Be the Spark!

contribute now

The Morning After

AIR DATE: Wednesday, November 5th 2008
Download the mp3 for this show.
Now what?

Whew.

It's late as I write this, and there are a still a few races that are too close to call, but this much is already clear: Democrats won big, in Oregon and around the country.

Barack Obama, the president elect, took the state by around 14%. Democrat John Kroger will be the next Attorney General. Kurt Schrader handily won the fifth congressional district. Democrats Kate Brown and Ben Westlund look likely to take, respectively, the offices of Secretary of State and Treasurer.

What's more, Democrats seem to have won a commanding lead in the Oregon House, with more than enough seats to reach their supermajority goal.

In Washington, Democratic Governor Christine Gregoire held off a spirited challenge from Republican Dino Rossi, and Initiative 1000, modeled on Oregon's Death With Dignity Act, was approved by voters.

All four of Oregon's legislative referrals -- including Measure 57, the Legislature's response to Kevin Mannix's mandatory minimum measure -- passed. (Mannix's measure, number 61, is too close to call at this point.) Bill Sizemore didn't fare too well last night, losing four of his five measures. Only Measure 64, which would prohibit the use of public resources to collect money for political purposes, hangs in the balance.

Measure 65, the "top-two" primary, failed.

As for the closest -- and most closely watched -- race in Oregon, between Republican Sen. Gordon Smith and Speaker of the Oregon House Jeff Merkley, it's officially too close to call at the time of writing (1:26 AM). But with the lion's share of votes still to be counted from Democratic-heavy Multnomah and Lane counties, Merkley seems poised for a narrow victory.

So. What surprised you last night -- or confirmed your greatest fears, or hopes? What races, or bond measures, or levies, flew below the radar on an Obama-centric night? Bill Lunch remarked last night that political fortunes are cyclical, and that soon enough the Republican party will return to power. Do you agree? How long will it take? Or do you think we're watching a more profound statewide political realignment?

And, most broadly, where does our state -- and our country -- go from here?

Tagged as: 2008 election · obama

Responsible media please. Brownlow didn't "steal" any votes. His supporters voted for him. He earned those votes. I didn't vote for him, but I find it insulting that the media continues to brand 3rd party candidates as vote stealers and spoilers.
Crackerbat —
I am a 39-yr-old from Louisville, KY. My family were the first and largest slave owners in Kentucky (the Isons of Eastern Kentucky). My mother has spoken of walking down the street in Louisville with her mother; a black youth was coming toward them, and he had to step into the street so that the two white ladies could pass.

Both my mother and I are ecstatic and amazed at the election of Barack Obama. It marks the beginning of an era, as well as the end of one. For me, personally, it marks a closing point of the pain over my family's history.
I am so very proud of our country, and am flying a flag in front of our house for the first time in my life.

Thanks,
Tammie
tammieison —
What surprises me most is the LOW level of turnout that Lane County elections shows on their web site. Perhaps I am mis-interpreting what I see, but it looks like the turnout is only 45%, well below the figures cited for Oregon and the nation as wholes.

http://www.lanecounty.org/Elections/results/20081104.htm
wjw1961 —
From what I can tell, that's not the turnout, but the counted votes. Turnout is likely to be much, much higher.
David Miller —
That does look like what's happening, as the numbers keep going up. Perhaps my compliant lies with the Lane County Elections office, which reports that all 83 precincts (100%) are counted, and that the "VOTER TURNOUT - TOTAL" is only 51% (at 10 am).
wjw1961 —
Re: the "hot dog" ad: That was not a Gordon Smith campaign ad. It was from the National Republican Senatorial Committee that provides separate support, just as a Democratic Senate committee supported Merkley with ads that attacked Smith. Just a point of accuracy.
Dan Hortsch —
California Proposition 8: Ban on Gay Marriage

It's ironic and sad that if the measure receives the YES vote it will (according to exit polls) have done so by the votes of minorities. Is this true?
scottmil —
I am thrilled with the outcome. It proves to me that the government is still in the control of the people which I had began to doubt after the last two presidential elections.
The most important issue facing America and the rest of the world is Global Warming. Mr. Obamba and the new congress need to make immediate and decisive changes in the way we function in this country. Obviously the economy, health care and the wars all need to be addressed, but a great leader like Barack Obama should be able to lead, inspire and delegate in order to begin solving all of these problems simultaneously. By the way, your spell check does not accept our new president's name!!
MarkGamba —
We the people of the United States once again can have hope for a government that works for the good of the country instead for the good of a few.

Bill Lunch is right and there will be a cycle, the question is the length of time that the Democrats will be in power. That will depend on how they govern and what gets done, but a majority of people in the country have hope and will be willing to work and support Obama.

It is refreshing to think that our president will be a thoughtful, deliberative, and inspiring leader.
RonMason —
I have a 3 year old and a 7 year old. President-Elect Obama will be the president they grow up with. What a gift for today's children!
kimdody —
I am a 60-something who has been so cynical for so long that I feel like I am in a parallel universe today, where something counter to what I thought was reality is happening, and I am still pinching myself. One main reason I am happy Barack Obama won is that, even though most are worried about the economy and the wars, etc, I am worried about the physical world, with climate change, water and food availability, and overpopulation being some of my big concerns. Obama will most likely do his best to support the sciences, and it is in science that the solutions will be found, if there are any. The future of the world could hinge on this election in many ways. Helen Lawce
Helen Lawce —
I voted for Mr. Obama and I am utterly ecstatic he won. However, I think he gained popularity for the wrong reasons---but we got lucky that he has more then enough smarts and substance to back them up. And, in reality his win was based on a confluence of events, not some good will and a change in the American people.

Perhaps, this election will be a panacea to help change the underlying problems. Kind of like the way if you force your face to make a smile, it eventually causes the mind to respond---and you will feel happier.
scottmil —
I am a straight American woman, who has felt for many years, we are not a free people until we have the freedom to choose who we can marry and have as 'legal partners'. My husband and I were SO PROUD last night to here President Elect Obama include gays and straights in his speech. I will always remember the proud almost disbelief look my husband and I gave each other. Something else of exceptional notice I have had in myself,in the past week or so, I have found myself thinking how PROUD I am and fortunate to be an American. This is a new phenomena for me. I have felt real issue with our government and it has apparently shadowed this proud feeling in me. It is HEALING!
brenda andresen —
My boyfriend is a former member of a "Military Simulation" community that hosts a message board along with organizing occasional games with plastic, replica guns (Airsoft). He shared some reactions from that message board with me today, that brought a level of sobriety to the uphill struggle the Progressive agenda still faces in this country, and in this state.

Here are a few tidbits (reposted without editing):
"Hey, who about, instead of amending the constitution, why not just take a bottle of white-out to it. Just cover up the entire second amendment. Between Obama and Biden, we're toast."

"Hes my president, and I will salute him.

But I dont like it.

I guess associations with terrorists, a member of a racist and extremist church, and a wife who has continuiously berated america are the making of a great president."

"It is our God given right under the U.S. Constitution to keep and arm bears. Assault weapons, light artillery and suitcase sized nuclear weapons included. So stock up now on high capacity mags, ammo, assault weapons and weapons grade uranium. Before they are outlawed under Obama and our American way of life disappears forever."
ORSunshine —
Barak is inspiring and will protect the Supreme Court. The real problems in Oregon are bigger than Barak. Anyone with cash can get something on the ballot. Schools are underfunded, and many businesses pay only $10 in Oregon taxes. We pay more for heathcare and get less healthcare. Bottom line is that people have to do what Barak said and turn off the TV and get involved.
wallydallas —
I just heard the radio host say that there was "no dismay" from people on the web. Please wake up in the studio. I had made this comment 15 minutes before your whitewash of the issues. Let's focus on the real problems. And one I forgot to mention is the media who exclude 3rd party candidates from the debates. This prevents them from getting any numbers in the polls.
wallydallas —
Wallydallas,

Sorry about that. I really should have been more careful. What I meant was that there wasn't any Obama-specific dismay on the site. But I'll be more careful in the future!
David Miller —
I am not sure why people are so ecstatic! The Presidential election was the difference between French Vanilla and Plain Vanilla.
I?m taking a wait and see. Obama still plans to up the war in Afghanistan.
Is his going to close Guitaomo, is he going to dismantle the homeland spy apparatus of the so called Patriot Act, or reinstate a number of other civil rights we?ve lost?
Is he going give up power that Bush usurped? What would be his incentive?
My prediction is its back to business as usual, hardly something to get excited about.
alpha ape —
Why is it so hard to get people to vote? Shouldn't everyone's voice be heard? I think it's a required obligation just like taxes, but why isn't it mandatory then?
lfrusa —
I'm breathing a sigh of relief for the Supreme Court and the Federal Judiciary. Another Republican Administration would have plunged the Judiciary into a new Dark Ages that would have lasted at least two generations.

With all the political litmus tests given to the Ashcroft/Gonzales Justice Department new-hires we can't say that the Bush nightmare is over. It's going to take years to clean out that rats nest. Still, justice in America is decidedly more secure now than it was 24 hours ago.
RTzFRTz —
I see it as a resounding rejection of Conservatism, the politics of hate, fear-mongering, and divisiveness.

Non-Conservatives have endured decades of lies, smears, De-Regulated greed and corruption and now have finally stood up and said no to Conservatism.

I hope that Moderate Republicans will take their party back from the extremist Conservative Republicans and once again put forth Republicans that we can all be proud of like some of the former Republican Governors of Oregon and other honorable political leaders.
Tom D Ford —
I am ecstatic about the presidential result, and am very pleased by Obama's inclusiveness in his speech last night. However, my enthusiasm is tempered by the passing of both bands on gay marriage -- in Florida and (arghhh!) in California. While on the one hand our rhetoric is inclusiveness, we can on the other hand restrict rights of some of our citizens.
Tempered enthusiasm,
Andrea in Bend
Andrea Sigetich —
After last night's historic election results, I'm still very excited. Not only am I very happy to have a Democrat (and a pretty amazing one at that) in the oval office, but I am relieved that the person who will be shaping our Supreme court will be someone who will allow for choice and a more liberal interpretation of the constitution.
jalvarez —
We don't need to attract companies to Oregon with bribes of tax breaks who want to live off the public teat, we need to bring in companies that like the Oregon way of life, the beauty of our great state, the kind of people who like to live here and contribute.

The default position of Conservative Republicans is to bribe companies with tax breaks, well who wants the kind of people who want, demand, and take bribes? No! We don't want corrupt people and companies in Oregon!
Tom D Ford —
Aye-aye!

Speak the truth, Tom!
ORSunshine —
Now that we have begun the restoration of our government to the People, let the investigations begin. We should not rest until ANSWERS are given to persistent questions: Is it not Treason to mislead the American people into war, squandering countless human lives and public resources; who is responsible for our policy of torturing prisoners and holding them indefinitely at Guantanamo without ever bringing charges against them? Who is responsible for undermining our Constitution, after taking an oath to defend it? And maybe while we are busy bringing about justice and reconciliation, maybe they could also unclassify the Kennedy Assassination documents.
srichkind —
Our household voted for Obama after one of us following his campaign for two years, having a divided vote in the Primary: one Obama and one Hillary Clinton, and a mutual vote in the November 2008 General Election.

We married in a time of the national turmoil over Vietnam,voted in each election since, and we both have solidly supported Civil and Women's Rights issues to this day. This Presidential Election has been a reminder that there is still small-minded and hateful people who hide behind generations of prejudice, fear and bigotry.

It is our hope that now the "ultra-right wing" of the Republican Party will shrink from power immediately because of the devisiveness of their belief system which they sought to force upon the rest of this nation. We believe strongly in separation of church and state and that this country is not a Christian base to exploit, but rather, a free-thinking mass of humankind all who seek to better their lives and that of their families, and care for others despite differences in race, religion or regional history. As President-Elect Obama takes the reigns of government, let us move towards unity and leave religion and ideology out of politics as we rebuild the broken economy and respect for America once again in the world.

As children of southern parents, our household is proud that a man of color has risen to the highest office of the land, and brings with him a new attitude of inclusion for all people,and striving to put an intorant history behind us, especially for the sake of our young people, who will not carry the ugly and hateful past into this nation's future.

The only sad note in the outcome of some state results is that there are still those who seek to deny civil rights to gay and lesbian partners by denying them the right to marry and have the necessary legal protections and advantages that we straight citizens take for granted, and that these voters do so mostly on the grounds of religious belief, rather than by respecting their human sisters and brothers needs.

duckymac —
I was surprised that Obama won. I'm disappointed that Proposition 8 in California passed. The bonds and measures turned out pretty much as I voted. Republicans will return to power. Republicans will be back as soon as they revamp their message to be more inclusive, less religious, and less totalitarian. Republicans will be back as soon as a Democrat-inspired government fumbles the ball. We the people will cycle through bums until we find keepers. This is still a two-party system (but I think we need more parties for democracy to flourish.) I hope Republicans and Democrats drop their rancorous and divisive personal-lifestyle-decision attacks and get to work doing what's best for the majority of Americans. That's how we move forward. Put aside all the silly crap. We've got bridges to rebuild, roads to repave, water mains to replace, children to educate, people to make healthy, and a world that needs our idealism, good ideas, and helpful support. Let's get to work.
trurl9 —
I am 37 yrs. old and have voted in every election that I was of legal age to do so. This morning I bought my first American flag! and I am proud, very proud of America and I THANK every single person who took the time to vote and have their voice heard! Let's unite, work together with integrity and our true American spirits!

Fayren —
I am just elated that Obama will be our new leader. And I?m especially proud of having volunteered for his campaign and been a part of history. My children and friends were literally dancing in the streets last night ? It felt like a New Year Celebration! Now there is so much hope for my children. However, when I consider the immediate future, I am very disappointed that the Centennial School District Bond Measure 26-97 failed. With the economy in the toilette, I wasn?t sure it was passed and turns out I was right. There might be hope for the future with Barack Obama, but closer to home, there is little hope for my children when they reach middle school age. We have only one middle school that is bursting at the seams. And I myself wasn?t thrilled at having to pay more each month to build new schools, but it was a price I was willing to pay to ensure my kids are safe and learning. Now I will have to fork out a whole lot more by sending them to private schools.
MaryLL —
OK, here's a point of paranoia; Cheney/Bush created private Conservative Republican corporate armies like Blackwater, can the Secret Service protect Obama from them?

And can and will Democrats legislate them out of existence?

And will they go peacefully?

And what other chimeras did Cheney/Bush create in secret that will have to be dealt with and got rid of?

Hmm. Will an Obama-Democratic government be willing and able to peal back the secrecy and expose the fetid putrid rot of the Cheney/Bush/Conservative Republican government and disinfect it?

Yep, it is going to be interesting.

CSI-Cheney/Bush/Conservative Republicans! The new and riveting crime drama reality show!
Tom D Ford —
It is scary that we would elect a president based on what happened 100 years ago, lets look at whats happening today people!
Stop looking at his race and start looking at the race(for our country).
The main theme of the election was against King George not for NObama!
In two years our country will be in a total and complete depresion if the Pelosis and NObamasas of our country have any say. The small businesses cannot support a wage base the will proppose and the tax rules they propose against the upper middle class will kill our economy.
realist —

Comments are now closed.

Thanks to our Sponsor:
become a sponsor
Web Analytics