Dejected Dems cry on House floor

Boo Hoo!

The Hill: Dejected Democrats wiped away tears on the House floor Monday night while Republicans congratulated themselves on winning back control of the lower chamber.

House members returned to the nation's capital for the first time since Republicans captured the House two weeks ago.

Freshman Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.), who lost her reelection bid, wiped away tears as she hugged fellow members of the class of 2008, many of whom lost on Nov. 2.

Less than three feet away, ousted Nevada freshman Rep. Dina Titus (D) appeared to brush away some tears in a less obvious manner. [MORE]

Oh, my poor heart aches … NOT! After two years of crapping on the will of the people, these folks are shedding tears? They can drown in a river of tear for all I care.

Kick it, Ella!

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Hill

Palin writes an open letter to Republican Freshmen

Sarah Palin’s latest Facebook note is an open letter to Republican freshmen.  In her letter she gives these freshmen some very sound advice.  I really liked these two points:

The Hill: "Republicans campaigned on a promise to rein in out-of-control government spending and to repeal and replace the massive, burdensome, and unwanted health care law President Obama and the Democrat Congress passed earlier this year in defiance of the will of the majority of the American people," Palin wrote. "These are promises that you must keep."[…]

Remember that some in the media will love you when you stray from the time-tested truths that built America into the most exceptional nation on earth. When the Left in the media pat you on the back, quickly reassess where you are and readjust, for the liberals' praise is a warning bell you must heed. Trust me on that.

I think Republican freshmen would do well to heed this advice, especially the second one.  How many Republicans are susceptible to positive press? John McCain immediately comes to my mind! 

I don’t envy any of the Tea Party candidates.  They have an extremely narrow path to walk and for new kids in town the pressure from the old Washington crowd must be great.  Like you, I will no doubt be keeping my eyes open for who strays or who stays true.  We should all send letters of encouragement when these members stay true.  Let them know the people who sent them there has their backs.

You can read Palin’s entire letter here and follow the discussion at Memeorandum here.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Hill

Via: Sarah Palin’s Facebook page

It is beginning to look a lot like Murkowski

The counting of the Alaska write in ballots is underway and thus far it looks like Lisa Murkowski’s lead will hold. I have to say Joe Miller’s attempts to cut down that vote are not looking very positive to me.  Challenging slight misspellings or other picayune mistakes doesn’t really fit the whole Tea Party feel to me.

I think the big question now is just how much of team player will Lisa Murkowski be when she wins.  If the story below is any indication, I think Republicans should not count on too much support from Murkowski.

The Hill:  If Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) is interested in apologizing to Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R), he'll have to make the first move, Murkowski said Friday. 

The Alaska senator, who appears poised to win reelection as a write-in GOP candidate for Senate, suggested she's not eager to reach out to DeMint, who backed her challenger Joe Miller in the Alaska Senate race. 

DeMint, who has said he and Murkowski might have "some making up to do" if she wins reelection, would have to act first. 

"He has suggested that he's got some making up to do," Murkowski told CNN's "John King, USA" in an interview to air this evening. "I'll let him make that first move."

Murkowski's terse response underscores the relationship she might end up having with DeMint, whose Senate Conservatives Fund backed Republican candidate Miller against Murkowski in the general election. Miller, like several other candidates DeMint had backed this cycle, beat incumbent or establishment GOP candidates in primary battles this year. 

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Alaska Daily News

Via: Slate

Via: The Hill

Joe Miller sues for exact spelling on write in votes

ADN: JUNEAU – GOP nominee Joe Miller is asking a federal judge to keep the state from using discretion in counting write-in ballots in Alaska’s hotly contested Senate race.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday, comes the day before election officials planned to begin counting write-in ballots that could determine the outcome of the race.

Miller’s attorney, Thomas Van Flein, said the campaign is seeking a hearing on the matter as early as Wednesday afternoon.

A spokesman for the state Department of Law said he hadn’t yet seen the lawsuit and couldn’t immediately comment.

Miller’s rival, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, waged a write-in campaign after losing the primary to Miller.

Initial returns, including thousands of absentee ballots tallied Tuesday, showed write-ins maintaining a lead over Miller. However, it’s unclear how many of those write-in votes are for Murkowski or were properly cast for her.

Election law calls for write-in ballots to have the oval filled in and either the candidate’s last name or name as it appears on a declaration of candidacy written in. But election officials, pointing to prior case law, have said they plan to use discretion, in consultation with a state attorney, when it comes to misspellings or variations of Murkowski’s name.

While I am not crazy about disenfranchising anyone’s vote because of a misspelling, I can see were vote counters can use their “discretion” to allow all sorts of creative spellings. What is needed in this instance is a clear set of guidelines to determine what is or is not an acceptable spelling for Lisa Murkowski’s name.

What America sorely needs is some tighter controls on voting. Every election it seems like we are regressing into some dysfunctional hodgepodge with selective recounts, ballots “found” at the last minute and court determined outcomes.  I really don’t think things will improve until we all demand some sort of uniform integrity standards that both voters and voter counters must adhere too.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Alaska Daily News

Chris Christie: Delaware “missed opportunity” for the Senate

Associated Press: WASHINGTON (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie says the Senate race in Delaware was "a missed opportunity" for his fellow Republicans to pick up the seat long held by Democrat Joe Biden.

Tea party favorite Christine O'Donnell won the GOP nomination in an upset over moderate Rep. Mike Castle. But she lost the general election Tuesday to Democrat Chris Coons.

Christie says he was proud to have endorsed Castle.

O'Donnell ran a nontraditional campaign that opened with a TV ad saying "I'm not a witch." National Republicans had hoped the race would help them win the majority in the Senate.

Christie told NBC's "Meet the Press" that "I think Delaware was a missed opportunity to have a really good U.S. senator." 

I am going to have to disagree with my governor on this one.   First, Christine O’Donnell was a weak candidate.  Sorry to say it but it is true.  As a Tea Party candidate, the left, the GOP establishment and the media was going to play pile on.  We saw it time and time again throughout this election.  So, when Christine O’Donnell’s turn for the assault came along, she should have been prepared. She simply could not handle the onslaught.

That being said, Mike Castle was the wrong man for the times.  From now to 2012 Republicans are going to have to face some very tough votes in order to bring spending and the deficit under control.  In order to pull that off, every Republican and a few Democrats will be needed in the Senate.  Time and time again, we have seen liberal Republicans like Mike Castle, foil GOP plans by failing to live up to conservative principles.  Both Republicans and the nation cannot afford such fickleness now.

So while Chris Christie may believe that it is important to have another R on the team, the reality is that the quality of the R’s in the senate matter more. 

Perhaps a strong willed man like Chris Christie could keep wayward senate Republicans in check; but I have little faith in Mitch McConnell doing so.

You can see the full video of Chris Christie on Meet the Press at The Right Scoop.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: Associated Press

Via: The Right Scoop

Would President Hillary have done better in 2010?

Dana Milbank opines in the Washington Post today the question that must be on the minds of every Democrat; “Would we be better off under a President Hillary Clinton?” 

The Washington Post: As I sat in the East Room last week watching a forlorn President Obama account for his shellacking, I listened with concern as he described the presidency as a "growth process" and suggested that the midterm setback was somehow inevitable. "You know, this is something that I think every president needs to go through," he said.

It brought to mind Hillary Clinton's 3 a.m. phone-call ad from the 2008 campaign, and her withering criticism of Obama: "When there is a crisis . . . there's no time for speeches or on-the-job training." I wondered whether Democrats would be in the fix they're in if they had chosen a different standard-bearer. [MORE]

Milbank seems to think that Hillary would have been better for the Democrats and I tend to agree but for different reasons. 


If you recall the primaries of 2008, there was microscopic difference between Obama and Hillary on the issues.  So, in term of policy, I don’t think Hillary would have followed that different of a track.  I think the big difference would have been how she handled health care.


Hillary still would have had to pass health care reform.  Socialized medicine has been the left’s wet dream for decades and with full control of the government, not passing it would have been the sin of sins.  Where Hillary would have done better was dealing with the reaction.  The Clintons would never have completely ignored the resistance the way Obama did.  Hillary and Bill would have found some way to sugar coat the process so that anger was kept to a minimum.  Much of the fuel behind the Tea Party was Obama and the Democrats' complete lack of respect for the will of the people.


In the end, a President Hillary would have lost seats too because these left wing policies are the wrong prescription for the times. However, I don’t think the losses would have been of the same magnitude.  Hillary and Bill are political animals of the first order.  They would not have allowed opposition to them to build so strongly. 


Hillary would also have a better chance at smoothing things over after the loss. Just like Bill, she would have quickly become Republican Lite to set herself up for 2012, because the Clintons put their own political survival over ideology and party. 


Via: Memeorandum
Via: The Washington Post

Obama tells 60 Minutes: The Shellacking was due to a failure to communicate

CBS News: "There is this feeling, Particularly among people who are among your most ardent supporters, who feel a little disappointed that they think that you’ve lost your mojo. That you’ve lost your ability, that touch you had during the campaign, to inspire and lead. Everybody in Washington writes about a sort of aloofness that you have. How do you respond to that?" Kroft asked. 

"You know, I think that over the course of two years we were so busy and so focused on getting a bunch of stuff done that we stopped paying attention to the fact that leadership isn’t just legislation. That it's a matter of persuading people. And giving them confidence and bringing them together. And setting a tone. And making an argument that people can understand. And I think that we haven’t always been successful at that," Obama replied. 

"And I take personal responsibility for that. And it's something that I've got to examine carefully as I go forward. You know, now I will say that when it comes to some of my supporters, some of my Democratic supporters who express some frustration," the president added. 

This is so typical of so many lefties.  They absolutely refuse to blame their policies for failure.  They would rather conclude the absurd (like we are all too stupid to understand) before they blame their policies.

The Shellacking was not a result of Obama failing to communicate his policies to the uneducated masses. The only failure in communication was Obama and the Democrats failing to hear the public shout “NO MAS”!  For crying out loud, Obama was in our faces daily as he and the Democrats went about shoving ObamaCare down our throats.  Obama was on every media imaginable, the only stone left unturned was the Vulcan Mind Meld (and that too would have been met with the same resounding NO)!  Yet, here he is today trying to say he did not communicate his policies? Give me a break!

If Obama sticks to this script for the next two years and Nancy Pelosi becomes Minority Speaker, Shellacking 2.0 will be in the bag.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: CBS News

Fox News election coverage vs. MSNBC

The results are in and not only did Fox crush the competition (again), lefty critics are saying Fox’s election coverage was “fair and balanced”.

Mediaite: But don’t just take our word for it, read what other media critics had to say. Writing for Time’s Tuned In blog James Poniewozik seemed to agree that Fox News was fairer than the lot:

To be fair, NBC did join coverage earlier, after an all-new Biggest Loser.) Fox News, for all its image as the Republican-friendly network, actually seemed to have the most reserved coverage in tone of the three big cablers, going with a more reserved set and less flashy graphics (granted, by cable news standards) than its competitors. A whiteboard was even employed.

Credit where due, Fox also had a more, well, balanced panel much of the night than its competitor MSNBC. Holding forth from left of center for Fox were the recently-high-profile Juan Williams and Democratic political guru Joe Trippi. MSNBC’s main lineup, on the other hand, was basically its center-to-left lineup of nightly hosts: Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell.

Politico also drew a similar distinction between the coverage and analysis provided by MSNBC and Fox News:

Although Fox News took the most criticism during this campaign season for its alleged bias, it was MSNBC — whose new “Lean Forward” tagline inspired CNN’s promo — that wore its point of view most on its sleeve Tuesday night.

MSNBC’s election coverage was led by a panel comprised mostly of its opinionated prime-time hosts (Keith Olbermann, Chris Matthews, Rachel Maddow and Lawrence O’Donnell, along with frequent contributor Eugene Robinson), with nary a conservative voice in the mix. In contrast, Fox News’s was provided by two anchors from its straight-news dayside, Megyn Kelly and Bret Baier, along with a panel that included conservatives like Karl Rove as well as liberals like Juan Williams. Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity stopped by only briefly.

During the commercials on Fox, I would flip to MSNBC and CNN.  On CNN, I thought I was watching the morning commute on the NYC subways.  Their studio was jammed packed with pundits.  It was impossible to tell what was going on there. 

On MSNBC, it was like watching a bunch of teens talking smack in the locker room, complete with dick jokes.

This is news? This isn’t even decent commentary.  What this is is sour grapes on steroids!  If MSNBC really wants to live up to their new “lean forward” motto, they might start by ditching these pathetic clowns for some more credible personalities.  There are lefties out there that know how to make sane and credible arguments as well as conduct themselves in a professional manner.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: TV By The Numbers

Via: Mediaite

Via: The Daily Beast

Obama’s Press Conference on the Midterm Elections

I just got through watching Obama’s press conference on the results of the midterm elections. CSPAN has the full video here.  In short, I am not convinced he heard the message loud and clear (if at all).

First what is this nonsense about the American people want Democrats and Republicans to work together?  Scores of Republicans and a few Democrats were elected last night because they ran in complete defiance to the Obama/ Pelosi/ Reid agenda. That doesn’t sound like a cry for bipartisanship to me. It does sound like a wholesale rejection of the very policies Obama pushed.

All of Obama’s talk of working with Republicans sounded just like all the empty rhetoric we have heard over the last two years.  From the Q and A portion, I got the distinct feeling that Obama will continue to do what he has been doing. That is to make a half ass effort to embrace tiny aspects of the conservative agenda and try to pawn that off as bipartisanship. 

Even while admitting that he and the Dems took a “shellacking”, Obama continued to reject the notion that his policies are a complete loser with the American people.  As the full scope of Dem losses set in and the inevitable Dem infighting begins, perhaps Obama will realize the need to change course.  From what I saw today, I have to say I have my doubts.

Via: CSPAN

Via: Real Clear Politics Video

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Mark Kirk, Harry Reid and Barney Frank victories

Bittersweet: Mark Kirk wins Obama’s old senate seat

While I am tickled pink that Obama’s old senate seat went to Republicans, I hate that it went to one of the Cap and Tax 8.  With six years ahead of him, I hold little hope that Mark Kirk will follow conservative principles.  Look for this bozo to be the fly in the ointment over the next few years.

Harry Reid survives

Harry Reid lives to fight another day.  We will now have six more years of this pipsqueak elitist. Of all the races I wanted Democrats to lose, this was the one.  Oh, well there is always 2012 to make Harry minority leader of the Senate.

Sharron Angle has nothing to be ashamed of.  She came out of nowhere and gave one of the most powerful Democrats a serious run for the money. 

Barney Frank survives too

If there is anyone who deserved to be shown the door, it was Barney Frank.  So much of our mortgage mess with Fannie and Freddie can be laid at Barney Frank’s feet.  Shame on you Massachusetts! This nasty gasbag should have been shown the door decades ago.

Via: Chicago Sun Times

Via: Fox News

Via: Boston Globe

Black Conservatives Tim Scott (SC) and Allen West (FL) win!

Thank you South Carolina and thank you Florida for sending two very strong black conservatives to the US House of Representatives.  I hope that this will be a new trend that will start to reverse the strangle hold of leftist and their failed policies on the black community.

Via: The Slate

Via: Palm Beach Daily News

Lessons not learned: Barbara Boxer and Jerry Brown win

Given how tight these races were I am not surprised Boxer and Brown won. California has to learn its lesson the hard way.  Both Boxer and Brown have zilch for changing California’s slide into the abyss.

My dear friend Left Coast Rebel will have his work cut out for him for the next couple of years.  Hey, LCR I have several renovated rooms at my house here in sane New Jersey for both you and the Mrs., think about it!

Via: LA Times

Nikki Haley wins!

Chalk up another victory for Team Palin’s Mama Grizzlies. I think we can look at Nikki Haley’s campaign as a possible blueprint on how Sarah Palin herself might be able to win against uber nasty lefty attacks.

I am glad to see Haley win.  She went through fire of really nasty attacks but stood firm. She truly earned her victory.


Via: LA Times

Joe Manchin wins

Republican dreams of winning the Senate are pretty much up in smokes with Manchin win and O’Donnell and Mahon losses.  What is interesting is that Joe Manchin won by running like a stone cold Republican. Just look at this ad, does this look like an Obama Democrat?  If this is the only way for Democrats to win in this new political climate, then I would have to say the age of Obama is dead.

Going forward, I will be watching Manchin to see if he will keep with his conservative message or if he will just be another Democrat in the machine.

Bye-Bye Alan Grayson

Thank you again Florida.  This clown desperately needed to be shown the door. Grayson went off a cliff trying to appeal the very far left with his over the top ad. Thankfully, that ad bit him in the butt and we won’t have to see his ugly mug in 2011.

I would look for this guy to be big trouble during the lame duck session.  He looks like he eats sour grapes for breakfast.

Crash and Burn: Christine O’Donnell and Linda McMahon lose

Fox News just called loses for Christine O’Donnell and Linda McMahon.  Sadly, I am not surprised by O’Donnell’s defeat.  Despite early chatter today that the Coons campaign was worried about turnout, O’Donnell lost.  I have to admit, I am not surprised. The media swung against her hard, so did the Republican establishment.  O’Donnell did not do enough to salvage her image and the image of her being Queen of the Crazies stuck.

Unlike other Tea Party candidates that the media tried to paint as extreme, O’Donnell did not have the luxury of time to clean up her image. She did not work hard or fast enough to clean up that image. Her getting snagged in the First Amendment flap did not help. The blame of this loss belongs to both the O’Donnell campaign and the GOP establishment (I am talking to you Karl Rove).

Regarding Linda McMahon, Connecticut has made a huge mistake.  Blumenthal is just going to rubber stamp national Democrats plans. Good Grief, this guy’s answer about how to create jobs should have been enough to tell voters not to vote for him.   Connecticut will have to learn their lesson the hard way.

Welcome Senator Rubio!

Fox News just called the Florida senate race for Tea Party candidate Marco Rubio.  Thank you Florida! Now can you please give us Congressman Allen West? 

Return of the New Black Panthers in Philly

Some quick comments on this guy.

1. 1.   I cannot believe anyone from the New Black Panther party would be stupid enough to show up at the exact same polling place that made them infamous over the last two years.
2. 2.    This dude ain’t the least bit scary.  I doubt I would have even noticed him if he was standing outside my polling place.
3. 3.   Best way to handle a clown like him in the future, ridicule!  Laugh him off, tell him exactly what a joke you think him and his leftist fellows are.

Many people were rightfully alarmed by the two New Black Panther members in 2008. But this guy is clearly not the same thing.  I take it as an indication that the far left is in retreat.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: My Fox Philadelphia 

Winners: Dan Coats (IN) and Jim DeMint (SC)

ABC News called wins for Dan Coats and Jim DeMint.  Coats is the first turnover of the night.  One down, nine to go for Republicans to take over the Senate. 

As for Jim DeMint, is anyone surprised by this race being called so early?

Via: ABC News

That’s Senator Rand Paul to you

I just heard on Fox News that Rand Paul has won the Kentucky senate race.  They are calling the race with less than 10% of the vote counted.  That must mean Rand had a blow out night.  Rand becomes the first Tea Party candidate to enter the Senate. 

If this is a trend this will be a very early night.