Republican Scott Brown won Ted Kennedy's old Senate seat in Massachusetts. So let the finger pointing begin. And it most assuredly has. Democrats awoke this morning to see a political landscape altered in several ways. The most evident and constantly mentioned: Democrats will no longer have a filibuster-proof majority which in these days of supermajorities means either … [Read more...] about Obama Under Fire as Finger Pointing Begins After Scott Brown’s Massachusetts Win
The GOP Love Affair with Scott Brown Will Be a Short Fling
Have you caught the FEVAH?!? It's sweeping the nation right now, and in an explosive fashion if my Twitter feed and e-mail inbox are even remotely reliable indicators. I'm speaking, of course, of Scott Brown Fever. He's the darling of the dance, the belle of the ball and the newest rock star on the national GOP stage all rolled into one. He's the David who slew Goliath on his … [Read more...] about The GOP Love Affair with Scott Brown Will Be a Short Fling
Back to the Healthcare Drawing Board
There have been many efforts throughout time to make major changes in the laws of this country and the culture of its people in a short amount of time. I have found none that succeeded. Laws relating to civil rights, labor and workplace safety, environmental, and income taxes all took decades to come to fruition. They were all step by step processes. Even the stock market … [Read more...] about Back to the Healthcare Drawing Board
Of ‘Eco-activist’, ‘Eco-bore’ & ‘Eco-nag’
Environmentalists who devote their time in a self-less manner towards making this earth more sustainable, have been in spotlight for quite a while now. This reflects their genuine concern, and also consideration for the coming generations. As Mahatma Gandhi put it succinctly: "There is enough for everyone's need; but not enough for everyone's greed." However, there are also … [Read more...] about Of ‘Eco-activist’, ‘Eco-bore’ & ‘Eco-nag’
A Pattern?
There is much rejoicing or rending of garments in the political world at the moment, depending on one’s partisan persuasion (anyone with an active Twitter/Facebook feed can no doubt attest to this fact, not that it isn’t obvious from a variety of other sources). As per a discussion in the comment section of one of my posts comes the question of whether we have enough evidence … [Read more...] about A Pattern?
Cartoonists On Scott Brown Massachusetts Senate Victory
Cartoonists have started to weigh in on Republican Scott Brown's politically-consequential victory yesterday in Massachusetts in the race for the late Ted Kennedy's old senate seat. Here are three: The People's Seat: Eric Allie, Caglecartoons.com Obama's Sabotage: Gary McCoy, Cagle Cartoons Senator-elect Scott Brown: Taylor Jones, … [Read more...] about Cartoonists On Scott Brown Massachusetts Senate Victory
Massachusetts: The People Have Spoken, All Hail the People
Regardless of your outlook in the wake of Massachusetts' special election -- whether you're celebrating Senator-elect Scott Brown's victory, mourning State AG Martha Coakley's loss, or wishing we'd all just pay attention to more important things -- this much is clear: Democracy did what it's supposed to do. It gave the people of Massachusetts an opportunity to make their … [Read more...] about Massachusetts: The People Have Spoken, All Hail the People
Scott Brown: ‘Very, Very Bad News for Barack Obama’ – L’Express, France
Scott Brown's victory last night in the special election for Ted Kennedy's old senate seat hasn't gone unnoticed on the other side of the Atlantic. For France's L'Express, correspondent Philippe Coste seems to share the conclusions of many American commentators: This isn't the moment to demean the word catastrophe, but the quite overwhelming victory of Republican Scott … [Read more...] about Scott Brown: ‘Very, Very Bad News for Barack Obama’ – L’Express, France
Blame it on Howard Dean
Right off the bat I have to confess that I don’t get the hysteria behind today’s Massa...Masu... heck, you know which special election I’m talking about. I don’t believe the buck stops at a bad democratic candidate (and she is bad) who took the voters of Masser...that great blue state for granted. But I do think the question of why Barack Obama, the best chance for the … [Read more...] about Blame it on Howard Dean
Getting to the Point on Massachusetts
There is nothing else on Memeorandum right now but the Massachusetts special election. Everybody thinks they know why Scott Brown won and why Coakley lost, what message the voters have sent, what the election results augur for 2010, why they don't matter that much, what the Democrats should do now, or not do, whether health care reform is dead now or whether it's still alive, … [Read more...] about Getting to the Point on Massachusetts
There is more to life than Scott Brown and congressional calculus
The New York Times had a particularly annoying non-news bit of editorializing in their night-of writeup about Scott Brown's upset victory (in the grand scheme, not the consistent polling). It said the Massachusetts Senate race "has riveted the attention of the nation" because of its implications for health care legislation and the Senate's balance of power. BS. … [Read more...] about There is more to life than Scott Brown and congressional calculus
Presidential Blame Game
As he completes a year in office, Barack Obama deserves a gift from Americans--a moratorium on savaging him for everything that has gone wrong in their lives since last January 20th. The man almost 70 million voted into the White House with hope and enthusiasm has been put through a wringer unlike any president in memory to come out shrunken in the polls, battered by a … [Read more...] about Presidential Blame Game
The Ancient Maya Were Right – There’s a Whole Chorus of Fat Ladies Singing
CSI POST MORTEM So the long-serving popular Liberal Lion of the Senate from one of the most Democratic states has a successor: An unknown conservative Republican who will be the 41st Member of the Minority dedicated to stopping the Democratic Juggernaut (or more aptly Train Wreck) before it even starts. No matter how you try to malign your candidate’s performance, you … [Read more...] about The Ancient Maya Were Right – There’s a Whole Chorus of Fat Ladies Singing
Massachusetts Secretary Of State Will Send Letter on Wednesday
Reports from the Boston Globe indicate that the Massachusetts Secretary of State will send a letter to the US Senate on Wednesday informing them that Scott Brown has been elected. The results may not be official for several weeks but it is possible that he could be seated this week … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Secretary Of State Will Send Letter on Wednesday
What if Ted Kennedy was still alive?
I know, he isn't. But I did think tonight, as I watched returns, what if he was. Mazel tov to Scott Brown and condolences to Martha Coakley. For me, it's on to Ohio. We have more than enough political drama for a lifetime. … [Read more...] about What if Ted Kennedy was still alive?
Brown-Coakley: The Election of the Century
I've been live-blogging the Brown-Coakley election/results over at my place, and, with Brown now declared the winner, I'll be following up with analysis and commentary, looking ahead to what comes next. Yes, yes, I bring a liberal Democratic perspective, but I do it with such moderatation. If you'd like to check it out, see here. I'll also post some of my thoughts here … [Read more...] about Brown-Coakley: The Election of the Century
Brown Wins Massachusetts Senate Race
Just to give us a fresh thread to discuss the future. I'll keep updating the election thread Coakley has conceded. AP calls it for Brown CNN calls it for Brown Looks like a 100k plus victory. Just to put it in perspective, the last time the GOP held a Senate seat was 1979. The last time they took over a formerly Democratic seat it was 1946 The question now … [Read more...] about Brown Wins Massachusetts Senate Race
Massachusetts Senate Results
Looks like a margin of around 100,000 or so for Brown, depending on Boston vote. Associated Press calls it for Brown MSNBC confirms Coakley concession Update at 6:20/9:20 This thing may just be over Right now with 66% in Brown: 757,885 Coakley: 668,881 A lead of 89,000 votes In Boston we have over half the vote in and if the current trend continued … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Senate Results
MSNBC Suggests Race Is Over
Report just aired on MSNBC is saying that the Coakley camp is reporting very bad turnout for Coakley and that the only issue is how much she will lose by. This is from a top Democratic official. Could we actually have the race called at closing ? … [Read more...] about MSNBC Suggests Race Is Over
Brown-Coakley: Pre-emptive spin
The polls close in around an hour. Assume Scott Brown wins. The spin from both sides should be pretty simple. GOP -- This was a referendum on Obama. Dems -- No, it wasn't. But just because it's spin, doesn't mean it isn't true. So which side is right, or at least more right? Patrick warns Republicans not to pretend this has something to do with ObamaCare. Coakley ran a … [Read more...] about Brown-Coakley: Pre-emptive spin