Progressive Look at Democrat Loss

For John, BLUF:  The Democrats have a problem, in that they are split between the Clinton centrist approach and the true Progressives.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From Nation of Change we have this item, by Political Activist Kevin Zeese, "Message To Democratic Party: It’s Time To Face Reality".

After getting clobbered on Nov. 4, the Democratic Party needs to ask itself some tough questions and come up with honest answers.  If it doesn’t, it’s going to continue to lose elections because it lacks credibility with its own voter base.

The 2014 election was a disaster for Democrats.  Any Democratic partisan who tries to explain it away is doing a disservice to their party.  When the Maryland’s Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown loses to an unknown Republican in a state where the Democrats have a 2-to-1 registration advantage, the Democratic Party better look in the mirror and ask:  Why didn’t people vote for us? And why didn’t the base of people who have voted for us come out to vote?

Democratic Party chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced that the party will initiate a process to understand why they lost so badly in the recent election.  An honest reflection on these questions and an informed shift in strategy would result in a transformation toward a truly populist platform with non-corporatist candidates.  That shift would make the Democratic Party the dominant party for decades to come.  Failure to face these issues will ensure the Democrats will never play the role of leadership that the country needs at this critical time.

Here are the answers to the questions the Democratic Party needs to be asking itself:  People didn’t vote because the Democratic Party has not served the interests of their constituents.  The Democrats are trying to serve two masters: big money — primarily from Wall Street and transnational corporations — and the people.  The people want policies that big business opposes.

Here is a sort of Bottom Line by Mr Zeese:

The views of Americans were most clearly seen in direct democracy on Election Day where people voted, even in red states, for increases in the minimum wage, to block fracking in their communities and for paid sick leave.  Looking at polls of the American people conducted today and over the past decade or more, they are much more progressive than the way either party governs — meaning that, essentially, the people are not represented in U.S. government.

Note to Senator Warren:  I think Mr Zeese is wrong, but he does represent a point of view.  That is, the Democrat Party did poorly on 4 November because it isn't the real Democrat Party, but a group of politicians beholding to powerful interests, including on Wall Street.♠  On the other hand, the Clintonistas will tell you that being in the center wins elections.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  I do sort of agree with "a group of politicians beholding to powerful interests, including on Wall Street".  Not Jack Mitchell, for example, but maybe a lot of the others.

Voting Trends Based on Religion

For John, BLUF:  We are a diverse group as Americans.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From Pew Research we have a look at the recent election through the prism of religion, "How the Faithful Voted: 2014 Preliminary Analysis". As one could have guessed, Protestants and Romans Catholics are tending more Republican.

	2006		2010		2014
	DEM	REP	DEM	REP	DEM	REP
Protestant	44	54	38	59	37	61
Protestant (C)	37	61	28	69	26	72
Roman Catholic	55	44	44	54	45	54
Roman Catholic (C)	50	49	39	59	38	60
Evangelical (C)	28	70	19	77	20	78
Jewish	87	12	—	—	66	33

So, amongst those who claim some faith, the trend over the last eight years has been toward voting Republican.  Not really discussed in the article are Black people of faith, who tend to vote Democrat and who thus make the difference between, say Protestant and Protestant Caucasian, the (C) rows.  I would have liked to have seen the Evangelical numbers for all Evangelicals.  Assuming all Evangelicals are Caucasian seems an over-simplification.

The other interesting line is Jewish.  While Jews are fewer in number than Blacks, they have been a stalwart Democrat voting block.  Now we see that a third of them voted Republican in the recent election.  I am guessing that is due to what they see as President Obama's stand on Israel, but it could also, IMHO, reflect concerns over immigration or the economy.

The pundits tell us these trends will reverse in 2016 (or 2018) and I expect they will, at least, as Damond Runyon would say, that is the way to bet.  But, still, it could be a long term trend.

Regards  —  Cliff

Ohio Dem Collapse

For John, BLUF:  Slowly the Democrat political hold on Blacks is breaking down.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The big story is that the head of the Ohio Democrat Party, Mr Chris Redfern, has resigned after stunning defeats on 4 November.  The party sustained "losses of every statewide office, a record-breaking majority of Republicans elected to the Ohio legislature, and the utter collapse of the Democrats’ candidate for governor."  An article on this by Ms Paula Bolyard can be found here.  (PJ Tatler)

But then we have this.  And, this is ugly.  "Ohio Democrat State Legislator sues the Ohio Democratic Party and chairman Chris Redfern over racism and defamation."  Same reporter.

It will be interesting to see how this unravels.

Hat tip to the Instapundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Tide Turning?

For John, BLUF:  Maybe Republicans are learning.  Or Hispanics.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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"A largely Hispanic Texas district elects Will Hurd, a black GOPer who spent years with the CIA overseas."

Mr Will Hurd joints Ms Mia Love as one of two Black Republicans in the new Congress.

Well, it is The National Review, so maybe they got it all wrong.

Hat tip to the Instapundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

War on Women Reexamined

For John, BLUF:  It takes more than one brick to build a building, but some bricks are bigger than others.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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At the Blog Ace of Spades is a short discussion of the "war on women" meme.  The question asked is "Did The "War on Women" Campaign Actually Kinda Work?"  The answer is yes, but in a narrow, focused sort of way.

In 2012 single women in Colorado went for President Obama 61/36.  This year they went for Incumbent Senator Mark Udall 66/30.  And, apparently, they were a larger segment of the total voting public.  On the other hand, Senator Udall did lose to his Republican opponent, Rep Cory Gardner.

This is something to pay attention to.  As Ace says,

It could be that their message merely needs tweaking -- perhaps they just have to be less overtly, obnoxiously single-issue/single-constituency in the future.  Or perhaps they just need to dog whistle these appeals to Single Ladies, rather than being so crudely, stupidly explicit about them.

Maybe, for the dog whistle the Democrats could go with "Republicans want abortion laws like they have in Europe, and leave it at that.  Let Wikipedia do the rest.

Hat tip to Maggie's Farm.

Regards  —  Cliff

Other Women

For John, BLUF:  It isn't always the way the Democrat Mouthpieces say it is.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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This is Slate, so not likely an organ of the Tea Parties.  Or the Establishment GOP.  But, here it is—"The Midterms Were Only Bad for Women If You Have a Very Narrow View of Women".

From the second paragraph:

If you are against everything Joni Ernst or Mia Love stand for, then this election was bad for you, and the policies you care about, not bad for women.  It should be obvious, but “women”—half the population—are not a uniform voting block with uniform ideas about what is best for them.  Though [Ms Ann] Friedman claims that Ernst was “a woman candidate whom most women voted against,” NBC’s Iowa exit poll shows that’s just not the case: Ernst and her opponent Bruce Braley split the female vote evenly, 49 to 49 percent.  Though I personally find Ernst’s far right views terrifying (she believes in fetal personhood and wants to abolish the EPA and the Department of Education), “women” in Iowa do not agree with me, and she’s their representative, not mine.

Fetal personhood.  Now there is a terrifying thought.  But, close to the locus of voter opinion.  Abortion should be available, but it is wrong.  Both views are held by more than 75% of the votes, which must include at least some women.

Hat tip to the Instapundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

We Eat Our Young

For John, BLUF:  So, is loyalty to friends on the other side or to the party come election time?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From Red Mass Group we have this headline—"Bill Weld officially cost the MassGOP a seat."

The writer does give Governor Elect Charlie Baker credit for his actions,

… he has reached out to all wings of the Republican Party and has worked hard to seek a true and legitimate unity.

Regards  —  Cliff

NAACP and Blacks in Congress

For John, BLUF:  Some organizations, which appear to be supporting this or that group or cause are really just Democrat Party functionaries.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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It seems the National Republican Party Deputy Press Secretary Raffi Williams is upset with the NAACP for ignoring Black Republicans elected to Congress this last Tuesday.  One of those elected, Mia Love, is Haitian American, so maybe doesn't count.  Maybe it is because Utah is only 1.1% Black (2010 Census).  Maybe it is that she became a Mormon.  Something.

Hat tip to the Instapundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Understanding the Nature of the Recent Election

For John, BLUF:  Some folks are way out there, but there are surely questions to be raised.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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When will elite urban white people ever get the feeling that it's bigoted to mock rural white people?

Asks Blogger and Law Professor Ann Althouse.

(My wife asked the same question in a slightly different form this morning at breakfast.  I think the answer to both women is "judgement day".  We should have a lot more clarity then.)

This question was part of a much larger Althouse post talking about a piece by Esquire's Charles P. Pierce.

Mr Pierce seems to be having trouble with the situation.  He has forgotten Dead Carl's admonition about understanding the nature of a thing:

“The first, the supreme, the most far-reaching act of judgment that the statesman and commander have to make is to establish by that test the kind of war on which they are embarking; neither mistaking it for, nor trying to turn it into, something that is alien to its nature.  This is the first of all strategic questions and the most comprehensive.

On War
Carl von Clausewitz
Howard/Paret trans., p.88

What can I say?

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff

A Second View on Tuesday

For John, BLUF:  Political analysis; where you stand is based on how you voted.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The New Yorker in a 5 November article by Ryan Lizza asks "Did Republicans Conquer Obamaland?".

The short answer, from the writer's point of view, is No.

Maybe this paragraph summarizes the writer's views:

The Senate races reinforced a major trend of the Obama years: red states are getting redder and blue states are getting bluer, and the number of truly competitive states is dwindling.  The polarization and ideological sorting of the electorate according to geography continues apace.

This article suggests 2016 will see Democrats back in the saddle on Capitol Hill.

Regards  —  Cliff

Movement in Washington Gridlock?

For John, BLUF:  Too early, but maybe the President knows that, knows that the two Republicans could be replaced by their caucuses.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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The President has invited the Top Four from Capitol Hill to stop by on Friday.  The Top Four.  What about the President of the Senate, Joe Biden?

My own view, from off shore, through heavy lenses, is that gridlock in Washington has been, is, and will be centered in Senator Harry Reid's office.

My second thought is that it is not clear from this distance that the Republican Leaders will still be holding those offices come January of 2015.  I think continuity would be a good thing, but my liking it doesn't guarantee it.

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff

President Obama Speaks to the Press

For John, BLUF:  There are the words and then there is the meaning.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Transcript:  President Obama’s Nov. 5 news conference on midterm election results

When we argue about what President Obama said in yesterday's Press Conference, the above transcript can help us know what he said.  As to what he meant, that is open to interpretation.

This is kind of long—one plus twenty.

Two questions:

1. Were President Obama's policies really on the ballot?
2. Does two-thirds of voters staying home really mean that they are happy with the direction of the nation, notwithstanding polls showing the opposite?

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff

Apples and Oranges

For John, BLUF:  If it is a statistic you have to check it from all directions and then just distrust it.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.

Mark Twain attributes this quote to British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

Well, this is embarrassing.  This morning I texted in to City Life that Lowell had a great voter turnout.  I based that assertion on this upper left hand part of a report generated by (I would assume) Commonwealth software for local Election Commissions.

As you can see it talks to:

1. Registered Voters
2. "Cards Cast"
3. Some percentage of something

I took the "percentage" to be the percentage of voters.  What else could it be?  It didn't occur to me that it was the percentage of "Cards Cast" versus the number of Registered Voters.  It turns out that indeed that is what it was.  A perfect score would have been 200%.  The actual percentage of Registered Voters voting was closer to 36.1113%

But, even that might not be the correct answer, in that there was a difference 475 between the return of Card 1 and the return of Card 2.  Thus, for the first card, the percentage turnout was closer to 36.525%.

My bad.

Regards  —  Cliff

How Will the White House Respond

For John, BLUF:  What does the White House not understand?  And Congress.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Do we believe Brietbart?

Do we believe this headline?—"Report:  Exec Amnesty 'No Matter How Big a Shellacking' for Dems."

Reporter Ian Hanchett claims that ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jon Karl has

… reported that according to WH officials “the president will move forward with an executive order on immigration reform “no matter how big a shellacking Democrats get tonight” during ABC’s Election coverage on Tuesday.

I think the only reason this would even be contemplated is that the Congress has abandoned their time honored traditions of independence and their place in the Constitution.  I am not talking about Impeachment and Conviction.♠  I am talking about the power of the purse.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  First off, there is Rep Paul Ryan's comment "Have you met Joe Biden."  Then there is the fact that President Obama is perceived as our first Black President and throwing him out of office would be a big lacuna in our historical arc.  Even the stupid can't be that stupid.  Are there issues that could justify Impeachment?  I am sure, but they would be so extreme that near would everyone call for it.  As I say to my Wife, we will know it is time when Senator Harry Reid calls on the Speaker of the House and tells him it is time.

Though Opposition

For John, BLUF:  Tough customer.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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George is one tough customer.  I am thinking it was below 50º.  Notice the lack of gloves.

Regards  —  Cliff

Showing the Flag

For John, BLUF:  Get out there and vote.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Regards  —  Cliff

GENERAL ELECTION

TODAY

Today is the day we decide our future for the next two years.  You can say to yourself that everything is going fine and vote for the incumbents.  You can say that change is needed and vote for the challengers.  You can mix it up, based upon your view of the individuals.

If you don't know where to vote, please call the Lowell City Elections Division at (978) 970-4046.

Regards  —  Cliff

Leading the US Senate

For John, BLUF:  I think gridlock radiates out of Senator Reid's Office on Capitol Hill.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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What do you think are the odds for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid?

Hat tip to the Instapundit.

Regards  —  Cliff

Be Sure to Vote

For John, BLUF:  You I wrote in for State Senator, and included your address.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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My wife and I have to be out of town on Tuesday,♠ so we went to City Hall yesterday and voted.

It was quick and painless.♥

If you think you are going to be on the road, go and vote at City Hall today.  Voting is important.

While I want my choice of candidates to win (including a write in for George Anthes for District Attorney♦), I also want our Democracy to work and want you to vote, if you are a legal voter.  If not, don't vote.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  But, I left an adult child in the house, along with Fred the dog.  Fred is big and protective.  Not as big as the Great Dane I saw yesterday, but still pretty big.
♥  City Hall, Basement, Southeast Corner.  Near the Snack Bar.  The paperwork is simple and the ladies behind the counter are very helpful.  I would say ten minutes, and that included time for friendly banter.
♦  George W Anthes, 64 Trull Lane, Lowell, MA.  You need the address.

Developments in Wisconsin Gubernatorial Race

For John, BLUF:  OK, so these are the numbers, bust I have been told to expect a big surprise on the evening of 4 November.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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This is political junkie level stuff.  Wisconsin is way out there in fly over country.  It has given us Progressives and people like Senator Joe McCarthy.  Republican Representative Paul Ryan is from Wisconsin (Janesville).♠

From the Althouse blog

Scott Walker opens up a big lead against Mary Burke in the new Marquette University poll.

Suddenly — after tying in the last poll — it's 50% Walker, 43% Burke.

So who cares?  Maybe those looking for a Republican candidate in 2016.  On the other hand, Governor Walker did not graduate from one of the better colleges.  In fact, like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, he never graduated from college.  You can see where that gets you.

Hat tip to Ann Althouse.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  He of the quip, when asked about Impeachment of President Barack Obama, responded "Have you met Joe Biden?"