We won the most important contest last night. And I really should just be happy about that and all that it means and symbolizes. Unfortunately, I let myself get very greedy about Senate and House races, and I’m pretty disappointed about some of the results from last night. It looks to me like John McCain was very effective in his argument against letting the Democrats control everything in Washington. Yet, instead of convincing people to vote for him, McCain convinced a tremendous number of people to vote for Obama and for Republicans down ticket. I really hoped that new voters would sweep away a lot of dead wood, and they just didn’t.
There is a lot of unfinished business, with many important races still too close to call. The Senate races in Minnesota, Georgia, Oregon, and (stunningly) Alaska, are going to take a while to sort out. There are a few house races in the same category. I feel like we really underperformed down ticket.
As for Obama, I hope he is eventually declared the winner in North Carolina and Missouri. Of the two, I want North Carolina more. But it’s really a great testament to the campaign that they won Ohio, Florida, Virginia, Colorado, and Indiana. That feels really good.
Now, what to do about Joe Lieberman?
“I sincerely congratulate President-elect Obama for his historic and impressive victory. America remains a nation of extraordinary opportunity and the American people are a people of extraordinary fairness. Now that the election is over, it is time to put partisan considerations aside and come together as a nation to solve the difficult challenges we face and make our blessed land stronger and safer. I pledge to work with President-elect Obama and his incoming Administration in their efforts to reinvigorate our economy and keep our nation secure and free.”- Joe Lieberman
I have to confess, even a resounding victory doesn’t make me feel charitable towards Sen. Lieberman. I’d like to see him kicked out of the caucus. He can filibuster whatever he wants.
