GOP Suffers Tough Loss in NY
EmailABC News’ David Chalian Reports: It hasn’t dragged on for as long as the Franken vs. Coleman Senate battle in Minnesota, but the special House election in upstate New York has finally come to a conclusion 24 days after voters went to the polls to elect Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand’s replacement in the House of Representatives. Democrat Scott Murphy squeezed out a roughly 400 vote victory over Republican Jim Tedisco after more than 160,000 residents of the 20th congressional district of New York cast ballots in the race. The counting of absentee ballots in the race concluded this week. Mr. Tedisco, the former minority leader in the New York State Assembly, conceded the race to his Democratic opponent, businessman Scott Murphy. “This was a close campaign every step of the way. Ultimately, it became clear that the numbers were not going our way and that the time had come to step aside and ensure that the next Congressman be seated as quickly as possible," said Tedisco. National Republicans including RNC Chairman Michael Steele pointed to NY-20 (along with the New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial races later this year) as the place to watch for the GOP comeback in the Age of Obama. And the party poured a lot of money and muscle into the district. The National Republican Congressional Committee had touted an internal poll showing Tedisco 20 points ahead of Murphy when the contest got underway in February. Once Tedisco faltered on the trail by refusing to state whether he would have supported Obama’s stimulus plan or not, Democrats saw a vulnerability and pounced with their own huge financial and organizational investment. Labor unions piled on to help bring the largely unknown businessman Murphy across the finish line. Democrats love to point to the 70,000 GOP voter registration advantage in the district to show that they ran hard and won in a tough district. It is true that the district had been traditionally Republican (and solidly so), but in recent years had started trending a bit more Democratic. However, it is a feather in the Democratic cap that Tedisco had high name ID in the district going in, and yet the unknown Murphy was able to overcome a double digit polling deficit in a short time to win the seat. It’s a big blow to the GOP that Democrats were able to hang on to this seat. At a time when all the political winds have been blowing in their face, Republicans were hoping to be able to spark some party rebuilding momentum from this race. Democrats clearly plan to draw national implications from the outcome. "In this election, voters responded to Scott Murphy’s record as a successful businessman who helped to create more than 1,000 jobs and his strong support for President Obama’s economic recovery package," said Chris Van Hollen, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in his post-victory spin on the results. Republicans chose to spin the competitive nature of the race and the close result as a hopeful sign. “Just a few short months ago, President Obama carried this district and Kirsten Gillibrand won by an overwhelming margin against a well-funded challenger. For the first time in a long time, a Republican congressional candidate went toe-to-toe with a Democrat in a hard-fought battle over independent voters. This was hardly a common phenomenon in 2008, particularly in the Northeast," said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions. To be sure, it is more than a bit hopeful to draw any sweeping national conclusions from such a close contest. However, in a competitive district, Democrats successfully blunted any chance for Republicans to get back up on their feet and dust themselves off after two terribly bruising election cycles in 2006 and 2008 — and that’s no small thing.
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The Gop will continue to Suffer Tough Losses unless they Wake up and Realize The country has turned Left!
Posted by: Angie in Pa | April 24, 2009, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm
Being unable to raise their ratings, the Republicans know what they have to do: attack Obama relentlessly and drag his numbers down.
Posted by: billp | April 24, 2009, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
Suddleny the GOP says this race is meaningless? Nice.
http://www.political-buzz.com
Posted by: Matt | April 24, 2009, 4:59 pm 4:59 pm
They better get used to it. Atleast he lost with some class anyways.
Posted by: anderson n carolina | April 24, 2009, 5:00 pm 5:00 pm
This is just a warm-up for 2010. People are sick of the party of NO and their antiquated ideas.
Posted by: Chigger | April 24, 2009, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm
The country “turned left” when it elected Jimmy Carter, too. Then what happened?
Enjoy the Age of Obama, Angie in PA, because it’s only going to last four years.
Posted by: Janet | April 24, 2009, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm
billp wrote: “the Republicans know what they have to do: attack Obama relentlessly and drag his numbers down”
That’s not working. The more the Reps snivel and whine, the higher President Obama’s poll #s go. Look for Cheney to send Obama’s poll numbers even higher, they should duct tape that old fool’s mouth.
Posted by: Chigger | April 24, 2009, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm
“Suddleny the GOP says this race is meaningless? Nice”.
Sure makes Michael Steele look weak.
Posted by: Celtic | April 24, 2009, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
The repubs are done for 40 years just as they were in their mid 1920′s snafu they just repeated. It may take them a few election cycles to really fully understand the tide of momentum they face.
Posted by: daddyblue | April 24, 2009, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
“Я считаю, что совершенно неважно, кто и как будет в партии голосовать; но вот что чрезвычайно важно, это – кто и как будет считать голоса.”
as another politician, who also enjoyed a personality cult, (in)famously said.
TRANSLATED:
“I consider it completely unimportant who in the party will vote, or how; but what is extraordinarily important is this—who will count the votes, and how.”
Posted by: Al | April 24, 2009, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
This was too close to the national election. Democrats are still in the honeymoon phase of this Presidency. Wait until all those taxes kick in in New York and they will be begging for relief.
Posted by: Gary | April 24, 2009, 6:11 pm 6:11 pm
Hey Janet! Let’s ask Rove and Cheney what to do. Meanwhile, we Republicans can howl and whine about gay marriage while the economy tanked by the last 8 years puts millions out of work. Yah, THAT should help boost Republican numbers in the next election…er, wait…who is in charge of our “brand”?
Posted by: Meghan | April 24, 2009, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
The GOP is fast becoming the NOP “no party,” Megan McCain is their only hope; however the NOP has been known to eat their young.
I wonder if they will eat their old once all the young ones have been consumed. What will do they do their middle age like Michael Steel? My guess is; after the 30 lashes Rush gave Mr. Steel he will be too afraid to ever speak out again. Oh well he will just have to smile and be happy with his new title (Symbolic Diversity Mascot)
Posted by: THAT ONE | April 24, 2009, 7:16 pm 7:16 pm
AND THE GOP WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER MORE ELCTIONS IF THEY STAY ON THE PATH THEY ARE ON. THE PARTY OF NO!
Posted by: THE PARTY OF NO WILL CONTINUE TO BE ON THE LOSING SIDE | April 24, 2009, 8:52 pm 8:52 pm
The GOP is in total disarray
No one wants to claim the mantle. Only “has beens” such as Cheney, Rove, and Limbaugh are resonating – resonating in a negative way. It was laughable today listening to Hannity. He said the liberals are terrified when Cheney comes out and speak. I almost ran off the road laughing.
I am on bended knee with hands clasped together and eyes tightly shut praying for Cheney to keep coming out and speaking. Maybe he’s has forgotten that he left office with an approval rating of below 20.
I will be so refreshing to see Cheney behind bars one day.
Posted by: Omentum | April 24, 2009, 9:04 pm 9:04 pm
All we need now is more Republicans voted out of office and that will come. Yes–President Obama seems to be growing into his job very nicely. Meanwhile the GOP = NO PLANS, NO IDEAS, NO COOPERATION, NO LEADERSHIP, NO CLUES, NO COURAGE, NO MORALS, NO HONOR, etc.
Posted by: sandy | April 24, 2009, 10:17 pm 10:17 pm
Omentum-I couldn’t agree more with your assessment of Cheney’s “influence”. Every time that disgusting creep talks everyone I know either laughs or shakes their heads in disbelief. If he is the best the GOP can offer Obama certainly has nothing to worry about.
Posted by: sheila | April 24, 2009, 11:04 pm 11:04 pm
Hehe…..Janet the American People has spoken…….it seems that you are Still angry. Torturing is not permitted in our country: the dictator has left the building….go figure. It’s about time the American people see what this ‘party’ has been about for years. No morals, no values, no answers, principals, no leaders, no guts, no Sense.
Posted by: sngeorgia | April 24, 2009, 11:20 pm 11:20 pm
Well Janet … let me pile on.
You conveniently forget about William Jefferson Clinton who replaced dubya’s paw. I think the country has finally learned 2 term Democrat President is always the remedy after getting Bushwhacked.
Old dubya stunk the place up so bad Republicans will be lucky to get back in the White in 12 years, and that is being very generous.
Never have I seen a party in such disarray with no clue.
btw did anyone see old Shep on Fox have a conniption when some dingbat on the show said that torture benefitted the country. He was slamming his hand on the desk and dropping bomb. It was quite entertaining. He said ” This is America… we don’t torture” how true. but…..He may be out of a job if he keeps that up.
Posted by: Omentum | April 24, 2009, 11:45 pm 11:45 pm
droppin the f bomb. ….. that is….. i must be sleepy …good night all.
Posted by: Omentum | April 24, 2009, 11:47 pm 11:47 pm
Hi Angie in PA,
Don’t we need both parties strong to keep each other in balance? In 94 the Republicans took over congress for the first time in 40 years and ended a lot of abuse and corruption. In 2006 the Democrats took over and ended a lot of abuse and corruption. Actually I think it would be good to switch parties in congress every couple of years, four at the most!
Posted by: Terry | April 24, 2009, 11:57 pm 11:57 pm
The best thing the Republican party could do is publicly announce their self appointed de facto leaders are not representative of the party. Namely Limbaugh and Hannity. These two idiots by themselves, have done more damage to the Republican party, than any of the elections the party has lost, or will lose in the future. Of course there are a few others who should be included as well, including the recent addition of Thompson & Thompson who have joined the ranks of the right wing idiots. I once thought Thompson to have a little common sense, but I was wrong. He has become another clone of Limbaugh & Hannity. I believe the Progressive party is the new party of the future. For more about the Progressive movement tune into Ed Schultz and http://www.buzzflash.com
Posted by: devilkev | April 25, 2009, 12:23 am 12:23 am
Freed Pirate Hostage Accuses Limbaugh Of ‘Hate Speech’
Shane Murphy Returns To Seekonk Home
POSTED: 3:57 pm EDT April 24, 2009
UPDATED: 4:12 pm EDT April 24, 2009
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SEEKONK, Mass. — Shane Murphy, the second-in-command aboard the American merchant ship seized by pirates, lashed out at Rush Limbaugh for the talk show host’s racial characterization in discussing the rescue of the ship’s captain by the Navy.
Click To Comment | Watch Video
Murphy, who returned to his Seekonk, Mass., home Friday, called Limbaugh a purveyor of “hate speech.”
In commenting on the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips by the Navy Seals who shot and killed the three Somali pirates who were holding him captive, Limbaugh generated controversy when he called the pirates “black teenagers.”
“There you have it, three teenagers shot on the high seas at the order of President Obama,” said Limbaugh according to a transcript of an April 14 broadcast on his Web site.
“Just imagine the hue and cry had a Republican president ordered the shooting of black teenagers on the high seas,” Limbaugh said.
Murphy said Limbaugh’s remarks were unacceptable.
“It feels great to be home,” Murphy said. “With the exception of Rush Limbaugh who is trying to make this into a race issue. It’s disgusting.”
“The president did the right thing. It’s a war. It’s about good versus evil. And what you (Limbaugh) said is evil, that is hate speech. I won’t tolerate it,” Murphy said.
SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images
Murphy said he and his family have had a difficult time since his release and return to the United States. The intense public attention on the rescue of the crew of the Maersk Alabama has made adjustment to a normal family life difficult, he said.
“We have not been left alone. We have not been allowed to go out and even do routine things,” Murphy said.
Murphy, who took command of the ship after Phillips was taken hostage, said he and his family are trying to get through it all.
Well, there you have it.
That’s the main reason the Republican party is losing.
Posted by: devilkev | April 25, 2009, 12:54 am 12:54 am
I love it. The republicans are so ignorant, concerning the needs of this country right now. There only plan is to try and discredit our President. A better strategy would be to support Obama’s plan and policies, and if Obama fails, they can introduce a plan opposite of what Obama did, and they can go to the American people and say, “We tried it his way, now we need to do it our way.” They would bounce back beautifully, as long as their new plan for America does not include any of Bush’s policies. Those dummies!!!
Posted by: Jocee | April 25, 2009, 6:27 am 6:27 am
This is excellent news for the GOP!!
Posted by: New York Voter | April 25, 2009, 9:22 am 9:22 am
LOSE BABY LOSE
Posted by: DeepCover23 | April 25, 2009, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm
for murphy to carry a district by 400 votes that gilibrend won overwhelmingly and obama carried by several points is now a defeat, but something to build on.
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