NY-20 -- Scott Murphy (D) Wins in a Squeaker

[mactastic]

In a huge blow to the GOP, and to Chairman Michael Steele in particular, Democrat Scott Murphy has won (http://www.npr.org/blogs/politicaljunkie/2009/04/democrat_scott_murphy_wins_ny.html) the Congressional seat vacated by Kristen Gillibrand (who was appointed to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate).

Despite Gillibrand having held the seat previously, the GOP candidate Jim Tedisco was heavily favored going in to this race. Chairman Michael Steele basically staked his shaky hold on leadership on this race. The GOP has a fairly significant voter registration advantage, and the GOP outspent the Democrats by a wide margin in an attempt to try to save some face after the November drubbing they took. They were hoping this seat would allow them to declare that voters were tired of "Democrat" politics, and that the GOP was on the upswing.

Alas, it was not to be.

Congratulations to the new Congressman from NY-20.

Now, Jim Tedisco needs to go talk some sense into Norm Coleman, who still hasn't conceded nearly 6 months after he lost the MN-Sen election...

[iPhoneNYC]

This would have been a little noticed House race if M Steele didn't get involved. It's amazing that the Dems could have won with a nobody (yes, a rich nobody) over a local GOP pol. Now we just have to get Coleman to concede in MN so one more Dem can vote in the Senate.

[iJohnHenry]

Now, Jim Tedisco needs to go talk some sense into Norm Coleman, who still hasn't conceded nearly 6 months after he lost the MN-Sen election...

I'm sure he is being "controlled" to continue stirring up the water. :mad:

Norm. --> http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/MouseMeat/Smilies/whoosh.gif <-- Al.

Meanwhile Al is hiring staff and picking out furniture. http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/MouseMeat/Smilies/terical.gif

[Zombie Acorn]

The republicans probably tried running with straw issues again like abortion if its anything like the campaigning they do around here. They really are in a tough spot because they can't criticize the democrats after botching the last 4-6 years so bad.

As for the MN race, I am hoping some changes will come from it to make the voting system more accurate, its pretty messed up when they are pulling uncounted ballots out of thin air.

[leekohler]

Will it really matter? Won't the Republicans just block everything?

[mactastic]

The republicans probably tried running with straw issues again like abortion if its anything like the campaigning they do around here. They really are in a tough spot because they can't criticize the democrats after botching the last 4-6 years so bad.
IIRC, the big problem for the GoOPer was that for nearly a month he refused to say whether or not he would support the Obama stimulus package or not. The Democratic candidate took a clear stance early on in support of the package, while Tedisco hemmed and hawed; obviously trying to avoid alienating his base by supporting the stimulus package, yet trying to appeal to independents and moderates by not saying he would vote against it. By the time he finally hewed to the GOP line and said he would vote against it, it was too late. His huge early lead had evaporated, and he was widely seen as a spineless panderer.

As for the MN race, I am hoping some changes will come from it to make the voting system more accurate, its pretty messed up when they are pulling uncounted ballots out of thin air.
Good luck with that. If Bush v Gore wasn't enough impetus to clean up the voting system, this MN-Sen debacle won't do it.