November 3, 2009 Election Results

In addition (0.00 / 0)

Two states NJ and VA elected Republican Governors over the   incumbent Democratic Party. Virginians elected their new Republican Governor with 59% of the vote after sending Barak Obama to the White House with 53% of the vote a year earlier.   53% of NJ voters backed the Republican candidate for Governor.  A state that elected Barak Obama with 57% of the vote in 2008.    

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by: sdhook @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 11:29:29 AM UTC

Energy (0.00 / 0)

Republicans aren't changing many minds in their favor, but they're a lot more energized than Democrats in most of the country.  In Virginia, a solid majority of yesterday's voters voted for McCain in 2008. Yes, Obama carried VA by a pretty big margin, but his voters didn't turn out for Deeds.  

That's disappointing, but not all that surprising in an off year, in a down economy, and with a president who is attempting to make dramatic changes (especially regarding health care). Big changes almost always motivate the opposition.

2010 is a whole other story.  The national mood will change a half dozen times in the next year, depending on events that aren't even on the horizon. Conservatives may be energized and win, as happened in VA yesterday, but hopefully they'll overplay their hand and lose, as in NY-23.  

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by: LSadun @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 17:53:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Initiative, Texas Style (0.00 / 0)

Texans will apparently vote for any constitutional amendment.  Initiative has certainly gone well in California.  Can't wait for Texas to cash in on that gtovernmental quality.

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by: rgembry @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 12:35:17 PM UTC

But not to re-write the state Constitution (0.00 / 0)

Too bad they won't vote to scrap the whole antiquated Reconstruction - era state constitution and re-write it to allow modern government to function without getting voter approval for every expenditure. Now we have 467 amendments.  

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by: loblolly @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 15:11:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

agreed! (0.00 / 0)

Amending the constitution for every minor detail is archaic and it needs to be revised. Low turnouts like this only costs the taxpayers more money as well, since the state and counties have to hold these elections. Denton County informed me last week in early voting it was costing roughly $25 per vote.

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by: John McClelland @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:50:16 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Texas vs California (5.00 / 1)

I am hopeful that Texas will never have initiatives, especially after seeing California's example.  

Having moved from California to Texas, I am so so happy that Texas only has these constitutional amendments that 2/3 of the Legislature has to vote to put on the ballot.  It's okay to me that almost all constitutional amendments pass in this state, because they were already screened by the Legislature with that supermajority.

Paid signature-gathering for initiatives in California puts utter horrors (187 and 209 are just the most well-known) and way misguided public policy (tons of budgetary set-asides) which voters then approve (while rejecting good initiatives -- very frustrating).  No screening whatsoever.  

On the other hand, one thing Texas should copy from California is mailing out information pamphlets to every voter before an election.  I am shocked at 8% turnout for any statewide election, even "just" constitutional amendments.  That low of a turnout would never happen in California, because everyone gets a sample ballot letting them know there is an election, with candidate statements, and the sample ballot also includes their polling place.

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by: jfung79 @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:50:35 PM UTC

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Locke (0.00 / 0)

what a freaking comeback!!

shows what running a modern, professional program that uses TV as a component...but not the only strategy...can accomplish in a very short period of time.

Locke's ground organization will carry the day and probably by a huge amount. and parker's campaign won't be able to pay that big houston light bill unless she wins the lottery soon.

Please refer to KT's signature.

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by: colin @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 15:57:46 PM UTC

Really? (0.00 / 0)

I'm not in Houston, but what I see is Annise Parker was well ahead in Election-Day voting.  Locke and Brown both did worse on Election Day than in early voting.  If anyone made a comeback, it was Roy Morales surging at the end.  

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by: jfung79 @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:55:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

In not sure what your smoking (0.00 / 0)

but Annise dominated e-day with almost 10,000 more votes than Gene. I'm of the opinion that the only reason Gene lived to see another day is because the westside Republicans came out in force to vote against a ballot initiative that would have annexed a community college in the area and Roy Morales was their guy. Peter was counting on those voters to put him in the runoff. I was in Annise's HQ all day taking in vote totals from precincts and Gene's boxes were not producing all day long. Yes he won the early vote(by a whole 15 votes) but he has got a lot of ground to make up between now and December 12th. Money can buy you a lot of things but passionate grass roots support is not one of them. I'm obviously biased but Annise is the next Mayor.  

Electing a Republican is like hiring a carpenter who is afraid of a hammer AND blames the tools once he's botched the job.

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by: ErikVidor @ Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 06:52:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

HCC won't be an issue in the runoff (0.00 / 0)

Spring Branch voters ( think Memorial ) came out to keep from having their taxes raised by the HCC annexation. They are a conservative group.  

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by: loblolly @ Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 15:15:12 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Your right. (0.00 / 0)

But I think the biggest question is will they come back out to vote in December? There were two big city council district races going on in the westside A and G. District G being the largest republican voting block came out without a runoff and District A is going into one. Something that I didn't think of earlier was the fact that the Teabaggers had a large rally of about 10,000 on Sunday and were urged to go vote for Morales, hence the larger turnout. The canvass reports will tell the story soon enough.  

Electing a Republican is like hiring a carpenter who is afraid of a hammer AND blames the tools once he's botched the job.

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by: ErikVidor @ Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 16:04:33 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

welcome to BOR, ErikVidor (0.00 / 0)

timely join-in...just in time to attack me and defend parker.

locke has been in 3rd for weeks. regardless of how or why, locke made the runoff!

and if your attitude of "money can buy you a lot of things but passionate grass roots support is not one of them" is shared at the parker hq, this race is over.

that is clearly the slogan of a campaign with no money facing a campaign with money.

locke came from behind, has much more money, is pitching a better more salient message, and apparently has more "passionate" supporters than parker...supporters so passionate they will write checks.

based on dean rindy's "we've already won" memo from 2/4/09, annise was the choice of 29%. so she grew 1.5% after a few million dollars and 7 months??????  

anyone that thinks that reflects success is the one smoking something. it is a horrible showing...bordering on a total collapse.  her total inability to win over any meaningful amount of the then-53% of undecided voters is startling.

based on her own memo from HER own consultants, she under-performed by a low of 7% to a high of nearly 35%!!

specifically the memo said:

"Notably, while Parker is better known and has a strong initial lead, when voters are presented with her complete bio she is able to grow her vote and her favorable ratings grow as well (65%). After voters hear positive profiles of the candidates, Parker's share jumps to 38%. She gains 9 points in her vote which shows that her compelling and positive message can attract even more support."

parker has a message problem and a momentum problem.

Please refer to KT's signature.

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by: colin @ Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 00:42:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Well Let me start by saying (0.00 / 0)

That I did not just join to attack you and defend Annise. My former handle was 6thgenerationtexan and for some reason I could no longer login in so I used my real name for a new one.

The line "money can buy you a lot of things but passionate grass roots support is not one of them" was referring to the Peter Brown campaign not the Locke camp.

You bring up a memo that is dated 2/4/09, I don't know about you but that was over 9 months ago and a lot has changed since then.

Obviously you have not even looked at the election results  where Annise Parker was strong and where she is weak. I suggest that you take a look at the unofficial landscape that was sent out by the county yesterday.

Take a look at Greg's analysis that he wrote about today http://www.gregsopinion.com/. Do some CURRENT research and you might find that you are talking out of somewhere the sun doesn't shine.

FYI I'm not on staff I am just a supporter who knows his city and it's politics.  

Electing a Republican is like hiring a carpenter who is afraid of a hammer AND blames the tools once he's botched the job.

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by: ErikVidor @ Fri Nov 06, 2009 at 23:40:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

last time with you (0.00 / 0)

you are a biased party who is unwilling to acknowledge facts or a competing perspective so i won't waste more time on you after this post.

i bring up scientific, empirical evidence that your gal grew 1 freaking point in 9 months with millions spent on her behalf.  furthermore she is broke as a joke. if you can refute those 2 facts, do so.  but you can't explain it so you make another snide remark about my perspective.

a lot of things have changed in 9 months: locke has grown substantially stronger and built a war chest while parker has set a world record for treading water and was bled dry with bad ads that don't reflect her personality or tell us about her values or substantial record of accomplishments. a lot has changed.

i have looked at the results. parker never caught on in any meaningful way, totally failed to win over virtually any of the voters that entered the cycle undecided, while locke came from WAY far back to get in to the runoff.

if you have facts, offer them up. i've read greg's analysis and he is sharp and thoughtful as usual.  i agree with many of his points. maybe you should look at the results when not blind drunk on your love for parker. use your brain a little, be objective.

if you go back to where this started: me being impressed with Locke's rise to the runoff and you attacking me with insults. i've offered some facts--you've been condescending and rude. if you want me to tee off on your girl, i will. it is pretty easy.

i haven't spoken to anyone yet that thinks parker lived up to expectations. if your expectations for her topped out at 1% growth over 9 months, you should find a new candidate to back. some folks are overlooking where she started.  her total inability to have a message stick cost her this election.  millions were wasted and an opening was created that wasn't there before. i'm sorry you can't see the deficiencies in your candidate's operations.

i like her and always have. (that never occurred to you...because I have an opinion and FACTS that reflect poorly on her campaign, you assume I don't like her and attack me).  regardless of my personal support of her, i won't blindly say that everything is roses.

be real here. parker is in deep doo doo for the runoff unless she can raise a lot of money very quickly and totally revamp her message.

Please refer to KT's signature.

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by: colin @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 16:34:37 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Way to go KT! (3.00 / 2)

Just want to say how excited I am of KT's work in Kalamazoo. I'm very proud our local activist!!!

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by: katiebellmoore @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:35:43 PM UTC

LGBT Battles (0.00 / 0)

I am very proud of KT and Jon Hoadley in Michigan! One of the better results of my evening last night.

Congrats to Annise. Houstonians need to get back out next month and make it happen. Remember what happened in Dallas in 2007.

Washington. Good on you.

Maine. Disappointed with the rural bigot vote but I am actually not surprised. I do have an issue with medical marijuana passing but not gay marriage. What's up with those numbers? Like Jesse Ventura said last night "if everything were put up to a vote, we'd have slavery again". This mob rule notion needs to end.

And back in my Tar Heel stomping ground, Chapel Hill NC elected a gay mayor. Go Heels!

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by: John McClelland @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 16:54:29 PM UTC

Khan, not Kahn (0.00 / 0)

It's M.J. Khan, not Kahn.

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by: jfung79 @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 21:56:15 PM UTC

thanks (0.00 / 0)

..

"Let us tenderly and kindly cherish therefore, the means of knowledge. Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write."  -  John Adams

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by: Michael Hurta @ Thu Nov 05, 2009 at 10:02:49 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

You're welcome! (0.00 / 0)

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by: jfung79 @ Sat Nov 14, 2009 at 07:53:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]