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
Haiti: The BBC Lets Me Have My Say
The BBC World Service has a unique daily discussion program, “World Have Your Say,” where the BBC provides a platform for a world-wide discussion of topics of general interest, and facilitates live exchanges between and among BBC staff, invited guests, and callers from all over the world. Today’s subject was, of course, the Haiti catastrophe---more specifically how “Once … [Read more...] about Haiti: The BBC Lets Me Have My Say
Turnout High In Massachuetts ?
Reports are for higher than expected turnout today. Conflicting reports as to whether this is confined to the Boston area (which would help Coakley) or is even statewide (which would balance things out). However this could be a good sigh for Coakley. … [Read more...] about Turnout High In Massachuetts ?
What Should Not Be Said Tonight
With only a few hours to go before we start getting results from the unexpectedly close Senate race in Massachusetts I am sure the spin doctors on both sides are prepping for whatever the outcome is. Just to save them a little time I thought I'd suggest what they should not be saying. For the Democrats Simply put there really is not any way you can spin this one. If you … [Read more...] about What Should Not Be Said Tonight
MLK would’ve protested against Obama
Katrina Vanden Heuvel, editor of The Nation, on ABC: If Martin Luther King, Jr., were alive, he would march on this White House because he would say, "Don't escalate the war in Afghanistan. Get on the side of working people, because if you don't, you're going to undermine the reform agenda and the possibilities of a great presidency."What next? Glenn Beck telling us MLK would … [Read more...] about MLK would’ve protested against Obama
Why Coakley might win
Remember the New Hampshire primary in 2008? All the polls had Obama as a lock, but Hillary won anyhow, saving her candidacy from an early defeat. I ate some crow myself on that one. Just before the primary, I gloated about my early prediction of Obama as the Democratic nominee. Even in hindsight, it wasn't terribly clear why Hillary won in New Hampshire. If Coakley … [Read more...] about Why Coakley might win
Obama’s First Year
David Fitzsimmons, The Arizona Star This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to appear on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Obama’s First Year
In Haiti, No One In Charge
This is no criticism of U.S. military and humanitarian relief aid in the first week after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that flatten half of Haiti last Tuesday. God knows their intentions were sound. No one seems in charge. Not the Haitian government which was feeble before the quake and totally crippled beginning with the first after shocks. Not the United Nations … [Read more...] about In Haiti, No One In Charge
Christie Sworn In As NJ Governor
The second new Governor of 2010 has taken office. Ceremony video is available on CSPAN … [Read more...] about Christie Sworn In As NJ Governor
MOST DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE COMPLTELY MISSING THE BIG PICTURE
My extensive business and legal background causes me to read a wide variety of publications on the Internet every day. I often find very good political analysis on many different business journals that is welcomed balance to the many extremely partisan political blogs out there. Naturally TMV is a excellent alternative to the extremism. Our country has abandoned a … [Read more...] about MOST DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS ARE COMPLTELY MISSING THE BIG PICTURE