OK, so, why the hell did all that happen?

It's the Day After, true believers.  Let's just jump right into the events of Tuesday, shall we?

All the media made a story out of the Presidential race, but I kind of had the feeling all along, except for the time between the first Presidential debate and the Vice Presidential debate, that Obama was going to win.  Mitt Romney's argument for being elected President was simply too vague and fraught with too much risk-- risk Americans in 2012 were not willing to take.

Focusing back on Maryland and Howard County.  No surprises at all in any of the Maryland federal races.  So now Maryland has 7 Democrats and 1 Republican in the Congressional delegation.  Given the smashed bug of a redistricting plan we had to have (and that the state sadly passed) in order to get Democrat #7 elected, I'm not sure it was worth it.  Because the Democratic Party and Democrats in the legislature really sold themselves on the street for that plan.

Getting to the ballot questions.  Could not be happier for the passage of Question 6!  Another area in which Maryland will lead the nation.  With the passage of this measure, and the election of the country's first openly gay Senator, Tammy Baldwin, I think we can be assured of a Heather Mizeur candidacy for Governor in 2014.  And also happy with the passage of the Dream Act, Question 4.  As for Question 7, the gambling referendum-- it's a victory for Governor O'Malley (and specifically, the O! Say Can You See PAC).  And it's not altogether surprising to me.  I knew that the expanded gambling would come, sooner or later.  Despise the process by which it came sooner.

Last and certainly not least, the Howard County School Board race.  Calvin Ball called it several minutes prior to this writing.  Looks as though Janet Siddiqui and Ellen Flynn Giles have been returned to the board, and Ann DeLacy has been elected.  Looks as if her network of teachers, students, and families of students she's taught over her many years in the HCPSS paid off.  Especially since she left the other HCEA-endorsed candidates, David Gertler and Jackie Scott, in the dust!  I congratulate Ms. DeLacy, and at the same time, I am wholly revolted by her election.  I am disappointed that Howard County voters could not find another reasonable candidate to elect.  I truly pray that this woman's change in campaign tactics during the general election campaign heralds a change in her tone and attitude.  If she keeps her nose clean, she can be an asset.  OTOH, she could be five times worse than Allen Dyer.  Maybe the truth with her will be somewhere in the middle.  We will see.

True believers, time to rest, relax, take a break, enjoy your holidays, and not think about election and political stuff for awhile.  At least until the fiscal cliff hits.  And, of course, people start announcing for Governor next spring.

Comments

[LisaBMrsS]

There's no rest for the weary in HoCo. The BoE has two school redistricting work sessions this week. ;-)

[nicole]

I am disappointed about Q7 as well, but I think the narrow margin by which it passed still sent a message. Or not. Only time will tell.

[lida daidaihua capsule]

Do you still remember that Christmas?