The battle for Kennedy's seat

Yeah - which is why I think they are overreaching with the national implications of this race.

Yeah - which is why I think they are overreaching with the national implications of this race.

A lot of local politics are playing a roll - corruption in the democrat lead congress, an unpopular democrat governor, cost issues with the state's universal care, etc.. Plus a really bad democrat for a candidate and a pending healthcare bill at the national level that's incredibly unpopular in the state. But still, it's MA - this will be a true upset if Brown wins. All in all, I have to say its been fascinating to watch, I do love American politics, pretty amazing stuff.

A lot of local politics are playing a roll - corruption in the democrat lead congress, an unpopular democrat governor, cost issues with the state's universal care, etc.. Plus a really bad democrat for a candidate and a pending healthcare bill at the national level that's incredibly unpopular in the state. But still, it's MA - this will be a true upset if Brown wins. All in all, I have to say its been fascinating to watch, I do love American politics, pretty amazing stuff.

A contest like this is a godsend for those of us who love to watch the various camps spin-spin-spin. I am looking forward to the results shows tonight

This time around I do see it as a mandate on Obama and the healthcare bill. The media created a self fulfilling prophecy.

Cramdown starts tomorrow. I bet Senate Bill will be voted on by the House by next week. Thoughts?

Cramdown starts tomorrow. I bet Senate Bill will be voted on by the House by next week. Thoughts?

That's what CNN was saying this afternoon. Something is better than nothing so that at least one of the big Obama campaign promises is fulfilled. If some of Obama's promises aren't fulfilled, according to CNN talking heads the Dems are in trouble for the 2010 elections.

Of course, the Republicans need to find a presidential candidate for 2012. OOPS!

Cramdown starts tomorrow. I bet Senate Bill will be voted on by the House by next week. Thoughts?

Obama healthcare reform, the gift that keeps on giving.. to the Republicans.

Nasty politics! Plain nasty if they attempt to cram. I find it interesting that President Obama feels so strongly about a filibuster proof Senate for his agenda! Stinky and speaks mountains about his own belief in himself!

I hope we are able to stop the vote and start Healthcare Reform with proper reform.

A.P. called the race for Brown, looks like a 7-9% landslide win.

MSNBC only has 89% reporting, but it's 52.4% to 46.6%.

I hope we are able to stop the vote and start Healthcare Reform with proper reform.

What do you think the odds are that this vote actually IS the dealbreaker that makes them go back to the drawing board and throw out all the politricks that is losing them support?

One word, scooterbug44: FILIBUSTER.
Start talking about the weather~~~~~~~start talking about the weather in Antartica even. Just talk. Where is Strom Thurmond when you need him?

I don't think they have to go back to the drawing board in entirety, but rather fine tune what is there before cramming a vote.

What do you think the odds are that this vote actually IS the dealbreaker that makes them go back to the drawing board and throw out all the politricks that is losing them support?

I already put in my two cents but with the blowout (i.e. more than 1% it will be tough for the Mass. Sec. of State to delay too long especially with the Coakley admission that the race is over).

One word, scooterbug44: FILIBUSTER.
Start talking about the weather~~~~~~~start talking about the weather in Antartica even. Just talk. Where is Strom Thurmond when you need him?

I don't think they have to go back to the drawing board in entirety, but rather fine tune what is there before cramming a vote.

They can't fine tune too much. It will likely be more than 3% for Brown so the absentee vote can't win it for her so the state will have to certify soon. Once that happens, the VP will have to "admit" Brown to the Senate. I think they have about a week but much more than that and it will be partisan politcs that will hurt them BADLY in the midterms. Fine tuning is irrelevant as the Repubs will be 100% against ANYTHING right now.

A contest like this is a godsend for those of us who love to watch the various camps spin-spin-spin. I am looking forward to the results shows tonight

I just really like David Gergen. He is so relaxing and sensible.

I am annoyed by everyone else except Anderson Cooper.

I just really like David Gergen. He is so relaxing and sensible.

Do you know that he is the ONLY person that Barbara Bush did not call "just darling and a dear friend" in her last book? She seriously hates him.

And I say if he ticked off Bar, then he must be no good.

Do you know that he is the ONLY person that Barbara Bush did not call "just darling and a dear friend" in her last book? She seriously hates him.

And I say if he ticked off Bar, then he must be no good.

That is so weird! I thought all the women loved him!!!

I hope the R's don't look at this and think the people want a return to their brand of waste and mismanagement. People want change, but not what Obama is peddling. People want smaller, smarter government with less taxes and no shady deals and earmarks.

I am interested in seeing what Dems think this vote means. Will they go the route that it was just bad politics on the side of the Coakley camp, and not that they missed out on partisanship?

One item of note is that Ted Kennedy in a special election in 1962 was seated in ONE day. I will be curious to see how it works out on a 5 pt lead for Brown.

I hope the R's don't look at this and think the people want a return to their brand of waste and mismanagement. People want change, but not what Obama is peddling. People want smaller, smarter government with less taxes and no shady deals and earmarks.

I really don't think that this vote is anti-Obama, but it may be anti-all the politricks that both parties have been wallowing in. I know I am tired of it and so are all of the others who voted for Obama and actual change.

Kennedy had that seat forever and in the first actual election in decades I wasn't overly impressed by the Democratic candidate. Is it possible that is the 'big' issue?

P.S. Not loving the current health care bills either, just asking.

I am interested in seeing what Dems think this vote means. Will they go the route that it was just bad politics on the side of the Coakley camp, and not that they missed out on partisanship?

One item of note is that Ted Kennedy in a special election in 1962 was seated in ONE day. I will be curious to see how it works out on a 5 pt lead for Brown.

Huffington nailed it on Countdown tonight - Obama is now perceived as part of the establishment with Reid and Pelosi. He needs to break out of that and do what he was elected to do. Independents are loosing faith.

I would definitely agree with that assessment - SO not a Pelosi fan! Hoping the peeps in Nevada take care of Reid quickly.

The Scott Heard Round the World now becomes the 2nd American Revolution. He won in massachusetts on a lower taxes, small goverment, strong military platform. I lived in MA for 3 years when Bush 2 was Prez and out of about 20 people in my office there were only 2 of us that openly favored what were the old Republican platform. I think abandoning social conservatism to a degree (not altogether) and embracing economic conservatism will bring the Republicans back to majorities by 2012. If Obama doesn't turn a hard 180 to the center, he will be toast in 2012 and it won't matter who the Repubs run against him. His favorability matches Sarah Palin's now and won't recover until he shows that he can actually cut some spending, not raise taxes or fees, and defend the US.

The Scott Heard Round the World now becomes the 2nd American Revolution. He won in massachusetts on a lower taxes, small goverment, strong military platform. I lived in MA for 3 years when Bush 2 was Prez and out of about 20 people in my office there were only 2 of us that openly favored what were the old Republican platform. I think abandoning social conservatism to a degree (not altogether) and embracing economic conservatism will bring the Republicans back to majorities by 2012. If Obama doesn't turn a hard 180 to the center, he will be toast in 2012 and it won't matter who the Repubs run against him. His favorability matches Sarah Palin's now and won't recover until he shows that he can actually cut some spending, not raise taxes or fees, and defend the US.

I see Brown as a vote against the establishment. D vs. R didn't make difference. Platforms are important, but the current establishments of American politics carry all sort of ugly baggage. That's why Obama was elected, why Brown was elected, why we've had so much turn over lately, people dig candidates who promised to make Washington functional. Unfortunately for Obama, he's not been very successful in his first year - the establishment appears to be running things while he's out giving great speeches. I would hope this is a wake up call for him, I think he’s capable of pulling things together. Maybe a major turnover in Congress this fall will help. From my experience the federal government seems to function best when it's balanced.

I think it's a message against politics and big government, sending a very strong message as well as setting a precedent for this years' mid-term elections. But, historically, this voting behaviour is the pattern when one party gains too much control. It is fascinating. Do we have any more Reps jumping ship into the Dem camp to give them a super majority again?

Sometimes, it takes several generations to turn over in politics. GA elected the first Rep Governor in over 130 years and elected a Dem Lt. Gov. on the same day! More to come of this, I believe.

BeachSiO2, I thought about the spread in the vote and I agree, this should be a swift confirmation. We'll see hows MA handles this.