Yeah, you know what, our problems were not solved overnight--but this feel DAAAAAAAAAAAMN GOOD.
How is this awesome? Let me count the ways.
Most obviously, of course, the Republicans no longer control all three branches of government. This means that as of this morning, we are no longer on the fast track to permanent one-party rule. This makes me very, very, very happy.
Slightly less obviously: The electoral process is, as we know from the stories posted on the front page yesterday, not as robust as it might be. But it can still register a MASSIVE FUCKING GROUNDSWELL of opposition to Bush and his policies, and that's what accounts for Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I hope all the assholes who were using her as a bugaboo to scare voters in Congressional races are cowering under the tables now. Wouldn't that be a great poetic punishment? If, on the day after you lose an election, the fates suddenly compelled you to
believe all the bullshit you spewed about your opponents during your negative campaign? Imagine hordes of political consultants suddenly buying tickets on the Space Shuttle because they're afraid to stay here now that SPEAKER PELOSI WILL SLIT YOU OPEN AND EAT YOUR ENTRAILS FOR BREAKFAST RIGHT AFTER SHE'S HAD HER MORNING BATH IN THE BLOOD OF INNOCENT CHILDREN!
But I digress. My point was: it is still possible for the balance of power to be changed through the electoral process. And this also makes me very, very, very happy. Cause I sure was worried that it never would be.
Another way in which this is awesome: The Republicans didn't just lose. They
lied, cheated, stole, and THEN lost. They ran dirty, nasty, dishonest campaigns supported by voter suppression, intimidation, and voter fraud--and they STILL LOST.
And you know what that means: Karl Rove's reputation is in the shitter. Because when you can't even win
dirty any more, nobody's got ANY fucking use for THAT guy.
And that is indeed awesome. Finally, I am right about
this. Rove has run through his playbook. Reality has gotten SO bad under his boy king's leadership that they can no longer manipulate perception. A majority of the people across the country are on to the fact that his shit stinks. Goodbye, Karl. I will dance on your political grave.
Also awesome: Rick "Man On Dog" Santorum will be spending more time with his family. And his pets.
Even more awesome: Ohio has a Democratic governor.
This may not look like much now. But it will be BIG in 2008. Because by then, they'll have had two years to expose the corruption in the Ohio Republican political machine, and maybe--maybe--there will actually be an honest election in Ohio that year.
We don't know yet what's happening with the Senate. I will hope for Montana and Virginia. Lieberman's return in CT is a serious blot on the landscape of our victory, and it makes me very angry, but you know what, I'm not going to let that spoil it for me. We have the house. We could get the Senate. And to George W. Bush, let me say: I hope to God that now that you are finally feeling the pain, you realize what a disaster you have been.
I feel good. I
want to listen to the news again. It all feels very strange.
I want to thank everyone who made all--or any--of this happen. Specifically:
* Thank Skinner, EarlG, and Elad for creating DU. Not only has it given us all a home during the years of our exile, but it has become a player in this contest, and has given material support to this process all the way through. I love you guys.
* Thank the netroots, the bloggers, and everyone who worked a non-robo-calling phone bank or canvassed a neighborhood or drove voters to the polls. You all get the Plaidder Medal of Freedom. And
I don't give out medals of freedom to every Tenet, Bremer, and Brown.
* Thank all the DUers who were not here to see this, including Khephra, nostamj, Andy, and the others I never knew. You were part of it.
* Thank HOWARD DEAN, who was clearly the shot in the arm (and kick in the ass) that the Democratic party desperately needed. I hope more people will listen to him now.
* Thank Tammy Duckworth and all the other new Democratic candidates who did not win, but who ran competitive campaigns and therefore siphoned Republican money, time, and effort away from other races that we DID win.
* And finally, I can finally say it: I LOVE YOU, PRINCESS SWINGVOTER!
w00t!
The Plaid Adder