GA-06 and SC-05 election day & results thread

[Alabama_Indy10]

I find it funny that Trump and Republican are celebrating about winning in Kansas, Montana, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Still celebrating winning in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc.

[AtorBoltox]

How many times have we had this dumb sun belt talk? The sun-belt strategy will be in play when Texas will be a win for Democrats (with Georgia & Arizona). Otherwise the Democratic party can never win elections - End of discussion. There are too many Senators in the rust/mid-west belt - PA, MI, OH, WI, MN, Iowa, IN - That is 14 Senators there, If Democrats keep losing here, they will never win elections. Same goes at the Presidential level. You have literally hacks in here.

Ossoff ran a mediocre campaign trying to be sort of a semi-conservative, people are tired of centrists, they will elect Trumpcare supporting Handel or reporter assaulting Gianforte instead. They spend so much money & did worse, worse than the run-off, worse than what Hillary did. In Kansas, there was 23-25% off swing, in Montana there was a 15% odd swing, here negative swing.

And they kept pouring money in & in. It is stupid like what Hillary did with endless Wall Street paid attack ads vs Trump. This is basic economics - Law of marginal returns which gets smaller & smaller. Ossoff ran a mediocre campaign & everything was about I oppose Trump, a 1 dimensional campaign. Hopefully Democrats get a better candidate in 2018, and demographics are swinging for the Democrats !

So now Quist is a neoliberal shill?

[Lord Admirale]

I wanted to like Jon Ossoff, but I couldn't bring myself to like him, even though I am center-left.

1. Not living in the district, he could've easily moved into an apartment or something at the very least. Carpetbagging puts a bad taste in my mouth.

2. Tons of outsider money. Most of his support and donations came outside of GA-06. Yes, Handel got a lot of outsider money as well, but that was because of Ossoff. If it weren't for this, I would've rooted for Ossoff.

3. Endorsed by Sanders, Warren, Pelosi, and others. All of them are poor politicians who share nothing in common with the district.

For the record, I did not support Handel either. I supported neither candidate. They were both terrible.

[Co-Chair Bagel23]

I find it funny that Trump and Republican are celebrating about winning in Kansas, Montana, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Still celebrating winning in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc.

Things look very good for yall right now, I can see it and I admit it. But a piece of friendly advice, don't get too cocky, just trust me and all the other liberals feeding you our tears now, you don't want to end up like us.

[AtorBoltox]

I wanted to like Jon Ossoff, but I couldn't bring myself to like him, even though I am center-left.

1. Not living in the district, he could've easily moved into an apartment or something at the very least. Carpetbagging puts a bad taste in my mouth.

2. Tons of outsider money. Most of his support and donations came outside of GA-06. Yes, Handel got a lot of outsider money as well, but that was because of Ossoff. If it weren't for this, I would've rooted for Ossoff.

3. Endorsed by Sanders, Warren, Pelosi, and others. All of them are poor politicians who share nothing in common with the district.

For the record, I did not support Handel either. I supported neither candidate. They were both terrible.

Bernie halfheartedly endorsed him once while refusing to call him a progressive. It's completely asinine for this to be the reason you couldn't support Ossoff

[Cactus Jack]

Analysis-related headaches aside, I'll contribute this much to the discussion: this election, right here, is a perfect example of why I refuse to subscribe to the Democratic Party. I have my beliefs, and my beliefs are decidedly left-wing, but both parties are abject systemic failures in their own terrible, wonderfully unique ways. Put short, the Republicans are insane and the Democrats are insipid.

[Suburbia]

I liked Ossoff, he had core beliefs like how everyone had core beliefs.

I'm a centrist and I have core beliefs like everyone else. I'm liberal on some issues, conservative on some. NO party should have a lock on the nation.

Handel could still face a challenge in 2018.

[Lord Admirale]

I wanted to like Jon Ossoff, but I couldn't bring myself to like him, even though I am center-left.

1. Not living in the district, he could've easily moved into an apartment or something at the very least. Carpetbagging puts a bad taste in my mouth.

2. Tons of outsider money. Most of his support and donations came outside of GA-06. Yes, Handel got a lot of outsider money as well, but that was because of Ossoff. If it weren't for this, I would've rooted for Ossoff.

3. Endorsed by Sanders, Warren, Pelosi, and others. All of them are poor politicians who share nothing in common with the district.

For the record, I did not support Handel either. I supported neither candidate. They were both terrible.

Bernie halfheartedly endorsed him once while refusing to call him a progressive. It's completely asinine for this to be the reason you couldn't support Ossoff

Still, Sanders is a terrible politician, and I don't want more politicians connected to him in DC. Hence why I'm glad Northam won in Virginia.

[The_Doctor]

I'll also own up and admit that my prediction is wrong. We may need to assess how polarized races become when nationalized and I underestimated that, honestly. So I'm wrong there. A lot of Republicans turned out for Handel clearly and polarization helped a lot.

But I think SC 05 also validates that my belief that Trump's approval rating is dragging down Republicans and motivating Democrats to turn out. I also believe that my prediction wasn't unreasonable. It was just wrong and I'm not sure that outside polarization, it was illogical.

The big question I have here is polarization and how much more intense it gets. I don't see an emerging Republican majority coalition as much as intense polarization.

[Alabama_Indy10]

I find it funny that Trump and Republican are celebrating about winning in Kansas, Montana, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Still celebrating winning in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc.

Things look very good for yall right now, I can see it and I admit it. But a piece of friendly advice, don't get too cocky, just trust me and all the other liberals feeding you our tears now, you don't want to end up like us.

I acknowledge the fact that these special elections are sending mixed signals about 2018 midterms. Though Democratic candidates are making these elections very close, they can't quite make it to the finish line.

[hueylong]

1) Oh man, Bush lied about Iraq and its turning into a quagmire
2) Oh man, Bush totally trashed the economy. GOP will NEVER be elected again

These two things directly led to the Democratic landslide of '08, so... yeah. They were fatal errors both politically and from a more policy-oriented POV. I can't even tell if you're being serious right now. Also, I was specifically addressing healthcare and the history of attempts at healthcare reform which invariably end up exacting a serious price for the party taking action.

[AtorBoltox]

I wanted to like Jon Ossoff, but I couldn't bring myself to like him, even though I am center-left.

1. Not living in the district, he could've easily moved into an apartment or something at the very least. Carpetbagging puts a bad taste in my mouth.

2. Tons of outsider money. Most of his support and donations came outside of GA-06. Yes, Handel got a lot of outsider money as well, but that was because of Ossoff. If it weren't for this, I would've rooted for Ossoff.

3. Endorsed by Sanders, Warren, Pelosi, and others. All of them are poor politicians who share nothing in common with the district.

For the record, I did not support Handel either. I supported neither candidate. They were both terrible.

Bernie halfheartedly endorsed him once while refusing to call him a progressive. It's completely asinine for this to be the reason you couldn't support Ossoff

Still, Sanders is a terrible politician, and I don't want more politicians connected to him in DC. Hence why I'm glad Northam won in Virginia.

But Ossoff is not connected to Sanders in any way. Bernie when pressed offered a weak endorsement, simply because Ossoff was a democrat, and never once commented on the race again

[Technocracy Timmy]

I find it funny that Trump and Republican are celebrating about winning in Kansas, Montana, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Still celebrating winning in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc.

Things look very good for yall right now, I can see it and I admit it. But a piece of friendly advice, don't get too cocky, just trust me and all the other liberals feeding you our tears now, you don't want to end up like us.

I acknowledge the fact that these special elections are sending mixed signals about 2018 midterms. Though Democratic candidates are making these elections very close, they can't quite make it to the finish line.

This is why I don't see the Democrats taking the House back in 2018 unless we're in the middle of a recession. Yes, Democrats clearly have more enthusiasm and they'll net gain 10-20 seat but that'll only get them so far.

[Mr. Smith]

And I'm back early out of boredom.

Wow, this is baaaaad guys. Can't say I didn't see this coming, I just wish I didn't third-guess myself into being more generous towards him. It's always my penultimate guess that hits the mark the closest.

I'm with Bagel on this towards the trajectory.

[Roronoa D. Law]

I find it funny that Trump and Republican are celebrating about winning in Kansas, Montana, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Still celebrating winning in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc.

Things look very good for yall right now, I can see it and I admit it. But a piece of friendly advice, don't get too cocky, just trust me and all the other liberals feeding you our tears now, you don't want to end up like us.

I acknowledge the fact that these special elections are sending mixed signals about 2018 midterms. Though Democratic candidates are making these elections very close, they can't quite make it to the finish line.

This is why I don't see the Democrats taking the House back in 2018 unless we're in the middle of a recession. Yes, Democrats clearly have more enthusiasm and they'll net gain 10-20 seat but that'll only get them so far.

I always thought that it was harder for Rep to vote for Dem than a Dem voting for a Rep.

[Alabama_Indy10]

I find it funny that Trump and Republican are celebrating about winning in Kansas, Montana, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Still celebrating winning in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc.

Things look very good for yall right now, I can see it and I admit it. But a piece of friendly advice, don't get too cocky, just trust me and all the other liberals feeding you our tears now, you don't want to end up like us.

I acknowledge the fact that these special elections are sending mixed signals about 2018 midterms. Though Democratic candidates are making these elections very close, they can't quite make it to the finish line.

This is why I don't see the Democrats taking the House back in 2018 unless we're in the middle of a recession. Yes, Democrats clearly have more enthusiasm and they'll net gain 10-20 seat but that'll only get them so far.

I always thought that it was harder for Rep to vote for Dem than a Dem voting for a Rep.

This is strictly me, a moderate Republican, I have no problem at all voting for a Dem if they are a better candidate

[Dr. Arch]

I find it funny that Trump and Republican are celebrating about winning in Kansas, Montana, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Still celebrating winning in Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, etc.

Things look very good for yall right now, I can see it and I admit it. But a piece of friendly advice, don't get too cocky, just trust me and all the other liberals feeding you our tears now, you don't want to end up like us.

I acknowledge the fact that these special elections are sending mixed signals about 2018 midterms. Though Democratic candidates are making these elections very close, they can't quite make it to the finish line.

This is why I don't see the Democrats taking the House back in 2018 unless we're in the middle of a recession. Yes, Democrats clearly have more enthusiasm and they'll net gain 10-20 seat but that'll only get them so far.

I always thought that it was harder for Rep to vote for Dem than a Dem voting for a Rep.

This is strictly me, a moderate Republican, I have no problem at all voting for a Dem if they are a better candidate

You're a rare and dying breed.

[Since I'm the mad scientist proclaimed by myself]

I'm so glad we still have Dem posters here brow-beating the left about how "unrealistic" their chances are. Hey, you guys just spent over $20 million and lost to another Republican ghoul. Maybe give us a chance at the reins of power in the Dem party  and we'll do a better job than you at actually WINNING.

Your progressive in MT lost to a guy who literally assaulted a reporter in a race with less attention(and thus a higher special election advantage). He didn't have as much money, yes, but neither did his opponent.

Just leaving this here...

Clinton was toxic in MT, which is also more prone to electing downballot dems anyway. GA-06 was never supposed to be even competitive, and Handel never body-slammed a reporter.

Jfern, if every democrat who lost has lost because they're not left wing enough, why did Quist lose by 6 points?

Quist lost because as long as the leadership of the Democratic party has positions that contradict the positions of the candidates they run...they will never be seen as genuine or serious.

As long as Botox Pelosi is running the show...the Democratic party will never be taken serious, neither by half its own base and the rest of the American people.

Yes, I'm sure GA-06 would have just loved a berniecrat if only pseudo-neoliberals weren't kind of semi in charge of the democratic party, kinda.

Also

Botox Pelosi

Are you f**king serious?! I know you're a total piece of s**t, but really?

[Technocracy Timmy]

This is bullsh*t. Democrats should start running undercover liberals acting like Stephen Colbert's character as Republican candidates from now on. We'd probably do better at this point.

[publicunofficial]

Do I think a socialist could have won this seat? No. But maybe the DCCC shouldn't go after white flight suburbans who are the CORE of the Republican Party, and backed Mitt Romney enthusiastically.

[The_Doctor]

I would point out the Left showed up in both GA 06 and SC 05. It took the GOP tens of millions to show up in GA 06 and a nationalized atmosphere. In the first round, when GOP fire was internally concentrated, Ossoff won 48%. In SC 05, Parnell almost pulled off a massive upset because the Democrats showed up.

I think the big takeaway is that the GOP can increase polarization through nationalization but it doesn't necessarily mean good things in 2018.

[Roronoa D. Law]

This is bullsh*t. Democrats should start running undercover liberals acting like Stephen Colbert's character as Republican candidates from now on. We'd probably do better at this point.

[Suburbia]

Do I think a socialist could have won this seat? No. But maybe the DCCC shouldn't go after white flight suburbans who are the CORE of the Republican Party, and backed Mitt Romney enthusiastically.

Run everywhere. Make elections competitive. Would you rather have a uncontested apathetic district?

[Hindsight was 2020]

Can we also be honest this is pissing is off so much because we have the most divisive and petty president in history who we know will spam this into ever freaking conversation he has for a month along with his jackles Kellyanne and Spicer an the troll fandom as well

[Mr. Smith]

I'm so glad we still have Dem posters here brow-beating the left about how "unrealistic" their chances are. Hey, you guys just spent over $20 million and lost to another Republican ghoul. Maybe give us a chance at the reins of power in the Dem party  and we'll do a better job than you at actually WINNING.

Your progressive in MT lost to a guy who literally assaulted a reporter in a race with less attention(and thus a higher special election advantage). He didn't have as much money, yes, but neither did his opponent.

Just leaving this here...

Clinton was toxic in MT, which is also more prone to electing downballot dems anyway. GA-06 was never supposed to be even competitive, and Handel never body-slammed a reporter.

Jfern, if every democrat who lost has lost because they're not left wing enough, why did Quist lose by 6 points?

Quist lost because as long as the leadership of the Democratic party has positions that contradict the positions of the candidates they run...they will never be seen as genuine or serious.

As long as Botox Pelosi is running the show...the Democratic party will never be taken serious, neither by half its own base and the rest of the American people.

Yes, I'm sure GA-06 would have just loved a berniecrat if only pseudo-neoliberals weren't kind of semi in charge of the democratic party, kinda.

Also

Botox Pelosi

Are you f**king serious?! I know you're a total piece of s**t, but really?

Said assault happened the night before the election, after most of the votes were made. Convenient little tid-bit there you missed. And he still moved the needle even more leftwards and was 2 points behind overall where margins are concerned, despite the lack of polish. Try again kiddo.

Pelosi is one of the representatives around my turf, I read her stuff in the papers when she has something to say, whatever she was in '06 and before is gone. Where she is now makes that a very apt statement. Just like by the end  of his term, Cranky Stark for Pete Stark, etc.