Time Has Come Today...

This one's not actually from the 100.3 The Sound playlist (or at least I haven't heard it there yet). No, the Ramones' cover of the Chambers Brothers' "Time Has Come Today" just seemed right in capturing some meaning from yesterday's big elections. This Google video takes a little longer to load, but the sound's way better than the YouTube copy. This was a 1983 release, so the early MTV video is way kitsch, but turn it up anyway:

Time has come today
Young hearts can go their way
Can't put it off another day
I don't care what others say
They say we don't listen anyway
Time has come today, hey

The room has changed today
I have no place to stay
I'm thinking about the subway
Mu love has blown away
My tears have come and gone
Oh'Lord I got to run
I got no home
No, I have no home

Now the time has come
Nowhere (place) to run
Might get burned up by the sun
But I'll have my fun
I've been loved, pushed (put) aside
I've been crushed by tumbling tide
And my soul has been psychedelicized

Now the time has come
There are things to realize
Time has come today
Time has come today

Nancy Pelosi: 'We Won Last Night'

From Nice Deb, "Video: Nancy Pelosi Positively Giddy Over Election Night Results":

It's an ominous sign that she sees the NY-23 race as “a victory for health-care reform and other initiatives”, never mind the fact that Democrat Bill Owens campaigned against the public option. This is all the more reason to answer Michelle Bachmann’s call and head out to DC, tomorrow to protest ObamaCare if at all possible. You can also protest at your home state’s capital if a trip to DC is too much.

As for her bogus claim that the Owens win was a first for a Dem in that district “since the Civil War” … Please – are all Democrats using Daily Kos talking points, now?

Also, Conservative Xpress, "Nancy Pelosi On Election Results: "We Won Last Night" (Video)" (with a link to the Politico, "Pelosi Dismisses Dem Losses in Virginia and New Jersey")

Payback is a Bitch: 'Political Climate for 2010 Not as Favorable to Democrats'

From Gallup, "Political Climate for 2010 Not as Favorable to Democrats":

The 2010 election cycle begins in a political climate that is shaping up to be not as favorable to the Democratic Party as the 2006 and 2008 elections were. Having capitalized on broad public discontent with the course of the nation in general and the Republican Party in particular to win control of the White House and both houses of Congress, the party faces the 2010 midterm elections trying to preserve its recent gains.

Gallup's generic congressional ballot provides a summary measure of current voting intentions for Congress. This currently suggests the 2010 midterm elections could be highly competitive, and possibly a strong Republican year if usual turnout patterns prevail ....

Although Democrats retain a significant advantage in party affiliation, that advantage has dwindled over the course of this year. Also, there are ominous signs for the majority party in terms of near-record-low congressional job approval and continuing low national satisfaction ratings.

Presidential Job Approval. It is well-documented that the president's party is usually vulnerable to losing congressional seats in midterm elections, though there have been exceptions such as in the 1998 and 2002 elections. Unpopular presidents tend to suffer greater losses, and popular presidents are able to minimize these or even help achieve gains. George W. Bush experienced both outcomes, with Republican gains in 2002 when he was popular and heavy Republican losses in 2006 when he was not.

The Democrats will contest the 2010 elections with their fellow partisan, Barack Obama, in the White House. Right now, Obama's approval ratings are middling, in the low 50s, suggesting he would not be able to minimize Democratic losses to a great degree if the elections were held today. Further erosion of Obama's popularity between now and next November could prove damaging to the Democratic Party ....

Satisfaction With the Way Things Are Going in the Country/Ratings of the Economy. These ratings are less overtly political than presidential job approval, but have a similar relationship to election outcomes. Lower satisfaction levels and poorer ratings of the economy are associated with poorer performances for the president's party in midterm elections. Gallup has a slightly longer history of asking about satisfaction than about the economy in election years ....

In Gallup's most recent update, 26% of Americans said they were satisfied with the way things are going in the country. And recent Gallup Daily economic tracking has found only about 11% of Americans rating the economy as either excellent or good. Both measures are down significantly from what Gallup measured just before the 2006 elections and, with Democrats now in power, neither measure appears promising for the party looking ahead to 2010 ....

Congressional Job Approval. Often in recent decades, one party has occupied the White House and the other has controlled Congress, somewhat blurring the degree to which either party can be held accountable for the state of the nation in midterm elections. Generally, it appears the president's party is more important to voters, with that party losing seats in seven of the last nine midterm elections. By contrast, the majority party in Congress has lost seats in four of the last nine midterms ....

Outlook: Americans' ratings of Congress hit new lows last year. After rebounding in the early part of 2009, they are back down to 21% -- just seven points above the all-time low, which would usually suggest higher seat turnover. With Democrats in control of both the presidency and Congress, they are clearly vulnerable in this respect. If there is added sentiment to "throw the bums out" -- which Gallup will measure next year by asking whether members of Congress deserve re-election -- that would only make the situation worse.

There's lots more at the link (via Memeorandum).

It's going to be a blowout. Last night was a huge harbinger. Recall Charlie Cook's report from August:

Many veteran Congressional election watchers, including Democratic ones, report an eerie sense of déjà vu, with a consensus forming that the chances of Democratic losses going higher than 20 seats is just as good as the chances of Democratic losses going lower than 20 seats. A new Gallup poll that shows Congress’ job disapproval at 70 percent among independents should provide little solace to Democrats. In the same poll, Congressional approval among independents is at 22 percent, with 31 percent approving overall, and 62 percent disapproving.

Also, see George Stephanopoulos' comments on Cook's analysis, "Charlie Cook: Political Landscape Should 'Terrify' Democrats." With last night's thumping, look for heavy duty updates to the earlier projections in the days ahead, and check back here for links and analysis.

Vulnerable Democratic Incuments to Obama, Pelosi, Reid: Your Socialist Agenda is Killing Us!

Now there's a message in the tea leaves for you!

From The Hill, "Democrats Feeling Angst Over 2010":

Vulnerable House and Senate Democrats want their leaders to skip the party’s controversial legislative agenda for next year to help save their seats in Congress.

In the run-up to the 2010 midterm elections, they don’t want to be forced to vote on climate change, immigration reform and gays in the military, which they say should be set aside so Congress can focus on jobs and the economy.

“It’s hard; the most important issue in front of us is the economy right now, and that’s where most of us really want to stay focused, the economy and jobs, that’s what our constituency is concerned about,” said Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D), who is facing a tough race next year in Arkansas.

Rep. Bob Etheridge (D), a centrist contemplating a run for Senate in North Carolina, helped Democratic leaders in the summer by voting for climate change legislation on the House floor.

He now wants Democratic leaders to narrow their focus on jobs and the economy.

“Three things ought to be the top priority: jobs, jobs and jobs,” he said.

Lincoln said that lawmakers should focus on passing healthcare reform and wait until next year to effect financial regulatory reform and reduce unemployment.

“That’s an awful lot to bite off and chew for right now,” said Lincoln, who described herself as “not in a hurry” to tackle climate change, an issue she has some jurisdiction over as chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee.

More at the link (via Memeorandum).

Also, Dan Balz, "Contests Serve as Warning to Democrats: It's Not 2008 Anymore," and Michael Barone, "Lessons From the 2009 Election Results."

So Much for Inevitability: Maine Becomes 31st State to Reject Same-Sex Marriage at the Polls

AmericaBlog, Steve Benen, Joe.My.God, Josh Marshall, Ordinary Gentlemen, Pam Spaulding, Andrew Sullivan, and Towleroad can suck on this, "Maine Voters Repeal Law Allowing Gay Marriage":

In a stinging setback for the national gay-rights movement, Maine voters narrowly decided to repeal the state’s new law allowing same-sex marriage.

With 87 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday morning, 53 percent of voters had approved the repeal, ending an expensive and emotional fight that was closely watched around the country as a referendum on the national gay-marriage movement. Polls had suggested a much closer race ....

With the repeal of the same-sex marriage law, Maine became the 31st state to reject same-sex marriage at the ballot box. Five other states — Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont — have legalized same-sex marriage, but only through court rulings and legislative action.

The Maine vote was particularly discouraging for gay-rights groups because it took place in New England, the region that has been the most open to same-sex marriage, and because opponents of the repeal had far outspent backers. Gov. John Baldacci, a Democrat, had enthusiastically backed the state law allowing gay marriage, passed by the legislature in May but put on hold until the referendum took place.

Also, Ed Morrissey, "Gay Marriage Rejected in Maine." And, "Mainers Vote Down Gay Marriage Law." (Via Memeorandum.)

Hoffman Concedes to Owens in New York's 23rd (VIDEO)

Okay, here's the video from WWNYTV, "Hoffman Concedes to Owens in 23rd Congressional District Race":

On a night that's nothing short of a massive repudiation of the Democratic Party, Doug Hoffman's drama in Upstate New York serves as a wake up call to both RINO collaborationists and ACORN-DIABLOs. As Hoffman exclaimed in his concession, "This is only one fight in the battle."

Michelle Malkin reports on the message to the Republicans, "The GOP Elite's $1 Million Object Lesson — and the Message of NY-23":

Conservatives owe NY-23 candidate Doug Hoffman immeasurable gratitude. He overcame impossible odds (single digits just a month ago) to come within two points of defeating Democrat Bill Owens. Hoffman had zero name recognition. National Republican Party officials dumped nearly $1 million into the race on behalf of radical leftist GOP candidate Dede Scozzafava, who then turned around, endorsed Owens and siphoned off 5 percent of the vote with her name still on the ballot after she dropped out.

Conservatives’ money went to pay for specious attack ads against Hoffman run by the NRCC like this.

Conservatives’ money went to support a GOP candidate who shares the same socialist alliances with fellow SEIU/ACORN/New Party/Working Families Party activist Patrick Gaspard, the Obama White House political director who intervened in the race to secure Scozzafava’s endorsement of Owens.

Hoffman’s candidacy illuminated the stark difference between GOP political opportunists willing to pimp out their endorsements to any old ACORN-embracing, Working Families Party-consorting, Big Labor crony who puts an “R” by her name — and movement conservatives who refuse to “mooooderate” for the politically expedient sake of mooooderation as dictated by out-of-touch Beltway party leaders. The NRCC/RNC’s $1 million debacle will cost much more than that.

As I’ve repeated many times over the last several weeks:

One thing is guaranteed at the conclusion of the NY-23 special congressional election: The Beltway Republicans who endorsed radical leftist Dede Scozzafava are going to have indelible egg stains on their faces. And GOP establishment fund-raising organizations will be the poorer for it ...

Okay, Michelle focuses on Hoffman's warning shot to the GOP. But what about the Dems? Well, not only will the leftist media establishment be downplaying the monumental conservative victories in New Jersey and Virginia, Bob Owen's victory in NY-23 will be played up like the 1932 New Deal Realignment.

Here's Roy Edroso, for example, "Tea Party Over? Hoffman Concedes in NY-23, Democrat Owens Takes Seat Held by GOP Since '93."

And the New York Daily News, "Democrat Owens Beats Conservative Hoffman Who Sarah Palin and Rush Limbaugh Supported."

And the New York Times, "Conservative Loses Upstate House Race in Blow to Right" (via).

The Politico, "Owens Preserves Bright Spot for Dems."

The Reid Report, "Dede's Revenge: Hoffman Concedes in New York 23."

The only straight-up, no-spin article I've found is at the Wall Street Journal, "Democrat Wins New York House Race."

The 23rd congressional district will hold a GOP primary next year. Doug Hoffman will be the frontrunner for the Republican nomination - AS A CONSERVATIVE. As Robert Stacy McCain indicates, "Prediction: Hoffmania Will Continue."

Readers can help Doug Hoffman in his election efforts with a campaign donation. Check the Hoffman for Congress homepage.

Updates on this story throughout the day ...

Two Down, One to Go: Chris Christie Wins N.J. Governor Race - UPDATE: Not Optimistic in NY-23, Off to Bed...But Awesome Day for Conservatives

From The Hill, "Chris Chistie Wins New Jersey; GOP Sweeps Governors' Races":

Two Republicans will take over for Democratic governors after the GOP swept to victory on Tuesday, giving the beleagured party hope a year after devastating defeats.

Former Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell (R) is the governor-elect of the Commonwealth after winning a race focused on local issues, rather than national dynamics.

McDonnell defeated state Sen. Creigh Deeds (D), according to early election results.

And former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie (R) lead Gov. Jon Corzine (D) in early election results, with independent candidate Chris Daggett becoming a veritable non-factor.

Republicans have cast the races for governor as a referendum on President Barack Obama's early tenure, arguing that the races are the first in a series of comebacks for the party. Others have said it shows voters are willing to give the GOP a second look, just a year removed from devastating electoral losses.

But exit polls showed just 42 percent of voters considered Obama in Virginia. Just under a quarter used their vote to express opposition to the president, while 18 percent said their vote was to support Obama. In Virginia, 20 percent of voters made their picks to oppose Obama, while 19 percent were trying to support him.

Obama campaigned several times for both Deeds and Corzine. He made a stop at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., last week, then held two rallies on Corzine's behalf over the weekend.

Plus, the New York Times, "Christie Wins for G.O.P. in New Jersey."

Now, NY-23 is apparently lookiing iffy. See, Robert Stacy McCain is liveblogging, but check this page at The Saratogian.

Tea Party Victory! ObamaCare Dead in Senate: No Health Care Legislation This Year; Harry Reid, 'We're Not Going to Be Bound by Any Timelines'

The writing is on the wall spells MASSIVE DEMOCRATIC FAIL!

From the Wall Street Journal, "Cost-Estimate Delay Stalls US Senate Health Bill":

Senate Democrats, hampered by a delayed cost estimate for Senate health-care legislation and a shortening window of time, indicated that Congress may not be able to pass a health-care bill this year.

Aides say that the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office will not finish a cost estimate for Democratic health-care legislation by the end of the week. Senate Democrats are waiting for the estimate before unveiling the bill and bringing it to the Senate floor for debate.

Asked whether Congress may not be able to pass health-care legislation this year, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) said Democrats would "do this the right way, not the fast way."

"We're not going to be bound by any timelines," Reid said. "We want quality legislation, and we're going to do that."

Reid said he is having regular discussions with CBO Director Douglas Elmendorf and that he has "great admiration for the work that they do."

"I wish I could blame it on CBO," Reid said. "They're doing their very best."

It's clear that the tea parties, which have culminated in the triumph of grassroots conservatism in New York and Virginia (and perhaps New Jersey as well), is disorienting and destabilizing the Democratic big government coaltion.

The right's on track for major gains in 2010, and it's no doubt that healthcare "reform" going to be scaled back dramatically when it comes back to Congress in the new year.

RELATED: ABC News, "'09 Exit Polls: Vast Economic Discontent Spells Trouble for Dems in 2010" via Memeorandum.

One Down, Two to Go: Bob McDonnell Wins Virginia Governor Race

From the New York Times, "Republican Wins Virginia Governor Race":

Robert F. McDonnell, a Republican and a former state attorney general, won a decisive victory in Virginia’s governor’s race Tuesday, a stark reversal of fortune for Democrats who have held control in Richmond for the past eight years.

Mr. McDonnell defeated the Democratic candidate, R. Creigh Deeds, an 18-year state senator from rural Bath County in western Virginia.

Voters also went to the polls to decide a closely contested race for governor in New Jersey, where early returns showed Gov. Jon S. Corzine, the wealthy Democratic incumbent, trailing his Republican challenger, Christopher J. Christie.

An in upstate New York, voters were deciding a Congressional race that has been seen as a test of hard-line conservatives who are seeking to oppose or unseat moderate Republican candidates in next year’s elections. Mayoral races were taking place in several major cities, including New York, where Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is seeking a third term, and Atlanta, where there was a possibility that a white mayor would be elected for the first time in decades. Maine was holding a referendum on whether to ban same-sex marriage.

In Virginia, Republicans cited their victory as a repudiation of the Obama administration and the national Democratic Party’s agenda, especially that of outgoing Gov. Tim Kaine, who serves as the chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

See also, the Politico, "GOP Sweeps Virginia Elections" (via Memeorandum). And Pat in Shreveport has more, "So much for the right wing fringe!"

McDonnell Leads in Virginia: Democrats Prepare Al Franken Election Theft Operation

CBS News reports, "Republican McDonnell Leading in Virginia":

As the polls close in Virginia, CBS News estimates based on early exit poll results that Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell is leading Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds.

Yet, from Red State, "To the Christie Campaign: Remember Norm Coleman and Defend Your Victory":

The race is neck and neck between Republican Chris Christie and the incumbent Jon Corzine in New Jersey. Whether or not this is because of “Independent” Chris Daggett, the man being sponsored by the Democratic Party and the deep pockets of Jon Corzine to split the anti-incumbent vote and thereby ensure Corzine gets to continue his misadministration in Trenton for the next four years, is not the issue.

The SIEU (i.e. ACORN) and the Democrats, as expected, have filed suit to ensure that at least 3000 of their manufactured voters be allowed to cast absentee ballots. These voters are known to be fake because their signatures are wildly different from that on file. As John Fund informs;

Democratic Party lawyer Paul Josephson wrote New Jersey’s secretary of state asking her “to instruct County Clerks not to deny applications on the basis of signature comparison alone.” Mr. Josephson maintained that county clerks “may be overworked and are likely not trained in handwriting analysis” and insisted that voters with suspect applications should be allowed to cast provisional ballots. Those ballots, of course, would then provide a pool of votes that would be subject to litigation in any recount, with the occupant of New Jersey’s highest office determined by Florida 2000-style scrutiny of ballot applications.

What the Democrats are hoping for is a replay of Minnesota - where a bunch of Scuzzies to provide “bipartisan” cover, a partisan Secretary of State and liberal Democrats would blatantly steal the election for their candidate while the Republican is too terrified of offending liberal journalists to do a thing about it.

The question is whether or not Chris Christie is prepared (unlike Norm Coleman) to defend his victory in the post-Election battles that have become far too common in American politics since Al Gore called Bush to withdraw his concession in 2000. The instant the polls close tonight, the Christie Campaign should be on war footing, with advertising dollars ready to blanket the airwaves and loudly trumpet every act of theft and fraud by whatever body is put in charge of overseeing any recount, no matter how many times it is emphasized that the body “Bipartisan” and therefore holy and above reproach.

Christie should not make the mistake of aping Norm Coleman’s strategy of grinning and bearing it in a bid to appear “moderate” and “above the fray”. There will be shrieks from liberal columnists on print and broadcast warning Christie not to fight it and even to concede even if he is in the lead. The Democrats will certainly accuse him of voter suppression, “hate” and “death threats”. But this is standard operating procedure - he would be accused of it no matter how politely and quietly his campaign objects to votes found next week in Jon Corzine’s home in New York being added to the tally. Or even if he says nothing at all.

Read the whole thing.

But check Fox News as well, "Democrats, Republicans Prepare for Possible Legal Battle in New Jersey Race":

Before the polls even close in New Jersey, Democrats and Republicans there are already bracing for a possible post-election court fight in the airtight race.

Democratic Party officials say they are fully prepared for any legal possibility should the race be unresolved in the next few days and end up in a recount or other messy scenario ...

Election Day Referendum on Democratic Big Government

From Howard Fineman, "One Year Later, Big Test for Big Government":

President Barack Obama believes in the saving grace of the federal government.

But do the American people?

In a time of economic uncertainty and fear, that is the core question implicit — and sometimes explicit — on Election Day 2009.

After a year of sweeping, even breathtaking governmental action to revive the economy — bailouts, stimulus packages, new regulations and trillions of newly printed dollars and debt — is the country really better off and on the road to recovery?

The answer that Obama and the Democrats will hear tonight is likely to be a loud “we’re not sure.” Not that the Republicans should gloat; voters distrust their party as much, if not more.

Whatever the final tallies, it’s clear that our politics are back to square one: to the economy and what government can best do (or not do) to salvage and sustain it. The culture wars of past decades will never end, but we no longer have the luxury to dwell obsessively on matters of behavior and lifestyle.

Economic insecurity is what put candidate Obama over the top in 2008; voters put aside their cultural concerns about him. But now that same economic fear — and doubts about the wisdom of Obama’s solutions — is boosting Republican chances.

Actually, there's more to it -- it's about the scope and size of government, and about restoring dignity and honesty to government.

In any case, the video, with Mark Ambinder of the Atlantic, and Dana Milbank of the Washington Post, is an especially good example of the Beltway cocooning effect -- i.e., extremely well-connected commentators who still don't fully get what's happening on the ground.

More tonight ...

Jodie Evans Calls for Kidnapping of George and Laura Bush!

More from our terrorist-backing friends at Code Pink. Via Big Government, "Obama Funder Jodie Evans Calls for Kidnapping of George and Laura Bush":

One of President Barack Obama’s top funders, Code Pink’s Jodie Evans, is encouraging the kidnapping of former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura, according to new statements issued this week by Jodie Evans and Code Pink.

While it might be tempting to look at this latest effort by Code Pink as an innocuous publicity campaign, Code Pink’s history of working with state sponsors of terrorism and supporting violent protest against President Bush–and their near successful arrest of then-Attorney General Alberto Gonzales–is cause for concern.

Two weeks after meeting Obama at a high dollar fundraiser in San Francisco, Jodie Evans and Code Pink issued a call to action urging vigilantism against President Bush:

When Jodie Evans delivered the voices of Afghan women to President Obama, she was also delivering a demand for accountability. The women of Afghanistan are calling for accountability from the US as well as from the corrupt Afghan leaders that our government supports. How can we have true peace or justice if our leadership doesn’t own up to the devastation they have wrought?

…You can also use our website to track where the war criminals will be and how to do a citizen’s arrest action! Let Bush’s “motivational speaking tour” motivate you to arrest the war criminal!

…With your $10 donation you will receive a gift of our newest War Criminals playing cards–we hope the cards educate you and inspire you to grab a set of pink handcuffs and go make a citizen’s arrest, yourself. Our “how-to-arrest-a-war-criminal” guide is included!

Thank you for helping to hold these war criminals accountable!

Slapping the cuffs on for peace,

Dana, Emily, Farida, Gael, Gayle, Janet, Jodie, Marina, Medea, Nancy, Paris, Rae, Suzanne, and Whitney

The actions being urged and guided by Jodie Evans and Code Pink could result in federal kidnapping charges against someone who takes up their call for vigilantism–or their death as the Bushes still have Secret Service protection.

The second link goes "Code Pink Alerts: October 29."

See the rest of Big Government's exposé, here.

Doug Hoffman: 'Voters Ready to Stop the Nancy Pelosi Agenda'

From Robert Stacy McCain, "NY23: Hoffman is Asked to React to Limbaugh's Dede 'Bestiality' Comment":

Jude Seymour of the Watertown (N.Y.) Daily Times is a nice guy, who let me use his office computer two weeks ago when I first came up to cover this campaign. Exactly why he chose this occasion to spring a "gotcha" question on Doug Hoffman, I don't know. Watch the video, and make your own judgment.

I didn't quote that part in the title of this post.

See also, "Hoffman Ahead as Wacky Race in New York 23 Reaches Finish Line," via Memeorandum.

Message to GOP Bosses: Conservatives Got Game in New York and Nationwide!

From the Los Angeles Times, "Conservatives Emboldened by Moves in New York Election":

The upstate rebellion that drove a moderate Republican off the ballot in a special House election is sending a message likely to resonate in upcoming races: Don't ignore the grass roots of the right.

The triumph of conservative forces over the Republican Party establishment in upstate New York has emboldened like-minded activists around the country, and it could drive the GOP sharply to the right as it lines up candidates for the 2010 midterm congressional elections.

The rebellion that drove a moderate Republican off the ballot in a special House election today is sending a clear message to the party leadership and its candidates: Ignore the conservative grass roots at your peril.

That message is likely to resonate in the coming months in several congressional primaries and in races where third-party challenges are springing up and threatening to divide the Republican vote.

In Columbus, Ohio, a conservative has decided to run for the House because he does not see enough difference between Democratic Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy and her leading Republican opponent.

In southern Virginia, where Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello has been expected to face a tough fight for a second term, a conservative is campaigning against a Republican he considers a RINO -- Republican in Name Only.

The most prominent battlefield on which the conservative wildfire is spreading is Florida, where Gov. Charlie Crist, the GOP front-runner for the Senate nomination in 2010, faces a spirited challenge from a conservative former state House speaker, Marco Rubio.

That's why all eyes in the party will be turned toward the northern reaches of New York in today's off-year elections. In the state's 23rd Congressional District, voters face a choice between Democratic lawyer Bill Owens and businessman Doug Hoffman, who is running on the Conservative Party ticket.

Hoffman's persistent charges that the Republican Party's hand-picked candidate, state Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, was too liberal -- an assertion echoed by conservative activists nationwide -- resulted in her dropping out of the race Saturday.

"If Hoffman wins this, it will be like dropping a bomb into the center of the Republican caucus," said David Keene, head of the American Conservative Union. "Conservative leaders are standing up and saying, 'On to Florida.' " Even if Hoffman doesn't win, experts say waves will rock the GOP.

See also, Matt Lewis, "NY-23: How Sarah Palin Stands to Win (and Charlie Crist Stands to Lose)." (Via Memeorandum.)

Photo Credit: Doug Hoffman for Congress, "Doug attends the St. Lawrence County Fair in Gouverneur on Aug. 7 where he met numerous supporters and well-wishers."

November 3rd's Tea Party Moment

From The Rhetorican, "Their Worst Nightmare ":

Do Politico writers read The Rhetorican?

Probably not, otherwise these two wouldn’t be noting now what I noted months ago: that the Tea Party movement is not a Republican movement.

Thus, it doesn’t matter how down on its luck or irrelevant the GOP is. The Tea Party crowd doesn’t derive its momentum from the GOP. And its goals are broader than replacing one party with another: it aims to undermine the ever-increasing power – not of Democrats per se – but of our Political Class.

More at the link (a little more).

Also, from Big Government, "The Long, Dark Tea-Time of the GOP’s Soul."

Big thanks to The Rhetorican.

See also, the New York Times, "3 Contests on Election Day Could Signal Political Winds." Plus, all the action at Memeorandum.

Corzine Campaign Denies Link to Busted Assistant Deputy Jason Shih: Dude Found With 19 Ecstasy Tabs, 100s of Drug-Dealer Baggies, and Party Paychecks

Look, the guy claims he's assistant deputy director to Democrat Jon Corzine's re-election campaign. But with that much incriminating evidence in the car, shoot, I'd play stupid too. (And, of course, with Republican Chris Christie edging ahead in the polls, Corzine's clinging on for dear life; for Christ's sake he can't deal with a totally fubar campaign drug bust at the same time). From the Leader (East Rutherford, New Jersey) "ERPD: Man Busted for Drugs Claimed He Was Corzine Campaign Staffer":

A Paramus man who claimed to be the assistant deputy director of Gov. Jon S. Corzine’s re-election campaign was arrested by East Rutherford police Friday, Oct. 30 for possession of Ecstasy.

Jason Shih, 25, was arrested and charged at 11:28 p.m. with possession of Ecstasy, possession of drugs with intent to distribute within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of drugs with the intent to distribute, talking on a cell phone while driving and possession of drugs in a car.

East Rutherford Police Officer Mark Mehegan, who was on patrol, stopped Shih after observing him talking on his cell phone while driving on Route 17 South near Riggin Memorial Field. Mehegan described Shih as extremely nervous and reported his hands were trembling as he reached into the glove box for his information.

During the motor vehicle stop, Mehegan said he observed 19 Ecstasy pills in the center console cup and $661 in cash folded up in the ashtray. Police also reported locating several hundred clear plastic bags commonly used to package drugs.

More at the link.

It turns out Assistant Director Shih had reams of paychecks from the Middlesex County Democratic Committee. But hey, folks don't want to jump to any conclusions!

Big Hat Tip: Robert Stacy McCain, who's drafting off of the classic investigative blogging of the Libertarian Republican. Check also Moe Lane at Red State while you're at it, "Jason Shih, Jon Corzine, Ecstasy, and Middlesex County Democratic Committee Paychecks."

P.S. Picture published with express permission of the Leader, out of New Jersey, via the Libertarian Republican. Bloggers should credit the newspaper when posting Shih's photo.

Added: From Doug Ross, check this cached link for the "New Jersey Democratic State Cmte Expenditure Detail."

Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's End...

It's definitely closing time in NY-23, and besides, Semisonic boasts some wicked guitar jam toward the end of their 1998 chart-topper, one of my favorite power pop hits from the 1990s. Both live and studio versions for you. I wish these guys weren't one of those one-hit wonder bands. (Kind of bland stage-presence thingy, I guess. But still...)

And don't miss another outstanding selections from Tony at PA Pundits, "Sunday Music – A Whiter Shade of Pale."

Obviously Still Smarting From V.P Debate, Joe Biden Attacks Sarah Palin

Here's the video, "Biden Attacks Palin":

This is almost a cathartic release of some long-suppressed anger and frustration for Joseph Biden. Palin's not on the ballot anywhere tomorrow. Sure, she's a player, but it's inescapable that this man is harboring a lot of pain from last year's whoopin' in the V.P. debate -- indeed, it's clear Biden's been nursing a grudge.

What's especially interesting is whether Biden actually sees Palin as a potential general election opponent in 2016. He's never ruled out a run for the White House (unlike Dick Cheney back in the day). Palin will be a contender in a least the next couple of presidential cycles, for example, if she fails to win the GOP nomination in 2012, she'll be a top-tier candidate again in the case of an Obama reelection that year. Thus, it could be Joe Biden running to replace Barack Obama, even if Biden would be 74 years-old. It's a stretch, but John McCain pushed the longevity boundaries in 2008, and Biden's by no means had the same physical wear-and-tear on his body as "The Maverick." (And some of the fascination of Dick Cheney's recent media attention is due to the "what if" factor - what if he'd never ruled out a presidential bid?)

Anyway, President Reagan was elected to a second term when he was almost 74 -- so who knows? Biden's a slick-sneaky f***. For more on that, see "Biden v. Palin — The Re-Match" (via Memeorandum).

Sarah Palin Responds

She's responding to a lot of folks, actually. Not only is Palin in the news for launching conservative "robo-calls" in the Virginia governor's race (See, "Palin Jumps into N.J., Virginia Races"), but especially for her response to Vice President Joseph Biden's attack today. See, "Palin Responds to Criticism From Biden":

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) on Monday responded to Vice President Joe Biden's comments about her support for Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman in a hotly contested special election.

Biden appeared at a Monday rally for Democratic candidate Bill Owens, during which he attacked conservative leaders such as Palin, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R), Dick Armey and Fred Thompson for supporting Hoffman in the upstate New York special election that has attracted widespread national attention.

"The fact of the matter is, Sarah Palin thinks the answer to energy is 'drill, baby, drill,' " said Biden. "It's a lot more complicated, Sarah!"

Biden's debate opponent during the 2008 presidential campaign fired back.
"There’s one way to tell Vice President Biden that we’re tired of folks in Washington distorting our message and hampering our nation’s progress: Hoffman, Baby, Hoffman!" she wrote on her Facebook page.

More at the link (via Memeorandum).

See also, Allahpundit, "It's On: Palin vs. Biden on Energy," and Robert Stacy McCain, "NY-23 Press Corps Motto: 'When We Grow Up, We Want to Be Like John McCormack'."

Video Hat Tip: PoliGazette. Also, Conservatives for Sarah Palin, "Quit Making Things Up, DNC."

Planned Parenthood in Meltdown Mode: Director Quits, Jumps to Pro-Life Side, 'I Don't Have This Burden on Me Anymore'

The vanguard of the left's infanticide industry is in total disarray this morning!

Jill Stanek has the video, "Planned Parenthood Director Sees Abortion Ultrasound and Quits; PP Files Restraining Order":

But check the report at KBTX News 3, "Planned Parenthood Director Leaves, Has Change of Heart" (via Memeorandum):

Planned Parenthood has been a part of Abby Johnson's life for the past eight years; that is until last month, when Abby resigned. Johnson said she realized she wanted to leave, after watching an ultrasound of an abortion procedure.

"I just thought I can't do this anymore, and it was just like a flash that hit me and I thought that's it," said Jonhson.

She handed in her resignation October 6. Johnson worked as the Bryan Planned Parenthood Director for two years.

According to Johnson, the non-profit was struggling under the weight of a tough economy, and changing it's business model from one that pushed prevention, to one that focused on abortion.

"It seemed like maybe that's not what a lot of people were believing any more because that's not where the money was. The money wasn't in family planning, the money wasn't in prevention, the money was in abortion and so I had a problem with that," said Johnson.

Johnson said she was told to bring in more women who wanted abortions, something the Episcopalian church goer recently became convicted about.

"I feel so pure in heart (since leaving). I don't have this guilt, I don't have this burden on me anymore that's how I know this conversion was a spiritual conversion."

Johnson now supports the Coalition For Life, the pro-life group with a building down the street from Planned Parenthood. Coalition volunteers can regularly be seen praying on the sidewalk in front of Planned Parenthood. Johnson has been meeting with the coalition's executive director, Shawn Carney, and has prayed with volunteers outside Planned Parenthood.

On Friday both Johnson and the Coalition For Life were issued temporary restraining orders filed by Planned Parenthood.

Rochelle Tafolla, a Planned Parenthood spokesperson issued the following statement: "We regret being forced to turn to the courts to protect the safety and confidentiality of our clients and staff, however, in this instance it is absolutely.

Hmmm... Folks got something to hide.

Also, Gateway Pundit, "Planned Parenthood Leader Resigns After Watching Abortion Ultrasound (Video)."

Man, conservatives are already preparing for a victory romp tomorrow. The news of Planned Parenthood's meltdown is like running up the scoreboard!

See, "Conservatives Ready to Claim Election Day Victory."

RINOs and DIABLOs - UPDATED!!

UPDATE!! I missed Mark Steyn's earlier piece laying out the DIABLO acronym. See, "Enough," at NRO.

A special thanks to Smitty at The Other McCain for the correction and citation. (Reminds me of graduate school!)

**********

Pamela Geller's the first to come up with that pithy (and withering) acronym, "DIABLOs."

That stands for "Democrats In All But Label Only." I actually saw it last night at Atlas Shrugs,"The Death of the RINO: Dede Republican Rat Droppings -- Backs Democrat Owens." But Pamela's got a new piece up today at American Thinker, "Bye-Bye, RINO" (via Memeorandum):

New York's 23rd Congressional District has become the site of a showdown between RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) and conservatives. The conservatives are winning -- but the RINOs are not being gracious in defeat. Now the RINOs are showing how much party unity means to them. They have no loyalty to conservatives, so why should conservatives have any loyalty to them?

The latest showdown came when ultra-liberal State Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava became the Republican candidate in NY-23. ACORN's racketeering arm, also known as the Working Families Party, backed her. Yet the Republican old guard also backed this useful idiot. Newt Gingrich backed this tool. The name "Republican" was all that mattered to them. Not principle.

But Sarah Palin, a true conservative, instead endorsed Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. And so did other conservatives. Governor of Texas Rick Perry said, "Electing Doug Hoffman will send a clear message that cannot be denied: conservatives must stand on principle." Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate Mary Fallin said that Hoffman had "reminded Americans everywhere that principles come before party affiliation." Kansas senatorial candidate Todd Tiahrt explained the choice: "The Republican Party is either going to return to the party of fiscal responsibility and consistent conservative principles as it was under Ronald Reagan, or it will continue down the path of 'sporadic moderation.'"

And Saturday, the Arctic Fox had the last laugh: Scozzafava dropped out of the race, saying, "In recent days, polls have indicated that my chances of winning this election are not as strong as we would like them to be." Palin responded generously, writing, "I want to personally thank Republican Dede Scozzafava for acting so selflessly today in the NY District 23 race. Now it's time to cross the finish line with Doug Hoffman so that he can get to work for District 23 and the rest of America."

Palin explained what was at stake: "With Congress poised to overhaul one-sixth of our economy with so-called health care 'reform' (which is really a government takeover of health care) and with plans to enact a cap-and-tax bill just as our economy struggles to recover, Doug Hoffman will be a voice for fiscal responsibility and common sense in Washington.

We need candidates like Doug now more than ever."

Scozzafava was not as generous. On Sunday, she showed her true colors: this enemy in our ranks announced that she was backing Democratic candidate Bill Owens, not the conservative Hoffman.

This shows just how bad things have become. The Republican Party has been hijacked. Conservatives have been driven underground by the RINOs and the DIABLOs (Democrats In All But Label Only). This leftish creep was insidious until we got clubbed over the head when the ultra-liberal media picked our presidential candidate -- the Gang of 14 tool John McCain.

We all sucked it up. We went along. We embraced the ticket in the spirit of AROO (Any Republican Over Obama), and we held our noses until Sarah Palin came along. Ah, just a spoonful of Sarah helped the medicine go down.

But now it's time to clean house. Newt and his ilk will be relegated to the dustbin of history, and deservedly so. Enough with the old, in with the true!

More at the link.

Joe Biden, Struggling to Stay Relevant, Heads to NY-23 to Mix it Up... -- UPDATED! Biden Slams Limbaugh ... 'Teach Activists a Lesson!'

From Ed Henry's report, "Biden a Key Part of Obama's Inner Circle" (via):

While Biden was largely added to the ticket because of his national security experience as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he has influence on the domestic side as a key ambassador to Capitol Hill on health care and is the president's point person on implementing the stimulus package.

But his largest influence arguably can be seen in the major internal debate going on now over Afghanistan. Biden was pretty much standing alone back in March when he privately expressed deep skepticism about the president's decision to send 21,000 more U.S. troops to the war, but he did not undermine the administration publicly, instead keeping his powder dry until the current debate over whether to accept Gen. Stanley McChrystal's request for 40,000 more U.S. troops.

Officials familiar with the deliberations said Biden has been suggesting a smaller increase, which seems to be the direction Obama is leaning toward though a final decision has not been made.

Still, Biden admitted that his transition from the Senate has not always been easy "The one adjustment that I needed to make -- I've been my own man for 36 years as a United States senator," said the former Delaware lawmaker. "I've never had a boss."

It turns out the "boss" has sent the VP to NY-23. Robert Stacy McCain has a report, "NY23: Biden Brings Joe-Mentum to Watertown; Media Flock to See Him":

Just left the Bidenmania rally eight blocks from my hotel. The star of the show, really, was N.Y. Democratic Party State Chairwoman June O’Neill, a diminuitive fireball of liberal demagoguery.

O'Neill warned of "right-wing extremists who have brought their hate-mongering tactics to this district." (Unless I was mistaken, this must have been a reference to John McCormack of the Weekly Standard, who was at the event and being closely watched by local police, lest he start asking Biden questions.)

"We have to stop the madness," O'Neill told a crowd of about 200 Democrats who turned out for an event covered by about 30 reporters, including seven TV crews. "We cannot afford to let the right-wing extremists make a point in this district. . . . The right wing is not right."

See, I told you Biden was struggling ... the guy's totally upstaged by a local Democratic Party hack!

More at the link, and Memeorandum.

See also, "Democrats Facing Terrible Tuesday, Polls Say. So Biden Heads to NY23 in Last-Minute Rescue Mission."

**********

AMAZING UPDATE: The administration's going after the conservative base, not Doug Hoffman, the right's actual candidate in NY-23! See David Weigel, "NY-23: Biden Backs Owens, Slams Limbaugh."

Rallying support for Democratic congressional candidate Bill Owens before Tuesday’s special election in NY-23, Vice President Joe Biden today told a mostly full room at the North Side Improvement League to “teach a lesson” to right-wing activists. Ideological activists, said Biden, forced Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava out of the race because they couldn’t brook “dissent with their neoconservative views.”

“Take Bill’s opponent,” said Biden, referring to Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. “I’m sure he’s a nice guy, but imagine him being able, if he won this election, to take issue with any position that Rush Limbaugh has.” Biden said that the idea of letting “Rush Limbaugh hand-pick” the successor to John McHugh, the Republican congressman who became the Obama administration’s secretary of the army, was unbelievable.

God that is pathetic. And that excoriation of "neoconservative views" is just too much. I told you Biden was out of the loop! Man, the dude's unhinged!

Obama Disses Hamid Karzai!

The White House is basically trying to piss everyone off on Afghanistan. Here's Karzai joining McChrystal under the bus:

With the White House’s reluctant embrace on Sunday of Hamid Karzai as the winner of Afghanistan’s suddenly moot presidential runoff, President Obama now faces a new complication: enabling a badly tarnished partner to regain enough legitimacy to help the United States find the way out of an eight-year-old war.

See also, the New York Times, "With Karzai, U.S. Faces Weak Partner in Time of War."

Hat Tip: Villainous Company. And Memeorandum.

Remember the Maine! Voters to Decide Gay Marriage in Pine Tree State

It's been overshadowed by the big conservative surge in Upstate New York, but don't forget the national significance of Maine's vote tomorrow on marriage traditionalism. See, "Maine to Vote on Gay Marriage":

Maine residents will decide Tuesday whether to repeal a law allowing same-sex marriage, an effort that has succeeded in every state where it has been put before voters.

Public opinion surveys in Maine show a dead heat on Question 1, which would cancel the marriage statute that passed the legislature in May and was signed by Gov. John E. Baldacci (D).

In the five other states where gay men and lesbians are allowed to marry their partners, permission was granted by courts or legislatures. Baldacci expressed guarded optimism Sunday about the effort to defeat the Maine proposition.

"I believe it's something in the water or the air in this state that recognizes individual rights and anti-discrimination attitudes," the governor said by phone from Augusta, the capital. "It's more of a libertarian-type state than it is Republican or Democrat. We have two Republican senators, two Democratic representatives, and there have been two independent governors."

The campaign against same-sex marriage in Maine draws heavily from the effort that a year ago overturned a California Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriage. TV commercials produced by Schubert Flint Public Affairs, a Sacramento consulting firm, feature parents lamenting that their young children are being taught in school that marriage between two women or two men is normal. Nearly identical ads were highly effective in California.

"I refer to it as sustainable advertising, where you have the same themes," said Scott Fish, communications director for Stand for Marriage Maine. "It's the same issue, and many of the concerns were the same."

The race is a tossup. From Nate Silver, "2009 Elections Preview: Maine Question 1 (Gay Marriage)." So, voter mobilization is in high gear. From the Bangor Daily News, "Get-Out-The-Vote Effort in High Gear: Gay Marriage, TABOR, Excise Taxes Likely to Draw Crowds to Polls."

Also, for nationwide ballot contests, see "State Ballots Tackle Controversial Issues Tuesday."

Conservative Base is Riled Up! GOP Party Bosses Got Nothin'

The video's from Bob McCarty, "ObamaCare Supporter Punches Man, 67, Over Sign He Carried at Anti-Socialism Rally Near St. Louis."

But the bigger story's from the Politico, "Conservatives Take Aim at Leaders, Charlie Crist, Other Races":

The conservative coup in upstate New York did much more than lay bare the power of conservative activists: It exposed how little control GOP officials hold over this surging and formidable political movement.

In the wake of conservatives’ role in forcing liberal Republican Dede Scozzafava out of Tuesday’s special election in New York’s 23rd District, GOP officials are trying to make it seem as if they are helping to stoke the passion — and can harness it to upend President Barack Obama and Democrats. They didn’t — and they can’t.

Many of the activists who helped knock out Scozzafava told POLITICO that the passion is building despite — and sometimes to spite — Republican leaders in Washington.

“I don’t give a crap about party,” said Jennifer Bernstone, a tea party organizer for Central New York 912, which helped to lead the anti-Scozzafava charge. “Grass-roots activists don’t care about party.”

Says Everett Wilkinson, a tea party organizer in Florida: “We are not going to allow our [movement] to be stolen by the GOP or by any political party.”

More at the link.

Also, see Robert Stacy McCain, "How Hoffmania Beat Dede-Ism." Check Memeorandum as well.

Halloween 2009

Okay, this post is a special treat and thank you for American Power readers.

I periodically get requests to see family photos; but considering how much hate mail I get (or hate e-mails and comments at the blog), including occasional death threats, I've been careful with how much family information I post online. But yesterday my wife and I took our boys over to the local pumpkin patch, AND, my wife said it'd be okay to share some family pictures, so enjoy this: It might be a one time shot, or at least a once-in-blue-moon Douglas family photo-album.

Okay, that's yours truly below. We visit the Johnson Brothers Pumpkin Patch, which is an area tradition. After Halloween, the location goes up as a Christmas tree lot in mid-November. Lots of good stuff, including farm animals and pony rides:

I'm 5'10", so their "How Tall This Fall" sign is accurate. No measurement on the waist, but I'm a 36" in work khakis, although I'm totally saggin' in my Urban Pipeline shorts here [UPDATE: 8:00pm and doing a bit of laundry ... turns out I'm a 38" in the waist, as per my Nordstrom slacks for work tomorrow!]:

This is my youngest boy, 8, in one of the bounce houses. Ain't he a darlin'?

Here's the big turkey. The farm animals are out next to the pony rides:

She came out of their little barn for a drink of water. It's been hot in Orange County - Santa Ana wind-weather, in the mid-80s:

It felt good to be out and about:

Okay, here's the moment you've all been waiting for: The full family portrait! My oldest boy is 13. He's shy and didn't really want to take pictures. And that's my wife of 15 years. You've already met my youngest son at the bounce-house above:

Here's a couple of the headstones lining the side of the Haunted House area:

My oldest again, checking out some additional "grave markers." He's never without the iTunes headset:

Okay, back at home a bit later, my youngest is getting ready for Trick-or-Treating. He's "Optimus Prime," from Transformers 2:

My boys made these artsy-pumpkins a couple of weeks ago. We placed them on the front porch. Lots of parents took their very small children Trick-or-Treating. I love that (we had some big kids too, but the babies are so fun - they'll walk right in your front door and grab a whole bunch of candy from the bowl):

Remember when you were little?

No comment needed here - only a reminder to keep both your faith and your children close:

Holiday season's almost here, notwithstanding the hot temperatures. Here's wishing folks the best this season, with love from my home to yours.