*does the happy dog dance*

Now if only Dubya and Cheney would be struck by lightning, my dreams would all come true.

Posted November 7, 2006 11:25 PM by Xopher

...another good word, though she's promised not to use it: impeach. (Hey, we can dream.)

Posted November 7, 2006 11:33 PM by Randolph Fritz

So far, so good. Now, let's go for President pro tempore Reid.

Posted November 7, 2006 11:39 PM by Will "scifantasy" Frank

That sound you hear is NOT the cicadas coming out early.

It is the sound of election lawyers across the nation rubbing their hands in gleeful anticipation.

Posted November 7, 2006 11:40 PM by mythago

Personally, I'd settle for "charge with treason", but I gather that the US definition of treason probably doesn't cover lying to Congress to start an unnecessary war, lying to Congress about how many troops would be needed in that war, etc, etc. Even if it has given a great deal of comfort to the enemies of the US.

Posted November 7, 2006 11:42 PM by Julia Jones

Now I want the Senate.

Posted November 7, 2006 11:46 PM by Lizzy L

I don't see us getting the Senate. We've narrowed their majority from 55-45 to 52-48, or (conceivably) 51-49. We'll use what we have.

Posted November 7, 2006 11:54 PM by Patrick Nielsen Hayden

There's a chance, I think. Virginia (cross your fingers. I'm crossing mine...I voted for Webb, of course) and Montana seem fair game. Tennessee and Missouri are longer shots.

Posted November 7, 2006 11:58 PM by Will "scifantasy" Frank

I would very much like Heather Wilson and her bosom-induced lacrymosity to be thrown out of the House by Patricia Madrid, but the full results aren't in yet. Well, I guess I could be content with Pelosi sticking it to Chimpy for the next two years.

Hot damn.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:04 AM by Serge

I hate like hell that Lieberman is going to come out of this totally in the catbird seat, able to bargain with both sides or either side to get what he wants, and screw the Democrats.

On the other hand, Rick Santorum is gone, gone, gone.

I think Tester is going to win in Montana. I think Ford is going to lose in Tennessee, and I can't say I'm sorry. Virginia -- I have no idea.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:06 AM by Lizzy L

Huzzah!

Posted November 8, 2006 12:09 AM by Jay Lake

Okay, in Virginia, with 99% counted, Webb just grabbed a narrow lead.

Holy crap, my heart can't take this.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:12 AM by Patrick Nielsen Hayden

Where does that put us with the Senate, Patrick?

Posted November 8, 2006 12:15 AM by Serge

"...CNN projects that a measure in South Dakota, which would ban nearly all abortions, is going down in defeat..."

Posted November 8, 2006 12:19 AM by Serge

I spent the day watching the polls and on the phone for Melissa Bean in Illinois. She won, and I am exhausted.

I really don't have anything else to say, except that it feels amazing to have been even a small part of such a massive shift in national politics. It's about damn time that things changed.

I've put my faith in the Democrats to work to make things better. Let's hope that they don't let us down.

Now, I'm going to pass out.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:20 AM by Joe J

from the particle: Everything else from this point forward this election night is just gravy. Rich, dark, satisfying gravy. Perfect for serving with a heaping portion of lame duck.

Woot!

Posted November 8, 2006 12:30 AM by Greg London

Henry Waxman's in line to run the Gov't Reform Committee. The have the brief for investigating corruption. This will be fun.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:30 AM by Bill Humphries

subpoena power

Twoer words were never spoken.

Far as I'm concerned, the only real issue all along has been oversight (the lack thereof). Once we get some of that, the war, the rape of the Constitution, the pillaging of the treasury, the corruption... all that can then be effectively addressed.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:31 AM by Michael Weholt

Is it indeed a done deal for Joementum?

Posted November 8, 2006 12:31 AM by Serge

Okay, in Virginia, with 99% counted, Webb just grabbed a narrow lead.

Holy crap, my heart can't take this.

-----

And one of those remaining 1% (according to washingtonpost.com) is my Fairfax County absentee ballot. For Webb. Which means he has to win, right?

Right?

Posted November 8, 2006 12:32 AM by Laura S

Randolph: Without a chance in the Senate, the spin would be devastating. He'd be acquitted, and it would be spun (because there wouldn't be a Republican equivalent to Feinstein and Leiberman censuring Clinton, when it was over) as crass partisan politics.

So it's better to just use the subpoena to drag the shit into the light. Let Cheney, et al, flout the them, it will stick to the party, and make it harder to get themselves elected back to power in 2008.

And it looks really tight in Va. Webb has a lead right now, so things could flip completely.

Oh yeah, there's an avowed socialist in the Senate. Go Vermont.

God, I have hope again, for the first time in a long time.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:33 AM by Terry Karney

In Texas news, Fred Head loses.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:34 AM by Stephanie Leary

Damn, I was really hoping Allen would concede.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:38 AM by debcha

On MyDD they are claiming VA for Webb.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:43 AM by Lizzy L

CNN is calling the Senate as a toss-up at the moment. Could end 50-50.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:43 AM by Clifton Royston

I am very sad about Victoria Wulsin losing in OH-2. I sent her a bunch of money and really, really hoped she would defeat Schmidt. Oh well.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:54 AM by Lizzy L

I look forward to the battle over the VA Senate seat that will be waged over the next several weeks. Here's hoping the Democrats have the stomach for the fight. I expect Webb will, given his temperament and background.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:03 AM by Stephen G

McCaskill has taken the lead over Talent in Missouri!!

Posted November 8, 2006 1:08 AM by Lizzy L

Terry, unfortunately, I suspect you are right. A sharp Democratic operative might pull it off, but I don't know who that would be. Now, concentrate on making the voting system work--that would be my first priority. And of course there's Iraq and the budget. But who knows what the Democratic leadership will put first?

Posted November 8, 2006 1:16 AM by Randolph Fritz

debcha, Allen never concedes. He's a football player.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:17 AM by Marilee

Good news, good news, come to me where I sleep
Turn, turn, turn again
That our nation may move out of trouble deep
Turn, turn to the wave and the wind.

(With apologies to Mr. Zimmerman)

Posted November 8, 2006 1:38 AM by Tom Whitmore

The rules for recounts in Virginia are here.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:39 AM by j h woodyatt

My ten year old came home from school today, crowing. "Mama, in social studies today we figured out that if enough Democrats win in the congress, and then Bush and Cheney get food poisoning, WE GET THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT EVER!!!??"

We did a dance in the kitchen. The kid's bloodthirsty, but her heart's in the right place (right there with Patrick's, I suspect).

Posted November 8, 2006 1:45 AM by Madeleine Robins

Minnesota, my state, appears to have sent the new Santorum to the House: Michele Bachmann. I'm sorry, world. I didn't realize how much I should've done.

I'd suggest making Bachmann a neologism for something nasty, like Santorum before it, but I know too many people named Bachmann.

I'm scared.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:46 AM by Rachel

Oh, and early returns seem to be showing that Democrats are getting hammered in California.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:50 AM by j h woodyatt

Kos just called Missouri for us, and we're winning Montana.

50-Dem
49-Rep
1-Lieberman

Posted November 8, 2006 2:02 AM by Jon Meltzer

jh woodyatt, I'm wondering which definition of "hammered" you're using here? I just checked the CNN election page, and the only incumbent congressman likely to loose is the Republican excrement incumbant Richard Pombo. Arnold's winning, but nobody expected otherwise.

I can't get the legislative races, but it looks as if the congressional delagation will get a bit bluer, if anything.

Posted November 8, 2006 2:07 AM by JESR

It took the Guardian to tip me to this: Vermont just elected the first Socialist to the U.S. Senate.

Posted November 8, 2006 2:07 AM by Clifton Royston

Oops, strike-through code doesn't work. Pombo is fecal though, so nevermind.

Posted November 8, 2006 2:08 AM by JESR

Reps concede in Missouri.

One to go.

Posted November 8, 2006 2:20 AM by Jon Meltzer

the one that makes my heart flutter: Ways and Means Chairman Rangel.

the last time he came even close, Harlem (which had been redlined by banks) popped up ATMs like mushrooms before the elections.

Posted November 8, 2006 2:21 AM by julia

Now that more of the returns are coming in, it's looking better for Democrats. When I posted that, Pombo was still winning.

Plus, I'm on pins and needles tonight over the race for Secretary of State, which is currently (with about 50% of the votes counted) showing a 3-point margin in favor of the Republican tool, Bruce McPherson.

Posted November 8, 2006 2:36 AM by j h woodyatt

Minnesota retains Gov Tim Pawlenty... aw, fuck. Watch for him to offer multiple BJs to every Republican leader for a shot at being McCain's running mate. Trust me, it would be a BAD, BAD, double freaking BAD thing... There is still enough santorum to spread around...

Posted November 8, 2006 2:53 AM by Edward Oleander

Hawai'i re-elected its Republican Governor (her opponent was pretty much a cipher, and a broke one at that; she was so popular the Dems had a helluva time even finding someone to run against her), but we did hold the Senate and the two House seats for the good guys.

Posted November 8, 2006 3:00 AM by Linkmeister

Marilee writes (#30), "debcha, Allen never concedes. He's a football player."

Heck, Lynn Swann conceded, and he's got Super Bowl rings and a shrine in Canton.

Santorum lost. Big.

Robert Byrd, who has been a U.S. Senator longer than anyone else in history, gets to choose between being President Pro-Tem and Chairman of the Appropriations Committee. He'll probably choose the latter; that's what he did last time. More pork for the Mountain State. No, really, that's one of the reasons we keep electing him! And to think the guy running against him tried to make it sound like a bad thing. Guess why he lost?

The New York Times is calling the MIssouri Senate race for McCaskill. Which gives the Democrats a majority in the Senate, I think, especially if you factor in at least one of the two independents.

Something SF fans should especially enjoy: the new Congressperson from the 18th district of Ohio, the district formerly held by Bob Ney, is named Zack Space.

Most important of all, though -- at least the issue closest to home for me -- our county library levy won with 62% of the vote. According to West Virginia law, such "excess levies" need more than 60%. So we'll have money for books and electricity and heating bills and staff salaries and such. (TANSTAFFL: There ain't no such thing as a free library.)

Posted November 8, 2006 3:02 AM by Lois Fundis

Regarding impeachment:

It might be satisfying, but it's not necessarily good political strategy. There's too much that can go wrong: The voters might get angry at a second impeachment. Bush might replace Cheney with someone who a) can't be impeached and b) can win as an incumbent in '04.

So, maybe Pelosi's right about impeachment. But subpoena power... That's the stuff! Turn over every rock, and let the sun in. Find out who authorized and who knew, and make sure the American people know every last sordid detail.

Posted November 8, 2006 3:08 AM by A.J.

Tonight's giddy dance of joy is brought to you by the letter S, the letter P, and the numbers 6 and 25-or-so-but-at-any-rate-more-than-15.

Posted November 8, 2006 3:10 AM by Stephen Frug

My ten year old came home from school today, crowing. "Mama, in social studies today we figured out that if enough Democrats win in the congress, and then Bush and Cheney get food poisoning, WE GET THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT EVER!!!??"

Aw, bless. Even if I did grow up in Thatcher's Britain, the enthusiasm's still great.

There'll be celebrations in our little corner of Central Europistan tonight, if only because DeWine went down.

Posted November 8, 2006 4:02 AM by Eve

My ten year old came home from school today, crowing. "Mama, in social studies today we figured out that if enough Democrats win in the congress, and then Bush and Cheney get food poisoning, WE GET THE FIRST WOMAN PRESIDENT EVER!!!??"

Yes, the gloss gets a little rubbed off that sort of thought when you've actually had Thatcher running your country (or Benazir Bhutto or Indira Gandhi or Golda Meir...)

I'd settle for "...WE GET THE FIRST COMPETENT PRESIDENT THIS CENTURY!!!??"

Posted November 8, 2006 4:47 AM by ajay

It took the Guardian to tip me to this: Vermont just elected the first Socialist to the U.S. Senate.

It's progress just to have people saying the word on Capitol Hill and not have it sound like a disease. I don't know how socialist Sanders really is, but it's still a step forward for the Left in America (they needed to have one this century).

Posted November 8, 2006 4:53 AM by Sean H

Lizzy L at #10: Lieberman has repeatedly committed publicly to caucus with the Democrats. I'd be astonished to see him cross the aisle on leadership votes. That would be the end of his career come the next election, and he's too much of an egotist to accept that.

Posted November 8, 2006 5:36 AM by Tom S.

Tom S., I'd be astonished not to see Lieberman cross the aisle. Yes, he's committed to caucusing with the Democrats, but he also committed to being a Democrat before quitting the party and running against their chosen candidate, so he could keep his seat. And back when he was claiming membership in the party, he consistently crossed the aisle on things that matter--like torture, and the war, and the 2004 Presidential race.

I'm happy as hell about the House, and I've got my fingers crossed about the Senate--really, I just can't wait until 2008, when I get to vote on my Senators here in Oregon.

It's too bad we took such a beating on ballot measures. Colorado didn't just settle at banning marriage equality--they also voted for a referendum banning any kind of alternative domestic-partnership arrangements, too. Virginia's is so paranoid it might make it hard for adults to enter business contracts, just to keep the queers out. Michigan voted against affirmative action. And so on.
At least the minimum wage got raised in lots of states.

Posted November 8, 2006 5:59 AM by little light

No one should be surprised at Vermont electing self-described socialist Bernard Sanders [I] to the Senate. Vermont is a single-House-district state, so as Vermont's at-large Congressman, Sanders has already won six statewide elections. Before that, he was the popular mayor of Burlington, the state's largest city.

In 2004, it was unremarkable to see yards featuring signs for both Sanders and Bush. Sanders may be some kinda left-wing weirdo, but he's also an effective, constituent-oriented legislator. Vermont's a small state absolutely full of people that Bernie has helped out one way or another.

The smartest thing the national Democratic party did in the Vermont Senate race was make sure Sanders faced no challenger with a [D] after his name. This despite the existence of very old bad blood between Sanders and fellow Vermonter Howard Dean, chair of the DNC. At the end of the day both Dean and Sanders are practical guys.

Posted November 8, 2006 6:15 AM by Patrick Nielsen Hayden

Congratulations to you all. This is a big relief.

I see that Bernie Sanders' opponent was a wealthy businessman called ... Rich Tarrant. A crude, obvious name like that shouldn't happen outside of a Jack London novel.

Posted November 8, 2006 6:33 AM by Ken MacLeod

Forget 'Morning in America'... this is the dawn breaking over the Pelennor Fields!

Posted November 8, 2006 6:56 AM by Connie H

It's too bad we took such a beating on ballot measures. Colorado didn't just settle at banning marriage equality--they also voted for a referendum banning any kind of alternative domestic-partnership arrangements, too. Virginia's is so paranoid it might make it hard for adults to enter business contracts, just to keep the queers out. Michigan voted against affirmative action. And so on.

The Arizona marriage amendment was defeated though. Just one defeat, but it was a defeat.

Posted November 8, 2006 7:01 AM by Eve

Yeah, impeachment might be satisfying in the short term, but I think it would backfire. The history invariably looks on impeachment as a tactic for political gain. While Bush and Cheney leaving office sooner rather than later might be good for the country, it's not hard to spin it as partisan politics. (It makes me wonder how the Republicans managed to avoid the taint with the gubernatorial recall election. Is it because the citizens of CA were involved in the process?)

Much more important, as Patrick pointed out, is subpoena power. The Republicans will undoubted make the partisan politics charge anyways. (I mean, the Democrats could nominate Grover Norquist for President and the Republicans would attempt to paint him as a tax and spend, big government liberal in favor of compulsory same-sex marriage.) It will be harder to make that charge stick once the dirty business comes to light. Then the tactic they will play will be, "Well, the Democrats do it too." I fear, as lame as that argument is, that one may have some traction even though it's patently untrue in most cases.

The Virginia has decided that if I ever get married, the Commonwealth will refuse to recognize my marriage. They have done this by an embarassingly wide (but not unexpected) margin. Oh, well. I'm still pulling for Webb to come out the winner at the end of the recount.

BTW, it may be by just a matter of 20-odd days, but I believe the first competent president this century is Bill Clinton.

Posted November 8, 2006 7:06 AM by JC

Alas, down here in Georgia the Repubs are ahead. Fortunately, that doesn't matter that much in the national picture.

Posted November 8, 2006 7:37 AM by Fragano Ledgister

"To everything there is a season"

The long, dark winter of the soul may not be completely over yet, but lookie there, the sun is staying in the sky longer these days.

"I've gone sunshine, on a cloudy day..."

Posted November 8, 2006 7:41 AM by Steve Buchheit

little light:

I'm sure Lieberman will cross on issue votes, but not on the crucial leadership vote -- who gets to be Majority Leader. And if the Democrats are voting for Majority Leader (fingers crossed for Montana and Virginia), the Republicans aren't going to have much to offer Lieberman anymore.

Posted November 8, 2006 7:45 AM by Tom S.

Well done guys!

I'm extremely relieved.

Posted November 8, 2006 7:56 AM by Jo Walton

Yeah, impeachment might be satisfying in the short term, but I think it would backfire.

Impeachment is the Anvil. Throw only once Bush is on the verge of drowning.

Finally, this is the GOP we are talking about. Don't celebrate too much until the 110th Congress actually is seated with a Democratic House majority.

Do you think they'll stop fighting now? They didn't in 2000 or 2004.

Posted November 8, 2006 8:05 AM by Erik V. Olson

Congrats America! Very happy for y'all.

Posted November 8, 2006 8:08 AM by Sus

To chime in with Sus: congratulations! How about you also win Montana and Virginia now, please?

Posted November 8, 2006 8:28 AM by Daniel

Relief is appropriate. We're a long way from fixing all the damage, and our victories are tentative, but by God they're victories. Back to work.

Posted November 8, 2006 8:34 AM by Patrick Nielsen Hayden

What Patrick said in #53, re: Bernie. He may be a proud socialist, but he's also a fixture of Vermont politics, and draws considerable support even from conservative voters. He's a competent executive (or so Burlington residents say); he's a tireless tilter at the windmills of idiocy and corruption; and he campaigns his heart out in every tiny town, even when he's 30 points up.

In other news from the northeast, Peter Welch (D, VT-AL) won Bernie's old seat, his first victory in several statewide elections. Credit where credit is due, however: Rainville ran a clean campaign (one of the few Republicans do so), and lost honorably.

In New Hampshire, it was a great night for the Democrats. Hodes beat Bass (a 12-year incumbent) and Shea-Porter won a surprise victory in the south. The voter anger was palpable--in the city of Lebanon, the Democrats swept every single race, typically by 2:1 or better. You hear about "nationalizing" elections, but I've never seen it happen for the registrar of deeds.

Posted November 8, 2006 8:40 AM by Eric Kidd

JC: BTW, it may be by just a matter of 20-odd days, but I believe the first competent president this century is Bill Clinton.

(grinds teeth) Why, you... you editor.

Posted November 8, 2006 8:42 AM by ajay

On Sen. Lieberman--If there are fifty Democrats plus Lieberman in the Senate, it's just possible that Our Only President, faced with a Democratic Senate and House, would finally jettison Secretary Rumsfeld and offer the position to Lieberman. If he takes it, Governor Rell would be able to appoint a Republican, maybe Chris Shays, or possibly herself, to the Senate, giving the Rs fifty plus the VP, and thus the majority. I'm not saying this is all likely, but it's possible.

Actually, I think Joe Lieberman expects to be welcomed back into the party with open arms and committee chairs, having saved us all from the horrible extremists. The fact that 70% of Republicans voted for him and only 30% of Democrats did won't mean (to him) that he's a natural Republican, just that his appeal crosses party lines. Unless the Democrats tell him to piss off, which they cannot afford to do, he will stay in the Senate and caucus with the Democrats. And I suspect in six years he will run again, as a Democrat.

Thanks,
-V.

Posted November 8, 2006 8:49 AM by Vardibidian

Joe Lieberman expects to be welcomed back into the party with open arms and committee chairs

Yes, Vardibidian, let's welcome Joe with a chair like they do at the World Wrestling Federation.

Posted November 8, 2006 9:04 AM by Serge

Rodgers and Hammerstein said it best:

There's a bright golden haze in the meadow
There's a bright golden haze in the meadow
The corn is as high as an elephants side
And it looks like its climbin clear up to the sky
Oh what a beatiful mornin
Oh what a beautiful day
I've got a beautiful feelin everythin goin my way
All the cattle are standin like statues
All the cattle are standin like statues
They don't turn their heads as they see me ride by
But a little brown Maverick is winking her eye
Oh what a beautiful mornin
Oh what a beautiful day
I've got a beautiful feelin
Everythin's goin my way!

Oh the sounds of the earth are like music
Oh the sounds of the earth are like music
The breeze its so busy
It don't miss a tree
And ole weepin willer is laughin at me

Oh what a beautiful mornin!
Oh what a beautiful day!
I've got a beautiful feelin,
Everythin's goin my way!

Oh what a beautiful day!

Posted November 8, 2006 9:13 AM by Serge

Luckily (in these circumstances) Lieberman is only out for himself. He's a Republican enabler only to the degree that it helps his political career. So IF we take 50 seats without him, which it now appears we will by a very narrow margin, he's going to caucus with the Dems. In fact, his voting record is pretty liberal overall; it's his positions on Iraq and Clinton's impeachment, and his frequent appearances on Fox News dissing other Dems, that are the problem. I think those will cease, now that he can be part of the majority.

I can't wait for the First 100 Hours that'll show the rest of America that the Democrats do have a plan, one that'll help the vast majority of Americans.

Posted November 8, 2006 9:21 AM by Christian Griffen

Too exhausted still to post full details about yesterday, but a note on Lieberman: his public statements of late have included an indifference to who controls Congress and that he will caucus with whoever respects his seniority. This is a notable change from earlier in the race when he said he would caucus with the Dems. He also spent time campaigning with Republican House candidates lately and may well have been a factor in one seat that could've been a Dem pickup and another likely pickup which is probably heading for recount-land.

I still HOPE he will caucus with the Dems, but I am FAR from certain of it. I AM certain that he will be absolutely reveling in the power trip he gets to go on while he plays both parties against each other. It's all about Joe for Joe. Remember, Joe knows what's best for you, even if you vote wrong.

I'm numb here; wonderful national outcome, but CT really did not do its part, and having Lieberman back in after all our efforts is heartbreaking. It's hard not to feel like an abject failure.

Posted November 8, 2006 9:24 AM by Susan

> then Bush and Cheney get food poisoning

Maybe we should send them pretzels. http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=16323081

Posted November 8, 2006 9:30 AM by Alan Braggins

You're not, Susan.

Posted November 8, 2006 9:36 AM by Serge

Best. Day. Ever.

Me to husband, as we were exiting the polling place (elementary school cafeteria): "The election HAS to swing our way."

Husband: "Why do you think so?"

Me: "They were serving Thin Mints. Thin Mints! My G-d, have you ever had a SNACK at a polling place before? It shows that people are reaching out to others, and trying to form new communities, and..."

Husband: "...and somebody's kid pressured them into way too many Girl Scout cookies..."

Posted November 8, 2006 9:39 AM by chryss

Here's the two words we have to watch out for: "Signing statements." Bush will now put on the nice-guy act, pretend to some actual bi-partisan, senate and house action, and then, with a flourish, take up his quill and write "...NOT!" at the bottom of the legislation.

Do we have a strategy for that? I hope the answer is "yes."

Posted November 8, 2006 9:53 AM by Kip W

Thinking it over, impeaching W. Bush for crimes against humanity would be a very good thing for the USA and the world. Impeachment would also keep W. from pardoning the criminals in his administration. That said, I will admit I don't believe the Democratic Congressional leadership is likely to do so--for one thing it would mean taking an internationalist stance and I don't think the USA is ready for that yet--it looks to me like we will be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century. I would rather we lead. But leading would require a leader, and I wonder who that could be.

...Gore?

Posted November 8, 2006 9:57 AM by Randolph Fritz

O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!

Posted November 8, 2006 10:04 AM by theophylact

It's kind of early to ask, but what about 2008? Gore has said he wouldn't run, but it sounds like someone who demurely says he/she can't have another piece of cake. Kerry flubbed it in 2004, and he recently flubbed a fairly simple joke. Hillary has been trying to sound like a moderate, but to me she sounds more like a spineless slug. There's Reid. Dean? I worked for his campaign in 2004 and we know how well that turned out. I'd rather not get heartbroken again. Wes Clark?

Posted November 8, 2006 10:04 AM by Serge

Yes, Serge, it's not bad here in Oklahoma this morning! We retained a fairly decent Democratic governor by a wide 2-to-1 margin (and his challenger gave up his Congressional seat to run, nyah nyah; unfortunately, his seat's staying Republican, gone to a woman who had Hastert come here to raise money), and got a Democratic female Lt. Gov who will be the deciding vote in an evenly divided state senate. Alas, in my house district we kept a sancitmonious little Republican twerp whom I couldn't even get in to see at the last OK Library Ass'n Legislative Day, but we kept a Democrat in my state senate seat, recently vacated by a great friend to libraries and education. We did vote to allow liquour stores to stay open on election day, though -- how progressive!

Posted November 8, 2006 10:14 AM by Janet Brennan Croft

It's kind of early to ask, but what about 2008?... Wes Clark?

Oh, don't I wish. I was so sad when he dropped out of the primaries--I was really looking forward to having someone I could vote for.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:15 AM by Carrie S.

Carrie S... I read something by (about?) Wes not long ago that makes it sound like he is thinking about trying again, and how he has learned his lesson from the 2004 experience. My fingers are firmly crossed that he'll go for it.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:20 AM by Serge

For the first time since I've moved here, I'm hearing people talk about being Democrats today. It's like they finally feel they won't be arrested and electrocuted for it.

Damned shame about VA's anti-gay voting results. I'd kinda wanted to move there one day.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:28 AM by Aconite

The senate for a stage, brave dems to act
And nations to behold the swelling scene!
Then would the warlike cowboy, like himself
Assume the role of fool, and at his heels,
His wrists, and on his head shall little bells
Merrily ring. But pardon, gentles all,
The scribe who dares on this resplendent day
To here set down in lines of stolen verse
His daydreams politic. He's no Mike Ford.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:29 AM by Will A

Susan, you worked really hard -- pat yourself on the back. We won. Yeah, it would have been nice to lose Lieberman, but _________________ (insert appropriate cliche here.)

Karl Rove can take his permanent Republican majority and stick it where the sun don't shine.

Oh, and Pombo in CA is on the verge of losing. It's funny; listening to NPR last night, the commentators kept getting confused. Reporting from Missouri early this morning, Ken Ruden, who knows better, said that Jim Talent had won the seat. I know it was a long night, but still... They all bought into the worst of the Republican myths; the Republicans are invincible, the country is heading inexorably right, the religious right is unstoppable. Even now they are blithering on about how the Democrats didn't really win this election; rather, the Republicans lost it. Assholes. The Republicans are going to spin this that it's "normal" for the majority party to lose seats in the midyear of a President's second term, and therefore we can ignore the issues, i.e. Iraq and corruption.

John Murtha is speaking on NPR now, saying plenty. He's saying that Iraq is in a civil war and that the Republicans are trying to blame the military for the failure of their policies, when it's the policies themselves that suck. He also just said that if Bush had listened to his Dad in the first place we wouldn't have this problem! Yeah!

Posted November 8, 2006 10:30 AM by Lizzy L

Hats off, Will A... Think you can get Derek Jacobi to play that part?

Posted November 8, 2006 10:31 AM by Serge

I'm opposed to impeachment, simply because it won't succeed and will only annoy a lot of voters. Conviction requires a 2/3 vote in the Senate, and there is No Way that many Republicans would vote for it.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:33 AM by Alan Hamilton

Hmm, Karl Rove now has to either say his machine broke or he lied about the polls he said he was looking at. Ah, crow with salsa or syrup, sir?

Posted November 8, 2006 10:36 AM by Steve Buchheit

Looks like Pombo is gone! There are still some House races hanging. I hope Cubin in WY goes down, and Mean Jean Schmidt has not yet been declared the winner in OH-2, though I think she will be. I still believe Tester is going to win, and no, I don't have any fingernails left.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:41 AM by Lizzy L

Re: Impeachment... right now it looks hopeless. But who knows what it will look like once -- armed with subpoena power -- we find out all the other stuff that Bush has been up to for six years?

Of course, we better investigate Haliburton war profiteering, and how they got their contracts, first, maybe get Dick to resign in disgrace...

Okay, I'm still giddy.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:46 AM by Stephen Frug

Will A #84: Now, if only I could hear that declaimed by one of the Sir Ians...

Posted November 8, 2006 10:47 AM by Fragano Ledgister

Alan, you're right about that; much as I'd like to see an impeachment, for fear of pardons GWB will hand out before he leaves. We could put him on notice that we'll thoroughly document the crimes of whoever he does pardon (and make sure someone follows through on this) and hang this around the necks of the Republican leadership.

A point of curiosity: shouldn't someone have actually been charged with a crime, before they can be pardoned? Ford gave Nixon a sort of “prophylactic” pardon to cover crimes he might have committed; is that actually legal?

As a resident alien who could't vote, I'm speaking colloquially when I say: good work, fellow citizens.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:47 AM by Rob Rusick

Serge #79: I think Clark would be a great candidate. Of course, I thought John 'reporting for duty' Kerry would be in 2004.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:48 AM by Fragano Ledgister

Susan #72:

As Clough put it 157 years ago:

SAY not the struggle nought availeth,
The labour and the wounds are vain,
The enemy faints not, nor faileth,
And as things have been, things remain;

If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars;
It may be, in yon smoke concealed,
Your comrades chase e�en now the fliers,
And, but for you, possess the field.

For while the tired waves vainly breaking
Seem here no painful inch to gain,
Far back, through creeks and inlets making,
Comes silent, flooding in, the main.

And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light,
In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly,
But westward, look, the land is bright.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:51 AM by Fragano Ledgister

Fragano... I know what you mean. Yes, Kerry has learned from the Swift Boat Liars for Truth that there is nothing the other side won't resort to. Still, he screwed up that joke of his not long ago.

As for the other side... I am agreeing more and more with James Carville's comment that if you see you opponent drowning, you should throw him an anvil.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:57 AM by Serge

Doh. Now I have to follow Clough's versifying. Oh well. I'll get on the phone and try to cast Jacobi or a knightly Ian.

All the infections that the sun sucks up
From bogs, fens, flats on Dubya fall
And make him by inchmeal a disease.
His spooks may hear me, but I needs must curse.
And they may come, fright me with surveillance,
Ship me to Guantanamo, wherein
They'll leave me, bound and gagged and in the dark,
Out of all ways. Oh, for just this trifle
They may set upon me. But what's the news?
Now Wash-, Wash-, Washington
Has a new House? The monopoly's done?
High day? Freedom?

PS - I'm in favor of impeachment. Must the histories record that this country considered oral sex an impeachable offense, but not war-profiteering, torture, and so on ad nauseum?

Posted November 8, 2006 11:03 AM by Will A

I'm starting to be cautiously optimistic about Tester and Webb. Very cautiously.

Posted November 8, 2006 11:03 AM by beth meacham

#67, ajay:Why, you... you editor.

Thank you, what a terrific compliment! (Work has gone insane, so a word of encouragement is always welcome.)

As for Lieberman, I suspect he now thinks he has the "Joe-mentum" to carve out a sweet deal for himself. I'm not sure he's wrong. I'm still hoping that VA and MT go Democratic. Then it matters less what he does.

Posted November 8, 2006 11:04 AM by JC

Chryss at #75:
Me: "They were serving Thin Mints. Thin Mints! My G-d, have you ever had a SNACK at a polling place before? It shows that people are reaching out to others, and trying to form new communities, and..."

Husband: "...and somebody's kid pressured them into way too many Girl Scout cookies..."

You're right, Chryss. Thin Mints sell out fast, and in the unlikely event that someone had leftovers they'd be stale. Decent Thin Mints in November argues significant planning (not to say hoarding) by someone. They're reaching out, all right. If they'd had plates of Tagalongs I'd be less impressed.

Posted November 8, 2006 11:08 AM by Madeleine Robins

I want the Bush Administrations crimes & incompetence thoroughly brought to light, investigated, documented, and I want the Republicans to impeach him and convict him.

And I want a pony. A Shetland pony.

Posted November 8, 2006 11:10 AM by Nancy C

Two more beautiful words: Senator McCaskill.

Posted November 8, 2006 11:11 AM by Elizabeth Vom Marlowe

One caution I have about the upcoming two years is this: the hard work that has to be done is not going to be pleasant. I wonder if the Dems have what it takes not only to make the restoration of the Bill of Rights stick, but to make it popular. I think they do, and I certainly HOPE they do.

Step 1: Repudiate Rahm Emmanuel and prepare better candidates for 2008. Too many races were won with the voters holding their noses and voting for the lesser of two evils.

Step 2: Thank Howard Dean and the grassroots. Without the fights they prepared for and made happen in all 50 states, it would have been Karl Rove, Genius time again (bleah!).

I also wonder just how many additional Secret Service bodyguards Dubya and Cheney are going to lay on as of the new Congress? :-)

Posted November 8, 2006 11:16 AM by Bruce Adelsohn

Anyone else hear the sound of paper shredders on overdrive?

Posted November 8, 2006 11:27 AM by Sean Bosker

"The history invariably looks on impeachment as a tactic for political gain."

That's because it has invariably been used as a tactic for political gain. Impeaching Bush, if any of the things suspected get well documented, would be pretty much justice.

What presidents in the past should have been impeached but weren't? I can think of Harding.

Posted November 8, 2006 11:28 AM by bryan

by the way, why is view all by fucked up? it's been down for a week or so now.

Posted November 8, 2006 11:29 AM by bryan

President Bush ought to be very happy today.

The American People did what he has been urging for years: we went after the evildoers and removed them from power.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:02 PM by Missy K.

Madeleine Robins:
Depends on where Chryss is - Girl Scout Cookies are a year-round operation. Different councils have cookie drives at different times of the year. Thin mints keep great for months in the freezer.
bryan:
View all by has been AFU for a long time since a server change by the ISP. It is missed by many, but I suspect that the powers-that-be™ don't have the time/energy to fix it right now.

Back on topic, my Mom woke up to a pretty good birthday present today on the news, even though she lives in Maine. She is a bit confused why I'm not happy about Lieberman, however.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:02 PM by John Houghton

First thing I did this morning was check CNN's state boards for the Washington 8; too close to call, Darcy Burner-D with a small lead.

The second thing I did was check Richard Pombo's race. He's loosing pretty convincingly. I hate him with a fierce conviction, because he's guilty of the sin of convincing the farmers in his district that things will never change, no matter how much the conditions they depend on do change, no matter how much evidence piles up that the old civil engineering fixes they depend on are damaging every aspect of the environment.

What he's been able to do in his own district is as important as the evil influence he's had on nation-wide issues like the Endangered Species Act, because it is held up as evidence that nobody has to change their farming practices to reduce water use, impact on fish and wildlife, fuel use, and so in ad infinitum.

Pombo's influence in the political wings of the ag community can't be understated; before it became apparent that his seat was in contention he made multiple trips to Washington to support Initiative 933 (which lost, making me even more happy than the R's losing the house) which would have demanded government payment for the effects of land use regulation and environmental protection law. He's been the Farm Bureau's go-to guy for the entirety of his term in congress, and anything which reduces his influence looks good.

What worries me, though, going over the district-by-district returns, is how large a margin of victory most incumbents had, regardless of party, at least in Washington (Jim McDermott is pushing 80%) California, and Texas. It speaks to me of greater polarization, and more difficulty in making substantial changes.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:02 PM by JESR

To 'heckuva job' you can now add 'THE math' as a phrase to embarrass Rethuglicans. "Is that THE math again, Karl? And what exactly do you have to smoke to get THE math?"

Posted November 8, 2006 12:09 PM by Xopher

Debra Bowen soundly beat Bruce McPherson for California Secretary of State. I'd like to promote that particular victory as one of those that Democrats and other progressives ought to be celebrating nationwide. As a result of that election, the rest of the United States should feel reassured that California's 54 electoral votes will not be decided two years from now by paperless vote-fraud systems made by Republicans.

Now watch the recount fiasco unfold in Virginia, where such machines were used extensively, and imagine what could have been coming two years from now if McPherson had won.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:19 PM by j h woodyatt

Serge #95: One should always throw the anvil courteously. In politics, as Gore Vidal once observed, there is such a thing as killing a man too dead.

That said, 2004 was Kerry's to lose, and he did. Whoever the Dems have up in 2008 will be, I hope, a more effective battler. That might be Clark.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:22 PM by Fragano Ledgister

Will A #96: Not at all bad. I'm sure the shade of Mike Ford is applauding.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:24 PM by Fragano Ledgister

John, #108:

I live in Maryland. I have no idea when Girl Scout cookie drives are anymore, as I have no access to small girl-children, and as I shouldn't be eating those damn cookies. Thin Mints keep well in the freezer? People are able to put them in the freezer and not devour them on sight? Wow. Just...WOW.

In other news, I used to live in Maine m'self. Senator Snowe isn't bad, but she still voted for torture and I'm very disappointed in her for that. Where's your Mom at? I used to live in Ellsworth, where I developed an absolute hatred for Moxie soda.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:32 PM by Chryss

OK, Fragano... Note to self: throw the anvil courteously.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:39 PM by Serge

JESR at 108 (happy about Initiative 933 going down):

Then I hope you also got to see that California's Prop 90 appears to have lost (52% No, 94% of precincts counted as I post). It was a sneaky "Eminent Domain" initiative that would have done the same thing - made government pay landowners for the impact of zoning laws. Its predecessor in Oregon has reportedly been a disaster. I was pleasantly surprised to see that, in California, voters seem to have seen through the hype and voted down a bad idea.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:51 PM by K

Not sure if this is the most appropriate thread or not, but NBC News is saying that Secretary Rumsfeld is stepping down.

Posted November 8, 2006 12:56 PM by Laina

Two equally beautiful words:
Rumsfeld resigns

(and thanks so much to him for waiting until after the election - we should be grateful to him for that and nothing else.)

Posted November 8, 2006 1:02 PM by Clifton Royston

Patrick: Even given that it's Vermont and so it's all local politics, to me it seems a big change that people aren't scared to death by the very word socialist. (And that matches up with your other thread - don't believe the Democrats won by moving right.)

Posted November 8, 2006 1:09 PM by Clifton Royston

And Bush is replacing him with Bob Gates, former head of the CIA (and not Lieberman, thank God and all his angels).

Posted November 8, 2006 1:09 PM by Annie G.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061108/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/rumsfeld_resigns

how about: "Rumsfeld Resigns"

Posted November 8, 2006 1:12 PM by Greg London

Serge, love the sentiment -- but two small quibbles:

It's "a bright golden haze -on- the meadow" and
"the corn is as high as an elephant's -eye-..."

Otherwise, "oh what a beautiful day!"

I'm all in favor of the House using subpoena power to bring all of this Administration's malfeasances to light. Dig up enough bodies, and the voters will demand impeachment. BUT -- that demand MUST come from the people, ~not~ the House.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:16 PM by Lori Coulson

I stand corrected, Lori. Meanwhile, it is my understanding that, when the Rumsfeld resignation came up, the BBC interrupted its broadcast of "Three Blind Mice" to give the news.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:23 PM by Serge

As mentioned in another thread, I made some chocolate layers cakes for election day. They were going to be "voter cakes."

Since I was home yesterday, they were to became Election, the Day After cakes. I was planning to put them out at noon.

They've just became Rumsfeld's Out cakes. Not advertised as such, but with every bite, people will be celebrating.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:27 PM by Stefan Jones

CNN called Montana for the Democrats. Only Virginia left.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:29 PM by Margaret Organ-Kean

K @ #115, CNN's website has been very, uh, selective about their coverage of ballot measures, and land-use issues aren't well covered; if I-90 was there, I didn't even go looking for it after the dry hole on I-933.

Having Oregon's bad example before (between?) us made it easier for the opponents, I expect, as the bad effects are right there to point at. There's something especially convincing about phrases like "proposed open pit mine and land fill on the border of a National Volcanic Monument."

And, in general, "Donald Rumsfeld resigns" is a euphonious phrase; the shrub is markedly whiney in his news conference, and I am a bad person, I suppose, but I hope Karl Rove cried.

Posted November 8, 2006 1:34 PM by JESR

Bush: "Turd Blossom, you're doing a heckuva job."

TB: "But I had THE math!"

Posted November 8, 2006 1:42 PM by Xopher

j h woodyatt at #110: Don't blame the machines or the supervisor of elections for the Virginia situation. It's an absurdity of how Virignia election law is written than a recount can't even be requested until the vote is certified, and that can't happen until late November.

On the positive side, Virginia had a recount last year for state attorney general using pretty much the same electronic voting equipment. The vote total only changed by 37 votes. With Webb showing a lead of several thousand votes now, I'm really confident that he has won this election.

Posted November 8, 2006 2:10 PM by Tom S.

... Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth and household words,
Webb and Pelosi, Dean and Hillary,
Lamont and Susan in Connecticut,
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red...
And folks across the land who stayed in bed,
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Election Day.

Posted November 8, 2006 2:25 PM by Lisa Goldstein

Lisa @ #128:
Stop. Please. This is over the top embarrassing and unfair to the many, many, many volunteers who did much more than I did for Lamont and the people who worked on all the many campaigns all across the country and all the wonderful candidates, winners and losers both, who got up there to run for office. Please rewrite that to remove my name; it does not belong and it offends me to see it there. If you need a suitably scanning CT name, Murphy is our other hero in CT for taking out Nancy Johnson in what's being called the nastiest race in CT history.

Posted November 8, 2006 2:41 PM by Susan

Susan -- sorry, didn't mean to offend. I was just trying to think of people who volunteered and worked hard, and your name was the first I thought of. Please substitute anyone you like.

Posted November 8, 2006 3:36 PM by Lisa Goldstein

Besides, Susan, you listened to your conscience, and did what it told you. That's pretty heroic right in itself, sometimes.

Posted November 8, 2006 4:03 PM by joann

Susan--you and your fellows did good work with Lamont. I was proud to see him on the ballot, and prouder to see him win the primary. You put up a grand fight against a great machine, and you scared Lieberman good. You'll get 'em next time, I'm sure of it, and the rest of the country, we were still impressed by the victories you had.

Tom S.: You're right--I think the man will go with whoever offers him more, and if the Democrats take majority power, he'll probably turn his coat right back, for a while, anyhow.

And Connie, right? Good call on Pelennor Fields. I wonder who our eleventh-hour-Eowyn is?

Posted November 8, 2006 4:05 PM by little light

Chryss,
Mom's in a retirement community in Falmouth now, she lived in Bryant Pond for several years before that. I've helped maintain a cabin on the bayside shore in Trenton for many years.
My traditional thin mint order was in case lots, and the trick is to bury them in the freezer and sorta forget that they are there. This trick works better with Trader Joe's Pumpkin Cheesecake (cut into servings), which needs to thaw for quite a while before being able to yield to a fork.

We now return to political happydance now in progress on this station.

Posted November 8, 2006 4:33 PM by John Houghton

John, is Trader Joe's Pumpkin Cheesecake better than the Olive Garden cheesecake and is it sold only in fall?

Posted November 8, 2006 5:04 PM by Marilee

Bruce Adelsohn: I also wonder just how many additional Secret Service bodyguards Dubya and Cheney are going to lay on as of the new Congress? :-)

Cynic that I am, I was wondering how much money we should all pony up to hire protection for the newly elected Dems until January.

Posted November 8, 2006 5:07 PM by Aconite

I keep going out to the stables to look at the pony. Sometimes I pat it.

Posted November 8, 2006 5:08 PM by joann

little light @132: The Big Scary with Lieberman is that in the situation where he flips, it's because he determines the majority. If Webb comes out on top in VA, that only gives the Dems 51 - and in a 50-50 Senate, Cheney casts the deciding vote for Majority Leader, and thus the GOP gets all the committee majorities, chairmanships, and so on. So if it's 51-50, you'd better believe the GOP is going to be sniffing around looking for a turncoat - because at 50-50 Lieberman is unnecessary to them, and at anything over 51 for the Dems (which is impossible anyway), he's useless.

Posted November 8, 2006 5:33 PM by Mags

The rats are now kicking rats off the ship.

Posted November 8, 2006 5:42 PM by Fragano Ledgister

Four more beautiful words:

Senate Majority Leader Reid.

Posted November 8, 2006 9:36 PM by Glenn Hauman

I'm sorry that we didn't manage to kick out the Wicked Witch of Cincinnati outright, but when I last looked at the SoS's website, Vic Wulsin was running only about 1.3% lower than Mean Jean Schmidt. Worth making sure the absentee ballots and as many as possible of the provisional ballots get counted before conceding; possibly worth demanding a recount. My county went heavily for Vic; even more so for Ted of course. Charlie Wilson, who will represent the other half of the county, won his district handily.

Posted November 8, 2006 10:06 PM by Anne Sheller

Marilee,
I have no comparison, having not eaten at Olive Garden in recent memory. The pumpkin cheesecake is definitely seasonal, however. Not too sweet, not too pumpkiny. Nothing blatant.

Posted November 8, 2006 11:03 PM by John Houghton

Marilee & John - I recently had a piece of pumpkin cheesecake from Costco that was pretty darned good. (Purchased in East Hanover, NJ - Costco baked goods are pretty regional so it might not exist in your market, or be totally different. Man, I wish their East Coast Rugalach were available on the West Coast!)

Posted November 9, 2006 12:00 AM by Larry Brennan

Ys, spkng f sbpn pwr, RL, ndpndnt nvstgtn nt 9/11 nds t nw b lnchd.

n thng tht strck m s dd n th dys ftr 9/11 ws Bsh syng "W wll nt tlrt cnsprcy thrs [rgrdng 9/11]". Sr ngh thr hv bn sm wcky cnsprcy thrs srrndng th vnts f tht dy. Th mst fr-ftchd nd ptntly rdcls n tht 'v vr hrd gs lk ths: Nntn hjckrs wh clmd t b dvt Mslms bt yt wr s n-Mslm s t b gttng drnk ll th tm, dng ccn nd frqntng strp clbs dcdd t hjck fr rlnrs nd fly thm nt bldngs n th nrthstrn .S., th r f th cntry tht s th mst thck wth fghtr bss. ftr lvng Krn n brstl t strp br ftr gttng shtfcd drnk n th nght bfr, thn wrtng scd nt/nsprtnl lttr tht sndd lk t ws wrttn by smn wth nxt t n knwldg f slm, thy wnt t bd nd gt p th nxt mrnng hng vr nd crrd t thr dvs pln. Nvrmnd th fct tht f th fr "plts" mng thm thr ws nt n tht cld hndl Cssn r Ppr Cb lt ln fly jmb jt, nd th n ssgnd th mst dffclt tsk f ll, Hn Hnjr, ws s lghbly ncmptnt tht h ws th wrst fk "plt" f th bnch. Nvrmnd th fct tht thy rcvd vry rdmntry flght trnng t Pnscl Nvl r Sttn, mkng thm mr lkly t hv bn C... ssts thn slmc fndmntlst trrrsts. S n t th rprts. Ths "hjckrs" smhw mngd t brd ll fr rlnrs wth thr tckts, yt nt vn N gt hs nm n ny f th flght mnfsts. S thy hjck ll fr rlnrs nd t ths tm pssngrs n ntd 93 strt mkng bnch f cll phn clls frm 35,000 ft n th r t tll ppl wht ws gng n. Nvrmnd th fct tht cll phns wldn't wrk vry wll bv 4,000 ft, nd wldn't wrk t LL bv 8,000 ft. Bt th cnsprcy thrsts wn't lt tht fct gt n th wy f gd fntsy. Tht s n f th lttl thngs y "rn't sppsd t thnk bt". Nvrmnd tht n f th cllrs clld hs mm nd sd hs frst nd lst nm, mr lk h ws rdng frm lst thn cllng hs wn mm. nywy, whn ths rlnrs ch dvtd frm thr flght pln nd ddn't rspnd t grnd cntrl, NRD wld ny thr tm hv fllwd stndrd prtng prcdr (nd dd NT hv t b tld by F... tht thr wr hjckngs bcs thy wr wtchng th sm vnts nfld n thr wn rdr) whch mns fghtr jts wld b scrmbld frm th nrst bs whr thy wr vlbl n stndby wthn fw mnts, jst lk vry thr tm whn rlnrs stry ff crs. Bt f crs n 9/11 ths ddn't hppn, nt vn cls. Smhw ths "hjckrs" mst hv sd mgcl pwrs t cs NRD t stnd dwn, s rdcls s ths snds bcs ttl nctn frm th mst hgh-tch nd prfssnl r Frc n th wrld wld b ncssry t crry t thr tsks. S n th mst mprtnt dy n ts hstr