Demorats (sic) are showing strongly in the Senate...
November 5, 2002 5:18 PM   Subscribe

Demorats (sic) are showing strongly in the Senate... Those damn Demorats are infesting the whole nation! They're now taking office around the country!!
posted by GernBlandston (93 comments total)
 
Fear not....you won't know the difference once they get into office.
posted by Postroad at 5:21 PM on November 5, 2002


Gosh, I'm so looking forward to an election update post every 15 minutes. MeFi is definitely the best possible medium for this sort of thing.
posted by fuzz at 5:21 PM on November 5, 2002


Aaaaaaaand how!

*thwunk* (that's the sound of an axe striking a wood surface)
posted by The God Complex at 5:31 PM on November 5, 2002


geez, i looked all over that thing for the 'demorats' typo, then i realized that GernBlandston actually has posted an election update on the front page of mefi. buhhh.
posted by quonsar at 5:47 PM on November 5, 2002


hell, it's better than a republicu-- oh, never mind.
posted by tsarfan at 5:58 PM on November 5, 2002


They don't seem to have much data. How unintresting.
posted by delmoi at 5:59 PM on November 5, 2002


How do you misspell 'pancakes'?
posted by matteo at 5:59 PM on November 5, 2002


I agree with quonsar wholly. Buhhh.
posted by mr_roboto at 6:13 PM on November 5, 2002


Hitler's moustache! Election night returns make me sweat more than a whore at a Sunday sermon. Looks like it's shaping up to be a bad day for those Demorats...
posted by UKnowForKids at 6:29 PM on November 5, 2002


Let us pray that perhaps the swift hand of mathowie will end the suffering that is this thread.
posted by benjh at 6:33 PM on November 5, 2002



posted by quonsar at 6:53 PM on November 5, 2002


I voted straight pancake myself...like the others were actually choices!
posted by RevGreg at 6:58 PM on November 5, 2002


Here they are!
posted by kablam at 7:01 PM on November 5, 2002


Vote Communism! 'Tis a vote for freedom!

Note: freedom guarantee will not be honoured
posted by Dark Messiah at 7:01 PM on November 5, 2002


All right, I tried to resist.

I, for one, welcome our new Demorat overlords.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 7:08 PM on November 5, 2002


This is the saddest thread ever. Go back to this wonderful thread.
posted by Hammerikaner at 7:09 PM on November 5, 2002


Oddly enough, I was looking for this sort of thing all day. Thank you GernBlandston!
posted by mnology at 7:12 PM on November 5, 2002


the more democrats that infest, the less likely the chance for hitler..couch couch, shoot, i meant dubya to take over with his administration and all of the hopeless followers he has... who all worship him (scary)
posted by prescribed life at 7:16 PM on November 5, 2002


[inflammatory partisan rhetoric]
[weak attempt to seem open-minded and not jackassish]
[parting sub-belt shot at opposing party leader]
posted by cortex at 8:08 PM on November 5, 2002


Don't speak too soon Gern...Republicans may take over the Senate before the night is over!
posted by Oxydude at 8:08 PM on November 5, 2002


I for one welcome those who welcome our new overlords!
posted by Elim at 8:14 PM on November 5, 2002


Yes ... methinks this post may become rather embarrassing as the night unfolds.
posted by MidasMulligan at 8:15 PM on November 5, 2002


couch couch!
posted by quonsar at 8:15 PM on November 5, 2002


I for one welcome those who welcome our new overlords!

You mean you welcome our overlord-welcoming overlords? That makes my brain hurt.
posted by kindall at 8:20 PM on November 5, 2002


James Carville on CNN: "Three candidates will let us keep the Senate: the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost. I'm looking for some positive spin, but I can't find any."
posted by revbrian at 8:22 PM on November 5, 2002


I'm afraid the Big Story of the Evening is, "Incumbents have massive advantage." The subhead here is, "Democracy in the doldrums," with yet subhead reading, "Bright spot: TV reports seen as vaguely entertaining." Maybe a sidebar about the role of GOP money, and a lack of Democratic ideas, but otherwise that's it. I'd like to see figures on turnout.
posted by raysmj at 9:10 PM on November 5, 2002


How's voter turnout in your state? Its pretty high in my state.
posted by Ron at 9:13 PM on November 5, 2002


In Alabama, it was around 52 percent. Rainy throughout most of the state - two tornados in South Alabama, even - but it was a hyper-nasty (yet close) gubernatorial race too. The Democratic incumbent in that race is holding on here, even thought the challenger had tons of cash and a campaign appearance by President Bush in his favor.
posted by raysmj at 9:23 PM on November 5, 2002


Oregon's Measure 23 - FREE HEALTHCARE FOR ALL!

NO! 80%
YES! 20%

Either the Red Scare propoganda was imminently effective, or (insert your reason here)
posted by Zoyd Wheeler at 9:32 PM on November 5, 2002


Brief correction: The GOP challenger is winning now, with 95 percent of votes in. He has an 8-vote lead. Eight votes! Lordy. But enough of this update.
posted by raysmj at 9:37 PM on November 5, 2002


Zoyd: TANSTAAFL
posted by reverendX at 9:37 PM on November 5, 2002


Zoyd: This sounds more like your explanation. From a Toronto Star article:

Measure 23 grew out of a coalition of groups and individuals who wanted better health care. Backers raised less than $50,000 US, which went to last-minute television ads. The volunteer campaign was run out of a car owned by 22-year-old campaign manager Dan Isaacson.
posted by raysmj at 9:41 PM on November 5, 2002


(insert your reason here)

How about this one: the measure was poorly crafted, was vulnerbale to exploitation, and would force the state of implement a huge system not explicitly laid out in the bill.
posted by Yelling At Nothing at 9:44 PM on November 5, 2002


wow, things are kinda quiet round here tonight...
posted by nobody_knose at 9:51 PM on November 5, 2002


The Monorail issue in Seattle looks mighty, mighty close in early reports.
posted by kindall at 9:51 PM on November 5, 2002


Well sir, there's nothin' on earth like a genuine, bonafide, electrified, six-car monorail!
posted by nyxxxx at 9:59 PM on November 5, 2002


Shhhhhhhhhhhh. The Alaskans are still voting. We don't want to influence them unfairly.
posted by Dreama at 10:00 PM on November 5, 2002


Damn Democrats didn't gain anything in the House, and are losing the Senate, they truly blew a good chance to show a difference between the parties. Why didn't they attack the tax cut?
posted by jbou at 10:07 PM on November 5, 2002


Goddamn Democrats. The Republicans practically handed them this election on a silver platter. "Oh, here, the economy's tanked. We haven't found Osama bin Laden yet, and we're pushing war. Oh, and dozens of companies are going bankrupt because of corporate fraud (which we probably had our hands in back in the day)."

And it looks like the Democrats will lose seats in both the House and the Senate.

HOW.
THE.
FUCK.
DEMOCRATS?
posted by UKnowForKids at 10:08 PM on November 5, 2002


Coat Hanger Abortions for the masses and tax cuts for the ultra-rich!

Yeaeeeaaahhh!
posted by EmoChild at 10:18 PM on November 5, 2002


HOW.
THE.
FUCK.
DEMOCRATS?


Yeah, but UKnowForKids, backbones are SO pre-Sept. 11th.

Daschle and the rest of the Dem leadership should have some answering to do.
posted by tittergrrl at 10:28 PM on November 5, 2002


it looks like the Democrats will lose seats in both the House and the Senate

Well, the "Demorats" are okay in the Senate if they win LA (headed for a runoff), MN, MO, and SD all. It doesn't seem as if this is incredibly unlikely, though I'd hardly bet on it.
posted by Zurishaddai at 10:34 PM on November 5, 2002


*whistling quietly*
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 10:39 PM on November 5, 2002


Before anybody starts blaming Dem strategists for this colossal (and hilarious!) failure, have any of y'all considered that maybe, just maybe, folks were smart enough to understand where Dems stand on issues like taxes and national defense. . . but don't agree with them?
posted by nobody_knose at 10:43 PM on November 5, 2002


Is it too late for a retraction? It looks like Carnahan will lose in Missouri, so say hello to a government of Dubya and his "allies"...
posted by Zurishaddai at 10:44 PM on November 5, 2002


who has an E.U. passport to sell?
posted by amberglow at 10:47 PM on November 5, 2002


or Canadian?
posted by amberglow at 10:48 PM on November 5, 2002


Frankly I'm looking at getting pulled over more often, being Swarthy looking and all....

Not a good time to be non-white in Amerikkka.....
posted by Elim at 10:49 PM on November 5, 2002


College football, barbeques, beer, trucks, and a Republican lead government. Doesn't get much better than this.
posted by Ron at 10:49 PM on November 5, 2002


Before anybody starts blaming Dem strategists for this colossal (and hilarious!) failure, have any of y'all considered that maybe, just maybe, folks were smart enough to understand where Dems stand on issues like taxes and national defense. . . but don't agree with them?

Of course it is. They also buy Creed albums. I think it's about time someone formed an elite think tank that cared not for the liberties and freedoms of the idiotic American public, instead thinking for them, acting as a terrificaof sorts for post-modern America.

All hail our poorly-costumed, thoughtful, elitist, avant-garde-film-watching overlords!
posted by The God Complex at 10:50 PM on November 5, 2002


Mommy, is it true that the repubricans are going to make me go to school eight days a week and make me work 48 hours a day for walmart? Please tell me later 'cause right now I'm writtin my letter to Santa Claus.
posted by HTuttle at 10:52 PM on November 5, 2002


idiotic American public

The same idiotic American public that voted in a majority for Gore?

Can't have it both ways...
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 10:55 PM on November 5, 2002


but times were good steve...no recession, no declaring embryos as human beings, no "we can't catch osama, so we'll get saddam instead"...
posted by amberglow at 10:58 PM on November 5, 2002


Anybody knows how long does it take to get a passport? Think I might need it now more than ever.
posted by orelius at 11:00 PM on November 5, 2002


Does anybody have any news about the election? Like exit polls and things?

Don't bother responding here, just post it up on the front page!
posted by hama7 at 11:00 PM on November 5, 2002


Could anyone please tell me what is the difference between republicans and democrats? i mean, in practice, not in declarations.
Something like a quantitative overview of the laws that have been decreed during the republican vs. democratic presidents / senates over say the last 20 years would be helpful (so we can see how many truly liberal vs. truly conservative measures were put to practice).

idiotic American public
heh. that's cute. everybody who disagrees with me on that assessment is an idiot.
posted by bokononito at 11:02 PM on November 5, 2002


I think most exit poll information will be available tomorrow morning.
posted by Ron at 11:02 PM on November 5, 2002


So they were all well informed and able to make a good choice 2 years ago, but now they are all morons?

By the way: The GOP just retook the Senate with the victory of Jim Talent.
posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 11:02 PM on November 5, 2002


(so we can see how many truly liberal vs. truly conservative measures were put to practice)

There is nothing truly liberal or conservative about either party, both are a creepy mixture of both, meaning neither is either.
posted by thirteen at 11:04 PM on November 5, 2002


I will miss my beloved gridlock. My state has gone all Democrat, and the National all GOP. It is like I am living in hell.
posted by thirteen at 11:09 PM on November 5, 2002


Damn that idiotic American public. If only they'd listen to us elite intellectual omniscent bloggers, we wouldn't be in this mess we're in right now.
posted by jammer at 11:20 PM on November 5, 2002


I've heard it bantered about on the networks tonight that the reason behind the Carnahan and impending Mondale defeats is due to an averse reaction to the Wellstone funeral.

Frankly, if people are basing their vote on what did or did not happen at the memorial service of a deceased senator, the world is more fullly in the throws of a surrealist nightmare than I had previously been willing to consider.

Any word on those passports yet?
posted by Zoyd Wheeler at 11:22 PM on November 5, 2002


What thirteen said. The best we could hope for was for the two parties to cancel each other out as much as possible. This sucks.

And Traficant only got 15%. He was our Nation's last hope for greatness. Beam me up!
posted by homunculus at 11:22 PM on November 5, 2002


Well, if there is a bright side for Dems in all of this, it is that the 2004 becomes an unambiguous referendum on the GOP. Republicans control the Presidency, both houses of Congress and the Supreme Court (not to mention a sizeable and growing chunk of lower federal courts thanks to all the judicial appointments that are going to zip through now). If things go badly in the next two years, as I stongly suspect they might, it's going to be mighty hard to blame it on liberals.
posted by boltman at 11:33 PM on November 5, 2002


Well, More War, More Debt and more estrangment from the world..

Nope every thing looks like it's going fine here...
posted by Elim at 11:35 PM on November 5, 2002


Anyone care to discuss what may be instore for us? I am thinking a beefed up second amendment, Judges swimming out like salmon, I hope SS may be culled. An unpleasant embracing of religion in public matters. An army of agresssion unlike anything homegrown since the civil war. Cheaper oil. Honked off Euro types.
posted by thirteen at 11:35 PM on November 5, 2002


I did NOT see those last 2 posts on my preview.
posted by thirteen at 11:36 PM on November 5, 2002


thirteen: I dunno, but I bet we'll be hearing a lot about pancakes on MeFi.
posted by tittergrrl at 11:37 PM on November 5, 2002


more tax cuts--including making the ones already passed permenant, lots of very conservative judges, further scaling back and devolution of welfare programs, partial privitization of Medicare (although I doubt they'll touch SS in the end), huge budget deficits, federal regulatory agencies not regulating, tort reform.

Also, Vermont will become the new site of the government's nuclear waste storage facility presently planned for Yucca Mountain, Nevada.
posted by boltman at 12:00 AM on November 6, 2002


Hmmm, I see:

Ever increasing budget deficits (notice how Republicans ALWAYS find a war (& Democrats) to blame them on), more conservative judges (goodbye right-to-choose, states rights to permit medical marijuana and any hope to stop the ever increasing incarceration rates) and much more religion being injected into government.
posted by ArkIlloid at 12:30 AM on November 6, 2002


Pledge of Allegiance brought back into schools, among other things?
posted by evixir at 12:35 AM on November 6, 2002


The possibility of Rehnquist and O’Connor retiring is now higher than ever.

I think it's a fair question to ask if Democrats, as a party, lost due to something they didn't do or Republicans won due to something they did do. A CBS analyst says both.

Much more important is if this is a death knell. After a decade of Republican-lite, did voters finally just vote for the original? Did the Democrats—the New Democrats—die tonight?
posted by raaka at 12:43 AM on November 6, 2002


...the 2004 becomes an unambiguous referendum on the GOP...

Hope so. Things are likely to get worse before they get better, so the question is, will 2004 be a low point (bad for Reps) or will the economy be recovering and the Iraq/terrorism war dying down with a fairly positve outcome (good for Reps)? In other words, Democrats may regain control in a big way, but only if bad things keep happening for two more years.

It's times like these I wish I drank.
posted by hippugeek at 12:48 AM on November 6, 2002


Yes ... methinks this post may become rather embarrassing as the night unfolds.

Well, Midas - it was indeed a bit strange to wake up in Lisbon, Portugal, check into MetaFilter and find the Democrats were taking over. The theory of MeFi as alternate universe begins to make more and more sense.

May I, as an interested, America-loving foreigner, be allowed a hearty Viva Os Republicanos? With only a little gloating, perhaps? No? I thought not. ;)
posted by MiguelCardoso at 12:52 AM on November 6, 2002


Dear God : Save Our Souls.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 12:53 AM on November 6, 2002


May I, as an interested, America-loving foreigner, be allowed a hearty Viva Os Republicanos? With only a little gloating, perhaps? No? I thought not.

Gloat all you want Miguel,,,I had the same shock! I read this post before I left work last night and thought it took a lot of balls to write anything predicting a victory for either party at that point...especially if you had read any of the last minute polls before the election. Things look MUCH different at this point, thank God! Seems that beyond all hope, reason has beat out the illusion of reason once again...
posted by RevGreg at 2:09 AM on November 6, 2002


hippugeek: It's times like these I wish I drank.

It's times like this that I do drink.
posted by UKnowForKids at 5:40 AM on November 6, 2002


May I, as an interested, America-loving foreigner, be allowed a hearty Viva Os Republicanos? With only a little gloating, perhaps? No? I thought not. ;)

Miguel: since the Portuguese (or even the British) right-wing parties would be regarded as 'pussy liberals' by the American contingent here, I suspect you should put your gloating in a box and save it for another day. I look at the future for the USA, and don't see much of a place for your special brand of gentle hedonism. Now I know why political journalists drink at breakfast.
posted by riviera at 6:10 AM on November 6, 2002


Miguel: since the Portuguese (or even the British) right-wing parties would be regarded as 'pussy liberals' by the American contingent here, I suspect you should put your gloating in a box and save it for another day.

Riviera: I'd give Miguel a bit more credit than that, I think he has a much better grip on neo-conservatism in the US than you want to give him credit for. I also feel you give FAR too much credence to the far right-wing of the party. That would be like judging the entire Democratic Party by the ideals of Wellstone, Chomsky and the wackos who fire bomb agricultural research stations. It makes for good copy but, in the end, it leads you to conclusions about your opponents which are inherently false...
posted by RevGreg at 10:25 AM on November 6, 2002


I for one look forward to the 2004 election which I confidently predict will be even more divisive and full of 'us vs them' (whatever stripe) rhetoric.

Then, in 2008, we can look back and move forward.

Of course, I also expect the robot holocaust to happen mid-late 2006 completely unifying Americans into overthrowing their zombie masters.
posted by infowar at 10:31 AM on November 6, 2002


Serious question for those of you on the left:

Given yesterday's results, who are you more likely to support in the NEXT election?
- A Democrat that leans further left
- A Democrat that is more centrist
- A Green/3P candidate that leans further left
posted by nobody_knose at 10:38 AM on November 6, 2002


That should be its own FPP.
posted by blogRot at 10:46 AM on November 6, 2002


I also feel you give FAR too much credence to the far right-wing of the party.

That must be why Georgia appears to have voted out its Democratic senator and governor, the one for being an unpatriotic triple-amputee war veteran who wouldn't stand up (if you pardon the cruel undertones) to the Yankees; the other for his objecting to the racist overtones of the 'Dukes of Hazzard' flag. No, I see the triumph of lots of hard-faced men who've done well out of the war, and will do well out of the wars to come, and I don't match that in the slightest with Miguel's 'enjoy life, you stone-faced lefties!', Spectator-conservatism.
posted by riviera at 11:16 AM on November 6, 2002


Does this mean that we are going to see yet another resurgence of the right-wing splintering that robbed the Republicans of the presidency in 1992 and 1996? Or will the left falter and collapse as Nader's growing popularity seems to suggest?

Is it possible that we could suddenly find ourselves in an honest-to-goodness 3+ party system?

What are your predictions?
posted by Ptrin at 11:46 AM on November 6, 2002


Is it possible that we could suddenly find ourselves in an honest-to-goodness 3+ party system?

It will take several years, but yeah, we're going to have a few other parties (or at least an increased number of independents) to add to the mix. People are becoming increasingly apathetic about the Republic/Democrat debate, and the slash-and-burn philosophy of Libertarianism can be very appealing in an apathetic era.
posted by oissubke at 11:50 AM on November 6, 2002


The main article on CNN is that Wynona Ryder was found guilty (who cares?). Off to the side, "GOP back 'on offense' after historic election"

So an actress shoplifting takes precedence over a historic election.
posted by Ron at 1:11 PM on November 6, 2002


No, I see the triumph of lots of hard-faced men who've done well out of the war, and will do well out of the wars to come, and I don't match that in the slightest with Miguel's 'enjoy life, you stone-faced lefties!', Spectator-conservatism.

As I said before, if you continue to single out only the extremes you will make incorrect assumptions about the whole. You do the same thing when speaking about Miguel. You only look at one small part of his stance that you find vulnerable and you ignore everything else he says. That tactic is great if you're looking to spew rhetoric but if you want to refute an entire ideology you need to address it completely not just pick out a few nasty bits and ignore the rest.

Is it possible that we could suddenly find ourselves in an honest-to-goodness 3+ party system?

I don't see it happening very soon but I don't think it could have anything but a positive effect on the system as a whole. Go libertarians!
posted by RevGreg at 1:20 PM on November 6, 2002


For all of you who are planning to flee the country, Canada wants you! Yes, we do! Come on over--free heart transplants for all! Canadian Immigration: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/

[Note: despite recieving instructions on how to make links within comments, I still can't figure it out /oh, the shame/]
posted by jokeefe at 2:18 PM on November 6, 2002


You know when the Democrats had the House, Senate and White House they didn't do a thing, they haven't done anything in ages! I'm very psyched about the Republicans running the show as they've been the only party trying to get the business of government done which if you boil all of the unnecessary pork and worthless programs away is to protect it's citizens and that's what the Republicans have proven again and again.

For those who are getting passports and one way tickets out of the country I say go for it! You'll be back in six months because as you'll learn what we have here is the exception NOT the rule!

Have Fun!
posted by raven_rider at 3:23 PM on November 6, 2002


Come on, Riviera, be fair. I do enjoy life and one of the great joys of life is the company of liberals and lefties (i.e. almost all my friends) although much (99%) of the no-smoking, less-drinking, less-rich food, no SUVs, more bureacracy, more regulations, more nanny-state does come from the left.

My remark, though light-hearted, was my honest reaction to the Republican victory, for which I had wished. Hell, I'm a monarchist, a conservative, a nationalist and an out-and-out Zionist - how was I supposed to react?

How many Europeans do you have here that sympathize with the Republicans and are not even slightly anti-American? You should all treasure me, for the rarity or curiosity value alone! Let those who are not, in their own way, a study in contradictions, cast the first snark. ;)
posted by MiguelCardoso at 5:38 PM on November 6, 2002


I'm a monarchist

So you support the Republicans?

You should all treasure me, for the rarity or curiosity value alone!

I'm coming to Portugal to write your biography. I'm not joking.
posted by Summer at 2:39 AM on November 7, 2002


So you support the Republicans?

Well, with George II and Jeb I, that's basically the hereditary principle in action. Just wait for Good Queen Jenna.

I'm coming to Portugal to write your biography. I'm not joking.

Only if we get to run the spoiler.

And to be honest, Miguel has a point, as I look at the sour-faced nanny-statism of NuLabour, which has sod-all to do with smudger socialism. If only the Portillistas were to take the Randolph Churchill route of Liberal Unionism, you might see an alliance of sorts with the Fabian fringe. (A more Pauline conversion after 'were you up for Portillo?', I have never seen in British politics.) So, I apologise.

And RevGreg: go polish your guns.
posted by riviera at 8:28 PM on November 8, 2002


Well, with George II and Jeb I, that's basically the hereditary principle in action. Just wait for Good Queen Jenna.

Of the disingenuous crap I keep seeing, this whole equating the Bushes with monarchy thing is one of the most specious. If you have nothing to say, why say something so deliberately stupid?

And RevGreg: go polish your guns.

Not necessary, they're cleaned immediately after use and ready to go - excessive cleaning can be just as ruinous as too little. Although I do have to get out and run a few rounds through the hunting rifle before bear season opens on the 25th, thanks for the reminder.
posted by RevGreg at 9:58 AM on November 9, 2002


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