Major congratulations to Murphy.

When this started, I didn't think he had a chance in hell.

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by: SC @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 20:23:57 PM UTC

Neither did Michael Steele

Should there be a Steele Deathwatch?  Or will the story die down over weekend and be forgotten by the tradmed by Monday?

Check out the Guru's blog at http://www.senateguru.com/

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by: Senate Guru @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 20:25:59 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Steele's on Notice

If they lose VA-GOV and NJ-GOV in November, he's a goner.

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by: Zeitgeist9000 @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 21:26:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

RIP Teh Disco

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by: ChadInFL @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 20:24:10 PM UTC

Excellent

He can probably be sworn in next Monday or Tuesday.  

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by: andgarden @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 20:26:06 PM UTC

Note to Norm Coleman

and the GOP, quit fucking with my state's Senate seat.  Give it up already, this is such a waste of my tax dollars that are paying for NO ONE.

Congrats Murphy, awesome race.

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by: Andrew @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 20:36:35 PM UTC

Even in defeat Tedisco is full of shit

"This was a close campaign every step of the way. Ultimately, it became clear that the numbers were not going our way and that the time had come to step aside and ensure that the next Congressman be seated as quickly as possible. In the interest of the citizens of the 20th Congressional district and our nation, I wish Scott the very best as he works with our new President and Congress to address the tremendous challenges facing our country."

No Mr. Tedisco it was NOT a close campaign every step of the way.  You were >20 points ahead a couple months ago and literally noone had ever heard of Scott Murphy.  While you sir have been an elected official since I was 2 years old.  Claiming the campaign was always close of complete BS.

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by: ChadInFL @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 20:38:53 PM UTC

Literally no one? ;-)

Sorry, I'm a little OCD about grammar... I need to stop this.

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by: Caspar @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 21:51:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Grammar is overrated

I'm a finance major.

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by: ChadInFL @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 21:53:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

An awesome win indeed!

Hard work, grassroots effort, and persistence pays off.

We've now won NY-20 with two different Democrats in three straight elections.

It's been a long hard 4 years effort but done in great company! Congratulations and thanks to everyone that had a hand in this tremendous effort the last 4 years!

Peace,

Andrew

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by: Andrew C White @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 20:46:06 PM UTC

Out of curiosity

what will happen to the remaining challenged ballots?  Will they be opened and counted or not?  I hope so because it would be interesting to know how much Murphy really won by.  BTW, whatever we may think of Tedisco, the way he conceded today was pretty classy and a tremendous contrast to the scumbag Coleman.

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by: jward373 @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 21:04:52 PM UTC

They will still be counted

The election isn't officially over until the Board of Elections releases a final, official count -- one candidate conceding doesn't produce an official winner - that still relies on a certificate of election from the State. So while everyone now knows that Murphy won, the formalities are not quite finished. (We tend to forget that it isn't CNN or AP or the parties or the candidates that "declare" the winner -- it is the state election officials who bear final responsibility.)

Presumably (hopefully) by withdrawing his candidacy, Tedisco is also withdrawing his ballot challenges -- assuming that is the case, the election authorities can decide to go ahead and count those ballots (with the judge's approval) early next week and wrap things up. Earlier Tedisco's campaign made some hints that they knew they couldn't win but he wanted to continue the "residency challenges" to establish future NYS election law precedent....  I haven't heard of that silliness has been dropped or not, but if Tedisco really wants to be classy, he would drop those challenges to allow Murphy to be seated promptly.

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by: terje @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 02:02:11 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

I support continuing to count through Tedisco's challenges

Because I don't know if that'll change the results.  Because last I heard, Murphy's lead is only 401 and there are 550 ballots, so it is still mathematically possible given only this information.

Perhaps they have more information than I do, and they see that they have no way to win.  Perhaps, the Tedisco campaign challenged X ballots, all of which were Murphy votes, and 550-X < 401.

party: Democratic, ideology: moderate, district: CT-01

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by: Glenn Magus Harvey @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 02:25:37 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

well, to be honest, I should be supporting finishing the counting anyway.

Because that's the right thing to do.

party: Democratic, ideology: moderate, district: CT-01

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by: Glenn Magus Harvey @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 02:26:05 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Party time

Wanna know where Murphy supporters can congregate tonight?  Bailey's in Saratoga @ 8pm!!!

WOOHOO!

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by: sledwith06 @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 21:13:34 PM UTC

Well, good game, Tedisco.

See you next mission election.

In retrospect, when Kyle finally said it was over, that's when I was convinced it was over.

party: Democratic, ideology: moderate, district: CT-01

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by: Glenn Magus Harvey @ Fri Apr 24, 2009 at 23:46:37 PM UTC

All right:

My take on Murphy's win - I bet that the late Rep. Gerry Solomon - the conservative Republican who held the 20th for two decades (1979-99) - is turning over in his grave as we speak.

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by: jsrosa @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 00:16:40 AM UTC

Either that or...

I'd bet Solomon is just relieved his seat is no longer held by a woman. He was about as old-school as they come as far as gender issues are concerned.  

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by: RamblinDave @ Sat Apr 25, 2009 at 15:19:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]