Well the election hascome and gone, the Republicans failed to dislodge an incumbent during a lackluster economy and gave up seats in the Senate, but managed to retain their control of the House of Representative.
Three states expanded marriage equality.
Two states have started directly challenging the Federal government on Marijuana.
One southern state turned back an assault on personal physical sovereignty. (I despise the idea of abortion rights, or women’s rights, there are no group rights, only individual rights; the right to decide which elective procedure you have or not done to your body is an issue of person physical sovereignty.)
A territory indicated a desire to become a state.
All in all it was an interesting night of results, so who are the big winners and the big losers?
LOSERS:
The Republicans Party: hanging onto just the house was not enough. The AC A is law and it will stay that way. 2014 Will see the exchanges and then the states that are resisting the exchanges will have to answer to their citizen why they can’t insurance.
Social Conservatives: A whole slate of pro-life candidates lost as their absolutist positions collided with a younger and more tolerate electorate.
Statistical Doubters: If nearly every poll is pointing against your position, and you insist that all the polls are biased, you probably aren’t engaging with reality.
Mitt Romney: He sold his soul, became whatever he thought he needed to be, switched positions more often than a prostitute and in end lost.
WINNERS:
Barack Obama: He avoided the stigma of becoming a one term president. In a climate hostile to re-election he and his team worked the numbers and followed the path to victory.
Nate Silver: 50 for 50 on his state by state projections, and on target with his popular vote predictions. To a lesser degree the pollsters won, catching an unusual voting population that few expected.
The Gay Community: Marriage equality in three states, with popular votes, would be enough to declare a victory, but they also elected the first openly lesbian senator. The times, and the culture, they are a changing.
Young People: Derided as a fluke in 2008 they not only returned to the polls to vote, but increased their number. (I wonder how much Facebook and Social Media played in that. I saw a contestant stream of political messages and urges to vote. If peer pressure is brought consistently to voting then the young vote may be here to stay.)
Women: A record number of women now serve in the senate, including a first, an all female delegation in the House. They beat back attacks on their personal sovereignty rights, and increased their vote share.
Interesting article.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/barone-obama-wins-by-going-negative-and-turning-out-base/article/2513117#.UKAhexzxYc8
Still waiting for the final total of popular vote for Pres., but as of November 11 is only 120.6 million which is less than 2004 election, and way less than in 2008.
Republicans hold onto 235 House seats, which is more than the Republican house majorities of 1994-2006. Republicans are still stronger today then when Obama was first elected President, a lot stronger.
I expect long term the Obama presidency should be looked upon as a disaster for the Democratic Party but won’t. Just as the Clinton Presidency was a disaster for the Party but Clinton is celebrated too.
Now that there is nothing to stop Obamacare, the repercussions to employment are expanding. Was Obamacare designed to fail from the beginning? Leading to de-facto government provided single-payer?
It’s going to be an interesting next two years.
I can’t agree that women had a complete win. The loss of physical sovereignty in even one state is a huge loss that sets a precedent for more losses in the future if it sticks. (I am sure court challenges are coming.)
In Florida, my local race has been called into question by the official loser (at this point). Allen West (R), has requested (demanded, really) a recount and is accusing my county of unfair voting practices. Allen West is one of the far-Right candidates. I saw one video of him stating that (paraphrase) the problems in this country started when women got the vote. (I will see if I can find a video link. Those of you who are Republican really need to take a close, hard look at where your party is going compared to what you believe in. My husband refused to vote for the Republican candidate this go around, preferring to cast his vote for Tyrion Lannister, instead of supporting candidates who talk big on social conservative issues. Yes. He is that disgusted with his party.) I personally think West has lost but it isn’t over here ’til the courts settle it. Hugs to all!! M.