We the People of the United States ...
have spoken. Do you want to see the importance of the rules of our democratic republic? Look at the election returns. Control of the House ... after a twelve year lag ... changed thanks to the voters. Control of the Senate ... after a similar period except for a short interregnum ... is also leaning Democrat. A ballot measure in South Dakota rejected a legislative move to strip abortion rights. [See ScotusBlog for some discussion/links to today's abortion orals.]
And, many statewide races (one account noted the Dems now have a majority) -- including my own -- went Democrat. True, a move to give one lucky voter a million dollars did not pass, and a few states supported restrictions on gay marriage -- and beyond, as in Virginia. But, the people are not always right. I know ... being a person, and not always right. For instance, until recently, I thought Lamont would win.*
And, the every vote counts "cliché?" Did that matter? Well, statistically it did. The control of the Senate falls on a couple seats that were decided by tiny margins, the third party candidates determining things. This underlines the value of Instant Runoff Voting (IRV) ... some independent/fiscal conservative Green Party member received about twenty five thousand votes in Virginia [about half of the vote of the NY candidate], where Webb's margin is half that amount (the state has an optional runoff if the difference is less than .5%, which it currently is -- without that sliver of votes, statistically a tie). This sort of thing is not new. In 2000, the Senate control relied on a Libertarian candidate, and Jeffords switching to break that 50-50 tie. At least twice, the Electoral College also depended on such dynamics.
[I'd add that the Rummy announcement was surprising as well. It might be noted that doing so before the election just might have helped -- given the tiny margins -- Republicans retain the Senate. Apparently, he -- don't laugh and hey arguably one should say "good for him," if it's true -- said that he didn't want to make the move political. BTC News noted that something like this would not really matter, the true problem is at top. But, as with yesterday's election, those two are harder to get rid of, especially after Pelosi today noted impeachment is "off the table." It is a symbol.
Also, I disagree his particular brand of incompetence in itself did not add fuel to the fire, even if it was ultimately following the lead from above. But, even that guy is not an immoveable object. And, in various ways, a loyalist like Rice can do some good. Now, an update suggests the alternative offerred is a dubious one. Well, that's another story. In fact, and I respect his/her opinion enough to be wary, Betty thinks this might very well be worse. And, given the guy's background, just when we need an uncontroversial choice, I don't doubt it. Oy vey.
Now, since Cheney too was guaranteed to stay until the very end -- yet again GB is shown to have been full of something other than swagger -- maybe, he too will resign to spend time with his family? Sen. Santorum had a rather nice -- even asking for a round of applause for Casey -- concession speech. His son little so sad there. Maybe, Cheney could too?]
Michael Kinsley had a lame ass "look I'm a contrarian!" Slate article on Election Eve, ridiculing the Pelosi Platform. This included "I'm annoyed they don't have a way out of Iraq ... not that I or anyone else does" whine, plus complaints about various special interest/pandering moves. Apparently, he wanted a ten point victory plan, plus a list of all the taxes the Democrats would raise once they won. I know this sort of thing is par for the course from some of the online magazine's commentators, and he too falls into line a few times as well. But, oh grow up. We are talking oversight. We are talking stopping the bleeding. We are talking some small steps in the right direction. And, damn, I hope we are talking less broken legislating. You know, time to read over bills, bills written openly, and yes, some real role for the minority party.
Those who looked upon people like myself being pissed at the election shenanigans in 2000 sneered. It was not principle, but sore losership that led us to be upset. Don't project your sad ethics on me, okay? The fact that the wrong person obtained office factored into things, but the fact they cheated was the special sting. And, again, the fact the Democrats won this time around does not mean that is all that matters. No way. The preface of Broken Branch, the jeremiad against the depths Congress has fallen, especially since 1994, ended with a warning -- if the Democrats did the same thing, the authors would write a sequel.
I would add that if they do not act in clear progressive ways -- with some respect for institutional limitations -- that I will be on the case as well. This election is a step in the right direction, but the journey is perennial. To quote another founding document, we "pursue" happiness, do not truly obtain it all. The people also have a large responsibility in this effort, and I will try to do my little part in the whole affair.
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* The fact the Democratic Senate (if the Webb numbers hold up) rests on the shoulders of the asshole from Connecticut -- again thanks CT voters and all you national Dems who did so little for Lamont (hey, that letter you eventually deigned to write helped soooo much Obama, really) -- is a bit depressing. I'm sorry, that sour taste is still in my mouth.
But, it's better than him potentially controlling a 50-50 Senate, Cheney offering the tiebreaker (we are running out of moderate Republicans, except maybe the women from Maine, to switch over), or a 51/52 Republican vote going the other way. After all, the Senate was always iffy -- the fact we won seats in Ohio, RI, MO, MT, and probably VA (toss in PA; nice concession speech) is remarkable.
And, TN -- C-SPAN had a clip of the R. campaign HQ where they appeared to be line dancing -- was pretty close, probably some part of the c. 3% margin racial. Oh, the Wyoming delegate -- the one who called her opponent too NY -- is winning by a thread. It is not listed as called yet by CNN.