Home
Archive
Columnists
Video
Blogs
Discuss
About
Search
Donate
Advertise
100 words for 100 days: submit your 100 word essay and get published on AlterNet
email Get AlterNet in your mailbox!

 

PEEK archive by date:

«January 2009»
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Use » and « to view other months.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
  • AlterNetYour turn

Support AlterNet
Do you value the information you're getting from AlterNet? Please show your support with a tax-deductible donation.


Feedback
Tell us how we're doing.

Search:

Advertisement
Advertisement
  • Blogroll

Afro-Netizen
All Spin Zone
Altercation
Americablog
And, yes, I DO take it personally
Another Iranian Online
August J. Pollak
Baghdad Burning
Barry Lando
Bloggrrrlz Gallery
Blondesense
Bob Geiger
Body and Soul
Boing Boing
Booman Tribune
BOP News
Bush Watch
BUZZFLASH
Carpetbagger
Clean Air Blog
Cool Hunting
Corrente
CrooksandLiars
Cursor
Dahr Jamail
Daily Howler
Daily Kos
DC Media Girl
DemiOrator
Direland
Echidne of the Snakes
Elayne Riggs
Eschaton
Fact-esque
Falafel Sex, and Other Things Best Left Unsaid
Farai Chideya
Feminist Peace Network
Feministe
Feministing
Frameshop
Gristmill
Huffington Post
Hullabaloo
Informed Comment
James Wolcott
Jesus General
Lady Jayne's Blog
Liberal Oasis
Mad Kane
Mahablog
Majikthise
Media Girl
Media is a Plural
MediaCitizen
Metafilter
Michael Berube
MyDD
News Dissector
News For Real
Norbizness
Oliver Willis
Pacific Views
Pandagon
Political Animal
PopPolitics.com
PR Watch
Prometheus 6
Raed in the Middle
RH Reality Check
Robert Greenwald
Roger Ailes
Rox Populi
Sadly, No!
Seeing the Forest
Shakespeares Sister
Sirotablog
Sisyphus Shrugged
skippy the bush kangaroo
Slacktivist
SpeakSpeak
Stay Free!
Steve Gilliard
Talking Points Memo
TalkLeft
TBogg
Thatcoloredfellasweblog
The Bilerico Project
The Hutchinson Political Report
The Republic of T
The Revealer
The Sideshow
The Swift Report
Think Progress
This Modern World
TikvahGirl
Trish Wilson
War and Piece
Waveflux
What She Said!
Whiskey Bar
Working Families Vote 2008

The Winners (and Losers) of Election '08

Posted by Arianna Huffington, Huffington Post at 2:02 PM on November 6, 2008.


Who came out on top, and who did not.
Post Tools
email EMAIL
print PRINT
27 COMMENTS

Share and save this post:
Digg iconDelicious iconReddit iconFark iconYahoo! iconNewsvine! iconFacebook iconNewsTrust icon

Got a tip for a post?:
Email us | Anonymous form

RSS iconPEEK RSS Feed

RSS iconMain AlterNet RSS Feed

Get PEEK in your
mailbox!

 

Also in PEEK

Obama: 'If Paul Krugman Has a Good Idea … Then We're Going to Do It'
Amanda Terkel Think Progress

Kucinich Speaks Out Against Congress' Blind Support of Israel
Staff Rep. Dennis Kucinich

TVA Responsible for Yet Another Toxic Coal-Related Spill
Tara Lohan AlterNet

WINNERS:

The Davids - Axelrod and Plouffe: they spearheaded a near flawless campaign.

Katie Couric: her multi-part interview with Sarah Palin was the turning point in how the country saw Palin -- and by extension John McCain. And she did it in a way that left no room for accusations of being unfair or playing "Gotcha!"

Colin Powell, Scott McClellan, Ken Adelman, Chris Buckley, Kenneth Duberstein, et al: crossing party lines to endorse the eventual winner can't hurt the rep.

Saturday Night Live: went from "Is that still on?" to Must See TV (or, at least, Must See on YouTubeTV)

Tina Fey: her take on Palin was pitch perfect; a comedy mugging for the ages. And with Palin's obvious weight loss during the campaign, she ended up looking more and more like her 30 Rock doppelganger.

Sarah Palin: lost an election but there has to be a reality show in her future.

Michelle Obama: smarts, grace, style, charm, and a serious "good mommy" vibe -- she's got the whole package.

The View: went from gal chat to political headline maker.

MSNBC: Keith, Rachel, Chris... they sent a collective tingle went up the leg of progressive viewers everywhere.

The Internet: click here.

[For the losers, click through to the flip]


LOSERS:

Joe Lieberman: failed to deliver Democrats, independents, or Jews. And on the way to losing his committee chairmanships.

Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Dick Morris, and hate-mongers everywhere: the stink didn't stick to Obama but it stuck to them.

Bill Clinton: it's gonna take a lot of work to repair the rep.

John McCain: see Bill Clinton.

Liddy Dole: see Clinton and McCain. Her "Godless" ad will be taught in What Not To Do poli sci classes for a century.

George W. Bush: the repudiation of his presidency was overwhelming and across-the-board.

The Republican Party: the emptiness of its philosophic underpinnings was exposed for all to see.

Joe the Plumber: the clock just hit 15 minutes, and the wakeup call will not be pleasant. Joe the Plumber, meet Clara Peller ("Where's the beef?!").

Okay, these are my picks... what are yours? Please post your winners and losers in the comments section below.


Return to PEEK  » Post Tools: email EMAIL print PRINT 27 COMMENTS PERMALINK
Also in PEEK
Obama: 'If Paul Krugman Has a Good Idea … Then We're Going to Do It'
Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman has been a frequent critic of President-elect Obama.
Post by Amanda Terkel. January 9, 2009.		 Kucinich Speaks Out Against Congress' Blind Support of Israel
"We must take a new direction in the Middle East.
Post by Staff. January 9, 2009.		 TVA Responsible for Yet Another Toxic Coal-Related Spill
So, now is it time for clean energy?
Post by Tara Lohan. January 9, 2009.
Advertisement
Comments Turn comments off sitewide Give us feedback »
Comments closed.
The comments for this story have been closed. Thank you to everyone who participated. 		View:
The Biggest Winners???
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Quannah on Nov 6, 2008 4:35 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
THE WORLD!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Sorest losers...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: g on Nov 6, 2008 5:22 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Republicans in Lubbock TX. They accept democracy only when they "win" the elections. Now that Obama overwhelmingly won, they scream about "Not giving up." What are they gonna do, occupy the White House? Secede? That'd be fun. Last time they tried a secession they got their ass kicked. By a Republican-when Republicans where the respectable ones.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Sorest losers... Posted by: Quannah
» RE: Sorest losers... Posted by: robert.noll
» RE: Sorest losers... Posted by: schiffer
» RE: Sorest losers... Posted by: Quannah
» RE: Sorest losers... Posted by: gathaiga
The best.... the worst.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: gallery on Nov 6, 2008 7:09 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The best would include:
Our Candidate.
Howard Dean and his fifty state strategy.
The intertubes, for keeping us sane.
Lazy people who got unfucked, and voted.
Flipping red states blue.
Joe liebermans demise.
Sarah Palin.
Good wine from California.

The worst:
The republican party and everything they stand for.
Sarah Palin.
Good wine from California.

I do hope some smart republicans, who've recently been UNemployed, can do something constructive for a change......like opening up some rehab centers for all of the people they drove to drink.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Obama won because he rejected the whole "winners" and "losers" concept
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Suzon on Nov 7, 2008 3:25 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Hard to stop the bad habit of "us" and "them", isn't it?

We are all in this together, guys. Hatred on the left isn't any prettier than hatred on the right.

We have been divided and ruled by selfish forces. Time for some healing.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

More big winners
[Report this comment]
Posted by: texas grrrrl on Nov 7, 2008 3:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Let's not forget the tremendous help from Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, David Letterman, Bill Mahr and other 'comedians' who gave us laughs (and morale support) while pointing out the truth.

Cindy Sheehan struck one of the first public blows....while camping out in Crawford, she gave thousands an opportunity to come together.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Who lost the election? Anyone who isn't straight, thats who.
[Report this comment]
Posted by: rickiey on Nov 7, 2008 3:52 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Proposition 8 in California, Amendment 2 in Florida both passed.

Yes, it is nice that Obama won, and yes, it is nice we have a serious democratic majority.

But for all of you calling this a "win" for progressives, then you might as well be joining the Republican party, because you're treating gays (etc) the same way they are.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

more winners!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: teknozen on Nov 7, 2008 5:39 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Wall Street pigs that gorged at the trough of sub-prime loans are my hero for helping usher in an economic downturn at just the right moment.

And CNN is a hero for unleashing comedian/journalist D.L. Hughley at just the right time. Just hours before the election his show definitely rocked the vote. One of the most powerful moments in the entire election campaign is when he interviewed Donna Brazille (former campaign director for Al Gore) and aked her what Obama would do first after the victory. Donna said he would pick up the phone and call John McCain and offer him a seat at the table to help solve the nations depeest problems-- that we need Dems and Repubs to come together in order to get out of the mess. of course this was purely symbolic but what a great message to put out just before the polls open.

Also great among many comic moments: D.L. interviews the enthusiastic director in charge of the McCain victory party and we learn that the business hotel ballroom bumped the victory celebration for a bar mitzvah, and the event was relocated to small restaurant with a cash bar. The Obama party producer was more circumspect and cautious, "Well DL., this is a close race and we are preparing for the best and ready for the worst." D.L. finds this surprising and asks, "really?" to which the party producer burst out shrieking, "NO, brother, we razed the roof, Obama is destroying McCain and everyone including CNN knows it. We've already started partying!! We're gonna be too tired to vote on Tuesday but that wont matter-- we'll STILL win!!"

Finally, Dick Cheney is my hero for coming out of his undisclosed location and announcing his delight for McCain's candidacy.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

(Losers) of Election '08
[Report this comment]
Posted by: xvictor on Nov 7, 2008 6:41 AM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Screeching pro-life groups, pro-prayer-in-public-schools nutcases, pro-flag burning amendment sycophants, and all religous right-wing wackos.

At least for the next couple of years we won't be hearing from those delusional folks. THANK GOODNESS!!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Move On. org
[Report this comment]
Posted by: olliesmom on Nov 7, 2008 6:51 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This remarkable organization mobilized us "little guys" into the tsunami that swept Obama into office. Go, Move On!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The American public is a winner and Fox is a loser
[Report this comment]
Posted by: dragonmama on Nov 7, 2008 6:53 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The American public thought for itself and did it's homework on the candidates and the issues.
It didn't buy the fear and hate tactics perpetuated by Fox, Palin, and Rove- behind- the= scenes this time around. It listened to it's youth who were instrumental in Obama's grassroots campaign and took a chance on hope.
The world is celebrating for us. I'm proud to be an American....finally!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

4change now,not as an after thought
[Report this comment]
Posted by: 4changenow on Nov 7, 2008 8:53 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I am and was a big Obama fan. However with his ties to wall street, right now we must demand that Obama not approve this Wall street bailout (robbery). An impeachment option needs to be explicitly and forcefully conveyed to Obama, if he allows the bailout as is. In that case, his campaign was a lie and the Americam people will lose. I work in govenment and after the fact whinny and complaining gets nothing accomplished. we have come to far. Jeff

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

California Poposition 8
[Report this comment]
Posted by: egdell on Nov 7, 2008 10:02 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
WINNERS:

The Roman Catholic Church and The Mormon Church: violating the fundamental concept of separation of church and state, they poured a tremendous amount of their tax-free money into spreading hateful, fear-mongering lies and prevailed in codifying discrimination into the California Constitution

LOSERS (for now):

LGBT people everywhere: including the 18,000 same-sex couples who celebrated their love for and commitment to each other after the California Supreme Court affirmed in May their constitutional right to marry only to see it taken away from them by a popular vote.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

The American People
[Report this comment]
Posted by: blackie4aces on Nov 7, 2008 10:48 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
By rejecting a philosophy of ignorance and greed the American people have begun to dig themselves out of a very deep, dark hole. By choosing a message of hope America has taken the first step toward a rebirth of the principles we like to say that we stand for.

The Party of George Bush, in the words of William Howard Kuntsler, The Party That Wrecked America, by far the most vile, mean-spirited political movement in my lifetime of sixty years, a party dedicated to an adulation of ignorance, the cultivation of hate, and the most corrupt since the Grant Administration, has been outed and sent into the wilderness.

Potentially, Obama's victory, a triumph of class over the craven, will reclaim American politics. It is an indication that Americans have chosen reason and thoughtful reflection over hysterical emotionalism, the common good over egocentric acquisitiveness, and a real understanding of the world over the Manichean universe the Republicans attempt to sell.

The dark side of this, however, is that 46% of the Nation's voters were still willing to rally behind a party mired in corruption that demonstrated massive incompetence, a contempt for law and justice, and a willingness to do anything, no matter how despicable, to maintain power. Lest we become too comfortable, that should be a sobering thought. There is much to do and much to guard against.

Satan's Neutral Corner
satansneutralcorner@yahoo.com

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: The American People Posted by: ChapWriter84
» RE: The American People Posted by: Intellect
Kentucky Lost...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: jimidee on Nov 7, 2008 2:19 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I can honestly say that I am ashamed of my state and capital city for supporting McCain/Palin. They obviously were not paying attention. I knew that President Barack Hussein Obama (I like the sound of that about as much as these red-necks hate it! LOL) would lose KY by 16 points...one of the highest margins in the country. This is why I did not waste my time working for him here. Instead I drove to Indiana to work on his campaign...where we won!

I find it interesting how a mere river (with lots of bridges spanning it) can delineate such a stark contrast in ideology and political intelligence. Are those folks in Indiana, Ohio and VA really that much smarter and less gullible than these hillbillies in KY? We were surrounded by states that were much more enlightened that our citizenry...even West By-God Virginia was a lot closer than it was around here. I think we have had about enough of the jokes around here about how backward West Virginians are...they are light years ahead of us.

Kentucky is one of the "reddest" of the red (necked) states in the Union. How proud I was to see that KY was the first state that was called by the networks for McCain...there it stood on the TV all alone in all its redness on that blank slate of states for all the world to see. How proud I was that our state gave McCain/Palin (Sarah Palin...really? REALLY!!!) a 16% victory...one of the highest margins in the country. NOT!

When will our dumb masses ever come into this century? We lead the nation in nearly every dubious honor from school drop out rates to smoking tobacco to teen age pregnancy to obesity. With all of the TV and the internet providing direct links to the outside world, there really isn't any legitimate excuse. My bet is that has something to do with being in the shallow end of the gene pool. What do you think?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Kentucky Lost... Posted by: Vic Fedorov