Comments on: Waaaaaahhhhhh! I wanted to be a Congwesswoman again!!!

By: A churlish Republican and a childish media: notes from the Colorado 4th : Historiann : History and sexual politics, 1492 to the present

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 17:12:55 +0000

[...] reported here before on the failure of Marilyn Musgrave, our soon to be ex-congresswoman from the 4th Congressional district in Northern Colorado, to [...]

By: Historiann

Historiann — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:55:51 +0000

Profane–well, I agree that Pingree’s declaration of victory was probably in poor taste. But, if we’ve learned anything from George W. Bush, we’ve learned that it’s best to declare victory early and fight it out in the courts. The advantage goes to the bold.

I’ve searched the local news this morning, nicolec and ej–there is no mention that she’s phoned Betsy Markey yet. What a class act!

By: e.j.

e.j. — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:31:50 +0000

Musgrave not conceding actually made the Rachel Maddow show tonight.

My, how things have changed!

By: nicolec

nicolec — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:51:08 +0000

Ha, ha, ha, ha
OMG I can’t stop laughing and smiling about what an incredible disappointment of a human being she is. Or rather smiling about the fact that I was always right about it and she has proven me right once again!!! Like I told the canvasser- I’d sooner put my dog’s name on a ballot than cast a vote for ol’ “I hate the gays” Musgrave.

I’m with you Historiann- for once I’m so darn pleased with the people Colorado elected- some of the amendments we voted down made me terribly sad but I’ll take what I can get!!! Boo to California (WTF?) and to Arkansas and Arizona too!

By: Profane

Profane — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 23:58:54 +0000

The article dates from election night, when Pingree declared victory after several press outlets projected her the winner; she did not bother to wait for Summers to concede before declaring victory. (At the time, many of Summers strong districts were yet to report). Summers duly conceded after they had come in, and were not enough to swing things over; Pingree ultimately won by a margin of 55%-45%.

By: Historiann

Historiann — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:29:44 +0000

Hi Profane–do I read that article right? It says that Summers is down 57 to 41, advantage Pingree. Does that mean that she’s got 57% of the vote, and he’s got only 41%? If that’s the case, then I think Pingree can declare victory with a high degree of confidence. But, if “57 to 41″ means districts, or something else besides percentage of votes, then he’s got a point.

But: why would an election in Maine still be in doubt 6 days later? I don’t quite understand.

(And, Susan: what kind of world do we live in that the 4th CD dumps the hate-the-gays Republican, and California votes to hate-the-gays? How strange that I may prefer to live in Colorado after all!)

By: Profane

Profane — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:42:27 +0000

And then there is making the victory speech before your opponents concession:

http://www.politickerme.com/jessicaalaimo/3295/summers-hopeful-pingree-s-speech-was-premature

ARRGGGHHHH! Not a classy start for Maine’s new 1st district congresswoman.

By: Indyanna

Indyanna — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:58:17 +0000

That’s a lotta state borders. Maybe they should let the steers vote and divvy it up into more districts? Is Fort Morgan the county seat, or territorial seat, or whatever? Maybe she’ll hole up in the McCormick House Office Building and refuse to turn over the vote clicker. We could use a good constitutional crisis, even if only on the congressional district level.

Any news on whether my old rowdy college dormitory hallmate, Pete Lee, got elected down there by Pike’s Peak? That would certify the bluification of the state, and maybe cost me a bet I made back there in 1066!

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:57:36 +0000

Well, I’ve been thinking with pleasure about Musgrave’s defeat. Hadn’t read that she didn’t manage to do the right thing and concede…But I know how much you have looked forward to her defeat Congratulations

By: Historiann

Historiann — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 17:23:34 +0000

For many of us, it’s been a mystery that Musgrave managed to get elected 3 times. But, this district ranges all the way from the Denver suburbs to the Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Wyoming borders, and is very conservative overall. One thing I learned by watching Musgrave is that there are some people who don’t want a U.S. Rep. who is dynamic, energetic, or well-spoken, out of fear that someone like that might actually accomplish something. Better to stick with a low-wattage dimwit than risk any kind of activism (outside of the hate-the-gays Constitutional amendment, of course.)

Very weird. But then, I am in opposition to American politics and culture at almost every point conceiveable, so it’s probably me who is the weird one.