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While the rest of the country is settling down after months of presidential, congressional and gubernatorial races, the states of Georgia and Minnesota are still going strong.
After reaching a split in favor of the Democrats 2006, the Democrats ended things off on November 4 with a net gain of 5 seats in the Senate, bringing their total to 54, with 2 Independents that generally caucus with the Democrats. This brought them 4 seats away from a filibuster-proof Senate. The number was reduced to 3 seats on November 6 when Oregon Republican Senator Gordon Smith conceded to Democratic rival Jeff Merkley, losing by roughly 40,000 votes. While it is likely that that the Democrats can win over a handful of moderate Republicans to their cause, such as Lindsey Graham (R-SC), the margin might become even slimmer if the current razor-close elections in Minnesota and Georgia go against the Republican incumbents.
In Minnesota, Republican Senator Norm Coleman was leading Democratic rival Al Franken by only 221 votes out of over 3 million– triggering a recount under Minnesota law. This small lead might be upset further by a recent ruling by a judge who denied a request from incumbent Republican Sen. Norm Coleman’s campaign to block certain uncounted absentee ballots from being counted in a race.
According to CNN.com, November 9, 2008:
According to the court request, the Coleman campaign sought an “emergency temporary injunction” preventing election officials from unsealing, opening, or tallying any absentee ballots that were not inside an official ballot box by midnight election night.
Specifically, the Coleman team was looking to block 32 uncounted ballots from the city of Minneapolis, according to the campaign in the request. They say they were notified late Friday night that these ballots were to be counted the next day.
The recount could take as long as a month, according to Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, “as equipment and numbers are checked to make sure every eligible ballot has been gathered and as each ballot is visually inspected while representatives from the campaigns watch.”
Another race that is heading into extra innings is the Senate race in the state of Georgia. The incumbent, Republican Senator Saxby Chambliss amassed 49.8% of the vote, close– but not enough to guarantee him another six years in the Senate. According to Georgia law, since neither Sen. Chambliss or his Democratic challenger Jim Martin received more than 50% of the vote– largely due to Libertarian Allen Buckley, there is a runoff election on December 2nd. Voter turnout for the runoff is expected to be low– and both Republican and Democratic candidates are reaching out to constituents. Chambliss has received support from Republican presidential candidate John McCain, and Martin has turned to President-elect Barack Obama.
A Democratic win in Minnesota and/or Georgia would bring the magic number down to 2 or even 1. While these probable numbers do not put the Democrats in the safe zone, it brings them within a comfortable reach of it.
Republican power in the Senate could be further diminished by the all but likely expulsion of Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AS). Even though Stevens managed to stave off his Democratic rival Mark Begich on November 4 by a slim margin, he is facing significant pressure from members of his own party to step down.
According to Erika Bolstad of the McClatchy Newspapers, November 10, 2008:
They include Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., who was among those to call for Stevens to step down in the wake of the Alaska Republican’s Oct. 27 conviction on seven felony counts of failing to report gifts and services, including renovations that doubled the size of his Alaska home.
DeMint’s fellow Republican from South Carolina, Sen. Lindsey Graham, called on Stevens to step down, too, as did Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin….
McConnell has said that if Stevens is re-elected and “the felony charge stands through the appeals process, there is zero chance that a senator with a felony conviction would not be expelled from the Senate.”
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Michael,
Thanks for putting this information up and helping to post good peices along with Nate. The election season isn’t quite over with, as you are pointing out.
I am really curious to see what happens with the senate. I am predicting Minnisota to go Democrat and Georgia to go Republican.
Do you know what will happen if Stevens Steps down? Do they hold another election?
I am really curious to see how president-Elect will work with congress (I.E. Report legislation that is being held up by republicans). I believe there are alot of american’s watching both the legislative and executive branch right now.
For that reason, I believe there is going to be a lot of pressure on the Republicans.
Don’t be so sure about the Alaska race yet either. Stevens can’t claim the win yet because there are still 60,000 absentee and early votes and about 16,000 “questionable votes” to be counted as of today (http://washingtonin
dependent.com/17729/alaska-senate-update-plus-qa). This is a state initiative passed a few years ago when a dozen or more were charged with voter fraud. Now, they wait until after the electronic voterr deadline to begin counting the absentee and early ballots. Begich is far from the loser in this one.
“That possibility has Democrats salivating over Chambliss’ job and Republicans vowing to hold the line.”
This is the line in the article you’ve sited, Michael, that is the most important. The article is written in and perceived from an Atlanta perspective. I’m in the southern most part of the state, about 45 miles from Chambliss’s hometown of Moultrie, and about 25 miles from his Senate office in Albany. The adrenaline is still pumping strong here, and I suspect the largest voter turnout in December will be in this area of the State. The farming industry, which is prevalant here, feels a strong need to keep the Republican in office since they oppose obama’s tax plan.
On a personal note, I’m hoping that John McCain will make his appearance for Saxby in Albany and not Atlanta.
By the way, there’s rumors floating that Newt Gingrich could be the new leader of the RNC. It seems “change” is the buzz word for both parties these days. I think Newt would be a welcome change to the party. I’m also intrigued by the upcoming meeting in Florida by the Republican Govenors.
Babs
I hope this is true
Me, too, Bill. I have a lot of respect for Newt, and think his level head is exactly what the party needs. I may be a new Republican, but I intend to be a very active one. Here’s some of his recent comments on the election, the candidates, and the Party.
“The topic turned to the recent past, namely earlier this week. What happened to the Republican Party? His answer was simple. “The Bush administration failed,” he said, “Republicans have got to come to a firm understanding.” At the same time, he had nothing but praise for the Party’s presidential nominee. “You’ve gotta give Senator McCain credit. At a time when the President was at a 23-percent job approval (rating), McCain got 46-percent of the vote.”
Gingrich also said Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will become a major player in the country and the Republican Party. “She may decide to replace Senator Stevens in the Senate. I have zero doubt that if she does, she’ll win. If she doesn’t go to the U-S Senate, she’ll certainly be re-elected as Governor and she’ll be a formidable force.”
When asked if the Republican Party was struggling to find its identity. “No,” said Gingrich, “The Republican party’s struggling to get beyond incompetence.”
As for the challenges ahead for President-Elect Obama, he responded “We had two straight days of the stock market dropping after his election. Not exactly the kind of welcome I suspect, he wanted.”"
Babs
I hate to say it out loud, because it is a sin to many lberals, but I watch Hucuabee, Haninty, and O’reley. And CSPAN. Newt called McCain’s mistakes night on Hanilty. I consider him Speaker in present era golden age Republian party. Our second Regan. Shall I say, A True Messiah. Not a Flim Flam Man
I believe Sarah is being belittled by old republican guard. Knowing their day are gone with Newt, Sarah, and Governor of La. being the future.
I believe our new part should battled Acorn, sub-prime, and other evil in our government. Ahh, yeah…McCains’s ideas. Being a party to a wider base
Babs
My guess is McCain will wait a short while. Gathering the garbage coming out about Sarah, then go on a show like Hannity and burn the garbage.
Babs
I can not say this is true. But I heard Drilling off shore that Obama said he would consider, is dead. Right now oil is $ 62.50 a barrel. Market is expectd to start recovery middle of next year. Heard on CNBC Market show. Unless our new Prresident and Congress changes things. When economy begins recovering, oil will go up.
Since we will need oil for decades, we better dill off shore.
We better drill in Alaska and keep that pipeline flow.
When economy gets better, higher gas prices because people will burn more gas.
New cars using alternative fuels, will not replace the
millions of gas burning cars on road for a very long time
Babs, I am personally quite upset at how things worked out for McCain. I have always highly respected the man and his work. He has tried for years to get into the Oval Office, and the only time he is given a decent shot at it, the deck is stacked against him. I wish the Republican Party had been more generous to him back in 2000. I was actually ready to vote for him then– over Gore.
As for Stevens– while there might be a turnaround– it is looking very very slim. If Stevens is ejected from Congress, then Governor Palin will select another person to take his place. The important thing here is that either way– if Stevens loses his seat, or is kicked out of the Senate, the Republicans lose an important person who had quite a bit of political clout (and positions).
Micheal–On Contradiction on Obama.. It appears that Dreadsen and JD are same person. Is that ok, if true
lol. Bill, Dreadsen and JD are quite different.
We are not the only people who oppose your point of view and mis-information but just because we do, does not make us the same person.
Thanks for the concern though.
Michael,
Thanks for info on the if\then scenario with Stevens. I didn’t realize Palin would get to choose his replacement.
Well, Michael, I’m hoping that the new administration will reach out to McCain. I think it’s almost a sin to waste the wisdom and knowledge McCain brings to the table. He has a lot to offer in more than one area.
I think had the Party foreseen the inevitable of 2008, and that preverbial deck, they may have been more generous. In fact, I think had McCain been president the last four years, the democrats wouldn’t have felt the feverish panic they’ve operated off of in this election.
As to Stevens, that will be an interesting story to watch unfold. Sarah certainly has the executive right to replace him as I understand it, but I don’t expect her to do that. From what I hear, if he is forced out of the Senate, Alaska will hold another election, and she may choose to run for his office. With a 94% approval rating among Republicans in Alaska (new poll out this weekend), she could certainly win hands down. I’m not sure which position she would consider more important in implementing the reform she wants, but as I said, it will be interesting.
Bill, yes, the news is that obama will be executing some executive orders that will reportedly include stripping the drilling rights away from certain areas, like Utah and ANWR.
Bill — to my knowledge, Dreadsen and JD are different people. I will check out their posts.
Michael
Stevens is well liked. And provided lots of pork. If the new Republican party arises from the ashes, would not pork be one amoung many changes pushed for.
Dean to Step Down as DNC Chair –
The former Vermont governor and ‘04 presidential candidate will not seek a second term.
Dean’s decision was expected, as new presidents often install their own party leaders.
http://voices.washingtonp.....chair.html
http://thecaucus.blogs.ny.....dnc-chair/
Bill, Sarah had something to say about pork in a local interview in Alaska today. She also addressed some of the ugly rumors honestly. You might enjoy watching this. On the subject of pork, she is dead right.
http://community.adn.com/.....blog/24417
Babs
Sarah must be careful about what she says about Stevens. He is well liked. Senate will take care of him. Thanks for article, will read soon
Babs
Unfortuneately my new computer sound does not work properly.
I think Sarah is on Greta tonight as I recall. I believe no pork should be added to bills. Let the bill stand on its merits. This would cause less money for campaigns .Lower spending by Congress and Presidents would be a blessing .
“Micheal–On Contradiction on Obama.. It appears that Dreadsen and JD are same person. Is that ok, if true ”
LOL!! Your logic always is shocking but just when i thought it couldn’t shock me any further.
If you don’t see the difference between the two of us then that explains a lot in how you have come to many conclusions in your posts.
Someone do an IP check and confirm this claim for the record.
Man this is too funny.
By they way check the IP addresses of EricF and Bill Hedges.
Dreadse
I asked a simple question to Michael, is Jd and Dreadsen the sme person.
Dreadsen response
“LOL!! Your logic always is shocking but just when i thought it couldn’t shock me any further.”
Your mind is interesting..
” Man this is too funny.”—As a person I respect says about you so often…Dreadson, there you go again.
Bill, in the video Sarah talks about pork in general. The question was asked by the reporter what her policy would be on pork for Alaska. She said that while McCain and obama agreed that some state projects should be aided by Federal funding, those projects should be put forth separately with the national interest proven in order to get federal funding. It could not be something secretive pushed into another bill in the 11th hour, which is the classic definition of pork. She said that if it were not in the nation’s best interest to help fund a project in Alaska, that Alaska would have to raise the funds for the project at hand. She’s dead right on her policy.
Hope that helps, sorry about your sound.
Babs
Thanks. For honest, transparent, and less national debt we need to stop luxury wasteful pork. I forecast $ 5-6 Trillion additional debt. A big mistake Bush made was not vetoing more. He vetoed a big war budget that had 1/3 pork. That is what more than 10 times the $18 billion that Obama said was Congress pork in the debate. Someone is bound to say that is not what Obama meant. But bottom line, the amount of Pork is the bottom line..
With so few Republican in Congress, being watch dog I think is way to go. Remember during previous break when some stayed and fought for oil drilling. They had a token win. Now when Obama restricts drilling yell at the top of your voice. Let the people tell their opionions.
I watched The Speaker not allow discussion of bills. Republicans was not allowed to alter bills. This happened with many bill. Will that now change ?
Going public and hitting the news media (even if it is only Fox news that will carry it) with proposed bad bills. Let the citizens see and decide how they feel about that bill. It may bring more people to our new party. May keep Democrats in check. May cut the National debt……….
Sarah will be on Greta again tonight..
Well, I agree with Sarah in that each state needs to take some responsibility on what and how they ask for federal dollars. If the state leaders of every state followed her lead, we as a nation would see a difference.
I have a idea for a article. AIG, Car makers, Cites, States, etc, all want bail-outs. All good causes. Can we afford it….. Where does it stop……What demands should Congress make ?
AIG has had a second week-end retreat. Even after Congress dis-pleasure over the first. They want MORE MONEY
Car makers have given emploees great pay and benefits, made in the good old days. Foreign Car makes in America do not have the high cost overhead as Detroit. Congress gave them $25 billion before election. They want MORE MONEY
Cites and States want piece of imaginary borrowed pie. Some have cut and threaten to cut police and fire. A ploy to anger citizens and Congress ??
Will the Congress and new President address tighening of belts for those that get bail-out ? Demand pay of all employees be reduced ? Or should they ?
Can Congress say……….NO
………………………………………………….
Citi Bank is helping 500,000 risk home owners. Should Government take head and let the private sector work it out ?