Posted by FleshPresser at 1:15 PM /
Posted by FleshPresser at 1:14 PM /
As anticipated, Jon Tester has been declared the winner in the Montana Senate race, leaving only Virginia outstanding.
Have I mentioned how beautiful this day has been?
Posted by FleshPresser at 2:25 AM /
Late Night Update - PTF Predicts Senate Switches Hands!
McCaskill has claimed victory and Talent has conceded in Missouri, adding another notch in the Democrats win column.
Jim Webb's lead has expanded - now to the point that a recount will not automatically take place. Allen would have to request the recount, and pay for it - if the current lead holds up.
Magical Senate Seat Number Six needed for Democrats to take over leadership of the Senate belongs to Jon Tester, whose lead will hold up over Conrad Burns in Montana, I believe.
Combine these wins with the earlier wins in the evening, and the Democrats take control of the Senate. Even if the Democrat don't actually take control, they hold a VERY strong position in the Senate with 49 seats and control of the House of Representatives - the majority in the House will probably be somewhere around 239 or so by the end of the election.
There are those who believed that this election would be an election throwing out incumbents. They were wrong. This was an election about throwing out Republicans, very specifically.
This is a shift in power of epic proportions, and ANYONE who thinks that the American public has not spoken with a loud and clear voice is clearly smoking something very, very strong.
Have a nice morning, Dubya.
Posted by FleshPresser at 12:58 AM /
Pennsylvania. Ohio. Rhode Island. All Democratic Senate pick-ups.
The House of Representatives switches hands to Democratic leadership.
As of the moment (around 1:00AM), Tester is leading in Montana, Webb leads in Virginia, and McCaskill is ahead in Missouri.
Speaking of Virginia, it's been reported that over 33,000 absentee votes have yet to be counted in Fairfax County, an area of Northern Virginia that will probably break at around 80-20 in favor of Webb. As the recount kicks in, watch how familiar the Republican cry of "every vote counts" will sound. What was it that Republicans called Democrats back in 2000? Something like sore losers, or crybabies, right? How does is feel, Republicans? I bet you feel like counting votes now.
America has spoken and accountability has been restored.
It's a beautiful day!!!
More news and analysis later in the morning!
Posted by FleshPresser at 12:36 AM /
I couldn't be prouder to be a PA voter today!!!!!!
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Posted by FleshPresser at 3:28 PM /
Well, it all comes down to today.... Will Democrats be able to motivate American anger and dissatisfaction with "staying the course" into mobilized voters across the country? Will the GOP be able to get out their own vote, despite fractures within their own party? Will they be able to motivate their usual ace in the pocket - the Religious Right - despite stories like Foley and Haggard?
Tonight, all questions will be answered... hopefully.
I hope EVERYONE reading this tonight - regardless of political affiliation - gets out to vote today. Imagine how many people would complain if our right to vote were suddenly taken away? EVERYONE would want to vote then. And yet, millions of Americans take this vital American right for granted.
Don't be one of them. Vote. Don't let anyone tell you that your single vote doesn't count. Take a look at MY story, and think twice before you assume that your vote won't make a difference.
While I'll be at a final dress rehearsal for the show I'm directing tonight, feel free to check back later in the evening - I'll be live-blogging results and analysis as soon as I'm able. In addition, I'll be sitting in on a live chat with some political junkie friends over at Modern Fabulousity, so come chat with us as the results come in!
Officially, for the record, here's my prediction for tonight's results. Democrats will pick up 22 seats in the House, and five seats in the Senate.
Here's a short list of the timeline (Eastern Standard Time - sorry to all my readers from elsewhere) for tonight, with regard to the schedule of races to watch tonight. (I'm focusing on the Senate races here, because I personally believe that it's a given that the House will convert to Democratic leadership by mid-evening - watch races in Indiana and Kentucky for confirmation of this):
7:00PM - Polls close in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia. At this point, the Virginia Senate race between Webb and Allen will be the one to watch.
7:30PM - Polls close in Ohio and West Virginia. While Robert Byrd is assured victory, the Senate race with DeWine and Brown will be much, much closer. By this point, if Ohio and Virginia become Democratic pick-ups, you have my permission to uncork the champagne early - I doubt, however, that these races will be won by a large enough margin to forecast a winner this early.
8:00PM - This is the big hour. Polls close in Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. Six big Senate races get decided here. In Connecticut, watch Lieberman and Lamont. The race in Maryland for the open seat - Steele versus Cardin - won't be as close as people had originally thought. A MUCH closer race will finish in the Missouri Senate race with McCaskill and Talent. New Jersey's unanticipated horse race between Kean and Menendez will be decided. Pennsylvania's polls close, and Casey and PA Dems will be able to officially celebrate kicking Rick Santorum out of office. Last, but certainly not least, Tennessee's Senate race between Corker and Ford will come to an end. Harold Ford, in my opinion, has run the BEST campaign of ANYONE this year - Republican or Democrat - let's hope he's rewarded with a history-making victory.
8:30PM - While attention will more than likely still be focusing on results from the 8:00PM polls, which will remain too close to call for quite a while, polls officially close in Arkansas and North Carolina.
9:00PM - The earlier races will more than likely still not be called yet, but polls close in Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraka, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. Sheldon Whitehouse will be able to begin his victory celebration over Lincoln Chafee almost instantly. Not to be forgotten on the House side, however, is the TX-22 race in Texas - the official end to Tom DeLay, as Nick Lampson declares victory over the write-in replacement for The Broken Hammer.
10:00PM - Polls close in Iowa, Montana, Nevada and Utah. Montana is the Senate race to watch here, with Tester running a great campaign against incumbent Conrad Burns. A nice "dark-horse" surprise might be a Jack Carter victory in Nevada, but don't count on it.
11:00PM - Polls officially close on the West Coast in California, Hawaii, Idaho, North Dakota, Oregon and Washington. By this time, however, it should become clear which way both the House and the Senate have gone.
So, there's the line-up. We'll be back later in the evening with more news, analysis and results as we receive them.
Now, GO VOTE.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Your Five-Minute Task for Nov. 6th- Take Back The Capitol!
There's not too much more that can happen in the next 24 huors or so.... or so you think.
A few last minute reminders for tomorrow:
* PLAN YOUR DAY - schedule TODAY when you're going to vote tomorrow. Don't assume you'll have time.... plan to vote before work, during a lunch break, after work - anytime. BUt make sure you plan time to DO IT. This election is far too important - a phrase that has been well-overused, but I can't think of a more important mid-term election in our lifetime.
* TAKE A FRIEND - a colleague, family member, co-worker, or anyone else - take them with you to vote. Consider it your own "Get Out The Vote" effort.
* BE AWARE OF PROBLEMS - If you think there might have been a problem with your vote or at your polling place, call 1-888-DEMVOTE to report the incident immediately.
For those who don't believe that the Democrats have a plan of action, remind them of the following plan that is redily accessible from any number of sources online:
Democrats have set the following priorities:
* Increase attention given to emerging terrorist threats in Africa and Southeast Asia and devote more resources to North Korea and Iran;
* Boost security for rail and mass transit systems;
* Allow the Medicare program to negotiate directly with drug companies for lower prices. Pass a vetoed embryonic stem cell research bill again. Require insurance companies to provide benefits for treating mental illnesses;
* Increase education-based tax breaks. Close the so-called $345 billion tax gap, the estimated amount that people and companies owe but avoid paying each year;
* More incentives for biodiesel, ethanol and other alternative fuels as well as wind, solar, geothermal and other sources.
And that's just a beginning. In short, when asked what the "Democratic Plan" is, you can let people know that Democrats stand for HONEST GOVERNMENT, REAL SECURITY, ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, ECONOMIC PROSPERITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE, RETIREMENT SECURITY, PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT, CIVIL RIGHTS AND JUSTICE, and ELECTION REFORM.
When people throw out to you that the Democratic plan is simply a "tax and spend" plan, remind them of two things. First, you can quote from this report from the Cato Institute: President Bush has presided over the largest overall increase in inflation-adjusted federal spending since Lyndon B. Johnson. Even after excluding spending on defense and homeland security, Bush is still the biggest-spending president in 30 years. His 2006 budget doesn’t cut enough spending to change his place in history, either.
Second, Democrats will not RAISE taxes. They may adjust or repeal tax cuts for the richest Americans, but this is vastly more responsible than creating federally-funded programs, spending like no other President, and then not taking fiscal responsibility for those actions.
Total government spending grew by 33 percent during Bush’s first term. The federal budget as a share of the economy grew from 18.5 percent of GDP on Clinton’s last day in office to 20.3 percent by the end of Bush’s first term.
The Republican Congress has enthusiastically assisted the budget bloat. Inflation-adjusted spending on the combined budgets of the 101 largest programs they vowed to eliminate in 1995 has grown by 27 percent.
Finally, simply keep in mind what has transpired over the last years of Republican-led government if you still don't believe that your vote is important tomorrow. Or instead, let's borrow this copy of Top Ten Reasons To Vote Republican:
1. Vote Republican If You Think It's A Good Idea To Put Detailed Atom Bomb Plans On The Internet For Anyone To See
2. Vote Republican If You Want To Stay The Course In Iraq
3. Vote Republican If You Think The President Should Get Advice On Gay-Bashing From A Pastor Who Secretly Bangs Male Prostitutes
4. Vote Republican If You Think The Best Way To Deal With A Child Predator Is To Cover Your Own Ass
5. Vote Republican If You Hate The Military
6. Vote Republican If You Like People Who'll Say Literally Anything To Get Elected
7. Vote Republican If You Think The Best Way To Answer A Tough Question Is To Have Your Questioner Beaten Up
8. Vote Republican If You Think That Laws Are For Other People
9. Vote Republican If You Think It's Cool For Congressmen To Pay Their Mistresses To Keep Quiet Until After Election Day
10. Vote Republican If You Still Think That This Crew In Congress Isn't The Most Corrupt, Hypocritical, Useless Bunch Of Asshats You've Ever Seen In Your Life
Posted by FleshPresser at 4:13 PM /
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Posted by FleshPresser at 11:49 PM /
We Interrupt These Politics....
.. to just mention the OTHER thing I've been working on for the last several months, which is about to culminate later this week.
I am currently directing a production of Mary Zimmerman's METAMORPHOSES and we open on Thursday, November 9th. I have been running a separate blog about the experience, and I invite you to check it out to get more details about the show.
You can also read more about our production via a WONDERFUL article that appeared in today's Morning Call. Check it out if you get the chance.
There are very few times that a director has the opportunity to take a show that he visualizes in his head, and see it come fully to fruition on stage. METAMORPHOSES, however, has done that for me, and I would encourage to you to come see it if you're in the area.
We now return you to the 48-hour political countdown, already in progress.....
Friday, November 03, 2006
Posted by FleshPresser at 12:18 AM /
Earn $100 - The Not-So-Easy Way
Hat tip to AmericaBlog for pointing this great video out - it's a great way to illustrate the need to take back the Congress next Tuesday!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Posted by FleshPresser at 5:51 PM /
Will The Carpet Match The Drapes?
Yup... measuring the drapes... that's what they're doing. According to the President, then, Americans are not looking for substantial change in Washington - just decorating changes. As much as Bush wants it to not be true, Americans ARE favoring Democrats in the upcoming election.
The funniest thing about this video is not the President using the same rhetorical device over and over again. What's funny is watching the process by which anything that comes out of the President's mouth immediately channels itself immediately into the megaphone of the GOP machine. Here, the example is rather innocent... but it shows exactly how mindlessly and automatically the machine operates.
Time to dismantle the machine.
