Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: History is now

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  • Craig Ranapia,

    Unfortunately it looks like the Democrats will fall just short of 60 Senate seats

    Am I the only one who thinks that's not entirely a bad thing? I have a lot of sympathy with the idea that, from a conservative POV, divided government is preferable to one party having a lock on both houses of the legislative branch and the executive. I mean, which was better: Clinton actually having to work with a Republican controlled Congress, or what followed? I'd go for the former, and note the multiple ironies.

    But you know something, I'd also say the Democrats aren't to blame for the Republicans on Capitol Hill proving they couldn't be trusted to competently run the proverbial piss up in a brewery during Capping Week. A divided government depends on there being a critical mass of competent adults on all sides.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    First exit polls, CNN after the next ad break.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Matthew Poole,

    Man, this is nuts. The results haven't even started coming in yet and we're already nearing 100 posts in this thread!

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    I'm about to head for election night drinks (small hours, London time). I have been waiting for this night for years... Hope ya'all enjoy it.

    Right back at you. While you're away we'll try to solve the mystery of Mr. WH.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Vote: Obama 314-224
    Senate: Dems fall short of 60
    Proposition 8: passes.

    I think you're about right on the electoral college and the Senate, but I'm picking Prop 8 will fail - just.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Lowballing the electoral college and Prop 8 will not pass.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Donna Brazile reminisces about her ancestors. Great, great, lovely, where are the freaking exit polls you promised three ad breaks ago?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    I want the bigots to be comprehensively pwned on Prop 8, not just pipped at the post. But I'm worried.

    I say the electoral college will break 350.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Graeme Edgeler,

    but I'm picking Prop 8 will fail - just.

    It was the one a re-wrote twice before hitting post...

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Shit, did Alex Castellanos vote democratic?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Rich Lock,

    Does anybody have a perspective on why the American voting process is such an amazing shambles?

    Basic (cynical) rule of thumb principle to follow here is: where's the money?

    Rich people (republicans) would kick up an almighty stink if they had to wait more than 10 minutes to vote. And it damn well wouldn't be the same four years later, not if the diebold guy wanted his country club membership approved. No sir.

    On the other hand, those that are already tending towards a disconnection from the voting process tend to fall into a negative feedback loop where they can't change the system to work more smoothly for them, because they are already disconnected from it. And so on.

    Those with the power to change the system (rich people) to help the disconnected, won't actually do so because it runs against their owns interests. For example, why would a bunch of rich white republicans in Florida fix the voting process to help poor black people vote, when to do so would be to effectively hand the state over to the Democrats?

    In short, as far as the republicans are concerned: it ain't broke, so why fix it?

    back in the mother countr… • Since Feb 2007 • 2728 posts Report Reply

  • Sofie Bribiesca,

    so 70,000 calls thru to cnn voter hotline to report voting problems already.

    here and there. • Since Nov 2007 • 6796 posts Report Reply

  • BenWilson,

    Craig, in answer to your question about the preference for a divided house, I'd say 'it's preferable if the opinion of the populace is generally divided'. But if they are showing a clear preference for, or aversion to, one of the major parties, then it's preferable that is represented in their representation at all the major levels.

    So no, in other words, I would prefer it if the newly elected President has the power to do some things his party believes in. If it's Obama, that is.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 10657 posts Report Reply

  • Emma Hart,

    And while I don't think it'll pass, I'll be sparing a few thoughts today for Proposition K, as San Francisco has a go at legalising prostitution.

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2006 • 4651 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    It was the one a re-wrote twice before hitting post...

    I'm wondering why the hell the No on 8 Campaign was so slow out of the blocks -- it took way too long to gather fund-raising and media momentum; and the initial ads were, to put it mildly, weak as a good cup of green tea. Don't you people ever learn?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    What the... DL Hughley is hosting a one hour election special on CNN this weekend. Can none of the actors from Studio 60 find acting work anymore?

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    The famous exit poll boiled down to the following: the big issue for voters, Economy at 62%, Iraq 10%, Terrorism 9%, Health care 9%, what's DL Hughley doing hosting an election special 0%.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    No. The Governor of Delaware -- currently Democrat Ruth Ann Minner, who leaves office in January because she's not allowed to stand for a third term under the state's term-limit law -- would appoint his successor.

    ... until the next election in two years' time. The replacement won't get to serve the full six-year term.

    Huh, intriguing. Thanks guys...

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Joshua Drummond,

    I'm watching the conservative blogs for my election news. The hysterical reaction of the far-right to an Obama win, assuming he does, will be one of the most enjoyable things about it.

    World Net Daily is my favourite, I think. They've completely spun out over the last couple of days, even considering they were completely mental to begin with. The best part was Christian eschatologist Hal Lindsey not-too-subtly outing Obama as the Antichrist.

    The LGF comments threads are good reading as well. I like the inference people are drawing between having a Democratic President-elect and the sudden increase in the likelihood of being nuked by the A-rabs.

    Since Nov 2006 • 119 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Campbell,

    that's what happens when you fix election dates - instead of by elections you get mid term appointments

    Dunedin • Since Nov 2006 • 2623 posts Report Reply

  • Gareth Ward,

    having Obama as a role model for a new generation (of people and politicians).

    Ya know what, in your spirit of optimism I'll join you in that wish (and ignore the chorus of "yeah rights" emanating from various corners of my cynical consciousness)


    My picks:
    Obama 332 to 206
    Senate: Dems get 57
    Prop 8: Fail

    Auckland, NZ • Since Mar 2007 • 1727 posts Report Reply

  • Eddie Clark,

    Giovanni, please stop the live CNN commentary! Its torture to those of us trapped at work and unable to access a TV.

    ...although being sub...jected to wolf blitzer and his ran....dom pausing in the middle of words William Shatner styles is also torture, albeit of a different kind.

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 273 posts Report Reply

  • Eddie Clark,

    [I didn't actually mean stop the commentary, I just mean I'm frustrated at lack of CNN]

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 273 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    The NYT's live Word Train is fun -- try comparing the words submitted by Democrat voters vs Republicans.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Paul Rowe,

    DL Hughley is hosting a one hour election special on CNN this weekend. Can none of the actors from Studio 60 find acting work anymore?

    and then...

    The best part was Christian eschatologist Hal Lindsey not-too-subtly outing Obama as the Antichrist.

    So that's what Barney Miller is up to these days. I thought he was dead.

    Lake Roxburgh, Central Ot… • Since Nov 2006 • 574 posts Report Reply

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