Indeed. Sam Wang as well. Polls were using a +6 democratic turnout and sure enough that's what happened. The reason I doubted polls throughout was because I couldn't fathom +6 dem turnout rates, especially after reading Pew Research Center's stats on likely voters (76% republican to 62% democrat). Truly fascinating how accurate polls/models have become. Congrats to Obama, now work toward your promises from 2008 and everyone will be pleased.

Actually a lot DIDN'T change. 

It was a legislative trick.

Puerto Rico had a two part ballot.

A)  Do you want to change diplomatic status with the US.

Passed with 54%.

B)  Assuming A passes... which of these would you prefer.

Statehood  Passed with 67%(?)

More Autonomy

Independence.

It'd say it's EXTREMELY likely that the group that favors Statehood still isn't a majority, and that a lot of the voters in the first group were the Seperationists... and that most people would perfer statehood only if forced to give up it's current status.

But narrowly. And I think it needs 55%, no?

Yeah, I mentioned that in my last post. Basically, the shitty media is just being lazy so they can get the desired (read: interesting) headline of, "Puerto Rico votes for statehood omgggggg!!!!!!" What else is new?

@Puerto Rico

Technically speaking a clear majority isn't required, and technically speaking a majority isn't required at all. The act of democratic self determination isn't guaranteed. Though the United States has a tradition of accepting the verdict of the local population. They are not legally speaking of a right to dictate anything. This is simply put the purview of the federal government and the Congress. They have every right to force statehood, grant statehood, or even cast out a territory.

That said Congress can accept these results as a clear mandate if they so choose. Which logically speaking both parties have a great deal of incentive to do. Republicans need to recuperate the image their party portrays with Hispanic voting blocks, and voting for expanding the Union to incorporate a new Spanish speaking state would be a strong move towards inclusiveness. While Democrats would need to be in favor of statehood to maintain their current image, and to reward as they see it one of their strongest voting blocks.

Basically voting for admission would be a mutually beneficial vote. Both parties stand to gain politically, and it is just plain popular with the public when the nation expands. Congress desperately needs a popularity boost. So as it stands I can't see how Puerto Rico doesn't end up becoming a state. There are too many pluses, and just far too few minuses. Anyway it seems to be almost inevitable. If you believe the narrative that has been perpetuated about the American Revolution. Such a situation shouldn't be able to stand indefinitely.

Anyway I wouldn't be shocked if this moved forward in the lame duck session. The members going out might well see this as a accomplishment to hang their hats on. Just like don't ask don't tell in 2010, or Somalia was for the first Bush. When members go out they want to leave on a high note, and this looks like something they wouldn't even have to fight hard for.

Narrowly, but it's passing.

http://www.mercurynews.com/elections/ci_21945748

Overcoming decades of anti-tax sentiment in California, Gov. Jerry Brown's Proposition 30 -- billed as a tax hike to rescue the state's schools -- narrowly won Tuesday.

Really? Last time I checked it was losing, that's really good to hear. I haven't lost all hope for Californians after all ;)

Its almost like pollsters actually know what they're doing. : )

Edit: Where are you getting those numbers for Pew? I can't find them.

You can argue that but I don't think its fair on some states, especially those who vote for one party all the time, like if you vote democrat in texas you are practically wasting your vote, even though it's a major party! I'm not denying what you said but I think it's time to get rid of the electoral college system in favour of the popular vote. 

Despite Obama's win i wish they did the clean sweep and got the house alongside the senate, that would of been awesome. But does it matter? Which is more important for the democrats to have, the house or the senate?