Olbermann goes awol at 10 p.m. in last night's election coverage

Obama won because young people and minorities took their head out of the sand long enough to care about politics. Look at the demographics of this years turnout? Nobody under 30 bothered to show up. All that was left were the civic minded and the bitter-right (many of whom are self described independents).

Who's being quiet today.. Democrats picked up the IMPORTANT win in the election..

Again.. i'll repeat it.. because you regressive right folks apparently can't understand.

Governors = state

House of Representatives = Federal

Federal Law supersedes state law.

Governors have ABSOLUTELY NO EFFECT on anything that goes on in Washington.. not on healthcare, not on cap and trade, not on anything..

They can sure pass the heck of of state laws.. sure!

but again.. federal law supersedes state law.

So.. ask yourself.. how important ARE those governor wins?

P.S. Republicans picked up more governorships in 2007 (before Obama win) and in 2005 (before Democrat won majority in House & Senate)..

So.. how important are those governor wins again?

Governors and State Legislatures gerrymander Congressional Districts -- they are important.

how important ARE those governor wins?

As I'm sure you're aware, those who voted for governor yesterday will be voting in congressional elections next year.

Rigbee

As I'm sure you're aware, historically governor elections haven't been good indicators of Congressional elections, especially in swing states.

Yesterdays vote was just the start! Hopfully 2010 will get the country back where it was before Obama and his thugs got ahold of it! Not that i liked Bush! But at leased he was not trying to turn the country into Russia And kept us safe!!!

Crowley, is that your own version of rock, paper, scissors?

Can you say political dilletante?

Obama won because young people and minorities took their head out of the sand long enough to care about politics.

You're exactly right, and their heads are back in the sand where they'll remain. They were just un-informed, one-time voters caught up in the novelty of voting for a (half) black guy. It won't happen again. Rev. obama will be shown the door in '012.

Tango, if our minds were as simple as yours then your justification for young voters' expressed support of Obama would be correct but, sadly, our minds aren't as simple as yours.

You're just not trying hard enough.

i hate dislike how people get caught up with politic division especially when their job is to report the news (or comment on it) ... >.>

As I'm sure you're aware, historically governor elections haven't been good indicators of Congressional elections, especially in swing states.

I was not aware of that. Thanks for the info. Should make for an interesting election year.

Obama won because young people and minorities took their head out of the sand long enough to care about politics. Look at the demographics of this years turnout? Nobody under 30 bothered to show up. All that was left were the civic minded and the bitter-right (many of whom are self described independents).

That and this is a quarter term election, with only 2 gubernatorial races (Virginia/NJ), 3 major city mayor races (NYC, Houston, I can't even remember the 3rd), and 1 special election for congress in NY-23 (which is only notable because it's historically Rep going Dem). Apparently the democratic gov. of New Jersey sucked and he had a 30% approval rating a month ago, a similar story with R. Creigh Deeds in Virgina. Mayor races are completely local politics. And finally the reason that republicans lost in NY-23 is because national politics DID intervene and caused a schism between less and more conservative factions in the district.

Lets all be honest here and say: it's not a huge deal who won and that these races were decided based on local and state politics much more than national political ideology.

we already saw that side, it was called the bush administration.

Brent, which do you think a Democratic or Republican POTUS would prefer:

More of his party in Congress (more votes on actual national laws) or more as governors of states (no votes whatsoever on laws that affect the nation)?

I am not so sure this is any real sign. The fact is they voted 2 Republicans in 2 races that really don't matter. Corzine was a Goldman Sachs lackey who continued the downward spiral of New Jersey as a state. Chris Christie will continue to redefine corruption in New Jersey politics. The Garden State is a sad state.

The fact that a Republican won in Virginia with low voter turnout shouldn't surprise anyone, and certainly isn't a referendum on anything except American's low education. They continue to vote for a Democrat or a Republican. With stupidity like this we can count on the end of America soon.

Wake up America... the end is coming... If you don't vote for NON party people and allow your government to be fixed, and remove the corporate influence you can wave your jobs, and your lives goodbye!

Spox, if you are trying to declare last night a victory because your side won the 23rd NY District, you're barking up the wrong tree.

The "Republican" was more of a Democrat than most of the Democrats in Congress right now and eventually bowed out. I believe there were about 60,000 voters and the Dem won maily because there were a few thousand Republican voters that didn't even know the Republican candidate left the race because her name was still on the ballot.

You lost New Jersey and Virginia-two states that voted for Obama and had Democrat Governors.

Republicns 35-Democrats 7. Going into the 3rd quarter.

brian, Obama's treasury Secretary is a Goldman Sachs lackey and he's going out with Obama in 2012.....

I don't know why anyone was surprised at this outcome. In the 20th century only 2 Presidents were able to keep their party intact during their first year.

FDR when trying to dispell the Great Depression

GWBush after 9/11

It would be ironic if obama had to deal with a Republican majority like Clinton did, but I doubt Mr. Whiner-n-Chief could handle it.

The fact is they voted 2 Republicans in 2 races that really don't matter.

President Obama didn't seem to think that these races didn't matter.

Obama's not going to act like anything matters unless it serves him politically. If he didn't care about Corazine, why did he stump for him 5 times?

The "Republican" was more of a Democrat than most of the Democrats in Congress right now and eventually bowed out.

I'm glad you know so much about the NY-23 race... That "Republican" was the official Republican candidate for office. Scozzafava was endorsed by Newt Gingrich and John Boehner, both leaders in the GOP. While she was for gay-rights and abortion-rights, she was still fiscally conservative. Unlike many other states, NY has a Republican party and a Conservative party. Hoffman ran as the conservative candidate, representing a more far-right ideology, supported by Sarah Palin and many conservative PACs. Scozzafava (R) was forced out of the race by a vocal opposition to her moderate stance. The result being, a conservative electorate split and the democrat winning for the first time in that district area since the 1800s. If both conservative candidates votes were combined (had the GOP been unified), they would have won with 54%. While it isn't a great victory for Democrats it looks even worse for Republicans.

Somehow Brian, I don't think explanations will help folks who are stuck on the "we must purify the party" track... the important thing is to demonize Scozzafava and beatify Hoffman after all-- even if he was, essentially, a carpetbagger...

Am I alone in thinking that the push for some sort of stringent ideological purity within the GOP is a dangerous thing? Where will it stop-- first they purify the party, then, if by some chance they gain political power, they set out to purify the nation? And woe to anyone who doesn't toe the line?

Yeah... all true, but this is America... and in America, family doesn't matter. Only the corporation matters. How dare Keith go home to his father when there is work to do?!?!?!?!

Bill.. if it turns out that his father was in the ICU, or some other branch that doesn't go by hospital guidelines will you publicly apologize here? Keith has actually missed several shows in the last few weeks as a result of this.

I am not a Keith defender since I think the only difference between Keith and Bill O'Really is that Keith actually still knows where his soul is, but have some compassion for someones family.

@brian:

If the Democrats had won all three races I predict that Keith's daddy would have made a "miraculous recovery" in time for Keith to host his "Gloating and Laughing At the Republicans Show!"

If his daddy's so ill why doesn't he take some time off from work, I mean if he's that sick...

I am not disagreeing with you on your point, but I would like to point out that anybody that thought those two races weren't going to go that way needed a reality check.

I could have run and beaten Corzine, and a Republican getting elected in a low turnout election in Virginia? Both easy elections to call.

The problem in America is still that we think a Republican or a Democrat is the answer... they are both equally the problem... certainly not the answer.

robyn,

Try to keep up - from Brian's post just above yours:

Bill.. if it turns out that his father was in the ICU, or some other branch that doesn't go by hospital guidelines will you publicly apologize here? Keith has actually missed several shows in the last few weeks as a result of this.

What's more, a couple weeks ago, KO did an hour long special comment about healthcare and referenced his father's condition which has been rather unstable. Perhaps he had a legit reason to bolt, perhaps he didn't, but throwing around accusations (as Bill and Brent are above) without facts is quite foolish.

LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"A once great website for serious news discussion. Needs a good housecleaning now."

Ain't that the truth. Perhaps they could start with the ones calling people jackasses and fools.

I wonder why Bill spends his precious time here if it is so terrible?

5.7 reported a violation of the CoH.

Chris, come on over on New Years Day. Bill and I are having a "Gitmo is still open" party.....

Agreed.

In VA, the dems had an awful candidate. Many simply stayed home rather than choosing between the lesser of two enormous evils. As much as Republicans are trying to tie their victory to dissatisfaction with Obama, it's just not the case. There is no connection. Deeds ran his entire campaign completely distanced from Obama. He received no support from the POTUS. He also happens to be a terrible candidate, and a liar. The Dems made a big mistake with him. He was too moderate on many issues, and simply didn't get the turnout from the democratic base because of that. Dems can't beat republicans by joining them, and I hope they've learned that lesson after this election.

well Bill.. if that helps you sleep at night... go ahead and believe that :)

P.S. Santa is real, and so is the Tooth Fairy.

Bill Harrison

LOL. Deeds, a moderate Democrat in the Jim Webb mold, lost because the independents and former Bush voters who voted for The One in '08 are now abandoning him (and the Democrats) in droves.

Sorry but the only reason independents had the say is because dems stayed home, having no good options. Furthermore, even in your article they state that what motivated independents was a dissatisfaction with Congress, not Obama. Call it what you want but it doesn't change the situation on the ground.

Evidence?

Maybe you'd like to address the points we've made?

Or you could just check back in next year to tell us how your crystal ball worked out.

Hugh, show me some polls that prove your wishful thinking that the democrats are going to take a drumming in the mid-terms. Every poll I've seen about party affiliation has the republicans at about 20% and democrats at nearly 40%. That means the republicans would have to win about 75% of so called independents to win enough seats to win back the congress. Additionately there are six republican incumbent senators that are retiring. If democrats when 2 of the six, their majority becomes even greater and Lieberman becomes irrelevent.

Bob:

The real World Series is next year, when the Phillies are going to destroy the Yankees.

The real World Series is next year, when the Phillies are going to destroy the Yankees

Not likely...

Oh yeah... must get my World Series Cap this weekend.... ha =}

Jack-

Now you're really out there in La-La land.........Phillies beating the Yankees....sure..... :-)

27 World Series titles..'nuff said.

This is exactly what I am saying...

all this fuss because he was not there....

OMG you would swear the world was coming to an end.

Seriously you spent time Bill seeding this????????? Really??????

Hands and fists over your guys Harrison.

I was refering to you, Bill.

****Stands up and applauds Tyler****

I knew there was something about you I liked =}

Dream on koolaid drinkers. The Republican and Conservative candidate's vote totals were higher than the Dumocrats. This is, like Oblahblah, a temporary thing that will right itself at the next election.

The libs screwed themselves with their idiotic "give me, give me, give me" attitude. Spending the nation's money like you just pulled into a foreign port have shown the independents your true colors: s&*t brown.

Call me when your retards enact health care reform...............

hahaha where to even start with you...

"Dumocrats"

"Oblahblah"

"Retards"

PLUS, you Republicans hate Obama for "spending the nation's money" but you obviously had no problem with Bush spending the nation from a surplus to a deficit....and doing it by funding illegal wars, torture, and domestic spying. You cowards, why don't you stand up to a real threat to the country, instead of making one up because a Black Democrat is in office?

And for the love of God, can we please retire the tiresome "kool-aid drinkers" line?

Your comments, by the way Brent, are extremely childish. You're embarrassing yourself.

The Republican and Conservative candidate's vote totals were higher than the Democrats.

And if we'd been allowed to add Nader's votes to Gore's in 2000, the country would be five hundred billion dollars richer.

What's your point?

Tiocfaidh Ar La, I agree, it was childish. It was a childish response to the childish #11 above it. But, you don't have problems with childish posts when its from like minded people?

T Gracchus, if we would have added GHW Bush and Perot's votes together, we wouldn't have had Clinton/Gore at all.

What's your point?

My point is exactly the one you just made. To wit:

The Republican and Conservative candidate's vote totals were higher than the Democrats.

doesn't mean squat. You guys just Nadered your best shot at the seat. Keep it up.

Having problems with reality, T.Gracchus? Bill Clinton ONLY got elected because Perot stole votes from GHW Bush.

So?

Why are you having so much trouble understanding what I'm saying? We seem to be in complete agreement.

Yes, Clinton won because of Perot (the first time -- the second time he won on his record, and he would probably still be President if it weren't for term limits).

And Bush only got elected because Nader stole votes from Gore.

And the Democrats only won NY23 because of Hoffman and his cheerleaders.

See, you guys think compromise is a sign of weakness, but compromise is what gets results. But please. Keep refusing to compromise.

The Republican and Conservative candidate's vote totals were higher than the [Democrats].

And yet, when all was said and done, the seat went to the Democrat, did it not?

I agree, it was childish. It was a childish response to the childish #11 above it.

"He did it first" didn't work as an excuse when you were five-- why do you think it will work now?

ohiogal-479871: lol! didn't they rehash this story from the last time keith went "awol" around the time his mother died?

What is wrong with you? How do you sleep at night?

What a toilet of a thread. I need a shower.

Here's where the updated link from your very own link in comment #1 takes you:

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kyle-drennen/2009/11/04/fox-news-misreported-robert-gibbs-press-gaggle-comments

I guess the two Republican Congressional seats taken by Democrats yesterday don't matter...........

In fairness, one of those Congressional seats was already Democrat.......so I guess that's why it doesn't matter.

Poll after poll showed that Obama was not what people were voting on

That's a good point. Obama shows up in support of a candidate...and nobody cares.

TJG:

Keith's at Yankee Stadium tonight.

Do you?

(crickets chirping)

Because Keith was at the World Series last night doesn't mean he didn't leave for issues related to his father on Tuesday, does it?

He would have been reporting on Tuesday election results the following day, that being Wednesday, the same day as game 6 of the World Series, which he attended. He could have well gone to see his father on Tuesday, but he would not have been commenting on election results that night unless he has a time machine. I believe this post is talking about his absence from the show following the election, not during its course.

Um, the election was on Tuesday and every cable news station had commentators on. Keith was on MSNBC commenting Tuesday night as results came in. No time machine needed.

You might want to think before typing to save yourself embarrassment.

TJG:

Look. The seeded item was fundamentally worthless. It was pointless speculation about the reason for an utterly trivial event.

The fact that Bill seeded it was also worthless, particularly since he all but admitted that he was trolling when he seeded it. He seeded a worthless item pointlessly speculating about the reason for an utterly trivial event and did so because: "I hardly ever seed stuff like this but did so this time as a sociological snapshot of what this place has become."

The thread that erupted on my tracker underneath this item was also worthless because it was a 200-comment thread viciously battling about the differing pointless speculations about the reason for an utterly trivial event.

Finally, however, the thread developed to where the point in contention happened to concern a FACT of which it appeared that I and I alone was in possession. No need for speculating. I knew for a FACT where KO was at 8:01 pm Wednesday night when he would ordinarily be on the air because he was liveblogging from new Yankee Stadium and I have Keith's baseball blog bookmarked.

Now I have my own pointless speculation about the reason for the utterly trivial event at issue, but why bother?

I will say this, however. I think Keith made a mistake ditching the 10 pm live show because the most important election of the night was unfolding right at that time in upstate New York and I would have loved to see Keith cover it. On the other hand, I had to watch Fox News cover it at 10 pm, which was delicious. They were so stunned and so glum I laughed for an hour.

Judge:

C'Mon man. Keith can't be all bad. He's Mets fan after all, even though he was in the middle of the Death Star Wednesday.

TJG

No embarassment here, don't know how think you know what others are thinking. I'll have to look up the medical term for that malady. I will admit I incorrectly thought the topic had turned to his Wednesday absence. Personally, I don't give a flip where he was, or that he was not hosting his show.

Regardless, you cannot prove a position with a "probably" - that is purely speculative and unsubstantiated. One could equally say that KO was "probably" home pouting, as BH would have us believe.

Not necessarily. But then The Troll knows. Right?

Tom, I guess this makes Bill a troll, since he called another poster an "@!$%#" and worse, right?

Pretty much takes Bill's whole stupid raccoon @!$%# stinking pile of ass-wipe speculation and puts it right where it belongs - in the crapper.

Ahhhhh - homophobia has arrived.

Who is afraid? I think it is rather entertaining. I live in Maine.

buttless chaps and ten gallon hats.

I don't know what a butless chaps is (and I don't think I want to), but the hats are damned funny.

tangojones,

last time you asked me what white supremacist ideology? and you have just answer it with the comment that you posted here.

The more reports the faster the check the sooner the violator is gone, including you know who.

boohoo baby...

This isn't why I come to Newsvine

boohoo baby...

Let's at least pretend to be adults for a minute.

Not sure if his father is dying... he had a serious medical complication which causes delusions or dementia.... I think something to do with the kidneys.

Yes, we certainly need to spin it.. we only went 6 and 2 last night.

We only won 6 of the 8 elections.. we should feel really awful! Devastated even..

Winning two seats in the House of Representatives, is surely much worse then the super important two governorships.

For the 3rd time now.. the GOP won more Gubernatorial (that means governor if you didn't know already) in 2007 (And that was just before Obama won in 2008), and the same GOP won more Gubernatorial positions in 2005 (And that was just before 2006 when the Democrats were voted HEAVILY into a majority in Congress).

You lost 2 seats in the house for crying out loud the GOP got WEAKER IN CONGRESS.. and history has shown OVER AND OVER again that winning a governor bid doesn't have ANYTHING to do with how states vote for federal seats.

and WE are the ones spinning it? Spirit.. i'm really sorry you can't understand this.. It's like you're Bruce Willis an hour into the 6th Sense, and totally clueless about what is obvious to everybody else..

Time ran out before i could edit as much as i wanted.

I really do feel sorry for you Spirit.. You're passionate about your beliefs, and I can totally agree with passion for ones beliefs, but using that passion to ignore the obvious just to allow them to remain intact is unsettling.

I'm thinking he was curled up in a fetal position under the desk, thinking about how he was going to spin it the next day.

You know I was watching Morning Joe Wednesday; and while previously Scarborough was so sure that the Democrat in District 23 of Upstate NY would come in last, he did not seem all that phased... of course non-stop discussion of 2 Moderate Republican Governors....

No discussion about how the Neo-Cons got their hats handed back to them in upstate NY so they can go carpet bag their butts some where else.

Hoffman was a goofball who could not answer one single question about the concerns of the district.