It's @#$! MORNING IN AMERICA!

[Plaid Adder]

Yeah, you know what, our problems were not solved overnight--but this feel DAAAAAAAAAAAMN GOOD.

How is this awesome? Let me count the ways.

Most obviously, of course, the Republicans no longer control all three branches of government. This means that as of this morning, we are no longer on the fast track to permanent one-party rule. This makes me very, very, very happy.

Slightly less obviously: The electoral process is, as we know from the stories posted on the front page yesterday, not as robust as it might be. But it can still register a MASSIVE FUCKING GROUNDSWELL of opposition to Bush and his policies, and that's what accounts for Speaker Nancy Pelosi. I hope all the assholes who were using her as a bugaboo to scare voters in Congressional races are cowering under the tables now. Wouldn't that be a great poetic punishment? If, on the day after you lose an election, the fates suddenly compelled you to believe all the bullshit you spewed about your opponents during your negative campaign? Imagine hordes of political consultants suddenly buying tickets on the Space Shuttle because they're afraid to stay here now that SPEAKER PELOSI WILL SLIT YOU OPEN AND EAT YOUR ENTRAILS FOR BREAKFAST RIGHT AFTER SHE'S HAD HER MORNING BATH IN THE BLOOD OF INNOCENT CHILDREN!

But I digress. My point was: it is still possible for the balance of power to be changed through the electoral process. And this also makes me very, very, very happy. Cause I sure was worried that it never would be.

Another way in which this is awesome: The Republicans didn't just lose. They lied, cheated, stole, and THEN lost. They ran dirty, nasty, dishonest campaigns supported by voter suppression, intimidation, and voter fraud--and they STILL LOST.

And you know what that means: Karl Rove's reputation is in the shitter. Because when you can't even win dirty any more, nobody's got ANY fucking use for THAT guy.

And that is indeed awesome. Finally, I am right about this. Rove has run through his playbook. Reality has gotten SO bad under his boy king's leadership that they can no longer manipulate perception. A majority of the people across the country are on to the fact that his shit stinks. Goodbye, Karl. I will dance on your political grave.

Also awesome: Rick "Man On Dog" Santorum will be spending more time with his family. And his pets.

Even more awesome: Ohio has a Democratic governor.

This may not look like much now. But it will be BIG in 2008. Because by then, they'll have had two years to expose the corruption in the Ohio Republican political machine, and maybe--maybe--there will actually be an honest election in Ohio that year.

We don't know yet what's happening with the Senate. I will hope for Montana and Virginia. Lieberman's return in CT is a serious blot on the landscape of our victory, and it makes me very angry, but you know what, I'm not going to let that spoil it for me. We have the house. We could get the Senate. And to George W. Bush, let me say: I hope to God that now that you are finally feeling the pain, you realize what a disaster you have been.

I feel good. I want to listen to the news again. It all feels very strange.

I want to thank everyone who made all--or any--of this happen. Specifically:

* Thank Skinner, EarlG, and Elad for creating DU. Not only has it given us all a home during the years of our exile, but it has become a player in this contest, and has given material support to this process all the way through. I love you guys.

* Thank the netroots, the bloggers, and everyone who worked a non-robo-calling phone bank or canvassed a neighborhood or drove voters to the polls. You all get the Plaidder Medal of Freedom. And I don't give out medals of freedom to every Tenet, Bremer, and Brown.

* Thank all the DUers who were not here to see this, including Khephra, nostamj, Andy, and the others I never knew. You were part of it.

* Thank HOWARD DEAN, who was clearly the shot in the arm (and kick in the ass) that the Democratic party desperately needed. I hope more people will listen to him now.

* Thank Tammy Duckworth and all the other new Democratic candidates who did not win, but who ran competitive campaigns and therefore siphoned Republican money, time, and effort away from other races that we DID win.

* And finally, I can finally say it: I LOVE YOU, PRINCESS SWINGVOTER!

w00t!

The Plaid Adder

[C_U_L8R]

1. hey are we still "underground" :-)

Thank you DU !!!!!!!!

[stellanoir]

2. phew

and AMEN

and thanks for all your tireless and heartfelt contributions.

K&R'd

[Plaid Adder]

3. I really didn't do much this time around

except for vote. I got so burned out after 2004. This is why I am so grateful to everyone who could still believe in the process long enough to get us back the House.

We have the House. I love that.

The Plaid Adder

[stellanoir]

4. welp

I remember several postings since then and I empathize totally about being burned out after '04. I was almost paralyzed for three months before I remembered my spiritual roots.

Still, I feel we all pass the torch around and you never know when a spark you shared previously inspires and emboldens someone else to take redemptive action later.

"Energy cannot be created or destroyed." :)

Regaining the house is truly a marvel especially after the hideous smear campaign was launched against Pelosi and so many others.

Now I'm just praying for VA & MT. Yikes

[Dr. Death]

5. Great post, recommended

I loved the bit about Santorum. My first thought when he lost was, "well, now he can spend more time with his dog." But, really, I wouldn't wish that on any poor dog.

[smoogatz]

6. Hear, hear!

An early morning champagne toast to you, PA--love your stuff!

[Atman]

7. The morning after!

.

[SmokingJacket]

8. It's taking a while to sink in -- so many years of disappointment...

I've forgotten how to feel positive!!

Thanks to this post, I'm beginning to remember... :toast: :hug: :grouphug:

So many people worked *so damn hard* to make this happen.

[FraDon]

9. Magnanimous in victory

Clear analysis; beautiful thank you list.
Thanks Plaid Adder.

We're off to a great start. It's a hopeful morning for
America. Our nation, and our friends around the world,
desperately await not only new leadership, but new MODELS
of leadership, and new initiatives which move us all
'toward the light'. We must preserve, protect and defend
our common wealth.

We here in Vermont have just decided to send to Congress
an entire delegation (OK, we're tiny, so it's only 3)
of fiery peacemongers. Bernie Sanders & Peter Welch join
Pat Leahy; Congress may never be the same

As we begin anew, let's try to be magnanimous and humble
in these moments of victory. Let us try to teach by our
example what it means to be a 'class act'.

[Bawston1]

10. Different Morning

My first morning waking up with a smile on my face in six years. I guess I don't need to pop the Zoloft anymore!

[Morgana LaFey]

11. A terrific righteous positive rant

well said

[elehhhhna]

12. D'ya get the feeling we saved the world yesterday?

[Beetwasher]

13. We Certainly Moved In the Correct Direction! (And Don't Forget to Thank AL GORE!!!)

Just think where we'd be if he didn't invent the internets.

Seriously though, if it were for the internets enabling our grass roots and keeping us all sane and informed over the past six years, I really think we would not be here today.

[Dora]

14. Amen and amen.

Good morning to us all!

[Plaid Adder]

15. and it's GOOD AFTERNOON in America, too!

Did I read that right? Tester has clinched Montana and it's all over bar the whining in Virginia?

EVERYBODY DANCE NOW!

:busts a move:

The Plaid Adder

[Patsy Stone]

16. Don't forget to say buh-bye to Rummy.

[Plaid Adder]

17. That is the fucking ICING on the cake.

Actually, it is really the whole cake. It is great news for our troops in the field, if nothign else. I don't know what Gates will be like, but he couldn't possibly be worse.

AND, that doomsday scenario whereby Lieberman gets appointed Sec'y of Defense and they appoint a Republican to fill his seat does not look like it will happen. woo.

The Plaid Adder