Today's edition of quick hits:
* Rumor has it today is Election Day.
* Iraq: "A blast at a military base north of Baghdad killed more than two dozen people on Tuesday, but there were conflicting accounts of what caused the explosion."
* Post-Sandy voting isn't easy: "New Jersey's emergency experiment with email voting hasn't fared well. One election official described it as a 'catastrophe' and voters are complaining that computer glitches are blocking their last-minute efforts to obtain electronic ballots."
* Speaking of New Jersey, tensions between Gov. Chris Christie (R) and the Romney campaign aren't going away: "New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Tuesday lashed out at 'know-nothing, disgruntled' Romney staffers who he said were the sources of reports he turned down Mitt Romney's request to campaign in Pennsylvania on Sunday."
* Rick Hasen shares a scary-but-true thought about the election results: "If it's close in Ohio, we could be waiting two weeks before we know."
* Talking to reporters earlier, President Obama thanked his family, friends, and supporters this morning, before congratulating Mitt Romney "on a spirited campaign."
* Great voting story #1: a man dies, gets resuscitated, and immediately asks, "Did I vote?" Told by his wife that his health is what matters, the man replied there are two things important to him: "That I love you and that I finished what I came here to do ... vote."
* Great voting story #2: "A Chicago mom-to-be didn't let being in labor stop her from doing her duty as a citizen on Election Day."
* All of Chrysler's employees had Election Day off. It was part of a contract agreement struck several years ago, much to Republicans' chagrin.
* And there's nothing quite like Rush Limbaugh, trying to express outrage, reading Jay-Z lyrics at length on the air.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
Leave a Comment:
He almost qualified as the legendary "dead person who votes!"
What a trooper! I cried.
I Hope they both voted for the Best Man for the POTUS Position ~ OBAMA !
I wonder if the Goons from true-the-vote checked their I.D.s before they entered the building to vote ?
To people standing in line to vote; Every state has its own voting laws. Washington state mails each registered voter a ballot weeks before an election. Then we mail the ballots back or drop them off in person. At least we know WEEKS in advance that we have a vote.
Write, call or email your STATE legislators and invite them to the 20th century if not the 21st.
No doubt the story will be circulated for decades to come as the definitive Republican proof for voter fraud. (Unless it's discovered that Jesus voted Easter morning, that is.)
Obviously I care what happens tonight, but I'm finding I'm not quite as obsessed about it as MSNBC personalities. The vein in my forehead AND my lower eyelid are twitching already, and we don't even know anything yet.
Also, did the Romneys have to show ID in order to vote? You know, at least just to screw with them?
Is romney even qualified to vote there this time?
Patango IF he would show the TAXES, WE would know where hs is living this time around
I thought maybe he would try to vote in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Michigan, Utah, California, and Grand Cayman because he can't remember where he's registered.
He's white and rich. What other form of ID do you expect Romney to need?
Now there is without a doubt only one way for Mitt Romney to win tonight; fraud and suppression stealing the vote. There has never been a lead currently held by Obama in the polls that has crumbled on Election Day. The president is clearly ahead in a race that is no longer a "razor thin" margin. Obama will win. Unless, of course, Republicans officials and lawmakers are successful in disenfranchising just enough Americans to steal the White House for Romney and lead to unimaginable turmoil throughout the country. The GOP is a very desperate group of folks right now. They will do anything... - progressive
Well, if Obama doesn't win, there's no way that I'll ever consider Mitt Romney legitimately elected. Suppressing the vote is the only way he could 'win'. Republicans aren't doing all this just for sport.
Since you two have already decided a win by Romney is illegitimate, you're not relevant.
Since you back Romney, neither are you.
My company allows people up to two hours of paid time off in order to vote on election day. It isn't a full day, but hey, we'll take it!
Oh and... I am sure Governor Christie seriously doesn't need political snarkiness right now. He has a freeze coming and people without electricity. I think he is often a jerk, but I find no fault with him showing as much care and compassion as he has. I don't often see a lot of care and compassion from Republicans anymore.
I'm with you. I'm not a Christie fan, but he's earned respect from me for his handling of this disaster. If he would lose his crassiness when dealing with people, he'd have a lot more fans, but he's working hard at his job for the people of NJ and that is what matters most right now.
"If it's close in Ohio, we could be waiting two weeks before we know."
Not if the Supreme Court has anything to say about it!
(SOME of us are still pissed about Gore V Bush!- and what might/could have been)
The only upside I can possibly see to this scenario is that Jon Husted won't even want this because it means all the focus will be on him and his unprecedented suppression efforts.
Rush Limbaugh can read?
Was drinking lemonade just as I read that....
Republicans incline to be dim,
And kowtow to Rush Limbaugh's whim...
If Obama walked on water
To save someone's daughter,
Rush would say, "Look! Obama can't swim!"...
@Dragoon21b: That must have hurt coming out your nose!
That is enough to nationalize voting rules right there , put jim crow voteing in the grave for good
I just starting reading the maddow blog about a month ago or so, and I just have to say that this place is *AMAZING*. The content is top-notch, timely, fact-filled and informative without being over the top. I've bookmarked it and it's one of the first places I look for new content every day.
That's how this blog has snagged the rest of us. Nice to find a place with truth backed up by facts. Watch it tho, it's very addictive. ;)
Steve Benen is tirelessly top-notch, the Maddow folks were very wise in offering him this position!
Don't miss her show on MSNBC. I first heard her on radio and knew that this was one smart and informative woman. She provides backup for everything she presents and makes a retraction if she makes a mistake. A true rarity in the day and age of 24/7 hype that passes as journalism.
mr steve benen was at the washington monthly for a long time ...and you nail it , kudos to rachel maddow and all their staff member's
Hey! Nothing to say about the erudite comment threads?
Duh wot?
Gawd, I loathe the Rmoneys.. They've got theirs (and @!$%# everybody else!)..
When did this country get so self-centered?
After they got Most of what they wanted , Thanks to the American workers and Now , The Greed has set in and they Want it All , as they turn their Backs on the working people that helped to make them wealthy ! Apparently , this is their way of thanking the American workers , Now that they are done Using US , They could care Less about US !
www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/the-obama-vs-romney-reading-list-book-bag-presidential-election-edition.html
There is a favorite reading list of the president and governor that might be fun to check out when you get a bit to frustrated with the dribbling in of results....
Whitman or Steinbeck? Favorite fiction and non-fiction included....
This blog addictive? You jest. I only check it out three or four times a day -- and that's when no presidential election is pending!
I remember a long time ago in pro wrestling there was a guy named Ken Patera and he had a slogan "win if you can, lose if you must, but always cheat"
Nate Silver has Obama winning Ohio by almost a 91% chance...
I wonder if Nate Silver accounts for intimidation, suppression, and creepy election officials from the other side of the aisle.
I became a Maddow fan 2 years ago, and I am amazed how much I depend on the wit and wisdom she and her collegues provide in every show. I don't think I would have made it through this election cycle without her - she calms me down every time I start packing to move to Canada.
Oh the howling we'll hear about GM employees having the day off to vote.
But the systemic voter suppression… oh pishaw you are just being partisan and hypo critic. Gack!
Also the headline of Jayzee and Limpy having run out of things to be outraged about. not a chance… I can only wish he would just retire and buy an island where he can be in charge of EVERYTHING!
To Rush Limbaugh, Jay Z said it best, "if you don't like the lyrics you can press fast forward."
Luckily for us, we can do the same, to quiet the BS you spew on a daily basis.
I think that Mr. Romney had a lot of class last and was really touched by his speech. i felt that he really does want to work together with dignity and spirit. There are so many compassionate and respectable people in this country and i can feel it in my heart that we
can work through this in a democracy that we love.