"Tom Schaller utterly vindicated."

I wouldn't go that far. Schaller has some good ideas, and some whacked ideas too-- these center mostly around how he designs that the path to a Democratic majoirty is to ostracize through an anti-southerness in order to regionally isolate the Republicans. We can beat them with a 50 state strategy instead.

A big thank you, Chris Bowers. You've been a sensible, conscientious voice throughout this election cycle. You've been a stand-in for all that I thought good about the netroots candidates, people like McNerney, Duckworth, Trauner and others. Keep up the good work.

So, when do we start picking targets for 2008?

Get some sleep, Chris.  You done good.

I know as something more akin to a journalist (more like a service provider) then an activist, so this is a bit of a risky thing to say, but I had some of my faith restored last night.

Now there can be some real oversight of Administration and a restoration of some sense of conversation between different points of view in Washington (I hope).

A great night.

phillyfuture.org - where we come together

Absolutely beautiful: "Democrats take the national majority in the House, Senate, Governors, and State Legislatures. The only thing Republicans have left--Bush--still sports a sub-40% approval rating."

Bush is scheduled to address the nation at 1:00 Eastern. Maybe he's announcing that he and his administration are resigning en masse and handing the White House over to the Dems.

Well, one can dream.

WTF is happening in Montana? Tester margin is shrinking dangerously.

Thinking 2008 -- well maybe there will be a Senate Race in Minnesota between Al Franken and that guy who stole the Wellstone Seat, Norm Coleman.  The announcement should be late winter or early spring, but Franken is already doing his basic organization.  

"Carol Shea Porter for DCCC chair!"  Absolutely.  However, Carol would tell you that it took all of us to get her elected, and she talked about the love for each other, and the country, that made this campaign work.  And that is exactly what it was, love.  No machine politics here, pure grassroots, just what Howard Dean taught us.  Absolutely beautiful.

Some though are not.  I'd like to think that we'll be fair to both groups - folks like Boyda and Hostettler deserve our support and concern.  

 Here in Maryland we dodged a serious bullet with Michael Steele's defeat. The guy's a serious wingnut, and ran a fluff, substanceless campaign designed to conceal his true nature. And it almost worked. Good thing our voters came through, but we might not be so lucky next time.

 And while Ben Cardin's not the most inspiring campaigner, he's been a very effective congressman and he's going to do Maryland proud in the Senate. Congratulations Ben!

 I hope the Maryland Democratic Party now takes a good hard look at itself and doesn't use O'Malley's apparent (and very narrow) victory as an excuse to keep taking the state for granted. We need to develop a REAL infrastrcuture -- in a great year for Democrats nationwide, we barely held on here.

Thanks for all your hard work.

Your writing and ideas make it easier for a lot of people to be good citizens. That's pretty cool.

Is there any site that has a good listing of the state legislature results overall? From looking at newspaper websites from around the country, it looks like Dems cleaned up in the Oregon House, both in Colorado, Kentucky's House, and both in Minnesota. I know all of that info is probably forthcoming though.

Republicans shut out: No House, Senate, or Governor pickups for Republicans.

They won Connecticut by proxy.

Huffington has a comment today crying out against Howard Dean saying the Democrats will not "cut and run" from Iraq.  That is something like George Washington telling the troops George III is still our king.

Grand victories indeed.

But the bleeding needs to stop before there is any real hope of good health for the country.  Iraq can only get worse.  Most Democrats as well as most Republicans have chosen to blind themselves to reality and even common decency.

Liberals are always at the beginning of things, never at the end.

Thanks to all who fight the good fight.  

Best,  Terry

Please tell me that we're not getting power-drunk (OK, we're definitely all deserving of a few beers).    What gains can possibly come from internecine warfare atop this?  Sometimes it's best to forgive, forget, and forge on ahead.

Montana - 99%, +1500 still for Tester.

Tester is going to be senator!!

"No one can ever do worse than they did this year."  -Bowers

Good work, everybody!  But remember, they're not going to just roll over.  Bush, Cheney, and Rove are right now planning ways to screw us over and take back everything we have won.  Celebrate today, but tomorrow it starts all over again.

Also, let me just say that my two favorite moments last night were when Webb and McCaskill came out and announced their victories.  THAT is how you do it.  Act like a winner.

The fight is on now to communicate that progressives, and especially netroots progressives, brought substantial and real political force to bear in this election, and that we deserve a place at the table. How do we counter Rahm Emanual and the complicit media, besides talking ourselves up here on the web?

Heh. Ike Skelton becomes the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. He's said the first thing he'll do is re-establish oversight subcommittees. Let the hearings begin.

republican irrelevance precipitated by the cuts of a thousand subpoenas...

We're in the same place now that Lamont was after the primary. Real gains and a hell of a good showing, but now we have to drive it home and make it stick. No time to lose focus.

Anyone know how Yellowstone County trends?  I saw a thing where the Election guy forgot to save the totals and now they are recounting... Is Yellowstone traditionally Dem or GOP?  COuld this be where they steal a race?

I must say my faith has been restored!> This is the best political day of my life. And MyDD has guided me through it.

Meagher county is the only one left according to CNN now.  Anyone know any Demo's for it?  Montana is WAY too close.

OK, We've gained control! I'm happy, I'm celebrating! "but" Come January, I want to know, what is the first thing we are going to do politically to change something, anything?

The other interesting thing to watch will be the shakeup on the GOP.  I have to assume that Hastert loses his leadership position based on the Foley scandal and losing the house... I can't see them naming him minority leader, but I could be wrong.  Who takes over for Frist as the Senate Minority leader is something to watch as well.  Hopefully they pick some wingnuts... if so, we might get a nice permanent shift with the Indies.  

We also need to watch the MSM over the next 1/2 to year.  As much as the repubs were the big boses party of favor, the big boses also want to sell news.  With such a shift by the public, the normal "capitalist" move would be a transition to service the new direction of public opinion.  If they do change this way, then we know that sales are more important than their political desires and we can control them via consumer action.  If they don't, then we know they have to be always suspected and fought.

I haven't checked the State Legislature results, but I think almost as important as the Governor's race in Ohio are the races for State Attorney General and Secretary of State. Both captured, narrowly, by Democrats.

To me most importantly, that means that there is now a Democrat able to clean up the election systems mess that Blackwell left, and help ensure that Ohio has a fair vote count in 2008.

I'm looking forward to what Chris calls "the first time in 54 years that the party without a southern majority now has the House majority."

But the Gang of 500 members at the Washington Post are already trying to counter that.  What are they talking about?

The complexion of the Democratic presence in Congress will change as well. Party politics will be shaped by the resurgence of "Blue Dog" Democrats, who come mainly from the South and from rural districts in the Midwest and often vote like Republicans. Top Democrats such as Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) see these middle-of-the-road lawmakers as the future of the party in a nation that leans slightly right of center.

-From Baker and VandeHei analysis

Huh?  What election were they watching?

I thought the term was Yellow Dog Dem

Jim Marshall wins the squeaker in GA-8! But playing the "Nancy" card will make it even harder for him in 2008. . . which is why Dems should push a strongly progressive legislative agenda that does not completely alienate rural voters (e.g. minimum wage, environmental concerns, veterans benefits, election reform).  It'll still be tough to hold places like GA-8, given the misinformation in this campaign (particularly on immigration).

Here's a link to the Marshall victory speech.  No recount is expected. . .

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/15961060. htm

The aggregated Senate vote over all races nationwide was 56.2-43.8 for Dems.  

That's over 12 points.  

12 points is a lot.

see my full post here:

http://www.mydd.com/story/2006/11/8/1053 16/382

http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/11/08/no /#comments

In private talks before the election, Emanuel and other top Democrats told their members they cannot allow the party's liberal wing to dominate the agenda next year. Democrats will hold 30 or 35 seats that went for Bush in the past, meaning that Democratic candidates such as Brad Ellsworth in rural Indiana are likely to face competitive races again in 2008. Still, their interests are likely to collide with those of veteran liberals such as Reps. Henry A. Waxman (Calif.) and John Conyers Jr., (Mich.), who will chair committees.

How is a liberal agenda different from a Democratic Agenda?

Looking at what is still left to come in from NM-1 and WY-AL would it be safe to say those are still possible gains?

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006//pages/ results/states/NM/H/01/county.000.html

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2006//pages/ results/states/WY/H/01/county.000.html

Democratic Pick ups in Blue Districts
1)Perlmutter (CO-7)
2)Murphy (CT-5)
3)Klien (FL-22)
4)Braley (IA-1)
5)Loebsack (IA-2)
6)Yarmuth (KY-3)
7)Hodes (NH-2)
8)Sestak (PA-7)

assuming Democrats hold on to leads in CT-2 and PA-8= 10
Shays-CT4,Wilson-NM1 and Gerlach-PA-6 appear to have survived.

Democratic pick ups in Weak Red States
1)Mitchell (AZ-5)
2)Giffords (AZ-8)
3)McNerney (CA-11)
4)Mahoney (FL-16)- faces a tough re-election challenge.
5)Walz (MN-1)
6)Shea Porter (NH-1)
7)Hall (NY-19)
8)Gillibrand (NY-20)
9)Arcuri (NY-24)
10)Altmire (PA-4)

Democratic Pick ups in Strong Red States
1)Donnelly (IN-2)
2)Ellsworth (IN-8) landslide
3)Hill (IN-9)
Hill may face a tough race in 2008
4)Boyda (KS-2)-face a tough race in 2008
5)Shuler(NC-11)
6)Space (OH-18) landslide
7)Carney (PA-10)
8)Lampson (TX-22) face a tough race in 2008
9)Kagen (WI-8) face a tough race in 2008

Hill(IN-9) is the Democrats Frank Riggs.
Boyda(KS-2) is probally the Democrats Michael Flanagan.
I hope Kagen(WI-8) does not become another Jay Johnson.

For the New Democratic Majority: An Exit Plan for Iraq

Madam Speaker has offered a 100 hour plan.  Here's a protocol for beginning to disengage from Iraq.  This protocol is creative and forward-looking, and it takes responsibility for the chaos America under Bush has created.  It cannot possibly be called "cut-and-run" or "defeatist."

Now that they've taken control of the House and perhaps the Congress, Speaker Pelosi and a united Democratic party should promote convocation of a Middle East Peace Conference with every country and faction invited, including Iran,  Hamas, Hezbollah, Israel, Syria, et al. All offensive or retaliatory operations by all participants are to cease for the duration of the Conference. The goal of the Conference will be to arrange a stable peace in Iraq so the U.S. can withdraw its forces and close its bases.  The U.S. will commit to withdraw all of its forces when the peace plan is in place and will give a gesture of good faith by immediately withdrawing 10,000 troops.  All parties must agree to the peace plan and must commit to the conference process until the plan is completed.  

Looking at the Senate Race

Cardin-(MD) won by 10 percent margin
Klobuchar-(MN) won by 20 percent margin
McCaskill (MO) won by a less than 5 percent margin.
Menendez (NJ) won by a 5 to 10 percent margin
Brown (OH) won by a 10 to 15 percent margin
Casey (PA) won by a 15 to 20 percent margin
Whitehouse(RI)won by a 5 to 10 percent margin
Corker (TN) won by a less than 5 percent margin

Cardin-MD,Klobuchar-MN,Menendez-NJ,Brown -OH,Casey-PA,and Whitehouse-RI and Sanders-VT are favored to win re-election in 2012.

McCaskill-MO,Tester-MT,Corker-TN,and Webb-VA will face a tough re-election challenge.

what happened in state legislature races?  how about an update?

   But I made one prediction.  If the Democrats were to take the Senate, and no we have, I said that Senator Specter would retire before the next Congress.  Specter will lose his seat as the head of the judiciary committee.  Specter LOVES that job, and he is probably crushed right now.  He also sees the handwriting on the wall for moderate Republicans.  The Republican party became more extremist last night, and Specter is one of very few Republican moderates left.  I wouldn't be surprised if he announced his retirement in December, as little bit of a fuck you to the party leadership.  Rendell would be free to appoint a Democrat of his choice.  

Bush got 51% in 2004 in MN-1.

If the Republicans want to play the "moderate Dems will now control the Congress" card, I don't see why that's a bad thing. It just means our agenda is strongly middle of the road, and that the broad mainstream of the public supports things like minimum wage, wider coverage of healthcare, and tossing out the Patriot Act.

What bothers me is getting stabbed in the back by our suitier comrades. Yeah, you played a part, but sure as hell we did too. Give us some respect!

Chris,

Here in NH-01, we LOVE your comment re Carol Shea-Porter chairing the DCCC!   What a great candidate!   What a great campaign!   Thanks to all who paid attention (at least near the end) and supported us with $$$ and with words of encouragement.

Carol Shea-Porter and her campaign will be LEGEND.

(See you in '08 when we defeat Senator John Sununu.)

A brain is a terrible thing to melt. At last, it can be shown: "Bush's Brain" meltdown. Karl who?

Thank you, Chris Bowers, grassroots activist.
You have been an inspiration to this proud Democrat.

The state of Maryland is back in safe Democratic hands.

Goodbye, Ehrlich.  Say Hello to Governor O'Malley
Goodbye Steele.  Say Hello to Senator Ben Cardin.

Reading your post about what we have accomplished. I found tears rolling down my face.  Yes we have really done it.  Thanks for your leadership.

-----------egregious of firedoglake