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Midterms: Trump threatens Democrats over investigations after they take House – live Midterms: Trump threatens Democrats over investigations after they take House – live
(35 minutes later)
Chris Hartline, spokesman for Scott for Florida, has issued a statement on Democratic senator Bill Nelson’s call for a recount:
This race is over. It’s a sad way for Bill Nelson to end his career. He is desperately trying to hold on to something that no longer exists.
Criminal justice reform witnessed a wave of victories on the state level last night, too.
There were several bright spots for criminal justice reform last night, even in states that did little else that was progressive.This thread highlights several reform victories in judicial, sheriff, and DA races, along with a variety of referendums.https://t.co/2q0RodOwDR
The Appeal’s roundup includes:
Democrat J.B. Pritzker wins the Illinois governor’s race. Pritzker campaigned strongly on marijuana legalization.
Florida voters have approved Amendment 4, automatically restoring voting rights in the state for people previously convicted of felonies. The victory means more than 1 million people will regain the right to vote.
Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf wins re-election. Now the state’s moratorium on executions will continue for at least four more years.
With Rachel Rollins winning the Suffolk County district attorney race she will be bringing reform to charging practices in Boston. Rollins plans to decline to prosecute several low-level offenses.
Amendment 11 passed in Florida. This amends Florida’s Constitution so sentencing reforms can apply retroactively—the state’s Constitution previously barred retroactive application.
Nashville passes Amendment 1, which creates a police oversight board with subpoena power to investigate and make recommendations on police misconduct claims.
Bexar County, Texas, goes from tough-on-crime to Joe Gonzales who has promised to reform bail, roll back the death penalty, and stop criminalizing poverty.
It goes on and on. Read the whole thread here.
Weed won – except in the Flickertail state.
3 states approved pot referendums last night: Michigan legalized it for recreational use (on top of medical), & Missouri & Utah for medical use. A 4th legalization referendum failed in North Dakota, however.
The Florida senate race has just leapt from floor where it had been impaled in a very-fatal seeming way to jump in your face and whisper, Boo.
Nelson is the Democratic in the race and for a recount to happen the secretary of state, Ken Detzner – who was appointed by Nelson’s opponent, outgoing governor Rick Scott – would have to accede, which he would be under enormous pressure to do should the current margin hold.
And there it is pic.twitter.com/xbHInjKUhV
Next step in the process is the 67 counties review vote tallies. Deadline for that is noon Saturday.Nelson camp says in release it is sending observers to all 67 counties
Defeated Wisconsin governor Scott Walker was a national pioneer in the movement to strip unions of collective bargaining rights and membership muscle. Despite untold millions spent by the conservative megadonor Koch brothers to turn him into a national candidate and the unwavering support of Wisconsin’s preternaturally active conservative voters, Walker last night lost.
And here’s what the AFL-CIO has to say about that. Six words:
Scott Walker was a national disgrace.
AFL-CIO statement on Scott Walker’s defeat to Tony Evers in Wisconsin governor’s race: pic.twitter.com/qud6DDzO32
State-level victories in midterm elections were supposed to be a Democratic weak point. But when a lot of people turn out to vote the results reflect that. Control of statehouses and legislatures is crucial to the battles over gerrymandering, voting rights, abortion rights, immigration, climate change – it’s a bid deal. And last night the Democrats performed.State-level victories in midterm elections were supposed to be a Democratic weak point. But when a lot of people turn out to vote the results reflect that. Control of statehouses and legislatures is crucial to the battles over gerrymandering, voting rights, abortion rights, immigration, climate change – it’s a bid deal. And last night the Democrats performed.
Democratic gains at the state level are the most important, and most easily overlooked. 333 legislative seats, 7 new govs, 6 trifectas. Helps rebuild the farm team, cements advantage in reapportionment, and provides Ds a pathway in 2020 with PA, WI, MI gains.Democratic gains at the state level are the most important, and most easily overlooked. 333 legislative seats, 7 new govs, 6 trifectas. Helps rebuild the farm team, cements advantage in reapportionment, and provides Ds a pathway in 2020 with PA, WI, MI gains.
Obama had a net lose of 968 legislative seats during his presidency, so a 333-seat swing to the Democrats yesterday is noteworthy. https://t.co/wcPxvgERrlObama had a net lose of 968 legislative seats during his presidency, so a 333-seat swing to the Democrats yesterday is noteworthy. https://t.co/wcPxvgERrl
The only state where the GOP might gain a trifecta is AK: They flipped the governorship, held the state Senate, & if all districts go according to the current count they'd flip the state House. The AP hasn't called many House races though, as there may be many mail ballots.The only state where the GOP might gain a trifecta is AK: They flipped the governorship, held the state Senate, & if all districts go according to the current count they'd flip the state House. The AP hasn't called many House races though, as there may be many mail ballots.
It’s remarkable how a state with so many people manages to deliver such close election results with such consistency. Will that change with the restoration last night of the political franchise to about 1.5 millions felons in Florida? Let’s revisit that question in 2020.It’s remarkable how a state with so many people manages to deliver such close election results with such consistency. Will that change with the restoration last night of the political franchise to about 1.5 millions felons in Florida? Let’s revisit that question in 2020.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Times reports that a recount may be triggered in the Florida Senate race – but only if the secretary of state, who happens to have been appointed by the Republican candidate currently leading the Senate race, calls for a recount:Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Times reports that a recount may be triggered in the Florida Senate race – but only if the secretary of state, who happens to have been appointed by the Republican candidate currently leading the Senate race, calls for a recount:
Did Republican Rick Scott speak too soon when he declared victory in his US Senate race last night?Did Republican Rick Scott speak too soon when he declared victory in his US Senate race last night?
Maybe.Maybe.
Just 34,435 votes separated Governor Rick Scott and Democrat Senator Bill Nelson on Wednesday morning, a difference of 0.42 percentage points.Just 34,435 votes separated Governor Rick Scott and Democrat Senator Bill Nelson on Wednesday morning, a difference of 0.42 percentage points.
That’s within the margin that could launch a recount. But it’s not automatic.That’s within the margin that could launch a recount. But it’s not automatic.
If the two candidates are separated by one-half of a percentage point or less, state law allows for a machine recount of the results. Only Secretary of State Ken Detzner – an appointee of Scott – can call for a recount.If the two candidates are separated by one-half of a percentage point or less, state law allows for a machine recount of the results. Only Secretary of State Ken Detzner – an appointee of Scott – can call for a recount.
Looks like an automatic recount will be triggered in the Florida Senate race, but if the current margin holds Rick Scott will be 3-0 in statewide elections with a total combined winning margin from all three of...2.6 points.Looks like an automatic recount will be triggered in the Florida Senate race, but if the current margin holds Rick Scott will be 3-0 in statewide elections with a total combined winning margin from all three of...2.6 points.
One of the most significant implications for the Democratic takeover in the House is that Trump may be constrained from attempting to pull the plug on the Robert Mueller investigation. Although Jeff Sessions’ status as attorney general seems freshly in doubt, and any pairing of the words “Trump” and “constraint” is suspect.One of the most significant implications for the Democratic takeover in the House is that Trump may be constrained from attempting to pull the plug on the Robert Mueller investigation. Although Jeff Sessions’ status as attorney general seems freshly in doubt, and any pairing of the words “Trump” and “constraint” is suspect.
democrats to robert mueller now the midterms are over pic.twitter.com/8BQItiIfIEdemocrats to robert mueller now the midterms are over pic.twitter.com/8BQItiIfIE
The Democratic Party wins the House. That's good news for Robert Mueller. More on #Midterms2018 from @PatChappatte: https://t.co/MyAEzPMv75 pic.twitter.com/F9AvD4NKYNThe Democratic Party wins the House. That's good news for Robert Mueller. More on #Midterms2018 from @PatChappatte: https://t.co/MyAEzPMv75 pic.twitter.com/F9AvD4NKYN
One more Democratic victory, in a very closer gubernatorial race, via the Hartford Courant:One more Democratic victory, in a very closer gubernatorial race, via the Hartford Courant:
BREAKING: Republican Bob Stefanowski has conceded and Democrat Ned Lamont has won the race for Connecticut governor.BREAKING: Republican Bob Stefanowski has conceded and Democrat Ned Lamont has won the race for Connecticut governor.
Democrats swiped at least seven statehouses from Republicans last night – in Maine, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico and Nevada – that’s a big deal. Alaska and Georgia are still counting.Democrats swiped at least seven statehouses from Republicans last night – in Maine, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Kansas, New Mexico and Nevada – that’s a big deal. Alaska and Georgia are still counting.
From the comments:From the comments:
None of these results are a victory for Americans. Both parties remain in the pocket of Wall Street and the MIC.None of these results are a victory for Americans. Both parties remain in the pocket of Wall Street and the MIC.
The only good result will be if a truly social democratic candidate ever wins the Democratic nomination. Then people will be offered a real choice.The only good result will be if a truly social democratic candidate ever wins the Democratic nomination. Then people will be offered a real choice.
Bernie 2020 then?...Bernie 2020 then?...
After 2 years of this lunatic president this is the best America can do? Trump is going to win in 2 years, I've already decided. What an utterly broken society you must be to have so many who will vote for this madness. I'm in despair at all of this, I still can't make sense of it. And yes, I know the democrats won the house, but for God sake, what a low bar against this vile administration.After 2 years of this lunatic president this is the best America can do? Trump is going to win in 2 years, I've already decided. What an utterly broken society you must be to have so many who will vote for this madness. I'm in despair at all of this, I still can't make sense of it. And yes, I know the democrats won the house, but for God sake, what a low bar against this vile administration.
When you put it that way ...When you put it that way ...
Scott Walker a.k.a. Mad magazine's Alfred E. Neuman and Kris Kobach both crashing and burning is a beautiful thing.Scott Walker a.k.a. Mad magazine's Alfred E. Neuman and Kris Kobach both crashing and burning is a beautiful thing.
Scott Walker, who left the 2016 primary race with a call to stop Trump ...Scott Walker, who left the 2016 primary race with a call to stop Trump ...
Btw, I like the habit of the Guardian to lighten up reports, facts and figures with tweets by a guy called the "real Donald". He's very funny, keeps posing as if he were the President of the US. The thing that's not very convincing is that he occasionally comes across as a bar room brawler. Otherwise a good act. Did you pay him to join your staff as a sort of extraterrestrial contribution?Btw, I like the habit of the Guardian to lighten up reports, facts and figures with tweets by a guy called the "real Donald". He's very funny, keeps posing as if he were the President of the US. The thing that's not very convincing is that he occasionally comes across as a bar room brawler. Otherwise a good act. Did you pay him to join your staff as a sort of extraterrestrial contribution?
Bad news, whereangelsfear ...Bad news, whereangelsfear ...
My thoughts/biggest takeaways for tonight: 1.First and foremost – women have spoken. 2.The urban/rural divide is real3.Split ticket voters are a real THING4.Florida is still the land of WTF/TBD!!!!My thoughts/biggest takeaways for tonight: 1.First and foremost – women have spoken. 2.The urban/rural divide is real3.Split ticket voters are a real THING4.Florida is still the land of WTF/TBD!!!!
The Republicans fell hard in conservative-leaning metro areas and big cities, the New York Time’s Jonathan Martin points out.The Republicans fell hard in conservative-leaning metro areas and big cities, the New York Time’s Jonathan Martin points out.
The underlying question being whether Trump’s 2016 coalition holds for 2020. Will places like this return to the Republican fold in 2020? Or will Trump’s (presumed) presence in that race set up an even sharper repudiation of Trump Republicanism?The underlying question being whether Trump’s 2016 coalition holds for 2020. Will places like this return to the Republican fold in 2020? Or will Trump’s (presumed) presence in that race set up an even sharper repudiation of Trump Republicanism?
Charleston Salt LakeOkla CityKCAtlanta Richmond Va Beach Houston DallasDes Moines The OCThe House GOP majority collapsed Tues bc even conservative-leaving metros can’t abide Trump Republicanism https://t.co/M4hcudQpCHCharleston Salt LakeOkla CityKCAtlanta Richmond Va Beach Houston DallasDes Moines The OCThe House GOP majority collapsed Tues bc even conservative-leaving metros can’t abide Trump Republicanism https://t.co/M4hcudQpCH
About half a Diet Coke after threatening Democrats with senate-led corruption investigations and quipping “Two can play at that game”, Trump has endorsed Nancy Pelosi for speaker of the House.
In all fairness, Nancy Pelosi deserves to be chosen Speaker of the House by the Democrats. If they give her a hard time, perhaps we will add some Republican votes. She has earned this great honor!
We’ll see where he lands in a few hours, when he’s scheduled to hold what is sure to be a measured, linear and coherent news conference.
All across the country, female candidates ran for office and won in record numbers. They were powered mostly by a female-led resistance movement forged in opposition to the election of Donald Trump two years ago, though there were also notable victories among Republican women.
By early Wednesday morning, 92 women had been elected to the 435 member House, surpassing the previous record of 84. In the Senate, 10 women had been elected bringing the total number of women who will serve in the 100-person chamber to 23 – and more victories were expected.
Read the full piece here:
Aimee Allison, founder of She The People, issued a victory statement.
“Women of color have shown the country that we are the saving graces of our democracy,” she said. “We took back the House thanks to an unprecedented number of female candidates who ran for the first time. Victories by Deb Haaland, Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Lauren Underwood, Sharice Davis, Jahana Hayes, Ayanna Pressley, Veronica Escobar, Sylvia Garcia, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ushered a new era in politics, one that is just coming into view. To the thousands of organizers and leaders on the ground, and to the millions of women that proved our progressive and democratic might at the polls – we see you and thank you.”
It looks like we’ll get the senate majority leader before the president. Stay tuned.
McConnell will hold a press conference in the Capitol at 10:30am.
The outcome of a closely watched and bitterly contested governor’s race in Georgia hung in the balance in the early hours of Wednesday morning as the Democrat, Stacey Abrams, refused to concede the election while her Republican opponent, Brian Kemp, did not claim victory.
Abrams, vying to become America’s first female African American governor, trailed Kemp by just under 100,000 votes out of more than 3.8m votes counted as her campaign maintained there were still enough ballots left to count to take the race to a runoff election.
Kemp did not declare outright victory as Luke Bryan’s country song Chuggin’ Along blasted through the speakers. Rather, he avoided mentioning the specific results, saying: “We have votes to count but we have a very strong lead.” He added: “I’m confident victory is near” as he mentioned the math looked good for his side.
In a rousing speech at the Regency Ballroom in Atlanta, Abrams vowed to make sure “every vote is counted” as her campaign maintained that tens of thousands of absentee and provisional ballots could mean Kemp would not take the required 50% to claim victory outright.
“Democracy only works when we work for it. When we fight for it. When we demand it,” Abrams said. “And apparently, today, when we stand in lines for hours to meet it at the ballot box.”
Read the full piece:
Here’s a scan of some of the good news to emerge from the night for Democrats:
We are waking up in a world where:D’s will control the HouseWalker will not be Gov of WI1.4 million will get their voting rights back in FlUT, ID, NE voted to expand MedicaidAR, MO voted to raise their minimum wageI can keep going. Point is, it ain’t a bad morning
Based on what we know so far (with some states still question marks): Dems have gained 6 new trifectas and lost none. GOP has gained 0 new trifecta and lost 3.
.@BetoORourke may have lost, but tonight Texas Democrats gained...- two U.S. House seats- two state Senate seats- at least 11 state House seats #txsen #txlege
Wow, Democrats didn't just capture the NYS Senate, they led a friggin armed revolt. pic.twitter.com/QXXwZp3nE7
...Additionally, the Ds ran some fantastic House candidates, & many won. Liberal, sure. But these are smart, ambitious, talented & likable pols w/ diverse backgrounds, & they'll stock the party's bench w/ future big-time leaders at at time when its sorely needed...
Two can play at that game, mon vieux.
How might Democrats use their subpoena powers next year? Here’s a quickie list via CNN:
Among House D probes:- Immigration/family separation - Whether Trump violated emoluments - whether WH improperly used security clearances- why Trump admin not defending ACA in court- areas not explored by Mueller, including potential money launderinghttps://t.co/r06tvB547P
The Washington Post’s Dave Weigel adds that “Democratic candidates I talked to in the final days told me they also wanted to investigate Trump’s decision to send troops to the border, right before the midterms, for a caravan that posed no security threat.”
What will Trump say at his news conference in a few hours? The president has declared success this morning despite his party losing the House majority and despite Democrats winning the popular vote margin nationally by high-single-digits – the biggest such margin going back a decade, it appears.
His tendency to declare everything he touches a “win” aside, Trump does have some bright spots to point to from last night. Republicans expanded their Senate majority, making the process of confirming Trump’s picks for federal judges even smoother and minimizing the chances of a Brett Kavanaugh-style showdown on a nominee for the next two years at least.
Midterms are done. Trump emerged with a stronger, Trumpier Senate primed to confirm his nominees. How long will Jeff Sessions keep his job? https://t.co/nl0m5vgkul
Trump also showed his power on the campaign trail, with some candidates on whose behalf he made campaign appearances – Ron Desantis in Florida, Brian Kemp in Georgia, Mike DeWine in Ohio, Ted Cruz in Texas – going on to win.
Trump is also showing some pugnacity this morning. “Two can play that game!” he tweets about potential corruption investigations.
If the Democrats think they are going to waste Taxpayer Money investigating us at the House level, then we will likewise be forced to consider investigating them for all of the leaks of Classified Information, and much else, at the Senate level. Two can play that game!
Some tight House races remain too close to call this morning. Texas Republican representative. Will Hurd leads his challenger Gina Ortiz Jones by fewer than 700 votes. The Associated Press and a number of other media outlets withdrew their calls that Hurd had won the race. Hurd is one of the few Republicans in Congress who have been highly critical of Donald Trump.
In Georgia’s sixth House district, Democrat Lucy McBath has a narrow lead over Republican Karen Handel. McBath became a gun control activist after her 17-year-old son, Jordan Davis, was shot and killed in 2012.