Tune in to our discussion on the winners, losers, and surprises from politics 2010. For blogtalk that's uncensored, unapologetic, and unwavering it's got to be Election Night on Drawnlines Politics, exclusively on Blogtalkradio.
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.
This Tuesday was our very first panel discussion. Nick Stone and Jessica Osman were joined by Drawnlines Politics contributors Sheela Venero and Chris Johnson.
We discussed the aftermath of the 2010 Midterm Elections and where America goes from here. With divided government, a GOP mandate from voters, and complicated issues to tackle, the next two years promise to be both challenging and exciting for political junkies.
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.
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. Check us out on FACEBOOK
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.
Join the Drawnlines Politics crew each Tuesday for Election Night on Drawnlines Politics. This week we'll bring you up to the minute late breaking details on crucial Campaign 2010.
My latest blog “Two Americas” tells readers why it’s imperative to send strong opposition candidates like Marco Rubio to the US Senate, whether or not we personally like them.
And from the entire Drawnlines Politics editorial board, we urge readers to forward our message to friends and family so they join us in voting “NO” on Florida’s disastrous Amendment 4.
Welcome back to our new weekly roundup of news and blogs from our blogroll. Check it out every Friday (or maybe Saturday if we're slacking off) by signing up for Drawnlines Politics email alerts.
Around the web this week:
This is just a sample of the news we've rounded up. For more, check out our Facebook Page.
56% of Americans want Obama fired in 2012, meanwhile more respondents say Bush was a better president than Obama.
Embattled Dem. Powerhouse Debbie Wasserman-Schultz was named October's "porker of the month" by government watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste.
Listen in to the third episode of Election Night on Drawnlines Politics. This week, "Crunch Time" to Election Day as the GOP surges into even more Democratic strongholds. It's another can't-miss episode, exclusively on Drawnlines Politics.
Drawnlines Editor Nick Stone urges readers in Florida and around the US to support conservative Republican Marco Rubio for US Senate. Listen or read the message on our blog!
The Drawnlines Politics editorial board agrees: A "NO" vote on Florida's Amendment 4 or so-called "Hometown Democracy" Amendment is a non-partisan, no-brainer. This amendment is an economy killer and a democracy destroyer.
Jessica Osman discusses the disappearing center of American politics in her thoughtful piece "Calling All Moderates" exclusively on Drawnlines Politics.
Please watch and read this pre-election message to readers of Drawnlines Politics:
This election isn't an abstract exercise in government. It's about whether or not this country is on the right path.
I certainly don't think it is. Do you?
Pelosi, Reid and Obama told voters that we should give them the reins of government because Republicans were corrupt, didn't listen to the minority, and spent too much money. And you know, what? They were right.
But four years into Democratic Congress and half way through President Obama's term, the swamp has more surly creatures in it than ever. Spending has reached unfathomable heights. Deficits that were awful have ballooned into orbit.
Of course massive new federal programs, thousands of pages of new regulations and rainstorms of Chinese money have done nothing to grow our economy or put Americans back to work. They have only put Obama's boot on the throat of the American economy.
And Obama's plan?
The president thinks we can solve the crisis with more spending, more regulation, and even more new government programs. It's sad.
A US Senator is one out of only 100 voices that determine the direction of our country. So we can't afford to chance sending the president another rubber stamp vote for his agenda.
Florida must not squander our opportunity and duty to send proven conservatives to Washington that we can count on to hold the line against President Obama's radical, unaffordable economic plan.
Marco Rubio must be the next senator from the great state of Florida.
I understand why some of you at home personally like Charlie Crist. So do I. But again, this election isn't a personality contest. It isn't about who has the best soundbite or who can pander to the widest constituency.
This election is about a fork in the road between two Americas. Down one route, a strong America that provides jobs to her workers, growth to her investors and support to her allies. Down the other path? Well, more of the malaise, uncertainty and burdens that Americans shoulder right now. More taxes on every American family. More debt for our children, and an America unable and unwilling to rush to the aid of freedom-loving allies around the world.
So I ask you, on Election Day, will Florida send a senator to Washington to stand strong against President Obama's radical agenda, or will Florida provide the final "YES" vote for more of the same?
Its up to us to decide, and the stakes couldn't be higher. Join me in casting your ballot for Marco Rubio for US Senate.
This independent advertisement paid for by Drawnlines Politics editor Nick Stone.
by Nick Stone for the Drawnlines Politics editorial board.
Every now and then, an issue comes up that brings political parties together in complete agreement. So-called "Hometown Democracy" is one of those issues.
Florida's Amendment 4 would put before voters any change in county and city land use plans. Any change in the local charters - whether correcting a comma splice or plans for a red light at a dangerous intersection - would be delayed and brought up for a direct vote by the public during the following election. Voters could be subject to literally thousands of decisions on minutiae while important projects are hidden in the barrage. The amendment would take locally elected leaders out of decision making and instead rely on the best sound bites to sway voters to move forward with development and progress.
To be clear, American voters have the most transparent and feedback-friendly form of government in the world. Florida, after passage of tough "Sunshine Laws" under Governor Bush, has a particularly transparent government at all levels. Floridians know how, where, and why their money is spent.
It's worth reminding voters that they already have a sounding board if they want to opine on charter and land use issues. It's called a commission meeting. Commissioners invite public opinion on the record in open meetings where all points of view have a chance to be heard. Concerned citizens can also call, write, or send a proxy to their local representatives to lobby their votes for or against an issue. If the will of the people is not followed, representatives are fired at the ballot box. This is real hometown democracy - the government we have now.
The concept of Amendment 4 has been tried in a pilot case in Pinellas County which has been a disaster. Development has been log jammed, progress halted, and an already weak economy further crippled by this trojan horse.
This amendment is simply not a partisan issue. Democrats and Republicans who have seen the effects of the concept are in complete agreement that it is wrong for Florida.
So-called "Hometown Democracy" is a neuse around Florida's economy and must be defeated if the state is to grow and prosper. It would be the opposite of what its name suggests. We recommend you vote "NO" on Amendment 4.
Our second episode of Election Night on Drawnlines Politics was even more fun than the first. The blogtalkradio show is really showing spirit and momentum quickly, but we want to make sure you tune in every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. Set yourself a reminder.
This week, Drawnlines Politics editor Nick Stone joined Drawnlines contributor Jessica Osman in studio to discuss the exciting trends as America gets closer to Election Day. We talked about fascinating news from the Drawnlines Politics Facebook Page. You won't believe how close some of the swing states are right now.
Jessica and Nick discussed hot topics on Drawnlines Politics, like our monthly web poll and Jessica's new blog post Calling All Moderates.
We also talked about our bad case of "Big Society" fever. Discussing the current state of affairs in the United Kingdom, your Election Night hosts ponder whether David Cameron will be the canary in the coal mine like Thatcher's coming in 1979. And you'll hear an amazing clip from Cameron himself on the "Big Society' spirit. Breathtaking!
Watch and share our latest ad of the 2010 Midterm Election cycle.
In this ad, "Culture of Corruption", we highlight the promises that congressional Democrats and President Obama made to the country when they won elections in 2006 and 2008, respectively. Do you feel that Washington Democrats delivered on their pledge to "drain the swamp" or restore "accountability and dignity"?
Please pass this video on to your friends and family by emailing the link or sharing on Facebook and Twitter.
Watch and share our latest ad of the 2010 Midterm Election cycle.
In this ad, "Tax and Spend", we highlight the damage that the Obama economic plan of outrageous spending, increasing the tax burden, and massive deficits does to our economy. We also contrast this path with Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1996, highlighting a reduction in the size, scope, and cost of our government.
Please pass this video on to your friends and family by emailing the link or sharing on Facebook and Twitter.
If Kelly Ayotte maintains her narrow lead over challenger Ovide Lamontagne, Sarah Palin will surely enjoy the spoils of victory in coming years.
Palin, who used her celebrity and endorsed Ayotte, found herself challenged by an 11th hour endorsement by South Carolina Senator Jim Demint. In the final days of the race, Lamontagne significantly closed the gap in polling and moved the race to "toss up" status.
While the race has yet to be called, Ayotte owes her thin and fluctuating lead over Lamantagne to Palin's GOTV effort. Palin vocally endorsed and made robo-calls on behalf of the candidate. And you'd better believe that Palin will remind Ayotte about her generous efforts in due time.
Palin has already thrown her weight behind winning candidates in important races. In Iowa, Palin backed Terry Branstad for Governor and Brenna Findley for A.G. They are the nominees. Nikki Haley came from behind after Palin's endorsement to win the nomination for governor of South Carolina. Palin pushed Sharron Angle over heavy favorite Sue Lowden in Nevada's Senate race to beat Harry Reid. And Kelly Ayotte would be a key ally in NH if she wins the race to replace Senator Judd Gregg.
As if by stealth, Sarah Palin has cultivated alliances between herself and influential Republicans in the four early primary states so crucial to capturing a party nomination. All of these victories place Palin in a strong position as Republicans shift their focus from the midterms to defeating President Obama in the next cycle. Early wins in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina would make Palin unbeatable by other Republicans.
If these candidates win in November, they will be huge allies as Palin seeks the ultimate GOP nomination in 2012. If they don't, they still owe their lives to Sarah.
This month Florida voters go to the polls to determine which candidates will carry the torch for their party into the November election. Please let me take a moment to tell you how crucial it is that we all consider carefully before marking our ballots.
In 1964, Ronald Reagan spoke up against tremendous odds because he believed that Barry Goldwater had better ideas than Lyndon Johnson. Reagan declared the moment facing America was "A Time for Choosing" between freedom and a long path toward state authoritarianism. Today, Florida Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp reminds crowds that now is our generation's time for choosing.
We have to choose the best representatives of our values, with the best plans, the best grasp of policy, and their best foot forward. We must make it absolutely clear to the voters that we have the best team of candidates when we ask them for their vote of confidence in November.
So when you mark your ballot this month, please ask yourself a few crucial questions:
Who shares my values?
Who is the best person to make hard decisions and lead by example?
Who can I trust to do what's right even when nobody is looking?
In critical swing states like Florida, Ohio, Nevada and Colorado, this year's elections could tilt one direction or another by just a few handfuls of votes. Please take your civic responsibility seriously when choosing your government.
Happening on Drawnlines Politics:
In July, Drawnlines Politics celebrated American Exceptionalism all month long!
I wrote about the dangerous new justification the Obama Administration is using to justify their unpopular Obamacare bill.
As the FL Attorney General race heats up, we looked at the record of one of the Republican candidates. Does Pam Bondi have what it takes to win a primary? You decide.
64% of Drawnlines Politics readers said they would not support Elena Kagan's nomination to the Supreme Court.
Follow Drawnlines Politics on Facebook, Twitter, and by email. I'll personally make sure that you are up to date on smart, savvy commentary available exclusively from Drawnlines. You'll get links to online partners, blog updates and YouTube videos.
Uncensored. Unapologetic. Unwavering. That's how Drawnlines does Politics.
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