I grew up in Pittsburgh in the days of David Lawrence but left many years ago.
Nonetheless I have watched closely Conor Lamb's campaign and even got up
in the middle of the night to check the latest returns. What a refreshing
breath of air he is!! Let's hope his example reaches to the rest of the
country in the months ahead.
4
And incidentally, there is no guarantee what Lamb will find what he gets down there, we operate on insufficient data. There is no evidence, so I guess we need to keep searching...?
Commenters are complaining that Lamb is not a real Democrat, I guess because he is not to the left of Kamala Harris, but if the Democrats are to take back the WH in 2020, a politician who is more middle of the road will have to be the nominee. It is not politically correct to say this but the nominee will also have to be a white "gringo" man, a white latino will not do. *ducks thrown tomatoes*
It is also time for the old folks to step aside and let younger people run for Congress.
2
Hold on all you lefties. According to Paul Ryan, his twin won the PA race. This twisted interpretation of the outcome by Ryan is matched only by the Speaker's cowardice in the face of the NRA. Memo to Ryan: the Democrat won!
3
He looks like presidential material ten years down the road. Thank goodness he wants to rid us of Nancy Pelosi. She only caters to the free trade agenda at the expense of American labor. Drives people who make things insane.
2
Rep. Tim Murphy, a Republican, held the House seat in Pennsylvania from 2003 to 2017 when he resigned due to his platform's pro-birther stance yet encouraging his mistress to get an abortion for a pregnancy that resulted from their affair. The Dems did not field a candidate at all in 2014 or 2016. As a CNN commentator since 2017, Sen. Rick Santorum was a guest on Booke Baldwin's show today. Since I have no respect for this person and always think of Dan Savage's dictionary entry on the meaning of his last name, a definition that went viral, I wondered why he was on today. Well, he served at the House rep from District 18 for two terms before his senate run. The only observation of note he made, to my mind, was commenting that Saccone was really tough on unions and this district has always been in favor of strong unions--which Conor Lamb is. Paul Ryan tried to save face by claiming Lamb is a conservative Democrat. Well, there's no shame in that, Mr. Ryan and one day you may lose to a conservative Democrat. But the special election was more about Trump and so, if Lamb's lead hold after absentee/military vote tabulation, it will have our disastrous president losing another special election. Tired of losing, Mr. President? Trump's appearance at an area airport on Saturday where he emceed another campaign rally--not for Saccone but for himself--flopped. When he said, among other foolish items, that "they say Lamb is good-looking---well, I'm better looking!" Egoist fake!
3
We are told that the only way to be successful in these districts is to run a Repug-lite with a cap D after their name. Make them handsome/pretty, hopefully a military background, a former prosecutor tough on crime, nice family and walla!
Except it's not. Some might note that less than 30% bothered to vote between tweedle-dee and tweedle-dum. The overwhelming majority of voters yawned or worst got even more cynical. Another election to maintain the status quo. Go corporations! Tighten the hold on government.
Oh. And when it comes time for key votes like the current attempt to water down Dodd-Frank, add their name to the list voting with Repugs.
Single-payer, forget about it. It's another safe-seat for corporations.
On the other hand, Democrats could try to reform the Party and actually stand for main street, the middle-class, the poor, women, minorities, unions, etc. You know, like it was before Clinton's triangulation and the infusion of Wall Street/Banks/Corporations into the Party.
Image someone presenting the reality of corporate domination of both parties? And answering it by attacking wealth inequality, and supporting medicare-for-all, equal pay, free college education, etc.
It's the only direction the party can take forward. Young voters and minorities are not buying the ideal candidate facade. Older white voters that populate these primaries won't be here long. Let the Democratic Party be the one leading the way into the future with strong principles.
4
Military fetish? Gun rights? Lamb is barely a Democrat. This race was more like a Republican primary. The ignorance of the voters is the issue, not the candidates.
Protectionism can save jobs. In the USA the best measurement of the cost per job saved to the rest of the country is about $1 million per job saved. Saving one job might provide $100,000 in gains to the worker and the employer who benefit from the protectionism, but cost the rest of the country $1,000,000. Since the million dollars is just one third of one cent per person in the USA, no one notices it.
To save a million jobs via protectionism would cost the country a S1 trillion which would be about the same impact as a very severe recession. To save 10 million jobs via protectionism would cost the country a S10 trillion. That would make the USA a poorer country than Mexico. That would mean it would be likely the people born in the USA would be going to Mexico to work as servants and dishwashers. The degree of impoverishment that would result from that much protectionism is usually only associated with severe natural disasters or wars..."
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4133734
Are we going to get an Final Official Vote Total one of these years? This is one single district in Western PA. Let's get going Election Board!
NYTimes, it is time for you to call this race for Conor Lamb. 100% of the regular and absentee ballots have been counted. There are still some provisional ballots and while it is possible that they will shift the lead away from Lamb, in Western PA it is more likely that Democratic leaning voters had to vote provisionally. At this point it's the Lamb campaign that's claiming victory and the Saccone campaign saying they want a recount, so clearly there is a winner, at least temporarily.
I hope this is a new beginning for the Democratic Party. The Party needs to be infused with young blood in leadership positions who will not hunker down and who will push back against Republican shenanigans. It is time for Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to step down. They have only made the Democrats look weak and helpless, unable to put up a strong fight. Congratulations, Conor Lamb. You invited only Vice-president, Joe Biden. Smart, very smart!
1
I just hope that the Democrats see how important UNIONS were to this victory, and respond appropriately.
2
The lesson from this that the Democrats will NOT learn is that the candidate is paramount. That is why Hillary lost, and why Lamb won. It's why - as much as I admire Elizabeth Warren - she would lose, as would Bernie. We need a straight white male military veteran to run against Trump in 2020. No women, no black candidates, no Muslims, no gays...we have to ask "Do we want diversity, or do we want to win?" In this most important of instances, we can't have both.
1
If they somehow manipulate votes to give the GOP the Seat, Lamb has already won. Almost half of the District rejected what the GOP is doing right now and how their Leader is behaving. Perhaps morality still stands a chance in America.
3
The more moderates that are elected from either party, the better off the country will be.
6
Lamb can thank Libertarians for pulling six times the margin of victory from the Republican. With absentee ballots yet to be counted, I'll hold the confetti for now.
I note that Marine veteran and pro-life ex-prosecutor Lamb ran on a platform much closer to Trump's than to Hillary's.
1
As the Republican House leadership ponders the very strong possibility of being dismissed from power later the year (the Senate perhaps less so, but we can hope), look for a panic rush of either stupid or radical legislation, or both. The clock is ticking for these incompetents in a way they did not fear only a year ago. They see the end, and it is them.
9
I love this country!
4
With Trump's appalling election and this country's nativist, fascist tilt, I've been ready to leave it.
1
Good Americans of all races and creeds are taking their country back from the demagoguery, lies, bigotry, and ignorance that Trump exploited to win the White House. Virginia, Alabama, New Jersey, and now Pennsylvania just the start of a cleansing blue wave for the U.S.
10
Lamb is youthful, white, pro military, pro tariff, from a blue collar family. He attacked Nancy Pelosi, didn't mention gun control and, while pro-choice, not an abortion absolutist, didn't call illegal immigrants dreamers, never uttered the word Transgendered, and didn't preach cultural tolerance. In other words, a Republican.
5
You forgot to mention that he campaigned against the Tax Cut as a giveaway to the rich. I guess he is only 'Republican' to finally acknowledge that.
3
Being from a blue-collar family is marker for being a Republican?
Finally a Democrat that can show the Democrats how not to self-destruct.
6
You just don't get it, do you, you folks who are smirking that the stupid Democrats are exhibiting mistaken euphoria regarding the Pennsylvania results. Such a miniscule margin of victory. And he still may lose. And besides, he's hardly a Democrat at all. He actually lost most of the district, except for those educated elites around Pittsburgh. What's to celebrate?
What they are celebrating is a sense of the anger of the electorate. The voters in the 18th, either by voting Democratic, or by staying at home despite loads of big money ads and a personal rally by the President, showed that they are not at all pleased with how the choices they made in 2016 have worked out for them. Where is the “beautiful” health care plan that was going to replace Obamacare? Where are the jobs for this mostly economically distressed district? So far, they have gotten a tax reform bill, of which their share is likely to be as miniscule as Lamb's margin. And that tax reform came at the price of a huge deficit which many are suspicious will be filled by cutting back on programs that are important to them, like Medicare.
Nobody expects the voters of the 18th to suddenly become Democrats. It doesn't even matter if Conor Lamb wins. The point is that the President and the Republicans should have won big in this district. That they may not have won at all is a major wake-up call about the mood of the electorate. These people are not happy. And dissatisfied people are open to change.
12
The real question is: why would anyone vote for Saccone?
5
Nancy Pelosi: thank you for your service, but it's time to go.
4
Democrats take the house and Trump gets impeached
Republicans hold the house and Trump stays
The stakes couldn't be higher.
10
Democrats take the house --> Trump gets impeached --> Trump stays because 2/3 of the Senate will not vote to convict.
Did the sheer hatred of Hillary and the years-long Fox propaganda against her, so energize the Base, that , with Hillary around no longer, their margin of victory has vanished ?
4
You make an interesting point.
I certainly hope this doesn't end up like Virginia's recent election- with "questionable" mismarked absentee ballots and Democrats unwilling to fight: I do not put any trust in Republicans to concede.
3
Congratulations to the Democrat winner. I cannot understand why the people of Pa. will vote for the GOP who are destroying their air , water and land over and over again . They brought back deadly coal , fracking which causes earthquakes and took away their affordable health care. They get us into wars and won't go to fight them but will send everyone elses son and daughter into the fight they start. What is wrong with the GOP supporter I think they are breathing to much poisonous coal dust.
2
"... But Mr. Trump also delivered a rambling, 75-minute speech that careened away from the matter at hand."
Please-Republican Candidates; continue inviting Trump to stand "Strong" with you: He's got your back .
5
So I guess the Trump effect is not positive.
2
This was NOT a vote for Democrats. This was a vote against Trump.
Democrats well remember this when they goto polls in Nov.
3
I am the silent majority, deeply concerned by the Trump presidency. This win gives me hope and confidence to contribute financially to the opposition. Democrats will continue to win and we can control the maniac in the White House.
2
Big deal. He's a Republican in Democratic drag. Pro-gun, anti-abortion. There will be many of these 'victories' in the near future, and the GOP's grip on the government will only tighten.
3
So tagging the other guy with a silly, demeaning name and flying in to deliver a rambling stump speech in airport hangar didn't do the trick this time. What strikes me is Trump's profound laziness (pick a role: businessman, campaigner, leader of the free word). The Trump fever seems to be showing signs of breaking. Let's hope so.
5
This has been so interesting to watch? The Republicans have moved so far to the Right, that another “Republican” posing as a Democrat gets elected against a demon mongering Republican.
The only way Republicans will ever be able to win again is if they bring on witch trials and start burning Democrats at the stake. I suppose the religious fanatics are coming home to roost.
Don’t misunderstand me, I am feeling gleeful that a Democrat was elected, even if he is a Democrat in name only.
4
No doubt Saccone lost because busloads of illegal immigrants were bused in to vote for Lamb. Too bad one of the buses broke down or Lamb would have had another 500 votes.
3
And that's the word from Vladivostok, 14 March, 2018.
2
Kudos to Mr. Conor lamb and Democrats supporting him. But, I need more details. I kno there is a separate article in NYT about "what's next" but the article does not address the subject.
1. The tally on NYT website suggests that 10%% of the votes have been counted yet mentions that some votes - absentee votes - are yet to be tallied? Which statement is correct? Or more correct?
2. How many votes are yet to be tallied?
3. When is the election scheduled to be certified?
4. What is the final step required in declaring a winner and when is that scheduled to happen?
Please NYT, do not stretch the story like a shabby 3 part miniseries on TV, when it can be accomplished lot more efficiently. Thanks!
2
a lot of things bother me about this election, but two things jump at me reading these posts
- EVEN in solid Republican country, HOW CAN THE RACE BE THIS CLOSE? I should've learned from the whole Roy Moore debacle - how can people seeing what's happening still vote for Trump and his surrogates? Just that morning he had so horribly insulted a Secretary of State of the US by firing him on twitter. Regardless of how you feel about Tillerson - would you like this done to you?
The lack of respect and decency, the disjointed crazy - does nothing matter to these people? In the end, we're all Americans and humans, and values *should* matter
- 2nd ENOUGH w/the 3rd party candidates. Had all those people given their votes to Lamb we'd be done. In times like this, what do they hope to accomplish? we're not a parliamentary system - voters need to shut them down
7
The GOP intends to hold onto power by any means. They will soon announce there were many non-citizens voting. Seek to underminebLamb's victory in a heavily gerrymandered district. McConnell and Ryan are just as complicit as Trump in destroying America for political gain.
4
The Democrats have traditionally been the party of the working people and strong labor unions. They need to get back to just that. Social justice and equality are great, but the Democratic party needs to tone down the identity politics. There are always going to be racists and misogynistic people out there, but they are a minority. The rational people among us need to cast off our apathy and cynicism and VOTE!
The more Conor Lambs we can elect, the better the chance that we'll get fresh leadership at the top. I believe most Americans agree with center-left principles when they're presented in the proper context. Who doesn't want strong Social Security and Medicare? Not the uber wealthy and corporations. The rest of us, the 99% do. They're the Democrats natural constituency. Stop driving them away with nonsensical positions.
7
Just as it should be. Trump's "base" is not enough to sustain him in power.
5
At about $60 dollars per vote on 230,000 Pennsylvanians in a district soon-to-disappear; is one strong message- but to what end?
1
Back when I lived in the USA, a guy who described his political opponents as hating the country and hating God would NOT have been described by anyone, and certainly not the New York Times, as "mild-mannered". That change is a pretty succinct depiction of why I am so glad I immigrated to a great country.
5
Even if Lamb wins, it's only temporary. Sessions is probably going to weasel his way into it somehow. Maybe a lawsuit against the state of PA.
2
I'm really curios to see if absolution will be granted to anyone previously voting for Trump now voting for a Democrat. If only it were so easy with real sins, it could put priests out of business. Confessional booths and voting booths are pretty much the same size anyway.
1
Does no one see this as our country tearing itself apart? Our two party system needs to be greatly reworked so that we can have more people not beholden to the tribal politics of today. Whoever wins in November (yea... its that far away but america has made politics a form of entertainment and cant get enough) the people will lose.
2
I spent four wonderful years in Pittsburgh in the seventies doing my Ph.D. at Carnegie-Mellon University. Pittsburgh has a small town ambiance with a lot of big town cultural amenities. I found Pennsylvania beautiful and friendly in spite of what James Carville once said "Pennsylvania is Philadelphia in the east, Pittsburgh in the west, and Alabama in the middle".
1
Today is the first time in a while that I've felt genuine hope. We saw a Democrat (almost) win in a district that went to Trump by 20 points. We watched the (incredibly awesome) children of the country walk out of their schools to send a clear message to our government. No one, not even 45 himself, can deny that these aren't signs that winds are changing.
3
I've been saying this for some time now...DJT is the best thing that has happened to Dems chances of winning back the Congress in a long while. As much as I despise his presence in the white house--and I wish I could say it gets easier with time, I think he will drive whatever salvageable segment of the middle that remains over to the blue column more often than not.
3
I'd rather have a centrist Democrat who I may have differing opinions on than a Trump whichever-way-the wind-is-blowing-leaning candidate Saccone claims to be. If Conor Lamb wins, and I hope he does, let him vote how he decides and no more down the line voting in Congress. Let him work on real solutions and not partisan ones.
8
My understanding is that Lamb is personally opposed to abortion but does not want to impose that belief on others. It's quite a stretch to brand him as being "pro-life" in the way conservative Republicans are. I totally respect any individual's position on this issue as long as it applies only to themselves.
12
"But [Republicans'] difficulties here... illustrated how much [the President's] chaotic governing style and divisive conduct has unsettled the electorate and presented Democrats the chance to portray themselves as a political safe harbor."
I found this nine-word summation of the President's tenure a bit conciliatory — "chaotic governing style and divisive conduct has unsettled the electorate." It might be a stretch, but I'd like think the voters' change of mood might also stem from their dissatisfaction with more concrete matters of "policy" and not just matters of "style" or "conduct."
2
Yes, the Democrat won but by running as a Republican. He is pro-life, pro-gun and anti-Nancy Pelosi. If he is the new-Democrat, then yes, I as a conservative could vote for him. It is about time that the Dems realize they've gone too far to the left and the only way to win elections is to move to the right. Works for me.
3
Actually, all the Dems have had to do this year is simply run against a Republican and they have good results. Alabama voted for a Dem? In my lifetime?
2
Democrats need to take a breath here. Given all of the craziness that inhabits Washington right now I'm not so sure a "Too Close to Call" result is that great. National election is not the same as house races. It looks to me like Democrats still have a lot of work to do to connect to the electorate.
1
There's no excuse for not providing an explanation for why absentee ballots haven't been counted yet. What are the rules: didn't the ballots have to have arrived by Election Day, or prior to Election Day? Does some absentee-ballot coalition have to be formed? Did they all call in sick? Polls have been closed for about 20 hours. We need to know why this nail-biter race hasn't been called, or provided a time-line as to when we can expect the results.
2
Commentators like to generalize from results like this and claim they are bell weathers for upcoming elections. But as often as not, voter preferences change dramatically as elections near.
Trump is "running" the government on empty, with huge vacancies,
and as our Genius, his family is running his businesses concurrently, and he desires to give himself the Presidency for life, working 5 or 6 hours daily about 4 or 5 days a week, and playing golf hundreds of days since he was anointed,
while his spendthrift cabinet is larding taxpayers monies jetting around the world and living like kings in their palace dining rooms and office doors, here and abroad,
and McConnell and Ryan are afraid of Trump and their billionaire and multi-millionaire donors, giving them billions in tax breaks and throwing some of us a few crumbs temporarily for a few years, before raising our taxes to pay for their permanent tax breaks, and by the way reported that NASCAR was recently added for tax breaks,
and leaving the rest of us to pay their $1.5 trillion budget deficit, which, for example, includes benefits like our Social Security which we paid for ourselves WITH OUR OWN TAXES that they are taking to pay the billionaires' tax cuts, and depriving the poorest among us to become destitute,
and Trump and Congress, living in mortal fear, are doing absolutely nothing while thousands of us continue to be killed by guns including military weapons on the streets, in schools, night clubs, movies and on college campuses, and
like the 1976 movie Network, movie character said: "I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it any more."
16
I really love your "Network" reference, and it certainly does seem to be what's happening.
1
If Conor Lamb's win holds up the House and the Seante need to hold off on confirmation hearings for Trump appointees until voters speak in November.
35
Ha, ha! Good one. But it assumes Republicans do as they say.
1
Saccone sounds like quite a piece of work. He was Trump before Trump was Trump? And people who didn't vote for him were anti-God?!
I am appalled that someone who says such a thing was allowed into this race to begin with. The state of one's soul is not sealed by a vote. He also said after the polling results, "We're going to fight all the way, all the way to the end, we'll never give up."
The votes have already been cast; it's just a matter of counting them. There's no cause for a fight, however the absentee ballots go. But Saccone is sounding more like loose cannon Roy Moore down in Alabama by the day (albeit without the womanizing, err, girl-izing).
The USA seems a less civilized country by the day. Pennsylvania should elect whomever it wants. But if Saccone is not the winner, I doubt his concession speech will be gracious. Good sportsmanship seems to be in short supply in his case.
28
If he loses, his concession speech will probably blame Satan. That's the level of intellect that we're dealing with here. Yet these people can successfully run for office? Madness. In any other country he'd be out on the lunatic fringe.
Republicans holding out desperately trying to figure out a way to cheat the voters...
A reminder - roy moore "alleged" child molester still has not conceded the race in Alabama that he lost with trumps backing a few months ago.
The best way to topple the Russian puppet government in DC is to repeat this Democratic upset across the country at every level of government this November.
No "purity tests." No protest votes. ONLY a Democratic led congress and states can put a stop to the destruction the Republican party is doing to our great nation
36
What I find most interesting about these comments is how easy it is to spot the "bots."
Mingling in with real comments, including people celebrating the growing Democratic wave in all its forms, one finds remarks insisting Lamb is really a conservative, that Democrats are all screaming liberals, that Lamb is not monolithic enough...
Losing is hard. Democrats - those multilithic people with tons of religious and ideological diversity who converge around the idea that government is not the problem and, properly channeled, can be a force for good - are celebrating progress. And the "bots" won't have it.
Ya gotta love it.
19
Bigger picture, long term, be careful what you wish for. I agree with Republicans on nothing. They have sold out in more ways we can count and become little more than a crime syndicate with a loud PR operation. The hard truth is that our body politic needs a functioning Republican party and there exists enough intelligent and competent players in the game who could make it happen. But they have to do it, their way. If they don't and we Democrats overrun the legislatures, how long will it take before we do something equally stupid or worse?
1
It’s 12:30pm Pittsburgh time. How on earth do we not have a result from the one county that hadn’t counted absentee ballots last night?? Third graders could have counted and recounted them by now. Seems suspicious.
24
Quiet. They are remarking the ballots as fast as they can.
1
Well what do you know? It turns out that conservatives aren't necessarily traitors after all. Only Republicans are.
7
Just a quick thank you to Donald Trump for his help in securing this narrow but significant win for the Democrats. Your hateful and despicable speech on the previous day inspired voters to come to their precincts. Keep up the campaigning Donald.
14
I'll relax when Conor Lamb is seated. Remember the recent Virginia house election, and remember Florida in 2000. Republicans have no scruples about "winning" elections by any possible means, since they know that Democrats hate God.
16
Also remember the great Al Franken disaster.
If the Republicans had any tricks, Roy Moore would have been seated as senator.
I am more than happy to watch Trump fire any independent thinkers on his staff and hunker down on his most extreme rhetoric from the campaign. It is the best thing he could do to help the Democratic wave in November. If Trump had one iota of intelligence, he would have spent this time moderating his positions, following through on the numerous bipartisan promises he makes (and then nullifies the next day with more extremity), and reaching out to voters who don't worship him but might just be convinced that he can be a centrist leader. That rational course of action has now disappeared. The man is a fool, and the Republicans are even bigger fools for believing he was going to be some kind of competent leader of the party (or conservatism). He couldn't care less about anything besides himself. So please Trump, go ahead and surround yourself with even more supine sycophants and enact even more extreme policies that further drive down your overall approval ratings and really show centrist and independent voters that you and your Republican lackeys are reckless, dishonest, and a menace to our society. Trump and Republicans are running out of external enemies to blame, and most Americans see right through the tax cut b/s the Republicans keep trying to ram down our throats.
9
The background: 1) 17 dead students and 2) a Toupee President who played bravado with and then cowardly buckled to the NRA.
Despite the arguable fact that most of the Founding Fathers could read and write, the construct of this Second Amendment would yield a poor grade had it been written by a high school student today, even after being shot. Their Second Amendment reads:
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
What do ‘well regulated’ mean, ‘free State’ and ‘Arms’ mean?
Well regulated is defined as to: 1) put in good order
(regulate the digestive tract); 2) control/direct by use of rules, principles or methods (regulate household expenses); 3) adjust to some standard or requirement, as amount, degree (regulate the temperature); 4) adjust to ensure accuracy of operation regulate a watch).
The FF’s it seems were not concerned with the potential waste of the militia, the costs of latrines or toilet paper. A free State could mean that slavery was not allowed in that state or it could mean a nation or even something else.
Did ‘Arms’ mean a nuclear weapon, a weapon that shoots one bullet, 15, or 100 at a time or a hand grenade or a flame thrower?
The FF’s felt they needed to assure the people they could keep their muskets and side arms to win approval of the Constitution. The NRA now has replaced the government as the sole judge, jury and executioner on this issue.
2
Mr. Lamb will remain the winner unless “someone” finds that “missing” ballot box that is filled with two thousand ballots that are marked 100% for Saconne.
7
Way too soon to declare victory. The GOP will lie, cheat, and use every other dirty trick to steal this election. Lamb will not be seated for months, if at all.
8
A huge win for the Democratic Party. My only fear... is this Lamb nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing?
1
This is very bad for the GOP. Their tax cuts are not coming through with much money for the average worker, by 2020 the tax cuts will crush the average worker! All we need is Nancy and Chuck to retire!
Clearly Republican tactics with Hillary Clinton were more than a unique set of circumstances; their 'burn the witch' campaign in Pennsylvania this year has been as despicably misogynistic as it was transparent; they have nothing decent to run on, and nothing positive to offer.
5
"We gonna win so much you may even get tired of winning and you'll say please, please Mr. president, It's too much winning! We can't take it anymore!" - D.J. Trump
You think the GOP is tired of winning, yet?
8
Why hasn't the Times called this already? The provisional and military ballots can't exceed 600.
3
I guess they just want to be sure. You know, integrity and all.
1
Its getting clear that people who voted for Trump know he lied, about everything. He isn't going to help the population, he is going to hurt them.
4
When will the remaining county's absentee ballots be counted?
2
Fox News This is the GOP in a nutshell....'legal votes"
"This race is too close to call and we’re ready to ensure that every legal vote is counted,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Matt Gorman said late Tuesday. “Once they are, we’re confident Rick Saccone will be the newest Republican member of Congress."
After reading a lot of the comments I have to say that I don't care if he "likes" gun, as a former military person h probably knows they should be in the hands of non-crazy, qualified people. Don't care if he doesn't "like" Pelosi, I live in deep Red East TN and can tell you a lot of GOPers here don't like Trump or Ryan. Don't care if he doesn't "like" abortions, no one really likes abortion but maybe he'll get the pro-lifer bunch to acknowledge that pro-life carries over to when they come out of the womb too.
If we want every Democrat to act and say the same things we need a "talk radio/faux news wing" and just burn the big tent. I'm not saying we have to buy into the Pelosi is evil crowd but if I have to admire everyone in my party no matter what I'll change my last name to Hannity.
9
Don't celebrate yet.
The cemetery vote is not yet in. Watch out for a newly-discovered batch of "absentee" ballots. These precincts tend to be heavily Republican because the residents don't change their mind very much, even in the face of facts.
But, hey, no one should be denied the right to vote simply on account of being dead.
1
I live 5 miles from where Saccone pronounced that I have a "hatred for our country, a hatred for God" To say I was deeply offended doesn't go deep enough. I voted for Lamb. Most of the TV commercials for Saccone were right out lies, taking sound bites from Lamb and turning them into lies. Democrats need a change like Lamb will give them. I've met him (he went around to almost all areas) and he is a fine, young man. I'm sure the Republicans will demand a recount. This shows that EVERY vote counts!
14
Is there any possibility that Saccone picked up votes _or_ fewer decided to vote Democratic _after_ Trump tweet the summary dismissal of his Secretary of State? In other words, that thuggish behavior the day of the elections probably flipped the election to Lamb.
Let Trump be Trump ... and let Congress turn Blue.
2
I admit to enjoying smoking a bowl and perusing the comment section of Breitbart. The base thinks firing Tillerson was a good thing. The general idea was that he was ineffective and was not on the same page as the president.
The Washington Republicans have had a chance for well over a year to sustain and better the lives of people in the United States.
Things go from better to worse in this Congress and Presidency, from constant scandal, possible conspiracy against U.S. interests for private gain from the highest levels of government, elimination of a social safety net without substituting improvements for wages, desirable work, and old infrastructure, and costs of healthcare.
Instead, daily living faces new challenges from dirtier air and water, hate and gun crimes, and autocracy without responsibility.
The outcome of Pennsylvania's election for Democrats pits not liberal against centrist, conservative ones but agreement on a fair opportunity for all in a country without fear or favor.
1
Russian votes will come in at the tail end of Absentees.
LBJ was the first to use this technique down on the border in Texas, waiting to see how many votes were needed before the final tally was released.
(If you're a doubter, read Robt Caro's account of LBJ's first senate race in 2nd volume of his extensive biography)
2
I find myself rooting for what used to be, for me, nameless, faceless Democrats in local elections held far-away lands like Alabama and Pennsylvania. Trump has upended my life. I want to be bored again by politics. I want to bypass the politics section of the news for 'lifestyle' and local news. But until Trump is out or Democrats win enough seats to control him, I guess I'm stuck with it. Now, who is this Beto guy down in Texas....
5
How come that its already noon EST and these absentee ballots have not yet been counted.
1
The US does very well in the middle...Under trump things have gone too far to the extreme incompetent right. trump is only making Russia Great by ignoring NATO and criticizing it. Putin is very happy with trump. This election shows the entire Country is sick of trump and the republicans..With their horrible backward policies, dismantling treaties with our allies, dismantling our government agencies, etc. Pruitt is a very disturbed man, DeVos is laughable, the rest are on the slippery slope and could be fired any day. Who wants this type of government? Swing the country back to the middle and that is what is happening.
2
Drag it out as long as necessary...we know who won. Probably will be hearing, "so I can spend more time with my family", a lot in the coming weeks. And, those of you seeking reelection, just think, your president is coming to campaign with you...swell!
3
It's funny that to even have a chance of winning, a Democrat has to come out opposed to Nancy Pelosi being their leader in the House. But please stay this obstinate, House Democrats. Her picture doesn't even need a caption to work for the patriotic and religious voters.
The GOP certainly has has no lock on "the patriotic and religious voters" as we just saw with the oily behaviors of Mr. Saccone and Mr. Trump.
Maybe question why you feel you have to be a part of a totally conforming block.
Democracy does not demand that. The modern GOP does however.
1
We are seeing karma, we are seeing buyer's remorse. I think many people sincerely bought into Trump's lies about helping ordinary men and women. But it was bait and switch. Trump cannot disentangle himself from the deceitful world of lies he wallows in. Follow the money. Look at the lies. Look at what his administration DOES not what it SAYS. It is Trump who is the snooty hateful liberal-turned conservative-who-will-do-anything-to win.
3
Republicans have requested a few days to get the Russians engaged before making a determination.
3
The main thing this shows is what an incredibly weak candidate Hillary was in 2016.
3
"Mr. Lamb confronted a furious attempt by conservatives to retain the seat."
The Times made no effort to report on why Westmoreland County is having such a hard time counting its absentee ballots - after all, it's one-third the population of Allegheny County, yet that county finished counting every vote hours ago.
In the absence of any reporting on this unexplained delay, I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking that those conservatives are trying furiously, by whatever means necessary, to make sure that Westmoreland County absentee ballots hand the victory to their guy. When it comes to voter fraud, Republicans loudly accuse everybody else of committing it - not unlike a televangelist telling everybody else how to live their lives while secretly consorting with prostitutes.
8
If there is a recount, the one thing I'll bet on is SCOTUS stopping it at a point to give the seat to the Republican. That system IS rigged.
1
In most democracies voters have a broad choice of parties with five or six parties represented in the national assembly or parliament. The U.S. is alone in not having a major party of the left.
But it is astounding that the limited political choice Americans have is rendered into no choice by Republicans and Democrats alike who desert the field, running no candidate in loser districts whatsoever thereby betraying democracy.
In Australia, voting is mandatory. In Canada, parties get money for every vote received while corporate money is totally banned.
With the major parties refusing to run parties in all districts it's small wonder American democracy has fallen to plutocracy.
Get public and citizen funding for parties working and drive the neofascist plutocrat parasites from the political field.
7
An endorsement from Trump is like being awarded a seal of unethical immoral behavior.
Makes it that much easier for discerning voters to decide.
Conor Lamb was a young non politician and former marine which probably has helped in this appeal to the voters. He is new and fresh and people like someone who has not been a career politician. This is the same reason that they preferred Donald Trump over the 16 Republican candidates who had been in political office for years.
The Republicans need to find young men and women who will appeal to a broader base and not those who have held political seats for years. They tend to become too comfortable in their roles and the people lose interest. The people want new blood. The Republicans had better start recruiting now as November is just around the corner. They cannot afford to lose any more seats or their agenda will not pass.
1
"their agenda will not pass"
That is the hope of most Americans.
The days of established parties are over. Trumps election should have made that clear to everyone. The DNC is lost and the expectIon of a line-item party on issues is absurd. I hope in 2020 the DNC fronts a dozen or more candidates like the GOP did. This past POTUS election was a disgrace for the liberal minded.
Like most commenters here, I'm delighted at signs that the political tide is turning against Trump. But I do wonder what will become of the good people of the small towns of the district. There are deep secular economic trends running against them, and I don't think the Dems have a solution for their plight either.
Things have a way of changing. Back in 1971, two real estate agents put up a billboard here in Seattle saying, Will the Last Person to Leave Seattle Turn Out the Lights. Boeing had laid off workers and the economy looked bleak. Today? Microsoft, Starbucks, Amazon and the richest people on earth now light up the city.
Living in the now benighted state of PA my entire life, I've watched things get ever more sad and hateful since my childhood here.
Perhaps this young man will actually survive the assaults of the establishment pols, become the legal winner, and some sense will start to pervade our politics.
2
I was especially happy to hear that exit polls showed that the Republican tax cuts were a big loser for the Republicans. The Republicans' only hope in the 2018 midterms has been to sell their "tax cut," but it was historically unpopular when they voted for it, and it turns out that it is still unpopular--something they'll need to run away from. Apparently a lot of people, from diverse classes in diverse districts, still see very clearly that this was a massive giveaway to the very rich and to big corporations. And one of Lamb's strongest arguments was to remind voters they'll be paying for that "tax cut" with massive cuts to their Medicare, Social Security, infrastructure, and so on.
7
This is a very red district, very much rigged by GOP gerrymandering. That Lamb was able to best the Trumpster Republican Saccone--even if by only 641 votes--is an accomplishment itself.
Please stop berating Lamb for his conservative positions on abortion, guns, etc. These are the trumped up Fox News GOP wedge issues that people in red districts believe are the crucial test for getting their vote.
No Democrat would get to first base and be considered a "representative" of the people of this district if he or she campaigned on anti-abortion and strict gun laws here. We used to live in Pennsylvania.
There are so many critical issues that Democrats want to address but the GOP won't let them that have a profound effect on the lives of the people in this district and that Democratic candidates must make central to their campaign--because the Republicans do not want to discuss these and have the wrong solution for every one of them if you are a middle or working class person.
To name a few: addressing climate change NOW, making our foreign policy sane again, rising income inequality that really hurts the people in Lamb's district, good public education, Social Security for retirees, consumer protection, and a move back to civility and respect for law and justice.
3
This is a good sign. Voters in our little town in NH defeated a well-funded outside group and their candidates and voted in support of candidates who focused on local issues. What is interesting is that we do not have political parties for local elections, but the support for local issues was impressive. There were no close races and no close votes on policy issues. Our town voted for Donald Trump, but the margin was very small.
I was wondering how the Republicans would spin this but after reading the comments I know. Despite all the attack ads they've now declared him to be one of their own because, it turns out, he doesn't march in lockstep with Nancy Pelosi. Reading some of the comments you'd think Lamb's a Trump supporter and that this was really a victory for Trump. Spin spin spin.
4
Finally, a reason to smile again.
Democrats, it's time for new leadership. It's time to actually do something for working class people, not just talk about it.
Nancy, if you care for your party, it's time to turn it over to someone else. Chuck, you may be a little less toxic but if the party continues with the platitudes and the bromides, you won't be far behind. Surely it's time to identify the next generation of leaders and to return to the issues the party actually used to believe in.
1
Lamb is an outlier as a Democrat in many ways. This win is a good sign, but the battle has only just begun. If there is a blue wave, its force will depend on continued efforts of the party to put forward palatable candidates in red territory.
2
The worst part about Trump is not Trump. It's that basically decent people like Saccone are irreversibly destroying their own record, honor, and decency just to get close to Trump.
Leaders need to lead. These guys are just following a crowd right off a cliff.
We NEED a robust and honorable Republican party. I am liberal, but I am very concerned that the other side is putting themselves in an untenable position. I do NOT want one-party "rule"--even if it's "my" party.
1
A man who would defame voters in his district by declaring that liberals hate Trump, God and their country is not a good man at all. His last act before clearing out his desk and walking out the door should be to apologize to the voters in his district and everywhere else for his disgusting remarks. I won't hold my breath.
Trump pushed hard for Luther Strange, and he lost. Trump pushed hard for Roy Moore, and he lost. Trump pushed hard for Rick Saccone, and it appeared that he lost. Trump acts as if he has the touch of gold but he really has the touch of death. Pretty soon Republican candidates will ask Trump not to campaign on their behalf. Maybe then they will also rediscover their principles and stop the insanity Trump has spread throughout the GOP.
3
"the anti-abortion Republican previously holding the seat"
Get your terminology right and stop framing the issue as pro- or anti-abortion - that's how the religious right-wing describes it, but that's a false dichotomy. I doubt you could find anyone who believes in abortion just for its own sake - it's a profound and painful decision to have to make.
What people dispute is the right to CHOOSE whether to have an abortion. It's yet another issue where American right-wing politicians and religionists, with their typical hypocrisy, abandon their much-touted opposition to "big government" and advocate for Big Brother's sticking its nose into the most intimate and personal aspects of a woman's life. Women are spot-on in telling such people to "get out of my uterus."
The issue is pro-choice or anti-choice. And it's way past the point where New York Times reporters and editors should have to be reminded of it.
7
Has anyone ever noticed how the Democrat in a close race usually concedes gracefully, for the good of the region or the nation, while the Republican hangs on selfishly until the last legal challenge is exhausted? What does that tell you about the character of each?
6
As an outside observer I see the Repblicans as acting in their own interests of power rather than serving the country. Why they are coddling a President who is being cowered and possibly guided by Russia is almost too much to fathom.
7
Ryan can refuse to seat him. Who's gonna make him? The president? Nope. The SCOTUS? Nope. All he has to do is come up with some baloney and refuse to seat him. "Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members".
Doesn't this election and the other recent ones really just show that swing Trump voter utterly rejected Hillary Clinton? That they are perfectly willing to vote Democrat but they just could not stand her, in that election? That her loss is the outlier, because of who and what she was, and this and the others are completely normal? The Russians/Racists/Misogynists narrative just gets thinner and thinner. To maintain it, yet again we expected to be shocked, shocked at this outcome.
3
Nice try. What it likely shows is that (1) The Democratic base showed up. (2) Some educated Republicans are leaving the party of ignorance and incompetent governance.
Let’s take a deep breath. A handsome young man, carefully chosen for his military and legal background and briefed to run against Pelosi and major Democrat positions, has barely won an election for a seat that may not exist in November and if it does, must be contested. The Democrats won by fielding a crypto-Republican. That’s no way to build a party of principle.
2
Unless the new map is nullified by some court there will still be an 18 Congressional District. . It will not be a gerrymandered district and the ratio of Dems and Republicans will be more equitable. The seat from this Congressional district, as all seats, will be contested in November. Conor Lamb will be eligible to run for the seat. With a campaign organization and volunteers well in place, new fund raising ability as a result of his impressive win in the district, media exposure and the pains he has taken to get to know the voters of the old 18th district Lamb should be in good shape to run and hopefully win in November
Standing next to Mr. Trump’s eldest son at a firehouse, Mr. Saccone said Democrats were energized by a hatred for the president, “a hatred for our country” and “a hatred for God.”
Well, he got the first one right.
It is amazing that a candidate for Congress can talk about the opposition party as God-haters. The Republicans have descended to the lower depths. And I was once a Republican.
14
Even if they somehow manage to cheat him of the Victory, he still won. 50% of a GOP District are disgusted by our Government.
1
Next on the agenda is getting Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to retire, and for Hillary Clinton to understand she is not our spokesperson. All three have served their time, and now its time for them to step down. Democrats need fresh faces and new blood. Oh, and a bona fide presidential candidate would help, also.
4
Good luck with that. That power base of the Democratic party is not going anywhere. It's unfortunate but the DNC is headed for a serious fight with it's Loud "Independent" minded wing.
"But Mr. Trump also delivered a rambling, 75-minute speech that careened away from the matter at hand."
Unless he's chained to a Teleprompter, is there really any other kind of speech he gives?
9
Is it possible? That the Trumpsters can break through their programming and change their minds. If so, it's like a ray of sunshine through the clouds.
But know that a Trumpster worldview and personality that sees through the veil of fake news will never be Pelosi/Feinstein/Schumer Democrat - every one will become a Progressive seeking to overturn the big money old order of business as usual, which is what they signed up for with Trump (who has failed them).
If a tipping-point is reached, the Trumpsters may switch sides and steal a march on Democrats who continue to live with their heads in the sand hoping that fascism will just go away.
I was ashamed of Pennsylvania in 2016 for supporting Trump. I am now so proud of Pennsylvania voters who refused to follow herd instinct and who really assessed what is important in their lives, their future, and the world (non-Trumpian) that they want to live in, regardless of party affiliation or prior voting habit. May the rest of the country follow suit!
5
Should Conor Lamb, or any other Democrat for that matter, send a message to the voters that includes plans and ideas associated with economic prosperity for all and an admiration of hard working women and minorities, without seeming to kowtow to politicos who live in big cities, the distinction between Democrats and the GOP will be hard to miss come November.
The GOP is the Party of No with raw meat thrown to less educated older white men by a Tin Hat Dictator.
The Democrats could be seen to be everyone else.
Hate of Trump will not win any election.
I suspect that this election will be challenged under "Fake Votes" grounds by GOP losers so let's not yet assume he's won this yet.
1
Bernie Sanders would have been their revenge, Trump is them cutting their nose off to spite their face
Let's keep in mind that Lamb won in a Gerrymandered district making his victory even more noteworthy.
I wonder how much trump's 75 minute self-love fest rant hurt the candidate that he was supposed to be there to support.
7
"...an ominous sign for Republicans in a district that Donald J. Trump won by nearly 20 percentage points."
And this special election exemplifies in no uncertain terms, irrespective of the final outcome (hoping, of course that Mr. Lamb retains his lead), what the old adage, "It's time to wake up and smell the coffee" means in practical and tactical terms.
The voters in he 18th wake up every morning, coffee cup in hand, and only need to look around them to see how Trump's promises are a scam. Moreover, Mr. Lamb tapped into the concerns of Rs and Ds alike in his focus on Social Security, Medicare, pension protections, and realistic economic recovery for that region.
6
I hope Lamb eeks out this victory. But acting like it will be a repudiation of Trump is a stretch.
I can't stand Trump and his crony capitalist cohort, but I'm glad he is making us debate the wisdom of the American elite shoving these Trade deals down the throats of US workers for 4 decades. All the Phd.s and think tanks setting us on a path of a new world order since 1980. But what about the American worker? They didn't count did they? Where were all those new "high tech" jobs replacing the old union jobs? The retraining for new fields? How did this new global order work out for them? Trump is their revenge.
1
And how is that retraining going under Trump? Or are promises of opening new mines and steel tariffs against Germany (1% of all steel imported to the US comes from Germany) the answer? American workers had the chance through the "evil TTIP" to get rid of the old WTO-agreed tariffs that are unfavorable to U.S. steel exports. But why not just burn down the house and declare some random trade war instead. Retraining should be done by companies, such as in Germany where companies retrained coal workers for jobs in green energy production with the help of subsidies, Where are the subsidies in the U.S., where is the pressure on corporations from the government? Anyone who still thinks that Trump ,instead of unions, actually has the interests of the former manufacturing working class at heart is naive and that naivete is getting mightily tiresome.
Nobody voted any different. The (Democratic party dominated) PA state supreme court just redrew the district lines to help their guys.
The district is the old, not the new district. Lamb won in the original gerrymandered district that heavily favors Republicans.
5
Actually, the current districts, as used in yesterday's election, were drawn by a republican state legislation. The new districts, drawn by the independent supreme court will apply for the midterms in November.
4
not in this election
3
It is time for both parties to realize that the purge of liberals (like Jacob Javits?) from the Republican Party and conservatives (like Henry "Scoop" Jackson?) from the Democratic Party has just polarized this country more, where nothing gets done in Congress. It is refreshing to see a candidacy like Mr. Lamb's.
2
Conor Lamb's victory (or defeat) signals but one thing; the regaining of the nation and its Oval Office from anathema, will be achieved only through selfless effort and NOT by our anointment as America's saviours. OUR enemy is our hubris in thinking that we are somehow smarter, more moral or less racist than the opposition. We may be but that is a trap which has in the past linked us to candidates who were mirrors to OUR better angels instead of windows to a future more complex than given. Those who elected Lamb (or Saccone) are far more like us than different and to see them as inherently evil or good is a trap of ego. America and Americanism is one of pragmatics and compromise with our one step forward and two steps back reality; a testament to our flawed humanism and not about some magical quality which makes us special by mere aspiration. A democratic Congress will consist of (and be won by) persons who see the future as hewn through compromise on guns and butter, see the opposition as more like us than alien from us and most of all as not a given, simply because we are somehow "better" Americans. We are not ...
This is a good lesson for anyone not voting because "my vote won't count". Yes it does! Just ask the 500-600 people who represent the victory margin for the Democrat in this race.
It is way overdue for all of us who love our country - Democrat, Republican or Independent - to vote the Congressional Republicans out of office. Later, we can vote Trump out.
6
Paul Ryan has been reported as saying "Both candidates ran as conservatives."
It's hard to tell if Ryan was insulting him, or if it's in an apparent attempt to kidnap the winner and pose him as really being on their own (losing) team.
Good try, Ryan.
4
Exactly.
If Ryan doesn't care about everyone voting against GOP lunacy along with Trump's who cares what he is telling himself.
At first, it was the Trojan Horse; now, it's Lamb. Bottom line: When the time comes, he will not, no, he cannot, support those fundamental issues that divide Republicans and Democrats. Victory at all cost is a fatal idea. During President Obama's first term, didn't he enjoy a numerical Democratic majority? What happened? Let me answer obliquely: During the last election, some "Democrats" voted for Trump! A party of such fluid philosophical identity is more Jell-O than party. The Democratic Party is large beyond the bounds of tolerance; it will always fragment and break apart due to the internecine strain and conflict of competing ideas and values. Yes, better Lamb than Saccone; but at what price? The difference may well turn out to be that between the gallows and a firing squad.
There are only 2 legit political parties in the US. There are bound to be conflicting opinions in both of them.
I guess speculation is what sell papers, but what this victory means (if it holds) is that a right of center social policy Democrat won in a seat previously held by a far right Republican. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Funny how Republicans tried to paint Lamb as a far left liberal and now that he has probably won they are trying to paint him as right of center. I say he is just about in the true center.
Heartened to see the fight to keep democracy alive is inspiring people in cities and towns. Here's hoping Trump keeps believing voters love him and buy his adolescent gimmickry. And here's hoping Mike Pence and Donnie Jr. keep getting sent to battleground areas as Trump-inspired closers. It looks like voters are realizing a bad deal is always a bad deal regardless of the demagoguery and bluster that defines the true Trump brand. To Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell: Are you watching? Are you ready to transform into leaders now? The rest of us are watching. And we're taking notes.
2
Cable news did a bang-up job of describing this race as something terribly important, but it never got around to explaining exactly why it was making that claim.
As far as I can tell, the race was emblematic of national confusion, in which Dems and Reps pretended to be pro-union and pro-gun because they were pandering to a pro-steel local economy in the Gun Belt in a district that is going out of business. It may portend yet another election in which the choice is between someone who dodges all issues by invoking civil rights, and someone who feigns vulgar clarity over issues he doesn't even understand -- but even that seems like a stretch.
The American people want change. We have had enough of the corruption and lies this administration has wrought on us. Hopefully, most Americans who supported the Republicans will come to their senses and see how this unbalanced government has hurt us, nationally and internationally. It may take a decade or more to right our standing in the democratic world but the sooner the start, the less damage there will be to fix.
Bring balance back to our Federal government. Vote Democratic in 2018. It's the only choice we have to bring sanity back.
2
I have no idea what all these talks about Democratic party failing because they no longer represent people. Clinton got 3 million more votes than Trump. And she is even to the right of Obama. (OK, I'll give that Clinton wasn't as exciting a candidate as Obama). She would've won if Democrats turned out in Pennsylvania like they did for Obama. Lamb won because people, angry with Trump, turned out. And this is precisely why mid-term election always goes against the President's party: it angers and energizes the people on the other side.
This is a closely divided country. Turn-out is everything folks. Vote!
1
Having see what harm Trump has done to the Great United States of America, it is quite encouraging that the start of reversal of things toward former glory has begun. Way to go US! Hope to see you soon again on the World scene stronger than ever!
3
@John Thomas
You ask: "Why are democrats getting excited by a winning candidate who is pro-life, pro-gun and anti-Pelosi?"
They are excited because the candidate is pro-social security, pro-Medicare, pro-Medicaid, pro-Obamacare. pro-union, and does not verbally assault the patriotism, integrity, or personal life of his oppoenents. And yes, that is an improvement worth welcoming.
2
It doesn't matter if democrats have to field a moderate to conservative candidate in heavily conservative districts as long as they win. Democrats can become the "big tent" party. If they are in power, things will still shift left of where they are now. Most people want a more moderate agenda, neither extreme, and there is middle ground. Republicans refuse to compromise on even common sense measures, e.g. no guns for people on terrorist watch lists. Also, as long as republicans continue to undermine social security and medicare, they will fail. The middle class is still losing big time under Trump and hopefully aware enough not to be fooled by their politics of fear.
1
What is the strategy on the Left when claiming victory and claiming a win requires compromising, yet again, on Democratic principles? Is it the strategy of delusion in thinking he'll get into office and move toward the Left? Is it thinking that getting elected is all that matters 'as long as the winner says (s)he's a Democrat?
The more we lean to the abyss of right leaning agenda and all that that entails (greater inequality, embracing trickle-down economics, blind support for the NRA, removing a woman's right to choice, decay of separation between church & state) the greater the chances we climb further into a hole we cannot climb out of.
Democrats are making a huge mistake in winning a race that required embracing right-leaning positions and calling it a 'Win'. The people are tired of neoliberal agendas in which the joy of victory becomes gradually replaced by reality and the stagnation of neoliberal defeat.
Lamb obviously holds many values that are important to the Left or he would not have run as a Democrat. Democrats do not have to share all opinions. I am a Democrat who is certainly to to the left of Lamb but I am glad he will caucus with my party. The Democratic party should not strive to be the polar opposite of the Republican Party but should look to move the US in the correct direction by appealing to as many votes as possible without giving away our core beliefs.
People who aren't used to winning tend to see small winning streaks as something much more than that. Yes, there appears to be a trend suggesting a turning of the tide. But there is a long, long way to go, and Republicans have proved to be highly skilled at messaging and are extremely well-funded. No one -- especially Democrats and Liberals -- should start getting big heads and presume that a gigantic "blue wave" is inevitable. That's how you lose. How do you think you got to this point in the first place?
That's still a lot of support for a GOP candidate endorsed by POTUS, admittedly in a lackadaisical manner (support the GOP candidate; but enough about him, let's talk about me!).
1
It's hard for Republicans to overcome the margin of cheating.
Look at how Franken won his seat: Coleman won the election but a recount was triggered. During the Franken-Coleman recount, they lowered the acceptance standards for absentee ballots....in liberal precincts only. Extra votes for Franken magically appeared and he stole the election.
That margin of cheating historically works both ways, as in Flordia 2000.
And exactly what evidence would you care to submit. None, of course.
1
Cite a source.
Conor Lamb is a Democrat? Let's see: he says that he eschews teh San Francisco culture and politics of Nancy Pelosi and will not vote lockstep with the anticipated speaker; that he is against illegal immigrants and supports their deportation; that he is pro Second Amendment and will vigorously protect gun owners' rights and that he is a fiscal conservative. After all that, he sounds more Republican than our President. If Lamb represents the "blueprint" for Democrats to win back Congress, it sounds like they just have to convert to being Republicans and they will prevail.
1
Nationwide campaign finance reform will help America.
Get the money out of political elections.
Take a clue from Europe and Canada. They do elections better.
Spend more money on roads and bridges, spend less money on elections.
Otherwise, one man one vote means very little in the U.S.
It’s funny how conservatives suddenly lowered expectations about this race.
Trump won this district by 20 points, Romney by 17 and McCain by 12. It’s so deep-red that the democrats didn’t even bother fielding a candidate in 2014 and 2016!
3
I am glad to see that the Democrats have learned from the Republicans and have declared victory. The Democrats were far to timid in this regard in the past. Playing nice and waiting for the last vote to be tallied and not challenging results only works if both sides play fairly. The Democrats are now playing the Republican's game and I say it is about time.
15
I don't agree with Connor Lamb on every issue, but he seems to share and reflect the values and concerns of the people of his district. In a classic case of "all politics is local", he may have won this seat by simply promising to represent them (as opposed to becoming a member of a rigorously controlled voting block). Isn't that really what serving in congress was always intended to be about? Wouldn't a return to that kind of representation be a welcome change?
16
That’s because he sounds like a Republican. Let’s see if he blindly follows Pelosi.
Lamb come from a family long active in local and PA politics so he knows what it takes to win an election, it also helped that his opponent was "Trump before Trump was Trump". But to win re-election one must bring home the bacon. The congressman he replaces, Tim Murphy, was quite successful in getting many things that benefited Allegheny and surrounding counties. In order to be successful at this one must support the party line - so in spite of running on a conservative stance will he vote with Pelosi (or her replacement) on key issues, wait and see. He does not reside in the new district to the south of Allegheny county, created by the PA Supreme Court in the November election. He lives in Allegheny County which is now represented by a long time Dem so it will be interesting to see where he plans to run in Nov. In PA one does not have to live in the represented district.
3
"All politics is local." as "Tip" O'Niel said and Mr. Lamb's campaign in the 18th District of PA, proves that to be true. I have long the lamented the demise of both moderate Republicans and Democrats. They have become few and far between in both Parties.
It is the responsibility of the Voters to examine closely the candidates running for office, their character, policies and principle's and how closely those match their own, regardless of their Party affilation. As Thomas Paine said, "Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must undergo the fatigue of supporting it." John C. Calhoun said "The very essence of a free goverment consists in considering offices as Public Trusts, bestowed for the good of the country, not the benefit of an individual or a party." Lastly, "A people that values it's privileges above it's principles soon looses both." Dwight D. Eisenhower.
5
I think that Conor Lamb's victory speech last night had one particular section that best summarizes what put him over the top in PA-18, and the absence of which is why Hillary Clinton lost Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin:
"And side by side with us, at each step of the way, were the men and women of organized labor. Organized labor built western Pennsylvania. Let me tell you something -- tonight they have reasserted their right to have a major part in our future. These unions have fought for decades for wages, benefits, decent working conditions, basic dignity and social justice."
This is the winning message, and policy, for Democrats in the industrial midwest and elsewhere. Including Lamb's unambiguous support for Social Security and Medicare, he demonstrated in this 9 minute speech how it's done, Democrats. Do not try to appeal to centrist Republicans by taking on Republican-lite positions. Appeal to all working people and the middle class with pro-union and pro-social safety net ideals. Make strengthening Social Security and Medicare the new normal, not cutting back on benefits and raising the retirement age to address phony trust fund shortfalls.
The ground that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton occupied is not where working people will come to vote for Democrats. Follow this example to win the fight.
9
All very interesting. I read about Mr. Lamb and he has individual merit that is appealing across party lines as far as I can see. While this may not be the repudiation of Trump that Democrats seek and Republicans fear, at the end of the day, the current style of our President plus non-optimal approaches to the fundamental issues of education and health care in our country really can sink the Republican ship. The truth is, of course, that the sins are shared by both parties, but Republicans will bear the brunt of it this go round.
I cannot help but observe that, in a woeful replay of the presidential election, the "third party" candidate collected just enough votes that could have actually made Lamb's victory unequivocal. But way to make a statement: quixotic pursuits are more important than tangible strategies for victory.
7
"In addition to Mr. Trump’s two visits, Vice President Mike Pence appeared with Mr. Saccone, and two of the president’s children did as well" All of that plus 10 million dollars and the republicans still lose. Seem like Trump and his children need to stay in Washington. I'm very happy that Mr Lamb does not support Pelosi, as a Democrat I think we need some new leadership, not the same old tired characters that held the door open for someone like Trump to become president.
7
People have awoken from their 2016 slumber and disillusionment. Jolted, even.
Hillary and Bernie supporters are putting aside their old differences. So much is happening on the ground right now. Federal government is officially up for grabs in 2018.
God bless America.
7
Many commenters have used this election as an excuse to bash Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. What they don't seem to realize is that by raking over the coals a former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State who won the Presidential election by a 3-million vote margin, and the sitting House minority leader, they play right into the Republicans' hands. Hillary Clinton is not running for office. Where there are specific policy or agenda differences with Pelosi, address it in the context of current House bills or the California primary.
It is easy to go online, hurl insults, and belittle decades of accomplishment. Words should be chosen with more care, and battles as well. Know what the real problems are. And understand that insulting or discounting huge portions of the Democratic coalition is no way to win a war.
7
This is neither party's win or loss, Americans want something different. American citizens can't stand the ideological extreme of either party. There is no divide in this country if you measure and poll the middle 80%. But yes please register and vote.
1
The Democrat won and the Republican lost. Not hard to comprehend.
1
The Democrats fielded an attractive and energetic candidate. He did not win because he was a Democrat, he won because of his personal qualities and political skills. The Democratic Party had better realize that they need to do this in all elections and not depend on the Fairy Godmothers of the House and their Transparent Virtue to win elections. They will win when they field candidates like Conor Lamb.
5
The Democrats fielded a conservative candidate in a conservative region of the country, and they appear to have won. Good on them to make a wise choice. How refreshing this election event is.
Perhaps some of the people (Republicans and independents and Democrats) who voted for the Dem cast their vote to atone for their sin of not perceiving Trump to be the deceiver that he is. Hopefully by November more Republicans and independents will cast their vote in a negative way, against the party that hasn't stood up for the country.
3
Lamb provided the Democratic playbook for the mid-term elections: Focus on local economic issues, align yourself with local sentiments on divisive social issues...even when they conflict with the positions of the DNC. This is how Democrats can win, even in gerrymandered districts
7
According to the Wall Street Journal, Democratic candidate Lamb voiced opposition to Nancy Pelosi, backed Trump’s imported steel tariffs, adopted a relatively conservative stance on abortion and campaigned at local gun shows. However, he did support background checks for new gun purchases. He’s proof that Democrats can win if the tilt toward Trump.
1
What it took to win a very white district in Pennsylvania coal/steel country is not necessarily a model for the rest of the country. The Republicans only act in lockstep and, as a result, haven't accomplished much except tax relief for their deep pocket funders. The Dems have always offered a bigger tent.
2
Conor Lamb did win the election and I like his courage in saying so. The GOP will do everything in its power to take the victory away from him, but I think he's not only a winner, he's a real fighter too. Exactly what we need and what the party has been missing for so long!
31
Even if Lamb wins this, and this is something I want, this is depressing. A few hundred votes? In three way races decided by less than 1% point the third party should be allowed or required to throw their votes to one of the other candidates to achieve a clearer result. Ideally which party that is should be established prior to the election, either in a sealed envelope or a firm pledge.
3
I think what you suggest, that the independent candidate should decide to whom his votes should go, is not only conducive to bribery but would also violate the concept of one person, one vote.
5
Or let the VOTERS choose. It's called instant-runoff voting.
1
He closed a 22 point Trump gap from the last election. That is huge.
2
Most commenters here are missing a key point about Pennsylvania. It's a renowned swing state for a reason. Vast swaths of the PA electorate are true moderates. Conor Lamb's views reflect that. Our senator Bob Casey is a pro-life Democrat. Sen. Toomey (a Republican) proposed gun control legislation a few years back (not adopted by the rest of his party, unfortunately).
In short, the culture of moderation handed down to us by the Quakers who founded this state is STILL prevalent in PA. If you don't know that about the PA culture, it's hard to understand our elections.
24
There are around 1400 absentee votes remaining to be counted. Saccone has to win those by 40 point margin (70% to 30%) to make up those 641 votes. His highest margin so far has been 16 points (58% to 42%).
I don't know what the hold up is, the other counties ran their absentee ballots through the machine in under 30 minutes once they had them.
20
It sounds like Democrats are starting to embrace moderate candidates and having some success in conservative districts. The real challenge for them will be when they get to DC and the party insists how they cast their votes.
8
No. Because despite the lies of the Republicans the Democrats aren't expected to vote in lockstep like the Norquist-pledging, Trump-whipped Republicans.
1
Democrats finally seems energized and going about it the right way. For the first time in ten years living in my district, a young man and a woman came knocking to alert me and others Democrats in the neighborhood about the November mid-term elections and why it is important to vote. The new head of the Democratic party is making sure that we all go out to vote against the incumbent Republican. The former head of the party never did that.
5
Trump and the Republican's promising these down and out blue collar areas that things will improve (including factories and mines reopening) if they vote for them is pure smoke and mirrors. The only way these Rust Belt areas will improve is via training programs and excellent and affordable public, vocational, and/or university educations. Republican's don't support education but Democrats do even if many Democratic politicians have turned into neo-liberals. There are vast pockets of areas all over the United States that have been suffering from a lack of jobs and good education for nearly 50 years and only an excellent education and the government investing in research and development, job training and lowering the cost of community college and a university education will change America's decline. I know this because I moved out of Northeast Ohio in the early 90s after 10 years of being unable to find a decent job, even with a college education.
6
The comments about him not being a true Democrat because he's pro-life are disheartening to say the least. The country needs to accept more diversity of opinions and beliefs in each of the political party in order to arrive at cross-line compromises. Otherwise we're going to continue to have a winner-take-all government.
14
It is all local. Conor Lamb is a young new kind of a democrat not the same old same old. most credit goes to Lamb for this close a race. Voters hoped that he will begin transform the democratic party that has been united behind Pelosi and Schummer and before that Clintons and Sanders. It is time for a breath of fresh air with a clear agenda and purpose for all Americans that independents like me will pay attention to.
5
Good news, sure...but this was a special election with lower turnout than usual. Don't bet on the same kind of results for 2020. Democrats need to find a way to engage rural voters and also get out the vote for nonvoters.
2
Elections are won from the middle. Conor Lamb demonstrated that last night. The concept of a political party that can tolerate all opinions and is practical has been lost on both parties.
I hope this is the start of a conversation about respect, compromise and tolerance...something that has been in very short supply lately.
5
HURRAH. We WILL take our country back one county one vote at a time. This IS war. I WILL help my local democratic party any way I can when voting reaches my own area, And I WILL be donating to the national democratic war chest again today to insure that we have the necessary funds to mount another defensive strike when called for anywhere in my beloved country. There is a major battle brewing and we must be ready.
3
im in a neighborhood that went huge for Lamb.
it was an up and down night. it looks like he'll pull it off.
he was an exceptionally good candidate. although the blue wave will come, the democrats better get smart and elect candidates that will win, and avoid the purity tests that make primaries far bloodier than the right.
if the left learns the correct lessons here, this bodes well for the fall.
5
The Democrats are getting smarter about regional elections. If they run a more conservative Democrat in a more conservative area, that's fine. One size does not fit all. Let's not downplay the fact that Trump won this area by 20 points. This is a vote against the shiz show Trump has put on since he took office.
5
I think that Mr. Lamb has clearly shown that an intelligent, flexible approach can work better for Democrats than hard-line party dogma. His interviews show a smart guy who despite his youth has enough experience and wit to efficiently battle Republican stalwarts. Democratic party certainly needs more people like Mr. Lamb in order to run successful races in Midwest or even South.
7
We already know that he forced the Republicans to spend over ten million dollars on a seat that was designed by Republicans for a Republican win. They spent time and money bringing in the Trump campaign. It appears the close race forced Mr. Trump to announce steel tariffs that no one in his administration was prepared for and that they are scrambling to back away from. That alone was an amazing use of their capital. Even the NRA tried to attack this ex marine. If they squeak votes out of the write in boxes to gain the seat for less than a year, it still would have been worth it.
The real lesson here is for Democrats. Support candidates even if they aren't liberal enough for the far left. Politics is local and Democrats need to run candidates who represent the voters in their district. Conor Lamb was clear he stood with the people in that district and that is why he has done so well in this election.
6
Excellent points. Whenever a Republican in my state takes a sane position on something, lots of people accuse him/her of being a RINO, and suggest he/she leave the party. Hopefully, Democrats won't take such a doctrinaire position with respect to people like Lamb and accuse them of being DINOs. And this is coming from a very liberal Democrat.
2
Perhaps we need a law that says something to the effect, "The maximum amount that a candidate or PAC can spend on an election shall not exceed the number of votes cast in the previous election X $1.00." From all accounts the spending in this election works out to more than $40.00 per vote which is just crazy.
1
I am looking through these comments and I am puzzled by those saying that this was a Republican victory because Lamb is pro-gun, anti-Pelosi, etc. Lamb ran to represent his district in Washington while (apparently) staying true to his beliefs and taking advantage of the political climate. "Diversity" is a 4-letter word to some, but diversity and inclusion of views around a core of common ideas will win more elections than uniformity and exclusion around a core of common fears.
8
Think how much better things would be for the people in this district if the Republican pacs that poured 10.4 million dollars into this election instead invested it in the district in the form of aid to schools or infrastructure. That's how to win an election.
3
Lamb would presumably have won this seat more handily were it not for Pelosi. To whom is she so important that it's worth risking the chance of Democrats recovering Congress later this year?
2
I really don't get why she doesn't retire....for the good of the party and the nation. Mere mention of her name sends the right-wingers out to vote in droves. Kudos to her accomplishments. Retire rather than be ousted by your party. She'll be replaced by another Democrat. It's time to go.
2
Although no result is out in the House Race in the southwestern Pennsylvania district but it seems like Trump's face will look more pale today than what it was even yesterday after Trump's "Lamb the sham", the Democratic candidate Mr. Conor Lamb, a marine veteran claimed victory in a district which Trump won by 20% due to the advantage he gained because of Russia's direct interference in our last election.
Mr. Lamb's opponent in that race, Republican Rick Saccone, who spent more money than anyone in that district ever thanks to the $10 million that his party spent on his behalf, has only one option : to concede.
But knowing him and his mentor Trump, most probably Mr. Saccone will like to fight it out in the courts than congratulating his opponent Mr. Lamb.
Although this race will be fought again in a new district due to the S.C.O.T.U.S. ruling against gerrymandering of the old district in November but the heartache that this particular house race caused to Trump and the tremor that the result of this race caused in the R.N.C. Headquarters in Washington will make a lasting impressions on the honchos of the Republican party because of the ripple effect of another defeat at the hands of the Democratic candidates after Trump's stolen election.
Before this election in PA,there had been one defeat after another for the Republican party starting with the Governor's race in Virginia last year culminating with the worst electoral loss of Trump's buddy Roy Moore in Red Alabama.
2
Something to consider- this was not a win because Lamb ran as an opposition to Trump. In fact, he avoided commenting on his support of the President one way or another. Lamb didn’t ostracize those voters who actively support Trump. He ran as a union-backed candidate, a populist who cared about the same issues as the voters such as Social Security, Medicare, and the 2nd Amendment.
In future elections, this is the way for Democrats to win. Clinton ran the “I’m not Trump” campaign and failed. I hope that more democratic candidates will realize that simply opposing the president will not just win them the election. They’ll need votes from Trump supporters to win in overwhelmingly white, blue-collar districts like this one.
6
With so much money poured into this, it's hard for me to see any real victor aside from PR firms. If the dollars were left out, it would mean something more to me.
3
@ Jon Smith - Washington State
You wrote: "The Democrat ran as a Trump Republican and won. Big news-yes." No.
The Democrat ran pledging to protect Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid from entitlement reform, which he denounced as a Republican euphemism for cutting these programs. Also, Lanb publicly called himself pro-union, a position Trump never took in constructing his own properties.
Congressman Lamb's wing of the Democratic Party used to be known as the Henry Jackson wing. With that group, Democrats win and without them,Democrats lose. The choice should not ne hard to make.
7
Mr. Lamb's declaration as the winner is premature. I've been involved in a number of local elections where the results were just as close (around 200 votes as a lead), but provisional and absentee ballots (and mailed military) had not been counted, and once completed, the mere 200 lead turned into a negative 10. Here, Lamb is only 627 votes ahead of Saccone, a .02% lead, which could turn to a negative quickly. And, military votes from overseas would come in the mail, and as long as they are received by March 20th, can be counted. I am happy Lamb is in the lead. Trump and the GOP thought Saccone should win because Trump carried the area, and even if Lamb does not win, the fact it was this close shows that Trump is not carrying areas he did in 2016. Which is good news to me, and million others. But I would hate to have this positive for Democrats situation turn around and end up egg on our faces if Lamb does not win. This is a reason patience is considered a virtue....... Patience, Mr. Lamb and leaders of the DNC, please.
3
Big tent, folks, big tent. We are stronger together when we are diverse. I'm far to the left of Mr. Lamb, but he seems to share my values, if not every single one of my priorities. That works for me.
10
Thank goodness for this result! The Trump/GOP needs to be given a lesson. Since Trump's inauguration, they have tried to kill health insurance, eliminated environomental safegurds, weakened consumer protections and passed a tax cut heavily favoring the corporations and the very wealthy. This must be stopped, and only the voters can do it! I hope the Dems can win the House on Nov. 6, to correct this very bad trend in the US.
4
"What a difference a day makes.... the sky seems bluer, the sun brighter, even my coffee tastes better.My fourteen month migraine appears to have lifted. "Yes we can! " Yes we did! On to victory -for America - in November!
4
Alright Dems this is mostly a blessing but there are elements of a curse here as well. Lamb has shown that if the Democrats run candidates in red districts they need to have moderate to moderately conservative views on social issues and moderately liberal populist views on economic issues. There was some debate as to whether the party should run candidates who reflect the recent leftward turn of the party or if the candidate should be more tailored to their districts. Lamb shows that we need to widen the tent a bit.
Unfortunately that is going to annoy the more left-wing portion of the party, who some call the "Bernie-bros", who tend to apply a purity test to their candidates no matter if they are running in the Upper West Side of Manhattan or a rural district in western Iowa.
I have a foot in the left side of the party but am also very pragmatic. I hope my fellow "bros" can see that a candidate in Berkeley, CA is going to have a very different message proposition than a candidate in Shaker Heights, OH. Let the internecine skirmishes begin!
2
"the deep unpopularity of Representative Nancy Pelosi, the House Democratic leader."
Does anyone know why she should be so unpopular?
I am very curious, and would like to have anyone reply with thoughtful explanations. (I have my own theory, but would like to listen to any responses.)
2
If the Democrats can do this in an illegally gerrymandered district, just think of the bloodbath coming for The Republicans once elections become fair - something they've always been afraid of !
4
"“We should be able to elect a box of hammers in this district. If we’re losing here, you can bet there is a Democratic wave coming,” said veteran Republican consultant Mike Murphy, a Trump critic."
This exactly pinpoints why cynical efforts at gerrymandering are not acceptable in a democracy. NO HAMMERS. Elect thoughtful politicians who are willing to face the full electorate and discuss local, state, and federal issues frequently. We are all tired of jargon and pandering.
4
To the extent that this is a repudiation of Trump, it's a great win. And a win it is, unless the Republicans are still trying to find a way to fix the vote on the as yet uncounted absentee ballots. No way can Saccone make up the deficit fairly.
Granted, someone more progressive than Lamb might not have won this race, that hardly means the Democrats elsewhere must move to the center of the road. As they say in Texas, there's nothing in the center but yellow stripes and dead armadillos. Trump fans aside, voters care a lot more these days about character and conviction, not just policy. That's why Hilary lost, whether fairly or not -- she was perceived to be lacking in those qualities. Many of her policies were problematic to real progressives, but she did not lose on that account. Too many Bernie supporters voted for Trump because they did not like or trust Hilary, even though her policies were so much closer to Bernie's than to Trump's. Give us more progressive candidates who really believe in serving the people with integrity, grit, and passion!
3
Trump will try to fire Lamb via Twitter.
1
Some Democrats - like Lamb - get it. Make your arguments economic. Tread lightly on divisive social issues. Jettison Nancy Pelosi.
3
It is not a dead heat. Lamb won by .2%. Why the misleading headline?
1
Trump is becoming poison.
Coming up next: GOPers running away from Trump.
1
Whether Mr. Lamb is declared the eventual winner or not, it is clear that Ms. Pelosi and Mr. Schemer have to go and make way for new leadership in Congress. I think they are many times better than Ryan and McConnell but that is not good enough.
4
I guess all those white working class males are OK again since they've dumped Trump and vote D now.
After getting our taxes done and finding out my husband lost his work clothing, union dues and all of the other deductions the middle class is losing (even charity?) Is it a surprise unions are now pivoting back to the dems?
5
Those changes are not effective until 2018 at least.
1
The article states,"Outside organizations sought to derail Mr. Lamb with attacks on his record as a federal prosecutor and claims that he would, as one ad put it, merely be a sheep for Ms. Pelosi."
However, I saw not mention of the outside organizations that poured money into Mr. Lamb's campaign. One of the outside organizations requested that I help with telephone calls for Mr. Lamb. What business do I have influencing voters in a district I know nothing about except that both parties are fighting for the seat in the House of Representatives?
Conor Lamb is:
Pro-life
Pro-gun
Pro-fracking
Pro-tariffs
Pro-defense
Democrats can win Republican districts…when they adopt core Republican positions.
If this marks a turning point for the Democratic Party away from corrosive identify politics, they will continue to enjoy success.
2
Playing the identity politics card again. Not biting.
Conor Lamb has not yet held elected office. But he appears to be pro-choice and strongly pro-labor. This died in the wool socialist-leaning liberal is celebrating his victory.
2
For too many years now Republicans have been drifting off to such extremist positions and unprecedented levels of dishonesty that the results in Pennsylvania and elsewhere come as no surprise. Ironically, Trump has galvanized the Democratic party like no other person in recent memory. His propensity to motivate democrats and independents seems to increase by the day, if not the hour. The big question may be what the Democrats do with a likely super-majority come November. Will we see more of the same or incorporate a legitimate progressive agenda while recognizing we are a diverse nation?
4
It’s a nine-month position. The Right will stall, of course, but the important things is that Trump lost.
2
It amazing how so many people buy into the propaganda about Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi was speaker of the House when Bush was president and the country was facing the failure of our financial system. Despite the politics, Pelosi got enough votes to rescue the banking sector and even though we still had the Great Recession, it would have been much worse if she didn't act. The Repubs didn't support their president and treasury secretary and without Pelosi's help, the country would have been in jeopardy. Pelosi might be a liberal, which Repubs seem to dislike vociferously, but Pelosi did not play politics when the country's economy was at stake.
8
Wasn't it the large financial institutions that were rescued in order to keep the Wall Street money flowing to both parties?
I actually like Pelosi and what she stands for. She can be off-putting, but I look at what she's done and think she has been a good Speaker when she was part of the majority. No one completely represents me, no one is perfect.
4
Who could possibly vote for a candidate that said Democrats were energized by hatred for God? Unbelievable!
Guns and God do not go together. Remember: "Thou shalt not kill." Do YOU live your religious beliefs? It's easy, after all, to just say that you believe in God. But do you LIVE it? I am very doubtful about Republicans on this point.
7
Mr. Trump mocked Mr. Lamb as “Lamb the sham”
Very helpful, Mr. President Trump the Chump. Keeping our political debate at the highest level.
11
This result, whatever it turns to be, tells me voters would like to see somebody who is more middle of the road than either the current Republicans or Democrats.
3
There is Hope. Hope drives the soul....and I hope it is a definitive democratic victory-for civility and for humanity.
2
All Democrats' hope and faith is riding on this Lamb. It's such an ironic reversal of what was traditionally expected.
1
GOP will call for a recount and claimed a lot of illegals voted
1
Demands of "purity of thought" don't work. The great hue and cry by the left side of the Democratic party isn't going to generate more votes. Moderate Democrats with centrist views on guns and reproductive rights can win local elections and do great service to the party. They just need to be open to discussion of opposing views. The GOP has gradually drifting towards a "not now, not ever" position ranging from tax increases to gun control and abortion. It isn't working and that is beginning to show.
1
While Conor Lamb was out working for votes from suburbanites and rural voters, miners and teachers, Trump was here in CA, sucking up money from rich donors in Beverly Hills while spouting off vague cheap shots against the state and our governor. That says it all.
4
This article typifies the issue I have with the news media today. Too much analysis, not enough information. Which county? How many absentee ballots? When are they going to count them? What was the percentage of votes that went to each candidate in that county?
4
I agree. If those counties are unable to state how many absentee ballots are to be counted and how long it will take, there may be some GOP operatives about to fiddle with those ballots.
3
In terms of using this election as a bell weather for the fall, it doesn't matter if Lamb wins by 600 votes or loses by 600 votes.
Don't count your chickens before they've hatched. Mid-terms are going to be very very tough, and there's a lot of dog-wagging that can be done before then. No-one expected the 2016 results, so the best thing is to assume the worst and fight for the best.
1
I'm as anti Trump as it gets but here is a thought.
Had Lamb come out with the intense rhetoric we hear about Trump in the most liberal congressional districts, he would have lost badly.
The voters didn't reject Trump so much as they liked a fresh face who could tweak Trump ever so tactically. An ability to garner those voters for whom Trump leaves something to be desired. They desire that he would act normally.
It's amazing there are so many like that in that Republican district.
The lesson is this: beating Trump in certain districts may come down to a matter of subtle plays on his weirdness and disappointment more than his policies.
An almost subliminal appeal to the yearning for straight talk and a return to orderly practice in government. Exactly what many Trump voters crave.
Voters, this year, want a return to normal.
A fresh, clear, smart, plain-spoken, clean Marine kind of normal in this case.
In the many swing districts ripe for a Democrat this year, maybe less Trump bashing and more Trump contrast that is demonstrated rather than shouted.
I think Americans are VERY TIRED of shouting.
3
Apparently the way for Democrats to win Republican districts is to run as Republicans. We need a 3rd and possibly 4th party in this country, to represent actual progressives on the Center Left and hardline tea-party style conservatives on the Far Right.
Right now, the choice given to voters is two parties that differ somewhat on social issues and not much on economic issues, and have no solution to gun violence, crumbling infrastructure, opioid crisis, healthcare racketeering, endless wars abroad, outrageous military spending, corporate monopolies, wealth inequality, education funding, crippling student loan debt, climate change, oligarch rule by fiat, incarceration-for-profit, corrupt campaign financing, and a host of other serious issues.
2
If you look at the numbers, Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) voted roughly in the same percentages that Hillary won it with.
Lamb didn't win the other 3 counties, but they were not as motivated this time to pull for Saccone who is so Trumpy he claims to have been "Trump before Trump was Trump" and even got an election Eve Trump stump.
So this appears to be as much of a red undertow as a blue wave.
1
When Hillary Clinton told this region that coal industry jobs weren’t coming back, it was a politically incorrect statement to make and she was vilified for it.
But now these voters are feeling what it is really like to be hoodwinked by a republican party that is only concerned with their vote. Well these republicans voters are clearly sending a message to their party.
Combine this anger with the anger of the #neveragain movement and Republicans should be worried about losing the House in 2018.
4
Funny how, after insisting in 2000 that democracy leaves no time for extended recounts that GOP decided in Minnesota and with SCOTUS that recounts are forever and then that votes are better off when they don't happen ... as also in WI with open seats now.
The US has one major political party and one cartel.
1
Let's stop warring within the Democratic party, and unite behind all Democratic candidates, whether liberal or moderate. I would be happy to see a moderate Democrat overturn Congressman Michael McCaul in my suburban Austin district!
6
Register and vote!
That's why this result happened. People realized that individual votes still are the bottom line, not how much money special interests contribute.
That's the only way to stop the continual lying, the racial divisiveness, the enabling and encouraging of neo-Nazis, the crumbs-for-the-middle-class tax "reform" that enriches the wealthy and the corporations. The wealthy who claim they're for ordinary folks but who are laughing all the way to the bank (or to Mar-a-Lago) sure won't help.
10
Ex-Marine Lamb gave Saccone and Trump the slam and showed what a jam
the GOP's in. Even if it turns out that this victory is somehow snatched away from Lamb by absentee ballots or GOP chicanery, he still comes out on top: he spent far less money, in a heavily Republican district, and after all the precincts' votes came in, he had the lead. Sorry, Trump & Co., but not only is this a sign of what's to come, but his supporters may rue the day they attached their support to someone who increasingly looks like he and members of his team colluded with a hostile foreign power to get elected. Maybe the GOP will cut Trump loose before all the real dirt comes out, but it doesn't look like it!
7
When referencing the unpopularity of Pelosi, I continue to be frustrated by the failure to make it clear that the Republican counterpart, Paul Ryan, is equally unpopular. The Republican candidate in this race swore that his entire identity was his party and his president, telling voters that he would vote the party line absolutely 100% of the time. He could not have sold himself more as a stooge for Ryan and Trump. Lamb, on the other hand, made it clear that he is his own man and would represent the interests of his district.
44
Its just because Pelosi is a woman. That is all it is. Misogyny runs deep in this country.
5
Although Lamb appears to have won, the lopsided amount of money that one side (Republicans) is disturbing. But just like guns, money is untrammeled according to our hard-right Supreme Court.
17
We need three constitutional amendments to fix our serious systemic problems:
1. Get rid of the Electoral College, which does the opposite of what The Founders' intention was.
2. Fix the 2nd Amendment, as corrupted by the Heller decision, in which Scalia turned himself into a logical pretzel and an activist judge to argue that the first 13 words don't change the meaning of the Amendment.
3. Overturn Citizens United and eliminate our system of legalized bribery, in which the super-rich and evil organizations like the NRA buy influence every day in Washington.
1
It really doesn't make a difference what the message is, most of America want the Republican's out.
42
Dear DSS, I beg to disgree with you.
Trump won because he was always interesting and Hillary was always dull and boring, period. Even today, Trump trumps, because of his shocking Tweets and actions. He resonates with the media.
Democratic candidates and campaigns have to use the media to resonate with voters. No more "no drama Obama" and boring Hillary stuff.
For example, Democrats can start with a negative NO and turn it around to turn people ON. (NO and ON have the same letters, in reverse order). Trump uses this, daily, but Democrats are clueless!
Democrats, people wake up and turn ON voters!
====================================
1
Now go - make progressives proud. Work every day to be fair and compassionate and to improve the lives of those that are sturuggling in your district. Stem the tide of fear and loathing, and show them that, no, not all politicians are all the same. No more oxygen to those that would sow fear and division. A hardy thank you to all those that made this happen. It's a good day!
37
If "progressives" had voted for Hillary instead of sitting on their hands or voting for impossible candidates, we wouldn't have Trump and progressives would be closer to achieving their goals instead of 1000 miles further away.
DEMS need to keep fielding candidates from central casting! I know it sounds shallow - but it's who we are- and it works..
25
Notable tweet from Jon Favreau:
Conor Lamb campaigned:
1. For universal health care
2. Against Trump’s tax cut
3. For expanded background checks
4. For stronger unions
5. Against cuts to Social Security
6. For a woman’s right to choose
7. For medical marijuana
“Conservative Democrat.” Ok. Cool.
1
And he put about 1 million miles between himself and Nancy Pelosi..
All this proves to me is how hopelessly divided the nation is. American politics are loaded with vitriol. While I despise the quasi-fascist leanings of the right (building walls, deportations, unilateral military strikes, idolization of 'strong men' at home and abroad) at this moment, I realize deep down the population is reacting to deep-seated fears about environmental and community health, the economy and physical security of our people.
8
Trump is so toxic that Democrats may declare him their secret weapon. What Republicans in close races now have to consider is whether Trump's campaign appearances hurt more than they help.
19
@Mark
The Republicans may consider that but what they really should consider is what really do they have to offer the country? Where is their intellectual capital for new ideas, where are their pragmatic ideas for the country's progress? All they have so far for years is tax cuts, there's gotta be more than that, its just not enough. The campaign devices are falling short, they need to come up with good ideas.
Unfortunately, that may be a reason the Dems won't impeach him.
I'm not a Democrat but they are the only hope for taking this country back from this warped distortion of a party they now call the Republicans. This is a party led by a self dealing madman puppet. A group who is now giving aid and comfort to our enemies as well as completely unraveling the social fabric of this country by destroying the hope of the poor and funneling all resources to frivolous ill-thought wars and the coffers of the rich all at the cost of our children's future. Only +-627 votes out of 228,374 so far are making the difference in beating "Putin's Republicans" a term I never thought I would hear or in my wildest imagination write.
The Republicans are headed for a concrete wall at 100 miles an hour and it's not the one at the Mexican border; or maybe it is? In any case congratulations hopefully Congressman Elect Lamb and thank you for storming against this self dealing thieving hoard Republiken Party that is trying to destroy the rule of law in this country and peddling influence to a foreign power.
49
For all the commentators here who suggest that Lamb is a Republican, but even if his policies suggest that, he is the type of Republican that was respected by many Democrats all those years ago. The type of Republican we have in the WH now is an absolute disgrace to this country and to all the Republicans of the past.
35
Why is it taking so long to finish counting the votes?
10
They are counting absentee and overseas ballots, and looking at the provisional ones.
This may take a while.
The Democrat ran as a Trump Republican and won. Big news-yes.
2
Really Trump Republicans support Obamacare? Abortion rights? Unions?
That's a well kept secret.
9
more than a stretch - ridiculous
1
Please. The GOP is unrecognizably grotesque right now.
Many areas of the country are conservative and have Democratic representation that reflects their districts. The GOP has grown into a monolithic top-down monstrosity.
Watching Trump take time off his porn troubles to slur a Marine is just the latest barf offered from the Republican party.
3
Even if Trump was able to find a few extra votes from dead but loyal Republicans, the GOP lost Bigly. And we wonder why Trump refuses to take action against Russian meddling in our elections. He needs them in 2020.
19
Watch our for signs of election tampering, voter intimidation, and "lost" ballotts!
Since those tactics were so successful in 2016, why expect Trump and his gang to do otherwise in 2018?
IMPOUND ALL election materials here to guard against 2016, or 2000 sorts of election tampering!
13
And while this is going on, Trump is in the country's most populated state, with his typical 100% negative, nasty message, making a photo opp of his wall that will be paid for by Mexico. Why would anybody reject uplifting leadership like that?
Maybe the people of western PA are saying that just because they didn't think Hillary would help them doesn't mean they wanted Rush Limbaugh for president.
23
Waiting for the Trump Inc. machine to start blathering about cheating, illegal voting, fraud etc etc etc....
19
President Trump:
The American people are finally winning, just like you said we would.
But, we're not tired of winning.
Please keep campaigning on behalf of all Republicans so we can take back our country.
26
It appears that even other republicans don't agree with you.
It's telling and hopeful that, although the buffoon in chief, held his usual lying, rambling, stream of narcissism support rally, and the usual mindless cohorts in the pit jumped, screamed and laughed with delight at his tired and childish insults hurled at a respected marine veteran, the returns seem to be diminishing as fast as his cabinet, staff and approval ratings.
25
I'm so sick of the GOP and Trump corruption, but I'm encouraged by the fresh new faces in the democratic party. I wish them God speed. They have a real mess to clean up after.
23
All this, and meanwhile, back at the ranch, Mueller keeps grinding away. Tick tock, tick tock.
21
From this story: "Standing next to Mr. Trump’s eldest son at a firehouse, Mr. Saccone said Democrats were energized by a hatred for the president, “a hatred for our country” and “a hatred for God.”
_____________________________________________
Is there anyone presently on the public stage who acts and behaves in a more godless fashion than the President? In fact, the President is the very apotheosis of the Seven Deadly Sins, the epitome of evil.
34
if Democrats get out and VOTE in 2018 we can get this country back to Regular Order!
18
Again, the results suspiciously resemble a scenario reminiscent of many Republicant close elections. Could the Russians be in on this one also?
Smell test? Well, vodka quite odorless. Yet imbibe at one's peril?
1
This will not be over for some time because Saccone and the Republicans will do whatever they can legally to delay Lambs victory. The Republicans are sore losers particularly Trump. With all the money they spent they will insist the election was rigged. Lambs victory or close vote count is a great slap to the face of Trump and his cronies.
21
During the Presidents 'aren't I the greatest President ever?' rally in Penn he omitted one olden goldie from his campaign days. Of course that was the rousing 'bing bing bong bong bing bong' that brought down the house. If he had remembered that in Penn the result could have been different.
6
Pro-gun, personally against abortion, pro tariff, anti-Pelosi and a Democrat ... WINNING in a deep red district. Paying attention, progressive purists?
23
gdurt, personally against abortion doesn't mean you don't support abortion rights.
I personally am against abortion however I would never restrict a woman's right to an abortion if she wanted one.
I have no right to inflict my beliefs on another individual. That seems to be what those who oppose abortion, forget, nobody is making you have an abortion, any more than you should restrict another's right to an abortion.
2
Notable tweet from Jon Favreau:
"Conor Lamb campaigned:
1. For universal health care
2. Against Trump’s tax cut
3. For expanded background checks
4. For stronger unions
5. Against cuts to Social Security
6. For a woman’s right to choose
7. For medical marijuana
“Conservative Democrat.” Ok. Cool."
As a progressive, in a deep-red district (Trump won +19), I can accept a pro-gun Democrat that campaigns on common sense gun regulations and supports a woman's right to choose despite his personal opposition to it.
1
He can be personally against abortion but still preserve a woman's right to choose. No one has said anything other than that. No one likes abortion, but recognize the need to allow us women to decide.
1
Republicans are having increasing difficulties in hiding their bigotry and lies. The "pro-lifer" Tim Murphy denied other women their right to choose and then pressed his mistress to have an abortion to hide his own philandering. Trump does not help the working class, but is working hard to enrich is family and billionaire friends. Saccone upped the ante by out-Trumping Trump and painting democrats as god-haters and Pelosi-lovers. It looks like increasing numbers of Americans won't take that stuff any more and start opposing those bent on destroying decency and our democracy.
That is a good sign, regardless of the final outcome of this special election.
17
"one county in the four-county district had not yet counted its absentee ballots, so no winner had been declared..."
Sounds like an ominous chance for Bannon, Manacort, and the plumbers to swing into action again to do Donnie's bidding... And maybe Vladdie's too...
8
People are tired of trump bravado and lies. He talks, changes his mind, fires everyone, blames democrats, buys women and praises evangelicals and the NRA. Enough!
11
I hope that the assorted members of the Left can get it through their heads that Conor Lamb disagrees with them about a lot of things wnd is still on their side, that yelling at Nancy Pelosi exactly what Fox&Friends yells at Nancy Pelosi is pretty dumb, and that they have a lot to learn and a lot to do.
Oh, and please, guys, take the time to find out what "single-payer health care," actually is, and which countries actually have it.
3
Thank you, Mr. Trump. Now, you be sure and make time in your busy schedule to campaign for the rest of those in your mob who may be left and are dumb enough to run for reelection. You are an indispensable part of our plan to drain the septic tank!
8
This is encouraging! I hope it represents an honest push-back against this joke of a presidency and the complicit "see no evil" (with an emphasis on "wrongdoing" if not "illegality") of the Republican party. I hope that Lamb is indeed the most fit candidate and that he works hard to do right by as many people as he can. I hope. Just like I used to.
More importantly though, I want to emphatically warn against espousing this elective's predictive value. Statements like "an ominous sign for Republicans" or "this contest evolved into a test for both major parties in Trump country." remind me of predictions such as "Hillary has an 85% chance to win." (NYT's "The Upshot", Tuesday, November 8 at 10:20 PM ET). I am as sure of Russian meddling in our election as I am about the deleterious effect of the NYT's (and so much media's) "Madame Hoopla's" crystal ball pre-election predictions.
New York Times, you're no Madame Hoopla. Please stop attempting to predict the future affect of current events. It cheapens you.
3
Now if we can keep Hillary deep in her woods walking her dogs in retirement we may be getting somewhere.
7
It saddens me to agree with you. For whatever good she has or might have done, Hillary is the past. Conor Lamb, and those like him willing to stand up to the hard right idiots who have seized control of our country, are the future. I stand with the future!
8
What is sad are the comments here about Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi from those supposedly on the Democratic spectrum. If you haven't realized it already, bashing the Presidential election popular vote winner and the current House minority leader plays right into their hands. Great strategy.
Plays right into the Republicans' hands, that is.
A hatred for god. Indeed, a hatred for HIS god who thrives on hate, divisiveness, greed, power, humiliation, almost anything bad you can think of. Hopefully, America is finally saying no to these faux Christians. Saccone's predecessor, who pressured his mistress to have an abortion is another who is typical of these people. Trump himself, and therefore Saccone who by his own admittance was Trump before Trump, believes in the power of bullying, accosting women, not paying employees, cheating at golf! Family values? The ten commandments? These people are liars and hypocrites and go against any true Christian value that stands in the way of their own personal gain and the subjugation of those who are different ... in looks, sexual preference, goals in life, choice of movies, you name it ... than themselves.
11
Trump, Roy Moore, Rick Saccone. SO MUCH LOSING. SAD.
19
Saccone, please singalong: Nanna na na, nanna na na, hey hey, goodbye.
8
Arrogance and stupidity do not mix well but watching them at work never fails to give me pleasure. When chickens come home to roost they do much more than sleep. Another term for Trump, please.
1
One part of my masochistic personality wants the Republicans to win by a razor thin margin just so I can hear Trump blather on about the historic, unpresidented, landslide patriotic uprising that led to the victory. And another part of me wants the Dems to win so I can hear a new Trumper-tantrum about how a wall is needed more than ever after Lamb the Sham, Crooked Hillary, Low IQ Maxine, and purportedly U.S. citizen Barack Obama, got together at a meeting in Benghazi to recruit illegal immigrants to vote Democrat before returning to their murderous lives.
13
I am encouraged by the fresh faces of the Demcratic Party,
Joe Kennedy, Kamala Harris , Cory Booker , the Castro twins and now Conor Lamb.
Yes I realize that there are views within the party that differ but there is one unifying theme they should embrace and it is " the economy stupid"
Dealing with income inequality, reducing taxes for the middle class, increasing minimum wage ,enacting a law to reduce prescription drug prices to European levels. Reducing interest rates on Student loans . Providing an affordable public option for the uninsured using Medicare in doing so recognizing health Care is a right.
Pay for all this by increasing taxes on the rich to pre 2018 levels eliminating special benefits such as carried interest , increase tax on dividends.
The deficit is a serious issue, it prevents a renewal of our infrastructure , undermines our security( reliance on foreign investment), nothing left to deal with a recession. Real risk of Ryan cutting back social benefits .
My solution ensure all corporations pay the 20 percent tax ensuring an effective rate of 20 percent, this will increase revenues dramatically.
Introduce an infrastructure tax on all imports of 3 percent use it to rebuild infrastructure using American Materials and labor.
Such a plan benefits all the constituencies the Democrats need to win,
Obviously candidates will tailor their message to meet the needs of their unique constituencies.
Perez are you listening.
52
And let's get rid of that disastrous Citizens United decision by getting a majority Democratic Congress to overturn it. The 10 million dollars that Republicans poured into this race could have built a couple of bridges, rehabilitated a railroad, and fixed hundreds of potholes instead of wasting a lot of hot air on a candidate unworthy of the position for which he was running.
Good ole Pennsyltucky, where someone will find a dirty trick to disqualify Lamb, or at least try to...both political parties there look the same to me, and remind one pointedly that our two-party system is broken past repair and in need of an effective replacement. Any suggestions?
4
A parliament?
4
Yes: reassess your perception that there is no difference between the two main political parties--because there are several major differences--and then vote for the one that is obviously the better of the two. At the present time we don't have the luxury of finding an "effective replacement"--unless you want to lose.
1
So long as we continue to elect and re-elect mushy candidates who compromise integrity for personal gain...the status quo will be remembered as “the good old days”.
Will the Democratic party learn from this that centrist candidates have a better chance? Doug Jones is another case in point.
No more extremes from either party, please!
34
Kate, I wonder if the Democratic Party will try to assure homogeneity, pushing all candidates to be in favor of single payer and other very progressive politics. there was a time quite recently when we had a wide range of Republicans and Democrats in both houses, strongly committed to representing their voters rather than voting lockstep with their leaders. This disappeared with gerrymandering, which ushered in the uncontested race with candidates moving more extreme in both directions. Centrist candidates clearly have a better chance in centrist districts and wildly progressive candidates in other districts. Lets hope there is a new emphasis on representing voters, with congressional proposals having a thorough discussion among all reps, not just the party leaders.
1
I wish the Democrats had waited until all the votes were in before declaring victory.
That being said, Mr Lamb has done much to be proud of. And it is very telling that the only national Democrat he welcomed to his campaign was Joe Biden.
The Democrats need to pay really close attention. A Democrat who wins in a district Trump won by 20% is a model for winning in other areas.
33
So Democrats who opposed the anti-union Saccone did so because of their hatred of Trump, the USA, and God. Fortunately, name calling and demonizing the electorate failed. Saccone was not a bad candidate. He was a typical "guns and anti-abortion" conservative Republican who relied on social issues to disguise his corporate agenda. Connor Lamb was a better candidate who like Joe Biden connected with the working men and women. In a district that Trump carried by 20 points his positives and negatives were now evenly split. That tells me that Trump will be a continual drag on Republican hopes in the midterms.
25
We can hope.
3
Two things: “Lamb the sham”. Just remember, to Republicans, our military are heroes... unless they’re Democrats.
Secondly, I wonder how many Democrats celebrating his apparent win (not that Republicans aren’t doing everything possible behind the scenes to steal this seat) realize that Mr. Lamb was seen with an AR-15 in his first campaign commercial.
The point is - and I’ve been trying to convince the left of my party of this for 18 months without much success - winning is better than losing. Shocking theory, I know. As Democrats, we need to embrace centrist and even conservative Democrats if it wins us seats. The only way to hold Trump to account is by winning.
Lastly, don’t fool yourselves, there is going to be HUGE pressure now to fire Mueller. No way are Trump and his congressional accessories going to allow this investigation to carry on in the face of a potential Democratic House.
40
No, the military aren't heroes to the Republican Party. Remember McCain and Khan? The officers whom GOP leader Trump tried to blame for his hasty decision on the Yemen raid? The generals who don't know as much as Trump? The leader can't even spell "Marine Corps," for pete's sake.
Here on in, the so-called Party of Lincoln will be shedding it's "normal" members as Trumplicans take over. Democrats have to craft a democratic coalition with and around these people, because America is in danger. Trump is like a convict caught outside the prison walls. Nowhere to run -- perhaps exile to Russia? He will poison every democratic institution related to elections. Why aren't the non-Fox broadcasters classifying him properly? His Hate Sessions are not presidential activities -- I don't know why respectable networks give him a free unfiltered coverage. Charge him $1 M for every 5 minutes air time, an advertising rate. Perhaps some "Democratic Coalition," not party, might be a temporary face for a wider movement to bar the Donaldites. This will settle the business of the anti-geriatric movements such as anti-Pelosi.
5
um what? When the President talks its news, not advertising. No one is going to charge the President to talk. Even when he was a candidate, because he was a TV personality he got lots of free coverage because it was for some reason considered news worthy. Trump is not some evil poisoner of things to be feared. He literally under a microscope 24 hours per day.
In a gerrymandered district that Trump carried by a 20% margin, the GOP:
• ran Mr. I-Was-Trump-Before-There-Was-Trump;
• poured in $10 million of campaign funding;
• sent Trump to stump for the Republican;
• made a big deal of their tax cut scheme; and,
• as is their custom, wrote off the Democrat as a liberal extremist and a rubber stamp for Nancy Pelosi.
Nonetheless, the best the Republicans could do was come up slightly short of the votes needed to win.
That tells me three things. First, many of the people who voted for Trump are no more loyal to him than he and his party then he has been to them and his party.
Second, running a candidate who opposes Nancy Pelosi and is flexible on the details of gun control and abortion restrictions is a sound model for Democrats competing in districts that Trump won.
Third, it is time to get rid of Nancy Pelosi as the leader of the Democrats seeking to win the House in 2018. She makes an easy target for Republicans.
In this race, the national Democratic party could not do much to help because their brand and Pelosi are so unpopular in Republican districts they had to stay away. Given that the main appeal of Pelosi is her ability to raise money, what is the point of keeping her at the helm if Democrats cannot spend that money in the districts where they need the greatest efforts to flip control from Republicans to their own party? Simply put, Pelosi is more of a burden than a help where Democrats need the most help.
24
The main appeal of Pelosi was HER ABILITY TO PASS LEGISLATION, see: Affordable Care Act. But I agree, we need new blood like Tim Ryan.
3
Republicans will demand a recount that will go on months. Lamb might get to take office in September.
4
Except, in this election within one House district of Pennsylvania, there is no law or legislative requirement for a recount.
If Lamb ran a primary against another Liberal he would have been exposed as what he is, a snooty Liberal.
How do you claim victory when all the votes are not counted?
He feels entitled.
Of course its closer than it should have been.
Of course a lot of people voted for Lamb as a protest vote against Trump.
But had Lamb been in a primary, he would have been exposed , and lost big time.
1
Why are Liberals snooty, and Trump/Saccone shills for big corporations are friends of the people, ordinary joes, down to earth? Lamb will vote for tax policies that help workers in actuality, for the long term. He doesn't live in a gilded penthouse. Didn't bring in $10 M in outside of PA billionaires hanging onto tax cuts for the .01% donations. Lamb is snooty because he isn't fat, sloppy, incoherent or stupid? Didn't lie? Supports unions? @ 700 votes ahead with 100% counted. Fair to say he won.
48
Donald Trump and George W. Bush claimed victory before all the votes were counted. In fact, Donald Trump said he would not accept the results of the election unless he was declared the winner. Did you object?
7
Win or lose, in the 2018 midterms the Republicans' big donors are going to have to shell out huge amounts of money in a lot of races.
8
On the other hand, they may be thinking that it's a waste of money and let them go down in flames. Remember these guys are shelling out money, not on principle, but on return for the dollar.
3
Has anyone monitored social media around this campaign for possible interference?
Here is the first high-stakes election since virtually everyone has acknowledged that the Kremlin-sponsored troll farms had their thumb on the American social media scale in order to influence our elections, and I have not seen any reporting on the presence or absence of suspicious ad buys, fake posts and such.
Are we so distracted by the Trump family's sudden interest in southwest PA that we have lost sight of Russia's promise to keep meddling?
11
So the DNC never even bothered to field any candidates in the past? And they wonder why so many of us are mad at them. Glad the younger generation has more backbone. I hope they completely take over my party. Well done, Mr. Lamb.
20
Politics aside, the numbers at this point are with Lamb. The GOP has to decide - do they take the risk of further bad publicity by contesting the election (which would be difficult, at best) or throw the towel in on this one and prepare for the next?
Given the absence of coherent leadership (at any level) in this organization my guess is that this will go the way of Alabama - much talk, less action.
Chuck Todd's Meet the Press interviews with Wilbur Ross and Steven Mnuchin and now the firing of Rex Tillerson underscores the absence of anything that could be referred to as perspective. The entire country is going down this road... day by painful day. What happens when the miracle leader can no longer perform miracles?
The devil's bargain made at the 2016 Cleveland convention with DJT and his crew of crazies is now ripping the GOP apart. Even the crazies have proven completely unable to agree amongst themselves. That's what happens when the guiding principle is "look out for number one". That's proven to be the real meaning of MAGA and people are beginning to catch on to that.
20
In all the tight Congressional races in November the GOP will be asking that Trump stay home and of course he'll show up...perfect!
7
Trump is going to focus on the Senate, which we're all forgetting about.
If you think that people in Texas have forgotten about the Senate, think again. I couldn’t wait to cast my primary vote for Beto O’Rourke, and now I am eagerly anticipating the day that I can cast my official vote for Beto to oust Ted Cruz.
1
I've almost given up trying to understand the "thinking" of my fellow Western Pennsylvanians. The majority in the 18th elected Tim Murphy, an anti-abortion zealot who urged his mistress to get an abortion. Murphy resigns in disgrace, and the GOP puts up Saccone, an anti-union zealot in a district that has a high concentration of union members. Even if Saccone ekes out a win, Trump and his deluded backers should be very worried.
9
"Pennsylvania state Rep. Rick Saccone, the Republican candidate in the special election for Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District, reportedly accused the Democratic party of being galvanized by "hatred for our country" and "hatred for God," during a rally in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania on Monday."
Mr. Saccone paints with a very broad brush. I vote Democratic, and I believe that he does not properly express my views.
Or - more to the point Rick Saccone - How dare you!
18
Dear Mr. Trump,
Please come to Alaska and campaign for Don Young. He's been our lone Congressman since 1973, he has long passed his usefulness, and truly, "time's up". Please come help him lose in 2018.
46
The promise of things to come!!
Mid-Term elections may help return democracy to the United States.
13
Democracy never left the United States. If it had, then you wouldn't have even had this election. Somehow Democrats have come to believe that if they lose an election it was because democracy has left.
I'd settle for *sanity*!
Once more put their "prestige" on the line? Of all possible words that can be used in association with this disaster of an administration, that is hysterically funny.
Prestige?! Walked out of the White House with President and Mrs. Obama. Has not been seen in the neighborhood since.
The rout continues and we look forward to November.
21
If the Dems (and I am one of them) do not govern from the CENTER (and yet maintain their social contract with all multi-culture citizens of America), they will lose future elections. Keep to the center Democrats -- or you will lose the voters who very much want to vote for a Democrat...
14
The Democrats have continued to mold themselves after Wall Street money grubbing Republicans since the days of Bill Clinton. It worked for a while, but after 9/11, voters on the left moved sharply to the left, voters on the right became much more extreme, and hugging the abandoned middle has turned the Democrats into a perpetual minority party at every level. Isn't it time they wised up?
Sure, in a red district, it makes sense to move towards the red positions, but elsewhere, and in presidential races, that turns off the most enthusiastic liberals and progressives who represent the most votes and the greatest campaign contributions from actual voters.
1
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul" (Dickinson) Here's hoping for Lamb.
8
It ain't over till it's over. I don't mean to be a killjoy, or a conspiracy-theorist, but I imagine some Republicans somewhere are thinking about finding a lost bag of ballots or a couple malfunctioning computers that could send the recount to the Supreme Court.
17
Recounts are not legal in this state (according to this article)
Trump is probably writing up those extra ballots now. That's why the count is not over.
1
Barbyr, you are exactly right. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is reporting that the GOP wants to go to court to impound all the voting machines because of "irregularities." If I could roll my eyes anymore, they'd fall out of my head.
2
It is obvious that the democrats need to move NOT to the left, but to the crowd who will vote. If the DNC still thinks one size fits all, they must now see that embracing everyone means just that...from both coasts to north and south, the country is made up of beliefs and values that vary and can be addressed with an open forum. Run, run, but don't make the mistake of complacency, know what the people are thinking by listening.
8
And the election has different communication than governing. Run center, rule slightly left of that, leave plenty of room for compromise, be generous in victory.
Republicans lost Bigly; primarily because of Trump and his chaotic administration.
17
The Trump endorsement is becoming the kiss of death, even in the most Republican of areas.
14
I’m hoping, hoping, hoping that Trump does a rally or two for Ted Cruz in the coming months, AND maybe gives one of his perjorative nicknames to Beto O’Rourke. I will literally dance if it happens, because it makes my contributions to Beto’s campaign go further.
Honestly, I want Trump stumps all over Texas and let’s see the whole state change color.
Curious that "one county in the four-county district had not yet counted its absentee ballots, so no winner had been declared as of Wednesday morning."
What's up with that? One county's absentee ballots?
5
Scared to death of this situation. How will the GOP steal this election? Let's wait and see, then back to the drawing board.
8
"Lamb the sham"? It's boggling to get a window into what Trump considers substance.
8
Not sure he considers it "substance," or that he could even spell the word. He's all about flash, impact, shock and disruption.
This looks evenly divided , no one can claim any victory , sad to see one side gloats
Trump was gloating that he took this area by 22 points.
Saccone said that people who did not support him (and Trump) "hated God"
That is what is sad. Most of us remember a different America.
15
That kind of retort from Saccone appeals to false Christians everywhere.
1
Lamb is ahead by more votes than are left to count. One vote margin is all it takes.
1
At last a democrat who got it right. Learn from the republicans just how to run.
Run for the people listening..tell hem what they want to hear. He can always change his mind later...just as POTUS does. If this is the new Democrat, We can win from now on. He took a page from the republicans book of tricks, and
now the playing field is level.
4
Don't be surprised when republicans find a way to cheat their way into stealing this election too.
11
I’ll bet that it’s really hard to be working at the White House today.
3
Why so close? Lamb ran as a centrist who opposed not president Trump but the Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer democratic wing of the party! To run as a Democrat, you must run away from the democrats party! Lamb is pro coal, pro- union, pro-gun, he is everything that Pelosi, Schumer oppose!
2
Reps are supposed to reflect their district's constituents. Very white coal country is much different than SF. No surprise that he doesn't take the same positions.
1
delightful result. and cudos to
trump and the
nra for planting the seeds
that will be harvested as fresh new young democrats!
we are all in this together
4
Why are democrats getting excited by a winning candidate who is pro-life, pro-gun and anti-Pelosi?
60
Well it looks like the cartoon version of being defined by the GOP as being anti-American, anti-God did not work on a US Marine running against the 5X draft-dodging, pornball Trump.
16
Because he is a winner, not an ideologue... we need to welcome anyone who can help us get rid of the monster in the white house...
Berkeley, CA
12
1. He is personally pro-life, but ultimately believes that a woman has the right to choose. So...nice try.
2. He believes in common sense gun laws, which the majority of Democrats agree with. The whole “liberals are coming for your guns” is a lie perpetuated by the NRA. So...nice try.
3. As he has stated, he doesn’t support Pelosi, but he is willing to work with anyone to actually achieve result in Washington. So...nice try.
BYE!
25
The Democrats are lucky that the GOP didn't hire Jeb Bush to count the ballots...........
2
Glad to see him not doing the typical Democrat namby-pamby "we'll have to see how this plays out," but just declaring victory. It's how a Republican would do it.
6
Donald Trump defeated Rick Saccone.
14
Quoting another commenter: "I heard Lamb’s remarks last night. He spoke of the importance of Social Security and Medicare and saving pensions. He gave a shout out to unions. He invoked FDR and said we’re all in this together. That sounds like a Democrat to me."
A decent upstanding young guy, the biggest quality I was able to identify was his union roots and promotion of the working class. Other than that, he was just old-style Republican, pro gun, conservative, mostly pro-fossil but not closed minded about our climate troubles, but not pro kleptocrat.
I'm glad to see Democrats are capable of working for a candidate like him, though I hope he won't like Joe Manchin and a few others vote for Trump when our future is on the line.
107
Hopefully the country is coming to the realization that Trump and his Republican stooges in no way represent the middle class and working people.
11
The problem with this commenter is, that if you are a Democrat you are a solid blue, end-to-end, and no shading. That is against the Democratic Party principles! I always understood there is tolerance, and even allowance, no encouragement to have a difference of opinion in the Democratic Party, I think that is what "the big tent" metaphor includes, not merely the color, creed and other superficial visible traits.
3
Fingers crossed for Mr. Lamb!
41
The GOP is going steal this as sure as they stole Garland's seat.
Mark my words.
43
Nope.
1
Of course. That's why you call them your Grand Old Party, isn't it?
If you think the G, O, and P stand for something different, you must spell it out.
1
I hear that that the Republicans are bringing in Putin to do an impartial recount.
4
I went to bed counting litte (Connor) Lamb-ies! And I woke UP to a WIN!!! The Blue Tsunami is coming!
52
And I went to bed praying the rosary, something I (as a recovering Catholic) haven't done in 30 years...not because I am leaning again toward Catholicism, of course, but because Conor Lamb is a practicing Catholic. As we put the finishing touches on the absentee ballot count, I hope it works!
1
It was torture watching PA go red during the presidential election. It’s a good day to be a Pennsylvanian.
Thanks for restoring the faith, Mr. Lamb, and thank you Donald, without your leadership, Mr. Lamb would have surely lost. No matter the final tally, this gives the country hope.
102
In one way, I can see why Mr. Saccone would think that people who hate the idea of seeing their children slaughtered in school by an AR-15 in reality hate America. I don't agree with him there, but that aside, has Westmoreland County explained why they didn't report precinct results?
11
Joe, You ask, has Westmoreland County explained why they didn't report precinct results?" They are holding on to their tallies until they find out how many more Saccone votes they need to "pull out" to give the victory to Saccone.
9
Yes, voting matters! Keep at it folks and the composition of Congress can be changed in November 2018. To remove the current occupant of the WH, I'm going to put my money on Mueller to clean out that house! In the meantime, rally and legislative support needs to be given to all of us who know assault weapons and high capacity magazines need to be banned, collected, and destroyed so schools (and every other part of our lives) do not have to be militarized to fight that plague.
43
Half a billon guns in private hands, id like to see this " mechanism" that you speak of to collect any private property of American citizens. More meaningless sound bytes
1
Bill Lombard - just stop selling the bullets. Think of that? Then they can all go shoot blanks which is what they should be shooting at their 'playtime' shooting ranges - half a billion worthless pieces of metal.
5
exactly. the shelf life of ammunition is MUCH shorter than the lifetime of all those guns.
The results ARE in: even if Lamb loses--which he might after the GOP does their magic with absentee votes--the Democrats have won, but simply making this race a nail biter instead of a landslide for the GOP. Donald Trump has become the most influential president in modern times: he is the impetus behind the Resistance, the MeToo Movement, the NeverAgain movement and the soon to be named "we want to save our country from a meathead who colludes with Russia because he is a narcissist who wants to throw parades instead of helping Americans acquire healthcare while he is busy ensuring that fossil fuels and money ruin the environment" movement.
105
It would be nice if the Times, with the help of their statistical whiz, would give us the presidential vote tallies of this congressional district, going back, say, to the days when Jimmy Carter ran. That should be easy to do: just add the vote tallies of the four counties involved.
6
Watch those absentee ballots carefully. Who knows but there could be thousands of them...even a few hundred will do.
12
There’s only about 200 uncounted absentee ballots.
1
And written in Cyrillic?
5
The mail from Russia is a little slow these days.
4
According to the article, 100% of the votes have been counted, but one county's absentee ballots have not been counted. Can someone clarify this before I scratch my head down to my brain. Thanks.
28
Due to weather, the flight from St Petersburg with the absentee ballots got delayed.
10
Wiggle room I'm afraid. Watch the counters!
3
Per MSNBC last night, Green County has 200 absentee ballots that they would not count until today. The other counties were to finish counting absentee ballots last night. Green is Republican, but too small to matter with the current margin.
6
I happened to see "Kings" a few days ago, ... and it's instructive as to what happens when you send a "moderate" (especially an "outsider") to Washington.
It's also pretty depressing, because (with CL more than most) it sure seems like job #1 for a Congressperson is fund-raising, and - surprise - the folks with the deepest pockets (and Bernie's modest successes look like they've produced an opposite reaction from the dark money crowd) (A) want things; and (B) may be several ticks to the right of the avg voter in even a "moderate" district.
In his summary article, Mr. Leonhardt says that the jury is still out on whether Democratic candidates should pull their punches or not - he's right, of course - but he (like way too many) doesn't even touch on effects that sure strike me as "LIFE AND DEATH." ... Consider today's student demonstration re gun control. Mr. Lamb looks like he'll toe the NRA line. Would he dare vote to impeach DT?
Of course, I join the "yay for our team" consensus here, but NY Times readers should be thinking harder.
(A) Donald is ever so capable of "doubling down." Of course, that's not Mr. Lamb's fault or problem, but it IS OURS!
(B) Is Joe Biden REALLY the best that the Democrats can do? ... Are we locked and loaded for a repeat of 2016, where the Democratic "big tent" (still presumably the favorite in most of the primaries, esp. given the lopsided playing field) leaves out most of the young and the left? (and might lose, again!)
"Hold your applause!"
9
Lamb needs to say thank you to Trump, he was really helpful.
14
...and a "hatred for God"...
As a free thinking Vermont progressive I am still laughing at the idea of Mr. Saccone invoking the almighty as a campaign partner. God was here in Vermont yesterday (this is God's country) and explained that a hatred for God has nothing to do with the coming tidal wave of political change in this country. In fact, God assured me that it was a realization that the kind of caring and cooperation that God endorses has not been happening within the current conservative ideology and practices that have become so visible under our new president. God went as far as to say, between sips of his Heady Topper, that he is anxious to see a return to a more liberal approach to politics. He supports health care for all, would like to see a change in gun laws and thinks abortion is up to the individual. Anyway, as he was leaving God shouted back to me that this election was just the beginning of the change this country so desperately needs. He flashed the peace sign and got into his Subaru. After I pulled God out of the snowbank I reflected on God's words and vowed to keep working to make this country a better place for everyone. It was then I realized that God had slipped my last Heady Topper under his robes on the way out the door. Oh, God!
71
Amen!
2
Bravo!
1
Smart of Lamb to declare victory. The Republican Party has mastered the art of cheating in elections - from gerrymandering to vote "fraud"/suppression tactics to Citizens United dark money to riding assistance from beyond U.S. borders. Democrats need to jump on any advantage to bring a reckoning in November and beyond.
41
Candidates like this can win by focusing on local issues.
He's a direct contradiction to the Bernieites, thank goodness. Espousing monolithically what they believe is a sure fire road to defeat.
We need to take back our party from the extremists.
Wonder how the Warrenites and Bernieites will react.
16
What is so extreme about equal treatment for all Americans, affordable health care and education?
Universal health care and better education doesn't sound extreme to me.
We look at countries like Germany and Denmark and ask why we can't do it.
They pay half as much per person for healthcare and have universal healthcare. We have segments of the US with infant mortality rates the same as Botswana.
Germany is known for high-tech manufacturing. They train the workers for the trades and high-tech manufacturing.
After 35 years of trickle-down Reaganomics, we got an opioid crisis.
This last Republican tax plan will add $10 Trillion to the national debt over the next ten years.
$10 Trillion / 150 Million taxpayers = $67,000 per taxpayer to be put on our federal debt credit cards.
But those rural white voters in Pennsylvania and West Virginia continue to vote Republican against their own best interests.
The problem is not the "liberal" left. The problem is that most people don't know the facts or do the arithmetic.
Looks like Trump's endorsement is worth about as much as his word.
31
Keep an eye on this kid. Former Marine, intelligent, well-spoken, grounded and easy on the eyes. In ten years...who knows?
24
I dont like pre-emptive declarations of victory. I dont care who does it or anything else about it. I want the Dem to win. So?
Wait for the recount, go by the book. Then see.
56
what recount?
1
No recount, says the article. Only 'absentee ballots' in one county.
1
Nice guys finish last.
2
1) This is why you field a candidate in every race.
2) Every vote truly does count.
41
Many Trump / GOP voters are not familiar with the idea that the candidate with the most votes is the winner
48
Trump voters are abandoning him. in 2016 he won by the fluke of the electoral college and a collection of a one-time protest voters who were tired of the pablum of Hillary and her machine. Now all the scandals, chaos, and mismanagement are taking their toll. Trump fatigue!
22
I am encouraged by the difference between republican and democratic votes dwindling to one or two tenths of a percent instead of the 20% that trump got 2 years ago. The "Trump effect" is wearing off fast now that rational adults are seeing how they got suckered into voting for a looney-tune sociopath.
37
The closeness of this race spurred Paul Ryan to ask the Republicans to get to work. What! Huh! They had 8 yrs during the Obama years to "get to work" and they did, but they worked at division, obstruction, deflection. Add Trump's antics and lies, the Republican party's acquiescence to his unAmerican stance on immigration, his tweet fueled hate messages, the dismantling of health care for the middle-class and working poor, and you get...TOO LATE! Time for change and change is coming, very soon.
50
Glad to see that the Democrats learned something from 2000: If you have a lead after the count is complete, go ahead and claim victory.
309
The Dems did great. They ran a candidate who is an Ex marine. Against new gun restrictions. Is personally against abortion. And is for Trumps tariffs Sounds like a Republican to me
6
He's a moderate, as in a politician who doesn't automatically have a knee-jerk position that adheres to the left-wing of the Democratic Party. If you want to keep voting for "pure" Democrats, don't expect any of them to get elected outside of blue states.
5
Can it be that an endorsement by Trump is the "kiss of death" for any candidate he endorses? Sure hope so.
16
This is a good lesson for the Democrats: find candidates who actually appeal to the voters, who don't make condescending comments (a la Hillary Clinton) and alienate half of the electorate, and who are willing to buck Pelosi and Schumer. Next up: Beto O'Rourke.
19
It cannot be overstated how Republican this district is......Obama won PA twice but lost PA-18 by double digits both times....Clinton lost it by over 20 points....I
If a district like this is competitive, though it should change by Nov 2018 as part of the new PA map, imagine all those truly competitive districts in CA, FL, PA, TX, etc.....If Democrats can win PA-18, they can win upwards of 60 seats in November....
311
These races are based on the quality of the candidates. Hard to say that Dems will be able to replicate this candidate broadly.
Indiana, Kansas, and Montana are the three states which Trump won by about +20% in '16.
It is a curious irony that the Republican candidate would accuse Democrats of so much hatred.
Who hates our country...a marine who served and who wishes to honorably work with all sides to find solutions...or a man who tweets invective at his own intelligence service while embracing the leader of our most dangerous enemy despite all evidence pointing to that leader literally attacking our country?
Who hates God...a young man who seeks to bring together people with differing beliefs to work together peacefully...or the man who has a track record of dealing with his fellow brothers and sisters on the planet through 4,000 lawsuits and payoffs to porn stars?
The Republican candidate may feel Democrats hate this president, but who does not hate a person who lies to them continuously?...who does not hate a person who runs the country using chaos as his tool?...who does not hate a person who belittles all others, having said in the past that no other human beings deserve his respect?
Could it be, that the Republican candidate has rightly pointed out the advantages of the Democratic candidate and of the party he represents?
31
"...Mr. Saccone said Democrats were energized by a hatred for the president, 'a hatred for our country' and 'a hatred for God.'"
This is the kind of things a politician says when he has nothing else to run on, mindless rhetoric trying to appeal to the basest instincts. The Republicans in power have behaved like pigs at the trough, their tax cuts that gave millions if not billions to the ruling elite at the cost of ever bulging deficit, gave pennies to everybody else, they have offered nothing in the way of confronting the problems that face the people of this nation, especially health care, and one can expect little help from them in the future. This is a sign that the American people are seeing them for the greedy phonies they have always been, full of empty promises. The writing is on the wall, the one that Mexico is going to pay for.
27
This is an incredibly significant result, yet,,,
Over at Faux news website, after featuring a number of gripping tales, including story about “teen kills” ,,,there is a tiny reference to the Pennsylvania result.
17
Now we must stop the Republicans from impeaching Trump before November. He's Democrat gold!
10
Given the final votes counted in this race in largely Republican district, trending against Trump became progressively greater or Saccone would have won by a few thousand votes. Message: TRUMP'S "brand" is toxic and will only become more toxic. Keep clinging to that Raft of the Medusa Republicans. You well deserve your fate. You "Captain" is going to spend the rest of his life in jail as a traitor, or he is going to attempt to jump ship and take refuge in "Moscow Tower."
14
Whoa Nellie and Bernie-lovers...this Democratic winner is pro-gun, a former federal prosecutor and Marine officer, a practicing Catholic and "personally" pro-life, and is also a good-looking "nice guy." Subtract one of those things and he loses, even to the inept and unappealing Republican candidate he faced. Better not start counting your chickens...
4
The important thing is that he is besting a candidate endorsed by the pretender in the Oval Office.
6
Why does the NYT say that 100% of the votes are counted and then say one county hasn't counted its absentee ballots?
5
My understanding is that 100% of precincts reported, and three of the four counties also counted their absentee ballots. The one that was waiting until this morning had only 203 such ballots REQUESTED. That would leave overseas military ballots (which will tilt Republican, but which won't be numerous) and provisional ballots (which tend to tilt Democratic, and which won't be numerous). The margin's not likely to move 200 votes, much less 600.
Gosh, looks like Lamb has it and he didn’t have to go after the usually reliable ‘“dead vote!”
1
I fervently hope a Lamb will lead Trump to the pasture.
23
Congratulations, to Conor Lamb!
------------------------------------------
But Democrats must wake up and find more interesting leaders .
Trump may be terrible, but he is always interesting. He creates drama.
Obama was no drama, and Hillary was so blah, so boring. No drama.
This is a wake up call to wake up the Democratic Party, now.
==============================================
Democrats, please stop being dull and aloof. Time to wake up?
5
You call Clinton blah? boring? When I thought Hillary Clinton was going to be President my heart was in my throat with joy. I'd watched her career from the beginning, a legal services lawyer like myself helping minorities and poor children, to the middle as an accomplished First Lady who was lambasted for saying she could have stayed home and made cookies, to the end when she was Secretary of State and Presidential candidate, with energy and grace and poise under steady Republican fire ... I take fierce issue with your portrayal of her.
5
Perhaps it's time for the country to grow up and stop looking to politicians for their entertainment.
5
The lesson is that local economic issues matter- pro union, beating back right to work, healthcare and opioids, protecting local interests with tariffs. National Democratic issues-guns, free trade, Pelosi, abortion-were losing issues
24
you didn't need the second sentence. those "national democratic" issues, with the exception of pelosi(??), are real issues as well just not the ones that are important when speaking with people that have immediate life and death issues that cannot and should not wait. BTW, the republican tax cuts are classic trickle down and not relief for the middle and working classes. they do something great for the wealthy and throw a few crumbs for the working people. .....and..... abortion is not an issue for democrats it is the law of the land. period. it 's the right that just can't let it go.
3
Only a man would say that access to reproductive choice, including abortion, is a "losing issue".
Wrong,
Like many of us, Lamb is personally against abortion (luckily he will never have to make that choice) but does not support tipping over what has been the law of the land for 40 years.
That position is one very big reason Ds and moderate Rs voted for him.
Only the far right wants to re-stigmatize women for making decisions about their own bodies.
3
Connor Lamb is a decent, serious candidate who went out and knocked on thousands of doors. He has the credentials, the personality and the resolve to make an excellent Congressman, party affiliation aside. Saccone is a GOP party hack with no ideas of his own. He promised to be a rubber stamp for Trump, spent all his time at rallies and sounded utterly stupid on the stump. The wonder is that anyone voted for him at all. I certainly hope that Lamb's lead in this race is not stolen through skulduggery at the local level with the absentee ballots, which is definitely a danger with the GOP in charge of the legislature bragging that their voter suppression and gerrymandering guaranteed Republican victories. This may end up in the State Supreme Court, and that provides more hope for a fair outcome, since the Court has not been afraid to confront the gerrymandering cheating Republicans have created.
Godspeed, Mr. Lamb. I hope you are a harbinger of better times in our nation, and relief from the Trumpian nightmare.
414
Let's hope March comes in like a Lamb and goes out like a Lion!
#votedemin
335
Hoping more that it's in with Lamb and out with the lyin'.
35
Saccone is not a lion. He is a liar because Democrats do not hate God. They hate lying, tax fraud and fascism. Democrats for long decades have listened to Trump's unadulterated big mouth so know from his own mouth what Trump is about. Saccone claims he is all in with Trump. Saccone needs prayers and pity and retirement, not votes.
9
Ha ha !
Touche !
3
This is good news during dark days. I've lived in Philadelphia for years but have never been west of Lancaster County except on a plane. Hopefully any postmortem of the election will explain whether the shift is because people in Trump's base changed their mind, because people who didn't vote in 2016 got out to vote, or both, and to what extent.
151
Strangely, all the white suburban voters so financially attacked by the Republican tax fraud voted against their own party. It's doubtful if the Republican Party will even exist after November 2018. We are not amused.
Mr. Lamb stressed Social Security and Medicare. With Paul Ryan openly opposed to both, maybe those of us who worked all our lives and need both programs to survive, finally wised up and voted for our own interests and not out of fear of Mexican immigrants and other distractions.
359
As a former PA resident, I watched the returns last evening and found myself smirking as they described the counties that comprise the 18th District. I grew up in that area between the two major urban centers, that just happened to be a southern town just north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
But I digress. Alleghany, close to Pittsburgh, upscale suburbs, more educated, professional - BLUE, Washington, more rural, blue-collar - RED, Greene, sparsely populated, rural - RED, Westmoreland, true Trump country - RED. I know all about those RED counties and finally got out. This too-close-to-call, recount required elections are way too stressful, but this is how we live now.
101
Such elections are how change starts. They are a good thing. Pleasantly Saccone was a perfectly reasonable candidate. So, you have a clearer picture of underlying trends.
As many elections have shown, it takes more votes to elect a democrat than it does a republican.Even now that the vote has been counted ,the GOP knows exactly how many absentee votes are needed to win. As Joe Stalin said, it's matters not who votes, it's who counts the votes that matters.
55
Yes, and the blue wave in November needs to be a tsunami. Let's see masses of people registered and standing in lines all over the country to vote. No more squeakers. Young people who care about their future also need to participate like never before. Get out the vote! Then vote!
3
I've always wondered why Republicans put so little importance on education. Now I see why, with their budgetary assumptions that 5-3=8 and vote counting where 5+3=2 for democrats in gerrymandered districts.
Did you see those kids demonstrating in the streets this morning? Thousands of them! And think about this: Nearly half of them will be able to vote in November.....probably all the seniors and a chunk of the juniors who will turn 18 this calendar year. And many of them are getting registered *today*. Those are the future voters out there.....and from just a few on the spot interviews, it sounds like they are more than anxious to wield their new power at the voting booth.
well there's more than a sufficient number of these districts to flip using the conor lamb model. the only question is at what cost? ar-15 assault rifle acceptance or principles? dems have some soul-searching do to.
7
Well at least we now know what Republican-lite really looks like.
Ditch the ideological purity. Your country is at stake. The issue is whether there are 230 pro-gun votes in the House, not whether there is 1 pro-gun vote in the Democratic caucus. I just do not understand why that is so hard for hard core liberals from completely safe Dem states and districts to figure out.
8
And republicans don't?
And so identity politics reaches its logical conclusion. Because in this case, Democrats are cheering a Democrat who identifies as such, but for all practical purposes is a Republican.
None of Lamb's signs had the word Democrat on them. He ran adds saying he would oppose Pelosi. He campaigned at gun shows. He never mentioned Trump. He towed Trump's line of protectionism and tariffs.
I guess if the Democrats can run more candidates like this, it's a win for people like me who lean right. And if the Democrats on the left and in the media want to jump up and down for joy over "winning" with Republican candidates, it's curious and most peculiar, but I decided a long time ago that these people aren't exactly playing with a full deck.
So this seems like a win-win to me. We get another conservative legislator, and the left learns to run more conservatives so they can have the optics of a victory.
8
You are assuming that he is going to vote in Washington the way he ran in Pennsylvania. I can’t imagine what basis you have for that assumption? “ Say what you have to say to reel the suckers in on Election Day; do what you have to do to keep the support of the party machine after that.”
4
He’s not a Republican!!! Just stop!
1
If anything, Lamb represents the ideals of now virtually extinct "moderate Republicans" who once reflected the values of average Americans.
When the GOP begins to talk about "legal challenges" one can safely conclude that they expect to lose the vote.
23
Republicans think "legal challenges" means using their own unique brand of arithmetic in vote counting, where 5+3=2 when the democratic lead starts getting too big.
1
During the election I heard from Trump supporters about how we needed someone like Trump to "shake things up". I responded that if I drive my car off a cliff it would certainly "shake it up" but the car would be in much worse shape. So far Trump has more than fulfilled my expectations.
70
Agreed. Every trump worshiper assumed that "shaking things up" automatically meant Trump would hand out prosperity to them like he was Santa Claus. Reality has an unpleasant way of separating the adults from the children.
2
A very interesting race, albeit perhaps of limited nationwide impact. But it is sadly clear that Mr. Lamb would not even be allowed to run in many races by the DNC apparatus for not being sufficiently "tough" on identity issues, anti-Trumpness, etc. Democrats should be cautious about thinking this portends more than it does.
107
I am not the only Dem who has stopped donating to the DNC and the House and Senate party fundraisers. By refusing to put money into races that were too "iffy" they are responsible for losing at least 2 races last year that were winnable.
Many of us are contributing to individual candidates. At this point, I don't care if these candidates are not pure Dem or liberal ideologues, or whether they support Pelosi or not (it's really time for Dem elders to step aside and give younger, more vibrant voices, a chance to lead). I do care that they have spine enough to speak truth to power, and intelligence and commitment to serve the American people and the US Constitution--not billionaire donors--to the best of their ability.
If this means the Dems lean more moderate than liberal on some issues for a while, IMO that's a whole lot better than the extreme conservative stands and actions this WH and Congress continue to take in attempts to revert this nation to the sins and disparities and white man control of the 19th century.
If there is any voter out there who thinks that Social Security and Medicare are not on the chopping block--just as are our environment and natural resources et al.--in order to pay for $1.5 Trillion tax cuts for the rich and obscenely profitable corporations, and to build utterly ridiculous and ineffective walls at the border--I've got a unicorn I want to sell them.
5
well said. my thoughts exactly. the left has a habit of eating its own hand. lets hope they get smart and learn to get behind a good candidate, and early.
1
To conclude Mr. Lamb "would not even be allowed to run"...as a Democrat is a serious leap into the unknown. The beauty of our country is eventually, all politics is local, so don't be so quick to make assumptions. Trends, however, do mean something, and thus far, the special election trend in a number of different states favors Democrats.
I cheer for you and I'm not American though living just next door, an hours drive from the border, I am caught up in the drama going on there these past months. Too close for comfort is what I'm saying!
19
Food for thought. 338,873 votes were cast in 2012, the last time this seat was contested. This time, about 228,000 votes were cast. So, in a race that will be decided by fewer that 1000 votes, 100,000 folks didn't bother to vote. I am disgusted.
410
2012 is a presidential election year, so the turnout is always high
1
Maybe those 100000 are GOP voters who could not get themselves to vote for a Trump candidate yet did also not want to vote democratic.
5
More food for thought. The 100,000 folks "who didn't bother to vote" were overwhelmingly Republican. In 2012, the incumbent Republican won 216,727 to 122,146 for the Democrat. This time around, each candidate took around 113,000 votes. Despite the fact that this Congressional district will disappear in a few months, Democrats were determined to get out and vote. They retained 90% of the votes from the previous election. Meanwhile, literally half the Republicans stayed home, unwilling to a vote for a party marked by hypocrisy, scandal and incompetence at every level. Far from being disgusted, I am elated.
12
Regardless of the final outcome here you have to love the fact that congressional repubs are finally being recognized for the disingenuous gutless money loving hypocrites they are. A decade of fake acumen and failure to address anything of substance other than advancing the agendas of one percenters and the gun lobby has finally caught up with them. Reasonable people have finally found the motivation they need to rise to the occasion and say no more with garbage politics.
26
a decade of fake acumen? try 30+ years.
3
I agree it's the Dems who need to be paying attention to this result. It really is possible to be competitive again in Trump country, but they have to drop some of the liberal dogma, use language that speaks to ordinary people, recruit the right kind of candidates. The party needs to claim the center to have any chance of being relevant nationally again.
Lamb put himself in a position to win by disavowing Nancy Pelosi. I have the highest respect for Nancy Pelosi, but she and all the other septuagenarian leaders of the Democratic Party need to move on and let the younger generation be the face of the party.
68
Agree 100%. I was really rooting for her to lose the leadership vote last year. We need new blood and new approaches anchored firmly in the center-left.
Completely wrong. Lamb may have helped himself by disavowing Pelosi, but there are two truths here: The first is that campaigns should reflect their districts, as this one did. The second is that the future of the party is in the young people you mention, and they're not becoming more conservative.
I really wish that Republicans seated in Congress would take home a big lesson from this and end their unquestioning support of the president. Even if they don't care about the good of the country (which apparently they don't, given their track record over the past year), might they not at least care about the good of their party? The damage being done by this administration is massive.
17
Wow, SO MUCH money spent for 9 short months of an elected seat. That right there is what is wrong with our electoral process.
206
What's wrong? It's called Citizens United.
9
Yes, a truly reprehensible decision by a really awful Supreme Court.
3
Actually, Sharon, that's what's wrong with the Republican Supreme Court's Citizens United decision allowing unlimited campaign money from corporations and billionaires.
Until Dems regain control, expect a lot more appointments of big business-beholden judges all over the country--appointments for life, one and two generations' worth of legal decisions that will favor big business, big money, big corporations.
What happens to the rights of individuals then, do you think?
I am very happy to see Conner win. Aside from the fact I am not a supporter of trump or the GOP I believe Conner showed the uncorrupted energy we need in Congress. Is very sad that this will not be a message to either party as to what the public wants, a decent person that can walk in the middle ground and support sensible resolutions to issues regardless what label they have on them. That is what trump promised however he lied !!!!
22
+So according to Fox News this is not important because the district is redrawn in a few months. So it was sufficiently unimportant to drop $ 10 million to win it? Hmmm. I thought it sufficiently important I gave Lamb money--and I live in Florida
64
Best news I've had since my family and I (who live in Maryland) spent many weekends working on grassroots efforts on behalf of Ralph Northam for governor in Virginia. We and many others dedicated Democrats were able to beat back Ed Gillespie, who draped himself in Trump's filthy flag.
November 2018: VOTE.
47
It should have been a landslide. Democracy and our Country is at stake.
7
Not to go all mathy, but if one county hasn't counted its absentee ballots, then it is not the case that "100 percent of votes" have been counted. As they say, do the math.
4
Nor have all the GOP absentee ballots that are hastily being mailed with a old post mark.
Bartolo,
No post mark needed, just a bag of ballots from active military that are currently out of district.
We read over and over how much Republicans spent on this election.
But not much on how much Democrats spent.
Why is that?
Just asking.
3
You must not read widely. I have seen the D/R spending numbers compared in several major newspapers and on television.
No conspiracy here.
3
Lamb(D) raised about 3.5 times more money (3.5Million to 1 Million) than Saccone(R) in direct support from voters. However Outside groups (PACs, National Committees) spent over 10 Million on Saccone, to 1.7 Million on Lamb.
The story here, is that in a staunchly Republican district that was gerrymandered for a Republican victory, the outside Republican groups needed to spend heavily on what was once a sure thing. This is very important to the Republicans - that's why they spent so much, and why they brought in Trump, Pence and the family to campaign for Saccone.
Reporting indicates $2 million spent by Democrats. Not to be missed but, apparently the message is becoming more and more relevant....not the money. Whether your vote was about policy, issues that are personal, Trump or party, another message is becoming so important. A party that is able to refocus and compromise and listen to voters on both sides, will be the party that represents the majority. That is what makes a party stronger, not being a hardliner on every single issue.
Poor Republicans. Unable to steal yet another election with massive spending on attack ads, political gerrymandering, and voter suppression. In the end they had to rely on their spent ideas. Tax breaks for the rich, blow up the deficit for future generations to fund military spending while our nation’s infrastructure crumbles, take away health care while offering nothing in return, and of course guns, guns, and more guns.
15
Why would Lamb shout victory, if the results are not in? My guess is is getting ready to complain once he finds out he lost, hanging chads, etc...
3
You are uninformed. No chads in PA. One county has about 1,000 absentee ballots to count and unless Saccone gets 90% of these votes, Lamb will win.
2
It is common for the leader to "declare victory" before the last chad is tallied.
I would not be surprised, however, if the Republicans call for a recount.
Sorry Joe. He won.
After Hillary Clinton won the nomination of the Dem party, I commented that she needed to shift to the right in order to win election for President. What do you think now?
3
I think Hillary Clinton would have lost no matter where she stood on any issue. She managed not to stand on any of them.
Hopefully the beginning of the end?...
Way to go PA!
9
Ha! Ha! Ha! "Lordy," as James Comey would say, it's either Trump or blue dog Democrats...sounds good to me. What Pres. Trump needs in Congress right now is a few less RINOs and a few more blue dog Democrats.
2
Big win for centrist Democrats. Big loss for trump and the left wing of the Democratic party,
12
How is it a loss for the left wing? I'm a left wing Democrat but we have to know that we can't run left wing democrats in every single district unless you want to forfeit hundreds of districts to Republicans.
22
Paul, the “pure-of-heart” left wingers won’t let you or anyone else forget how pure they are!
I"m another left wing Democrat, and I agree with you, Paul. And the fact is that a majority of Democrats means we control the committees, we control the bills that get to the floor -- a not inconsiderable advantage, even if our legislators do not agree on everything all down the line. When people would say "their" Republican was moderate, didn't they realize the election of their candidate meant a vote for McConnell or Ryan?
My biggest fear is that the Russians will exploit the differences between Democrats and make them divisions, just as they did in 2016, and that people will not realize they are being played.
It ain't over, until THEY have their turn at the absentee ballots, and some
" judges" are involved. Just ask Al Gore. Keep your eyes open, People.
11
Yes, the Trumpublicans will probably find hanging chads.
1
What's still frightening is that there are still Americans voting for Republicans who have shown absolute hypocrisy and perfidy with the exception of clinging to the NRA, their wealthy donors and the most illegitimate, UnAmerican President of all time.
32
Maybe Trump's shameful behavior swung voters to the Democrats, but give credit to his deeply unpopular policies. Trump's policies are toxic and people are now seeing this clearly.
11
Proves that Gerrymandering and Citizens United are not the reasons Democrats have been losing. We don’t need election law that violates free speech or judicial usurpation of state legislature’s constitutional oerogatives. People vote for what they want.
Now if Lamb serves and votes the way the ran instead of with the progressives in the Democratic Party, he will be castigated in comments by NYT readers as a turncoat, a coward, a toady for the NRA, etc.
3
The district born out of coal, steel, and unions somehow became Republican. That is the story I'd like to learn more about. Why do these communities fall for cheap hustlers like Trump, Christy and the old hypocrites?
18
it started with Reagan. his charisma and anti government rants were very effective in convincing wanna be macho men that going alone was better for them than collective stuff like unions and SS.
8
This is the result of Voting !! We can still save this country from the far-right, fake-news loving administration. The fog is lifting. America is waking up.
15
"Republicans hoped that stamping Mr. Trump’s brand on the race would help mobilize pro-Trump voters who are otherwise mostly tuned out of politics."
Who are otherwise tuned out of politics? I guess they voted him in and then stuck their heads in the sand.
Shameful!
3
For anyone who shrugs off voting because you think your vote doesn't matter, this race proves you wrong.
Every single vote matters.
Vote like your children's lives depend on it...it does.
23
It is impossible to miss this, but I suspect democrats are.
Given Trump's history, current performance, identity of his supplicants and supporters, one could expect a rout of anyone associated with him. The notion being that American voters will favor democrats because we repudiate Trump.
Neither Hillary, nor the people running today, have a message that resonates in the way Trump's "I'll kick them and restore your power." So if democrats win, it is by super narrow margins; hardly something to celebrate. If they win, it is because of a constituency here or there that came out to vote (e.g., black women in Alabama). Americans would sooner have a child molesting, bible thumping schmaltzy republican buffoon, than a democrat.
Democrats are an effete coalition of petulant, self-absorbed communities. Republicans are a tribe with a snarling leader; toward whom the entire elected class is supplicated. Fear, loathing, hatred, ignorance fuel the tribe. Democrats have nothing fueling their constituencies except "coexist" stickers, and out-of-key singing of Kumbaya. We will wait for our candidate (e.g., Hillary) to drown while we sit out the election, and show up the next day to commiserate, and engage in more self-absorbed selfie-taking at candle light vigils to feel completely like the victims we are.
Democrats do not seem connected to this reality.
Kalidan
4
I live in PA-18 and I think than Conor Lamb won precisely because of what you’re saying. He was a grassroots candidate, a blue-collar, hardworking former marine who is quite down-to-earth.
He didn’t have that elitist, Hillary-esqe mentality. He was going back to the Democratic Party playbook of the 70’s and 80’s, focusing on the unions and populist ideas. This Democrat seemed very focused on “reality.”
The rest of the Democratic Party could take some notes.
10
A 20-point change is a rout. You appear to not understand the mathematics involved.
6
You "suspect Democrats are" what?
1
Hillary would be proud of those married white women who had the strength to break with their husbands to vote for the Democrat.
6
Dear Fellow Democrats:
Winning sure beats losing, doesn't it? Let's run moderate candidates who can appeal to that growing swath of disaffected white working class voters who are slowly figuring out the President is an idiot and a coward.
Let's not self-destruct over ideological purity and seeing who can out-left each other. Let's win back the House and preserve our democracy instead.
24
I just read that Lamb is the winner, if only by a few votes. I hope that this is the beginning of the end of the current president who is totally unfit. He is not a moron, but he is an anethma and disgrace to the USA. If the speaker of the house and senate continue to ignore this FACT, this could also mark the beginning of the end for the entire GOP. THE REPUBLICANS must start to use every legal means to force the current president to step down, including demonstrations, marches and sending the president TWITTER messages, "YOU'RE FIRED".
8
While I appreciate the service provided by many of our elder statements both Republican and Democrat, it is wonderful that we have a younger representative. It seems that by the time you are 45 you've been bought and branded by lobbyists. By the time your 60 you are a shill for the $$ that your lobbyist shell out. I am very tired of our old thinking and old acting leaders. The US is about the future - a better place - heck that is why our immigrant forbears came to this country. Congratulations to Connor Lamb and the democrats. If your a democrat, let's go young and get some positive energy going. Ok - back to enjoying my social security.
8
" You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." Abraham Lincoln.
Clearly there are many people in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District who were fooled in 2016 but not in 2018. Let's hope that, no matter the final vote, Conor Lamb's showing is a harbinger of the November election.
Voters: In November, it's time to excise the malignant tumor, The Greed Over People Party, that has wrapped itself around the U.S. Congress. And two years later, let's remove the lying, self-dealing depraved clown that occupies the Oval Office. It's time that the People decide who runs the Government, not the N.R.A., not the Koch brothers, not the fanatic religious right, not big business, not the alt-right, not the white supremacists, not the neo-Nazis, not the bigots and haters who have come together under the umbrella of the Republican Party.
12
A tip for Republicans........if you don't want to lose more like this one, you might hold off on the "Democrats hate America," Democrats hate God" baloney like Saccone was spewing on Monday. That kind of stuff is sure to energize the Democratic base and offend enough fair-minded Republicans to decide a close race like this one!
40
I hope you are right. liberal west coast dem here: I was stunned to hear sacconne accuse dems of "hating god." that is really a rebuke and proof of GOP stink but it still rankled. how dare someone question another's feelings toward god? especially in a country where the first is first for a reason.
3
I wish/hope you are/were right!
It's a lot easier to cast a protest vote than it is to win elections like these when the nation's future is "in play." That is, lying with every breath he takes, Donald and his crones will win way more than he loses in gerrymandered districts this November. Mr Lamb is/was probably a WAY more attractive candidate than most the voters will see come November, and the current tax bill joins "Citizens United" in subverting our (increasingly less) democratic system.
That is, the Republicans gave many billions of dollars to folks ... who will be asked to dig deep between now and November ... so that they don't lose those "gains" come 2020.
Look at the red-blue map on this election. [You'd have expected at least a tiny bit of blue below Allegheny County. Uh uh!] Granted, if there's a big enough chunk of Pittsburgh (or some other Democratic bastion) in a CD ... and it's a state that hasn't passed laws old-time S. Africa would have applauded, superb Dem. candidates have a chance, ... but I'm afraid that there aren't nearly enough of that stripe to make 2018 a game-changer. (Hope I'm wrong, but there's an ocean of money ready to swamp a barrel of hope.)
Republican repudiate every ideal this country was founded on and then accuse Democrats of hating America. Project much?
2
Voters are realizing that being a "reality TV 'star'" isn't really being anything except a narcissistic, stupid, self-entitled, immoral, and embarrassing figure. The party that brought him to the dance has been seen as a bunch of opportunistic coprocrats who care more about their money and power than the voters and the Constitution.
33
The anti-lowlife vote has spoken making America Great.
Congratulations to Conor Lamb.
We will restore dignity and respect one election at a time.
58
Anti-lowlife vote 'eh Tom? That will win elections for Democrats....NOT!
4
Hey Joe, I don't think Tom is running for election --just being observant and calling out the obvious.
5
"Anti-low life" as in anti-pederast, anti-porn star infidelity, anti-voyeuristic Miss Teen America sponsorship and, of course, anti-using your office to personally profit from non-divested businesses...
Yeah, let's make America decent again.
6
This is all very encouraging, but they better make sure that all parties are onboard during the recount, if there is one, because if there's a way to cheat Lamb out of his victory, the republicans will find it.
160
You beat me to it! Absolutely true.
2
As Brit Hume summed it up last night on the Tucker Carlson Show, the special election in Pennsylvania has only temporary significance, they are voting for someone to hold a vacant seat until the midterm elections in November. A Democratic win, in this case, is not a nationwide bellwether for Democrats, as these voters were replacing a man who resigned because of past history of immoral conduct.
6
LOL well that’s one way to spin a bad outcome.
15
This result indicates that the morally compromised Trumpians will be replace in vast numbers come November.
Tucker Carson? why not quote RT?
4
Nice try. Well, not really. More like a lame attempt. Whether it's officially a national bellwether or not, you'd have to be an ostrich to not recognize that the electoral pendulum is now swinging back the other way -- away from Trump and the Republicans.
5
I've just finished reading 'The White Working Class.' As a black MBA reading a book written by an educated white studying uneducated whites, it was really two books in one for me. I studied (her) studying them. Fascinatingly Pelosi-esque. What Lamb has done is reconnect the Democratic party to its white base with neither the poly-phobic polemics of Trump, nor the phony bourgeoisie patriotism Democrats of Color have endured for 50 years. He needs to take Pelosi's place as Minority Leader. Blacks won't mind. Unlike her, we get it.
22
It doesn't matter that the district will change in a few months. What matters is that the GOP can't even hold onto a district that they gerrymandered. In a fair fight, they don't stand a chance.
88
Undoubtedly, the inspiring efforts made by Joe Biden, who campaigned ardently with Lamb in the state of his upbringing, was a factor in this election. Going forward to November, the former Vice President's presence on the hustings, nationwide, could also be a determinative factor in those Congressional districts mirroring the demographics of Pennsylvania's 18th. While Democrats looking to 2020 may prefer a younger bench of presidential candidates to choose from, Biden's prowess as a powerful campaigner on behalf of the party should never be discounted.
61
I have real concerns about all those "absentee" ballots shockingly being all for Saccone.
Republicans have proven again and again they have no objections to doing whatever it takes to retrain power, even at the expense of the country itself.
Please America, please - let this portend what is to come in November.
37
You mean all cast by someone named either Vladimir or Boris?
According to several posters who are on the scene, there aren't enough uncounted ballots to make up the difference, even if they somehow, mysteriously, all went for Saccone.
If the GOP wins, it's solely due to the superiority of their political party.
If they lose, there had to have been voter fraud.
24
Go Democrats! Go Democrats! Go Democrats!
11
PA-18 is my district, and this win is HUGE. Even though there’s far more registered Democrats in my district, most of them are the blue-collar, union democrat who proudly supported Trump. Just going off of the voting pattern over the last ten or so years, this by all accounts should have been a terribly easy win for the Republicans. Obviously, it wasn’t and I think there’s a couple things we can take away from this election.
First, if the Democrats want to continue to win in these Trump districts, they have to run a great candidate. Conor Lamb was the perfect person for our district, clearly distancing himself from Nancy Pelosi, actively supporting the 2nd Amendment, and working hard to get the union vote.
Second, smear campaigns don’t work. In watching two and a half months of campaign advertisements, I only saw a single positive ad for Rick Saccone. The rest of them were incredibly negative “smear” advertisements against Conor Lamb. Many people I spoke to were planning on voting for Saccone but chose to vote for Lamb instead because of all the negativity.
Overall, this was a great election for the Democrats. They had a strong candidate who wasn’t so liberal. I guarantee that this would have been an easy win for the Republicans if Lamb was a Pelosi liberal. However, Lamb was probably more closely aligned with Tim Ryan of Youngstown. The Democrats need great candidates and a more centered policy if they want to win more of these districts in the midterms.
22
It should have been a land-slide.
7
Let's face it, the election was really a Republican primary. The "Democrat,"an AK-15 toting, tariff supporting relatively moderate Republican, defeated a more reactionary one. If the choice now is between Blue Dogs and Red Dogs the country has gone to the dogs.
113
There are 435 “neighborhoods” and each one is different.
3
Lean to the right and fall into the abyss. The abyss of corporate power and greed. Religious dogma creating laws.
3
San Ta, imagine that we replaced every single Republican with a a Blue Dog Democrat. That would still be a huge win. The two wings of the party would end up negotiating between themselves, minus the crazy.
1
I am mystified by the widespread hatred of Nancy Pelosi. I bet none of those who consider her anathema could name a single detail of her record that brought them to dislike her so. There has been a concerted effort by talk radio and perhaps FOX as well (I never watch it) to discredit her, and it's worked.
46
No it didn’t. The anti-Pelosi candidate lost bigly.
Exhibit A: Hillary Clinton. She was brutalized in the RW press for 25 years, with most of it being made up, and absolutely no positive view of her accomplishments. We need to bring back the Fairness Doctrine, IMHO.
6
Heart - She is a woman with power, and she is old to boot. Misogyny runs deep.
3
So this is the new Republican way of trying to suppress democracy - when your candidate loses, do not accept defeat either graciously or otherwise. How many times do Americans have to put up with this wholly un-American behavior? Since Republicans clearly can't accept democracy, they should be voted out of office en masse.
19
Finally, the local Democratic party selection committee for this special election smartly chose a former federal prosecutor who will protect the middle class and our borders. That’s how you retake control of Congress, not with far left liberal nominees.
5
That is exactly why its dangerous, lean to the right and fall into the abyss.
We'll see if Trump "tells it like it is" after this election --- that only he can fix the problem with our country, namely that it is being run into the ground by his incompetent, corrupt administration. Only he can fix this, by showing up and supporting a Republican candidate, thereby guaranteeing he'll lose.
Keep showing up, Mr President...keep fixing the problem. Many thanks.
20
March comes in like a Lyin (SIC) and goes out like a LAMB!
A thunderous performance by Lamb. Less than 7% minority population in CD 18.
Trump/Pence/Conway/Trump Jr all showed up to try to get Saccone across the finish line.
18
Fox News is reporting the Democrats are in trouble because Conor Lamb didn't win by very much.
Talk about spin!
27
Lamb won because he was selected by party caucus and not subject to the primary system that would have produced a much further left leaning candidate and a Dem loss. The powers that be in the Democratic party picked a mainstream candidate that could win the general election in their home district. While I understand the desire of some Dem zealots to put forth those that are liberally pure...if you want to actually WIN, this would be the way to go.
10
It depends on which of the 435 neighborhoods you live in.
2
How ridiculous is it that they don’t bother to count the absentee ballot‘s unless it becomes necessary? These absentee ballots were mailed in over a period of time before the election. It is absolute incompetence that they don’t bother to count them as they arrive. And who were the two or three precincts that seemed to be unable to report their results until hours after all of the rest had? I’m not saying anything shady was occurring, It’s just that this is an example of why people become irritated with bureaucracy.
33
What evidence do you have that they don't count the absentee ballots unless necessary? reference please.
2
Lucy.....perhaps the fact that they haven't been counted yet!!!
Democrats did very well in this red state;even this district is still gerrymandered. GOP is in trouble at mid terms Ray Sipe
13
Ray, Trump and his cronies wouldn't be screwing up the country like they are if old Tom Delay hadn't gerrymandered districts to favor the Republican party.
8
It is a Blue state. A very Blue state. We have more than a million registered Democrats. Pockets of the state are very Red, but it is a long standing joke that PA is modern America in Pittsburg and PhillyPhilly, and Alabama in the middle. It is only gerrymandering that keeps Republicans viable in this state, and only a massive push by Russian backed operatives that gave a razor thin margin to the dotard in 2016.
4
Lamb is up by 641 votes, with only 200 or so absentee votes in Greene county left to count. Even if every one of those votes came in for Saccone, the lead would be insurmountable. Why does the NYT say it is too close to call? There aren't any more votes to count after those 200. Yes, I know that Saccone is threatening to demand a recount, but isn't that always the case?
28
In spite of who wins this PA district, and in spite of your GOP or Dem, conservative or liberal mindset, if this election means anything it is that YOUR vote counts, and how important our elections are to America’s greatness...
21
" But one county in the four-county district had not yet counted its absentee ballots, so no winner "
The race will go to Saccone; the absentee ballots from Russia will swing it to him.
7
The other potential loser here is Nancy Pelosi, if the Democrats see that distancing themselves from their old guard pays dividends. I hope she has the grace to step aside as House leader before a contentious vote.
9
I fear the effort to remove Pelosi will be a messy, knock-down-drag-out fight, but it's one that needs to happen. Pelosi, Feinstein, and even Schumer are a corporatist anchor-chain weighing the Democrats down. The party needs new blood; it needs progessives where they can win, and moderates where they can't
5
absolutely agree
Trump is a hollow man. Trump has not done anything to safeguard the mid-term and 2010 election because he needs Putin's help again.
6
Captain Chaos needs to continue campaigning for GOP candidates this year. Saccone claimed that those on the left "have a hatred for our president... a hatred for our country... a hatred for God,” but he's only one-third right. Most liberals and progressives oppose Trump precisely because they love their country and their god (as for me, however, I can't hate something that doesn't exist).
6
If can just goad Donald into campaigning in every district this fall...
6
Mr Lamb is 33. Wake up democrats! Get rid of the golden years leadership and allow the next generation to take over. The US needs them.
20
Hmn.....so maybe voters in these parts have figured out that doing away with the means by which they can afford health care and ultimately increasing their taxes so that the super rich can get richer.........is not the best option.......
15
Republicans have shown time and time again they do not know how to govern and don't even try to hide the fact that most policies they have are self serving and only benefit to rich white Americans. If we never had another Republican led congress or president, it would be just fine with me.
11
I watched Trumps stump speech in Pennsylvania, Trump stood in front of a giant American flag, I guess the idea is, that the bigger the flag the more patriotic you are. All the time he stood in front of that flag, that symbol of the history of our country, I couldn't help but think, that when the time came to serve in the military during war time, Trump didn't serve ( deferments, heel-spurs) . Did it ever bother trump that he didn't serve while millions of Americans his age went off to the jungles of Vietnam, many never to return, others to return wounded. Does it bother Trump that he found ways not to pay his taxes, which is another Patriotic duty. Trump is a phony, and he is beginning to come across as a phony, a man who has not sacrificed one thing for his country but pretends to be the biggest patriot. Trump pretends to love the men and women in military, and yet he made a fool of a genuine war hero John Mccain, and called another war hero: Conor Lamb-" Lamb the sham." In the past this country elected War Heroes as President, men who had shown their love of country by action not words. Now we elect businessmen, men who love money more than anything, men who must stand in front of bigger and bigger flags and belittle the men who actually proved their devotion to America on foreign battle fields. At long last every con man is caught in the con.
39
And he thinks Marine Corps is spelled "Marine Core".
2
I live in that district and am thankful that the TV ads have finally stopped. I had no intention of voting for Mr. Saccone, but actually started feeling a bit sorry for him, as his own party was basically calling him a loser. But that all went away yesterday when he started being a Trump by insulting Democrats. Energized by hatred for the President? Check! Hatred for our country? No, we 're sad to see where Trump and the GOP have taken the country in the last year, and we want to bring back a sense of decency, decorum, and levelheadedness. Hatred for God? Seriously?! I go to church and prayed that people would come to their senses and think about who they vote for, not just go the party-line way. And no matter how the race ends here, it looks like that may have happened. Sorry, Rick, insults will only get you so far and will energize the opposition.
19
Who cares about the voting results so far? Until all the hanging chads and contested ballots are tabulated and a recount is done no one will be declared the winner. And even then don't we already know how the Roberts' Republican court will vote?
A little hint: Bush vs. Gore.
2
Thank goodness this and all the upcoming races do not involve the electoral college!
8
First let me say that I’ve been following this story assiduously, and the coverage has been great.
A style complaint, though: The current version reads, “With 100 percent of votes counted, Conor Lamb, a Democrat, was clinging to a 579-vote lead over Rick Saccone, a Republican. But a few thousand absentee ballots had not yet been counted...” Well, which is it? If 100 percent of *votes* had been counted, wouldn’t this be over? Are absentee (and provisional) ballots not votes?
I think this needs to be cleaned up to say “with 100 percent of [or simply “all”] precincts reporting” or “with all regular ballots counted” or something to that effect. But it’s jarring to read that paragraph as it stands.
/pedantry
9
Who says Nancy Pelosi is unpopular? True she may be a senior stateswoman and we need young blood, but that does not make her bad. Does the press discriminate against seniors now?? ... And further ... any day a sheep for Pelosi is a hundred times better than being a sheep for Trump!!!
13
The Saccone total plus the Libertarian vote makes a Conservative victory.
Leaving aside Trumpism. All this hooting about a Democrat victory is laughable.
18
harry m--Let me explain to you how elections work. The person with the most votes wins. Except for the presidency.
17
The district swung 20 points for Trump a year ago. Even coming within 100 votes and losing would have been encouraging for the Dems, considering it's a special election which have historically low voter turnout (where the GOP can usually muster more voter participation)
13
Perhaps, but from the sound of it, you are not actually laughing!
9
Whatever way this Pennsylvania election falls in the 18th district, everyone needs to vote in November 2018. Please do not sit at home and let someone else do it instead of you. It is un-American and an essential component of living in a democratic society where your election voice is your power!
13
Trump campaigned for himself instead of Saccone when he visited Pennsylvania last week. His braggadocio is wearing a bit thin these days. No one likes a bully. His support is fading away quickly. The last to go will be McConnel and Ryan.
11
We Democrats would be a great deal better off without Ms. Pelosi as the leader in the House. She is a millstone around the neck of the Democratic Party. We need new leadership in the House, and she needs to retire altogether. She isnot effective, and she is a lightning rod for Republican opprobrium. Toddle off, Nancy. Good night.
Well done, Mr. Lamb. hope it holds together through the inevitable court battle.
4
I also believe Pelosi to be nothing more than a huge negative for Democrats. She needs to retire. Or at the very least, step down from the leadership.
The buried lead...the district was "gerrymandered unlawfully."
5
A tip of the hat to the voters in Pennsylvania 18. Maybe Saccone will pull it out when the absentee and provisional ballots are finally tallied, or possibly even in a recount, but the shot has been fired and even the tone-deaf Republicans in the House who just published that laughable whitewash report on the Russian interference in our 2016 election will hear it. As JFK famously said in his inauguration speech, albeit on a different subject, "Let the word go forth . . . ."
3
Sorry, but as a Republican I am not as impressed as the self-congratulatory tone of some of the Democrats posting here assume I should be. The locals run an earnest but unexciting candidate, President Trump continues to inspire fear and loathing, and many Americans understand last year's tax legislation was a giveaway to the rich and corporations, but even with these negatives the Democrats could barely eke a narrow victory, amd that is if the current margin holds. Republicans have plenty of money, a clearer appreciation of what we are up against, and while it is embarrassing to admit it the cold fact is we have the complicity (not "collusion") of the Russians to help shape the narrative over the next 8 months. The most worrisome elephant in the room is the unscripted behavior of the president. His cavorting with Stormy Daniels does not seem to have distressed as many voters as Democrats hoped; the real questions are how many undiscovered liaisons might still be uncovered, how much direct evidence of involvement in money laundering and engagement with criminal organizations might come to light. For months the Mueller investigators and repenant reporters have been digging yet as of this morning have yet to provide convincing evidence of truly illegal wrongdoing. Historians will eventually note the Citizens United and Voting Rights Act decisions by the John Roberts Supreme Court facilitated the corruption of American elections, and by then we Republicans will have control.
Trump acts as though Putin has something on him. I am convinced by his behavior and my lack of an alternative explanation for his behavior.
3
Eking out a narrow victory in an illegally gerrymandered district, with an actual majority of votes, is a victory indeed.
6
You are "eeking out" some weird positive spin on this for your party.... by going on to state, in essence,
"but who knows , we have a wild card in there, there might be more liaisons, there might be collusion, who knows....but why are you all so proud of yourselves, look what my party has. wrought"
Pretty weird logic.
The bottom line is, a lot of people who voted for Trump just don't like what they see. Trump's tax law benefits the rich, he hasn't come up with an infrastructure plan, he's an anti-union, anti-labor, pro-business typical Republican politician. Although more mean spirited and vulgar than most public officials. He hasn't so much 'shaken up' the Whitehouse, as has made it dysfunctional.
The hard working people who felt left behind in 2016, still feel left behind. The very least they expected was for their President to be competent. And Trump has not been shown himself to be competent. He's never held elective office, we took a chance that he could govern, but he has shown that he is not up to the task. And maybe people are getting tired of his tough guy act.
I think most people are just looking for politicians who will actually work for their best interests and the interests of our nation. And now it's time to vote for those candidates who will actually do the job.
54
This is pretty amazing. Due to the severe gerrymander, its not just that one party is favored over another. There are several districts where we haven't really had elections for years - just the pretense of voting. The 18th is one of them - so heavily GOP gerrymandered,splitting neighborhoods and even streets to be certain urban and suburban interests have no voice- that the Dems don't even run candidates there. In a year of political unreality, the return of Democratic elections to Pennsylvania may be the most surprising. Trump was the genesis for this - emboldening citizens and public servants, including the courts, to shake off complacency in favor of patriotism.
50
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." - Winston Churchill
This is for Trump, his various minions, including all in the GOP who are complicit by their silence, or their actions, as our Republic is besmirched further and further every day, every hour.
And I just hope that the Democrats know what needs to be done, and they do not go on to snatch defeat from this yawning jaw of impending victory in the usual fashion.
20
I hope Republicans will accept the final vote count graciously, whatever the outcome. To ignore local electoral rules and threaten a legal battle will only magnify the self-serving win-at-any-cost rancor that Americans--or is it only Democrats?-- are desperately tired of.
20
jr80304....graciously?
love your sense of humour.
7
Let this be a lesson to all of us: money doesn’t win elections. Lamb spent many millions less than Saccone and is in decent shape to prevail. Dems have raised and spent huge sums in the special elections during the past year (Georgia!) with poor results. Jones didn’t win in Alabama because of money- we can all agree. And remember that Clinton outspent Trump by a significant margin.
Democrats need to field a candidate in every single election and almost as important, field the right candidate. I don’t agree with Lamb on a lot of issues but he’s much better than Saccone and I want a majority ASAP.
21
Speaking from a deeply, deeply red state - you are so right. I don't want perfection, I want someone who is honest, open, commits to their beliefs and with whom I agree about 60% of the time. I expect to dislike some positions my representatives take, as it should be, my Congressional team represents everyone in this state, even those with whom I disagree. By insisting on purity, Dems run the risk of becoming the left Tea Party where ideology trumps (pun intended) all.
Ah yes, if only that approach had been more popular in the last elections... "I don't agree with everything ________ stands for, but they are much better than _______, and we need a majority ASAP!" Hopefully it will prevail this time around, now that the consequences of holding to a rigid ideological purity are clear.
Looks like Lamb will hold onto his majority (unless Russian votes are counted). Now it's time for Dems to work together to help him be successful by governing responsibly and keeping in mind the real concerns of this community and communities like this one. Rear-view mirror thinking won't do it. Time for looking forward and take a systems view focusing on improving quality of life for constituents. Enough political dogma!
13
Saccone led in early polling, in January and February. Then the president and the national GOP took an interest and began putting time and money into Saccone's race. That is when the polling began to change. Perhaps Saccone would have won if the president had remained focused on something else. Tax cuts did not help, tariffs did not help, celebrity appearances did not help, and Trump being Trump did not help. If the race had remained a local one, the Republican could very well have won.
5
Let's see. At first, Trump goes to Alabama to endorse Luther Strange. When that doesn't work, he returns to the state to support Roy Moore. Now, in an overwhelming PA district, his candidate manages a tie at best. Come November, the Dems should volunteer to pay for his campaign visits.
11
So much winning.
1
Any result that shows an erosion of support for Trump and that will potentially lead to a check on his power is welcome. But the deeper problem we face is the us vs. them cultural/political divide pulling the country apart, and the virtual tie in this race shows that there is no sign of healing in this regard. As long as we remain the Divided States of America, there's little hope of moving forward in a positive way. Where are the future leaders who will inspire us to come together for common purpose rather than simply beat their opponents in a winner-take-all contest that leaves half of us dissatisfied?
6
Lamb was --and remains-- on solid ground declaring his independence from Nancy Pelosi. Her base is much like Trump's: noisy and loud, but an undeniable minority nonetheless. Lamb ran his race, not hers, as was his choice and, more importantly, his right. Had Conor Lamb done otherwise, Trump would be crowing this morning. Instead, the president is preternaturally quiet. For which this atheist can only say, Thank God!
3
So as of this comment Lamb has won.
What has to happen now is that the Democrats need to be humble but still get the word out that we don't want the policies that Trump is pushing and that if things don't change in DC, things will be changed in DC in a way that Trump doesn't want.
3
The president could be the Democrats' greatest ambassador going into the mid-terms later this year. His message of hate and division have been rejected in two major elections and should Conor Lamb prevail in last night's race, Republicans up for re-election this year can look at their own president for the country's push back against the GOP. I wonder if Republicans understand just how toxic and harmful the president has been to their party and the country.
8
Republicans in general bear at least an equal part of the burden for their own unpopularity. They are rightfully and finally being recognized as being unable to govern, interested only in their own power and ignoring their constituents.
There is at least as much reason to vote them out in their own right, regardless of their deplorable president.
1
My fear is that if we don't reject Trumpism and all the ugliness it stands for, our politics will become increasingly dysfunctional and completely unworthy of what this country should stand for. I keep asking myself, who are these people who continue to support Trump.
8
I guess now that the election in steel land is over we can all expect Trump to back track on the promises of tariffs on steel just as he did with the kids at Parkland. He may be done with them but they are not done with him.
7
I have not found any notes on which county's absentee ballots are missing, and if the number of ballots are known?
1
There are 200.
I suspect that nearly everyone will read too much into this election. It's one race in a district that won't exist come November. But for Democrats frustrated by the darkness that is Donald Trump, today is a good day.
2
There will be a recount, but Lamb seems to have this in hand. And make no mistake, this will shake Republicans to the bone. This is a deep red, reliably Republican district that Trump won by 20 points. Taken with Doug Jones' win in Alabama, this signals the potential for an unprecedented wave. You'll see more Republican retirements and "I'm not running" announcements in reaction to tonight's results.
8
Lamb seems to be holding a lead in the 600's, but the real news the over 20 point switch away from Republicans in the district. The UMW endorsement helped, but it should have been followed more closely by those who receive pensions via the union and those who are employed and represented by it.
What will it take for blue collar voters to realize they've been had. Pocket change tax cut that will expire and so much else to threaten them. Still it looks like the GOP has a huge problem on its hands in November. Conor Lamb will have a slightly easier district in November since the gerrymandered district in Pennsylvania were thrown out by the court.
6
I would say though that this "win" for the Democrats (we unfortunately still don't know) is more because of this amazing and proud Democrat candidate than a reject of the Republicans.
Conor Lamb is a true "working-class" Democrat, the type of Democrat that could have win, in a presidential election, Wisconsin, Michigan or Pennsylvania. Yes he would have. And this is the lesson to learn from this election IMO. When Democrats candidates campaign on the real issue, the issue that are universal to the 99% and that matters, it's a win.
3
He won because of the wealthy Pittsburgh suburbs. It is not just about the working class (though that helped in this district, for sure), it's about how toxic Trump is. As someone who lives in a wealthy suburb that has been Republican for CENTURIES, yes, you read that right, and where the first democrats EVER for certain local offices were elected this past fall, let me tell you, Trump, and perhaps the Republicans, are toast for the educated suburbans in the northeast and mid-Atlantic. Absolute toast. Trump had better deliver for the working class (haha) because he is losing the suburbanites, and they vote. EVERY TIME.
1
I don't understand why absentee ballots, which by definition have to be into election officials before election day, aren't counted as the in-person voting is going on. This happens so often. Does anyone know why?
6
It is a separate task done by more than one person and after the in-person voting has been completed. Been a poll worker before, this is how it works. During in-person voting, poll workers' attention is focused only on voters who come in, they are not filling in the empty minutes between voters with other tasks. Particularly not a job that needs the full attention of at least two and sometimes more, individuals.
One can only wish Republicans lose support by 20% in November elections so we can start fixing our country.
6
Has anyone paused lately to ask the political question, how can President Trump possibly recover from the collapse in public support -- indicated only most recently by the Lamb performance -- not to mention the utter depopulation of his administration, and the established and tightening grip of his legal jeopardy?
Why are the newspapers not demanding his immediate resignation? This country needs a functioning executive branch. No rational person can say we will get one from this crooked and compromised poseur.
Had any other president at any time in American history achieved such a record of failure and incompetence, and shown consistent disdain for democracy and rule of law, the papers would be serving eviction notices by now. I urge this paper in the strongest terms, as a subscriber, to demand the president's immediate resignation on national security grounds.
5
Well, has sanity returned to this country? When I see Trump removed from office and given the HARSHEST punishment the law will allow for his treason. When I see everyone who aided and abetted him similarly discharged, then YES!
5
Even in Republican strongholds voters are realizing they did not elect a billionaire, deal-making outsider. They elected a trashy reality tv star whose only interests include praising himself, seeing himself on tv, and starting fights on twitter. Will congress wake up and realize this is an unpopular failed administration?
3
The Republicans hopefully have learned a very valuable lesson from not only these results but other special elections held in the past year. They can't bribe voters with tax cuts. The electorate has changed. We look at the quality of our environment, equal treatment for all citizens, the size of our debt, the quality of our educational system, the increasing gun violence and the apparent inability of our military to achieve decisive and enduring victories.
If there is one lesson the GOP could take away from this string of defeats it is this; don't try to bribe us with paltry tax cuts and then expect us to reward you with our votes. We're bigger than you are.
4
The GOP will not go quietly, so look for them to sabotage and steal the result in every way possible. New Mission Statement: No low is too low. OK, not so new.
6
Don't pop the cork yet resistance. Lots more work to be done to preserve democracy. Success is when ill thought out policies on the environment, foreign policy, economy, immigration, etc...are reversed.
1
How is it possible for a county not to have counted only 1,200 absentee votes 12 hours after the polls closed? My wife and I could have accomplished this in few hours!.
3
The unpleasant truth is that today's white non-college educated working class person is not your grandfather's white non-college educated working class person.
Eighty years ago, there were many very intelligent people who did not attend college because of financial circumstances or because of discrimination against their race, religion or gender. Henry George, arguably the most brilliant American economist of the 19th century, left school at age 14. President Harry Truman was not a college graduate.
Today, with many exceptions, someone under the age of forty who was never interested in college probably is not very smart. That could reduce their wages. That also makes them vulnerable to the lies that got Trump elected. Even some with college educations are not able to understand that NAFTA and trade agreements in general increase employment and standards of living and that immigrants are not responsible for slow economic growth..."
https://seekingalpha.com/article/4133734
3
The Trump Base is not what it used to be.
The Obama to Trump voters are coming home. Will the Democrats have the spine to welcome them with open arms and actual policies that will help them or will they offer condescention and ridicule from the pulpits held by their nearly octogenarian leadership?
1
three things: 1) recount likely, 2) if you are running as a Democrat anywhere but the coasts, keep the DCCC and any Democratic leadership from visiting during your campaign (Pelosi and the DCCC are a death wish) and 3) get out the vote.
3
I see two main lessons for Democrats to take away from this election.
First, getting out the vote can overcome gerrymandering. It isn't just that Trump won this district by 20 percentage points. It's that was engineered to be Republican, and we still won (or are within a gnat's eyelash of winning).
Second, in choosing a House candidate, pick one who's suited to representing the district. In some House primaries coming up, it looks as if a sitting Democrat may be challenged from the left in the hope of energizing "the base" (a term I detest). Where's the strategy in challenging a seat we already hold? We're trying to take back Congress. Challenge seats held by Republicans. Indiana has a Democratic senator right now (one of the most vulnerable) because Tea Partiers ran an extremist who defeated the statesmanlike Dick Lugar in a primary but was too crazy to win in the general. Don't do that, Dems! Don't eat your own. But make sure to run candidates in districts held by Republicans—and don't require them to be ideologically pure. Like Conor Lamb, they need to suit the district. After all, representing the people of their district is what the job is about.
35
Control of the House will be meaningless if Blue Dog Democrats vote with Republicans on issues like gun control and military funding.
Conor is winning because Trump and the GOP have made themselves unpopular. He is far from being a progressive.
What is mportant is not what he says, or even the winning of his seat, but how he votes.
Jerry, I would infinitely prefer a House with Democrats in control even if sometimes specific pieces of legislature went in ways I personally don't desire. Would you seriously prefer a House in the hands of Paul Ryan, where we consistently get legislation only for the rich and have no power to combat Trump's corruption?
Our situation is dire. Our democracy is on the line. Progressives must work with moderates to get rid of Trump. That is the first step without which all else is doomed.
Congrats to the voters in that district with buyer's remorse.
They saw Trump for what he is, an ego maniac demagogue and those are some of the nice things I can say about him.
The democrats can blow it in Nov. if they run identity obsessed, never met a war, trade agreement or Wall Street banker candidates like Hillary.
She is fine in an ultra liberal district but run Bernie type populists in those districts and Lamb type conservatives in a district like this.
151
It still baffles me that The Clintons are seen by some as liberals.
4
OMG, with Democrats like you, who needs Republicans? Hillary Clinton is a CENTRIST for heaven’s sake. Could someone please tell me what “identity obsessed”, or even just “identity” politics is really about? It’s some kind of dog whistle I’m sure.
Another code” seems to be “ultra liberal”. Just what does THAT mean?
7
I dunno: when you praise those PA voters for seeing the real Trump, you are letting them off the hook for voting for Trump in the first place. We knew more than enough about Trump in November of 2016 to know that he was the worst possible candidate.
2
In an election this close no one "wins." The 49% who voted for Saccone remain to be convinced that Lamb, i.e. the Democrats, will represent their interests. As we know, when an election is won by a minority of votes (see Trump's "great victory," here a very thin majority), significant sections of the electorate make governing difficult. Lamb, though, holds the possibility of convincing a larger majority of middle-of-the-road voters that he can actually represent their interests, particularly since he did not get much funding from the Democratic party and thus should feel free to reject any straight political position of party over country.
17
Democrats won big by closing a 20 pt margin in the year and a half since Trump won this district. It is impossible to spin this as anything but a big loss for the Republicans - especially since the winner will have to go again in the fall.
8
For all practical purposes, the most important outcome of this election is already known, even if it's contested all the way until November and no one is ever seated in the House.
Pennsylvania will have all new districts in November, the result of the courts' determination that partisan gerrymandering must be corrected in the state. So here we had a district gerrymandered to favor the Republican candidate, and the party's president is now so unpopular that a Democrat has brought that district to an even vote. No matter which candidate in this district is seated, if either one is, it won't change the balance in the House right now. We have seen, however, that November is likely to be a very different picture. The writing is on the wall.
234
As it now stands this vote was not even. Lamb won the majority. He is the victor.
I live in the district just North of the 18th and I know the area very well. Many of the towns in this region are shells of what they once were. Mills gone, mines closed, downtown half empty and desolate. You drive through some of these places and you can see why people would vote for anyone who promised a way back to the times of prosperity and growth. Mr. Trump and the Republican party rode in on a white horse and promised a new world. They promised the mills would come back and the mines would reopen. The subsequent rising expectations are now being met by the realization that things will probably not change. This is a potent political force.
1476
Why would they think a real estate developer from Manhattan could wave some kind of magic wand and transport them back in time? No amount of tariffs, no amount of propping up mines, no amount of empty promises will ever bring back coal mine and mill jobs. Education of the next generations may allow them to create new jobs suited to this century. Invest in the youth, propping up the baby boomers is not going to help this community.
15
Amen, brother amen. Very few people seem realize this. The difference between the Democrats and Republicans is trivial, excepting Bernie. It's money, money, money. Trump got elected by lying, saying he would fix this.
Understandably desperate and hopeful for a promised comeback, these areas should have known it wasn’t going to happen. Look at the quality of the persons doing the promising. Look forward, people, not backwards.
11
According to an American Conservative article, PA's 18th district has 70K more registered Democrats than Republican. I've not been able to confirm that, but if so, this election does not say a whole lot for the Democratic Party. With that many more Democratic voters I'd think Conor Lamb would have won decisively.
http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-forgotten-legacy-of-...
In my opinion the national Democratic party needs a breath of fresh air, and someone like Conor Lamb is a perfect example.
9
There are more registered Dems, yes, because this region is full of older white laborers who are very pro-union, and were thus traditionally Dem. But it has always been a very socially conservative place, and they've voted strongly Republican for the last 15 years. They voted for Romney and Trump by double digit percentages. Given the very small number of votes by which Trump won Pennsylvania in the last election, you could argue this district's votes counted mightily towards his win. The district's previous anti-abortion Republican representative ran unopposed twice. That Lamb seems to have won this district, however close the final tally, is a big deal for Democrats.
13
If you think the party affiliation of registered voters is important, then you should also be wondering why Trump won the same district by nearly 20 percentage points in the national election.
So let's look for an alternative theory. Maybe the record of party affiliation for registered voters actually isn't a really strong indicator of how people vote, since a lot of people in Trump country probably registered as Democrats 30 years ago and never changed it. Most people don't vote in primaries so most people probably don't know or care how they are registered.
8
And how much is the result of gerrymandering? Sounds like we may see different results in the fall when lines are re drawn.
2
This Democrat seems focused, methodical and savvy. He's not afraid to support issues that are unpopular with the party regulars. A breath of fresh air. I'm still afraid to be optimistic that voters can finally make choices in their best interests.
67
Trump has lost twice so far this week: firing Tillerson on Twitter, the method of which has upset even many Republicans, and now in this conservative district in PA, no matter the eventual outcome. Most people do demand a certain integrity out of POTUS; Trump’s act is beginning to wear thin on his more thoughtful supporters, less ardent supporters, those who voted not for Trump but against Hillary, and that will be enough to put his Presidency on life-support, no matter whether he is impeached, resigns or struggles through until January 2021.
81
Imbecile Trump should lose the vote of the entire Marine Corps, and all their distinguished veterans, as he reveals on twitter that he doesn't even know how to spell the title of this highly revered branch of our armed forces.
This is our "Commander-in-Chief"?
7
Democrats need new leadership, all upcoming elections must leave no doubt. The GOP is chaos and bad policy, how are they even competitive?
23
As a 70 year old woman from California, I agree that Nancy Pelosi, must step down from her Leadership role in the House. America thanks her for your many years of amazing service, but her name is toxic and the political landscape has changed.
It's critical to choose young, dynamic leaders who LISTEN to the voters and who do not just "fall in line" to push the tired old platforms in the party.
Healthcare, healthcare, healthcare!
A nail-biter. But let's pause a minute. How many millions of dollars were spent funding these two campaigns? It's really a disgrace that our system works this way and that money that could be so much better spent elsewhere in those districts- all districts - was spent on electioneering. That money doesn't create real jobs, nor re-build bridges. And too often political campaign donations from PACS and corporations really only buys influence. If only citizens could contribute as individuals, we would be much better off.
869
Ms. D:
You are right that campaign finance reform is basic. We need to urge our representatives to start a movement to overturn the Citizens United decision and all the other ones, going back decades, that equate the spending of money with free speech.
6
Nothing prevents citizens from "contributing as individuals." I contributed that way. In fact, apparently MOST of Lamb's election funding came from individuals. Republican Saccone raised very little of his own money; it came from PACs.
14
Lamb took no money from PACs and much of his funding was from small individual donations.
6
It looks as if the "blue wave" has arrived in the heart of Trump country that gave him the Electoral College win despite the huge amount of money, multiple visits from Trump and his surrogates, and the steel and aluminum tariffs to bolster the Republican candidate. It seems unlikely that Democrat Conor Lamb's slim lead can be overcome by the absentee and overseas ballots and that Democrats have scored a major victory. This is the best news this Trump weary Democrat has had in weeks.
792
Yeah, the other good outcome is look how much money the Repub donor class throws down the drain . . . fantastic!
5
For me it is just a tad early to celebrate. For Saccone to go out and yell about democrats in the 18 district that "they hate Trump, they hate their country and they god" to me is just incomprehensible. For that comment alone he should loose this election because it sounds to me like he is promoting hatred (which with this battle cry he actually does).
6
Who's in charge of counting the Votes?
Our road to currently being the world's oldest continuous government has always been characterized by oscillations around a "governable mean" - the emergence of a [ perhaps questionable ] counterbalance to many cycles of moderate-progressive tendencies was predictable. What is surprising and hopeful is the apartment speed of the counter-counter reaction happening now.
As a leading-edge boomer, kudos to the iGen and women...
13
With this vote margin razor thin, imagine upcoming mid-term elections,
Russia fomenting doubt nationwide about the legitimacy of the count in dozens of close contests while congress, to this day, has made no plans to increase voter confidence and President Trump acts as if there's no problem to address.
Terrifying.
70
As voters turn against him, Trump is becoming increasingly dangerous. He knew Pennsylvania was in trouble well before Tuesday. Look what he’s done in recent days: imposed tariffs, pushed out his chief economic adviser, agreed to meet wit North Korea and fired Rex Tillerson via Twitter after Tillerson delivered a sharp condemnation of Russia’s rouge actions. Trump is now surrounding himself with sycophants. This is going to get way worse. But the good thing is even his friends at Fox will be unable to say anything good about the Pennsylvania results.
262
Fox News is reporting that Democrats are in trouble because Lamb's margin of victory was so small.
That is what you call SPIN.
6
While Democrats should feel giddy about carrying a district in Trump country, an even bigger lesson this election reminds us of is the importance of each and every vote. There is no place for sitting out and staying home on election day. VOTE!
510
Many seem to think that Republicans need to learn from this outcome, which they likely have. Will the Democrats learn anything from this outcome?
14
What are you suggesting?
1
So, what happened to the precinct votes that caused the shutdown of the needles and graphics last night?
11
You gotta be in it to win it! Glad Conor Lamb took on the challenge. Fingers crossed his lead holds.
53
I hope President Trump personally campaigns for every single Republican Congressional nominee/office holder. His 30% really energizes the base of the party, the Democratic Party.
1265
I agree--everytime I see Trump on the campaign trail I feel like tap dancing to voting booth so I can vote in a Democrat. :)
10
May this be another step toward reclaiming sanity in our government.
68
Mr. Lamb, and Senator Jones, have found the right Democratic formula and message. Be simple, practical and pay attention to the needs of the actual constituency. Don’t take Trump’s bait and be willing to be bold enough to accept ideologically impure ideas. Demonstrate a willingness to actually listen to and actually represent all of the people. Don’t focus on the insanities of Trump and realize that the GOP failings are self apparent to those Americans willing to ever vote your way. Democrats should be the party of the actual people who they ask to represent.
154
This demonstrates the power and importance of the vote which we must exercise and should never take for granted in the land of the FREE! to keep it so.
29
When Republicans control the process do they ever lose a close election?
11
"...Mr. Saccone said Democrats were energized by a hatred for the president, 'a hatred for our country' and 'a hatred for God.'"
I am a Democrat. I do not hate the president, I am disgusted by him. I don't hate my country, I wish the best for it which is why I am disgusted by the president. I don't hate god but I want god kept out of my country's political process.
1402
Yes, and of course, republicans were never, ever energized by hatred for Barack Obama, the Coasts of our country and the “elite” residents, or by people who have no interest in their fairy stories.
15
Saccone sounds crazy and desperate. Just like his fearful leader.
11
Well said, thank you!
5
If the Democrats are to succeed in the big picture they need to place the right candidates in the small picture. As locals become confident with them they will swing the Presidential race if Democrats recognize running the right person for the electorate and not for the inside Washington likables.
25
Lamb's "secret weapon" was Don Jr. appearing, with Saccone, in that Hersey hairnet at the chocolate factory. Priceless!
27
This is an exercise in how to overcome gerrymandering with sheer numbers, 641 of them. It can be done, Republicans, and we know how to do it.
Keep talking, Donald, keep giving us ad material and, please, keep up with the chaos and the incompetence. The more you are “you” the easier it’s going to be for us to do more of these.
1313
What complacent, short term, and disconnected thinking. Democrats are not winning: America is loosing! If we are not on the brink of nuclear war, we most certainly are within sight of the edge of the cliff. The "chaos" just got Tillerson fired before a first-ever nuclear summit with NK. You want victory at the poles that much? Trump's continued chaos may well cost you your life, by election. No one's "overcoming" or learning anything by his behavior. The ONLY thing that is going to happen if Democrats win back the House is more meaningless, wasteful, misguided "leadership." Trump is doing America a favor by exposing the potholes in the Constitution and in our national ethos of individualism. He didn't "happen" to us; we created him. Think of it as a picnic: Everybody has brought bowls of rage and anger; do you have something a little lighter, a little sweeter, that you can bring to the table? I'll leave you with this: Dostoevsky said, "People like a toothache because the like the pleasure of the cure; they like to itch because they like the sensation of scratching." In other words, it really sounds like you love Trump; he seems to help you escape, yourself.
The Republicans should be scared to death by this result, just eight months before the mid-terms. But the Democrats also need to recognize that Lamb did well because he did not hew to liberal orthodoxies. If the Democrats insist on ideological purity litmus tests for candidates, they won't win these kinds of seats. This vote also shows why the DNC and the DCCC should stay out of the way - they do more harm than good.
1146
I could not agree more. Every region of the U.S. views democratic candidates differently....why can't the DNC figure this out?
13
In other words, run the right candidates for the district. No litmus tests for being Democrats.
9
I disagree. Or maybe I should ask just which “orthodoxies” you refer to? It is fake Democrats like Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman, to name two, that helped to ruin real healthcare reform. I don’t think it’s too much to ask Democrats to vote with other Democrats on signature legislation. Voting one’s conscience is fine as long as that conscience isn’t owned by insurance companies.
24
It's wake-up call to Democrats that the country doesn't hate the Republican party as much as it hates Donald Trump. Without a Democratic sweep in November it's likely that Donald Trump is going to be President for 3 more years. Vladimir Putin might have a room in the White House by that time.
128
It is going to be a rough year for Donald Trump but it might not be too pleasant for Nancy Pelosi either if "I'm Not With Her" becomes the new rally cry. One way or another liberal voters might be able to get new blood into the DNC.
38
It really is time for the democrats to embrace the next generation of leadership. I admire Biden and Sanders and Pelosi, but they should accept the time comes to step aside and let the next generation lead.
7
Lamb is another neoliberal, closer to a conservative.
6
Congress needs the clear head, dedication and youth of Mr. Lamb. It is becoming clearer every day that Trumpism is nothing more than a reactive and depressive pathway to nowhere. People are not stupid and Saccone's remark about love of country and God was as intellectually offensive as any comment can get about a political opponent.
318
Patriotism is the third to last refuge of scoundrels, the second to last being religion, and in the lead is greed.
12
That a Democrat could do so well in a district solidly won by Trump speaks volumes about what a disgrace his presidency and administration have been, even in the eyes of his original supporters.
302
I wonder though why, given this massive change in support in heavily Trump districts, his polling manages to stay steady with a 40% approval rating?
2
I'm afraid the Republicans are going to mess with the absentee ballots.
And believe me, if there's a way, they'll find it.
They're despicable in every sense of the word.
601
There are only 200 absentee ballots left to count. Not enough for Saccone to win.
26
Military and provisional ballots are still out, though, and may not be counted until Friday.
7
Yay! Thank you so much for letting me know.
I hope that the Blue Wave continues through November.
98
It will.
1
They thought they would eat Lamb chops but win or not, they are eating crow. November may be fun.
49
Back to the 60's.
Wow - a good looking Irishman running as a Democrat and causing a political upset. When have we seen that before?
17
The Art of the Deal. The ratings are down Donny. Enjoy the remaining sequels before the American people fire you!
41
Whatever the merits of Mr. Lamb, this moment reflects the pervasive wish to DUMP TRUMP that will bear fruit as long as Mr. T continues to disgrace the office of POTUS. One wonders if the GOP will ever recover.
64
one also wonders why we should care? almost 40 years of this destruction is way more than enough.
2
There will be a recount. Saccone will win.
We all know what Republicans and Trump do to elections.
9
Pennsylvania law does not allow recounts. That said, it's not nearly over by a long shot. Big dramatic finish, anyone?
6
In a district, the loser can fund a recount by getting three voters in each precinct to petition for one. The process is expensive and laborious; we'll see if Saccone manages to convince the party to pursue it.
4
If the election is won by less than 0.5% the election is automatically goes to a recount. Thus this will go to a recount.