Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Latest updates from Election Protection
Getting interesting out there on Election Day. Vote counting may come later than expected. Still, you have to keep on keeping on. Election protection reported this at 10 a.m. (EST):
10 a.m. DEVELOPING STORIES FROM ELECTION PROTECTION
10 a.m. DEVELOPING STORIES FROM ELECTION PROTECTION
As of 10 am, Election Protection has received over 27,000 calls to the 1-866-OUR-VOTE Hotline since the phones opened at 5:30 am this morning.
VIRGINIA: We have seen the situation on the ground in Virginia change drastically over the past hour. Election Protection is calling for the courts to keep the polls open an additional two hours.
MICHIGAN: There are widespread reports of line lines, lack of ample poll workers and general disorganization, resulting in waits as long as two hours. Machine malfunctions are also contributing long lines and in some cases poll workers administering polling through paper ballots. Some voters are expressing concern over the security of their ballots in these situations.
FLORIDA: We have received multiple reports that optical scanning machines are broken in Tallahassee, Tampa, Broward County and Miami-Dade County.
Don't let them interfere with your vote
Election Day, the most exciting one I've experienced. I'm out working for Gary Trauner today.
If anyone messes with your right to vote, you have lots of options. Your precinct's election judges are there to help. Most judges I've seen in Laramie County know their business. They receive training and get lots of backup. But, if for some odd reason, it's the judge getting in your way, there's also a precinct captain or, in many cases, the captain that oversees the operation of the 4-5 precincts grouped together, as is the case with the Lions Park Community House and the Holiday Inn on Fox Farm Road.
Your county clerk and staff will be busy but you can contact them if you experience difficulties. Contact the Laramie County Clerk at 307-633-4268.
Election Protection provides a national clearinghouse at http://www.866ourvote.org/. The web site also provides a U.S. map. You can click on any state and get crucial information on voting -- and where to turn to for help.
You can also use your Twitter account to report polling place shenanigans. Here are some directions:
If anyone messes with your right to vote, you have lots of options. Your precinct's election judges are there to help. Most judges I've seen in Laramie County know their business. They receive training and get lots of backup. But, if for some odd reason, it's the judge getting in your way, there's also a precinct captain or, in many cases, the captain that oversees the operation of the 4-5 precincts grouped together, as is the case with the Lions Park Community House and the Holiday Inn on Fox Farm Road.
Your county clerk and staff will be busy but you can contact them if you experience difficulties. Contact the Laramie County Clerk at 307-633-4268.
Election Protection provides a national clearinghouse at http://www.866ourvote.org/. The web site also provides a U.S. map. You can click on any state and get crucial information on voting -- and where to turn to for help.
You can also use your Twitter account to report polling place shenanigans. Here are some directions:
If you experience problems at the polls on Election Day(such as long lines, voter intimidation, suspicious behavior, machine malfunctions, registration errors, etc.) you can report it to us via text message or the web by using your Twitter account! (Don’t have one? Click here to sign-up.)
Here is how it works:
1. “Tweets” should include a description of the problem and a hashtag+zip code (ex. #22205). If you know your voting precinct number, it would also be helpful to add that.
2. Include in your tweet a simple hashtag of “EP” + state abbreviation—so if you
are a voter in Virginia, include in your tweet “#EPVA”
3. These tweet-reports will be monitored by the respective state teams on the ground who will confirm the reports and work to resolve any issue.
4. Add #votereport to your tweet to feed live into the Twitter Vote Report website.
Monday, November 03, 2008
My sister at Joe Biden rally in Florida
My sister Molly (with red hair and wearing Obama T-shirt) gets up-close-and-personal with Democratic Party V.P. candidate Joe Biden at a rally in Tallahassee, Florida. Molly is probably the only one of my eight siblings (all Floridians) casting her vote for the Obama-Biden ticket. Go Molly! Gobama! (Who are all those guys in the dark glasses?)
WYO voters turn out in record numbers
Peter O'Dowd reported this on Wyoming Public Radio this afternoon:
Poll workers at the Laramie County Court House in Cheyenne reported an average of 700 early voters per day when I was there voting on Thursday. Lines were longer last Friday and I don't know what it was like today. So, if one-quarter of registered voters have cast ballots statewide, that's about 60,000 voters. It's still going to be busy at the polls tomorrow, so get there early. Or go during lunchtime and bring a sandwich.
In Colorado, about half of all eligible voters have cast ballots. In Florida, 4.2 million people have cast ballots. Something like 330,000 voters have been to the polls in Utah. This is one big turnout, with election day still ahead of us.
FMI: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/wpr/
The Natrona County Clerk [in Casper] says her office had to request extra ballots to keep up with demand for early voting. Renea Vitto says she saw record turnout in the days leading up to the election. She expects 750 people to cast their ballots on Monday alone. Because residents can register at the polls, Vitto predicts 120 percent voter turnout. She says voters should be prepared to wait up to 20 minutes in line on Election Day.
Statewide, early voting continues to smash records. The Secretary of State says 23 percent of registered voters have already cast ballots. That nearly doubles the average of votes traditionally cast before Election Day in Wyoming.
Poll workers at the Laramie County Court House in Cheyenne reported an average of 700 early voters per day when I was there voting on Thursday. Lines were longer last Friday and I don't know what it was like today. So, if one-quarter of registered voters have cast ballots statewide, that's about 60,000 voters. It's still going to be busy at the polls tomorrow, so get there early. Or go during lunchtime and bring a sandwich.
In Colorado, about half of all eligible voters have cast ballots. In Florida, 4.2 million people have cast ballots. Something like 330,000 voters have been to the polls in Utah. This is one big turnout, with election day still ahead of us.
FMI: http://uwadmnweb.uwyo.edu/wpr/
Still time to pitch in for Democrats
I took a vacation day for Nov. 4 so I can get out the vote for Wyoming Democratic candidates. In 2006, I took the day off to be an election judge. In 2004, I was a pollwatcher for the entire day. Not everyone can get a day off, I know. If you can, there are national, state and local candidates who need your help.
For an overview, go to the Wyoming Democratic Party web site at http://www.wyomingdemocrarts.com/
Democrats running for the two U.S. Senate seats are Chris Rothfuss of Laramie, running against Sen. Mike Enzi, and Gillette's Nick Carter, running against Sen. John Barrasso. Contact their campaigns. See what they need today and tomorrow.
Gary Trauner of Wilson is running against Cynthia Lummis for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat being vacated by Barbara Cubin. His well-organized GOTV campaign is ramping up across the state. But there's always room for more.
If there's a Democrat running in your legislative district (not always the case in WYO), call him or her and ask what you can do these last two days.
Finally, we have a presidential race. Sen. Obama will not win Wyoming. He may come closer than any Democrat ever has, but Wyoming is solidly in the McCain camp. But, the race is still close in Colorado, Montana and North Dakota. Cheyenne volunteers spent much of their weekend in Fort Collins and Greeley ringing doorbells for Barack Obama. I know a few people in northern Wyoming who have stepped across our northern border to work with Obama organizers in Montana. Nobody I know has been to North Dakota, but it's still interesting that the race is close there. You may not know this, but North Dakota has a longstanding progressive tradition that goes back 100 years.
Always more to do for Sen. Obama before 7 p.m. Tuesday. Go to www.barackobama.com/.
See you out there on election day!
For an overview, go to the Wyoming Democratic Party web site at http://www.wyomingdemocrarts.com/
Democrats running for the two U.S. Senate seats are Chris Rothfuss of Laramie, running against Sen. Mike Enzi, and Gillette's Nick Carter, running against Sen. John Barrasso. Contact their campaigns. See what they need today and tomorrow.
Gary Trauner of Wilson is running against Cynthia Lummis for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat being vacated by Barbara Cubin. His well-organized GOTV campaign is ramping up across the state. But there's always room for more.
If there's a Democrat running in your legislative district (not always the case in WYO), call him or her and ask what you can do these last two days.
Finally, we have a presidential race. Sen. Obama will not win Wyoming. He may come closer than any Democrat ever has, but Wyoming is solidly in the McCain camp. But, the race is still close in Colorado, Montana and North Dakota. Cheyenne volunteers spent much of their weekend in Fort Collins and Greeley ringing doorbells for Barack Obama. I know a few people in northern Wyoming who have stepped across our northern border to work with Obama organizers in Montana. Nobody I know has been to North Dakota, but it's still interesting that the race is close there. You may not know this, but North Dakota has a longstanding progressive tradition that goes back 100 years.
Always more to do for Sen. Obama before 7 p.m. Tuesday. Go to www.barackobama.com/.
See you out there on election day!
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Vote Republican! Avoid Pelosi Syndrome!
During these final days of the 2008 election, Republicans are pushing ads that portray Wyoming as a reliably conservative state and one that distrusts East Coast Liberals. If you are a born and bred Wyomingite with conservative creds, you are good and trustworthy. If you were born somewhere else -- especially any East Coast state north of Virginia or (worse) California -- and you're a Democrat, you are bad, untrustworthy and probably a Socialist.
The latest Repub ads supporting Cynthia Lummis emphasize these crucial differences and encourage Wyomingites to vote for "real" conservatives whom also are "real Americans" too. A radio ad I heard today in breaks of the Denver Broncos game has some ersatz cowboy narrator (probably an actor!) with a folksy voice. He used all the buzzwords that are supposed to push the right buttons in Wyomingites: "East Coast Liberal" and "out-of-state money" and "unions" and "Nancy Pelosi." When I heard all this, I began to feel a bit sick. So I went to the doctor.
Doctor: Sorry, Mr. Shay, but I'm afraid you have a case of Pelosi Syndrome.
Me: Not Pelosi!
Dr.: I'm afraid so.
Me: What's the diagnosis, Doc? Give it to me straight!
Dr.: First it's the arms and legs, and then the torso. Last to go is the head.
Me: Tumors? Lesions? Cankers? Boils?
Dr.: Worse. Your body turns blue. Hordes of Wyoming Republicans see that you're a Democrat and they set upon you like a pack of ravening wolves. You don't stand a chance.
Me: I'll stay at home.
Dr.: They'll find you.
Me: I'll hide in the mountains.
Dr.: They'll find you no matter where you try to hide.
Me: I'm done for.
Dr.: True, unless....
Me: What, Doc? Give it to me straight!
Dr.: Well, you could fall into line and vote Republican. This is a conservative state, don't you know? It's futile to resist. Vote Lummis. Vote Enzi. Vote Barrasso. Vote McCain. Vote Palin.
Me: Is this my only hope?
Dr.: I'm afraid so.
Me: Any side effects?
Dr.: There's one. First it's the arms and legs. And then the torso. The last to go is the head.
Me: What do you mean, Doc? Give it to me straight!
Dr.: It's called Palinitis. Your body turns red.
Me: But I'll be O.K. as long as I stay in Wyoming?
Dr.: True, but next time you go to a blue state, those Democrats will come at you like a ravening pack of slightly miffed bunny rabbits.
Me: Doesn't sound dangerous.
Dr.: It's death by a thousand little nibbles.
Me: I'll stay home. Who needs blue states anyway? Who needs Colorado or New Mexico or California or New York or Pennsylvania or Massachusetts or Washington or Hawaii or Florida or Virginia or Maryland or North Carolina or....
Dr.: Exactly. If you stay in Wyoming and vote the Republican Party line, you'll live forever.
Me: And what a full life that will be!
THE END
The latest Repub ads supporting Cynthia Lummis emphasize these crucial differences and encourage Wyomingites to vote for "real" conservatives whom also are "real Americans" too. A radio ad I heard today in breaks of the Denver Broncos game has some ersatz cowboy narrator (probably an actor!) with a folksy voice. He used all the buzzwords that are supposed to push the right buttons in Wyomingites: "East Coast Liberal" and "out-of-state money" and "unions" and "Nancy Pelosi." When I heard all this, I began to feel a bit sick. So I went to the doctor.
Doctor: Sorry, Mr. Shay, but I'm afraid you have a case of Pelosi Syndrome.
Me: Not Pelosi!
Dr.: I'm afraid so.
Me: What's the diagnosis, Doc? Give it to me straight!
Dr.: First it's the arms and legs, and then the torso. Last to go is the head.
Me: Tumors? Lesions? Cankers? Boils?
Dr.: Worse. Your body turns blue. Hordes of Wyoming Republicans see that you're a Democrat and they set upon you like a pack of ravening wolves. You don't stand a chance.
Me: I'll stay at home.
Dr.: They'll find you.
Me: I'll hide in the mountains.
Dr.: They'll find you no matter where you try to hide.
Me: I'm done for.
Dr.: True, unless....
Me: What, Doc? Give it to me straight!
Dr.: Well, you could fall into line and vote Republican. This is a conservative state, don't you know? It's futile to resist. Vote Lummis. Vote Enzi. Vote Barrasso. Vote McCain. Vote Palin.
Me: Is this my only hope?
Dr.: I'm afraid so.
Me: Any side effects?
Dr.: There's one. First it's the arms and legs. And then the torso. The last to go is the head.
Me: What do you mean, Doc? Give it to me straight!
Dr.: It's called Palinitis. Your body turns red.
Me: But I'll be O.K. as long as I stay in Wyoming?
Dr.: True, but next time you go to a blue state, those Democrats will come at you like a ravening pack of slightly miffed bunny rabbits.
Me: Doesn't sound dangerous.
Dr.: It's death by a thousand little nibbles.
Me: I'll stay home. Who needs blue states anyway? Who needs Colorado or New Mexico or California or New York or Pennsylvania or Massachusetts or Washington or Hawaii or Florida or Virginia or Maryland or North Carolina or....
Dr.: Exactly. If you stay in Wyoming and vote the Republican Party line, you'll live forever.
Me: And what a full life that will be!
THE END
Saturday, November 01, 2008
An ominous set of signs -- or coincidence?
So there I was, me and my clipboard and door hangers for Gary Trauner. I was trying to get my bearings in Cheyenne's Precinct 1-1. A shadow began to fall over me, an ominous shadow, fraught with meaning. I turned to look up. Hovering over me were a pair of street signs that sent chills down my spine. I was at the corner of Gop(p) and Lummis. GOP for Grand Old Party and Lummis for Cynthia, Gary's opponent in Wyoming's U.S. House race. Weird. Were these signs a sign? Or just some odd coincidence? We shall find out on election day. Meanwhile, I moved on, knocking on doors for Gary.
LarCoDems gather for election results
The Laramie County Democratic Party will gather at the historic Cheyenne Plains Hotel Round-Up Room on November 4, 7 p.m., to view the incoming results of local, state, and national elections. Members of the media are welcome to attend this gathering for research and reporting purposes. Refreshments and snacks will be provided.
Laramie County Democratic Party Chairman Mike Bell says: “We are looking forward to a fun and relaxing evening, celebrating all of the hard work that our Democratic candidates and volunteers completed in support of the Wyoming Democratic Party and our platform.”
LarCoDem member Mike Shay says this: "We are looking forward to cheering wildly when the presidential race results come pouring in."
For further information, contact Mike Bell at 307-631-7641.
I have it on good authority that Mike Bell has ordered two cakes for the event. Cake and Fat Tire Amber Ale go great together.
If you're looking for up-to-date results on election night, go to Dave Lerner's Wyoming Network. In 2006, the AP beat Wyoming Network by only a few minutes. Go to www.wyomingnetwork.com.
Laramie County Democratic Party Chairman Mike Bell says: “We are looking forward to a fun and relaxing evening, celebrating all of the hard work that our Democratic candidates and volunteers completed in support of the Wyoming Democratic Party and our platform.”
LarCoDem member Mike Shay says this: "We are looking forward to cheering wildly when the presidential race results come pouring in."
For further information, contact Mike Bell at 307-631-7641.
I have it on good authority that Mike Bell has ordered two cakes for the event. Cake and Fat Tire Amber Ale go great together.
If you're looking for up-to-date results on election night, go to Dave Lerner's Wyoming Network. In 2006, the AP beat Wyoming Network by only a few minutes. Go to www.wyomingnetwork.com.
In Memoriam: Studs Terkel, storyteller
Not much you can say when one of your favorite authors passes away. So we'll let Studs Terkel have the last word:
"Who are the best historians? Who are the storytellers? Who lived through the Great Depression of the '30s, World War II that changed the whole psyche and map of the world, a Cold War, Joe McCarthy, Vietnam, the '60s, that's so often put down today and I think was an exhilarating and hopeful period, and, of course, the computer and technology. Who are the best ones to tell the story? Those who've borne witness to it. And they're our storytellers."
Friday, October 31, 2008
Dick Cheney descends on Laramie Saturday
The Laramie County Democratic Party received a robocall from the Wyoming Republicans this morning. It sounded like a real voice on the line, but that's the strange thing about robocalls -- they come from robots who sound human. The big news from the RoboRepubs was that V.P. Dick Cheney is coming to Laramie tomorrow (Saturday) for an 8:30 a.m. rally for U.S. House candidate Cynthia Lummis and senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso. Despite the cordial robocall, Democrats are not welcomed. Here's the protocol as outlined in a story from the Laramie Boomerang:The vice president of the United States will be in Laramie Saturday trying to convince voters to get to the polls and vote Republican. Vice President Dick Cheney will participate in a Republican Rally at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at Laramie High School. The event will be an RSVP-list event and those interested in attending need to submit their name to the Wyoming GOP Headquarters at (307) 234-9166.
Wonder how you can hold a non-public rally at a public high school? But that's what happened a few years ago when Cheney visited his old haunts at the Wyoming State Capitol. The doors were closed to the common people. Usually Cheney is holding $10,000 a plate fund-raising dinners that are closed to the public due to the fact that not every Dick and Jane can afford $10,000 for a plate of rubber chicken.
“Because Vice President Cheney is a Republican, we are encouraging everybody to support Republican candidates,” said Tammy Johnson, head of the Albany County Republicans. “It is to rally Republicans and to make people excited about getting out and voting.”
I know that Cheney's appearance will encourage Wyoming Democrats to go out and vote for Democrats. None of us want to see another Cheney-like creature in the president's or vice-president's house. Let's just hope he doesn't return to Wyoming once he's booted from D.C.
On Halloween, scare a Republican and vote
This comes from the Tampa Tribune's Tampa Bay Online (also thanks to the bloggers at Florida Kossacks) and it was just too good to pass up. This Halloween, Republicans seem to be scared of voters who are black, college students, college professors, Socialists, community organizers, union members, bloggers and other assorted nogoodniks. When I was voting yesterday in Cheyenne, I saw a few black and Hispanic voters, yet could not identify any social science professors. I was looking for guys with pointy heads and pointy Marx-like goatees. I did see one teacher, but there may have been others. Teachers of all stripes are dangerous, as they are busily feeding our kids nonsense about democracy and equality.
Here are the scary inner (and outer) thoughts of Republicans:
Here are the scary inner (and outer) thoughts of Republicans:
This is the e-mail forwarded by David Storck, chairman of the Hillsborough County Republican Party:
This e-mail was sent to me from one of our Volunteers in the Temple Terrace office. If you think it can help us win this election please pass it on. This election is now in our hands everyone can make a difference. Thanks, DaveTHE THREAT: HERE IN TEMPLE TERRACE, FL OUR REPUBLICAN HQ IS ONE BLOCK AWAY FROM OUR LIBRARY, WHICH IS AN EARLY VOTING SITE.
I SEE CARLOADS OF BLACK OBAMA SUPPORTERS COMING FROM THE INNER CITY TO CAST THEIR VOTES FOR OBAMA. THIS IS THEIR CHANCE TO GET A BLACK PRESIDENT AND THEY SEEM TO CARE LITTLE THAT HE IS
AT MINIMUM, SOCIALIST, AND PROBABLY MARXIST IN HIS CORE BELIEFS. AFTER ALL, HE IS BLACK--NO EXPERIENCE OR ACCOMPLISHMENTS--BUT HE IS BLACK.I ALSO SEE YOUNG COLLEGE STUDENTS AND THEIR PROFESSORS FROM USF PARKING THEIR CARS WITH THE
PROMINENT 'OBAMA' BUMPER STICKERS. THE STUDENTS ARE ENTHUSIASTIC TO BE VOTING IN A HISTORIC ELECTION WHERE THERE MAY BE THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT.
THE COLLEGE PROFESSORS, PARTICULARLY IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES, FOR THE MOST PART HAVE LITTLE OR NO EXPERIENCE IN THE WORK-A-DAY WORLD. THEIR LIFE EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN MOSTLY ACADEMIC UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF LIBERAL COLLEGE PROFESSORS. FOR
THEM, A LITTLE SOCIALISM AND ANTI-AMERICANISM IS A GOOD THING. AFTER ALL, IF TERRORISTS ATTACK US, WE MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO PROVOKE THEM.
YOU AND I UNDERSTAND THE DANGERS THE POTENTIAL OBAMA PRESIDENCY PRESENTS TO OUR WAY OF LIFE. THE SUPPRESSION OF FREE SPEECH, INTRODUCING UNION INTIMIDATION IN THE WORKPLACE, INCREASED DANGERS TO OUR NATION BY TERRORISTS, CUTTING OUR
DEFENSE BUDGET BY 25%, TURNING OUR TAX SYSTEM INTO A NATIONAL WELFARE SYSTEM AND ECONOMIC POLICIES THAT COULD DRIVE US INTO A DEPRESSION.
THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO STOP OBAMA: VOTE !!!-------(AND GET EVERYONE YOU KNOW TO VOTE)ONLY YOU AND I CAN STOP OBAMA NOW ! !SEVEN DAYS TO GO AND WE MUST
ACT IMMEDIATELY..
A PLAN OF ACTION FOR YOU AND I:VOTE. OBAMA IS ADVERTISING ON TV ASKING ALL HIS SUPPORTERS TO TAKE A DAY OFF WORK OR CLASS TO VOTE. CONTACT PERSONALLY EVERYONE YOU KNOW REMINDING THEM TO VOTE AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS. PARENTS,
VOTING-AGE CHILDREN, IN-LAWS, CO-WORKERS, CHURCH CONTACTS, SCHOOL CONTACTS, BUSINESS CONTACTS. MAKE A LIST AND CONTACT THEM. SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE
ON YOUR EMAIL LIST THAT WANTS TO DEFEAT OBAMA.
YOUR EMAIL IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IF YOU USE IT WISELY AND PROMPTLY. YOU CAN REACH 10,000,000 PEOPLE IN THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS IF AS FEW AS TEN PEOPLE ON YOUR
LIST TAKE PROMPT ACTION AND TEN PEOPLE ON THEIR LIST AND TEN PEOPLE ON THEIR LIST...YOU GET THE IDEA.
LET'S ALL PRAY AND WORK AND WE WILL SURELY CELEBRATE OUR VICTORY ON 11/5/08.
David A. Storck Chairman, Hillsborough County Republican Party
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Voted early -- by just a few days
I was 39th in line at the Laramie County office building downtown during my lunch break. Thirty-eight other fine citizens casting their votes in advance. I knew two of them -- a local teacher and a friend of a friend. Both in their thirties. The teacher was set to vote for Barack Obama and Gary Trauner. At least I think she was since she voted in the Democratic caucuses in March and I've talked to her about the election since. The guy in the black cowboy hat was voting Republican. How do I know this? The guys in the black hats are always Repubs, right?
This polling place has been averaging 700 voters per day all week. An election volunteer told me that yesterday's count was 778. That's darn good in this county with 37,500-some registered voters. I was hoping that there were other Obama voters in line with me. Not entirely hopeful, but hope springs eternal in the heart of WyoDems.
My wait was just 30 minutes. A lot shorter time than some people waited in Florida and Colorado today. Tomorrow's another day...to vote. Get out there and do your duty for democracy.
This polling place has been averaging 700 voters per day all week. An election volunteer told me that yesterday's count was 778. That's darn good in this county with 37,500-some registered voters. I was hoping that there were other Obama voters in line with me. Not entirely hopeful, but hope springs eternal in the heart of WyoDems.
My wait was just 30 minutes. A lot shorter time than some people waited in Florida and Colorado today. Tomorrow's another day...to vote. Get out there and do your duty for democracy.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Dems in West on the brink of historic gains
Democracy Corps reports this (with some good news for Gary Trauner in Wyoming):
Democrats are on the brink of making historic gains in swing Mountain West Congressional districts. Four years ago in these 11 targeted districts (AZ-01, AZ-03, AZ-05, AZ-08, CO-04, ID-01, NV-02, NV-03, NM-01, NM-02, and WY-AL), Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry lost by 15 points and Democratic Congressional candidates lost by an average of 23 points. Now, however, a sea change has occurred as Obama is nearly tied with McCain (trailing by just three points – 45 – 48 percent) and Democrats lead in the aggregate vote (50-45 percent in the named Congressional vote). Even more encouraging is the fact that Democratic candidates lead in districts currently held by a Republican (48 – 47 percent).
While partisanship has hardened as we approach Election Day – a typical trend – Obama and Congressional Democratic candidates have made gains with key swing voters, including independent women, moderates, women over 50, union households, married voters, and parents of kids under 18.
With both the Democratic presidential candidate and Democratic Congressional candidates making such major strides from four years ago, we believe this represents a cultural shift. Voters in these districts are now seriously supporting Democrats for federal offices, including president, many for the very first time. This is an important point, because in recent elections, Democrats had made gains at the state level in this region, notably for governor and state legislature, but there remained a gap between state performance and federal performance. This poll shows that Democrats have closed this gap and are now breaking through at the federal level as well.
"Spit, baby, spit!"
Chris was home early from work today. I went by the store to pick up some gruel for dinner. So I was late getting to the scene of the crime.
"You just missed it," she said, as she and the dog and the cat streamed out the front door to greet me.
"Missed what?" I asked.
"Two guys in a blue pickup just came by and spit on our Obama sign."
"No kidding?" I looked at the sign. Seemed a bit damp, but still standing. I'm fond of this particular Obama sign because it's been in my yard since February, about a month before the historic Wyoming presidential caucuses.
As I brought in the groceries, Chris described how two white guys in their twenties pulled their faded blue pickup in front of our house. The driver leaned out of his window and hocked a big loogie right at the sign. The passenger was getting out of the truck when he saw Chris standing in our big picture window. He went back inside. As they sped off, Chris flashed them a peace sign.
"Could have been worse," I said.
"Maybe they were going to steal it," Chris guessed.
I have heard tales of yard signs for Democrats going missing. Barack Obama, Gary Trauner, Jim Byrd, Lori Millin.
But my sign is a lucky sign. It's going to bring victory to Obama in Laramie County. Spit or no spit.
"You just missed it," she said, as she and the dog and the cat streamed out the front door to greet me.
"Missed what?" I asked.
"Two guys in a blue pickup just came by and spit on our Obama sign."
"No kidding?" I looked at the sign. Seemed a bit damp, but still standing. I'm fond of this particular Obama sign because it's been in my yard since February, about a month before the historic Wyoming presidential caucuses.
As I brought in the groceries, Chris described how two white guys in their twenties pulled their faded blue pickup in front of our house. The driver leaned out of his window and hocked a big loogie right at the sign. The passenger was getting out of the truck when he saw Chris standing in our big picture window. He went back inside. As they sped off, Chris flashed them a peace sign.
"Could have been worse," I said.
"Maybe they were going to steal it," Chris guessed.
I have heard tales of yard signs for Democrats going missing. Barack Obama, Gary Trauner, Jim Byrd, Lori Millin.
But my sign is a lucky sign. It's going to bring victory to Obama in Laramie County. Spit or no spit.
View Lori Millin's VidAds -- and donate
Democrat Lori Millin is running for re-election in Wyoming's House District 8 (my district). She did a great job during her first two years in the Wyoming House. Let's send her back.
Her campaign filmed two ads and posted them on YouTube:
Click here to watch the "Constituent" ad
Click here to watch the "Family" ad
As she notes on her web site: "If you like the ads and want to help put them on the air, please make a donation. They cost $9 each time we run them. Let me know if you like them or which one you like best."
Her campaign filmed two ads and posted them on YouTube:
Click here to watch the "Constituent" ad
Click here to watch the "Family" ad
As she notes on her web site: "If you like the ads and want to help put them on the air, please make a donation. They cost $9 each time we run them. Let me know if you like them or which one you like best."
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Lummis will be a no-show for Wednesday's town hall meeting at UW
Cynthia Lummis will be sending a cardboard cut-out of herself to the congressional town hall meeting Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 4 p.m. in the University of Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences auditorium.
Actually, she'll be sending a representative from her campaign. Matched up against the stand-in will be the actual Democratic candidate for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat, Gary Trauner. Also attending will be Libertarian W. David Herbert.
Wonder what's so important to keep Cynthia from this appearance at her alma mater (earned both bachelor's and juris doctor degrees at UW) and the state's only four-year university?
Pokes Vote, the Laramie Chamber of Commerce and the UW Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement host the free public event. According to a press release, "Pokes Vote has helped more than 600 UW students register to vote for the first time or make changes to their registration."
FMI: (307) 399-3350.
Actually, she'll be sending a representative from her campaign. Matched up against the stand-in will be the actual Democratic candidate for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat, Gary Trauner. Also attending will be Libertarian W. David Herbert.
Wonder what's so important to keep Cynthia from this appearance at her alma mater (earned both bachelor's and juris doctor degrees at UW) and the state's only four-year university?
Pokes Vote, the Laramie Chamber of Commerce and the UW Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement host the free public event. According to a press release, "Pokes Vote has helped more than 600 UW students register to vote for the first time or make changes to their registration."
FMI: (307) 399-3350.
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