NationStates Jolt Archive

This will be the senate election results thread. Of the 34 senate seats in this election:

7:04 CNN has called Virginia seat for Mark Warner (D). A democrat Pickup.

The seats are now 40 D 27 R D +1

Kentucky is 50/50 with 30% reporting, very shocking considering Kentucky is supposed to be a lock for the republicans.

I'm calling North Carolina for Kay Hagan.

Dole shot herself in the foot with the Godless ad. Even my die-hard conservative co-workers couldn't bring themselves to vote for Liddy. She's done.

I'm calling North Carolina for Kay Hagan.

Dole shot herself in the foot with the Godless ad. Even my die-hard conservative co-workers couldn't bring themselves to vote for Liddy. She's done.

Let's hope. I still can't wrap my head around the decision to run that ad.

Let's hope. I still can't wrap my head around the decision to run that ad.
Hell, it outraged my housemates 2000 miles away from North Carolina.

Kentucky STILL all tied up with 14% in.

Sununu is down in the NH polls currently, 53% (Shaheen) to his 43%. Potentially another Dem. pick-up, if it stays that way.

I'm calling North Carolina for Kay Hagan.

Dole shot herself in the foot with the Godless ad. Even my die-hard conservative co-workers couldn't bring themselves to vote for Liddy. She's done.

All major NC TV stations (and most of the networks) agree with me.

This was Jesse Helms' seat, in case anyone had forgotten. 36 years it's been conservative Republican. No more.

Hagen has defeated Dole

New Mexico and New Hampshire have been dem pickups. Along with North Carolina and Virgina that's 4 pickups so far.

Kentucky stays red.

The Democrats have secured 52 seats in the Senate total. Only 8 more until the Republicans are powerless on the Federal level.

I'm calling North Carolina for Kay Hagan.

Dole is on local TV, conceding. I tihnk she's the first actual casualty of this election.

Looks like Chambliss stays in the senate for GA. It looked for a while there like Martin might have a chance.

Not that Martin was actually the best candidate, but meh.

Democrats are now up to 54 seats (counting Sanders and Lieberman). They've kept every one of their seats so far, except for Louisiana which isn't called yet, and picked up 4.

except for Louisiana which isn't called yet

Just called for Landrieu (D).

How were people figuring 57 or 58 for the Democrats? Doesn't look so likely at the moment.

Edit: Nevermind, makes sense with a Franken victory. 42-42 at the moment.

Just called for Landrieu (D).

How were people figuring 57 or 58 for the Democrats? Doesn't look so likely at the moment.

Edit: Nevermind, makes sense with a Franken victory. 42-42 at the moment.

Don't forget Alaska. that'll bring us to 57.

Well, my prediction was Dem: 55, Rep: 43, Ind: 2


Looks like I underestimated.

Republicans wound up getting Wyoming. Naturally. I'm not disappointed though, because Enzi and Barrasso have done a great job in their positions so far and I look forward to more of what they have to offer.

Dems have defended all their seats, and picked up New Mexico, New Hampshire North Carolina, Colorado and Virgina, for a total of 56 so far.

4 races remain outstanding, and Dems are almost certain to pick up Alaska, which would give them 57. Depending on if Frankin can pull it off, Dems can look to a 57-58 seat majority

Dems have defended all their seats, and picked up New Mexico, New Hampshire North Carolina, Colorado and Virgina, for a total of 56 so far.

4 races remain outstanding, and Dems are almost certain to pick up Alaska, which would give them 57. Depending on if Frankin can pull it off, Dems can look to a 57-58 seat majority

This is a good night.

I'm glad the Dems missed out on 60. Unfettered control of the Legislature, Executive, and (eventually) Judiciary by a single party is just too much concentrated power in one set of hands.

Here's hoping the GOP can figure out how to be a proper Loyal Opposition. Yes they can.

I'm glad the Dems missed out on 60. Unfettered control of the Legislature, Executive, and (eventually) Judiciary by a single party is just too much concentrated power in one set of hands.

Here's hoping the GOP can figure out how to be a proper Loyal Opposition. Yes they can.No more neo-cons, yes we can!

Inhofe won. Fuck. Can I nuke my state now?

Also, Kern re-elected. I can't handle this woman any longer, next election hubby is going to run against her, maybe we can pick up the misogynist section of the vote, after all, he has a penis, that makes him way more qualified, and also, while he doesn't hate the gays he can honestly say he's a whack job conservative. They seem to like those here. :(

Wow, the MN race is extremely close at the moment....

Inhofe won. Fuck. Can I nuke my state now?

Also, Kern re-elected. I can't handle this woman any longer, next election hubby is going to run against her, maybe we can pick up the misogynist section of the vote, after all, he has a penis, that makes him way more qualified, and also, while he doesn't hate the gays he can honestly say he's a whack job conservative. They seem to like those here. :(

That's a real shame. Kern is evil. Not in a hyperbolic fashion, but in a 'evil is a real thing, sometimes incarnated in human flesh' fashion.

Looks like Dems will miss out on the 60 seat majority. Not to worry, they'll pick it up in two years if they do a good job. All Hail Communi... err Democracy. :D

I get the sensation that Mighty Joe Lieberman still thinks he's relevant post-Obama. With Senate Dems now at 56 minimum (but still shy of 60), they don't need him anymore. If they really need to bust past 60, there are several moderate Republicans (Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, Gordon Smith if he wins) likely to cross the aisle in the interest of bipartisan cooperation.

The Race's Biggest Loser (http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/11/05/the-race-s-biggest-loser.aspx)

This statement from Sen. Joe Lieberman just landed in my inbox:

“I sincerely congratulate President-elect Obama for his historic and impressive victory. America remains a nation of extraordinary opportunity and the American people are a people of extraordinary fairness. Now that the election is over, it is time to put partisan considerations aside and come together as a nation to solve the difficult challenges we face and make our blessed land stronger and safer. I pledge to work with President-elect Obama and his incoming Administration in their efforts to reinvigorate our economy and keep our nation secure and free.”

So what do we think Lieberman would consider an extraordinarily fair response by his caucus to his extraordinarily aggressive trashing of Democrats in this election cycle?
Some have already pointed out that Harry Reid believes in vengeance (http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/11/05/kid-vengeance.aspx). Don't expect to be a big player in the new Senate, Joe.

How the Fuck is Ted Stevens hanging on in Alaska?! :eek2:

Will be fun to have a convict for a senator. Might need to take some vacation time to serve his time?

I'm calling North Carolina for Kay Hagan.

Dole shot herself in the foot with the Godless ad. Even my die-hard conservative co-workers couldn't bring themselves to vote for Liddy. She's done.
This made my election. I'm so happy to see it :wink:

How the Fuck is Ted Stevens hanging on in Alaska?! :eek2:

Will be fun to have a convict for a senator. Might need to take some vacation time to serve his time?

I dunno. The GOP base was willing to vote for a convict rather than stomach the thought of a Democrat winning, and missing out on the chance of a legislative appointment to fill in the seat.

That's a real shame. Kern is evil. Not in a hyperbolic fashion, but in a 'evil is a real thing, sometimes incarnated in human flesh' fashion.

In her debate she was asked what the number one problem facing the nation was......her answer: homosexuals.

I loathe her. Did I mention I know her personally? She's a wretched woman.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/11/04/georgia_us_senate_election.html) is calling the GA Senate race a runoff. Apparently Saxby Chambliss has only gotten 49.9% in the latest numbers, though there may be tens of thousands of absentee, late, and provisional ballots yet to count.

There are probably tons of political operatives ready to step in and help Georgia. Wouldn't surprise me if they got David Plouffe in there to manage the race for Jim Martin. That would be cool.

The GOP base was willing to vote for a convict

Alaska GOP Base = All of Alaska. The fact that almost half of them chose Begich is actually pretty cool too.

Here's hoping the GOP can figure out how to be a proper Loyal Opposition. Yes they can.
No. They can't.
We cannot form two proper parties until the Republicans are completely destroyed.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/11/04/georgia_us_senate_election.html) is calling the GA Senate race a runoff. Apparently Saxby Chambliss has only gotten 49.9% in the latest numbers, though there may be tens of thousands of absentee, late, and provisional ballots yet to count.

And then there will be the recount after the results are certified. Probably another recount if that one goes for Saxby. That will be followed by a month of campaigning, er, I mean mud being slung from border to border. Finally, about 100 people will remember what day the runoff is held, vote, and decide who should be the next Senator.

You have to wonder why the Republicans went back to a majority required instead of just a plurality.

In her debate she was asked what the number one problem facing the nation was......her answer: homosexuals.

I loathe her. Did I mention I know her personally? She's a wretched woman.

Yeah, I've sen some of her answers before. They had a youtube video of her up for a while saying that homosexuals were an intrinsic evil greater than terrorism. I believe the GOP has since applied pressure to have it removed.

I don't know her personally, and I know very little about her apart from her politics.

But what I do know means that I probably wouldn't piss on her if I found her on fire.

And then there will be the recount after the results are certified. Probably another recount if that one goes for Saxby. That will be followed by a month of campaigning, er, I mean mud being slung from border to border. Finally, about 100 people will remember what day the runoff is held, vote, and decide who should be the next Senator.


This is the second time I've seen you bitching about the democratic process.

What's wrong - you only like it when 'your side' wins?


You have to wonder why the Republicans went back to a majority required instead of just a plurality.

Because they thought the seat was a lock.

More fool them.

I get the sensation that Mighty Joe Lieberman still thinks he's relevant post-Obama. With Senate Dems now at 56 minimum (but still shy of 60), they don't need him anymore. If they really need to bust past 60, there are several moderate Republicans (Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, Gordon Smith if he wins) likely to cross the aisle in the interest of bipartisan cooperation.


Some have already pointed out that Harry Reid believes in vengeance (http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/11/05/kid-vengeance.aspx). Don't expect to be a big player in the new Senate, Joe.

He'll certainly the chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee stripped, which is an extremely prestigious position.

Speaking of Senatorial races, I didn't even know that Durbin (IL) was up for re-election. I quite literally saw no signs for him or his opponent. I feel sorry for whoever that person was, wasting their money on such a failed campaign.

Speaking of Senatorial races, I didn't even know that Durbin (IL) was up for re-election. I quite literally saw no signs for him or his opponent. I feel sorry for whoever that person was, wasting their money on such a failed campaign.

Yeah, Carl Levin was up for reelection in Michigan. Of course, I haven't been home since the election season started so I don't know about signs but Levin has been largely unassailable for years.

The senate seat for MN is being re-counted due to the extreme closeness of .08% lead by Norm coleman.

I personally am rooting for Al Franken

I get the sensation that Mighty Joe Lieberman still thinks he's relevant post-Obama. With Senate Dems now at 56 minimum (but still shy of 60), they don't need him anymore. If they really need to bust past 60, there are several moderate Republicans (Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, Gordon Smith if he wins) likely to cross the aisle in the interest of bipartisan cooperation.

Some have already pointed out that Harry Reid believes in vengeance (http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/11/05/kid-vengeance.aspx). Don't expect to be a big player in the new Senate, Joe.

what i would do if i were them is to keep joe in the party, but put him on 'probation'. so yeah, strip his chairmanships, but tell him that if he plays nice he can regain his seniority in, oh, 2 years or so. give him hope for the future, but marginalize him completely now. if he accepts, he stops doing concern-troll damage, but in all likelihood loses his seat in 2010 anyways. if he says 'fuck you', then he loses his chairmanships and loses his seat for absolutely sure later. its a win-win situation.

The senate seat for MN is being re-counted due to the extreme closeness of .08% lead by Norm coleman.

I personally am rooting for Al Franken

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/individual/#mapSMN

It's crazy. There's a 475 vote difference.

I must admit ignorance on this race, and ask which candidate the third party candidate Dean Barkley most likely drew votes away from? Did he make an otherwise solid Republican seat into a contest, or a likely Democrat win into a toss up?

what i would do if i were them is to keep joe in the party

He's not in the party. He lost the Democratic primary in 2006 and won the general as an independent. He "caucuses with the Democrats" along with Bernie Sanders of Vermont, because that was the only way the 2006 Senate could get to 50.

Now that they don't need him, they don't have to put up with his demands. I imagine his high-profile chairs were due to their need to placate him and get him to go along with their more liberal ideas.

Fox just posted (http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/05/liebermans-chairmanship-senate-threatened-democratic-successes/) a decent story on the current situation. I think it all comes down to how magnanimous Harry Reid is feeling when Joe shows up to kiss his ass.

And then there will be the recount after the results are certified. Probably another recount if that one goes for Saxby. That will be followed by a month of campaigning, er, I mean mud being slung from border to border. Finally, about 100 people will remember what day the runoff is held, vote, and decide who should be the next Senator.

If there is a run-off, my guess is that Chambliss will win it. Buckley probably pulled more votes from him than from Martin.

But, then again, if the Dems pull off a really good get out the vote effort for any run-off, it might go their way.

Frankly, I wasn't very fond of any of our senate candidates.

You have to wonder why the Republicans went back to a majority required instead of just a plurality.

They probably thought it would help them keep seats.

Republicans seem have a penchant for doing things that are really great for them, right up until it's used against them.

He's not in the party. He lost the Democratic primary in 2006 and won the general as an independent. He "caucuses with the Democrats" along with Bernie Sanders of Vermont, because that was the only way the 2006 Senate could get to 50.

Now that they don't need him, they don't have to put up with his demands. I imagine his high-profile chairs were due to their need to placate him and get him to go along with their more liberal ideas.

Fox just posted (http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/11/05/liebermans-chairmanship-senate-threatened-democratic-successes/) a decent story on the current situation. I think it all comes down to how magnanimous Harry Reid is feeling when Joe shows up to kiss his ass.

It's very interesting because, by all accounts, the Democrats won't get to 60, so they won't even need him to get to a filibuster-proof majority. Unless there are a significant amount of question marks in that Democrat caucus on party-line votes, they really can just cast him to the wind and run someone else for his seat in 2010.

And the point that gets lost in all this is that the Democrats aren't mad at Lieberman for merely endorsing McCain's campaign, though I'm sure it incensed party leaders. That much was mostly expected. Very specifically, these actions against him are being considered because of the very inflammatory speech he gave at the RNC, particularly some of the things he said about Obama that the Democratic Party considers to be blatant and outright lies. That, more than just the simple defiance of endorsing McCain, is what has Lieberman in his current predicament.

He's not in the party. He lost the Democratic primary in 2006 and won the general as an independent. He "caucuses with the Democrats" along with Bernie Sanders of Vermont, because that was the only way the 2006 Senate could get to 50.

Now that they don't need him, they don't have to put up with his demands. I imagine his high-profile chairs were due to their need to placate him and get him to go along with their more liberal ideas.

he's not actually illiberal. near the middle of the dem pack, as i recall. his vote will be useful from time to time, but he is a petulant whiner, and so can still be harmful. so its about keeping a bare minimum level of civility so he just sort of goes along with the dems, rather than becoming a consistent republican obstructionist because he's pissy.

his bargaining position got shot straight to hell, but i see no sign that the repubs as a whole are going to become more grown-up anytime soon. so the dems will need to consistently peel off the senators from maine and suchlike to accomplish anything. strategically better to keep lieberman on your side with an actionable promise of good behavior than to just burn the bridge and hope for the best.

The senate seat for MN is being re-counted due to the extreme closeness of .08% lead by Norm coleman.

I personally am rooting for Al Franken

I'm rooting quite the other way. What is Franken's total leadership or legislative experience? How did he gain renown? What, exactly, has he done since SNL besides a bunch of whiny, uncreatively named books?

I'm rooting quite the other way. What is Franken's total leadership or legislative experience? How did he gain renown? What, exactly, has he done since SNL besides a bunch of whiny, uncreatively named books?

Isn't this the state that put Jesse Ventura into the Governor's Mansion? Oh yeah, he kicked Norm Coleman's ass (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Ventura#Governor_of_Minnesota) in that election too. Since I don't have to live in Minnesota, I'm rooting for Franken ... just for the comedy value of kicking Norm's ass by unqualified opponents one more time.

If there is a run-off, my guess is that Chambliss will win it. Buckley probably pulled more votes from him than from Martin.

But, then again, if the Dems pull off a really good get out the vote effort for any run-off, it might go their way.

Frankly, I wasn't very fond of any of our senate candidates.



They probably thought it would help them keep seats.

Republicans seem have a penchant for doing things that are really great for them, right up until it's used against them.
You know how runoffs go, though... The turnout will be 10% of what we saw in the general election, if we're lucky. It pisses me off that more people aren't interested in electing anyone besides the President.

You know how runoffs go, though... The turnout will be 10% of what we saw in the general election, if we're lucky. It pisses me off that more people aren't interested in electing anyone besides the President.

This isn't an average year, though - now is it.

Inhofe won. Fuck. Can I nuke my state now?

Also, Kern re-elected. I can't handle this woman any longer, next election hubby is going to run against her, maybe we can pick up the misogynist section of the vote, after all, he has a penis, that makes him way more qualified, and also, while he doesn't hate the gays he can honestly say he's a whack job conservative. They seem to like those here. :(

Yeah Inhofe & Kern suck, but did you hear Inhofe's victory speech? Complete opposite of McCain & Obama.

And I'm not a fan of Dana Murphy either.

From FiveThirtyEight, a decent article about the Alaska Senate race. Read the whole thing, but enjoy this bit ...

What In The Hell Happened in Alaska? (http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/2008/11/what-in-hell-happened-in-alaska.html)

The emerging conventional wisdom is that there was some sort of a Bradley Effect in this contest -- voters told pollsters that they weren't about to vote for that rascal Ted Stevens, when in fact they were perfectly happy to. Convicted felons are the new black, it would seem.

Heh.

I think that even if Stevens wins re-election, the Senate will vote to throw him right back out. Republicans need to start trying to restore their tarnished image, and it's an opportunity for the Democrats to throw out a Republican.

I think that even if Stevens wins re-election, the Senate will vote to throw him right back out. Republicans need to start trying to restore their tarnished image, and it's an opportunity for the Democrats to throw out a Republican.

That's kinda the point. By forcing the Dems to toss him, Alaska has to run a new election. So instead of the Dems gaining a seat via the normal process, Alaskans get a new, presumably untainted Republican to run against Begich. Since Alaskans are about 2:1 GOP, they steal the election from the Dems pretty much automatically.

Since Alaskans are about 2:1 GOP, they steal the election from the Dems pretty much automatically.

I'm not sure "steal" is the right word there.

Come on, if the people of Alaska want a Republican Senator, they should get one.

Come on, if the people of Alaska want a Republican Senator, they should get one.

They wanted Uncle Ted, the fabulous pork producer, and they didn't care that he was a convicted felon.

They should play by the same rules that everyone else plays under. Elections were held on 4 November, and Uncle Ted got himself into a pickle in time to get caught by that date. "Steal" is exactly the right word.

They should play by the same rules that everyone else plays under.

"When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in the Senate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature of any state may empower the executive thereof to make temporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by election as the legislature may direct."

Seems perfectly consistent with those "rules" to me.

I can tell you that if I were an Alaskan who agreed with the Republicans policy-wise, I would have done exactly the same thing, and I'm not exactly sure why you object to it. It doesn't even require liking Ted Stevens, since if the Democrats will remove him, he won't be a player anymore.

Look, if the conviction happened at any other time, what would have happened? Why should an accident of timing switch the party affiliation of a seat in the Senate?

This isn't an average year, though - now is it.
What's your point? Bigger turnout for a runoff? Won't happen.

In a post election day squeaker, it looks like the Democrats pick up another seat in Oregon, with Democrat Jeff Merkley narrowly beating out incumbent republican Gordon Smith. Smith was leading and looked like he'd retain his seat, but when the last of the ballots counted, Merkley came out ahead.

the total is now dems 57, republicans 40 with 3 races to be determined. It LOOKS like stevens will keep his Alaska seat, but resign/be forced out before he ever returns to washington.

That leads Minnesota and Georgia. In Georgia, no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, triggering a run off election under Georgia law to be held next month. In Minnesota, the results came in as a basically dead tie, and a mandatory recount will be happening soon.

What's your point? Bigger turnout for a runoff? Won't happen.

Didn't you say that President Obama wouldn't happen, too?

Reality has unfortunately decided to follow it's own course, without checking to make sure it's okay by you, first.

Didn't you say that President Obama wouldn't happen, too?

Reality has unfortunately decided to follow it's own course, without checking to make sure it's okay by you, first.
I think you may have to take off those rose colored glasses, but if you look, you can find several posts where I clearly stated that 1) Obama would likely win and 2) I was not voting for John McCain.

Sorry to disturb your reality.

Furthermore, you can check any non-general election that is held in Georgia and find that turnout is minuscule.

Now if you would quit avoiding the question and please clarify your point about this not being a normal year.

he's not actually illiberal. near the middle of the dem pack, as i recall. his vote will be useful from time to time, but he is a petulant whiner, and so can still be harmful. so its about keeping a bare minimum level of civility so he just sort of goes along with the dems, rather than becoming a consistent republican obstructionist because he's pissy.

his bargaining position got shot straight to hell, but i see no sign that the repubs as a whole are going to become more grown-up anytime soon. so the dems will need to consistently peel off the senators from maine and suchlike to accomplish anything. strategically better to keep lieberman on your side with an actionable promise of good behavior than to just burn the bridge and hope for the best.

Lieberman is worthless, in my opinion. He votes with the Republicans more often than with the Democrats. That's why his party ditched him.

That's kinda the point. By forcing the Dems to toss him, Alaska has to run a new election. So instead of the Dems gaining a seat via the normal process, Alaskans get a new, presumably untainted Republican to run against Begich. Since Alaskans are about 2:1 GOP, they steal the election from the Dems pretty much automatically.

Ted Stevans will get tossed. Republicans are desperate to clean up their image, and that is more valuable to them than Stevans at the moment. And the Democrats would be willing to throw him out any day, so he's fucked.

It still looks like the dems could pick up 60. If they win the runoff in Georgia, along with winning Minnesota, and the uncounted votes in Alaska (538 has an article on this), they could get 60 seats.

Lieberman is worthless, in my opinion. He votes with the Republicans more often than with the Democrats. That's why his party ditched him.

this isn't actually true. he's no zell miller. he's just gone all warmongery and acts like a whiny concern troll all the time. he really is still more or less good on most things.

It still looks like the dems could pick up 60. If they win the runoff in Georgia, along with winning Minnesota, and the uncounted votes in Alaska (538 has an article on this), they could get 60 seats.

Unfortunately, that includes Sanders and Lieberman. And it's highly unlikely.

Furthermore, you can check any non-general election that is held in Georgia and find that turnout is minuscule.


Oh, you repeated yourself! That must make it... what, twice as true?


Now if you would quit avoiding the question and please clarify your point about this not being a normal year.

No question was avoided.

Even you mentioned the bigger turnout. Don't act naive, its not becoming on you.

this isn't actually true. he's no zell miller. he's just gone all warmongery and acts like a whiny concern troll all the time. he really is still more or less good on most things.

True, the war thing is the major issue. He's a bit of a brat. Actually, forget that "bit" part.