Election 2010

Two years ago when the votes were counted in the US Senate race in Minnesota, Republican Norm Coleman was ahead of Democratic Al Franken, which automatically triggered a recount. The Republicans screamed about that recount from day one, saying the worse they could say about Franken and Democrats in general, even though a) the recount was automatic and b) the applicable wisdom strongly suggested that an errors would favor Republicans, and a recount would likely swing the numbers in favor of a Democratic candidate by several hundred votes. That recount happened, again with the Republicans…
The election is over and the results are depressing, much as expected - it was not a good night for anyone who believes that the most important work of government in hard times will be protecting ordinary people. This is a stretch to imagine at the best of times, and this was not them. There's a larger question, however, that emerges out of the ashes of our usual political self-incineration - what will ordinary people will do with their fear now that the election is over? Over the last few weeks, a series of articles have emerged that observe that the language of voter anger, so ubiquitous…
The Delaware Democratic Party claimed Tuesday that Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell's supporters were rallying outside polling places and creating a disturbance that amounted to illegal "voter intimidation"... The state Democratic Party first leveled the charge in a brief written statement Tuesday afternoon. "There have been some reports of voter intimidation from the O'Donnell campaign or her supporters throughout the state. This activity is illegal and contrary to our rule of civility in Delaware," the party said. ... voters had called their hotline to complain that groups of…
The Kansas Democratic Party has leveled a charge of voter intimidation and has filed a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General's office. According to the Kansas Democratic Party, they received allegations from "individual" voters from around Kansas who claimed to have received a robo-call from who they called an "as yet named Republican organization" reminding them to bring their voter registration card and proof of home ownership with them to the polls on Nov. 3. First, the election is slated for Nov. 2 and second, Kansas voters are not required to bring a voter registration card nor…
Chalk one up to the Republicans: A liberal leaning African American acquaintance was talked out of voting today because "they changed the rules and you need two forms of ID and a Minnesota Drivers License this year" etc. etc. Yes, folks, he was lied to, he gave up, and that's one point for the Teabaggers and one point against democracy. Do not be a moron. You can vote if you live here. That's true pretty much everywhere. Just do it. If you get to the polls and things don't seem to be right for you to vote, talk to the people sitting at the folding table. It can always be done, even if it…
TPM reports that the Kansas Attorney General is looking into reports that some voters were called and told "the election has been moved to Wednesday, that they need to bring their voter registration cards to the polls and that they need proof of homeownership to vote." and The Delaware Democratic Party tweeted this afternoon about unspecified "reports" of voter intimidation in Dover. source You can check out the Dover Dems tweets here.
Surely, South Carolina is the suckiest state in the union these days. So, it is not a surprise to discover that teabaggers are intimidating voters they think may be against them. Early this morning, self-identified tea party activists showed up at a polling station near Benedict College in Columbia, "basically harassing students--telling people not to vote and generally making voters feel uncomfortable," says Keiana Page, press secretary for the state Democratic Party, who said that the party's legal team is currently investigating the reported incident at the historically black college.…
A group called Minnesota Majority is said to have deployed over 10,000 people to polling stations across Minnesota in what is being called "an aggressive campaign to fight what organizers claim is a widespread problem of voter fraud." And, in so doing, have launched a major episode of voter indimidation. ... Minnesota Majority is directing its members to wear "Please ID Me" buttons in violation of a federal judge's orders,... Judge Joan Ericksen ruled Monday that the buttons "are designed to affect the actual voting process at the polls by intimating that voters are required to show…
Minnesota media is reporting several instances of overzealous election challengers in polling places as the Republican Party of Minnesota ramps up its allegations of voter fraud. In several Minnesota precincts, reporters confirmed that GOP poll challengers have overstepped their bounds. ... ...The Associated Press reports that in Hennepin County there have been some tense conversations between election judges and GOP challengers who don't seem to understand the rules.... ...the poll challengers were entering restricted areas and making challenges that are against the rules.... ...The…
... mostly other people's thoughts. Why other people's thoughts? Because at this point, other than casting my own vote, there is nothing I can do to change an inevitably bad day for society, civilization, democracy, rational thought, and sanity. I can hope that the day will not be as bad as it will, and there is indeed some evidence that this is possible. 5 Reasons Democrats Could Beat the Polls and Hold the House A scenario like this one is possible tomorrow -- not particularly likely, but possible -- just as a 77-seat Republican gain is possible. It's probably a somewhat greater…
And do NOT vote for Willie Dove. Willie, a Republican candidate for District 1 seat on the State Board of Education says, in relation to evolution and creationism in science classrooms, "One without the other, that's when we have the problem." Kansas, you don't need this. Check out the details here.
I already posted my Page One voting choices for this year's election. Now it is time to turn the ballot over and talk about judges. In the mean time, if you are in or near Minneapolis, Hennepin County or the Fifth Congressional District, I invite you to have a look at this ballot, as it might be useful to you. Judges are difficult as elections are inherently political and judges try to pretend to not be. However, a little digging can help determine the philosophical leanings of judges in a way that may matter, or information about their competence or lack thereof. Or, if the are a…
US Representative to the House, District 3 Jim Meffert I'm very familiar with Meffert's stand on the issues, and agree with them fully. State Senator District 47 Leo Foley Leo Foley is a centrist Democrat who has done a great job to date. State Representative District 47A Denise Dittrich Dittrich has been a great representative. Governor/Lt Governor Mark Dayton/Yvonne Prettner Solon Dayton will implement progressive Minnesota-like policies, and push for (or allow the legislature to develop) sane tax policies (i.e., tax the rich more, then get stuff done). The election is quite close, so…
... and I thought I'd share it with you ... Dear Greg, If you met "Don W" (not his real name) on the street, you might suspect that something was wrong with him. Listless, exhausted, glassy-eyed, Don exhibits all the symptoms of donor fatigue. Yes. Donor fatigue. After responding generously to dozens of e-mails like this one, and giving $10, $25, or $100 to great progressive candidates like Patty Murray, Russ Feingold, Barbara Boxer, and on and on, Don W. has finally hit the wall. Unfortunately donor fatigue can have a terrible impact on candidates like Patty, great progressive leaders in…
This is an excellent overview of the upcoming election vis-a-vis the brown liquid.
According to Rebecca Kleefisch Republican, the Republican candidate for Wisconsin Lt. Governor. "This is a slippery slope," Kleefisch said. "In addition to that at what point are we going to be okay marrying inanimate objects? Can I marry this table or this, you know, clock? Can we marry dogs? "This is ridiculous," continued Kleefisch. "And biblically, again, I'm going to go right back to my fundamental Christian beliefs marriage is between one man and one woman." Wisconsin is obviously full of morons. Chances are they are actually going to elect this Michel Bachmann clone and throw out…
Bonus Video: Rachel Buying an Uzi: Bonus Bonus Video: Rachel squeezes off some rounds:
Erik Paulsen is my representative to the US Congress. This is his first term. He replaced a very centrist Republican (Jim Ramstad) who retired honorably. I worked for the Democratic Party (DFL, we call it in Minnesota) candidate, Ash Madia during that election. Ash was a good candidate but he was inexperienced (which may or may not have been a factor) not quite waspy enough for this very waspy district (which may or may not have been a factor), and although his politics matched those of the district's constituents quite well (at least as well as the long-lasting Jim Ramstad's politics did…
This barking dog is not very smart. But it could make a good Republican. The only thing harder to understand than Michele Bachmann is the Republican Party. Bachmann is hard to understand in this way: How can a person with her mind be an elected member of congress?!?!??? The Republican party is hard to understand in this way: How can a party that is trying to become more rather than less relevant keep putting Michele Bachmann on the podium in places like the National Party Convention and, most recently, at CEPAC??!?!?!? ~ A timely repost ~ I can't explain any of this, but I can at…