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"Racists" And "Rednecks" Re-Elect Murtha
Jack Murtha sure did pick a good year to insult his constituents.
Despite calling the people in his district racists and rednecks, multiple news outlets have now projected Murtha the winner against GOP candidate William Russell. With 56% of precincts in for Murtha's Pennsylvania district, Murtha has 58% of the vote to Russell's 42%. Whatever problems Murtha made for himself, the year's fundamental Democratic wave was more than enough to put him over the finish line.
This was Murtha's first real race in decades -- and it was itself created by his last-minute unforced error. With this whole mess behind him, he'll probably have a lot less to worry about in future cycles.
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Tt's ok. He's still a democrat.
I am drunk. I am partying with bunch of NM-CO campaign volunteer friends from across the country right at the border between NM and CO. Everyone is totally fucked up now. Don't laugh: We had a lot of sex at the end of each day. What a joy and experience !
November 4, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Where on the border?
uh oh - lights flickered - don't you fucking dare go out -
November 4, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am in Raton, NM, 2 hrs away from Colorado Springs, 5 minutes from CO state line.
November 4, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am in Raton, NM, 2 hrs away from Colorado Springs, 5 minutes from CO state line.
November 4, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm only 100 miles from Colorado - just curious -
November 4, 2008 10:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes We Did!!!!!!
November 5, 2008 1:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Could this night get any better?
November 4, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'd just as soon keep the seat as not. [shrugs]
November 4, 2008 10:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Got back from driving people to the polls about an hour ago. My last voter was an AA man, late 60s. He was able to sign the voter registration roll, but he asked me to fill out his ballot for him. He could not hold his hand steady enough to fill in the circles.
So he pointed, said the name, and I had the incredible honor of filling in his ballot. It was his moment; I was his servant; only now as I begin to write about this experience is the magnitude of this gift from the Universe coming into my awareness.
I have been forever changed by this experience. You had a hand in this, Tena. My trips to TPM Election Central accelerated the thawing of my heart. Thank you.
November 4, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
My god - what an amazing thing to say.
I have no idea what I did to deserve that, but I thank you with all my heart.
November 4, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
You whacked me upside the head when I was spitting my CrabbyCrat stuff all over the site. You and another poster gave me a one-two punch. You asked, "Why are you always so crabby?"
I stopped and thought, "Why, indeed?"
It's a hell of a lot healthier to appreciate the gifts instead of focus on the things that piss me off. I'm still pissed as hell at GWB, his Dad, fucking Nixon, God Damn Cheney, fucking Ronny RayGuns. All those fucks.
But, now it's not a seething cauldron of contempt. More of a "I'll knock yer fucking head off if I can get within slapping distance."
So, anyway, crabbynomore.
Ain't this great? We're winning big big big! Big Blue Wave. Yeah!
November 4, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nate of 538.com is looking like a genius right now. The only person news organizations will want to talk more to than him is BO.
November 4, 2008 10:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am in awe of Nate.
November 4, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Never, ever doubt a sabermetrician.
November 4, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh were going to a Hukilau!
November 4, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
I grew up in Jack Murtha's congressional district. He was my congressman for 18 years. Trust me, in that district, calling someone a "redneck" is considered a compliment.
November 4, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
You beat me, Cogitatus!
November 4, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Despite calling the people in his district racists and rednecks."
We East-Coast élites assume that this is a pejorative. To some of these voters (fortunately) it probably is not.
November 4, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone have numbers on Eric Massa?
November 4, 2008 10:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm glad to keep this seat, but I'm not impressed with the man. At least not as anything resembling a progressive.
November 4, 2008 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will y'all get over Virginia, MSNBC? We don't need it.
Put Colorado up there.
It's time for McLame to concede.
November 4, 2008 10:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Don't need Colorado either! Ahahahahahahaha!
November 4, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes, this is the biggest drag out ever, isn't it?
November 4, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fox just called Virginia for Obama.
Thought you'd like to know. :)
November 4, 2008 10:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Whoa!
November 4, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Virginia is close enough that the military vote McCain is raising a fuss about will have to be counted. It's not going to be called tonight, or if it is, it won't matter.
As Tena has said, Virginia doesn't matter - Ohio flipped!
November 4, 2008 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
Fuck yeah. And that feels good.
November 4, 2008 10:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Second!
November 4, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Second!
November 4, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN just called it for Obama. It is getting better by minute.
November 4, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN is using the hologram thing again.
November 4, 2008 10:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
I missed it the first time, but ya'll were right: it's really stupid.
November 4, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've relaxed enough that for the first time tonight, I've turned to Comedy Central's election coverage.
Jon Steward and Stephen Colbert are SO DAMN FUNNY TOGETHER!! They need to do stuff like this much more often.
November 4, 2008 10:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
NBC is going to call Virginia, and probably Florida after the current break.
November 4, 2008 10:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Faux calls it too.
November 4, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
Alright...top of the hour....I think they'll call CA, OR, and WA to make it official.....
November 4, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think that, at 10:53 PM, we're just a minutes away from this thing being over.
And I hardly know what to say.
November 4, 2008 10:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know exactly what you mean.
November 4, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
BREAKING: KOS is reporting that McCain will concede at 8PT, 11EST
November 4, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Lovely . . .
November 4, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just a relief and happiness. I got calls from my family and friends in the last half and hour. Though everyone was voting Obama, everyone knew what this win means to me.
They were happy for me as much as the country.
TPM, thank you all for keeping me engaged.
November 4, 2008 10:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here we go...
November 4, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
We win! It's official!
November 4, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I WANT EVERY FUCKING REPUBLICAN TO REPEAT THE FOLLOWING:
PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA
YEAH, BITCHES, THAT'S HIS MIDDLE NAME. YEAH, BITCHES, HE SERVED ON A BOARD WITH WILLIAM AYERS. YEAH, BITCHES, HE ATTENDED JEREMIAH WRIGHT'S CHURCH. YEAH, BITCHES, HE'S A FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE OF KHALIDI. AND YEAH, BITCHES, HIS NAME IS BARACK FUCKING HUSSEIN FUCKING OBAMA.
STUFF YOUR DIVISION UP YOUR ASSES.
November 4, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hear hear!
November 4, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Completely OT, but I really like David Gergen...he seems generally happy for Obama; on the other hand...Bob Bennett is a jackass.
November 4, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
They are calling it for Virginia - we won Viriginia!
November 4, 2008 10:56 PM | Reply | Permalink
Woo-hoo!!!!!!!
November 4, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Slightly OT, but, Tell me about your fucking Bradley Effect now.
November 4, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not you Tena! Just referring to all of those worrywarts!
November 4, 2008 11:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
i told you we would bring it home. :)
November 5, 2008 12:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Get ready. Here comes the calls...
November 4, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
OBAMA TAKING THE LEAD IN IN WITH ONLY BLUE DISTRICTS TO GO IS GREAT NEWS FOR MCCAIN!!!
November 4, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chris is poetic and heartwarming tonight.
November 4, 2008 10:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN has called VA for Obama!
November 4, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
VIRGINIA!!!!!!!!!
November 4, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Virginia!!!!!
November 4, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN calls VA for BO
November 4, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN just called VA for Obama.
November 4, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
My friends (if you'll pardon the expression):
I now love Chris Matthews for the speech he just gave about what the Obama victory means for race and leadership in the free world.
November 4, 2008 10:59 PM | Reply | Permalink
Olbermann just had the honor of saying:
"If you wanted to answer that [history and racism], what could be stronger than this victory?"
Alleluia.
America is, at least for now, herself again.
November 4, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
NC IS BLUE IN 2008.
November 4, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN: Obama President!
YES. WE. DID!
November 4, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's over . . . it's over
November 4, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
IT'S OFFICIAL!!! WE WIN WE WIN WE WIN!!!
PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA!!!
November 4, 2008 11:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
CONGRATULATIONS PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA!
And I love all you guys. Every single one.
November 4, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Bill Bennett is a fucking idiot. "NO candidiate for Pres has ever given as much for the country as McCain". POW? Ike? Washington, Grant?
Fucking slimeball. Eat it...
November 4, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are so right. It's tough being captured, but great men like Washington, Lee, Eisenhower would not even be associated with a slimeball like McCain.
November 4, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Grant Park is Beautiful!
November 4, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Enjoying Glenrothers single malt atm, feeling like a weight has been lifted.
John Steward just said "President Barack Obama"
November 4, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
YES WE DID!!!
November 4, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN just declared President Obama.
Obama is on the stage.
What a great moment in the history of America !
November 4, 2008 11:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN projects Obama as President elect
November 4, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS . . . .
November 4, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
IS
November 4, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
THE HAPPIEST MOMENT
November 4, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN calls it. President Obama!
Hot damn.
November 4, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN calls VA and The Presidency for Barack Hussein Obama.
YES, WE DID !!!!!
November 4, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama's granma must be proud... god, I'm crying. I love you all!
November 4, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yes. We did.
We did indeed.
November 4, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
We did it we did it!
We did it!
November 4, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS
November 4, 2008 11:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
THE GREATEST
November 4, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
FREAKING JUAN WILLIAMS IS CRYING ON FOX
November 4, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dammit, I forgot to watch Fox's reaction when they called it. I should have recorded it. :(
November 4, 2008 11:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Congratulation to President elect Obama !
What a great joy !
Go get fucked up if you are not already because I am.
November 4, 2008 11:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
For the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country.
Really.
November 4, 2008 11:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Amen. I can't stop crying.
November 4, 2008 11:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
CNN calls America for Obama!!!!!
November 4, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I love this country.
I love the Obama family.
I'm crying thinking about his last progenitor, his grandmother.
November 4, 2008 11:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
I lived in Pennsylvania (among 10 states total), and I've yet to find a state where racism doesn't exist. I was worried for John Murtha. I empathize with him, because I have a tendency to call out racism where I see it. In my experience, nothing kills racism faster than daylight. That kind of honesty rarely mixes with politics. I'm glad he wasn't lost because I like him and I don't want the telling the truth to get a bad rap.
November 4, 2008 11:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Glorious. Historic. Hopeful.
November 4, 2008 11:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
In Johnstown, Pa -- so glad about Murtha. I've gotten about a dozen robocalls on the topic of Murtha in the past three days or so -- but people who wanted to get rid of him had no.freakin.idea of the consequences, as this area would be (even further) in the toilet economically. He was tactless, but IMO spoke the truth.
Whew.
Otherwise -- I'm totally overcome.
November 4, 2008 11:50 PM | Reply | Permalink