-
It's that time of year again - our ISP is asking for money. If you have some spare change, please click the Donate link... Thanks!
- About Us
- Search
- Need Help?
- Donate
- Login/Register
Latest Entries
Actions Menu
Blog Roll
- 4F Facebook Page
- Turn Up The Night with Kenny Pick
- Stephanie Miller Show
- The Tim Corrimal Show
- The Rachel Maddow Show
- Angry Americans with Paul Rieckhoff
- Thom Hartmann Program
- Turnips! Fans of Turn Up the Night Facebook Page
- Snopes.com
- Factcheck.org
- Official White House Page, if you must.
- The Brad Blog / Green News Report
- The Poorly Written Political Blog (Joe Santorsa)
Let the Healing Begin
Author: BobR
Date: 11/07/2012 14:23:27
The election is finally over. Sure there are a few ballots that haven't been counted (in FL and a few other locales), but the writing was writ large on the wall. President Obama has been re-elected for another term. The Democrats look to be gaining a couple seats overall in the Senate. The House has shifted partially (but not completely) in the direction of the Democrats. The Republicans still control the House, but the margin has been slimmed significantly.
Perhaps the most satisfying wins for those of us on the left are those against the most extreme (ie: Tea Party) Republicans in the House and Senate. Linda McMahon (R-CT), Richard Mourdock (R-IN), Scott Brown (R-MA), Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), Kurt Bills (R-MN), Todd Akin (R-MS), George Allen (R-VA), and Tommy Thompson (R-WI) all went down in defeat. In the House, Tammy Duckwork (D-IL) knocked Joe Walsh (R-IL) out. Patrick Murphy (D-FL) narrowly beat Allen West (R-FL). And Alan Grayson (D-FL) is back!
These results all come after an extremely bitter fight on all levels. Republicans got a ton of support from several moneyed benefactors and had hoped to use the Citizens United SCOTUS decision to buy themselves the government they wanted. To the credit of the 100+ million people who voted, that was not money well-spent. Democracy won out over plutocracy. The lies in the ads and the constant barrage of negativity (not to mention the incredibly anti-woman rhetoric) from Republicans and the Super PACs seems to have inspired voters to turn away from the backwards and the negative.
A lot of ugly things were said during the various campaigns, by the candidates, their surrogates, and their supporters. It's time to take a deep breath and let it all go. It will be difficult not to gloat, not to rub their noses in it, not to remind them that all of nasty comments they made and that they can suck it. A few victory dances are appropriate, but let's try not to meet negative with negative.
I will say this though: For all of those unhappy with the results and are prognosticating doom, talk to me again in 4 years and let me know how accurate you were.
Right now, taxes are lower on the middle class, the job situation continues to improve every month, the growth of deficits has slowed, and pre-existing conditions will no longer prevent you from getting medical insurance. You still have your guns, and there is no sharia law, despite Republicans attempts to legislate their religious beliefs.
There were some highlights during the evening, including desperation from Karl Rove who actually tried to disagree with FOX News calling it for Obama. Gay marriage was approved in Maine and Maryland. Colorado and Washington state passed ballot initiatives legalizing casual marijuana use, contradicting federal law.
Mitt Romney delivered a fine concession speech, asking for healing. President Obama pressed for cooperation and common ground:
If we keep picking at the scab, the wound will never heal. It's time to remember the "United" part in United States of America.
Perhaps the most satisfying wins for those of us on the left are those against the most extreme (ie: Tea Party) Republicans in the House and Senate. Linda McMahon (R-CT), Richard Mourdock (R-IN), Scott Brown (R-MA), Pete Hoekstra (R-MI), Kurt Bills (R-MN), Todd Akin (R-MS), George Allen (R-VA), and Tommy Thompson (R-WI) all went down in defeat. In the House, Tammy Duckwork (D-IL) knocked Joe Walsh (R-IL) out. Patrick Murphy (D-FL) narrowly beat Allen West (R-FL). And Alan Grayson (D-FL) is back!
These results all come after an extremely bitter fight on all levels. Republicans got a ton of support from several moneyed benefactors and had hoped to use the Citizens United SCOTUS decision to buy themselves the government they wanted. To the credit of the 100+ million people who voted, that was not money well-spent. Democracy won out over plutocracy. The lies in the ads and the constant barrage of negativity (not to mention the incredibly anti-woman rhetoric) from Republicans and the Super PACs seems to have inspired voters to turn away from the backwards and the negative.
A lot of ugly things were said during the various campaigns, by the candidates, their surrogates, and their supporters. It's time to take a deep breath and let it all go. It will be difficult not to gloat, not to rub their noses in it, not to remind them that all of nasty comments they made and that they can suck it. A few victory dances are appropriate, but let's try not to meet negative with negative.
I will say this though: For all of those unhappy with the results and are prognosticating doom, talk to me again in 4 years and let me know how accurate you were.
Right now, taxes are lower on the middle class, the job situation continues to improve every month, the growth of deficits has slowed, and pre-existing conditions will no longer prevent you from getting medical insurance. You still have your guns, and there is no sharia law, despite Republicans attempts to legislate their religious beliefs.
There were some highlights during the evening, including desperation from Karl Rove who actually tried to disagree with FOX News calling it for Obama. Gay marriage was approved in Maine and Maryland. Colorado and Washington state passed ballot initiatives legalizing casual marijuana use, contradicting federal law.
Mitt Romney delivered a fine concession speech, asking for healing. President Obama pressed for cooperation and common ground:
... elections matter. It's not small, it's big. It's important. Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We have our own opinions. Each of us has deeply held beliefs. And when we go through tough times, when we make big decisions as a country, it necessarily stirs passions, stirs up controversy.
That won't change after tonight, and it shouldn't. These arguments we have are a mark of our liberty. We can never forget that as we speak people in distant nations are risking their lives right now just for a chance to argue about the issues that matter, the chance to cast their ballots like we did today.
[..]
As it has for more than two centuries, progress will come in fits and starts. It's not always a straight line. It's not always a smooth path.
By itself, the recognition that we have common hopes and dreams won't end all the gridlock or solve all our problems or substitute for the painstaking work of building consensus and making the difficult compromises needed to move this country forward. But that common bond is where we must begin. Our economy is recovering. A decade of war is ending. A long campaign is now over.
And whether I earned your vote or not, I have listened to you, I have learned from you, and you've made me a better president. And with your stories and your struggles, I return to the White House more determined and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do and the future that lies ahead.
Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual.
You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together.
If we keep picking at the scab, the wound will never heal. It's time to remember the "United" part in United States of America.
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
Scoopster on 11/07/2012 14:34:48
Scoopster on 11/07/2012 14:34:48
Well now.. here's something that way a bit lost in the background of the election.
Puerto Rico has passed a referendum to petition for statehood!
Puerto Rico has passed a referendum to petition for statehood!
Comment by 
TriSec on 11/07/2012 14:40:24
I only heard about this yesterday....via the BBC of all things. They passed it!!
A 51-star flag? Wow!
TriSec on 11/07/2012 14:40:24
Quote by Scoopster:
Well now.. here's something that way a bit lost in the background of the election.
Puerto Rico has passed a referendum to petition for statehood!
I only heard about this yesterday....via the BBC of all things. They passed it!!
A 51-star flag? Wow!
Comment by 
wickedpam on 11/07/2012 14:50:33
I'm kinda surprised, thought they have some very anti-statehood factions
wickedpam on 11/07/2012 14:50:33
Quote by Scoopster:
Well now.. here's something that way a bit lost in the background of the election.
Puerto Rico has passed a referendum to petition for statehood!
I'm kinda surprised, thought they have some very anti-statehood factions
Comment by 
Raine on 11/07/2012 14:54:26
Good Morning!
Raine on 11/07/2012 14:54:26
Good Morning!
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 15:09:24
Raine on 11/07/2012 15:09:24
I went to be after I saw Chris MAtthews take a large steaming poop in the MSNBC studeios last night:
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 15:12:09
Although it was funny to hear tweety say *Dicking around* Rev Al gave a very strong response.
and Rev was right.
Raine on 11/07/2012 15:12:09
Quote by Raine:
I went to be after I saw Chris MAtthews take a large steaming poop in the MSNBC studeios last night:Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Although it was funny to hear tweety say *Dicking around* Rev Al gave a very strong response.
and Rev was right.
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 15:21:58
Raine on 11/07/2012 15:21:58
More good news, My Friends Husband was elected as a NYS Senator!!! 
Senator Terry Gibson -- that has a nice ring to it.
Senator Terry Gibson -- that has a nice ring to it.
Comment by 
trojanrabbit on 11/07/2012 15:33:54
trojanrabbit on 11/07/2012 15:33:54
Comment by TriSec on 11/07/2012 15:43:00
TriSec on 11/07/2012 15:43:00
Nice work, TR!
Comment by Scoopster on 11/07/2012 16:03:02
Scoopster on 11/07/2012 16:03:02
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:03:02
Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:03:02
Really Florida? You haven't finished voting? Nice going Florida GOP making us look like a laughing stock.
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 16:04:59
I was just reading this over at ThinkProgress -- The Nation's 5 worst election officials.
Raine on 11/07/2012 16:04:59
Quote by Mondobubba:
Really Florida? You haven't finished voting? Nice going Florida GOP making us look like a laughing stock.
I was just reading this over at ThinkProgress -- The Nation's 5 worst election officials.
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 16:07:27
Raine on 11/07/2012 16:07:27
Quote by Scoopster:
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 16:12:33
Raine on 11/07/2012 16:12:33
Dick Morris: I didn't see 'new' U.S.A.
Note to Dick: it hasn't been this *NEW* USA for quite sometime.
“I think that the reason the prediction I made was wrong is that I was criticizing the polling because I said it reflected the same turnout model as there was in 2008. And I said that I thought that was a one-off affair and that it would not continue and it would not be the permanent turnout model for the United States,†Morris said on Fox News.
He added: “What this is saying is this is the new America. This isn’t your father’s America.â€
Morris, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton, had predicted a Romney landslide.
Morris said that unless the GOP-ers can appeal to some of the key Democratic constituencies, they won’t be able to win again.
“The percentage of single women, minorities and voters under 30 is so large at this point that unless the Republican Party fundamentally changes its appeal to those voters, it can never win an election,†Morris said.
Note to Dick: it hasn't been this *NEW* USA for quite sometime.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:13:54
How about this for a counter argument, you are just a douchebag who's paid to say stupid shit.
Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:13:54
Quote by Raine:
Dick Morris: I didn't see 'new' U.S.A.“I think that the reason the prediction I made was wrong is that I was criticizing the polling because I said it reflected the same turnout model as there was in 2008. And I said that I thought that was a one-off affair and that it would not continue and it would not be the permanent turnout model for the United States,†Morris said on Fox News.
He added: “What this is saying is this is the new America. This isn’t your father’s America.â€
Morris, a former adviser to President Bill Clinton, had predicted a Romney landslide.
Morris said that unless the GOP-ers can appeal to some of the key Democratic constituencies, they won’t be able to win again.
“The percentage of single women, minorities and voters under 30 is so large at this point that unless the Republican Party fundamentally changes its appeal to those voters, it can never win an election,†Morris said.
Note to Dick: it hasn't been this *NEW* USA for quite sometime.
How about this for a counter argument, you are just a douchebag who's paid to say stupid shit.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:19:50
Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:19:50
Ugh last night while I was sleeping, vindictive Republicans stuffed my head with old socks and cotton balls.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:21:54
Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:21:54
Raine, how is Ms Kizzy the Wonder Dog today?
Comment by wickedpam on 11/07/2012 16:24:15
wickedpam on 11/07/2012 16:24:15
dang it, and now I must download Little Pink Houses
Comment by wickedpam on 11/07/2012 16:24:49
Yes, how is she?
wickedpam on 11/07/2012 16:24:49
Quote by Mondobubba:
Raine, how is Ms Kizzy the Wonder Dog today?
Yes, how is she?
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:26:30
Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:26:30
If it hasn't been mentioned, Allan West lost. HARDEE HAR HAR!
Comment by 
BobR on 11/07/2012 16:33:23
She's fine.
BobR on 11/07/2012 16:33:23
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:
Raine, how is Ms Kizzy the Wonder Dog today?
Yes, how is she?
She's fine.
Comment by BobR on 11/07/2012 16:33:55
It was mentioned in das Blog.
BobR on 11/07/2012 16:33:55
Quote by Mondobubba:
If it hasn't been mentioned, Allan West lost. HARDEE HAR HAR!
It was mentioned in das Blog.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:39:38
I blame my not seeing that in the das blog on the vindictive sweat sock and cotton ball wielding Republicans.
Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:39:38
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:
If it hasn't been mentioned, Allan West lost. HARDEE HAR HAR!
It was mentioned in das Blog.
I blame my not seeing that in the das blog on the vindictive sweat sock and cotton ball wielding Republicans.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/07/2012 16:44:15
I figured you just liked saying it
wickedpam on 11/07/2012 16:44:15
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:
If it hasn't been mentioned, Allan West lost. HARDEE HAR HAR!
It was mentioned in das Blog.
I blame my not seeing that in the das blog on the vindictive sweat sock and cotton ball wielding Republicans.
I figured you just liked saying it
Comment by trojanrabbit on 11/07/2012 16:47:13
trojanrabbit on 11/07/2012 16:47:13
Is it time for some entrepreneur to offer travel packages and land deals in Somalia?
Don't think the whining Freepers would like it in Canada with all that soshulizms and health care and stuff.
Don't think the whining Freepers would like it in Canada with all that soshulizms and health care and stuff.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:50:29
Why yes, yes I do.
Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:50:29
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:
If it hasn't been mentioned, Allan West lost. HARDEE HAR HAR!
It was mentioned in das Blog.
I blame my not seeing that in the das blog on the vindictive sweat sock and cotton ball wielding Republicans.
I figured you just liked saying it
Why yes, yes I do.
Comment by Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:54:53
Mondobubba on 11/07/2012 16:54:53
Blog Ju-ju for Mama Mondo, she is have a cataract zapped today.
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 16:57:46
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Raine on 11/07/2012 16:57:46
Quote by Mondobubba:
Blog Ju-ju for Mama Mondo, she is have a cataract zapped today.
~~~~~ ~~~~~
Comment by 
Will in Chicago on 11/07/2012 17:04:39
Will in Chicago on 11/07/2012 17:04:39
BobR, thanks for the great blog.
Now comes the hard work. I think the next task is to ensure any deal on the "fiscal cliff" does not damage Social Security or Medicare.
Now comes the hard work. I think the next task is to ensure any deal on the "fiscal cliff" does not damage Social Security or Medicare.
Comment by wickedpam on 11/07/2012 17:12:05
~~~~~~~~~~
positive vibes going her way ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
wickedpam on 11/07/2012 17:12:05
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
Blog Ju-ju for Mama Mondo, she is have a cataract zapped today.
~~~~~~~~~~
positive vibes going her way ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/07/2012 17:14:38
I am wishing her the best.
Will in Chicago on 11/07/2012 17:14:38
Quote by Mondobubba:
Blog Ju-ju for Mama Mondo, she is have a cataract zapped today.
I am wishing her the best.
Comment by 
livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:16:46
livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:16:46
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
Blog Ju-ju for Mama Mondo, she is have a cataract zapped today.
Ditto!
~~~~~~~~~~
Comment by livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:21:25
livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:21:25
I am definitely exhausted between the move and the election and the flaven although I may have overindulged at Cheesecake Factory because after falling asleep in front of the TV and computer last night when I tried to go back to sleep, my stomach wouldn't let me. And today it's back to work and back to the routine and I still have to settle in but at least I have until the end of the month when the POD unit gets taken away. The storm is not helping that point and the DirecTV install here will be Friday although it helps that I have FiOS instead of Cablevision so I can still watch Current.
Comment by livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:22:31
livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:22:31
Still weird to see Contessa Brewer doing the local news on WNBC.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/07/2012 17:24:01
Scoopster on 11/07/2012 17:24:01
SING IT BIG ED! 
Comment by wickedpam on 11/07/2012 17:24:27
sounds like you have everything well organized
be careful driving to work later!
wickedpam on 11/07/2012 17:24:27
Quote by livingonli:
I am definitely exhausted between the move and the election and the flaven although I may have overindulged at Cheesecake Factory because after falling asleep in front of the TV and computer last night when I tried to go back to sleep, my stomach wouldn't let me. And today it's back to work and back to the routine and I still have to settle in but at least I have until the end of the month when the POD unit gets taken away. The storm is not helping that point and the DirecTV install here will be Friday although it helps that I have FiOS instead of Cablevision so I can still watch Current.
sounds like you have everything well organized
be careful driving to work later!
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/07/2012 17:26:22
Will in Chicago on 11/07/2012 17:26:22
Ed Schultz, your singing is not your strong suit. Still, I understand and share your joy. Just save the singing for rare events like this one. That is all.
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 17:29:49
HE sang that ENTIRE SONG last week.
Blasphemy to Dylan! I had to turn it off (again) he really is a terrible singer.
You know, it's not easy to screw up a Dylan song.
Raine on 11/07/2012 17:29:49
Quote by Will in Chicago:
Ed Schultz, your singing is not your strong suit. Still, I understand and share your joy. Just save the singing for rare events like this one. That is all.
Blasphemy to Dylan! I had to turn it off (again) he really is a terrible singer.
You know, it's not easy to screw up a Dylan song.
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 17:35:08
Raine on 11/07/2012 17:35:08
So this is kinda messed up. My cousin kids go to Sachem school on Long ISland, they have no power and don;t want to let the kids go home. They are giving parents hard time saying it would create a problem a school.
Comment by Scoopster on 11/07/2012 17:36:49
Scoopster on 11/07/2012 17:36:49
XKCD number crunches possible election ties..
They also mention a fun fact about Florida that explain A LOT.
They also mention a fun fact about Florida that explain A LOT.
Comment by Will in Chicago on 11/07/2012 17:38:07
How can it be safe to have the kids in a school without power? This is absurd.
Well, in the good news area, I am finding a few local retail jobs to apply to around here. I am also doing more with the search for mid year teaching jobs. Do any of our Massachusetts folk think that some openings would be up yet. (Hey, if I have to move over winter break, it can't be much worse than going to Phoenix in August of 2008.)
Will in Chicago on 11/07/2012 17:38:07
Quote by Raine:
So this is kinda messed up. My cousin kids go to Sachem school on Long ISland, they have no power and don;t want to let the kids go home. They are giving parents hard time saying it would create a problem a school.
How can it be safe to have the kids in a school without power? This is absurd.
Well, in the good news area, I am finding a few local retail jobs to apply to around here. I am also doing more with the search for mid year teaching jobs. Do any of our Massachusetts folk think that some openings would be up yet. (Hey, if I have to move over winter break, it can't be much worse than going to Phoenix in August of 2008.)
Comment by livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:44:15
livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:44:15
It seems like the forecasters are divided over whether we are going to get snow on the Island or not. Although at Bethpage where I work, the temperature has dropped to 31 degrees.
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 17:46:12
Raine on 11/07/2012 17:46:12
After threatening to call News 12 Long ISland, it appears that Sachem had a change of heart.
Aunt Raine appreciates the thank you for suggesting it.
Aunt Raine appreciates the thank you for suggesting it.
Comment by livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:49:22
I think the one thing I will miss at certain times not having Cablevision since the FiOS local news channel is kind of a low budget operation (now that News 12 spent a lot of money).
livingonli on 11/07/2012 17:49:22
Quote by Raine:
After threatening to call News 12 Long ISland, it appears that Sachem had a change of heart.
Aunt Raine appreciates the thank you for suggesting it.
I think the one thing I will miss at certain times not having Cablevision since the FiOS local news channel is kind of a low budget operation (now that News 12 spent a lot of money).
Comment by Scoopster on 11/07/2012 18:02:12
Scoopster on 11/07/2012 18:02:12
Comment by trojanrabbit on 11/07/2012 18:20:08
You got it. Zap-zap-zap
trojanrabbit on 11/07/2012 18:20:08
Quote by Mondobubba:
Blog Ju-ju for Mama Mondo, she is have a cataract zapped today.
You got it. Zap-zap-zap
Comment by Scoopster on 11/07/2012 18:41:55
Scoopster on 11/07/2012 18:41:55
Rick Berg has just conceded to Heidi Heitkamp in the North Dakota Senate race. 
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 18:57:10
Raine on 11/07/2012 18:57:10
Comment by Raine on 11/07/2012 19:00:42
Raine on 11/07/2012 19:00:42
Has Newt Gingrich been right about anything, ever?
Comment by BobR on 11/07/2012 19:02:59
BobR on 11/07/2012 19:02:59
Quote by Scoopster:
Rick Berg has just conceded to Heidi Heitkamp in the North Dakota Senate race.