It's really tempting to offer the other side some payback for their crowing in 2004 – all that drivel about 'the Democratic Party is dying' and all that. If ever there was a time for gloating, today would be it; but the results speak for themselves, I think.
First, the good news: Democrats took back the House with a convincing margin, gained four seats in the Senate, and lead in two Senate races that are presently too close to call. To get an idea of the magnitude of yesterday's earthquake, consider this: for the first time in American history, a political party lost no seats it was defending. Ain't never happened in 230 years, folks.
Oh, and say hello to Governor Spitzer, elected with 69% of the vote. Rick Santorum no longer blights the United States Senate. Ohio is now a blue state. John Sweeney, Sue Kelly, Nancy Johnson - gone. Congressman Arcuri has a nice ring to it as well.
Less glamorous, but perhaps more important: Democrats took the majority of state legislatures and six governorships.
Other notable results:
South Dakota voters rejected the state's draconian abortion ban, says Reuters. More losses on marriage equality, of course, but the first win, in Arizona.
Richard Pombo appears to be going down in flames, 53% to 47%.
Steve Harrison outperformed Frank Barbaro in NY-13, according to the New York Sun. That makes Harrison the natural choice to run again in 2008. The money is out there.
NY-29 remains too close to call, with Kuhl declaring victory and Massa refusing to concede.
The greens failed yet again to make their unique combination of socialism, snootery and finger-pointing attractive to more than 50,000 voters. Sorry, asshats, no ballot line for you - enjoy petitioning.
Now, the really bad news: Jimmy Dahroug lost to incumbent Caesar Trunzo in the Third Senatorial District, says Newsday. Andrea Stewart-Cousins has a narrow lead over Nick Spano, reports the Journal-News. Brian Keeler went down to defeat in the 41st District, as did Brooke Ellison.
Just as example of how avoidable this outcome was: Serph Maltese held his seat by less than 1,000 votes against a gentleman I've never heard of. The DSCC needs a swift kick in the ass, frankly. For people involved in the effort to retake the state Senate, as I have been for over a year, these results are not surprising. Infuriating, yes, unacceptable, yes, but not surprising.
And so it goes. The Democratic Party won a historic victory yesterday, but now needs to demonstrate that it can govern. Here in New York, we now face the challenge of reforming the most dysfunctional state government in the nation. In Washington, we'll be treated to the return of checks and balances.
