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Born at the Crest of the Empire

Thursday, November 09, 2006

Not like a wave, more like a flood

George Allen just conceded in the Virginia Senate race.

Burns conceded earlier today in a written statement.

The Dems, against all predictions just a month ago, pickup six seats and retake the Senate.

The current House pickup number is +28 (with 10 still undecided, likely 2 more pickups.)

The Dems picked up 6 governorships, now holding a majority for the first time since 1994.

The Dems picked up 9 chambers in 7 state legislatures.

And, in each of these categories, they didn't lose a single existing hold.

Wow. It's the top end of all the preelection estimates, and a complete blowout from those made six months ago.

For the first time since 1990, Democratic turnout topped Republican turnout.

With the gradual and uneasy way this all unfolded, it did not seem to crash as a wave, violent and surprising, but instead rose slowly like a flood with Republicans nervously waiting, looking further and further into their "high ground" deep South wondering just how far the water would come.

That water rose high, very high, and listening to their statements yesterday and today, they still don't seem to understand why.

5 Comments:

  • At least Bush admitted at the news conference that the Democrats ran a hell of a campaign. He even slid in a jab at Rove. But you are right, no one seems to understand that their failed leadership is to blame.

    They still think we are all stupid and we just don't get it.

    Ironic, isn't it.

    By Blogger Praguetwin, at 3:56 PM  

  • Yeah, I'm wondering if the excuses will give way to serious examination or recriminations.

    So far, the most affirmative response to the election I've heard is that the Republicans need to "get back to the values of Reagan."

    To me, that's just another version of more of the same. They're looking backwards for answers.

    They just don't get it.

    Mike

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 4:04 PM  

  • There are 10 races still undecided.

    I believe there is only one more Dem pick-up possible and that's CT 02. That would bring the total of Dem pick-ups to +29.

    The other seat that will plausibly be a Democratic seat in the next Congress is GA 12, John Barrow's seat. But that is already a Dem seat and is not a pick-up. It's a hold.

    The other 8 undecided Congressional races are all probably going to go to Repubs.

    I think that's the status. If it's not, please tell. I'm always happy to have my mistakes pointed out when they mean Dems are picking up more seats in Congress!

    By Blogger Reality-Based Educator, at 6:47 PM  

  • And one more thing -- aside from pounding a stake through the black heart of the Patriot Act, can we also use the next two years to redefine the word liberal back to its original meaning? Open-handed, transparent, with free and open debate, ennobling the average person with an affordable and dignified life, and free from fear of OUR OWN GODDAMN GOVERNMENT?!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8:03 PM  

  • Thanks Reality, I think you're right. I didn't look to see who was incumbent. I just did a quick scan of the list.

    And, Frankly, I haven't kept up with all the local recounts, etc.

    ....

    Local, I really hope they can stay on that point. Every item on the agenda they're talking about has massive public support, and they don't seem to be talking about anything that doesn't.

    I think the key will be if they can keep it all small, simple, and discreet.

    (As counterexample, the elephant that the Clinton healthcare proposal became. It was a good idea, but it got too big for everyone's comfort level.)

    So, I'm hoping they stick to the script and keep the legislation discreet. Like the changes to the drug plan. Just change it so that bulk negotiations are possible and block out the donut hole. Don't try to replace it with something big and complicated at this point.

    There'll be time for that later. The important point now is to prove responsiveness, effectiveness, and fiscal responsibility.

    The key is to use this opportunity to break the previous assumptions. From that alot can grow. (And, their agenda items are hugely popular.)

    Mike

    By Blogger mikevotes, at 8:51 PM  

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