We've heard the rumors on the internal polls for a few days now, but now the Idaho Statesman has come out with a public poll--
The race for governor and first CD in Idaho are tied
In a Mason-Dixon poll conducted on the races, Republican Congressman Butch Otter had a one point lead in the governor's race against Democrat Jerry Brady and Larry Grant was down two points to the by now infamous wingnut Bill Sali. Both, of course, are within the margin of error.
The number one issue that is driving people's votes according to the poll? The unpopularity of President Bush and the war in Iraq.
Now the election comes down to GOTV. This is also a big validation of two things that we have been saying around here for a while. Let's hope Dean's 50 State strategy pays off.
The first is to leave no seat uncontested. If we have a chance to win Idaho-01, then we have a chance to win almost anywhere.
And the second is that the Democratic Party needs to stop pussyfooting around President Bush and the War in Iraq. If this accursed war is unpopular in Idaho, it's unpopular everywhere. And if people are disgusted with the way President Bush is behaving there, they're disgusted everywhere.
President Bush should be the only issue this election.
Now, if only my in-laws lived on the other side of Boise. But at least they can put Jerry Brady in the Governor's office. And I hope everyone has given money to Larry Grant--I know I did.