06 Nov 08 The Senate Races in 2010
Some Republicans may be sitting back breathing a sigh of relief now, thinking that they can still control the country because there are enough Republican Senators left to filibuster. Some Progressives may feel that the main job is done now that the Democrats have elected a President and majorities in both houses of Congress. Both of those assumptions are wrong, for opposing reasons.
President-elect Obama is sending a very loud and clear message with the impending appointment of Rahm Emanuel as Chief of Staff. Emanuel, who has a reputation for being both tough and pragmatic, will be taking names. There will undoubtedly be direct consequences for any failure to support Obama. The Republicans, who are likely to attempt to filibuster, will be targeted on all levels, particularly during the 2010 elections. Any Democrat who strays from the party line will likewise be at risk for both appropriations and future campaign support. Joe Lieberman can kiss his ass goodbye on January 21, 2009.
In two years Barack Obama raised approximately $650 million in support of his campaign agenda. He is fully capable of raising another couple hundred million in the next two years to target anyone who tries to impede his progress in achieving that agenda. Rahm Emanuel will be managing the payback list. The Senators on the lists below are up for election in 2010. If any one of them, from either party, gets in Obama’s way the payback will be profound and immediate.
Democratic Incumbent Races
Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas
Barbara Boxer of California
Ken Salazar of Colorado
Daniel Inouye of Hawaii
Replacement for Barack Obama in Illinois
Evan Bayh of Indiana
Barbara Mikulski of Maryland
Harry Reid of Nevada
Chuck Schumer of New York
Byron Dorgan of North Dakota
Ron Wyden of Oregon
Patrick Leahy of Vermont
Patty Murray of Washington
Russ Feingold of Wisconsin
Republican Incumbent Races
Richard Shelby of Alabama
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska
John McCain of Arizona
Mel Martinez of Florida
Johnny Isakson of Georgia
Mike Crapo of Idaho
Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Jim Bunning of Kentucky
David Vitter of Louisiana
Kit Bond of Missouri
Judd Gregg of New Hampshire
Richard Burr of North Carolina
George Voinovich of Ohio
Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania
Jim DeMint of South Carolina
John Thune of South Dakota
Bob Bennett of Utah
05 Nov 08 Still Speechless
As much as I had hoped for it, and worked for it, and expected it, I was still in a state of shock when Obama gave his speech last night. I will go out on a limb and say that I believe he is more pragmatic than the conservatives think he is, and less liberal than the progressives think he is. I expect that he will change the country and the world in the ways he has promised, however some of the stops on that journey are likely to surprise all of us.
There were other very important elections last night, and I’ll have a lot to say about all of them. But not quite yet. I’m still enjoying the afterglow of Obama’s victory and want to savor it a little while longer.
25 Oct 08 Early Voting Revolution
We are headed towards one of the highest Federal election voter turnout percentages in history this year, due in large part to the early voting revolution. Congress passed the “Help America Vote Act” in 2002, which set nationwide standards for voting systems, processes, and audits. The overriding intention of the legislation was to assure universal access for voters and make every vote count. Early voting to enable access was promoted by legislators at both the Federal and State levels.
While preliminary estimates were that early voting would account for 30% of the total vote, it appears possible that as many as half of all votes will be cast in the days leading up to the election. Early voters are lining up all across the country, with many people willing to wait hours in line. Voters in Florida are particularly motivated, as shown in this video.
