There is strong evidence of voter fraud in Florida's Broward and Palm Beach counties, though the Times staunchly denies it. Readers may not know that the last Republican the TImes endorsed for President was Dwight D. Eisenhower. By holding the Senate, the GOP will prevent Democrat excesses such as we observed after the Kavanaugh hearings.
Will the Times please begin to identify by name the women in the photographs that have won in the election? These are unique individuals, each with a name that needs to be known. For example, here: https://nyti.ms/2DempoL?smid=nytcore-ios-share
1
Where was the beating? Where was the punishment of the Republicans for acting as the pallbearers for a manifestly incompetent President, for facilitating phoney and irresponsible fiscal and immigration policies over the last 18 months?
A ‘slam dunk’ for Democrats is what should have happened. Instead the outcome was meagre. So what happened?
We are probably looking at the demise of politics as we know it as, over the last couple of decades, private interests increased their hold over the political process in the U.S. through campaign financing, lobbying, PACS, Super PACS, Think Tanks and revolving doors.
As a consequence both political parties grew estranged from the electorate. Politics morphed to theatre, to infotainment as politicians on both sides of the aisle were co-opted by the overriding forces of organized money. Politicians had to play both ends: While beholden to an invisible donor class, they had to play their voters. Driven by the necessity to conceal their duplicity they put a missionary zeal on display. This is an environment in which talk show hosts, opportunists and charlatans are much more at home than men and women of integrity.
Not sure where this is going. But a major overhaul is in order. The main priority should be to get money out of politics altogether. Nowadays Congress is merely a forum for legalized bribery. Not sure the system is capable of carrying this kind of reform though.
I am so happy we flipped the House! There is now a check on terrible legislation and the potential for some serious investigation of corruption in government. :)
I am also very pleased by the expansion of Medicaid in several states. Many thousands of people will have healthier and more stable lives, rural hospitals will be less likely to close, and we all benefit from everyone being healthy since epidemics are less likely in healthy populations.
Taking so many State seats is a great start. Let's keep being the party of those who govern for the benefit of the people and not simply the wealthy, that's the way to win!
I am not thrilled...with all the drama and controversy...violence and protesting since Trump's election...I cannot believe that the Democrats did not win in a landslide! The Republican party..with just a few exceptions.. has been a total disappointment. The high voter turnout was a plus for turning the country around..but it also means that there are many of us who approve of the direction the country has taken. Every day for the last 2 years there has been breaking news of some drama and controversy regarding the Trump presidency...how can it be that nearly half the voting population in the US still would choose to vote for such divisive Republican candidates ? Have we lost our moral compass? Our core American values? We voted for this situation we find ourselves in..and after 2 years of non stop drama in Washington this election was the best we could cast our votes for? Obviously we don't have a landslide of dissatisfaction with our leadership ! That's not saying much about us as a nation in my eyes! Hopefully we can right ourselves and grow from here! There is much work to be done in the next 2 years or we may reach the point of no return...if we haven't already reached that point! Hopefully we will have candidates we can rally around in the election in 2 years !
Trump disgust will take us this far, but no further. Democrats as a party must learn to read, and to respond to an electoral map that isn't going away. The Senate and electoral college are with us, and they add much more weight to the Mountain and midwest states. The triumphs in smaller races were largely about individual candidate matchups. A jobs driven policy that speaks sensibly to these industrial and agriculture centered areas is still AWOL. Without a plan, the gains of this year will be too quickly washed away again.
2
It is obvious to me – and I believe to many other non-Americans – that your system is broken. The debacle of the 2016 election of President Trump came courtesy of your archaic Electoral College system – an out-dated system used in places such as Burundi, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Myanmar, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago and Vanatu. A scant two years later he is again holding rallies as if it was 2015. How anything lasting and of value gets accomplished in Washington is a mystery to me. You have a president who chooses to spend the bulk of his waking hours seeking the adulation of his acolytes instead of working at solving the manifold problems of the US and the world at large. Weekends are spent wasting multi-millions of taxpayer’s money flying to his own resorts to increase their bottom line. Don’t even get me started on his nepotism and what that coterie costs you. I cannot understand what happened last night, why so many voters chose to ignore who this man and his party have proved themselves to be and the danger to your country and the world that represents. Most of your past presidents, despite their individual shortcomings, have been decent human beings who had the best interests of the US at heart – he is not one of them.
5
The election is a mixed bag. On the one hand, it's definitely the direction expected, but not as far left leaning as 2006. Gubernatorial Republicans were upset by Democratic candidate victories. But, the Senate remains in the same hands. Surprises are the result.
Dems don't have a mandate. What that means is, Pelosi has to work with the other party and the Senate won't confirm Trump's impeachment. The House will look to alternative means to obstruct Trump's radical agenda.
If the freshly elevated Democratic Speaker Pelosi chooses to follow Robert Reich's advice to annul Trump's election for acts confirmed by a member of Trump's administration, calling themselves the Steady State, Pelosi could crown herself interim President until a special election is held.
This will not sit well with voters and will look like a coop. For her sake, it would be better if the Steady State calls for Trump's removal first, and affirms the recall for levy on the office of President in lieu of the Speaker. This way, the administration preserves all but Trump's more illegal acts and retains its place, just not it's leader.
Other surprises include the more abstract becoming normal. Those who believe Trump to be anointed and the missed-it prophecy that he will somehow be king, will be less gullible and become more mainstream come next election. This goes for QAnons, as well.
But, how the Blue Wave will affect the nation in the days to come, we'll have to see.
1
It's encouraging that the Democrats now have a solid majority in the House. Wish that gave me hope. Please tell me just what they can do against the united front that the past implies that the Senate and Trump will present to them.
Here in Florida, for example, Gillum was a shoe-in for governor until Trump brandished his demagoguery. That demagoguery neutralized the vaunted blue wave. Where did Trump take his show that he failed to successfully gin up his wave of hate?
I do not look forward to the upcoming fight. But I'll be furious with the Democrats if they don't stand up to the Trumpster and do what the country desperately needs.
An old dictum insists the electorate is always right. Hard to disagree - ceteris paribus - with the principle behind that sentiment. But all things are seldom equal...and in this instance clearly they are not.
Some might be tempted to question the decency, wisdom, objectivity of an electorate that would pass up an opportunity to send a much stronger message of disgust if not anger to a presidency that has so badly abused America's democracy and brought the country to such international disrepute.
More astute pundits however will adopt the opposite view - that American voters have acquitted themselves well given the enormity of the GOP/Trump conspiracy to confuse, frustrate and thwart the informed expression of their will.
Many of the contests lost by Democrats were within margins of one percent or less - well within what is arguably the handicap a Republican controlled electoral process imposed on the mid-term elections. Gerrymandering and voter suppression were so insidious and pervasive that it is surprising Democrats registered any inroads at all.
The bottom line is that one cannot underestimate the extent to which an illegitimate, rogue, corrupt presidency - enabled by a self-serving, sycophantic, grossly negligent congress - can thwart the informed will of the people, damage the institutions that are the foundation of America's democracy, and insulate itself from accountability.
2
The republican senators who were just re-elected no longer need Trump and have need to fear his retaliation, because their term is 6 years and Trump's is up 2020. These republicans will vote to convict Trump is Congress does move to impeach Trump.
However, I would not move to impeach UNLESS Whitaker or Trump fire Mueller and/or try to squelch Mueller's investigation. I'm sure Mueller's report will be thorough and complete.
1
I'm glad we won the House and got some great people elected, but I was hoping for an unmistakable repudiation of the GOP's platform of hate, fear, callousness, and greed. We didn't get that. Nearly half the country still thinks it's OK to tear migrant families apart and incite hate crimes, and believes every lie that comes out of Trump's mouth. That is so demoralizing.
1
To those who said Election Day was no big deal for Democrats:
Were we looking at the same election?
Democrats flipped some very heavily gerrymandered districts, like VA02, which was not expected to flip and has not been held by a Democrat since the 1960s... and two dozen others many of which have not been in Democratic hands for decades. I knew this on election night, but it took the media until Thursday morning to figure it out that this was not only a landslide, it was a slap in the face to Donald Trump as of the 31 Republicans he endorsed, 29 of them LOST.
Of the Democrats who lost in heavily voter suppressed/Southern areas:
(Example) Beto O'Roarke had a narrow loss in the Senate race in Texas. Beto was *projected* to lose by 6-9 points and he lost by 1.5 points. In the last election, the Democrat lost by 20-22 points. This is not a repudiation of the Democrats by voters. This is a triumph of Democratic turnout and organizing. No, he didn't win, but 13 down-ballot Democrats *won,* because of Beto!
This is the biggest landslide since Watergate. How anyone could ignore this... you would have to be blind, deaf, and willfully so.
1
The Dems got the house but lost the Senate. Big deal.
The Senate has power of course. Yet pundits neglect to say that a California or NY senator has more political power than one from Wyoming or N. Dakota. What will he or she do? Threaten to close down a coal mine? A California senator has influence over Silicon Valley, a NY senator over Wall Street.
As for the Supreme court: If California does not like a right wing decision, it can change its law slightly, or impose a new law, and it winds its way back up to the Court. At high political cost to the court. Stephen Breyer pointed out to Charlie Rose that the Court is a vulnerable institution concerned with its actual power.
So the blue swing is bigger than it seems, and the minority status in the Senate is not such a big deal.
H Smith, Jefferson County Colorado- a big county west of Denver.
Oregon remains a Democratic stronghold in America. Governor and increased seats created supermajorities in House and Senate. All the statewide ballot measures the should have lost, did. Vote by mail pushed 68% participation.
Oregon, Washington and California share west coast environmental and social values.
Trump's vitriolic Presser today is a harbinger of a hostile, combative future of Trump V Press and House. Likely to be very, very ugly and dangerous. Constitutional crisis almost a sure bet.
Pelosi et. al. have the experience, the will and the public support to effectively neuter Trump. They will destroy the myth of the wimpy Democrats.
Naive thoughts of bipartisanship will quickly fade. "Sharp knives" will replace kumbaya in no time.
Paul Krugman said those that remain in the Republican Party are "bad people." He is right.
Frank Rich observed some time ago that we are now in America's Second Civil War, albeit bloodless, at the moment. He is right.
Many thanks to Stephen Colbert, Seth Meyers, Samantha Bee, John Oliver, Bill Maher, Jimmy Kimmel and Trevor Noah for the comic relief that we desperately need every day. Keep those laughs coming.
Richard Ellmyer
Born NYC. BTHS 1964
Oregonian since 1971
NAV, Non-aligned Voter
Author of The Ellmyer Report, a newsletter that informs, educates and influences on public policy. Occasionally distributed to more than a quarter of million readers in Oregon and beyond. Facebook, Portland Politics Plus . Contributor: Patch news
1
I will always vote against Trump. He is repugnant and dangerous. But I'm deeply disturbed that people in my state were duped in to believing that the race for governor was really all about Trump. I found that many voters had no sense at all of the issues we are facing as a state that is near the bottom of the pile in terms of economic development and growth. In fact, we've had negative growth and the state is hemmorhaging people who simply can't afford the property tax burden on the formerly middle class. Governor Malloy was disliked, even hated, across party lines and many of the voters of this very true blue state were disgusted with what democratic leadership has done to us on the purely local level.
Lamont managed to be elected, but It was hardly a mandate to win by less than 1% in a solidly blue state. The substantial turnout of younger voters turned the tide for him. But many if not most were voting solely as a statement against Trump. This was true across the board. It's a sorry state of affairs when voters do not inform themselves about the issues and vote solely on the basis of party loyalty. The race for governor had little or nothing to do with Trump. But Lamont's win had everything to do with him.
We didn't win Tuesday night.
Simply put, “We” did not win Tuesday night. There were very many victories and losses for different groups, but the fact is, if we ALL don’t win, then nobody wins.
Talk of red, blue, or any other color waves is without exception the language of division. And division is not and cannot be the goal. Division is the tool of the controllers, the manipulators, those that would love to keep us in conflict, so they can continue to do as they please.
Unity through acceptance of all others can be and must be the end goal.
The United States’ Constitution very purposely starts with “We the people”. Not us, not them, but very specifically and simply “We”. The more I hear victory speech after victory speech touting us, them, red, blue, the more I realize that “We” have lost ground towards reaching our goal of being a “United” States.
So please do not overly focus on the results of your individual groups’ battle and thus causing the much more critical “We” to lose this war. Reach out to “them”, whoever they are, talk, learn, understand, and help us get back to “We”.
1
We begin to have an effective voice now. We need to speak cohesively on issues that unite us and more so to convince our opposition that we are friends across the aisle and to lend support to GOP legislators who have been afraid to speak out against an absurd leader. They are out there and they must realize from these midterms that popular sentiment is not with Trump. As well there were few referendums (save in WA) on the environment this must change and there needs to be a rising single voice for action before our time runs out. This is a beginning do not squander it.
The Democrats had a good night. Not only did they regain control of the House, they flipped 7 Governorships and around 300 state legislative seats. While they should be willing to work with Trump if he proposes good policy, they should NOT look to compromise just for the sake of appearing reasonable. They also need to remain aware that the Republican party is not merely the "loyal opposition," but a party that is openly hostile to democracy (as illustrated by their blatant voter suppression efforts) and to the rule of law. The modern Republican party, i.e., the party of Trump, is an existential threat to American democracy. That threat must be resisted without compromise.
3
It used to be that I could sort of trust what a politician said. Over the last two years I have learned that politicians will say whatever they think will get them votes, true or not. I have come to distrust all politicians, without exception. This leaves me with a distrust for a group of people that I have worked hard to trust.
The Michigan totals were heartening. Trump won the state's electoral votes with only 47.5-percent of the vote in 2016. Last night, Debbie Stabenow won reelection to the U.S. Senate, Democrats won half of the House races and a new Democratic governor was elected. That's really very good.
I was glad to see a blue wave with respect to my state's candidates. I wish that would help me shake the feeling of despair and doom as I watched the election results come in.
I have this overwhelming feeling that the country has become unapologetically corrupt. Merrick Garland's lack of hearings was the loudest signal, dying from lack of healthcare or going bankrupt, outrageous company profits and tax cuts for the ulta-rich, but the elections in Georgia, the Republican embrace of Trump, vilification of people of color, working multiple jobs and living in poverty, teachers living paycheck to paycheck, rise of white supremacy with a wink and nod from government, science and education considered morally suspect, active voter suppression, labeling the free press 'the enemy of the people', Hannity at a Trump political rally, and it just goes on and on.
Is our country just this awful?
3
In a world where only simple messages come through, maybe the Democrats should start giving out blue MAGA hats.
1
I was hoping for a massive rejection of Trumpism. Since most races were within a few points, I have to admit that half of our voting population supports a man who is a constant liar, nasty to the extreme with no shame, incompetent, etc. My world has changed. I thought we had "American values" of respect and truthfulness and good intentions. Now I have to admit that only half of our people still uphold these values. That was the big lesson from last night.
2
In terms of the state of the country, it is extremely sad at how divided we are. Trump is the greatest snake oil salesman ever seen and had Dems sunk to his level of negativity more would be in. Taking the House is terrific but I greatly disappointed TX failed to bump Cruz and Carter. Cruz. Can you believe that after all the malevolent things trump said about Cruz, his wife and father, that Cruz had him stump for him?!?! Exactly how low can one go? Oh, Cruz low.
3
While I'm happy that the Democrats took back control of the House, I'm concerned about Republican gains in the Senate and what the growing rural-urban divide means for the future of our country. The American population increasingly lives in and around major metropolitan areas, but the Senate and electoral college give outsized influence on our government to smaller states populations. This has meant two presidents in the last 18 years winning despite losing the popular vote and a Senate that seeks to push through the will of a monitory of the people. With rural areas sure to continue to lose population as our economy moves forward into the 21st century, I'm worried that progress will be stymied by people empowered by an unfair advantage our founders built into our democracy.
I had hoped for, but didn’t expect, a big blue wave to flood our country. I was not surprised when it did not materialize. I was thrilled for the smaller blue wave which hit my home state of Colorado. I believe the wave was created by a large number of middle aged women who were gobsmacked by the outcome of the 2016 election. My own entry into the movement was spurred, ironic in my mind, by a group of devout Methodists. I witnessed women tirelessly write post cards, ring doorbells, pass out literature, registered voters and attend rallies. What we accomplished in Colorado gives me hope for the rest of the country.
2
This election and it’s outcome is depressing to me. It seems like the one issue that should be uppermost for all of us is electing candidates with the skill and willingness to cross the aisle to work together—to understand and find ways to move the country beyond this rural-urban divide and to help us relearn how to talk to each other and be with each other peacefully and helpfully with all of our differences. That did not seem to be a major issue for most candidates. And most of the comments I am reading here are about the relative strength today of the Democrats compared to yesterday.
Although I’m a Democrat who has voted a straight ticket for decades, this time I voted for a Republican to represent me in the Oregon House because one of his major campaign issues was an interest in healing the Democratic/ Republican divide. He lost. I’m not sure how much he could have accomplished. But he would have been one voice at least.
2
@Ann I don't know how you heal the divide when one side wants to dismantle Social Security, explode the deficit by giving giant tax cuts to the wealthy, illegally turn away asylum-seekers, demonize immigrants, tear apart migrant families, etc., while the other side emphatically wants to NOT do those things.
3
I am most buoyed the number of women elected to Congress in this election. They will change the narrative in new and interesting ways. I look forward to watching!
5
I’m already looking to the 2020 election with the awareness that it will be horribly frustrating. The results of this round prove that my vote in the presidential race will mean almost nothing. While my urban/suburban district sent Rep. Clay to the House with 80% of the vote and Kansas City managed more than 60% for Cleaver, the rest of the Missouri map is bright red and the reality of our electoral system means that my vote will go essentially uncounted.
Some things I’m thrilled about:
-The huge turnout of voters in a midterm election.
-The increased number of women and minorities in our government.
-These are bigger stories than whether this was a referendum on one party or another.
4
Despite a booming economy, 3% wage growth, lowest unemployment for 50 years, Republicans still lost the house.
For me, Trump has governed better than I expected and I agree with many/most (but definitely not all) of his policies. I agree that illegal immigration is a problem, and that we need secure borders. I agree that for too long we’ve let other countries cheat us on trade and what we’ve had has been nowhere near “free trade”. I agree that our economy was being strangled by too much regulation (and much of it bad regulation) and poor tax code design. Etc.
But Trump’s rhetoric has not been helpful, and it cost us the suburbs and too many college educated voters. A very large number of voters have chosen style over substance. If Trump wants to get reelected in 2020 he’s going to have to change that.
My suggestions, tone it down, and try for common ground where possible. For example, there is amble opportunity for Trump to reach out to minority voters that are a good cultural fit for the GOP on matters like education and criminal justice reform. Places like Texas show that the GOP can get 40% of the Hispanic vote. If the GOP replicated those outreach efforts across the country it would be a totally different electoral map.
On immigration, tone it down, and focus on getting e-verify through (which would be far more effective than a wall).
Winning and governing takes a coalition. We’ve got two years to put together a winning one.
3
@Mathew Your thoughts are noble but your premise assumes that racism is not the theme and a motivating factor driving Trump’s rhetoric. Tone it down? That’s not possible for achieving his goals, if anything he will ramp it up. Best you work to achieve your noble vision by addressing GOP legislators to rein in their leader or walk away and reach across the aisle DESPITE him. He cannot lead if they do not follow.
1
I think the results are pretty good for Democrats. The results show that Trump will not win the second term based on his poor performance in Midwest. Trump will continue to lie because he made a successful career out of it. Democrats has to Learn lessons from Texas election results. The campaign style of O’Rourke is something that could be adopted. I think 2020 is for Democrats to loose.
4
For me this election was a wonderful affirmation of our system of democracy. Trump motivated an exciting new generation of women and people of color to run. And many of them won! This is how it's supposed to work.
May this new generation of candidates continue to grow in upcoming elections. It's time.
2
If the new House plays it smart, it can take the initiative despite Trump's efforts to use it as his foil. It needs to coalesce around a set of policies that embody "middle up" economic theory. Investment in the middle class can lead to long-term economic growth and narrow the inequality divide. If it passes bill after bill that reflects these aims, and the Republican Senate defeats them time and time again, the news will slowly sneak out: the Democratic Party cares about people who have to live on the edge and suffer continual anxiety about their next rent bill or house payment. This would include bills to protect and expand the assurance of health care. And Democrats need to find a way to say that continued economic growth in an aging society requires young immigrant workers in the labor market. People who look forward to receiving Social Security should be avid proponents of a policy that welcomes young immigrants and helps them find their way in the American economy. This is simply a matter of self-interest. If the Democrats tout middle-up economic theory as insistently and persistently as the Republican have touted supply-side economic theory, and do it in understandable ways, the whole nation will benefit.
I'm very disappointed Beto didn't win the Senate race here in Texas. He lost by less than 2% of the vote; I bet Ted Cruz was surprised by how close it was. I take heart in knowing that the Democrats willing the House will rein in Trump's most extreme actions and hopefully begin investigating some of the widespread corruption that has been plaguing this administration since Day 1.
2
A sense of relief because some balance and check is restored by Democrats regaining the control of the House but no feeling of joy as this country is heading towards more gridlock and more divisions and even more violence. The Democrats grassroots will have to continue to work hard, to keep the momentum and the message. This is just the beginning of a long battle to right the course of the nation.
2
I am a proud Ohioan. I was raised in Cleveland, educated in Columbus and now reside in Cincinnati. Of course Trump loves our state-white and “poorly educated.” I remember the unity and hope that Obama brought and the youth he mobilized. We just elected a 71yo governor. My state feels mean and afraid. An SUV ran over my neighbors’ Cordray yard signs. Half the children under 5 in Cincinnati live in poverty which is no problem for the “Christians” that live in the suburbs. Time to move?
4
Can the Times print a list of let's say the last 10 mid-term elections showing the results of House and Senate in terms of how the out of power party gained or lost. Perhaps with historical perspective, we can evaluate this year's results.
1
I am relieved that Americans outside my red bubble still have some of the values I was raised with in Sunday School and my farm family. Things like honesty, personal responsibility, fairness, respect for the feelings and dignity of others, compassion and concern for the sick, injured, disabled, grieving, outcast and poor. I was afraid that hard hearts, selfishness and greed was "who we are."
1
I'm saddened by the Green Party again taking votes from the Dems. The Arizona senatorial race had the GOP ahead by about 15000 votes, and the Green Party took 38,000 votes. Jill Stein took 100000 in PA, MI, and WI, which gave those electoral votes to trump. Bush beat Gore in FL by less than 537 votes, and Nader took 97,421. The Green Party leaders and their supporters continue to put ideological purity ahead of America's future social and political progress.
4
@GariRae
I have been a strong proponent of respecting and caring for our environment all my life, and am also disappointed that the Green Party has continued to enable the election of climate change deniers and profitmongers by taking votes away from Democrats. Dems may not be perfect, but Republicans will always come down on the side opposite Green Party goals. The Greens are shooting themselves, and our planet, in the foot.
1
Although I'm thrilled with the House results, we now have to watch Trump's focus on Muller. Trump's fired Sessions and put a patsy in his place. T's wants to delete Muller's inquiry. So, another head rolls. What does Trump fear Muller will discover? Especially, since he keeps repeating "no collusion." Obviously, there is something T. doesn't want revealed.
2
I should be more disappointed, but I did not ever expect the blue wave because the Democrats are their own worst enemies:
1. Their aging establishment and its tactics (such as the obvious conspiracy to thwart Sanders in 2016) is alienating the youth vote. They may have voted in 2018, but do not expect them to return is Pelosi and Schumer retain leadership positions.
2. They do not understand the Trump voters and Conservatives overall, but, worse, they are not even really taking the time to understand them.
3. They do not know how to make their agenda and policies conservative-friendly. It's not hard. Put another way, they don't know how to speak fluent Conservative.
4. They need to re-prioritize policy issues. Whenever they get in power, they try to make a major change that then backfires on them at the ballot box in the next election year.
5. They refuse to take the low-road and negative conservative SuperPAC ads are better at it. Case in point are the SuperPAC ads in CT for Bob Stefanowski. They were extremely effective reminding me of the Daisy ad in 1964. Smart Democratic money can be made to make ads or even movies that would have a dramatic impact on showing the negatives of conservative policies. (Think of the 1983 ABC TV movie "The Day After" for instance.) The Democrats need to go back to school and study psychology and marketing.
They really need to get their act together.
2
I am deeply disappointed in my fellow Americans who have fallen so far into the storm drain of trump's lies. Winning the House still isn't enough to save us from trump. He will only be worse now until 2020. He came out today with hate, anger, & threats...then started firing so he could do away with any investigations into him & his family. the American People lost & will continue to lose until someone can contain this fraud & con man. I see a new reality TV show for America...American Dictator.
2
It was about typical for a midterm election in a President's
first term. Remember that Obama lost 63 Hose votes, Trump
far fewer.
Of course this means nothing good and important can come by legislation, as it will be blocked by the House. But unless the Senate did away with the filibuster entirely, that was true already.
So the difference we will see is probably that the meanness and nastiness and ad-hominem based attacks that always seem to issue from one's Left side, no matter where one sits, will get worse.
1
I'm disappointed that some people lost who I hoped would win. But we did win the House, and that's important for protecting the Mueller investigation and providing needed oversight. I do worry about what Congress might do between now and January.
On the other hand, I live in an area that has a good Congressman, two good Senators, a good Governor, a good State Senator, and good State Legislators -- all Democrats. So locally, things are great! It's just nationally that's a problem.
The results were sobering but I woke with a renewed belief that we have learned something about our peculiar breed of democracy. If nothing else America has untethered its conscience and now possesses enough power to unveil the naked aggression that has been conspiring beneath our our Capitol dome.
2
This election may only be a pause in the downward spiral of self-interest over country and there was no pause in the continuing laying of doubt in elections and government by this president. Our strategy is to respect nothing, respect no one, respect no truth, and eventually nobody can communicate or even think, as thought processes require some basis of truth to operate.
We will know fully what damage may have been done until the next transfer of the office of president occurs and we see if that election outcome is respected or there is physical resistance directly or indirectly advocated by the loser.
It was not the dream result for Democrats, liberals, and people who believe our current President is a dangerous and very sick person. But it was far better than that nightmare in November 2016. It is sobering: these Trump supporters are not going to fade away; they mean what they say. But it is also promising: which of the fresh, new, energized faces we saw last night (a rainbow coalition of new Us Reps, Senators, governors, and mayors) will emerge as our next great leader? Let us support and nurture all this new talent. That's what Republicans did with a bunch of fresh faced law students beginning in the 1980s, and look where it got them (the Supreme Court). But after last night there is a new Long Game at work. And this time its color is BLUE.
4
The Democrats became stronger last night but so did Trump. Those who think he will somehow be less dangerous or will change his behavior to comport with norms that others observe do not understand the nature of the man who is running this country and what he is capable of.
If anything, these next two years will be worse than the previous two and his chances of being reelected are even better today than they were yesterday.
1
@Rae
I want to see Trump's crimes judged, but not if he doesn't get jail time. It's important that a criminal does not get away with such blatant behavior. The Dems can spend forever "investigating", like Mueller, with no consequence to Trump. If they do their job, it will be quick and to the point and all his challenges with be dispensed with promptly.
2
My state is broken by decades of one party rule and a deeply cynical and corrupt two-term Governor who might be headed to DC if Nelson doesn’t win the recount. The new Governor (by the skin of his teeth and also a Republican) is inheriting a giant mess made worse by Republican fiscal amendments that passed on the ballot. It would help if the new Governor wanted the job but he has no platform other than wintering in an extra room at Mar a-lago during the season with his new Uncle Don and trying to continue his second job as a Fox News shill. I feel that Florida is on the precipice of another crash, this time exacerbated by the warming seas. But, that is Florida. Welcome to the red tide state.
1
This election re-confirmed my suspicion that the center is in the wrong place.
Rather than attempt to elucidate in a confined space all the key points missing in our dreams of the next policy shifts, I can only say I feel more lost than ever.
I was hoping for a blue wave. What we got was a blue ripple. But, under the current administration I've learned to savor victory, no matter how small or short-lived. I tell myself this is merely the first claw on dry sand in a long clamber out of the fetid nightmare our government has become.
1
Well I first felt a semblance of relief that the house had return to the Democrats, I am concerned about another possible outcome. If the Democrats attempt to investigate or pushback on Trump, we may be facing another Civil War. Trump has not valued the process of law during his two years in office. Why are we assuming now that he will? I am in more fear now than I was before.
I started to realise when looking at the map of election results for the senate that American is a deeply conservative and Republican Party country
The democrats should have won and won both houses handily based on the outrage expressed in the media but they did not
America as an immigrant country does not have merit or points system and its immigrant history is one of “,,, Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
And immigrants are the most conservative as well as hardest working entrepreneurial lot and tend towards less government, low regulation and taking care of one self
So it is not a surprise that America is a deeply conservative country, and to find such a conservative god fearing lot against a tiny majority as intellectual elites in the cities
I’m encouraged by the midterm election results. Young voters showed up to the polls like never before. The first Muslim and Native American women are headed to Congress. Florida chose to reinstate the voting rights of felons and Michigan voted to allow an independent counsel to spearhead redistricting. Yes, the lost Senate races and governorships are disappointing, but these victories feel like a win for democracy.
3
I dreaded this election cycle with its endless barrage of ads. I avoided watching the news as much as possible because simply the sight or sound of the president is enough to make me want to vomit.
Fortunately, Denver saw the efforts of Democrats finally pay off as we bid farewell to some folks that put big business ahead of the middle class. We now have the first openly gay governor in the country and have set the table for responsible growth and a continuation of our state's booming economy.
The Senate continues to be a thorn in the side of many and Democrats have a tremendous challenge in trying to connect with rural America but, in my opinion, the ongoing trade wars will soon make a mess of the commodities markets and it will backfire on the GOP. And, when they touch the third rail of politics, they are bound to find an angry mob next time we go to the polls.
I have to say I’m disappointed. After 2 years this madness there wasn’t a blue wave?? I’ll take the good stuff and continue to hope for better days, but right now I’m not feeling very good, I’m seeing what I think will be the road to Trump getting his second term. I hope I’m wrong.
With the Republicans still in control of the Senate and the White House, I worry most that over the next two years another Supreme Court judgeship will be filled by and for the benefit of the rich, self-serving political right.
3
In an attempt to prolong hope, I went for my morning 2.5-hour bike ride without first checking election results. By the time I gave up my innocence, it was clear that results were split, though in my red Florida, two good men got beat.
The delay was a good choice. I was ready, by late morning, to absorb the negative stuff.
My fear is that the Democratic House will be issuing subpoenas all day long, which Trump will ignore or litigate, much like how Republican issued subpoenas were treated. In the meantime, Republican Senate will be confirming conservative judges all day long. I thought Kristof's opinion article today was so illuminating, intelligent and relevant - I hope everyone gets a chance to read it.
I am horrified the Dems did not win every single position nationwide, but not surprised due to knowing the extent of human ignorance and greed. I am horrified by the extent of human greed, dishonesty and immorality evident in Republicans. We are witnessing the destruction of this country and the environment. Society has finally jumped off the cliff. The next 100 years will see the loss of 80% of mammal, bird, reptile, and amphibian species, the loss of healthy ecosystems, the loss of rainforests, the loss of clean water, the loss of clean air, massive flooding events, massive wildfires, massive disease events, massive increases in violent crime, massive increases in corruption, massive increases in human addictions...and on and on and on.
1
@De
I'm very disappointed that our most immediate crisis received no mention at all in the races - climate change. Perhaps that topic would have gained enough Democratic votes to change outcomes.
I'm a proud Texas Democrat (grew up Republican in Maryland) now living in Ireland. I'm not thrilled with the results, but I am certainly glad of the results.
Let me explain:
Not thrilled, as Mary Jennings-Hegar didn't win her Round Rock Congressional seat, which I think would have been wonderful for R.R. and wonderful for Texas. Let's hope we see more of this Purple Heart recipient, in the future.
I'm GLAD because living in Ireland these past few years, I feel the brunt of Irish, and every other nationality that I bump into in a very touristy village, condemnation on what is going on in America. The hatred there is commented on, daily. Thank goodness for Brexit, because it's making another country look crazier than America. At least that's what I hear, here.
Sad to report that's my feelings on the election, but - that's what they are.
Susan Baughman
Expat, dual citizen
Waterville, Ireland
.
2
Most of your readers apparently wanted a blue Senate as well.
So much for bridging the divide.
1
I am feeling good. I voted yesterday.
My country now has a more diversified House of Representatives with functional checks&balances responsibility. May my congressman and his colleagues speak truth to power to the autocratic nationalist president on immigration, healthcare, criminal justice, domestic terrorism...
Looking to 2020, I quote a sharp NYT commentator: ““Show me why you, the Democrats, are the best option for all Americans.” I say YES to consistent public messaging of unity and competence by the Democratic Party going forward. Trumpian lies and divisive rhetoric in our political discourse must be neutralized.
I used to blame myself for not understanding individual women; however, given white women once again gave Trump cover, I'm just going to stop blaming myself and blame for women in general for being inscrutable, and stop trying to understand them.
King in Iowa! Hagedorn in Minnesota! Nunes in California! Jones gets twenty five percent of the vote in Illinois! When President Trump is asked about the Fifty Seven percent rise in antisemitism since his election, he responds to that question by saying he moved our embassy to Jerusalem! Duh?! That's not answering the question! As a patriotic American Jew, I'm in shock! What's happening to my country?!
2
Nancy, PLEASE, let go!
1
Out of all that the Dems achieved last night, I'm proudest of Florida's Amendment 4. The move to restore ex-felon voting rights means that more than 1 million people will regain the right to vote—which means good people, reformed and committed citizens, will get back their basic civic right. And it's about time.
1
I'm still nauseous! While I live in a blue bubble, I'm so disappointed at uneven results and the fact that Dems voted more than Reps, yet they lost all those Senate seats. On top of yesterday, the WH got what it wanted in the firing of Sessions. Let the games begin in this war of attrition and god help Mueller.
1
Were the Democrats "rebuked" when they lost multiples of house seats during Obama's first term than Republicans lost in this yesterday's Trump mid-term election? The NYT reporters and analysts cannot even show equal treatment of similar fact patterns when they are pretending to be fair. Obama's rebuke led him to say that he could not do anything about the Nightmares until he found a handy penumbra in executive power. The Democrat judges on the team supported the position his position on executive power and then went on to take away the penumbra bowl from Trump. Who will prevail- the reassuring Nancy Pelosi or the ruthless and corrupt Maxine Waters regarding the investigations to follow. Fortunately, we will have dueling investigations between the House and Senate because the only collusion demonstrated so far was between the Clinton campaign, the DNC, the cutout law firm, the Dem packed research firm and Steele who used high level sources from the British govt and then with help from Democrats used his research in a targeted way to attack Trump. This is much more compelling than the meeting with Trump Jr. and the Russian lawyer because no deleterious information about Hillary was communicated. Investigations are so informative.
1
One word : Releived. We now have a little speed bump, an insurance policy against Trumps worst impulses. It’s called the House Of Representatives. Forget the talk of Impeachment or a Hail Mary from Mueller. It’s time for Dems to really think, ponder and discuss the most important Issues for 2020.
Seriously.
I am gratified that the Democrats at least won the house but I am shocked that there is even one person left in this country still voting for a Republican. The Damage Done in these last two years will be decades in repairing. The depth of bigotry, ignorance, hypocrisy, and hate that it has revealed about the soul of America is deeply disturbing.
1
@zb So you would prefer a one-party government as in Russia? Demonizing the opposition, as do you Democrats, is undemocratic to say the least.
For those who believe "it is the economy, "
Econ 101
To first order, Republicans are the party defending rural economic interests (never mind soybeans), Democrats the party defending the economic interest of City dwellers.
The rural population of the US is stagnant since 1990, about 60 million. The urban population increased by 60 million between 1990 (190 Million) and 2010 (250 Million)
See link below for the data
Thus, if you believe that the major divide in the US is rural vs urban order, the number of Democratic Representatives must increase in the house in time, simply the result of the shift in the rural/urban split towards urbanization.
Suburbia is in the middle, and that is were the political fight takes place
https://www.census.gov/content/census/en/library/visualizations/2016/comm/acs-rural-urban/jcr:content/map.detailitem.800.high.png/1481199788250.png
2
I see an electorate in too many places that believes what they are fed because it reinforces their world view. There is uber-tribalism running rampant in the world in general and we, as a nation, seem to be giving it our blessing.
I consider myself a moderate and have have been taken to task by both "sides" about finding common ground. This is not reasonable. This is not productive. This means we fester, get really ugly and endure pain that could be avoided. Evidently, that's what we want.
It's not all bad I suppose, we actually had more participation. Why did it have to get to this point for that to happen?
2
In spite of your continuing display of a July 6 article on the putative invincibility of Rep Coffman in CO-6 the following result happened:
U.S. House District 6
53.1%
Jason Crow
152,947
44.2%
Mike Coffman*
127,392
1.5%
Kat Martin
4,187
1.2%
Dan Chapin
3,441
88.87% reporting / 1:32 PM
Not even close...might need to polish your crystal ball.
N Nelson
it will make very little difference. Not nearly as many people voted who could have, And would have made a difference in the Senate. There is still the possibility that yet another alter a right wing Catholic can join the supreme court conservative majority.
I believe that the most important result from the midterms, far and away, was the restoration of a consequential check and balance, through the incoming Democratic House majority, on our authoritarian-minded President and the endemic corruption that has and is occurring in his Executive branch. Secondarily, the election of an unprecedented number of women, mostly Democratic, to the Congress will have a major, positive impact upon the responsiveness and the quality of that body in representing the interests of all Americans.
4
The nation continues drifting toward something like an urban/rural split. Different issues than in the culture wars of the 60's and 70's, but similar in that a few things became the emotional anchors.
The divisive split that time began to close up with growing national revulsion over the Viet Nam war and the continued mistreatment of (black) minorities at home. And as young, liberal, baby boomeers aged into the voting population and the older, conservative, Depression era cohort aged out.
While history doesn't repeat, it does inform. Culture wars play a role. We could be in the early stages of a similar change as the nation begins to recoil from continued mistreatment of the 'other' and demographic cohorts age into and out of the electorate.
2
Yippee! Trump is now checked. The GOP is now in a competitive situation. Their incompetent government is now buoyed by the positives of an anchor for resurrecting our liberal democracy to waylay the autocracy of the Conservatives. The Urbanites are back, the clodhopping rurals are checked.
2
I am sadder than 2016. Too many of my fellow Americans are saying they approve of this tone, this ripping of children from their families (which has fallen off the radar), they even elected known racists. A sad state of the country and i am speechless as to what are the next steps
31
@Louise
I think a lot of the Republicans disapprove of Trump's tone, but just think Dems are way worse. They are tired of being over taxed, over regulated, and called racist or homophobe for positions that just 10 years ago were mainstream Dem positions (see securing the boarder, traditional marriage etc).
1
I am delighted. MI and CO took redistricting out of their legislature's hands. Kansas repudiated Kobach and his mentor Brownback by electing a Democrat as Governor. Walker in WI is gone. NM has a Democrat for Governor and both of NV's Senators are women. Colorado elected an openly gay man as Governor and his sexuality wasn't even an issue. Mia Love (R UT) lost to a Democrat. Willie Grayeyes won his race for County Commissioner in San Juan Co Utah despite a brunch of dirty tricks from the entrenched power structure. (Thank you Federal Judge Robert Shelby). Utah and Nebraska, bless their tiny red hearts expanded Medicaid. Michigan legalized weed and Florida gave the vote back to people who have been convicted of most felonies. And while voter suppression has been a thing for years the secure paper ballot elections in OR, WA, CO and most of UT went off without a hitch. Oh and one hell of a lot of people voted and we have some fabulous rising stars. Beyond Gillum and O'Rourke look to see good things of Paulette Jordan from Idaho. Next up, rid Colorado of Cory Gardner and find candidates for the Western Slope who aren't reactionary Republicans.
11
The blue tsunami became a blue wave and ended up as a Blue wavelet. For this we can thank Pelosi, Schumer, the Clintons, the DNC, and all the old establishment Democrats. It is the 21st century and the old elite Democratic leadership is still acting like it was the 20th, schmoozing with the big money interests in Wall Street, Hollywood and Silicon Valley and ignoring working people and their day to day issues. If the Dems are ever going to get real power they need to sweep out all the decrepit leadership and go with new ideas for the new century.
1
But the far Left candidates lost most of their races. How can you expect to govern when you can't get elected?
Here in Iowa, Dems flipped 2 of 3 House seats and retained a third, for a 3:1 Democrat margin. Steve King, the only Republican to survive, had a close call. A deeper dive into the data reveals some interesting divisions. Cindy Axne only won ONE of the 16 counties in her district - Polk county, which is Des Moines and suburbs. Her margin there was enough to overcome the shortfalls in the 15 rural counties. Why have the Dems lost traction in the rural areas? The party has to figure it out. What are the issues? I doubt it is health care. It's not the tax cuts - there are a lot of rich farmers throughout the state who benefited from them.
Education? Iowa's schools are pretty good, including its 3 public universities and its community college system, although the Republican legislature has recently failed to fund education at the requested amounts on all levels.
Immigration? Iowa was settled by European immigrants. Immigration might be a surrogate for fear of diversity, not because people of color are bad but because they are different. We had a Dem black female running for Secretary of State - she lost and I bet the vast majority of her votes came from urban areas.
What about urban jealousy and fear of change? Urban jealousy is the perception that most of the state's money goes to the larger cities. Small towns want to retain their charm, but do they risk losing that charm by changing the town to make it more attractive?
Hope the Dems figure it out.
3
@Tom
I would imagine a lot of it has to do with the fact that way to many Dems look down on rural folk (call them deplorables etc).
Americans want a government that gets things done!
We want a Congress that acts as 'counter balance' to the President.
What we don't want is for the Democrats to spend the next two years 'investigating things' that at the end of the day will mount to nothing and a Congress that does not get things done.
Americans want help from Congress! Not sound bites and special investigations. 2020 is right around the corner and a Congress that can get things done will be the winning side in that election!
1
I was filled w/ trepidation yesterday, that the reds might prove to be victorious. I’m feeling only slightly better today at the blue flip of the house. I am disappointed that Beo O’Rourke and Andrew Gillum didn’t win. What happens next will determine my response over the next several weeks.
Just now, trump fired Sessions. That was quick. Is this a signal that he might move in an AG who will end the Mueller investigation? I hope not.
What continues to be obvious is the prez’s psychpathology is his self-centeredness, and his strong desire to do what is good for him, not for the country. He is delusional—which means holding a set of fixed beliefs that are at odds with usual definitions of reality. He keeps himself in a bubble of self-congratulation, but also extreme fear and suspicion about groups that probably aren't out to harm him—sharks, immigrants and so on. Paranoia is the flip side of narcissism, sharing features like monumental self-absorption, a concern only for themselves, and a belief that they are at the center of things. Their importance, and people’s perception of that importance is tantamount to maintaining his self-esteem. When he doesn’t get that, he rages, until attention is focused back on him. trump is deeply untrusting of others and cannot bear anything that smells like disloyalty.
The blues have caused a positive shift, but the blues must never forget that trump is insane and will rage and lash out if he is thwarted.
13
I am bitterly disappointed and upset that so many Americans continue to support Trump and the Republican Party, despite his attacks on the free press, on immigrants, on women, on the principles of democratic government, and despite the GOPs destructive climate change denials and refusal to support ordinary Americans who need health care. I am deeply appalled by it all.
30
This was a battleground victory for democracy. The House will be the body that finally checks a lawless executive branch, and the Senate will either resist that effort or surrender to it. If they resist, the GOP will have fully rebranded themselves as subservient to an autocrat. If they surrender, history will redefine the role of the Senate with a permanent asterisk. New battles are taking shape already with the firing of Sessions. The fog of war is real, and I fear we are already engulfed in it.
2
I'm a lifelong Democrat and I'm delighted we managed to clip the wings of Trump and his nasty minions a bit. It wasn't enough, but it's something. I'm a great admirer of Trump's favorite punching bag, Nancy Pelosi. She's done an admirable job over her long tenure as Speaker, and Americans owe her a great deal, not least for the Affordable Care Act. I do, however, think it would be foolish to re-elect her to the Speakership of the new congress. She's nearly 80 years old, she's been tarred thoroughly (if unjustly) by Republicans, and she needs to step aside for someone younger who doesn't bring her baggage (and I'd say the same for Hoyer and Clyburn). Otherwise it's going to be two more years of the vicious food fight we've all seen before. Let's not waste this opportunity by allowing Republicans to paint whatever action comes out of the investigations into Trump and his criminals as simply spite on the part of Speaker Pelosi.
5
Despite the victories of the midterms - Democrats taking the House, many victories for women of color and LGBTQ candidates, restoring voting rights to former felons - last night did not feel like a win. I am worried that Trump will have another shot at a Supreme Court justice in the next two years, made easier by the increased Republican majority in the Senate. I am devastated that Washington State could not pass I-1631 to begin taking firm, statewide action to mitigate the effects of climate change. I am disheartened by ferocity with which Alaskans cling to candidates in the pockets of big corporations who refuse to protect the environment.
The results from the midterms brought a welcome sigh of relief, but that relief is tempered by a deep lack of trust that much good will come from this tiny step towards progress.
4
Voting in Colorado is a breeze. We receive our ballots in the mail. My husband and I sat down with the state voter guide at the kitchen table and had plenty of time to research the issues we had questions about. We then filled out our ballots and took them to one of the county boxes that collect ballots. Had we chosen, we could have mailed them or turned them in at the Courthouse or even voted at our precinct.
Compare that to the states which intentionally make it difficult to vote, particularly for working people and people of color. Imagine how many people don't have time to wait in line for hours only to find that there are 3 machines for thousands of people or that the bigots who run elections have conveniently "forgotten" to include electrical cords. Funny how that only happens in African American dominated precincts.
I'm happy with our statewide results but I'm sad that in so many states the goal of the GOP is to reduce turnout and to return to Jim Crow days where white skin was the only qualification that mattered. What would the results be in Georgia if the turnout had been honest and not manipulated by the "winning" party?
18
Here's your problem rural Red America; if you continue to starve the Blue cities, you end up starving yourselves. Intellectual and technological innovation has always come from the cities because, believe it or not the more minds that set to work on a problem, the more likely it will be that a solution will be found This requires the intellectual ferment one finds in the cities where people exchange ideas and inspire each other. It also requires the intellectual freedom found in universities. It can be found in corporations but the scope there is so limited. If you refuse to entertain new solutions to problems, you keep having the same problems.
What you seem to want to have been wanting to make America into is not the Western European success models of ancient Greece, Renaissance Italy, Elizabethan and Victorian England, or Northern led post-Civil War America but the unchanging intellectual stagnation of ancient Egypt, imperial China, most of Islamic rule.
I am happy to know that voters in red states have realized the importance of the healthcare Obama, Pelosi and the Democrats have legislated for them. But without the ability to grow intellectually their bodies may be living but their minds will be dying.
Spite is not a program for either a good life or successful society.
13
You speak of "red" states as if everyone who lives there thinks the same and votes the same. This simply isn't the case. There are no red or blue states - just states where a majority votes for one party or the other.
@Todd Fox
Unlike the US as a whole where the minority is ruling, the majority rules in the state elections. So the first people who are suffering from the reactionary choices being made, are the other people in those red states.
I am not about to debate the use of color imagery since it is a well known means of distinguishing between the parties.
1
I'm okay with it. I refused to get my hopes up, but I was still disappointed deep down that we didn't get the historic wins in Texas and Florida. But then, one has to step back and look at this: we're talking TEXAS and FLORIDA. And the races for Gillum and O'Rourke were incredibly close. That's pretty amazing.
The other thing of note is that the Dems won the House in a year when there's a booming continuing economy. Same with a lot of the governor races. That too is a commentary on trump's administration and how many people hate him.
Am I still astonished at how many ignorant people there are who voted republican? Absolutely. I'm happy about Wisconsin, but shaking my head at Iowa and Steve King. I ride my bike across Iowa every summer, and there are so many people in rural areas that hate this president and his acolytes, that i really thought King would be ousted.
Otherwise though, yeah, I think we did pretty well.
2
Given that, just to start even, the dems had to have about 7 points advantage on the GOP due to gerrymandering and voter suppression, they did extraordinarily well in the House. It was a blue wave.
2
Highly emotional night for us. Here in Wisconsin, Evers was winning then it went to Walker & back & forth most of the evening. Went to bed late with Walker ahead & red precincts still needed to be counted - so realistically assumed another term for Walker. Woke up to Evers, and still can't believe it. Years of pent up frustration are spilling out. So for Wisconsin, with Evers there's hope. What's happened to this state during Walker's tenure is heart wrenching.
Politics here, with all the gerrymandering & funding from out state, felt as if Wisconsin was a lost cause.
Turn out was incredibly high, and so since races here were so close that's disconcerting. Dems should have had a landslide, and with another divided government, it'll be hard for Evers to correct the damage. People don't understand that.
Gillum should have won. That he didn't but his polar opposite won is just sick.
Of course we're thrilled that the House is controlled by Dems now. We're fans of Nancy.
7
As founder of the 345 member Memphis Republican Jewish Coalition. I choose to believe having the Dems in charge of the House COULD be good for America and the Republican party, but it realy depends on the Dem leadership and the tone they want to start with.
Ideally, there could be old fashioned dealmaking across the aisle to adance both agendas. This is no doubt a long shot.
2
@Shep interesting how there’s never a call for Republicans to engage in bipartisan dealmaking when they have majority...only when dems are in control
12
I was an organizer for Amy McGrath’s campaign in Kentucky’s 6th congressional district. Amy’s loss was crushing, but I still have hope for Kentucky. My state is changing; that Amy could come so close to winning in a district that voted heavily for Trump is inspiring. I am 18 years old. Many of my peers have become politicized by this race, and we don’t plan to stop fighting any time soon.
26
@Eliana Shapere-Thank you! Please note Amy's "loss" may have been for other reasons. We need to demand fair and transparent elections and recounts.
- Kentucky: rampant problems
http://www.wdrb.com/story/39407281/kentucky-
1
Here is my takeaway from the midterm elections. We as citizens of this country have a moral responsibility to look within ourselves and ask this question, are we moving closer or farther away from the ideals within this following statement?
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
Throughout our history, this ideal of freedom has been expanded upon, with great cost and sacrifice of lives. We now have a president who believes he has the power to nullify parts of the 14th amendment, the crowning achievement of the civil war and a repudiation of slavery.
This president appeals to a narrow slice of the populace with fear and hatred. Yet we have witnessed a historically diverse set of people - citizens of this country - elected to Congress who will hold him to account and check his despotic tendencies.
This is constitutionally justified behavior, not malice towards the right. This is the foundation of our ever expanding freedom which is now under assault. Do YOU care more about yourself, or protecting the founding ideals of our nation?
David Rose
Arizona
21
Last night I was reminded all over again - and this morning's paper reinforces - that voting maps based on geography rather than populations are intensely misleading. I see a huge swath of red across the country and am driven to the conclusion that there's a huge swath of Republican voters. But, delving into the numbers, I find that there are plenty of them but still well, well short of a majority. NYTimes: could you please ask your clever graphic artists to devise a way of showing a map of the country that reflects not geographical boundaries but actual populations - people! - and how they voted? (And then persuade the television stations to switch to that format too?)
15
@Katherine I keep thinking this too, that it's not as all-or-nothing as the maps suggest. I mean in a way it IS, because the higher vote-getter takes all. But I too have been looking at the results on a more granular level, and there are a lot of places that went red where it was pretty close.
I do recall once seeing a map that took that into account - it was purple overall, because it looked at individual voting rather than the end winner. To my mind, a much more effective picture.
2
@Tasha Yes. And it's not just granularity; when a few hundred thousand people in Wyoming create a big swath of red while millions in Connecticut show a tiny patch of blue, it's very easy to be misled.
1
Relieved to have a House that can put a check on Trump, sad to realize that we are still so fundamentally divided with half of us unable to see in Trump what the other half of us sees in him.
9
Last night’s election results? It HURT (!!!) terribly to hear that Beto O’Rourke in TX and Andrew Gillum in FL lost their respective races. Both were good, solid, decent, smart candidates.
As for the Senate, I didn’t think the Dems would lose in IN (though that state is a bit weird in terms of how it wobbles between political poles). I’m not surprised that Senator Heitkamp lost her bid for re-election, given the uphill fight she was facing. I’m sorry that McCaskill lost in MO. I’m glad Tammy Baldwin kept her Senate seat and I'm delighted that the Dems won governorships in KS, MI (my home state), and WI (Beyond question: VOTER SUPPRESSION – and voter tampering, too --- have to be fought and stopped at every turn.)
I am gratified that the Dems have won back control of the House. Impeachment should not be discounted. The incoming Dem leadership in the House will have to be very subtle in dealing with Mr. Trump. There will be subpoena power in the House that the Dems will be able to wield.
I have no problem with their being cooperation between both Houses of Congress and the present administration in terms of keeping the government functioning sensibly and normally. BUT – I don’t expect the incoming House leadership to kowtow to the GOP. We the citizens who voted Democrat across the country and are engaged in the struggle to maintain our democratic system and values, must keep THE PRESSURE up on Congress. Absolutely no letup thru 2020.
7
I watched this morning's news conference and found it unbelievable that a president of the United States would be so rude and abusive to journalists. He does not even let them finish their question before he interrupts and goes into a loud and angry temper tantrum. He shamed fellow republicans who lost their elections, so much for loyalty from this man. I am beginning to believe that Trump's base is cultish, they re-elect 2 incumbents, Collins in New York and Hunter in Ca., who are under federal indictment! what are they going to do, serve their term from prison? We need some straight forward, transparent investigations that include some of Trump's corrupt cabinet members, Trump's taxes, his violation of the emolument laws, and his political abuse of our military just to name a few.
24
@daytona4
What are they going to do, serve their term from prison?
The party can cling to the seats in those cases while they drag out their legal problems, waiting to resign or be found innocent, etc. If they then resign or force the House to remove them until a special or regular election.
https://history.house.gov/Institution/Vacancies-Successors/Vacancies-Successors/
1
It seems clear that we must be relentless in our efforts to reach out to those who are disenfranchised and disillusioned, and work hard to elevate our discourse and appeal to the better angels in all of us. Americans were not meant to be Nazis. We are not meant to hate and fear anyone who is not an old, white, evangelical Christian. We can’t stop progress by literally ejecting people from our country who don’t look or worship like Ozzie and Harriet. I’ve no idea how we got to this point, but for the first time in my life, (and I’m 60 now) I fear for my children and grandchildren’s future in the US. I feel no better after this election, and am committed to redoubling my efforts to make a difference where I live, putting my actions where my values are. People need economic security, they need family wage jobs, before they have the luxury of caring about other stuff that may be interesting, important even, but immaterial when you’re fending off homelessness or starvation. And so I will practice Christianity the only way I know how, by treating others as I would want to be treated, by loving my neighbor, and by helping those in need. I will not live in fear. Oh, and I’ll keep sending money to the ACLU, volunteering for candidates and campaigns, and practicing my newly-minted activism.
5
I am glad (and relieved) that the Democrats took the House.
But it doesn't wipe out the memories of Trump's fascist rallies during the weeks leading up to the election or the fact that millions of Americans supported him, his lies, and his racism.
16
One thing I'm hoping for, but not expecting, is a reform of redistricting rules to fight partisan gerrymandering on both sides. Democracy isn't supposed to be a game of winner take all, it's supposed to be a continuous debate about what is good for the people. The only thing gerrymandering does is silence voters, which is against the very concept of democracy, but politicians don't care. No, people that don't vote for them are the enemy. Enemies aren't real citizens, they don't deserve to have their voices heard.
I'm young, and I don't understand many of the complexities of our peculiar brand of republic, but what I do know is that it was formed on the idea that the Legislature can only rule with the consent of the governed. By the nature of majority rule, some folks will almost always go unheeded. But this is the 21st century, we have greater tools than the Founding Fathers could have ever dreamed of to draw proportional voting districts! We can make sure that as many people as possible can be heard.
Partisanship has poisoned this country. There's medicine right in front of us, but like children, our so-called leaders have refused to swallow it. That's why I have hope, but little expectations.
9
I am optimistic and buoyed by last night's results, and I'm no Pollyanna.
Ask yourself what emotional state you would be in had we not won the House. This alone will change the nature of Trump's presidency, and deep down inside he knows it.
He will not be able to proceed with the same degree of impunity that he has relied on so far. There will now be oversight by investigative committees headed by extremely able representatives such as Adam Schiff. We will be prepared when Mueller unloads the tidal wave of evidence against Trump. We know it's there.
The villainous vote suppressor Kris Kobach is toast, as is the disgraceful Scott Walker. Maybe Wisconsin will be Wisconsin again.
A man who refused to waste his time with polls and went out and spoke in a principled manner, authentically and from the heart, with compassion for all, narrowly lost against the oily but entrenched Ted Cruz, in Texas for goodness sake! And this Democrat actually demonstrates charisma, which seems to be a scarce commodity among my party of late.
Democrats came out of the woodwork to run in areas where there has been little opposition to the entrenched Republicans. Many of these were women.
These grassroots movements are everything, for change does not ultimately come from the top down but from the bottom up.
I'm sorry but I refuse to engage in gloom and doom. I understand the threat of Trump and his minions, but there are many reasons for my heart to be lighter today.
17
@TM-I'm wondering about some of the fishy business at the polls in Texas.
First, I am ecstatic that so many women will be joining the House! That such a diverse female group will have a voice there is marvelous.
Second, it is disturbing how effective the racist, hate filled rhetoric was. Especially in my own state. People voted for a woman called "corrupt", against a popular former governor. When interviewed, they quoted the racist ads the President released. What does this say to my latino neighbors? To my children who want to know why Christian's are supporting hate and military might against a group of people who are just seeking help? What do I tell them about the people walking out of churches saying they voted against the "demoncrat"?
Today the President called a reporter names for asking a question. 2 former presidents, a newsroom, and various critics of him received bombs. 11 people were slaughtered in a house of God. His concern was the disruption to the election. He certainly doesn't care about those things today. He certainly is not looking for unity or civility. He is most definitely not trying to lessen the increasingly violent anger that is growing everyday. The Democrats control the House. They can save the ACA and slow some of the Presidents goals. That's wonderful. However, I still don't know what to tell my children, or how to protect them from what horror might happen tomorrow.
5
Steve King's reelection in Iowa disgusts me. Beto's loss to a man who *didn't do his job* as a Senator appalls me. The growth of a Senate majority by Republicans beholden to tRump terrifies me.
16
Welcome to 1954, and the Army-McCarthy hearings. Listen, about those tariffs....
Even though Beto lost, we still feel we have won. Cruz had to "mouth" support for healthcare and pre-existing conditions coverage. Communities were built around Beto's rallies. I had to tell a young very tattooed, skimpily dressed field organized from Austin that canvassing in a retirement community might require more conservative attire. BUT we reached across party lines and other differences to build a joyful coalition as disaffected "moderate" Eisenhower Republicans (example: me) and young Democrats (example: my children) came together to cast votes for HOPE. Beto's presence on the ticket made all state races closer than gerrymandered districts would predict. A fellow church parishioner and neighbor asked why the enormous Beto sign on my fence. And my answer: I have grown children with inherited predisposition to autoimmune disorders including type 1 diabetes hence Beto. I didn't mention my Trump disgust.
2
Extremely disappointed. The Dems lost two Senate seats. Awful. Now we can go back to deadlock. Great. This is good?
Why is it that no one seems to comprehend what appeals to the Trump-sotted FOX brainwashed voters? Do the Democrats not comprehend the depth to which that network acts as a 24/7 propaganda machine for any and all lies Trump creates moment to moment? Do the not understand how deeply they want to believe (as they did with Reagan) that he is the good daddy we all need?
Honestly, I despair that the Democrats do not go directly to the Trump voters, on the ground, and ask them if they are willing to turn off FOX and go virtually anywhere else for their news. As long as Trump makes up anything at all with no one to call him out they will remarkably and sadly believe anything he says with help from Hannity & Co.
Mitch McConnell and his ilk are equally to blame. Why don't the Democrats dig deep enough to lean hard on the racism of these arrogant white men? The gerrymandering is so disgusting. Look at what happened in Georgia! An Attorney General supervising his own election with voter suppression happening and no one could stop him!!!
The people who vote for Trump are good people and want good things. They are mislead, misguided and mixed up. As long as there is so much darkness coming from the WH the Dems need to come up with much brighter lights. EDUCATION. To educate is to "lead out" or "to illuminate". If they don't figure that out, we're all stuck.
7
@Jeanie LoVetri
"Honestly, I despair that the Democrats do not go directly to the Trump voters, on the ground, and ask them if they are willing to turn off FOX and go virtually anywhere else for their news."
You don't know any Trump supporters, do you? There is no talking to them. That base is baked in. He can say the sky is green and the sea is red and they will agree. Facts do not matter to them. Nothing the Dems do will move them. They believe we are about to be invaded, believe that Obama was flying in black planes full of foreigners to vote illegally, believe that the media is "picking on Trump", believe that the economy is all the result of his genius, and are certain that at last he has made America great again. They don't care about the lies or corruption. They feed on the hatred and fear he gins up at his revivals. That's what they love about him. They like that he is a bully. They don't want to be educated. They have found the guy that has tapped into their anger and confusion because of our rapidly changing world.
How do I know? I have talked to them; they are neighbors and even some family. They aren't misguided. He's their guy like no other who has come before. Luckily, the numbers are on our side.
Stop despairing. Dems had a good night. For 2020, we need to make further inroads with younger voters, (more) women, and people of color, and build on that success. Make no mistake, it was a blue wave. And we have more work ahead.
2
In spite of the deep division and rancor separating the two parties and the nation, I would hope that the Democrats at least attempt to take the high road and sincerely reach across the aisle for the good of the country. After all, that is why they were elected in the first place. They have to serve their constituents, but they also serve the nation asa whole.
1
In the local races in my community, Republicans who had an opponent lost. Bexar County has leaned Democrat for most elections but Republicans have had success because we are a large retirement community for the military and we have had a large military presence.
Historically, the community has learned to deal with bi-partisanship, and Republicans have had success in local races for judges and the like because candidates have been judged on merit, not party.
The Blue Wave definitely washed out those who historically had been able to survive prior elections. This indicates disgust with Trump’s form or extremism and zero sum politics. The Republican candidates were punished for Trump’s sins.
2
One outcome of the midterms will be "Trump Unleashed." Even though his politics is partisan, his psychology is not. (He would just as soon have exploited the Democratic Party for the nomination, but it had already been trafficked to the Clintons and the neoliberals; the Republicans disarray was a perfect opportunity, and he took it.) Trump loves opposition because it releases him to move even further into his sanctified groove-- sowing chaos, defaming, and lying-- because he loves to do all three. He has gained incremental power in the Senate, and I expect him to flex that increment every chance he gets.
2
Trump's incredible abuse of reporters April Ryan, Yamiche Alcindor and Jim Acosta during his press conference today was shocking.
Trump is angry and he's been emboldened by getting the mid-terms behind him. The GOP didn't do well but it didn't lose everything in a sweep. Donald Trump is going to act accordingly.
Trump is going to continue to take a hammer to our democratic norms and democratic institutions. Trump doesn't want free speech, a free press and honest elections.
He is trying to squelch all these things.
The anger on Trump's face as he insulted Ryan, Alcindor and
Acosta was frightening. His contempt for them was visible and poisonous.
Trump is not going to be accountable to anyone, while attacking our rights and destroying democratic norms.
We have been warned.
3
@fast/furious His abuse may have been shocking, but it was to be expected. Frankly, I am getting sick of many members of the press, who I feel are wasting too much time feeling self-righteous and reporting on their abuse instead of other things.
I am depressed about results -- not quite as depressed as 2 yrs ago, but depressed nonetheless.
There is obviously still a lot of support for Trump. I live in NYC & for the past 35 years or so have done my best to ignore him (I am now age 71), as from the beginning I have found him to be a self-absorbed, lying piece of garbage. And, try as I may, I find it difficult to understand how any rational, unselfabsorbed, not lying & not totally lacking in taste person could support him.
Am also depressed about state of Dem party (for 30 yrs have been technically independent, but lean & usually vote Dem) & their total inability to communicate any rational reasons for wanting a govt other an "Apprentice" - style govt. I vote but often leave much of my ballot blank. For example, yesterday I did not vote for anyone for governor of NY, attorney general of NY, US house of reps (seat held by Carolyn Maloney; sorry her primary challenger lost), or any judges (I do not believe judges should be elected). I did vote for NY state comptroller, US senator & the 3 propositions. I believe vast majority of people running for office in NY, in both parties, are political hacks, w/not enough smarts to compensate for fact they are machine politicos.
Have been seriously considering getting out of NY for some time, now thinking about getting out of US altogether. Can't even stand hearing the conversation & am frankly even fed up w/press, who I believe are too angry/doing inferior job.
1
@ellienyc Where would you go? I'm trying for Canada or Croatia.
@Joshua Freeman Well have only recently thought about getting out of country -- thought I was too old for it now and should have done it 10-20 years ago -- but now have decided to think about it again and, for a variety of mostly personal reasons have been thinking of Italy, France and England (and all places where I have some language skills). But I may end up elsewhere in US -- NY is just a total depressing sewer in my opinion in terms of politics and public life. That's interesting you're thinking of Canada -- I thought they had maybe decided to not be too sympathetic to Americans fleeing Trump. Maybe Trump should negotiate deals with Canada and Mexico -- for every desperate American retiree or employable adult who wants to go to their country, we will let one member of the "caravan" in!
I just hope newly charged up voters will stay the course and continue to commit their energies to activism. Suburban women came through for Democrats. New minority candidates won. Some very sad losses, like Beto O’Rourke, in razor tight race against Trd Cruz. But, since when would a governor’s race in Georgia between a white man and a black woman be so close? Or, in Florida? Awful to see the likes of Duncan Hunter win. Scott Walker is gone! Bottom line: Trump is a nightmare and Republican voters better break with their traditions in 2020 or our country is doomed.
3
@Susan Tarrence
I agree with your comments and, as a Wisconsinite, I am overjoyed by the statement "Scott Walker is gone!" He is a stain on our state's proud, progressive history and will not be missed. Now if we can find a way to address our state's extremely gerrymandered electoral maps...
1
What this election proves, more than anything else, is that bigotry is alive and well in this country. No where is this more true than in Texas- where a whining, sniveling coward who is liked by no one was re-elected to the Senate. How much do you have to hate brown people to vote for Ted Cruz. In the immortal words of President Pinnochio, SAD!
2
The Democrats have their shot, but it comes as a rebuke and a reaction to disgust rather than support of the left. They have a chance to be new, to oust the shackles of establishment and play the game for more than rampant power grabs. Millennials don't want platitudes or promises, they want to see action and authenticity. If we get the same tired-and-faded faces the sheer spite will carry 2020 back into the poisonous hands of whomever can channel the country's fear.
Be better. Win, and there's a chance the people won't revert to apathy.
4
Many friends, family, and acquaintances reported long lines and obsolete machines in their designated voting area. Many of them had to get back to work; many had restless children waiting with them. Some had no clue where their voting place was, or that they had to go there specifically. Others with absentee ballots, excited to participate in this big election, never received them in the mail.
I want to refrain from blaming any loss on voter suppression, but the fact is that it is much harder for the working class to vote than it should be, and we all got to experience it first-hand this election season. There should be measures taken toward making every American's right more accessible. It is very possible to do so without sacrificing election security.
7
VOTER SUPPRESSION is a fact and none of us who values fairness in our electoral system and believes in the sanctity of one person/one vote should be blind to it. Besides as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Whenever any American who is eligible to vote is deprived unjustly of the right to vote, we all need to be concerned about that.
3
CNN is reporting in their exit polls that 18% of black women in Florida voted for DeSantis over Gillum. How is that possible, given that it was the massive mobilization of black women, both as voters and as volunteers, that led Gillum to win the primary in the first place? Something seems wrong here - if CNN didn't make a serious error in their exit poll sampling, then Florida and the Gillum campaign should take a serious look at how voting was held; this is not just a statistical anomaly, this is potentially evidence of serious voter suppression.
3
I am in my late 40s, and I've voted consistently since I was 18. This was the first election where I volunteered to knock on doors prior to election day and to to offer information to voters at polling places. I did so because I felt like I had to help make a difference this year. I was pleasantly surprised by the reception I got from voters and by the way I could chat with poll volunteers from other parties. There was plenty of downtime at the polls where I volunteered, and my fellow partisans -- those sufficiently energized to come out and support their side -- were friendly. Of course, we weren't trying to win each other over, but we could still discuss a range of topics in a congenial manner. My wish for the next two years is for that ethic to filter up to our officials. Sadly, I am not at all optimistic.
1
I spent 8€ to be sure my absentee ballot was delivered with tracking and I got an email confirmation from my small county in Northern FL which is deep red. I “watched“ election results via Twitter as I am in Germany and almost never turn on a Television..went to bed and woke up with it, hoping it would not be like 2000. And it was not, in other states. I feel bad that my state will get another recount instead of Democratic leadership in both the Governor‘s mansion as well as the Senate. I hold on to hope that all is not lost for FL’s environment, society and for our democracy.
1
I am profoundly concerned for the interity of elections in Florida. We are, perhaps, the most corrupt state in the union.
Consider that Florida voters agreed to extend voting rights to former felons. Rick Scott personally opposed the measure. Republicans, in general, hated it.
People favoring the ballot question generally favor Gillum and Nelson. I would think that the votes for Andrew Gillum and Ben Nelson should reasonably coincide with the results of the ballot question. Both, by the way had decent leads in the polls just days before the election.
I am not a conspiracy theorist but I am genuinely concerned.
19
@dcaryhart
I share your thought and your concern. Who can answer these crucial questions for the voters in Florida and for the country?
1
I think a lot of people were expecting more from the "Blue Wave", and I can understand that, but I still think democrats are victorious. The most important thing is that now there's a check on Trump's power. He can't do anything he wants anymore. He can't act on behalf of only his base—if he wants to pass legislation, he has to reach across the aisle. In my book, that's a win.
I am encouraged by the remarks about how the democrats have developed a better infrastructure, and the diversity of candidates nationwide that did win.
I am so dissappointed that it seems people actually voted for candidates that I think are simply horrible! I would have thought that Gillum, Abrams, and Beto would all win, since in each instance they seem sincere and inclusive and thier opponents have very serious and obvious flaws.
The vision and leadership of those loosing- this-time Democratic candidates, should not be dismissed.
The GOP has spent years developing its strategy to win by vivifying and going around the populous states as the anti-elite, anti-immigrant (save the Whites) party, and through careful development of state governor, legislative and judicial office control, enabling gerrymandering, control of voting and other unsavory but effective tactics. That doesn't even include their mastery of talk radio, cable news and back-channel fear-mongering to de-humanize those who disagree with GOP orthodoxy.
As an example, yesterday about 10 million more Democratic votes were cast for Senate candidates than Republican, yet the GOP gained ground in the Senate. A similar effect was seen in 2016, when the Democratic candidate lost with a 3 million vote advantage. Red states pretty much stayed Red, clinging to the fear-based messaging of Trump.
A single election win for the Democrats will not matter much, if they don't learn that real victory comes from systemic development of a political structure to manage the message and process of winning offices consistently, overcoming the strength of the GOP in White middle America.
Craig in Massachusetts
13
@MassBear I do not accept that Democrats failed in delivering their message and getting out in these communities to elect candidates trying to make a positive change. They failed because voters chose with knowledge of the candidates and, in many instances, they chose white supremacists, racists, xenophobes and fear mongerers. That is the choice those voters made - it is the vision they have of their lives and for this country. God help us all if it comes to fruition.
5
The 10 million more senate votes you quote are solely due to 2 Dems running against each other in CA.