Great metaphor warning the new Congress off a "subpoena palooza": "The answer to a freak-show presidency isn't a carnival that leaves Americans confused about where the most blinding lights and obnoxious noise are coming from." Thanks Mr. Bruni, perfect!
8
This afternoon Trump, who can lie with the worst of them, called the midterms a Republican victory. If this is victory, let's give him more of it.
13
Along with the constant false equilvalencies between coverage of Republicans vs Democrats, the other false narative is that Democrats "talk down" to the working class. This is a false perception based on stimatizing normal fact-based discussion. Do we have to stoop to baby talk? We cannot lower the level of discussion any further. This idea needs to be shelved for good.
6
I'm always impressed w/ Bruni's humility.
All analyses miss an important counterfactual element—Rs’ mass exodus from House. Had Rs braved it out, House likely would not have flipped.
It’s a bit rich for NYT to bemoan obstructionism.
Funnier still is its caution to House Ds not to proceed with the coup too quickly as if the crazies it created are susceptible to subtleties of reason or restraint.
Trump today tweet-threatened Ds w/ Senate retaliation—its own investigations. Bad. Self-serving. & dumb: You don't deal away real D crimes to stop search for non-existent Trump crimes—simply an extension of Stalinist Mueller operation (See: Lavrentiy "Show me the man & I will find you the crime" Beria.)
If Trump is smart, he will proceed w/ all due haste to drain the swamp. All he has to do is replace Sessions w/ DiGenova, who will take it from there—that is to say—to the grand juries.
Finally, what appears to be defection of “educated suburban women” was really a failure of Rs to properly match candidates w/ districts.
Take NJ11, for 24 yrs won by a moderate R. It was obvious from the start that candidate selection—Sherrill/Webber—predetermined outcome.
It was dumb to think a culturally hard-right male, albeit an attractive Harvard Law grad, would beat a female Navy pilot who presented herself as moderate, not of the corrupt Menendez-Pelosi machine & pro-woman. (All false: she voted for Menendez.) But even this betrayal couldn’t overcome the cultural mismatch of Webber.
2
A great article Frank. Excellent summary of what happened yesterday. My biggest disappointment was that O’Rourke and Gillum fell just short. They represent the type of Democrat who should be running for POTUS in 2020.
The Dems have to do two things to take advantage of their House win. #1 - Do NOT elect Pelosi as Speaker. She had her chance and is just too tuned to old-style Democratic governing and ranting at Trump. That won’t work. #2 - As you pointed out, the Dems have to stop talking down to voters, listen first, and then talk TO voters and their concerns (top of the list is Healthcare, and by a wide margin).
If they do those two things, they can create policies around what people want, and may just find a strong candidate for POTUS in 2020. If the GOP-led Senate rejects that, well that’s on them and will be remembered in 2020. If the Dems waste their very short and precious time issuing subpoenas to get Trump’s tax returns, and worst of all, move to impeach, it will backfire, Trump will get re-elected, and the House will turn red again and the Senate will get redder.
This is a one-time opportunity to put some reasonable checks on Trump, but more important, propose legislation that voters REALLY care about.
3
Pelosi is the one driving the retaking of the house. The GOP would love to see her replaced by somebody that doesn’t know what they are doing.
12
The Republicans gained multiple seats in the Senate and the Dems hold a tiny majority in the House. Dispose extremely partisan attacks by most of the media, the President did NOT receive a spanking. He lost fewer seats than do most presidents in off year elections. Very sad that clowns like Maxine Waters will spend the next two years harassing the President instead of doing any good for the American people.
2
perhaps the most important result last night besides the take over of the house was the restoration of voting rights in Florida. A swing state just turned blue. Of all the fights that must be waged, the right for all citizens to vote is primary.
6
This was written before today’s press conference. It’s crystal clear. He hasn’t changed one iota. Mean-spirited, hostile, preening, evasive, unevolved, and superior. Not a sign that these election results might give him pause.
I so admire Jim Acosta, who will not be intimidated. We need more Jim Acostas! Trump must be directly confronted on his LIES. Perhaps, now that there are more checks on this lunatic, people will be emboldened to stand toe-to-toe with him and confront him directly and ask hard questions. Let him say hateful, demeaning things and let his true colors show. He’s at his absolute worst when he’s called out. He can’t handle the truth!
11
The Mitten turned blue. All significant leadership roles in Michigan will be led by women - Gretchen Whitmer - governor, Jocelyn Benson - Sec. of State, Dana Nessel - attorney general and openly gay, Elizbeth Clement - Surpreme court held her seat and Megan Cavanagh defeated incumbent male justice.
See how things will change!
12
If Steve King an ultra - nationalist Nazi sympathizer Republican can still sit in Congress for 6 more years by winning election , then any democratic victory in this country has no real meaning for minorities , people of color and Jews in particular as Trump is incapable to change his rhetoric . If he can still use his
mega phone of hate then more Bowers will be let lose on places of worship , schools and malls .
3
The sigh of relief for me, a conservative is that Trump helped increase the majority in the Senate. This will allow him to continue putting conservative Constitutionalists on the Federal benches. He will most likely also get a couple more SCOTUS picks. This is great!
We knew the House would probably flip, and with crazies in the resistance movement the Ds will overplay their hand with stupid investigations and it will help President win a second term, and bring the House back to the GOP.
It will be fun to watch the Left make a mess of things.
1
Sorry though you may be right but don’t claim the badge of constitutionality because they are not. They respect not the majority nor protect the minority and they don’t respect rights that people have and have earned. They ignore reality and pretend that bias doesn’t exist because they claim it shouldn’t and is a reflection of the law when the law is a reflection of their distorted reality. So go laugh until rights only exist if your neighbors let you have them. The Senate violated their oaths when they did not vote on Garland, all of them.
17
I’m a liberal, can’t stand Trump, but have to agree with what you’ve written. The Dems should have learned by now that dissing Trump is NOT the way to beat him. And if the new and blue House does what you suggest they will do, it will play straight into Trump’s re-election bid in 2020.
So what I’m hoping for is that the House acts as a reasonable check on the president and does not overplay their hand. That will come across as “getting even”, rather than governing and acting on the things that concern their constituents.
It starts by NOT putting Nancy Pelosi back as Speaker of the House. The Dems should go with a younger progressive (they have plenty to choose from) and govern as if they care about their districts.
Bruni aptly points out that Dems have a way of talking down to voters, rather than to them. That attitude has to go. Instead of wasting time on subpoenas and Trump’s tax returns (because who cares and it will only solidify his base), focus on passing, or at least attempting to pass, meaningful and bi-partisan policies.
We’ll see if the Dems are up for that, because that is their best chance at unseating Trump come 2020. It is no small task.
1
@Wayne
"The Senate violated their oaths when they did not vote on Garland, all of them."
They were only following the precepts expounded by Democrats.
25 Jun 1992
Biden said:
“It is my view that if a Supreme Court justice resigns tomorrow, or within the next several weeks, or resigns at the end of the summer, President Bush should consider following the practice of the majority of his predecessors and not name a nominee until the November election is completed.”
27 Jul 07 - more than 18 months remaining in the Bush Presidency
Senator Charles Schumer:
“With respect to the Supreme Court at least, I will recommend to my colleagues that we should not confirm any Bush nominee to the Supreme Court except in extraordinary circumstances.
My recommendations for what the Democratic House should do next year:
1. Pass a comprehensive, compassionate immigration law. Send it to the Senate and let them ignore it. Trumpet that fact loudly and often, especially in 2020.
2. Pass a law that fixes Obamacare. Send it to the Senate and let them ignore it. Trumpet that fact loudly and often, expecially in 2020.
3. Do not select Nancy Pelosi as Speaker. I have nothing against Pelosi. She's a savvy politician. However, the right wing has succeeded in demonizing her, like they did to Hillary Clinton. I admire her refusal to let them defeat her, just as I admire HC. However, the demonizing worked and HC lost. Pelosi's selection would write the Republicans' 2020 ads for them.
4. Investigate and impeach Trump. But don't get in Mueller's way, and don't let that get in the way of #1 and #2, above.
Keep your eyes on the prize, i.e. a Democratic president and Senate in 2020!
8
I agree with all of your points except #4, impeach Trump. Wait until Mueller is done to see if there is any hard evidence that he should be impeached. If it’s not there, let it be and stick with your first three points.
5
There certainly no blue wave. But looking at yesterday’s results, it looks more like an incoming blue tide.
5
'Check to the King'. Not good in terms of the game, not good in political gain. His Red Queen blocks the attack, keeping him boxed in protected by his castle and pawns. There is one invisible pawn in this nearing upset.
Contrary to the what Ross Douthat wrote, our Nation is not in a stalemate. The Party is moving forth, and the momentum for a check-mate is growing.
Whether moderate, socialist, liberal or conservative, the Democrats to present a united front, and regain the toppled crown of our Country; so is this American's interpretation of the message that David Brooks attempted to deliver to the Party earlier.
Many thanks, Mr. Bruni, and joining you and others who love our Country, in taking a deep breath while heeding the sounds of the hunting horn; a call to revive our right and privilege to vote, and safeguard our Country in peril.
6
Trump will be exposed for his divisive policies effects on our country not what a president should aim for . Trump only wants to be president of his rabid base but now his complicit GOP House is no longer protect him. Pulling back the curtain will show us the Trump family corruption for what it is. The Mueller report will not be buried but may expose serious crimes and misdemeanors on Trump and his administration. New York state may further complicate a free wheeling and dealing Trump family . Investigative journalism will continue to expose Trump wrong doings as much as he cries about fake news/enemy of the people but bot FOX/TRUMP STATE TV.... 2019 should be very interesting news worthy year.
2
"He'll find a way to feel validated and vindicated" that's for sure. Have been watching his press conference for the last 30 minutes and he took a victory lap, bragging, threatening to investigate those who are investigating him or request to see his tax returns etc as though he is not aware that last night HE LOST THE HOUSE! The same old Trump is back (actually he never left). He refused to answer "inconvenient" questions, rudely telling a reporter to shut up and sit down; when a foreign female reporter began to ask him a question, he shut her up going into a long diatribe about his greatness, never allowing her to complete her question. I guess it hasn't sunk in that last night women achieved 100 seats (and counting) in the House and that a new order is in place.
53
You're right. He didn't get a spanking and it wasn't a hug either. Instead, Trump got a large flashing "WARNING!" light. If he chooses to ignore it, no one can say he wasn't warned long beforehand.
There are many who will say that getting back to a divided government is good. I hope they take a step back and reassess. Other than a tax cut benefiting primarily the wealthy, an all-GOP government accomplished little.With "compromise" as a dirty word for that party, I see nothing happening in the next two years to move this country forward on many fronts.
That is bad for America because our key global competitor, China, isn't sitting on its laurels. It has very aggressive growth goals with both five and ten year plans. Meanwhile, we aren't part of new Asian trade agreements and we appear to be doing our best to antagonize our European partners.
If there isn't both collaboration and compromise soon, we will wake up on e morning to read how America isn't the world's leading economic powerhouse any longer... and we'll all be asking "How did that happen?"
32
Well said, Tom!
4
This morning I am enjoying the blue wave that hit Michigan last night. All the top state offices are now held by Dem women- and women were responsible for 2 winning Ballot Proposals that un-gerryed our mander and made voting so much easier. Yes, there are too many folks in my state and country that vote Republican because it is the official football team of their church or Fox News told them so. And it is disappointing that more people decided not to rebuke Trump. But today I rest, and tomorrow I am going to a planning meeting for 2020. Onward.
8
I stood amongst many like minded people last night in a ballroom in Parsippany, NJ waiting to find out if our candidate, Mikie Sherrill, had been elected. While we waited, we watched the election results on CNN and we cheered when it seemed as if Beto would prevail and booed when it became clear that Stacey Abrams had not. And pandemonium broke out when we learned that Mikie had won. Joy tinged with sadness. Joy for us, here in NJ and sadness, that the rest of the country (or at least not enough of it) did not see what we saw, did not fear what we fear. Two years ago, I was shocked and disbelieving when my candidate lost and Mr. Trump won. But I decided to focus on what I thought I had the power to do - support a candidate at the local level who could make a change. That was Mikie. So now, Mikie has won and I and others like me, need to refocus on another obtainable goal and put our hearts and souls into it, the same as we did when we flipped NJ 11th. We just have to choose that goal. Carefully. And not by baiting the bear who is as crazy and as sly as a fox.
7
I would ask the obvious question - why did the Democrats not win more elections? Sure, one could argue that Trump and his supporters are still strong but that is only party of the argument.
While taking back the House was certainly a step in the right direction; I still wonder what can be learned from the election to make the Democrats stronger?
For example, who did Indpendents and Moderates vote for in the election? Or are the Democrats only the party of liberals?
Moreover, is Nancy Pelosi the right person to lead a party that is competing for 'purple states' and not just blue or red ones?
2
I'm taking this into account--the GOP and the Grifter-in-Chief lost a House heavily gerrymandered in their favor. They also lost it despite voting machine sabotage and voter suppression. In a system this severely rigged against them, Democrats need to get about 65 percent of the vote to squeeze out a win. That Democrats did win what they did win despite that is significant. And I hope that with this win, they can begin to chip away at the gerrymandering and address voter suppression.
7
The 'Blue Wave' was prevented by GOP levees. And like levees, they're artificial, they protect vulnerable territory, and they're weak.
35 Democratic Senate seats up for grabs means that some of them will swing; this would happen regardless of the incumbents or political climes.
The big take-away is that in 2024, both the Oval Office and the majority of Senate seats--most of them red -- will be up for grabs.
If I were on the right, I'd be alarmed about those big storms clouds on the horizon.
2
@R Mandl. You need to read a bit more. There were only 25 Democrat held seats up for election yesterday of which most were in strong Democrat states and barely contested.
1
I enjoyed 90% of this column and agree that even with the spectacular winning back of the house , it would have been nice to see Guillam and Beto win. But please don't blame the Democratic Party for any and every loss. These races show that racism and voter suppression still hold an undue sway over elections. If people are racist, the best candidate in the world will not win them over. It comes down to the voter ... if voter suppression efforts do not get in the way. The democratic Party did just fine last night. Blame the voters in Texas and Florida for their attitudes, not the Democratic Party.
8
Republicans in the Senate didn't so much build on their strengths there, such as they may be, but on the coattails of Trump's incitement of Civil War II, a whipped up conflict between what amounts to rural America and the rest of the country.
of course, the rural districts and states enjoy outsized power and influence in Washington, and pandering to fearful white, elderly, religious voters in dying rural America is the Trump game plan. easy marks are always his targets of choice.
I wonder what an actuary would say about this as a longterm strategy for the diversifying country.
1
There's also this to rejoice about: Devin Nunes will no longer chair the House Committee on Intelligence.
13
The election of a Democratic house is only one small step in returning to sanity. It's one small step for America, but the world needs a giant leap - a paradigm shift in human thought
In the near future, we will program the human mind in the computer, which will give us the ability to learn what we do to ourselves with our ridiculous beliefs and manufactured values. The computer mind will be based on a "survival" algorithm and will provide irrefutable proof as to how we trick the mind with our beliefs about just exactly what is supposed to survive - producing a mind programmed de facto for destruction. When we come to understand this, we will begin the long trek back to reason and sanity. See RevolutionOfReason.com
1
This happens every single midterm after a new President takes office. It would have been a big deal only if the Democrats did not win the House. The true test is the 2020 election.
1
Democracy snatched from the jaws of trump - but trump remains a huuuge threat. Trumped Enough Already?
Democrats got a toe hold of power back and the GOP is already eager to amputate it.
As I drove Democratic voters to the polls yesterday I got many thumbs up from TEA Party-trump poll volunteers who saw my TRUMP bumper sticker on my car. As is typical of them, they did not read or understand the clear message "NOT FOOLED BY TRUMP". No wonder they're fooled by trump and the GOP chieftains - they can only focus on "trump" disregarding the rest.
Indeed, NC Republicans voted overwhelmingly to pass a State Constitutional Amendment to limit income tax to 7% - without giving thought that it was yet another massive tax-cut to the wealthiest in the state down to 7%, benefiting few. The middle class pays less than 7% income tax - will they give a thumbs up when their taxes go up to 7% to pay for the shortfall?
"the newfound ability to torment a president who has earned it, will go too far" - yet trump has gone way too far in tormenting the rest of us for years! Trump's entire illegitimate administration and two SCOTUS justices need to be impeached. Too far? Not at all. That's for starters.
Democrats shouldn't talk down to Americans, but Republicans have a greater burden not to dispense hatred on everyone. Indeed, Republicans and trump himself lost the popular vote AGAIN by 8 million votes. If trump is the best Republicans can come up with, that reflects poorly on ALL Republicans.
1
Looking over the news this morning?...I can't help but rejoice at the slate (and, quite frankly, the photographs) of incoming congresswomen......the diversity....the possibility of there being, finally, MORE voices in power, and the possibility, FINALLY, of a truly representative Democracy.
I'm a 58 year old, white-as-it-gets, Southern male.....and all I can feel this morning is relief and gratitude that these women are going to Washington. We need them.
In the meantime?.....go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCyT6P6BkoA
Nobody has ever said it better (in a time of great urgency) than Mavis and her family. And thank you for your column, Mr. Bruni.
sincerely,
David Terry
Frank, you can't critique the governor's races in Florida and Georgia without taking into account racism, misogyny, and voter suppression. So I don't think Democrats taking "the right" lessons from losing those races is appropriate, because I'm sure what you're intimating is that Gillum and Abrams are too progressive. But I don't think you can draw that lesson here.
1
Racism was, and continues to be this country's original sin.
The 2010 Tea party wave, we now know after the latest Republican tax cuts, was not about budget deficits: it was about a black man elected president.
The Civil War was about racism which upheld the institution of slavery, and that War has been perpetuated by a lot of American politicians including those by the name of Reagan, Bush, and now Trump. Until the Republicans have a reckoning about this fact, we will be going nowhere.
1
This is what compromise looks like.
Dems have a choice between now and 2020. They can do one of 2 things. 1) Dig in on promoting, advocating, and assisting illegals: Beto O'Rourke, Sisema, Nelson lost due to the immigration issue, and other Dems lost for this reason as well.
2) Come to their senses, and go back to Democratic party principles of 1996: Support ICE. Stop with the sanctuary policies. And stop helping illegals.
Trump can be defeated in 2020, and if Dems come to their senses on immigration, he will lose a lot of support. I have my doubts that this will happen, unfortunately. I like many Democrats will not vote for anyone who helps illegals.
When Trump won two years ago many of us believed it was an abberation -- a one-off fluke almost entirely explained by Hillary's poor campaigning and perhaps Comey's last minute wrench in the gears. Now I believe it will be a decades-long process to reaffirm and regain progressive policies about which we may have become complacent. Taking the House was a vital first step. Now Democrats must work just as hard for 2020 to retake the Senate (which should be much easier than 2018) and the presidency. And we must be vigilant at every level of government. Democrats must retake local governments and state legislatures. There is a lot to do - on a continuing basis.
One of the most astonishing, disappointing, and shocking events of my life is witnessing so many Americans supporting Trump and his ilk in spite of his racism, pornographic personality, and sociopathy. There are millions of narcissistic degenerates like Trump and his congressional imitators but they can't ascend to affect our lives unless voting Americans allow them. Where did moderate Republicans go?
3
"High-profile progressives, including Andrew Gillum in Florida and Beto O’Rourke in Texas, didn’t fulfill the dreams that so many Democrats had for them. There may well be a lesson for 2020 in that, and I’m not confident that the party will learn it."
Progessives Gillum and O'Rourke lost by razor-thin margins. Compare that to the stompings incumbent "centrist" Democrats like McCaskill, Donnelly, and Heitkamp took. So what's the lesson Democrats need to learn?
4
What would be Democratic "overreach?" Would investigating him for his abuse of the emoluments rules be overreach? Would compelling him to place his assets in a blind trust which should have happened before the election be overreach? Would exposing his lies and thievery be overreach? Would connecting the dots between his campaign, him, Putin, and Russia be overreach?
I think that there is no such thing as overreach when speaking of Trump's lies and criminal behavior past and present.
2
Trump still has two more years to poison the electorate for 2020 which is frightening.
1
That the democrats won what they did was probably all that could be expected. There were too many people looking at the positive economy and saying that Trump was right and we should stick with him. Sad that it will take an economic downturn to prove that Trump and the Republicans were just doing what they always do - blow up the deficit to fund a brief economic surge only to be followed by a recession. Maybe with control of the House the Democrats will be saddled with the collapse but everyone who looks at reality will know the truth. Shame there aren't more that see...
Which leads to my hope that the Democratic House does not attack Trump directly (except where it is obvious and winnable) but to go after the support system that keeps him strong in the eyes of his followers. There are definitely some ethical and probably some legal issues with the President and Fox "News". You cannot tell me that their relationship wasn't foreseen by the Founders and that they didn't put safeguards in place to stop that sort of collusion.
And when it comes to attacking I hope the democrats do it with authority and without rage. Trump is the one unhinged and uninformed and unqualified. That is what needs to be pointed out calmly and assertively and with the clear message that it is the Constitution which demands it. He is a bully and, although it may not be good to undermine a president, it is democracy that needs to be protected even at the cost of its current leader.
3
"The answer to a freak-show presidency isn’t a carnival that leaves Americans confused about where the most blinding lights and obnoxious noise are coming from." Great metaphor, not least for its subtle dig at the psychology and mental capacity of all too many Americans.
Congrats to the Dem, but I think whatever happened in France to the now defunct Socialist party is going to happen to the Dems. I'm gonna watch the next two years with delight.Radical Progressive trying to build a giant commune out of the US will hack the rank of the dems spliting the party to pieces, While the GOP consolidate its message. Dems only got elected because of hatred for Trump. Theres no dem platform other than empeach Trumps and let's build a commune. Just as the Socialist in France imploded because of radical progressive, the same will happen to the Dems in two years.
This is a joke.. The democrats underperformed historically. They should have won the house, much more resoundingly i might add.. They got crushed in the senate adding to real ability DJT has to leave his mark on the country for decades. More federal judges here we go.. The dems have to now be very careful, If they show themselves unable to govern and spend their time on endless investigations, you can count on Trump 2020.. See 2012 after the Red wave of tea party candidates.. Pelosi has ALREADY walked back talk of impeachment and has expressed interest in cooperation legislating on common ground.. We will see how tolerant the lunacy of left wing will tolerate that.
Not to mention the governors races of florida and ohio..
There was a reason Van Jones was crying last night...
I keep remembering a woman Conservative voter who was quoted as saying 'If my son wants a gun, I want him to have it'. That stopped me dead on my tracks....I know what I would say, but it shocks me that the idea is made into such simple nonsense! This is the kind of mentally that is very difficult to confront. Does she or doesn't she know that even driving a car requires training and testing, a license?????
2
Don’t worry Frank, you can get back to bashing President Trump column after column after column after column after column after column after column after column after column.
1
Please, please Dems, use your new power wisely. It would be good to go low and slow for the next two years then win the presidency. Please don't do idiotic things. I know it will be difficult but just focus, focus.
1
Here’s an idea. Make all of the ads for Democrats showing old white men going up to diverse groups of people asking for their votes to end women’s rights,
keep emigrants out of the country, end health care etc.
These midterm results are not much cause for celebration, unless, of course, the Democratic party - and especially its "progressive" wing - learns a valuable lesson from it. Please note that every leftists who ran in conservative territory lost, with especially clear examples in Texas and Florida. Then there are (were, anyway) great centrist senators like Heidi Heitkamp and Claire McCaskill, who were both pressured into taking a principled stand on Kavanaugh in order to satisfy demands from the left-wing part of their base. They, in turn, lost; while Joe Manchin, who voted for Kavanaugh, won. Are you "progressives" starting to see a pattern here? Your attempts at progress are actually regressive! Centrist democrats defeated, and replaced by far-right apparatchiks; governorships and senate seats squandered; competitive House seats missed because the candidate didn't fit local demographics: these examples are too numerous to ignore. Will there ever be enough defeats to convince progressives that this country is not far left?
Here's a solution: stop trying to force coastal values on the rest of the country. Let centrist democrats be centrist. Take all that wasted campaign money and use it to support NGOs that disseminate left-wing goals, like funding Planned Parenthood, the SPLC, etc. But just stop demanding that all democrats must fit the Bernie Sanders mold. It's crushing the party, and destroying this nation.
Please... this was a paltry inroad, despite exceptional efforts, in a contest against, effectively, Mussolini. It's not hopeful. But yes, it could have been worse. And when Pelosi refills Democratic the Democratic playbook with lobotomizing, corporate-friendly rhetoric, it will be.
1
Big Picture? This is all merely rearranging the deck chairs on the RMS Titanic. Proud To Be Stupid, a disease like Ebola once transmissible only by contact, has gone airborne. It is now uncontainable.
Satire from The Borowitz Report The New Yorker Magazine
"Putin Loses Control of the House"
By Andy Borowitz November 6, 2018
"MOSCOW (The Borowitz Report)—Calling it “the biggest disappointment of my political career,” Vladimir Putin conceded late Tuesday night that he had lost control of the United States House of Representatives.
Putin made his concession speech from the Kremlin, where he congratulated the Democrats for waging a “tough fight.”
“Maybe if Facebook and Twitter hadn’t banned so many of my fake accounts, the results would have been different,” Putin said. “But I don’t want to make excuses—I threw everything I had at these races, and I lost.”
Putin did, however, have harsh words for Donald Trump, who opted for a fear-mongering closing argument about immigration despite the Russian President’s objections.
“I warned him that that would kill us in the suburbs, and he ignored me,” Putin said. “I hope this teaches him never to disobey my orders again.”
2
America sighing in relief. Your words Frank. Using your genius thinking one would think something really great happened. For me time will tell if the Democratic Party can attempt to actually govern to achieve or in the House they begin to resemble a mob of shouting whiners who just create chaos. I’m not sighing in relief, to the contrary they scare me.
Pictures are worth a thousand words. The one that goes along with this opinion piece speaks volumes. A man is dancing while holding a beer in each hand. Democrats sure do know how to party.
1
Before setting aside the opportunity to use the House oversight power to investigate Trump, remember "Benghazi!" And "Hillary's emails!" which House Republicans drove relentlessly for two years to thoroughly sully Clinton and ignite sheer hatred of her.
1
The Democratic House should, first thing, find that bi-partisan immigration bill from the Senate that Boehner wouldn't let a vote on, dust it off, pass it and send it to the so called president for a signature. Then spend the next two years explaining to America why he wouldn't sign it because he really doesn't want to fix the problem. He needs those wedge issues.
"Too many Democrats still haven’t figured out the difference between talking to and talking down to Americans," How do we not talk down to people who support this so called president?
How do you have a real conversation with a so called Christian who whole heartedly supports the anti-Christ?
How do you take someone seriously who has voted against their best interests over and over again because they have been convinced that abortion is the only real sin? An unforgivable sin.
How do you take people seriously who would rather have a fascist dictator in the White House than a gracious, smart, funny black man?
I am just tired of forgiving people who are so proudly, defiantly stupid. Because these people are destroying our Nation and they are doing so happily. If that can really be called happy.
3
The fake president cannot accept defeat....it is actually funny. Listening to him right now reading off numbers and declaring victory. The guy's nuts!
3
Frank neglects, every pig comes to him his Waterloo, so he has a bottomless sack full of lies, allies of convenience, vileness and ambushes of thief behind the trees that surround the whiteness of the corral of marbles where he now lives.
So a president who has acted and spoken with such vulgar disregard for women will deal with more female lawmakers than any of his predecessors did. That’s a measure of sweet justice.
2
You left this thought unelaborated, but I fear where you were going with it!
“High-profile progressives, including Andrew Gillum in Florida and Beto O’Rourke in Texas, didn’t fulfill the dreams that so many Democrats had for them. There may well be a lesson for 2020 in that, and I’m not confident that the party will learn it.”
Which lesson might that be? To not run progressives? To not run black progressives or ones with Latino nicknames? Surely, you cannot mean that! After all, the popular, *moderate* Democratic, former Tennessee governor, Breseden, LOST in his election for the Senate. Several other blue dog type Dems lost, too. So, moderation isn't the answer.
Plus, the losses in Florida and Texas were incredibly close and, no doubt, affected by voter suppression, outright racism, and electoral hacking and mischief — no paper trail or audit possible in Georgia, and, in Texas, supposedly straight-party ballots for Democrats mysteriously selected the arch-conservative Republican Cruz for Senate!
The Democrats need a strong progressive message, emphasizing the health, education, and job policies the people need, and combine that with a direct attack on Trump and his corruption, and a clear repudiation of his un-American, uncivil bigotry and lack of respect for the rule of law. It should be framed as a battle for the soul and future of America, a patriotic call to electoral arms, and the need to restore full voting rights and liberty and justice *for all*.
2
Shame on the DNC: the party was so interested in the Senate, which, simply on the basis of who was up and who wasn’t, the House was ignored.
As a registered D, I got daily e-mail asking me for cash to flip unflippable seats across the country, while ignoring powerhouse House members.
For example: with money and a good campaign manager, NYT-endorsed Lubia Gretchen-Shirley (2nd-NY) could have picked off King Peter - at least he won’t chair Homeland Security anymore, but the thug is still there.
Half the House could have been taken!
But G-S wasn’t even given cash to CAMPAIGN.
So we have a lot of stares where you’ve got twice the chance to be a Senator than a House member that Trump can crow about.
Wish I belonged to an organized party.
Good news here in Colorado. Dems took control of house, senate, attorney general, governorship and all rest. Now we can get things done here like some reasonable gun restrictions, move fracking wells away from schools, and pass some bills to raise funds for underpaid teachers and crumbling infrastructure.
We also have the first openly gay Governor, Jared Polis. He will move into the governor's mansion with his husband and kids. Go Colorado!!
3
"For Democrats — and America — a Sigh of Relief"
And the rest of the world!
Bruni .... you are kidding, are you not? A sigh of relief for America? Don't you mean a sigh of relief for "Globalist anti-Americans".
A sigh of relief for Americans would mean a 15 vote majority for the GOP in the Senate and 40 in the house, plus President Trump.
Any win for Democrats is a big sigh of relief, of course,
for NON-Americans ... those million who are here illegally.
The democrats have won the house, but they need to realize that losses in Florida and Texas are because legal immigrants view illegals as competition and vote red instead of blue. Middle class voters, stick to their religious moral roots because a blue government means more mean taxes for their incomes which is largely unfair. They are damned by both parties in taxes, so might as well choose issues where they stand to win. They lost because they fumbled the Kavanaugh issue. Instead of derailing him before he was a serious contender, the democrats created a spectacle with scant hard evidence, I believe they lost the votes of educated moderates who try to practice to be ethical. The democrats lost in a lot of places because they have not understood that the small rural voter actually matters. Instead of offering erudite reforms start chalking up plans to address the educational deficits in such places.
Yes by all means go after Trump, but mix it up with actual plans for the people, we cannot afford to lose 2020.
You're right about talking DOWN TO, but not quite in TALKING TO, though that is the essential starting place; more exactly, it's TALKING WITH.
Things are significantly better today than they were yesterday. That is something to be carefully and strategically built upon, not disappointed in.
Gillum and O'Rourke were very good candidates but they were almost certainly too progressive for their states. More moderate Democratic party candidates might very well have (more likely than not) carried the day. On the other hand, the excitement surrounding their candidacies certainly helped other Democrats of all flavors who were victorious. That's worth a lot.
Abrams is a special case. The House should immediately commence hearings into voting rights violations in GA, and the DOJ should initiate a voting rights investigation into the same. It is reasonable to assume that Mr. Kemp's chicanery changed the election outcome, given that the final tallies differ by less than 2%.
4
I needed your pragmatic and optimistic thoughts this morning, thank you!
I also feel sad that people like Beto and Andrew Gillum lost to people like Ted Cruz and Ron DeSantis, and that someone as vile as Steve King could be elected anywhere in America, but I also have a huge sense of relief that my values will finally have some real representation in Washington. I am relieved that for the remainder of President Trump's term he will have something he has never had before, probably in his entire life, people who have the authority to say no to his worst ideas and impulses. We will be far safer in the next two years and for this I am very grateful.
4
The house control, if failures are found, Mr. Trump would seize opportunities in the future to blame Democrats. This is what a political theorist mentioned to me in person before Tuesday. If the excecutive power is successfully checked and good gouvermental policies are made, Mr. Trump would claim the credits for himself. This is my opinion. The columnists here speaks of the success of female Democrats candidates. The success can make the party, activists, and supporters alike energize in cheers within, which might, however by their over-zeal, cloud the most effective steps to take for the very near future.
As I suggested on another article related to a strong strategy on the part of the Dems:
The Dems need to forget all the drama and concentrate on some concrete objectives: 1) Preserve, maintain and possibly improve Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. 2) Repair the damage done to the ACA and propose improvements. 3) Propose real immigration reform: prosecution for those hiring undocumented workers; implement a strong guest-worker system (for migrant workers). Simplify the work-visa system. 4) Propose lower taxes for families mirroring what was done by Republicans for the wealthy and corporations. 5) Eliminate all farm subsidies. Eliminate the tax exempt status for religions organizations. These are just a few specific examples. By all means, let the Republicans have credit for the things they've done, but show how they haven't really helped regular working Americans.
4
"It won’t humble Trump ..."
Come on, Mr. Bruni. There is nothing that would make that happen; that is simply not the way his mind works.
Which is why by arguing with him, the "Fake News" media is giving him precisely what he has been seeking: constant attention. If the media would simply learn that outrage is a Trump victory. And yes, there is a means of dismissing him while honoring your reportorial responsibilities. Every lie does not have to be cited with headlines and disputed at length.
Much of what consumes the media about Trump, such as his six thousand lies is not new "news". We know that and we are experiencing Trump torpor.
4
I am so sad about Georgia, Florida and Texas - (I feel like I left pieces of my heart in each State) - however, I am heartened by Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.
5
Thank you, Frank Bruni, for eloquently capturing my restless mood with insight, clarity, and yes, even humor. This is the best op-ed piece on the planet today. Done reading...
4
Good analysis. I keep coming back to the fact that, despite the conventional wisdom that America is inherently moderate, overt populists could or should have won national elections very recently, namely Beto and Bernie. The only thing keeping populism out of the political mainstream is the perceived identification of Democrats with unlimited abortion rights. Having a more nuanced philosophy about this issue, while not disavowing a woman’s right to choose, should be worthy of discussion.
3
Uh "Too many Democrats still haven’t figured out the difference between talking to and talking down to Americans, and too many engage in a kind of oppression Olympics that turns off voters in the middle." That doesn't describe Beto O'Rourke or Andrew Gillum or Heidi Heitkamp or Phil Bredesen or Stacy Abrams or Claire McCaskill or the Democrats running for House seats or Governor here in Tennessee. Because of the gerrymandering and well-oiled voter suppression tactics largely instituted by Republicans controlling governorships and state legislatures Democrats often have to win more than a majority of the votes to be elected. And a lot of people I talk to here in Tennessee just vote for Republicans because that's how they were raised.
5
@Peter Stone...Tennessee used to be a rock solid Democratic state. What happened?
1
The Democrats have inherited the greatest challenges since the 1930’s. The Republicans’ tax cuts are ruinously underfunding our government, fixing that will be very hard. It looks like we will need to replace nearly all of our coal fired energy in ten rears. The capital required to do that will be a big challenge and the science denying half of the country will oppose it until they are living in shacks on high ground with all their property submerged. It’s going to be no picnic.
3
If Democrats choose to behave while in control of the House as they chose to behave in opposing Kavanaugh, I expect nothing in the form of restraint or any level of statesmanship. This election showed how that stemmed the blue wave. Their intemperance when it comes to Trump will likely be magnified in the next two years. This is not something to wish for. We need calm and stability. As a democratic republic, Trump can be ignored and we should rely on the legislative branch the most. But this is about getting even and its personal. Trump won't back off, and the Dems can't help themselves.
2
If anyone wants to know the affect of tRump on our nation just look at the results in the 3rd congressional district in Illinois. Arthur Jones former head of the Nazi party and holocaust denier running as a republican got 44,000 votes or 25%. This is astounding and has not gotten that much coverage this morning. And to just think, Steve King of Iowa actually did win.
5
After I sighed with much-needed relief, I stupidly read Trump’s warning to Democrats that if those in the House investigate him, they’ll be sorry, because two can play that game.
Sigh.
Please stay strong, Democratic Congressmen and Congresswomen. Please remember how deeply frightened of you he is, and do not allow yourselves to be bullied.
5
Oh how much disdain does the unqualified resident have for Representative Pelosi? He and the republicans declared war on her and she won ....The Misogynist in Chief will never be the same......... Undoubtedly the most important result of the election is that The Con Man in Chief will have to listen to a woman and that woman is addressed as Madam Speaker . The sexual assaulter in chief is silent on this new arrangement where Congress especially the House of Representatives led by a woman will now demand to be treated as a coequal branch of our government .
And also The Racist in Chief will be investigated by Chairman Elijah Cummings the new Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has one of the broadest jurisdictions of any committee in Congress, with expansive authority to oversee a wide range of governmental and private sector activities. Thank goodness for the voters who do not believe The Liar in Chief and his cult in the Republican party who continually put their party ahead of our Great country.
7
An almost perfect comment!!! You hit nails on the head simultaneously!!
@libel and don’t forget the thorn Dem Rep Maxine Waters is going to be Trump’s side for the next two years. All his “low IQ” taunts will come home once she subpoenas his tax returns and makes them public. Love oking forward to that.
1
I don't care if it was a wave or a trickly or a puddle or some drool; I feel a lot better this morning.
Not only about my Government, but about my fellow Americans as well.
6
The country "needs" courts - including a Supreme Court - not populated by right wing nut jobs, Frank. So, no.
1
My feelings exactly!!!, a roadblock on the road to tyranny! Thank you James Madison!
4
Let's see=== Dems took national vote by 7 to 9%, "took back" WI, MI, PA, IA, even if Trump were to hold FL, NC, OH (AZ & TX) he would lose on today's #. All hope is not lost...
Unless Dems play into GOP caricatures.
1st thing to dump by the wayside: Russia=gate. It was (along with the billybudd tape) a bogus ad hominem stratagem of the Clintonistas to win in 16. Then the creature took on added life as the excuse for the Clintonistas catastrophic failure (including for gains in House & Senate). This Dracula sucks the lifesblood away from real issues the Dems can win with. It should be buried with a big stake through its heart. (oh, Moscow trolls "reached 125 million homes", so does Geico, do you buy Geicko...do you even notice their box? A lot worse domestic stuff reaches us.)
3
Trump thinks he escaped hell last night.
But with the new House, energized women feeling encouraged, and Mueller Time on the horizon, he and his corrupt, treasonous regime are gonna find Washington just feels like hell in the next two years.
1
That so many of my fellow white Americans are willing to support a racist, misogynistic, anti-semitic President who is also a corrupt, incompetent, pathological liar is profoundly depressing.
I though we were much better than that, but we're not.
4
Given that the votes for the members of the House -
a barometer for the Presidential Election of 2020 -
did not produce a landslide for the Democrats but numbers
close to what Hillary and Trump received two years ago -
and all of this after Democrats, the Media and Columnists
pleaded for the citizenry to save the country from
Racist, Fascist, Sexist Trump - the Democrats should
sit down and figure out what went wrong as there is little
indication that they will absolutely win the Presidency
in 2020.
3
Here's the thing - the Democrat's takeover of the House is no big deal. In fact, it was to be expected. The only surprise was that they didn't win more local seats.
Over the eight years Obama was President, Democrats lost over 1,000 seats at the local, state, and Federal levels.
Put this in perspective.
And by the way, your concern that the Democrat's might over-reach is well founded.
3
The author demonstrates how the Democrats and their media advocates still haven't learned a lesson that they will desperately need in order to become an enduring government. The article's focus on the successful candidates is almost entirely limited to what they are and not who they are. Color, gender, age, and sexual orientation define the boundaries of its interest. I suspect that non-ideologically-fixated voters (the vast majority of them) are far more concerned with what the candidates stand for and how effective they will be. Most of us may have gotten beyond a tabloid (or a Progressive) prioritization of whom they are sleeping with.
There is no evidence in the election results that any of these externals made much difference. It may be that as long as the Democrats remain fixed on identities rather than policies, it will still be preaching to its own choir and desperately seeking breakthroughs.
3
And that sigh of relief at a blue victory in the House was heard all over Europe as well, and probably most other non-authoritarian countries in the world too. Hopefully a little of our dignity has been restored.
3
Thank you, Frank, for so succinctly capturing my conflicting feelings this morning: relief and joy about the House and worry that Democrats will squander the chance to heed the better angels of our nature in checking Trump's power.
2
I'll choose to say my cup is half full today, rather than half empty.
On the positive side, it's no longer possible for Rs to pass awful legislation or repeal ACA. Even more encouraging was to see the many races Democrats lost by just a few points in conservative areas. There are more Dems in Nebraska than I ever would have thought! Hope for the future.
The downside is that once again progressive America got a lot more votes and still came up with essentially a tie. So weary of our non-democracy in which we must have overwhelming wins just to break even. Wiping out gerrymanders and voter suppression needs to be a top priority. And help country folk start challenging the assumption that Dems are their enemy.
2
@Jomo...Nebraska is the home of uber-Democrat Warren Buffett. That's why Hillary made Nebraska her first stop as the newly coronated candidate of the Party. Other Nebraska Democrats include Bob Kerrey and Ben Nelson. But, don't be deluded into thinking a Nebraska Democrat is equivalent to a coastal Democrat.
1
I’m trying to be optimistic this morning about the election – trying to let the most optimistic opinions sink in. And trying to appreciate the much needed infusion of diverse new blood into Democratic politics.
It’s hard. I think the bill for Constitutional inadequacies is finally coming due. These inadequacies abet our intractable cultural divide that is not going away. The founders wrestled with the issue of ultimate authority, but never resolved where it should ultimately reside – at the state or national level. Exploitation of that uncertainty has contributed to minority rule.
The Electoral College was always a flawed compromise. The idea that the wisdom of a group of elites should check the tyranny of the masses ignored the potential for the tyranny of the elites who could manipulate election outcomes. And there is nothing democratic about a system in which small-population Wyoming electoral votes carry 3.6 times more weight, than those from big-population California.
Likewise, the allotment of equal Senate seats to all states provides a vastly disproportionate amount of power to small states.
And there is the folly of “originalism” - the idea that the Constitution is a static document imbued with timeless omniscience. The founders were wise enough to realize that they couldn’t see into the future and that standards and needs of 1787 would change by 2018.
Am I’m giving up? Hardly. I’m just soberly recognizing that progressives have a difficult challenge.
6
in order to come to any agreement at all, the founders had to devise a system in which the slave-holding rural interests could never be subsumed by the rest of the country. and we still suffer along with it.
on a brighter note: apart from a few obvious outliers (such as Gavin Newsom's expected big gubernatorial win), so many of the races across the country were real squeakers and many are undecided now and will be up in the air for some time to come.
@Michael...Y'all always mention Wyoming and never Rhode Island, Delaware or Vermont? Could that be your progressive bias? Who was the last President from a "small state"? Why didn't you complain about the Electoral College in 1932-48, 1960-64, 1976, 1992-96 or 2008-12? "originalism" is responsible for 29 Amendments. That's static?
I know the beast is eating a small slice of humble pie all by himself in a dark corner. However,he’ll never let on as he’s infallible . I’m also certain that that bit of humble pie tasted bitter and unpalatable, And I couldn’t be happier.
3
The people who live in states like Kansas and Wisconsin, that implemented the full conservative agenda, have finally rejected those failed policies. Can other states learn by observing or does is it actually have to happen to them before they’ll change course? Do they even know how badly things have gone there or does Fox blot it all out?
6
The Dems won back the House largely with the support of suburban voters, but have not cracked the code to win statewide for the Senate in many places. If the loathing of Trump is the criterion, it has not reached a level necessary to take the Senate and the presidency given the Electoral College system. The Dems cannot run on revulsion for Trump. They have to learn to relate to and offer solutions for the people who are in his thrall, people who have been left behind by the knowledge technology economy, people who have not adjusted to diversity in the US and fear it as embodied by illegal immigrants. They will have to find the key to neutralizing the racism and xenophobia underlying much of Trump's support and bring back civility and the best impulses of people instead of the worst. They will likely investigate aspects of Trump's activity and demand his tax returns. They must be careful not to overreach and have this be held against them. They must be strong and offer policy solutions. They must not be baited by the GOP. They must not be foxed by McConnell. For God's sake, this could be the run up to finally putting an end to Trump in 2020. Don't blow it. Be a viable alternative to the strident GOP remembering that centrists win.
4
@Judy, It's hard to "crack the code" that guides the rural U.S. when the folks there will vote for a president whose trade policies are literally destroying their businesses.
1
@mrfreeze6
You're absolutely right. But the GOP has long convinced people to vote for them despite it being against their own self-interest. This goes back to Nixon's Southern Strategy and was done by Reagan and carrying forward. It generally involved both dog whistles and less subtle messages regarding race and other social issues. Pandering to the worst rather than the best in people has been perfected now by Trump.
1
Trump wont be able to bury the Russia inquire now, and that is a very good thing. It has been on the back burner prior to the election, but that doesn't mean trump is out of hot water.
I wan't the house to investigate the corruption inside this administration from trump on down. If they ONLY do that the next two years, I will be satisfied. We need to expose and eliminate the blatant corruption that is endemic in the trump administration.
5
Democrats will do what they always do with the new gained power, they will let emotion rule and as always will over reach. The Democrats base wants blood not governing and the pressure will be on to deliver that pound of flesh to the party elites and the far left. They will do so at their own demise. Sadly they can not help themselves it is what they do.
3
I think the Democrats will have all kinds of trouble if they don’t get different and much younger leadership.
3
You can’t always get what you want
But if you try sometimes
You might find
You get what you NEED.
3
You also need to recognize electioneering dampens the tangible result of Democratic victories. Remember the old Ginger Rogers joke: She did everything Fred Astaire did, except backwards and in high heels. If you tacked on 10 points to compensate for Republican cheating, you'll find your repudiation. Last night was not a good night for Republicans. They lost by a lot more than exit polls suggest.
Case in point: Utah, redder than red, is currently posed to legalize medical marijuana and expand medicaid. The move to end gerrymandering is too close to call but the initiative currently holds a slight lead. Even with gerrymandering, Ben McAdams won last night in a district that only exists because of gerrymandering. Ask Jim Matheson about it. The numbers don't actually reflect the sentiment on the ground.
Trump is an deeper trouble than he thinks.
5
@Andy, thanks for your Utah update. The number one issue that the dems should address is voting rights. They should produce a bullet proof bill of rights on this most important matter. They need to take it to their districts. Not just dems-- but all the people. Surely most of us know that our voter turnout is laughable by international standards-- even in a good year. Democrats need to sell voting rights as equal to free speech. They also need to produce a bill that eats into the evil Citizens United. They need to pass these bills as many times as the GOP passed repeals to the ACA. Of course these bills won't get through the Senate, becasue the red senate is as undemocratic as any elected body in the world. So what? Make this an important issue for ALL americans.
Democrats won the Senate by 6 million votes. Six million Americans were disenfranchised. Time to take out the biased old rules and make political enfranchisement a major political objective.
Ethics, ending gerrymandering, these are American Values. The real work begins!
1
@Pierrette Chabot...How many Americans were disenfranchised in California where no Republicans were on the ballot for Senator? Y'all are always in favor of gerrymandering when it's your party that is doing the mandering.
Perhaps the most depressing of all, is the reality that the campaign season for 2020 is already upon us. I can’t take anymore. I seriously envy citizens in countries with a limited campaign season - which also curtails the corrupting influence of money in politics. I am so fed up. I went to sleep last night before results were in. It’s all a strategic game these days; not so much about ideas, ethics, or service to our country. And most depressing of all is the knowledge it will never change. The money is too entrenched.
2
Who 'won' this election are the Independents, the exhausted middle. They took their time and did things for solid reasons, not party reasons.
A state that gave Lizzy Warren a landslide elected a GOP governor by a similar landslide. States that wanted checks on Trump's behavior similarly punished some Senators for the Dems Kavanaugh hearing behavior.
This was not a blue wave or a red tide, this was a purple comeuppance of sorts. This was a "we will set policy aside and demand civility and unity" vote in many ways.
These are voters that will have no issue flipping back again if they don't get what they want from these elected officials.
There were a lot of close races, there are no mandates from this for a rightly like Cruz or a lefty like Rosen. Except to act civil and get some stuff done in a bi-partisan manner. Florida is not red because they narrowly elected a GOP senator and Governor. Florida is solid purple there for the taking for a moderate candidate. I imagine it was a 'hold your nose vote' for many Floridians stuck with a progressive and a conservative and no middle ground option.
Kansas is not blue, because they elected a moderate Dem governor who actually was supported by the past GOP governors. Mass is not red because they elected a GOP guv, even by his huge margin of victory.
Folks want some new blood, folks want some new civility, folks want some new diversity, folks want moderates. This transcends party for the swing voters.
3
Gillum and O'Rourke came close -- far closer than anyone could reasonably expect. The lesson is an old one: if at first you don't succeed, try again.
4
@MKRAltho I hoped.for Beto it now frees him to run for Pres in 2020. Thats a good thing to take away. Start your "Democratic Presidential Savings Account Contribution Fund" today!!!
Don’t UNDERREACH either. Don’t sell America short - there are many cracks in the liberty bell to patch. Many injustices, and imbalances to right. Your work should be aggressive but fair to all.
3
I’m watching all of this unfold from Ireland. I voted early but I’m totally taken aback by the voters in the 9th district of NC who voted for a man who believes wives should be servant lovers, and daughters shouldn’t be educated, according too his past sermons. No doubt Harris will win because he ran in a now declared illegal gerrymandered district.
Shades of The Handmaids Tale. I’ll spend the next few years wondering which of my neighbors voted for him. Are these people just clueless, have no common sense or lack the skills to determine fact from fiction?
I’m thankful that a large part of the nation saw fit and was determined to not to let trump have free reign for the two years.
2
I agree that the Democrats should tread carefully going forward. Lets at least have a look at Trump's taxes and how beholden he is to the Russians. The next big deal will be the Mueller report, so the Democrats are well positioned to not let any high crimes or misdemeanors be swept under the carpet by Trump's minions.
2
@Henry's boy...Didn't you trust Obama? His IRS had eight years to "look at Trump's taxes" and they didn't find any irregularities. Besides, The Times is waiting to "leak" his taxes during the 2020 cycle. What? You think The Times doesn't have copies of his taxes? C'mon.
The people elected a House that looks like, well, America. Well done citizens.
3
The "Blue wave" flopped big time, with democrats picking up far less than the historical average of 38 house seats in a first midterm election. Far FAR less than the 55 lost by Clinton or the 63 lost by Obama. Even more amazingly republicans actually EXPANDED their majority in the senate, which quite frankly is the more important chamber in this era of hyper partisanship.
Whether the republicans won or lost the house, no significant legislation was going to pass without a 60 vote majority in the senate. So republicans lost nothing with the house. In fact, they gained an excuse for inaction that was starting to irk the more radical republicans in the base. And if democrats do what they claim they want to do, and launch another series of endless investigations that go no where, the American people will quickly get fed up with them.
By contrast, in expanding their senate majority, republicans will have an easy time pushing through judicial appointments and treaties (thanks for nuking the filibuster for judicial appointments democrats!). It also provides a nice cushion to reduce the risk of democrats sweeping all three branches in 2020.
On net, yesterday was a huge victory for Trump and America.
2
@Johnny Yep.
Take a few steps back and this looks overall like a perfectly ordinary mid-term election outcome. That's not a bad thing. This Country often splits down the middle. There are always issues on which we divide. The voters have had their say. Now the legislators must move through the emotions and fights and blame-slinging of the election and find some grounds of agreement from which to work, some common goals. From here it takes imagination, grit, compromise, dealing, perseverance, and just sheer hard work at getting a good outcome.
It would strengthen the Country if we could all witness this.
1
Something to ponder:
The Dems were harping on how gerrymandering was making it difficult, if not impossible, to get true representation of the people. Yet, in the House races, where gerrymandering is in effect, they won. In the Senate races, with no gerrymandering possible, they lost.
Perhaps they are right about gerrymandering after all.
2
The reason more Democrats didn't win is because the excitement and fervor to vote wasn't a Democrat only thing. There were a lot of people excited to vote for Democrats as a rejection of Trump. There were also a lot of people excited to vote for Republicans as a way to vote in support of Trump. Trump, by embracing the worse impulses of the Republican Party, has excited the Republican base in a way that other Republicans before him have failed. Sure, George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush didn't anger as many voters as Trump, but they also failed to energize the base nearly as much as he has either. It's not just that they don't care about his xenophobia and his nationalism; it's that in many cases, they actually embrace it.
86
@Robert Obama caused the angry voters not trump thru his policies!
@Robert
Not for nothing are they called "base".
4
Disagree strongly with Bruni's implication that Beto and Gillum didn't win because of their progressive campaigns--they made those races a lot more competitive than they otherwise have been in the past with "centrists" runnning Republican-lite campaigns that left the Democratic base unenthused and the Republican base voting for the real McCoy. Plus, Florida's electorate should be quite different with 10% of its eligible voters (ex-felons) having their voting rights restored. Also, let's not forget Mueller's decision to not release what he knew about Trump, all while Trump directly insinuated himself in this election and essentially made some of the candidates his proxies (Desantis, Cruz, etc.)--those associations will be liabilities after the Mueller report comes out.
4
Top priority for dems going forward should be protecting the integrity of the voting process. This should encompass protection from foreign interference (hello, Mr. Mueller), elimination of voter suppression and control of ruthless gerrymandering. Restoring the Voting Rights Act should be the highest priority. Imagine how Texas, Georgia and Florida would have turned out without voter disenfranchisement. Losses by O'Rourke, Abrams and Gillum weren't just pyrrhic victories but guideposts forward. Protect the voting process and live with the results.
6
The pundits are already hashing it out on "why" some Dems lost - like Beto O'Rourke. The fact that should be emphasized is that he came out with as many votes as he did in red Texas.
And here in Idaho the Dems who ran lost, but it was much closer than it has been for a long time. We're gaining - in some states slowly, but surely.
And Orange County in California voted in a Democrat, and got rid of Russia tinged Dana Rohrbacker. So there's plenty to be optimistic about!
169
@Pat Boice
You make a good point, but eventually voters see the mistake they made by voting for Leftist policy makers and go back to voting for the GOP.
California is a complete mess right now because of the Left, and if it does not destroy itself, it will eventually move back to the right.
@Good
Your prediction could work both ways too...as voters are able/willing to process reality.
...and... not that we are not without problems...would love to hear why California is "a complete mess" when compared to other states (especially those with GOP administrations)???
3
@Good CA is light-years ahead of any GOP stronghold. What's the GDP of GOP-controlled states vs. CA?
I'll wait.
4
I'm not done yet processing the results. Can someone pls explain to me in reply why Gillum conceded seeing that there's only a 0.7% difference and not all the mail-in votes have been counted yet? I'm really curious to know. Thanks!
2
Since yesterday, the title "Representative" sounds much more authentic and, therefore, promising. The main promise, however, should not be to push rigid ideological agendas, but to restore dignity and humanity to the political debate. It will not be easy, given the insanity and hypocrisy of the other side, but that's what a progressive and humanistic vision demands. Please, no crazy proposals, no overreach over the next two years: we need to concentrate on winning in 2020.
1
Republicans reacted to Democrat's shouting for a blue wave by a small wave of their own. It was inevitable given their slavish devotion to their idol. But thank goodness for small but important steps along the way to taking back our nation.
A native american gay women and a Muslim woman in the House about time and wonderful and now finally we can reveal that man's tax returns which must not be delayed by Trump's threats which, by the way, only displays his fear of what will be found. And Democrats can present ideas as laws such as infrastructure that are popular and reveal the republican lack of any ability to present forward steps.
Pelosi must go. She is too much a lightning rod for republican hatred and we need a fresh face to lead our fresh new house.
A small victory in my mostly benighted state of NC. Democrats broke the veto proof hammerlock on our veto proof state Congress and that means our democratic governor can fight back against republican tactics to dismantle his governorship. Small victory, but an important step in our attempt to push back against the nasty tricks of Republicans.
4
Please note it was with LESS a majority of the popular vote, compared to the Dems last night, that the GOP got those 63 seats. The previous GOP “wave” was the direct result of successful voter suppression laws and in horrendously partisan gerrymandering. A Dem priority under Obama’s post presidency leadership has been to focus on fixing those issues (still so corrosive and in-your-face in GA and some other states) and in getting out the younger generations of voters. Make no mistake - the goal of the GOP is to maintain minority rule power and to keep passing laws that favor the kleptocracies of the world. The fight for the soul of America scored a huge victory yesterday. Now to Round Two.
3
Bruni's analysis regarding Beto O'Roarke's loss in Texas is wrong. Over the past couple of decades in Texas, Democratic candidates for statewide races have not been close to competitive. O'Roarke, sounding a clear progressive message, came very close to defeating an established Republican incumbent. Quite remarkable, really. Contrast that with incumbent Sen. Heidi Heitkamp who, employing a centrist political strategy that would thrill many Washington political consultants, lost by more than ten points. If Democrats have any hope of retaking the White House in 2020, they'd best follow the template of Beto O'Roarke to engage and excite young potential voters, persons of color, and independents who've grown weary of the anger and vitriol in much of today's politics.
3
It is important to point out that Democrats won over 12 million more votes in the Senate than Republicans in 2018 while losing seats. This clearly illustrates the stark divide between urban and rural areas much discussed among the punditry. And it also points out the huge mountain Democrats must climb to regain the senate when so many of their votes are concentrated in urban areas in a smaller number of states.
4
@R Talbot: This is what makes voting an actual complete waste of time to the most cosmopolitan citizens of the US.
Unfortunately, as your fellow opinion writer, David Leonhardt, wrote is we have more polarization of voters. Those in large metropolitan areas voting for Dem's and those in rural and small towns for the Rep's by something like a 60% to 40% split on average. Reviewing the results here in Minnesota this morning that trend appears to be fairly accurate. Good luck to those in Washington and State Capital's throughout this country. There is a lot of compromise and bridge building to be done on all sides.
1
Study the candidates carefully who won the governorship in Kansas and Wisconsin. They don't fit the characteristics Frank describes and he did not spend enough time or space in his column thinking about them.
The candidates are loyal to their state. They have established, well recognized careers of service and moderate positions. They have their finger on the pulse of the people in their state. They are responding to the people's desire for bipartisan repair of the worst of the Republican initiatives in their state.
Study them carefully. Democrats need to cultivate more candidates like them.
I'll call this a good day after the polls and breath a sigh of relief.
7
Among the first order of business for the new House should be to subpoena Trump's tax returns and repeal the tax cuts on the superwealthy. The second will be death on arrival in the Senate, but never mind, the fight to repeal must start soon to eventually succeed.
5
@serban Sure, make meaningless gestures that (as you say) have no chance instead of being for something and simply serve to inflame.
And lose the Presidency again in 2020.
1
Somehow this does not feel like a victory. We took the House, and that is a good start, but look at the map of how much red there is in this country. Gerrymandering and voter suppression remain firmly in place and were definitely a factor. How do you overcome that, with the courts from the lowest to the very highest now stacked with conservative judges and Justices? I am not seeing the glass half full, I am trying to be realistic. In the South especially it was not a repudiation of Trump, it was an endorsement. Some came close to winning, but in the end did not prevail, except in a few cases.
To be honest, I am not looking forward to endless hearings. In the end, it is just spinning wheels, with no forward progress. Just as happened with the Kavanaugh hearing. The real challenge will come in 2020.
I am certain the Republicans are already hard at work to maintain control of the Presidency and will be looking to control both Houses of Congress once again. It would behoove the Democrats to use these next two years wisely, and not pursue an agenda of revenge politics, rather they should hold the Administration accountable without alienating people and dividing people. Without control of both Houses of Congress we are still almost powerless to move a progressive agenda forward.
This is the time to choose someone to run against Trump for the presidency who can inspire people like President Obama did and start promoting that person now.
8
2020 is not far. To everyone who was engaged in 2018, carry the momentum into 2020, recruit, and stay engaged.
9
Complete, coherent, concise and credible assessment of the state of the union. Frank Bruni for head of the Democratic National Committee!
9
Seems the best part of this, outside of placing checks on the Trump administration, will be the (hopeful) end of our fixation with "Firsts". The mind numbing mantra of "Firsts": "First Women", "First Women under 30", "First Lesbian Native American", etc, etc. You would be hard pressed to find out any policy positions or differences between the newly elected Congresswomen.
"Too many Democrats still haven’t figured out the difference between talking to and talking down to Americans, and too many engage in a kind of oppression Olympics that turns off voters in the middle." The heart of the matter.
1
After the Democrats put a check on the crazy man they need to turn serious attention to putting in laws that can restrict a President's extreme actions and mistakes. This has always worked before because the Congress has not been a water boy for the President or afraid of him like little bittie mice. He has gone way over the line in some of his policies (foreign) and his running of our country. This guy can do more really serious damage unless the Democrats stop him. I am talking Big Time WAR.
2
Quiet the contrary, limiting China influence and constrain it economically and militarily is limiting also the prospect of war...same applies to Iran, North Korea and Russia, what has your fantasy poster boy done for 8 years in that regard? Nothing but let China build up its military power unchecked, whTs the benefits in letting a near totalitarian power ramp up hits military capability.If there's a war with any of those country, you can thank Obama for it.You can howl at the moon about Trump's rethoric, but dont blinded by hate, yes hate, and look at the policies, in all pragmatism, that are slowly bearing fruits in limiting totalitarian states.
Why must Democrats dumb down, Frank? You and others are always chiding Democrats for talking down to red state Republicans. Sorry, but dumb doesn't do it in a democratic republic and it is long past time that so-called low information voters start smartening up in more ways than one. Those hair shirts we are always supposed to wear are really starting to chafe .
7
Upbeat about the gains women have made in the House--but don't overlook the loss of 2 in the more whiter male Senate.
The DFL house can now pass numerous bills to help Americans and the senate can kill them. It will be clear who hates the people and loves the wealthy. They can release information on on Trump and let the judges and senate protect the criminal. Then in 2020 the DFL can run real liberals for senate in the red states instead of running fake democrats like they did this time in Indiana, Missouri and ND. The DFL can send a real liberal up for the presidency. Someone who is clearly different than the corrupt GOP.
The bottom line is that the DFL has to stop acting like moderate republicans. I don't care how much the press loves their corporations, democrats can't win if they really are just like the GOP when it comes to who their true constituents are. GOP-lite is a loser.
By the way, the map for the senate in 2020 gives the DFL many more chances to pick up seats than they had this time. The DFL losses in the senate this time were in places where the DFL candidates were anything but liberals. How many times does the DFL have to be hit in the head with this before they figure it out?
3
"With beating hearts, the dire event they wait--
Anxious and trembling for the birth of fate."
Yes, Mr. Bruni. You speak for me. Last night, my resolve was fixed; do NOT turn on the news. Do NOT click on The New York Times--and how often do I do that?
I didn't want a replay of election night two years ago. Now THAT, sir, was a dreadful night. Like watching a train wreck in slow motion. Everything going wrong. EVERYTHING! Ghastly!
Remember King Darius (in the Old Testament)? Who, caught out by a legal maneuver, was obliged to put a faithful and dutiful Daniel in the lions' den. Sleeps not a wink that night. Early next morning, goes down to the den:
"Daniel! Was the God you serve able to save you from the lions' mouth?"
"My God, Whom I serve, sent His angel and shut the lions' mouth."
Didn't mean to get all Biblical on you, Mr. Bruni. Sorry!
But that's EXACTLY how I felt this morning.
Did America come THROUGH? Did we DO it? Was a smart rap landed on the snarling muzzle of the GOP? Did Mr. Donald J. Trump get a measure of comeuppance?
Coulda been better. I had few hopes the Dem's would snare the Senate.
I feared they'd blow it and miss the House too. Then--oh my goodness!--
--what triumphant cries would have risen to heaven from Mr. McConnell and his minions!
What din of bestial glee would have echoed in the White House!
Right now, sir--
--we're okay.
For the moment.
Thank God.
2
When you look at the map of House of Representative elections you clearly see that 85% of the land area of the US is strongly republican, and remains so with a totally disgusting mam in the White House. Democrats has absolutely no compelling message for the nation as a whole. They should be in full panic mode this morning. They are still losing
3
@John Morton
Looking at the map of the House and concluding "still losing" makes very little sense when they just won the House. Lots of those red areas are sparsely populated.
5
That red map is an illusion.
The Democrats did very well. Taking over the House, while winning by 7-8 percentage points over the Republicans. They would likely have won even more seats if not for Republican extreme gerrymandering.
Even in the Senate, the Republicans only received 42% of the votes compared to 57% for the Democrats.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/11/06/us/elections/results-senate-elections.html
We have an undemocratic Senate and Electoral College system that favors sparsely populated, rural, conservative states. That needs to change. Either reduce their number of Senators by one, or add Senators to the more populated states. Plus, give statehood to D.C. and Puerto Rico. It's way past time.
1
I agree, the dem have their own tea party momment, with radical progressive slowly hacking their rank with no new message except playing on the same identity politics rhetoric. I fear that it's only gonna get worst.
Was the election of Blackburn and McSally an example of "sweet justice?"
3
An old Japanese saying is "At the moment of victory tighten your helmet straps!" The mid-term election is not a victory for the Democrats. Instead it is a first step toward voting freedom for all, appointment of Federal Judges who represent the majority of Americans, respect for the sexual preferences of all Americans, fair gun regulations, and equitable tax laws for all not just the super rich.
Remember your helmets Democrats and keep them tightly on your heads--much more must be accomplished!
171
The taxcrebate was pretty equitable...I dont where you get it isn't. Before the tax reform only big corpo where getting away with 20% taxe rates with sophisticated accounting, while regular business had to put up with more than 30% tax rate, now everybody is on par.I calm that fair, you call it unfair...but again I live on earth...where are you from???
1
@John Eudy
This election is really a dress rehearsal for 2020– so yes, Democrats cannot rest long on their laurels.
4
@John Eudy
Unfortunately, with the Republican gains in the Senate, confirmation of extreme right-wing judges (and new cabinet secretaries) will be easier, not harder.
2
Probably a good thing to have a split house.
Casting this as anything like a blue wave is naive though. Vast areas of the country are red and the Republican Senate hold was strengthened. Historically this is a relatively small mid-term shift. (Go back and look at the Obama results if you think otherwise)
There is a big risk to the Democrats in controlling the house that must be taken into consideration. They can try for common-sense legislation and make deals with the Senate or they can be a rapid partisan investigative body.
If the latter, the Presidency in 2020 will be lost.
1
They can do both — achieve bipartisan results where it's good for the people and aggressively investigate the rampant corruption and malfeasance of Trump and his cronies.
Our democracy depends upon it. Enough will come out about his misdeeds that it will cripple Trump entirely, leading either to his resignation or massive defeat in 2020.
Characterizing much-needed investigations as “rabid” shows your true perspective!
——————————————————
I do agree, though, with your auto-correct typo, that we need “rapid” investigations, especially as two years is a short time (really more like 1 1/2) and there is so much to investigate!
I'm more concerned about the lesson for 2018 than I am about 2020. What's absent in your piece is that in Florida especially, the lesson for 2018 is 2000 and Bush v. Gore. Florida has a well documented history of voter irregularities, mechanical breakdowns, misinformation, confusion, voter suppression, and manipulation and mishandling of the voting process by Republican elected officials overseeing it. Andrew Gillum should retract immediately his concession. His refusal to do so would be a dereliction of duty to democracy and to all of his supporters.
3
a thought - would Trump have anything to say if he didn't lie
are his lies his downfall
or is it the race and immigrant baiting or both
as satisfying as it would be to swat him down
the Demos must forget it
the Demos have work to do, now and to show the country that they offer the best way forward and to win the presidency
they should pass bills on immigration, ethics, maybe a modest tax proposal, Medicare and Medicaid prescription negotiating powers
but to trade a wall for immigration reform, I just don't see wasting the money on the kind of construction work when freeways and bridges are aging and in disrepair
the only walls we should be building are in schools and health care clinics in rural area which are dreadful undeserved
Yesterday went pretty much how I expected it to go, with the exception of the gubernatorial races - I thought Republicans would hold and flip most states. Luckily that did not happen.
Democrats have the majority in the House and they can do a lot good things with it, like sponsoring infrastructure bills. But the best thing about yesterday's elections: it's Mueller time.
1
One fact I'm not hearing discussed much: this election took place against the backdrop of a historically booming economy. Yes, Trump is deeply unpopular, but still. With the economy as powerful as it is, the GOP still stands to lose at least 7 state houses and 32-35 seats in the House. What happens in 2020 when it's likely that the economy will have slowed and perhaps even gone into recession? Answer: nothing good for Trump and his Republican fluffers.
1
"Two can play that game!" tweeted Trump regarding the possibility of a Democratic House investigating him and his administration.
Yes they can, but before yesterday, only the Republicans could, and their thumb is no longer on the scale.
5
Frank Bruni worries that Democrats will "go too far" or engage in "oppression Olympics", or "talk down to Americans". Those are nothing more than conjuring phrases, signifiers that drift through political punditry ill-defined and thus endlessly useful. No need for specificity or clarity. But if Frank wants to see what it means to talk down to people, he should attend a Trump rally. Watch the president try to manipulate his listeners with schtick and fake intimacy, play on people's worries, pretend he's bringing them solutions, sell those false promises, and then walk away clapping for himself and his performance. That's talking down to Americans.
10
No, I’m not ecstatic, but I’m no longer fearful. The monster is not yet vanquished, but he’s somewhat constrained. Like having a Pit Bull in your neighbors yard, but at least he’s now on a chain and not free to terrorize everyone.
Seriously.
8
Why so hard on pit bulls?
This election puts a band-aid on a serious wound to Democracy, but it also foreshadows the increasing divergence between non-college rural whites and urbanites. I cannot even imagine anything short of a major catastrophe that will get these groups on the same page.
Before Trump, rural America was the foundation of American values, welcoming many immigrants into their community. But the picture painted by Trump has unleashed a well of resentment and imagined fear that will not go away in my lifetime (and I have lots of lifetime left!) and probably our children's lifetimes, as well.
The cat is out of the bag, the genie is out of the bottle, etc....however you want to put it, Democracy and traditional American values are in trouble.
3
This is just the start and we have a long way to go before sanity becomes common again. The crazy extremists have been loosed for the last 2 years and it will take more than 1 victory to reign them in again. But the most important accomplishment of this election is that has brought a significant amount of hope to those of us who had fallen into despair. I now look forward to the battle of 2020 in which people like O'Roark and Warren have so much more to offer than the likes of that lunatic Trump. Continue the good fight and plan on working even harder to save our beloved country.
5
Sober comments, especially when not mentioning that the current 'booming' economy is there thanks to the efforts of Barack Obama, not egomaniac Trump, however much the latter takes undeserved credit for it...not to mention the deep hole (grave?) Trump caved by the stupid corporate tax in times of bonanza...and which price will be paid by our grandkids in due time, and of no fault of their own, just our irresponsible profligacy). Taking the House will restore some appearance of 'democracy' again, but Trump's malevolence in having removed the trust in each other may take a while longer. Still, democratic control of this chamber was essential to restrain this awful runaway beast, that knows not scruples nor decency in his mafia-like dealings.
1
Mr. Bruni, Democrats need someone who’ll push back; who’ll hit back. The only one of national stature with the history and chops to accomplish this is Joe Biden. Who else is there besides a man who’s pushing 80? The Democrats needs someone to ring our bell.
Time’s running out unless someone unlooked-for emerges from the shadows of obscurity. Who’s that going to be? Donald Trump wasn’t fatally injured; only gashed. Last night demonstrated that the GOP is wholly in his pocket. The Democratic blue wave continues to break upon a red wall with little to show for the furious onslaught.
2
As a born pessimist I must say that the election results are quite a good result for Mr Trump. He now has an impeachment proof senate. Senators such as Lindsay and Cruz have gratefully kissed Mr Trump's ring in fealty. Furthermore, the Democratic House will become a new convenient scapegoat for Mr Trump and Mr Hannity - and they scapegoat like no one else.The Senate results demonstrate that unless the Democrats can come up with a leader who can match Mr Trump in a game of gutter ball then Mr Trump will win again in 2020. Mr Trump's philosophy has always been that when he goes low and they go high he wins. So far this has served him well.
2
Mr. Bruni your column sums it up nicely. I went to the Women's March in Washington and the women old, young, were so energized. I am grateful they didn't fade away and pressed forward and got elected. But I, too, am upset the country didn't reject Trump in greater numbers so all his claims of love and validation would seem ridiculous. He has so dishonored this country. I too worry about the Democrats going forward. I am left of center as I think that is how you get things done. The Democrats will not have a 'tea party' moment and they need to realize the grievances of the oppressed, while real and important, are not the positive message we need going forward. And I wish Nancy Pelosi would gracefully retire and we could fete her with appreciation. The Democrats don't need a ready made punching bag; we need to move forward with fresh new faces that speak to our future. To end on a sad note seeing visually how red this country still is makes me want to cry. I wish whoever dreamed up code red and blue hadn't. It further divides the country. It looks like there are no liberals in NC where I now live or conservatives in RI where I used to live. It is just a bad way to consider states. Happy days may not be here again but we have made a good start. On to 2020 (but give us a rest first).
1
Yes, there were wins and women were behind them. But what kind of win with a nation so divided and America succumbing so easily to the suasions of demagogic voices fanning the flames of racial and religious intolerance? Worldwide there is a dangerous and ugly undercurrent threatening to erupt and America can no longer be relied upon as the voice of sanity and reason. The last two great wars seem mere prelude to what I fear is to come. We have not so much progressed as retreated, rejecting knowledge and reason for ignorance, fear, suspicion and superstition. It isn't just Trump, it's all of us. We want easy answers and quick solutions but from others; we close our eyes, put our hands over our ears and turn off our minds and wait, hoping to be rescued. The White Knight doesn't exist, folks. Let's keep doing nothing. Let's keep hoping someone will save us. We deserve what we get.
1
It wasn't all about the corruption of the Republican Party or the incompetence and madness of their President. It took a great many promises for Democrats to win back the House. Above all else Democrats should keep those promises.
Transparency, decency and integrity must be restored but so does legislation that lifts the working class and the middle class. Education, healthcare, immigration reform, fair taxes, climate and environment protections.
Trump will hang himself, focus on the people.
5
I appreciate the optimism, even if it is a bit misguided. I really hope that Pelosi is NOT elected speaker-it seems that most of the seats that were flipped were won by candidates who openly declared that they did not support Pelosi as speaker. It is time for Chuck and Nancy to step aside if the Dems really want to make a change. We needs someone younger and energetic to push ahead an agenda that people can respond to.
1
I believe that we Democrats can be especially joyous about the stunning success of our women House candidates!
I know they will do a lot to change the tone in Congress. Women, who most always seek to solve problems, are experienced in effectively putting bad little boys into time-outs.
3
It seems that in a short time, Mueller will deliver a report. Its contents will be very important, one way or the other. Undoubtedly, having a Democratic House will at least ensure that the report will be looked at closely and that it will have consequences. That alone is reason to celebrate. That Trump is immediately threatening retaliation if the House investigates him shows how frightened the man is.
2
Democracy feels sturdier this morning. We have a check on Trump. Much of the electorate is energized and engaged. We channeled those qualities into a high turnout during midterm elections when cynicism and defeatism might have been easier.
More women in Congress!
Increased diversity on many fronts, courtesy of the Democrats.
More Democratic governors, including some in traditionally red states!
More Republicans voting for Medicaid!
Of course, we are in the midst of a marathon. Onward.
2
"I’ll take it, and I’ll let others quibble"
That is a good, healthy attitude. That can move forward in important ways.
That is not what was hoped for, and it cannot do all that had been hoped for.
Realism isn't just quibbling. Overreach is the road to failure. Choose things within real grasp, to make the most of what is won.
That is an important conversation.
Trump gave Pelosi the kiss of death, when he said Republicans might help her become Speaker. On those terms, she'd be unable to do anything. Just the offer is poison, which is no doubt why Trump made it. That is an example of the reality here, of a very tight margin.
4
Mr. Bruni is half-right, which should be an indicator to him that perhaps he needs to take a look at things from a different perspective in his future columns.
The House election was indeed an anti-extremist statement writ on individual issues. The House vote said it's not an awful thing to look out for one another despite disagreement on the details.
The House election also showed that deplorable Republican voters are willing to vote for ordinary-sounding Democrats.
The governorship races showed that same point too, but for Democrats. Republicans, who held a historically oddly high number of governorships, and therefore lost a number, nonetheless prevailed in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Maryland--showing that Democrats will also vote for ordinary-sounding Republicans.
That was another anti-extremist statement.
However, the loudest--and most national of the anti-extremist statements of the electorate--came in the Senate votes, where clear as a bell the people called out the Democratic Party's extremist utra-uber-borking of Kavanaugh.
In the end, that rebuke of Democratic extremism may actually help the Democrats, too, if they are smart enough to pretty much end borking entirely. Maybe someday the next Merrick Garland will actually get a vote as a return obligation from the Republicans.
Back to the beginning, Mr. Bruni, needs to look in the mirror besides just holding one up to Trump, which could be good for the entire country.
Ah, Kansas is right. Kansas is ahead of the rest of the country, having suffered deep financial issues with seven years of extreme (and failing) tax cuts under former Gov Sam Brownback. It is a good sign that the state elected a Democrat as Governor yesterday. Hopefully, it will not take the rest of the US that long to realize that the Republican's faulty economic policy just doesn't add up.
4
The flipping of 8 governor's seats from Republican to Democratic is almost as important as taking back the House. The governors will be most important for the 2020 election.
12
As Mr. Bruni so eloquently points out, the controlled repudiation of Trump needs to be put in perspective. Trump will always find ways to take credit for others' successes, while shifting the blame for his foibles and failures on the "Fake News," or on Democrats who might seem to think that rule by autocracy isn't the quintessential American ideal. Democrats could have done better yesterday (and there are lots of crestfallen Beto, Gillum and Abrams supporters), but the key is to revel in the successes (more women in Congress!), hunker down, get smart, wrest back democracy from the Nationalist-in-Chief, and fight in earnest for the Progressive causes that matter. Nothing short of the future of our republic is at stake.
4
The results made me appreciate how President Obama is so historic and utterly unique .
He is a transformational figure who generations of Americans will appreciate more over time ; he will not get his due in our current times of instantaneity and expediency, and with division passing as policy by the current president.
I too was one of the Obama voters who questioned his singular focus on health care which would obviously exhaust his political capitol and personal popularity I was wrong because it was health care which provided a policy advantage and political lift to every Democratic candidate . My 18 yr old voted for the first time motivated by climate change, another policy which Obama put front and center. President Obama understood the tangible issues which would define "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" for years to come.
Thank you Barack Obama, Mr President.
11
The state Democratic Parties need to keep their eyes peeled for people to run in 2020 and 2022, when redistricting occurs.
And, if the Dems really are opposed to gerrymandering in principle, let's see some a state constitutional amendment in every state that mandates bipartisan committees or algorithms draw the districts.
3
This election was a political Superbowl, nothing more; an incredibly expensive and at the same time inconsequential undertaking, making the 'winners' feel good about themselves, but only for the few hours after the game ended. Then the next morning everyday normalcy and dread sets in again.
The House now has subpoena power. This could mean trouble for Trump. And that is a good thing.
3
Michigan voters adopted a state constitution amendment that has a commission, not the legislature, determine legislative districts. Voters Not Politicians! A huge victory. A separate citizen initiative "Promote the Vote" was adopted that has several other progressive voting reforms such as automatic voter registrations and no-reason absentee ballots. The new Gov is a Democrat. So are my new state senator (she flipped a seat) and state representative. US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D), a workhorse of a legislator, retained her seat. Here, at least, the glass is more than half full.
8
A balance of power is a good thing. I think that people are starting to pay attention to things more. Talk about voting and state issues seemed robust. This can only be good when the general populace pays attention and holds politicians accountable.
1
Nicely put and well said. Thanks for pulling my thoughts together in this dark time. There is some light and we must follow it.
To ensure we win our country back, it's time to cut the corporate ties and return to our roots. The old guard has to go. Democratic must strengthen the middle and working class. Universal Health care, free education,strong consumer regulations, protection from climate change,etc. Why as a nation do we believe this is something only the wealthy deserve?
Old people don't grasp that Artificial Intelligence WILL leave most folks jobless, and it is coming soon. Some new jobs will be created, not enough to employ the massive amount of folks who will be replaced.
If we do not allow the 1% to control these resources created off the backs of the 99%, we will have an amazing future.
No longer will we define ourselves by our work, we can pursue our dreams. Renewable energy, robots, cheap housing, 3d printing, cheap food will make it possible to extend the majority of our income on more than bare survival. The quality of our lives will grow by leaps and bounds.
We will have the same security and freedom currently enjoyed only by trust fund babies.
IF THOSE WHOM WE ELECT PREPARE. Universal Basic Income will be a necessity, and we must begin to put a process in place to achieve it before it is too late.
So, we now have the opportunity to take this surge, and make this world into a much better place for ALL people, or we can ignore the future and wake up to a world where we are banging at the gates of robo guarded enclaves begging for food.
We have a choice.
3
I feel best about the Democratic wins in the governor races in Illinois, Kansas, Michigan and Wisconsin. That's the best news of the night. What that will mean for Trump in 2020 should trouble him for a long time. If he was the great man he thinks he is, he would not have lost those states.
4
This morning's news IS good news with the majority in the House now Democratic for the checks and balances in the Ways and Means Committee, the Judicial Oversight, the other committees that have worked so diligently and against such pressure from other members and the POTUS and his minions. As Simon said, Democrats have some capital now and will use it. I look forward with anticipation to see, finally, Trump's tax returns and more vigilant House members overseeing many of the shenigans we've endured thus far.
1
@Katalina- Trump said just a couple of days ago that he didn't care if the Democrats looked into his taxes, so he should have no objection to turning over his returns.
2
The Senate is anti-democratic and regressive by definition. Established at a time when ninety percent of the new and relatively small American population (1789) was rural or, at least, agrarian, the U.S. has developed into a nation where 20% of the population now controls more than 50% of the votes in the Senate. The will of the majority is being mitigated. The evidence of this is shown in that at least four Supreme Court nominations (including the one stolen from an duly elected Democratic President by a Senate controlled by Republicans - the new norm for such situations now, by the way) were made by Republican Presidents who did not win the popular vote. The Electoral College aside, the majority of Americans voted for one Presidential candidate and procedural processes put the other candidate in the Oval Office who then claimed a mandate to pursue an agenda not to the liking of a majority of voters. The other issue, of course, is the high percentage of Americans who refuse to participate in the process at all. Much to be repaired in the process, but, for now at least, one guardrail, the House, has been constructed against this runaway train of a President.
6
I have to say that I still feel disappointment and I cannot understand all of the Red that is on the map. I have low expectations of both parties and I do not have high hopes that there will be the kind of discussions and improvements that will help our country run better and grow. There are so many bridges, tunnels, roads and buildings that need repair. There are so many who are on the verge of loosing healthcare and we are wasting money sending troops to the border. After the last two years there should be much less red on our map. Even if we got something, it isn’t enough to make progress. It’s just a stalemate.
7
I consider this election to have been a great disappointment for Democrats. We gained the house by a very slim margin. We lost more seats in the senate. Trump is still loved by his base even more than when first elected. Democrats need to change strategy. Stop focusing on migrant's rights, on LGBTQ rights, on transgender rights, on Roe vs Wade, on LGBTQ candidates. Those rights have been gained and are not going anywhere. Instead focus on what benefits everyday people. Those programs would benefit all.
If Evangelicals can focus on their agenda, such as controlling the supreme court, no matter what Trump represents, why not the Democrats, focusing on what concerns everyday people.
7
@bob karp --
Can we please stop the bellyaching about the Senate? Democrats were gulled into believing that taking the Senate was possible, when it really never was. The seats that were lost were not really secure Democratic seats, so it shouldn't be a surprise.
The "very slim" (it's not, but that's not a debate to have amongst ourselves) margin in the House -- and the losses of some of the more progressive candidates in various levels of races -- demonstrated something important, and bears out your point.
To win the middle and upper middle educated white suburban voters who are CRITICAL to Democratic victory, the party simply cannot tilt itself too far left. Alienating these voters (and I'm one of them) may not drive them to vote for Republicans, but it might encourage them to stay home.
Because at its heart, the Democratic party needs these voters to vote AGAINST their own economic interests when they pull the lever for Democrats. Talk as much as you want about raising taxes on "corporations and millionaires" -- there's not enough money there to fund the far left ideals. You can only push so far and then you'll force them off the scale completely.
Be very careful, Democratic party, about the lessons you take away from yesterday.
3
@bob karp
"...why not the Democrats, focusing on what concerns everyday people."
Because that's not what their big donors are paying good money for.
@bob karp
While I agree with your first premise, the Democrats have to work to keep their base by continuing to focus on everyone's rights.
Migrants, LGBTQs, women needing abortions, and minorities are all "everyday people" whose rights need protecting. Ignore them, and people will stay home on election day.
The Democrats must learn, as they failed to do in 2010 and 2014, that when you lose your progressive base, you lose elections.
1
This is a great victory for democrats. In the senate it takes only 25% of the votes for a party to gain a majority. The founding fathers had to achieve this compromise in order for the least populated states to join the union. In the presidential election most of this disavventage is eliminated. The electorate has, now, an opinion about Trump's presidency cast in stone. I think that he'll be president at most for two more years.
It's nice to see some people elected who I, as a lesbian, can relate to even if they are younger than I am. I might be almost 60 but I have rarely been able to vote for or see anyone elected who was female and not straight. I am hoping that someone like Sharice Davids can persuade others to see a different view of America, the one that many in the LGBTQ community see. I am hoping that she can help them understand that we are as American as everyone else. Her being a Native American is another milestone. This sort of diversity IS what we need and should have in our country.
It's diversity that makes life interesting. It's also diversity that can force us to examine our views about ourselves and the world around us. For now, I feel a bit more welcome in my country and I'm glad.
7
Be of good cheer.
Those who wanted to check Trump have won.
All in all, we did well.
He and the GOP will spin this to their advantage; they always do.
However, we shall make their lives a living hell by investigating and digging deeper into their evils and coverups using the full powers of the House.
It was highly unlikely that we would take the Senate. But that is not entirely lost either since there are only 6 seats between us.
The power of the House is great. We can force Trump/GOP to make deals to get what we want.
Politics is often horse trading. Now we have some capital; before we had none.
Yes, Beto, Gillum, Stacey Abrams all lost but examine the numbers and you will see that it was close and that we can build on this for 2020.
I am happy with the results.
America has sent a message to Trump.
The wall stops here.
252
@simon sez—
If you imagine that on the one hand you Democrats now have some “political capital” with which to bargain with Trump, while on the other hand, you now gleefully plan to make his life a “living hell,” well, you clearly don’t understand Trump.
The more that you make his life a “living hell,” the LESS he will be inclined to bargain with you over ANYTHING, no matter how much he may actually want it.
He’s perfectly willing to cut off his nose to spite his face, as long as it hurts YOU, too.
10
@simon sez I think most moderates and independents are very happy with the results. It was a purple wave more than anything. I was happy to see the number of splits between party of the guv and party of the senator. That indicates thoughtful voting, not party line voting.
A split Congress is a good thing in many aspects. It forces folks into a more moderate stance.
This was not just a message to Trump. It was a message about the power of the moderate, thoughtful swing voter that will not blindly vote party line. It was a message for the moderate candidate, not the extremist candidate. It was a message to both Dems and GOPs that behavior matters. That new ideas matter.
The worst thing about this election was that in our locked in two party system too many folks had to choose from two extremes. Beto or Cruz. Abrams or Kemp. Independents are the larges self identifying party in the US but they lose power in the primaries because they are split pretty evenly between both parties. That leads to too many extreme vs extreme elections that give the largest group two bad choices.
9
@simon sez Perfectly said. I feel the same way and am happy today.
10
First good night sleep I’ve had since Trump was elected.
5
Sigh of relief?! Good grief, man, a referendum on a man so despicable, venal and stupid it's beyond comprehension ends in a virtual toss-up and we're supposed to be relieved? Talk about your low bar.
19
The victories of Cruz, DeSantis, Kemp, Nunes, Collins, Hunter, Scott take the shine off gaining the House majority.
They are major disappointments and a reflection on voters ignorance and unknowing warped masochism.
11
The reaction of Frank Bruni to the midterm results and the Democrats’ narrowly taking the House is shared by most of us: “Whew.”
For those of us in Ohio, the midterms brought home the truth that a reliably purple state is now deep, deep red. The results in the Greater Cleveland and Akron areas can no longer offset what happens in the rest of the state.
3
I really wonder how many Democratic votes in Florida were swept under the rug or didn’t even get made because of republican tricks, lies and egomania. Just think back to Florida’s Secretary of State in 2000.
7
I keep hearing this and that about Democrats' strategies. Either they are too shrill and turn people off, or they are too docile and let Trump and his Republican henchmen get away with too much, or they don't have a credible policy to put forward.
Like Trump had one. He ran on racism and fear and anger, and he has governed likewise. I truly, honestly cannot see why the Democrats have to be so careful in threading the needle when Trump was anything but. I'm sorry. but if you cannot see Trump for what he is, and you demand policy specifics from Democrats, you are not among the ranks of the well-informed. In my opinion, Democrats shouldn't have to say a word. Everything Trump says or does is an argument to support his opponents. Everything.
10
I know our polls close too late for this column....but look at Nevada. 2 blue urban areas carried the state. D gov and D female lieutenant gov, probably African American AG, probably female led state Legislature and now we have 2 very qualified progressive female Senators!! Very proud of our state turnout to reflect our diverse population.
6
The Democrats can now show if they can compromise and work with the Republican Senate and administration, or if their agenda remains anti-Trump.
2
@Mike--The Republicans can now show if they can compromise and work with the Democratic House, or if their agenda remains servile sycophancy to Trump. It works both ways.
7
Frank Bruni roe EXACTLY how I feel. And believe it or not, I'm choosing to feel better these last 2 years of Trump than the first 2 years.
2
Democrats are very bad at messaging, while Republicans pump steroids into their messaging of fear and loathing. One thing I never heard said but which must be said is that, around the world, democracy is under pressure, Fascism and authoritarianism are on the rise, journalists are being murdered, and even in America are being trashed as being the "enemy of the people", and the world is an ugly place right now of fear of other, violence, etc. It therefore makes sense that, in that environment, conservatives and Republicans (in America) will do much better than liberals, who need environments of optimism, hope, kindness, and viewing people as a whole, not as segmented "Us v. them". From that perspective, it doesn't surprise me at all that Democrats have an uphill climb. It's always been like that when Fascism has been on the rise. But we took a good first step last night. Could have been better, but it could have been worse too. It is well known that conservatives tend to capitulate to fear far more than do liberals. Perhaps that is why, after 9/11, New Yorkers went right back to work, refused to give those terrorists what they wanted by hating Muslims and hiding under their beds, but the more conservative areas of the country, unaffected, screamed of fear and Muslim bigotry, and even trashed those directly affected by the attacks as being "Kumbaya singers" "offering therapy to the terrorists." But...there are many kinds of terrorism. We eased one form a bit last night.
5
This is a beginning for the restoration of hope for our Nation.
5
At least for now, I can exhale. And wait for the coming Mueller storm.
5
Stop, Stop, Stop feeling half-full. We as a nation woke up the morning so much closer to what makes America great than we had when we woke up yesterday morning.
I am a glass is half-full kind of guy. And today my cup is more than just half-full.
For starters, we will have a new and less goose-stepping set of committee chairs. Perhaps ones that will respect our law enforcement and intelligence officers unlike Nunes. That is incredibly refreshing.
We have a backstop in the event that Trump tries to shut down the investigation in how Russia involved itself in the last presidential election.
We have over 100 women entering the chamber, nearly 1/2 of the Democratic house. WOW and BRAVO!
We have a bunch more governors who will have a word about how districts are carved up following the 2020 Census.
And most important, we have a chance over the next two years to show the nation how good government should look like. I was encouraged to hear Nancy Peloci rebuked the thought that impeachment was a consideration. Removing this president will have to come by way of the next election. Instead let the House focus on things that matter to Americans.
Democracy won yesterday. Decency won yesterday. And the President lost big time.
6
After 2 years of Trump, this just isn't bloody good enough.
6
@Bart Burz
Would the alternative have been better?
The American form of federal legislature is, as they say, what it is. We don't have a parliamentary system, can't call elections at random and have a crazy means of electing our nation's leader that has suppressed the winner of the popular vote in several recent elections.
We're doing the best we can. Sorry it's not good enough for you.
1
Thanks Mr. Bruni. Another insightful article apart from your grateful appearances on Don Lemon's nightly program which I never miss.
Yes, my concern is that to dismiss experienced, politically savvy Dems like Pelosi and Bidden in favor of younger blood may not help Democrats. And I really don't know any younger politicians who have Pelosi's marketing skills when it comes to fund raising. Who would you offer? Corey Booker? Not for me. I was really impressed with Andrew Gillum but Dems like him need to distance themselves away from the Progressive label and embrace the traditional protection of the Democratic Party for the working class in America. That's sorely missing today.
2
The real sweet justice will occur over the next two years as Republicans stack the courts with conservatives due to their large majority in the Senate. The days of having to satisfy moderates are over.
2
Frank is right, let's celebrate for today; the retaking of the House is no small accomplishment, and it presages some great possibilities for us in the future. For the first time in two years I feel like I can breathe.
I'm feeling very grateful this morning for all of the Democratic candidates who gave their hearts and souls for us this year; for all the women and people of color who had the courage to meet this country's prejudices head on; and for all the volunteers who gave up months of their lives because they knew our future as a free and caring people depended on it. To all of them I say "Thank you" for giving us a strong ray of hope in these dark and troubled times.
Tomorrow we can take up our work again, but today is for dancing, and I intend to do some.
11
OK, but I hope that Mr. Bruni and his fellow pundits will start using their wits to examine just why so many millions of Americans continue to back Donald Trump. Pointing out Trump's misdeeds and misbehavior won't do it. We need to understand - and expose - the roots of that support.
11
Given the composition of the electorate, apparently rural versus urban/suburban, it seems possible that for the foreseeable future the Senate will remain Republican and the House Democrat, and most Presidents, with the anti-American electoral college, Republican. With that power on the right, including the Supreme Court, they, as McConnell has said they will win the war, in this case getting everything they want. A sad future for America and the world.
7
Both parties are in the process of realignment---and so, with somewhat confused narratives---it is not surprising to me that the Democrats blue wave was not a Tsunami. Having said that, the democrats are in a perfect position to craft a narrative aimed at the kind of policies that will bring the middle class solidly behind them in 2020. The formula for the democrats is simple, and one which I heard Ms. Pelosi talk about last night: 1) ignore Trump---no matter how insulting he becomes; 2) ignore the subpoena power---don't waste the energy and time on investigating Trump---3) ignore cultural issues---guns, immigration --- I know, they are important but don't give Trump talking points; 4) bury him and his party in legislation aimed at really helping the middle class---student loan relief, repair Obama care, lower drug prices, infrastructure projects.
12
It's a split decision but since for the past few elections have been disasterous any victory is sweet. Most importantly, the Democratic house now stands in the way of the Republicans' worst impulses--that is a very good thing.
Now for reality.
The democrats need new leaders. Yes Nancy Pelosi will regain the speakers gavel, that will be sweet for her but once in power she needs to start grooming her successor--preferably chosen from house members who are not eligible for Medicare.
Identity politics has been a disaster for the Democrats. Trump has shown that Republicans can play that game too--and with better results. Focus on healthcare, the economy and honest governance. Act as though every vote--even those of working class white men is winnable. A 59 year old man driving a 15 year old car to his job at Walmart is not going to be receptive to being reminded of his "white male privilege"
Get a position on immigration and get it now. Yes Democrats want to keep criminals out of our country. Yes Democrats want to keep the livilihoods of American citizens from being undermined by a flood of undocumented workers. E-verify coupled with stiff penalties for anyone who hires an unauthorized immigrant. Stop tech firms from replacing their American workers with foreign contract workers.
Finally, let Robert Mueller do his job please. Don't showboat. Yes I want to see Trump's tax returns as much as anybody but without valid reasons to subpoena them don't go there.
8
Mr. Bruni completely ignores the corruption of our election system by Republicans. What about voter purging, gerrymandering, voter suppression, voting machine hacking, etc.? Democrats must produce a blue tsunami just to break even sometimes. And what about the willful ignorance of one third of the country? And the other one third who stay home on election day? This country has been falling apart for decades, and most Americans are easily deluded by con men such as Trump and co. These groups are just as responsible for the mess we are in as the perpetrators: Republicans and their corporate owners.
6
"He repeatedly told his supporters in the days leading up to the midterms that he was essentially on the ballot, and for once he wasn’t boasting idly. Americans weighed in on him, and if it wasn’t quite the spanking he had coming, it certainly wasn’t a hug."
Perhaps, but don't forget he likes spankings, especially with rolled up Fortune Magazines.
3
The first thing Democrats should do when they take control of the House is outlaw all forms of voter suppression and demand recounts in states like Georgia, where Kemp blatantly stole the governorship.
14
I think the real concern isn't democratic overreach, but lame duck ideologues who were defeated using the next seven weeks in a last ditch effort to repeal the affordable care act, and pass a bunch of extreme right wing laws while they still have power as a last middle finger towards the America they see slipping away from them.
1
As a Democrat, I disagree. The Democratic Party did come off life support by retaking the House, but their failure in the Senate poses immense and immediate problems. First, look for Donald Trump to move to shutdown Special Counsel Robert Mueller's Russia investigation probably by replacing Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Second, the push to overturn Roe v. Wade will intensify with the addition of three new, pro-life senators who unseated Democrats in deep red Midwest Trump states. Third, more ultra-conservative judges will be appointed. And fourth, with an increased Republican Senate majority impeachment is off the table.
1
@Paul Wortman
What made you think that the Democrats had any real hope of winning the Senate? Those 3 seats were likely to be lost -- be glad Joe Manchin held on.
Impeachment should be off the table, unless something truly criminal is found in the Mueller investigation. And the Democrats will now be able to reopen investigations into a whole raft of issues, so shutting down Mueller (if he dares to do it) would have no impact.
I think we might be surprised at the reluctance of John Roberts to agree to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Great night for Dems but a country bereft of moral leadership at the top is on a downhill trajectory...as the senate results starkly illustrate.
4
Frank, you're assuming Nancy Pelosi is up to the task of presenting Democrats as a viable policy alternative to Trump and Republicans.
I'm not so sure she is even after or especially because she has been in office for 25 yrs.
She better be able to herd the hissing cats and present real policies and real solutions to more than just coastal districts. Otherwise, Democrats will come off as nothing more than Jacobins and that's unsustainable.
I'm afraid the only thing that is going to change things is an economic downturn. Is that inevitable? I don't know. I'm tired of making predictions and even more tired of reading them. I need a break.
1
@Paul, a downturn before Nov 2020 isn't improbable. As economists and money managers across the spectrum have been saying, the crazy corporate debt binge is the most likely trigger for a cascade of financial losses. This time the odds-on favorite is the bursting of the junk corporate debt bubble, not the junk mortgage debt bubble of 2008.
Florida 2016: Trump won by 112,911 votes.
Florida 2000: Bush won by 537
Florida 2020: There will be 1.4 million eligible voters, heavily weighted to minorities, thanks to Amendment 4 passing on 2018 ballot. After 20 years of Republican voter suppression, this is a big win for Democrats.
5
Get his tax returns and give his supporters something to think about.
3
We did great.
The marquis races where many had pinned high hopes (O'Rourke, Gillum, Abrams) were incredibly heavy lifts, and we got very close in all of them. No need to sulk or "go back to the drawing board". These are deep south, confederate states.
While this isn't necessarily something that we can rely on forever, we did learn that having a scary enough boogey man (Trump, obviously) will get people out to vote in mid term elections. This is something that the GOP has always known and has exploited forever, but we've never been able to to it, until now.
Get good, authentic candidates out there, and get out the vote. That's my takeaway.
And it doesn't hurt to have a boogeyman scaring the beejeezus out of everybody, either.
Well, it appears that “the country” doesn’t want relief: many Trump supporters turned out and wanted him to win. They don’t want relief. While I’m glad of the results, please stop lumping the country into one unified entity. It’s clearly not.
3
I stayed up late watching live coverage with Trevor Noah and Stephen Colbert, but not enough races had been called before I had to go to bed.
This morning, I woke up and got my children ready for school. I did a load of dishes, I moved some laundry around, and I got ready for work.
I was considerably more ready to face the day today, because today I have a glimmer of hope that our country can go on the mend.
Democrats did not take every competitive race, no. However, they showed that many of their states and districts are considerably closer to purple than any of the pundits gave them credit for, and that they can get close to the ribbon by promoting an agenda of community.
Republicans did outperform the polls, which I'll admit I find frustrating, but they had to distort, dissemble, even flat-out lie about their agendas and their opponents in order to get those seats. But now, they have a problem: they are on record saying that they will protect things they said they would end.
We can take a day or five to rest, but we need to build on this election and lay the groundwork for 2020. My hope is that Democrats will not keep eyeing the top spot as the only worthwhile prize. Working from the bottom up will be the best way to energize voters, and that means everything from city Councillor on up.
4
I hope Dems focus on passing legislation designed to benefit working and middle class Americans. I will be looking for economic, health, education and tax legislation meant to aid the widest possible economic swath of Americans; not the one percent and mega corporations. Voters are beginning to wake up to the GOP tax law scam and the GOP war on accessible, affordable and assured health care. If the House Dems pass worthy bills that repeatedly die in the GOP Senate, people will eventually wake up to their true enemy: the economic elitists of the Republican party.
200
@Stop Caging Children The only thing I am concerned about is that with our current news sources and inattention, most Repub voters had probably never heard about the scandals of Ryan Zinke and Betsy De
Vos and Scott Pruitt, or the disastrous international effects of the trade war. Curiously the ACA seemed to be a factor for many people despite years of demonization on Fox. Demonization seems to have worked on Nancy Pelosi but not the ACA. Is the difference that there needs to be a mechanism for people to understand it from personal experience, not from news sources. The things you mentioned above may also fail to make it into the one phrase understanding voters bring to the polls. Also, any effort to produce real change that is noticeable to voters (e.g. reduced middle class taxes) will never get passed with this senate and president.I dont know what the answer is but caging children and trashing education seem safe.
3
@Stop Caging Children Legislation worthy of debate would be healthy for the country and good for the Democrat Party. However expect a flash mob to tear through Congress seeking revenge. The new committee chair-people and their hardcore constituents will be more focused on investigation than legislation. If this comes to pass it will not sit well with middle America which wants to see sound governance and, above all, results. A 2-year food fight will harden political positions and further divide the country.
@Stop Caging Children- really....voters are waking up to the tax scam...their attack on healthcare...really? THEN why did any of them vote Republican ? IF voters are WOKE , none of them would have voted for any of these Republican candidates who will simply fall in line with whatever Trump says......they are NOT WOKE YET !!!
1
We have seen the future, and it is Beto, Stacey and Andrew. They are the brave forefront of genuine change. Progress, prosperity and the common good. No turning back now.
8
All true, but listening to voters on the radio explain why they voted for Trump, which is how they described this year's election, most of them cited lies, and misinformation, such as "The [non-existent] Korea deal he got when no other president was ever able to get one." Or the best: "His party is the one that will protect health care."
2
If the House becomes simply an investigative body, it will be to the Democrats' detriment in 2020. The Dems have to outsmart the GOP. They have to play the long game and keep their eye on the ultimate prize - to make Trump a one-term disaster president and to return us to some semblance of order and decency.
The message of the midterms is clear: Moderation is best.
Lepore writes in The New Yorker that attempts to fight Trump on his debased terms will only strengthen him. We can not fight viciousness with viciousness. I hope the Dems heed that message.
For this one day, I have less heartburn, but there is so much work ahead of us to right a sinking ship. We have become two separate countries: Rural America, white, less educated vs. metropolitan and suburban America, more diverse, more educated. The religious right is extremely powerful and robust in red states. The left tends to be more secular. Dems must find common ground if we are to win in 2020, but for this one day, I express gratitude for what was achieved yesterday and that has to be enough for one day.
8
Gerrymandering; voter suppression; uncontrolled political spending; increased racial division; a once-independent Supreme Court and federal judiciary left increasingly in the hands of one political party; a federal deficit problem that Republicans are no longer willing to discuss, let alone mention; the infrastructure in tatters; environmental safeguards sacrificed to gain crude political advantages; the scapegoating of desperate migrant families; the joining of forces with dictators throughout the world
-- these are just a few of the things that Trump’s supporters enthusiastically endorsed yesterday.
G-d speed to Mrs. Pelosi in remedying a few of these outrages against common sense and decency.
G-d knows she will need it.
12
... the joining of forces with dictators throughout the world;
guns and more guns -- these are just a few of the things that Trump’s supporters enthusiastically endorsed yesterday.
3
We had a lot of down ballot victories here in North Texas. In the spirit of all politics is local, that's something to cheer.
145
I'm happy with the results of yesterday for the most part. It wasn't a blue wave, but I think in many ways that's a good thing. It shows that the democrats need a better strategy in combating Trump. I think that starts with a coherent, strong message. Until they have one a blue wave isn't deserved because this strategy won't work in 2020 going against the man himself.
Great progress especially for marginalized groups being represented, but a lot of work to do. A win here was to be expected regardless of who is in the white house. The fact that it's still Trump is a problem I feel the democrats don't yet have a solution for, but we still have a couple years.
4
Another thoughtful column, and one important takeaway is this:
"Too many Democrats still haven’t figured out the difference between talking to and talking down to Americans, and too many engage in a kind of oppression Olympics that turns off voters in the middle."
I understand "oppression Olympics" to refer at least in part to the politics of rage, which is certainly more of a liability than many Democrats seem to realize at this point.
As I write, the Times home page is displaying the headline "Unusually High Turnout Illustrates Intensity of Trump Backlash" over a teaser that begins, "Democrats harnessed voter fury...."
Being as anti-Trump as anyone can be, I don't particularly mind having the word "fury" associated with my voting behavior yesterday, but I like to think I've advanced to the more promising stage of steely determination. Many other people would probably like to be engaged on those terms, too.
Staying fully alive to the outrage that is the Trump era does not mean staying literally enraged. Venting is not winning. Winning in 2020 will begin with recognizing the nature of the task, which, if I may say so, is to offer our compatriots a clear prospect of waking from this degrading nightmare to a reign of sanity, decency, and competence. This is not about fastidious civility, but calm self-assurance.
Democratic politicians and activists will be throwing away a great asset if they fail to let themselves be recognized as the grown-ups in the political arena.
15
I can only hope that the Democrats can act responsibly and do the right thing: infrastructure, protecting the ACA and strengthening it, lowering the cost of prescription drugs, among others.
When the Mueller report comes out we'll see what happens. Get the tax returns? I would certainly like to see that.
12
I agree, and these are the reasons that we need Nancy Pelosi, a shrewd, seasoned politicians, as Speaker. She can set an agenda that will challenge Trump while keeping independents and moderate Democrats on board.
Remember - the goal is victory in 2020. That will take strategy, experience and an understanding of how power is acquired and held.
That means Pelosi.
11
@RCT
I disagree. Time for the old people to go.
1
@RCT...I agree but Pelosi should prepare younger representatives to replace her and should not run in 2020 when she will be 80 years old.
Trump finds his energy in fighting the opposition. Let's hope Democrats will take that into account every morning before going to their seat at the Chamber.
1
I wish I had confidence that the Democrats know how to fight Trump effectively. The Russia investigation will probably not yield anything damaging enough against Trump personally that will make Senate Republicans actually take steps to remove him from office - too much of the country sees the investigation as mostly serving partisan interests, and too much of the country has lost interest in Russia, and Trump's tax returns. Maybe I'm wrong and investigations will bear fruit, but I'm not going to hold my breath.
5
I don't know. I am not experiencing a sigh of relief. I am still pushing back on some anxiety. I was hoping for a Blue Tsunami last night, but what the country got was a Blue Ripple.
Sure, I am happy the Dems took back the House Majority, but the loss of the Senate seats in key states that further bolstered the Republican Majority in the Senate was very unsettling for this Democrat.
Still, this is a start. More troubling than anything else is that so many millions of Americans voted Republican, in many cases directly against their own self interests. That still remains a headscratcher for me.
20
It was a fluke that those seats were held by Democrats.
Anyone who thought Democrats would take the Senate were overly optimistic and/or not paying attention.
This penchant for seeing the glass as half empty is part of the problem. Let’s look ahead to a year when there ate Senate seats that are more realistic wins for Democrats.
1
@Len
> More troubling than anything else is that so many millions of Americans voted Republican, in many cases directly against their own self interests. That still remains a headscratcher for me.
It has been to me, too. I've hypothesized that to a significant amount of people feel that today's politics are way above their heads. Complicated issues need to be dealt with - eg. Climate Change, Terms of Trade imbalance - which even experts find hard to understand and that do not admit to clear insights, let alone solutions or ways to achieve them.
While some people readily take on the challenge and try to understand and act, others just don't feel up to it, or are too disinterested to try.
The latter, however, do understand the existence of these impenetrable issues. So they vote for somebody who they trust to be capable of tackling the issues and resolve them in their best interest. Whether that actually happens, they do not know (and many of them may feel that assessing the implemented policies in this regard would be beyond them), but they trust a nominally successful and ostensibly self-made businessman to get the job done - here comes Mr President.
While the reasoning may appear condescending, it's not meant to be. There are perfectly honorable reasons to adopt the sketched attitude, among them lack of funds for a decent education or too high a workload in order to make ends meet.
It's a purely theoretical train of thought, however.
I, and many others, cannot breath a sigh of relief. While we have not had a complete takeover of our country, too many voters are blinded still by Trump rhetoric and don't understand some simple tropes: United we stand, divided we fall. And there is that little matter of how closely we are patterning our nation's path to that of pre-war Germany. It started with a "Tea Party" who wanted the government to leave them alone...and were played by leaders who didn't remind them that Social Security and Medicaid, as well as the ACA (which they loved when it wasn't called Obamacare) are government programs. Wonder how they are going to feel when Mitch McConnell pushes forth the cuts to these programs and the issue winds up before a Supreme Court that is leaning so far Tight that it ought to be the eighth wonder of the world.
I believe the press, in an attempt to be "fair" has treated the abnormality of the Trump administration with kid gloves. They, and we have normalized his behavior, and the reporting has treated him much kinder than he has treated our democracy. There may be some balance with Blue House, but I suspect that is like putting a twig fence around a raging bull. I am 71, and I cry for the nation my grandchildren will be subject to.
30
The election results were a huge loss for the country and democratic party. While winning the House is good, losing the Senate is a horrendous loss. The cause of the loss is simple, red state senators who voted against Kavanaugh lost. Now for the next two years hundreds of right wing lawyers will be nominated and confirmed for the federal judiciary. Sorry, MItch McConnell outsmarted us again by holding the vote in October.
8
How is it a “tremendous loss” in the Senate? What important victories have Democrats had there? The states where Democrats lost Senate seats were at best slightly purple. Look ahead with hope instead of back with despair!
Now that the hurley-burley's done, and the battles lost and won, I wonder what is next for America. As an outside observer, elections in the US seem like never ending warfare. But what comes next? Isn't this a chance to actually get something done? With the current mix in the house and senate, there are opportunities to make some positive changes. Infrastructure and real healthcare come to mind. Or is it time to plan the next battle? Listening to post-election commentary, both sides are talking about 2020 and the next election, the next war. Focus on 2019 - get something done!
14
@Ray J Johnson Anything that costs money in terms of increasing the deficit is a non-starter except for keeping the lights on. A middle-class tax cut ? What will the Democrats have to give up? Probably too much. Same with infrastructure and healthcare.
Waves and their behavior are most often predictable. Due to winds, tides, and marine landforms, waves gradually build and then recede due to these same conditions over time.
A blue wave did arrive November 6th. The question is, is this blue wave a strengthening pattern or has it peaked, shrinking in impact and influence?
Those who enjoy blue waves have a purpose. Can they sustain their energy and outrage to further blow the blue wave into the 2020 Elections? Will the recently gained power by Democrats build foundations that strengthen the wave with structures such as living wages, a healthcare focus, better and more affirdabke education, and infrastructure for all Americans in Red and Blue States?
November 3, 2020 will come. We can and must work as hard and smarter as we have thus far, so that the size of the 2020 Blue Wave captures the Presidency and Senate.
6
The Democrat’s sigh of relief will be short-lived. We should all be happy that some noxious GOP governors are gone, but DeSantis (the “anti-elites” Ivy Leaguer) will make sure that Florida is again positioned to deny its citizens their votes in 2020, to the detriment of the nation. Bush v Gore round 2, anyone? Anybody want to take a bet on how long it takes to re-disenfranchise the felon voters? Ohio will increasingly become the bellweather state for voter suppression, much to the joy of the GOP. And Georgia will be even worse.
With the activist right wing judge machine positioned now to go into overdrive in the Senate, we can expect fewer and fewer decisions to oppose partisan voter suppression in the courts. And the Supreme Court will, no doubt, continue to show its leadership in the area of voting rights by saying there are none unless the various state legislatures grant them. I love it when SCOTUS claims to be avoiding politics by taking the most extreme political position possible on this issue by denying that voter suppression is an attack on the most fundamental civil right of all.
So, Democrats, let’s not make our sigh of relief last too long, like maybe until this morning. 2020 is already here. Trump will be on the ticket and his base will be with him no matter what amount of corruption and self-dealing the House uncovers. Expect major resistance to the House by Trump and the rest of the executive branch, and maybe SCOTUS opinions that curb Congress forever.
17
@Mike Iker There is hope: at its current rate of oceanic absorption, most of Florida will be under water in 2020 because, you know, no global warning happening here!
@Mike Iker. I'm less worried about Florida now. The citizens of Florida returned voting rights to persons with a Felony conviction, which by estimates given is as many as 1.4 million people. Presuming that Florida, like most Southern states, African Americans make up the majority, disproportional to the state's general population, and also presuming that they would tend to support Democrats, this is more than enough to shift the balance back and put an end to the voter suppression driven outcomes that gave us Bush in 2000.
Looking at the numbers alone, Democratic voters nationwide exceeded GOP votes by 3.9 million. The Senate is a joke. GOP gained up to 4 seats while being outvoted nationwide by nearly 12 million votes. The total margin of victory for three GOP seats was less than the number of votes that flipped Nevada. Governors races nationwide were close to evenly split.
The GOP has a lot to be concerned about in 2020 when the tide is turned and they will be on the defensive in a number of states where the demographics are going against them.
Only dirty tricks and voter suppression can save them from the inevitable, but then these are thing that the GOP knows all too well. Wait and see...
4
@Mike Iker The House of course should start investigating voter suppression and publish their results within a year.
1
The good news was that Democrats won the house . They will be a check on the President . The bad news was that a sizeable portion of Americans did not appreciate the mendacity of Trump when they voted for candidates that embraced him . They failed to understand that it is not a matter of red versus blue . They failed to understand that Trump is a danger to our democracy . People in many cases went back to their tribes as if these were normal times .
54
I feel okay this morning. I wish I felt even better (Beto inching sooo close...), but the Democratic gains in the House, as well as the infusion of some young, diverse blood into the party, deserve celebration.
There's much to parse in Mr. Bruni's piece, but right now all I want to do is congratulate Mikie Sherrill, my new, seat-flipping representative in the U.S. Congress.
29
Frank, we don't know why you are sighing in relief. It's more of the same gridlock. Even when Trump and Obama had their majorities in Congress, little was done to change what needs changing.
The needed changes lie with ourselves. Until we can agree on legislation that truly serves us and reduce unneeded spending so we can fund it, we will still have the sigh of gridlock.
The only good to come out of this divided nation is less unneeded spending.
2
@Lake Woebegoner
Gridlock is the best we could have hoped for. Even with House and Senate they would have been gridlock. Now the House is in Forward, while unfortunately the President and Senate are in reverse.
9
@WSB And if we all hang on long enough, the situation will be reversed.
With that said I hope you put your vote where you mouth is and voted Democrat.
Looking at the senate and house maps is interesting, and still disturbing. Taking back the house didn't fix the problem.
It seems that the places that are busy working to define the future are democratic. Blue seems to follow better schools, businesses and restaurants. Deliverance type towns seem to be red, but have too big of a voice and will continue to hold sway in elections.
But, if we put our money to reflect our values, we should be able to automate farming (even more than it is) and trucking, switch to solar pv and force these places to evolve since their way of life will not be economically viable. This will require education which will turn them blue.
Of course vote, but spend your money according to your values, and I think things will get better.
So don't fund hate. Of course, you will need to skip the white sheet cakes with vanilla frosting made by republican bakers, but try a Mexican tres leche cake instead. Meaning, buy American (values).
4
I was dismayed for the simple reason that I knew of at least three people -- one contractor and two gas company employees - who were unable to vote for the simple reason that they couldn't finish work in time to get to the polls before they closed.
I think voting would be infinitely fairer if we held elections on a national holiday -- say Veterans Day -- which also falls in November.
36
@EStone There are also so many problems with our current voting system that need fixing! We need a federal plan to have all votes be transparent, (with a paper trail record for instance), get rid of hackable voting machines, and then we also need to outlaw gerrymandering, and do away with Voter Suppression initiatives that Kris Kobach has implemented in numerous states, including Georgia. We also need to make it so that people can register to vote on the day of the vote, whenever necessary. The list goes on and on and I hope that our new representatives will make clear changes therein on behalf of having a true democracy. Oh, and let's not forget the electoral college--that needs to be overhauled entirely. It really needs to be a system in which every vote counts and the majority wins....
1
@EStone
Although Veterans' Day is no longer treated as a national holiday by many, if not most, business concerns.
Far better to have Election Day be it's own national holiday. And to allow voting by mail, etc.
2
@EStone
Election day is a state holiday in New Jersey, though most of the private sector ignores it.
Maybe it needs to be another 3 day weekend Federal Holiday? Then we can have Election Day Sales that are hyped for weeks in advance! Show that you've voted, get a 10% discount! Keep the polls opened late for those returning from their 3-day mini-vacation.
Alternatively, we could move it to the weekend, like many another civilized country.
"and wonder why more didn’t go Democrats’ way on Tuesday. "
I think one issue to look at is Guns. People love their guns, and a big theme of democrats was gun control. Look at Florida, where some of the worst massacres have happened, yet it went all the way red.
Like Mr. Bruni said, Democrats have to learn from this election. It's amazing that guns and immigration trump health care and decency, but that's the way it is in the red states of Trump's America.
13
"I also worry that House Democrats, flush with the newfound ability to torment a president who has earned it, will go too far"
Frank is always worried about that,
He would have told that to Rosa Parks. He would have told that those at Stonewall. He would have told that to the Jews of the Warsaw Ghetto.
And this is not even anywhere close to any of that. Accommodation, placating, an occasional squeak of resistance is about all Frank will go for.
14
And I see the so-called Democratic "Leadership" once again putting the brakes on great candidates and campaigns to retain their power. Yes, the House was taken back, but by a barely squeak-thru majority--at this point by 1 extra seat, with maybe 5 more coming. But in district after district, Dems fell short. The DCCC undermined exciting candidates, and the head, Cong. Lujan, talked about stuff nobody was interested in.
And, as usual, the Dems conceded seats they didn't have to concede, so the neo-nazi adjacent Steve King squeaked through. 5 Senate seats were lost--Nelson, Tester, Heitkamp, Donnelly, and McCaskill, but only one was picked up--Nevada. And in Arizona, McSally may just win because enough Green Party "Moral Progressives" wouldn't vote for a Democrat when they could have made a difference. When will they ever learn?
Two indicted Congressmen, who will almost certainly be convicted, won re-election. Where was the DNC?
But the worst is, the voter suppression efforts in red states across the nation WORKED! Only in Kansas, where Kobach is SO detested and years of Republican control have crushed that state's economy, did it fail.
It was not a great night, and Dems flipped a bunch of critical Governors' seats and the GOP flipped zero, and took the House...it could have been far, far worse.
Keep in mind: Trumpist hate & fear actually WON--because the House wasn't a landslide, the Senate LOST seats to him.
Will the DNC finally learn from this? I doubt it.
9
@Dadof2
You criticize Green Party voters for denying your candidate a win in Arizona.
I voted mainly Libertarian and Green with a few Dems.
Why not?
Our votes would not have gone to your candidate, as you assume.
3
Actually, the “exciting” candidate pretty much lost in hotly contested races.
Don’t try to push the center-left too far left, or they will withhold their support next time.
What was that?
OK Folks - Now it's Mueller time.....fasten your seatbelts.
14
We Won and it feels GREAT.
The WH occupant and his cult can now kiss their dream wall goodbye.
If we just pass strict gun control measure, lower prescription drugs obscene costs, and cement ACA as a constitutional right, that will be enough success on the marsh to 2020.
9
How do you think we'll get ANY of that through the Senate?? Both houses have to vote on a bill, you know.
Make America Sane Again. Thank you Democrat voters.
11
Any race Republicans won in a squeaker was probably stolen: either by criminals like Kemp in Georgia via voter suppression or gerrymandering, or by hacking and troll help from the GOP's Russian pals, who 8 Republican senators consulted with on July 4th in Moscow on their Treason Tour, which for reasons unknown received scant coverage in the media including the NY Times. Democrats in the House should find the guts to launch investigations into each of these elections, in addition to every other aspect of the gross and blatant criminality and treason of the Republican Party.
16
@Ignatz Farquad I am in firm agreement! I wonder how many others feel this way. There have been so many irregularities, (and examples of corruption), in states like Georgia, Texas and Florida....I do hope that investigations, alongside recounts, will ensue! (Computer voting machines should have been outlawed long ago, by the way!)
...and then lose in 2020.
After every ugly, despicable thing conservatives have said and done daily over the last two years, they actually GAINED Senate seats. This country has no soul.
31
@Kevin
The country has a soul, it's just that without reform it's dammed.
Maybe, now, we can begin the first steps to save democracy from authoritarians in our midst. Please!!!!!!!
And work, however and wherever we need to, to reverse gerrymandering. The changes in the numbers of Democratic governors should help that effort, given that the Census is coming up soon. This would mean that every vote will count.
Also on my wish list -- why don't we have, in the Constitution a provision that entitles you to vote? That we don't have this is an amazement to me, and appalling.
5
What does it say that a significant portion of America, mostly rural America but also a significant chunk of urban and suburban America, did vote for Trump's brand of incivility, racism, lying and bullying?
Regardless, the majority of Americans have spoken. Trump does not represent the majority of America and its values.
Good for America.
15
There is a lot to be hopeful for. In the marque races of O'Rourke Democrats and Americans have to figure out how to use the large numbers of progressive and forward-thinking candidates and their large numbers of votes into a victory at the polls. The well-to-do and the corporations who have gained so much in this administration have to determine what they have gained besides money. Bezos' decision to place his new HQs in Virginia and NYC is very telling. Our new world needs educated people, a lot of them. Poor pay and poor education for teachers will do nothing but makes things worse for the red parts of this country.
6
Bruni writes, “Too many Democrats still haven’t figured out the difference between talking to and talking down to Americans...” but I would argue that lying to Americans and pretending to represent the “commoners” when ones interests lies in ripping them off, to be more condescending and downright mean. Last night I watched Ohio Congressman and Republican Steve Chabot being interviewed on television after winning against Aftab Pureval. I have never seen Steve Chabot campaigning or talking to his constituents in his 20 years in Congress and I have lived in his district roughly the same amount of time. In other words I don’t see him talking to his constituents at all. Perhaps that’s safer than appearing to talk down to them. And no reporter asked him why he continue to support a totally unsuitable president of United States.
4
The Blue House win is a start, but It will take more than one "inoculation" to cure America of it's Trumpfection. Examining Trump's taxes and protecting Mueller's report will do the job.
The American democracy is at stake and that is why Assistant Attorney General Rod Rosenstein must IMMEDIATELY send Congress what ever parts of the Mueller report are ready. Tonight might be the last night that it may be possible.
Trump will fire Rosenstein and bury the evidence with the help of the GOP lame ducks.
5
Overcoming the gerrymandering in the House was a huge success for Democrats. Let's not forget that the deck was stacked against them.
The Senate field was also very difficult. Picking up Nevada and making AZ close tells me that caravan baiting boomeranged.
7
"It won’t humble Trump as thoroughly as he needs humbling."
Nothing humbles Trump. This is a man who has lied and bragged for fifty years - about his wealth, his brain power, his conquests of women, even the number of floors in Trump Tower.
But humbling Trump is not the point of the Democratic taking control of the House and baring losing many significant Senate seats and Governorships.
The point is to put competent women and men in positions of power - people who are not corrupt and not beholden to Trump - and who will not rubber stamp whatever he comes up with for the next two years.
5
Mr. Bruni: it's a temporary victory, and expected what with the constant drumbeat of anti-Trump hatred from the lefty media (*which is to say, "all media besides Fox News").
But LOOK AT THE MAP of the House votes. It's a wall of RED from...well, sea to shining sea. Even CALIFORNIA is 2/3rds Red. It's only the corrupt cities with their sanctuaries of illegally-voting illegal aliens and hard core lefty libs, which are blue. They are blue DOTS in a sea of red.
You are looking at Trump 2020.
4
@Concerned Citizen. Yeah,your "sea" of red is mostly wheat and corn fields, tumbleweeds, and mountains. The blue is where most people live and vote. I know, I know...and Trump's inaugural crowd was a "sea" much bigger than Obama's. FOX Noise bubble world. Next....
6
@Concerned Citizen
Switch to the cartogram view. Democrats control 42 of California's 53 seats.
6
@Tom
So exactly how much Wheat and Corn do they grow in all those big cities?
“Got food?” The Red States do!
The importance of yesterday is what it says about the difference that can be made by suburban voters - especially middle and upper class, educated white suburban women.
We voted against our families’ economic interests because we realized that that man could not continue to reign unchallenged. But don’t push too far left or you’ll lose enough of us to make a different “difference” in 2020.
I’m too dyed-in-the-wool to vote for a Republican. But I also see enough of my family’s income - earned by working for pay, not from investments or businesses that we own - going to taxes. When you add in what we pay for health care and retirement savings, it’s about HALF of our gross income. Put a candidate who wants to reach deeper into our pockets up next time and I’ll stay home. And that’s just as bad.
Maybe some day there will be a minority majority voting wave that reliably turns out and elects far left candidates. But until then, the Democrats need people like me to continue to vote against our own economic interests. Overreach, and the blue wave will crash onto some very red shores.
3
@JM How is voting against Republicans against your economic interests? You do realize that Trump's tax policies put even more money in the pockets of those who don't work for their profits and less in those who earn salaries. And did you know that the "tax cut" enacted by Trump and his henchmen hurts those in New Jersey even more because our high local taxes can no longer be deducted to the same extent on our Federal tax returns?
2
Taking the house was more of a relief then anything else. There will be no more "waves" in politics, unless one party is unable to bring out their voters. There are fewer and fewer undecided voters, people of both parties now vote in mid-term elections, and GOP/Dem voters now very rarely vote for the other party.
I agree that the Dems should not start with the hearings. The GOP certainly did that with the endless Benghazi and private server hearings. The new Dems were elected on a promise to govern, not become chess pieces in partisan politics.
1
One of the long term consequences of this is Americans are going to increasingly ask why states with tiny populations in the hundreds of thousands are allowed to legislate the destinies of states with tens of millions. Abortion is the issue that is going to open this particular Pandora's box.
13
Donald Trump didn't rise, fully formed, from nowhere. Thus too, his base has clearly been in the shadows, ready to believe his message of hate and intolerance.
So I don't find it odd in any way that the Democrats perhaps didn't win more decisively; this is a marathon, not a sprint. And we'll need to keep running and running hard.
36
The results of this election only confirm for me what 2016 did. This country is full of people who do not practice what they preach. Who are willing to accept in their leaders behavior they find repugnant. It has taught me to be more pragmatic, and not to look to politicians to be anything other than what they are. As long as my politicians continue to fight for my state, I don't care what happens in other states. In fact, I hope Trump voters get exactly what they wanted. Less abortion rights, more tariffs, more guns, less healthcare, etc. I am safe and snug in my state, with my leaders fighting to keep more of my money here. I won't spend any of my vacation money in a red state. I won't give to any organization that helps people in a red state. Blue states and cities are where the bulk of the money in this country is. Buh bye red America. I don't speak or understand your language. We don't live in the same country as far as I see it.
15
As a California Democrat, I am elated! Why?
The House is absolutely transformed. Issa - gone. Rohrabacher - gone. Nunes - no longer corrupting the House Intelligence Committee (in fact, may be the target of an investigation, if we are lucky).
Adam Schiff, who will lead the House Intelligence Committee, is a man of integrity. He will end corrupt attacks on our Intelligence services and ensure that the Meuller investigations are not suppressed.
Many great things happened in this election. Some may be down because Republican voter suppression (in full force in Florida and Georgia) and Republican gerrymandering (in a huge number of states, still!) provided some protection against the blue wave. I am not.
No one said this would be easy. One election was never likely to be enough - the Democrats were at a huge disadvantage in the senate this election. This is not a sprint, and never has been. It is tag-team distance running, with two year legs.
The rule of law is still under attack by Trump, every day. Mitch McConnell steals seats in the Judiciary, every week. The poor and disenfranchised are counting on us not to forget them.
So why am I elated? Because I feared that this might be our last chance to have anything like a fair election. Because, in spite of all the mendacity and corruption influencing this election, America said “Yes” to decency and “No” to the Republicans and turned the House Blue.
312
@Beyond Concerned I am delighted by the California turnout. Such good news! But then look at states like Georgia and Florida and Texas where we know corruption has taken place, most especially with voter suppression and/or computer anomalies, and or downright weird problems at the polls, like computers not working, or giving the opposite candidates the vote. All of this needs to be investigated, and recounts need to take place.
18
@Beyond Concerned
Thanks, I needed that!
6
Somehow Democrats need to avoid adding oxygen to Trumps rhetorical arson. Stop fanning the flames he sets to destroy us and start rebuilding the smoking ruins of his rampage. Trumps one true talent is his ability to scream fire and ignite both his base and opposition. Fighting fire with fire only spreads the blaze. Solve the problems that blue and red America need solved, healthcare, infrastructure, immigration reform, education, fair and balanced taxation. Only this will contain and eventually extinguish Trump’s inferno.
10
For me at least, these results are like kissing your sister. I'm very disappointed in the Georgia governor results (heavy voter suppression) and in both the senate and governor races in Florida. The fact that I have to look at Ted Cruz's face for another 6 years makes me sad. I believe the Kavanaugh fiasco hurt dems in the senate. I'm sure tRump looks at yesterday as a win. If I were him, I would feel the same way.
10
The Democrats should not waste 2 years going after Trump and his family's corruption, or impeachment. He is a sadistic clown who has been taken down. Democrats should focus on middle class tax cut, infrasturcture, confirm DACA, strengthen health care coverage, and measures that benefit DIRECTLY AMERICAN VOTERS. The Democrat governors must redistrict their state and stop the illegal gerrymandering. They must also reach out to educated whites and other minorities.
28
@Elizabeth Wong. None the things you're advocating will get through the GOP Senate. All we'll be able to do is expose the tRump crime family and send them on their way to prison.
2
The risk has only lowered slightly.
As I said, it is a simple head count, the Dems did ok in specific enclaves, but statewide they did poorly against a mad King. If Americans were the quality of people they claim to be they would have slaughtered the GOP last night. The Dems just don’t have the votes, 2016 and 2018 proves this. There will be the usaual talk from the Dems about demographics etc....future victories.....if not now when
It feudal times, the serfs had to put up with their master, now we approve of him by voting for him and his cronies.
This election tells me DJT is likely to win re-election
He can carry FL, OH, maybe PA. Good Dem candidates were beaten by ethically challenged people in several key statewide elections
5
Hey Frank i think you will find its not just the Democrats and America that had a sigh of relief, i think the vast majority of the planet did, but its not over yet...far from it.
12
Some sanity has been injected back into our political discourse. Two years of having a four year old at the wheel will do that.
4
Here in Vero Beach, I saw right away at the polls that the older whiter wealthier generation were coming in droves= never ever seen this before! - it felt as though their churches and HOA boards had subpoenaed them. They looked quietly driven. I suspect they voted for their present, not others future. They are the non rally Trump supporters, the quiet ones. the whitest and wealthiest and they like their money more than their fellow man. So depressing. But Mr. Bruni I will heed your words and celebrate the achievements we did see. A monster is not easy to slay in one day nor on first strike. The second - slower more planned strike will always be the one to actually take the monster down. 2020!
13
Bruni, for you, based upon your words, its so personal. And all about Trump. The elected House and Senate members must properly represent their districts and do what is right for our country. For many of us, its not about some folks hatred of Trump nor personal. It's about electing the best candidates. No blue wave despite Trump tells me the American people (other than NYC and Oregon) see better governance from Republicans.
You characterize Trump's "ugly" politics. Putting aside his absurd tweets and words, his policies make a lot of sense to many people - even if not all of his policies - as a whole. Obama governed imperfectly, and attacked the character and intentions of his political opponents. Rather than debating their policies, he attacked the people with differing views.
Trump's politics are not "ugly", though you experience them that way. Let's all take deep breaths, drop the anger, soften the outrage, and try to hear each other and begin civil dialogue.
4
@Joe yohka Are you actually being serious?
"Obama governed imperfectly, and attacked the character and intentions of his political opponents. Rather than debating their policies, he attacked the people with differing views."
All Trump does is attack, attack, attack. He wouldn't know policy if it punched him in the face.
5
We’ve seen how disruptive to democracy a one party system is. Voters have abandoned that approach and came to their senses.
3
Democratic Agenda: protect Mueller; protect/expand health care; build jobs with infrastructure; bring light to the truth about Trump. Get busy.
26
Lest we forget the upstate New York victory of Anthony Brindisi over Claudia Tenney who embraced Trump and his vile, mouthy ways like conjoined twins adhered at the tongue.
To not have to hear her nasty rhetoric will be most settling to the stomach.
This election is a start - and you have to start somewhere if you want to bring sanity back to America.
7
Maybe, but the Democrats are bad politicians and horrendous strategists. They should not be celebrating. What are they doing, is what I wonder -- and nothing much meaningful is the answer.
We have a dumpster fire president; some GOP candidates were dumpster fires of lies, willful ignorance, and utter incompetence -- see Kemp -- and SOMEHOW this weak party machine can't muster up a coherent narrative that can match ridiculous GOP fears about a dang caravan. Fight lies with FACTS; CALL LIARS LIARS; the only excuse I can come up with is that the democrats are too beholden to their corporate donors to make the efforts that would easily unite us. But, no. Bernie could have done it, but he didn't appeal to their socially liberal and not arsehole donors. I'm sighing, but it's not from relief.
2
@CHB. “Maybe, but the Democrats are bad politicians and horrendous strategists.“
And yet their candidates garner more votes nationally than Republicans in election after election.
7
Not good enough, America.
7
Considering the Dems had no message other than “We hate Trump”, they did pretty good.
5
@Average American Trump supporters have lost any right to ever again condemn hate for hate's sake and lying. You voted for the king of both. As for the Dem message, just because you didn't listen does not mean their message was nothing other than "We Hate Trump." Totally false and bogus claim, but then, that is what the Trump Cult wallows in, false claims.
9
Mr. Bruni, I'm afraid you forgot the out of control core at the bottom of the pile; Trump's guilt and his total inability to endure any of it's consequences. Everything he does, whether seemingly positive or negative, will be to drag the Democrats from the scent of his collusion and get them of his trail. His children know he's guilty, but as of yet they don't have to deal with the consequences either. That will be an added motivation for Trump to deflect. As long as Trump can keep the pile covered he'll be happy.
For those who judge America on the lack of a larger wave, note this: The popular vote for Democratic candidates was a far larger percentage than these results suggest. We don’t live in a democracy anymore. Gerrymandering and the takeover of rural, low-population states is what has given the GOP it’s false majority.
But Trump must be investigated, exposed and repudiated. He cannot be normalized. He must fall, and fall hard. And it can happen. In 1972-73, Nixon went from having the largest landslide victory in American history to resigning in disgrace. More recently, Cosby has gone from “America’s Dad” to spending the rest of his life behind bars. Trump, a constantly lying narcissistic sociopath who wouldn’t be able to be hired for a management position in any public company in America, is vulnerable, but only if the rule of law and the full exposure of his lies is brought to light.
8
Looking at all the red spread across the voting map, representing the cheering masses at donald's rallies, still fresh in memory, delusional in their admiration for a demonic narcissist tempers the results of yesterdays voting. There was success, but nothing to gloat over. The next two years could be worse then the last two. donald will certainly gloat over this election claiming victory in every possible way he can, as he prepares himself to an environment he relishes.
The repudiation of the last two years was not decisive and leaves much to ponder as to where we stand as a nation.
5
A sigh of relief ... not just for America but for the world.
7
Hopefully the Democrats will think of Americans first and then the rest of the world as any head of state should!
Liberalism notwithstanding, one cannot offer succor to the world's massive problems if your country is not working optimally.
Charity starts at home!!!
As us here in South Africa. Since Mandela, we have had a succession of lame duck presidents looking after themselves and their acolytes and not the country as a whole. We are as divided as ever - if not more so. Rainbow nation of Tutu and Madiba is now very polarised.
The Democrats need to understand the fears of the conservatives and win their hearts and mind - not brandish them as racists and simple minded scaremongers.
Trump may not be the best president the US has had, yet he (in my mind) was streets ahead of "dame" Hillary. Weak candidates all round. (all over the world).
2
@Andy O'Gorman
The problem is that the "fears of the conservatives" are based on lies that they have willfully determined are the truth, and many conservatives are more interested in holding absolute power than in governing the nation for the benefit of all its citizens. These are not good traits for effective leadership.
1
I'm cautiously relieved that the prostrate Republicans no longer have one-party rule, which they completely mishandled, but I still find it disheartening and very depressing that so many Americans voted for Trump's hate, bigotry, ugliness, that so many seem to revel in it, love it, and believe it should be he culture of this country. It gives me anxiety that so many not only don't repudiate a man who is technically unfit to be president and feed his megalomania and sick narcissism, but love him for the sole reason that he is so divisive and spews the language of hate they seem to need to hear to feel good. Ted Cruz over O'Rourke? seriously? Everyone in Congress, including republicans, loathe Cruz! What has happened to so much of our electorate?
11
@Virginia: Texas is on the Mexican border and has massive illegal immigration.
Beto was in favor of illegal immigration, open borders, amnesty and DACA.
The Trumpist Republicans now have a comfortable majority in the Senate. That gives them an easy path to pack the Courts with Federalist Society radicals that could be seated for decades with lifetime appointments.
The only encouraging things are that the US House controls taxation and spending and they can now investigate for proper oversight. Ms Pelosi can tell Trump he will never get a dime for his stupid wall or another round of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.
3
No wave, no tsunami, just a slightly below normal mid-term correction. After two years of hysterical behavior from the liberal media, not much. So we get more gridlock in D.C. Great.
4
That gridlock you decry will prevent the additional $100 Million tax cut Trump wants for the .1%, and disastrous legislation gutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, and repeal of the ACA protections.
Thank some Democrats today, we pulled back slightly from the brink.
7
The results in the senate races show that it is hard for white rural citizens to surrender white privilege. Some question the Democrats message, I question the voters. Too many people question climate change and want to live in a never existed past.
Read. Get educated.
7
@Duffy
Because Baltimore is a shining example of success after being run by Democrats for decades, LOL.
The Dems did get rid of a few seriously toxic governors. That's not nothing.
4
@rtj..Yeah, but DeSantis.
1
@Ken Erickson
There are a couple left still. But to lose Kobach, Walker, and Paul LePage is not small beer. And this is from one who voted for Republican Charlie Baker twice.
3
@Ken Erickson
And yeah, but Andy Cuomo. Even if he does paste a D after his name.
Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Election after election we vote for republicans and democrats and then wonder why nothing changes. Nothing will change. Republicans and democrats are different sides of the same coin. Both parties are controlled by the 1%. This is a fight between liberal elites and conservative elites. It’s a fight between gray and lighter gray. The only hope for the country is for the chaos to continue. Both parties are so damaged that out of the mess will come something new.
The real danger of tRump being elected is that it shows how so many people in this country have stopped believing in our government. They realize the government no longer works for them or cares about them. This is a government of the 1%, by the 1%, for the 1%.
I can only hope that Andrew Coumo is the Democrats candidate in 2020 going up against tRump. Two arrogant, narcissistic bullies going toe to toe. How much fun would that be to watch
1
Is everyone forgetting that those elected last night do not take office until January 2019? What can Trump get done in the next 7 weeks? Fire a lot of people, for instance, like. Sessions,Rosenstein,Mueller, Mattis, Kelly etc. .......and appoint anyone he wants who does not need senate confirmation.....maybe even a few who do. It didn't take 7 weeks to push an unfit supreme court judge onto the lifetime bench.
I will breathe a small sigh in January, if the next 2 months aren't filled with more of the same disaster as the last 2 years. I agree, his repudiation should have been much sharper than it is. 2020 doesn't look as good as I hoped nor is the country much safer from this wrecking ball as I had dreamed.
3
I'm tired of the lets not go too far to the left drumbeat. The moderate thing does not work in this frenzied bare knuckled fight. (See Obama's naivety that he could work with the Republicans getting crushed in the mid-terms) Instead of going into this opportunity worried about what we we say what we do, we use it as a toehold and do what's right and if that means investigate and prosecute the guilty then so be it, and at the same time we must finally find our own dynamic charismatic candidate who can smoother Trump's spew of lies. Sorry Clinton wasn't it and we paid dearly.
2
Frank says he hopes that Democrats learn the lesson of high-profile progressives losing. I'm assuming he means that they shouldn't run as progressives. You know, run the Republican-lite strategy of Heitkamp, Bredesen, McCaskill...oops.
Andrew Gillum nearly won in one of the most racist states in the U.S., against a candidate that built his campaign on race. Beto ran in one of the reddest states with almost no national party support while helping down-ballot Dems. How do you think Republican-lite would have faired in those races?
4
I am full of despair. Winning the house just gives the president a dog to kick whenever he feels like it.
Nunes won, Hunter won, Cruz won, Blackburn - the Trump train ran over us and there is no light at the end of the tunnel.
What this election showed me was that people, lots and lots of people, love the lying, the race baiting, the calling the press the enemy of the people. Lots and lots of people like an ugly partisan government that tears families apart, that builds walls, that is so full of hypocrisy it is mind-boggling.
No - there are no silver linings - just a more bitter and focused rending of the fabric of America.
I just want to vomit.
3
@lorri
We feel the same way..........
1
This is a great victory. We need to keep repeating that. Stop being so objective. Imagine if Trump was talking about it. This the greatest Democrat party victory, ever, in the history of the republic.
Now, let use the power to bring him to his knees. Do not give him an inch. He is a despicable human being and must be exposed as such. You have the power, use it. He would.
408
@Joseph Tierno
YES, YES,YES!
8
@Joseph Tierno
Think about it.
Nobody likes to hear someone say seriously that our own president is despicable .....But he is.
9
@Tony
Always polite, Versailles who lived WWII, was the first to bring up our midterm elections, adding quietly that he does seem a tiny bit odd.
I'm not sighing anything. If we learned anything from this election is that the South is still the South. From the time I got in line to the time I had my ballot in hand was no more than 10 minutes and the place was packed. My polling place is close by so I walked. Black people in the South waited for hours standing in line. Polling places are few and far between. They get thrown off of voter rolls. Their ballots get rejected for nothing. Nothing has changed. In fact, things are worse now that the Supreme Court let them off the hook.
We like to think that the South has changed with the influx of people who have moved there for jobs. No it hasn't. It's white party rule down there.
I am particularly concerned about the Georgia and Florida governor races. These races are too close to call. Are there a few boxes of mail-in votes sitting in a room somewhere that haven't been counted? Were just enough people turned away or just gave up because it was too difficult for them?
There is so much voter suppression in the deep south that when races are this close, one has to ask these questions. Both races should be audited and gone over with a fine tooth comb. The South is still the South.
34
@Bruce Rozenblit
Most of the Senate Seats you lost weren’t in the “South”! “Wake up and smell the roses”! A House “Majority” that can meet in a phone booth is a recipe for disaster when more Dems than the majority are running for President!
You have it now do something positive with it!
Hint: “Impeachment” isn’t positive!
@Bruce Rozenblit
As someone who lives in the south, you are painting with a very broad brush. I live in rural Alabama, with a 5 minute drive from my polling place. When I arrived there was no line and no wait. While I'm sure the scenario you painted is true in some parts of the south, I'm sure it's also true in other parts of the country.
Don't fall into the trap of assuming that beneficial aspects of living in high density population areas can be seamlessly implemented in low density population areas. Both styles of living have their benefits and detriments.
I hear quite a bit about the "racist voter suppression" in the south. There is still some racism in the south, but having traveled the country I can assure you that it exists pretty much everywhere else as well. However, it's my guess that most of the people who claim "racist voter suppression" have probably never set foot in the rural areas, let alone sought to understand the challenges and yes, benefits, of rural life. The mindsets, needs, and even some desires differ from those living in urban settings. Not better, not worse. just different. Until we stop seeing differences as being "wrong" or "evil" we will be stuck in this nonsensical acrimony which produces nothing fruitful.
If all the newly elected Democratic House members and Senators would ask for advice this morning, it would be to make contact with an experienced Congressional Dem in your region and go have lunch somewhere quiet, and just listen. Get seasoned advice and take it to heart.
Listen as to why you should not go to DC as Mr. or Ms. Deeds in January, but go with your idealism tempered with some honest realism. Don't snipe hunt after Donald or chase TV cameras. Stick with Pelosi as Leader - she is not perfect, but she is one of the most successful Leaders in our nation's history, right up there with the best of them. Learn from your committee chairs and make your questions count - don't grandstand.
And most importantly, choose a support staff that will treat your Republican constituents with as much respect as you do your Democratic donors and supporters. Keep track of the complaints and negative comments that come to your offices, and reach out to understand the opposition to a bill, or a decision you are considering. Have a sounding board back home that you trust. Ask for and accept conflicting opinions from your state's residents and be honest about your choices and direction in DC with state and local news media.
There is nothing more frustrating and maddening than to contact the GOP Senators and local Representative in this state and know that they have no interest in representing the Democratic residents of this extremely gerrymandered state.
11
One the one hand, I think Bruni is probably right that House Democrats need to be careful not to overuse their oversight powers in a way that creates sympathy for Trump or breeds confusion rather than clarity. On the other hand, there doesn't seem to be much question that Republicans successfully used Congressional investigations to damage Hillary Clinton. Of course, the Republicans had the advantage of a party media outlet (Fox) to amplify and repeat half-truths about those investigations.
5
Democrats better hit the ground running in January. Two years is not very long.
Democrats will be forced to be bipartisan because the Senate is Republican. But in the House, the Democrats should be as bipartisan as the Republicans have been.
No. 1 on the list is to enact/preserve legislation that will prevent insurers from jacking up rates or denying insurance because of preexisting conditions. That should get bipartisan support because Republicans said they supported it.
No 2 on the list should be making sure that junk insurance policies are not legal or, if they are, they are rated as junk.
No 3 Real Tax Reform
No 4 Address voter suppression and vote hacking.
Republicans in the Senate won’t go for much of the agenda. But they can then be shown as the craven, obstructionist Trump toadies that they are.
11
@Rita My No. 1 priority for the new House Democrats: keep a spotlight on the Trump administration's effort to distort the 2020 census for the political benefit of the Republican Party. At this point, Republicans are a minority party that wins by suppressing the vote and extreme partisan gerrymandering of House and state legislative districts. The census hands the Republicans one more way to game the districts.
3
Trump will spin the results as a victory but that was expected. The economy is doing well and he still couldn't keep control of the House of Representatives. The GOP held on to the Senate, but the Democrats had 10 more seats to defend and the GOP seats that were up for grabs were in deeply red states. Add to that, the Democrats flipped 7 Governorships to bring them much closer to parity. All in all, a good result for them. The important thing for them is to avoid going too far to the left and fall into the traps Trump will be setting for them.
8
@Vincent I keep hearing "the economy is doing well" We the US are living on borrowed money. How can anyone call that a good economy?
1
@Vincent I agree and in two years when there is an economic downturn I expect the Democrats to do even better. Even with the strong economy Democrats did well in the close Senate races. Also, this will give them a lot of momentum and hope going forward. Much of the collective fear and despair will now be expelled and replaced by more positive energy. It's not total victory but it is a major battle won.
2
The results of Tuesday's election shouldn't be minimized. One can only imagine what might have been if the house districts in a majority of states were not gerrymandered to favor Republicans. Exhibit A is Pennsylvania.
Forget all the hand wringing about reaching across the aisle. The Republicans do not respect anything less than brute strength. Along with millions of Americans, I want to know the truth about our guy in the Oval Office and his direct and indirect coziness with Russia. Plus, total and complete protection for Robert Mueller.
33
Definitely feeling easier to breath this morning.
It will be a fight going ton 2020: his "base" dug in, refusing - if the quotations published are representative - to look underneath his promises to them.
As for the assessment that:
"High-profile progressives, including Andrew Gillum in Florida and Beto O’Rourke in Texas, didn’t fulfill the dreams that so many Democrats had for them. There may well be a lesson for 2020 in that, and I’m not confident that the party will learn it."
What's the lessons?. They campaigned on what they represented, they captured attention and imagination and did far better than other Dems have done. Gillum was a whisker away: do you really think he should adopt some other persona? There are a certain number of voters he lost because of his skin color: that isn't a negotiable point. There is no policy that will change them.
Delgado's win in upstate NY proved that there is hope of change in hidebound areas -- but, as with Beto O'Rourke, on a smaller level, he had to get out there and show who he was to win.
There are areas where democrats have to pull in their many tentacles, and create some unified messages. On immigration - there has to be clarification that Democrats do support legal immigration, not a free for all, but want immigration reform that makes sense.
There's reason to hope.
23
@cheryl, Andrew Gillum in Florida and Beto O’Rourke in Texas certainly did fulfill the dream and inspired many new voters and long time Democratic voters like me. I see the problem as scare tactics, gerrymandering, voter suppression by the republicans that was so evident this election. Also the penchant Trump supporters have for not caring about his lies or his hateful demonization of anyone critical of him. He makes things up and the supporters love it. It's crazy, but this is where we are.
Something of far greater importance happened last night. Our democracy proved it is still potent and alive, battered, abused, wounded though it may be. As a nation our most important task now is come to grips with how perilously close voter suppression and gerrymandering have pushed us to the edge of the fall into oligarchic one party rule by a structurally entrenched minority. The electorate has been rigged but there is life in the republic yet. The most critical thing to do now is not charge into impeachment of a rotten and corrupt presidency, but ensure citizens are not tossed off voting rolls, prevented from casting ballots at the polls, and outlawing data driven cherry picked congressional districts.Our votes still count. Not as much as some others in the country, but they still matter. Unthinkable, unimaginable is the day when a majority of Americans start to think voting is a useless ritual to paint a veneer of respectability on a despotic government cabal.
95
@Homer D'Uberville
Democrats can only work with Democrats.
Democrats are hatefull threatening...
Nanci P.
Distasteful politiics.
Democrats & Republicans
Are like the Hatfields and McCoys.
@Homer D'Uberville
"Our votes still count."
I hope you're right. You have good suggestions. Still, there are many close races from yesterday being decided by a margin of less than 1%. How do we really know what happened with these electronic voting machines? They're not transparent at all. We're not out of the woods with that for future elections, not by a long shot. (And we can strive for better than a 40-45% turnout for midterms, too.)
9
@Homer D'Uberville, top of my list is to deal with the corrupting influence of money in our political process. Everything else would fall into line, IMO, if we can just accomplish that one thing.
4
I think you're stretching to find good news. There has been no "comeuppance" from DJT. His candidates won, most likely precisely because of his support. I've no doubt Mark Harris narrow win in the NC 9th District against a moderate Democrat is due to Trump's last minute appearance at a standing-room rally in Charlotte. Cruz in TX probably also benefited from the Trump rally -- suggesting his appeal is very strong amongst a large bloc of voters.
The election demonstrates the solid strength of Trump's base and the weakness and fragmentation of the democrats' counter-arguments. Trump campaigned in easy-to-understand bullet points. His injection of fear in the closing weeks sealed his arguments in the minds of some who might have wavered in their support for Trumpism.
The only message Democrats should take from this election is that we, as a party, have not learned how to counter Trump's campaign style. If lessons aren't learned, we face a dismal result in 2020.
13
@LD
The comeuppance will be independent, and unbiased--it will be Mueller.
2
@LD Totally agree. Not much to celebrate here. The fact that the GOP still holds the senate despite the past two years is very disappointing. I can’t understand it. Leaving the US was the right call for me. Good luck.
@LD I kind of agree. I am not breathing a sigh of relief that's for sure. But I know it could be so much worse . I do see it as an opportunity and see even more clearly that we are actually in a civil war with guns only used occasional and randomly by psychotics so far. But this is a culture war that had been nurtured and passed on through the generations since the 60s and thus I do take solace that the Dems rallied hard in a ridiculously red state like Texas and suspiciously voter fraud potential hot spots like Fla (remember the chads) and Georgia. So it's a brawl and we must produce our own dynamic Presidential Candidate. It's going to come down to that. Someone who can use wit and wisdom and some empathy to counter the lies and the hate coming out of Trump's mouth.
1
As a conservative, I'm happy with the result. One, I think that Trump does need a little humbling. This hopefully will help him realize and formulate the work and message that he needs to adopt to win the suburbs. Second, the Democrats need to be able to have more power. It will provide them a choice if they want to put that energy into investigating Trump or passing new legislation. The easy solution is just to investigate Trump, but that maybe perilous for Democratic hopes of capturing the White House in 2020. While working with Trump on issues like healthcare and pharma may take away the Democrat's best subject within the 2018 midterm election. Third, the PC moral conceit of the left will not win in 2020. Nothing infuriates the conservative base and many independents more than the PC crowd. No more than Trump can control his Twitter feed, the left can't control their desire to demonize their opposition and feed their own self righteousness.
10
@Pat
Have always been interested in what constitutes the "PC crowd." If you define "PC" as being civil, polite, and decent, then count me in as a member of that crowd.
5
@Pat
Hard to imagine anyone can accuse the left of demonizing their opposition when the demonizer-in-chief wears that badge proudly.
He has lost the suburbs, and he is not getting them back, not even if he attempts to play "nicely" with others. He and the GOP would have to totally revamp and reinvent themselves as a political party that has ethics and morality, and inclusiveness. Trump-Publicans would also have to face the deficit they made with tax reductions and increased military spending. Say goodbye to college educated, white women, we aren't coming back to the GOP.
3
@Pat the good thing is that with some self control the Dems don't have sink into self righteousness they merely have to use the fodder of lies and deceit and corruption that Trump has arrogantly provided.
2
"I also worry that House Democrats . . . will go too far." You and me both. Even as Democrats begin to sharpen their knives, they should step back and see a bigger picture. They need to reframe the story of American politics generally, beyond setting policy agendas and subpoenaing President Trump's tax records (as important as those goals are). It's a story about integrity in government, and about working with and listening to the constituencies that form part of Trump's base. To begin, although I appreciate Ms. Pelosi's service to our nation, she should step aside as Speaker as soon as she can, and help bring a new generation of Democrats into power.
Last night was a hopeful corrective, even if it wasn't the strong rebuke of Trumpian politics many of us hoped for. But Democrats would do well to plan for 2020 by not going too far too fast in the short-term.
5
@jrinsc
Going too far to you all means proposing things most Americans support.
4
If this is a story about integrity in government, as you suggest, then subpoenaing President Trump's tax records would seem to be rather high on the Democrats' to-do list going forward.
5
And Trump will spin the election results with the win in the senate. The country is still greatly divided and Trumps’s message of hate resonated with so many. Can the Democrats work on both sides of the aisle to accomplish a different direction for the country? I am encouraged by the results of some of the governors races, and the election of younger candidates and more women. Hopefully we will see a change but it saddens me to see how many still buy into Trump’s view of the country, instilling fear and hate. I listen to his rhetoric and I cringe. The winning back the house is a start but we have a long way to go.
9
Sorry to disagree Mr. Bruni. Our fellow citizens showed me way too little yesterday.
I think it is good news that the Democrats have seeded some very capable young men and women in the House. Also more Dem governors give one some hope.
But way too little courage and decency shown by our fellow citizens.
Two races far apart geographically and in states that barely resemble the same country illustrate what I see as great problems with our country and culture.
Heidi Heitkamp did/does represent ND well - straight talker, courage to vote no on SCOTUS, better than average for support of Native Americans. Never-the-less the Trump machine, a middling at best candidate and the excruciating racism and the neglect Native Americans are shown win out. Let's not even mention evangelicals.
The Florida Governor's race shows our countries core racist rot in full technicolor.
Without any Dem national leadership we will see two more years of Trump's bulldozer and oligarchical greed run rampant. And all the while leading Dems will be busy positioning themselves for a Presidential run. And these Dems, after all just a very slightly better group of egocentric and feckless politicians, will have read the playbook and not stand up for our 'once-upon-a-time' values.
It is the end of the American era of hope that we could become a country of community, compassion and love. Could have been/should have been but fear and greed have won the day. Shame on us all !
24
The Senate, like the Electoral College, is skewed rural. I am just happy that there will be some checks and that Kobach lost. Kobach, as secretary of state, worked for years to suppress Democrat voters in Kansas. His evil scheme failed. Despite the horrors of Trump, there is some good left in the country.
21
One party rule can be ugly in America as elsewhere. Thank god it was broken up last night for now. We needed a break.
11
"I also worry that House Democrats ... will go too far ... But let’s save all of that for other columns."
I'll help.
When Obama pushed for a much greater stimulus after 2008, the GOP stymied him. They did this out of spite, perhaps with some added racism, because they wanted him to be a one-term president. The country suffered.
When mass shootings occurred -- children being gunned down in their schools -- did the GOP work with Obama to tighten regulations on guns and ammunition? No, they catered to their NRA donors. The country suffered and continues to suffer.
When Trump and the GOP gained full control of the government two years ago, they gave massive tax cuts to themselves and their wealthy donors, claiming the cuts would pay for themselves. Now they tell us that they will not pay for themselves. We will have to gut Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid instead. The country will suffer for it.
The GOP tried to rescind the ACA, which would have cut tens of millions off from health insurance. Our public education is being eviscerated. No new major infrastructure projects have been proposed. We suffer for it.
Trump has thrown away the Paris Accord, the Iran deal, and the INF Treaty. Our allies are confounded. America and the world suffer for all of it.
Each time Republicans have put their pettiness and greed above the needs of their country, the needs of the rest of us. Trump and his GOP cronies? They have taken enough for themselves. We owe them absolutely nothing.
247
If Democrats are wise, they will use their new found leverage to reach out to Republicans and find common ground. If Republicans are wise, they will ignore the White (House) noise and listen. In good faith. And that is how we get back on the path to Democracy.
Let us hope that wisdom will rule the day.
12
@Drew Republicans wise? Not hardly.
Oh let me correct. They were wise all during the Obama years, stopping everything he did.
You really think they will change?
7
@Drew That would indeed be nice, but with the current senate leader, that's a very long shot.
4
@Jon
To both gentlemen, let us hope. The alternative is unacceptable.
1
The Dems do not know how to win. Come on, if the Republicans had taken back the House after 8 years, they would be out there running victory laps and talking nonstop about their great comeback. Instead I hear Van Jones on CNN talking about how "heartbroken" he is because there wasn't exactly a "blue wave". I hear more about how disappointed they are in what they didn't win than in what they did win. And they did win big - they regained the House. It's a step and a good one. They may not have gotten the total repudiation of Trump that most of us would have liked, but it didn't turn out to be the fuzzy warm embrace that Trump was hoping for either. The Dems won the House and had some other meaningful wins. They need to celebrate those and stop behaving like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh.
19
Van Jones made that “heartbroken” comment at about 8:30 last night.
By the end of the evening, he was pretty giddy. Sad about Florida and Georgia, but far from “heartbroken.”
3
If there is one thought to grab onto in this election's results, it is this:
We must all push back against bigotry. All forms of it. All forms of racism. All forms of women-bashing. All forms of white supremacism. All forms of male supremacism. All forms of religious supremacism (and that includes atheists who look down at everyone else, and all too often indulge in gutter-level arguments, instead of focusing on the overriding truth that we all need each other).
We need to understand once and for all that rampant applause for criminality amounts to an endorsement of barbarism.
If you are lucky enough not to have ever been sexually assaulted, don't be so sure it won't ever happen to someone you love.
Unless we rally around the basic truth that Humanity is Fragile and therefore endangered by every form of brutality, we are all going to get picked off by the thugs around us, one by one.
11
To me the picture looks a lot different from that painted by Mr. Bruni.
* Voter suppression won
* Lies and demagoguery won
* Campaigning in good faith mostly lost
* Hatred won
* Quite likely, unless Mr. Trump is primaried by another Republican, he will likely be re-elected in 2020
While it is indeed pleasing to see the Democrats win some races that were just a year ago thought to be impossible, it is just too hard to ignore the fact that many Americans are still willing to believe demonstrable lies.
29
The women were not kidding when they marched last January.They marched and then they ran for office and won.Over a hundred women are now in the House.They believe in truth and good behavior- they also hate to be bullied and disparaged.Trump faces a new reality- women have found their voices and he will be hearing from them!
18
No serious person doubts that Donald Trump is mentally unstable, is fixated on his own personal interests to the exclusion of the interests of the country, is a chronic and pathological liar and is in thrall to Putin for reasons that are currently under active investigation.
Or doubts that he was a draft dodger, cheats on his taxes, has engaged in many criminal business practices, treats women as playthings, harbors deep racial and religious prejudices and has no knowledge or interest in learning the actual workings of government.
Those who deny this are deluding themselves or are so desperate for change that they are willing to tolerate the presence of a deeply flawed and failing man in the highest office in the land on the off-chance that he may somehow do them and the country some good; notwithstanding the enormous damage he has already done to the country.
How do we get rid of him now? By continuing to challenge in every venue available to us the the idea that he has ever been anything but a snake oil salesman and a crook. And by letting Trump be Trump. The evidence is all around us now that his ship is sinking fast. The Titantic has hit an iceberg. Mueller is after him. Though I do not think it will be easy, I expect to see him and many of the passengers on board his ship disappearing under the waves before the year is over.
That music we are hearing in the background this morning are the opening strains of Nearer My G-d To Thee.
25
"It won’t humble Trump as thoroughly as he needs humbling.
Trump and humble appearing in the same sentence, twice in this case, is a joke. In Trump's world, any success is because of Trump, and any failure is because of someone else. Its a classic case of "heads I win, tails you lose."
4
The Blue Wave did not happen. That is a good thing.
12
No it's not a good thing for you, especially since you live in one of those states that the Republicans have targeted for punishment with their bogus tax cut.
But go out and thank Democrats today, because you'll still have health insurance in a year or two, as opposed to being bankrupted by any serious illness.
You're welcome.
113
@Olivia It is a sad testament to your embrace of Donald Trump and his hate-filled message that you are happy with the results. Two R reps who won are currently under criminal charges. Brian Kemp and Ron DeSantis ran a campaign of racism. Trump is already threatening the House members. I wonder how it must feel to have so little decency and common sense.
89
Agreed. All the talk about how despicable Trump is, and how terrible for the country. . .it's nice to see the voters saw through that garbage. The increasingly radical left didn't even manage to negate the impact of the 2010 midterms, let alone experience a "blue wave".
2
"For America -- a Sigh of Relief" will be when there is a definitive conclusion to the Mueller inquiry and actual penalties to all those that were involved in the conspiracy to defraud the American electorate and that continue to hold onto power.
Not before...
21
This is a big and little win with bigger challenges for Dems. It will not come easy. Dems have not won control of slanted media outlets like Fox News, with obviously partisans like Hannity who will whine and complain about free milk for babies. Mitch "One Term President" McConnell is still at the helm in the Senate. When is he up for re-election? Too many people still like what Trump has been selling, and converting that crowd with ethical, effective legislation is critical. Lets see what Dems can do in states and towns. Lets see how Dems can win the hearts and minds of North and South Dakota. Lets see how Dems can help rebuild Puerto Rico. Lets see how Dems can restore voting rights. Lets see how Dems rebuild New York for the middle class. The mythical "congestion pricing" proposed for New York City is no longer impeded by Republican gridlock. Hold the celebration. Start working.
8
I would only add that the 63 seat “tsunami” that happened to Obama in 2010 occurred during the dregs of the worst recession in 70 years, with an administration arguably still in triage mode. Trump was handed the reins to a robust economy on the upswing and still managed to lose the House.
214
"For America -- a Sigh of Relief", your post Mid-terms column, Frank, has cheered us up a little after last night's debacles for some Democratic candidates for Senate, House and Governorships. Feeling blue this morning about Florida's and Texas's excellent vanquished candidates. Feeling red about Trump's victorious candidates. And wondering if the Democrats really got what America needed? Chaos, insanity and crisis will continue to stain Trump's presidency. It'll take far more than the Mid-Term House wins to humble Trump. Today, we are remembering that a sigh is just a sigh, and the fundamental things of life apply. The proof of the pudding -- as time goes by -- lies ahead.
114
Think of yesterday’s results as helping to set up for 2020. We are in a hole so deep that it will take multiple efforts to dig us out.
But at least this is in the right direction.
57
@Nan Socolow
I would be heartened by the narrow gaps in Florida gubernatorial ( under 1%) and in scarlet red Texas, less than 3%.... Neither are mandates. The groundwork is laid for the next 10 years of elections with these two young and personable candidates.
Also look to The Redemption of the Blue Wall.....governorships in Michigan, Wisconsin and PA.....all by double digits margins. A thumping indeed.
16
@Nan Socolow
Actually things will go much better in 2020 than if there had been a tidal "blue wave." It is always better for the country when politics do not take an abrupt 180 turn - like in 2016. All the down ballot wins are as important as the governors' races and the Senate. Slow and steady wins the day.
7
A sigh of relief for the rest of the world, too.
12
@Risto Teerilahti They are still digging a deep hole, maybe just a little bit slower.
1
Time to be careful. This may result in another six years of the Don.
4
@Awake, NO, it's time to be be ruthless. Ruthless wins just ask the Republicans.
2
The worst president in American history, by far, and by any measure, and his party increases its hold on the Senate and just barely loses its House majority. In a mid-term after this president's first election to office (which historically favors the president's opposition). I am even more disppointed in Americans and less hopeful for the future of America than I was yesterday.
9
@Mark Nuckols
Have faith. Trump, lost the House, that's big and wonderful news. Let's understand that his loss was due to who he is and how he functions. Yes, 45 lost in a very big way. With his help, this country elected 100 women who ran on a promise to take him to task. That's a promise the women of American intend to keep. Have faith.
12
@Mark Nuckols
Yes, a good day for hacker- operatives in the GRU and FSB. Keep up the good work, Comrad oligarch Trump will continue to neuter your FBI counter parts. Keep America Great Again.
3
Now Trump can blame problems on the Democratic control of the house. 2020 now a huge problem and can easily see it going all Red again. Until Democrats can find a way to SHOW many Trump supporters that they're actually voting against their self interests and not for them with Trump and his ilk, the country goes down to defeat.
5
@Andy Miller
Maybe by thinking of Americans first and then the rest of the world as any head of state should!
One cannot offer succor to the world's massive problems if your country is not working optimally.
As us here in South Africa. Since Mandela, we have had a succession of lame duck presidents looking after themselves and their acolytes and not the country as a whole. We are as divided as ever - if not more so. Rainbow nation of Tutu and Madiba is now very polarised.
The Democrats need to understand the fears of the conservatives and win their hearts and mind - not brandish them as racists and simple minded scaremongers.
Trump may not be the best president the US has had, yet he (in my mind) was streets ahead of "dame" Hillary. Weak candidates all round. (all over the world).
Trump has shown that a racist campaign still works in certain parts of America. BUT! His win in the Senate may do his party more harm than good in 2020. Losing by such narrow margins in Texas,Ga and Florida should inspire The Left to work harder next time. Trump threw every thing but the kitchen sink and barely succeeded.The Dem's may have lost the battles they had the most passion for but they should remember Rome wasn't built in a Day.Trump lost in the suburbs where The Right used to run the table. Eight years of Obama being the punching bag for The Right is not reversed in one election. If I was a young person who voted in Texas, Florida or Ga, I would be so peeved at my friends who did not vote I would drag them to the polls in 2020.
26
What gives me no comfort is the number of Americans enthusiastically supporting climate denial, the destruction of the western alliance, and the blatant corruption of the Trump regime.
131
@Harvey Not to mention wanton cruelty to children and to asylum-seeking families.
23
@Denny: it is NOT CRUEL to deny entry to the US to illegal alien criminals who want to steal our jobs.
The children they DRAGGED through the desert, risking their lives -- kids who often were not THEIR OWN -- are in safe custody, with schools and medical care.
2
@Concerned Citizen
I understand your concern, but to be fair, I don't think that Denny was referring to illegal aliens. I assume Denny's referring to refugees who are heading to the US to seek safety and refuge as so many other legal immigrants have done throughout our history.
16
"You can't always get what you want
But if you try sometimes you just might find
You get what you need"
The election results were not a this-stops-now repudiation of Trump and his party's racism, xenophobia, and corruption.
But I take comfort that the House Intelligence Committee, Judiciary Committee, and Ways and Means will be chaired by pro-democracy Trump constraining Democrats.
Perhaps Representatives Schiff, Nadler, and Neal will go to bed humming another song written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger:
"Under My Thumb"
7
If Trump is still around to run in 2020, and he wins, it will be the death knell for the US; any young person who isn't seriously looking to move out of the country by then, should be.
7
"I wanted a sweeping repudiation of President Trump’s ugly politics, an undeniable statement that this country is bigger than his smallness and brighter than his darkness."........
"He’ll note — or others in his party will — that Democrats didn’t fare as well in these midterms as Republicans did two years into Barack Obama’s presidency, when they picked up 63 House seats. Now that’s a tsunami."
So after all is said and done, after two years of thousands of anti-Trump op-eds in the NYT and other newspapers, the Democrats, as of the time I am typing gained 26 seats in the House, giving them control, but not by much and still no control in the Senate, what is there to breath a sigh of relief for?
What would Mr. Trump have to do to bring about that Democratic surge or tsunami that they hoped for?
What the Democrats got was basically a standoff and a stalemate, reflecting the situation in US society.
What Mr. Trump got was a convenient target and punching bag for the next two years and he will make great use of it.
6
@Joshua Schwartz: the Dems kneecapped THEMSELVES with their relentless support of illegal immigration.
4
@Concerned Citizen: Democrats don't support illegal immigration. The fact that Trump says so doesn't make it true. He's the world's worst liar and the most dishonest president in US history.
Trump exploits the envy and resentment of people who need to find someone to blame for their own failures.
9
@Concerned Citizen, stop repeating the lies of the hate and fear monger. Democrats don't support illegal immigration and want to fix the system. Repubs won't fix it because they can use it politically.
1
Any competent politician, whether saint or scoundrel, knows they have to make promises. It's left to the voters to decide if they will ever live up to their commitments. The Democratic leadership is still the same corporatist clique who refuses to make promises because they know that any truly progressive agenda will cost their big donors a few bucks. They are as beholden as the GOP is to the Kochs. Schumer and Pelosi banked on anti-Trump fervor to carry them over the line, without sticking their necks out on any funding-intensive issue. The absurd thing is that they could have promised the world, knowing they would be unable to follow through under the current state of affairs, but at least presenting a vision. Still, "Why take that chance?" I guess they reasoned. That stinginess in thought and deed won't work in 2020, so the gerontocracy better start scrambling and listen to some of those new Congresspeople who actually do have ideas.
6
Until we address the destructive effects of Citizens United nothing else really matters. Congress spends half its time going across the street to dial for dollars and the other half of its time listening to big money lobbyists plead their cases while they stuff money into Congress's pockets. Where is the Democratic leadership on this issue? Wake up people!
18
@Rick - Where is the Democratic leadership on this issue?
Hillary Clinton brought this up several times during the campaign, she was fighting to end Citizen's United. We almost had the McCain/Feingold bill for Campaign Finance Reform passed, until the republicans killed it. This midterm election brought out millions more voters on both sides. Trouble with Democrats is they don't come out and vote, fervently, with the same passion that republicans do. Listening to the Trump hate train was enough to get me out to vote and reach into my pocketbook. But I always vote.
I share the moment with Mr. Bruni that we should feel relief, but there’s more than trouble ahead.
The past two years have replaced dog whistles with the plain language of racism and misogyny—so the rich to wage class war against the rest of us. Not content to live comfortably in a society based on the common welfare, the monied class candidates are rewriting the social compact to make the people mere day laborers.
Trump is the apotheosis of the social and political war. He’s the pure warrior from above who seeks domination over the weak—in his mind—dark skinned people and women. He’s the atavistic, white alpha male.
While the Democrats now have a political foothold, Trump, the GOP, and the monied forces buoying them will continue to replace judges schooled in the Federalist Society’s dark arts. They will continue to have the Fox propaganda machine and the willing attention of the real news media by virtue of being in office. Presidents can command attention.
2020 is now our next destination. Democrats will fight the racism but can only hope for a tie. Obama had the unfortunate effect of making racism acceptable for some—with Trump’s help. The suitable response is build on what this election started. Electing women to fight the misogyny.
Rather than a distant minority group, women live in every household. Now women have much more power in the House. They must lead us out of the darkness.
10
A (cautious) sigh of relief also for the world watching . It seems something like sanity is coming back to the US . And even if this a difficult battle and not of wave , I feel grateful and thank all those who have fought , who have not despaired in these dangerous times for all democraties. And, as a woman, I’m particularly proud and inspired by all these women who, from January 17 decided they were not having their country and its core values disfigured. They truly represent the American spirit .
5
I certainly admire your spirit, Frank, but I cannot agree. After two years of a transparent lunatic in the Oval Office we had one chance to deliver that fundamental repudiation which was required. We failed.
I do not believe that half a loaf will suffice in this unprecedented American crisis.
I personally have an option available to few Americans: through a family connection I can go live in a free and a sane country. This will obviously not save me or my family from the inevitability of climate change or the daily threat of a nuclear exchange represented by Donald Trump. But at least I will not have to wake up every morning facing the fact that he is my President.
11
Look past the win-lose result and look at the numbers.
After two years of disastrous misrule by Trump and the GOP, a significant portion of the population is sufficiently brainwashed, sufficiently bigoted, or both, to still hang onto their party.
It should have been a rout against the GOP. But in dumbed down America, one can never count on a victory for rationality.
12
@Jerry Engelbachj
Thanks, Jerry....Sometimes the sanest reaction to an insane situation....is Insanity.
2
My takeaway is this: Obamacare lives and coverage for pre-existing conditions stays. It was a joyous night.
3
Chuck Schumer is a very disappointed Senator this morning because he's still stuck as Senate Minority Leader for another 2 long years.
While I'm glad that the Democrats regained control of the House the Senate is where the real power lies. I'm breathing a sigh of relief because maybe Democrats have finally rediscovered their spine. Baby steps, folks, baby steps. Enjoy the little victories where you can get them.
3
validated and vindicated - and victimized
wait for it
1
The mid-term election results show that both sides worked hard to energize their base and that the key to Democrats success in the 2020 Presidential race is to have a strong, likable candidate who can take on Trump and match the zeal and passion that he stirs up with Republicans.
A long drawn out bloody Democratic Presidential Primary will weaken any chance of beating Trump.
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It worked for Trump (the bloody primary)
7
@Don P. Not just likable, but moderate. Sanders is likable enough, but swing voters folks are not going to buy into his progressive message.
They need a Joe Biden, but 20 years younger.
I know a lot of GOP leaning voters that would vote for a moderate Dem president over a 2nd term of Trump. I know a lot that would have voted for a more moderate Dem senator over Cruz.
4
@Marvin sanders is still not a Democrat. Check out the congressional roles to see that, as always, he lists himself as an Independent.
2
I hope Mr. Bruni does a deeper analysis on the impact of the Democrats having gained 7 Governorships as of this writing. Repbulican control of the State executive branches (and therefore control of redistricting/gerrymandering) has played a great role in GOP control of the Congress in recent elections. I hope this yields good results in subsequent Congressional elections.
As for the photo that accompanies the article, the double fisted guy is a man after my own heart :)
7
Although the national races claim the most viewership and following, it is the down ballot state races that will have the biggest impact on citizens.
The wins in the governors' mansion and as we await the makeup of state houses, will have more to say about the direction of politics into 2020 and beyond to 2030. The governors have a big stick in redistricting which may help even the playing field. Regardless of the party in control, it is time to end gerrymandering. It helps the party but leaves citizens and the USA more out in the cold
7
The house victory by Democrats is for the the party. Now the Democratic party needs to step up and work with the Republican Party as they too must reach across the aisle, to work for "we the people." to get bipartisan bills passed. If not we will have 2 years of rotten politics and we the people lose. Both parties forget quickly why they are in office, the votes are what put them in office, they both must do the right thing and step up - or otherwise we all lose.
2
@Realist How does the Democratic Party come together with what used to be the GOP but is not the party of Trump? How can they 'kumbaya' with a group that endorses the 'kidnapping of children from their parents and tossing them in cages'? How does anyone deal with a mob who are so base, willfully-ignorant, mean-spirited and hate-filled? America will not 'heal' until Trump is gone.
4
Mr. Bruni is taking the half-full approach to this election and certainly there were some good gains, particularly among women and minorities. However, I shall take the half-empty view. The blue tide never fully materialized. Yes, there was a respectable surge, but Trump's message of division, fear and hate won the day with many voters. The country is further divided with the southern and central states firmly in the red and the northeast, western coast and pockets of the midwest standing blue. Rural versus urban you might say.
Trump will trumpet this as a win for him, and he is right as his message stemmed the tide. It is hard to fight a man for whom the truth holds no meaning and lies as easily as breathing. The dems have no real message and no serious candidate for presidency yet. No Frank, I would expect two more years of contentious politics, a red wave in 2020 as voters respond to the multiple attack by the Dems on our president, as well as a Trump reelection in 20. I'm depressed.
4
"Americans weighed in on him, and if it wasn’t quite the spanking he had coming, it certainly wasn’t a hug."
Frank, I also wanted more of a win, a larger repudiation, a huge backlash to show that the country is better than Trump.
What I got instead was what we needed, but oh dear God, what has happened to our soul?
I mean, the president was on a rampage this past month, a virtual whirling dervish of hate, nonsensical lies (that supporters believed!), and ugly nationalistic incitement.
If the Democrats don't resolve their position on immigration, they're cooked two years from now. It was the ugly Trump train that denied them Florida and Georgia, along with standard racism.
I'm sort of numb today, not elated, but as Frank said, relieved.
But I also wonder in a land where so many respond to the appeal of a demagogue, who has them in their pocket, is winning the house enough?
What if the president thumbs his nose at subpoenas? What if he continues to abuse power and laughs at the house? He can, you know, because frankly more people believe in him--lies and all--than in Democrats.
And in America, political popularity still equates to raw power.
27
@ChristineMcM
I'm with you on the concerns about the demagogue, but how can Democrats respond on immigration? That's the dead cat under the table here and in other nations. The appeals to hate and fear are very effective. Ruthless politicians exploit that by demonizing people who look or act differently.
Trump has a solid base who will support him no matter what he does. That's reason for concern, but I think your wrong about him being that popular. The country is changing and rural regions are still struggling to recover from the Great Recession. Here in Central NY the economy is not booming and people sense that reality.
Even in Georgia and Florida, the margins of victory will be narrow. If we're lucky, smart Republicans will realize that they had a narrow escape. They will surely play to their base on issues like abortion, but they may have learned some lessons about taxes and healthcare. That's my hope.
5
@ChristineMcM
Count the votes in the Senate you lost! They’re almost equal to your “Majority in the House”! Worse than that there will be a nasty fist fight in the House over who runs things and what gets done! (Think “Impeach! Impeach! Impeach!” here)
Be careful what you wish for! Now you have to do more than just resist and carp!
1
I, too, sincerely hope that the new Democratic House majority will focus on actually governing the country rather than vilifying President Trump. But, I'm probably asking for the impossible.
5
The Dems can put all the lipstick they want on the election result but Trump will wake up a satisfied man this morning. IMO there were three states Georgia, Texas and Florida that were the prizes and the Dems, although close, failed to win. Trump's message and constant lies won the day. Don't be surprised he'll do it again in 2020.
4
@RNS Everybody, and I mean everybody, is discounting the consequences of the coming Mueller investigation.
5
@RNS I doubt that anyone is surprised. Georgia, Texas and Florida have been red most of the time. Once in a big while they turn purple.
Frank, I appreciate what you've written, but something great just happened. To understand it we must address "The Map."
2010 meant that what Democrats just experienced in the House is arguably the greatest Tsunami in the history of American politics because it was supposed to be impossible for the Democrats to take the House by even a single seat. You can't tell the story of what happened last night without realizing that the actual redrawing of the American political map by Republicans should have totally destroyed American democracy. (Without even touching on how the Supreme Court gutting the Voting Rights Act gave rise to the massive voter suppression).
Republicans, after losing to President Obama, perverted the 2010 census and turned a looming demographic disaster into legislative majorities considered so unbreakable, so utterly impregnable, that analysts universally said that none of the outcomes were in doubt until after the 2020 census. The new Republican mapping technologies were so exact that they totally re-sorted and resegregated all Americans, creating congressional districts where only a Republican further to the right could win.
Democrats won despite having both hands tied behind their backs, lead weights on their legs, and being thrown in the river. It was a feat worthy of Houdini which had to be performed simultaneously hundreds of times all over the US. Yet we did it. The Republican by cheating made winning impossible, yet we still won, and they lost.
167
Gerrymandering still rules. Without it, the Republicans would have been decimated. In rural areas after rural area, they dominated thanks to their patchwork quilt of gerrymandered districts.
And what still rules is Trump's ability to name and confirm Roe v. Wade enemies to the Supreme Court.
I look for Trump to weaken, if not fire, Mueller in the coming weeks, the minute he sees that one of his kids is coming under indictment.
But yeah, democracy had its night, and it let the people speak. If Trump leads us to another insane war in the Middle East, say, with Iran, that is because the people said they supported him and some of his choices in the Senate.
And thank you to all those former Republicans who tirelessly tried to educate the electorate as to Trump's dangers.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene Oregon
58
"For Democrats — and America — a Sigh of Relief"
For the world, too.
35
My fervent hope is that this congress will move the country left.
20
So happy for US neighbours - proving that democracy works and there is power in everyone's vote, notwithstanding Russian trolls and unscrupulous scare tactics --you the voters broke a very vicious stronghold on your country and I applaud you.
35
@DS
I'm tearing up over the patience and goodwill from the north. Thank you.
It's not the beginning of the end. It's the end of the beginning, as Churchill once said. The ultimate victory is now clear, but the path is arduous and full of peril and pain, even if the end is no longer really in doubt. Trump will end up in jail, but in the mean time there is much pain to endure, including the recession whose seeds he's sown and the unpredictable and catastrophic strategic foreign affairs failure he has yet to wrought.
21
The Democratic Party didn't win these House seats, individual candidates did. Many of them with little help from, or even in spite of the party. If the party leadership has any sense at all, which i see no sign that it does, it will shut up and listen to these candidates instead of trying to whip them to toe the party line. If they could ever figure out exactly what that line is.
14
@rtj, I agree.
2
Vital safeguard? Not so fast, Frank.
There are many urgent and aspirational areas to focus on. Campaign ethics. Voting Rights. Infrastructure. Drug Costs. Immigration. Healthcare.
However, the Democrats have shown an inimitable talent for squandering opportunities to develop a coherent, cohesive, and somewhat collective party approach without resorting to out of touch litmus tests.
They’d be best served to use the time leading to 2020 to create positive, constructive, and actionable policies and messages with broader appeal. Remember, there are still plenty of regressive elements that voted candidates like Iowa’s Steve King and Florida’s Ron DeSantis.
Forget retribution for the moment. Work with the few moderate Republicans left in Congress. Let Mueller do his work and don’t trip over yourselves issuing too many subpoenas. Until and unless I see
Democrats work as a team, however diverse, I fear Blue is not yet here to stay.
41
I also am grateful for the gains in the House made by Democrats Tuesday and, while my fear has been slightly eased, I find much to be done in an effort to slow the Trump trampling of American values.
One thing I was reminded of watching our senators during the Kavanaugh hearings is term limits, which could have an enormous influence on how senators respond to those testifying before them -- such as Dr. Christine Blasey Ford. Watching the absurd behavior of our aged senators, who are so impressed with their years of accrued power, was an assault on our intelligence.
We can change that with term limits, which should be a priority in 2020.
74
Trump can no longer " stomp the political terra " unchallenged.The Democratic victory in the House and its subsequent control of hearings and the subpoena power, if used wisely, can be used to leverage Donald Trump and produce legislation on infrastructure, immigration , criminal justice reform, and health care.Trump is transactional and no ideologue. He needs legislative wins to expand his base, or analyzing Tuesdays election results, faces almost certain defeat in 2020. A shrewd Democratic party, willing to cut back on some public hearings and subpoenas, in lieu of meaningful compromises by Trump in the aforementioned areas, could generate significant legislation benefitting the American people.
9
As a DEM I am very happy about the mid terms. They put a check on trump and the GOP and prove to me there are still sane people in America. I now hope we can rise up and govern as adults and not as vengeful children. I am very happy and proud that my district flipped its seat and elected Max Rose to congress.
29
I am grateful for the gains made by Democrats yesterday and my fear has been eased -- slightly. There is no time to waste in the effort to slow the Trump blitz as the country's reputation has been riddled around the world. However, one thing I haven't heard mentioned in awhile is term limits and, following the Kavanaugh hearings, I was reminded of how much we need to address that problem. A thorough cleaning out of the oldsters on both sides would allow the Congress to take a new perspective on a number of issues. We should make it a priority for 2020.
27
@Preserving America
We already have term limits; they're called elections. If all those young dot-com yuppies in San Francisco want Pelosi to be their representative, so be it. If Pelosi can still muster enough support in her caucus, including the young freshmen, to be its leader, so be it. (You would do well to consider that ACA could be nick-named PelosiCare because Nancy Pelosi did the heavy lifting to get it through the House.)
Sopreme Court justices, however, are another matter.
5
What sort of day was it for Trump?
No tweeting? no Slime on the stump?
Iphone chats with friends
On which China depends
Secrets that Trump freely will dump.
Or maybe just watching Fox news
Ill choice that the rust belters use,
Lips moving while reading
And bad advice heeding
Big letters easy to peruse.
30
@Larry Eisenberg
It’s amazing what people see.
Things are what ever they want them to be.
The Dems “Won” yesterday?
If that’s what you think then OK!
You got pounded in the Senate again!
The President had a big win!
Judges will continue to flow.
What more do you need to know?
The House will be a mess!
Impeachment at its best
Investigate, what can you say?
Work together? Probably no way!
When you “Win” you need to do more!
That’s what they voted for!
But who gets to define “More”?
That’s the fight you’re in for!
The "election of a lifetime," which is how the midterm elections were billed, was always a misnomer to begin with. The real election of a lifetime happened in 2016, but too many voters were no shows.
17
'Dewey Defeats Truman' it wasn't. Yet I fundamentally agree with Mr. Bruni's assessment, since at least he (as we all should have) managed his expectations instead of being swept up by the ginning up of the faintest glimmer of hopes peddled by pollsters and the media. Yes, Americans still love underdogs, but not as much as they love winners.
Let's just hope that the Democrats won't be satisfied resting on these dainty laurels, and realize that yesterday's significant victories must be built upon to erase the still lingering hangover of 2016. Democrats can, must and will do better.
Let's also hope that Mueller's investigations prove indisputable criminal wrongdoing and won't be discounted as 'fake news' by the disloyal opposition.
The good news is that these elections are finally behind us.
The better news is that the 2020 elections have just begun.
51
Gerrymandering, voter suppression, and other GOP tactics make it hard to win if you're not a republican.
"Draw maps that let you win even when you lose. Use the resulting power to enact measures to suppress the vote of the other side further. Count on a minority rule president to undercount your opponents in the census, and a minority-rule Senate to confirm justices who will strike down any obstacles to the plan."
- Ian Samuel is Associate Professor of Law at Indiana University Bloomington’s Maurer School of Law.
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There is more hope to be found in the House outcomes this year than mere midterm conventional wisdom might suggest. The preponderance of successes among women, minorities, and youth almost certainly is emblematic of what can be expected on a broader scale in the general elections two years from now. Add to those wins similar performances in state legislative and gubernatorial contests, and a larger landscape shift could well be at hand if the Democrats learn from their losses this year and play their cards well in 2020.
Had the Democrats made an effort to craft a coherent message and assume an accommodating stance, they may have succeeded in flipping the Senate and walking away with more state races this time. Hopefully, they can rise to the occasion, put aside their petty, if understandable grievances, and adopt a more mature and commanding posture by then.
22
I've tried to project how well Trump would have done if he had been on the ballot. I have him losing the electoral college 263-275.
The way I do this is to assume that states that have voted red or blue in all of the Presidential elections since 2008 will continue to vote that way. For the swing states I look at the governor's race or the senate race if there was no race for governor.
Democrats will lose 2020 if they pick a poor candidate.
15
Well it's a start but unfortunately there are to many uninformed voters , as an example , 34 % of republican voters responded that they believe immigration is more important than protecting pre existing conditions . So , apparently they are willing to lose everything they have worked for if they fall into that unfortunate situation actually become destitute , as long as we protect ourselves from the less fortunate . Immigration is a very difficult problem but it should not mean that we , the 90 % should be willing to commit suicide so that the 10% can afford an extra billion dollar mansion .
102
I'm relieved that Dems now control the House and more Governorships, but the answer to why they didn't do even better surely comes down to all the republican voter disenfranchisement schemes that were - and continue to be - employed. If every eligible voter was allowed to vote and their votes were counted republicans would be in the minority for a long time to come.
319
@Marilyn I agree that voter suppression is a problem, but the fact remains the Democrats just aren't the answer. The change we want doesn't align with the change their corporate donors want, which is why REAL change and REAL progressive, leftist politics are non-starters. Hence, the democrats campaign on the premise that we aren't republicans, and think that's enough.
9
@CHB The Democratic Party is changing - Dems now see that corporatism is not working for them. It will take time, but I think the best way to bring on the change we need is to work within the party. With the system as it is votes for any party other than the Democratic Party just help republicans.
Just look at how many Democratic candidates refused corporate donations.
35
@Marilyn
Thanks for this. Alas, it's the CHB attitude which gave us Trump--those people STILL think we'd have been worse off under a Clinton administration? Sigh. If only for the Court and the planet...
10
There's no way around it, half of my compatriots are racist anti-feminists. There's no silver cloud. These are the facts, It's depressing.
448
@willw
so sad so true...
one can only hope that over time nature takes it course as no one lives for ever. What happened to our generation of the 60's???
At least I see hope in my kids, 22 and 24(both swm's), whose group of friends are a true rainbow, who don't see m/f/ethnic/lgbt as anything other than friends equally...and are truly dumbfounded by how my generation did this to the country
They embrace different cultures as interesting....not fear
And as an atheist, i still say God bless them...
50
Your sentiments are understandable and I certainly feel the same way about humanity in general. How can so many people have such ugly nature’s?
But then I remember to put today in the context of the history of this country (and arguably most “developed” countries). In my lifetime alone, I recall when women could not dream of holding leadership positions, homosexuality was socially unacceptable, people of color or with foreign accents were openly considered “less than”.
It takes generation upon generation to affect systemic change. By comparison, we have seen tremendous change in social attitudes in just a few relatively short years. And these changes cause many to panic and double down in their dismay of losing what used to be “acceptable” (think Megyn Kelly’s blackface comments). Like sleeping lions awakened.
But those lions are inevitably outnumbered in this country. Mixed race, mixed cultures, accepting even that gender is not always metaphorically black or white is inexorably a beautiful and powerful awakening that has only just started to demonstrate its impact on our society. And that is what continues to give me a sense of hope when I, like you, wonder how and why so much ugliness can still exist.
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@willw Don't turn your back on us too quickly. We've initiated a potential change. Let's go with it.
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The vast majority of Americans voted for change. The Senate and the President represent a minority, politically protected and privileged, but a minority nonetheless.
The Democrats represent and underrepresented majority, and it is to that majority that they should be beholden to, fight for, and lead.
There is a Democratic majority in America and it is most of the American People.
Let those white nationalists, and David Brooks, think on that.
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@Edward Brennan
I would love to agree but I refer you to Bill Brown's comment a bit up the line. The GOP long term, disciplined and relentless plan for the judiciary should worry everyone in this nation.
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Is it a wave or is it not? That is meaningless nonsense for pundits to jaw about so they can justify their paychecks. What matters is America has taken the first step on the road back to sanity. But there is still a long road ahead. There is still a lot of work to do.
Responsible citizenship isn’t easy. Democracy isn’t easy. Let’s get ready for 2020. Donate if you can spare a few bucks. Volunteer if you can. Keep voting.
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Whatever Blue Wave there was, was matched by a Red Wave, so no Blue Wave in 2020.
That means 2020 was lost tonight.
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The Democrats' position in the Senate was extremely weak, given how many seats they had to defend, and a number of these in states where Trump had won a lot of support. So it's not all that meaningful that the Republicans built on their majority in that house. Let's not forget that in 2016, the GOP lost seats in both House and Senate, only not enough to give the majority to the Democrats.
Much more bothersome is the apparent reddening of Florida and Ohio. While Democrats did win governors' seats elsewhere, and those victories are not unimportant, we might have wished for clearer electoral strategy at the state level. It's disturbing that while the GOP have had state-level plans for a very long time, which have worked out well for them, Democrats have time and again shown themselves to be incapable of that kind of planning.
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@Mark Caponigro Retired midwestern conservative voters are moving to Florida fleeing snow as they age which tips the state increasingly Red. A major effort will have to be made to get Hispanic and minority voters to the poles to counter this population shift.
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@Mark Caponigro but the passing of Amendment 4 in Florida has restored access to the polls of 1.4 million Floridians, disproportionately African American. Last night's statewide races in Florida were squeakers (Gillum should have demanded a recount) compared to past cakewalks for Scott in gubernatorial races, and they won't be going forward.
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I think Trump might feel content with these results. The road to becoming a two term President runs through Ohio and Florida. Florida chose a Republican for governor and for senator. Ohio chose a Republican governor and reelected Democrat Sherrod Brown to the Senate. If I'm Trump, I think the Republican victories are all about me. Looking at tonight's results, I think it is possible that Trump wins Ohio and Florida in 2020 and becomes a 2 term President.
Obviously a very talented white man like Sherrod Brown can win Ohio and probably Florida. However, can a liberal black man or a woman win in these critical states?
I think that Democrats greatly overestimate their chances for the White House in 2020.
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@Schrodinger Mueller does his work so quietly that everyone, and I mean everyone, underestimates what will happen when he shows us the bountiful fruits of his labor.
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@Schrodinger Trump's path to victory in 2018 was not through Ohio and Florida, but through razor-thin margins in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
He should be very afraid about those states after last night. A liberal woman is the governor-elect in one of those states, and she won handily.
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@Schrodinger, Florida in 2020 is a while new ballgame, now that over a million disenfranchised voters have had their rights restored by this election. Although I expect dirty tricks by their disgusting new governor in the meantime.
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A rebuke of Trump????....not quite. I don't think even the most delusional Republican expected to keep the House. From the GOP's perspective losing the House is irrelevant. They've won the Senate...increasing their majority. Control the Senate & you control the most important lever of power: the judiciary. That means the Republican's will continue to nominate and approve more conservative justices....maybe some even to the right of Kavanaugh. The courts are the source of the Republican's power in the cultural war that divides us. The GOP is not going to have to worry about confirmation battles anymore. They're not going to have to worry about appeasing moderates. They will put up whoever they want....the more to the right the better...and get them confirmed. The GOP is playing the long game. Trump will be gone soon. They will still be here. The GOP can wait him out & achieve all of their objectives. Their goal is to nominate 3-4 very conservative Supreme Court justices. Trump has gotten two SCOTUS appointments, he may get more. He’s moved much faster on lower-court appointments than Obama did. The legal arm of the conservative movement is the best organized & most far-seeing sector of the Right. They truly are in it — and have been in it — for the long term goals. Control the Supreme Court, stack the judiciary, and you can stop the progressive movement, no matter how popular it is, no matter how much legislative power it has. Nothing will get in the way of that goal.
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@Bill Brown
I'd say that's accurately what's going on. And just my opinion, but this level of gamesmanship is the death knell for a democracy. It's on to something else now, which makes casting a vote, and caring about the results, all the more painful.
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@Bill Brown
I hate to say it, being a Democrat, but Harry Reid handed the Republicans a gift when the 60 vote rule went out the window. Short term gain for long-term disaster. We'd still have a say over justices even in a minority if we still adhered to that.
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@Bill Brown
"...for the long term goals. Control the Supreme Court, stack the judiciary, and you can stop the progressive movement, no matter how popular it is..."
And there you have the Republican approach to the common good, civic duty and democracy: they do what they do "no matter how popular it is".
Wait -- do we still call that "democracy"?
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A lot of people downplaying the democrats victory come off as dishonest at best. Like no kidding they didn't take the senate it was hard to make the map more unfavorable to the Democrats. And in previous house waves (think 2010) the opposing party had far more members so it was easier to chip them away. Not to mention how some seem to be ignoring how in many swing states like Michigan, Democrats have completely taken over government there. And having the US House means it can be Mueller time without republican interference.
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@Johnny
Part of it was the all hype built up about a 'Blue Wave'. Anything less was set-up for disappointment.
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A sigh of relief, to an extent. Gerrymandering kept many GOPs in power. Rodney Davis won my own district in central Illinois. A trump yes-man, he relies on republican cheating to stay in power. Redraw the district in any random direction, and he would lose. Even with cheating, he only won by a few thousand votes.
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@Bill The good news is that the Illinois governorship has flipped to the Democrats. Now, Illinois can be gerrymandered back to sanity.
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@dbg
Redrawing districts in a fair way, for example, by an impartial panel of judges, to make a more level playing field, is possible. It doesn't have to be done by gerrymandering, which is unethical no matter which party does it.
Republicans are outnumbered; they know they can win only if they cheat.
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Let’s applaud the victories, but no, let’s not borrow a page from his playbook. That would be a terrifying outcome all around.
Good article, again! My concern is of the widening division and what will be an extreme, “white-wing”, Republican Senate leaning ever closer to trump. The House has a lot of work to do. I hope they become a strong party and will multitask with speed and focus.
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