Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Election 2010

Well, it doesn't look like the 2010 Election is going to be much of a nail-biter. All the Republicans on the criminal bench are easily winning as of this writing. Quite frankly, the only reason I'm even writing this post is to hear your feedback on the elections, because this certainly isn't that shocking news.

I'm terribly disappointed that Loren Jackson seems to be headed for defeat. He truly brings something special to the office of the District Clerk, and I feel pretty confident in saying that he brought about more positive changes during his short tenure than Chris Daniels will over the next four years.

Once again, straight-ticket voting has proven itself to be an evil, evil thing.

However, one thing that does seem to have died during this election is apathy. As sad as I am about Loren, I'm glad to see voter involvement making such a dramatic comeback after 2008.

Hopefully, we'll see this kind of involvement again in 2012. Especially during the Republican primary.

12 comments:

Thomas Hobbes said...

I'm out of town (having voted early), but the news I'm catching up on is depressing. It's amazing, for example, that the public traded Loren Jackson for his opponent, but that's the tragedy of straight-ticket voting. It plays directly into the lunacy that often accompanies partisan politics and it ensures the right to vote for people who freely exercise the right, but shun the responsibility with which it should go hand-in-hand. Matters of leadership should not be so blithely decided.

Anonymous said...

Well, 2008 showed record turnouts, it just didn't turn out the way you liked. I think it'll be a bigger turnout in 2012 than tonight, too, and can't see anyone beating Obama that the Republicans have on deck. Remember, in off-year elections Democrats stay home.

I'm amazed that Perry won with only 39% last time as the least popular governor in Texas history, yet today he was the second coming for some reason.

As for the evils of straight-ticket voting, well, you get what you asked for. Now bring on that $21 billion deficit...

Rage

Anonymous said...

If Chris Daniel fails to do the job, let us know so we can inundate him with letters.

This should be a non-partisan position.

Anonymous said...

By now we have all heard the well worn out mantra from the spin doctors that this wasn't an election FOR but AGAINST. Books will be written, etc, etc. Two years ago when only 2 or 3 R's survived the Democratic sweep Judge McSpadden made overtures via the Chronicle Op-Ed section that straight party voting should be eliminated.

Burnberg vehemently objected and proceeded to attend and flap his feathers and crow about the courthouse from one Judicial investiture to the other. Seems like one bar-B-Q place got ALL the D's money.

Some swearing in ceremonies were dignified, others not. Some of the judges elected are "right as rain" and others simply an embarrassment.

Both sides have their fair share of the judicial Hall of shame due to straight party voting. But it will never change - Why?

Because whomever is "King of the Hill" never wants to change it!

And that's just politics which has nothing to do with Justice, Mercy, or following the law.

Anonymous said...

Murray, your blog supported almost all GOP candidates so the relatively few loses could be construed as a minor issue. Both parties now have a golden opportunity to prove their opponents wrong, however doubtful that scenario may be. Two years is a short time...

Anonymous said...

Rage,

What makes you think Obama will be the nominee for POTUS in 2012? I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. When you lead your party to the worst midterm defeat since 1938, "change" comes.

Anonymous said...

6:13, you watch.

Also, now Republicans actually have to offer some solutions. You haven't for two years, good luck doing it when you're "in charge."

This was only a few seats "worse" than the Clinton mid-terms, and he was re-elected. Reagan was also re-elected despite initial mid-term losses. So, don't get your hopes up too much.

Also, keep in mind that Democrats, especially minorities, stay home in mid-term elections. When Obama is back on the ticket, be it primary or general, they'll show up.

You might also be surprised to learn that I voted for more Republicans than Democrats, but hey, I guess that wouldn't fit into your world of false dichotomies, would it?

Rage

Anonymous said...

Rage,

Obama appears to be completely incompetent as a leader. Reagan and Clinton were not. Under most circumstances I would agree with your analysis, but this guy will be unable or unwilling to "change".
It should be fun to watch.

Anonymous said...

The Dems' judicial candidates were screwed by their own party.
In order to run in the primary you were " asked " to be a member of their coordinated campaign. That was $ 2.500. Then each candidate was asked to pay another $ 7,500 for the general campaign. Doesn't sound that bad right? Well here's the rub, the candidates didn't get anything for their money. Zero.

No TV spots, no radio ads, nothing in the Chronicle, no billboards, no mailers, nothing. They gave the party money and received a name on the party's website saying they were participating in the coordinated campaign.
Would it have made a difference? Probably not, but some folks are wondering how the party spent the money.

Anonymous said...

12:34--so is he doing too little, or too much? I can never tell because his detractors make different complaints depending on which way the wind blows. Personally, I think he was too hands off and let the majority slip away from him. Regardless, it's the Republicans who won't get anything done now.

10:43--money would have just been wasted. This was a pure straight ticket election, with the exceptions of Bill White and attorneys switching for Loren Jackson. That's it. I think Birnberg (and the Republican guy too) is a clown, but that's not why this election turned out the way it did.

Rage

Anonymous said...

Unless the President does what Bill Clinton did and compromise with the newly elected House, he will not be re-elected. There are more Taxed Enough Already party members than minority voters that stayed home this week.

If he does become Bill, then he will recapture some of the moderate voters and probably will be re-elected. It really is all up to him and his staff to decide whether he can still play Golf and spend $200 million per day to go visit India.

I hope he turns into Bill.

Anonymous said...

Unless the President does what Bill Clinton did and compromise with the newly elected House

What? You don't remember him calling their bluff in budget talks and closing down Washington D.C. and all federal parks and properties? Because he rubbed their noses in their own shit, and made them balance the budget.

Rage

Episode Seven: The Voters Awaken - A One Act -Sci-Fi Play

SCENE:  The Death Star orbits over Downtown Houston. [INTERIOR] The Imperial Council Chambers. EMPRESS OGG sits at the head of a long table ...