I think the Maryland governor's race hurt me the most.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

Speaking as a native born Marylander.

Yes, we lost the Senate. Yes, my current home state of Florida, much as I love it, screwed up again. But that type of stupidity was expected.

The stupidity that brought a land developer to the Governor's mansion in Maryland was not expected.

Apparently we now know how riled up people can get over a $30 a year stormwater fee.

Maryland, my Maryland.

[GeorgeGist]

1. alzheimers for all ...

[maced666]

2. And Obama went there ans STUMPED for Brown

tsk tsk tsk

[Cha]

7. So? What do you mean by "tsk tsk tsk"?

[FSogol]

3. Yes, that was pretty stupid for a State that should know better.

Reminds me of when Virginia (1992?) voted on a 1/2 cent tax increase with half going to schools and the other half to roads and the outrage over it swept in a whole slew of GOP anti-tax candidates.

[cyberswede]

4. Mine: Joni Ernst

Braley ws ahead when I went to bed at 10:30.
I didn't know he lost until my 14 yo told me he heard it on the radio this morning.

[deutsey]

5. Marylander here, too

Very disappointed in the results, but I'm not surprised. I seem to be in a minority that assumed Brown was going to lose, but maybe that's because I live in a part of the state that's strongly Hogan.

PS: Don't get me started on the "rain tax" bullshit...

[geek tragedy]

6. Lepage, Brownback, ick Scott all won re-election.

People wanted second helpings of that.

[Cha]

8. Sorry Tommy.. I know it must be awful!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

9. Good news is that I don't have to live there under Governor Hogan.

Bad news is that I do have to live under Governor Scott.



Pick your poison. Good thing for Maryland though is they at least have a Dem legislature.

I do feel bad for all my Maryland family and friends who have to call that thing a governor for the next 4 years.

[Cha]

14. That's right.. I read about that Dem Legislature tonight.. and it made me feel better about

Maryland.

Poor Florida.. unreal that fear of fans guy. Good thing it has term limits.. maybe they'll get a Dem Gov next freaking time!

[Algernon Moncrieff]

10. I went to HS in Maryland

Predominatly, but certainly not exclusively white school in the suburbs. We are all now late 40 or early 50 somethings. My classmates who still live in MD overwhelmingly supported Hogan. Many of them moved to places like Frederick, Westminster, Thurmont, etc., and they cited high taxes and restrictive gun laws as reasoning for their support of Hogan. I suspect race was a factor as well.

...and yes, the "O'Malley even taxed the rain" campainging was very effective. We do, indeed, now know how riled up people can get in one of the nation's most affluent states over a $2.50 per month charge.

Erlich was a one-termer, and I suspect Hogan will be, as well.

I'm hoping that O'Malley will not run for President, and instead will run for Mikulski's seat in 2016.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

11. Mikulski's retiring?

I didn't know that.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

12. I don't know that she is, but she'll turn 80 in 2016

She's been in Congress since I was in Middle School. Just a hunch..I think she retires.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

13. Ah, okay.

I'd like to say it was a sure bet Maryland would elect another Democrat to replace her, but after yesterday, I don't believe in sure bets.

[Lilyeye]

26. I live in Maryland

and I totally agree with your reasoning for the Hogan support. I have heard nothing but whining about high taxes and gun laws this entire campaign from republicans I know. Then add a side of racism towards those "lazy welfare low-lives voting for Brown" and you got it.

[mmonk]

15. Me too. I had entertained the thought

the thought of moving there.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

16. Give it 4 years.

Hopefully he'll be Erliched.

[Samantha]

17. Thank you for this thread, Tommy_Carcetti

I feel the same extreme hurt as you do. I live in College Park, Maryland, and I have always treasured the privilege of living in a blue, blue state. I feel robbed and cheated because of all of the money that was thrown into advertising the last couple of weeks, which seemed to run in continual loops, blasting all of the taxes O'Malley and Brown implemented. Unfortunately, Brown did not respond to those ads (which I believe were sponsored by the Koch Brothers through the Republican Governors Association).

Additionally, when I went to the Methodist Church yesterday morning to vote, I opened the door and walked right in to find only about 6 people actually voting, and no one waiting in line. The Democrats did not show up here. And there will be a really big price to pay for that no show.

I do believe Mitch will try to live up to his promise to introduce legislation to repeal Obamacare the first day. I also believe the drive to privatize Social Security and reform Medicare will be out there the first week. Think about the Ryan budget.

The potential consequences of all of these election losses are so drastic, we might not be able to recover in 2016. Thinking about Christie's comments that the GOP needed governorships in order to contol the voting machines makes me believe that the 2016 Presidential run is already "fixed." Factor in Jeb Bush (of Florida 2000 election controversy fame) thinking of running, and we have a debacle on our hands.

The only thing we can do is to start to brainstorm about changing our own electoral destinies regardless of the dark money. Perhaps when we begin to heal from the hurt, we can slowly start to do that.

I repeat your line: Maryland, my Marland. This was not just politics - it is personal now.

Sam

[deutsey]

19. In the area where I live, there were well-coordinated themes

running through all the ads of different GOP candidates:

Protecting "our" values (I took this as racist dog whistle rhetoric)
Letting businesses do what they want in order "to grow more jobs" (deregulation)
Cut all them thar KRAAAAAZY taxes that O'Malley raised (while claiming that the candidate also wanted to make our schools better, while never explaining how they will improve schools while gutting tax revenues, of course).

My suspicion is that Koch-sponsored groups worked with the local GOP to develop these themes and then dumped tons of money to run the ads in the continual loops you mention (I never saw an ad for Brown or any Democrat, but was bombarded hourly with GOP ads).

[Samantha]

30. and you are exactly right

That is precisely what happened. Brown, unfortunately, never responded to those ads. I assume he thought everyone would know they were ridiculous.

Sam

[taught_me_patience]

18. Even liberals on DU don't want to pay any more taxes

should we be surprised when the bulk of the poplulation doesn't want to either?

[bigwillq]

20. I'm one of those liberals.

I feel the government wastes our money, and that I am taxed way too much. I live in CT.

Despite the reports that the economy is improving, and I believe it is, I think most people are still not feeling it in their pocketbook. So many are still struggling. It doesn't seem like the economy is improving when most of us are living pay check to pay check.

[kcr]

23. I moved to CT a year ago from Tennessee, a low tax red state

I listen to people here whine about the taxes and it's hard for me to understand. I guess it's easy to look at those who don't get taxed with envy. But if you truly understood the nothing they get, your envy would wither away. Tax cuts are not worth it. I gladly pay the taxes here and enjoy the higher quality of life.

[bigwillq]

24. You make good points

I agree with some of them. But my taxes are so expensive in my town and we really haven't seen any improvements as far as schools, roads, snow removal, etc. What I am getting for my money? That's my problem with the high taxes.

[kcr]

28. You think you don't see the improvements. Believe me, they are there.

You move to a low tax state (or CT becomes one) and you're still going to pay. You will actually pay more in many ways. Private company to make up for the services which are cut, and that is more expensive. Just one example. My kids get a better education through the public schools here than many of private schools from back home. They charge way more than any taxes we pay. Low tax states also tax regressively. The poor take up the burden. Crime rates are higher, so the more affluent will pay more because of that. I can tell you from experience how expensive it is to have your home broken into, never mind the emotional toll it takes.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

29. Same here.

I keep on telling my Maryland friends that based on experience in zero income tax Florida, the grass is not greener. Services they take for granted in Maryland are woefully underfunded. Or worse, privatized out to companies with zero accountability. As much as I like living in Florida for the climate and environment, the quality of life is so much better in Maryland.

They don't listen, though. Taxes bad, tax cuts good.

[onenote]

21. Brown ran a terrible campaign imo

I saw lots of Brown and Hogan ads. I can't recall one in which Brown rebutted the "rain tax" claim. Or calling out Hogan for claiming not to be a politician (while he never has held elective office its not for lack of trying - he's run and lost in the past and he worked in poltical appointment jobs for his father and afterwards).

[Tommy_Carcetti]

22. I think they were too complacent.

I think they figured Brown would win simply because Maryland's considered a blue state.

And I think if it were a case of people being required to vote, I think Brown would have won easily. But for better or worse, voting is not a required thing.

Maryland Democrats underestimated the power of mindless Reaganesqe platitudes in turning out the GOP base or appealing to easily duped independents.

[zappaman]

25. I grew up in Maryland.

Feel bad for friends still there.
I grew up outside of Annapolis.
You?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

27. Same.

The thing is, I love both Maryland (my native state) and Florida (my current state) deeply. I feel like it's part of my family. So it pains me deeply when I see them electing people with little regard for the state's well-being.

Blabbering on about low taxes and the perceived ills of "big government" is cheap. Anyone can do that anywhere. It does not mean you love the place you govern, or identify with it on a deeper level. It just means you are a cheap, lazy, Reaganesqe politician with no ideas and no sense of belonging.

[zappaman]

32. +1

[Odin2005]

31. The Pukes took back control of the Minnesota House.

I guess my fellow Minnesotans decided that having budget surpluses was too much and wanted to go back to the mid 00s when the Pukes causes one budget crisis after another.

Mark my words, Minnesota WILL have another government shutdown, the Pukes will not have it any other way.

[hifiguy]

34. Nice to see you again, Odin.

But we did re-elect Franken, Dayton and all the state constitutional offices. So there's that.

[Wella]

33. Re: Storm water fee; Remember that CA recalled a governor over a car tax

Allegedly. It was really about Enron, energy, crony capitalism, and a governor (Davis) that wouldn't play ball. But people voted on the car tax.

[kwassa]

35. I was afraid that Hogan would win.

Watching the ads here, Hogan had very slick ads. He sold himself well, too. Whoever ran that campaign did a good job.

After 6 years as Lieutenant Governor, Anthony Brown still hadn't made much an impression of any kind, and didn't do more in the campaign.

I live in a very Democratic suburb, yet saw more Republican yard signs than Democratic ones.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

36. Problem with most Lieutenant Governors is that they are so obscure.

Yes, most people know the Vice President, but when you bring it down to the state level, it's pretty much the Governor and that's it.