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November 09, 2005
Can't Argue With Results
Sure is a shame that last night didn't happen next year. Kaine won by a far-better-than-expected 6%, Corzine easily brought it home by 10%, and every one of Arnold's initiatives failed. That's a landslide for the Democrat in the blue, an easy win for the Democrat in the red, and a resounding rejection of the Republican trying to crimsonize the left coast. All in all, a very good evening. And we shouldn't forget that these results are not mere bellwhethers for 2006 -- they mean progressive government for these states, legislation that focuses on the needy, revitalization of grassroots parties and efforts, leaders willing to experiment and implement liberal policy ideas, and, at least in Virginia, a natural candidate for the Senate down the line.
This morning is also a celebratory one for three others. Phil Angelides and Steve Westly, Arnold's challengers in California, have big grins on their faces. Today would either bring the revitalization or destruction of Arnold's prestige, and morning brought the latter. And, in Virginia, Mark Warner got up with that goofy grin of his, as last night he won a proxy battle with his potential presidential challenger George Allen. I'm not yet convinced that Mark Warner is good candidate, but his outsized and enduring popularity in Virginia speaks of a real record and serious electoral touch. Suddenly, the rationale for his candidacy got a whole lot more likely, as not only can he win in the red, but he can drag others over the finish line too.
November 9, 2005 | Permalink
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Comments
I'm really glad you are happy with the local elections. Time will tell if this will translate to the national picture in '06. The 'cheerleaders', such as yourself, are touting these results as harbingers of the national elections next year. That remains to be seen. I guess any victory at this point is reason for joy at this point.
The defeat of the proposed election changes in Ohio was none too good for Democrats and Texans passed by a whopping 76% of voters proposition 2. Of course, this is an issue that Democrats will not publicly acknowledge support for.
Posted by: Fred Jones | Nov 9, 2005 9:21:21 AM
I guess any victory at this point is reason for joy at this point.
Lotta points there....
I must keep repeating, "The preview button is my friend, the preview button is my friend, the preview button is my friend, ...."
Posted by: Fred Jones | Nov 9, 2005 9:24:03 AM
You know what I like about you, Fred? You're the go-to guy on this blog for gay issues. In the same way that Amanda Marcotte focuses her blog posts on issues of feminism, you can be counted on to bring up the gay angle on any issue.
Honestly, I am happy to see large numbers of ballot propositions go down in flames. I sometimes wonder if voters in Ohio and California were punishing politicians for wasting their time with an off-year election by voting down their propositions as much as they were voting against the propositions themselves.
Posted by: Constantine | Nov 9, 2005 9:36:26 AM
Not surprising results on the Prop 2 in Texas. Quite frankly, I don't care. The most liberal state in the nation will be happy to accept gay couples into our community if Texas won't.
Posted by: Adrock | Nov 9, 2005 10:12:38 AM
I was surprised that we were only the 19th state to go that route; I'm frankly very disappointed that our reputation as the "Pummel Gays When Times Are Bad State" may suffer a hit as a result of this Johnny-come-lateliness.
Posted by: norbizness | Nov 9, 2005 10:22:56 AM
...you can be counted on to bring up the gay angle on any issue.
It was *THE* issue of the Texas election...certainly newsworthy just as the defeat of Big Labor and Moveon.org's proposed election changes in Ohio.
Dorky Dean would like to ignore those elections that didn't go his way and berates anyone who brings them up. Sorry you didn't like Ohio and Texas elections.
Get over it.
Posted by: Fred Jones | Nov 9, 2005 10:36:06 AM
Dorky Dean?
Ouch dude, I'm gonna tell the teacher.
Incidentally, what's that smell?
It kinda smells like...
Nah. Can't be.
Nope, it definitely is.
Fred's posts just reek of desperation. He's gonna spend the whole day eating Rocky Road from the carton in his jammies. So be nice, folks.
Posted by: Ezra | Nov 9, 2005 10:49:59 AM
Actually, he eats BBQ pork in his jammies.
Fred, it will be okay. Just take a few deep breaths before you post.
Posted by: Pepper | Nov 9, 2005 11:25:46 AM
And he fails to mention that Mane crushed an anti-equal rights bill and the Dover school board the tried to replace science with their religion got sent packing (well all 8 who where up for reelection) So things aren't going backwards everywhere.
Posted by: kevin | Nov 9, 2005 11:46:54 AM
Indeed, the Maine referendum on gay marriage was far more interesting bellweather than TX. Simply saying "it was THE issue" does not mean that any Democrat thought in a year it would pass.
But whatever. The media is shallow and plays up silly symbols that look important more than things that matter, we all know this. Simply that the media-talking heads will be saying "Democratic sweep" or something for the next few days is good news but nothing substantive really.
Posted by: Tony Vila | Nov 9, 2005 11:51:35 AM
I still wanted Dems to win one of either the Lt Gov or the AG in Virginia. If that had happened, it would have been a knockout. Still, a good night.
Posted by: Nicholas Beaudrot | Nov 9, 2005 12:13:15 PM
Yeah, it's really news that the Great State of Texas felt it so important to screw gay people that they chiseled bigotry into their Constitution. Of course, they already had written the bigotry into a law, so this isn't all that surprising. And it's somewhat reassuring to know that at least 25% of Texans aren't bigots.
Fred, on the other hand, has made his position clear.
Posted by: paperwight | Nov 9, 2005 12:14:54 PM
Bah; Kevin got there first: The Dover, PA, school board ouster was my personal vote for best news of the night.
Posted by: Lex | Nov 9, 2005 12:30:09 PM
"they mean progressive government for these states, legislation that focuses on the needy"
Is this true? We have locks on the legislatures in NJ and Va, party discipline, and Corzine & Kaine will push their agendas thru without resistance?
Or are we still overestimating the importance of the executive.
Posted by: bob mcmanus | Nov 9, 2005 12:30:14 PM
Yeah, it's really news that the Great State of Texas felt it so important to screw gay people that they chiseled bigotry into their Constitution.
I understand your need to characterize these results the way you do. However, I can't think of any state amendment vote that went differently. It seems democracy is a great thing as long as it goes your way, and when it doesn't...
Posted by: Fred Jones | Nov 9, 2005 12:33:21 PM
I'm still bummed about Bloomberg (re-elected R Mayor of NY, for all you out-of-towners), but it's not as if I had any substantial hope it was going to turn out differently.
Posted by: LizardBreath | Nov 9, 2005 12:57:33 PM
Do you guys realize you are deliriously happy over defending 2 Democratic governorships and defeating 4 referendums promoted by a Republican in California?
The fact that this makes you ecstatic says a lot!
Posted by: Dave Justus | Nov 9, 2005 1:08:10 PM
Wrong as usual Fred! The judicial ruling on equal marriage in MA (my fair commonwealth) was based on our constitutuion which does not, and did not, enshrine bigotry. Since the legalization of equal marriage in MA there have been no sucessful attempts to rewrite the constitution to deface it with homophobic bigotry (though there are certainly unsucessful attempts going on right now).
But here's the kicker--what has gone wrong in MA *since* gay marriage, that will all of a sudden go *right* with texas after this new round of gay bashing? Will MA drop from 49th in divorces and will texas suddenly do better? doubtful.Will our children's literacy rate drop precipitously while Texas's rises? doubtful. Will our per capita income go down while texas rises? doubtful. Will our returning veterans be greeted with respect while Texas's gay veterans be, essentially, booted from the state? Highly likely.
I know which state I'm proud to be living in.
aimai
Posted by: aimai | Nov 9, 2005 1:09:12 PM
Well, now that everyone has had their chance to beat up ol' Fred for holding a legitimate and mainsteam viewpoint, how 'bout the other elections that Ezra doesn't wish to discuss such as the 2 to 1 defeat of the election changes proposed in Ohio that were pushed hard by Moveon.org and Big Labor?
Any thought on that?
Posted by: Fred Jones | Nov 9, 2005 1:25:11 PM
In other news - Dover PA voters did some enforced evolution to their school board and tossed out eight school board members who were attempting to push the "intelligent design" agenda into science classes.
Posted by: sprocket | Nov 9, 2005 1:30:14 PM
Sure is a shame that last night didn't happen next year.
It's much more of a shame it didn't happen last year!
Posted by: Allen K. | Nov 9, 2005 1:40:12 PM
Well, now that everyone has had their chance to beat up ol' Fred for holding a legitimate and mainsteam viewpoint
Well, you call it a legitimate and mainstream viewpoint. Of course, in a lot of places, the "legitimate and mainstream viewpoint" is that people with more melanin are inferior. Right here in this country, that's still pretty common and was built into the law for years. Just because a lot of people think something doesn't make it true.
And preventing gay people the freedom to do something you have the right to do... pretty much makes you a bigot. And it's really sad that *that bigotry* is what you're celebrating as a win today.
So, sorry, Fred. You're a bigot. So is anyone who would prevent gay people from marrying each other. You don't have to go to a church which performs the ceremony. You don't have to attend. You can cross the street when you see a gay couple walk by, just in case the gayitude is contagious. All of those things are within your rights, even though they're sadly misinformed.
But to deny them the freedom to do something you have the right to do because they make you feel ooky? Big Big Bigot.
Posted by: paperwight | Nov 9, 2005 1:40:43 PM
Well, now that everyone has had their chance to beat up ol' Fred for holding a legitimate and mainsteam viewpoint,... (said by Fred)
When people start referring to themselves in the third person, you can be sure that there is some personality conflict going on. Since Fred's obsession with the gay issues never ends, it would be fair (note the passive voice) to speculate Fred has likely some partly or fully repressed same-sex desires or actions hidden away. Visit yahoo gay men's chatrooms much, claiming to the 'curious', Fred?
Posted by: JimPortandOR | Nov 9, 2005 2:00:37 PM
Sure is a shame that last night didn't happen next year.
It's much more of a shame it didn't happen last year!
Eh, I'd say that's a wash, Allen. Maybe last year by a nose ;)
Posted by: TJ | Nov 9, 2005 2:02:01 PM
Of course, in a lot of places, the "legitimate and mainstream viewpoint" is that people with more melanin are inferior.
So who mentioned race? Furthermore, who mentioned inferiority? Nice try.
So, sorry, Fred. You're a bigot.
I feel the same way about you when discussing people of faith.
Here's an angle that really needs discussing and perhaps you can help me out. Which mainstream Democratic politicians support homosexual marriage? Kerry didn't, I don't think Hillary does.
Who does?
Posted by: Fred Jones | Nov 9, 2005 2:50:18 PM
