Stevens pollster: Begich will win
posted at 6:25 pm on November 13, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Thus ends the ‘Cuda’s Senate dreams and with it, in all probability, the dream of an effective Republican filibuster.
Alaska-based GOP pollster David Dittman, who worked for Sen. Ted Stevens during this year’s primary race, believes Democratic challenger Mark Begich is all but certain to expand his current razor-thin lead and snatch the seat.
“I don’t think Stevens can come back,” Dittman said, noting that he thinks the remaining trove of uncounted ballots will help Begich “increase his lead.”…
Dittman believes early and absentee ballots, which compromise the approximately 40,000 votes left to count, will likely reflect Begichs’ overall advantage so far among those who took advantage of either process. Heavy early voting occurred in the period that directly followed Stevens’ conviction on seven felony counts of making false statements on his Senate financial disclosure forms.
Even if Coleman and Chambliss pull their races out — which seems unlikely — this would mean 58 blue seats with only centrist Republicans like Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, and Arlen Specter in the way of a filibuster-proof majority. Dude. Dude.
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We’re screwed.
p0s3r on November 13, 2008 at 6:28 PM
oh man, you mentioned Arlen Specter. We are so screwed.
Zorro on November 13, 2008 at 6:29 PM
And I just stuck the gun in my mouth.
D0WNT0WN on November 13, 2008 at 6:29 PM
Chambliss will probably pull it out, although I think the Dems will successfully steal the seat in MN because Republicans will let them.
thirteen28 on November 13, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Eh, Freedom was getting old, wasn’t it?
I’m sure oppression will be nice, though.
Chad on November 13, 2008 at 6:34 PM
What the hell; why not go whole hog.
It’s the Dems ball game and Mr. Obama and the Congress will be slitting each others throats by the end of this.
The court system however is about to become irretrievable.
All you anti-abortion folks might as well forget it and move on to other issues.
Abortion is here to stay; it’s moot.
mylegsareswollen on November 13, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Since Democrats tend to be math-challenged (certainly as it relates to budgeting,) they may have misjudged how many late ballots were needed. So, there’s always a chance.
RBMN on November 13, 2008 at 6:37 PM
I didn’t really want Sarah to go to the Senate anyway… And I really can’t get too sad about a corrupt politician losing his seat.
But that fillibuster thing… Well, the numbers really don’t matter because on important issues we were going to lose the social liberals anyway.
myrenovations on November 13, 2008 at 6:39 PM
I couldn’t hear the cow bell!
stonemeister on November 13, 2008 at 6:40 PM
This, plus the ridiculous Franken, and we’re farked as a country. That’s the real shame.
The good thing is that only the libs can be blamed, but in two years the MSM will say “They tried hard to undo the Bush years, but have not succeeded, yet”, as we slide into nihilism like the lemmings that the majority of us are. We farked ourselves, and we deserve it.
Schadenfreude on November 13, 2008 at 6:41 PM
As I said, Christmas every day!
benny shakar on November 13, 2008 at 6:42 PM
I guess when the nation elects a man who damn’s God God no longer blesses the country.
I fear for this once blessed country.
Steveangell on November 13, 2008 at 6:44 PM
She said that she would not close the door to any possibilities for the future. Hardly a “dream” so I doubt that she is disappointed though I imagine that there are people who are disappointed that she isn’t disappointed.
Blake on November 13, 2008 at 6:44 PM
Yep.
And you will own it, lock, stock, & barrel.
ChrisM on November 13, 2008 at 6:45 PM
What is the RNC doing about MN?! This Duncan guy is screwing the party!
Our country is going to go down the crapper!
jencab on November 13, 2008 at 6:45 PM
My gun’s all clean. I’ll be going off the grid around June 15 to beat the inaugral day rush.
TexasDan on November 13, 2008 at 6:46 PM
Trust me, Christmas is going to end really fast once you guys actually have the responsibility. And we’ll get to play offense for a change.
:)
thirteen28 on November 13, 2008 at 6:47 PM
MORE COWBELL!!!
Babs on November 13, 2008 at 6:49 PM
It’s 1976!!
All they know is defecit spending. And when the world market stops buying our bonds, abracadabra double digit inflation followed by high interest rates to stop the bleeding. What this administration coupled with this congress is not going to play Santa Claus to the auto industry, and to this consatituency or that constituency? Pass the auto bailout on party lines and watch them declare bankruptcy anyway. Like Ace said:
We need to get our house in order, quick.
Theworldisnotenough on November 13, 2008 at 6:49 PM
Not sure the senate is the best place for Palin, but if she wants to be there, she can run in 2010 against Murkowski.
digitalintrigue on November 13, 2008 at 6:50 PM
At least we can say “We had nothing to do with it” 4 years from now…assuming they put that in the history books.
right2bright on November 13, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Sucks for us, but not surprising. The surprise would have been if Stevens had actually won. Probably better for the ‘Cuda in the long run too. If she’s really serious about the Senate she’ll work her ass off for the next two years, prove her mettle as a leader in tough economic times, then run against Murkowski in 2010. Rather see her run for and serve a full second term as governor though.
meltenn on November 13, 2008 at 6:51 PM
Aren’t Senate seats up every 6 years? He’ll be there for six years. And if Al Franken wins, so will he.
terryannonline on November 13, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Well, there will be no excuses for the Democrats, and Al Franken will be one of the poster boys for this election cycle.
But Stevens is a real jerk. He should have resigned or at least declined to run for re-election to give a decent Republican a chance to hold the seat. Any Republican probably could have done it except him.
forest on November 13, 2008 at 6:52 PM
As I said, Christmas every day!
benny shakar on November 13, 2008 at 6:42 PM
I’m not suffering from TPS (Troll Paranoia Syndrome), so I hope you’re being snarky, but if you’re sincere, keep openin’ those gifts Cowboy!
Chewy the Lab on November 13, 2008 at 6:53 PM
Sending in lawyers. Coleman has lawyers. The recount will be watched closely, especially in the counties that “found” more votes for Franken. The ballots were to be sorted and sealed after polls closed. The tapes from the scanners initialed by the election judges (Dem and GOP) and forwarded to appropriate officials.
Wethal on November 13, 2008 at 6:56 PM
More cowbell! I’ve got a feevah!
batter on November 13, 2008 at 6:57 PM
I agree that if the Dems get their 60 seats they will also get the total blame for every screw up that happens.
katiejane on November 13, 2008 at 6:58 PM
What do you mean, “Cuda’s Senate dreams”? She never indicated she had any. That would have been a horrible mistake, anyway.
Jim62sch on November 13, 2008 at 6:58 PM
Once again:
http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/9493/tohellwithit2hy6.jpg
At least there’s a good football game on the NFL Network tonight….. oh wait….
toliver on November 13, 2008 at 6:59 PM
The senate right now is a nest of vipers. Palin needs to stay as for away from Washington as oh, Alaska. She can build on her experience in the national campaign by raising money (she would be a top draw for fundraisers) and she needs to write and develope her beliefs into a form that anyone can understand and to which they can relate.
davo on November 13, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Eh, maybe we’ll luck out and Pelosi or Reid or Schumer will have a massive stroke. Wouldn’t that be delicious?
marklmail on November 13, 2008 at 7:04 PM
How’s Palin going to gain experience? By reading books on amazon lol.
Palinpuma on November 13, 2008 at 7:06 PM
Eh, maybe we’ll luck out and Pelosi or Reid or Schumer will have a massive stroke. Wouldn’t that be delicious?
marklmail on November 13, 2008 at 7:04 PM
That is a perfectly awful thing to say. And you left out Durbin and Barbara Boxer.
anniekc on November 13, 2008 at 7:08 PM
imagine if we could’ve got 60 conservative senators with a conservative POTUS.
jp on November 13, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Considering that the Senate produce Obama, Biden and McCain, Sarah is better off as a governor.
Keeps you realistic.
profitsbeard on November 13, 2008 at 7:17 PM
I don’t want Gov. Palin in the Senate. It leads to dumbassedness.
SouthernGent on November 13, 2008 at 7:27 PM
Huckabee is starting a new radio show, I don’t know how Palin can do the same without getting in trouble with the folks in Alaska for her doing it while she is Gov
KBird on November 13, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Who is that old garage band singing a Blue Oyster Cult song? They’re good but… y’know.
rihar on November 13, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Excellent point…or headuptheassedness fightingforair.
gracie on November 13, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Sickening a it is, this is what the American people want. Hard to believe but we have gotten to the point were the majority of the public is too dumbed down or too addicted to government fixing their problems. I don’t know how we get this country back. What is the evidence that the public is ever likely to spontaneously turn back from this slippery slope we have been in for decades?
I go from being determined to work harder than ever to elect conservatives, to feeling that it is all futile given where the American people are at, and checking out of politics altogether. I know my family and i will weather whatever comes, but I worry for the country. What Obama and all these democrats are was out there for all to see before the elections, and they were elected en masse.
neuquenguy on November 13, 2008 at 7:38 PM
Que sera, sera
Limerick on November 13, 2008 at 7:38 PM
A Dem senatyor from AK? Senator Stuart Smalley??? ugh
brak on November 13, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Didn’t the prosecutor in Stevens case call congress a sanctuary of crime. Its’ like a bunch of Vic Mackeys running the country.
liquidflorian on November 13, 2008 at 7:41 PM
Who’s selling the “Don’t Blame Me” bumper stickers ??
Seriously.
pambi on November 13, 2008 at 7:42 PM
Does anyone really care what Mike Huckabee has to say about anything?
DeathToMediaHacks on November 13, 2008 at 7:44 PM
Why so glum? Think os all those RINOs we have gotten rid of! Woohoo!
rockmom on November 13, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Oh gee, I don’t know….maybe if we stopped kicking people out of the Republican Party and started inviting them in we might have saved some of these Senate and House seats. Just a thought.
rockmom on November 13, 2008 at 7:47 PM
Keep hope alive. The socialism was much worse in the 60s and 70s and we clawed our way back. Could take a while though.
Jim62sch on November 13, 2008 at 7:47 PM
I think World Net Daily has bumper stickers
Bullhead on November 13, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Who did we kick out? We ran McCain, for Christ’s sake. Arlen Specter and Arnold Schwarzenegger are considered Republicans.
Jim62sch on November 13, 2008 at 7:49 PM
Hey, good news. Allah has more gloom and doom to roll around in. At some point, dude, it’s a disorder.
Sugar Land on November 13, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Sorry, I am not sure what you are referring to. Who have we kicked out? You mean in the primaries?
neuquenguy on November 13, 2008 at 8:00 PM
I have to admit I would have had a hard time voting for him myself, regardless of the conviction. I probably just wouldn’t have voted for the seat. I know it is said that we should stop holding our guys to certain standards because goodness knows the Dems don’t but I am not a Dem.
Cindy Munford on November 13, 2008 at 8:07 PM
Thanks, Bullhead.
Don’t see the one I wanted, but they have a lot of interesting stuff.
http://shop.wnd.com/store/
pambi on November 13, 2008 at 8:08 PM
There is one bright spot in all of this…if anyone in the media has the cajones to ask the question. I envision Obama sitting down to an interview and being immediately asked how it feels being the first black president knowing that without the extra few percentage points in the balloting that he received as a result of Affirmative Action he would have lost. His only response can be that he received no “extra” automatic votes due to Affirmative Action. The interview immediately ends with the interviewer explaining that Hallehluyah! The age of Affirmative Action is at an end! People can actually achieve a goal without government intervention.
BadMojo on November 13, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Only when they thought tht libtud Bush and that Rino McCin were the Conservative alternatives. This shows how bad Bush blew it. And how bd a campign McCain ran except for Sarah. My advice – buy more ammo
bill30097 on November 13, 2008 at 8:38 PM
The next two years are going to hurt.
Troy Rasmussen on November 13, 2008 at 8:52 PM
How sweet it would be. If only logic and critical thinking skills still had a significant place in this country.
neuquenguy on November 13, 2008 at 8:58 PM
The Democrats aren’t about to repeat the mistake they made in Florida in 2000 again…
18-1 on November 13, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Idiot.
Monkei on November 13, 2008 at 9:08 PM
Yeah I would suggest buying one or two for your car. I know I got great attention sporting my “Don’t blame me I voted against Bush … TWICE!!!” sticker!
Monkei on November 13, 2008 at 9:12 PM
“See” your posts often but will “raise” you, um, how ’bout credibility.
This is only my opinion and I know you think Sarah is unprepared, untested. OK, it takes about two years (working hard to get a Master’s Degree. Sarah has four and (by golly, I betcha)me think she’s gonna have the aquivalent of a doctorate in foreign policy by that time.
Also,
I WORKED shoulder-shoulder with true PUMAs (I’m a conservative)during the election and I came to admire them in a lot of ways. The first thing was their tenacity in working for McCain/Palin (albeit, because they wanted to screw Obama more than they wanted to support McCain), but each and every one told me they had developed a huge respect for Gov. Palin. I came to admire each and every one of these folks (men and women alike). But sadly, I think we all learned an important lesson here: both sides. That is: YOU NEVER WIN IN THE LONG RUN WHEN YOU VOTE AGAINST SOMETHING.
Chewy the Lab on November 13, 2008 at 9:12 PM
As soon as I saw Stevens, Coleman and Chambliss with less than a 1% lead, I knew all 3 would go Dem. Funny how it **ALWAYS** goes the Dem way in close senate elections. Exact same thing happened in 2006 in MT and VA…0.1% races and both went to the Dem.
Republicans never learn it seems and expect foolishly to win elections fairly.
angryed on November 13, 2008 at 9:18 PM
The next
twotwenty years are going to hurt.Troy Rasmussen on November 13, 2008 at 8:52 PM
angryed on November 13, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Fixed, a$$hole.
fossten on November 13, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Social Conservatives are all the Republican party can turn to for help.
Fiscal conservatives don’t exist in the Republican party, quick name me one.
Also, if you think ruining the economy will in some way keep the Dems hamstrung, the Dems need the economy to tank even further to justify enacting their agenda.
jack_in_the_box on November 13, 2008 at 9:47 PM
Just bought 1,000 rounds of Silver Bear .308.
fossten on November 13, 2008 at 10:05 PM
WTF is screwed?
Alaska is…. thanks Allah!
upinak on November 13, 2008 at 10:38 PM
“Reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.” *The Conservative Movement*
Mojave Mark on November 14, 2008 at 1:02 AM
If the dems effectively control all three branches (once the supreme judges are replaced), Obama will become de-facto dictator. The reason Bush couldn’t get anything done at first was that 1) half the country thought he wasn’t president thanks to “Algore” and 2) he didn’t care to be (no child left behind written by Ted Kennedy). Being a utopian statist, Obama will take full advantage of his acorn-provided “mandate” to do things you could only expect from a fascist state: creating a militia(!), nationalizing industry, controlling the economy, etc.
ebrawer on November 14, 2008 at 1:50 AM
Is this Allah guy working for the enemy? I wonder how many thousands of McCain/Palin votes were suppressed by the non-stop “obligatory” distortion of reality.
This whole site is a Pitty Party. I come here and it seems like I just walked into the studio of MSNBC.
Hey how about another Andrew Sullivan or Peggy Noonan story? Not.
Can’t HOTAIR find a more intellectually honest blogger?
Geochelone on November 14, 2008 at 4:40 AM
Just another stolen free and fair election. Wake up and smell the voter fraud.
Done That on November 14, 2008 at 5:16 AM
If Stevens had just resigned a year ago like he should have they might have been able to replace him with someone who could have won.
Terrye on November 14, 2008 at 7:15 AM
explain to me why we keep running these douchebags? anyone?…. anyone?….
BadBrad on November 14, 2008 at 7:30 AM
The problem is that the fix is already in. The statistical evidence is absolutely damning to the honesty of that election.
Outlander on November 14, 2008 at 7:35 AM
In an ideal world, you win an election outside the margin of fraud so you don’t have to worry about the Dems stealing the election. But if you think there’s even a chance the election will be within the margin of fraud, you need to spend the money and have the lawyers and the volunteers overseeing the f—ing election. Obama had thousands of lawyers and volunteers deployed in all the battleground states, prepared to raise holy terror if there were ANY irregularities that might have affected his campaign. The GOP had what, 3 guys in a truck somewhere in MN?
Once again, I return to my criticism from early October. The RNC should have pulled its money away from McCain and spent it on the downticket races. If Norm Coleman had another $1MM in advertising and some money to do ballot security, we might not have been in this position. (i.e., a Republican would have been in that one huge county 11 days before the election to say “hey, what is this I hear about all of your voting machines being improperly configured so they can’t automatically report their vote totals? Fix that!” Since the RNC refused to pull out of McCain’s race and focus attention on these Senate races, the funding wasn’t properly deployed to do ballot security and advertising. And now you are seeing the result of that decision.
Outlander on November 14, 2008 at 7:44 AM
Good. Getting rid of Stevens is a positive. The dems already had a filibuster proof Senate. On any given bill there is at least 6 or 7 Repubs that will vote for any bill that increases spending or expands government. At least one of the most infamous Repub Senators is gone along with his bridge to nowhere. He was the symbol for everything wrong with Repubs these last eight years.
Another bonus hopefully, is that Palin puts a cork in it and goes back to Alaska and governs and gets elected in 2010.
While most of you loved her at the governor’s get together her speech was terrible. Most of the attendees slept through it. She needs to go home and be a good gov for the next six years. She will then be ready for 2016.
patrick neid on November 14, 2008 at 8:12 AM
We did this to ourselves. Trying to out give Socialist is a loser from day one. Republicans allowed corruption and the LARGEST GROWTH expansion of government under their stewardship. Republicans just oversaw the socialization of the 1st & 2nd largest Mortgage holders, + the largest Insurance company, + a few banks, + a few credit card companies, + whispers of the auto industry.
Hell, the Republicans did all the ground work and heavy lifting our now democratic run socialist revolution.
I still strongly believe the majority of American are NOT socialist and are NOT wanting the government control over their every day lives (for their own good of course). This belief is our future. The Dems will have no excuse for their base and with the current hardcore leftist Dem leadership we can prepare for some real sweeping “change”.
That strong socialist shift will like all attempts prior fail.
Our job and concentration should be on purging the party of these corrupt blue bloods and our Rhinos which are nothing but democrats flogging a false flag.
Lets build a foundation of beliefs that are solid and NOT to be chipped, bent, or cracked without immediate excommunication of the violator. All else will follow.
1. FREEDOM= Freedom not slavery or quasi slavery. Freedom to do as you please live as you please. Freedom to succeed or fail as you please. Freedom
2. SMALL LIMITED GOVERNMENT= Every government agency should be audited annually and cut or eliminate if at all possible. Privatize as much as possible and regularly bid out to competition.
3. DEREGULATION= Plays directly to item one and two. The idea you need a permit to sell hot dogs on a corner is a sign of our rot not glory.
4. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM= Insert your own name, formula, explanation, or void of your choice. Freedom of religion means you shouldn’t be offended by others beliefs nor should you be required to hide your own.
5. PROMOTION OF BASIC MORALS= The demoralization of core one time American beliefs like patriotism, freedom, self-determination, family, self respect, work ethic, and “life is about more than the moment or chasing craven pleasures”. These ideals need to be revitalized and re-instituted across the board (schools, TV, movies, government, everything).
Those beliefs ring home with middle America. Middle America should be our target because middle America is under siege from both sides yet are still the back bone of this nation.
C-Low on November 14, 2008 at 10:36 AM
No one seems to understand that once “that one” enacts sweeping amnesty for illegals, the dems will have come a long way towards having a lock on elections for the forseeable future. Couple that with republicans who are so inept on so many levels. They seem completely unable to articulate a coherent message that resonates with the majority in the country who are “supposedly” still conservative. I’m not even sure I believe that’s true.
Could someone please explain to me why the he11 everyone is screaming that repubs needed to be punished and deserved to be thrown out of office??? Why do we never hear that the dems deserve to be punished likewise? THEY are the ones who screwed this economy, starting with Fannie & Freddie! Why have the republicans ALLOWED themselves to be blamed (and therefore, punished) for this?
Puddleglum on November 14, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Senator DeMint.
There, there’s one. And there are many others. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been 51 of them in a while and looks like there won’t be for some time to come.
PastorJon on November 14, 2008 at 11:55 AM
Palin is too good for the Senate anyway.
el gordo on November 14, 2008 at 12:23 PM
If you want sand to bury your head in, there are plenty of places to hide.
Grow Fins on November 14, 2008 at 12:41 PM
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