11-19-08 Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!!

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Last article I saw said Franken is down by 206 votes but hundreds of provisional ballots were thrown out because of nonsense like the election clerk didn't seal an envelope.

The failure of a clerk should not invalidate the will and the voting right of a citizen.

Yet if the clerk does not seal the envelope, the opportunity to modify the ballot exists.
Who is to say that the ballot in an opened envelop is the correct selection by the voter.

Opportunity to modify the ballot by who? The election officials?

If election officials can't be trusted then they should be taken out of the loop.

 

[Brainonska511]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
Last article I saw said Franken is down by 206 votes but hundreds of provisional ballots were thrown out because of nonsense like the election clerk didn't seal an envelope.

The failure of a clerk should not invalidate the will and the voting right of a citizen.

Yet if the clerk does not seal the envelope, the opportunity to modify the ballot exists.
Who is to say that the ballot in an opened envelop is the correct selection by the voter.

Opportunity to modify the ballot by who? The election officials?

If election officials can't be trusted then they should be taken out of the loop.

I would say election officials would be the primary source of fraud. Like during recounts, where they just happen to find boxes of ballots that put the close loser ahead of the winner of the first count (or closer, and then a 2nd recount, another box is found.....)

 

[Lemon law]

In terms of profiles in courage, it looks like both parties wimp out in the Senate.

With the possible final count coming from Alaska in just a few hours, with tomorrows final certification a formality, its hard to conceive that Begish will not win.
But in the Senate, the vote on booting Steven's from the GOP caucus is put off pending that vote.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/mcclat...pnGcJ0wC933GpFxB0WP5Z4

On the democratic side, the dimocrats have also wimped out, Lieberman will retain his chairmanship of home land security, and at best get a slap on the wrist. As both Obama and McCain go to bat for Lieberman.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/200...u1fxF0O8LTWNzw9leMwfIE

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: Lemon law
On the democratic side, the dimocrats have also wimped out, Lieberman will retain his chairmanship of home land security, and at best get a slap on the wrist. As both Obama and McCain go to bat for Lieberman.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/200...u1fxF0O8LTWNzw9leMwfIE

I don't think they 'wimped out'. This is a good example of Obama's pragmatism and agenda.

He wants to get things done for America and while he lacks a 60 vote Sentate majority, he knows every vote counts, and he did what will help his agenda get passed.

He put aside the animosity, as he was the one who has the right to have a grudge, and 'put the country first' to keep Lieberman in the democratic caucus.

The Senate democrats following his request to do so is hardly wimping out, it makes sense to support the new president this way for the Democrats to successfully govern.

 

[Lemon law]

I will admit that Craig234 is correct on the grudge part, but there may be more than meets the eye going on. As it is, Lieberman can't get to the position of having the swing vote unless the dems pull off a trifecta,
and win all three outstanding Senate races in Alaska, Georgia, and Minnesota. And even then, the dems must put safe democrats in place with the resigned Obama and Biden seats. And who knows how many other Senators may resign to fill places in an Obama administration.

The Obama master plan may be to get Lieberman some other position in the administration, something like ambassador to Israel. After all, past 2012, Lieberaman has no political future.

 

[EagleKeeper]

I would expect that any Blue Senators that go into the administration will not affect the replacement, unless the Govenor is Red.

The status of the three states in question will also have a bearing; if any do not go Blue, then the super majority is a mute point and Obama has no concerns with pulling Blue senators in.

 

[Craig234]

Originally posted by: Common Courtesy
I would expect that any Blue Senators that go into the administration will not affect the replacement, unless the Govenor is Red.

The status of the three states in question will also have a bearing; if any do not go Blue, then the super majority is a mute point and Obama has no concerns with pulling Blue senators in.

It's not so black and white about the 60 votes. Every vote counts.

Regardless of the 60, not all the democrats will always vote the same way, and he'll want to pull over some Republicans. The fewer he has to, the easier.

Hopefully, the Republicans for whatever reason will learn that their obstruvtionism isn't the best thing, especially when the president has a mandate like Obama, biggest in decades.

(I'm referring to the mandate, not the numerical vote.)

 

[Lemon law]

Damn and double damn, still no announcement from Alaska on Tuesday final recount results. The last of the outstanding vote count was supposed to be in today, if anything, its likely the Begish lead will increase, quite possibly over that .5% margin, with the Wednesday announcement is a mere formality.

If the final Wednesday tally is plus over 1500 for Begish, it would put Stevens between a rock and a hard place. Simply since he has no grounds that I can see to dispute the results. A basic the people have spoken and they gave you a thumbs down, once the margin exceeds .5%, I believe Stevens would have to pay for any likely futile recount, so why not step up to the plate and make a formal concession speech?

At least he becomes no longer a threat or a danger, so everyone can give him a hug, and a good bye kiss.

Very probably better than pulling the stubborn old man trick, and then everyone will have to brutally kick him out.

 

[Lemon law]

Woot Woot, looks like the final Alaska results are in.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/200...KIKvtUXSNJ10wB9kKs0NUE

Bottom line, Begish lead increases to 2374 with almost nothing to recount, and some 874 votes beyond enough to trigger any freebie recount. And I assume likely close to what Alaska will certify tomorrow.

Now the coming acid test, will Steven's man up and make a public concession? Or will the various powers that be, be forced to keep kicking a dead Steven's horse, while others keeping beating Stevens fingernail to a bloody pulp with hammers, to force Stevens to let go of something that clearly no longer belongs to him.

The hard way or the easy way, that is the question? Same end outcome either way, but delusional may kite the probability the judge will tell Stevens to bring his toothbrush to the 2/2009 sentencing.

 

[dmcowen674]

Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!! Stevens concedes!!!