Election Day Fallout.

[Msterbeau]

I just thought I'd get some post-election dialogue going by mentioning that NPR/AP are reporting that Rumsfeld will resign.

Also... The Montana senate election has been called for the democratic nominee.

Thoughts for what may happen going forward?

[HipsterDufus]

Ummmm, the job market will still suck in Michigan. It's going to take a long time to turn this around.

[BrassFusion]

Ummmm, the job market will still suck in Michigan. It's going to take a long time to turn this around.

Agreed.

But at least now poor white trash will be able to find equal work without being discriminated against.

Hallelujiah.

Btw, that was not sarcasm.

[Msterbeau]

Agreed.

But at least now poor white trash will be able to find equal work without being discriminated against.

Hallelujiah.

Btw, that was not sarcasm.

Huh?

[Fierce Critter]

I am pleased and hopeful.

But at the same time, guarded and skeptical.

Let's hope for the best.

[BrassFusion]

Huh?

Because Prop 2 passed. That was the big shocker for me, anyway.

[Msterbeau]

Because Prop 2 passed. That was the big shocker for me, anyway.

And a lot of other people too. It wasn't expected to pass.

On the other hand, It's looking very likely that the Dems will have the Senate too. Webb is ahead by around 7000 votes in the Virginia race, and even though it's close enough that Allen will call for a recount, there's not likely to be a significant difference .. Apparently they've got a well organized and strict voting procedure.

Heh... No wonder Rumsy resigned.

[Onyx]

I am pleased and hopeful.

But at the same time, guarded and skeptical.

Let's hope for the best.

That sums up my feelings also- mixed but generally hopeful. I'm more hopeful than I've been about things in awhile. I'm glad they kept a watchful eye on the voting process for any errors and I'm happy to see such a great turnout of voters.

This race was more interesting to watch than most too. I'm looking forward to seeing what's going to happen and hoping for some positive changes.

[Gaf The Horse With Tears]

I see 3 possible paths. it all depends on how the Democrats handle coming to power.

Option 1 (The one I fear happening the most): The Dems fall into a chaotic sweep of hearings, investigations and maybe an impeachment they dont actually have enough power to succed at. I fear this option the most because it will mean 2 years of nothing getting done. Sure, lots of retribution and revenge... but nothing else of any real relavence. Part of me likes this idea. Nothing will get down for two years, but it will make the Dems look like spoiled brats tossing a fit. Then in two years when we vote again, they are swept back out of power for being incompatent.

Option 2: The Dems use thier brains and skip option one, but still can't bring themselves to get anything done except try to undo everything the Republicans did with no mind at all to if the programs they are axing work or not.

Option 3: The one I really really hope for. The Dems manage to rub two brainc ells together and truly do try to do things in a by-partisen way. Everyone in Congress, no matter the power... all start listening to each other. Working together to find a common middle ground that people can accept. You know... Goverment that Governs.

I really didnl't care who won. I wanted to Republicans to keep contgrol but onyl by the skin of thier teeth. As it turns out, the Dems took power and hold it by the skin of thier teeth. This works for me too. It means they may have to do something they have never done before... Unity. Work together. Forget what party they guy with the really good idea is. Good Ideas dont have a political party.

As for the local level.. I really want Devos to win, but I can get through 6 more years of Granholm. If theings get worse, I can transfer to Colorado as much as I would rather not.

The only two things I really cared about in this election were Prop 2 and prop 5. Prop 2 passed and 5 failed. I am happy.

[Msterbeau]

Nancy Pelosi as House Speaker has vowed not to seek retribution. We'll see. Personally I think some of the administrations behavior is worthy of investigation and possible sanctions, but I think we're better served if they got on with the business of the country. Figure out a reasonable plan for Iraq, get this country on a more sound financial footing, start paying attention to all the environmental initiatives that Bush has ignored or outright reveresed... lots of others.

[BrassFusion]

Nothing will get down for two years, but it will make the Dems look like spoiled brats tossing a fit. Then in two years when we vote again, they are swept back out of power for being incompatent.

If nothing were to get done over the next two years, it would most probably be a result of measures passing through Congress and getting vetoed, one after the other. If BUSH has half a brain in HIS head (heh), he'll pick his battles wisely and we'll end up in the vicinity of "Option 3..."

Option 3: The one I really really hope for. The Dems manage to rub two brainc ells together and truly do try to do things in a by-partisen way. Everyone in Congress, no matter the power... all start listening to each other. Working together to find a common middle ground that people can accept. You know... Goverment that Governs.

Picking his battles wisely means staying far, far away from moral politics for a while. It's a damn sad state of affairs that it had to come to this, to these fascists getting SCARED when the other party takes control of just one of the branches after six years of autocracy. I'll depend on my Dems to take the high road, because I'm still young and somewhat naive.

Time for South Park.

[Paper Hearts]

I didn't vote for any Democratic congressional candidates--there was no one campaigning against "Cheeks" Kilpatrick, for some reason, so penning in a vote for Iggy Pop simply had to be done (and I thought I'd have to skip that part of the ticket!). And I couldn’t find a worthwhile difference between D Stabenow and M Bouchard: I gave my vote to a third party [which feels fucking great, if you haven't tried it].

Yet, I will admit I watched Fox News today so that I could watch the neocons squirm a bit; it was great.

[the eternal]

Wow! It must've been awhile since I've posted. What are all these emoticons?

Anyone remember me??

Anyway, at one point I engaged in endless political discussions with The Dark.

I actually feel a little concerned about how he must be feeling now. I know the election of 2000 devastated me.

Last night, All the Fox News analysts lost their shit. The past GOP leaders/present commentators like Armey and Delay were even worse

They were so confused and demoralized.

Oh what the hell

I'M SO ELATED! :peanutbutterjellytime

I feel like this is a dream and I am waiting to wake up!

Unfortunately, my guy Andy Levin lost his MI senate bid, but hey, we picked up the state house! And governorship! ALL THE UNDECIDEDS BROKE FOR GRANHOLM!

:peanutbutterjellytime

Literally, I must be dreaming!

The US House--OURS!

The US Senate--OURS!

The Dems gave Phee/Rayne a wedding present, political control in the hands of decent, hard working democrats!

:peanutbutterjellytime

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Prop 2.

The polls were always bullshit. It never had a prayer of being defeated.

Only three counties voted it down:

Wayne

Washtenaw

Ingham

AKA Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing

Here's why though.

The language was extremely misleading, and outright lying in the 2nd paragraph.

You got the impression that if you dared vote no, you were voting to discriminate against minorities

not the other way around

Kind of like the hoodwinked African Americans who were lied to to get their signatures to put the ill-titled "civil rights initiative" on the ballot.

Oh, well. The U of M is already contesting it in the courts to get it declared unconstitutional on the grounds that the language is vague and misleading. It worked for abortion rights. There's a good chance it will work here.

For anyone that thought this was a victory for jobs and equality, the jokes on you.

This has the potential to have a devastating effect on efforts to attract outside companies and minority students that could spur economic growth

Why do you think so many chamber of commerces were against it???

Oh, and just the perception of intolerance, although untrue, of our state, will now dissuade many from applying to our universities and make it more difficult for recruitment for the top athletes (many of whom are African Americans) who in turn fill, among other places, the nations largest football stadium (U of M), which in turn lowers revenue to the universities and thereby the state.

Congratulations jackasses!

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FACT CHECK 105,000 jobs lost under Granholm264,000 jobs lost under the last 3 years of Engler

His idiotic policies combined with a belligerent GOP-controlled legislature led to an economic downturn (helped of course by the arrogance of automakers who thought we'd all want to buy Trailblazers for the rest of our lives)

Now that the Dems have the state house, there's a chance many of Granholm's proposals will pass, things like:

a $4,000 merit scholarship for every Michigan student (ultimate goal of doubling the number of college graduates by 2015)

"no-frills" health coverage for Michigan's 1.1 million uninsured modeled around a plan signed by Massachusetts GOP Governor Mitt Romney

'No Worker Left Behind,' a program for auto workers who are victims of the global economy It helps them afford collapsed training in a new career like skilled trades or health care.

the $2 billion 21st Century Jobs Fund to invest in advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, homeland security and life sciences start-ups. including a pro-business $600 million tax cut for manufacturers.

replacing the $1.9 billion in revenue lost from the repeal of the Single Business Tax -- almost one-quarter of the general fund -- with a business tax weighted more on profits than wages.

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Devos's idea for the economy was cut taxes, cut taxes, cut taxes, and hope that will spur growth and create jobs.

Hey, nice try except for the fact Granholm already cut taxes to death and there's practically no more "fat" to cut without killing basic social services (Like you think Devos gives a damn about the poor/needy)

My favorite part of his campaign pledge was his in-depth plan to get ever Michiganian health care

"The best way to have health care is to get a job,"

NOW TELL ME, how many of you have had jobs that didn't offer health insurance?

I've had 'em. What an arrogant prick.

Devos was a heartless bastard and we're lucky he didn't get in.

Not that we're out of the woods even WITH the Dems in control of the state house.

Studies by University of Michigan economists and the nonpartisan W.E. Upjohn Institute of Kalamazoo both project a job loss through 2008 -- regardless of who is in the governor's mansion.

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I'd love to comment on what the US Senate/Us House victories really will mean, but I gotta go.

One more thing

:peanutbutterjellytime :peanutbutterjellytime :peanutbutterjellytime :peanutbutterjellytime :peanutbutterjellytime :peanutbutterjellytime :peanutbutterjellytime :peanutbutterjellytime

[BrassFusion]

Eternal- Your colors hurt my eyes.

But I agree with you, I'm absolutely elated about the results. Probably more so than you, because I supported prop 2 in addition to voting straight ticket Dem. I'm a dying breed.

Affirmative action programs are racist. They foster distrust and divisiveness and they are no longer necessary.

Good luck to whomever tries to get it overturned- it hasn't worked in any other states. And I challenge you to find it written in the constitution that racial minorities have an inalienable right to be favored in jobs and college admissions.

Why don't we just start looking PAST race? It's the fashionable thing to do, nowadays, donchaknow.

[phee]

Yay... senate is Dem!!!

[BrassFusion]

Yay... senate is Dem!!!

Tuesday, the House... Wednesday, The Senate...

2008, The Presidency...

TOMORROW THE WORLD! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!