That tight race for Georgia’s 6th District loosened up quite a bit as the final numbers came in, with Republican Karen Handel winning a decisive victory over Democrat Jon Ossoff. Both sides spent a ridiculous amount of money on the race, but just how ridiculous depends greatly on if you won or not.
Projection: Karen Handel (R) has defeated Jon Ossoff (D) in #GA06.
— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) June 21, 2017
This can't be a good sign for Ossoff. https://t.co/H2NHZHGz56
— Nathan Gonzales (@nathanlgonzales) June 21, 2017
Nope.
That's gonna leave a mark. #Ossoff #GA06 pic.twitter.com/TwZvEGCAzu
— Carl Gustav (@CaptYonah) June 21, 2017
The glass ceiling has been broken! https://t.co/PxYnAAw8bS
— David Steinberg (@realDSteinberg) June 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/CuffyMeh/status/877344563664310272
Tuesday night was supposed to be a huge rebuke to President Trump and the Democrats’ first step toward taking back Congress. So what are the hot takes now that that narrative has gone down in flames? Here are a few, starting with a fantastic shot of CNN’s expert panel watching the final numbers come in.
https://twitter.com/Pamela_Moore13/status/877343178537353217
"What!" shrieks a girl at Ossoff's elex party as CNN projects a win for Handel #GA06
— Alexis Levinson (@alexis_levinson) June 21, 2017
She stands in for the entire Democratic establishment. https://t.co/M6lSww0ylF
— Damon Linker (@DamonLinker) June 21, 2017
.@ossoff party cuts the sound on @CNN. Lot of blank stares. pic.twitter.com/LOth3bdvGe
— Elena Schneider (@ec_schneider) June 21, 2017
Brief and scattered shouts of "not my congresswoman" at the Ossoff event
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) June 21, 2017
Recommended
https://twitter.com/MichaelRWarren/status/877350533769576448
Another night where we get to learn that losing is really winning or something.
— Steve Krakauer (@SteveKrak) June 21, 2017
Congratulations dems that's the most expensive participation medal ev… um since November. #maga
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) June 21, 2017
Even the crew at Vox seems to have learned something: develop the agenda before the campaign, not after the election.
https://twitter.com/ezraklein/status/877348436382797824
Important to note Handel didn't win #GA06 by embracing Trump. In many ways, she distanced herself from him. This is not Trump's victory.
— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) June 21, 2017
Or, maybe the Dems just need to stop being so centrist … maybe embrace the extreme fringe of the party just a little.
Best thing that could come out of the #GA06 results is for Democratic Party to finally give up its self-destructive obsession with centrism
— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) June 21, 2017
Democracy for America trashes Ossoff. "Same, tired centrist Democratic playbook that has come up short cycle after cycle will not suffice."
— Reid J. Epstein (@reidepstein) June 21, 2017
There'll be Democrats who feel as tho they lost b/c moderating message.
They'll want to go militant progressive for 2018.
They will be wrong pic.twitter.com/LWl7406X5Z— SalenaZito (@SalenaZito) June 21, 2017
Worth remembering that the two seats tonight that are both running close were won by GOP candidates 7 months ago by 23.4 and 20.5 points.
— Philip Bump (@pbump) June 21, 2017
#SC5 v. #GA6 lesson: National Democrats are the kiss of death.
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) June 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/RobProvince/status/877347192440324096
https://twitter.com/RobProvince/status/877349456642887681
https://twitter.com/omriceren/status/877353030747926528
I'd say there's a good chance the left needs to rethink their approach to elections.
— Ben Howe (@BenHowe) June 21, 2017
What really would have changed things tonight for Ossoff was some more celebrity endorsements and robo calls.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) June 21, 2017
"We demand a refund!" #GA06 pic.twitter.com/Bo0oR5d2dW
— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) June 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/VixenRogue/status/877341269776674816
At least Ossoff finally proposed to his girlfriend, so that's something.
— Gabriel Malor (@gabrielmalor) June 21, 2017
Basically, Alisha Kramer executed a brilliant $30M campaign to get her boyfriend of 12 years to finally propose.
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) June 21, 2017
So, now that Ossoff lost, will Dems and media decide #GA06 was NOT a "HUGELY SIGNIFICANT" referendum on @realDonaldTrump?
— S.E. Cupp (@secupp) June 21, 2017
Just spitballing, maybe House Democrats could get a younger, less liberal leader who isn't from San Francisco.
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) June 21, 2017
GA06 Observation: Handel is a weak candidate. Ossoff is just 30 years old. Linking him to Pelosi seems to be working.
— Jim Clancy (@ClancyReports) June 21, 2017
If Handel wins, one takeaway will be that running against Nancy Pelosi remains a potent message for GOP, even in Trump era. #GA06
— Karen Tumulty (@ktumulty) June 21, 2017
May she remain Democratic Leader forever. https://t.co/4OZzp6gzt0
— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) June 21, 2017
If Ossoff had won, folks would say "he's the future of D party. Ran clean campaign"
Ossoff loses: "he was a bad candidate, boring, bland"
— Jason K. Morrell (@CNNJason) June 21, 2017
Jon Ossoff was pretty boring.
— Blake News (@blakehounshell) June 21, 2017
Was?
Jon @Ossoff commends volunteers who, “as darkness has crept across this planet, have provided a beacon of hope for people here in Georgia.”
— Greg Bluestein (@bluestein) June 21, 2017
https://twitter.com/MarcACaputo/status/877344723719114754
Or perhaps living in the District would have helped. Can't represent your neighbors when you don't know who they are. https://t.co/EcvEUwcWbG
— Michael Steele (@MichaelSteele) June 21, 2017
Candidate recruitment is always a challenge, but Dems may want to look for someone who actually lives in the district next time…
— (((AG))) (@AG_Conservative) June 21, 2017
What you need is to run where you live, child. https://t.co/mSUxVV6GWk
— John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) June 21, 2017
Will #Ossoff still move into the #GA06 district? Asking for a friend. #GApol
— Sister Delecto Toldjah ? (@sistertoldjah) June 21, 2017
I don't think he's even still going to get married https://t.co/l59nXyK7MB
— Stephen Miller (@redsteeze) June 21, 2017
Update: Formerly vitally important election with national implications that can't be overstated now scheduled to be irrelevant by 10 am.
— Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) June 21, 2017
Meanwhile, the AP is still not prepared to call MIchigan for Trump
— DanRiehl (@DanRiehl) June 21, 2017
Join the conversation as a VIP Member