Election Night Thread

JonnyPistachio

BinauralJam wrote:

polaris_x wrote:

whygohome wrote:

No. He also lost his home town/county.

i assumed they picked ryan to win that swing state and to a lesser degree coat tail the tea party folk ... losing wisconsin gotta be a huge strategic error ...

If Mitt had picked Rubio i think he could have won, scarey.

I'm wondering if Rubio is holding out to be a strong republican candidate down the road. A lot of my staunch republican friends and relatives really like him while they arent very fond of Mitt.

BinauralJam

JonnyPistachio wrote:

If Mitt had picked Rubio i think he could have won, scarey.

I'm wondering if Rubio is holding out to be a strong republican candidate down the road. A lot of my staunch republican friends and relatives really like him while they arent very fond of Mitt.[/quote]


Hmm, holding out to be the Front Runner, well he might get his chance in 4 years.

SatansFuton

The Juggler wrote:

carter is looked upon favorably for what he has done after getting his ass kicked by reagan.

I'm sure this is partly true, but also, one of the biggest issues of that election was the Iran Hostage Crisis. And Carter managed to get the hostages back as one of his final acts in office. Although it wasn't announced until right after Reagan took office (Iran didn't want it announced until they were out of their airspace), and for a time Reagan got the credit for it from some people. As it appeared as soon as he took office the crisis was fixed, but Carter was actually responsible. Technically you're right though, this occurred after the ass kicking, but it was something that would have had an effect on the race had it been done sooner. In hindsight people are probably realizing that Carter actually did solve one of the biggest issues of the race, He just didn't do it in time for it to help him. I still don't think he would have won, because there were a lot more issues at the time. The '79 Energy Crisis, the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, etc. A lot of stuff was going on.

And you're right, I'm sure a lot of his humanitarian work and other stuff he's done since leaving office really helps with his post-Presidential approval rating.

gimmesometruth27

bootlegger10 wrote:

gimmesometruth27 wrote:

it is nice to not be stressed out or worried about what would have happened if romney won and the gop took the senate. believe it or not, i was really anxious these last few weeks. i thought it was going to be very close.

i think that right now i feel more relieved than anything.

Were you scared they would actually pass legislation instead of collecting paychecks for no work? Ha. The kids of our nation are going to grow up not knowing what legislation is.

i am not sure what you are asking....legislation has to be passed for anything to get done...

Cradles Broken Glass

I just got to catch up on this thread. I had to call it a night last night, because contrary to what most right wingers think, Obama supporters actually do have jobs. Anyway, I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts, they gave me some good laughs. Here is a link to a couple of articles I found interesting:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ ... ml?hpid=z4

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/opinion/g ... ?hpt=po_c2

I hope the links work. Concerning the Washington Post article, Romney seriously has no clue (I am referencing the part of the article where he is talking to reporters on the plane). He cannot relate to the rest of America at all.

Edit: One more note, my state came very close last night to becoming the first southern state to legalize medical marijuana. I think that if it can get on the ballot again, it will pass.

Thirty Bills Unpaid

Cradles Broken Glass wrote:

I just got to catch up on this thread. I had to call it a night last night, because contrary to what most right wingers think, Obama supporters actually do have jobs. Anyway, I enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts, they gave me some good laughs. Here is a link to a couple of articles I found interesting:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/ ... ml?hpid=z4

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/07/opinion/g ... ?hpt=po_c2

I hope the links work. Concerning the Washington Post article, Romney seriously has no clue (I am referencing the part of the article where he is talking to reporters on the plane). He cannot relate to the rest of America at all.

Edit: One more note, my state came very close last night to becoming the first southern state to legalize medical marijuana. I think that if it can get on the ballot again, it will pass.

The Post article pretty much sums up Mitt. I'm still flabbergasted that people outside of the nation's elite wanted him as their leader.

whygohome

WOOT!



WOOT!

The Juggler

SatansFuton wrote:

The Juggler wrote:

carter is looked upon favorably for what he has done after getting his ass kicked by reagan.

I'm sure this is partly true, but also, one of the biggest issues of that election was the Iran Hostage Crisis. And Carter managed to get the hostages back as one of his final acts in office. Although it wasn't announced until right after Reagan took office (Iran didn't want it announced until they were out of their airspace), and for a time Reagan got the credit for it from some people. As it appeared as soon as he took office the crisis was fixed, but Carter was actually responsible. Technically you're right though, this occurred after the ass kicking, but it was something that would have had an effect on the race had it been done sooner. In hindsight people are probably realizing that Carter actually did solve one of the biggest issues of the race, He just didn't do it in time for it to help him. I still don't think he would have won, because there were a lot more issues at the time. The '79 Energy Crisis, the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, etc. A lot of stuff was going on.

And you're right, I'm sure a lot of his humanitarian work and other stuff he's done since leaving office really helps with his post-Presidential approval rating.

i am willing to bet that when most people think about jimmy carter's presidency they think about the length of the hostage situation/not how it ended which added to the perceived weakness of the us around the world, soaring inflation, high unemployment, long lines at gas stations, interest rates through the roof and the soviets invading russia among other things.

the humanitarian stuff after leaving office has got to be the overwhelming reason for why people like him now.

bootlegger10

The new Democratic party:

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country can do for you.

PJ_Soul

bootlegger10 wrote:

The new Democratic party:

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country can do for you.

Nice idea pulled out of thin air ... that is not at all the message the party is sending out - it's the opposite.

Prince Of Dorkness

bootlegger10 wrote:

The new Democratic party:

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country can do for you.

Ok..


Can they protect the people from tyrannical corporations?

Can they protect my family from Chriatians Hell-bent of forcing their religion on us?

Can they protect the working class from having their jobs sent to third world countries?

Can they protect the people who just want a fair living wage for the hard work thy do?

lukin2006

Some people have way too much faith in government ... it doesn't matter who you elect ... guaranteed they're laughing at you ...

It just amazes me at how many people don't want to admit or can't admit that no matter what side your on they are lying ... all of them.

musicismylife78

lukin2006 wrote:

Some people have way too much faith in government ... it doesn't matter who you elect ... guaranteed they're laughing at you ...

It just amazes me at how many people don't want to admit or can't admit that no matter what side your on they are lying ... all of them.

great point. thats why electoral politics is a joke. real change doesnt happen that way. And its blatantly obvious that all politicians, on all sides, are liars and crooks. Yet people continue to vote them in.

PJ_Soul

musicismylife78 wrote:

lukin2006 wrote:

Some people have way too much faith in government ... it doesn't matter who you elect ... guaranteed they're laughing at you ...

It just amazes me at how many people don't want to admit or can't admit that no matter what side your on they are lying ... all of them.

great point. thats why electoral politics is a joke. real change doesnt happen that way. And its blatantly obvious that all politicians, on all sides, are liars and crooks. Yet people continue to vote them in.

Yeah, but what's the alternative?? Because it's not like great people are getting displaced by creeps. Everyone running sucks... so what? No one votes ... and their friends and family and lobbyists make all the choices? I don't think there is any choice but to vote for the best of a bad lot... Which is overwhelmingly depressing. But actually good people don't get into federal politics... the bullshit is systemic.

brianlux

PJ_Soul wrote:

musicismylife78 wrote:

lukin2006 wrote:

Some people have way too much faith in government ... it doesn't matter who you elect ... guaranteed they're laughing at you ...

It just amazes me at how many people don't want to admit or can't admit that no matter what side your on they are lying ... all of them.

great point. thats why electoral politics is a joke. real change doesnt happen that way. And its blatantly obvious that all politicians, on all sides, are liars and crooks. Yet people continue to vote them in.

Yeah, but what's the alternative?? Because it's not like great people are getting displaced by creeps. Everyone running sucks... so what? No one votes ... and their friends and family and lobbyists make all the choices? I don't think there is any choice but to vote for the best of a bad lot... Which is overwhelmingly depressing. But actually good people don't get into federal politics... the bullshit is systemic.

Yeah, I agree with Carlin's sentiment and I agree with what you say here, PJ_Soul. One of Carlin's best skills was to get us to use critical thinking rather than going with knee jerk responses- which to me means thinking critically about what he had to say as well. I agree that most of our elected officials do not fully represent us but we have the right to vote and I'm thankful for that right and I chose to vote for the person I thought had the best chances of making the best decisions. I generally don't vote for third party candidates when I know full well they won't win but if I really think it doesn't make a difference I'll throw out a vote on a third part. In the case of this years presidential election I thought it made a significant difference and I did not vote third party and I definitely did not choose to not vote.

musicismylife78

PJ_Soul wrote:

musicismylife78 wrote:

lukin2006 wrote:

Some people have way too much faith in government ... it doesn't matter who you elect ... guaranteed they're laughing at you ...

It just amazes me at how many people don't want to admit or can't admit that no matter what side your on they are lying ... all of them.

great point. thats why electoral politics is a joke. real change doesnt happen that way. And its blatantly obvious that all politicians, on all sides, are liars and crooks. Yet people continue to vote them in.

Yeah, but what's the alternative?? Because it's not like great people are getting displaced by creeps. Everyone running sucks... so what? No one votes ... and their friends and family and lobbyists make all the choices? I don't think there is any choice but to vote for the best of a bad lot... Which is overwhelmingly depressing. But actually good people don't get into federal politics... the bullshit is systemic.

my way of thinking, and carlin would agree, is that the alternative's are endless. I think you provide an example of what MOST people believe. Most people dont vote, and if they do, the vote for candidates they dislike, or the lesser of two evils. I think most people agree the political system is rigged, corrupt and a racket. And I think if you asked most people what the solution to it is, theyd probably say, there is no solution because the current paradigm is the ONLY thing they know, or that its too depressing to do anything. Both, especially the latter, are extremely valid opinions.

And i agree, it is systemic. Which is why im a radical. Things like racism, homophobia, socioeconomic issues, war, poverty, those arent things we get a president to undo or change. it requires fundamental change, at the systemic level. thats what radical means. getting to the roots of the issue.

I think there are a million things people could do. We saw last year people starting a new mass movement, with the Occupy protests.

I talked about, maybe in this thread, getting the ballot, all ballots to have an option for people to vote "none of the above".

But i do think the solutions to this, are at the systemic level. this isnt going to be won by some law passed, or some reformist agenda. the whole rotten system needs to be brought down.

brianlux

musicismylife78 wrote:

my way of thinking, and carlin would agree, is that the alternative's are endless. I think you provide an example of what MOST people believe. Most people dont vote, and if they do, the vote for candidates they dislike, or the lesser of two evils. I think most people agree the political system is rigged, corrupt and a racket. And I think if you asked most people what the solution to it is, theyd probably say, there is no solution because the current paradigm is the ONLY thing they know, or that its too depressing to do anything. Both, especially the latter, are extremely valid opinions.

And i agree, it is systemic. Which is why im a radical. Things like racism, homophobia, socioeconomic issues, war, poverty, those arent things we get a president to undo or change. it requires fundamental change, at the systemic level. thats what radical means. getting to the roots of the issue.

I think there are a million things people could do. We saw last year people starting a new mass movement, with the Occupy protests.

I talked about, maybe in this thread, getting the ballot, all ballots to have an option for people to vote "none of the above".

But i do think the solutions to this, are at the systemic level. this isnt going to be won by some law passed, or some reformist agenda. the whole rotten system needs to be brought down.

I very much see your point but I guess I go for the full menu. Voting takes little time-especially because I request a mail-in absentee ballot- and even if the difference it makes is small, I'll take it. Besides, you can always vote "non of the above" by writing some in or voting third part. Also, I spend much more time writing letters and being active in working to make changes than I do voting. The most radical thing a person can do is do something rather than just talk about it. I'm guessing that description fits you, Music.

musicismylife78

brianlux wrote:

musicismylife78 wrote:

my way of thinking, and carlin would agree, is that the alternative's are endless. I think you provide an example of what MOST people believe. Most people dont vote, and if they do, the vote for candidates they dislike, or the lesser of two evils. I think most people agree the political system is rigged, corrupt and a racket. And I think if you asked most people what the solution to it is, theyd probably say, there is no solution because the current paradigm is the ONLY thing they know, or that its too depressing to do anything. Both, especially the latter, are extremely valid opinions.

And i agree, it is systemic. Which is why im a radical. Things like racism, homophobia, socioeconomic issues, war, poverty, those arent things we get a president to undo or change. it requires fundamental change, at the systemic level. thats what radical means. getting to the roots of the issue.

I think there are a million things people could do. We saw last year people starting a new mass movement, with the Occupy protests.

I talked about, maybe in this thread, getting the ballot, all ballots to have an option for people to vote "none of the above".

But i do think the solutions to this, are at the systemic level. this isnt going to be won by some law passed, or some reformist agenda. the whole rotten system needs to be brought down.

I very much see your point but I guess I go for the full menu. Voting takes little time-especially because I request a mail-in absentee ballot- and even if the difference it makes is small, I'll take it. Besides, you can always vote "non of the above" by writing some in or voting third part. Also, I spend much more time writing letters and being active in working to make changes than I do voting. The most radical thing a person can do is do something rather than just talk about it. I'm guessing that description fits you, Music.

interesting points, and yeah that description does seem to fit me. Good to hear you are active in many ways fighting for the issues that mean something to you.

Ive voted nader twice, and then ron paul just a few days ago. For me, I felt angry in alot of ways. Angry that the 2 main parties werent discussing issues important to me. Meaning no matter who was elected, I wasnt going to feel represented or heard. And two, i actually did write in. I wrote in Ron Paul. He wasnt on the ballot. And my state, maybe like most states, doesnt register or count write in votes. Its counted as a "write in vote". The exact candidate, in this case, Ron Paul, wasnt counted by those who count votes. Thats a headscratcher. I voted specifically for Ron Paul because I wanted to send a message, and I think he had the best platform of any candidate, plus I disagree with the 2 major parties. I voted for him, and my vote wasnt even counted. Thats a complete disgrace.

I think alot of people feel really powerless right now. I was surprised how the economy really wasnt the big election 2012 issue that i thought it would be. It was my number one issue, beyond foreign policy. And I dont feel like anyone is discussing those issues. At all. Its not just one side that isnt. Its the entire political body that isnt discussing it. And yeah, it is completely depressing. I completely agree with you. Thinking about these issues, really considering them, war, poverty, unemployment, its not going to make you feel good, and its going to upset you. Take environmental issues for example. If you really sat down and thought about it, the rapid degredation and depletion of the environment and species and animals, things begin to look horrific. And what can you do about it? Recycling is an honorable thing, and im not putting down anyone who does it, but if you think about how polar bears might not exist in 20 years, what can you possibly do about it? Thats why for me, radical change has always been more attractive. I get too depressed thinking a president might authorize some new cause i love. Social change is so SLOW. Extremely slow. Take the movement to end the war in Vietnam, or the civil rights movements. Those took YEARS! Im one of those alarmist people, I cant think about slow change. Im more of a "lets bring down the entire system yesterday" type person.

But I also think activism should be a variety of tactics. letter writing and petitioning as you point out is good. But I also think direct action, civil disobedience, more extreme radical tactics also are necessary

SatansFuton

bootlegger10 wrote:

The new Democratic party:

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country can do for you.

Do you believe everything FOX says? Talk about towing the party line. I have no problem with you being against Obama, or anything like that, but re-regurgitating the Republican buzz phrase they're using as an excuse for losing is pretty lame. Tell us what you think and I might not be such a dick, don't tell us what you're being told.

The funniest thing about all of this is that people voted Republican for pretty much the same reasons. The most played Republican/Romney commercial of the election was a woman asking the President what he has done for her, or her family. It came across very gimme gimme. Most people I know who voted Republican did so because they didn't want to pay more in taxes, and these are people living comfortable lifestyles. Is that not the same as what Republicans are accusing Democrats of doing? Are you going to sit there with a straight face and say Republicans voted for Romney out of some selfless love of the country and with no care for themselves? If so then you are delusional.

Republicans and Democrats are more similar than they'd like to admit. I'm sure some people on both sides voted with social issues and other things in mind. But at the end of the day people have to look after themselves, and most votes probably reflect that. I don't blame a rich person for voting Republican because they want lower taxes any more than I blame a poor person for voting Obama because they want healthcare or the free cookies Obama is apparently handing out. I mean, I have some opinions on it, and it's something that can be discussed all day. But this idiotic idea that Republican were draped in the flag and voting out of a selfless love for the country while the greedy Democrats went to the polls thinking of nothing but free stuff is so laughable, until you think about it, then it's very sad. And it's very sad that you're repeating it.

It just smacks of arrogance and bullshit. Yeah, Republicans know what is best for us, but those dumb Democrats could think of nothing but themselves and therefore the country is ruined. And I know Republicans who feel the same way. I don't mind Republicans, politically I'm very middle of the road (though I have been accused of being conservative, at least in some of my views) and hate the extreme left as much as I hate the extreme right. And when you go repeating crap like that it makes you sound like some extremist with no thoughts of your own. Or go on sounding like Bill O'Reilly's cheerleader, the choice is yours, it's a free country. STILL. Can you believe it? Aren't we all supposed to be communists by now or something?

PJ_Soul

SatansFuton wrote:

bootlegger10 wrote:

The new Democratic party:

Ask not what you can do for your country, but what your country can do for you.

Do you believe everything FOX says? Talk about towing the party line. I have no problem with you being against Obama, or anything like that, but re-regurgitating the Republican buzz phrase they're using as an excuse for losing is pretty lame. Tell us what you think and I might not be such a dick, don't tell us what you're being told.

The funniest thing about all of this is that people voted Republican for pretty much the same reasons. The most played Republican/Romney commercial of the election was a woman asking the President what he has done for her, or her family. It came across very gimme gimme. Most people I know who voted Republican did so because they didn't want to pay more in taxes, and these are people living comfortable lifestyles. Is that not the same as what Republicans are accusing Democrats of doing? Are you going to sit there with a straight face and say Republicans voted for Romney out of some selfless love of the country and with no care for themselves? If so then you are delusional.

Republicans and Democrats are more similar than they'd like to admit. I'm sure some people on both sides voted with social issues and other things in mind. But at the end of the day people have to look after themselves, and most votes probably reflect that. I don't blame a rich person for voting Republican because they want lower taxes any more than I blame a poor person for voting Obama because they want healthcare or the free cookies Obama is apparently handing out. I mean, I have some opinions on it, and it's something that can be discussed all day. But this idiotic idea that Republican were draped in the flag and voting out of a selfless love for the country while the greedy Democrats went to the polls thinking of nothing but free stuff is so laughable, until you think about it, then it's very sad. And it's very sad that you're repeating it.

It just smacks of arrogance and bullshit. Yeah, Republicans know what is best for us, but those dumb Democrats could think of nothing but themselves and therefore the country is ruined. And I know Republicans who feel the same way. I don't mind Republicans, politically I'm very middle of the road (though I have been accused of being conservative, at least in some of my views) and hate the extreme left as much as I hate the extreme right. And when you go repeating crap like that it makes you sound like some extremist with no thoughts of your own. Or go on sounding like Bill O'Reilly's cheerleader, the choice is yours, it's a free country. STILL. Can you believe it? Aren't we all supposed to be communists by now or something?

What he said.