This is why VA and NJ are so important to me...

[Atman]

Oh, wait...they're not. I don't live in either state. I don't care about their governors or their local politics. However, I do care about the TWO HOUSE SEATS we picked up. That is the news, all you stupid fucking tv talking heads! Get it? I don't CARE that a terribly unpopular governor lost in NJ, or that VA voters did what they always do in off-year elections. That simply isn't news, so put away your boners and quit telling me this bullshit matters to anyone but YOU.

.

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. +1

[madinmaryland]

2. One reason why you should CARE about VA and NJ. There are a total

of FOUR DEMOCRATIC US Senators from those two states. If per chance there was a seat vacated for whatever reason we WOULD LOSE that seat.

Think about it, my friend.

[tabbycat31]

4. that's one of the things I am worried about

one of our Senators is 85 years old. I really dont want Christie replacing him should the worst happen.

[FBaggins]

11. NJ Dems are planning to try and change that.

I'm not sure whether that will hurt us in the "corruption" meme that worked so well for the right in NJ this year... but there is talk of changing the senate vacancy process before Corzine leaves office (changing it to a quick election vs. a gubernatorial replacement).

Regardless of whether this works, however, it's silly to say that two House seats makes up for these two losses. The Virginia blowout alone could easily cost us two new House seats in redistricting (vs what would have happened). And, of course, the NJ Gov has a veto on redistricting as well.

[tabbycat31]

12. NJ's courts are also at stake

Christie said he would fill benches with Scalia type judges.

I posted an urgent message to NJ folks here yesterday telling them to call their Democratic legislators. It's now buried. It seems I'm running a one woman campaign to change the law here.

[FBaggins]

13. I think they're running scared

And to tell you the truth... I probably would be too if I were in their shoes.

"Corruption" really "sold" well in thie round of NJ elections. There are so many things that they need to pass before Corzine loses his executive pen... but MANY of them could cause more problems down the road. He wants them to push through a gay marriage bill so he can sign it before Cristie takes over... how will that sell?

I'm not sure that can be spun as "corruption", but I'm fairly certain that changing the vacancy provision can be sold that way.

What kind of coattails did cristie have?

[tabbycat31]

15. in my county, huge coattails

we were creamed up and down the ticket. But the Senate is not up until 2011 (and I will actively work against my asshole senator Sean Kean) and the Assembly remains Democratic. I just wish one of our 6 county candidates got in.

[SoCalDem]

14. and redistricting happens just after the '10 census..governors have a LOT of sway

in redistricting.

I worry about WVa, because Byrd is so frail..Manchin won't always be governor, and it's very likely that a republican will follow him:(

[FBaggins]

16. Don't worry about WV

Byrd's seat is next up in the same year as the Gov (who is term limited).

So sure... worry about WV because either or both of them could be replaced by an R when the next election comes around... but it's not a worry about Byrd dying and an R picking a replacement who couldn't otherwise win the seat.

[OHdem10]

3. Psst. Keep an eye on TV Media. We are being set up for a change

in 2012. Dem Pres. and Repub. House and Senate.

Listen carefully to every word.

[Atman]

10. They've backed off the obvious vote stealing for the time being. You're right.

That is where the GOP has ALWAYS beat the Democrats -- patience. Those Diebold machines haven't gone anywhere, they're still sitting in warehouses all over the place, waiting to be called back into action. They can't steal the obvious ones. But they're willing to sit in the shadows and wait, whipping up the hate, getting the meme picture-perfect. Then suddenly we'll have a repeat of 2002, when winners lost and losers won big through miraculous shifts in voting patterns.

Unfortunately, I agree with you. We're being totally set up. Karl and the Gang didn't just slink of to a retirement home in Sarasota. They're busy. Very busy. And we should all be afraid.

.

[KharmaTrain]

5. It's "Fair & Balanced" Ya Know

The corporate media is itching to handcuff this Administration...citing how President Obama is losing his "popularity" and trying anyway they can to "put him in his place".

Yep...they're obsessing about how his approval ratings have taken a dive since April (when he had just walked into this mess) and he hasn't solved all the world's problems yet. Seems I recall 9 months into the booosh regime, it was all 9/11 and somehow georgie had nothing to do with it...that was Clinton's fault.

Here's hoping the teabaggers feel emboldened. I'd love to see them come into my state and challenge Mark Kirk for the GOOP senate nomination...destroy the only candidate they have who may stand a fighting chance of winning...and giving Dan Seals a clean shot at picking up yet another GOOP house seat.

[JPZenger]

6. NJ: Outrageous Property Taxes; VA: Severely Increased Congestion

In NJ, people were outraged over the highest property taxes in the country. As the State has cut back, more of the burden has fallen on school districts and localities, which further increased their outrageous rates.

In Va, much of the state has seen severely increased congestion. The DC metro area is now the worst congested metro area in the US statistically and is getting worse, while some other areas have gotten better. The Dems in the Governor seat didn't seem to be doing anything about it. The Repub looked like he had a plan. Also, the Dems nominated a weak campaigner from a place with no traffic signals. He couldn't motivate or connect with Obama voters, and he actively attacked Obama's policies.

[OHdem10]

8. And we are now being set up for a change 2012. Democratic Pres

and Republican House and Senate.

We continuously permit Conservatives to win.

[spanone]

7. you'd think they were the bellweather states for all things political according to the media

[KittyWampus]

9. those Governors can help steal elections in the future.