The 2008 Election Day LIVE Thread

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I respect your viewpoint - but I honestly think there are people, on this board and beyond, who have imputed the beliefs of Bush, McCain and Palin, across the party. I honestly think that some members of this board have taken the beliefs of the party and imputed them to every individual member. And, I think it's evident from the comments by some members of the board.

There are some people, like you, who have been extremely accepting of the opposite viewpoint. But, that's not universal, unfrortuntately.

I hear you.

My Dad has raised me with some great one-liners I still rely on to this day, one springs to mind: "Consider the source."

It's kept me from throttling more than one person along the way.

[DaemonSeid]

CBS News projects that voters in South Dakota voted down Measure 11, which would have prohibited abortions except in cases where the mother's life or health is at a substantial and irreversible risk, and in cases of reported rape and incest. If it had passed, it would likely have triggered a legal challenge which could have lead to the U.S. Supreme Court and a reconsideration of the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that established the right to abortion.


http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...rColumnContent

[agzg]

Originally Posted by sthrnsweetie007

I personally think, that with the Democrats taking such a huge advantage with Congress and the Presidency....

It reminds me of when other political parties in history became lackluster and slowly started to lose their power. (Whigs, Tories, Progressives, the old Democrats and Republicans (back in the 1800s), and so on and so forth) so maybe this is just this Republican Party's time to fail, rise again from the ashes, and become a strong party?

I think you're on to something here, but I don't think the Republican Party is down for the count.

Had the Democrats lost tonight, however, they might have been. Even as a Hillary voter in primaries, I have to admit Obama's candidacy has done some pretty exciting things for the Democratic Party, first and foremost energizing the youth vote. Hopefully that can last, and usher the US into a more active political era, either way.

Personally, although I liked Obama's speech very much, I also really liked John McCain's. Although there was a marked departure between his image before the campaign (likeable, sharp, thoughtful) and during (crotchety, confused, dismissive), there were also some shining moments of humanity in him, including his condemnation of the "arab/terrorist" labels. His concession speech was one of those moments. Maybe we didn't really lose the John McCain we thought we loved before. And honestly, although my candidate won, and I'm incredibly glad for that, I think McCain has served his country (in several ways) and that's something we should be, if not grateful for, at least respectful of.

[BetteDavisEyes]

To add to my previous rant about ignorant jackasses going on and on about moving to Canada, I wish people would stop making statements without checking their facts.

Obama is NOT Muslim but if he was, what difference would it make? Does it matter? Jeez.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

Are they projecting that CA voted YES on prop 8? What the deuce? Is it really California anymore after that?

I just saw on CBS that "Yes on Prop 8" is leading by over 200,000 votes. There is still a long way to go because it's only at 32% precincts so far.

[KSUViolet06]

I'm very surprised with how things are going with CA and Prop 8?

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

A double-shot from the KSigs!

Ok, first, I wasn't trying to be a "dick" RC, I'm not sure why you read it that way. I was actually, in my own emotionally-exhausted-way, trying to show my support for what I think of as the "Republican" party. I grew up with the GOP and still have respect for its core principles. I was trying to say that I just don't even recognize the party that's operating right now under the "Republican" banner. And I think it's great, KSigkid, that you see it as a responsibility to take the burden on as a "Republican", but I just didn't want to see you taking people's comments about the booing, etc., so personally. I don't think anyone on this board thinks of you guys and your beliefs with the same distaste they may have for the more the extreme voices that have taken over for the Republicans, especially during the last legs of this campaign.

Sorry if I didn't articulate that well (before or now). I've been through enough wins and enough losses to understand how elated or depressed both sides feel right now. And it does seriously suck to be on the losing end.

This is fair, but honestly you seemed more pointed than this. This kind of context gives a lot more insight, but without this context, a lot of depth is missing. I hope you get where I'm coming from, and that I'm not impugning you at all. All good - it's that kind of night either way. I voted for Barr, so clearly I have a skewed view regardless (obviously IA was clearly Obama as of last year, so it was mostly to keep the ballot open in the future).

Originally Posted by KSigkid

But, you're talking about a position he took a number of years ago. One looks at his platform, and it paints a different picture. And, that relies on Nader keeping his 2008 promises, which is questionable.

Plus, I don't think Obama lives up to those centrist ideals.

None of this matters though - that's exactly my point. Nader may be a crazy angry silly old man, BUT if Obama's plan is forthright, Nader may actually have some semblance of a point. It doesn't matter what you think - that's the promise, and that's exactly the dilemma Nader is presenting.

[agzg]

Well I suppose I'll find out about Prop 8 in California tomorrow. Thanks for the banter (and verifying that I did, indeed, hear a CNN pundit say "peace out, cubscout"). I'm going to finish out my night by watching Peter and Lois Griffin run against one another for school board.

[pinksirfidel]

I've never been prouder to be an American. History in the making--President Barack Obama! It's nice to be on the right side of history.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by pinksirfidel

I've never been prouder to be an American. History in the making--President Barack Obama! It's nice to be on the right side of history.

Ironically, this addresses an issue that UGA brought up earlier that I didn't want to address for lack of data . . . however, Silver has already discussed it, so I'll go ahead an appeal to oracle.

The reason why the Bradley Effect should have been completely discounted this election? There are TONS of people (white, black and in between) who are excited to "be a part of history" - this would, nearly by definition, offset any real or perceived Bradley Effect. Again - mobilizing the electorate was Obama's coup . . . keeping that momentum is the key.

[BetteDavisEyes]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I'm very surprised with how things are going with CA and Prop 8?

You're not the only one. I live here in California and I'm stunned by this. I really hope to wake up and find that the results have changed.

[the rocketeer]

Me too. But I'm staying up via internet with my two best friends, who are staying up until they find out if they're still going to be married in the morning.

It really feels like two steps forward and one back.

[sthrnsweetie007]

Originally Posted by the rocketeer

It really feels like two steps forward and one back.

yeah it does, but if that's what it means to push for progress... do you think that's what we should do?

[the rocketeer]

Two steps forward and one step back is still one step forward, I guess. It's just horrible to see GLBT rights go down the drain like they seem to be doing tonight.

[Leslie Anne]

Wow, what a night! I'm physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted from crying tears of joy and drinking too much champagne. Almost went to Grant Park (waitlisted) but wanted to hear his speech live, loud and clear.

McCain's speech was very touching and it really seemed heart-felt. It reminded me of the senator I respected so much 20 years ago, before this whole campaign began. I wish him well as he returns to his important work in the Senate.

Loved Obama's speech. He always seems to get the mood right ---appropriately sober. We've got a whole lot of work ahead of us. I hope and pray that he'll be up to the task, that the country will come together after such a devisive campaign and that we can get through the tough times ahead and have a better future.

I'm just so glad this election is over! Can we stop being foremost Republicans and Democrats and just be Americans again?