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by Allisone Heartsong
08 November 2006
Realizing that the outcome of our crucial midterm election at this pivotal point in human history was unpredictable for all of the reasons spelled out by the comprehensive research of Greg Palast, I have been praying to the Holy Spirit during the past week, requesting and visualizing a decisive repudiation of the Bush regime by a tidal wave of voter response to the war.
As today gradually unfolded, I was profoundly relieved to discover that my prayers had been answered.
American Voters Just
Say No
By Robert Parry
Consortium News
Wednesday 08 November 2006
By a surprisingly decisive margin, American voters rejected George W. Bush's designs for transforming the United States into a one-party government run by an all-powerful executive waging endless war abroad and throttling constitutional liberties at home.
In essence, the voters asserted themselves as the final check and balance in the U.S. political system, giving the Democrats control of the House of Representatives and putting them within reach of a Senate majority as well.
The results were even more devastating for Bush and political adviser Karl Rove because the President had sought to turn the Democratic tide by nationalizing the election and taking to the stump with harsh attacks. Bush equated a Democratic win with a victory for the "terrorists" and a defeat for America. [See Consortiumnews.com's "Bush Will Say Anything."]
Initially, that Republican scare strategy, combined with the news media's obsession over Sen. John Kerry's botched joke about Iraq, seemed to be working. Over the last weekend, a Washington Post poll showed the Democrats' double-digit lead shrinking to six points. Just two days before the election, a Pew poll pegged the Democrats' advantage down to four points.
But, in the campaign's final hours, the American people appeared to have refocused on the frightening prospect of giving Bush and the Republicans another blank check. A pre-election CNN poll put the Democrats' lead back to 20 points.
That surge carried over into the actual voting, with the Democrats routing the Republican House majority, ousting vulnerable Republican senators and inching toward possible control of the Senate.
Constitutional Battle
The outcome sets the stage for a potentially historic fight over America's constitutional system. Bush has vowed never to give an inch on the Iraq War and Vice President Dick Cheney promised that Bush's "war on terror" policies will continue "full steam ahead" whatever the voters want.
In one interview, Cheney declared, "you cannot make national security policy on the basis of that [elections]. It may not be popular with the public. It doesn't matter, in the sense that we have to continue the mission [in Iraq]."
Without doubt, the White House would have read the significance of the voters' judgment differently if Republicans had been returned to control in Congress. Then, Bush would be boasting about a new mandate from the people and rolling over any remaining opposition.
But the significance of the Republican defeat cannot be easily brushed aside. Beyond the issues that popped up in exit polls - corruption, the Iraq War, etc. - the news media should have taken into account the American people's discomfort with Bush's assertion of "plenary" - or unlimited - power.
By rebuffing the Republicans, the American people were saying they want to keep their Republic. They were defending their quaint Constitution and Bill of Rights; they were embracing the clunky notion of checks and balances; they were endorsing that old-fashioned idea about the rule of law.
The nation's unease about Bush's thirst for dictatorial powers has always been an underplayed issue, troubling Americans across the political spectrum from liberal to conservative.
It remains to be seen what the Democrats will do with their new congressional clout. But it can't be disputed that the voters just said no to President Bush. The American people rejected Bush's grim vision of endless war and the end to the Republic.
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Robert Parry broke many of the Iran-Contra stories in the 1980s for the Associated Press and Newsweek. His latest book, Secrecy & Privilege: Rise of the Bush Dynasty from Watergate to Iraq, can be ordered at secrecyandprivilege.com. It's also available at Amazon.com, as is his 1999 book, Lost History: Contras, Cocaine, the Press & 'Project Truth.'
Addendum #2:
The Democrats Have
Won Almost Everything
By Marc Ash
6:18 a.m. PST | In race after race across the country on Tuesday, American voters handed victories to Democratic candidates for Congress and states governorships. The Democrats gained at least 27 seats in the house, establishing a firm majority and ending 12 years of Republican rule. But the Democrats also won 6 governorships and moved to the precipice of control in the Senate, with 4 confirmed victories and Democratic Senate candidates holding advantages in the two remaining uncalled races. In both Virginia and Montana the vote still remains uncalled, but Democrats James Webb and John Tester hold small but steady leads in those races. The outcome in Montana, however, appeared most likely to decide control of the Senate.
As of 7:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) the latest results from Montana election officials showed Democrat John Tester with a lead of 1,735 votes and "apparently" 100% of the precincts reporting. That result is far from final, and could still be affected by absentee ballots, recounts and other factors too.
Democrats Poised to
Capture Both Houses of Congress
By Scott Galindez
2:34 a.m. EST | With two Senate races still in play, Montana and Virginia, Democrats are leading in both of them. If they win both races, the Democrats will gain control of the Senate by one seat.
The House is a done deal, with the Democrats picking up at least 27 seats.
Talent Concedes to
McCaskill in Hotly Contested Missouri Senate Race
By Jason Leopold
11:22 p.m. PST | Missouri Republican Jim Talent suffered a major defeat late Tuesday night to Democratic challenger Claire McCaskill in one of the country's closely watched Senate races. McCaskill was trailing Talent hours after the polls closed in Missouri, but she forged ahead as the last of the ballots were counted. Talent conceded to McCaskill at 2:15 p.m. EST. With McCaskill's victory, Democrats are poised to sweep the Republicans to take control of the House and the Senate.
Virginia, Missouri
Hold Keys to Senate
By Marc Ash
9:55 p.m. PST | The Washington Post is reporting that with 100% of Virginia's precincts accounted for, Democrat James Webb holds a lead of 2,726 total votes. 1,143,756 votes are tallied for Webb, according to the Post, with 1,141,030 credited to Republican incumbent George Allen. In Missouri, Republican Jim Talent has held a consistent lead all evening long, but Democrat Claire McCaskill is steadily closing, and remains well within striking distance. On a night of historic Democratic congressional gains, control of the United States Senate hangs squarely in the balance.
Do not expect closure here anytime soon. With recounts and absentee ballots and legal wrangling - a final result could be days forthcoming.
THIS JUST IN: Claire McCaskill, according to CNN, has just moved into a narrow lead over Jim Talent in Missouri: 49% to 48%.
Webb Forges
Razor-Thin Lead in Virginia
By Marc Ash
9:03 p.m. PST | After trailing all night long, Virginia Democratic Senate contender James Webb has forged a lead of less than 1 percent, according to the Washington Post and CNN. The remaining precincts are traditionally Democratic strongholds. By Virginia state law, if the result is closer than 10,000 votes a recount is automatic.
It Is Real
By William Rivers Pitt
12:00 a.m. EST | It is midnight here on the east coast, and a number of chariots have turned into pumpkins. The TV predicts a Democratic pickup in the House of about 30 seats, and though the Senate is still up in the air, the fact that Arizona and Montana are in play is astonishing beyond my powers of description.
So.
Tomorrow will be one hell of an interesting day. We got the Constitution back tonight, at what was in all honesty the last possible moment. I am floored, relieved, elated, exhausted ... and fortunate indeed to have been here to see the wheel roll.
More to come, stay tuned, and uncork that champagne if you have it. Here's to you, America. You just got a second chance.
Bass Goes Down
By William Rivers Pitt
10:30 p.m. EST | My mother has been canvassing for Hodes in New Hampshire, hoping to unseat Charlie Bass, who has been in office since the Stone Age. A year ago, it was absurd to even imagine Bass getting beat, but my mom canvassed anyway.
The word just came down. Bass has been beaten. I have to call my mom.
Rolling
Thunder
By William Rivers Pitt
10:00 p.m. EST | I am, for the first time all day, allowing myself a bit of guarded optimism. The Democrats have done everything they need to do in these Senate races, with Missouri, Tennessee and Virginia still in the wind. The House is up in the air as far as I am concerned, until the hard numbers come in, but everything is trending well. The Dems also have 23 governors' mansions at this point.
A long night remains ahead of us, but so far so good. Stay tuned.
Sheldon Whitehouse
Defeats Lincoln Chafee
By Scott Galindez
9:54 p.m. EST | The Democratic Party is now 3 seats short of taking the Senate with Virginia, Missouri, Montana, and Tennessee in play. There is also an outside shot at an upset in Arizona. The Democrats have consistently led polls in Montana, with the other three too close to call.
Virginia Is Super
Close
By Marc Ash
6:08 p.m. PST | Allen appears to have a razor thin lead, with votes in a number of Democratic strongholds - including densely populated Arlington county - still largely uncounted. A win by Democratic Senate candidate James Webb is viewed by most experts as a must if the Democrats are to take control of the upper chamber.
Hard to Believe
By William Rivers Pitt
8:40 p.m. EST | Rick Santorum is out of politics. Ken Blackwell has been defeated in Ohio. Deval Patrick will be the governor of Massachusetts. I'm trying to wrap my mind around it all.
The night is far from over, but damn ...
Two Down Four to Go
By Scott Galindez
8:12 p.m. EST | CBS News is projecting that Sherrod Brown (D) has defeated Mike Dewine (R) in Ohio. They are also projecting that Bob Casey (D) has defeated Rick Santorum (R). That is a two seat gain for the Democrats, they need four more to take the Senate.
Evangelicals
Abandoning GOP
By William Rivers Pitt
7:30 p.m. EST | Keith Olbermann on MSNBC quoted an AP exit poll which has one third of evangelical voters abandoning the GOP and voting Democratic this time around.
If that is an accurate reflection of what is happening out there, this could well become a truly interesting night.
Two Counties in
Missouri Run Out of Ballots
By Scott Galindez
7:27 p.m. EST | MSNBC is reporting that two counties in Southern Missouri are out of ballots. Polls close in 45 minutes. Reports indicate that people are writing their votes on note pads to be transferred to real ballots by poll workers when they arrive.
Minimum Wage Vote
in Missouri Could Put McCaskill Over the Top
By Scott Galindez
6:45 p.m. EST | Stem cell research has dominated the debate in Missouri, but many voters told us that the minimum wage was another issue that was important. St. Louis was recently ranked as the most dangerous place to live in the US. A major cause of that is the poverty in the city. Exit polls from Missouri are indicating that the economy was a major issue on voters' minds today.
Democrat Claire McCaskill supported a statewide ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage and pointed out that Republican Jim Talent has always voted against raising the minimum wage unless a tax cut for the rich is included ...
16 Polling
Precincts in Ohio to Remain Open Until 10 P.M.
By Jason Leopold
3:44 p.m. PST | A federal judge just issued a ruling ordering 16 precincts in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, remain open until 10 p.m. due to massive problems with electronic voting machines and long lines stretching several city blocks.
Early CNN Senate Exit Polls
ThinkProgress has obtained CNN's early Senate exit polls. Early exit polls are highly unreliable, but information needs to be free.
VIRGINIA
D: 52
R: 47
RHODE ISLAND
D: 53
R: 46
PENNSYLVANIA
D: 57
R: 42
OHIO
D: 57
R: 43
NEW JERSEY
D: 52
R: 45
MONTANA
D: 53
R: 46
MISSOURI
D: 50
R: 48
MARYLAND
D: 53
R: 46
TENNESSEE
D: 48
R: 51
ARIZONA
D: 46
R: 50
Judge Turns Down
Request to Extend Voting Deadline in Denver County
By Jason Leopold
2:47 p.m. PST | Judge in Denver County denies request by state Democratic officials to keep polling places open two hours beyond the deadline. Long lines and problems with electronic voting machines in the area have resulted in two- to three-hour waits for voters.
Three Men, One
With Handgun, Intimidate Latino Voters in Arizona
By Jason Leopold
1:59 p.m. PST | TPM Muckraker, the investigative online news magazine, is reporting that three men in Tucson, Arizona, have been harassing Latino voters as they make their way to the polls. One of the men reportedly had a handgun in a side holster. A senior poll monitor for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund told TPM Muckraker that the three men have been approaching Latino voters and videotaping them at a polling precinct in Tuscon.
"As voters are coming out of their cars and walking up towards their polls, one person is videotaping the voter as he walks towards the polling place," she said. Then another person, wearing an American flag bandana and a shirt with the image of a badge ironed or embroidered on it, approaches with a clipboard to talk to the voter. "While the clipboard person is ... talking to [the voter], the cameraperson comes up and starts videotaping his face," Nina Perales, a senior poll watcher, told TPM Muckraker.
Perales said her organization contacted the Department of Justice. She said the FBI told her to continue to monitor the situation. She added that the man concealing the handgun has only been approaching Latino voters. He is wearing a shirt with an American flag and camouflage shorts.
Huge Voter Turnout
in Connecticut
By Victoria Harper
1:43 p.m. PST | The Danbury News and Times reports that Connecticut secretary of state Susan Bysiewiez predicts 70% voter turnout for today's election. For report click here.
Argh! The
Spin! My Brain!
By William Rivers Pitt
4:23 p.m. EST | A parade of MSNBC analysts are trying to explain to us all that unless the Democrats pick up both the House and the Senate, and by large margins, it will actually be a Democratic defeat.
Amazing.
Let's be clear: Not even six months ago, the idea that the Democrats would pick up either chamber was a stone laugher. Incumbency, GOP money advantages and redistricting (i.e., gerrymandering) in strong red states all but guaranteed a GOP stranglehold on Congress.
Dig the boomerang, baby. Now victory is defeat. Black is white, up is down ... as Costner said in JFK, "We're through the looking glass, people."
Or not. Re-establishment of the separation of powers, re-establishment of checks and balances, re-establishment of governmental accountability, comes if the Democrats only pick up the bare minimum needed to take the House.
That will be a victory of historic significance, no matter what the spin-bots say.
Don't forget that.
Experts:
Senate Will Go Democratic
By William Rivers Pitt
4:02 p.m. EST | It remains to be seen whether this has any relationship with the truth, but it is interesting reading nonetheless. From the Chicago Tribune's election blog:
In their final, pre-election forecast in what is called Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball, Sabato and David Wasserman of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics predict Democrats will win control of both the Senate and House, with Democrats picking up six Senate seats and 29 House seats.
Their analyses of the races makes worthwhile reading, especially their take on the race they have probably followed the closest, the freakish Virginia Senate race between Sen. George Allen, the Republican, and Democrat James Webb, the former Reagan Administration Navy Secretary who was a Republican until he switched parties to make the Senate race.
GOP Fraudulent
"Robo-Calls" in Nebraska Actually Using Dem Candidate's Voice
By Victoria Harper
12:25 p.m. PST | "Now the Republicans are actually using Democrat Scott Kleeb's voice and calling people several times an hour in order to harass them, and tick them off against Kleeb," reports Americablog. "This has been happening across the country simultaneously. It's been happening in states where the Republican party hired a specific company that makes these kind of calls. This is a coordinated nationwide effort by the Republican party to suppress voting through fraud." For the whole story click here.
A Republican
GOTV Charade?
By Larry C. Johnson
3:05 p.m. EST | Like most Americans following the hype surrounding today's election, I accepted at face value the Republican claim that they had a formidable 72-hour get out the vote machine that would turn the tables on the Democrats. I think it is bullshit and here's why.
I'm still a registered Republican in Maryland, as is my wife. During the 2002 and the 2004 elections we were called several times by Republican volunteers asking if we were going to vote and offering to schlep us to the polls. Not this time. I sat by the phone yesterday waiting eagerly to get a GOP call (I wanted to give them a piece of my mind). Nothing. Crickets.
So, today, I call up a couple of Republican buddies who also live in Maryland and ask if they had been called. No calls other than a robo from Rudy Guiliani a couple of days ago. I reached out to an old friend across the river in Virginia. He's a registered Republican and has given them money. No calls and no visitors. Yet, early this morning, someone knocked on his door and asked him to vote for Jim Webb.
Maryland and Virginia are critical races for the Republicans and they appear to be missing in action. And turnout is heavy in both places. While my sample is not statistically significant, I think it reflects something happening on the ground that the polls missed. The discontent among Independents, Democrats, and even some Republicans is real and intense. It also appears Karl Rove and his buddies have handled the elections like the war in Iraq and the aftermath of Katrina - they talk tough but put no muscle behind their words. Let's hope so.
Massive Voter
Turnout in Colorado Leads to Demands to Extend Voting Deadlines
By Jason Leopold
1:16 p.m. PST | Officials with the Democratic Party asked a Colorado state judge to allow polling places in Denver to remain open an extra two hours because severe problems with voting machines have forced voters to wait in line for up to two hours. Laptop computers that are used to check voter registrations are reported to not be functioning properly at four major Denver polling places. Additionally, some voters, officials in the state said, were turned away at the polls. A spokesman for the Republican Party in Colorado said the GOP would oppose the extension. Lines are three to five city blocks.
Gore Vidal:
'The Most Important Election in My Lifetime'
By William Rivers Pitt
On the eve of the publication of his new memoir, "Point to Point Navigation" (Doubleday), iconic author and historian Gore Vidal sat down for an exclusive video interview with Truthdig editor Robert Scheer and offered this plea to America regarding the Nov. 7 elections:
We're facing the most important election in my lifetime - which does not quite extend back to that of Abraham Lincoln, but it's pretty close. There'll be nothing more important in the voting line that one can foresee that will come our way while any of us is still hobbling around. This will determine whether we regain the republic which we have lost over the last five years.
The coup d'etat was so rapid that even I, who am ready for such things ... I thought, these people are going to make a grab for it. But I thought, my heavens, there's still the courts.... Even a shameless Supreme Court is not going to back up the loss of habeas corpus....
So, my fellow countrymen, as I sit here, not yet at Gettysburg, I have a notion that this is the most important vote that you'll probably ever cast. Because should this gang of thugs continue in the two houses of Congress, there isn't any chance of getting the Constitution back....
This is the last chance, really, by getting some new chairpersons to head committees in the House ... to have a clean sweep, which, in normal times, if we'd ever enjoyed them, would have happened by now. Now it has got to happen, or welcome to the Third Reich.
Video of this interview can be seen here.
Right Wing
Radio Show Host, Laura Ingraham: Jam Voter Protection Hotline
By Victoria Harper
During her national
radio show today, reports ThinkProgress.com, right-wing host Laura Ingraham
urged her listeners to obstruct efforts to protect voting rights by jamming a
free voter protection hotline.
To learn more, click
here.
Video of
Alleged Voter Suppression in Virginia
By Victoria Harper
11:52 a.m. PST | The FBI is investigating allegations that the George Allen campaign attempted to suppress the vote through intimidating phone calls to Democratic constituents the night before the election. On this YouTube video, a person representing himself as the Virginia Elections Commission identifies the voter by name and states that he will be charged criminally if he appears at the polling station to vote.
View the video/recording here.
Good News From
Missouri
By Scott Galindez
2:45 p.m. EST | I just got off the phone with the McCaskill (D) campaign. They are flooded with volunteers. A spokesperson for the campaign said that they have more volunteers than they can handle. They are also projecting a 70% voter turnout in St. Louis County. When Truthout was in St. Louis interviewing voters last week we had trouble finding supporters of Jim Talent (R). A high voter turnout in St. Louis is bad news for Jim Talent.
High Turnout
Reported in Virginia
By Victoria Harper
11:30 a.m. PST | Reports Tuesday indicate an extraordinarily high turnout for a midterm election in Virginia. With 65 percent of registered voters expected to cast ballots, this would double the midterm turnout in 2002. For the story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061107/ap_on_el_se/va_eln_virginia_senate_1.
Virginia Board of
Elections Confirms FBI Probing Voter Intimidation
By Jason Leopold
11:24 a.m. PST | The FBI has sent undercover agents to monitor claims of ongoing voter intimidation and polling place indiscretion, according to the state's board of elections.
At least a dozen agents are investigating allegations of harassment of voters by people said to be GOP operatives, the Virginia board of elections said.
The bureau received tips earlier this morning from voters and election officials about serious federal election law violations. No word yet on whether any arrests have been made.
Voting Nightmare:
Democrats Seek Extension
By Victoria Harper
11:23 a.m. PST | The Denver Post is reporting that Democratic party leaders are seeking a two-hour extension for voting in Denver due to massive computer glitches that have created long lines of people waiting to vote. To read the complete article, http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4616285.
Reports of Massive
Turnout Abound
By William Rivers Pitt
2:15 p.m. EST | As I scan through the television coverage and read the reports from across the country, one consistent theme keeps recurring: turnout this year is apparently historically high across the board. This seems to be especially the case in Virginia, which is remarkable, considering the fact that it is raining cats and dogs there now.
This is good news.
George Allen
Desperate in Closing Hours
By Scott Galindez
1:40 p.m. EST | Monday was a long day for George Allen. He started the day at a metro stop in the DC suburbs and found himself surrounded by anti-war protesters, including Cindy Sheehan. As he tried to speak to reporters, he was shouted down by chants of "Vote for Peace."
Later in the day, he bought two minutes on all of the local television stations and apologized to voters for the tone of the campaign. Many analysts have been saying it was desperate move by a candidate facing defeat.
In another desperate move, many voters are receiving calls telling them that if they show up to vote they will be prosecuted. The callers are saying that they are from the Virginia Election Commission. The FBI is investigating, after a request by the Secretary of the Virginia Board of Elections.
Ford Claims
Polls Closed
By Victoria Harper
10:50 a.m. PST | According to the Associated Press, Rep. Harold Ford, the Democratic Senate candidate in Tennessee, is claiming that a polling place in Jackson has been shut down because its machines weren't working.
Turning to
Paper Ballots
By Victoria Harper
10:43 a.m. PST | "In Indiana's Marion County, about 175 of 914 precincts turned to paper because poll workers didn't know how to run the machines," said Marion County Clerk Doris Ann Sadler. She said it could take most of the day to fix all of the machine-related issues, according to the Associated Press.
Dems' Chairman Very
Critical
IndyStar.com
Tuesday 07 November 2006
11:45 a.m. EST | Marion County Democratic Chairman Ed Treacy blasted Republican election officials for what he declared was the "criminal" way in which they are running today's election.
Providing lists to reporters to back up his assertions, Treacy said 20 Republican-appointed precinct inspectors failed to show up to open polls this morning and machine problems were reported in 173 precincts.
Click here for the complete article.
Don't Count Ford
Jr. Out in Tennessee
By Scott Galindez
1:02 p.m. EST | Despite the recent polls showing a lead for Bob Corker, early voting numbers could be a more accurate measure of where the voters are in Tennessee.
In Shelby County, 142,411 people, nearly a quarter of all registered voters, cast absentee and early ballots. Shelby County is heavily Democratic and voted in higher percentages than other counties. If that trend continues, Harold Ford Jr. could be the Senator replacing Bill Frist in Tennessee, and Harry Reid could be replacing him as the Majority Leader.
Ballot Box Stuffing
By Victoria Harper
10:01 a.m. PST | The Associated Press is reporting that voting in Daggett County Utah is so popular that it now has more registered voters than the county's population.
According to AP: "A spokesman for Attorney General Mark Shurtleff says complaints of vote-stuffing in the county are being investigated. Democrats suspect County Clerk Vickie McKee is letting outsiders swell the Daggett County registration rolls to give Republicans an advantage. The Democrats also say the father of a Republican deputy running for sheriff has 14 adults registered at his household. McKee hasn't responded to messages from the Associated Press."
Some Words for
This Day
By William Rivers Pitt
Let us examine our attitude toward peace itself. Too many of us think it is impossible. Too many of us think it is unreal. But that is dangerous, defeatist belief. It leads to the conclusion that war is inevitable - that mankind is doomed - that we are gripped by forces we cannot control.
We need not accept that view. Our problems are manmade - therefore, they can be solved by man. And man can be as big as he wants. No problem of human destiny is beyond human beings. Man's reason and spirit have often solved the seemingly unsolvable - and we believe they can do it again.
So, let us not be blind to our differences - but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.
For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal.
- President John F. Kennedy, 10 June 1963, American University
The Word Is
"Oops!"
By William Rivers Pitt
12:20 p.m. EST | Mark Sanford, the Republican governor of South Carolina who is seeking re-election, was turned away from his polling place today because of insufficient identification, per CNN.
Hm.
Possibly an
Early Night
By William Rivers Pitt
12:15 p.m. EST | As has been said approximately thirty trillion times over the last weeks, the Democrats need to pick up 15 seats to take control of the House. Given where many of the competitive races are talking place, we may have a good idea how things are going fairly early tonight.
The Washington Post notes the following:
"The key races in Congress are concentrated in the Eastern and Central time zones, so we ought to have a good sense of the trend relatively early in the evening," said Amy Walter of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.
Most tossup House races are also clustered in states east of the Mississippi River. By watching the fate of Republican candidates in Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, political enthusiasts will have a good idea whether Democrats will win the 15 seats they need to take control of the House, analysts say.
As Kentucky and Indiana go, analysts say, so will go the House. And the good news: The polls in both states will close by 7 p.m. Eastern time.
Nathan L. Gonzales of the nonpartisan Rothenberg Political Report recommends looking at Kentucky in particular. If Rep. Geoff Davis (R) is defeated by former representative Ken Lucas (D), Gonzales said, "the GOP is in serious jeopardy." If Reps. Anne M. Northup and Ron Lewis, both Republicans, also lose, Republican losses in the House could be sizable, he added.
Another bellwether is Indiana. Three Republican congressmen face tough reelection fights there: John N. Hostettler, Chris Chocola and Michael E. Sodrel. Hostettler has been all but given up for lost. But if Chocola, Sodrel or both also go down, the Republican majority in the House will probably fall with them, analysts agree.
There is, of course, the following proviso within this story: "That is, of course, if everything goes smoothly. And things rarely do. Uncertainties about electronic voting machines and hassles over identifying registered voters could make early predictions about the election precarious."
Stay tuned.
Go Vote
By William Rivers Pitt
12:00 p.m. EST | It needs to be said once again: the single best defense against any kind of widespread vote-tampering is an overwhelming turnout.
Go vote. Tell your friends to vote. Tell your family to vote. Tell your co-workers to vote.
Moving the
Goalposts
By William Rivers Pitt
11:45 a.m. EST | I may be flat wrong about this, but I am sensing a definite trend in the coverage of these midterms over the last day or so. The goalposts for Democratic victory are being moved.
Last week, Democratic victory was defined as the taking of the House, and the sense was that it was definitely possible. Then, all of a sudden, the Senate was in play and the House was considered a done deal.
So today and yesterday, the talk within the media has been whether the Dems can take the Senate ... and the funny part is that, according to a lot of the spin I'm seeing and reading, failure to do so will be construed as a defeat.
But read between the lines there: they aren't really talking about the House anymore. The goalposts have been moved - now the Democrats have to take the House *and* Senate to consider today a victory - even though not so long ago, both seemed completely out of reach.
I find this interesting, and heartening. 218 in the House retores the checks and balances we have been missing, and that is a tremendous victory.
Stay tuned.
Problems in
Ohio
By William Rivers Pitt
11:22 a.m. EST | The Election Protection coalition's morning update email carried this news about Ohio: "EP volunteers and the EP hotline receivedwidespread [reports] of voting machine problems leading to delays, as well as problems with confusion implementing the state's photo ID requirement. Additionally, one polling place opened late because of an overnight break-in. A local TV station aired footage of Congresswoman Jean Schmidt's battle with an optical scan voting machine, which repeatedly rejected her ballot."
I'm sorry, but that last line kinda cracks me up.
Also in Ohio, the Columbus Dispatch is reporting: "Franklin County's phone system was returned to service about 90 minutes after it collapsed today under a crush of calls from voters and poll workers. The volume of calls 'overwhelmed the system,' Franklin County Elections Director Matthew Damschroder said. Damschroder said the system could not handle the quantity of calls from voters needing help to figure out where to vote and from poll workers needing help figuring out how to set up new electronic machines."
Stay tuned.
Here We Go
By William Rivers Pitt
10:55 a.m. EST | I just flipped the television over to MSNBC, and found a completely balanced panel featuring Tucker Carlson, Joe Scarborough and some shiny, polished talking head whose whole purpose in life was to lob these two right-wing cretins softball questions. Problems with voting machines being reported? "Democrats always cry wolf about these things," says Tucker. "I'm yawning," says Joe.
Yeah, it's gonna be one of those kinds of days. I hate cable news with the fire of a thousand suns, but on days like this, I'm stuck with it. Obsessed with it. Morosely, watching it relentlessly.
Despite Joe's yawning, reports of voting problems are already coming in from all across the country: "Programming errors and inexperience dealing with electronic voting machines frustrated poll workers in hundreds of precincts early Tuesday, delaying voters in Indiana, Ohio and Florida and leaving some with little choice but to use paper ballots instead."
And then, of course, there is the old-fashioned way: phone calls to heavily Democratic districts in Virginia warning voters they will be arrested if they show up to vote. Seriously.
Yeah, it's gonna be one of those kinds of days.
I got out of the hope business a long time ago, and I despise the expectations/predictions/polls parlor game that has been ceaseless among the punditocracy for the last several weeks. I have no idea how this day will end, or even if the day's end will bring any definitive answers as to who has won or lost. The machines are in play, you see, and the lawyers have taken the field.
But I believe in the Constitution the way Christians believe in the cross, and the Constitution requires true separation of powers and real checks and balances. When the sun came up this morning, we had neither of these. Tomorrow, perhaps, we will.
It has nothing to do with political parties today. This one goes down to our most basic founding principles, and whether they can survive the stern tests we have seen these last years. It is pretty much just that simple.
I'm on this all day, so check back here for reports and updates. Stout hearts.
Voter Turnout High
in Virginia
By Scott Galindez
Election officials are reporting long lines in Virginia. One election chair in Arlington, Virginia, is considering asking for voting to be extended past 7 p.m. Long lines in Northern Virginia are good news for James Webb.
Northern Virginia has a growing population of which most analysts say a majority is Democratic. Also, Webb is the former Secretary of the Navy, and Northern Virginia has a large military population.
Tester Lead Expands
With Nearly All Votes Counted
The Great Falls Tribune
Tuesday 07 November 2006
With 99 percent of the ballots counted statewide, Democrat Jon Tester held a narrow lead over incumbent Republican Sen. Conrad Burns at 7 a.m. this morning.
Tester's edge widened after the final unofficial votes from Yellowstone County came in about 6:45 a.m.
Tester had 194,194 votes, or 49 percent, to 193,179 votes for Burns, or 49 percent. Libertarian Stan Jones had 10,166, or 3 percent.
Blackwell Defeated,
Democrats Gaining Ground
By David Espo
The Associated Press
Tuesday 07 November 2006
Washington - Resurgent Democrats elected governors in Ohio and Massachusetts for the first time in more than a decade Tuesday and challenged Republicans for control of Congress in midterm elections shaped by an unpopular war in Iraq and scandal at home.
All 435 House seats were on the ballot along with 33 Senate races, elections that Democrats sought to make a referendum on the president's handling of the war, the economy and more.
In Ohio, Rep. Ted Strickland defeated Republican Ken Blackwell with ease to become the state's first Democratic governor in 16 years. Deval Patrick triumphed over Republican Kerry Healey in Massachusetts, and will become the state's first black chief executive.
Voters in Vermont made Rep. Bernie Sanders, an independent, the winner in a Senate race, succeeding retiring Sen. James Jeffords. Brooklyn-born with an accent to match, Sanders is an avowed Socialist who will side with Democrats when he is sworn into office in January.
Surveys of voters at their polling places nationwide suggested Democrats were winning the support of independents by a margin of almost 2-to-1, and middle-class voters were leaving Republicans behind.
Exit Polls Show
Democrats Favored
By David Espo
The Associated Press
Tuesday 07 November 2006
Washington - Democrats challenged Republicans for control of Congress during President Bush's final two years in office Tuesday in elections shadowed by an unpopular war in Iraq and scandal at home. Thirty-six states elected governors, from Maine to California.
All 435 House seats were on the ballot along with 33 Senate races, elections that Democrats sought to make a referendum on the president's handling of the war, the economy and more.
Maryland GOP
Recruits Homeless to Distribute Misleading Fliers on Dems
By Ernesto Londo
The Washington Post
Tuesday 07 November 2006
Inaccurate sample ballots describing Republican Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Senate candidate Michael S. Steele as Democrats were handed out to voters in at least four polling sites in Prince George's County this morning.
The ballots were distributed by people who said they arrived by buses this morning from Pennsylvania and Delaware.
To read full story click here.
Poll Workers
Struggle With Vote Machines
By Anick Jesdanun
Associated Press
Tuesday November 07 5006
Programming errors and inexperience dealing with electronic voting machines frustrated poll workers in hundreds of precincts Tuesday, delaying voters in several states and leaving some with little choice but to use paper ballots instead.
In some states, there were allegations of something more sinister: Virginia election officials called in the FBI to investigate misleading phone calls to voters, and a prosecutor in Ohio urged voters to beware of similar scams.
To read full story click here.
Kentucky Poll
Worker Charged With Assault
The Associated Press
Tuesday 07 November 2006
Louisville, Ky. - A poll worker was arrested Tuesday and charged with assault and interfering with an election for allegedly choking a voter and pushing the voter out the door, an official said.
Election officials called police, and the voter wanted to file charges, said Paula McCraney, a spokeswoman for the Jefferson County Clerk.
Click here for the complete article.
Voters Experiencing
Difficulty With New Machines
The Associated Press and KDKA
Tuesday 07 November 2006
Pittsburgh - The polls are open, but voting machine problems have been reported at several polling places in Allegheny County.
County elections officials are not saying what's wrong or how long it will take to fix the problems.
Click here for the complete article.
Democrats Call
for Federal Probe Over GOP "Robocalling"
By Jason Leopold
t r u t h o u t | Report
Tuesday 07 November 2006
Democratic congressmen John Conyers and John Dingell called for a federal investigation late Monday evening into a last minute ploy by Republicans to swing the midterm election by inundating registered Democrats with harassing prerecorded telephone calls trashing the candidates they intend to vote for.
In a letter sent Monday evening to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Federal Communications Commission chairman Kevin Martin, and Michael Toner, chairman of the Federal Election Commission, Conyers and Dingell questioned the legality of a tactic known as "robocalling," in which voters are led to believe calls are coming from a Democratic Senate or Congressional candidate in a certain district, but they actually generate from the Republican challenger or incumbent.
Click here for the complete article.
ID Rules, Machines
Early Voting Problems
By Anick Jesdanun
The Associated Press
Tuesday 07 November 2006
Electronic voting machine problems frazzled voters and election workers in dozens of precincts as the polls opened Tuesday, delaying voters in Indiana and Ohio and leaving some in Florida with little choice but turn to paper ballots instead.
In Cleveland, voters rolled their eyes as poll workers fumbled with new voting machines that they couldn't get to start properly.
Click here for the complete article.
Virginia: FBI Looks
Into Voter Intimidation
By Jeff E. Schapiro
The Richmond Times Dispatch
Tuesday 07 November 2006
The FBI is looking into possible voter intimidation in Virginia's hard-fought U.S. Senate contest between Republican incumbent George Allen and Democrat Jim Webb.
Just ahead of today's election, state officials alerted the U.S. Justice Department to several complaints of suspicious phone calls to voters about where they cast ballots and their preferences for the Senate.
Click here for the complete article.
Voter Protection
Resources
By Katrina vanden Heuvel
The Nation
Monday 06 November 2006
With the need for democracy promotion at home all to clear - particularly voter protection in the face of new Jim Crow-like suppression tactics - many groups are responding to the call to make the elections clean and fair. Here is a short list of Election Day resources available to voters - print it, copy it, forward it, use it. Let's make sure every vote is counted and the results reflect the will of the people.
National Voter Assistance Hotline: 1-866-Our-Vote
Click here for the complete article.
How To Avoid
Trouble on Election Day
The Associated Press
Sunday 05 November 2006
If you have problems on Tuesday, preparation and patience will help ensure your vote counts.
Are you ready for Election Day 2006?
Election Day, this year, is also the deadline for nearly all of the reforms mandated by the Help America Vote Act, the sweeping overhaul of the nation's antiquated voting machinery that was enacted after the ballot breakdown of 2000.
Click here for the complete article.