The Last Last Election Thread

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by Oerdin
NV just called. It's officially a landslide.

I must have missed the 350 Electoral Votes for Obama after Nevada was called... when was North Carolina or Indiana & Missouri (or a combo) called for him?

[Sirotnikov]

Originally posted by MrFun
She wants to ban books she disagrees with and she believes in creationism.

Until 50 years ago all world leaders believed in Creationism.
That alone does not make you dumb. Maybe hopeful

The book banning story I believe is inflated.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Sirotnikov

Until 50 years ago all world leaders believed in Creationism.
That alone does not make you dumb. Maybe hopeful

The book banning story I believe is inflated.

You're so cute when you're wrong.

[Sirotnikov]

Originally posted by MrFun

You're so cute when you're wrong.

Oh yeah?

I'm darn cute!

[KrazyHorse]

Dude, where'd you get that "until 50 years ago" nonsense? Creationism was fringe in most of the urban parts of the US 50 years ago.

[Imran Siddiqui]

The interesting thing now is what happens with Liebermann? The Dems want to kick him out, but they could hit 60 if he still caucuses with them.

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Sirotnikov

I can't say I respect him more for choosing her. I respect his maverick character. I do think it was a bold decision to make. Had Palin proved to be a little more deserving of this nomination, it could have worked surprisingly better.

Funny enough, it was an odd choise, considering how it completely decimated his main point that Obama is inexperienced.

I suspect he made a rash judgement, possibly on little information. Obviously it was wrong. Sadly McCain has gone the old gramp's way. He was desperately looking for someone who could be thought as a republican "fresh blood", and got this wrong.

He tried to beat Obama at his own game and failed. He should have kept on playing on the "I'm more experienced" card, and get someone well respected but also non-partisan like Lieberman.

So he made both the strategic mistake of trying to beat Obama at his game, and the tactical mistake of choosing Palin.

Btw, I doubt Palin is as incompetent as claimed. I think her accent has gotten her alot of underserved mockery. She's severely inexperienced, but she ain't dumb.

Your analysis is reasonably on the mark, Siro. Frankly, the McCain campaign comprised a series of gambles and blunders that betrayed a lack of cohesion and poor judgment. It seemed to be a series of tactical decisions, never benefiting from a cohesive overall strategy.

Plus, as Oerdin noted, he was saddled with following the weakest sitting President in US history, whom he voted with 90% of the time. The "maverick" strategy was the right spin on that, but then...

His decision to go with Palin -- who reportedly was not even in the top 5 of his possible choices even a couple weeks previously -- was the biggest, most horrendous blunder. As you stated, it totally defused the experience/leadership advantage McCain held. But more importantly, it betrayed the campaign's patronizing attitude toward women, even as they thought they were courting Hillary supporters.

NOTE: Don't underestimate this factor. Look at the gender split in the popular vote (women 55-43 Obama, men 49-49).

Whether this was just incredibly poor judgment or misguided cynicism, whether it was directed by the strategy team or the candidate, the bottom line is that McCain has to take the rap for it. This, as it turns our was the key test of his leadership and judgment, and the choice he made (or accepted) backfired horribly. And, IMHO, predictably.

Lieberman would have been the true "maverick" choice, emphasizing bipartisanship and experience. But it takes a big leap of faith to abandon the base and hope to pull votes from the moderate-left. That would have been an interesting battle.

McCain's time was 8 years ago, but he got submerged by an inferior candidate. And we got stuck with 8 years of GWB.

The great irony is, if Gore had been granted the victory he earned in 2000, McCain would have been been in much better position tonight. Funny how these things come back to bite you in the ass.

[Dinner]

They're refusing to call NC even though 99% of the vote is in and Obama is ahead by 2%. It will be atleast 350 but probably over 360. We're talking landslide territory now. He may well win all four besides AK.

[Dinner]

The President of Kenya just declared tomorrow a national holiday in honor of Obama's victory.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
The interesting thing now is what happens with Liebermann? The Dems want to kick him out, but they could hit 60 if he still caucuses with them.

a) 60 as a number is silly, because they're never going to get 100% compliance on any issue they couldn't just reach across on

b) They're not going to get 60. Chambliss is almost over the top (needs outright majority to avoid runoff)

c) Lots of Dems want to **** Lieberman in the ass, for good reason. This may trump practical concerns.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Oerdin
Obama is ahead by 2%

No.

[Lancer]

Originally posted by Oerdin
The President of Kenya just declared tomorrow a national holiday in honor of Obama's victory.

[KrazyHorse]

Per MSNBC he's ahead by 14000 votes out of 4 million cast. That is 0.3%. Most of the remaining ballots are from Republican areas.

From what I can see, he will win it, but it will be damn close.

[KrazyHorse]

Lieberman would have been the true "maverick" choice, emphasizing bipartisanship and experience.

Yes.

[Dinner]

"What's Left - Senate Version

Mark Udall wins easily in Colorado. Mark Begich will defeat the convicted tubes guy. Landrieu has escaped in Louisiana. That's 57 seats.

Minnesota, Oregon, Mississippi and Georgia have not been called. Democrats will need to win three of those to get to 60 votes, and all four to get to a Lieberman-proof, filibuster-proof majority.

Now, let's not kid ourselves. When the Obama speech happens, it's gonna be all Nate for a bit. I'm joining Brett outside."