Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Resounding Victory for Jerry

Make no mistake, this is a decisive victory, with Jerry getting 53% to Pombo's 47%. In a district with 6% registration advantage on the Republican side, that is incredible!

Congratulations to all, but especially to Jerry and his team. Also, Defenders of Wildlife, the Sierra Club, and the Humane Society can all take a bow. We owe them a lot for deciding to jump into this race. And I want to send a special thank you to Pete McCloskey, who was not blinded by partisanship, but could see what was necessary to do for the good of the country, and then went ahead and did it. There are many, many others to thank, too long to list here.

I am ecstatic. I think we all are. This is a stunning upset, one we all desperately wanted, but often doubted could be pulled off. But we did it with people power, not floods of money. I have never seen such grassroots, people-to-people, boots-on-the-ground campaigning like this ever before.

Now, the Monday morning quarterbacks will come out and analyze this to no end. That will be fun. Stay tuned.

But I want to issue one word of warning here, and that is "lame duck". Word on the street is that Pombo and other Republicans have some nefarious legislation lined up for the coming lame duck session of Congress. My sense is that the defeated R's are bitter and vindictive, and will try to pass some truly awful bills while they still can. So let's watch out for that.

And let's also remember, "winning is only the beginning". Let's continue the work, and see what we can do to help Jerry be successful in Congress so he can truly represent all the good people of this widespread, diverse district.

Meanwhile, I will keep singing "Happy Days Are Here Again!"

14 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your excellent and thoughtful blog, which I have been reading assiduously throughout the campaign. It has been inspiring! I am hoping for great things from the Northern California delegation, and for a refocusing of the discourse away from the dishonest, nasty and vindictive rants of the right, and toward a powerful and positive conversation about how to improve our democracy.

8:30 AM, November 08, 2006  
Blogger Tom Hilton said...

Woo-hoo! Congratulations, guys! Y'all put in a lot of hard work on this, and it paid off.

(And I loved how whiny he was early this morning: "they dropped $5 million on my head, and this race wasn't about the issues, it was about demonizing me, waah waah waah...")

8:36 AM, November 08, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank all of you for the fantastic blogging, information and reaching across the table to all candidates of reason.

This Washington stater says KUDOS to all my brothers and sisters - all left right and center - who worked to defeat this monster.

Consider yourselves the best of America.

8:40 AM, November 08, 2006  
Blogger VPO said...

Yes, pretty pathetic how Pombo and crew are reacting. The lying, mocking loudmouths Brian Kennedy and Carl Fogliani had nothing to say, for once. Pombo shows his character by acting all petulant.

Here's a hint, Pombo: It's called Democracy, and the voters decided they did not want you representing them anymore. Get that, the VOTERS DECIDED.

He sounds so whiny and small saying stuff like "this race wasn't about the issues". The "issue" was HIM.

Still, all that said, I realize it must be hard for him and family, so I wish them the best. I do hope Annette can find another source of income besides the quarter a million from "fund-raising activities".

He can always go back to ranching. He is still "Congressman - Rancher", just withouth the "Congressman" part anymore.

9:38 AM, November 08, 2006  
Blogger Mags said...

Congratulations!

10:58 AM, November 08, 2006  
Blogger Generik said...

Big congratulations to all the folks here who worked so hard and obviously got it right. You should all be proud of yourselves today.

And there's more good news: Did you hear Donald Rumsfeld has resigned? 'Struth.

Oh, Happy Day!

11:16 AM, November 08, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Redistrict this Tom Delay!!! Congratulations to everyone on a job well done. Yes, lets be vigilant about the lame duck session.

11:23 AM, November 08, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Couldn't resist a return visit....

This brought me some smiles, may bring some your way too

http://www.blueoregon.com/2006/11/vote_jackass.html

6:57 PM, November 08, 2006  
Blogger HopeSpringsATurtle said...

Wanted to add my congrats on your tireless efforts on Jerry's behalf. I'm a CA-11 absentee voter marooned in Texas for the time being. I phone-banked for Jerry from Texas and I am more pleased for his victory today than all the other wins (except Pelosi's). Thank you for all your hard work to take our country back from the thugs that believe they inherited the earth.

Best- HopeSpringsATurtle
http://deepconfusion.blogspot.com/

8:11 PM, November 08, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh happy day! When I saw Pombo was losing this morning I nearly shrieked for joy. I donated to his campaign from here in Indiana and even volunteered (at least I could call... didn't make many meetings!)

Pombo was horrific... of all the races in the country, this one was the most important to me - and probably to our planet.

8:46 PM, November 08, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My wife and I have been watching for a concession speech from Pombo but we either missed it or it never happened. Did he concede?

10:57 PM, November 08, 2006  
Blogger Scaramouche said...

Fantastic work and dedication!

I bet you guys are floatng 'bout now. It's a well deserved victory.

11:20 PM, November 08, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the victory!

9:51 AM, November 09, 2006  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks to everyone out there. We did it, lets keep up the dialog, and be proud of what just happen.

Ding Dong the witch is gone.
Lets help Jerry hit the floor running.

Tom Benigno

11:23 AM, November 09, 2006  

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