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Midterms Election Day: We Get the Government We Elect

I don't know if there will be a blue wave, a blue tsunami or we'll be singing the blues tonight. I know I don't trust the polls or the pundits pounding statistics.

What I have learned over the decades I have been a voter is that we get the government we elect. If we snooze and don't show up to vote, we lose. All of us.

From this day forward, Donald Trump is an irrelevant lame duck. I've enjoyed ignoring him the past nine months. Thankfully, he is not on the ballot. If the Democrats win the House and Senate, sure he will be the veto king the next two years. But maybe, the win will pave the way for the Democrats to win the presidency in 2028. Imagine that on January 20, 2029, we have a Democratic president who immediately repeals every repulsive executive order Trump signed.

If you abstain or write in Bugs Bunny, it's one less vote the Republicans have to earn to win. So hold your nose or put a clothes pin on it when you go to drop off your ballot or vote in person, to show the world how you feel about the choices, but cast your vote. You have the chance to play a role in the beginning of the process to restore the soul of our country, not just its reflection pools and golf courses. Use it, don't lose it.

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  • Display: Sort:
    We are (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 10:21:33 AM EST
    going to get a lot of surprises tonight I think. What was supposed to be a dog fight senate race in GA and NC has turned into a yawner. I expect both of those to be announced early. But what happens in both of these states down ticket is going to be incredibly interesting.

    Come on (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 06:25:36 PM EST
    Shock me, Texas.

    Texas did it! (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by vml68 on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 10:10:51 PM EST
    Go Talarico!
    That Blue wave is starting to look like a tsunami.

    Parent
    If Talarico (none / 0) (#14)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 06:54:27 PM EST
    doesn't win the polling industry should be DOA.

    Parent
    I've have a soft spot for Sherrod Brown (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 08:22:43 PM EST
    ever since Rush Limbaugh disparagingly said he had a "black name."

    Wow, Go Annie Andrews! (5.00 / 3) (#25)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 09:04:07 PM EST


    Gonna have good time (5.00 / 4) (#27)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 09:38:53 PM EST
    sending Perry a farewell notice tomorrow. NBC called it for Stelson.

    WOO EFING HOO!!!!

    Suck it up, Elon (5.00 / 4) (#30)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 10:05:27 PM EST


    heheh, fElon (5.00 / 1) (#44)
    by leap2 on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 01:06:25 AM EST
    ElieNYC

    @elienyc.bsky.social

    Elon Musk and his entire operation now lives in a blue state with a Democratic attorney general. 🙂

    Parent

    so sweet! (5.00 / 2) (#45)
    by leap2 on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 01:16:49 AM EST
    Max Kennerly
     @maxkennerly.bsky.social

    If Hinojosa beats Abbott that is extremely bad for Elon Musk in particular. Dude moved everything to Texas because he was certain it would forever be a safe haven for his corruption, white nationalism, and misogyny. Whoops!

    Parent

    Wow!!! (5.00 / 3) (#33)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 10:33:22 PM EST
    Texas has elected a Democratic hispanic female to the governor's office. Ann Richards is smiling.
    Talarico was a no brainer. But they took Governor!!
     

    If the shallacking in Texas ... (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 12:52:50 AM EST
    ... doesn't sober up the MAGA-inebriated GOP, then nothing will. Those two high-profile races were not even close. Last I saw, Gov. Greg Abbott was trailing State Rep. Gina Hinojosa by over a half-million votes and still counting. I was hopeful that she could somehow pull it out. She absolutely crushed him.

    But that's not all in the Lone Star State. Democrat has also knocked off the odious incumbent GOP Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Democrat Nathan Johnson has flipped the Texas Attorney General's office. Democrat Sarah Eckhardt has bumped off incumbent GOP State Comptroller Don Huffines. The number of Republican losses in state legislative races is in double digits.

    And to top it all off, let's please remember that at Donald Trump's behest, Gov. Abbott and Texas Republicans redrew the state's U.S. House map to gain five seats. Not only did they lose all five redistricted seats, it's also looking like they will probably end up with a net loss of two in congressional seats.

    Texas 2026 will stand as a cautionary tale for future Republicans, an object lesson on the peril of arrogance and hubris in politics. Pride preceded the fall.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    See comment (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 10:36:39 AM EST
    #59

    Parent
    Texas US House Gerrymander (5.00 / 1) (#39)
    by Coral Gables on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 11:12:06 PM EST
    was supposed to increase the Republican House of Representatives lead from 25-13 to 30-8

    Right now the Dems are leading 23-15

    Voters blew up the Republicans in Texas. (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 03:06:27 AM EST
    Democrats swept all seven statewide races:
    • Governor - Gina Hinojosa
    • Lieutenant Governor - Vikki Goodwin
    • Attorney General - Nathan Johnson
    • Comptroller - Sarah Eckhardt
    • Railroad Commissioner - Jon Rosenthal
    • Land Commissioner - Benjamin Flores
    • Agriculture Commissioner - Clayton Tucker

    It's also looking like Democrats took control of the State Board of Education, winning five of the nine seats. Dems swept all four races for State Supreme Court seats, with the four GOP incumbents all going down, including Chief Justice Jimmy Blscklock.

    Republicans are likely to retain control of the state legislature but with seriously diminished majorities in both chambers.

    The headline of The Texas Tribune says it all:
    "Democrats seize power in Texas, ending decades of GOP dominance."

    I freely admit that Democrats crushing it in Texas yesterday wasn't on my bingo card. Color me happily surprised.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    All Eyes Now on Mississippi (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by Coral Gables on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 12:00:00 AM EST
    Yes Mississippi!!!

    Historic election in New Mexico... (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by desertswine on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 12:09:19 AM EST
    Deb Haaland has been elected governor of New Mexico and will become the first Native American to lead a U.S. state.

    Its been a clean sweep for the Democrats in NM.

    Best election ever!

    Its not just the number of wins (5.00 / 1) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 08:49:26 AM EST
    although winning every statewide race in TX is pretty amazing, but its the size of the wins.  

    14 points in TX
    19 in North Carolina


    Also (none / 0) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 09:02:28 AM EST
    First gay Senator
    First Muslim Senator
    First black gov GA
    First woman gov GA
    First black Gov FL (he's a d!ck but whatever)

    Parent
    Its good to be right :) (none / 0) (#52)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 09:15:20 AM EST
    I say 56
    Maybe 57

    We are 54 with AK and MS coming soon.

    Parent

    The House is going to blow my guess away (none / 0) (#53)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 09:16:53 AM EST
    They are saying 250+

    Parent
    Wall Street seems to like the outcome. (5.00 / 1) (#51)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 09:13:40 AM EST
    DOW is up over 1000. NASDAQ up over 600.

    Just too big (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 09:33:58 AM EST
    Good line (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 10:00:22 AM EST
    Trump can't get regime change in Iran but he got regime change in Texas!

    52 Senate Seats (none / 0) (#1)
    by Coral Gables on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 09:03:29 AM EST
    is the bare minimum needed to eliminate the Fetterman leverage.

    I say 56 (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 09:14:12 AM EST
    Maybe 57

    Parent
    I have this feeling (none / 0) (#4)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 09:18:16 AM EST
    that there will be at least one Senate upset no one expected

    Maybe ours here in AR

    Parent

    If Cotton actually loses, one possibility (none / 0) (#8)
    by Peter G on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 02:30:22 PM EST
    is that Alito will change his mind and announce his resignation this month from SCOTUS, effective upon the confirmation of a replacement. (I do not believe that Thomas could be prevailed upon to do this.) The rump R-dominated Senate could then try to ram through another right-wing nut Justice before January (as they did with Barrett when RBG died). And that Justice might very well be Cotton. Probably better liked by his colleagues than Cruz (who is similarly qualified), although perhaps not much better.

    Parent
    He won (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 08:53:17 AM EST
    But barely.  Barely.  The other rep, French Hill, BARELY won.  It was much closed than my rep.  She lost by a lot.

    Whit after millions in ads

    Parent

    Mississippi? (none / 0) (#41)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 12:09:06 AM EST
    He is leading by 40something (none / 0) (#48)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 08:51:17 AM EST
    and most of the uncounted should helpmhim.

    As of this morning.

    Parent

    Wait, what? (none / 0) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 09:16:20 AM EST

    Trump says US will stop funding Israel at the end of the year

    The US president pointed out that some politicians on the Left were using funding for Israel as a talking point to bash Republicans.

    There was no immediate comment from Netanyahu's office on Trump's remarks.



    No idea what he thinks he means by this (5.00 / 4) (#7)
    by Peter G on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 02:21:46 PM EST
    or what he hopes to accomplish. But one thing I do know: It is another lie.

    Parent
    Its a pretty good indicator (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 02:42:16 PM EST
    of the changing politics around Israel

    Parent
    His base has enabled (none / 0) (#10)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 02:46:23 PM EST
    him in the delusion that he can performatively blurt out anything and he won't be taken to task for it.

    Parent
    A couple of weeks ago (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 02:51:01 PM EST
    he in-effect called them idiotic trained seals right to their faces "I can say the stupidest thing and you'll clap" and they still clapped and whooped and chanted USA! USA!

    Parent
    Instead of having the intended effect (none / 0) (#6)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 12:56:45 PM EST
    now they're going to lose the Christian Zionist vote.

    Do you think even hardcore Maga might be starting to have a twinkling of awareness that Trump is completely FOS?

    Parent

    Polls are starting to close... (none / 0) (#12)
    by desertswine on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 05:57:19 PM EST
    It must be Gin o'clock.  Time to sit back, put my feet up and watch the show.

    Stelson was leading at 71% (none / 0) (#15)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 07:47:37 PM EST
    with 1% reporting for PA-10. Now with 13% reporting that number is holding.

    Perry said he 'hopes' (none / 0) (#18)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 08:19:55 PM EST
    he'll accept the election results. Meaning, probably, he won't if he loses.

    Parent
    With 65% of vote in. (none / 0) (#26)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 09:22:44 PM EST
    59% Stelson. 41% Perry. Just need those numbers to hold.

    Parent
    AP has called the race (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Peter G on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 10:51:24 PM EST
    For Stelson over Perry. Congratulations, ChuckO!

    Parent
    The NC (none / 0) (#16)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 08:06:46 PM EST
    election blog is now reporting that 4 gerrymandered congressional districts are in danger of flipping blue. The GOP hold on the legislature has been broken and they can no longer override Stein's vetoes.

    Senate looking good (none / 0) (#17)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 08:19:29 PM EST
    ME, KS, SC, TX. Maybe OH, IA.

    Keep an eye on Nebraska. (none / 0) (#29)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 10:01:07 PM EST
    Sen. Ricketts is in serious trouble. with 42% of the vote in, he's trailing independent Dan Osborn by 8 points.

    This couldn't be a bigger GOP bloodbath is Quentin Tarantino scripted and directed it.

    :-O

    Parent

    US House in Florida (none / 0) (#20)
    by Coral Gables on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 08:31:35 PM EST
    The DeSantis gerrymander was supposed to net the GOP 4 more seats in Florida increasing from 20-8 to 24-4. As of right now, it looks like the Dems won't lose any seats in Florida with them maintaining leads in 8 Congressional Districts.

    Jolly (none / 0) (#21)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 08:44:49 PM EST
    almost won

    Parent
    Florida continues to disappoint :-( (5.00 / 3) (#28)
    by vml68 on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 09:56:13 PM EST
    n/t

    Parent
    If they had just a bit more money (none / 0) (#56)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 10:02:42 AM EST
    We might have won senate and gov.

    sigh


    Parent

    That's kind of (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 08:45:43 PM EST
    amazing.

    That he ALMOST won

    Parent

    Also amazing (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 08:48:27 PM EST
    candidate    votes    pct
    Tom Cotton*
    GOP
    271,886    51.2%
    Hallie Shoffner
    Dem
    244,546    46.0

    53%

    Parent

    THIS is,really amazing (none / 0) (#24)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 08:49:32 PM EST
    2026 Ark. District 2 General
    U.S. House
    AP logoestimates
    73% of votes counted
    candidate    votes    pct
    Chris Jones
    Dem
    93,859    51.9%
    French Hill*
    GOP
    87,130    48.1%

    Parent
    What the eff do Minnesotans (none / 0) (#32)
    by jondee on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 10:26:28 PM EST
    find appealing about Michele Tafoya? Thursday Night Football?

    She cheered on the ICE thugs and said she was ashamed of Minnesota, comparing it unfavorably to Florida.

    Thus far (5.00 / 1) (#34)
    by Coral Gables on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 10:43:34 PM EST
    this is looking like a shocking Dem loss.

    Unless of course the urban areas haven't dropped the majority of their votes yet.

    Parent

    Minneapolis hasn't reported yet (none / 0) (#36)
    by Coral Gables on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 10:57:11 PM EST
    which should add a net gain of at least 200,000 votes for Flanagan.

    Parent
    And there you go (none / 0) (#37)
    by Coral Gables on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 11:08:02 PM EST
    Minneapolis is in and Flanagan had a net gain of 300,000.

    Parent
    AP just called it (5.00 / 1) (#38)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Nov 03, 2026 at 11:09:52 PM EST
    for Flanagan.

    Parent
    We won't have Mike to kick around anymore (none / 0) (#57)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 10:05:37 AM EST
    sadly

    House Speaker Mike Johnson will not stay on as Republican leader after GOP losses

    Scott Colom is speaking live on CNN.  He is ahead.

     

    Colom is (none / 0) (#58)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 10:09:20 AM EST
    ahead by 43

    Parent
    Sorry about the AI (none / 0) (#59)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 10:18:27 AM EST
    So, who jumps first? (none / 0) (#61)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 10:39:42 AM EST
    Thomas or Alito?

    Or maybe they hold hands and jump together.

    Clarence Thomas (none / 0) (#63)
    by Coral Gables on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 11:24:41 AM EST
    Clarence isn't going anywhere until he sets the mark as the longest serving justice ever.

    Parent
    Probably means he will expire on the bench (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 12:06:33 PM EST
    and we get to replace him.

    Then Alito?  He's just to much of a d!ck to not try to screw us out of a nomination.  

    It's now or 7 more years

    Parent

    I believe (none / 0) (#66)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 12:07:46 PM EST
    he has said he will not leave in the Lame Duck session.

    We will see.

    Parent

    Prof. Steve Vladeck, who is pretty wise (none / 0) (#71)
    by Peter G on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 03:02:49 PM EST
    on such things, thinks (today's One First installment) that Alito would not cooperate with that maneuver, because it would virtually guarantee Court expansion next year as a retaliatory measure. I dunno about that, since expansion would take an Act of Congress, and even with the tsunami, we don't have a veto-proof majority.

    Parent
    I believe Thomas is within 18 months (none / 0) (#72)
    by Peter G on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 03:04:39 PM EST
    of that mark. The previous record holder was William O. Douglas. It would be particularly sweet, from CT's POV, to displace WOD, who was almost certainly the most Left justice ever.

    Parent
    My long time (none / 0) (#62)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 11:07:18 AM EST
    state which I consider home, Georgia, and my new adopted state NC understood the assignment. NC even better than GA. The NC GOP is literally in shock, crying today. My district flipped blue. Trump won it in 2024 by 17 points. It looks like Satan's Meemaw Virginia Foxx may be DOA. I think there are only 2 GOP congressional seats that are surely red right now. Anderson Clayton should be running the DNC. She has done a fantastic job here in NC.

    I guess Klobuchar (none / 0) (#64)
    by Chuck0 on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 11:28:26 AM EST
    gets to appoint her own replacement in the Senate. Perhaps Tim Walz?

    Tim is unlikely (none / 0) (#67)
    by Coral Gables on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 12:14:13 PM EST
    Walz said he'd rather eat glass than be appointed to the U.S. Senate.

    Parent
    There's a story going and (none / 0) (#68)
    by jondee on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 12:23:25 PM EST
    that she had a meeting with Jesse Ventura about this.

    I don't mind a loose cannon, firebrand type on our side in the Senate. Democrats have played nice for far too long while we've had to endure this grotesque shtshow.

    Parent

    around.. (none / 0) (#69)
    by jondee on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 12:23:55 PM EST


    It hit a celebratory 80° (none / 0) (#70)
    by jondee on Wed Nov 04, 2026 at 02:59:28 PM EST
    today here on the shores of beautiful Lake Don-tario in Western NY. Got to be close to a record high.