Election Prediction: Democrats Won't Get a Filibuster-Proof Senate

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Here we are two years later.
How's all this Hope and Change working for you?
Thirteen (borrowed) TRILLION high enough?
A million seconds is 12 days
A billion seconds is 31 years
A trillion seconds is 31,688 years
What have we done to our children?

Abigail Adams of VA 5:22AM October 27, 2010

Bernie Sanders and Joe Lieberman (a speaker at this year's RNC) are Independents who caucus with the Democratic Party.
Saying "including Joe Lieberman" slightly covers this, but can also be easily read to imply that Joe Lieberman "IS" one of those 51 Democrats. But wait, it's actually 49.
Spin spin spin.

of MA 5:27PM November 04, 2008

Obamanomics
Let me first start off by saying I to grew up a Chicago area South side native. I understand blue collar politics and what a "real" Regan Democrat, or blue collar Republican is. I have seen first hand the train wreck that welfare and social handouts have caused. I grew up having to live as a child for a few years on welfare and food stamps...Thank God i had a Mom with pride! She taught us that no handout will ever get you up and out of your current situation. Now with that said lets take a real look at Obamanomics.
1. It's the classic class warfare system of pitting anyone better then you as the bad guy. If they are Rich thats why you are poor. This non-sense failed and shortsighted thinking is what creates a poor class that has no desire to work for more or even work for the handout they get. (I can say this having lived it!).
2. Spreading wealth in short means someone other then the business owner or person that earned the income will decide how it is best spread around. It assumes that people can only get by in life if Robin Hood (Obama) steals and then gives. In short it's a short term band aid that mis-leads the person getting the gift into thinking government will always have a few crumbs to give the little guys.
3. Obamanomics assumes that's we can't help being poor, or having less then the rich person does. That life does not reward hard work, ideas and drive. That it's all luck of the draw and Uncle Sugar has the even the score. yet again enforcing the false notion that rich is bad and you're poor because someone else succeeded.
4. It will fail! You can't just keep taking to give $500 and $1000 checks once a year and expect that the business person making it possible will keep working for others. You also can't pull anyone out that won't work and dream big because you paid them a $1000 extra each year.
In short Obamanomics is a policy of failure not the hope it portends to be. Anyone can steal from someone, then pretend to be a hero by giving it someone else not as well off. In the end it's still just theft! Believe in your dreams and set goals. Make your way in life not let anyone tell you that you need a handout and only they can save you. The minute you realize that you are better then the lie that's been told to you. That you are great, you can succeed and you and no one else controls your dreams you'll already be rich!
(c) Copywrite Victor Brett. I release any restrictions on this posting to all that are emailed directly by me from www.victorbrett.com
Motivational speaker, 3 time combat tour veteran and retired 22 year military with over 40 medals and decorations. Charity advocate that gives hope back to homeless kids (Co-executive director for Standupforkids.org), gives hope to disabled vets (Operationhomfront.org) and be lives in the American dream!
Victor Brett: www.victorbrett.com
vic@victorbrett.com

victor brett of TX 6:28PM November 02, 2008

Mike,
I totally disagree with your philosophy here and feel the chances of a filibusterproof Senate is very high. I am an independent and can see people are clamoring for change and Republicans at every chance filibustered proposals many of times. Yet they were the ones that cried when Democrats did the same when they had the chance on numerous occasions as well. As for Obama, Reid, and Pelosi, don;t forget the Republicans controlled the Legislature along with a Republican President. One Party Government in the early 2000, and yet McCain is crying disaster if Democrats take control. As I have stated many of times. McCain is a crybaby lying flip flopper who only wishes to serve the elitist well off and rich for which he is a part of. Trickle down won't work anymore people. FACE IT!!!!

Ken of MI 6:20AM November 02, 2008

The dirty GOP got the COM Party banned.
Now it's time for a table turn.
No I do not like B.O. for Pres.
He is the ultimate Example of the old
theory of "electibility", requiring
that the candidate never voted for
anything (or little) which is very
controversial. B.O. simply has no real
record. The GOP contributed Lincoln
and MAYBE Eisenhower to what is beneficial
to the US but the rest (except for Lugar)
is pure scrap. Time to dump the GOP
for good and ever. I'd like McCain except
he is a Republican and has a marriage "of
neccesity" with Big Business, AND he chose
that charming, but screwball,who leaves her
house to peer at Russia, as his running
mate.

John Petrison of IN 12:57AM November 02, 2008

Harry, you make sense.
I am an independent (a true, non-affiliated, fair minded independent- not a partisan, false independent like so many on web boards).
I am extremely proud of John McCain and what he has done for his country, and his sacrifices- more than Obama ever has. I was always proud how when everyone talked the talk, he actually acted bipartisan and stood up to his party on occasion. I agree strongly we need a return to nuclear power and appreciated his plan to build 45 new nuclear reactors, as well as his vision of controlled but open access to offshore drilling. I also support him on crime, national security issues, gun rights, and capital punishment. I also strongly believe that important goals such as environmental issues should be dealt with by market based solutions.
I was especially proud how he has always stood up to the religious right of the party, though it may have cost him the election in 2000. And that was where he started to lose me- after thumbing his nose at a polarizing force in America for so long, he caved and chose Sarah Palin as his running mate, watering down the argument that Obama is unqualified and a slap in the face to those of us who would like to see a return to centrist governance. He may have placated his base, but he lost at least my vote with that choice and presumably many like me.
I am tired also of "class warfare", and the late efforts of McCain and Palin to pump those bellows. It is petty and further turned me off. Would-be McCain voters (and would be-Republican voters, perhaps who some would call "RINOs"), have in effect been driven from the Republican party. I have a Master's Degree, and I work in technology in a big city in California. Why the anti-intellectualism? Why play to peoples' base instincts? Again, it may make part of the Republican base happy, but it turns would-be Republican voters like me off greatly. There are many of my fellow California co-workers who long for a return to center politics. At least we had that chance locally with Arnold Schwarzeneggar.
Lastly, I am tired of the nastiness of politics. And while Obama has his negative ads, McCan-Palin has taken this to new heights. Give me a break. So Obama served on an educational charity board (founded by a friend of Ronald Reagan) with a former domestic terrorist, and this terrorist encouraged Obama to run for office. Obama has denounced him, and I believe him to be a pacifist. Why stoke that issue- all it is is fear mongering, as are the contrived and manufactured controversies around Obama. I am an educated ideas person, not a reactionary or fist pounder. Get over it. To that extent, I don't give a whit about the Keating Five, I think that Sarah Palin has received a lot of sexist treatment, and Troopergate or whatever that was called was also an irrelevant circu sideshow. However, none of those issues were overexaggerated and included in Obama's ads. Add to all of this the nastiness (the real nastiness) evident on the trail with McCain, and the "he's an Arab" business, which is alive and well, and I have a very unhappy perception of the Republicans yet again stoking racial tensions and playing on fear.
I voted for Obama, reluctantly. Personally I think he is intelligent, but nothing else terribly special and he can be kind of empty for all his glamor. However, I feel the Repubicans are way out of line, and their tent once again needs to be bigger before I more consistently vote among their ranks. Maybe some so-called "RINOs" will help that. Or, you can choose to push polarizing figures, play class warfare, and stoke fear no matter the cost- but at least from my end it will cost you my vote.

Travis of CA 9:39PM November 01, 2008

With all of the criticism of RINOs on this blog, it's interesting to note that, in the 2006 election, four "Real",i.e. non-RINO Republican senators (Santorum, Allen, Burns and Talent) all lost. This year, RINO Republican Collins seems to be one of the safest bets for reelection (outside of such deep red states as Idaho and Wyoming). And the "Real" Republican senate candidates in Colorado (Schaffer) and New Mexico (Pearce) are losing big time. Maybe being a RINO is the best way to win a Senate Seat in much of the US, just as being a 'moderate' Democrat is the best way to win in states like Virginia, Montana, and Louisiana.

harry of 11:15AM November 01, 2008

If Obama wins he'll have a huge mandate to implement his policies through Congress. The pressure will be enormous and the idea that one or two Repubs are going to block legislation from taking place is pure nutty! It ain't gonna happen!! Remember too that Joe Biden will have the tie breaker vote if required.

Rusty of TX 8:20PM October 31, 2008

I'd really love an answer to the questions I've been asking in every comments section for a week or so of Mr. Barone's posts.

kokuaguy of HI 3:43PM October 31, 2008

Yes, I think the intrade odds are accurate. They have a very good track record with past elections. I guess when it comes down to money, people really do their research.

Matt25a of TX 3:33PM October 31, 2008