Quotes Of The Day

"Don’t listen to anyone who warns the Democratic Party not to “overplay its hand.” It is the constitutional obligation of the Democrats to beat Republicans anywhere and everywhere until consistent defeat wrings out the insanity that elected Donald Trump, and that nominated Roy Moore, from a Republican Party gone blind and mad." -- Charles P. Pierce in a fine read on the results of the Alabama Senatorial special election. How do you overcome the chicanery, the voter suppression, the lies and intimidation?  You overwhelm these weasels at the ballot box.

"...[T]onight is a night for rejoicing because as Dr. King said, as Dr. King liked to quote, "The moral arc of the universe is long but it bends toward justice." Tonight, tonight, ladies and gentlemen, tonight, tonight in this time, in this place, you helped bend that moral arc a little closer to that justice and you did it, not only was it bent more, not only was its aim truer but you sent it right through the heart of the great state of Alabama in doing so." Sen.-elect Doug Jones (D-AL), last night at his victory celebration.

Sweet Home Run Alabama!

Well, that was quite a night:

In a stunning conclusion to a contest that received international attention, Democrat Doug Jones is the apparent winner over Republican Roy Moore in the Senate race in this deeply conservative state, according to an NBC News projection. 

It took an extraordinary alignment of events, including a sex scandal involving teenagers, for Alabamians to elect their first Democrat to the Senate in 25 years, but they triggered a political earthquake that will be felt far and wide. 

With 99 percent of the vote in, Jones was leading 50-48 percent, or 673,236 votes to 652,300 votes — a margin of more than 20,000.  (our emphasis)

#ThankYouAlabama !!

Although "No Moore" has so far refused to concede defeat, under Alabama law Jones' margin of victory would not qualify for one.

Tellingly, one of the big losers from last night was already doing his typical blame- avoidance shuffle after going all- in on "No Moore":

The reason I originally endorsed Luther Strange (and his numbers went up mightily), is that I said Roy Moore will not be able to win the General Election.  I was right! Roy worked hard but the deck was stacked against him!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2017

The Republican margin in the Senate, once Jones is sworn in, will be 51-49.  More later.

BONUS: "No Moore's" suffering horse "Sassy" has something to say, too:

I AM OVERJOYED TO BE SO SUDDENLY IRRELEVANT

— Roy Moore's Horse (@RoyMooresHorse) December 13, 2017

I AM WAITING EAGERLY FOR YOU TO COME GET ME @GDouglasJones

— Roy Moore's Horse (@RoyMooresHorse) December 13, 2017

Roy Moore's horse Sassy breaks her silence pic.twitter.com/tRWqp3fyLn

— JDCrowe2 (@Crowetoons) December 12, 2017

BONUS II:  The African American turnout for Jones was the key to his victory, women in particular;  young voters and voters in normally Republican suburban counties also were factors.

Amazing: turnout is at 72%-77% of '16 presidential race in heavily black counties, but just 55%-60% in rural white counties. Black voters punching above their weight tonight & giving Jones a chance. #ALSEN

— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) December 13, 2017

African American voters in Alabama did more to help white working Americans last night than DT has done all year.#ThankYouAlabama

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) December 13, 2017