Wednesday, November 09, 2022
Political Mayhem Wednesday
I was up way too late watching election results come in, and even went over to a victory party for a minute. The results (that we have so far, anyways) are... mixed. Some notes:
-- The "red wave" was shallower than predicted. Instead of a 60ish-seat shift in the US House, we are looking at about a third of that... but that is enough to change the majority in that chamber, which means Republicans can set the agenda there.
-- In general, election deniers underperformed. Kari Lake, apparently headed to defeat in the Arizona gubernatorial race, was already denying the legitimacy of that race.
-- Republicans did very well in Florida. Not sure what to make of that.
-- Here in Minnesota, reformer Mary Moriarty won by a lot in the race for Hennepin County Attorney, and Tim Walz won by 16% in keeping his seat as Governor. I supported both of them, so I'm glad. It looks like the AG race, though, will be very close.
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Republican won all of the State Supreme Court seats in NC. Not a good night for Dems with a few exceptions. Two really right extremists in NC lost their bids for House seats- Bo Hines (huge anti-abortion) and VonnCannon(1/6 participant). Jeff Jackson won the new House seat in Charlotte with predominantly red leaning district lines.
I am only bummed, not crushed, by the results. I had figured that Texas and Florida were lost causes, but I had really hoped Tim Ryan could take out bona fide phony JD Vance in Ohio. Ryan was one of the smarter Democrats who actually made it a point to address the issues that voters cared about.
Its hard to break the narrative, but the exit interviews I've seen confirm my belief that the most decisive issue was the selfish one: inflation in general and gas prices in particular. The other big one - crime. And for some reason, too many Americans have bought into the ideas that crime is rampant.
Tragically, the Gun issue is not going to swith votess. Opinions and votes are set in stone. Same deal with abortion
As much as I would like to think "democracy" matters, the undecided voters and hard to motivate voters are not going to be excited by that. If they were, they wouldn't be undecided or hard to motivate.
Its hard to break the narrative, but the exit interviews I've seen confirm my belief that the most decisive issue was the selfish one: inflation in general and gas prices in particular. The other big one - crime. And for some reason, too many Americans have bought into the ideas that crime is rampant.
Tragically, the Gun issue is not going to swith votess. Opinions and votes are set in stone. Same deal with abortion
As much as I would like to think "democracy" matters, the undecided voters and hard to motivate voters are not going to be excited by that. If they were, they wouldn't be undecided or hard to motivate.
Let me just say this about Texas. I don't live there, didn't see ANY of the advertising, etc. But I DO NOT GET why the entire campaign wasn't about the failed power grid.
Uvalde and other mass shootings were tragic. I am furious about the gun issue. But.....being pro gun control is NOT A WINNING ISSUE IN TEXAS!!
Maybe Beto focused on the Grid, but the national press focused on his liberal positions and charm.
Uvalde and other mass shootings were tragic. I am furious about the gun issue. But.....being pro gun control is NOT A WINNING ISSUE IN TEXAS!!
Maybe Beto focused on the Grid, but the national press focused on his liberal positions and charm.
Also. Wisconsin. I DO NOT GET the appeal of Ron Johnson.
Again, I do not live there etc., but Barnes let himself get painted as some sort of commie. His record and past statements were millstones he could not shake. This seems like a HUGE missed opportunity.
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Again, I do not live there etc., but Barnes let himself get painted as some sort of commie. His record and past statements were millstones he could not shake. This seems like a HUGE missed opportunity.
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