People, we won!

[Cary]

We are better off. Stop being so negative.

Good grief.

[Honeycombe8]

1. THe opposing party in a mid-term always "wins." Usually by more.

I'm happy about it, but I'm a realist. This was not good news. They better figure out what's wrong, before the 2020 election.

[Demsrule86]

17. You are wrong, it is great news.

We now have some power back.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

26. The size of the win was a little disappointing...

but a win is a win. Now we can start passing legislation in the House representing the progressive ideals we believe in... and start the investigations of this administration that will lead to the Little Dick-tator's impeachment.

[Demsrule86]

85. Remember, my friend, we had a gerrymander to deal with...how you been?

Been fighting a Sewer issue so not around as much as usual...we got a 'whoosh' last week so all is well hehe.

[workinclasszero]

30. It's not good news that Democrats control the people's house

and Trump's GOP dictatorship is destroyed???

[TNNurse]

33. The House cannot fix everything.

[calimary]

37. But it CAN put up guardrails. It CAN blunt the rubber stamp

in Congress. GOOD-BYE to one-party republi-CON rule! Nothing legislative will move because you’ve got a divided Congress now. No more rubber stamping. No more completely ignoring the miscreant’s misdeeds in OUR White House. NO MORE giving that SOB a free pass with no checks and balances.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

57. No, but don't forget - spending bills originate in the House.

The GOP can't repeal the ACA; it's safe now. Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are also safe. The GOP can't screw around with the debt ceiling. The House can't fix everything but it can prevent a whole lot of damage.

[Polly Hennessey]

64. Thank you, Ocelot.

Perfect words. Total victory seldom is achieved with one battle. I am a little more at ease now that we have the House. Also, we have added more women and they are fighters. 😃

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

78. Thank you.

Like so many I am not completely clear on which body does what at that national level. I know that getting the House back is important, but in reality it's huge. Maybe even better than getting the Senate but not the House.

[workinclasszero]

82. The next time Dumpster bleats about another tax break for the Koch bros or a 50 trillion dollar

useless border wall we can all laugh in his fat ugly face!

Nancy ain't playin that game!

[Demsrule86]

95. It can stop Trump cold in regards to bad legislation.

[mcar]

39. It is great news

[samnsara]

71. thats in a normal world.. we are no longer have anything normal.

..this was a BFD.

[MarvinGardens]

73. Often but not always.

For example, 1986, 1990, 1998, and 2002, were not large swings for the opposing party, and 98 and 02 swung for the party in power. We were hoping for 1994 or 2010 in reverse, but only got about half. We did outperform what the Rs got in 2014.

[LanternWaste]

109. What then, would 'good news' be?

And on what objective measure is that predicated upon?

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

2. Right on. We won.

And today would be a good day for Mueller to start doing his job for all of us.

[Vinca]

3. I agree. We made a great deal of progress last night. Onward!

I know many of us - including me - are sad about Beto and Gillum, but they would have been long shots under the best of circumstances. And here's something to think about. Imagine Trump and Pence are impeached. Guess who would be POTUS??? LOL.

[RandiFan1290]

4. Yes, a win

Now we can expect the trolls and their media pals to downplay it by claiming it was inevitable.

[treestar]

5. I remember 2006

on DU and how happy it was!

[derby378]

10. Those were good times

I think we were slowly sapped by an overall lack of progress. Even Obama's achievements have been largely erased. It's enough to put any Democrat in a perpetually bad mood.

But Democratic candidates have trouble learning from history, and we don't have time for that nonsense anymore.

So I am slowly finding happiness again with friends, gainful employment, and a new love in my life. And there is still a chance I will come roaring back into the fray someday.

[Cha]

6. YES There is a damn Huge BLUE WAVE!

I'm trashing all the negative crap. Just a tiny couple of examples..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Demsrule86]

9. Cha Hi...my guy Cordray in Ohio whom I worked for lost, but I am still thrilled because we won

governorships in Michigan (woman candidates won in Michigan) and in Wisconsin ...f'ing Walker is gone. Sherrod Brown won easily in Ohio so that is a plus. We have a check on Trump...the GOP can't do shit without the house...and if Trump does his EA's when he is gone so are they. I wanted the Senate but knew it was a long shot.

[derby378]

11. I am sooooo fucking glad Walker is gone, but what about the unions?

It's time to start undoing the damage he inflicted on unions, including the revocation of right-to-work.

[Demsrule86]

18. I agree.

[Cha]

12. Good on you, Demsrule.. Thank You

for all you did for Cordray!

That sounds so good.. the gop can't do shit without Our House.

What do you mean?.. "and if Trump does his EA's when he is gone so are they"

[Demsrule86]

19. Executive orders can be done away with by the next president. So since he can't get legislation

through Congress...it is his only way of getting his way...but up in smoke when the Democrats take the presidency in 20 I believe. People say the economy is going well. It is not. I see the weakening in autos caused by Trump's tariffs...layoffs coming. I say this sadly. But Lordstown GM may close and Parma GM is endangered as well...so the idea that Trump's policies are working is bullshit and by 20 sadly this will be apparent.

[Cha]

22. Thanks.. I was wondering about

his EOs.. thinking that's what he'd do since he can't get anything passed now.

yeah, trump is a maniac.. he'll lie about anything.

[Demsrule86]

23. Trump is a monster...and we now have some power to block him.

[Cha]

24. Yes, it changes so much!

[Demsrule86]

96. The world looks different today. I can finally take a deep breath if you know what I mean.

[Cha]

111. So Much Different! HUGE HOPE!

[Demsrule86]

114. Thank God we got the house with Sessions being fired and all...perfect timing.

[Cha]

13. Oh and this from Lawrence Tribe on Adam Schiff..

Link to tweet

[Demsrule86]

14. I love Adam Schiff!

There was much good news last night...sure it was disappointing in Florida and Georgia but not unexpected.

[Cha]

16. MORE!... 2 Native American Women elected to Congress!

Link to tweet

[Demsrule86]

20. That is so awesome...and I believe a person of the Muslim faith won in Michigan!

So many women headed to Congress too.

[Tanuki]

46. Two Muslim women won...Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ilhan Omar of Minnesota!

https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/06/politics/first-muslim-women-congress/index.html

[R B Garr]

90. Nice Cha! This is such an excellent tribute to Schiff!

We are in good hands now. Maybe Schiff for 2020–he’s that good.

[Cha]

91. Yes, it is a brilliant tribute

to Adam Schiff from Lawrence Tribe.

I'm so glad we are able to discuss things like this now.. it's almost surreal. Whiplash!

RB

[LAS14]

84. And in Kansas! Right? nt

[Demsrule86]

94. Yes Laura Kelly beat the SOB Kobach.

[Cary]

34. It's like they are addicted to negativity

[mcar]

40. So many women and POC coming to Congress!

[Cha]

41. Yes! Dems!

[Cary]

59. Yes!

We shall overcome!

[Demsrule86]

7. We won!!! I am very happy.

As for those not happy, there is a check on Trump. What did you expect? The Senate was always a reach...and Trump remains popular in red states. We won governorships...very sad about Ohio but hey Walker is gone and we have a Democrat in office in Michigan and Pennsylvania...a good night.

[philf99]

8. Doesn't feel like it

Very depressed especially here in Ohio.

Last night showed the message of hate and division is resonating in large parts of the country.

Because of that, I see Donald Trump winning reelection but losing the popular vote again.

[Demsrule86]

15. I live in Ohio and Sherrod Brown won easily...Cuyahoga county (Cleveland) is blue...

There is good news even in Ohio. Trumbull back to blue.

[blueinredohio]

45. I also live in Ohio

A very red part of Ohio but I have to say every race was contested even though democrats lost at least they ran. Usually there's no competition. So I still have hope. The sad part is I believe Medicaid expansion is through.

[Demsrule86]

97. I don't think so...if the governor does that...he will face a huge loss in two years.

Health care is an issue that plays on both sides...and Governor Crypt keeper claims he will protect pre-existing ....so let's see what happens.

[infinite_wisdom]

63. Ohio not trending well

There was some good news in Ohio with Sherrod Brown winning, but even that race was much closer than it should have been.

On the state level, Republicans swept. There were 2 open Supreme Court seats and the D's took both of those which was surprising and good.

But once again, the Republicans have a death grip on state government here with no checks, no balances. Super majorities in the House and the Senate and a cookie cutter boring Republican governor . They will do whatever they want, whenever they want, however they want. Again. With legislation emailed to them by ALEC.

Ohio remains one of the more white states in the country and the population is aging and population growth in stagnant. For whatever reason, the Hispanic population has not immigrated to Ohio like it has much of the rest of the country - only 2% of Ohioans are Hispanic. It is becoming ossified and stale. It pains me to say that because I live here, but there is nothing exciting happening in Ohio these days. It's just a boring place full of "get off my lawn" old folks. We have become like the surrounding states of W.Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana. Just go to work, pay your bills, and STFU.

Living here my entire life of 52 years now, my sense is Ohio is no longer a purple state. It has become a reliable red state, no longer a battle ground state. Democrats are going to have to focus on Florida, North Carolina or maybe even Georgia now as a swing state because Ohio is lost for the foreseeable future.

[Demsrule86]

98. The race was called by 8:00 for Sherrod Brown...and it went twice for Obama so I don't agree with

you. I live in Cleveland a very diverse area. Democrats are competitive. And I would not count us out.

[infinite_wisdom]

106. Agree Cleveland is a very diverse area

I live in Columbus which is also fairly diverse.

But then there is the rest of the state, which is becoming like rural Alabama politically speaking. There is also the white and aging population.

The Republicans have controlled state government in Ohio now for a long time and I don't see that changing. Ohio had Ted Strickland - who was a very moderate Democrat working with a Republican Statehouse. Ever since then, everything has been run by Republicans.

Ohio went for Trump by 8% in 2016. Not even close like the other Midwestern states. As an Ohioan, this was shocking to me but it woke me up. Keep fighting, but the demographics here are trending away from us in a severe way.

Something could happen, like a huge scandal like with the Taft administration or a recession. But even in that case, I think the Democrats in Ohio would only win one election cycle and then it would go back to being red 2 to 4 years later. It is very difficult to get progressives to win in a state that is as old and white as Ohio.

[Demsrule86]

115. Cortland where I came from (hubs got a new job) went for Obama twice and Hillary in 16

small city in Trumbull. We may very well lose Lordstown and Parma because of trump (GM plants). And there are high tax areas. Wait until the tax cut becomes a reality. I work to spread the Democrat message...pretty much in every election and in between.

[uponit7771]

25. Sounds like SM bots are out with this meme but this was a bigger wave than 2010 just didn't...

... win the senate seats because once in every 40 year senate seat availability

[In It to Win It]

21. I'm sorry. I don't feel it yet.

My state results wiped out any happiness I had for winning the House.

Lost Bill Nelson in the Senate.
Gained a 2nd Donald Trump for governor.

I need a moment.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

28. Florida was a HUGE disappointment, but I prefer to see the glass as half full...

Our Party also made HUGE gains in selling the progressive message to a larger audience of voters. It was never going to be easy. But, it's progress, so let's rejoice and CELEBRATE by startin to pass legislation consistent with our values... and let's start REALLY investigating all of the corruption of this administration, which, undoubtedly, will lead to the Dotard's impeachment.

[Demsrule86]

99. I agree...we have a check on the worst president of my lifetime.

[jimmyzvoice]

31. Bill Nelson hasn't lost yet.

According to CNN Rick Scott is only ahead by .4%. A recount is triggered in Florida if a victory is less than .5%. And, at this point, Senator Nelson has not conceded.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

43. Yes! Think people who say to stop being so down need

To give us a freaking minute to grieve. We will bounce back...but need time. Having people vote back in the most hated man in dc instead of Beto. And having Gillum lose... devastating. I am convinced we HAVE to get control of Florida governorship to get fair voting there. Thankfully prop 4 passed.

[In It to Win It]

54. Gotta wait SIX LOOONNGGGG Years!

The state is so gerrymandered that it will be near impossible to gain the legislature. Our only shot at fixing this fuckery is winning the governorship or suing the state.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

65. So true. At least if you lose a house seat or governorship

It's right around the corner to try again. Texas had a chance to transform itself and move toward the light. When again will we have such a perfect candidate though.

[whathehell]

27. Yes we did!

..enough with the auto-negativism already.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

47. Enough of people telling people to stop being negative!

[whathehell]

79. No, not nearly enough of that!

[watoos]

29. The next move to fire me up,

Install a tough majority leader and majority whip.

Nancy is tough as nails and one of our best Speakers ever, but she needs new blood helping her. I suggest someone from the Black caucus for one of those positions.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

49. Yes. New blood new energy. Doesnt mean old

Leadership not to be admired and revered.

[MadDAsHell]

32. Yes, but this isn't remotely what we were sold.

Democratic leadership described a WAVE that would be record-breaking in proportions. It wasn’t even record breaking in the last decade.

[Kaleva]

48. You conned yourself.

It's human to convince oneself of something that supports one's world view and dismiss that which doesn't. I don't recall Senator Schumer ever saying we were going to take the Senate.

"Chuck Schumer: Democrats winning the Senate 'a very hard task because the geography is against us...

“I’d love to see the Senate go blue, but it looks like a very hard task because the geography is against us," Schumer, D-N.Y., said during an interview with John Catsimatidis on AM 970 in New York. "There are 25 Democrats up for re-election, eight Republicans, and many of the Democrats come from states where Donald Trump won by more than 20 points." '"

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/chuck-schumer-democrats-winning-the-senate-in-2018-a-very-hard-task-because-the-geography-is-against-us

[MadDAsHell]

67. Not going backwards in the Senate 2 years into the worst Presidency ever is unrealistic?

We have lost thousands of local, state and national seats over the last 10 years. And there have been ready excuses after every single one of them. And the highest priority post-loss has always seemed to be who NOT to blame and why we can’t possibly change tactics or strategies.

Why do Con wins, such as 2010, result in flipping something like 60 House and 6 Senate seats, and then doing it again 4 and 6 years later, and we have to settle for small splashes every 10-12 years?

[Kaleva]

89. You still conned yourself

Your comment:

"Democratic leadership described a WAVE that would be record-breaking in proportions."

Where is your evidence that supports your above claim?

Here's a comment made by Nancy Pelosi, one of our party leaders:

" House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi expressed total confidence that the Democrats will be the majority party in the House after Tuesday's midterm elections.

A reporter asked the California Democrat at a Tuesday news conference if she was "100 percent sure of victory."

"Yes, I am," she replied. She cited the energy and mobilization of volunteers working to get out the vote on Election Day as evidence of the "the quality of our candidates."

"I feel confident that we will win, it's just a question of what the size of the victory is," she said. "

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2018/11/06/pelosi-certain-democrats-win-house/1905514002/

I dodn't see anywhere in the above where Nancy claims the victory will be record breaking.

[LanternWaste]

110. Throwing what you can against the wall to see if it stick, eh?

I get it... a LOT of that's going around before getting flushed.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

53. I think personally I have learned my lesson. Don't build false

Expectations. All night they kept saying Beto was ahead and I foolishly got my hopes up.

[whathehell]

81. Oh please.. Nothing in politics is guaranteed

let alone "sold".

[Demsrule86]

100. We beat a gerrymander to take back the house...we held on with 28 seats to

defend in the Senate. ...10 in red states where Trump won by double digits...that is a blue wave... We now have a check on that SOB Trump. We saved the country and the world from fascism in my opinion.

[allgood33]

35. If we can't come here to vent, where can we go? It's not being negative to seek comfort,

give comfort. WE will rise.

[Cary]

51. Oh please

I held my tongue here as all manner of conspiracy theories brewed.

We need to cut that crap out.

[Demsrule86]

101. I agree...we are celebrating a country changing win.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

55. Exactly right!!!

[whathehell]

83. Jeebus, how much "comfort" does a victory need?

.So we didn't win as big as we wanted -- No need to make the Perfect the enemy of the Good.

[Demsrule86]

102. We overcame a gerrymander to win back the house...would have been bigger if there

was no gerrymander.

[lambchopp59]

36. Big scary whale, Mr Drumph. Coming to get you.

[mcar]

38. I'm in FL and I agree

We won back the house and 7 governorships. The Senate was never truly in reach.

We won!

[IronLionZion]

42. Let the GOP feel negative for a change

we should celebrate that the other side finally has a check on their abusive power.

[whathehell]

86. Yes, please..

Let's not be Sore Winners.

[The Liberal Lion]

44. Yep, I agree

With the House we deny the Nazis money, which is their true power
With the Blue Wall we deny them the White House in 2020.
Sure, the judiciary is sunk, sure the Senate will remain insane, but with no money they are limited. With the Blue Wall there will be proper election security.
And let's not forget KANSAS!

Dems won HUGE last night.

[jcgoldie]

52. Good points

But the effects of the senate especially judicial appointments will be longer lasting... and more alarming to me is finding a path to beat Trump in 2020 when large red swaths of the country have affirmed yesterday that nothing he does or says is too racist or ignorant for them.

[lunamagica]

50. It's hard not to be negative when you live in FL

[Cary]

56. You live to fight another day

Chin up

[lunamagica]

58. DeTrumpis terrifies me

[Cary]

62. Do you not suppose that is what they want?

Don't give it to them. Double your resolve.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

60. You are not negative. It is natural! See zero purpose

In people saying bounce back on minute one. Only adds to grief.

[lunamagica]

61. IKR

[Bernardo de La Paz]

66. Nation agrees. S&P stock index up 1 % today. Not the crash tRump predicted egoistically. . . nt

[lark]

68. Hard to see the good from the overwhelmingly bad news in my state, FL.

I am so fucking sick of always losing by 1% or less, so sick of criminal Scott and now fuckhead DeSantis and we are stuck with these total racist stealing criminals for the next 4 (Scott 6) years. I just can't stand it!!!

Bright spots - Democrats control the House now - excellent results there, drumpf can't repeal ACA or slash Medicare, Medicaid or Social Security - I feel so much safer now. We picked up the governorships of 7 states (should have been 9). Duval County turned blue, all our calls and canvassing worked, yay.

[samnsara]

69. yep you are right. when we started this thing our goal was to take back the house and we did!

...all the other great races ..altho we didnt win some....elevated many new talented folks to the National level and we have some great candidates ready to go forward..already with a fan base!

[Texin]

70. Yes! Feels pretty good for a change.

Sad about the Dem Senators who were voted out, but 2020 looks better for their overall chances. I don't know how much effectiveness having the house is going to be. I expect the Dems can put some brakes on tRump to the extent they can, but we sure can't afford to lose another SCOTUS seat for at least a couple of years. Hang in there, Ginsburg. And, please, please, please, don't let anyone else retire (I"m looking at YOU Thomas!)

[eppur_se_muova]

72. Dems ahead in SEVEN races yet to be called. nt

[fishwax]

74. I feel good about last night. Some people don't, and that's okay too.

Whether you're excited about last night (and the are good reasons to be) or disapointed about last night (and the are reasons for that, too, especially if you live in one of those states that slipped away) that's okay. The only thing that matters is that we come out of this ready to fight for two more years. For some of our democratic brethren, that mihht mean a bit of time licking some wounds. NBD.

[whathehell]

88. It's okay for them, I guess,

Given that, for some, every silver lining has a cloud.

The rest of us would like to enjoy our victory and let the Other Side feel bad for a change. Just sayin.

[SARFTS]

75. Wish I could be saying this here in Florida

I really wish Andrew Gillum would have kicked DeSantis ass here in Florida. Believe me folks, racism is alive and well here in "God's waiting room." In my circles I would say 80-85% are hardcore , Kool Aide swallowing, low information voters. Tried to explain "Cross Check" to a group of 5 vets who in no way would even come close to giving it an intelligent consideration. Racism is alive and well in these circles. Fox News on from sun up to closing. I am at a point where I don't give a rats ass anymore, if you come at me with some stupid remark I'll knock you out of the water with facts, whether you accept them or not. I'm using the slogan coined by Jimmy Dore: I'm a "Aggressive Progressive" and proud of it. 70 years old, Vietnam Vet, and still out there canvasing and ringing door bells. A Rolling Stone gathers no moss!!!! DAMN I WISH WE WON HERE!

[lunasun]

105. I hope change will come . Yes Florida was a big disappointment & im thinking of FL EC votes 2020

Do what you can patriot

Resist

[calimary]

108. Welcome to DU, SARFTS!

I wish we'd have won there, too. Really liked Andrew Gillum! AND Stacy Abrams.

But overall, we did well! And Kris "Mr. Voter Suppression" Kobach got sent to the back of the room! That alone is worth the price of admission. Not that it'll stop him or change his mind about this horrible, undemocratic, and thoroughly unAmerican dumb-ass voter-restrictive ideas of his. But maybe it'll slow him down a little. ANYTHING that throws a monkey wrench into his works is good for ALL THE REST OF US.

[Sunsky]

76. I agree

We were not going to win everything, last night was a huge step in the right direction.
My fellow Floridians the battle isn't over, it has just begun. We are going to win against all of he "-isms" that are holding us back in FL.

[brewens]

77. How'd we do in state legislatures nationwide? That will help a lot if we gained. I can't

tell yet how we did in Idaho. I see some Dems won, but I'm not familiar with any districts not in my area. We seem to have broken even around here.

[mercuryblues]

104. good news

State legislatures:

New Hampshire: Dems won control of the house and Senate, with an R gov.

Colorado: Won the Senate, kept control of House and won the Governorship with Jared Polis

Connecticut: Dem's regained the Seanate and picked up more seats for the House. Governpr's race to close to call

Maine Turned the state blue. Picked up the Senate, retained the House and won the governorship

New York: gained control in the Senate. From what I understand many of the D's who voted with the R's are gone. And there are
enough of solid D's elected to overcome the D's that vote with the Rs

Minnesota house flipped to blue

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211384737

[Aristus]

80. YES!

[Wounded Bear]

87. Definitely something to build on...

[Bayard]

92. Hank Liberman

That was the Dem candidate for the 2nd district of KY that I phone banked for on Sunday. He lost 30 to 60.

BUT....I feel much better with getting the House back. I feel some hope again instead of the black despair after the Kavenaugh mess. I had to check out of DU for awhile after that......

Now we will at least have some checks and balances instead of tRump's craziness running wild. There's some sunshine.

[In It to Win It]

93. I'm a little upset about my state but fuck it.

The House 2018! 2020, THE SENATE!!!

FORWARD TOGETHER! The 2020 map is terrible for republicans. WE WILL TAKE IT!

[Demsrule86]

103. Yes...we can do this.

[Wintryjade]

107. We did. We can breathe. We can make it to 2020.

[Awsi Dooger]

112. Feels like a loss in Florida

Others in this thread have posted the same thing. I hoped I would awake after a few hours sleep and feel better. Nope...much worse.

This is going to linger for a long time. Next week I have to go to conservative Naples for 5 days and I known darn well I'll see MAGA hats and old white people at the LPGA golf tournament, so content that Scott and especially DeSantis won.

I don't want to help my aunt, who is a Republican and voted for DeSantis and Scott. I am supposed to clean her rugs but don't want to go over there.

That's what people don't understand. There are so many attachments. It's hardly watching the returns one night and nothing else.

Ron DeSantis didn't even know why he wanted to be governor yet this state elected him.

I read posts here all the time from Floridians working on campaigns and GOTV. Much appreciated. I hope it doesn't come across as criticism when I emphasize how much better Democratic outreach was in Clark County, NV when I lived there. Nevada is so easy to prioritize and decipher along outreach terms because 70% of the votes are Clark County. GOTV sophistication advantage seems to go back and forth between the parties, based on following this since 1992 for betting purposes. Right now Republicans are somewhat ahead in Florida just like Democrats have figured out Nevada.

This is a loss. Sorry, but every time I pause and reflect it comes back to that. Nelson was bad enough but I could have lived with that outcome and the House, as long as Gillum won.

Gillum's loss meant it was a loss period

[lame54]

113. "Whhhat did we win"?...

[Demsrule86]

116. The ability to shut down Trump and Republicans in terms of legislation.