Any Predictions For November's Elections?

[MagicNakor]

$3.23 billion dollars spent on election campaigning. How is that not wasteful spending? What does the constant (literally!) media bombardment contribute? How (Does) anything get accomplished, the rule of good government? There are far better uses for that amount of money.

Last year, there seemed to be a push for an overhaul of the campaign rules. Did that spirit fall by the wayside?

[clocker]

Well, if by "fell by the wayside" you mean "the Republicans presented a united front and filibustered campaign reform to death", then yes, that spirit is dead.
Ironically, the party that brays the loudest about wasteful government spending seems willing to spend unlimited amounts to become government employees.

[j2k4]

$3.23 billion dollars spent on election campaigning. How is that not wasteful spending? What does the constant (literally!) media bombardment contribute? How (Does) anything get accomplished, the rule of good government? There are far better uses for that amount of money.

Last year, there seemed to be a push for an overhaul of the campaign rules. Did that spirit fall by the wayside?

Pshaw.

The issue of "campaign finance" reform was dealt with most comprehensively by that sterling example of bipartisan bullshit known as the McCain-Feingold Act, several plus several years ago.

It is a settled matter thus.

Ask anyone.

[clocker]

If he asks me, he'll get a different answer.
Campaign finance reform is the skid mark on America's dirty laundry, Republicans absolutely hate the idea of complicating the trip to the trough promised them by their corporate overlords.


Here are my predictions for the upcoming two years:
-Having run on a promise of fiscal restraint, budget cutting and deficit reduction, Republicans will unleash a slash and burn war on cultural issues, leaving the Federal deficit higher than before.
-There will be no meaningful legislation passed through the House
-There will be a concerted effort from the right to make sure that the economy does NOT improve because that would hurt their chances in 2012.
-The rich will get richer aided and abetted by Republican tax breaks and subsidies- none of this new "wealth" will filter into the economy but Lamborghini sales will increase.
-Corporate spending on lobbying will skyrocket as all the little Tea Party noobies discover that K Street steak tastes better than the grits at home.
-No matter what happens, it will be Obama's fault.

[devilsadvocate]

I heard quite a lot of noise from tea party campaigns suggesting their opponents were trying to steal elections. So imagine my surprise when I read about the ballot challenges from Joe Miller's poll watchers. They challenged one ballot because Lisa was written with the "L" in cursive handwriting.

Some other examples

Apparently the rules for write in vote are a little silly in Alaska.

[clocker]

The Murkowski/Miller show will drag on, fueled by SarahPAC money, because Palin will refuse to accept that her hand-picked boy, in her own private fiefdom, could possibly lose to a write in candidate.
He'll lose eventually, Sarah will be distracted by the newest shiny thing and it'll all be over.

[devilsadvocate]

The Murkowski/Miller show will drag on, fueled by SarahPAC money, because Palin will refuse to accept that her hand-picked boy, in her own private fiefdom, could possibly lose to a write in candidate.
He'll lose eventually, Sarah will be distracted by the newest shiny thing and it'll all be over.

Not sure about the suggested role you think Palin plays, but it does look right now that you're pretty spot on about the rest. Miller doesn't seem to be letting it go.

Tomorrow is another day so who knows.

[clocker]

I now think I was being too generous with my predictions.
Facing all the crisis in America today, the FIRST thing Republicans decided to act upon was trying to defund NPR.

Yes, millions of unemployed are of less interest than National Public Radio.
But only slightly...Republicans are also blocking any attempts to extend benefits for the very people who misguidedly voted them into office.
Also on the agenda, try to dismantle ethics oversight and any attempts at campaign funding transparency legislation.
Don't forget the unified Republican opposition to the Paycheck Fairness Act.

I hope we are all familiar with The Position and brought our own lube because the Rethugs certainly won't be providing any (socialized medicine, doncha know!).

[clocker]

The Murkowski/Miller show will drag on, fueled by SarahPAC money, because Palin will refuse to accept that her hand-picked boy, in her own private fiefdom, could possibly lose to a write in candidate.
He'll lose eventually, Sarah will be distracted by the newest shiny thing and it'll all be over.

Not sure about the suggested role you think Palin plays, but it does look right now that you're pretty spot on about the rest. Miller doesn't seem to be letting it go.

Tomorrow is another day so who knows.

Well, six weeks and three court rulings later, Miller finally concedes.
Miller still thinks he has the law on his side but is bowing to "practical concerns"...meaning he doesn't think he can be any douchier than he already has been.
Sarah has indeed moved on, apparently the government takeover of dessert requires her personal attention.

Next week all the new little Tealings get sworn in and the collective IQ of the House and Senate drops even lower.
Should be a fun new year.

[devilsadvocate]

[
Well, six weeks and three court rulings later, Miller finally concedes.
Miller still thinks he has the law on his side but is bowing to "practical concerns"...meaning he doesn't think he can be any douchier than he already has been.

I would have tended to agree that Miller made a valid point about if you are going to have rules you should stick to them if the rules he was trying to enforce very literally weren't so incredibly silly. I bet he is the most annoying trivial pursuit player ever. All answers must have correct pronunciation, accents are forbidden.

Even if every vote he contested was discounted he still lost.

Just think, if Scott McAdams had won There would be another 6 months of court battles and threats from GOP senators if he was seated.