Brightly colored pills!
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Member No.: 46
Joined: 31-October 05
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It definitely means a moderate in New Jersey, at least. I mean...it's New Jersey! Christie won likely more because Corzine was a complete failure as a Governor. NJ is definitely a solid blue state; it hasn't gone for a GOP presidential candidate, for example, in 20 years. Obama carried NJ in 2008 by 57%. Both of its US Senators are Democrats, as are 8 of its 13 Representatives in the US House. Democrats hold a 23-17 majority in the State Senate, and a 48-32 majority in the New Jersey General Assembly. If Christie hopes to get anything done or wants to make it to a second term, he'll have little choice but to toe a moderate path. In some fairly big news out of New York, for the first time in over 100 years, a Democrat will be representing NY-23. Bill Owens preserves bright spot for Democratshttp://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29118.html| QUOTE (Politico.com) | SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. – Bill Owens’s defeat of Conservative Doug Hoffman in a House special election here prevented a Democratic washout in key races Tuesday – and beat back a conservative bid to turn the race into a repudiation of both the Republican establishment and President Barack Obama.
With 89 percent of precincts reporting, Owens led with 49 percent of the vote, while Hoffman held 46 percent of the vote. Republican Dede Scozzafava received 5 percent, despite withdrawing from the race – and throwing her support to Owens.
With his victory, Owens will become the first Democrat to represent New York’s North Country in the House in well over a century. And Hoffman’s defeat is a major setback to conservative organizations who poured in millions of dollars and hundreds of volunteers into upstate New York on Hoffman’s behalf to see him surge in the polls, but ultimately come up short.
Hoffman became a cause célčbre for conservative politicians – including former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin — who believed Scozzafava’s moderate record and support for abortion rights symbolized a Republican party that has strayed too far from bedrock conservative values. Scozzafava on Sunday took herself out of the race and urged her supporters to back Owens.
Owens, a Plattsburgh attorney who wasn’t even registered with the Democratic party before entering the race, seemed to benefit from voters’ preference for pragmatism over ideology. In the race’s final days, Owens tried to play on the concerns of voters who didn’t want their House race hijacked by a Republican family feud – characterizing Hoffman as being supported by outside conservative interests who didn’t have the North Country’s best interests in mind.
"The challenges that we face are not Democratic or Republican," Owens told supporters in Plattsburgh. "They are not liberal or conservative. They're challenges that Americans face and that we will overcome with American resolve."
Hoffman conceded the race in front of a despondent crowd of several dozen supporters early Wednesday morning.
“This race was a very tough race. We stood up against two major parties that had a lot of money, but we got this far on determination, and we got this far with a grassroots campaign that got many volunteers out,” Hoffman said.
“Thank you to every single person out there that joined my team and fought back for America,” Hoffman said. “This one was worth the fight. And it’s only one fight in the battle, and we have to keep fighting.”
The anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony List, which sent nine staffers into the district to get out the vote for Hoffman, said despite the defeat, Hoffman’s unapologetic conservative candidacy sent a loud message to Republicans that they can't take the party base for granted.
“To dismiss the narrow defeat of conservative party candidate Doug Hoffman as a lesson in the playing out of the ‘conservative spoiler’ in a three-way race would be to miss the real lesson completely,” said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Conservative efforts on the ground finally gave a voice to the thousands of voters in the district who believe that life, marriage, and fiscal responsibility all matter. Without these people, no GOP candidate can win, in New York or elsewhere.”
Hoffman belatedly received support from the Republican party leaders in Washington and New York, who originally endorsed Scozzafava’s campaign–even while she was taking fire from conservative groups, who viewed Hoffman as the legitimate conservative in the race.
Hoffman unsuccessfully pursued the Republican nomination before deciding to run as a third-party candidate on the Conservative Party line.
It wasn’t until Scozzafava’s poll numbers tanked, prompting her to withdraw from the race, that Republican establishment got behind Hoffman’s campaign.
Owens was boosted by a strong get-out-the-vote effort from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, with assists from the district’s significant labor presence. The SEIU was an early backer of Owens, and many of Scozzafava’s old labor backers switched sides to back the Democrat.
Hoffman’s defeat marks yet another gut-wrenching loss for House Republicans, who have seen Democrats win seats in traditional GOP territory in special elections dating back to last year. In March, Rep. Scott Murphy (D-N.Y.) won a closely-contested special election in the neighboring 20th District in one of the most GOP-friendly seats in New York.
Owens’ victory means there are only two Republicans left in the state’s 31-seat Congressional delegation. The seat was held by former GOP Rep. John McHugh, who resigned in September to serve as President Barack Obama’s Army Secretary.
The results show that Scozzafava’s decision to drop of the race and endorse Owens last Sunday played a key role in his victory. Owens comfortably carried the three-county area in Scozzafava’s home region, where registered Republicans hold an advantage. |
Though, I have to sincerely disagree with Ms. Dannenfelser. The real lesson here is that when you push moderates out of either major party, you lose elections, plain and simple. The kind of Republican that can win easily in Nebraska or Oklahoma is much more difficult to elect in places like Massachusetts or Vermont. A Democrat that would win in a landslide in California or Oregon just won't fly in Kentucky or Tennessee. Both parties need to look at the NY-23 race as clear evidence that the current prevailing 'one-size-fits-all' philosophy of politics they're running simply doesn't. And in other news, on a local level here in Chillicothe, Ohio, a major victory for those of us who were opponents of the red-light traffic cameras the city tried to shove down our throats in effort to fleece the citizens for revenue: Red-light cameras overwhelmingly rejectedhttp://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/...EWS03/911040331| QUOTE (ChillicotheGazette.com) | Chillicothe voters spoke overwhelmingly for change in city government Tuesday.
Four incumbents and the city's red light and speed cameras were ousted in unofficial vote totals posted Tuesday.
Council members Cindy Henderson, R-At Large, and Bill Bonner, D-5th Ward, along with Council President Bob Shoultz and City Auditor Bill Morrissey all lost re-election after opposition to red-light cameras brought high turnout at the polls.
By the time polls closed, 72 percent of voters cast ballots against the photo enforcement cameras, and most elected officials agreed the red-light issue worked against them.
"I don't think it was really about council and how we do business," Shoultz said. "I think it had more to do with red-light cameras and landlord issues."
Shoultz, a Republican, lost his Council President seat to downtown businessman Bruce Arnold, who has been outspoken against the cameras and even filed a lawsuit against the city alleging they were unlawful.
On the surface, it appears the red-light camera issue brought out the voters. Turnout was at 46 percent Tuesday. In comparison, in 2007 -- the last council election -- turnout was 40 percent and, in 2005, it was 44 percent.
Henderson, who serves as chair of the Finance Committee agreed, though she pledged to work hard in the past two months of her term as her committee develops the 2010 budget for the city.
"You know I can see that the red-light cameras probably played a big part in it," Henderson said. "I'm not going away yet. I'm still going to work hard."
Most of those voters were overwhelming against the cameras.
"I don't think they're fair," said Jennifer Young, a resident of the 4th Ward. "That's the main reason I came out to vote today --to get rid of the cameras."
Bill Lewis, who lives in the 6th Ward, voted against the red-light cameras and also for Arnold.
"I say let's give someone else a try," Lewis said. "I think Bruce Arnold will do well, and I think it's time for a change."
Members of Citizens Against Photo Enforcement, who put the red light camera issue on the ballot, said they were encouraged by the results of the election.
Rebekah Valentich, who failed to beat incumbent Republican Nancy Ames in the 2nd Ward race, said she was excited by the results of other challengers.
"I'm absolutely ecstatic even though I didn't win," Valentich said. "I'm very excited about the changes I'm going to see. I'm just thrilled."
As for the red-light cameras, it's unclear what will happen now that the voters have told the city they want them out. The city continues to argue the wording of the ballot initiative is unconstitutional and plan to take the issue back to court. Valentich said CAPE will continue to put the pressure on council to remove the cameras.
"We have no plans to back down now," said. "We plan to continue our fight." |
That was an absolute delight to read last night as I watched the election results come in. But this next bit, though I voted in favor of it, absolutely stunned me when I'd heard it passed: Ohio OKs casinoshttp://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/conte...olitics&sid=101| QUOTE (DispatchPolitics.com) | Battered by a grim economy, job-hungry Ohioans approved casinos for Columbus and three other cities yesterday.
Voters broke a streak of four failed gambling measures in Ohio by approving Issue 3 with about 53 percent voting yes.
The measure benefited from a strong appeal by unions and urban politicians to get voters in the four casino cities -- Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and Toledo -- to the polls. The measure carried by large majorities in the Cleveland and Cincinnati areas, won with a smaller majority in Toledo, and lost in Franklin County.
"We're going to deliver something very special, and we're going to work very hard with a lot of people," said Dan Gilbert, owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and owner-to-be of two of the casinos. "This is not going to be a savior by any means, but it's another brick in the wall."
Gilbert will have the rights to casinos in Cleveland and Cincinnati. His partner on Issue 3, Pennsylvania-based Penn National Gaming Inc., will develop casinos in Toledo and Columbus' Arena District. Construction could begin by late 2010, and the new facilities would open in 2012.
It's now up to Ohio's political leaders to decide whether to mount a legal challenge or launch an effort to pass another constitutional amendment next year to replace parts of the measure approved yesterday.
Gov. Ted Strickland, who opposed Issue 3, was noncommittal on the latter possibility.
"While I am personally disappointed, I understand why Ohioans, who are struggling under the weight of this global recession, were willing to give this proposal a chance," Strickland said in a statement.
"The voters have spoken, and state leaders and legislators must now implement the constitutional amendment while making sure it benefits the people of this state and puts more Ohioans to work."
Ohio House Speaker Armond Budish, a Beachwood Democrat who reluctantly supported Issue 3, is committed to passing legislation that ensures the best deal for the state, spokesman Keary McCarthy said last night. But Budish has not broached the possibility of putting another amendment on the ballot to change the casinos' terms.
Tenenbaum declined to comment on the possibility of another ballot try that could put the state in charge of bringing casinos to Ohio and generate more revenue for state coffers.
"It would depend entirely on what the proposal was," he said.
Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, who opposed Issue 3, said lawmakers should move quickly to put a new amendment on the ballot to raise the tax rate, put the casino licenses up to bid and let cities regulate their locations and operations.
"If this passes, my hope is that the legislature will step in," Coleman said last night.
It would take a three-fifths majority of the legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the May ballot. The measure would have to be filed with the secretary of state's office at least 90 days before the election, or Feb. 3.
Rob Walgate, co-chair of Vote No Casinos, conceded shortly after 11 p.m.
"They won and we lost," he said. "Thankfully, the commercials are over and they can sit back and deliver on all their promises."
Proponents of the issue mounted a big push to get voters to the polls and to vote by absentee ballot. Indeed, Franklin County voters stomped the measure on Election Day, but heavily favored it in early voting.
About half of the total vote cast for the issue in Cuyahoga County, the state's most populous and where the issue had strong political support, came from early ballots.
Sandy Theis, spokeswoman for the opposition group TruthPAC, said the heavy pro-casino turnout in urban counties helped the issue.
Many voters who cast "yes" ballots noted that thousands of Ohioans gamble in other states without benefiting their home state. The casinos would jump-start economic development in the state's largest cities and retain tax money in Ohio, they said.
"I don't go to casinos, but lots of people go elsewhere to gamble, so they might as well keep the money here," said Regina Lee, 35, of Westerville. "We need the tax dollars and the jobs."
Some who voted against Issue 3 cited the potential for crime and other social problems as well as exaggerated promises of jobs from casino proponents.
John Goettler, 45, an Upper Arlington consultant for nonprofit organizations, said he is opposed to expanded gambling in Ohio. He is worried the casinos could bring more crime and other problems and thinks the pro-casino television ads promising thousands of jobs contained "blatant lies."
"As bad as the economy is legalizing casino gambling is not the answer," he said.
Ohio voters had rejected gambling issues four times before, including twice in the past three years. Last year, nearly 63 percent of voters rejected a proposal for a casino in Clinton County. |
I mean, I've always voted in favor of allowing casinos and other forms of gambling in Ohio, but I'd come to accept that Ohio wasn't likely to pass such measures any time soon. As stated in the article, the last four consecutive attempts failed miserably. Before, it was always like throwing pebbles at windmills in hopes of toppling them...well, looks like this time, the anti-gambling windmill came crashing down! I'm thrilled, but still a little in shock that those of us in support of allowing gambling in Ohio finally won. I was even more pleased to learn that Issue 3 passed on a more local level here in Ross County 54%- 46%. Also, local Democrats retain their majority hold in the Chillicothe City Council, and I'm very happy to report that we've even elected an independent to the office of City Council President! Democrats maintain council majorityhttp://www.chillicothegazette.com/article/...ouncil-majority| QUOTE (ChillicotheGazette.com) | Voters decided to retain a Democratic majority on Chillicothe City Council.
In the at-large race, incumbent Democrats Dustin Proehl and Napoleon Cross were retained, and Republican Cindy Henderson was ousted in favor of political newcomer Joe Sharp, a Democrat.
“To sweep the at-large races, that’s huge and we won the auditor race, we are very pleased,” said Dottie Fay, Ross County Democratic Party chair.
Henderson said her loss didn’t surprise her.
“You never know what’s going to happen, and with they way people and attitudes have been towards council in the last two years I’m not surprised,” she said.
Proehl said he was interested in working with the new council and flattered he received 25 percent of the vote in the five-way at-large race.
“I think it’s going to be exciting to work with some new members, and I think we can take our council in a new direction,” Proehl said. “I saw that I made some in-roads in the 1st Ward, which I didn’t win last year, so that was good. I hope I never do anything to let anyone down.”
Voters also voted out Republican Bob Shoultz in favor of independent candidate Bruce Arnold, who was endorsed by Democrats in opposition to the Republican leadership.
“I think we’ve got a great council, and I plan to keep a positive attitude moving forward,” Arnold said. “I hope to really bring council together as a team.”
In a highly contested race in the 3rd Ward, incumbent Democrat Queen Lester won the election over independent challengers Tammy Eallonardo and Daniel Evans.
Lester and Eallonardo faced off in 2007, and Lester won with nearly 57 percent of the vote. This year, Eallonardo picked up 38 percent of the vote and Evans 19 percent. Lester won the seat with 42 percent.
“I am excited and pleased I was able to weather the storm,” Lester said, acknowledging there were many people in the ward unhappy with current council members.
“I promise to step it up. I’d like to do something about the crime,” Lester said. “I’m sick and tired of the theft and the drugs, and we’re going to do something about it.”
The closest race of the night nearly resulted in another Democratic victory. In the 1st Ward, incumbent Tom Trutschel earned only 12 more votes than challenger Beth Neal, a Democrat.
“I thought I would win, but I didn’t expect it to be that close,” Trutschel said.
Fay said she was pleased with how close Neal came to victory. In the unofficial tally, Neal had 787 votes to Trutschel’s 799.
“We were disappointed Beth didn’t win, but wow — she nearly did, and that’s a Republican Ward,” Fay said.
The only Democrat not re-elected was Bill Bonner, in the 5th Ward. With Sharp’s election to the at-large seat, the Democrats retained their 5-4 majority on council.
Bonner said he was disappointed to lose, but added he believes his opponent Jeremy Siberell — who ran in 2007 — was running for the right reasons.
“I’m disappointed, but I’m not leaving town. I’ll still be around. I’ll be active,” Bonner said.
Siberell, 33, said he was looking forward to serving on a council with new members.
“I’m surprised, Bill is really well-liked and he’s been in there a while, but I’m looking forward to being part of the solution,” Siberell said.
Siberell said he’s looking forward to serving as a younger member of council along with Proehl.
“I think it makes a difference, we bring something new to the race,” Siberell said. “And with (Tom) Spetnagel, he’s younger too, so with him serving as auditor, I think it will be good to bring something new to city government.”
Siberell said the week has been bittersweet. He owns property next to the Beverly family on West Fourth Street and said he was sad to see two people lose their lives on Monday night in a fire.
“This night has been bittersweet for me, those were good people and I know them,” Siberell said. “It was a great thing to win today, but it was a bad day for the 5th Ward. Our prayers are with the family.”
Democrat Jean Malone retained her office in the 4th Ward and Republican Nancy Ames kept her seat in the 2nd Ward.
Malone thanked the residents of her ward for returning her to office.
“I’m ready to work with the new team and I’m looking forward to it,” she said. |
As a side note, Councilman Proehl is actually a distant cousin of mine...gee, politicians in my family, who'da thunkit? 
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Election 2009, Virginia, New Jersey, New York, others.
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