| WSJ | 0 | |
| Sac Bee | Many California jobs ‘saved’ by stimulus funds weren’t in jeopardy |
0 |
| Byron York | Democratic civil war update: MoveOn raises $3.6 million to attack party moderates |
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| CK | 0 | |
| NYT | 0 |
Audacity of Truth
Whiner-in-Chief:
"[W]hether the grumbling is about Republicans on Fox or bloggers in pajamas, there's a word for what the president and his aides are doing. That word is "whining." And nothing [...] does more damage to Obama's credibility or authority than the sense that a popular president is becoming the whiner-in-chief."
- John Nichols, Nation Magazine - 10/12/09
Left wing writers/columnists/commentators have “off-the-record” lunch with Obama
Via Fishbowl DC:
Politico reports that CNN’s David Gergen, WaPo’s Chris Cillizza, Newsweek’s Jon Meacham and Howard Fineman, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Cynthia Tucker, Politico’s Mike Allen, NPR/Fox’s Mara Liasson, TPM’s Josh Marshall and NYT’s David Brooks, Andy Rosenthal, and Gail Collins joined the President, David Axelrod, Anita Dunn, Bill Burton and Robert Gibbs for an off-the-record lunch today.
Lunch apparently lasted two hours and green salad, halibut and pear tart were served.
No word yet on how the sour grapes tasted.
This is becoming a regular occurrence, isn’t it? What’s happening with this WH? Are they so concerned now about MSM journalists like Jake Tapper asking them tough questions that they’ve taken to meeting “off-the-record” with liberal talking heads (and David Brooks – I know, same thing) in an effort to get “the real truth” out? Answer: Most likely. Hell, that’s why they’re pretty much boycotting Fox News at this point, and demanding that other liberals follow suit or else, because they can’t stand the heat and prefer “friendlier” news outlets, so it only stands to reason that the same rule applies here with these “off-the-record” chit chats where no one outside of the “inner circle” knows what was said. But of course, the “scratch my back, I’ll scratch your back” rule applies here. Write a favorable column, or say favorable things about the administration on either your show or a show where you’re a guest, and you’ll continue to get invited to “off-the-record” WH get togethers.
So much for “open government, accountable only to the people.”
No, the WH war on Fox News is not over
The Chi-Trib’s Swamp blog reports on something many of us predicted at the time of the so-called “truce” made between Fox News and the Obama admin: That it was a TINO (Truce In Name Only). Peter Nicholas writes (via Memeorandum):
At least one Democratic political strategist has gotten a blunt warning from the White House to never appear on Fox News Channel, an outlet that presidential aides have depicted as not so much a news-gathering operation as a political opponent bent on damaging the Obama administration.
Political consultants are a staple of cable television talk shows, analyzing current events based on their own experiences working on campaigns or in government.
One Democratic strategist said that shortly after an appearance on Fox he got a phone call from a White House official telling him not to be a guest on the show again. The call had an intimidating tone, he said.
The message was, “We better not see you on again,” said the strategist, who spoke on condition of anonymity so as not to run afoul of the White House. An implicit suggestion, he said, was that “clients might stop using you if you continue.”
In urging Democratic consultants to spurn Fox, White House officials might be trying to isolate the network and make it appear more partisan.
Threats? Bullying? Trying to isolate your opponent? It’s all part of the Chicago-On-Potomac/Saul Alinsky Way, baby.
One Dem strategist interviewed by Nicholas says he knows it’s happened to other liberal strategists and his sentiment about it is right on:
White House Communications Director Anita Dunn said Thursday night that she had checked with colleagues who “deal with TV issues” and they had not told people to avoid Fox. On the contrary, they had urged people to appear on the network, Dunn wrote in an email.
But Patrick Caddell, a Fox News contributor and a former pollster for Democratic President Jimmy Carter, said he has spoken to Democratic consultants who have been told by the White House to avoid appearances on Fox. He declined to give their names.
Caddell said he had not gotten that message himself from the White House. “They know better than to tell me anything like that,” he said.
Caddell added: “I have heard that they’ve done that to others in not too subtle ways. I find it appalling. When the White House gets in the business of suppressing dissent and comment, particularly from its own party, it hurts itself.”
And this country, too.
McQ responds:
I’m not sure how anyone can be surprised by such tactics. No one is surprised when a jackal acts like a jackal are they? Then why should anyone be surprised when an Alinsky trained Chicago politician acts like an Alinsky trained Chicago politician?
Would now be a good time to ask how the left would be reacting had such a concerted effort against any left wing MSM outlet taken place by the Bush administration? And perhaps more importantly, can we question their patriotism yet? 
Sean Hannity and KeithO come face to face with each other
And no fisticuffs were exchanged. In fact, it looks like the brief meeting – which happened at Game 6 of the World Series last night – was somewhat amicable.
Are we getting close to the Apocalypse? 
Rove: Democrats are in trouble in the suburbs
Karl “Darth” Rove, probably one of the most interesting – if not the most interesting – political analyst of our times, has a write-up in today’s Wall Street Journal about Tuesday’s suburbs votes – and it doesn’t spell good news for the left:
Barack Obama was said to have redrawn the electoral map by winning Virginia last year with 53% of the vote. On Tuesday, Republican Bob McDonnell flipped the state back to the GOP, winning his election for governor with 59% of the vote. Mr. Obama carried New Jersey easily last year with 57% of the vote. This year, despite being outspent 3-to-1, Republican Chris Christie ousted Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine there by 49% to 45%. Mr. Obama carried Pennsylvania last year by 10 points. On Tuesday, Republican Judge Joan Orie Melvin was elected to the state’s Supreme Court by 53% to 47%, leading a GOP sweep of six of seven statewide contests.
The trend here is that suburban and independent voters moved into the GOP column. The overall shift away from Democrats was 13 points in Virginia, 12 points in New Jersey, and eight points in Pennsylvania.
Even a five-point swing in 2010 could bring a tidal wave of change. Today, Democrats enjoy 60 votes in the Senate, Republicans a mere 40. Had there been a five-point swing away from Democrats last fall, the party would have started this year with 54 seats and the Republicans 46.
A five-point shift in 2006 would have left the GOP in control of the House. In 2008, a five-point shift would have produced a Democratic loss of six House seats rather than a gain of 21. It would also have put John McCain into the White House with 279 Electoral College votes to Mr. Obama’s 259.
It’s a good piece, so make sure to read the whole thing.
As always, proceed with cautious optimism when thinking about the prospects for big GOP wins next year. As I’ve said before, the Dems’ big ticket issue right now – healthcare “reform” – could very well sink them in the midterms, but that’s only if Republicans and the Blue Dogs continue to not just stand firm against the type of “reform” ObamaCo. are selling, but also to keep trying to sell fiscally responsible healthcare ideas of their own, as well as also reminding people just how much President Obama and Congressional Democrats will stick it to the middle class in the form of higher taxes and fines over the next several years in order to “pay” for their big ticket items.
Time will tell.
Post-Election Day 2009 spin and bias from The Usual Suspects
First, sorry for the light blogging today. Was hectic at the 8-5 and I’ve got a bit of a headache coming on this evening.
Ok on to the media bias and lefty spin post-Election Day (but I repeat myself …)
—– In light of the big GOP wins last night in VA and NJ, you’d think even a paper as solidly liberal as the LA Times would have no choice but to make those wins their top headline, right? Wrong. Patterico has the screencap from the LAT’s website from this morning where the top headline was …. “Democrats win Congressional victories in California, N.Y.” The smaller subheadline read, “The GOP fares better in Virginia and New Jersey as both states elect Republican Governors.”
As of this writing, the direct link to the article sports the same headline and subheadline.
Think there were a few sour grapes in the LAT’s newsroom overnight last night? Yup – me, too.
—–Obama-loving journo and MSDNC commentator Andrea Mitchell was feeling and showing some major love for Obama’s senior advisor David Axelturf this morning during an interview in which she invoked the classic movie Casablanca in discussing both HBO’s loving Obadocumentary (which aired last night) and the NY-23 race. The money quote? “Well, we loved you in the HBO documentary, and we’ll always have the New York 23rd.” Nudge nudge, wink wink! Watch the laughable exchange here.
—– And speaking of MSDNC, OlbermannWatch writes about how MSDNC’s election coverage was inadequate, even for MSDNC, and noted that liberal icon Keith Olbermann was not around to do the “special live 10:00 PM edition of Countdown.” Come to find out, KO was visiting his dad in the hospital, which is understandable but still doesn’t explain why MSDNC chose not to have someone else fill that timeslot on a big election night. Show of hands how many of you think they would have had last night been huge for the Dems? (Looks around) Yep, that’s all of you.
—– A “senior administration official” told Jake Tapper that last night’s Dem victory over Doug Hoffman meant that Democrats were “2-0″ versus Sarah Palin. Huh? Even if that could be called a “victory” against Sarah Palin, wouldn’t that make it 1-0? Well, considering this administration can’t count worth a crap when it comes to – for example – how much money their healthcare plan will “save” over a several year period (in reality, there will be no “savings”) and how much it will add to the deficit (in reality, it is definitely not “deficit neutral”), I guess I shouldn’t be so surprised.
—– Jonah Goldberg calls out multiple media outlets and pundits on their declarations that last night’s elections were more “anti-incumbent” than anti-anything else. As Goldberg correctly notes, it was Democrat incubments who lost in VA and NJ. Duh.
—– William Jacobson tackles the lefty spinsanity that yesterday’s elections were allegedly “good” for Democrats, especially on the healthcare issue, because they picked up an additional seat in the House. Some lefty bloggers were actually suggesting that the Dems picked up two seats last night, but the CA-10 race was one which stayed in Democrat hands.
There they go with that counting problem again.
—– And finally …. and surprisingly without spin, the NYT reported today on some surprising Republican gains in some local races in NY. Wonders never will cease …
More videos uncovered showing school kids being coached to praise Obama
11 – count ‘em – 11 more videos found.
“Elementary epidemic” indeed!
Prior/Related:
Election Day 2009 Liveblogging (MULTIPLE UPDATES)
*This post will be continuously updated throughout the evening. Newest updates will be at the top.*
Weds. AM Update – 8:24 AM: Hoffman has conceded. Malkin has a great analysis of that race and what it means for conservatives and the GOP establishment here.
Maine has “just said no” to gay marriage. That makes 31 states who have done so at the ballot box.
In the CA-10 race, Democrat Lt. Gov. John Garamendi defeated Republican David Harmer easily for Rep. Ellen Tauscher’s (D) vacated seat.
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Update 25 – 11:37 PM: Just read via MSDNC’s Chuck Todd that the NY-23 race won’t be called tonight. They still have around 11,000 absentee ballots to count, which will happen tomorrow.
Ok – I really am going to sleep now. Nite nite.
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Update 24 – 11:13 PM: NBC has called NY-23 for Owens. Oh well.
G’nite, y’all.
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Update 23 – 10:50 PM: They are probably conducting a champagne toast at the Charlotte Observer as this city has just elected a Dem for Mayor for the first time in 20 years. Not that it’ll be much different from our previous mayor, who in a lot of ways was a Republican In Name Only.
The AP has (once again) called the NYC Mayor race for Bloomberg. Narrow margin of victory, though, if the results hold up (+3K?).
I’m gonna step away from the computer for a bit. The NY-23 race is still close but Owens has been ahead the whole night. Keep checking this link for the latest updates from that race. The polls in CA close at 11 ET. This link will have the results from that race.
Whether Hoffman wins or loses, the big story of the night is that Obama and the Dems are losing Independents big time. The proof is in the exits. A Hoffman win would just be icing on the cake. If I’m not back here by 11:30 with an update, g’nite, y’all.
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Update 22 – 10:10 PM: Huge: The AP has just projected Christie to win NJ.
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Update 21 – 10:01 PM: Hearing that multiple news outlets are taking back their projection that Bloomberg will win the mayor’s race in NYC.
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Update 20 – 9:58 PM: Here’s a link for the results from the CA-10 race.
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Update 19 – 9:45 PM: Here’s another (better) link for results from NY-23.
NYC Mayor Bloomberg has, of course, been projected to win re-election.
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Update 18 – 9:25 PM: Here’s a link for election results out of NY-23.
Here’s the link for results for NJ again. Christie’s in the lead w/ 3 % reporting but I hear some big Dem precincts are getting ready to report. Precincts for the deceased to be reported … at midnight. Stay tuned.
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Update 17 – 9:20 PM: Breaking: “Machine glitches may delay vote reporting in four St. Lawrence towns” (NY-23).
The Hill is also covering the NY-23 race. I’m still looking for a voting results link.
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Update 16 – 9:01 PM: The polls in NY have now closed.
Here is a link to Maine’s election results, where the big ticket item is whether or not to reject their new pro-gay marriage law.
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Update 15 – 8:47 PM: Fixed the NJ results broken link. Thanks to ST reader GWR for the heads up.
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Update 14 – 8:17 PM: Here’s how the liberal Charlotte Observer is reporting the big mayoral race here: “Foxx leads in early returns” … but that’s after only 1% of the vote (the early vote).
Foxx, as you might have guessed, is the Democrat.
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Update 13 – 8:09 PM: Per Major Garrett – “Fox calls VA LG race for Bill Bolling and VA AG race for Ken Cuccinelli. Only 3rd time in Commonwealth history Rs sweep.”
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Update 12 – 8:00 PM: Per Hotline, “According to early exit poll data released by CNN, ex-U.S. Atty Chris Christie (R) leads Gov. Jon Corzine among indie voters, 58-33%. Indies make up 27% of the electorate thus far today.” Obama won indies statewide 51-47%.
Here’s a link to check for results in NJ, where the polls have just now closed.
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Update 11 – 7:57 PM: Fox and the AP is calling VA for McDonnell. Wow!
Polls are getting ready to close in NJ.
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Update 10 – 7:39 PM: Polls close in the NY-23 race at 9 PM, FYI.
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Update 9 – 7:31 PM: Are indies moving to the GOP in VA? Sure sounds like it:
But the real difference is among indies. Obama edged McCain among VA indies, 49-48%, in ‘08. This year, McDonnell has a 60-39% lead among indies.
Deeds is also underperforming among young voters when compared with Obama. Obama won voters under 30, 60-39%. Deeds only leads this group 52-46%. These voters also did not turn out as they did last year, when they comprised 21% of the electorate. This year, they made up only one in ten voters [STEVEN SHEPARD]
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Update 8 – 7:26 PM: Here’s a link to check the numbers as they come in in the VA Governor’s race.
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Update 7 – 7:24 PM: Hmmm. “The Intrade Watch – It’s been going Corzine in recent hour(s).” (via K.Lo)
Shep Smith’s revised his earlier comments on a projection in the VA Governor’s race to “sometime this evening.” Alrighty then.
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Update 6 – 7:18 PM: Bloomberg’s spent a record $100 million of his own money to keep his seat as NYC Mayor (per Fox).
Scozzafava is still on the ballot in NY-23, BTW.
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Update 5 – 7:10 PM: Shep Smith on Fox keeps teasing about a call coming from Fox News “within minutes” on the state of VA. C’mon already!
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Update 4 – 7:01 PM: Polling guru Nate Silver (D) posts the final polling averages going into today’s elections, along with his predictions. He’s got the GOP winning in NJ, VA, and NY, Dems winning in CA-10, and Maine voters affirming the ‘right’ of gays to marry.
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Update 3 – 6:55 PM: Early exits are starting to trickle in. Supposedly, a majority of voters in NJ and VA said Obama wasn’t a factor in their vote. The economy was the most important issue in both states.
FYI – “Polls close in VA at 7 p.m. EST, while voting continues until 8 p.m. EST in NJ.”
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Update 2 – 6:52 PM: Predictably, the WH is downplaying What This All Means for future elections. What, has Axelturf seen some troubling internal numbers coming out of today’s key races?
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Update 1 – 6:38 PM: Ben Smith is reporting high turnout in Maine, where voters are voting on whether or not to repeal a new law that makes gay marriage legal.
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6:20 PM: I’m just now getting home and starting to get caught up on all the Election Day 2009 news. I see the AP is now onboard with the belief that today’s elections in NJ and VA (governor) and NY (NY-23) are referendums on Obama’s clout – or perhaps lack thereof:
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s political clout was on the line Tuesday as Virginia and New Jersey chose governors in contests that could serve as warning signs for Democrats about the public’s mood heading into an important midterm election year.
[...]
One year after Obama won the White House in an electoral landslide and Democrats expanded their majorities in Congress, much of the focus was on Virginia and New Jersey, where Democratic control was in danger despite hefty campaigning by Obama himself.
The outcomes were sure to feed discussion about the state of the electorate, the status of the diverse coalition that sent Obama to the White House and the limits of the president’s influence on the party’s base of support — as well as on moderate lawmakers he needs to advance his legislative priorities.
Strange. Just a couple of days ago, here’s what they were saying about today’s elections:
WASHINGTON – For Republicans, an election win of any size Tuesday would be a blessing. But victories in Virginia, New Jersey or elsewhere won’t erase enormous obstacles the party faces heading into a 2010 midterm election year when control of Congress and statehouses from coast to coast will be up for grabs.
It’s been a tough few years for the GOP. The party lost control of Congress in 2006 and then lost the White House in 2008 with three traditional Republican states — Indiana, North Carolina and Virginia — abandoning the party.
So even if political winds start blowing harder behind them and even if they can capitalize on Democratic missteps, Republicans still will have a long way to go over the next year because of their party’s own fundamental problems — divisions over the path forward, the lack of a national leader and a shrinking base in a changing nation.
The GOP would overcome none of those hurdles should Republican Bob McDonnell win the Virginia governor’s race, Chris Christie emerge victorious in the New Jersey governor’s contest, or conservative Doug Hoffman triumph in a hotly contested special congressional election in upstate New York.
So, er, if I’m reading both articles correctly, GOP wins tonight would be “warning signs” for Obama and the Democrats, yet the GOP would essentially be meaningless because they “still have a long way to go” to overcome “hurdles.”
I sure as heck wish the AP would make up their minds.
As to turnout news, Jim Geraghty’s got several reports on what turnout is looking like in NJ, VA, and NY. Just keep scrolling. If you’ve voted today in the so-called “bellwether” races, please post about your experience in the comments section.
As for predictions? ST reader Anthony has gone on the record:
For today’s elections, I’m predicting two out of four for our side: Virginia is a landslide for the Republican for governor and Hoffman comfortably wins NY-23, while the Democrats easily win CA-10 and steal (literally) the win in NJ.
Longtime readers know about my reluctance on making political predictions (I’m not very good at it), but just for laughts I’ll say that the VA governor’s seat returns to the GOP, the Dems keep the Governor’s mansion in NJ (by hook or crook), the Hoffman/Owens race will be very close, with Owens winning in a squeaker, and the CA-10 race goes to the Dems.
What sayeth you?
Tuesday Open Thread
Got a busy morning ahead – will check back in when I can. In the meantime, make sure to post any interesting links you find on today’s elections in the comments. I’ll have a lot of catching up to do later when I liveblog the elections tonight 
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