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Tuesday, August 02, 2005

OH-2: It's Gonna Be a Long Night

Posted by Tim Tagaris

It's gonna be a long night. 91 precincts remaining out of 191 in Clermont County is all that's left. Paul is down 800 votes.

UPDATE (Tim): It's over. Paul lost by about 4000 votes--he got 48.2% of the vote at the end of the night. We didn't take the seat, but holy shit was this a win for the 50 state strategy, the netroots, and the future of the country--the grassroots of the Democratic Party.

We have sent a powerful message for 2006 tonight, and over the past several weeks. Close the book on round one, an overwhelming victory of us.

Posted at 10:25 PM in Ohio | Technorati

Comments

Thanks for being there. San Francisco is routing for Paul. Please keep the comments coming.

Posted by: Michael SF at August 2, 2005 10:34 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

A tremendous fight in an incredibly tough district -- arguably the district that was the key to Bush's 2004 victory.

Posted by: samrayburn at August 2, 2005 10:34 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Precincts are all in Clermont county, Schmidt's back yard. Their results (http://www.clermontelections.org/508/results_default.html) is hosed at 10:34PM

Posted by: Bob O'Shaughnessy at August 2, 2005 10:35 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

We need more posts from the conservative trolls. They sound like they're up past their bedtime.

Posted by: Steve M at August 2, 2005 10:36 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

The 2006 Democratic campaign to retake BOTH houses of Congress starts RIGHT NOW.

Hackett for Congress, Ohio-2nd, 2006.

Right-wing trolls: Your candidate won by one-half of one per cent in a district you won by 44 points in '04. Don't try to make it out as if you won some big victory.

Posted by: Yosef 52 at August 2, 2005 10:39 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

What is the automatic recount margin and how close to it are we?

Posted by: Polk for the 21st Century at August 2, 2005 10:42 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Would you accept a post from an ex-conservative who donated to Hackett's campaign? I've been following this for weeks, gave $$, etc.
I've been sitting here for hours watching results pour in--I didn't think he could pull it off, but I never expected it to be so close! Damn it; I thought he could do this.
To ask the dumb question--is it over over? Or just "we know he'll never win Clarmont" over?

Posted by: torrentprime at August 2, 2005 10:43 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

If what we are hearing is true, that Clermont is handcounting ballots now - i fucking hope we have people down at that BoE at least checking ot see who is doing the counting, taking photos, seeing who is going in and out etc.

Posted by: Pounder at August 2, 2005 10:46 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

oh, and the margin for an automatic recount is 1/2 of 1%, I believe. So unless the gap narrows to under ~500, a recount is not assured.

Posted by: torrentprime at August 2, 2005 10:49 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Even a "loss" would be one of the greatest electoral upsets ever. Seeing the Republicans blindsided is a beautiful thing.

Hooray for the 50-state strategy. Now all we gotta do is tell the DCCC that there is such a thing. (We've got a bone to pick re CA-22.)

Posted by: Ellen Dana Nagler at August 2, 2005 10:49 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Win or lose, Frau Blücher, the Bush wacker, is going to have to answer the following question: Were the numbers a referendum on her on her pimp, Big Daddy GB?

Either more people hate her than she expected, or they hate her idol.

Posted by: George Henson at August 2, 2005 10:50 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

...and the idol's feet are made of clay.

Posted by: palamedes at August 2, 2005 10:52 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Question on the 50-state strategy: How does this work during midterms when the whole netroots community has not one but over 500 races to track, donate to, pull for? We raised $400,000 for Hackett, and that's great, but how does this fly during a normal election cycle?

Posted by: torrentprime at August 2, 2005 10:54 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I'm seeing comments in Kos that Clermont has finally reported 100% results -- 58% for Schmitt, giving her between 51 & 52% overall.

Posted by: Lis Riba at August 2, 2005 10:59 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

It's funny how the Clermont county elections site is down.... maybe they don't want people seeing what's really going on. Bah.... so close.

Posted by: Scott Baecker at August 2, 2005 11:00 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Hi all, I've been sitting, quietly lurking for the past couple of weeks. Hoped and prayed for a different result - but, new campaign starts tomorrow! Been on total pins and needles all day!

Hey, Paul fought a great fight, we showed how people of like mind can come together for a winner. Now, let's go get 'em in all 50!

Posted by: RMinDE at August 2, 2005 11:08 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Various postings on mydd provide compelling evidence that we should investigate the counting of ballots in Clermont County. This delay reeks. How much money does Hackett need for a hand recount? I may be willing to fund it.

Posted by: Kenneth Brummel at August 2, 2005 11:15 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

With all the practice you guys have had, I thought you'd be better losers than this. Ken, no matter how many times you count the ballots, the result won't change. Even your leader said that. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the whining because it makes you look even more pathetic, but I'm surprised that you haven't gotten past that yet. Oh well, maybe after conservatives win even more seats next November. Here's hopin' you keep it up though!

Posted by: SI Conservative at August 2, 2005 11:22 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

This is a victory, everyone. Although the county in which I canvassed and telephoned voted for Schmidt, I am proud I helped close an intimidating Republican advantage. Now, does this bode well for the Ohio 2006 Senate race? I hope this election is used as evidence to pressure to Ohio Democrats to enter the race against DeWine. And now that we know the territory of Ohio 02, we can campaign in this otherwise Republican district and help to unseat DeWine.

Posted by: Kenneth Brummel at August 2, 2005 11:24 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

They wouldn't have given the previous incumbent the Trade job if this weren't the ultimate safe seat, and they had to spend huge to keep it from going to a guy who ran against Bush.

They have to do it again in a year.

Meanwhile, every Republican Representative in Washington just felt a goose go over their grave. It's gonna be a lot harder to talk them into voting against their districts in the next year.

I'm saying it's pretty much a win.

Um, is that SI NY?

Uh, yeah. Guidance from a loser expert.

Go shave your back.

Posted by: julia at August 2, 2005 11:25 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Thank you guys fro all you've done here. And, Paul, you've made us all very proud. Thank you for the great job.

Posted by: Joe Scordato at August 2, 2005 11:27 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Ken, if you guys didn't know the district before the race, you're WAY too far behind to catch up. You might want to consider giving up now.

Posted by: SI Conservative at August 2, 2005 11:29 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Julia, I'd rather be a supporter of the majority Party in a state where I'm in the minority than vice-versa. Incidentally, I have a Republican Congressman and Richmond County went for the President twice. Nice try though.

Posted by: SI Conservative at August 2, 2005 11:34 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Hey si
can't wait to hear how much Ms Schmidt supports the troops.
BTW didn't read much whining here guess you can't have every thing.

Posted by: darkwhite at August 2, 2005 11:34 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

"Various postings on mydd provide compelling evidence that we should investigate the counting of ballots in Clermont County. This delay reeks. How much money does Hackett need for a hand recount? I may be willing to fund it."

"If what we are hearing is true, that Clermont is handcounting ballots now - i fucking hope we have people down at that BoE at least checking ot see who is doing the counting, taking photos, seeing who is going in and out etc."

There are others, including on the previous thread. You guys just can't accept the fact that you lost.

Posted by: SI Conservative at August 2, 2005 11:37 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I'm from Ohio (NW not SW) and the only surprise here is the rural vote...which carried Bush in '04 and went for Hackett here...the suburbs stayed solidly red and this isn't a shock...

Posted by: grocer at August 2, 2005 11:38 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

I think we proved a point here and should celebrate the fact that we made some new friends and allies, and made a collective ass out of the NRCC which said they "decided to bury him".

Moreover, we need to figure out how we can persuade the Democratic party to keep Maj. Paul Hackett front and center in the future. Like Barack Obama, I think he represents a new style of Democratic candidate that actually harkens back to the party's populist roots. I would love to see him as the keynote speaker of the DNC 2008.

(maybe he should run for Governor after Taft gets thrown in jail)

Posted by: Roger Spark at August 2, 2005 11:41 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

because Hackett penetrated so deeply and vigorously into the Republican party's base in southern Ohio, I believe he should run for the Senate against DeWine. Just think of the name recognition he just earned.

Posted by: Kenneth Brummel at August 2, 2005 11:56 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Hope you guys have many more "overwhelming victories" like this in the years to come! ;)

Posted by: Pat Curley at August 3, 2005 01:01 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

SIC:

It seems a bit more pathetic to be crowing about a victory where your side won an overwhelmingly Republican district by a razor-thin margin. Enjoy your "victory" while you can and don't be surprised if your representative is a Dem after next year. We're already coming after your Vito and from the preponderance of anti-Fossella signs when the President still believed he could pass Social Security (and unimpressive win in '04, the closest of any incumbent in ny), I wouldn't be so sure he's safe.

Posted by: thurst at August 3, 2005 10:43 AM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment

Help me out here:

Republican voters didn't bother to turn out (less than 50%? Someone must have the numbers). Democrats do a great job mobilizing their forces, and yet they still lose.

If you do the very best you can and still lose to an opposition that isn't even trying, how does that rate as a victory?

Posted by: C.Y. at August 3, 2005 06:46 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment