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GOP ReBiblicans Swept Congressional Races Virtually Unnoticed
THE KRYPTONITE PROJECT RESULTS ARE AVAILABLE IN AN INTERACTIVE MAP
After compiling results of “wins” and “losses” that reveal virtually unnoticed and unreported victories of an frighteningly overwhelming number of ReBiblican candidates – we have finally launched the map. It is designed for quick view. You can hover over the map and see results for Dems and ReBibs, and then you can click on the map for any state and it will pull up a page with corresponding summary information on each candidate which again, will show you who won and lost. I have used visual icons next to their names to indicate which “party” won each seat in congress and they look like the following:
Designates ReBiblican wins
The results should stun you into a different sense than the euphoria we have all enjoyed since the Election on November 6, 2012. While I celebrate and applaud all of you who did vote so that we can bask in this glow of victory not only for President Obama and Vice President Biden, but for the legalization of gay marriage and marijuana usage in several states. Yes, these wins for us do indicate a move toward progressive ideals in America… BUT…
Conservative America and their leaders that include Christian Dominionists and uber-wealthy plutocrats were humiliated in the 2012 election cycle and don’t think for a minute that they are going to take this lying down. No-sirree! They are already behind smoke-filled closed doors praying and strategizing about how to not only come back – but come back with a vengeance!This is an image of the map that I created which is not intereactive here due to web site licensing restrictions but I urge you to go to God’s Own Party? dot com and search all the information that we have made available with a simple click.
Even a glance at this image where majority wins by ReBiblicans are represented in Kryptonite green and majority Democrat wins are in blue – it gives you a dramatic at-a-glance story of ReBiblican wins in 2012 Congressional races. Keep in mind though, that even in the blue states where Democrats won a majority there were still significant ReBiblican wins.
Add to all this the childish, irresponsible and reprehensible acts by their business supporters who are laying off employees, imposing hiring freezes and even reducing wages and benefits – demonstrates a tantrum that is just getting started. Their cold disregard for how these faux retaliatory actions have on their employees and their families only places an exclamation point on the robotic mannerisms by Mitt Romney evidenced by his outrageous moment of greed and self-protectionism when he cancelled the credit cards of campaign workers on election night after it was pronounced dead but before it even had a chance to turn cold. I honestly have no words for that action…and it is rare when I am stunned into silence…even momentarily.
As I listen to conservative talk radio hosts and pundits rail about how there just weren’t enough white votes to counter the women, African American, Latino and liberal special interest votes it only reminds me that this is going to get ugly. The desperate need to re-brand the GOP is happening as I write and these people – though a minority – are not going to admit defeat. They will come back louder, more boisterous, more aggressively and pinning their paranoia and fear in biblical mandate. Watch for what I have written about for years, the destruction of the Republican Party and the emergence of the Constitution Party that more aptly reflects the real politics of these faux republicans. The true ReBiblican Party. Many are unaware that the CP actually had candidates run in 2010 and in 2012 in some states. Mark my words, they will achieve national level prominence in 2014.
I sign off with this, we no longer have simple partisan politics in America anymore. It is not Democrat vs. Republican – it is Freedom vs. Theocracy/Plutocracy. We must pay attention. Enjoy the White House win, but do not be lulled into a sense of comfort. I am not trying to be an alarmist, just a realist. I have been raised by a Dominionist mother, researched the extremism of people like her, worked as a lobbyist on the state level in Alaska with bi-partisan respect, recognized that Sarah Palin’s nomination for Vice President was shocking and have since devoted my waking hours to defeating the marriage of religion and politics.
About the Author, Leah L. Burton
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30 Responses to GOP ReBiblicans Swept Congressional Races Virtually Unnoticed
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GinaCaliLaLa
Nov. 16th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
This is misleading, because the Republican elections for the majority of GOP Congress will be in 2014.
UncaJoe
Nov. 16th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
EVERY seat in the House is up for election in 2014. 1/3rd of the Senate will also be at stake. Basically all of Congress with the exception of 66 or 67 Senators are at risk every general election.
Robert Chapman
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 2:40 pm
Gina, elections for the entire US House of Representatives were also held in 2012.
Despite the overwhelmingly higher number of people who voted for Democratic US representatives, the GOP still maintains its majority in the lower chamber.
There are two reasons for the GOP dominance in the house, bot related to events in 2010.
First is the redistricting that ocuured since the 2010 census was completed.
Second is the shellacking Dems took on the state level in the 2010 election.
The State Senates are the bodies that draw the district lines for US House seats.
The post 2010 GOP dominance in state senates allowed them to draw district lines that give them an almost unassailable majority in the US House of Representatives.
That the Dems made only modest gains in the House while electing Obama and almost running the board in the Senate shows how well the GOP state senators did in crafting the US House district lines to protect Republicans.
The 2014 election will probably not dent the House GOP majority much.
What Dems CAN accomplish in 2014 is vitally important though. By electing Dems to state senates and assmeblies, the Dems can eat into the GOP dominance of state legislatures and set up an environment for progressive state legislation.
In 2014 Dems can elect state senators and assemblymembers who might well still be in office in 2020 and thereby help make the next re-districting process.
Most of all a strong Dem showing in the 2014 mid-terms can help elect Dem Attorneys General and state judges to protect Obamacare and other important legislation.
FOXISTRASH
Nov. 16th, 2012 at 9:26 pm
“Be nice…till it’s time to not be nice”
Patrick Swayze
Road House
Liberator
Nov. 16th, 2012 at 11:00 pm
What the heck is a “Rebiblican”? Isn’t that kind of racist. I thought the progressives were above that…I guess not. Plus I know many people that read the bible that are not republicans. But to make it sound like is a disease is what the left is all about. Name calling. That’s what people do when they can’t defend their positions.
Christopher
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 10:31 am
It refers to conflating Republicans to Bible-thumpers. While the Christian Right is a key part of the coalition there are still Republicans for whom Christian Right would not be an accurate label.
Leah L Burton
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 1:46 pm
Absolutely – and that is a point I make repeatedly. Mainstream Christians would not self-identify with Christian Dominionists anymore than real Republicans would self-identify with ReBiblicans.
Our research sheds a bright light on the differences and speaks to why a distinction is necessary. This is not “name-calling” (or as one very poorly informed person commented, “racist”) – it is about branding these politicians for exactly what they truly are. Theocrats using the Republican label.
Robert Chapman
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 2:42 pm
With all respect, Christopher, I think it is getting increasingly difficult to distinguish the GOP from the Christian Right.
Do you have evidence to back up your view that there are substantial segments of the GOP not in the thrall of the Christian Right?
Johnee
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 10:44 am
The author of the article is a Christian. She is talking about the religious fundamentalists that want to turn this country into a theocracy (i.e. base domestic and foreign policy on THEIR interpretation of the Bible),effectively mixing politics with religious belief. This is not about most Christians.
I am sorry, but you seem to be regurgitating social/religious right talking points.
I would highly recommend reading some more of Leah’s articles with an open mind, because you will find that there is no greater proponent of religious freedom than she.
Leah L Burton
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 1:51 pm
Thank you for your clarification. I always say that a person would be hard pressed to find anyone out there that is a more enthusiastic cheerleader rooting for Christians to understand Dominionists and kick them to the curb to go start their own brand of religion; and for real Republicans to take their Party back!
I know I am using plain language when I say those things but it still falls on deaf ears. Some people just want to argue, fight and jump to conclusions. But…we are reaching many that recognize this as real and want to push back against these ReBiblican politicians and their biblical laws.
Robert Chapman
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Thanks Leah for your points in clarifiaction, but I think that in distinguishing Domionists from the rest of the Christian Right, you are making an error.
Abortion is a big issue for a broad sweep of Christian conservatives, people who I would include in the Christian Right.
Such people are not Dominionists,and would probably be aghast at any implication that they favor a theocracy.
However, along with abortion they oppose nearly the entire liberal Democratic social and economic aganda.
As their oppostion to the Dems is grounded in their religious values, I will continue to argue strenuously that such people comprise the vast bulk of the Christian right.
Johnee
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 4:39 pm
Robert I don’t know if Leah would disagree with you.
I agree with most of what you say but I take it a bit further than you do.
I live in Texas and I have a lot of personal life experience in talking to and dealing with the conservative religious right. I think that there is only a degree of difference between most evangelical fundamentalists and full blown dominionists.
I disagree that most on the religious right would be “aghast” at instituting theocratic policy. Rather, I think that most of these folks have certain dominionist leanings and attitudes. Try an experiment and ask some of these people about institutionalized prayer in public school, teaching creation “science”, favoritism of Christian symbols in public places, and bringing back ant-sodomy laws. I would bet my house that I know what the majority of them would say.
Robert Chapman
Nov. 18th, 2012 at 4:53 pm
Johnie, thanks for your great response.
We learn so much from these columns.
I live in the east, but belong to a very conservative church wherein I belong to a tiny liberal minority>
At a Sunday school session shortly after the election, another issue came up that elictied a unanimous reaffirmation among the class of the principle of church and state.
It may well be that there are wide divergences in opinion between the different regions of the USA.
Thanks again for your insight and observations.
Live and be well.
Leah L Burton
Nov. 18th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
I make two broad camps where mainstream Christians may hold devout beliefs yet support the separation of church & state. The other includes the umbrella term of Christian Dominionists who may share the same conservative Christian beliefs – but take it a step further and feel justified in making their issues the law of the land.
Under that umbrella dangle numerous bible-based franchises or sects, many of whom vehemently disagree on various points from the bible translation to the End Times. They include Evangelicals, fundamentalists, post-millenialists, pre-millenialists; rapture adherents, Opus Dei Catholics, Rushdoony-ites, Third Rain, Southern Baptist, New Apostolic Reformationists, Reconstructionists and so many more! Hence the need for an umbrella term that lumps them together under teh most important common thread…
…they believe that we are a Christian Nation who must recognize above all the authority of the bible and the almighty God. That those whose beliefs differ are merely here on a guest pass whose time is precariously limited. That only men of god can decide what is right and moral for America…and the global community.
Mainstream Christians…on the other hand…support the separation of church & state. Period.
I have written extensively about all of this on my web site and also link to may others who are far more qualified than I to help take this deeper. i encourage you to email me at leah@godsownparty.com with your questions and I will do my best to direct you to the available resources that will address all these points. Thank you for your comments!
Shiva (Moderator)
Nov. 18th, 2012 at 6:38 pm
The Plymouth group came here for religious reasons. Thats all history tells you. What they dont tell you is there were many more groups that came here to grow tobacco and sell wood, tobacco, potash and other things from here to England. Its little more than a joke that we were begun for religious freedom.
djchefron
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 12:56 pm
You are right.Lets call them what they truly are.The American Taliban.That is all.
Anne
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 11:02 am
This makes it painfully obvious why state and local elections are every bit as important as the presidential election. As I’ve noted before, the process neither begins nor ends with the election of a president because the state and local ones have a much more immediate and direct impact. A striking example is the bone-headed and short-sighted decision of the Republican-dominated legislative body in Ohio to defund Planned Parenthood in that state. They have learned absolutely nothing from Willard Romney’s defeat, and are doubling down on exactly one of the reasons he lost. It’s been said that the GOP wants to increase the white population by making it more difficult to obtain abortions and birth control. What these idiots apparently fail to realize is that the birth rate would increase in all races and so would the misery index that would require more expenditures for welfare. So, our elation at the president’s re-election should be tempered with the realization that we have work to do in order to oust these troglodytes from positions of power on state and local levels.
Leah L Burton
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Too many eligible voters pay little to no attention to state and local politics. As you point out so well, politics at these levels are every bit as important as federal level, and in many cases even more.
For all the rhetoric that is spewed out there about “states rights” most have no idea how many rights states currently have and how those laws directly impact us.
There is absolutely a white panic in this country in the face of data showing the white population will soon be in the minority. It is true that there are ReBiblicans who buy the ridiculous notion you mentioned, fueled by the Quiverfull movement wing Dominionist Christianity. Then you throw in the Christian Identity movement and so many others – it becomes real, though no less outrageous.
What ever twisted views these groups have, until they remove religion from their platform, I will work to defeat them.
Robert Chapman
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
Leah, where is the evidence for this “white panic” about the impending minority majority status of the population in the USA?
First, how many mainsteam Americans, white, black, brown, red or yellow, even know that the demographic shift is occurring?
Second, outside of a few states, it will not occur until the 2030s or the 2050s depending on the population projection series one uses.
Third, the experience in the states that have become minority majority or are about to does not show that whites are panicked about, instead, they are adjusting and going on with their lives, as are people of the other races.
Fourth, conservative Christians strike me as among the people who are most prepared for, and as adjusting best to the change in America’s racial composition.
I receive a publication from the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod,(LCMS), one of the most conservative denominations in this country.
The cover of this month’s issue was of a black minister.
The LCMS takes the position that our Savior died for us all, and that all races and people are equal in God’s eyes.
This is recognized by increased membership of non-whites in our churches and outreach to people regardless of their race.
I daresay that this position of the equality of the races is shared by most of the people standing in the pulpits and sitting in the pews of America’s churches.
A Walkaway
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 6:18 pm
I wish it was so… equality among the “races”.
My wife and I were thrown out of an Episcopal church just because the rector learned we are American Indian. We were driven out of a second one partially because of the same reason (combined with the fact that we don’t accept creationism and don’t support the dominionist takeover).
We left because we were tired of third-class status.
Many of the members of my tribe have experienced being thrown out of churches because of race… just as some of our LGBT friends have been literally thrown out because of homophobia.
The elders have said that most churches are a problem, but the worst are the Pentecostals and the Southern Baptists. The Southern Baptists fought against granting us the right to exist in 1980… and against our having freedom of religion too. As recent as 2005, we were still hearing stories of preachers ranting against us and accusing us of being “fakes wanting casinos” and cr*p like that. They wanted the Trail of Tears laws enforced, until they were finally repealed in 1979-1980.
Robert Chapman
Nov. 18th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Walkaway, reading a story like yours in this day and age is truly saddening, and infuriating.
One can only pray for such small minded people.
On behalf of the faithful people in Christ’s church, I apologize for the shameful way that you weretreated.
You would most certainly be welcome in my church.
Robert Chapman
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Anne, from all that I have read seen and heard, both in personal contact with people, from articles by established writers and from survey research of mass public opinion, the GOP opposition to abortion seems to be deontological and not consequentialist in nature.
That is to say the GOP oppose abortion because they think it is wrong, not because they think that this policy will have any foreseeable social impact.
Anne
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
It’s one thing to oppose abortion and be for such measures as birth control that cut down on the demand for abortion. It’s also one thing to oppose abortion and support economic policies that help families, especially children. It’s quite another to defund Planned Parenthood, whose services include prenatal care, breast and cervical cancer screenings, treatment for STD’s, sex education for young teens, and in some cases, screening for prostate cancer for men. Their willingness to sacrifice the well-being of so many, even including the unborn babies they claim to champion, is a measure of their block-headed stupidity in either using abortion as a wedge issue in politics or an inability to connect the dots of causes and effects. If they have their way, we’ll go back to the time when women risked and sometimes lost their lives with backalley abortions or attempting abortions themeselves.
Robert Chapman
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
Anne, I agree with your observations and they are the reasons SCOTUS promulgated the findings they did in Roe vs. Wade.
What I have said, is that Christian opponents of abortion understand the issues around abortion in much the same manner, too.
The conclusion they come to, though, is radically different.
They believe that abortion is evil and they oppose evil.
That injustice exists and results in poverty is something that Christians are willing to separate from abortion as they take the position that justice is not served by permitting evil acts.
This is not a matter of “block-headed stupidity,” it is the result of a profoundly different way of viewing the world.
Anne
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 3:23 pm
Their profoundly different view of the world is short-sighted because in so many cases, they are indifferent to people who have already been born. Being pro-life goes way beyond being just pro-birth, from the beginning of life all the way to death. I’m sorry, but I see people who pontificate against abortion on one hand and rail against birth control on the other as showing block-headed stupidity. On the other hand, folks like the nuns who chastised Paul Ryan deserve respect. They are against abortion and fully support the safety net that saves millions from a life of misery. Do these other folks seriously think defunding Planned Parenthood will eliminate abortions? If so, they are living in a profoundly alternate universe. The remarks of Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock are an exact reflection of this mindset and are why they were soundly defeated
Robert Chapman
Nov. 18th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Anne, thank you for the response to my remarks.
For better or worse, Mssrs. Akin and Mordock are particular individuals who made very poor statements that reflect poorly on them and their constituents.
It would be folly to expect another round of such morons to arise in the future.
It appears to me that the Christian Right is the most and perhaps the only dynamic segment of the GOP coalition, and that there is little liklihood that this will change during the 20 teens.
Therefore, I think that it is important that we leftists think deeply about the Christian Right and recognize the well springs of their commitment and power.
I believe that we are all familiar with the viewpoint and examples you presented in two of your responses on this spool. Very similar points were also made in the best seller Freakonomics.
I have made this point because you continue to make consequentialist arguments in favor the pro-choice position instead of stating support for it in the language of rights.
It is important for pro-choice proponents to state their position in the language of rights because that is the strength of the advocates of restrictive abortion policies.
Their argument is simple and direct- “What is more fundamental or important than the right to life?”
Pro-choice proponents must, in my judgment, learn to state that there are rights that are impinged on by the pro-life position.
Respect for law and authority is undermined by the constant barrage of vitriol spewing from the right. This is a matter of seffled law and we have the right to move the public debate to other matters.
We have a right to privacy. The pro-choice position strengthens that right. The pro-choice position empowers us to make the most important decision of our lives for ourselves without the interference of officials of church or state.
I strongly advocate that we take the offensive and stress that pro-choice protects OUR rights. Rights that are essential to…
Shiva (Moderator)
Nov. 18th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Unfortunately we lost the right to privacy the day Telstar went up.
A Walkaway
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 12:59 pm
Everywhere I turn, I see things like this and wonder “How in the h*ll someone could expect me to be positive with so much bad news hitting all the time!”
I’ve been aware since shortly after the election that things didn’t go well, and even though we kept the White House and the Senate, the House is still in bad hands and it’s worse at the state and local levels. MUCH worse.
Add to that the difficulty in trying to survive combined with corporations getting more and more greedy and vicious (I’ve got a major beef with both Barnes and Noble and AT&T right now because of corporate greed and lies) and the greater and greater barriers being put up against education, and so it’s hard to NOT be depressed and angry.
(Every barrier being erected or advocated by the damned Rebiblicans is a barrier against us having any future.)
Robert Chapman
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Walkaway, I really appreciate your candor and your view of the morning after the 2012 election.
I put up a ton of money and invested hundreds of leisure hours in re-electing Obama-Biden and in getting Dems elected to other offices.
The political noise coming from DC is the GOP and the President adjusting to the new balance of power.
Obama clearly has a strategic view and is fencing with the GOP with and eye toward carrying out that strategy.
The President has to re-staff for the second term and probably does not want to tie his new team to the policies of the first term.
The President also has to find a graceful way back from the fiscal cliff that maintains his freedom of manuever and satisfies the bond traders that the US political establishment can maintain the Treasury’s creditworthiness.
Looming over this all is the implementation of Obamacare in 2014.
This will affect everyone’s life and will change the way business is done with 20% of the US economy.
It is absolutley vital that the Obamacare implementation be done smoothly.
That will be the key issue in the 2014 elections.
It is important that we understand that early and not get caught off guard again as we were in 2010.
As you wrote, Walkaway the consequences of the mid-term elections are important, too.
A Walkaway
Nov. 17th, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Thank you.
I appreciated your response. I’m too used to people jumping all over me when I speak up – it’s still a fairly new experience to either have support or if someone disagrees with me, that at least they consider my point of view.
We haven’t won. We’ve at best maintained a presence on the playing field, so to speak, kept them from gaining too many yards, and we have a chance (IMO slim but a chance). We MIGHT win, if we can get people to see that the Rebiblicans mean them harm and that their words are lies. We’ve kept the wolf outside of the door and the house for a little longer and that, if anything, is our source of slim hope.
Leah’s article proves it.
Our winning is MY hope… that if we can clean the clocks of the Rebiblicans and the rich, and break their power, justice will start happening in this country. For the poor in this country (so far), justice has been translated to “punishment every time we get involved with the legal system, even if we’re innocent” – that needs to end. I dream of being able to trust the “cops” to not be bullies or a source of harm and false accusations. I dream of having people (especially our elected leaders) listen. I dream of seeing the real guilty ones (usually ranting from pulpits) getting the punishment they usually transfer to some innocent bystander, and the innocent have the harm done to their lives righted (some of those damned preachers have a LOT to answer for).
I just hope to see it in time to enjoy it for part of my life.
I dream of it and hope for it, and wish for it, but then have to wake to the reality of this ugly and vicious world.
This ugly and vicious world controlled and created by the Rebiblicans and their rich sponsors.