Payback Time

Payback's a bitch.

There is no way to spin the election results. They were a repudiation of George W. Bush, his party, his agenda, and his war. The commander-in-chief argues that he is fighting a war in Iraq that is essential to the survival of the United States. The electorate sent a message: we don't buy it. Political genius Karl Rove and GOP chieftain Ken Mehlman, with their scare tactics (defeatist Democrats will surrender to the terrorists; Nancy Pelosi will destroy the nation) and below-the-belt ads, were not able to defy popular sentiment. Comeuppance was the order of the day. Because of Bush, R became a scarlet letter. In Rhode Island, incumbent Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee, a moderate who voted against the war in 2002 and against Bush in 2004, enjoyed a 66 percent approval rating; still, voters sent him packing. Children, pay attention. If you're a president who misleads the nation into war and then mismanages that war, you might sneak past a reelection but then bring ruin upon your party. The Bush-wreaked reality trumped the Rove-designed rhetoric--finally. The voters chose not to stay his course. The market worked.

The Democrats won control of the House and came close with the Senate. As of 1 am, in Virginia, Reaganite-turned-Democrat Jim Webb was barely ahead of Senator George "Macaca" Allen--though a recount seemed likely. In Missouri, the Senate race was a virtual tie. If the Democrats should win in each, the Senate would be theirs. However, Tennessee--where Democrats were trying to elect Representative Harold Ford Jr., an African-American--was a bridge too far. [See update below.] But even without the Senate, the Democrats will now be able to counter Bush and advance a platform of their own.

At a victory party at a Capitol Hill hotel--attended by thousands of Democrats, many wearing a badge proclaiming, "A New Direction for America"--a senior House Democratic staffer said, "The word has come on down from on high: no gloating. Those of us who were around in 1994 remember Republicans telling us that we were no longer needed and could get lost--literally. We've been told to handle this differently." But it's certainly true that the House Democrats have assumed power in a slightly less triumphant manner than did the GOP in the so-called Republican Revolution of 1994. Though Democrats did have an agenda for the campaign, they know that the election was a referendum on Bush and the rubber-stamp Republicans, not their pet legislative ideas. As Senator Chuck Schumer, the head of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee proclaimed, "the message of this election came down to one word: change." That is, boot Bush's compatriots out of office. To do this, voters had to go Democratic.

The voters have "reluctantly given us the keys," said Terry McAuliffe, a former head of the Democratic Party. And, he added, the Democrats will have to prove themselves--quickly. How to do so? By briskly passing legislation on popular issues--boosting the minimum wage, increasing homeland security funding, lowering interest rates on college loans, empowering the federal government to negotiate with pharmaceutical comapnies to achieve lower drug prices for Medicare. Even if such legislation dies in a Republican-controlled Senate or is vetoed by Bush, the Democrats can shape the the coming presidential election. (Another major win in a night of wins for the Democrats was the election of Representative Ted Strickland as governor of Ohio. "You can't win the presidency without Ohio," McAuliffe noted. And with a Democrat running the state, the Ds will have an advantage there in 2008.)

As for the Republicans, this election will unleash the furies within that party. In sorting out this defeat, GOPers will find themselves confronting their internal conflicts. Social conservatives will square off against economics-first libertarians. The party could split along other line--between those who stick with Bush and those who want to cut and run from the albatross-in-chief. It could all get quite acrimonious, especially with 2008 politics influencing the blame-game. Republicans could end up looking like Democrats.

But the bottom line is clear: the Bush presidency is over. At least, as Bush and Dick Cheney have envisioned it. They can no longer act imperiously. They have lost the public. And there is now an opposition that can check and investigate their actions abroad and at home. But the Democrats still have to complete the sale. At the victory bash, Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi declared, "We need a new direction in Iraq." She didn't say what it would be. The Democratic victory--as sweet as it is for the Democrats--is very much an unfinished work.

UPDATE: As of 2:00 AM, Democrat Claire McCaskill had been projected the winner in the Missouri Senate race, and Jim Webb was leading George Allen in Virginia, by 12,000 votes, with 99 percent of the precincts reporting. Webb was also ahead in all of the counties not fully reported. It looked as if the Democrats would finish election night ahead in enough races to take control of the Senate. But in Virginia, there will probably be a recount--and perhaps a major legal battle.

******

DON"T FORGET ABOUT HUBRIS: THE INSIDE STORY OF SPIN, SCANDAL, AND THE SELLING OF THE IRAQ WAR, the best-selling book by David Corn and Michael Isikoff. Click here for information on the book. The New York Times calls Hubris "the most comprehensive account of the White House's political machinations" and "fascinating reading." The Washington Post says, "There have been many books about the Iraq war....This one, however, pulls together with unusually shocking clarity the multiple failures of process and statecraft." Tom Brokaw notes Hubris "is a bold and provocative book that will quickly become an explosive part of the national debate on how we got involved in Iraq." Hendrik Hertzberg, senior editor of The New Yorker notes, "The selling of Bush's Iraq debacle is one of the most important--and appalling--stories of the last half-century, and Michael Isikoff and David Corn have reported the hell out of it." For highlights from Hubris, click here.

Comments (102)

1. speaking of Karl Rove. I guess this means he really doesn't really have "The" math

   Posted by Will C. at 11/08/2006 @ 12:52am

2. and remember... all the democrats and three republicans means the legislation coming out a of Pelosi house is bi-partison

   Posted by Will C. at 11/08/2006 @ 12:54am

3. Aren't any of the all too familiar, foaming at the mouth Republicans going to show up here to wear their uniforms and play funeral music? I still have some Halloween candy.

   Posted by fromredbird at 11/08/2006 @ 01:02am

4. The absence of Mask, LoveLiberty, CPT, JMaasch, et al is glaring.

   Posted by urmygyro at 11/08/2006 @ 01:19am

5. Now the work begins! Maybe I should send Karl Rove a box a blue crayons so he can rework his "The" math problems.

   Stay vigilant Democrats and dont forget America almost went over a cliff, we have the House and America back. We are grateful!!

   Posted by elpercho at 11/08/2006 @ 01:25am

6. This is the crumbling of the GOP Reich.The people, especially independents, have turned against the ruling mob who have plundered and pillaged this nation and the Constitution. The tide has turned, the pendelum has swung. (Where are all those Republicans who infest this site? Where is the rambling pompous airbag "Love Liberty"???)

   Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 01:27am

7. GYRO : The silence of thr rightwingers is deafening...this shows what cowards they are. They have no principles to stand on. They are not conservatives...they are just power-mad fascists. And the air is hissing out of their ballon...their will is limp.

   Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 01:33am

8. OK, I promise: no gloating. I'll forego the champagne. But I hope it's OK if I allow myself a little prosecco. ;-)

   Waitin' so long!
   We've been waitin' so long!
   Waitin' for the sun to rise and shine!
   Shinin' still, to give us a will,
   Bright as the day, to show us the way...

   Somehow, someday, we need just one victory
   And we're on our way.
   Prayin' for it all day,
   Fightin' for it all night,
   Give us just one victory, and we'll be all right...

   Posted by slb at 11/08/2006 @ 01:37am

9. Yee-haw! I usually post to criticize Democrats and think a lot of their overlong exile from power has been the needless result of long-term spinelessness --- but I'm very glad for their victories tonight. As a result I like Corn's column here particularly, with its mix of pleasure and reserve.

   Apparently little 'd' democracy is still alive, even in America. Everybody have a good night.

   (and yeah, where are the pompous windbags? Well rightwingers are most comfortable in the victim mode, and now they won't have to pretend not to be in charge.)

   Posted by Vic Perry at 11/08/2006 @ 01:38am

10. Our long national nightmare is over. . . or at least it looks like we are getting close to coming out of it.

    This is BIG news. The GOP is becoming a regional party based in the South. Middle Westerners, New Englanders, Mountain state libertarians are looking to the Dems. This shows you that the vaunted right wing base of social conservatives are not quite as appealing or as invincible as people thought.

    The Dems are the MAJORITY PARTY.

    MAJORITY PARTY.

    Posted by hhemwm at 11/08/2006 @ 01:43am

11. All those right wing comments about the Dems are feminized, out of touch left wing loonies and socialists. . . well, it looks like the CENTER has moved to the Democrats.

    Did I mention MAJORITY PARTY?

    Posted by hhemwm at 11/08/2006 @ 01:44am

12. However, having now gloated a little (and I've enjoyed it) I will say that I sincerely hope that with new leadership the Congress will go in a more transparent, honest and forthright direction. A lot is now resting on the shoulders of Nancy Pelosi (for one) and I hope she is able to make the most of it.

    I hope we see more civility in politics. Or at least in Washington. A tall order but my hope is that the noxiousness fades.

    I hope this will prove beneficial for ALL OF US. All of us meaning people of all political affiliations.

    Posted by hhemwm at 11/08/2006 @ 01:46am

13. Now, will Pelosi keep to her pledge not to start impeachment proceedings? Will Conyers and Waxman be content to subpeona the Abramoff and Foley lakeys, and maybe throw in a renditioning Bush?

    I'm not sure what they'll do, now that they have both the Senate and the House..but I don't want them to blow the 2008 election.

    Posted by LarryB at 11/08/2006 @ 01:54am

14. Vic, the democrats were the most horrible backseat drivers this nation ever experienced. I can't wait to see what they do with the responsibility.

    Posted by FREIHEIT 11/08/2006 @ 01:45am

    Sounds like you believe "backseat driving" fits republicans better. Well, now they've been given that chance in the House (and maybe the Senate).

    Posted by urmygyro at 11/08/2006 @ 01:57am

15. Yes,HHEMW...Congress should operate in an honest and forthright manner. Under the GOP, it has been the most dishonest and do-nothing Congress ever! Votes held open for hours while Tom Delay buys votes...filthy pork-barrel additins to bills, dumped on members with scant time to read the bill being voted on...a complete lack of debate on anything: instead of discussion, the GOP leadership just rams the bill through. The GOP mafia(Delay and his poodle, Hastert) would not even allow votes on bills they opposed, even if the majority of Republicans supported it. It will be hard for the new Democrat leadership to not treat the Republicans with the same complete disrespect in which the GOP treated them. The GOP deserve to also be treated like orphans.

    Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 02:10am

16. There are some interesting new Democrats in Congress: John Hall, hit songwriter("Still the One"'"Dance with me"), is a very progressive new member from New York; Bernie Sanders, democratic socialist from Vermont, is a great addition to the Senate. There is a Black Muslim Democrat entering Congress. These new congressman are not corporate biznocrats of the type favored by the Democratic leadership and the major media. They are real progressives with principles. They won't play the Washington game.

    Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 02:24am

17. It will be smart not to go too overboard with the subpeona's - vengence is best served cold.

    Posted by LarryB at 11/08/2006 @ 02:25am

18. We won't know what the Democrats will actually do with this new power until they begin to exercise it. The Democrats' immediate plans have been widely circulated of late, and are also available on the new Speaker of the House's website. Looking them up is now the responsibility of those with questions - noone is doing your homework for you tonight. ;)

    What we all hope the Democrats won't do is what the Republicans have done in recent years - ceaselessly lie, slander, smear, and use the Constitution like some red carpet that their pathetic bootlickers endlessly roll out for them to walk on, all at the cost of billions in wasted treasure and thousands of wasted lives.

    All that said... Two little words and one little emoticon is the last contribution I will offer to poke and jab and gloat to our rightward posters (for tonight anyway):

    Madame Speaker

    and

    :)

    Posted by New Dawn at 11/08/2006 @ 02:27am

19. Posted by PHILBQ 11/08/2006 @ 02:24am

    Can you not play the game in DC?

    Posted by urmygyro at 11/08/2006 @ 02:29am

20. (Where are all those Republicans who infest this site? Where is the rambling pompous airbag "Love Liberty"???)

    Posted by PHILBQ 11/08/2006 @ 01:27am

    He's being his usual sociopathic self over on the "The New Senate Democrat" thread.

    Posted by LVLIBERTY1 11/07/2006 @ 11:39am:

    This year has demonstrated that real strength of conviction in doing the right thing is met with the purest form of hate that is as old as mankind itself. Evil hates good and it is now apparent that it has permeated even those who marginally hate.

    Old Abu bin-Liberty at his best. He seethes with hatred of America. He hates our freedoms. He especially hates our democratic electoral process. Make no mistake about it. People like this are at war with everything civilized.

    Posted by fromredbird at 11/08/2006 @ 02:29am

21. Freheit: Actually, the Democrats were never as partisan as this GOP mafia. The Demos often reached across the aisle for compromise. Too much so, from my Left point of view.

    Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 02:29am

22. Seeing Pelosi over Bush's right shoulder during the next state of the union will be a sight to see.

    Posted by urmygyro at 11/08/2006 @ 02:30am

23. Thank you, FromRedBird, for giving me a taste of the malignant incoherence of "Love Liberty". I reply to this hater of the counterculture with a puff of sweet smoke and a swig of ale.

    Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 02:35am

24. RIO, will the terrorists bomb the the Capital before or after the Dems take over? Just wondering.

    Posted by LarryB at 11/08/2006 @ 02:37am

25. Oh, yippy skippy, loonyass rio bravo is here.

    Hey dingledorf.

    Terrorists can't be made afraid by the widespread deaths of civilians caused by American and British and Israeli bombs. Terrorists are thoroughly happy with widespread casualties of the sort GWB has given them. Everything he has EVER done plays right into the hands of death. Terrorists like to have a guy like GWB running rampant.

    Never, never, never have Dorks like Rio Bravo or Luv Liberty been able to answer the following simple question:

    What frightens a suicide bomber?

    Welcome to the dustbin of history, dingledorf.

    Posted by Vic Perry at 11/08/2006 @ 02:40am

26. OH please,RIO!!! Stop it with that pathetic terrorist bullshit! People don't buy Bush's and your act anymore. Give it a rest.Bush and his invasion/occupation has INCREASED the threat of terrorism. That is the conclusion of the recent National Intelligence Estimate, a summary of all 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. The Bush war is a political disaster, and nothing you rightwingers can do will change it. Face it, and stop your filthy lying.

    Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 02:42am

27. Nancy Pelosi does drive the rightwingers batshit crazy! I love it!!!

    Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 02:49am

28. Thank you, FromRedBird, for giving me a taste of the malignant incoherence of "Love Liberty". I reply to this hater of the counterculture with a puff of sweet smoke and a swig of ale.

    Posted by PHILBQ 11/08/2006 @ 02:35am

    Great minds think alike. I'm choog-a-looing Paulaner myself, but no smoke.

    Posted by fromredbird at 11/08/2006 @ 02:52am

29. I think the Bushies are a little scared tonight.

    Posted by LarryB at 11/08/2006 @ 02:54am

30. I think the Bushies are a little scared tonight.

    Posted by LARRYB 11/08/2006 @ 02:54am

    Maybe Gitmo doesn't look like a good place to spend the rest of their life even if they do serve "gourmet food".

    Posted by fromredbird at 11/08/2006 @ 02:57am

31. It's looking like the Repubs are going to lose the Senate, too.

    Posted by fromredbird at 11/08/2006 @ 03:01am

32. "After viewing the obstructionism displayed by the democrats for years, I simply wonder if the current dem leadership will meet their supporter's expectations."

    Interesting take you have on what it means to be in opposition. I wonder if you will say the same thing of the GOP now that they are in a similar position.

    Either way, the Dems don't need to think in terms of obstruction anymore. . . not in the Congress.

    Posted by hhemwm at 11/08/2006 @ 03:04am

33. It's looking like the Repubs are going to lose the Senate, too.

    Posted by FROMREDBIRD 11/08/2006 @ 03:01am | ignore this person

    I'll bet Bush is going to use his veto pen now.

    Posted by LarryB at 11/08/2006 @ 03:05am

34. There WILL be hearings in the House about war profitteering. The issue of universal healthcare will be pushed on the Demo leadership by the expanded progressive caucus (I love 'em!). The tax cuts for the rich are sunsetted, and will elapse without renewal. (No chance now.) And remember: all spending bills begin in the House. So the Demos will push for a balanced budget. Fiscal responsibility...what conservatives used to stand for. Oh, the irony of it all!!!

    Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 03:07am

35. It's looking like the Repubs are going to lose the Senate, too.

    Posted by FROMREDBIRD 11/08/2006 @ 03:01am | ignore this person

    I'll bet Bush is going to use his veto pen now.

    Posted by LARRYB 11/08/2006 @ 03:05am

    That would mean it's time for Congress to start making better decisions about where the money is spent.

    Posted by fromredbird at 11/08/2006 @ 03:09am

36. I'm going to call it a night. I'm looking forward to seing a shit-faced, former "President" Bush squirming on the tube tomorrow.

    Posted by fromredbird at 11/08/2006 @ 03:12am

37. Go in peace, brother...Let you mind be filled with dreams of a better world. It is past time.

    Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 03:14am

38. Out here on the Left Coast (Olympia,WA), it is 12:15 AM. The Demos are up by 8 seats in the House, and it is a tie in the Senate. Tomorrow is a New Day. There is hope in the world. The Reich is broken.

    Posted by philbq at 11/08/2006 @ 03:18am

39. When the usual suspects show up, tell them I'll be posting granny's recipe for crow.

    Can we start calling Nancy Pelosi "P Lo" yet? Nah, too early. After the first veto override.

    Posted by MyParadigm at 11/08/2006 @ 07:38am

40. Aren't any of the all too familiar, foaming at the mouth Republicans going to show up here to wear their uniforms and play funeral music? I still have some Halloween candy.

    Posted by FROMREDBIRD 11/08/2006 @ 01:02am

    Birdy -

    The pubs don't have any uniforms to wear. The vast majority of them never served.

    Posted by skeletonman at 11/08/2006 @ 07:54am

41. RIO "BRAVO TO CHILD MOLESTERS LIKE KORESH AND JEFFS!" BRAVO now makes a proclamation on foriegn policy. The mask slips as he reveals himself to be a jihadi in a shabby disguise:

    "There will be great joy and jubilation in the Islamic world tomorrow as America has sold its soul (the house of representatives of the people) tonight! ... This should embolden the terrorist to accelerate their strikes worldwide since the only nation with the gall to offer any resistance has folded and will now cut and run!" Posted by RIO BRAVO 11/08/2006 @ 02:31a

    Translating from the original (Arabic), we can see that RIO is saying: "Damn, the American people are waking up -- and our ability to kill Americans in Americastan (formerly Iraq) is soon to be degraded".

    Michael Scheuer, former CIA guy who headed the OBL unit, said as much with regard to the jawdroppingly stupid Bushian VanityWar folly of the US invasion as an instigator of terror. See his book, IMPERIAL HUBRIS.

    Posted by Glenn Lemon at 11/08/2006 @ 08:00am

42. Brittney is geting divorced. this breaking news was almost overwhelmed by the demoncrats ass-a-whoopin' of the repubes.

    Rio- Democracy has fallen into the hands of the terrorists!!!

    Darin, your absence is conspicuous. I note a car bomb went off in Iraq this a.m. I guess the "foriegn fighters" missed the late returns.

    America wins!!!!!!!

    now, don't blow it, Madam Speaker!

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2006 @ 08:33am

43. The first woman Speaker of the House is now mearly a formality away. A great day for all americans, and especially american women.

    Posted by ILOVEPHYSICS at 11/08/2006 @ 08:41am

44. The thing that makes me happiest is that the GOP corrupt hypocrisy has been SMACKED DOWN!

    Foley's seat: Gone.

    Sherwood's seat: Gone.

    Ney's seat: Gone

    Sweeney's seat: Gone.

    Delay's seat: Gone.

    Sorry, wingnuts! You cannot preach morality while practicing wrondoing and expect to hold power. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

    Posted by ILOVEPHYSICS at 11/08/2006 @ 08:44am

45. ILP

    Dewine-GONE!

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2006 @ 08:46am

46. Blackwell, looking for work at Diebold!

    A mil/year?

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2006 @ 08:47am

47. I am as giddy as a head of an evangelical church in Barney Franks House of ill repute!!!

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2006 @ 08:52am

48. Payback's no bitch for me Dave, ole boy. As long as the Dems, (who have a reputation for doing whats best for you whether you need it or not) stay the hell out of my life. Actually, a democratic controlled House may finally put a rein on Herr Bush's reign. Hell, maybe even my stocks will go way up again & I'll make a FORTUNE!

    Chip

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 11/08/2006 @ 08:58am

49. Vic, the democrats were the most horrible backseat drivers this nation ever experienced. I can't wait to see what they do with the responsibility.

    Posted by FREIHEIT 11/08/2006 @ 01:45am | ignore this person

    whattaloadofcrap. the dems were completely marginalized in congress, with unfortunate, to say the least, results. your sour sniping doesn't become you. I am glad that you and your kind, sorry, have been decisively repudiated by the american people.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 09:01am

50. Chip, have the dems told you who you can marry?

    Time to get off your high horse.

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2006 @ 09:03am

51. let us not forget the contribution of Howard Dean. Imagine if Dean had been the candidate in 2004. Even if he had lost, he would have brought honor to the dems.

    South Dakotans, my hat's off to you, rejecting that misogynist anti abortion travesty.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 09:04am

52. Posted by URMYGYRO 11/08/2006 @ 01:19am

    Called "sleeping", URMY....with the assurance that everything pretty much came out like I thought it would, why stay up until past Letterman?!?!

    Posted by Mask at 11/08/2006 @ 09:05am

53. THE key line from Mr Corn's piece, by the way....

    "At the victory bash, Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi declared, "We need a new direction in Iraq." She didn't say what it would be."

    Posted by Mask at 11/08/2006 @ 09:05am

54. What I posted at the previous LOSERS:

    LOSERS, REPUBS NOW HAVE THE HSUB 'POLITICAL CAPITAL' SHOVED UP THEIR ASS-- THINK THEY LOVE HERR LEADER IN THE LEAST, NOPE.

    So a lot of the repubs that survived are moving over to support whatever the dems want and hsuB is asking Cheney and Rumy when they're going to step down.

    Yep, I'm celerbrating-- BIG TIME. Another tequilla please. Hahahahahaahheheheehaw! Dean, calm down.

    Posted by HSUBFOOLS 11/08/2006 @ 12:11am

    However what I'd like to have added would have been -- no LIEBERMAN. Dems' one mistake. However, do they, Connecticut, have recall capability if he changes his stated caucus pref?

    Posted by hsuBfools at 11/08/2006 @ 09:08am

55. Posted by JOHANNESROLF 11/08/2006 @ 09:04am

    Lets give Howie some cred. His "all 50 states" plan did it's job.

    YEEEOU! (SCREAM)

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2006 @ 09:11am

56. Oh, that John Kerry "joke", that'll surely kill the dems' chances. That Rove, he's such a genius. a great big jihadist cheer went up all over the world, it's now clear sailing for the caliphinate.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 09:12am

57. hsuB: "So when someone is measuring the curtains for their new office, it's a clue? Who knew!"

    Posted by hsuBfools at 11/08/2006 @ 09:12am

58. "Vic, the democrats were the most horrible backseat drivers this nation ever experienced. I can't wait to see what they do with the responsibili"ty.

    a transparent attempt to blame the folks NOT driving for steering the vehicle into the ditch. shameful, really. Frei, if you have one honest bone in your body, you will post an acknowledgment that the policies you have been supporting have decisively been rejected by americans.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 09:16am

59. "So when someone is measuring the curtains for their new office, it's a clue? Who knew!"

    Posted by HSUBFOOLS 11/08/2006 @ 09:12am |

    Do you think Usama favors muted colors, or will he go for flash?

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2006 @ 09:18am

60. CRABWALK, I'm afraid you've lost me. "who I can marry"?? I don't recall Repubs doing that, please explain the sinificance of your comment

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 11/08/2006 @ 09:18am

61. Chip, you claim the dems will run our lives. Last I checked it was the right that wants to tell my friends who they can live with. Have you ever been told that you cannot marry the person of your choice?

    ----------- Bernie Sanders Rocks!!

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2006 @ 09:22am

62. TTFN

    Buwahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

    thank you Mark Foley, jack Abramoff, Rev Haggard and friends!!!!!!

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2006 @ 09:24am

63. Abramoff is the gift that keeps giving, look for around thirty more crooks getting the heave. Tom Delay's seat to a dem? how sweet that sound. the permanent majority goes the way of the 1000 year Reich, lasted about as long, whatta coincidence.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 09:32am

64. Posted by CRABWALK 11/08/2006 @ 09:18am

    Those florals ( I say OBL/you say UBL) will just have to be straightened out to a neat striped pattern... Ooops that's so last century, patterns are out-- now it's orange, everything orange, yes flash. OBL, with the dems it's 'project runway' for you, not the repub project 'run away'!

    Posted by hsuBfools at 11/08/2006 @ 09:34am

65. thank you Mark Foley, jack Abramoff, Rev Haggard and friends!!!!!!

    Posted by CRABWALK 11/08/2006 @ 09:24am

    So...it WASN'T "about Iraq" (as John Nichols said)...or "fair economy" (as Katrina vanden Heuvel said)?!?!?!??!?

    Posted by Mask at 11/08/2006 @ 09:36am

66. the repubs will have to work very very hard to reverse this Democratic tide. look for Rummy to be sent packing, maybe even Cheney.this is above all a NO CONFIDENCE vote for Bush. Rice should go too. they are the architects of the collapsed house of cards.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 09:37am

67. Posted by MASK 11/08/2006 @ 09:36am

    Hahahahah, why do you think the hsuB repubs were only capable of screwing up one thing at a time? They screwed it all up. Lots of fucked up shit to go around.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 11/08/2006 @ 09:38am

68. Last I checked it was the right that wants to tell my friends who they can live with. Have you ever been told that you cannot marry the person of your choice? ----------- Bernie Sanders Rocks!! Posted by CRABWALK 11/08/2006 @ 09:22am

    CRAB,

    Hell, even before the issue of whom one can marry, whom one can get naked with: The SCOTUS case of 2003 over the legality of sodomy (the one that caused aging creep Scalia to go apeshit in dissent) was over Texas police breaking down a door and charging into a domicile to halt two guys enjoying a heathy, fully consensual bum blast.

    You remember Santorum's "man on dog" interview? I recall reading the whole transcript and that was not even the creepiest part. San-scrotum was riffing on "the States's right to know" as trumping the "right to privacy" -- which it certainly may in matters that involve public safety -- but a vigorous bum blast from one sweaty, lubed, semen-gushing man into another's manhole is not to be confused with that. The sonovabitch maggot San-scrotum was talking police state activity for consensual sex.

    Posted by Glenn Lemon at 11/08/2006 @ 09:50am

69. Posted by HSUBFOOLS 11/08/2006 @ 09:38am

    don't confuse him with reality, he's a hypothetical man

    Posted by Will C. at 11/08/2006 @ 09:51am

70. Oh, the Gay Marriage thing. Sorry old boy, long day yesterday, little slow today. Your're right about that, although if you look at the second part of my post, I don't consider Bush to be an example of a "wild & hands off kind o' guy" either

    Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 11/08/2006 @ 09:52am

71. I realize it's been a while since I posted on here, but I figured the recent events are a great opportunity to weigh in.

    Here's my take on last night.

    It doesn't matter.

    Honestly, the Democrats are only SLIGHTLY less corrupt than the Republicans. We'll still be fighting this God-forsaken criminal war, we'll still have to listen to the snivelling, sneering, smarmy rhetoric from a dunce president who should be tried for war crimes (along with his entire rogue's gallery of hangers-on). We still have corporate control over our polity. We will still continue to stick band-aids on the real societal ills.

    I hope... I hope, the democrats grow some balls and some morals (and a spine) to recreate themselves as the party of the people for the 21st century. But with party apparatchiks like Rahm Emmanuel and Harry Reid running the Democratic party as a carbon copy of Bill Clinton's DLC Capitalism-WOW! campaign, instead of the populism and economic justice that was the REAL engine of change in this election, the prospects are dim indeed.

    The bottom line is this.

    Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.

    The Who had it right years ago. We are still being ruled by a (slightly larger now) coterie of rich assholes who are still out of touch with the needs of 85% of Americans. Until those people's needs are considered and, GASP!, represented, we are simply rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic.

    Posted by jorcheim at 11/08/2006 @ 09:52am

72. The sonovabitch maggot San-scrotum was talking police state activity for consensual sex.

    Posted by GLENN LEMON 11/08/2006 @ 09:50am

    interesting irony, it takes the dems in power to keep the government out of your business

    Posted by Will C. at 11/08/2006 @ 09:53am

73. On a brighter note... THANK GOD I don't have to deal with that douchebag Santorum as my Senator anymore.

    Posted by jorcheim at 11/08/2006 @ 09:56am

74. interesting irony, it takes the dems in power to keep the government out of your business Posted by WILL C. 11/08/2006 @ 09:53am

    WILL, you're really doing a "night shift" for west coast time! Or an early shift!

    But, no need to see it as irony. All of its tiresome and doctrinaire bleating about "individualism" aside, the right has always favored a very strong State but just with its peculiar emphasis: on the forceful side of the State (like police and military and the generalized sadism toward "deviance" that comes with rigid hierarchy). This contrasts with an interventionist State, as understood in Europe with its emphasis sqaurely on positive rights (for social services like schools and clinics).

    Posted by Glenn Lemon at 11/08/2006 @ 10:01am

75. Posted by HSUBFOOLS 11/08/2006 @ 09:38am |

    Then why did Mr Nichols say this was an "Anti-Iraq Election"?....why wasn't he mentioning "all the other things"?!?!?

    BTW, on the first line in Mr Corn's article...."payback"?!?!?

    Isn't "payback" synonymous with...."revenge"? Is THAT what we look forward to from the Dem Congress???

    Posted by Mask at 11/08/2006 @ 10:03am

76. Posted by WILL C. 11/08/2006 @ 12:52am

    Guess they forgot to send the Diebold payment out this month!

    Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do....

    Posted by leftofcenter at 11/08/2006 @ 10:08am

77. osted by MASK 11/08/2006 @ 10:03am

    Bawwahahaheeeehhehhahahahh-- You're precious. Oh god I can't stop laughing. Stop just stop. HHHhahahahahaheehehahah. It hurts.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 11/08/2006 @ 10:14am

78. Jorchy;It doesn't matter.

    this is at best premature. the american people will have another chance to decide whether it matters. in "08

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 10:15am

79. Rice should go too.

    Posted by JOHANNESROLF 11/08/2006 @ 09:37am

    Oh please oh please oh please start checking on this overpromoted sycophant's performance starting NOW. She is the worst.

    Posted by MyParadigm at 11/08/2006 @ 10:18am

80. as important as control of congress is, let's not forget the governors of the states. overwhelming dem victories. it is likely from the ranks of these governors that the next president will be chosen. still for me: Gore in '08

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 10:21am

81. Posted by HSUBFOOLS 11/08/2006 @ 10:14am

    Uh...okay. Is that your answer?

    Posted by Mask at 11/08/2006 @ 10:25am

82. Posted by JOHANNESROLF 11/08/2006 @ 10:21am

    Gore/Obama ?

    Posted by hsuBfools at 11/08/2006 @ 10:26am

83. Guess they forgot to send the Diebold payment out this month!

    Posted by LEFTOFCENTER 11/08/2006 @ 10:08am

    Again, interesting....so maybe the machines DO work?....now that they gave us a Dem Congress??!?!?!

    Posted by Mask at 11/08/2006 @ 10:26am

84. Posted by MASK 11/08/2006 @ 10:25am

    Yes, you have a great standup routine. Film it-- youtube! I see Jonny Carson Show calls for you from it. Really, I'm still snickering, I'll be laughing all day. Thanks. HHahahahaheehehee. Oh geeze. I feel like I've been do crunches.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 11/08/2006 @ 10:32am

85. JOHANNESROLF:

    I understand why you say that it's too early to judge. STill, I don't share your optimism.

    Let us not forget that Gore, for all his recent show of a spine, is still very much a product of the same ripe DLC pro-corporate lassez-faire-ism that brought us NAFTA.

    The Democrats as a whole are whores to capital just as much as the Republicans are. The primary difference is, the Republican benefactors have considerably deeper pockets.

    When are we going to get REAL pro-labor representatives in Washington who are not beholden to corporate America? When is middle-America's economic well-being going to be considered?

    IF we continue with these two poor excuses for political parties, the answer to that question is simple... never.

    Posted by jorcheim at 11/08/2006 @ 10:36am

86. This bears watching... From MR. CORN:

    But in Virginia, there will probably be a recount--and perhaps a major legal battle.

    Any ideas on how this may play/is playing out? Bush alchemized victory from defeat in Florida '00 by (a) outspending Gore, 4:1, in the post-campaign "campaign" and (b) suing everyone in sight after airdropping in the lawyers until, for endgame, the case was funnelled up to rubes in robes appointed by Reagan & Da-Da.

    One assumes that Macaca (or whatever his name is) will have to have his fingers pried from the prize. No effort and expense should be spared in doing it and finishing the job.

    Posted by Glenn Lemon at 11/08/2006 @ 10:50am

87. "Now that the dems actually own some of the responsibility"

    not yet. check back with me in '08.

    as I have stated many times before, watch for the remaining repubs to stampede away from Bush, lest they be next.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 10:55am

88. "Now that the dems actually own some of the responsibility"

    not yet. check back with me in '08.

    as I have stated many times before, watch for the remaining repubs to stampede away from Bush, lest they be next.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 11/08/2006 @ 10:57am

89. Posted by MASK 11/08/2006 @ 10:26am

    Entirely tongue-in-cheek Mask. Maybe after Howard Dean showed how easy it was to hack a machine on National TV they decided not to try? Or perhaps there was some oversight after all.

    (Although there were some credible accounts from TX where people tried to vote the straight DEM ticket and it gave them a straight GOP vote... Hadn't heard any the other way and I try and keep my eyes open in either direction...)

    See KFDM

    Posted by leftofcenter at 11/08/2006 @ 10:57am

90. Random thoughts ...

    In MI we have banned affirmative action, which was tough for me as I just sent my lily white daughter's application off to U of Michigan, the focus of the squabble ... but I voted my principles and not my interests. I got beat, and for once I understand why.

    We smacked down a genuine plutocrat by re-electing Jennifer Granholm over Dick DeVos by a wide margin. The attack ads against Granholm were outrageous toward the end. DeVos is supposed to have spent 30 million of his own money. I wonder if he'll miss it.

    And the next sign of the apocalyse is: this is the most expensive election ever, and it's a MIDTERM. Ouch.

    Posted by MyParadigm at 11/08/2006 @ 11:14am

91. I agree about George Allen; I suspect he may have to be dragged from his office with that lynching noose he keeps handy there. But, even more important: assuming the current results hold true and the Dems (with Saunders and Lieberman in the caucus) hold 51 seats in the Senate. Rumsfield falls on his sword (figuratively speaking), Bush appoints Lieberman Secretary of Defense, the Republican governor of Connecticut appoints a fellow Republican to the vacant seat, the Senate goes to a 50-50 tie and Bad dick cheney resumes telling Democrats to go f**k themselves. Obviously a naked power play, but the Rovians would care little for that. Any comments?

    Posted by The Goods at 11/08/2006 @ 11:27am

92. The Democrats don't own foreign policy mistakes, Mask, foreign policy is "the domain of responsibility of the Unitary (incompetent) Executive", remember? (Didn't he say crap just like that with a straight face when he nominated Bolton?)

    Posted by brantl at 11/09/2006 @ 2:25pm

93. The Democrats don't own foreign policy mistakes, Mask, foreign policy is "the domain of responsibility of the Unitary (incompetent) Executive", remember? (Didn't he say crap just like that with a straight face when he nominated Bolton?)

    Posted by brantl at 11/09/2006 @ 2:26pm

94. Vengence is ours sayeth the leftwing extremist and their Demoncrat minions, we will repay!

    Posted by RIO BRAVO 11/09/2006 @ 2:41pm

    Rio Marginalized Pinhead repeating the same posts across multiple threads, John Maasch leaving the blogs, all quiet on the undead (Liberty) front...

    The rightwing crackup is a wonderful sight to behold!

    Glad I stuck around long enough to see all of those who called the rest of us treasonous traitors forced to accept their position as the clear and marginalized minority.

    Posted by New Dawn at 11/09/2006 @ 4:44pm

95. There WILL be hearings in the House about war profitteering. The issue of universal healthcare will be pushed on the Demo leadership by the expanded progressive caucus (I love 'em!). The tax cuts for the rich are sunsetted, and will elapse without renewal. (No chance now.) And remember: all spending bills begin in the House. So the Demos will push for a balanced budget. Fiscal responsibility...what conservatives used to stand for. Oh, the irony of it all!!!

    Oh Philbq, I'm ecstatic!

    Sophizgood

    Posted by sophizgood at 11/09/2006 @ 8:31pm

96. OK, I promise: no gloating. I'll forego the champagne. But I hope it's OK if I allow myself a little prosecco. ;-)

    Waitin' so long! We've been waitin' so long! Waitin' for the sun to rise and shine! Shinin' still, to give us a will, Bright as the day, to show us the way...

    Somehow, someday, we need just one victory And we're on our way. Prayin' for it all day, Fightin' for it all night, Give us just one victory, and we'll be all right...

    Posted by SLB 11/08/2006 @ 01:37am

    Whooo Hooo! WELL I'M GLOATING. HE HE HE!

    Posted by sophizgood at 11/09/2006 @ 8:33pm

97. Rio Loco

    I think you misunderestimate us (to use "Dubya-speak") We tried to reach hands across the aisle and got slapped away with laughter for 6 years. Now we will play with class and reach out again and show America who the chimps (ooops, I mean chumps) really are.....

    THAT will be payback enough come 2008

    Posted by leftofcenter at 11/09/2006 @ 9:38pm

98. Honestly, I have to admit, I'm glad to see the Democrats win; the Republicans deserved to lose this election.

    That said, though, it seems that some posters' expectations about Allen were flat-out wrong; he conceded with no battle, probably at least in part because his chances of winning were not very good.

    Posted by Thrawn at 11/09/2006 @ 9:51pm

99. Thrawn -

    Serious question - no conspiracy theorism or paranoia or wild speculation need apply...

    Do you think that maybe it's remotely possible that Allen got a few phone calls from higher-ups suggesting that it would be in the party's best interests that he not embarass the party any further by creating any sort of a recount flap?

    Posted by New Dawn at 11/09/2006 @ 11:05pm

100. Personally, I think the concession was smart politics either way.

     Posted by New Dawn at 11/09/2006 @ 11:05pm

101. Do you think that maybe it's remotely possible that Allen got a few phone calls from higher-ups suggesting that it would be in the party's best interests that he not embarass the party any further by creating any sort of a recount flap?

     Posted by NEW DAWN 11/09/2006 @ 11:05pm

     Yup; in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if that was exactly what happened. Nevertheless, the fact remains that he at least chose not to fight.

     I also think that the Democrats should definitely try and reach across the aisle. There's a great deal of potential for even more polarization than before, especially since many of the moderate Republicans are gone; it would be a shame for that atmosphere to prevail. Yes, I realize that the Republicans often didn't reach across the aisle to Democrats, but I don't think it's good when either side does it.

     Posted by Thrawn at 11/10/2006 @ 12:52am

102. Thrawn -

     Spot-on post. Common ground - dig it. That's how it starts.

     The worst thing that the Dems could do would be to be to use the Repubs last five years as an example of how to lead - rabid partisanship, smear and fear, etc.

     Here's looking forward, and hoping for better from both sides.

     Posted by New Dawn at 11/10/2006 @ 12:57pm