For all the hand-wringing, Democrats won BIG tonight.

[last1standing]

Yes, McAuliffe's numbers are weak... but he won!

Yes, Christie took New Jersey... but he did so by grabbing onto Obama's coat-tails.

And going further, de Blasio is winning by historic numbers in NYC, EW Jackson was destroyed in his run for VA Lt. Gov., Herring just may pull it out in the VA AG election, progressive measures won across the country including a $15.00 minimum wage in Seattle, Koch-backed candidate were defeated in Coralville, IA, and even Alabama voters rejected a teabagger in favor of a semi-sane republican in a deep red district.

All this in an election cycle with no major national candidates or issues other than ACA - which didn't help us in most places. This was not supposed to be a good year for Democrats.

Tonight hasn't changed the national dialog or proved that the country is ready to elect Elizabeth Warren for president, but it's a small step away from the abyss at a time when history shows we stood little chance.

Just think what we could accomplish in 2014 if we can pull wins like this out tonight!

[cali]

1. would that it were that simple

where did you hear that this wasn't supposed to be a good year for dems?

I'm glad of the dem wins. Christie's win in NJ is about more than "Obama's coattails".

It's clear that the tea party isn't dead and neither are republicans. Progressive measures also lost- as in Colorado.

I think it's far more useful to be clear eyed and realistic when it comes to analyzing election results. It was more of a relief/nail biter night than one of jubilation.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

3. So why do you think Christie has been up by over 30 points since last year?

[TeeYiYi]

5. Active Democratic endorsement vs coattails are two different things...

He's had active Democratic endorsement and backing, made painfully evident by the results of today's election.

Christie touts 50th Democratic endorsement http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/10/christie_makes_campaign_announcement_in_burlington_county.html

TYY

[cali]

6. I think he's cultivated an image that appeals broadly to independents

and democrats as well as republicans. Part of that image is that he works well with democrats and part of that has been that he's avoided criticizing the President.

He capitalized on Sandy; promising to govern "in the spirit of Sandy". He actively reached out to women and minorities.

The image that Christie has cultivated is one of a pragmatic problem solver and a blunt truth teller. It's bullshit, but it's dangerous to underestimate this guy's political chops. He has them.

[Demo_Chris]

9. Yep, he is a very smart guy...

And he does a fantastic job playing the tough straight-talker. In American politics that's rare, and for many, refreshing. In a Presidential run I could easily see him winning a lot of Democrat votes.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

11. I hate when Democrats call them "Democrat votes"

[SunSeeker]

15. +1

[Morphia]

17. I would not call any member of the Democratic Party who voted for Christie a very reliable Democrat

[Pretzel_Warrior]

18. regardless. saying Democrat senators, Democrat votes, Democrat platform bugs the SHIT

outta me and I will always protest it. ESPECIALLY from people on DU.

[Morphia]

20. Many things bug the shit out of me too but someone using Democrat or Democratic incorrectly

is not one of them.

To each their own.

[Pretzel_Warrior]

21. that's why it's called a discussion board, Senor Seven Posts

[Demo_Chris]

22. What would you prefer Democrats call "Democrat votes"? nt

[last1standing]

4. Non-presidential election years are historically bad for Democrats.

While there are exceptions, such as tonight, they're usually due to a tidal swing in the political landscape (to mix a metaphor). I'm not saying Dems can't pull defeat from the jaws of victory - they've done it many times, but tonight was a big win historically.

As for "clear eyed and realistic" analysis, there's no such thing on an election night. But if you want to pull your hair and bemoan the fate of the country while the rest of us look at the positives (and there are many more positives tonight than negatives) you go for it.

[cali]

10. clear eyed and realistic analysis is absolutely a real thing and you

can find some excellent examples of it tonight- like this:

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/11/chris-christie-and-terry-mcauliffe-america-loves-a-blowhard/281191/

And no, clear eyed analysis is not the same thing as moaning and pulling one's hair, dear. Do try and learn the difference. Some actual reading of said analysis might aid you.

There are both positives and negatives tonight. In the coming days we'll be able to more accurately assess the election results.

If you choose to be a cheerleader and simply go rah rah rah without really analyzing the results, you go for it.

[last1standing]

12. LOL! I'm rarely called a cheerleader around here but I know you have to be right so I won't argue.

If you agree with it then it must be "clear eyed and realistic." I mean how could you ever be mistaken about an opinion piece?

Is never being wrong a very large burden on you?

[cali]

16. Oh, I'm wrong and when I am I say so.

but I'm not wrong when I say that analysis is not the same thing as the gnashing of teeth and renting of garments.

[last1standing]

23. No, you wouldn't have been wrong if you'd said that but you didn't.

You instead went on a mini-rant trying to force your opinion on others in a rude and unnecessary manner. The problem is that unless someone not only agrees with you, but agrees with you in the way you demand they agree, you launch into a nasty tirade in the attempt to force them into submitting. That's not discussion or debate, it's bullying.

I posted my thoughts and you just had to come into the thread and shout it down because you want to give people no choice but to believe what you believe and how you believe it, just like every other thread you launch into, with rude comments and an unwillingness to listen to any comment that doesn't originate in your head.

It gets very boring after awhile.

[Half-Century Man]

2. To me the best part...

the money wasted by the parasite class (1%).

[last1standing]

7. And so much of that money found its way into the hands of the working classes.

The Koch bros. must be gnashing their dentures hard tonight (or making their servants do it for them).

[Half-Century Man]

8. It missed me, but I'm okay with that

[eridani]

13. Minor correction--the $15 minimum wage passed in SeaTac, the suburban city--

--containing the airport. The minimum wage applies to airport workers, bringing their wages in line with wages at other west coast airports--not to every worker. But it's certainly a great start. Also, Kathryn Campbell, Democrat, looks to have turfed out her Tea Party incumbent opponent on the SeaTac City Council.

Kshama Sawant (Socialist Alternative Party) is getting 46% against corporate Dem Richard Conlin for Seattle City Council. Unlike most third party candidates, she has a very active voter outreach program. IMO if she had decided on the Bernie Sanders style of socialism and run as an independent, she'd be on the city council next year. Or not--Bernie had to have a few tries before he won an election.

[last1standing]

14. Thanks for the correction

I must have misread the original post on the subject but I thought it said that SeaTac was short for Seattle-Tacoma. I then shortened it down to Seattle to make the post read easier.

Still, good that someplace has passed that law and good luck with Kshama Sawant. Like you said, sometimes it just takes running long enough to win the race.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. Don't forget that $8.25/hr minimum wage won in NJ

and the measure includes annual COLA increases.

[FSogol]

24. Amen. K&R. n/t

[Bluenorthwest]

25. Democrats who celebrate Christie's win are misguided at best.

Fuck that Republican gas bag.

[last1standing]

26. I'm definitely not celebrating his win.

I'm celebrating the fact that the less bad choice was made by the voters in many elections and in the case of Christie, even the worse choice has at least a glimmer of good news.

I haven't read anywhere that the voters reelected Christie based on his cuts to education or his other extremist policies. Instead, they continue to talk about how well he handled the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy - with the help of a Democratic president. In my opinion, that means while the voters were misguided, they at least wanted to put into office someone they believe cares about them. Yes, I know its not true, but at least if they voted for the wrong person, they voted for the right reason.