Chrisitne O'donnell wins Delaware

[Pliny]

The favoured Republican candidate in Delaware for the Senate was long term incumbent Mike Castle but a shock ran through the Republican establishment when Tea Party favourite Christine O'Donnell won the day.

I must admit I was a little stunned myself but I hope it sends a message to incumbent moderate Republicans to shun their "progressive" ways. Mike Castle voted with Democrats on cap and tax and a few other Democratic initiatives that marked him as a moderate Republican.

I think the message is clear that most of the US wants a different direction than either the Dems or GOP have become known to offer in the past.

Is this the hope and change that Barack Obama promised during his campaign? As long as he keeps his ideological blinders on and forges ahead the greater the division between the Democrats and we, the people and the less significant the Republican establishment.

Will the split hurt the right's chances of taking over Congress and the Senate in November? Quite frankly, I for one love the dynamics and the real choice of a diametrically opposed party to the Democrats and not a Democrat wannabe party that does the same thing as the Democrats, sells their soul to buy votes, in order to get elected and abandoning principle. The Democrats can move to where it really wants to be; catering to the far left socialists and their big government concepts while the Republicans can return to it's principle's of limited government.

While the Obama administration moves the Democrats to the land of the politically correct far lib-left nirvana, and attempts to take the country with it, it is a good time for Republicans to clear out the progressive rot and clean house.

What do I see the effects of that being? A very rocky return to the fundamental concepts of a hamstrung federal government. The powers that be won't let go of the reins too easily though and will create as much furor in the wresting and decentralizing of it's powers as possible. If "we, the people" can ignore the weeping and gnashing of teeth and get on with meeting the challenges of the modern world then I think the effects will reverberate around the globe. I don't expect it to be smooth sailing so hang on for some stormy seas.

There are only two directions to go. One is to continue to live with the good-intentioned, overreaching, and big spending, heavily regulated economy of the paternal Obama administration, further exposing itself as a festering socialist blight on the nation with increasing failures to accomplish anything like a functioning economy. And the other direction is a return to fundamental principles of limited government and individual initiative and contribution to the creation of society.

Are Americans whipped by big government and cowed into settling for it's promises of security and comfort in the cloistered pasture and the progressive stagnation of civilization itself or will they rise to the challenge and breathe new life into what essentially is the challenge of living? Either way someone will be upset and I don't see it being a well-paved smooth ride for anyone.

[GostHacked]

Shady would like her, she's almost a clone of Palin.

[Michael Hardner]

Libertarian style government means, to my mind, you will pay for unchecked social problems in other ways, far more expensive ways, further on down the road.

[ToadBrother]

Libertarian style government means, to my mind, you will pay for unchecked social problems in other ways, far more expensive ways, further on down the road.

The whole thing is a Democrat wet dream. Instead of a lot of moderate Republicans in key northern states, they'll have a bunch of foaming-at-the-mouth Libertarian ideologues. The Republicans seem to have forgotten the first rule of Libertarians, you use them and discard them, you never ever actually let them anywhere near the reigns of power.

[Michael Hardner]

The whole thing is a Democrat wet dream. Instead of a lot of moderate Republicans in key northern states, they'll have a bunch of foaming-at-the-mouth Libertarian ideologues. The Republicans seem to have forgotten the first rule of Libertarians, you use them and discard them, you never ever actually let them anywhere near the reigns of power.

I was in Nevada recently and the anti Sharon Angle (another tea party candidate) ads were just clips of interviews with her saying she didn't believe in having social security, didn't believe in funding education, relief for unemployment, etc. etc.

It looks like they'll be replaying the 1932 election this time through...

[Shady]

I think the Republican establishment made a big mistake attacking her so viciously. They basically turned her into a sympathetic figure, which probably contributed greatly to her victory. It was hard not to feel at least a little bad for her, the way she was piled on.

[GostHacked]

I think the Republican establishment made a big mistake attacking her so viciously. They basically turned her into a sympathetic figure, which probably contributed greatly to her victory. It was hard not to feel at least a little bad for her, the way she was piled on.

Shady has a sensitive side! Who knew!

[ToadBrother]

I think the Republican establishment made a big mistake attacking her so viciously. They basically turned her into a sympathetic figure, which probably contributed greatly to her victory. It was hard not to feel at least a little bad for her, the way she was piled on.

She's a Libertarian. I doubt she has feelings of any particular human kind. More like some sort of solitary insect's emotions.

[Michael Hardner]

I think the Republican establishment made a big mistake attacking her so viciously. They basically turned her into a sympathetic figure, which probably contributed greatly to her victory. It was hard not to feel at least a little bad for her, the way she was piled on.

And of course, these are things that we should always consider when electing representatives to higher office.... (sarcasm)

Note: This isn't to say Shady is saying this is so, just saying...

Edited September 15, 2010 by Michael Hardner

[Shady]

And of course, these are things that we should always consider when electing representatives to higher office.... (sarcasm)

Note: This isn't to say Shady is saying this is so, just saying...

Yes, I'm not saying so.

[Shady]

I just saw a story on CNN about O'Donnell's website crashing today. Apparently they've had an overflow of people making donations. This could get very intersting.

[Michael Hardner]

This could get very intersting.

Looking at the deterioration of social conditions since the US started cutting benefits, it's hard to imagine what could come out of a victory by the libertarians. America would become a fortress of depressing magnitude.

[Shady]

Looking at the deterioration of social conditions since the US started cutting benefits

When did they start cutting benefits?

Anyways, I'm pretty sure she describes herself as conservative, not libertarian.

[nicky10013]

When did they start cutting benefits?

Anyways, I'm pretty sure she describes herself as conservative, not libertarian.

Either way, the further the Republican Party moves away from the moderates, the easier they make it for Democrats.

[waldo]

character deficient Karl Rove - "The Architect" - questions Christine O'Donnell's 'serious character problems'... eatin one of their own!

[Shady]

Either way, the further the Republican Party moves away from the moderates, the easier they make it for Democrats.

Her views aren't that much different than Scott Brown's from Massachusetts.

[nicky10013]

Her views aren't that much different than Scott Brown's from Massachusetts.

Riiiiiiiiiight.

[Shady]

Riiiiiiiiiight.

Good point.

[Guest American Woman]

Of all the primaries so far this year, none has been sweeter for the White House than the one in Delaware on Tuesday night.

"Until last night, the Republicans were counting on Delaware. Not anymore...." link

As I've said, a divided Republican party will be the best chance for a Democratic win this time around. Ultimately, it may help the Democrats keep their majority.

[Michael Hardner]

When did they start cutting benefits?

Anyways, I'm pretty sure she describes herself as conservative, not libertarian.

Downloading, social program cuts... See Reagan, Clinton, Contract With 'Merica... etc.

[Michael Hardner]

As I've said, a divided Republican party will be the best chance for a Democratic win this time around. Ultimately, it may help the Democrats keep their majority.

Keep in mind that they elected Jesse Ventura ("they" being the electorate).

It could just mean that these people will be in office as Obama closes out his first, and likely final term.

[Shady]

Downloading, social program cuts... See Reagan, Clinton, Contract With 'Merica... etc.

What social program cuts?

Some social programs have seen a slowing in the rate of growth. But not actually any real cuts. And over the last decade especially, they've seen large increases in funding. You're very misinformed.

[Jack Weber]

The whole thing is a Democrat wet dream. Instead of a lot of moderate Republicans in key northern states, they'll have a bunch of foaming-at-the-mouth Libertarian ideologues. The Republicans seem to have forgotten the first rule of Libertarians, you use them and discard them, you never ever actually let them anywhere near the reigns of power.

This is precisely the point.Last night they were saying that this might be good for the Tea Party folks,but not for the Republican Party,in general.In fact,she's probably a lost cause for them in general election...Beyond that,the farther the Republicans go to the Right,the better chance of them marginalizing themselves in a general election.It basically allows the Democrats to run in the Centre and simply sound reasonable.The other stuff about her that will be problematic are the financial shenanigans about huge personal debt and not paying employees while using funding a campaign...

[Shady]

This is precisely the point.Last night they were saying that this might be good for the Tea Party folks,but not for the Republican Party,in general.In fact,she's probably a lost cause for them in general election...Beyond that,the farther the Republicans go to the Right,the better chance of them marginalizing themselves in a general election.It basically allows the Democrats to run in the Centre and simply sound reasonable.The other stuff about her that will be problematic are the financial shenanigans about huge personal debt and not paying employees while using funding a campaign...

Most Democrats don't occupy the center, they occupy the far left. That's why senate seats in Wisconsin, Washington, California, Illinois and Connecticut are all up for grabs, and could all be Republican pick ups.

[Michael Hardner]

What social program cuts?

Some social programs have seen a slowing in the rate of growth. But not actually any real cuts. And over the last decade especially, they've seen large increases in funding. You're very misinformed.

They reduced eligibility for welfare, and eliminated programs. I see that as a cut ?