Chris Christie Re-Elected New Jersey Governor

As CBS's headline says below, this was no surprise. Christie's re-election was so assured, Democrats barely even tried to stop him. He breezed to victory, and gave a very obvious Presidential campaign speech, so we know what's coming next. We'll see if his cult of personality (shades of Barack Obama, but with a completely different personality) can keep carrying him further than his actual accomplishments. Example: his invocation of the "spirit of hurricane Sandy," when in fact his handling of Sandy has been criticized of late. In any event, he is now exactly where he wanted to be.

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No surprise: Chris Christie re-elected as New Jersey governor



Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., was re-elected as New Jersey governor in a landslide - 60-39 percent over his Democratic challenger, state Sen. Barbara Buono - and virtually no one ever thought the outcome might be different. For months, Christie held a commanding lead in the polls as Buono failed to get her campaign off the ground. . .

Read more at: CBS News

Ohio Set to Vote Down John Kasich's Anti-Union Law in Ohio

John Kasich, one of Ohio's least popular governors.
Image from TPM

I have no stake in the Ohio anti-union law, though I was born and raised in central Ohio. Even then--when John Kasich was a local politician--I thought Kasich was a giant douche. When he hit FOX "News," I knew I was correct in my assessment. And when he became Governor of my home state, he proved it to the nation. As I said, I have no dog in this fight, and I've never been in a union. But I'm crossing my fingers, lighting a candle and speaking in tongues, hoping that this law goes down in flames, and Kasich's legacy does too.


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Poll: Ohio Set To Vote Big Against Kasich’s Anti-Public Employee Union Law

A new survey from Public Policy Polling (D) shows Ohio Democrats and public employee unions likely to win a big victory on Tuesday in the referendum on Republican Gov. John Kasich’s anti-public union bill, SB-5. . .

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

A Recount in Minnesota: The Sequel

Image from the Washington Post

One of the stories I followed closely on the blog was the 2008 Al Franken/Norm Coleman battle for US Senator from Minnesota. I've been a fan of Franken's since the early days of Saturday Night Live, and followed his political career from his series of books, to his radio show on Air America Radio. Were it not for that, I probably wouldn't have known who Norm Coleman was.  But reading about him after hearing who he was, my opinion of his was rather low. Rhymes with coosh.

Anyway, in the epic battle that followed the 2008 election, the votes were so close (with Coleman marginally ahead), a state-required recount was ordered. Along the way, Coleman loudly played the victor, and Franken was a bit more subdued.  Franken eventually prevailed, and eight months later was seated as a Senator.  Right-wing world spun off its axis declaring dirty tricks, voter fraud and anything else they could think of, though evidence doesn't support that conclusion.  They're still sore about it.

But did you know that it's happening again, in the same state? Me either. This time its the governorship, and isn't making much of a media splash. But the story--and its players--is a pretty interesting read. If the Democrat wins, the Republicans will squeal that he stole it. If the Republican wins, they'll high-five and have libertygasms all over the place (and they'll claim the Dems tried to steal it).  Either way, it could be interesting to watch.

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Lights! Camera! Action! 'Recount'

Now playing in a political theater near you: "Minnesota Recount: The Sequel."



Like most sequels, the cast might not be quite as star-studded as the original, and the plot lines and the suspense might be, well, lamer. . .

. . .Democrat Mark Dayton leads Republican Tom Emmer by close to 9,000 votes, or 0.42 percentage points — according to unofficial results from Tuesday's gubernatorial election, a difference that requires a state-funded hand recount of every ballot. . .

Read more at: TwinCities.com

Jimmy McMillan Steals the Show at New York Governor Debate

Tea Party, Schmee Party!  So five minutes ago, as Carly Fiorina might say.  Now, it's all about The Rent's Too Damn High Party!  And we thought that Carl Paladino was New York's most. . .uh. . .interesting character!

Primary Election Roundup: What's the Matter with Florida?

Photo of Rick Scott from source, CNN

Okay, so the Republican candidate for Governor of Florida is a former health industry executive. Rick Scott is that man, and his company (Columbia Hospital Corporation) had to pay out $1.7 billion for fraud.  Just wow.  And he's creepy lookin' to boot.  Anyway, not all the returns are in, so I may be back with another update. Here's what CNN's got on it so far.

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Political newcomer wins Florida GOP primary for governor

Millionaire political newcomer Rick Scott on Tuesday defeated Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum in the Republican primary for Florida governor, CNN projected.



McCollum has yet to concede. Moments before CNN's projection, he acknowleged to supporters he was behind, but said a couple of big counties had yet to fully report its results. . .

Read more at: CNN

Tea Bagger Candidate for NY Mayor in Hot Water for Emails

Oops.

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Tea Party Darling Running For NY Governor In Hot Water For Forwarding Racist, Sexually Explicit E-mails



Odien released e-mail pictures that supposedly show Miss France having sex with a man, a photo of dancing African tribesmen entitled “Obama Inauguration Rehearsal,” a photo of President Obama and the first lady doctored to simulate a 1970s pimp and prostitute, and an e-mail showing chimpanzees doing an Irish dance entitled “proof the Irish discovered Africa. . .”

Read more at: Think Progress

Rod R. Blagojevich Impeached, No Longer Governor

Well, thank goodness that is over. Now, will the ever-bizarre Blagojevich continue to give media interviews, a la Sarah Palin? Or will we be mercifully spared the insane ramblings of at least this politician?

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Impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been removed from office

The Illinois Senate voted to remove Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office Thursday, marking the first time in the state's long history of political corruption that a chief executive has been impeached and convicted. . .

Read more at: Chicago Tribune

Nevada Governor Getting Divorced

Photo from source, Las Vegas Gleaner

Well, this is supposedly the state to take care of that! Our Governor showed some signs of marital problems during his campaign, when a cocktail waitress accused him of inappropriate behavior. That case came down to he said/she said, but who knows, maybe there was something to it?

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What could he possibly have to hide?

Hoping to keep details about his philandering, shady deals, corrupt practices, boorish behavior and mental instability from showing up in headlines, the nation's worst governor managed to get a judge to agree to seal the records in the governor's madcap divorce case against his wacky wife. . .

Read more at: Las Vegas Gleaner