Cautious optimism pays off?

[owlmoose]

So I totally lied, and I ended up spending a good chunk of the night in front of my computer reloading CNN. But at least the news was mostly good, on a national level anyway. (There are some irritating things on the state and local level. But we will leave those be for now and savor the rest.)

As of the time that I'm writing this, not a single Democratic seat was lost to a Republican. Not one. I eventually switched the TV from CNN to ABC because I wanted some chance of local coverage (and because the CNN Crossfire-style analysis was bugging the hell out of me), and George Stephanopolis said that this has never happened before. There are a few House seats that might still break that way, but if it holds... wow. Not something I expected to see. But quite a sign.

I am thrilled about the House. I'm going to be represented by the Speaker! How cool is that? At this writing the Senate is still up in the air, mostly because of Virginia. We may be doomed to endless recounts there, but then we may not. Hope to know more in the morning. In a way, though, the most interesting thing is all the gubinatorial races that broke Democratic. The implications for 2008, and 2010 redistricting, are most encouraging. And South Dakota! That may actually be some of the best news from the whole night.

Anyway. Was it the perfect outcome? No (a clear take over of the Senate would have been ideal, and again some local stuff is not working out for me), but we are rid of some really odious folks (Rick Santorum comes to mind) and for once I feel like something has changed, like I have reason to be hopeful. Of course these are all projections and things can change. I probably shouldn't start passing out the party hats yet. But, well, I like party hats. So here, take one if you like.

Yay.

Comments

[auronlu.livejournal.com]

At least... we've turned the corner. It's been a painful decade so far, and things kept getting worse and worse. I knew it wouldn't last forever --McCarthyism fell apart eventually-- but it's nice to see the country is finally waking up from sheepdom.

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

It would seem so. At least I hope so. I really want this to be the beginning of a shift and not just a flash in the pan brought on by anger over Iraq. But maybe. If Iraq does the same number on the Republicans that Vietnam did on the Democrats, we may have some big changes coming.

[anzubird.livejournal.com]

You know, yesterday I was talking to a friend of mine about why this decade still hasn't been named... I am convinced it's in large part b/c non of us want to admit that the last 6 years actually happened.

I wonder if it's been named in the red states?

[peachespig.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'll take a party hat. Here, have a noisemaker. ;)

[yuna-flowering.livejournal.com]

I want a party hat! :) And I'll be voting next time...

I

[kunstarniki.livejournal.com]

I took a hat and left some confetti for the rest of you. Yes, a clean Senate win would be nice. It is morning and still a sense of uncertainty about certain races. As usual, Geogia voted for nincompoops. I guess it will continue to do so until the last Pug is found in bed with the last little boy. Heh!

I have heard that the private bathroom for the Speaker of the House contains only a urinal. Guess Nancy will be calling the plumbers. ;)

Re: I

[owlmoose.livejournal.com]

Geogia voted for nincompoops.

Alas, although last the last time I checked CNN's vote counts, your two endangered Democratic House seats were holding. But I imagine you are much cheered by the results on a national level.

That private bath story is funny, although I have to say I doubt its veracity -- men need the other sort of facility at times, no? Either way, for a woman to finally hold this role -- and for it to be such an intelligant and astute woman -- is an excellent excellent thing.