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February 01, 2012 8:35 AM
Last Night’s Other Election
Commenter Berttheclock already beaten me to the punch, but yes, there was another election yesterday that unlike the Florida Republican presidential primary, actually resulted in the immediate election of someone to an office: the special election in Oregon’s 1st congressional district (in NW OR) to replace Rep. David Wu, who resigned in August after a sex scandal.
In good news for Democrats, who were a bit nervous about this special election, former state legislator Suzanne Bonamici defeated Republican business owner Bob Cornilles by a comfortable, higher-than-expected 15-point margin. In fact, the margin was large enough that Cornilles may not bother to try a comeback in November.
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stevio on February 01, 2012 8:49 AM:
Great news, Ed. The MSM will be touting the Democrat's great news all over the news-ways with volumes of excitement and congratulatory pronouncements.
Not.
BUT if the GOP'er had won it would be doomsday all over the cable with thrity-five piece suit pundits drooling over the prospects of how such a major defeat would play-out in the upcoming POTUS election.
This country's nauseating...
Kathryn on February 01, 2012 9:02 AM:
Amen Stevio, nauseating. Did anybody catch Romney singing (again) three stanza of America the Beautiful to the old folks in Florida on The Daily Show?
Good news in Oregon, pass it on.
Anonymous on February 01, 2012 9:10 AM:
Real issue at hand?
Democrats clean their house!
Republicans hide under rocks and hope whatever dunderheaded thing they did (either just legal or possibly illegal) will blow over so they might shamelessly stay in power!
Just look: Wu was forced out by Democratic leadership, and John Boehner has yet to make any kind of public statement regarding his Republican colleagues who are currently being investigated for ethics and possible criminal violations. I believe about 6 of his fellow Republicans are in such a disposition, and John has articulated a "zero tolerance" once upon a time, so where are John's principles?
John Boehner needs to be called out for his intransigence regarding members of his party who may not be worthy enough to do the people's business! -Kevo
berttheclock on February 01, 2012 9:12 AM:
Thank whomever Mitt didn't try to croon "This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land". Woody wrote that because he really did not like "America the Beautiful". Still irks me about the year the RepuGs tried to co-opt Woody's song.
Skip on February 01, 2012 9:30 AM:
Congrats to Bonamici.
It struck me how this was reported in the media..."to replace disgraced Democrat David Wu"...is that like disgraced House Speaker Republican Newt Gingrich, because I don't see "disgraced" and "Republican" in the MSM much at all, and yet...
Two men that failed miserably at their jobs; now one is out of politics and the other is running for president, one is a Democrat, the other a Republican.
The continual and unanswered incongruities of US politics...fair and balanced, sure, but with a very short leash.
ahoy polloi on February 01, 2012 11:37 AM:
@berttheclock
Not to nit-pick, but Woody wrote "This Land..." in the early '40s as a reaction to Irving Berlin's "God Bless America". The song was everywhere (truly a bad song, musically speaking) and Woody penned a response which he originally titled "God Blessed America".
The song as Woody wrote it contained two extra verses that have since been excised from most versions of the song.
"As I was walkin' - I saw a sign there
And that sign said - no tress passin'
But on the other side .... it didn't say nothin!
Now that side was made for you and me!
In the squares of the city - In the shadow of the steeple
Near the relief office - I see my people
And some are grumblin' and some are wonderin'
If this land's still made for you and me."
Anonymous on February 01, 2012 12:03 PM:
Wu's troubles were far more than a "sex scandal"; he appeared to be mentally unstable based on incidents that came up before the harassment issue. I hope he is getting the care he needs.
Meanwhile, congrats to Ms. Bonamici and the intelligent voters who elected her.
berttheclock on February 01, 2012 12:55 PM:
Hey, ahoy polloi, thanks for the needed correction. I shot from the lip, too quickly. Feel very free to pick at nits anytime.
Plus, Anonymous, I still remember vividly the long night when DeLay held up the House for the Medicare D vote and one of those sitting on his hands waiting to vote was Wu. When, he voted at the last minute, he caved to the right. Problem was during that time of waiting, he could have, at least, exhorted DeLay with help in extending much needed unemployment insurance in Oregon. He never requested anything from the RepuGs, but, voted with them anyway. He was not only mentally unstable, but, he was inept.
The Lodger on February 01, 2012 6:56 PM:
Cornilles is actually called Rob.
As in, "Rob Cornilles before he robs you."
Glad to hear about the 15-point drubbing. This district didn't need a Congressman with a picture of Eric Cantor tattooed on his butt.