SOUTH CAROLINA SPECIAL ELECTION COVERAGE

Follow live results here courtesy of POLITICO.

Former South Carolina governor Mark Sanford has defeated Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch in a special election in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District. The win caps a political comeback for Sanford, a Republican, who made national headlines in 2009 after admitting to an extramarital affair with Maria Belen Chapur, now his fiancée. With 100% of precincts reporting in South Carolina, Sanford leads 77,251 to 64,413 over Colbert Busch (54-45%).

8:30 - We can now project that former Governor Mark Sanford has defeated Elizabeth Colbert Busch in the South Carolina Special Election.

8:25 - With over half of precincts now in, it's a 9-point Sanford lead over Colbert Busch.

8:12 - With 33% of the precincts reporting Governor Mark Sanford leads Elizabeth Colbert Busch 51% - 48%.

SOUTH CAROLINA SPECIAL ELECTION – At the top of the 7 PM (ET) hour polls will be closed in the Special Election in South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District between former Republican Governor Mark Sanford and Democratic challenger Elizabeth Colbert Busch.

Tired of Tire Fixing

BREAKING NEWS: The House has voted to save America from going over the fiscal cliff.

 

By: Jason Colella, Co-founder and Sr. Political Editor

The Provisions

1. Estate Tax is raised to 40% exempt is the first 5 million dollars
2. Capital gain tax is increased to 20%
3. Income tax is raised on people making over $400,000 to 39.6%
4. Extends long term unemployment benefits
5. 2% payroll tax cut lapses returning rate to 6.2%
6. Delays across the board spending cuts for two months
7. Permanently adjusts the Alterative Minimum Tax

For the first time in my life I have to say I agree with Congressmen Darrell Issa (R-CA49) -- well for the most part. Unlike him, I would vote for the bill. I agree with his fundamental point. The bill does save us from falling off the Fiscal cliff, but it does not do more and that is where I have my problem with it. I view this whole thing as a car with a flat tire. Congress always fixes the tire the same way. It never bothers to go to the store and get a new tire; instead, they just add a patch to the tire to the point where the entire tire is covered in patches. New leaks aren’t from new holes but are rather from faulty patches. The Fiscal Cliff was not caused by some rouge nail, but it was caused by a worn out patch -- the 2011 Debt Ceiling Debacle. They never go to the tire store because they can’t agree where to go. They are too bullheaded to fix problems; instead, they can only agree to postpone their decisions and even that takes an act of God. As Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY15) said during debate “we created this monster,” he is absolutely right. Congress can’t agree it seems unless they are hanging upside down over a cliff with someone on the ledge slowly cutting the rope they are hanging by. This leads to these crazy short term fixes that do absolutely nothing to solve the countries long term issues. Can we please sit down and discuss long-term issues -- you know reform the tax code and figure out sensible cuts to spending. I don’t care if it hurts your reelection chances do what is right and needed for America. Fix our problems. Maybe you would even find voters appreciate true compromise, solutions and profound meaningful change.

Friday Morning Breakfast Menu 12/28

Here’s your Friday morning primer of breakfast links.

Obama Still Holds the Cards - Joan Walsh, Salon
Republicans Rejecting Their Own Ideas - E.J. Dionne, Washington Post
Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf dies - POLITICO, STEPHANIE GASKELL
9 Wildest Things Fox News Said In 2012 - Huff Post, Hunter Stuart
Markey to Seek Kerry’s Senate Seat - The Hill, Jonathan Easley
Chuck Hagel and His Enemies - The New Yorker, Connie Bruck
One-Stoplight Town Seeks Mayor - New York Times, ROBBIE BROWN
How Obama Can Beat the GOP Fanatics - Robert Reich, Business Insider
2012: Good For Stocks, Bad For Pundits - David Weidner, Wall Street Journal

Sports
More Jets Drama: Sanchez Gets Job Back - Brian Costello, New York Post
Phil Jackson 'intrigued' by Nets job - CBS Sports, Ken Berger
Previewing Friday's bowl games - USA Today, Eddie Timanus

Editorials
Time to Confront Climate Change - New York Times
Kerry Well-Suited for Secretary of State - Washington Post

Breaking News: Kerry Nominated

President Obama today announced the nomination of Massachusetts senator John Kerry (D) to the office of Secretary of State replacing a retiring Hilleary Clinton. This leaves Massachusetts with an open seat in the US senate and a large cast of interesting characters eager to fill it

BREAKING NEWS

BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court agrees to take up DOMA and Prop 8, NBC's Pete Williams reports.

The Supreme Court announced Friday that it will take up two same-sex marriage cases. The first is a case stemming from California’s Prop 8 ban on gay marriage and the second is a case from New York challenging the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.

Arguments are expected in the spring and decisions in the cases are likely near the end of the court’s term in June. 

Live Blog: Election Night Coverage

Obama: 303
Romney: 206
270 To Win

BREAKING NEWS - Obama wins the election after claiming victory in Ohio.

Tonight the country comes to a crossroads, and one of two dramatically different paths will be taken. The race for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue features two distinctly different views of how government should play a role in the lives of citizens. One party wants to make government so small it will drown in the bathtub. The other wants to continue to rebuild the economy after the financial crisis and raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans to pay for the programs that most benefit middle class Americans. With a falling unemployment rate and job creation for over 30 consecutive months, the daunting task of removing a sitting president becomes even more difficult for Gov. Romney. Only once since 1900 has a political party been taken out of power after holding just one term in the White House, Jimmy Carter and the Democrats in 1980.

1:01 - We can now give the President the other electoral vote from Maine's 2nd congressional district and award him Virginia’s 13 electoral votes. Also Mitt Romney will carry Alaska and its 3 electoral votes. Tammy Baldwin has also been declared the winner in the Wisconsin senate race; she will be the first openly gay senator.

12:11 - Obama picks up Colorado and its 9 EV

11:56 -- Democratic Senators Cantwell (WA) and Feinstein (CA) are reelected.

11:53 -- Henrich (D) of New Mexico is elected to US Senate while Flake (R) is victorious in Arizona.

11:48 - Obama picks up Nevada and its 6 EV

11:16 - BREAKING NEWS - Obama wins Ohio and is re-elected president

11:15 - Romney wins North Carolina, Obama takes Iowa

11:02 - The time is now 11 o’clock in the east and new polls have just closed on the west coast. We can project Romney will carry the state of Idaho and its 4 electoral votes. Also we can project that President Obama will carry the states of California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington totaling 78 electoral votes.
Remaining states yet to be called:
Ohio
Florida
Colorado
Michigan
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Iowa
Nevada
Alaska

11:00 --Tim Kaine wins the Senate race in Virginia replacing fellow democratic Webb.

10:47 - We can now project that President Obama will carry the state of Minnesota which has 10 electoral votes.

10:40 - Mitt Romney wins Arizona and its 11 electoral votes.

10:21 -- Republicans pick up NE. Senate State reducing Dems gains to two on the night.

10:12 -- BREAKING NEWS: Romney wins Missouri.

10:11 -- Senator Claire McCaskill is reelected over Todd Akin in Missouri Senate Race.

10:04 - The time is now 10 o’clock in the east and new polls have just closed totaling 23 electoral votes. We can project Romney will carry the states of Montana and Utah totaling 9 electoral votes. Also standby polls are closed in Nevada and Iowa and we characterize those races as too early to call.

9:51 --BREAKING NEWS: Elizabeth Warren wins Ma. Senate bringing Dem up to plus three for the night.

9:50 -- BREAKING NEWS: Obama wins New Hampshire.

9:48 --BREAKING NEWS: Joe Donnelly wins Indiana Senate bringing Dem up to plus two for the night.

9:44 -- Klobuchar (D) of Mn., Brasso (R) of WY., Cruz (R) of TX., Brown (D) of Ohio, and Whicker (R) of MS. all can be called for winning their senate races. So far the Democrats have picked up one senate seat. We can call Democratic victory in NH Gubernatorial and Republican victory in North Dakota Gubernatorial

9:31 - BREAKING NEWS: Obama wins Wisconsin

9:25 – BREAKING NEWS: We can comfortably call the State of Pennsylvania for Obama and FPP can report Democrats will retain the Senate.

9:16 -- Michigan can be called for Obama while North Dakota can be called for Romney. More Senate races can be called Manchin (D) of West Virginia, Nelson (D) of Florida, Stabenow of Michigan, Gillbrand (D) of New York, Whitehouse (D) of Rhode Island, Mendez of New Jersey, Casey in Pennsylvania and Murphy (D) of Connecticut.

9:02 - The time is now 9 o’clock in the east and a slew polls have just closed totaling 153 electoral votes. We can project Romney will carry the states of Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska (4 of 5) South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming totaling 62 electoral votes. Also we can project that President Obama will carry the states of Maine (3 of 4) New York and New Mexico totaling 37 electoral votes.

8:48 – We can call the Maine Senate Race to Angus King, an independent who will caucus with the democrats; he was expected to win and won fairly easily. Senator Cardin (D) of Maryland has been projected victorious along with Senator Carper (D) of Delaware.

8:31 - Polls just closed moment’s ago in Arkansas were we can project it six electoral votes will go for Mitt Romney.

8:15 – Florida is moving toward Obama . NC is currently in Obama corner with 9% reporting while Virginia currently shows a Romney lead. Obama also has a sizable lead in Ohio with 1% percent reporting also he is winning the white working vote there. Bob Corker is projected winner of TN. Senate.

8:13 - Projection: Romney wins Georgia 16EV

8:05 - The time is now 8 o’clock in the east and a slew polls have just closed totaling 172 electoral votes. We can project Romney will carry the states of Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Tennessee totaling 33 electoral votes. Also we can project that president Obama will carry the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island and Washington, DC totaling 72 electoral votes.

Election Day Breakfast Menu

Here’s your Tuesday morning primer of breakfast links.

The Real Loser: Truth - Kevin Kruse, The New York Times
Obama, Finishes Where He Started - Sam Stein, The Huffington Post
Election Overtime: A Winless Wednesday – Elizabeth Titus, Politico
What to Watch for in Ohio - Rosalind Helderman, The Washington Post
Turnout, Turnout, Turnout - Michael Tomasky, The Daily Beast

The Obama Landslide Scenario - Steve Kornacki, salon.com

Ready for a Recount? -  Jeffrey Toobin, The New Yorker
Ron Paul Questions Value of Federal Aid - Pete Kasperowicz, The Hill
Romney's Quiet Rise - Peggy Noonan, Wall Street Journal
What Obama and Romney Should be Worrying About - Bill McKenzie, The Dallas Morning News

BREAKING NEWS

Update: 11:11 P.M. Hurricane Sandy Death toll mounts to 12

Update: 10:21 P.M. Reports of Trading floor of New York Stock Exchange under water confirmed to be FALSE. CNN retracts earlier statement claims twitter was to blame.

Update: 9:56 P.M. CNN is reporting three feet of standing water on the floor of the NYSE.

BREAKING NEWS: Romney Camp temporarily suspends active campaigning in wake of Hurricane Sandy. The campaign has cleared its complete public schedule for both Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan through at least Tuesday. The President announced early this morning that he was canceling a scheduled stop to the Orlando area this morning and returning back to the White House to help manage the crisis. Former President Bill Clinton was supposed to join Mr. Obama at the Orlando Stop.

BREAKING NEWS

BREAKING NEWS: The New York Stock Exchange will not open on Monday in response to the threat posed by Hurricane Sandy. Earlier in the day it was reported that trading would take place on Monday.