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Ted Cruz

7 (6.5%)

Rick Santorum

16 (14.8%)

Michelle Bachmann

13 (12%)

Chris Christie

23 (21.3%)

Rand Paul

49 (45.4%)

Total Members Voted: 107

[Max White]

Really, abortion is still a heated issue?
I remember when we had a right wing leader who supported it, and gay marriage and carbon emissions reductions... God I miss those days.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

If anything, the Democratic party probably leans leftward of the general population. It is pretty common, for example, for people to back the party because of it's positions on gay rights, labor, and welfare while hating the party line on abortion and gun control.

There is evidence to suggest that American politicians extremely overestimate how conservative their constituencies are. That I think is a big problem for the American left. They're so afraid of shattering what victories they achieve that they don't do as much as they could or should due to the stereotype of America being a conservative nation.

Anyway, I'm watching the results for the Virginian election, and the Libertarian candidate is doing shockingly well given his position.

[mainiac]

When even the Rom com isn't crazy enough, you know you are having a fun time.
So what happens after the republicans go extinct? A new age of scientific rationalism vs leftist PETA style extremists?

If that happened, and it's a pretty big if... you would probably see another "era of good feelings".  Just like the first era of good feelings, it would be full of vitriolic rhetoric but it would be pretty clear who's in charge.  If the republicans were more interested in party purity than winning elections, we could see ongoing democratic dominance of the political system, like in the US during the early 19th century and Japan for much of the postwar era.  These are both examples of first past the post electoral systems where there wasn't political space for a coalition to seriously challenge the ruling coalition.  If we assume that the republicans don't change course, that's what we'd have because there is no room for them to secure any political alliances beyond the libertarian alliance they already have.

[FearfulJesuit]

Same-sex marriage has passed the Illinois state legislature. I think it's going to go to the governor tonight? Man, these are just falling like dominoes these decades.

And Chris Christie wins New Jersey's gubernatorial election, to the surprise of pretty much nobody, getting impressive results with Hispanics, blacks, women, and everyone else the GOP has alienated in the last couple of decades, despite his standard Republican position on same-sex marriage, abortion and economic issues. (I suspect he'll change his tune on gay marriage by 2016, though). Mittens may be right: he might be the man to save the GOP in its eleventh hour. But will they take him?

[Lord Shonus]

If anything, the Democratic party probably leans leftward of the general population. It is pretty common, for example, for people to back the party because of it's positions on gay rights, labor, and welfare while hating the party line on abortion and gun control.

There is evidence to suggest that American politicians extremely overestimate how conservative their constituencies are. That I think is a big problem for the American left. They're so afraid of shattering what victories they achieve that they don't do as much as they could or should due to the stereotype of America being a conservative nation.

That study only covered two issues. Granted, they're hot-button right now, but that can hardly be extrapolated to all issues.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

So the Virginian election is at 70% reporting, and it looks like, against all polls, Cuccinelli actually has a shot.

[FearfulJesuit]

So the Virginian election is at 70% reporting, and it looks like, against all polls, Cuccinelli actually has a shot.

Now at 81%. I've read that sometimes this happens and the Democrat wins, anyways, because the suburbs of DC are the last to report in, but it looks like it will be very close. Frankly, I'm surprised; you'd think the Libertarian candidate would steal Republican voters, not Democratic ones.

Ah, well. He's not going to survive more than a term if he does win. In the short term, his victory will only strengthen the Tea Party's influence.

Edit to the edit: I think that might have a possibility of happening. Currently, Cuccinelli is winning, but by 23,000 votes. Prince William and Fairfax counties are currently sitting at 45% reporting and 55% reporting, and they're densely populated and blue. But it's going to be neck and neck.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

Sarvis is getting votes from all over the place. He's got 10% figures in several Republican and Democratic counties.

Edit: Amusingly, Huffington Post has declared Bill de Blasio the winner of the New York Mayoral elections ten minutes after the polls closed, with 0% reporting.

[FearfulJesuit]

Update: 85% reporting. Cuccinelli is sitting at 46.8% of the vote, McAuliffe at 46.4%, with less than 7,000 votes between them. I suspect that gap will close in a matter of minutes. Also, Charlottesville is only 10% reporting.

[FearfulJesuit]

91% reporting. McAuliffe has closed the gap and is now on top.

[FearfulJesuit]

95% reporting. The Washington Post has called the election for McAuliffe.

In other news, I'm trying to find a live update of the primary currently happening in Alabama's 1st Congressional District, but can't. Why would that matter, you ask? The Atlantic has a good summary. If Byrne, the non-crazy, loses, then it points for the crazies to turn out in droves during the 2014 primary season beginning in a few months.

[MetalSlimeHunt]

According to Huffington, Byrne is winning by a large margin.

Edit: The race for Attorney General is very, very close at 99% reporting. It's happening.

[misko27]

Amusingly, Huffington Post has declared Bill de Blasio the winner of the New York Mayoral elections ten minutes after the polls closed, with 0% reporting.

As the New Yorker in the house, let me just say that was already a late call at that point. Most of us called it back when he won the primary and the first polls for the general came out showing De Blasio with a 40-point lead.

[RedKing]

In unrelated news, Rob Ford -- the mayor of Toronto -- announced today that he has smoked crack before.

Asked for a clarification of when this occurred, he responded "Probably in one of my drunken stupors." (this is an honest-to-God verbatim quote. Stupors. In the plural.)

Ford is not resigning and intends to stand for re-election when his term ends.

Two observations:
1. This man wins the 2013 Brass Cajones award, narrowly edging out Don "Lazy Blacks" Yelton.
2. WTF, Canada?? When did you start electing Charlie Sheen?

[misko27]

In unrelated news, Rob Ford -- the mayor of Toronto -- announced today that he has smoked crack before.

Asked for a clarification of when this occurred, he responded "Probably in one of my drunken stupors." (this is an honest-to-God verbatim quote. Stupors. In the plural.)

Ford is not resigning and intends to stand for re-election when his term ends.

Two observations:
1. This man wins the 2013 Brass Cajones award, narrowly edging out Don "Lazy Blacks" Yelton.
2. WTF, Canada?? When did you start electing Charlie Sheen?

I recall that a video had surfaced of him smoking it was acquired by the police; the Police Chief stated there wasn't enough evidence to convict him, but that "as a citizen, I am embarrassed". He hasn't openly admitted to smoking crack up until now, but his drunken stupors are very public and well-known.