A '10 Senate Race to Watch: Democrats Gillibrand and Maloney Vie in NY

                   

Left, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY                 Right, Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, D-NY

For liberal New Yorkers mulling the fall 2010 special election race to fill the U.S. Senate seat currently occupied by  Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the declaration of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney's (D-NY) campaign for it represents an interesting wrinkle. Under state rules governing a vacated Senate position, Governor Paterson chose Gillibrand to fill what had been former Senator Hillary Clinton's seat for a portion of the time remaining in her term when Clinton joined Obama's cabinet. In 2010, the U.S. Senate seat goes wide open to both major political parties, and there's tremendous interest among Democrats in retaining the seat with, naturally, the strongest possible challenger to whoever the Republicans put up.* In this case, it's generally accepted that the Democratic aspirant will likely be a woman. What's unusual is that in addition to the question of who's more "electable" (and why), there's the additional question, who has the better feminist record?

May 19, Special Elections Day in California & a Few Last Words on Judy Chu for Congress

[Previous entries in the Run, Mama, Run series on Judy Chu for Congress here.]

Today's Special Election will elect a replacement for the House seat once occupied by Hilda Solis representing California Congressional District 32, and determine whether ballot initiatives addressing our state's enormous budget deficit will go forward or be rejected.

So please do vote today--it's a low voter-turnout election. According to @lacrrcc, (Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's twitter handle), as of May 18, 2009, "With 273,418 by mail ballots returned, we are just over 6% overall voter turnout for tomorrow's election and 36% returned of ballots issued."

If you'll indulge me in some meta-commentary about the Chu-Cedillo race--some of the punditry has framed the 63% Latino/22% Asian/15% white/other 32d Congressional district as Latino candidate State Assembly person Gil Cedillo's race to lose. It's both a recognition that Cedillo's been active in local and state politics since 1970, but also predicated on the notion that Latinos vote for Latinos in a sort of simple identity politics paradigm. This also assumes that a near-complete turnout of Latino voters will largely go to the best-known Latino frontrunner, Cedillo, and make a runoff election unnecessary. (Whoever takes the majority on May 19 will be named the winner; if no one takes the majority, top finishers from both parties participate in the runoff in July.)

Run, Mama, Run*: Candidate for Congress Judy Chu Answers More Questions, Part 2

 (Intro to the series here. Part 1, here.)

Less than two weeks to vote for a congressional representative for CA CD-32! It's anticipated to be a low voter-turnout election, so it's vitally important for all registered voters to get out to the polls on May 19, 2009, for the special election.

(Hilda Solis and Judy Chu both wearing lucky red for Chinese New Year.)

Here's the promised Q&A between MOMocrats' Cynematic and Dr. Chu. It delves a little deeper into Dr. Chu's background, her first entry into politics, and concrete plans for representing her district and serving Americans in Congress. (*I should note that "Run, Mama, Run" is a MOMocrats series that features progressive pro-choice women of note as they compete for local, state, and federal offices. We use 'mama' in the literal sense--many of the women we feature are mothers of either very young or grown children--and in the more colloquial, friendly and intimate sense--of acknowledging metaphorical kinship with women in a greater struggle for justice that benefits all. In each case, we leave it to the candidate to reveal and discuss the particulars of her family life as she wishes.)

Run, Mama, Run: Congressional Candidate Judy Chu Answers Political Bloggers' Questions, Part 1

Recently Dr. Judy Chu made herself available to numerous political bloggers to answer questions about her background and her positions on several local initiatives that are up for a vote during the May 19 special election. I was pleased to be on the conference call, as throughout the 1990s, I'd heard a great deal about her time as mayor of Monterey Park, and how the demographics of the San Gabriel Valley were changing now that many immigrants from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the People's Republic of China were settling there. Now, much of the San Gabriel Valley is Chinese or Vietnamese restaurants, ethnic grocery stores, small ethnic businesses, Latino eateries, and tutoring academies for children.

Dr. Chu, a community college professor and former Garvey school board member, city council member, then mayor, has had a lengthy career based in the San Gabriel Valley. After several years as mayor of Monterey Park, she ran for California State Assembly and served there for three terms. From there, she successfully ran for the State Board of Equalization, the nation's only tax policy-making entity staffed with elected officials. She now serves as Vice Chair of the State Board of Equalization. Just a few days ago, she received the endorsement of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Viillraigosa.

Run, Mama, Run: Dr. Judy Chu Sweeps California Democratic Party Delegates, CA Congressional District 32

Left: former Congresswoman Hilda Solis, then-State Assemblywoman Judy Chu

Part of the pleasure of seeing former Congresswoman Hilda Solis appointed as Labor Secretary in the Obama administration is anticipating which worthy Democrat will then fill her seat in the 32d district.

Carly Fiorina poised for hostile takeover of Barbara Boxer's Senate seat

Citing it as a Tough Choice, but not book fodder, today Carly Fiorina announced that she is eyeballing Barbara Boxer's senate seat as her next acquisition.

"I hope to make it the new most successful public offering," she said with a laugh, referring to her past Lucent spinoff, which to date holds the record for most successful public offering, "In the end, of course, I am my own only competition. What has Barbara Boxer ever achieved? Protected California from glassy-winged sharpshooter and the Asian long-horned beetle? Beetles, really? How can you call killing poor little beetles an accomplishment, even if they do devour all the crops? I, on the other hand, rose from Kelly Girl temp to the most powerful campaign adviser to ever tank a Presidential race. Plus, I have never even stepped on an ant. I reserve my stepping on for humans."

Fiorina dismissed Boxer's active work on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Committee on Environment and Public Works, and the Committee on Foreign Relations. She also pooh pooh'd Boxer's support of protecting public land, efforts to remove arsenic from drinking water, and blocks of offshore oil drilling.

"Air pollution is a myth, you've got to have oil to grease the coffers, err, I meant wheels, and nobody needs to interfere with commerce. Clearly a free for all in capitalism is successful," Fiorina said, sounding closer to the modern Republican line than ever before.

Fiorina said she "learned a lot" about what does and doesn't work during John McCain's unsuccessful bid for President in 2008.

"My tax records are wide open to the public for review, as soon as every single citizen gets a court order, and my accountant returns from the Cayman Islands. Also, I know exactly how many houses I have," she said.

Fiorina clarified that she preferred the label moderate to maverick, and that she would not stand for a single Tina Fey or Saturday Night Live joke about her or her campaign.

"I have substance," she said, "And any mention of my $21 million golden parachute or the dramatic rise of HP stock after I was fired is sexist commentary."

Fiorina denied allegations by Robert Cihra, an analyst with Fulcrum Global Partners, that nobody liked her leadership and that people lack faith in her, "I'm very likable, and expert at being bossy."

She dodged questions about her stance on choice and redirected the conversation to education of schoolchildren in California.

"Boxer thinks every kid deserves an education, and is spending over a billion annually for afterschool programs. I say let the kids get street smart. As a businesswoman, I know how competition and incentives work. If those kids want to be in school, let them compete for the desk," Fiorina said.

She claimed she was still finessing the details of how children would compete for a spot in schools, but said it might involve reciting a full book from the Bible, although she denied that had any connection to the $4 million donation she received from a right-wing evangelical Protestant group called Stand Tall Under Protestant Instituitionalized Divinity.

Fiorina said she'll let the citizens of California know "soon" if this is an April Fool's joke.

Although Fiorina might make a fool of herself and/or the citizens of California with a race against Boxer---for real---this entire article has been a big joke. Happy April Fool's Day!

Back to School, or, Welcome, 111th Congress!

The holiday cookies are baked and eaten, the pageantry and celebration of whatever winter rituals you and your family observe is over, the oddball gifts returned or tucked away to re-gift later...and most of all, the kids are back at school! (Or will be soon.)

And those big kids--ones we elected--are settling in to the 111th session of Congress today.

Al Franken, though officially winner of the MN senate race, won't be seated just yet. And Roland Burris, the corruption-free appointment to the Illinois U.S. senate seat by the corruption-ridden governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, is fighting to be seated by his peers at the moment despite being turned away at the door. (I have nothing for or against Burris; this is all about Blago trying to stink up the joint with his fellow Dems however he can. Loser.)

"This Time Must Be Different"

The weather foretold it in Chicago. Rare is it to feel the warmth of southerly winds on an early November night in this city. Rarer still was the occasion of welcoming a president who means so much to the people he has set out to serve.

The gates were said to open at 8:30 p.m., but organizers let the crowd of ticket holders in early. Looking around at the faces of those men and women, some with children already sleepy, making their way down to Grant Park's Hutchinson Field, one could spy a cautious kind of hope. A spark fired within. But, the full blown excitement was yet to be uncorked.

On this election night, merchants took full advantage to sell all and any Barack Obama merchandise, from the rhinestone studded to the more traditional. Most favored were items bearing "President Barack Obama."

Chicago, the city that has defiantly cheered its beloved and beleaguered sports teams to victory and faced an unequal share of bitter defeat couldn't help but feel minor trepidation about an Obama win. "We'll believe it when we see it" may easily have been overheard throughout. Though some wild optimists among us with more healthy levels of skepticism knew the best was saved for last.

Down past the three checkpoints, and out on the field cheers erupted from the crowd, most of whom had already stood for nearly hours by then. Returns were announced on the two giant screens erected in the field. Shoulder to shoulder, people turned to their neighbor to chat them up with nervous laughter in an effort to take their minds off the tension.

The many young people managed the wait in the company of their friends and a box of Connie's pizza. The older ones in attendance: they wouldn't dare think of tiring out now. They had waited this long. Most notable of all roars followed Obama's win of Ohio. That felt good. This was the one we had never gotten over. For good reason.

Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan and Pennsylvania already occupied the list of electoral votes by the time Ohio joined. When Virginia jumped into the group, it was a done deal. We knew no one could or would steal it from us now. All who had held their breaths were relieved.

Shortly thereafter, the announcement was broadcast and the wildest and most joyous pandemonium began. The words "Barack Obama Elected 44th President" ran along the bottom of the jumbotron. Several older ladies clasped their hands in prayer and relief.  Shouts of "Yes! Yes! Yes!" peppered in between the raucous screams and hollers. Over 6 minutes of continuous cheers ensued as the television pundits and analysts weighed in onscreen.

When after prayer, The Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem was sung, Obama took the stage with the rest of the new First family, he quickly reaffirmed the thoughts of the hundreds of thousands who came to celebrate with him in Chicago. The victory belonged to us. This "victory of ideals" proved to be far more important to the spirit of unity than any issue driven agenda.

As Obama recounted the trials of the numerous volunteers and voters the election brought forth and the decades in the life of 106 year old voter, Ann Nixon Cooper, whose life had seen America's darkest times and most unstoppable determination, tears streamed over the good fortune of our nation's  newest turn of events.

Sent out into the night, a new era waiting to begin, the procession of people poured forth onto Michigan Avenue jubilant. Many fell silent, smiling, arms linked with their friends and family, strains of music from Grant Park filling the air. The crowd stretched all the way down to Roosevelt Road on the south and as far as could be seen to the north.

Soon horns blared, loud roars of "Obama!" "Obama!" erupted time and again. Cameras clicked and Chicago lit with flashbulbs as Americans captured their own moment in history on this one for the history books made in the city of Chicago.

-Christine

Voting Results

Check out the election results throughout the day using this interactive map from Google. This map will stay up for the remainder of the day. Be sure to scroll down for more content.

World Interest in Our Election

I'm on the continent of Africa for work and will visit nine countries before returning to the U.S. in mid-November.  (Yes, I voted early!)

Listening to the BBC television news station, I was reminded that America's vote on Tuesday is "the vote that affects your world."  I've known that.  In fact I've used this very concept -- the notion that Obama is who the world has been waiting for -- whenever I have a chance to talk to people about Obama.   But hearing the BBC say it somehow took it out of the realm of rhetorical hyperbole and brought it down to earth.  The world will be affected by the decisions of a few dozen million people. 

Is that fair? No.  Is it reality? Yes. 

So the world awaits news of whether America -- finally -- will get it right.

On a lighter note, I saw these up at a restaurant in Accra, Ghana (well off the tourist track).  The first is an ad for Obama t-shirts and the second is a poster for  an elections results watch party.