Good news - It's too late for Rove to pull an October Surprise

[DoYouEverWonder]

Early Voting has started in about 1/3 of the country.

If anything major happens between now and the election, it will have little impact at this point since so many people will have already voted at EV or with an absentee ballots.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[HereSince1628]

1. But, what if it already happened? Who knows how many dems

have been purged from voter registration roles at this point?

And now that all the routine maintenance is about done on the machines, who knows how many are carrying virus?

And what sort of attack on US telecoms will Rove unleash on election day just to prevent GOTV activities

And, and, and, and what if Rove has scheduled the Rapture take place on Nov. 3rd. in critical southern and western states?

:tinfoilhat:

[DoYouEverWonder]

2. That's why I strongly encourage anyone who can to go to Early Voting

rather then vote absentee. That way if your registration has been purged or lost, you still have time to try to do something about it.

[HereSince1628]

8. I strongly urge implementation of the CHICAGO PLAN

Vote early, vote often.

Actually, this morning I am feeling the effects of living both in the autumn of life and the USA... discouraged by the Rise of the Unitary Executive, the loss of Habeus Corpus, the loss of Posse Comitatus, and the suspension of at least 6 of the 10 of the Amendments making up the Bill of Rights.

I'm no longer so sure the October Surprise wasn't an entire election cycle as an exercise in misdirection and futility as misplaced belief in what is now an eclipsed system had indiviuals donating, and candidates spending, hundreds of millions on a circus that actually diverted national attention from a slick power grab that would have made Goebbels jealous.

Perhaps the warmth of another cup of Postum and I'll feel better. A little motion and perhaps the synovial fluids will loosen and contribute to the illusion of freedom of movement I once took so much for granted.

[LionInWinter]

9. If the Rapture takes place ...

A) The fundies were right, they get sucked up with Jebus & they aren't around to vote.

or

B) The fundies were wrong, Jebus is mighty pissed at them, they're all confused and bewildered and they don't show up to vote.

Either way it's a win-win situation!

[HereSince1628]

11. Nope, the fundies will be shown wrong...only peace-loving liberals

will be sucked up.

Leaving the rest of us sinners down here with a miserable mass of disaffected left-behinders. Their angry numbers will dwarf us at the polls.

Please pass the reefer...

[Make7]

3. Most people (86% in 2002) vote in-person on election day.

 

Most people vote in-person on election day.

In the 2002 election, 86 percent of voters reported that they voted in-person on election day, and 14 percent voted by absentee ballot or voted in-person at a designated election office or bureau before election day.

http://www.census.gov/prod/2004pubs/p20-552.pdf

Why would any possible upcoming October Surprise have no impact when such a large percentage of voting takes place on Election Day? Do you believe that there is going to be a large increase in people voting before Election Day for this particular election?

- Make7

[DoYouEverWonder]

4. Yes, I do

Early Voting is a new option that only started in 2004 (maybe it was 2002?) and in only a few states.

Now more states have EV and it appears to be very popular.

Also a lot more people are voting absentee this year, just to be able to vote with a paper ballot.

[Make7]

5. Unless a significant majority choose to vote before election day this year....

... any last minute October Surprise could possibly have enough of an impact to alter the outcome given the fact that the results of the last few elections have been so close.

In 2004 around 80% of voters cast their ballots in-person on election day. What percentage would you guess will be voting on election day this year?

- Make7

[DoYouEverWonder]

7. So far everyone is reporting big turnouts for EV

So we'll see I suppose?

I do think that the number will be more like 40% voting before election day this year. But that's just a guess based on gut feelings for whatever they are worth.

[Make7]

10. That still leaves 50 million or more voters casting ballots on election day.

Any Surprise between now and election day could still have an impact.

It should be interesting to see how many people will choose to vote before election day this year.

- Make7

[Vinca]

6. Maybe it's a November software surprise. nt

[Golden Raisin]

12. Don't EVER underestimate the depths

to which Rove will sink. And let's not forget a fact that is getting remarkably little coverage (virtually none) in the media: the verdict in the Saddam trial is scheduled to be announced exactly 48 hours before the American elections. This cannot be a coincidence. If the verdict is "hang him" or "firing squad" that could shift a lot of votes back to Republicans.

[DoYouEverWonder]

13. Does anyone actually care about the Saddam trial?

It's been fun to follow for the entertainment value but other then that most people don't even know he's been on trial.

[Eurobabe]

14. Oh fuck Rove anyhow, he gets too much credit

as far as I'm concerned he's a liviing Michelin Man.

[DoYouEverWonder]

15. Especially, now that the machine he built is falling apart

Some of his key teammates are either convicted or under indictment this year. Certainly puts a crimp in things, you know.

[geiger]

16. Hopefully all D candidates and helpers are picking up voter lists daily

and sending out literature daily...

otherwise there will still be an October surprise. It's not time to take anything for granted.