Palin '12

With all of the work she's done in 2008, will we see Palin again in '12? Her campaign would look radically different than the McCain/Palin campaign--McCain attempted to appeal to the center with his liberal policy positions and distance from Bush. Palin, on the other hand, would have a much more conservative campaign. She would run on decentralization, conservative social values, and free-market capitalism. 

Why would that work? Well if the next 4 years is, as some people fear, a move towards American socialism (really?), then backlash from that would help a conservative ticket in 2012. If we see too much government involvement, too much tax increase, too much spending, and too much government interference with the economy, then Palin's campaign could conceivably be effective. 

Yes, it is a scary thought. How the woman who can see Russia and would have walked with dinosaurs 5,000 years ago could be the most powerful person in the world.... Is beyond me. Good thing we have to wait 4 more years to find out if it could happen. 

On another not, sadly Prop 8 passed in California. This is the first time in California's history that a law has restricted, not enhanced civil rights. Hopefully it will go to the Supreme Court, but the system takes a long time to work through. Fortunately, Prop 4 was defeated for the third time. Maybe it will stop popping up on the ballot so often. 

Yet Another Update

95% of California precincts have reported their results. 

Yes on Prop 8 is ahead 4 points, 52-48%, by about 500,000 votes.

No on Prop 4 is also ahead 4 points, 52-48%, by about 500,000 votes.

Props Update

For recent election updates, go here.

With almost 60% of precincts reporting, Yes on 8 is winning 53-47% and No on 4 is winning 52-48%.

Some Advice for Republicans

This video gives suggestions to the Republican party in the political future:

"The Republican party shouldn't allow the right wing to control it" was the essential advice given. Does that mean McCain would have won if he hadn't chosen Palin? McCain was the poster boy of a centered Republican; he disaffected voters by having liberal policies. I want to know how this Democratic strategist would have changed McCain's campaign based on her advice.

Interesting.

Getting a Little Worried, But There's Still Hope

42% of California precincts are reporting on Prop 8. Yes still leads 52-48% and is up by just over 200,000 votes.

40% of precincts are reporting on Prop 4, and No is leading 52-48% and is up by less than 200,000 votes.

It's getting close. It's 11:22PM West Coast time, and a lot of the rest of the country is staying up to see the results of these propositions. California could determine how other states treat gay marriage; it could be the trend setter either way Prop 8 ends up. California could also fall to the proven dangers of limiting abortions for minors, if Prop 4 passes. Prop 4, in other forms, has been turned down twice before, and hopefully the third time will deter its opponents. 

We'll have to wait and see.

Update 4 (&8)

With only 13% of precincts reporting, Yes on Prop 8 is winning 55-45%. 

:(

With 12% reporting, No on 4 is winning 51-49%

:)

COME ON CALIFORNIA!!!

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It's now 10:17. With 27% of precincts reporting, Yes on 8 is winning 53-47%.

With 22% of precincts reporting, No on 4 is winning 52-48%.

Update 3

It's now 9:08, and McCain has conceded. Barack Obama will be the first black President of the United States. 

Democrats are taking over; they have control of the House and Senate.

Stock markets in other countries are rising.

Palin will not address the country tonight.

I'm still waiting on results for California's Props 4&8... and crossing my fingers. Arizona banned gay marriage, Arkansas banned gay couples from adopting children, Nebraska ended affirmative action, and South Dakota passed abortion limits. But Colorado stopped Amendment 48: Human life at moment of conception. Let's just hope California doesn't follow the trend tonight.