I know Kentucky senatorial race and Georgia's senatorial race. There's one in Alaska (governor?). Which other ones are razor thin close and could go either way? I want to save this thread for election night.

Thanks,
LTH

The fact is that the vast majority of people are not political/policy wonks like we at DU are. It's simple, if they don't feel that their needs are being met, if they don't feel like they're being represented by EITHER party, they'll simply stay home. Whine and wail and render your garments all you want about it but the FACT is that if you don't give people someone to vote FOR (He's/She's not as bad as the other guy/gal doesn't work anymore), they're far more likely not to show up.

Here's an example of what I'm talking about. Locally, there's no Senate seat up and it's not a presidential election year. We did have a couple of Congressional seats that COULD have changed from R to D given the right set of circumstance (the DCCC did not send ONE CENT to either candidate) but since Obama delayed immigration reform the Latinos (majority of the population) in my area are LIVID and several have told me they're staying home because of it. The result is that both seats will remain in R hands.

And before I'm accused of it by the Party Faithful, let me be clear: NO, I AM NOT ADVOCATING PEOPLE STAY HOME ON ELECTION DAY. I just choose not to berate people because they don't feel like anyone represents them. All berating does is cause people to entrench themselves deeper in their beliefs. When promises are made and then not kept, time after time after time, it's not difficult to see why so many are saying they don't feel like their voices are being heard even when they make the "right" choice (voting for Ds).

The remedy is not to berate people but to put up candidates for whom people will get excited -- candidates that they feel will represent them and their interests and WHO KEEP THEIR PROMISES. Do this and people will show up to donate, work for the campaign and get out the vote. Continue to deny, delay and make excuses for why reforms have not even BEGUN to be enacted and you'll get what you have now which is massive voter apathy.

Swerengin Voices Support for Gay Marriage

Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin has announced that she now supports gay marriage. Swearengin, a Republican who is running for state controller had been a supporter of Proposition 8. She announced her new position last week at a meeting of an LGBT conservative group in Southern California.

<snip>

Swearengin: "It's not been a focal point of my campaign. it's unlikely I would ever have any opportunity to address the issue as state controller. So for the most part I'm staying focused on the two issues I'm campaigning on, the fiscal health of the state and economic development throughout California."

In a written statement released this week Swearengin said she recognizes that same sex marriage is now legal in California and that it is "time to move beyond this issue."


http://kvpr.org/post/swearengin-voices-support-gay-marriage


When she had to kiss up to the local religious right goobers she was a staunch supporter for Prop. H8. But because California's Republicans can't be quite as fanatical as their brethren in the rest of the nation (for example, you cannot run for statewide office, be anti-choice and expect to win), she's done 180 degree turnaround.

It's a miracle I tell ya!

Ruby Boysenberry Preserves: FIRST PLACE
Spiced Pickled Beets: FIRST PLACE
Creole Sauce: Nada
Ruby Boysenberry Jam: FIRST PLACE
Blueberry-Basil Vinegar: FIRST PLACE
Macramé Bracelet: THIRD PLACE
Macramé Earrings: FIRST PLACE
Speecy Spicy Salsa: THIRD PLACE

5 BLUE RIBBONS!!!!! That beats my record of 3 Blue Ribbons in one year.