Life feels pretty bleak right now. But despite the unreality of the election results, there are bits of good news. A little silver lining comes in handy at a time like this.
Here are seven potential upsides:
A bunch of wingnuts lost
A handful of really awful candidates lost their elections. Gay sheriff Paul Babeu–the one who allegedly threatened to deport his Mexican boyfriend–failed in his Congressional bid. Long-time Rep. John Mica of Florida, who promoted legislation to protect the rights of marriage equality discriminators, was booted from office. Another Congressional Republican and marriage equality opponent, Scott Garrett of New Jersey, also lost. And while the race hasn’t been called yet, North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory is lagging by just a few thousand votes in his his re-election bid. If he loses, it will be in large part because of his anti-trans and anti-gay policies.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Clinton won the popular vote
Cold comfort, but it’s worth remembering that more voters agreed with her vision of America than Donald Trump‘s.
Marriage equality is safe for now
The next Supreme Court justice will no doubt be from the far right. But as long as Anthony Kennedy is on the Court, it will keep its tilt in our favor.
Trump isn’t a hard-core homophobe
For all Trump’s faults, reflexive homophobia is not among them. He’s the first Republican presidential nominee who was willing to have signs at his rallies calling out LGBTQ support. He’s not going to be gunning for us the way that Ted Cruz would have. The problem, of course, is the awful people who surround him.
All the marijuana initiatives won
Recreational marijuana will now be legal in five (maybe six) states, including the most populous, California. All things considered, perfect timing.
The prospect of a GOP civil war
Trump holds grudges, and he has a big one against House Speaker Paul Ryan who was a lukewarm supporter at best, stinging critic at worst. Then there are John McCain and Lindsey Graham, and a bunch of other establishment Republicans who withdrew their support from him or never endorsed him in the first place. Trump could be magnanimous in victory, or he could decide to punish them for sins. The former makes more sense, but the latter would be more fun to watch.
Alec Baldwin has a full-time job for four years
His Trump imitation will be in demand. At least you will be able to laugh through your tears.
Photo credit: Faith Wilson
jag4313
Just thing how much his hair will change in the next four years. That’s got to be something to look forward to.
Mo Bro
8. Hillary Clinton is gone, gone, gone.
Kieran
Homophobe Alec Baldwin promised he would leave the United States under a President Trump. Is he a man of his word or a typical left-wing blowhard? We shall see.
RIGay
I will hold that he and his followers undoing will be of their own making. All we have to do is sit back and watch the ensuing implosion as those souls grapple with the reality of an elderly know-nothing at the top who is surrounded by sycophants of equal intelligence.
And to all you Alt Right morons out there; go ahead, scream and yell – threaten minorities, vandalize. We now know who you are and know where you live. The payback, as they say… the Constitution is still alive and well, and it is still the law of the land.
Our place is to sit back and prepare to take back the reins, hopefully in time to pull this wagon called our government, back up the cliff face.
Heywood Jablowme
Your figures are off: marijuana legalization lost in Arizona but won in 4 states (CA, MA, ME, NV) and since there were 4 already = now 8 + DC.
It’s worth noting that Anthony Kennedy was a REAGAN appointee. It often happens that a Republican appointee becomes more liberal over time.
“I love to get even.” – Donald Trump, 2007 (in a book, NOT a casual statement!) – he probably can’t stay in a magnanimous mood for very long.
Alistair Wiseman
9. The Democratic party is decimated.
1EqualityUSA
Last desperate gasps of a party, especially after the country is mismanaged for 1,460 days.
Paco
I don’t think Trump cares one way or another about gays. Rights or no rights. The problem with being moderate is the breeze tends to easily sway a person on issues. And now he “owes” certain groups for their support of him. He will have to follow through with some of his hateful rhetoric to keep his base satisfied.
Brian
Trump will build the wall. That’s a good thing. Mexicans have broken the law by entering without permission.
Let’s rejoice in the return of testosterone, too. Obama and Clinton represented estrogen. Estrogen is biased against male homosexual desire.
James Hart
As a gay man, I PROUDLY voted for Donald Trump. Finally, this nation will regain its sanity. The WALL will be built. Better trade deals will be implemented. The Supreme Court will be saved from crazy leftists. The federal government will shrink in size. Taxes will be lowered. Poor people will be freed from the public school monopoly. Terrorists will be on the run – and killed. Law and order in our streets will be restored. The military and our police will be honored for the sacrifices they make. And America will be great again!!!
James Hart
@1EqualityUSA: YOU ARE AN IDIOT!!! The Republican Party controls: The Presidency, Both Houses of Congress, the Supreme Court (in about 3 months), 33 governorships, and a majority of state legislatures. It is the Democrat Party which is DEAD, not the Republican Party.
Deviant
@RIGay: like we are watching libertards implode live on tv? :))) i doubt it would be as funny as this is
Stilinski26
You Americans better hope nothing happens to Trump! because if Mike Pence replaces him then won’t be good yikes.
Paco
@Stilinski26: his own party will probably impeach him so they can have a controllable Republican president that will do their bidding without question.
1EqualityUSA
James Hart, Name calling, a sign of weakness and small mind at work. Let’s see how your man does first, before spouting off how strong your party is.
Curtispsf
@James Hart: You state “The Supreme Court will be saved from leftists”. Is this the same “leftist” Supreme Court which made marriage equality the law of the land? It’s a shame that your IQ is as small as your dick size. And while we’re at it, the Democrats have enough votes in the Senate to prevent a vote on ANY Supreme Court judge.
OzJosh
@Alistair Wiseman: LOL. And the Republican party isn’t??!!!
OzJosh
@James Hart: As a gay man who voted for Trump you have no qualifications to talk about sanity.
OzJosh
The notion that Trump “isn’t homophobic” is
a) questionable. So he appears to have had a few high-profile gay acquaintances over the years? He was also once pally with the Clintons. He’s demonstrated that he will turn on anyone whenever it suits him. Nobody is safe. He’s totally unprincipled.
b) irrelevant. If Trump personally has any strong beliefs or principles on any subject, he’s given every indication that he’ll park them all for the sake of power, prestige and popularity. He’s sucked up to every dark corner of the extreme right, from the KKK to the evangelical nut cases. Worse, he’s pledged support for their various causes – opposing both abortion and equal marriage – supposedly on a whim. There’s nothing to indicate that he won’t bow to pressure to follow through on any of these things as President. He clearly doesn’t care much one way or the other about anything but himself.
gayhope1990
R.I.P the USA.With Trump we are going to be doomed.
sanfranca1
I seem to remember that Trump said he would reverse gay marriage, or words to that effect…
Alistair Wiseman
@OzJosh:
“And the Republican party isn’t (decimated)?”
Um, no I don’t believe the Republican party is decimated.
Let me see…
In about 72 days, America will have a new Republican president for at least 4 years.
Republicans have a majority in the U.S. Senate.
Republicans have large majority in the House of Representatives.
Republicans hold 33 of the 50 governorships.
Republicans control 32 of the state legislatures.
Conservatives will control the Supreme Court with 1 to 3 new appointments.
So no, I don’t think Republicans are decimated. This the worst political condition the Democrats have been in since Reconstruction (1870’s).
Thank you President Obama, in 8 short years you have been the nicest president ever.
Realitycheck
@Alistair Wiseman: Only two thing have changed, the president is an outsider not really a republican and last I checked Trump could not care less about Ryan and the likes.
Second democrats have gained seats in congress and traditionally American people like balance, I expect a democratic congress at midterm election.
Realitycheck
@sanfranca1: Good luck with that Trump doesn’t have the power to do that and the GOP doesn’t have the needed votes, in fact the GOP doesn’t have the votes needed to do anything major, republicans will have to work with democrats and you can expect democrats to stone wall Trump just like the GOP did to Obama, what goes around comes around.
JessPH
Trump will be so horrible as president that GOP congressmen and senators will certainly be voted out of office in 2018. Dems will get to control the Senate and Congress. They might also get majority of the governorships.
Another silver lining: Millennials will now get to realize how terrible a Republican president is.
1EqualityUSA
JessPH, I agree. Put a long lens on this. Last gasps. I can see why older people get cranky.
Alistair Wiseman
@JessPH:
Well, the Millennials already realize how terrible a Democratic president is.
1EqualityUSA
George W. Bush… Throwing Muses “Finished”–“With a loud noise everything breaks everything falls, rips open, leaves a hole.”
Alistair Wiseman
@Realitycheck:
@JessPH:
Realitycheck, you need to live up to your moniker.
Sorry to burst your bubble (not really), but neither of you know what you are talking about.
It is true that the public likes balanced power and it is true that the party in power usually takes a hit at the mid-terms (Obama took a HUGE hit), but you have another problem.
Just like the Republicans had to defend 24 Senate seats to the Democrats 10 seats on Tuesday (we lost 2), the reverse is going to happen in 2018.
In 2018, there will be 34 Senate seats to be decided. Democrats have 25 seats to defend (actually 23, but the 2 Independents caucus with the Democrats) and the Republicans have 8.
Of the 8 Republican seats, all of them are in states won by Trump. Of the 25 Democratic seats, most of them are blue states, however, 10 of those are states won by Trump.
Like Republicans this year, Democrats have a major hurdle coming in 2018 when it comes to the U.S. Senate.
1EqualityUSA
Alistair, It’s Saturday. Is the Mormon Temple missing their star? Trot along, lest you be late! Oh, sitting this one out? Ok. We’ll give you a pass. Perhaps an amazing flutist, Jeannine Goeckeritz, playing Mozart’s flute and harp concerto K299, will bring you joy. It is a Mormon Tabernacle Choir beauty that kept me serene through the election.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3CbUwYEtzY
Alistair Wiseman
@1EqualityUSA:
Well, I’m glad it kept you serene through the election, but you need to ease up on the pipe.
1EqualityUSA
I don’t smoke nor do I drink, Alistair. Sorry to disappoint you.
Alistair Wiseman
@1EqualityUSA:
I’m sorry, it must be that successful remedial creative writing course you’ve been taking down at the local high school. I’m certain you are the star pupil. Congratulations, it’s working wonders!
JessPH
@Alistair Wiseman: Yet millennials overwhelmingly voted for the candidate endorsed by Obama.
GayEGO
@Mo Bro: Not really, Trump said he would contact Hillary for advice, if you can believe him.
GayEGO
@1EqualityUSA: And I was a gay flute player in the Navy back in the early 1960s when I played Mozart concertos! :>)
1EqualityUSA
Breitbart Community College, Alistair? You hate people. That qualifies entrance to Breitbart U. GayEGO–right on. Only Mozart featuring harp. I hope you still play.
Alistair Wiseman
@JessPH:
I voted Democratic when I was young and dumb as well.
Alistair Wiseman
@1EqualityUSA:
Breitbart Community College?
Great! Where do I sign up?
Aww, I bet they don’t have a pretentious creative writing class like at your school. 🙁
Herman75
@Mo Bro: Never having to look at Bill Clinton’s ugly pu$$ again is a small victory, unless the media finds ways bring him up.
Realitycheck
@Alistair Wiseman: You assume Trump is going to be a good president and the GOP doesn’t impeach and replace with pence, I think it is safe to star a countdown to a Trump major collapse.
As far as congress it has been democratic before and it will be so again, and like it or not we democrat will stone wall as much as
the GOP did with OBAMA, last Hillary won the popular vote by 2 millions voters, Trump was elected by FBI director Comey illegal interference.
If republicans think this is going to be a easy walk in the park they can wake up right now.
JessPH
@Alistair Wiseman: Too bad that you only turned older and nothing else.
Heywood Jablowme
Silver linings:
– At least Ted Cruz is not going to be president this time. Or in 2020 either. Damn, Ted must have been more upset than anyone (including Hillary!) about Trump winning. Poor Ted. LOL.
– Jared Kushner, Trump’s influential son-in-law, despises Chris Christie. So at least Tubby won’t become Attorney General.
Alistair Wiseman
@Realitycheck:
The Obama Administration had both the House and the Senate his first two years. What obstructionism did he face then? What did he accomplish?
Oh yes, he accomplished a great piece of legislative work, his singular domestic achievement known as Obamacare. A dismal failure that not ONE Republican voted for.
He failed to work with Congress as other past presidents have done. He was LAZY. Everything was done by Executive Order, and now due to his own laziness, much of it will be undone. No one to blame but himself.
At least his golf game improved.
1EqualityUSA
Alistair is so full of corn. We only had 56 Democrats and two independents the first two years President Obama was in office.It takes 60 votes to overcome the many filibuster moves that Rebiblicans pushed out of their intestines. Liar.
Alistair Wiseman
@1EqualityUSA:
If you only had 56 Democrats and two Independents the first two years, how did Obamacare get passed into law with 58 Democratic Senators and 2 Independents voting for it? Who is full of corn?
Not one Republican voted for Obama’s disastrous singular domestic achievement, but all 60 Democratic Senators (the 2 Independents caucused with the Dems) did.
1EqualityUSA
By Steve Benen
Their majority was smaller than some remember.
Their majority was smaller than some remember.Associated Press
It’s in Republicans’ interest right now to characterize the Democrats’ congressional majority in 2009 and 2010 as enormous. As the argument goes, President Obama could get literally anything he wanted from Congress in his first two years, so Democrats don’t have any excuses.
The stimulus wasn’t big enough? Blame Dems; they had supermajorities in both chambers for two years. There’s no comprehensive immigration reform? Blame Dems; they had supermajorities in both chambers for two years. There was only one big jobs bill? Blame Dems; they had supermajorities in both chambers for two years. And so on.
The right continued to push the line over the weekend.
Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace falsely claimed Democrats had a 60-vote Senate majority for the first 2 years of his presidency.
“For the first 2 years he had a filibuster proof majority in the Senate,” Wallace told LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, making the case that Obama has only himself to blame for his poor economic record.
I realize memories can be short in the political world, and 2010 seems like a long time ago, but it’s unnerving when professionals who presumably keep up with current events are this wrong. Even if various pundits lost track of the specific details, I’d at least expect Fox News hosts to remember Sen. Scott Brown’s (R) special-election win in Massachusetts.
Since memories are short, let’s take a brief stroll down memory lane, giving Wallace a hand with the recent history he’s forgotten.
In January 2009, there were 56 Senate Democrats and two independents who caucused with Democrats. This combined total of 58 included Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), whose health was failing and was unable to serve. As a practical matter, in the early months of Obama’s presidency, the Senate Democratic caucus had 57 members on the floor for day-to-day legislating.
In April 2009, Pennsylvania’s Arlen Specter switched parties. This meant there were 57 Democrats, and two independents who caucused with Democrats, for a caucus of 59. But with Kennedy ailing, there were still “only” 58 Democratic caucus members in the chamber.
In May 2009, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) was hospitalized, bringing the number of Senate Dems in the chamber down to 57.
In July 2009, Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) was finally seated after a lengthy recount/legal fight. At that point, the Democratic caucus reached 60, but two of its members, Kennedy and Byrd, were unavailable for votes.
In August 2009, Kennedy died, and Democratic caucus again stood at 59.
In September 2009, Sen. Paul Kirk (D-Mass.) filled Kennedy’s vacancy, bringing the caucus back to 60, though Byrd’s health continued to deteriorate.
In January 2010, Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) replaced Kirk, bringing the Democratic caucus back to 59 again.
In June 2010, Byrd died, and the Democratic caucus fell to 58, where it stood until the midterms. [Update: Jonathan Bernstein reminds me that Byrd’s replacement was a Dem. He’s right, though this doesn’t change the larger point.]
Wallace believes the Dems’ “filibuster proof majority in the Senate” lasted 24 months. In reality, he’s off by 20 months, undermining the entire thesis pushed so aggressively by Republicans.
1EqualityUSA
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/fleeting-illusory-supermajority