US Midterm Election Results Live......Blow For Blow.

[rareboy]

Because we are FREE

However....more importantly:

"In Harris County, which is home to Houston and the third-largest county in the United States, Democrats unseated 59 Republican judges—including all 23 district judges, all 13 family court judges, all eight county civil judges and probate judges, and all 15 misdemeanor judges. Of the newly appointed Democrats, an unprecedented 19 are black women..."

 

[rareboy]

 

[Sausy]

^ Yep... not nearly often enough, but sometimes things happen to give one faith in this world.

 

[rareboy]

Another great result? Dems get control of committees:

Seven scientists are entering the US congress next year, from engineers and health professionals to an energy businessman and a computer programmer. Five of them are women, including a new senator for Nevada. All are Democrats.

They will be able to change the conversation and push back the Koch Bros./TrumpCo. anti-science rhetoric that has run riot for the past two years.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...qbUwhQukHNa-JBt9EoqLuEXqXoQ90PcJj_QHC4rOOZxJ0

 

[Cormac135]

Another cute gay winner.

 

[rareboy]

^ He looks wholesome. I'll bet he is a nasty boy in the sheets though.

 

[rareboy]

So Rick Scott was not successful today.

A judge has just denied Florida Governor Rick Scott's claims of voter fraud in Broward County, and denied his request to have all ballots and voting machines impounded, which would have stopped the vote count.

Gov. Scott has falsely been accusing his Democratic opponent, Senator Bill Nelson, of engaging in voter fraud, for demanding voters' ballots be counted, despite no evidence.

The judge agreed.

https://www.thenewcivilrightsmoveme...8qjYa-9Ekqcyly1ZVUozjf-ku-te6d05SD0s33sjoWH4w

 

[Sausy]

The secretary of state of Florida, a Republican, agrees … there are complexities involved in the various challenged counties, but no scintilla, no whiff whatsoever, of actual shenanigans. But this whole thing is indicative of just how nasty the GOP will be with the inevitable close races of 2020. Fortunately, they don't get to gerrymander anymore and take power through redistricting games. And I hope neither the Democrats...the vote belongs to all and should be controlled by no party. Fortunately bipartisan/nonpartisan redistricting commissions seem to be gaining headway in a number of states to minimize any partisan manipulation and thievery.

 

[KaraBulut]

...they don't get to gerrymander anymore and take power through redistricting games and voter disenfranchisement schemes.

^Fixed that for ya.

And I hope neither the Democrats...the vote belongs to all and should be controlled by no party. Fortunately bipartisan/nonpartisan redistricting commissions seem to be gaining headway in a number of states to minimize any partisan manipulation and thievery.

The gerrymander game has been played by both parties. The big difference that is that those people who were doing it in the South and called themselves Democrats until the 80s, are now calling themselves Republicans. It's the same games.

It's becoming apparent that politicians can't be trusted with democracy. Congressional districts need to be designed by an impartial group. Until SCOTUS decided to invalidate the VRA, the Courts were that impartial arbiter. Now, we need to find another method and it's going to have to come from the Federal level because we're seeing what the States will do when given the power.

 

[Sausy]

Thanks for fixing, I should have added that too. The Dems did play games too though in the past in control of big political machines. They weren't saints... nor always Southern segregationists, either. But the Republicans since the days of Nixon have been playing games at an even more high stakes level.. and it's gotta stop asap.

 

[KaraBulut]

... the Republicans since the days of Nixon have been playing games at an even more high stakes level.. and it's gotta stop asap.

And they have computer modeling available which the Dems didn't have back in Jim Crow days.

As an aside- the new Congressperson from Texas who was on SNL this weekend- Dan Crenshaw- is from an incredibly gerrymandered district. That district used to include Southeast Texas, where there is a lot of Black Democratic voters and union members. The result of this gerrymander is a Houston urban-suburban district that magically ends up being 50% white.

 

[Sausy]

^Though as far as Republicans go, reading up and seeing Crenshaw, he seems to come from a GOP approach of Jack Kemp and not this modern GOP...he's conservative but inclusive, and prides himself on not being someone who merely offends or shocks and goes for the lowest common denominator. Sucks for his district that it's so gerrymandered... and some day soon we have to address this nationwide. But the GOP needs reasonable, rational people leading it... no more rabid ideologues and/or hacks. I still think he's wrong on the merits on most issues, but like John Mc Cain he could be one who both listens to other views and respectfully gives his perspective too. God knows that is a vanishing breed in that party.

 

[Sausy]

Regarding Crenshaw... his potential is through the roof... a retired Navy Seal and Lieutenant Commander, only 34, speaks Spanish fluently and is very good on camera... this is the Texas GOP's future version of Beto O'Rourke nationwide... bound to replace John Cornyn or take on Ted Cruz in a primary challenge for Senator, not merely be one of many in the House where few future successful Presidential bids inevitably start... he's going to give Cruz nightmares as a conservative who is much more likable, very intelligent and a war hero to boot... things Lyin' Ted couldn't be in his dreams.

 

[rareboy]

And they have computer modeling available which the Dems didn't have back in Jim Crow days.

As an aside- the new Congressperson from Texas who was on SNL this weekend- Dan Crenshaw- is from an incredibly gerrymandered district. That district used to include Southeast Texas, where there is a lot of Black Democratic voters and union members. The result of this gerrymander is a Houston urban-suburban district that magically ends up being 50% white.

This district is an obscenity.

Until Gerrymandering is crushed, America faces the very real possibility of minority rule and stasis. Pennsylvania's redistricting and the initiatives by other states to stamp out this anti-democratic approach of politicians choosing their voters gives some hope that there is a way back.

 

[Sausy]

This district is an obscenity.

Until Gerrymandering is crushed, America faces the very real possibility of minority rule and stasis. Pennsylvania's redistricting and the initiatives by other states to stamp out this anti-democratic approach of politicians choosing their voters gives some hope that there is a way back.

Damn looks like part of a jigsaw puzzle... it is unseemly, it's outrageous.

 

[KaraBulut]

Regarding Crenshaw... his potential is through the roof... a retired Navy Seal and Lieutenant Commander, only 34, speaks Spanish fluently and is very good on camera... this is the Texas GOP's future version of Beto O'Rourke nationwide...

That district had two really good candidates this year. Crenshaw does have a future and is one of a number of teachers, former military and former government employees entering the House. Let's hope they change Congress and not the other way around. Considering some of the Congressmen and State officials that Texas produces, Crenshaw is a welcome relief.

McSally in Arizona (another ex-military candidate) also gave a graceful concession speech (although the dog upstaged her- squirrel!):
https://twitter.com/MarthaMcSally/status/1062144676822577152/video/1

 

[rareboy]

Meanwhile, in Florida, Republicans find their voters where they can.

https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-brie...TmlQXIQxWrV2_8EFzTiB36jBZQVFZrXOvkYHR7rIIrYvA

 

[Sausy]

That district had two really good candidates this year. Crenshaw does have a future and is one of a number of teachers, former military and former government employees entering the House. Let's hope they change Congress and not the other way around.

McSally in Arizona (another ex-military candidate) also gave a graceful concession speech (although the dog upstaged her- squirrel!):
https://twitter.com/MarthaMcSally/status/1062144676822577152/video/1

Thankfully McSally did the right thing, and that dog was so adorable! She's another with a great background and story.. as does the winner of the Arizona Senate race, Democratic candidate Kyrsten Sinema. We have a great wave of Democrats in the House as well (primarily women) from diverse backgrounds and the more of them and the fewer the lawyers and career politicians the better.

 

[KaraBulut]

Thankfully McSally did the right thing, and that dog was so adorable! She's another with a great background and story.. as does the winner of the Arizona Senate race, Democratic candidate Kyrsten Sinema. We have a great wave of Democrats in the House as well (primarily women) from diverse backgrounds and the more of them and the fewer the lawyers and career politicians the better.

McSally made a misstep with her "what about the caravan?" game during the run-up to the election.

McSally is being smart because she knows that McCain's seat will probably open up in the near future since Jon Kyl is a temporary (and previously retired) placeholder.

 

[Sausy]

Her tilt toward the Trump right was really disappointing. I know there's a lot of smart tactics in her seeming graciousness, as when Kyl decides to step down, the earlier the better to name Mc Sally to be able to run in 2020 with an advantage to complete the remainder of the late Senator John Mc Cain's term. She seemed better than that kind of desperation and sewer politics... hopes she learns because I just don't see another Arizona seat going to the Dems at this point. Don't forget Sinema , though having a liberal background, has been much more of a centrist in recent years and even when they go Democrat in Arizona, it's centrists and mildly liberal candidates who really have a chance at getting elected.