Disconcerting ripple of optimism among GOP punditry detected!
posted at 11:31 am on November 7, 2006 by Allahpundit
Anti-Republican sites are turning pro-Republican. Hip hop moguls are phoning in to radio stations on behalf of the GOP’s candidate. Geraghty suddenly thinks holding both houses is possible, to the I-told-you-so delight of Dean Barnett — who declares that he’s feeling, and I quote, “really good.”
Even Jeff Gannon thinks we might pull this one out.
Ain’t no way I’m about to sit by and let you chumps get my hopes up. This calls for Uncle A’s patented pessimistic cold-water cure, baby. How’s about a little late break towards McCaskill in not one but two polls? How’s about Jim Caviezel muttering to himself in Aramaic in Missouri? How’s about Election Projection now showing the Dems taking the Senate?
How’s about GOP control of the House dropping five points this morning to land at 17?
Any sports fan, especially a Sox fan like Dean, knows or should know: the surest way to jinx your team is to expect them to win.
Which is why I’m now predicting an 85-seat pickup for the Democrats in the House.
Update: Nutroots out in force in Connecticut! Dan Riehl e-mails:
A Radio caller into WABC reported poll lines at 6 AM much like a Presidential year, unheard of for a mid-term. Possibly good for Lieberman, upper middle class commuting area – but who knows for sure. Caller was a Republican voted for R’s and Joe.
Blowback
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woo-hoo!!
urbancenturion on November 7, 2006 at 11:34 AM
Hopes high, expectations low.
World B. Free on November 7, 2006 at 11:36 AM
Allah, are you sure you didn’t mean the Senate? This Democratic wave is so big it might even turn seats that aren’t being voted on today.
Dudley Smith on November 7, 2006 at 11:39 AM
Its gonna be a pasting. Keep saying it over and over again. That way, if its anything short of a pasting, you can be happy :)
lorien1973 on November 7, 2006 at 11:41 AM
No hope, no expectation. Of course, I’m not even voting today, who can compete with all the dead voters?
Enrique on November 7, 2006 at 11:42 AM
I’m optimistic. I expect the Republicans to pick up 5 in the House and 42 in the Senate.
frankj on November 7, 2006 at 11:43 AM
Sorry Allah…..I still remain firmly in the ‘I get to wear shit eating grins all day tomorrow’ camp. I truly don’t think the GOP will lose either house. As I said in another post comment hereabouts, Americans are not suicidal nor even stupid and in the end, when you draw that curtain, survival is a powerful motivator. Stop with the pessimism please!
dustoffmom on November 7, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Yogi Berra
Kini on November 7, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Ah, pessimism…that’s the stuff.
Slublog on November 7, 2006 at 11:47 AM
Optimist </sarcasm>
steveegg on November 7, 2006 at 11:47 AM
There only one thing for sure: the Dems will try and cheat again.
Halley on November 7, 2006 at 11:48 AM
Back away from the computer and go out and vote. Right now. I think it’ll be a big victory, too, but don’t take it for granted, guys. Vote.
ahem on November 7, 2006 at 11:49 AM
85 seats, AP?
Overly-pessimistic to offest the overly-optimistic. I like it.
Hoodlumman on November 7, 2006 at 11:53 AM
Dude, why the swipe at my sox? Isn’t there like a 5 year moratorium on all that?
E5infantry on November 7, 2006 at 11:55 AM
Uncle A- I’m with you! I am not getting my hopes up just yet…the most important race for me was governor of my state, followed by the federal elections…We will know soon enough, but it really is too early to tell…
Pam on November 7, 2006 at 11:56 AM
Besides, if the GOP isn’t the Sox going into Game 4 of the ALCS down 0-3, I don’t know a better analogy. Vote Pedro, Vote Nixon, Vote Bellhorn, Big papi lives.
E5infantry on November 7, 2006 at 11:56 AM
McCaskill up by 3? Good news: that means Talent’s up by at least 2, if not 3. And with McCaskill hitching her cart to the Amendment 2 donkey (pun very much intended), that’s my prediction: Talent by a minimum of 2.
Tongueboy on November 7, 2006 at 12:01 PM
Nothing ventured, AP? Where’s the fighting spirit? You need to go to the polls and slash some Moonbat tires; you know, get into the spirit of the thing.
Start a fight in line, knock over a table or something?
Jaibones on November 7, 2006 at 12:02 PM
Allahpundit, you magnificent bastard!
keep that pessimistic mojo going. Top of the world, AP!
Ennuipundit on November 7, 2006 at 12:05 PM
Actually, the Sox love to come from behind… not in a Foley way, but they like being down in a game and counted out. Remember all the “I believe” signs in the crowd and some of the unbelievable heroics we’ve seen from them? When they’re down and my brother is watching the game and he gives up hope, I get pissed because that is when they shine. If he goes home and doesn’t watch the end of the game, and they lose, I blame it on his pessimism… However if they win, I mock him for missing an amazing comeback.
RightWinged on November 7, 2006 at 12:09 PM
You can bet every single illegal in Northern Virginia is out voting right now. They need to show a driver’s license to register to vote, and any illegal can get one.
Other ways Dems and the MSM cheat:
1)Skewed polls.
2)Liberal coverage.
3)Not reporting on minority Republicans like Steele as if they don’t exist, or shouldn’t.
4) Running Democrats as “conservatives” on issues in red states. If they eek out a victory, they suddenly ran as liberals, and everybody knew that, giving liberals a mandate.
Dems: The party of cheaters.
januarius on November 7, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Hey that press release from the saynotorudy.org gang was … interesting.
Whether I agree with their (past or present) position or not, I gotta admit: that was a classy move.
Professor Blather on November 7, 2006 at 12:16 PM
More @ Tradesports – the coin-flip point on Dem adds in the HoR is 24.5.
The people with cash on the line aren’t as optimistic as others.
Hoodlumman on November 7, 2006 at 12:17 PM
That has been the WORST thing about watching the Ford campaign here in Tennessee!
My lady and I are watching a Harold Ford commercial the other day – and here’s what he claimed: He’s 1) pro-religion, 2) pro-gun, 3) pro-life, 4) strong on defense, 5) a small government advocate, and 6) strong on border control.
He claimed all that in one ad.
So my fiancee, who doesn’t follow politics, turns to me and says: “Okay – so why’s he a Democrat then?”
Good. Fricking. Question.
The answer: he’s lying. Duh.
Professor Blather on November 7, 2006 at 12:19 PM
Why are you such a pessimist? You are a political blog superstar. I have no doubt gangs of women are proverbially throwing their panties and room keys at you. No matter the outcome today, you have guaranteed job security (and a life time of women’s panties, too).
EF on November 7, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Is allah in New York ?
Means he has to be pessimistic to back the democratic junta taking power there.
William Amos on November 7, 2006 at 12:26 PM
I get off work today at about 5:00PM eastern. If, at that point, there are no leaked early exit polls, then the Republicans are in good shape (echoing Glenn Reynold’s sentiment, with which I agree wholeheartedly).
DaveS on November 7, 2006 at 12:31 PM
Allah has always been pessimistic. If he was optimistic, I would succomb to total fear and dejection. As it is, I still have that old Reagan optimism.
Stormy70 on November 7, 2006 at 12:31 PM
But, do you have your panties? lol!
EF on November 7, 2006 at 12:34 PM
I think a Dem win here would be good. Use the next two years to remind the country why you don’t want them in any position that wields any considerable power.
Nethicus on November 7, 2006 at 12:36 PM
Allah, I bet that you were democrat until michelle sprinkled GOP blessings on you. Avoid taking the democratic pill
On the above, we have som celebrities on our side.
Ouabam on November 7, 2006 at 12:37 PM
FWIW, the Dow, NASDAQ and S&P are all up so far.
Retread on November 7, 2006 at 12:42 PM
Only 19 minutes until the obligatory ABMSBCBSCNN proclamation that exit polls reveal a Landslide Donkey Win!!
Hooray for their side!!
StusBeef on November 7, 2006 at 12:43 PM
Oh,no. Allah was a Reagan fan when he was still in diapers.
EF on November 7, 2006 at 12:45 PM
Okay if the Dems win we get at least 2 years of endless congressional investigations with all of the whining that goes with it.
If the Dems lose we get at least 2 more years of them whining about voter fraud, disenfranchisement, etc.
Hmmmmm Well I’ve gotten kind of used to the whining about voter fraud so I guess I would rather stick with the devil I know.
/either way we get 2 more years of whining
LakeRuins on November 7, 2006 at 12:47 PM
If the Dems do win I’m ready with my check book to start paying those higher taxes.
MikeyB on November 7, 2006 at 12:50 PM
I cannot share the status of my foundation garments, since I am an uptight, Angela (from the Office) type Republican. Oh wait, that is what Democrats and the media think.
Still, being married, that type of info is off limits.
Ahem.
Stormy70 on November 7, 2006 at 12:58 PM
I voted in CT for R’s, Lieberman, and some libertarians for state offices.
And I am disgusted at myself for doing so. I have wanted to get rid of Shays for years, and if i didn’t think we would need every last seat in the house to prevent a Dem majority, I would have voted for that worthless see-you-next-tuesday Dianne Farrell, just because i know she will be easier to replace with a conservative in 2008.
As for Lieberman, likewise, if Schlessinger were a viable candidate, i’d have voted for him, too, but Lieberman is a better option than Lamont.
The only option is to drink myself stupid tonight out of shame.
Realist Citizen on November 7, 2006 at 1:00 PM
Jeff Gannon thinks you might pull this one out (snicker)? Between him and Ted Haggard, the GOP has all but locked up the gay prostitute vote.
Constantine on November 7, 2006 at 1:00 PM
I’m sure you will take comfort in the “fact” that it will be used to “protect the children”.
Anyway, you won’t have to write a check. They’ll get it in other ways that aren’t so obvious…gas tax, tire tax, cigarette tax, estate tax, and on and on and on……..
BacaDog on November 7, 2006 at 1:06 PM
Well, that’s one more voter block we didn’t have before…
BacaDog on November 7, 2006 at 1:07 PM
There are way to many cries of voter suppression coming from the Dems already. I take this as a good sign. The Dems can feel the loss coming and are whining early and often.
Dudley Smith on November 7, 2006 at 1:11 PM
Constantine, the guy who was having sex with Haggard for money is a liberal, isn’t he? Who did Gannon have sex with for money?
Pablo on November 7, 2006 at 1:14 PM
It’s a big, big tent.
Pablo on November 7, 2006 at 1:15 PM
Ditto
SouthernGent on November 7, 2006 at 1:17 PM
Hey, Allah…that SurveyUSA poll was the 2nd one they posted on their website…from the same 2 stations on the same day. Here’s your poll and here’ the other one
Now how on Earth can that be? Sure, the voting sample are different, but c’mon!
SouthernGent on November 7, 2006 at 1:21 PM
If Haggard’s lover will screw a Republican, why wouldn’t he vote for one? Gannon (James Dale Guckert) has advertised himself as a gay escort named Bulldog, and I just happen to have his client list right here:
Hang on, the Secret Service is at the door–
LOGOUT +++
END TRANSMISSION
Constantine on November 7, 2006 at 1:32 PM
ten.
I agree also. There was just a story in Yahoo posted about the extremely high voter turnout in Virginia, which I take as a good sign. In the middle of the story, they just had to mention “voter suppression.” I believe they are getting nervous. Even with the busloads of illegals Dems are bringing to voting stations in Arlington and Alexandria, a high turnout in the rest of Virginia will be good news for Allen.
januarius on November 7, 2006 at 1:36 PM
Because Dems will do
for a buck. No one will pay you to vote GOP.
Ah, so your being full of crap is the GOP’s fault? Well, it was nice having you stop by, Mr. Kerry.
Pablo on November 7, 2006 at 1:39 PM
of course illegals are going to vote , because they know that Democrats will grant them & their families amnesty, even thought they call it a “guest worker” program
Starblazer on November 7, 2006 at 1:44 PM
The MSM’s tactics in the past elections:
2000 early call of Florida, depressing vote in the still open and heavily republican precincts of the Florida panhandle.
2004 early exit poll results forecast a Kerry landslide, another attempt to depress the republican vote. Exit polls were later proven to be bogus and unreliable.
2006 months and months of stories on how the dems will take both houses. right before the election, the MSM realizes this turnout suppression tactic wont work, so on the day before the election we see a spate of “GOP will keep both houses” stories . . . . they are just once again trying to find a way to keep the GOP voter at home.
VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Labamigo on November 7, 2006 at 1:51 PM
Let’s not ignore that Republicans will do anything for a buck as well (and more often). Would you like to go over the list of prominent GOP legislators and supporters who have been involved in financial scandals?
Is your point that Guckert was never a gay escort?
What’s with the anger? Why so glum?
Constantine on November 7, 2006 at 1:54 PM
I’m with you, Allah:
COMPLETE, TOTAL WIPEOUT!
(Which is what Kos says. And he knows everything.)
Ali-Bubba on November 7, 2006 at 2:02 PM
Ok, let’s call a spade a spade.
All politicians are willing do anything for a buck. So if you want real prostitutes, you only have to look as far as the polls.
Unfortunately, for us, we end up getting f%#ked and paying for it. We must like it, every second year we come back for more.
Kini on November 7, 2006 at 2:17 PM
…two words for you: Jefferson…freezer….
Puritan1648 on November 7, 2006 at 2:26 PM
I got news for you… I WISH the opposition to Bush was that organized. They couldn’t prevent the most incompetent president in American history from getting re-elected, even though their supposedly “favored” candidate was 2-0-1 in debating him. You shouldn’t worry so much.
Constantine on November 7, 2006 at 2:26 PM
We apparently have very different ideas about what constitutes “anything”.
No, I’m just waiting for that list of people he had sex with for money…which I believe was your point. You brought up the gay prostitute block, didn’t you? Why don’t you want to work that thought out, bunky?
I’m LMAO. You must be projecting.
Pablo on November 7, 2006 at 2:40 PM
I see your Jefferson and raise you Delay, Ney, and Cunningham.
Constantine on November 7, 2006 at 2:42 PM
No, that was a joke; too subtle for you, I guess. Look for dates on your own time.
Constantine on November 7, 2006 at 2:52 PM
Not me. I want the dems defeated so their party can go ahead and implode and then be reclaimed by saner Democrats who will then be able to easily justify tossing out the far left on their ears.
techno_barbarian on November 7, 2006 at 2:53 PM
Oh come on, Connie. You can do better than that! Tell us a funny!
Hint: Good funnies usually have a ring of truth. You should try that.
Pablo on November 7, 2006 at 2:54 PM
After what libs (like you’re obviously endorsing) have done to gays and minorities during this election, those core dem constituencies should come on over to the GOP where they’ll be respected and encouraged. Your party’s rotten and dying Constantine.
techno_barbarian on November 7, 2006 at 2:58 PM
There is quite a bit of opinion in this quote masquerading as fact. Incompetent? That seems more of a personal judgement call than historical fact. Especially at this point in time when we have not seen the end results of his policies. As for who won or lost a debate, that’s hardly an objective thing either. Just look at the Nixon/JFK debates. People listening on the radio felt Nixon won. People watching on TV felt Kennedy won. While there wasn’t the radio/tv disconnect on those debates, it does illustrate that people are entirely likely to declare a winner based on factors other than the merit of the person’s arguments.
Suppose, for a moment, that you are absolutely correct the George W. Bush from 2000-2004 was the most incompetent president in the history of the US. Why then couldn’t the opposition manage to get their guy elected? You pretty much have 3 possibilities.
1) The majority of the American public is stupid – Possible, but, I’m sure you’ll agree that stupid people can just as easily vote democrat as republican. I’d also be willing to bet that you know some people you consider intelligent that vote republican (although you just can’t figure out why). I certainly know an extremely intelligent man that is so staunchly democrat he will spend 30+ hours/week campaigning for Democratic candidates and causes during elections (in addition to working 50+ hours/week at work). So, while there might be a large population of (politically) uneducated people out there voting, they don’t seem to overwhelmingly vote one way or another.
2) Republicans steal the election – So, the evil republicans are smart (and dastardly) enough to steal most (but not all) important elections. Except for that whole President thing from 1992-2000 and that really long dry spell we had in congress. But, other than that, republicans are able to steal any election they want (except, possibly, today’s election). What I don’t understand is that, if Republicans are so smart that they know how to play the system and cheat to win any election they possibly want to win, why are they so dumb that they chose the most ‘incompetent’ president in the history of the US….Guess that’s all part of their plan.
3) People aren’t dumb. The elections aren’t stolen. However, in spite of George W. Bush’s horrible ‘incompetence’ the people again chose to elect him President. Is it because they strongly approve of the job he’s doing or because they strongly disapprove of the job they think a democratic president would do? I guess that’s open for debate. However, what’s apparent is that people aren’t buying whatever it is the democrats are selling.
My money is on option 3. Oh, wait! I just saw another MSM report about a radical conservative candidate that is way out of touch with the average american so it couldn’t possibly be that the majority of Americans lean right.
Guess it really is that we’re all dumb.
JadeNYU on November 7, 2006 at 3:12 PM
Techno, I don’t understand what you think the Democrats have done to gays and minorities. Why would those constituencies move to the GOP, the party that wants to make them second class citizens (gay marriage, disenfranchisement)?
How many seats will my “rotten and dying” party win today? Sure, we’re not as good as Republicans at winning elections, but the GOP generally sucks at governing.
Constantine on November 7, 2006 at 3:18 PM
What did you just do to Jeff Gannon and Ted Haggard?
Of course you don’t understand. Your party doesn’t either. They don’t really get the race thing, either.
Pablo on November 7, 2006 at 3:24 PM
I’m done with Constantine. There’s just nothing there to work with.
techno_barbarian on November 7, 2006 at 3:35 PM
Connie, speaking of Haggard, you don’t look so good. Up late trying to find good examples of Republican “disenfranchisement” of minorities?
By the way, what exactly is “gay marriage”?
Jaibones on November 7, 2006 at 3:39 PM
Jade, you have some valid points there. Everybody’s opinions in this arena are subjective, as is my evaluation of Bush.
I’ll respond to your scenarios with one of my own:
The Bush Administration has successfully took advantage of fear generated by a cataclysmic event in order to achieve their objectives, few of which are in the best interest of the American people. It doesn’t take a brilliant man to exploit fear. You go with what sells.
There was certainly election fraud, but not as part of a vast consipiracy; there happened to be two radically partisan Secretaries of State in states that decided the 2000 and 2004 elections who blatantly manipulated the outcomes. Did Karl Rove know what was going on? My gut feeling is: probably. I can’t imagine how anybody would go about proving that. The idea that the entire country leans right– or left– is equally unproveable given the generally tight races we see in each election cycle.
The 2000 and 2004 elections were close because we’re only now seeing the effects of Bush’s shortcomings: a quagmire in Iraq, Katrina, and the start of a downturn in the economy. People need to remember what happened when Reagan tried trickle-down economics; the same cycle is recurring now, in my opinion.
And I shouldn’t have to say this, but… thanks for not calling me foul names.
Constantine on November 7, 2006 at 3:43 PM
I made reference to the fact they engaged in illegal and hypocritical activity: both have been involved with prostitution, and both support a party that would prevent them from enjoying the same rights as heterosexuals.
Constantine on November 7, 2006 at 3:50 PM