MyDD :: AP: Childers WINS!!!

AP: Childers WINS!!!

by Jonathan Singer, Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:05:45 PM EST

Per NBC News, Democrat Travis Childers will win the special election in Mississippi's first congressional district!

Update [2008-5-13 22:13:44 by Jonathan Singer]: !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Update [2008-5-13 22:23:57 by Jonathan Singer]: Short, simple, to the point from the AP: "Democrat Travis Childers wins special election for Mississippi's 1st Congressional District."

Update [2008-5-13 22:33:14 by Jonathan Singer]: Two quick thoughts on this...

I don't want to go so far as to say that this is the end of the Republican Party, because it's not. But this is as bad news as the GOP could possibly get at this point. They lost a district that leans 6 points more Republican than the nation as a whole in Illinois in March. They lost a district that leans 7 points more Republican than the nation as a whole earlier this month in Louisiana. Now they lost a district that leans 10 points more Republican than the nation as a whole in Mississippi. If they can't win in Mississippi's first congressional district, where can they win?
The Republicans tried to make this election about two people: Barack Obama and Reverend Jeremiah Wright. And despite running this type of campaign, they lost. While it is true that Childers distanced himself from his party (and implicitly from Obama), the fact is that the Obama/Wright smears simply DID NOT WORK. The Republicans are going to have to get a new game plan, and the establishment media are going to have to get a new meme. Sorry folks.

Update [2008-5-13 22:45:9 by Jonathan Singer]: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee chairman Chris Van Hollen have statements on this monumental victory over at The Stakeholder.

Update [2008-5-13 22:50:17 by Jonathan Singer]: Senator Ronnie Musgrove (D-MS). Make it happen.

Update [2008-5-13 23:5:45 by Jonathan Singer]: An 8-point victory for Childers. What a drubbing. I thought this could be a couple-point win for Childers, at best, but 8 points? In an R+10 district? Wow. Just wow.

Tags: MS-01, Special Election, House 2008 (all tags)

Permalink :: 72 Comments :: Post a Comment

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 2)

Democrats! Democrats! Democrats!

this country wants a change and we will have it in November!

Dream for tomorrow but fight for it today.

by TruthMatters on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:14:27 PM EST

Yeeeeeehawwwwww! (2.00 / 1)

John McCain, maverick

by lojasmo on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:14:35 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

That's awesome!

by DeskHack on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:14:41 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

Incredible ... it's going to be a banner year for Democrats in the fall.

"If we can't live together... we're going to die alone."

by VAAlex on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:15:12 PM EST

Woooooo Hoooo!!!! (2.00 / 1)

This is a great year for Democrats.

by Tatan on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:15:13 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

My god, this is a done deal now?

Good for him, and good for our chances in the fall.

by werehippy on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:15:35 PM EST

YAY! (2.00 / 2)

by Zeitgeist9000 on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:15:42 PM EST

Chant it, chant it! (2.00 / 5)

Everyone was saying this was the special election most closely tied to Obama with over a million poured into attempting to tie them together.

Cooooattails, coooooattails!

Woo!

COATTAILS!

Lets go Democrats, let's go!

Commissar: Canadian Gal; Proletariat Policemen: ragekage, Lord Hadrian. "For the Proletariat!"

by Lord Hadrian on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:15:44 PM EST

And yes Senator Clinton (2.00 / 3)

would have around the same coattails.

But this was specifically Obama-based.

Commissar: Canadian Gal; Proletariat Policemen: ragekage, Lord Hadrian. "For the Proletariat!"

by Lord Hadrian on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:16:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

Wow! November is going to be amazing.

Lost rate and rec for issuing a '1' to a trollish comment. The troll, not so much.

by map on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:15:44 PM EST

WHOOOOOHOOOOOOOO! (2.00 / 6)

Both Democrats had a great night tonight.

Clinton pulled in a big win in West Virginia.

Obama showed that he is not the "scary Muslim negro liberal terrorist," even in the Deep South.

Great night for Democrats!

by elrod on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:16:12 PM EST

Exactly!!!! (2.00 / 2)

Yeah for the Democrats!!!!

by puma on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:21:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 4)

Timmeh called it seismic.

by DPW on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:16:14 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

This is SOOOO COOOOOOL!!!!

by mady on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:16:18 PM EST

WOOOOOHOOOOO! (2.00 / 1)

Republicans are going to get CREAMED in the fall.

I wish I was sitting in Tom Cole's living room right now, putting out the electrical fire that he caused when he broke his TV screen.

UNITY!

by The Great Gatsby on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:16:23 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 4)

I didn't think it was possible, but things like this make me dream of a wonderful number.

60.

Torture me once, shame on you; torture me and get away with it, shame on us all.

by freedom78 on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:16:51 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

Senator Warner
Senator Udall (CO)
Senator Udall (NM)
Senator Shaheen
Senator Allen
Senator Franken
Senator Hagan
Senator Begich
Senator Kleeb

At least its conceivable :). Maybe even 60 without Joementum if we can pick up Oregon!

McCain = Iraq. John McCain = overturn Roe.

by PantsB on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:42:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

Two words: Senator Noriega

John McCain

by DanM on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:55:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

3 for 3!!!

Hopefully we'll keep it up in November!!

by werd2406 on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:16:58 PM EST

FANTASTIC news! (2.00 / 1)

Hopefully many more of these on the way in November.

The 'ol Repub train is close to jumping the track....

by Seeking Cincinnatus on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:17:04 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

Results look close to me and not all county's have reported..... egg on face..?

by Jaz on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:17:23 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 2)

They know the counties well from the last round with these exact candidates, all the R strongholds are in and big D strongholds are still out.

by nwodtuhs on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:25:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 2)

haha, i bet Cheney didn't overnight there.

by Jerome Armstrong on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:17:29 PM EST

This is fantastic! (2.00 / 2)

It almost seemed like all Cheney's campaigning hurt Davis. All that Schadenfreude I've been trying not to feel in the primary race is gushing out now. This is a fantastic omen for November.

by semiquaver on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:17:52 PM EST

Childers Win will scare the Shit Out of Repugs (2.00 / 2)

EVERYWHERE!

#
# #
# # #
\ l /
l/

{:~D)

It's time to restore balance and fairness to our economy,... It's time to stop giving tax cuts to corporations that ship jobs overseas... - Barack Obama

by Lefty Coaster on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:18:09 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

And now we're going to Washington to TAKE BACK THE WHITE HOUSE! BYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

by thehastyexit on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:18:22 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

4 years late, but it sure is sweet.

by nwodtuhs on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:31:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

2008 is the year Dean wins. A fifty-state strategy funded by small donors over the internet, an engaged electorate, an activist base, a proud democratic party that stands up on principle while reaching out to Republicans and Independents...

The movement that started with Dean is only now coming to fruition, with millions of new voters and participants (even if some (Jerome) have jumped off).

Unable to rec or rate
Still supporting Obama
Still not putting up with "preening" posts

by jaiwithani on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:48:02 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Alright (2.00 / 1)

Now if Kleeb wins (looks pretty likely) everyone who voted in my poll was right!

Congrats to Rep Childers!

Student Guy=JoeMentum. No really Student Guy=JoeMentum, after all JoeMentum was an embarrassment so is Student Guy. This sig is FAIL!!

by Student Guy on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:18:29 PM EST

Woot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (2.00 / 1)

Wow this is AMAZING!!!!!!!

by puma on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:18:52 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

A result we can ALL agree on! Fantastic news!

by mlr701 on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:18:56 PM EST

The GOP is terrified right now. (2.00 / 4)

John McCain on social security.

by heresjohnny on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:19:40 PM EST

This says that Obama as the boogie man (2.00 / 3)

is NOT going to work this time.

Americans WANT change!!!!!!!!!!!

by puma on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:19:59 PM EST

Yes...take that Bush (2.00 / 1)

I am so proud to have donated to his campaign!

by netgui68 on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:20:16 PM EST

Re: Yes...take that Bush (2.00 / 1)

Agreed...me too.

First and Foremost: A Democrat in the White House

by mascho on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:21:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 4)

The Republicans ran ads tying him to Obama - and he won - just like the last special election. Another indication of the limits of this strategy.

We care about politics because we know politics matters for people's lives and opportunities.

by politicsmatters on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:20:26 PM EST

This brings a sigh of relief to (2.00 / 3)

both the Obama campaign and the superdelegates that that negative campaigning that the Repubs will use against Obama may not work this time.

As Obama says "NOT THIS TIME!"

by puma on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:23:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 2)

No matter what, yet another fantastic night for Democrats.

(As an aside, Governor Huckabee, who is spending his night on MSNBC, is still pulling in 10% of the vote against McCain in the W. Va. primary. Just throwing that out there).

First and Foremost: A Democrat in the White House

by mascho on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:21:15 PM EST

I love the smell of Repug tears in the evening. (2.00 / 1)

Smells like...victory!

Can we have a Kleeb diary now?

Wouldn't it be nice if there were no rhetorical questions?

by Elsinora on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:22:24 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

Does this mean Obama will win Mississippi in the g.e?

by nzubechukwu on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:22:31 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 2)

may haps. Definitely proves he's electable.

Unable to rec or rate Still supporting Obama

by astoria gooner on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:25:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 2)

Heh. Bill Clinton won Georgia and Louisiana. April's not the month to make predictions.

But our House prospects are great.

Commissar: Canadian Gal; Proletariat Policemen: ragekage, Lord Hadrian. "For the Proletariat!"

by Lord Hadrian on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:26:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

the GOP is so toast in the fall.

Tony Romo for Secretary of Awesome

by kasjogren on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:24:28 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

this is awesome news for republicans!

i'm glad you asked

by truth hurts on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:24:57 PM EST

Awesome, and look at the growing margin (2.00 / 1)

With the three counties still out or partially out, Childers is going to end up taking this R+10 rather easily, probably a six point win.

John McCain: Extending SCHIP would be an "unfunded liability."

by Fuzzy Dunlop on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:25:33 PM EST

Re: Awesome, and look at the growing margin (2.00 / 2)

Holy Shit... That's incredible!

by Tatan on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:29:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 3)

Gobama! Gobama! It's your birthday! It's your birthday!

Seriously though, this is now the THIRD special election, all GOP districts, all in increasingly heavier GOP districts, where the Repubs ran on the bad guy Obama -- and the Democrat wins.

How awesome are we! Seriously, Clinton folks, for all your Obama disdain, dislike, distrust, and distaste -- this is really good news for the party.

Fight the Smears!

by Lettuce on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:28:37 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 3)

OBAMA COATTAILS, BABY!

"This was never part of our arrangement, Specter" "I am altering the deal! Pray I don't alter it any further!" "This deal keeps getting worse all the time!"

by LordMike on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:32:59 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

The guy RAN TELEVISION ADS saying that he didn't know Barack Obama and had nothing to do with him.

The reaction? "Obama coattails, baby!" God, it's a great time for celebration, but can we at least do it in a non-delusional fashion? There were no "Obama coattails" involved in this win.

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:57:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

The GOP attached Obama to him like a lamprey on a shark.... So, yes, it's Obama coattails...

"This was never part of our arrangement, Specter" "I am altering the deal! Pray I don't alter it any further!" "This deal keeps getting worse all the time!"

by LordMike on Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:10:10 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Negative coattails - Denials don't matter (2.00 / 2)

Doesn't matter. This is about negative coattails and when your opponent hangs them on you, either they work or they don't. For decades Southern Republicans hung Ted Kennedy or the Clintons on every Southern Democrat. And every time the Democrat proclaimed his independence from Kennedy or Clinton. And it usually sunk the Democrat. This time it didn't. In fact, Childers actually INCREASED his margin after the GOP attacks. Looks like the anti-Obama attacks actually drove UP Democratic turnout.

by elrod on Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:16:34 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

W00t.

by MNPundit on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:34:53 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

by emptythreatsfarm on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:41:54 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (2.00 / 1)

...the fact is that the Obama/Wright smears simply DID NOT WORK. The Republicans are going to have to get a new game plan, and the establishment media are going to have to get a new meme. Sorry folks.

Agreed. Time for Fox News and the GOP to find a new smear tactic. Same goes for those nefarious Rev. Wright exploitationists over at HillaryIs44.org.

Vote Who Sane '08!

by nafamabo on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:44:12 PM EST

OOPS! (none / 0)

Sorry for the blankie.

I thought for sure that the previous election results would wake up some sleeping Republicans and that they would come out and Childers would lose.

This is great news.

I think we all need to stop wetting our pants and wringing our hands about the once mighty Republican attack machine. Right now, it's in retreat.

by emptythreatsfarm on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:44:53 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

Wooooooo Hooooooooo Childers!!!! So much for a R+20 stronghold......Dems all the way!!!!!

Toot, thank you for raising such a terrific person...You done good and we will have you in our hearts.

by hootie4170 on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:45:18 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

Awaiting Jerome's post about how this is bad news for Obama.

Unable to rec or rate
Still supporting Obama
Still not putting up with "preening" posts

by jaiwithani on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:48:57 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

What's that you see?

Coattails?

Whose?

OBAMA'S?

Reaaaaally?

So much for the "hurt the downticket" line.

Yawn.

by spacemanspiff on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:49:10 PM EST

Bring on the SDs! (none / 0)

Motley Moose: Progress Through Politics

by chrisblask on Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:41:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

YYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRGH! (none / 0)

WOW! I LOVE IT!

GeauxBama!

by DailyKingFish on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:53:12 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

Spectacular win!!

Now that we've helped this guy get elected, I sure hope he manages to vote with us at least once or twice ;)

"Another problem we have...is that in election years we behave somewhat as primitive peoples do at the time of the full moon." --Harry Truman

by Steve M on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:54:10 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

Just took a closer look at the numbers. Childers will end up winning 54-46 minimum.

Not even close.

John McCain: Extending SCHIP would be an "unfunded liability."

by Fuzzy Dunlop on Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:58:41 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

This is astonishing. How many states do you think the Dems will actually win in the GE?

by Rationalisto on Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:12:50 PM EST

All of them... (none / 0)

OK, maybe not that, but anything close to a theoretically contestable state is on the table.

-chris

Motley Moose: Progress Through Politics

by chrisblask on Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:38:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

swu- eat (none / 0)

I really want to see the kind of landslide this will create in November if numbers like this hold up. Even after sending in every statewide republican in Mississippi they still couldn't even come close. WOW.

bentheben

by bentheben on Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:13:17 PM EST

Re: AP: Childers WINS!!! (none / 0)

Holy crap. Eight points? Eight points?! in an R+10 district?

Actually some pretty good analysis over at redstate:

WHY KEEP BRINGING BACK UP OBAMA

Stop blaming other people. The media has nothing to do with this. The fact is that independents, moderate Republicans, and conservative Dems think the Republican party has really nothing to offer.

Honestly name 1 new thing that is new that has been said in this campaign season by the leadership that could help reduce oil prices for the long term or deal with healthcare or home foreclosures or blah blah blah blah.

The answer is NOTHING
Then you got the President threatening to veto popular Democratic bills that pisses off people even more. I know he doesn't have to run again but you think the Republican leadership by know would say it is time to save the party.

Hehe.

John McCain

by Mandoliniment on Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:35:40 PM EST

This is huge (none / 0)

and the Republicans ran vicious Obama/Childers attack ads...

Not only did Obama's coattails work, but more generally the move against the Reps is shown.

Again. 3 for 3.

Bring Nov!

-chris

Motley Moose: Progress Through Politics

by chrisblask on Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:37:17 PM EST

Whether you're a Dem or a Rep (none / 0)