The Party's Over...

Well, it's finally closing time for Closing Time. You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. I can call a cab for all of you who backed a losing candidate. You really shouldn't be driving in that condition. For the victors, I know an after-hours joint that will keep you partying 'til dawn. And if there are any politicians or consultants in the house, do try to get some beauty sleep tonight. The 2008 campaign starts in just a couple of hours, and we want all of you to look your best.

-- Robert Smith

4:17 a.m. EST | 11-8-2006 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post

Your Turn

It's been a long night for those of us here at election central (and it will probably be a long week for our Virginia reporting team), but we've been entertained, chastened and prodded by our good listeners and readers via email. We've responded to some of the complaints and questions on the air and posted many of them already. But because some of the comments don't fit neatly anywhere else, we'll post them here.

Since those of us who worked on the blog are going to sleep soon, new comments won't be posted. Thanks for your insight throughout the evening and early morning.

-- Robert Smith

4:13 a.m. EST | 11-8-2006 | permalink | comments (10) | e-mail post

The Five Stages of Losing the House

Conservative bloggers have seemed to move through the stages of grief tonight:

Denial (in an early post from the National Review): "There is a big, clear wave breaking the Republicans' way in just about every competitive race coast to coast, and it could mean results very, very different from what the Washington crowd expected."

Anger (from Right Angle): "What else caused the GOP's downfall? Speaker Dennis Hastert (R.-Ill.), Majority Leader John Boehner (R.-Ohio) and Roy Blunt (R.-Mo.) all deserve blame for their failed leadership in the House. Sen. Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.), although retiring this year, will go down in history as one of the worst majority leaders, having failed to capitalize on the winning issues of judicial nominees, tax cuts and significant earmark reform."

Bargaining (from GOP Bloggers): "If Republicans would have passed earmark reform, held the line on spending, done something meaningful on immigration after making a big stink about it and made permanent any of the 2003 tax cuts, they would not be in this mess."

Depression (from Little Green Footballs): "With the House in Democrat control, we can expect to see flying subpoenas and impeachment hearings, and big parties across the Middle East."

Acceptance (from the closing post of the National Review): "What do you do? You mope. You drink. You swear a bit. And then, after a little while, you get back up on the horse and try again. Regarding this, I think the Democrats have inferior policies. But the country chose 'em; now they get to see how they work."

-- Robert Smith

3:24 a.m. EST | 11-8-2006 | permalink | e-mail post

The Election Heard 'Round the World

 

 

 

Here's a round-up of how the U.S. election is playing in a few places in the international media:

The Guardian:

"Whatever the final tally of seats in Congress after the midterm elections, President Bush faces growing pressure on all sides to adapt both the style and substance of his presidency in its final two years. Part of the pressure arises from the lessons of the campaign. The elections proved to be a referendum on Mr. Bush, and grassroots feedback was not encouraging for the White House. While many Republican candidates sought to disassociate themselves from their president, Democrats used his name to scare the children and rally support."

India Times:

"If the Democrats romp home, it may not be good news for India. Looking to render Bush completely toothless by the time the presidential elections come around, the opposition party may push for getting more out of India on the nuclear deal. So, though it seems largely unlikely, India needs Bush & Co. to win these elections."

Moscow Times:

"During his summer vacation, U.S. President George W. Bush bragged about his extensive reading list. It is apparently as a result of boning up on World War II history that he began referring to fundamentalist Muslims as 'Islamo-Fascists' and comparing Osama bin Laden, Saddam Hussein and other regional baddies to Adolf Hitler."

"Drawing lessons from history is a good thing, but Bush may be reading the wrong kind of history. He might gain a better insight into the nature of his administration -- and catch a glimpse of his own future -- by reading about the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe."

Middle East Times:

"It appears, at this point, that despite the Republican effort, Democrats will win enough seats to control at least the House of Representatives. But a cautionary note here for the Arab World. Democratic control will bring change. But it will not be as dramatic as some hope (or others fear). Actually, it will have little immediate impact on the conduct of the war. The report issued by Baker-Hamilton will potentially have more impact, if the administration decided to adopt their recommendations."

-- Robert Smith

3:09 a.m. EST | 11-8-2006 | permalink | comments (1) | e-mail post

Better Dead than Red (or Democrat)

Something like this seems to happen in every election:

HOUSTON (AP) -- Republican state Rep. Glenda Dawson is dead, but she's not gone.

She easily defeated her living Democratic opponent Tuesday night, two months after dying from a brief illness.

Dawson's campaign ensured the traditionally GOP 29th District would stay that way after her September death, handing out yard signs, printed fliers listing Dawson's accomplishments and sent out letters to voters.

Dawson beat Democratic challenger Anthony A. Dinovo of Pearland with more than 60 percent of the vote.

-- Robert Smith

1:54 a.m. EST | 11-8-2006 | permalink | comments (3) | e-mail post