One was Democrat Creigh Deeds in Virginia, who ran away from Obama's policies and paid the price when 38% of those who had voted for Obama a year ago failed to show up to vote for him.
Another was former Goldman Sachs CEO and New Jersey Governor John Corzine, who lost his bid for a second term. Corzine may have made some tough decisions in economic downtimes that hurt his favorability ratings, but he's also generally disliked for personal attributes and the inherent corruption of his Goldman wealth. What I saw of Corzine this round was his campaign and him personally making fun of his opponent's girth, not even close to the dignitarian electoral practices of President Obama. And besides, he's got to be a complete egomaniac investment banker moron to think he can drive in a speeding vehicle without a seatbelt. The moment he had his serious accident, I knew he'd have to have a lot of character to get re-elected after such obscenely poor judgment. Which he did not appear to have.
PS: I believe Governor-Elect Christie will have to show a lot of character not to end up getting indicted, impeached or resigning for the corrupt behavior that's just starting to be investigated.
The worst news of the night isn't Bob McDonnell or Chris Christie. The prize for that goes to the state of Maine, particularly the fearful and the carpetbaggers, who have passed a ballot measure striking down the marriage equality law enacted this past term by the State Legislature. It wasn't close enough, not a 5 1/2 point spread, so even in upper New England gay rights remains the frontline in U.S. civil rights.
As for the beautiful counties of my native upstate New York, including Saranac Lake, a town where our family had friends we would visit coming up from Albany, and Lake Placid, home of the 1980Winter Olympics, they sent Sarah Palin and Tim Pawlenty's rogue candidate to the woodchopper:
This was the day's biggest victory against the forces of darkness. It won't be the last battle. Obama opened up this 150-year Republican or so-leaning district to a special election when he co-opted the sitting Republican Congressman into his bipartisan Administration. So this is an historic flip, and I'm betting that relatively conservative Democrat who won, Bill Owens, will serve multiple terms. He's a lawyer and retired Air Force Captain. Something tells me he'll have skills.
And how about New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a squeaker, surprisingly tight even after spending a non-Presidential race record of $140 million. Was it the extended term limits or that he's the richest person in the city?
It's good for the off-years to get feisty, especially against the wealthy when most entrenched and entitled. It's some good changes for the Democratic Party blood, even if it means GOP victories.
It's all set-up for serious business in 2010 and 2012. And Obama is still the best strategist in the country.
2 comments:
Obviously not when it came to the two Governor races. The 23rd district was in disarray. Who knows where the votes would of gone if what's her name didn't endorse the Democrat. (Which completely shows the reason why a Conservative ran against her.) I was looking at some of her polices and was wondering why she wasn't the Democrat and Owens wasn't the RINO.
Netter spin yesterday how you want. I think if anything you should be really worried about 2010, and even 2012. If people were gung ho about the way the Democrats have been running things you would of saw landslides. The President needs to start following through with some of his promises or there's going to be a few more "CHANGE"s (TM) brought to Capitol Hill.
There is a lesson for Obama to learn from NJ, and it's this: When your predecessor bankrupts the state, and you get elected to fix things, voters aren't going to like what you have to do to clean up his/her mess.
It's a common pattern: a Republican gets elected by lying about taxes and lying about fiscal responsibility, and the subsequent Democrat takes the blame for making the hard choices necessary to keep the place afloat and operating.
NJ is financially on life support (in far worse shape than Calif), and now that Christie has to do something rather than mouth the usual Republican empty platitudes about free markets, tax relief, and law & order, we'll see what happens. I expect that he'll soon be crying to the Feds about how he needs money, like your esteemed Governor.
I suspect the real lesson to be learned from last night is in NYC -- the fact that Bloomie didn't win by 40% is a shocker. I don't know what the lesson is, but I suspect it has something to do with voters being wildly pissed at Wall Street +/or big money and everyone who's seen as its enablers.
Btw, Fu, you keep carping about the changes BHO hasn't delivered for you. I'm curious: What exactly are these changes you so fervently desire?
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