualize that happening?

[Soriak]

Conan made a joke along those lines... to paraphrase:

A man tried to climb over the fence of the White House. Secret Service agents stopped him and said sorry, Mr President, you have two more months to go.