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11/3/2010
Thrills and tidbits
Congratulations to the victors and to the thousands of volunteers throughout Wisconsin who participated, in very real ways, in their democracy. Wow. Two new Republican congressional districts in Wisconsin. And a clean sweep of the statehouse – governor, State Senate and the Assembly. Wow.
The Ribble speech last night was moving, challenging. Reid thanked his family, praised the strength and resolve of those “on whose shoulders I stood.” He vowed to be a representative of the people – and goaded us to hold him to it. In closing, blessed with blessings, asked Denver’s Mile High to perform God Bless America. I’m moved still, as I type the words. Lord God, we need your guidance moving forward….
I didn’t see or hear Dr. Kagen’s concession speech. The AP says “He touted [health care reform and the stimulus] achievements in a concession speech to supporters, saying, ‘We will battle on. The first day of the next campaign cycle starts tomorrow.’”
Yup, the lame-duck is coming. Best not to do anything stupid, Dr. Kagen.
I did see Lieutenant Governor candidate and outgoing state Representative Tom Nelson screaming and hollering, not willing to concede when “only” 30% of the votes were counted in the Governor’s race. Grace under pressure, Tom. A little grace.
‘Investing’ in elections
The use of the word seems kind of blatant to me. You? From an RGA press release early this morning:
The Republican Governors Association was a key investor in Scott Walker’s victory spending a total of $5 million on the race. The RGA ran a comprehensive campaign including TV and internet ads and direct mail. The series of ads were devastating to Tom Barrett as they outlined Barrett’s record of more taxes and less jobs and that he would be like a third term for Jim Doyle, only worse. All told, RGA ran 8 TV ads and sent 8 pieces of mail for absentee, early voting, and GOTV, totaling 2.9 million mail pieces.
The Tea Party in Wisconsin
While he [RPW chair Reince Priebus] remarked on the historic nature of the night for the GOP, he said it was not about Republicans and Democrats, but about "real and authentic people" going to Madison and Washington who will govern with "pure hearts."
Priebus also acknowledged the role of the Tea Party movement, saying it has helped hold Republicans to their principles, which he said the GOP won't turn from again.
"We're proud we won your support and we appreciate your support," he said.
My dad just called from South Carolina, wanting the specifics on our Wisconsin races, very excited to hear all the news, here and across the country. Thanks dad!
Ok. Down to brass tacks. Our job now: to hold our newly elected representatives accountable. They have their job to do, we have ours. Ours is a big one that will continue to require that same army of volunteers assembled to win these races, that same huge army celebrating last night. Stay tuned. Very much more to do.
Jo Egelhoff, FoxPolitics.net
COMMENTS
This is all a game. The people that won the election didn't even run for office. They were the moneyed interests that funded the campaigns. And now we must resolve ourselves for more of the same. Political bribery will run the R's just as it did the D's.
Jack Lohman (Wed Nov 03 09:03:45 2010)
Well done Jo. I know how invested you were in the election.
Your last paragraph is the most important. Move forward and create a Great United States for our children.
David (Wed Nov 03 09:19:52 2010)
Folks, I am not a Republican. But I am IMMENSELY pleased to see baby killers fired from public office, or denied holding public office. The REAL work, the HARD work, is all AHEAD of us, not behind us.
Jack, if it's merely a game, don't play. But don't complain, either.
Andrew Ellis (Wed Nov 03 09:26:31 2010)
Andrew, if you can't see that corporate money is driving the system, quit wasting your time. You will NEVER return our democracy to the people, whether R's or D's are in power. Get the blinders off.
Jack Lohman (Wed Nov 03 09:31:59 2010)
Jack, would you be this negative if the Democrats had picked up more seats? Ron Johnson practically funded his own campaign, except for my $25 donation, or all the newspapers and TV lied. For a Republican. Ri-ight.
You're spot on, Jo. I'm happy as a lark in the park. Didn't get to see the singing of "God Bless America" but was hoping NBC would stay with the Ribble party long enough to hear it but they didn't.
C.R. Stevenson (Wed Nov 03 10:33:00 2010)
C.R., I hate to break it to you but I voted for Ron Johnson too. Much as you may not agree, but I am a republican at heart. But the R's are bought and paid for too, though Johnson hasn't gotten into that loop (yet!) My contention is that money (bribes) drives the political votes, not the best interest of the constituents, and certainly not the best interests of the nation.
Jack Lohman (Wed Nov 03 10:45:25 2010)
Kudos to the winners! You won the "opportunity" to effect positive change mostly on vague promises and ephemeral claims of being able to make things better. Now let's see if you can in fact govern. I expect the jobs, economic recovery, improved health care costs, and higher standard of living you promised without excuses! See you in two years...
Dennis (Wed Nov 03 10:59:08 2010)
Yes, Dennis, to a large extent you are correct. Jo's admonition that "Our job [is] to hold our newly elected representatives accountable," I think, is wishful thinking.
Our "representatives" are not owned by us, they are owned by the moneyed interests that got them elected (at least, in part). The other [person] who got them elected was a very inept Barack Obama. Just as Bush got him elected.
But the point is that they are NOT accountable to "us," they are accountable to them.
Jack Lohman (Wed Nov 03 11:32:56 2010)
Jack:
Well if Ron Johnson funded most of his campaign, which he did, then who is the them you mention that he is beholding to?
I do agree that there is way too much money in politics which forces out some very good candidates and I think we all agree, especially after the brutal negative ad campaigns, that significant reform needs to happen in the campaign financing area. I know about the first amendment rights but somehow we need to cap the money spent to level the playing field. Rather than complain about it in this blog Jack, I would like to see some constructive solutions from you as to how you would change it. That would be productive and a great dialogue. Otherwise you are like the boy who cried wolf, after awhile noone listens to you.
Mike
Mike Thomas (Wed Nov 03 11:55:36 2010)
Mike, Johnson funded most of his FIRST campaign. Now he goes to Washington and his first chore is to raise enough money to get re-elected, and the best and fastest way to do that is to follow Mitch McConnell's lead and sell out to the special interests.Or he can do what Kohl does and fund all campaigns, but I don't think his family business can support that.
Those people (including me) that voted for Johnson are not going to be as happy with Year 2 as they were with Year 0. That's exactly what happened with Feingold. He took zero money in the beginning and then did what politicians have to do: sell out. He voted for ObamaCare and the toothless banking regulations, and failed to support what 65% of the public wants in health care: single-payer.
And well, Mike, no one on this blog listens, and I know it, but I do offer constructive solutions. FIRST get the bribes out of the system, and then these jerks would be voting in the best interest of the country. Until then even the Tea Partiers are going to be whistling Dixie. As a point of interest (to those who really care) the Fair Elections Now Act is voluntary and thus passes constitutional muster.
Jack Lohman (Wed Nov 03 12:18:40 2010)
And Mike, this photo probably describes it best....
Jack Lohman (Wed Nov 03 12:33:37 2010)
Jack:
Thanks for your response and I appreciate the link. I think we should continue to look at ways to fix the system and not just complain. Your last response was more positive than I have seen in weeks. Keep going after it, it is worth it.
Mike
Mike Thomas (Wed Nov 03 12:36:55 2010)
Jack said;
>>>He voted for ObamaCare and the toothless banking regulations, <<<
Did Feingold oppose single-payer? Was there a better alternative?
He voted against the toothless banking regulations.
>>>He was the only Democratic Senator to vote against the financial reform law because he said, rightly, that it didn’t do enough to prevent another banking crisis.<<<
http://progressive.org/wx1103b10.html
To bad people can't get the facts straight.
Dean Weichmann (Wed Nov 03 18:07:46 2010)
I stand corrected Dean. He voted against it, likely because his vote wasn't needed. But were he really against it he would have filibustered it. And he refused to co-sign the Sanders single-payer bill all while claiming he supported it.
Jack Lohman (Wed Nov 03 19:22:26 2010)
Congratulations to all the winners. Most of you I supported, some of you I did not but the people have spoken and you now take your place as a representative of the people YOU work for.
It is our responsibility as constituents at every level to stay informed. Follow your representatives, tell them what you like and don't like and most importantly....hold them responsible. Make sure they keep the positions they took in the campaign...and if they don't...when they come up for re-election we need to show them the door.
Dale (Wed Nov 03 20:36:35 2010)
And I misspoke (egads!) On the banking regulations they had 60 votes so a filibuster would not have worked.
Jack Lohman (Thu Nov 04 10:20:47 2010)
Jack-
I suspect you are right, and Repubs will show themselves hypocrites as in the past. Help us take names, keep score. We are hankering for a recall, which can take place a yr after being in office.
Ken Van Doren (Thu Nov 04 11:53:03 2010)
At the federal level? What are the rules on state and federal recalls?
Jack Lohman (Thu Nov 04 12:00:56 2010)
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