Thoughts on the United States Midterm Elections of 2014

Several races were on the ballot on this year's midterm elections, including all House seats, some governor and Senate races as well as local races, even some propositions and amendments. This midterm has it all.

On the governor's side, some notable results included some incumbents being re-elected. Nikki Haley (South Carolina), Mary Fallin (Oklahoma), Scott Walker (Wisconsin), just to name a few. In Texas, Greg Abbott will become Rick Perry's predecessor after holding off several candidates in that gubernatorial election, including Wendy Davis, the member of the Texas legislature who will become even more famous now than ever after wearing a Wu shirt with her name on it. She is not for the children, and was absolutely rolling in ODB's grave.

The Republicans will maintain House control with 233 seats, including in North Carolina District 2, where incumbent Renee Ellmers won the election. Why am I bringing this up? Her nearest opponent--former Pop Idol USA runner up Clay Aiken. He was a runner-up in everything. Now this. Sucks to suck Clay.

The Republicans also will have majority seats in the Senate. With Democrats like Kay Hagan (North Carolina) being voted out, it seems the people have listened to the fuckery of Obama (see 'ObamaCare'). Tim Scott (pictured) also became the first African American since Reconstruction to be elected to the Senate. Progress, people, progress. Also Mary Landrieu's Senate seat will be a runoff on December 6, competing against several football conference championships. At last check, one of Landrieu's opponents, U.S. Representative Bill Cassidy, is leading. In Louisiana, 50% is the line of victory. What a fucked up system it is.

As far as local races, don't care. Also the coverage, as I've flipped back between the new SAMCRO episode (RIP 'Elvis' Munson), and coverage on Fox News and C-SPAN (since I don't have Blaze, damn you DIRECTV!). I hope you enjoyed the results of these midterms. Another wave is coming up in two years!

2012 U.S. Elections: Assessment of State Amendments

Various amendments from throughout the country were on the ballot in every state on Tuesday. Pot legalization was among the amendments decided in several states, including in Colorado, where Proposition 64 was passed, thanks to those in the state who passed it.

Gay marriage was also passed in a few other states as well. No MMA on the ballot in New York State. Sadly.

Now it's time to get pot legalized in every state. Make your mark, contact a state legislator (not a member of the United States Congress!).

Assessing the U.S. Governors Elections, 2012

This is also my 900th post.

Jay Nixon's re-election as Missouri Governor were among the incumbent governors in the United States re-elected in Tuesday night's elections. Six incumbents faced re-elections, all six re-elected. Here are the following Governors re-elected to office on Tuesday night:

• Gary Herbert, Republican, Utah
• Jack Dalrymple, Republican, North Dakota
• Jay Nixon, Democrat, Missouri
• Peter Shumlin, Democrat, Vermont
• Earl Ray Tomblin, Democrat, West Virginia
• Jack Markell, Democrat, Delaware

Democrats were elected in three states-Washington, New Hamsphire and Montana-where Democratic governors are retiring. North Carolina's Governor-Elect, Pat McCrory is taking over for Bev Pardue, a Republican who is retiring and not electing to run for a second term due to low approval ratings late into her term.

Mitch Daniels' retirement due to the Indiana Republican Governor's term limits, resulted in another Republican, Mike Pence, in his seat after his win on Tuesday.

American Samoa and Puerto Rico also had gubernatorial elections on Tuesday night as well.

Republicans currently have 29 Governorships, compared to the Democrats' 20 after Tuesday night. One is unknown. These numbers are among the 50 states, excluding territories.

Assessment of the US House Races, 2012

Of the 435 seats in the United States House of Representatives, only 11 are undecided after Tuesday's elections, including the House district in Florida held by Republican Allen West (pictured). West was among the slew of freshmen in the House after the 2010 midterm elections.

As of now, the Republicans still maintain control of the House, despite losing ten seats. A bunch of LibertyPAC candidates won seats, including in the Texas House district that was formally held by one Ron Paul (Victoria).

Democrats lost one seat as of the recounted tallies in eleven House races.

Among those returning to the House via re-election are the likes of former VP candidate Paul Ryan and former Presidential candidate Michele Bachmann.

A handful of one term house members are gone after Tuesday, including Republican Ann Marie Buerkle, who won midterm election in 2010, her first (and only) term in the House. She could possibly return soon, and prepare for 2014.

However it is the House district #23 in Texas (serves San Antonio area) that garnered a lot of attention on Tuesday night. After mudslinging ad campaigns, it was down to two former Oakland A's from the late '80s early '90s: Canseco and Gallego. No not those two. Eventually Canseco (Democrat) out-slugged incumbent Gallego (Republican) to earn him a trip to the House.

After all it said and done, will John Boehner return as House Speaker or will another Republican rise to the ashes? Who knows what will happen when Congress returns to session in January.

U.S. Election Night 2012: Random Rants and Musings.

Some thoughts from the biggest night in America in 2012:

• Do I care about the projected Electoral College tally? I don't. So to the media outlets-especially the AP and TV-in 2016 and beyond, PLEASE! STOP with the FUCKING ELECTORAL COLLEGE PROJECTIONS until the electors themselves finally cast their votes.
• Some of the Senate races amused me:
• Tammy Baldwin came from behind to win the vacated Senate seat in Wisconsin. Becomes the first OPENLY GAY member of the United States Senate. I favored Tommy Thompson to win. Yes folks, the former Governor of Wisconsin and a Bush 43 Cabinet member.
• In that same Wisconsin Senate race, finishing fourth was an unknown independent by the name of...NIMROD Allen! It is his real name! Look him up!
• It isn't Todd Akin that would "butt-rape" Senator Claire McCaskill for her seat in the Senate, it was McCaskill who reversed the favor. Jonathan Dine, the Libertarian finished 3rd with about 7% of the votes.
• At Sen. Scott Brown (R-Massachusetts) conceding speech, is it just me or is one of her daughters taller than Sen. Brown. Maybe it's the stillettos?
• Kirsten Gillibrand is re-elected to the Senate.
• Bob Corker wins again. I wished that the GOP would have done a sequel to that (controversial to some, hilarious to me) 2006 ad attacking former US Congressman Harold Ford Jr. That particular "I Met Harold at the Playboy Party!" ad. This time replacing Ford with his opponent.
• Linda McMahon loses again. $100 million from profits of a publicly traded company (the NYSE stock symbol 'WWE' gives away a hint) to once again blow another election. Pro Wrestling fans are rejoicing. In the words of D-Generation X: Linda, I got two words for you: SUCK IT!
• 'Mourlock' sounds like a character of a J.R.R. Tolkien novel.
• The House races also amused me as well:
• Texas House #23, representing mostly San Antonio area. The two leading candidates had familiar last names-Canseco and Gallego. I am thinking, this has a 1989 Oakland A's to this! Lots of baseball fans were thinking the same as well.
• Michele Bachmann won another term in the House, but instead of running for President, she should've used the money and ran against Amy Klobuchar for Klobuchar's Senate seat.
• Lots of Liberty-PAC endorsed candidates won House elections last night.
• Ann Marie Buerkle (R-NY) lost her bid for a second straight House term.
• Paul Ryan will return to the House after winning his House election.
• Elsewhere...
• Several states voted on pot and gay marriage. Yet New York did not have an amendment to allow mixed martial-arts promotions to finally hold events in New York State.
• C-SPAN deserves accolades for being best election coverage of the night, blowing away PBS and all the commercial networks, which are all shit when it comes to election coverage (honestly Fox and Fox News did better than all other commercial networks).

So that is some of the random musings and rants from Election Night 2012. This is the beginning of planned post-Election coverage throughout the weekend.

US Election Day 2012: The Best Shots.

Some of the best shots from Election Day 2012 from all over the United States!

 And countless others as some changing of the guards in the House and Senate, as well in other races.

Time is Running Out!

In some areas, the voting precincts are closed, while in the other areas, you still have time left to vote. To find out how long the polls will open in the state you are living in, click here.

 

VOTE!



Election Day 2012: A Mini-Guide.

The voting booths are setting up nationwide for Election Day 2012. Several races at the national, state and local levels are up for grabs. Here is a mini-guide to the Elections.

• President. Over two dozen candidates are running to defeat current President Obama. Gary Johnson, Jill Stein, Mitt Romney and others are trying to do so. Obama and Romney are on the ballot in every state. Unfortunately, for the third party and independent voters in Oklahoma, once again, the brain-dead head of elections in that state refuse to let third party and independent voters on the ballot. Maybe for monetary reasons?
• Every House seat is up for grabs. Some whose two years (one term) of their House careers are on the line.
• 33 of the 100 in the Senate are up for grabs. Including in key states such as Missouri, where U.S. Congressman Todd Akin is really listening to the voters and whether or not his 'rape' comment will win him the ticket to the Senate chambers, in the seat currently held by Democrat Claire McCaskill.
• 12 Gubernatorial races nationwide, and in American Samoa.
• Various other races nationwide as well.

If you filled out an absentee ballot before your deadline, I applaud you. If not, get your ass out there Tuesday and vote!