VIRGINA: Special Prosecutor Appointed To Investigate Eugene Delgaudio

A special prosecutor has been appointed to investigate hate group leader and Loudoun County Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio, who is accused of using public employees to raise money for his anti-gay campaigns.

The appointment of Theo Stamos, the attorney for Arlington County, comes after one of Delgaudio’s former aides alleged that she spent the majority of her working hours early this year scheduling fundraising meetings. The aide, Donna Mateer, also said in a complaint filed with the county human resources department that Delgaudio subjected his employees to a hostile working environment.The appointment came at the request of Loudoun County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Plowman (R), who said in a court filing that he had received additional information concerning the allegations that merited further review. He requested someone from outside Loudoun to conduct the investigation to preserve “public confidence in the integrity of any conclusions.” Delgaudio and his attorney, Charles King, did not respond to requests for comment Friday. Delgaudio has repeatedly denied the accusations. While he acknowledged that county aides set up fundraising meetings for him, he said they were solely intended to benefit a local youth football league. County policy prohibits political activity on county time or using county resources.

DC Eagle To Close

Washington DC's Eagle nightclub will close at the end of the month as its owners seek a new location.

Eagle manager Ted Clements said the bar plans to hold a closing party on Nov. 25, with the hope that the popular establishment will have lined up a new location shortly before or after that date. “We’re trying to find a building,” he told the Blade. “This will be the fourth location. We keep getting pushed around from the development in this area. We’ve been in a four-block radius for the past 40 years.” The Douglas Development Corporation, one of the city’s largest real estate developers, has announced plans to build a new high-rise office building with retail businesses on the 600 block of New York Ave., N.W., where the Eagle and other businesses are now located. The site is one block away from the Washington Convention Center.

When Marriage Starts In MD, WA, ME

AFER has the timeline:

Maine

December 6 at the earliest. This date may change. The initiative goes into effect 30 days after the governor makes a “public proclamation of the result of the vote,” within 10 days after the result has been determined.

Maryland

January 1, 2013. This date was included in the original legislation passed by the state’s General Assembly, which was approved by voters.

Washington

December 6. All referendums that are approved by voters in the Evergreen State go into effect 30 days after the election.

The SCOTUS decision on California is due November 26th.

Pat Boone Has The Sadz

"For over 200 years, we were the most successful, admired and envied nation in world history. Unashamedly, we declared ourselves to be a Christian nation, granting security and protection to all faiths, creeds and ethnicities. Our laws demanded obedience to the laws of God – because they had proven to be the best ever conceived for creating and maintaining a healthy, productive and fair society. Friend, our people have rejected the very same God and His way, and clamored after a king who has promised to provide, protect and lead them into a Promised Land where 'everybody has everything.' So that same God must take His hand off those who have rejected Him and allow them to reap the consequences." - Pat Boone, writing for World Net Daily.

If Only White Men Had Voted

Source.

Sunday In NYC: Ali Forney Center Fundraiser In Hell's Kitchen

Tomorrow in Hell's Kitchen:

The Ali Forney Center (AFC) - the nation’s largest services and advocacy organization working on behalf of runaway and homeless lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth – had its drop-in center destroyed by the Hudson River storm surge following Hurricane Sandy. The center served as the entry point for a number of AFC services, including medical care, HIV testing, mental health services, housing referrals, and more. In order to raise money for the AFC in this time of crisis, Industry Bar, located at 355 West 52nd Street in Manhattan, will host a fundraising event from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 11, 2012. The event’s hosts will include actress Ally Sheedy and celebrity photographer Mike Ruiz.

The event is co-chaired by AFC board member and Chair of Manhattan Community Board 4, Corey Johnson, and AFC volunteer and OASIS co-chair Michael Green. Tickets are available for purchase at the door for $20, and 100 percent of the event proceeds from ticket sales, bar service and raffle items will go to the AFC. A matching donation of up to $50,000 will be generously made on behalf of AFC Board Member Bill Shea and his husband, Frank Selvaggi. “Sandy upended the lives of many New Yorkers, but not nearly as much as the youth of the Ali Forney Center, who now have nowhere to turn for basic services such as shelter and food. We are proud to help our community come together in support of its most vulnerable youth,” said Shea and Selvaggi.

I'll be there tomorrow! You can also donate directly via the AFC's website.

Connecticut Marriage Turns Four

AFER's Matt Baume celebrates.

Wingnut Money Beg Of The Day

Just in from Breitbart News:

Dear Patriot, Conservative hero Allen West is in the midst of a brutal recount. His entire career hangs in the balance. The liberals threw everything they had at him in this election and couldn't defeat him outright. Please help Revive America stand up to defend Colonel Allen West right now! Please make an URGENT contribution of $35, $50, $75, $100, $200 or whatever you can today. And Allen West is getting very little help from the Republican Party. He needs grassroots conservatives to stand up today! Colonel West is a fighter. The liberals hoped he would just give up when his leftist opponent pulled ahead by a small margin. Allen West will not be thrown out of Congress without a fight! He will not be cheated out of his Congressional seat! But he needs ordinary Americans like you to stand with him in this battle. Please make the very most generous contribution you can to help keep Allen West in Congress. And please do it now. I know you're exhausted and disgusted with politics right now. You probably want to put this entire nightmare election behind you. However, Allen West is still fighting. And I think we should too.

The email contained five separate links to the same donation page.

Ken Hutcherson Has The Sadz

"I have been preaching and pushing and talking unity till I am blue in the face and you guys know how black I am in the face. I have continued to look that God is still on the throne, this is not a man’s decision in these elections, there is no way in the world that we should have had the votes that we had. So I am praying that we really get in the face of the church, really get in the face of the conservative leaders, really get in the face of churches. We have major churches out here that did not stand up, did not even raise a finger to defeat this whole thing on same-sex marriage and that is just an abomination to God. I am sick and tired of the homosexuals taking words that God has given us, I am sick and tired of the homosexual community taking our rainbow when God gave us that promise that He would not destroy the earth with water again. We have just become irrelevant, we are just sissified, we are evangeli-fish with no spiritual vertebrae and we need to wake up." - Pastor Ken Hutcherson, speaking on the American Family Association's radio show. (Via Right Wing Watch)

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Hutcherson says that if you are gay, God will murder you. Hutcherson says that the only reason he played football was so he could hurt white people legally. Hutcherson says gay people are going to marry horses. Hutcherson says gay men are going to marry little boys. Hutcherson says the governor of Washington is like Lincoln's killer because she signed the marriage bill. Hutcherson says Christians are so oppressed, they are "the new Negroes."

CIA Director Resigns Over Affair

CIA director and four-star former Army General David Petraeus resigned today, citing an extramarital affair. From his resignation letter:

Yesterday afternoon, I went to the White House and asked the President to be allowed, for personal reasons, to resign from my position as D/CIA. After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair. Such behavior is unacceptable, both as a husband and as the leader of an organization such as ours. This afternoon, the President graciously accepted my resignation. As I depart Langley, I want you to know that it has been the greatest of privileges to have served with you, the officers of our Nation's Silent Service, a work force that is truly exceptional in every regard. Indeed, you did extraordinary work on a host of critical missions during my time as director, and I am deeply grateful to you for that.

RELATED: During the debate over the repeal of DADT, Petraeus said he doubted that rank-and-file "even care about DADT" or whether their fellow soldiers are gay or not.

Big Bird Loses Nest To Hurricane Sandy

On this morning's episode of Sesame Street, Big Bird returned from hurricane evacuation to discover that his nest had been destroyed.

In the episode, Big Bird checks on his home only to find the storm has destroyed his nest. His friends and neighbors soon pitch in and fix his home — but Mitt Romney’s fowl foil experiences a range of emotions, from sadness to anger to confusion. “We were looking for something to showcase the power of community overcoming a terrible event,” said Nadine Zylstra, “Sesame Street” supervising producer. On the show, the bird’s friends help him cope with his emotions by talking about what happened, drawing pictures together, and giving him lots of hugs. They also comfort the colossal condor by offering him temporary places he can eat, sleep, and play.

Some of the scenes used today were actually shot as part of a special aired in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.

PHILADELPHIA: City And LGBT Leaders Break Ground On Gay Senior Housing

Philadelphia's tourism agency sends us the above photo of today's groundbreaking for a new LGBT seniors housing center. Among those pictured: U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, Union boss John Dougherty, PGN Publisher Mark Segal, Mayor Michael Nutter, and City Councilman Mark Squilla. Photo credit: Patrick Hagerty.

Herman Cain: It's Time For Real Conservatives To Form A Third Party

Herman Cain tells Bryan Fischer that the Republican Party no longer speaks for real conservatives, who should now form their own third party. Curiously, neither Cain nor Fischer seem to believe the Tea Party will be their savior.

Math Breakthrough

Source.

GOProud Suddenly Believes That The GOP Should Support Same-Sex Marriage

After endorsing numerous virulently anti-gay GOP candidates, including Romney, who signed a hate pledge to ban same-sex marriage via the federal constitution, GOProud's Jimmy LaSalvia has suddenly decided that Republicans should start backing gay unions.

RELATED: GOProud's 2012 endorsees did not fare very well. Aside from the incumbents who were in zero danger of being unseated, the majority of GOProud's endorsement roster went down in flames.  I believe the hashtag for this would be #GOProudKissOfDeath.

(Video via Towleroad)

Fox News Headline Of The Day

Predictable.

Robertson: Wait, WOMEN Watch Porn?

Enter The "Resilient Tunnel Plug"

In the wake of widespread flooding to most of New York City's subway and vehicle tunnels, Homeland Security has renewed testing of a giant inflatable plug.

The Resilient Tunnel Plug has been years in development and testing, but it may be more relevant than ever: Superstorm Sandy sent a record 14-foot storm surge into New York Harbor, flooding subway tunnels that move some 5.2 million people a day. There is no telling how well ILC Dover's Resilient Tunnel Plug could have helped prevent damage, "but that's the kind of thing we're designing these things for," Homeland Security spokesman John Verrico said Thursday as the latest testing got under way in an airplane hangar.

Packed like an air bag, the oblong balloon made of Space Age materials flopped out of the wall of a scale-model subway tunnel that WVU engineers developed several years ago, inflating in about two minutes. While contact sensors monitored the pressure, engineers with WVU, ILC and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory visually inspected the edges to see how tightly the tube filled the tunnel. A proper fit is critical to the plug's success, said John Fortune, project manager for the Department of Homeland Security. "If there's not a good seal, we're going to see substantial flooding," he said. And while there will always be some leakage, the goal is to make it minimal.

Climate change? Feh! We got plugs!

Dan Savage Takes Down Tony Perkins

Oh, yes. You WILL enjoy this!

MINNESOTA: "Ex-Gay Therapist" Charged With Sexual Assault On Male Clients

A Minnesota pastor has been charged with eight felony counts of sexual assault upon men he was giving "ex-gay therapy." How entirely shocking.

Lakeside Christian Church's senior pastor, the Rev. Ryan J. Muehlhauser, 55, of Cambridge, appeared in court Tuesday on eight felony counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct and remains free pending another hearing next month. Muehlhauser also was a counselor through Robbinsdale-based Outpost Ministries, whose website says it was founded more than 30 years ago to help men and women "break away from gay life" and declares that "all homosexual behavior is sin." Authorities were informed of the alleged assaults from another Outpost counselor, who said the two men told him what had gone on with Muehlhauser. According to the criminal complaint: One of the men told investigators that Muehlhauser "blessed" him by cupping his genitals outside of his clothing several times and that Muehlhauser asked the man to masturbate in front of him for "spiritual strength." Muehlhauser would also fondle the man at times. Their encounters occurred over a period of nearly two years. Another man told investigators of similar encounters spanning most of this year, adding that Muehlhauser feared he would "lose everything" if anyone found out. At one encounter, Muehlhauser fondled the man and then the two joined the pastor's wife for a dinner outing.

The totally not-gay pastor works for Outpost Ministries, who is refusing to return calls from the press. From their website:

Outpost Ministries exists to help the sexually and relationally broken find healing and restoration through relationship with Jesus Christ. Outpost was formed over 30 years ago to meet the needs of men and women making the decision to break away from gay life. We strive to deal with individuals as whole persons, not merely sexual beings. We offer teaching, encouragement and support to individuals, families and the Church. Outpost emphasizes obedience to God's Word, which begins the healing process. As we grow in our submission to Jesus Christ, we also grow in friendship with Him. It is in relationship with Jesus that we are healed and transformed.

(Tipped by JMG reader Larson)

UPDATE: Local news covers the arrest.

Lady Gaga Gives $1M To Hurricane Relief

"Today I pledge 1 million dollars to New York & The American Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy Relief. If it wasn't for NYC: the Lower East Side, Harlem, the Bronx and Brooklyn, I would not be the woman or artist that I am today. New York is relentless ambition, a drive to succeed, a place where there is a natural pursuit of diversity through compassion. Please accept this gift on behalf of myself, my parents Joe and Cynthia, and my sister Natali; with our deepest gratitude New York for raising us. Thank you for helping me build my spirit. I will now help you rebuild yours. Sincerely, Lady Gaga and The Germanottas." - Lady Gaga, writing on her personal blog.

RELATED: Much of Gaga's donation will doubtlessly end up helping the people of Staten Island, NYC's most-damaged borough. You may recall that Staten Island's borough president, who has been on the news daily screaming for more aid, recently called Lady Gaga a "drug-using slut" who is corrupting the nation's youth. It will be interesting to see if he bothers to respond to Gaga's generosity.

NOM Spokesbigot: Obama Is A Terrorist

"Apparently, there are more than a few disgruntled Americans who are toying with the idea of moving to Canada. CNN is calling it 'election season bluster'. I call it flat-out ignorance. You live in the freest country ever known to mankind. As the anthem states, America is the land of the free but freedom comes with bravery, not running and hiding. Your job is to stay. And fight. For the battle is still ongoing. You leave, the terrorists win. And heck, isn’t that what the Terrorist-in-Chief wants, anyway?" - Unemployed Canadian sportscaster and NOM spokesman Damian Goddard, writing on his blog.  (Via NOM Exposed)

Maine's Haters Threaten Return To Ballot

The Christian Civic League is threatening to take same-sex marriage back to the ballot one more time.

We are in conversations with the Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council and Citizen Link to provide resources for churches, pastors and Christians who will need legal protections for our religious liberties. We want to discern the possible impact of redefining marriage as well as the remedies. Our priority is to help ensure your opportunity to live out your faith and ministry without interference. We are exploring the possibility of returning to the ballot again to overturn this egregious new definition of marriage. That may mean another campaign, including a signature drive to get it back on another ballot. We urge you to stay in touch with the Christian Civic League and be a part of our ongoing efforts with this and other important issues. We cannot hope to maintain or increase our effectiveness unless we maintain our lines of communication with you.

(Via Good As You)

AUSTRALIA: Gay Winner Of Big Brother Proposes To Boyfriend During Finale

And the audience goes WILD!

(Via Towleroad)

NYC Begins Gas Rationing

As gasoline shortages continue to plague much of the tri-state area and fistfights break out in the mile-long lines, at 6am this morning Mayor Bloomberg instituted a gas rationing program across NYC's five boroughs.

The mayor said the measure, imposed by emergency order and similar to one put in place in 12 New Jersey counties by Gov. Chris Christie on Saturday that has been considered effective, should cut down lines and allow gas stations to stay open later. “This is not a step that we take lightly,” he said, “but given the shortage that we will face for the next few weeks and the growing frustrations of New Yorkers, we believe it is the right step.” The gas rule applies to most private cars. Buses, taxis and livery cabs, emergency vehicles, commercial vehicles, paratransit vehicles and cars with MD plates are all exempt. Under the rule, motorists whose license plates end in an odd number or any letter or other character will be able to buy gas only on odd-numbered dates of the month. Drivers with even-numbered plates (0 counts as an even number) will be able to buy gas only on even-numbered dates. Violations of the gas rule are class B misdemeanors, punishable by up to three months in jail.

The same rationing mandate begins today in Long Island's Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Obama Thanks Campaign Staff

And gets a little choked while doing so.

Colorado House Chooses Gay Speaker

In yet another historic first for LGBT politics, Colorado's House has chosen an openly gay man as its new speaker.

Jubilant Democrats nominated Mark Ferrandino as speaker of the House on Thursday, the first time in Colorado history a gay lawmaker has presided over the chamber. The nomination, he said, was a victory not only for gays but also for every special-ed kid who was ever picked on and bullied. In his four years as a state legislator, the Denver lawmaker has earned a reputation as a budget wonk and a practical joker who wears his heart on his sleeve. Ferrandino struggled Thursday to hold back his tears. "I told myself I wasn't going to cry, but as a kid growing up in New York who had a learning disability, who was in special education, who struggled a lot, a kid who was picked on, called names, to be where I am and have your support, that is awesome; it is humbling," he said.

Ferrandino is the fourth currently presiding openly gay speaker of a state chamber.  Colorado now has eight openly gay state legislators, including Ferrandino. (Tipped by JMG reader Bob)

Seen In Alabama

The Secret Service has been notified.

HRC Calls For Out Cabinet Member

The Human Rights Campaign says this week's avalanche of elected LGBT officials underscores the need for an openly gay member of Obama's cabinet. Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed on his conversation with HRC head Chad Griffin:

On the appointment of an out LGBT cabinet member, Griffin was equally forceful. "We made historic progress with president Obama in terms of our openly LGBT appointments across the board," he said. "We now have the opportunity, and I hope this president and this White House will seize the opportunity to have the first openly LGBT Cabinet secretary, the first openly LGBT G-8 ambassador, and across the board with administrative appointments and judges as well." Groups like HRC, the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and others, as well as LGBT activists more broadly, have long been pushing for an out LGBT cabinet member, and the urging is likely to continue in earnest as Obama's makes changes for his second-term cabinet. Among those out gay people whose names are raised most often by advocates for possible appointments are John Berry, the head of the Office of Personnel Management; Fred Hochberg, the head of the Export-Import Bank; and Mary Kay Henry, the head of the Service Employees International Union.

HRC is also calling for Obama to issue an executive order that contractors doing business with federal government not discriminate against LGBT employees.

Lana Del Rey - Bel Air

Her new album comes out next week.

Reuters: Gay Marriage Sweep Could Influence SCOTUS On DOMA/Prop8

Reuters speculates:

Historically, the Supreme Court has provided a single national framework on social issues like same-sex marriage, said James Essex, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union. But it generally does so only after much of the country has reached a consensus, said Essex, who helped bring one of the challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act. In 1967 the court ruled that Virginia could no longer ban interracial marriage, reversing a ruling that had stood since 1883, after several states repealed their anti-miscegenation laws. And in 2003 the court found that Texas could not ban sodomy, noting that the number of states with laws banning homosexual conduct had dropped from 25 to 13 since it had made the opposite finding in 1986.

"Every time it becomes clear marriage equality is more accepted and popular, that helps us in the Supreme Court in some hard-to-quantify way," said Paul Smith, another lawyer who represents people who are challenging the Defense of Marriage Act. Supporters of gay rights and some academics also note that more than 30 states have passed laws prohibiting same-sex marriage, which they say shows that gays and lesbians still need special protection from the courts.

We'll know by the end of the month.

Next Issue Of Newsweek

Tony Perkins: If SCOTUS Legalizes Gay Marriage, We'll Have A Revolution

Headline Of The Day

The headline is from the British tabloid Daily Mail, but don't necessarily dismiss the source. In January I posted this item:

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says she wants to step off the “high wire of American politics” after two decades and is again tamping down speculation that she might stay in government if President Barack Obama wins a second term. “I have made it clear that I will certainly stay on until the president nominates someone and that transition can occur” if Obama wins re-election, she told a town hall meeting. “But I think after 20 years, and it will be 20 years, of being on the high wire of American politics and all of the challenges that come with that, it would be probably a good idea to just find out how tired I am.” But, she appeared to leave the door open for a possible eventual return, adding to laughter from the crowd that “everyone always says that when they leave these jobs.”

According to the Daily Mail, the top prospect to replace Clinton is Sen. John Kerry, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. If Clinton does indeed step down in January, the cries of "Hillary 2016!" will be deafening.

Preserve Marriage Has The Sadz

"With added results showing that we have not closed the gap, it now appears clear that Referendum 74 will be narrowly approved. We are disappointed in losing a tough election battle on marriage by a narrow margin. But while we are disappointed, we are not defeated." - Joseph Backholm, head of Preserve Marriage, who this afternoon officially conceded that his miserable, lying, bigoted, theofascist organization had utterly failed to inflict Christian Sharia Law upon the citizens of Washington state.

"America Chose Socialism"

So reads the headline in the Israeli newspaper owned by Romney backer and casino billionaire Sheldon Adelson.

Hipsters, Rejoice

After ten days of suspension due to hurricane flooding, as of this afternoon New Yorkers may once again travel the L Train between Brooklyn and Manhattan.  The next flood will merely be one of skinny jeans and trucker hats.

#DrunkNateSilver

Twitter's meme for today. Lots more at the link.

Seven Life Sentences For AZ's Mass Killer

Jared Loughner, the man who shot Rep. Gabby Giffords in the head and killed six others, was sentenced in Arizona today.

The facts in the case were never in doubt. Loughner was the only suspect. The key issue focused on whether he would avoid the death penalty because of his mental health. After the shooting, Loughner was diagnosed with schizophrenia and underwent forcible psychotropic drug treatments. It was after those treatments that Loughner realized that he had only wounded Giffords, whom he saw as the personification of a government the shooter said he hated, prosecutor Wallace Kleindienst said in his comments to the court. U.S. District Court Judge Larry A. Burns, who presided over the proceedings, had previously ruled that Loughner was capable of understanding the charges against him. This paved the way for a plea agreement designed to ensure that Loughner would spend the rest of his life in prison without possibility of parole. Three months ago, Loughner pleaded guilty to 19 federal charges. The agreement includes the dismissal of 30 other charges and a sentence of seven consecutive life terms, followed by 140 years in prison. “The evidence clearly shows that he knew what he was doing, despite his mental illness,” Burns said in handing down the sentence. He called the length of the sentence justified.

As Giffords looked on silently, her husband spoke at the sentencing: "Gabby would trade her own life for one you took on that day. Every day is a continuous struggle to do the things she was once so very good at. Mr. Loughner, you may have put a bullet through her head but you haven't put a dent in her spirit and her commitment to make the world a better place. You tried to create for all of us a world as dark and evil as your own. But know this, and remember it always: You failed."

Christian TV Has The Sadz

With appearances by Maggie Gallagher, Harry Jackson, and Tony Perkins. All this clip needs is a sad trombone every few seconds.

HomoQuotable - Dan Savage

"Before I say anything else—before I say what I dragged myself out of bed to say—let me say this: we did this. LGBT people came out, fought back, and changed the world. There's a fuck of a lot left to do—repealing DOMA, passing ENDA, completing the repeal of DADT (trans people are still barred from serving in the military), fighting for the rights of queers around the world—but LGBT people have come so far since Stonewall due to our own efforts and sacrifice. It has gotten better for us because we fought to make it better. We demanded better.

"Now here's what I want to say: I know so many straight people in Seattle who worked unbelievably hard to approve R-74. They gave money, they volunteered their time, they reached out to friends and relatives and coworkers, all in an effort to make it possible for same-sex couples to marry. Gays and lesbians are a tiny percentage of the population. We couldn't do this on our own. A majority of the legislators who voted for same-sex marriage? Straight. The governor who signed the law making same-sex marriage legal in Washington state? Straight. The majority of the folks manning the phone banks for R-74? Straight. The overwhelming majority of people who voted to approve R-74? Straight. The president who took a huge political risk and came out for marriage equality before his reelection campaign? Straight. It has gotten better for us—better, not perfect—but it hasn't gotten better for us in a vacuum. It's gotten better for us because straight people have gotten better about us." - Dan Savage, writing for Slog.

Breitbart: We Were Totally Wrong

As I noted many times here in the last year, leading the wingnut charge that all the polls were faked, fixed, or outright wrong, was Breitbart.  Lamestream media collusion! Romney landslide! 330 electoral votes!  Today Breitbart editor John Nolte apologized. 

Mea culpa. We were dead wrong about the polls. Not only did the Real Clear Politics poll of polls end up being almost perfectly precise, but the most accurate pollster of the 2012 election cycle ended up being the Daily Kos' Public Policy Polling (PPP). My guys, Gallup and Rasmussen, didn't even make the top twenty. And that's the bad news; not that we were wrong, but that what seemed inconceivable isn't: the 2008 electorate wasn't an anomaly. The electorate (at least with a Democrat presidential candidate at the top of the ticket) has shifted. That doesn’t mean our ideas are wrong or that the GOP must change its core convictions. But it does mean that tactically we have to wrap our heads around that fact that Democrats have the ability to summon enough voters required to eke out victory. Moreover, Democrats were able to do this during a year where it seemed enthusiasm would all be on our side, not theirs.  Monday we were 100% sure this wasn't reality. We certainly weren't alone in this belief, but we were wrong -- not the polls, not Nate Silver, not Chuck Todd, not anyone in the media.

It will be interesting to see how the right treats people like Nate Silver during the 2014 midterms.

Eugene Delgaudio Has The Sadz

"The gay lobby overwhelmingly outspent the pro-family forces in Minnesota, Maryland, Maine and Washington. Results are not final in Washington and we will continue to look at the results but it is looking like temporary setbacks for traditional marriage in four liberal states. Overwhelming majorities still support marriage in most states and if you add up the numbers, its a winning issue 100 per cent of the time until now. But with anti-marriage forces stopping us in four liberal states it is not time for the end game and it is not time for the fat transvestite to sing yet. Public Advocate will be back in all these states and the issue will be on the ballot for rematches again in the same states. And it won't be long either." - Hate group leader Eugene Delgaudio, writing on his website.

Maine's Moment Of Victory

(Tipped by JMG reader Seth)

Porno Pete Has The Sadz

"Tuesday was a devastating day for pro-family advocates concerned about the advance of same-sex 'marriage' and homosexual activism. While politics does not decide moral and spiritual Truth, it is an indicator of the heart of our nation. On Nov. 6, America took another giant step away from God and our Judeo-Christian heritage.  No longer can pro-family advocates say that homosexual 'marriage' has never been voted in by the people. Thanks to a never-ending bombardment of media-, educational- and pop-culture propaganda in favor of All Things Gay, homosexual 'marriage' is now semi-popular, at least in Blue States. And there is no sugar-coating how damaging Obama's reelection will be to this already depraved nation. Sadly, there is a 'passion gap' or maybe a 'boldness gap' between LGBT activists and their overly defensive pro-family opponents. Many timid, guilt-ridden Christians make rotten Culture Warriors, while unapologetic 'gays' excel at it." - Hate group leader Peter LaBarbera, in a press release published by Christian Newswire.

Morning View - Upper East Side

Last night's snowstorm took out more trees on the Upper East Side than the hurricane did. There's a chorus of chainsaws echoing up and down my block. We only got a few inches of snow and most of it's gone already.

Rachel Maddow On The Election

If you missed the triumphant first fifteen minutes of last night's Rachel Maddow Show, do yourself a favor. "I'll give you a minute to hit pause on your DVR to go make some popcorn."

Archbishop Cordileone Has The Sadz

"November 6th was a disappointing day for marriage, as the effort to preserve the unique meaning of marriage in the law lost by only a narrow margin in four states, even though vastly outspent by those who promote the redefinition of marriage. No matter what policy, law or judicial decision is put into place, marriage is the only institution that unites a man and a woman to each other and to any children born of their union. It is either this, or it is nothing at all. In view of the fact that every child has a mother and a father, our society either respects the basic right of every child to be raised by his or her mother and father together and so supports the true and unique meaning of marriage for the good of children, or it does not." - San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone, the "father of Prop 8," speaking to Catholic Culture.

Bill O'Reilly Has The Sadz

"It’s not a traditional America anymore. And there are 50 percent of the voting public who want STUFF. They want THINGS. And who is going to give them things? President Obama. He knows it and he ran on it. Whereby 20 years ago, President Obama would have been roundly defeated by an establishment candidate like Mitt Romney. The voters, many of them, feel that the economic system is stacked against them, and they want STUFF. People feel that they are entitled to things, and which candidate between the two is going to give them things." - Fox News anchor Bill O'Reilly.

Mat Staver Has The Sadz

"The event we have just witnessed was far more than a general election – it was a referendum on the soul of America.  We grieve today like we have lost a friend or a close relative. Millions of Americans looked evil in the eye and adopted it. Some Christian observers called the Democratic Party platform for 2012 a 'Romans 1 Platform,' and they were right. Abortion, same-sex marriage, and immorality carried the day. The great values on which America was founded were set aside because of selfishness unbalanced by biblical truth and commitment to Jesus Christ.  Race and ethnicity overrode values. The America we love is sick and needs renewal and healing. The world hated Jesus, and it is no surprise the world hates the followers of Christ." - Liberty Counsel head Matt Staver. (Tipped by JMG reader Kyle)

Tony Perkins Has The Sadz

"This was supposed to be the morning when Americans got up and shook off the nightmare of the last four years. Instead, they awakened to a new one: a profound drubbing of the Republican Party that is supposed to be the guardian of the conservative vision our nation so desperately needs. On every level--presidential, congressional, social--it was a bruising day for our movement that no amount of spin can improve. Americans had a choice, and they made it. Is the outcome what we want? Obviously not. Among the more demoralizing losses yesterday were the outcomes in Maryland, Minnesota, Washington, and Maine, where natural marriage lost for the first time in America by popular vote. It was a significant moment for the radical Left, which was helped to victory by the most pro-gay President in American history. While homosexuals may be celebrating an end to our movement's perfect record, they still have a long way to go to match the 32 states where Americans voted overwhelmingly to protect the union of a man and woman." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

Scott Lively Has The Sadz

"It’s official, the 2012 presidential election is over and we Americans decided not to downshift into Republican. Instead its now full speed ahead toward the progressive’s Godless Utopian fantasy (aka “the cliff”) with Mr. Obama and the Evil Party. The good news is that we can all stop pretending that Mitt Romney is a conservative. The bad news is that the Stupid Party will, of course, interpret their loss as a sign they were too conservative and move further to the left. The better or worse news (depending on your theology) is that the age of apostasy is more clearly upon us, which means that the return of Christ is drawing near." - Hate group leader Scott Lively, writing on his website.

Ann Coulter Has The Sadz

"If Mitt Romney cannot win in this economy, then the tipping point has been reached. We have more takers than makers and it’s over. There is no hope.  Mitt Romney was the president we needed right now, and I think it is so sad that we are going to be deprived of his brain power, of his skills in turning companies around, turning the Olympics around, his kindness for being able to push conservative ideas on a country that no longer is interested in conservative ideas. It is interested in handouts." - Ann Coulter, speaking on Laura Ingraham's radio show.

Quote Of The Day - Charles Blow

"No, you cannot have your country back. America is moving forward.
That’s the message voters sent the Republican Party and its Tea Party wing Tuesday night when they re-elected President Obama and strengthened the Democrats’ control of the Senate. No amount of outside money or voter suppression or fear mongering or lying — and there was a ton of each — was enough to blunt that message. President Obama and his formidable campaign machine out-performed the Republicans, holding together a winning coalition that is the face of America’s tomorrow: young voters, urban voters, racially and ethnically diverse voters and women voters. You would think that the world came to an end Tuesday night. And depending on your worldview, it might have. If your idea of America’s power structure is rooted in a 1950s or even a 1920s sensibility, here’s an update: that America is no more. Republicans are trying to hold back a storm surge of demographic change with a white picket fence. Good luck with that." - Charles Blow, writing for the New York Times.

Photo Of The Day

Matt Stopera reports at Buzzfeed: "Keesha Patterson of Ft. Washington, Maryland, proposed to her girlfriend, Rowan Ha, during the election night victory rally at President Barack Obama's headquarters in Chicago. Maryland voted in favor of gay marriage last night." The best part is the onlookers.  (Via Zack Ford @Think Progress)

Puerto Rico Votes For Statehood

One the bigger stories that I missed on Tuesday:

A slim majority of Puerto Ricans voted Tuesday to approve a nonbinding referendum that would make the island the 51st U.S. state. The measure requires final approval from Congress, so it means little for Puerto Rico right now. Still, nearly 54 percent of Puerto Ricans voted for a change in the U.S. commonwealth’s relationship with the United States — and President Obama promised to uphold their vote in the case of a “clear majority.”

Puerto Rico became a commonwealth in 1917, after Spain ceded the territory at the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens but cannot vote in presidential elections, and their commissioner in the House of Representatives holds limited power. According to the language on the ballot, the statehood referendum would give them “rights, benefits and responsibilities equal to those enjoyed by all other citizens of the states of the union.”

Don't hold your breath. DC has also wanted statehood forever.

FRANCE: Marriage Bill Advances

The same day that Americans witnessed huge advances in marriage equality, France's cabinet approved a draft version of its marriage bill.

The draft law redefines marriage to stipulate that it is “contracted between two persons of different sex or of the same sex,” and the words “father” and “mother” in existing legislation are replaced by “parents.” The bill would also allow married gay couples to adopt children. Christiane Taubira, the justice minister, told the conservative newspaper La Croix that “marriage for all,” as the government calls it, was a response to “a demand for equality.”

But the move to legalize same-sex marriage has been controversial, and the bill was subject to delays in a country where only married couples can adopt. Opinion polls indicate that a majority of the French support gay marriage, but only half approve of allowing gays to adopt. On Wednesday, Serge Dassault, an influential senator from the center-right Union for a Popular Movement, the party of former President Nicolas Sarkozy, said the bill represented “the end of the family, the end of children’s development, the end of education.” He called it “an enormous danger to the nation.”

Leading the opposition, of course, is the Catholic Church.

Anthony Weiner Returns To Twitter

After almost 18 months of silence, yesterday former Rep. Anthony Weiner returned to the place that ended (for the time being) his political career.

Hurricane Sandy has blown Anthony Weiner back into the political chatter. The former Congressman, who resigned amid a sexting scandal, has returned to Twitter for the first time since an unfortunate crotch tweet forced the end of his political career last June. Weiner today posted a moving YouTube video containing a phone message left by a devastated resident over a montage of scenes from the hard-hit Rockaways, an area he used to represent. It was his first tweet since he accidentally posted a picture of his bulging crotch, which he eventually admitted was intended to be a private message to a young woman.

Some speculate that Weiner may be gearing up to run for NYC mayor in 2013. Prior to the scandal, Weiner was the one person most polls showed would be a strong challenger to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn.

Something Cool That Will Never Happen

How about this:

A giant donut walkway could soon hover above New York's Grand Central Station in plans to restore the transport hub to its former glory as the glittering gateway into America's commercial heartland. The circular gallery would be suspended hundreds of feet in the air between two skyscrapers and will move up and down to give visitors views across the city from different heights, similar to the London Eye. The ambitious design is one of three proposals submitted to the Municipal Art Society of New York who will chose the winner after a lengthy public consultation.

More artist renderings at the link.

Romney Sings His Concession Speech

By Brooklyn's genius Gregory Brothers.

(Tipped by JMG reader Beeblemeyer)

NYT Editorializes On Gays & The Election

From the New York Times:

Progress on civil rights can occur in bursts. The nation’s march toward full equality for all took an important step forward on Election Day with groundbreaking victories for same-sex marriage across the country. [snip] Predictions that President Obama would be politically damaged by his support for same-sex marriage did not come to pass. Instead, by standing up for equality, he energized his base and retained the broad coalition that won him a second term. Even before these victories, the principle of fairness for gay people and their families has been gaining force in courts and statehouses.

Half of Americans believe their states should recognize marriages of same-sex couples. There is still much work to do to secure the freedom to marry in every jurisdiction and end the odious Defense of Marriage Act that bars federal recognition of same-sex marriages performed in places where it is legal. It is a moment for the opponents of civil rights for all Americans — including Congressional Republicans, who are still defending the marriage act in court — to decide whether they want to continue to stand against justice to court a dwindling share of voters.

Tweet Of The Day - Hudson Taylor

Wingnuts Launch Impeachment Site

The anti-immigrant Americans for Legal Immigration have launched a site calling for the impeachment of President Obama. From their Facebook page:

Listen up you tyrant Obama sycophant trolls! We are going to lead a political REVOLT and backlash that will be so huge in 2014 we are going to politically wipe out the Democrats and the liberal Republicans like Bush, Rove, McCain, too! All LIBERAL Dems and Reps are going down! We are going to turn the House and Senate solid red and then impeach Obama and Biden all the way to the new Speaker of the House that is a real conservative instead of that liberal John Boehner! Then we are going to put these traitors on trial for Treason and you can listen to the testimony and learn how much we have all been betrayed by your false god Obama. Get ready, because we are coming to take America back under the political control of We The People, The Congress, and the US Constitution! We can do it and we will do it, because we are Americans that can accomplish anything we set our minds to.

That liberal John Boehner!

Australia's Message To The GOP

Taiwan Animators On The Election

Romney's Transition Site

Political Wire grabbed some screenshots of the transition site for "President-elect Romney" before it vanished.

Patty Duke Will Marry You

Sparkle, kids. Sparkle! (Via Good As You)