Election Night

It's late, well not that late, but after three consecutive hours of pushing the reload button, I need to call it a night. I don't know how to weigh this election day. Last year was mostly cheers as Barack Obama was elected president. However, this year the Republicans get the victory in the two gubernatorial elections. This isn't unexpected, Corzine sucked as a governor and Creigh Deeds never learned how to campaign. However, the Republicans are the clear losers in the NY-23. The Dick Armeys and Sarah Palins of the world should have stayed home and let Dede Scozzafava run as the only Republican. Maybe this will signal to the myopic leaders of the tea-party movement that Republicans need to be inclusive and cannot set a litmus test on every moderate within the party. This district was a Republican stronghold, but now it is represented by a Democrat. And for this I am happy.

Maine decided that marijuana isn't going to kill us all and extended medicinal use of the drug. However, voters removed the right for homosexuals to be granted same-sex marriage. Another state opposed to equality I guessed. But on a brighter note for the gay rights movement, Washington extended benefits under domestic partnerships and Kalamazoo voters rejected a proposal that would have ended the non-discrimination policy for homosexuals within housing and employment.

In the end it was a win-lose night. Republicans take the governorships, Democrats take the two House seats. One state advanced progressive ideals, another rejects them. However, given time, I am hopeful that a liberal agenda will gain a majority status among American voters.