A big big BIG night for the Democrats - they haven't lost a single one of their own governors or senators or House members (though 2 House members from Georgia are currently mired in 50/50 races), they've picked up at least 6 governors, 3 senators and 20-something House members - and in the process won control of the US House for first times since some of my friends were in grade school.
What's standing out to me? The nail-biting Senate race in Virginia (at the moment Webb has taken the lead, but holds it by less than 3000 votes), the narrow wins by 3 Republicans in New York (which stands in contrast to the multiple Republican losses in Pennsylvania and Indiana), the defeat of J.D. Hayworth, Dems starting to win state houses and down ballot races (for example, in FL and OH), the resurrection of Bill McCollum's and Andrew Cuomo's political careers (they will be the new AGs in Florida and New York, respectively), Jeb Bardley's very surprising loss (New Hampshire went from having 2 Republicans represent it in the House to 2 Democrats) ... and I could go on. But hey, I'll just update this as the night proceeds, in the comments. Feel free to add your thoughts there too.
And did PA voters hate Santorum or what? He's been trounced!
Posted by armand at November 8, 2006 12:28 AM | TrackBack | Posted to PoliticsDamn - they are calling Corker over Ford in TN. I'm not surprised, but it was so close!
But they've also called Steve Kagen a victor in WI-8 - another Dem House gain! As is John "Still the One" Hall's victory over Sue Kelly in NY-19 (that means the Dems picked up 3 House seats in NY - out of 6 or 7 that were considered competitive in the best year for Dems there in ... decades?). And how about Nancy Boyda (D) taking out religious conservative Jim Ryun (R) in Kansas's 2nd US House district. Also in Kansas - scary Republican AG Phil Kline has gone down to defeat (by Santorum-like proportions) and Gov. Sebelius has easily won reelection.
Posted by: Armand at November 8, 2006 12:45 AM | PERMALINKEven though people have discussed Ohio being a complete disaster zone for the GOP (and at the statewide level it surely has been) - it looks like the Republicans are only going to lose 1 House seat there (former Rep. Ney's 18th district). Republicans hold narrow leads in all the other competitive districts.
And Bill Kristol said about 20 minutes about that the Democrats chances of winning the Senate are now slightly better than 50/50 - so ... take that for whatever it's worth.
Posted by: Armand at November 8, 2006 12:59 AM | PERMALINKTwo of the Democrats most high-profile centrist, female candidates have narrowly lost - Tammy Duckworth in Henry Hyde's old district and Christine Jennings in Katherine Harris's district. Jennings lost by less than 400 votes - out of about 240,000 cast.
Posted by: Armand at November 8, 2006 01:01 AM | PERMALINKToo bad about Tammy Duckworth. She got hit with the negative robocalling. so I will be curious to see what the (if there will be) negative repercussions are. And as of 5 am CNN is showing both Montana and Virginia narrowly democratic in the Senate races.
Posted by: binky at November 8, 2006 05:35 AM | PERMALINKMy favorite comment on one of last night's worst "kool aid" moments (even though he wasn't there and didn't know about the "drink when something stupid is said" rule):
Posted by: binky at November 8, 2006 06:14 AM | PERMALINKBy the way, CNN is misrepresenting on the Webb/Allen gender mix.
Men did vote 55/44 for Allen, but white men were 62/37 while non-white men were 25/73. So, that political analyst who kept saying men love Allen because he played football can shove it up his ass.
White men in Virginia liked Allen because alot of them have used those words, too.
State legislatures are having a democratic shift too.
Posted by: binky at November 8, 2006 06:43 AM | PERMALINKJumpin' jehosephat (or however you spell that) - if I did the math right - did the Democrats really win 24 Senate races yesterday, and the Republicans won only 9? W-O-W!!! That's an amazing level of success.
Though I don't envy whoever is stuck being DSCC chair in 2012.
Posted by: Armand at November 8, 2006 03:29 PM | PERMALINK