The Daily Kos elections page featured a minor freak out this week over the issue of voter identification law. Why? Because a new law was enacted last week - not by some right-wing extremists in the deep south, but in Rhode Island. That law was written by a Democrat legislature and signed by a notoriously moderate, independent governor - Lincoln Chafee. Said the Kos of the news, "Jesus, really?" It is understandably unnerving to the Left to see a bipartisan push for voter verification at the ballot box. ACORN and other far-left organizations notoriously tilt elections with undocumented, unverifiable voters who vote overwhelmingly Democrat. The days of calling fair election supporters right-wing extremists may soon be over.

by Jessica Osman of Drawnlines Politics

This month’s elections proved once again that politicians should listen to the people. Fed up citizens all over the country told their leaders they were sick of being ignored and of the business as usual practices in their states and in Washington. People spoke with their voices and their votes by ousting several incumbents, most notably Democrats. Many Republicans swept through to take control of everywhere from city and county offices all the way to the House of Representatives.

Republicans spent months telling voters how they would handle our money better than our current leaders and how they had learned from the mistakes of those we voted out in 2006 and 2008. These were Republicans who were returning to fiscal conservative cornerstones and promising to fix America. Voters made their choices and Republicans rode a wave of victory to office. Now what?

Now the real work begins. To stay in favor with voters, Republicans must now fulfill the promises they repeatedly made in their stump speeches. Without putting people back to work and fixing the economy and our deficit (or at least making huge strides in the right direction) the cycle of blame will start all over and Republicans will surely get the pink slip again. With America in crisis, we cannot afford to have politicians sitting at their desks pointing their fingers at their opposition saying no to everything brought to them or refusing to compromise on their own agenda. This is not the time for partisan bullying and pushing through an agenda that only one side will be happy with. Don’t misunderstand, absolutely, Republicans should push for more conservative spending and less taxes, but they shouldn’t be blind and deaf to all the people that don’t agree with them. They must not be too prideful to admit that there are good ideas they can take from Democrats. Plus, isn’t it better to lead a united force with members that feel appreciated and heard rather than rule like a tyrant and have constant grumblings of a coup going on? Republicans said Democrats didn’t listen; well if they want to get reelected they shouldn’t make it that easy for Democrats to turn around and say now they’re the ones not listening.

Republicans also need to not lose sight of what they’re supposed to be doing. This is not the time to push huge personal agendas or make waves with divisive social issues. Republicans get elected because they have generally proven they can handle money better and then they get voted out because once in office they want to push social reforms instead. For at least the next 2 years I think Republicans should ask themselves one question before submitting any bills, suggesting change, etc: “Will this have a positive, negative or no effect on our financial crisis?” If the answer is “positive”, run with it. If the answer is “negative”, run away from it. However, if the answer is “no effect”, just let it be. Items such as extending the Bush tax cuts, cap and trade, overseas aide and borrowing from overseas all can be answered with “positive” or “negative”. Some things like trying to overturn Roe v Wade or creating a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage are things to be left alone. Let me repeat: Leave. It. Alone. It’s not going to happen right now, it’ll upset voters and you were elected based on the promise to fix our economy. Push your social agenda in the next election cycle and see what your constituents think then. I would say almost no person who is struggling financially will be sitting at home saying “I have no idea how I’m going to make rent this month, but I sure am glad my legislators are discussing Roe v Wade”.

Republicans need to look at the long-term and not get tunnel vision. If they can’t keep their promises now, there’s no way voters are going to let them keep the House and then give them the Senate and the White House in 2012. We need all of our leaders to be smart right now and focus on common goals because in case they haven’t noticed, unlike so many of them in the past, this crisis reaches across party lines.


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by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics.

Just as we forecasted on Election Night on Drawnlines Politics, Tuesday was an exhilarating wave!


In President Obama’s own words, the White House got a “shellacking” this week.

Voters from Florida to Alaska sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party by electing Republicans. From municipal government to governor’s races and on to the House and Senate, Republicans made historic gains not seen in more than a half century.

In the critical swing states of Florida and Ohio, new Republican governors flanked by Republicans in the House and Senate will prove a formidable challenge to President Obama and other liberals in the looming 2012 elections.

Now the job of governing begins. That’s what we’ll be covering on Drawnlines.

Join the crew of Drawnlines Politics every Tuesday as we discuss campaigns, culture, news and trends on Election Night on Blogtalkradio. And don’t forget to become an insider by verifying your subscription to our blog page.


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by Jessica Osman of Drawnlines Politics.

This is the most important mid-term election in over a decade. In Florida, not only is every cabinet seat up, but there are no incumbents running. It’s really anyone’s game and these are not positions to skim over or take lightly.

The most important race is probably the gubernatorial. Not only will the winner lead the state and its leaders for the next four years, but so much more is at stake. Once the 2010 Census results come in, Florida is expected to pick up more congressional seats and the state will need to be redistricted, something the governor can have a lot of say in. While elections are when voters elect their leaders, redistricting is when our leaders pick their voters. If Alex Sink wins she will most definitely use her power to make sure the lines are drawn to favor the Democrats, not only creating new blue districts, but redrawing current swing districts to lean more democratic. At the very least, Florida MUST remain a purple, swing state and this will not happen under Ms. Sink. In addition, when President Obama is running for reelection Ms. Sink would be heavily involved in events around the state making sure the President wins Florida again and shortly after that would have to start campaigning for her own reelection. I don’t know about you, but I need my governor working to fix the problems in this state, making the lives of Floridians better and not spending the majority of their term campaigning.

This election is critical. We must make sure our voices are heard. If you didn’t early vote, please make it the utmost priority to vote this Tuesday. Remind your friends, neighbors and family to vote. Offer a ride to the polls if you can. Many of these races are going to be tight and when the results are read tonight you don’t want to think, “What if I had made the effort to vote before work or on my lunch break?”, “What if I had sent an email to all my contacts?”, “What if I had called my family or talked to my neighbors when I saw them?”. Not only do you not want feelings of wondering, but if you don’t vote, you can’t complain on Wednesday or for the next four years about how you don’t like our leadership.

It can’t be stressed enough, this Election Day VOTE.
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by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics.

This is the must see video of the entire 2010 midterm elections.

If you are wavering about going to the polls tomorrow, or you're unsure who for whom to pull the lever, this message is focused on you like a laser beam.

Tomorrow's elections don't just matter because of the immediate result or control of Congress. Tomorrow's crucial vote matters because tight races across the country will determine whether or not this commercial becomes reality.



Your vote could literally save America.

Thank you for sending this message to your friends and family and urging them to become fellow Citizens Against Government Waste.

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Dear Reader,


So when you mark your ballot this month, please ask yourself a few crucial questions:

by Nick Stone of Drawnlines Politics.

Today looks like it will be kind to many conservative women across the country.

As voters go to the polls in several states, polls give early indications that women running in Republican primaries have come from behind to edge out their male counterparts.


In California, Meg Whitman has parlayed her career success at eBay into a successful political campaign.  A few weeks ago, rival Steve Poizner had been closing in on Whitman, but fortunes have since reversed.  By focusing on jobs and spending cuts, Whitman has taken her self-financed campaign for governor to all parts of the state, held town halls and largely consolidated support among Republicans.  She will likely face Former Governor "Moonbeam" Jerry Brown in November.

Also in California, Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina has come back from her role as campaign co-chairman for John McCain for President in 2008 with her Senate campaign.  Having run second to moderate Tom Campbell throughout the race, Fiorina has steadily picked up endorsements from conservatives like Sarah Palin.  Since her recent debate performance - where the Wall Street Journal opined that Carly mopped the floor with her opponents on policy knowledge - she has catapulted into a strong first place.  Will her late rally prove itself today at the polls?

Across the country, South Carolina has proven once again why it is considered a bastion of dirty politics and bloody brawls.  Political junkies will well remember the Reagan-Connolly battle in 1980, the Bush-McCain bloodbath in 2000, and the near-fistfight between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in 2008.  Lee Atwater would be proud of this year's Governor primary where Nikki Haley faces off against three Republican male challengers.  The frontrunner has taken everything from racist epithets to charges of infidelity, but strong resolve and loads of endorsements seem to have kept her in a comfortable lead.

And back West in Nevada comes the closest watched primary of the day.  Republicans Sharron Angle and Sue Lowden are battling for first place against Danny Tarkanian in the hotly contested race to challenge Majority Leader Harry Reid.  Tea Party-backed Angle has recently leapfrogged establishment candidate Sue Lowden in polls, though recent revalations about Angle might make this race tighter than anticipated.  It also might not hurt Lowden that Senator Reid's campaign let it slip that he would rather run against Angle in November.

Not-so-great news seems possible for incumbent Democratic Senator Blanche Lincoln, who might lose today's runoff election against challenger Lt. Governor Bill Halter.  Halter has activated union support and the party's liberal base to challenge Lincoln from the left.  Lincoln has the support of Presidents Clinton and Obama, a significant warchest, and ideology more closely aligned with the state's electorate- but if she can't get support from undecided Democrats today, she's toast.  Either candidate would likely be in serious trouble against Republican John Boozman in November.

Find out tonight if predictions will pan out.  For now, conservative women appear poised to carry the Republican torch into some very exciting midterm elections.  We'll be watching closely.

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