Was there a coverup to hide what really happened? It increasingly seems so... … [Read more...] about NFL Star Pat Tillman’s Death In Battle

Was the Republican wipe-out in the 2006 mid-term elections a victory of "the mighty middle?" New York Times columnist David Brooks thinks so — and says Rove-style "mobilization" (polarized elections) may be dead:For decades, moderates have been the cowardly lions of American politics. You’d see them quivering in the corner as the anti-establishment left exchanged … [Read more...] about Election 2006: Victory Of The “Mighty Middle?”

The Washington Post addresses a theme we've discussed repeatedly here: polarization politics. Is it possible the election sent President George Bush and Karl Rove a message?If Bush was willing to dismiss Rumsfeld, which the president said only a week ago that he had no intention of doing, it was in part because he and his party have so much at risk. Tuesday's elections proved … [Read more...] about Is Governing By Polarization On The Way Out?

Columnist Maureen Dowd, writing in New York Times Select (the paid part of the Times) uses her usual snark to underscore a clear trend: we are apparently witnessing a return of the influence of the first President Bush and his associates on the Presidency of GWB — in a kind of emergency rescue effort:Poppy Bush and James Baker gave Sonny the presidency to play with and … [Read more...] about Maureen Dowd: “Poppy” Bush And Friends Salvaging GWB’s Presidency

To those of you (Democrats, independents and Republicans) who won't listen to talk show giant Rush Limbaugh because you think his show has become p.r. for the official Republican party apparatus, your belief has just been confirmed. By Rush Limbaugh himself:Now, I mentioned to you at the conclusion of the previous hour that people have been asking me how I feel all night long. … [Read more...] about Rush Limbaugh’s Political Shift? (UPDATED)

Democrats have talked about getting young voters out in force, but this year it actually happened — and they benefited: Young Americans voted in the largest numbers in at least 20 years in congressional elections, energized by the Iraq war and giving a boost to Democrats, pollsters said on Wednesday. About 24 percent of Americans under the age of 30, or at least 10 … [Read more...] about Youth Vote Was Big And Helped Democrats

THIS JUST IN from investigative reporter Andy Borowitz: Cheney Reminds Bush He Has Pictures of Him Naked Veep Unlikely to Be Axed, Insiders Say Minutes after President George W. Bush announced the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney reportedly confronted Mr. Bush in the Oval Office and said to his boss, "If you're thinking of firing me, … [Read more...] about This Just In!

Whither the committee chairmanships in the new Democratic Senate? … [Read more...] about Times Are A Changin’

Democrats win control of SenateNBC projects Webb victor in Va.; win solidifies Democratic power on Hill … [Read more...] about AP via MSNBC: Webb’s Win’s Official

Well, the election is over, and you know what that means.... Awards! The best and worst of the Decision '06. … [Read more...] about Superlatives

I just heard Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH) interviewed on NPR's All Things Considered. He blamed his loss yesterday to Rep. Sherrod Brown (D, OH-13) on a "perfect storm" of being in the right place at the wrong time. He's wrong - it's social conservative Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's candidacy for governor which sunk DeWine's race. Ohioans are inherently sensible and … [Read more...] about Mike DeWine’s Perfect Storm

Luck? Skill? Voodoo? Alan Stewart Carl gives a good breakdown. … [Read more...] about How Did The Democrats Not Lose?

The timing of this is quite surprising: Rumsfeld resigns. H/t to C.Stanley. I will update this post later: I am currently listening to Bush talking about yesterday's elections. So far he sounds very good. UPDATE 1 Bush just confirmed it: Rumsfeld has, after being Secretary of Defense for approximately six years, resigned. UPDATE 2 Initial thoughts: Bush is dealing with … [Read more...] about Rumsfeld Resigns

Larry Sabato of the U Virginia Crystal Ball had an online chat today with readers of the Washington Post. The transcript is HERE. … [Read more...] about Sabato Speaks!

This photo is on the cover of last Friday's issue of The Forward: Bull Moose kvells and so do I! Bull Moose: KOSenfreude NY Times: ‘Liberated’ Lieberman Likely to Be Courted by Both SidesHARTFORD, Nov. 7 — Throughout his career, Senator Joseph I. Lieberman has proudly proclaimed himself an “independent-minded Democrat.â€? But in the closing days of this campaign, … [Read more...] about I’m Proud to Support Joe Lieberman

I volunteered yesterday afternoon for America Votes (a coalition of Democrat/Liberal interest groups) and canvassed much of an unwalkable precinct on foot. Around noon I headed over to a Union Hall in Norwood staffed by the Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood, Equality Cincinnati etc. I was registered as a volunteer by members of Equality Cincinnati, our local gay rights group. … [Read more...] about My Experience in Yesterday’s Election

Ed Morrissey published a good post over at Captain's Quarters. He is one of the Conservative bloggers, who is not afraid to speak out against the Republican party when he does not agree with its policies. The Republicans have indeed left reform in the dust, with notable and honorable exceptions like Tom Coburn and a handful of other highly active Republican officeholders. The … [Read more...] about The Republican Party Has to Reform Itself

CNN reports that the race for US Senate is down to two States: Montana and Virginia. Personally, I believe that Allen should go if not for anything else, than for his stupid 'macaca' remark, but that's just me. Anyway:In Montana, Republican Sen. Conrad Burns was running behind his Democratic challenger, state Sen. John Tester. If Tester wins, Democrats could secure Senate … [Read more...] about Dems Leading in Montana And Virginia

The votes — and possible recounts — aren't totally in yet from the landmark 2006 mid-term elections but this much is clear: The Democrats will take control of the House. At the very least, the Democrats will come close to having taken control of the Senate. And the Democrats had a good day in their campaigns for governorships. Exit polls and analysts noted that … [Read more...] about Democratic House Win And Changed Senate Suggests GOP Lost Independents And Moderates

I've never live blogged before. That ends today, with my election live blog. I'll be bumping this post to the top periodically as I update. UPDATE: I suppose I should harness my readership a bit here. Anyone who has any tips or tidbits of news, shoot me an email at schraubd carleton edu UPDATE 2x: I should clarify. I'm updating my post constantly. I'm only pushing this … [Read more...] about Election Live Blogging!