Posted by huntram on November 13, 2008 at 5:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Tony!

Common Sense!

Posted by biznork on November 13, 2008 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Go Tony! Cigarettes for everyone!

Posted by Drew on November 13, 2008 at 6:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If Strickland wins, I wonder if he'll be man enough to represent his constituents with some degree of Integrity - unlike his campaign which consisted of littering mailboxes with propaganda and hiding behind his wife's skirt as she recorded ILLEGAL robo calls for him. Pathetic.

Posted by ram4positivechange on November 13, 2008 at 6:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good morning:
Here are the previous six VC Star weblinks on this election starting from yesterdays:

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news...

The latest from what I calculated matches with TS leading HBJ by 1560.
The breakup:

HANNAH TONY
LA CNTY 11322 15356
VENTURA 104920 115753
SB CNTY 69829 56522
TOTAL 186071 187631
PERCENT 49.791% 50.209%
RESULT TS LEADS HBJ BY :1560 VOTES
PERCENT LEAD: 0.417%

No question about it - this is how competitive an election should be and should let every potential candidate for political office know that they have to "make their case", face tough questions by a new, emerging crop of young, better educated, inquisitive voters, who WILL NOT accept the status-quo, who can make or break a candidate's election with the power of the internet. This is indeed turning out to be the finest hour of free market, democratic capitalism !! Way to go America !! You did it again and led the way for the rest of the world !!

Posted by ironmaiden on November 13, 2008 at 6:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

We voted a week ago. What is going on? Ballot stuffing of provisionals to get a Dem elected? Hmmmmm.... Seems to be happening across the country.

Posted by oldteacher on November 13, 2008 at 6:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nice touch of class, camdaddy101. I especially like how you linked the first letters of her last names to the phrase "going down." Very subtle. What are you, 12? Can we keep these blogs on an adult level, please?

Posted by ram4positivechange on November 13, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

gypsyrose, there's no evidence of any ballot stuffing, the media's too smart to let that sort of thing pass by especially it's "media" value. We will know soon enough. And it's the same time frame in other places. Right now in Alaska Senate race, it looks like a VERY SLIM lead for Mark Begich in his race against Ted Stevens - that's been quite a cliffhanger of a seesaw !! No question about it - politicians have to work WAY HARDER to earn their paycheck, there's no sure thing for them hereafter, and especially "encores" are going to be next to impossible !! And that's the way it should be !!

Posted by handyhood on November 13, 2008 at 7:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

camdaddy101- Your attempt at humor, although typical of you, really went a little downhill this time. Normally I chuckle a little when you make a ha-ha, but the last one was a little immature. What's up? No coffee yet?

Posted by cassandra2 on November 13, 2008 at 7:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Then of course a recount will be de rigeur in such close races. Fat lady has a long way to go before her number.

Last I heard Minnesota will need a recount with something like 200+ between candidates.

Some suggestion of hanky panky by the Repubs in the Alaska vote . I'll post it if I can find it again.

Another Senate race in Georgia will require a separate vote in December because none of the three candidates received a majority.

Posted by bleshon on November 13, 2008 at 8 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know where the Star is getting their figures. Here is the numbers from the Secretary of State site as of 7:08 this morning:

Hannah-Beth Jackson (Dem) 167,722 50.2%
Tony Strickland (Rep) 166,407 49.8%

Posted by cassandra2 on November 13, 2008 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Here is the piece from yesterday's Democracy Now! broadcast/podcast

http://www.democracynow.org/2008/11/1...

Today's show states Dem candidate in Alaska has what is described as a "commanding lead."

I'm personally getting tired of alternative cheer and gloom from the Strickland/Jackson drama. I've decided to wait until the results are in to get excited. I am cheered however by the care the officials are taking to avoid any suggestion of cheating regardless of who wins.

Also even if all three close Senate races go to the Dems, it should be remembered that one of the number is Lieberman, who is a sometimes thing. So much for filibuster proof number.

Posted by For1776 on November 13, 2008 at 8:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The Secretary of State site has not been updated. You have to go into each county's totals and add them together. The Star's figures are accurate.

Posted by gonzo on November 13, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

WE NEED Tony: I'd rather have an old fashioned capitalist job than dem welfare.

Posted by NowHearThis on November 13, 2008 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

HBJ and her DEM cronies are trying to figure out how to steal the election.

Posted by vceader on November 13, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

gypsyrose & NowHearThis - Yes that's it! That's what they are doing. Stealing the election from you! That has been their plan all along!! Muwahahaha...(Dr. Evil)

If it weren't for you two clowns and your tin foil hats none of us would have the facts! Thank you so much.

Quick question though while we are on the subject. Where were you both in 2000 when Bush stole the election in Florida? Doh! I bet you were furious and calling your Senators demanding justice of the Democratic process be upheld huh?

And hi.. MRSMYTH, yes hello.. the word I believe you are trying to spell is "Intelligence" not "Intelleigence." Spell check next time ok chief?

Go Tony - More pesticides used near our schools!
Go Tony - Call yourself a renewable energy pioneer even though your "company" has generated no revenue and to date has no permits from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Go Tony - Take more lobby money from Indian Casinos.
Go Tony - Say your an Independent Thinker, but remain a member of of the GOP, vote in line with, act as, and think like a Republican. You're a Maverick! Oh wait, damn wrong election.
Go Tony - Get investigated AGAIN by the Ventura County Prosecutors office for embezzling election donations that you transferred to your own personal consulting firm.

YAY.. Tony?

Posted by sslocal on November 13, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I too am glad that we seem to be conducting the recount with some degree of class and honesty. Unlike Minnesota were things are getting suspicious. All the votes that are being found are going to Franken and none for Coleman. Common sense would indicate that at least some would be going to Coleman. Not to mention the ones found in a trunk. Bad JuJu. Reminds me of the Washington Gov's race a couple of years ago.

Posted by cassandra2 on November 13, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RE: Minn. There has been bad juju rising on both sides, like the huge suspicious "undercount" for senate race from people voting for Obama.

Obviously the precinct worker who forgot 32 ballots in his car did a bad thing, but the court made the decision regarding inclusion. And we don't know what the proportion of votes for which candidate was. All 32 could have voted for Coleman for all we know.

It would be a good thing to wait till the results are completely tabulated before making allegations. The recount will be done by hand. It would also be a good thing to obtain information from a less biased source than Fox News.

Posted by sslocal on November 13, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Um, vcreader, an independent count by newspapers gave Bush the win by 500 some votes. Not that it matters at this point.

Posted by caskier on November 13, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I really don't understand where the Star gets their figures. According to the Secretary of State, HBJ has led the race all week. Latest numbers updated at 10:03 this morning:
http://vote.sos.ca.gov/Returns/stsen/...

Anyone - moderator? - care to address this discrepancy?

Posted by g_wiz on November 13, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks to Hannah Beth Jackson for denigrating one of the most respected political environments in the country. She ran one of the ugliest campaigns I have ever seen and should be ashamed. You really put the bag in carpet bagger. Send her packing Tony! Victory to the voters who didn't fall for her trash. They tried, but I am glad my vote finally got counted.

Posted by cassandra2 on November 13, 2008 at 1:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The final recount in Florida didn't happen because a well-dressed white gang usually attributed to Tom Delay's staff pushed their way into the counting area and the court closed it down.

But we do know that scads of voters were illegally purged by a partisan Sec'y of State.

The exit polls tell the tale, despite rather silly attempts by to explain them away. They didn't suddenly become unreliable two elections ago.

Posted by OjaiGuy on November 13, 2008 at 1:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

<read nasally> ...and as the pack comes out of the 4th turn it's Hannah Jacks On by a length, but here comes Tony's District Land, followed by Seabiscuit, War Admiral and Green Peace. Now it's neck and neck....Tony's by a nose, now Hannah Jacks by a (unintelligible), Tony's by a nose, now Hannah Jacks, Tony's, it's Hannah, Tony's jockey, Audra, uses the whip he's pulling away by half a length, Tony's by a length, but here comes Hannah on a late charge and it's, it's...Ladies and Gentleman, please stand by while the race officials review the photo finish.

Man, I am so bored.

Posted by gonzo on November 13, 2008 at 2:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vceader
By your logic independent thinkers are never republicans. Did I get that right?
BTW Renewable green energy is BS.
Solar wont be workable till gas hits 10 bucks a gallon.
Ethanol is a myth. Convert the entire corn crop to ethanol wont make enough gas to last a week.
Wind? See T boone pickens latest.
Giving windfall profit tax dollars to Gores friends wont change that one wit.
For people like you rather than debate the issues verbally assaulting the opponent such as Palins kids and Tonys character is more fun. At least its something your very capable of.

Good Day.

Posted by gonzo on November 13, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tell me what is so funny? Isnt that what this board is for? Or would you rather sit in an echo chamber.

Jimmy Carter was a fiasco president and Obama is even using the same language Jimmy did. Dont underestimate a governments ability to make it worse.

Ive always been a liberal proponent of raising the minimum wage to $30 an hour to eliminate poverty. The resultant mass lay offs and unemplpoyment isnt a problem if we have welfare. Then we tax the 30 buckers down to 10 bucks for exploiting the rest of us. Drugs, too many kids, crime no problem we will help you as a "disadvantadged" American.

Go ahead if it makes you feel better call me pathetic. I just hope I can make it through the rest of the day as a pathetic loser .

Posted by B8R_N4MD on November 13, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I must laugh at the comments about HBJ running a nasty campaign. During the entire time leading up to the election, I NEVER heard one positive ad from Tony stating what he stands for or what he will do. EVERY ad was a negative ad about HBJ. Tony even had a negative ad with two women talking about HBJ's negative ads. That one made me laugh. I'm sick of negative ads from all politicians. Run on your positive attributes, not imposing fear about your opposition.

Posted by Ironhorse on November 13, 2008 at 3:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In all these postings, during this entire day, I've finally seen something that I can get behind..
"Never underestimate a government's ability to make it worse!" Thank you, Gonzo!

Posted by Twslv05 on November 13, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GO Tony !!!

Posted by g_wiz on November 13, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It is with deep regret that Strickland's campaign did return fire. It was reactive and he finally put up his dukes too. I loved HB Jack's "Dilusional" flyer meant to be a comment against Strickland, but seemed more self-descriptive. A no-count trying to win a seat in a largely rational, conservative district by nothing other than taking pot shots. Oh yeah, and a childhood picture. (No achievements in the last 6 decades?) Good luck lady! As a back-up plan, there's a neighborhood association somewhere short one (can I say it?).

Posted by GBGB on November 13, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

vceader, Bush did not steal the 2000 election in Florida. The facts of what happened there are not in dispute. The contention that Bush stole the election is a lie.

cassandra2, the final recount did not happen because the Supreme Court voted 7-2 that the recount process violated the Equal Protection clause. Then 5 of those 7 justices decided that the remedy for this violation would be to stop the recount.

If the Supreme Court had allowed the recount to continue, Bush still would have won. It's a fact. You can look it up.

As for the gang that pushed their way into the counting area, they were trying to stop what they considered to be a flawed recount process through civil disobedience. (I don't know why you pointed out that they were white. Are only non-whites allowed to protest?) Anyway, I don't particularly agree with what they did. I think they should have been arrested for trespassing. But (like I said above) Bush would have won the recount anyway.

Also, it was a private company that was hired to purge the names of ineligible voters from the rolls, not the Secretary of State. That company did purge some names that it should not have (which, don't get me wrong, is horrible), but there is no evidence to suggest that the company intentionally tried to purge minorities or Democrats from the rolls.

Finally, exit polls don't tell the tale; actual votes do. Exit polls (like all polls) reflect small samples which have a margin of error. Exit polls don't take absentee ballots into consideration. Exit polls can be erroneous when voters mistakenly vote for Buchanan (like in Palm Beach County) but then tell the exit pollster that they voted for Gore.

Posted by GBGB on November 13, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

By the way, I am not a George Bush fan. I did not vote for him in 2000 or 2004. I just don't like it when people distort what actually happened in the 2000 election. Gore could have (and, arguably, should have) won in 2000. But Gore's loss was not caused by any illegal or improper conduct on the part of Bush or the Republicans. For example, Gore would have won if several thousand voters in Palm Beach had not been confused by the butterfly ballot. But the butterfuly ballot wasn't Bush or the Republican's fault.

Posted by gonzo on November 13, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GBGB So your assumption that the confused voters in florida tended to be democrats. Thats probably right. Those poor people cant even figure ou the ballot. I guess thats why they are disadvantadged.

JWrules you sure are a jolly fellow with all your LOL. Got anything of substance besides vitrolic diatribe. YOur turn.

Posted by CheckItOut on November 13, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

jwrules?

Where's jw, jw1000, or ken10.

Got banned again?

Speaking of intelligence - intelligent people don't get banned all the time for profanity.

You should be called Sybil for all the characters you pretend to be. Get a life and post something intelligent.

Posted by ken10 on November 13, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Down with low IQ right wing nuts.

Posted by huntram on November 13, 2008 at 10:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by jwrules on November 13, 2008 at 8:45 p.m.
Right wingers talk a lot about helping people via charity rather than government doing the job. As usual they are AWOL when truly needy people need help. I gave my $200 to help. Will the right wing nuts match it?

Even though most of us donate big time, we do not normally come on and brag about it. The only reason I have shared this anonamously is because you continue to make remarks that conservatives do not donate to charity.
Facts are this:

Arthur C. Brooks, a professor at Syracuse University, published "Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism." The surprise is that liberals are markedly less charitable than conservatives.

They include these findings:

-- Although liberal families' incomes average 6 percent higher than those of conservative families, conservative-headed households give, on average, 30 percent more to charity than the average liberal-headed household ($1,600 per year vs. $1,227).

-- Conservatives also donate more time and give more blood.

-- Residents of the states that voted for John Kerry in 2004 gave smaller percentages of their incomes to charity than did residents of states that voted for George Bush.

-- Bush carried 24 of the 25 states where charitable giving was above average.

-- In the 10 reddest states, in which Bush got more than 60 percent majorities, the average percentage of personal income donated to charity was 3.5. Residents of the bluest states, which gave Bush less than 40 percent, donated just 1.9 percent.

-- People who reject the idea that "government has a responsibility to reduce income inequality" give an average of four times more than people who accept that proposition.

Common Sense!

Posted by huntram on November 13, 2008 at 10:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

JWRules,
Why do you hate so much? You need to quit seeing everything in red and blue?
I am part of the religous right. And my church gives LARGE sums to food share every year. In addition I made a $100.00 donation on Tuesday, and am seriously considering making this one of my monthly donations.
Here is what Jeanne Benitez from Food Share said in an email to me yesterday:
"Yes, I see that your church participates in our Faith for Food Share program every year...Thanks!
I have attached some information on our monthly giving plan, how nice of you to consider this. I have also attached some info on holding a food drive, perhaps your church may like to do this.
Thanks again for your kindness and generosity, we are honored that you have chosen FOOD Share to receive your gift.
Have a blessed week.
Jeanne
Jeanne Benitez
Manager Annual Giving
FOOD Share, Inc."

It is AWESOME that you gave $200.00. I applaud you for that. But consider a monthly donation also because the need does not end at the end of the month!

BTW,
can you show some evidence as I have that you have donated anything to Food Share or any other charity? Obviously keep anonamous, because frankly it is only between me and GOD what I donate. If we used real names I would have never have discussed this.

God Bless,

Common Sense!

Posted by gonzo on November 14, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

So jw

I already give enough of my patriotic fair share to charity. Its called taxes. I dont feel at all bad about not giving otherwise.

How do we know all the recipients of this charity (aka welfare) are truly in need. I dont think the governement has the wherewithall to figure that out.

Charity can be nothing more than enabling them to continue bad behaivior.

Posted by KathrynAsh on November 14, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

who's going to have money to give to charity once the Democrats have their 2/3rds majority in the state legislature and can raise taxes to cover all their socialists spending plans?

California state deficit is 16 billion dollars and it could be 28 billion by 2010. The morons in Sacramento's want a higher taxes and an increase in the sales tax during a recession when consumer spending is at an all time low. That will just prolong the recession in California.

The Republicans were the only ones trying to rein in spending and keep taxes low. Without them, tax burden on the California middle class going to go through the roof.

Posted by huntram on November 14, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by KathrynAsh on November 14, 2008 at 11:44 a.m.
who's going to have money to give to charity once the Democrats have their 2/3rds majority in the state legislature and can raise taxes to cover all their socialists spending plans?

-------------
I've decided the higher my taxes are the more I'm going to contribute. Not only is it the right thing to do, but because of the tax deductions, I would rather give to Food Share, or to World Vision, or the building fund at my church then to the government!
I know God will bless us for giving when it hurts!

Common Sense!

Posted by KathrynAsh on November 14, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

huntram- I think you're going to be in the minority of people who donate more of their shrinking paychecks to charity. I've stopped caring about all these liberal charities always asking for money and supporting these democrats. I'll give to my church because it is required. That's all for me.