10 years for Dems to regain the House?

Given what this story says, about all the old Democratic bulls in GOP-leaning districts, like Ike Skelton in Missouri, losing office, plus Republican state legislature gains in a redistricting year, it's very possible.

What the midterm elections mean for redistricting

2010 stands out from 1994 for the Republicans, or 2006/2008 for the Democrats, for a big reason. Decadal redistricting, for Congressional seats above all, but also seats in state legislatures, will be conducted by new state legislatures, with veto, or directional power, by governors, in states that don't have special redistricting commissions.

And, it really looks bad for Democrats here.

Here's a scary thought - the GOP holds the most state legislative seats since 1928.

The GOP also won at least seven Governorships on Tuesday, which means that Republicans will now control the entire government in 17 states. ... After the 1990 Census, the GOP had political control of states with a mere five seats in the House of Representatives. This time the GOP will control the process for some 195 seats, or nearly half the House. Democrats have used gerrymandering to preserve their dominance in states like California and Massachusetts—the latter still has no GOP House Members in 10 seats. But Republicans will serve their revenge Tom DeLay-style in other states.

But, the Journal does note the flip side:

This gives Republicans a tremendous opening—and obligation—to show they can tackle the fiscal, tax and pension problems that the departing politicians of both parties have failed to address.

So, if you're a Democratic state legislator, you know who to blame - Preznit Kumbaya.

Again, not for being too liberal, but for not knowing (or caring???) how to sell a fucking message.

More and more, I think his "eloquence" perception is in part due to ... the soft bigotry of low expectations from Volvo-driving, latte-sipping economic neoliberals who heard a black man from the North speaking standard American English.

Pelosi should tell Shuler 'Make my day'

Nancy Pelosi not only doesn't plan to resign from Congress, she's looking at running for minority leader.

And Blue Dog Pain in the Ass Heath Shuler says he'll run against her if she does.

Another Blue Dog, Jim Matheson, tells her to move on.

However:

(T)he Blue Dog coalition was decimated on Tuesday; more than half of its members, 29, lost. Only 28 remain. For the most part, the Democrats who survived Tuesday are the more liberal members, including Pelosi's strongest supporters.

So, no, YOU move on, Jim Matheson. (And, in Shuler's case, "thanks," Rahmbo. And, you weren't a good QB, either.)

That said, Pelosi deserves her Passive Pelosi moniker if it's true that, in this Internet/image/idiocy driven politics we have to day, she rejected image consultants.

The non-audacity of cluelessness

If Obama thinks truly more liberal opiners like Krugman are going to stop laying the wood on him because of the crushing Democratic midterm losses, or because Preznit Kumbaya keeps adding new verses to the song, he'd be wrong. Krugman's still laying on the wood.

The latest Team Obama "Justice" Department #fail

Obama defends defenseless DOMA and DADT. Now? Says Arizonans shouldn't even be allowed to sue against program that gives tax credits for religious tuition. Remember, the man's put more money into faith-based programs than Bush.

Paul Bender, the lawyer who argued for Arizona residents opposed to the program, said there is a big difference between the Arizona scheme and voucher programs that the Supreme Court has upheld.

"In giving parents a voucher, nobody said to the parents, 'What's your religion?'" Bender said.

But Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia voiced varying degrees of support for the Arizona program.

No shock from Scalito, to be sure. Stealth Bomber Roberts is tipping his hand quickly, no?

The NYT has officially editorialized against his anti-First Amendment stance, too:

The choice offered parents and children through the program sounds great but is often restricted. Most scholarships are awarded by school tuition organizations that choose students on the basis of religion, to go to religious schools. Handing out the funds on the basis of religion is unconstitutional. It is a government spending program directed by tens of thousands of taxpayers.

But, Anthony Kennedy appears to be on the state of Arizona's side, which means this is probably a 5-4 win for breaking the First Amendment. Way to go, Darth Obama.

Texas Greens guarantee 2012 ballot access

Yahhhh! Texas Greens got more than 5 percent of the vote for
Edward Lindsey's performance in the Texas State Comptroller race. Automatic ballot access in 2012!