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Midterms: Trump threatens Democrats over investigations after they take House – live Midterms: McConnell hails 'Kavanaugh effect' and warns Democrats over investigations – live
(35 minutes later)
McConnell is asked whether he intends to run for reelection in 2020. He says yes. He’s asked whether he thinks Trump will back his candidacy. Trump to speak. Here’s a video stream:
From Hillary Clinton’s 2016 communications director:
It’s a brighter Wednesday in NYC than the one I lived thru two years ago. If I had to live these last two years over again, I would be really sad. Much love & 🙏 to all Americans who made this a better Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/jrzTvntwkF
"The change we need won’t come from one election alone – but it is a start," President Obama says in a statement on last night's results. "And I’m hopeful that going forward, we’ll begin a return to the values we expect in our public life." pic.twitter.com/CLY6oW4qW9
Here’s video of McConnell on “presidential harassment”:
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell: "The Democrats in the House will have to decide just how much presidential harassment they think is good strategy. I'm not so sure it will work for them." https://t.co/QKK9VJ0K1i pic.twitter.com/LKSaOMOWhv
McConnell is asked whether he intends to run for re-election in 2020. He says yes. He’s asked whether he thinks Trump will back his candidacy.
A cute question, receiving the answer it deserves:A cute question, receiving the answer it deserves:
I wouldn’t be surprised.I wouldn’t be surprised.
That’s it for McConnell. Stay tuned for Trump That’s it for McConnell. Stay tuned for Trump.
Mitch McConnell, on Trump judicial nominations:Mitch McConnell, on Trump judicial nominations:
We intend to keep confirming as many as we possibly can for as long as we’re in position to do it.We intend to keep confirming as many as we possibly can for as long as we’re in position to do it.
He says it’s a top priority he will continue to pursue in the new Congress.He says it’s a top priority he will continue to pursue in the new Congress.
McConnell calls the supposed “Kavanaugh effect” very helpful. “I think it was like an adrenaline shot” to core Republican voters, McConnell says.McConnell calls the supposed “Kavanaugh effect” very helpful. “I think it was like an adrenaline shot” to core Republican voters, McConnell says.
He notes that Joe Manchin, a Democratic senate incumbent running in a Trump-backing state, won after voting for supreme court nominee (now justice) Brett Kavanaugh, whereas other Democrats who voted against Kavanaugh lost.He notes that Joe Manchin, a Democratic senate incumbent running in a Trump-backing state, won after voting for supreme court nominee (now justice) Brett Kavanaugh, whereas other Democrats who voted against Kavanaugh lost.
But Manchin looked strong before Kavanaugh, and the Democrats who fell – Heitkamp, Donnelly, McCaskill, perhaps Nelson – faced uphill fights irrespective of Kavanaugh and some lost by wider margins than a Kavanaugh bump would seem to explain.But Manchin looked strong before Kavanaugh, and the Democrats who fell – Heitkamp, Donnelly, McCaskill, perhaps Nelson – faced uphill fights irrespective of Kavanaugh and some lost by wider margins than a Kavanaugh bump would seem to explain.
McConnell dodges questions about the quote-unquote caravan which Trump spent the last the weeks stoking fears about and now which Republicans presumably hope never to mention again.McConnell dodges questions about the quote-unquote caravan which Trump spent the last the weeks stoking fears about and now which Republicans presumably hope never to mention again.
McConnell says the top legislative priorities are finishing this session (farm bill, funding government); and “something on infrastructure”.McConnell says the top legislative priorities are finishing this session (farm bill, funding government); and “something on infrastructure”.
Then he complains that bipartisan work never makes any news. “There are plenty of things that we work together on,” he says.Then he complains that bipartisan work never makes any news. “There are plenty of things that we work together on,” he says.
McConnell said “we’re certainly going to try to help the president achieve what he would like to do” on the border wall.McConnell said “we’re certainly going to try to help the president achieve what he would like to do” on the border wall.
On lowering pharmaceutical drug costs, McConnell says, “I can’t imagine that that won’t be on the agenda.”On lowering pharmaceutical drug costs, McConnell says, “I can’t imagine that that won’t be on the agenda.”
Asked about recruiting more women candidates, McConnell says it’s a “frustration.Asked about recruiting more women candidates, McConnell says it’s a “frustration.
McConnell is asked about protecting Dreamers, Daca recipients.McConnell is asked about protecting Dreamers, Daca recipients.
“It’s on the agenda every year,” he says. Low motivation there.“It’s on the agenda every year,” he says. Low motivation there.
McConnell is asked how he will respond if Democrats subpoena Trump’s tax returns.McConnell is asked how he will respond if Democrats subpoena Trump’s tax returns.
McConnell notes that Bill Clinton’s popularity grew after Republicans in the House impeached him in the 1990s.McConnell notes that Bill Clinton’s popularity grew after Republicans in the House impeached him in the 1990s.
The Democrats “have to decide how much presidential harassment is good strategy”, McConnell says, continuing:The Democrats “have to decide how much presidential harassment is good strategy”, McConnell says, continuing:
I’m not sure how it will work for them. All I’m doing is making a historical observation. That the business of presidential harassment, which we were deeply engaged in in the 1990s, improved the president’s approval ratings.”I’m not sure how it will work for them. All I’m doing is making a historical observation. That the business of presidential harassment, which we were deeply engaged in in the 1990s, improved the president’s approval ratings.”
McConnell speaks. He calls it a “good morning for senate Republicans.”McConnell speaks. He calls it a “good morning for senate Republicans.”
He spoke with Nancy Pelosi, he said, and they discussed “ways forward.” “We’ll probably have a lot more dealings with each other in the future.”He spoke with Nancy Pelosi, he said, and they discussed “ways forward.” “We’ll probably have a lot more dealings with each other in the future.”
“I want to thank the president. He was extremely helpful to us... he worked very hard and drew large crowds.”“I want to thank the president. He was extremely helpful to us... he worked very hard and drew large crowds.”
As we wait for McConnell we would commend to you in case you have not yet red it Ben Jacobs’ five key takeaways, including these two:As we wait for McConnell we would commend to you in case you have not yet red it Ben Jacobs’ five key takeaways, including these two:
The ‘blue wave’ washes up in weird placesThe ‘blue wave’ washes up in weird places
Democrats won seats in places like Oklahoma and South Carolina on Tuesday night in addition to their expected victories in suburban districts around urban centers. The result is that there will be several members of the new Democratic majority running for re-election in traditionally Republican areas that Trump won by double digits in 2016. This serves up an additional check on what the new but narrow Democratic majority will be able to do legislatively in the next two years.Democrats won seats in places like Oklahoma and South Carolina on Tuesday night in addition to their expected victories in suburban districts around urban centers. The result is that there will be several members of the new Democratic majority running for re-election in traditionally Republican areas that Trump won by double digits in 2016. This serves up an additional check on what the new but narrow Democratic majority will be able to do legislatively in the next two years.
Trump’s 2020 election map still looks OKTrump’s 2020 election map still looks OK
While Democrats made gains in some of the states that were part of the much vaunted “blue wall” in 2016, Trump is still in strong position in the swing states that gave him his electoral college victory.While Democrats made gains in some of the states that were part of the much vaunted “blue wall” in 2016, Trump is still in strong position in the swing states that gave him his electoral college victory.
Democrats lost governor’s races in Florida and Iowa that party operatives were feeling bullish about. Further, Democrats had an underwhelming performance in Ohio, where gubernatorial nominee Richard Cordray lost and incumbent senator Sherrod Brown won by only six points against a weak Republican. All are states that Barack Obama won twice but that Trump won in 2016, and are a indication that Republicans may have made lasting gains in those states.Democrats lost governor’s races in Florida and Iowa that party operatives were feeling bullish about. Further, Democrats had an underwhelming performance in Ohio, where gubernatorial nominee Richard Cordray lost and incumbent senator Sherrod Brown won by only six points against a weak Republican. All are states that Barack Obama won twice but that Trump won in 2016, and are a indication that Republicans may have made lasting gains in those states.
However, Democrats did eke out a narrow win to beat Scott Walker in Wisconsin and comfortably won the governor’s office in Michigan.However, Democrats did eke out a narrow win to beat Scott Walker in Wisconsin and comfortably won the governor’s office in Michigan.
We’re about to hear from the senate majority leader on the topic of last night’s Republican wins.We’re about to hear from the senate majority leader on the topic of last night’s Republican wins.
Chris Hartline, spokesman for Scott for Florida, has issued a statement on Democratic senator Bill Nelson’s call for a recount: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.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.
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/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.
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:
Did Republican Rick Scott speak too soon when he declared victory in his US Senate race last night?
Maybe.
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.
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.
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/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/F9AvD4NKYN
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.
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:
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.
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.
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, 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?
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!!!!
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?
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/M4hcudQpCH