home

Alabama Senate Results: Live Blog

Update: 10:30 pm: The New York Times, CNN and NBC call the race for Doug Jones! (I beat them by 25 minutes.) Congratulations to Doug Jones. America thanks you. Donald Trump loses again. Who says you can't go home?

Update 10:05 pm: The networks are being cautious, but looking at the map and the precincts not yet reporting, I don't see how Moore can pull it off. I'm ready to call the race for Doug Jones!

[More...]

Update 9:05 pm ET: Moore ahead by 5 points with 21% of vote in. (NYT). CNN only has 16% of vote. Alabama SOS page is seriously behind but their Excel result tab has more info by precinct.

Here's where you can find the results as the action unfolds:

Earlier updates:

Update 8:48 pm ET: Jones is leading by 1.2 points with 4% of vote in (NYT).

Update 8:20 pm ET: With 1% of vote in, Doug Jones is leading by 28 points (NY Times).

******Original Post:******

The polls in Alabama have closed. As we wait for the first results, check out this interesting voter profile today -- 99 Year old Henrietta Boggs-MacGuire makes her way to the polls to vote for Jones. She's the former first lady of Costa Rica -- her husband came to power in a coup. She is still working part-time at River Region Living Magazine, which she helped create 30 years ago.

I'm avoiding CBS and ABC which have auto-play video. Shame on them.

< Alabama Senate Exit Polls | Monday Open Thread >
  • The Online Magazine with Liberal coverage of crime-related political and injustice news

  • Contribute To TalkLeft


  • Display: Sort:
    they just repeated (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 06:48:53 PM EST
    the 30% AA number on MSNBC

    and CNN (none / 0) (#2)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 06:53:56 PM EST
    they are speculating its as much about whites staying home as increased black turnout

    Parent
    Well, (none / 0) (#4)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 07:07:22 PM EST
    not just whites but white Republicans.

    Parent
    Kornacki. (none / 0) (#10)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 08:33:12 PM EST
    Just did a run down that looks very promising for Jones.  Lower white turnout higher black turnout, (not exit polls) several other good signs.

    Parent
    Harry Enten (none / 0) (#13)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 08:42:14 PM EST
    said his model has Jones winning by 2 to 3 points. I guess we shall see.

    Parent
    Lots of. Votes still out (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 08:46:47 PM EST
    In the urban centers

    Parent
    lots of talk about (5.00 / 1) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 07:07:11 PM EST
    "write ins"

    if Jones manages a miracle it will be because of write ins.  a couple of percent could do it.

    22,000!!! (5.00 / 3) (#45)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:58:38 PM EST
    We went downtown to pick up a case of Prosecco for Xmas. Walked in the door and Josh says Jones won.

    So awesome :)

    I'm too happy to sleep now

    My grandchildren still live in Alabama

    Parent

    Just enough (none / 0) (#61)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 07:07:17 AM EST
    If fhose 22000 had voted for Moore he would have won.  Thank you Richard Shelby

    Parent
    99% in (none / 0) (#62)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 07:10:15 AM EST
    J 673,236
    M 653,300
    WI 22,783


    Parent
    I think (none / 0) (#5)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 07:07:56 PM EST
    his campaign said if there is 2% write ins that he can win.

    Parent
    and that was when (none / 0) (#6)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 07:10:45 PM EST
    25 or 26 percent black turnout was going to be a lot.  no one was predicting 30.

    still uphill.  but hopeful.

    Parent

    Roy Moore (none / 0) (#7)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 07:17:44 PM EST
    is crowing that he is going to "win big" but won't show the numbers to the press.

    Parent
    I didn't think I really cared (none / 0) (#8)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 08:11:57 PM EST
    The truth is democrats win either way.

    But I find I really really REALLY want Moore to lose.

    Parent

    I feel the same way. (none / 0) (#12)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 08:41:08 PM EST
    The more Moore has been out there crowing and riding his horse the more I want him to lose.

    Although I would absolutely love to see Mitch have to deal with Moore in the senate. They've already called an emergency meeting of the GOP caucus should Moore win.

    Parent

    The thing about the horse...is that (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Anne on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 08:52:07 PM EST
    anyone who rides or knows horses could tell that Moore is a terrible rider, doesn't hold the reins properly, leg position is off, and the horse appeared to be on the point of bucking him off.  

    Oh, if only...and what kind of person fakes horsemanship to be, what? more manly? I guess the same kind of person who stalks teenage girls at the mall and engages in child molestation.

    So, on a more serious note, if Moore wins and an ethics investigation is opened, I think it destroys the whole argument about not investigating Trump on the basis that "the people knew and voted for him anyway."

    This is a double-edged sword for someone if Moore wins, and it just could get both Moore and Trump in the end.

    Parent

    He was like a weeble on that poor horse (5.00 / 1) (#55)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:49:31 PM EST
    His legs sticking out toward the shoulder, sawing on the reins, poor horse. Too bad it didn't toss him, but I guess it was a kind horse. Deserves a better rider though that can at least acknowledge that the horse is a being also.

    Parent
    Holding the reins (none / 0) (#73)
    by MKS on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 11:41:06 AM EST
    in separate hands--sure sign of a novice.

    And, as I have written before, this whole pretending to be a cowboy is ridiculous....Cowboys are really a derivation from Mexican culture, and are not found in Alabama.

    The whole image of riding on horseback....such an archaic way to travel....just as Moore was archaic.

    Modern Alabama wanted no part of that.

    Parent

    As of 9:47pm EST, ... (none / 0) (#16)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 08:52:50 PM EST
    ... write-ins comprise 1.4% of the returns. Everybody is noting that rural Alabama counties are underperforming in turnout, while the urban centers are overperforming. The results are now coming in from the urban areas, and Moore's early lead is starting to rapidly evaporate, from 53-45% to 49-48%.

    Is this a good sign for Doug Jones' prospects? Some folks seem to think so, but it's still too early to get a handle on how this will ultimately play out. Regardless, we'll know in a few hours.

    Meanwhile the "Red vs. Blue" folks at CBS News have their bloomers in a twist over the release of Peter Strzok's text messages to Lisa Page, with whom he was engaged in an extramarital affair. Oh, the drama! Never mind that Robert Mueller banished Strzok from the Special Counsel's team last July.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Auburn goes Jones (5.00 / 4) (#11)
    by Molly Bloom on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 08:33:42 PM EST
    I don't have to be embarrassed

    Kornacki. (5.00 / 1) (#19)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:03:41 PM EST
    Is having the time of his life

    Jones LEADS (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:05:05 PM EST


    He just past Moore on the last update. (none / 0) (#23)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:16:45 PM EST
    At 10:30 p.m. EST, with 91% of all precincts reporting statewide:

    Doug Jones___580,688 (49.5%)
    Roy Moore
    ____574,575 (48.9%)

    While it'll be a close finish, Jones' finishing kick in the Birmingham, Montgomery and Mobile may allow him pull away and spring the upset. But it'll probably go to a recount, regardless.

    I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

    Parent

    Some news orgs (none / 0) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:19:19 PM EST
    Have called it for Jones

    Parent
    I've been following the (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:09:52 PM EST
    number of precincts reporting and number of registered voters in each county, as well as the vote totals. I don't see how Moore can win this. There aren't enough unreported precincts left in the counties staying red tonight.

    The write ins are pretty small. Interestingly, there are many more write-ins in the counties going for Moore than Jones. I think that means  many hard-core Republicans who would never vote for a Dem under any circumstances, believe Moore is too unacceptable to vote for. I hope it also means that the counties switching from red to blue tonight have fewer write-ins because moderate Republicans have less difficulty voting for a Dem.

    write ins (none / 0) (#22)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:15:20 PM EST
    Look to be around 2.  Just what the Jones campaign was looking for

    Parent
    Ain't no Moore votes left (none / 0) (#26)
    by Molly Bloom on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:19:01 PM EST
    WApo has called it for Jones. This is a disaster for the GOP

    Parent
    I think the GOP (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:21:04 PM EST
    Totally dodged a bullet.  It's a disaster for Trump and Bannon

    Mitch is changing his underwear and having a drink.

    Parent

    AP (none / 0) (#30)
    by linea on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:22:08 PM EST
    and others calling the race for Jones.

    BREAKING: Democrat Doug Jones wins election as U.S. senator from Alabama.


    Parent
    This is an (5.00 / 3) (#25)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:17:15 PM EST
    Honest to god political earth quake

    The aftershocks of Trump's inevitable (5.00 / 3) (#31)
    by Anne on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:22:47 PM EST
    titanic Twitter meltdown are going to be worse than the original quake.

    Parent
    And (5.00 / 2) (#36)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:36:09 PM EST
    I'm sure Roy will be gracious

    Parent
    Washington Post and CNN (5.00 / 3) (#29)
    by Peter G on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:21:37 PM EST
    have both declared for Jones. Ten counties that voted for Tr*mp in 2016 went for Jones today. More than enough write-ins (Republican "never Moore"s) to account for the narrow difference. Jones could not have won without overwhelming African American support, from among those AAs not disenfranchised by various partisan dirty tricks of voter suppression.

    Huffpost has declared Jones (none / 0) (#33)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:26:03 PM EST
    Winner with 96% of vote in. He has 1% point over Roy. Hope it is safe to breathe a sigh of relief.

    Parent
    my thoughts on this (none / 0) (#35)
    by linea on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:35:39 PM EST
    Enough rural evangelical Christians were unhappy with Moore's character, staying home rather than voting, that Jones won the election.

    Parent
    You credit only Alabama whites? (5.00 / 7) (#37)
    by Towanda on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:38:24 PM EST
    Black Alabama turnout was extraordinary.  Why do you ignore it?

    Parent
    Isn't this kind of thing called a conundrum? (5.00 / 5) (#47)
    by Erehwon on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:08:59 PM EST
    If African-Americans vote for Obama in massive numbers, it is because they are racist. If they vote for Jones in massive numbers, well, Jones didn't get the WWC voters.

    Can't we just admit that African-Americans are among the most loyal Democratic voters, and just come out to vote for good Democratic candidates regardless of their race? And they are not shameless like Republicans who come out and vote for the likes of a Moore or Trump!

    Parent

    linea does have a point. (none / 0) (#59)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 05:16:10 AM EST
    Roy Moore underperformed in key Republican strongholds throughout Alabama, particularly in places such as the moderately affluent Shelby County, where he pulled in only 55% of the vote compared to Trump's nearly 70% only a year ago.

    Analysis of this demographic in the coming days is likely to indicate that a not-insignificant number of Republicans found Moore wanting, and chose to sit on their hands this special election for whatever their reasons.

    So, Jones' victory can probably be credited to a combination of an African American turnout that much heavier than expected, thanks in no small part to an effective Democratic GOTV effort which targeted key districts and precincts, and a decisive portion of the GOP electorate who decided that Judge Roy Moore was simply too big a turd for them to chew and swallow.

    In any event, the Republicans have been shown a bright solid line by their own base electorate, that there are indeed limits to what some conservative voters will tolerate from the party's given candidates before they'll turn on them. Peanut farmer Nathan Mathis, whose brave and poignant defense of his late gay daughter at a Moore rally last night touched the hearts of so many of us who heard him, is a case in point.

    That this line was drawn in ruby-red Alabama of all places makes it all the more notable and striking. That said, whether or not the Trump-Bannon wing of the GOP will actually heed this warning shot across their bow is anybody's guess. If they don't, that will likely portend an internecine struggle and bloodletting during the 2018 primary season for the soul of the Republican Party.

    It might be time to stock up on the popcorn.

    Parent

    Thank you!! (none / 0) (#82)
    by linea on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 09:52:45 PM EST
    Better take a look at black voter turnout. (5.00 / 2) (#40)
    by caseyOR on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:42:00 PM EST
    Once again African American voters turn out big time for a a Democrat.

    Parent
    Peter G (none / 0) (#46)
    by linea on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:01:32 PM EST
    already noted the `overwhelming African American' turnout.

    From 538:

    Major, metro Alabama and the Black Belt came through for Jones. Voters in rural white counties didn't move much towards Jones, but they utterly failed to turn out for Moore.

    Seems reasonable to assume it was rural evangelical Christian displeasure with the character of the Republican Party's candidate.

    Parent

    I do not believe (none / 0) (#39)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:41:31 PM EST
    evangelicals had slightest impact on Jones' win.

    Parent
    Selma! (5.00 / 5) (#32)
    by Towanda on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:24:24 PM EST
    75 percent for Jones.

    Freedom Riders are still there -- and voting.

    I said weeks ago (5.00 / 4) (#38)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:39:08 PM EST
    that this was a winnable race if Democrats would fight for it. Granted, that was before the Wapo story about Moore's fondness for teenage girls. But it was at that time, that I put my money where my mouth was and donated to Jones. Money well spent.

    It was people (5.00 / 3) (#42)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:49:31 PM EST
    like you from all over the country that helped make this possible. There's no way the state D party could have done it by themselves.

    Parent
    Black voter turnout was higher for Jones (5.00 / 5) (#44)
    by caseyOR on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:52:56 PM EST
    than it was for Obama in 2012. Were it not for black voters Moore would be headed to Washington.

    Huge voter registration and GOTV effort by Alabama NAACP.

    Parent

    Absolutely (5.00 / 3) (#64)
    by Ga6thDem on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 08:23:18 AM EST
    and Perez using money for canvassers. The Pave It Blue group here in Atlanta went to Alabama this past weekend and canvassed for Jones. Everybody working together towards a shared goal and doing what they can is what made this happen. People who live in other states donating money. People in nearby states offering to help and canvas. Nominating a good candidate. Large number of people volunteering to drive people to the polls. And African Americans showing up in large enough numbers to help Jones over the top.

    Parent
    Another winner tonight (5.00 / 4) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:46:30 PM EST
    Is CHOICE.  If Jones had lost his position would have been blamed and pressure would have gone up to "moderate" their position.

    Jones did not moderate.  That was a gutsy move. He should be credited for it.

    This is why (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:52:00 PM EST
    the GOP is screeching that Jones would have won big if he had been "pro-life". Actually no, I don't think it would have helped him. You and I know that GOP voters largely hide behind that issue because of race. I mean if they were so pro life there's no way in the world they could have voted for Trump.

    Parent
    Moore does not concede (5.00 / 1) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:20:44 PM EST
    He wants to wait for God

    God is registered in Alabama? (5.00 / 2) (#54)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:49:21 PM EST
    He damn well better have ID when he shows up.

    Parent
    From Kevin Drum: (5.00 / 1) (#78)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 02:53:13 PM EST
    "Apparently God has spoken, and She thinks Roy Moore should spend more time with his family."

    Parent
    I think Steve Bannon's face (5.00 / 1) (#58)
    by Repack Rider on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 12:56:00 AM EST
    ...will be the new "Willie Horton" poster image for Democrats in the 2018 elections.

    OT (5.00 / 2) (#70)
    by FlJoe on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 10:43:10 AM EST
     but more good news (at esp for Jeralyn)
    Bon Jovi Leads 2018 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees: `It's About Time'


    Color me pleasantly surprised... (5.00 / 2) (#71)
    by kdog on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 11:07:21 AM EST
    There are limits to hyper-partisan voter depravity.  Country over party, by a nose...Cheers Alabama, I'll have grits with my crow!

    Trust me (none / 0) (#72)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 11:25:19 AM EST
    Next time

    :)

    Parent

    The voter stats indicate that the key (5.00 / 3) (#75)
    by Towanda on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 01:11:42 PM EST
    is a coalition (as always in politics) of women: African American (or in states such as Texas, also Latinas) women, who cannot do it alone, with educated white women, who also went with Jones.  Together, we win.

    A side note: So moving are the photos and stories of so many women.  The sister of Lisa McNair, one of the four girls murderd in the Birmingham church. The sister was at the Jones victory party, and her face when the win was announced wa wonderful to see.  Also, the now-elderly daughter of the late Rev. Elisor, a white minster who served communion to African Americans, so his family was run out of Selma by KKK on hors back in 1961. She return d, for th first time, to Selma yesterday to drive African Americans to the polls.  And, of course, the nine brave women who came forward about Moore's child molestation and more. (And a shoutout to the women of the Washington Post who reported the story.)

    And as for turnout. google for Al Giordano's excellent Twitter thread on tactics by the Mobile, Alabama NAACP. Find the local groups that are doing good, smart work and fund them.

    Gender plays a role (5.00 / 3) (#76)
    by CST on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 01:22:48 PM EST
    But at least in Alabama, we see that race absolutely trumps gender.  Black men also came out very strong for Jones, and white women voted for Moore more than Jones, even if they did so less than white men.  The other group that defied demographics to an extent is people under 45, although it's not clear how much of that is also related to race (iow, are younger voters also more likely to be non-white).

    The one group that didn't flip at all was the white working class (and BTD on twitter has a lot to say about that).  But as it turns out, Jones didn't need them to.

    I just hope this means we can stop with all the Dem whining about identity politics.  This is the coalition.  It's time we recognized and supported it.

    Parent

    These are some interesting numbers (none / 0) (#77)
    by Anne on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 02:38:12 PM EST
    from Will Saletan on Twitter:

    Here are the adjusted exits. Moore lost women without kids by 11 points. He lost mothers by 34. You know why

    And those numbers came from here.

    Jones benefitted from near-unanimous support from black voters, historically large support from whites

    Fully 96 percent of African Americans supported Jones, similar to President Obama's 95 percent support among this group in 2012. But Jones fared much better than Obama among white voters, garnering 30 percent of their votes, twice the 15 percent who voted for Obama. Jones made particularly large gains among white women and those with college degrees.

    Moore won among white college graduate women

    Exit poll results showed Moore faring worse among white voters than Republicans in previous Alabama elections, but he maintained a lead among both white men and women and those with and without college degrees.

    Nationwide, the 2016 election brought about a stark divide in support among whites by both gender and education, with white women and college graduates more likely to recoil from Trump's campaign and swing in Democrats' direction than white men and those without college degrees.

    Lots more at the link.

    Parent

    I wish I had not (5.00 / 2) (#81)
    by Boo Radly on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 09:46:45 PM EST
    Read those numbers because Moore got almost the same votes from men who were fathers as those men who were not.That's frightening to me.

    Parent
    Yes, which is why (none / 0) (#83)
    by Towanda on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 11:19:33 PM EST
    I said the need is for a coalition of women, across races.  (If the need is for a definition of the term coalition, I am not the one here who likes to look up definitions and post them. . . .)

    Parent
    It's not just women though (none / 0) (#84)
    by CST on Thu Dec 14, 2017 at 07:53:45 AM EST
    Black men came through big time too, maybe not in quite the force of numbers as the ladies, but certainly with the percentages.

    Racial issues are different from gender issues, it's important we don't ignore that.

    Parent

    Yikes (none / 0) (#9)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 08:22:34 PM EST
    John Archibald, the go to guy for Moore analysis, just said an amazing thing.

    Asked about the question of accepting or rejecting Moore in the Senate he said (paraphrase) Moore doesn't want to be in government.  He never has.  If elected he wants to be expelled.  And will do whatever he has to do to GET expelled so he can use that as a platform for Bannon style rebel rousing or even to run for president.

    Which I think is both awsum and terrifying.

    It promises some very exciting days ahead.

    Even those idiots in Tuscaloosa! (none / 0) (#17)
    by Molly Bloom on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:02:14 PM EST


    Charles Barkley's nest political slogan ever (none / 0) (#74)
    by Towanda on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 12:52:53 PM EST
    "Don't be idiots again."

    Parent
    I agree J (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:02:55 PM EST
    I think it's over.

    Here comes the recount

    Is a valid recount even possible (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by caseyOR on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:16:48 PM EST
    in Alabama? The Sec. of State went all the way to the state Supreme Court to get a ruling giving the state permission to destroy the digital voting records. If the data is destroyed how does one recount?

    Parent
    Mitch has already (none / 0) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 09:30:11 PM EST
    Put out a statement blaming Bannon

    Roy Moore says it's not over... (none / 0) (#48)
    by Anne on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:20:17 PM EST
    such a gracious loser.

    I loved the part (5.00 / 1) (#50)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:21:54 PM EST
    About them being in a nasty hole.  True enough.  Time to stop digging?

    Parent
    Saw a meme on Facebook that (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by Anne on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:24:33 PM EST
    made me laugh out loud:

    "Fk You Roy Moore and the horse you rode in on."

    Parent

    Tomorrow's NY Daily News headline (none / 0) (#53)
    by caseyOR on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:29:02 PM EST
    Is "Screw you, Roy Moore and the Horse You Rode In On".

    Parent
    So, Alabama SoS will not certify the (none / 0) (#51)
    by caseyOR on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:24:24 PM EST
    election results until the end of this month (must be certified by Jan. 3, 2018). If vote difference is 1/2 percentage point or less an automatic recount is triggered.

    Apparently, absentee ballots, which includes military people, have not yet been counted.

    Remember, the SoS can destroy digital voting data. No obligation to preserve that data for a recount.

    Kornacki on MSNBC says (none / 0) (#56)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:52:07 PM EST
    Absentee ballots were counted first. There may be some military and provisionsal ballots to count. Maybe 1500 or so total.

    Parent
    I believe (none / 0) (#57)
    by linea on Tue Dec 12, 2017 at 10:56:26 PM EST
    The Senate is now 51- 49 so only two Republicans are needed to stop bills from passing?

    Actually no, not now. Not until (none / 0) (#63)
    by Peter G on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 08:07:52 AM EST
    Jones is sworn in, sometime in January presumably.

    Parent
    Demorats dumb to celebrate (none / 0) (#65)
    by thomas rogan on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 10:02:28 AM EST
    Republicans still control the senate.
    If Moore had won, he's be a year-long cancer with ethics hearings and possibly refusing to resign if asked to.  He'd be the subject of infinite Democratic fundraiser letters.  He'd be a continual embarrassment to Republicans who'd have to defend him.  Now they can all say that they supported Luther Strange anyway and disavow him.  
    Now there is a Democratic rent-a-senator until the next Alabama election.

    thomas rogan: "If Moore had won, he's be a year-long cancer with ethics hearings and possibly refusing to resign if asked to. He'd be the subject of infinite Democratic fundraiser letters. He'd be a continual embarrassment to Republicans who'd have to defend him. Now they can all say that they supported Luther Strange anyway and disavow him."

    But unfortunately for them, there's the inconvenient matter of something called "the public record," which duly notes that both President Trump and Steve Bannon had heartily endorsed Roy Moore and campaigned for him, as did the Alabama GOP and the RNC. Further, 650,436 Alabamians (48.4%) voted yesterday for Roy Moore, who had earlier beaten Luther Strange like a cheap rug in winning the GOP primary in rather decisive fashion.

    So, no, Republicans can't simply and conveniently disavow Moore now that he's lost, since the aforementioned public record demonstrably shows that with a handful of exceptions, they were all onboard -- more than a few of them enthusiastically so -- before last night's results were announced. And further, they were all too ready to embrace him, were he to have somehow won yesterday's election.

    But today, they're all busy making excuses and casting blame in a collectively forlorn attempt to explain to themselves how what was never supposed to occur in a ruby-red state like Alabama actually happened. Moore's defeat undoubtedly stings, particularly in a state where ascension to public office in a general election has heretofore been presumed to be all but a slam-dunk for any candidates with an "(R)" after their names.

    But, hey, thomas, thanks for playing. You better cut down on the spinning, though, because it's clearly made you dizzy.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    tactical voting (none / 0) (#66)
    by thomas rogan on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 10:04:56 AM EST
    A tactical democrat voter would have put that embarrassment of a Roy Moore into the Senate and let the Republicans deal with him for the next year as any hopes of support from women and young voters ebb away while this bible thumping teenager dating old white guy is the senator.  

    A tactical voter (5.00 / 5) (#67)
    by CST on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 10:07:11 AM EST
    Recognizes that it's a lot easier to get to 51 in 2018 if you are starting at 49 rather than 48.

    2020 isn't the next battle, and Jones will be in place in 2018.

    Parent

    thomas rogan: "A tactical democrat voter would have put that embarrassment of a Roy Moore into the Senate[.]"

    ... then you must be the living reincarnation of THIS GUY.

    Parent

    It's already "ebbing" (none / 0) (#68)
    by Yman on Wed Dec 13, 2017 at 10:24:31 AM EST
    We already have the p*$$y grabber in the WH along with his $exist tweets to ensure it continues.  Now you have one less vote to pass your agenda, a POTUS with horrible approval ratings to hang around your neck, a party that can't even win in Alabama, and am energized Democratic electorate.

    Republicans are "dumb to celebrate".

    Parent

    Roy Moore's failure to concede (none / 0) (#85)
    by Chuck0 on Thu Dec 14, 2017 at 09:01:10 AM EST
    I believe is a sign of a crisis of faith. I think he honestly believed that his god had ordained for him to win. And then he didn't. So now what. Is his god not so powerful after all? Did god forsake him? Or, will he twist this into some cockamamie "the devil did it" scenario?