The following diaries are examples of this week's Election Diary Rescue. This post features a collection of
151 diaries.
(CO, IA-Sen) Udall & Braley Go Thelma & Louise by We Shall Overcome - In a very real sense Democratic control of the Senate is a matter of Iowa & Colorado or bust. Diarist pitches for help, includes donation link.
(SC-06) SC GOP Congressional Candidate: Same-Sex Couples Are 'Gremlins' And A 'Pestilence' by librarisingnsf. The Republican challenger to highly respected veteran Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn wants to make sure everybody knows he's a full-bore bigot.
(Navajo Nation-Pres) Navajo High Court Postpones Nov. Election. Orders Ballots without Candidate Deschene by manyamile - The Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation has ruled today that Christopher Deschene is disqualified as a candidate for president in the Nov. 4th runoff. Deschene finished second in the August primary, but two also-rans sought to have him barred on the basis of his fluency in the Navajo language.
UPDATE: WE Won! Rev. William Barber excites our local activists by smiley7 - The Republican attempt to disenfranchise students by moving their precinct polling place off campus has been ruled unconstitutional.
This is the 42nd weekly edition of Election Diary Rescue. It covers rescued down-ticket election diaries published from Sunday, October 19 through Saturday, October 26. We hope you enjoy the following gems dug up by our dedicated team of miners.
Diaries: (151)
Senate: (37) posts, (11) states
House: (19) posts, (11) states, (15) districts
State and more: (61)
General: (34)
EDR has compiled, described and linked
down ticket election related diaries since 2006.
EDR chronicles the passion, power and effectiveness of political engagement and shines a light on candidates and issues that might be otherwise missed. It gives quick access to races, hopefully inspires people to write about contests that interest them, and has become an archive for thousands of election related diaries over the years.
Archive links
Format and Tags
Diarists can help the EDR mining team by identifying the race in the diary title, for example: (FL-14) or (GA-Gov) or (NY-Sen). Using the "Elections" tag is also very helpful and keep in mind that your first sentence or two can be what you would like to see in the EDR description.
This edition of EDR was made possible by the following miners and editors: Alma, eeff, Doug Tuttle, Joieau, Land of Enchantment, Pucklady, randallt, sylv, suejazz, and turbonerd. Special thanks to Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse.
Senate - 37
(AK-Sen) Is Alaska Senate race shaking up dramatically? by ProfAlan - Incumbent Democratic Senator Mark Begich has pulled into a 44-44 tie with challenger Dan Sullivan (R) in a Harstad poll. Political Wire has a poll showing Begich in the lead.
(AK-Sen) Is Alaska Senate race shaking up dramatically? by ProfAlan - Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska) had pulled into a 44-44 tie with challenger Dan Sullivan (R) in a Harstad poll. Now there's a poll showing a Begich lead. Could a major shift be going on?
(AK-Sen) GOP Poll Finds Begich Up 10 Points in Alaska! by joelgp - No joke, a Republican pollster has Begich up 10 points over Dan Sullivan, and it's a 4-way race. Wow!
(CO-Sen) by I Made Calls for Udall Today by Doctor Jazz - The diarist describes his experience making calls using the Daily Kos/Move On Hub Dialer. He called on behalf of the incumbent Mark Udall running for Senate in Colorado against Cory Gardner (R-TeaParty).
(CO-Sen) Cory Gardner makes lame pitch to seniors, Time to call him out Senator Udall by Ask 4 Questions - Cory Gardner (R) is making an exceedingly lame pitch to seniors with his latest ad. He has voted 5 times to raise the retirement and Medicare eligibility age to 70, as well as to gut coverage. Incumbent Democrat Mark Udall needs to call him out.
(CO-Sen) Don't Count Udall Out Yet, A Look At The Early Vote In CO. by pollwatcher - Mark Udall (D) in Colorado has had a few bad polls lately, but a look at the early vote so far and in comparison to 2010 doesn't paint such a bleak picture.
(CO, IA-Sen) Udall & Braley Go Thelma & Louise by We Shall Overcome - In a very real sense Democratic control of the Senate is a matter of Iowa & Colorado or bust. Diarist pitches for help, includes donation link.
(GA-Sen) GA-Sen: Michelle Nunn gets hands dirty by distraught - Michelle Nunn (D), who is campaigning for the US Senate against David Perdue (R), has been planting vegetables with 5th graders and engaging in other public service projects as part of her campaign.
(GA-Sen) GA-Sen: David Perdue (R): "the minimum wage is a giant... (um, Obama, Obama, boo!)" by Distraught - A look at how Perdue made a game changing gaffe on the minimum wage and shut up just before it blurted out.
(GA-Sen) Nunn Strong in Second Consecutive SUSA Poll by schobel94 - We need to expand the lead Nunn (D) has over Perdue (R).
(GA-Sen) Nunn's strength: caring community through corporate involvement by ProseAndThorn - Diarist has a post up on the open Georgia Senate race between Michelle Nunn (D) and David Perdue (R).
(IA-Sen) VoteVets steps up for Bruce Braley in Iowa by Laura Clawson - They've endorsed Braley over famous pig-castrator, Republican Jodi Ernst.
(IA-Sen) Joni Ernst is planning on pulling a Coleman by Wee Mama - Diarist has info on Iawo's open Senate race between Bruce Barley (D) and Joni Ernst (R).
(IA-Sen) Des Moines Register Calls Ernst Out for Her Support of Personhood Bill in Blistering Editorial by Doctor Jazz - In the recent Senate debate between Bruce Braley (D) and Joni Ernst (R) the subject of Iowa Senate Joine Resolution 10, which would amend the state constitution with a "personhood" amendment, was raised by Braley. See what the Des Moines Register's editors think of the idea here.
(IL-Sen) (IL-GOV) Rauner (R) Campaign Has Sun-Times Reporter Suspended by Via Chicago - Diarist has a story about Bruce Rauner (R) being a billionaire Bully in the Illinois Governor's race with Incumbent Pat Quinn (D).
(KS-Sen) KS Senator from Virginia Roberts Sends Mail Highlighting How Out of Touch He Is by tmservo433 - Pat Roberts, the Virginia Republican currently serving as Senator from Kansas, sent a piece of mail that had to be produced out of state purporting to show what might happen if Democrat Greg Orman were to be elected. And get it all wrong.
(KY-Sen) Questions for Mitch McConnell by zenofmcconnell - Diarist has some questions for Mitch McConnell.
(KY-Sen) KY-Sen: New Bluegrass Poll Has Grimes (D) Trailing McConnell (R) By 1 Point by poopdogcomedy - Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes remains very competitive in the Kentucky Senate race against Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell, according to a new poll released just two weeks before Election Day.
(KY-Sen) Mitch McConnell knows enthusiasm isn't free! by Jed Lewison - Usually, audiences gather out of enthusiasm. In McConnell's case, audiences are being bussed from campaign event to campaign event, with hotels, meals covered. Their job: deliver "enthusiasm."
(KY-Sen) KY-SEN: McConnell books $3.5M in air, Grimes $1.5M by brooklynbadboy - This race is winnable and we need to get all the help to Alison Grimes (D) that we can so she can defeat the minority leader Mitch McConnell (R).
(KY-Sen) McConnell Paid His Ex-Campaign Manager $117K over 2-Month Period AFTER Bribery Scandal Broke by ericlewis0 - The McConnell's campaign paid its ex-campaign manager more than 3x what the current campaign manager made during the same period for "not much work." Perhaps including "not much talking to investigators?"
(KY-Sen) What if Alison Grimes said THIS? by PeaceLoveHarmony - A pretty good example of how Alison Grimes could handle the "Who'd you vote for?" question.
(KY-Sen) Hooray! DSCC goes back into Kentucky! by brooklynbadboy - After last week dropping its advertising in Kentucky, this week the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee announced a $650,000 television ad buy. Smelling blood in the water?
(KY-Sen) watching google on alison lundergan grimes and I see FOx news pens a story about alison lundergan by daeros - Diarist notes Grimes' support for raising the minimum wage, while paying her own workers minimum wage, and concludes that despite the hypocrisy, Democrat Grimes would still be far preferable to Mitch McConnell (R).
(KY-Sen) New blistering ad against Mitch McConnell by Pakalolo - Ouch! You've got to see this one, diarist offers it.
(ME-Sen) Debating home stretch started by emorej a Hong Kong - A review of the first of 5 debates in 9 days, as Shenna Bellows challenges Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins.
(ME-Sen) Bellows Rocks Collins in Second ME-Sen Debate by slakn1 - Diarist covers the Maine Senate Race between incumbent Susan Collins (R) and Shenna Bellows.
(NC-Sen) "Pro-Hagan" Fliers Showing Lynching of 3 African-American Men Left On Windshields In Fayetteville by Kalisiin - Fliers using lynching imagery are supposedly supporting Hagan, but evidence suggests otherwise.
(NC-Sen) (NC-SEN) Desperate Tom Tillis: "we should consider an expansion of Medicaid" by gnosticator - Like most Republicans, Tom Tillis will say anything he thinks will help him get elected.
(NC-Sen) Koch Brothers spending $ on ads sending youth to NC "Weed Candidate". by Intheknow - Diarist has a post up for the North Carolina Senate seat with incumbent Kay Hagan (R) and Challenger Thom Tillis (R).
(SD-Sen) Rick Weiland or Bust ... by We Shall Overcome - Diarist is inspired by the campaign being run by Rick Weiland (D) and offers some concrete reasons why.
(SD-Sen) How to Win in South Dakota by jfried - In the South Dakota Senate race, Rick Weiland (D) should remind the voters in every commercial that Mike Rounds (R) ran a "citizenship for sale" program that has now resulted in an active FBI investigation.
(TX-Sen) Wendy Davis fired up the Texas Southern University students who then took buses to the polls by Egberto Willies - Wendy Davis attended a rally at Houston's Texas Southern University (TSU). She was well received with a crowd in excess of 500 students on a rather hot but beautiful afternoon (video).
(Sen-Gen) Could The Republican Approach To Latinos Possibly Be More Insincere? by elenacarlena - The message Republicans use on immigration reform depends on who they think is escuchando.
(Sen-Gen) That's a LOT of "Deciding Votes" by jamess - Republicans are bad at math AND science.
(Sen-Gen) Must See: DSCC's Cecil's Senate Race Overview by DoctorWho - DSCC Executive Director Guy Cecil was interviewed by Halperin on Bloomberg Politics. Cecil knows his senate races! Video of the segment here.
(Sen-Gen) DK senate tracker? by adog1 - Diarist wonders why the DKos Senate Tracker is going down when both Sam Wang and 538 are showing a recent uptick in Dem chances.
House - 19
(AK-AtLarge) Incumbency Is Not Forever: The Difference Between A 'Nobody' And A Congressman Young Is Just Votes by AKSteve - Diarist has a post up on the Alaska Us House Seat between incumbent Don Young and Challenger Forrest Dunbar (D).
(AZ-02) Stupid things from Arizona Politics - 10/21 Edition by Hi Jolly - The diarist is exasperated by the apparent inability of political journalists to rub two brain cells together. In this case: Republican challenger Martha McSally says she supports the Paul Ryan Budget, while simultaneously claiming to oppose fundamental elements of it. (The district is mostly Gabby Gifford's old AZ-08, currently represented by her former staffer, Ron Barber.)
(CA-17) Bold Progressive Alan Grayson wants you to GOTV for Mike Honda in #CA17 by Glen The Plumber - In an effort to counter opponent Ro Khanna's support from a billionaire-funded SuperPAC, Alan Grayson and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee have joned together in support of Mike Honda. Diarist lists last days' GOTV efforts for those who want to help.
(CA-17) GOTV in #CA17 for Mike Honda Over "Mr. Buzzword" by remembrance - Real change happens when those who have no voice are given identity, inclusion, and the same rights the rest of Americans have. This is what Mike Honda fights for, has always fought for, and this is what his legislative record is made of.
(CO-05) Wolf In Sheep's Clothing? by Dovie - Irv Halter (calls himself D) is challenging Republican Doug Lambourn in Colorado's 5th district. The problem is that Halter is running a DINO campaign and is not to be trusted.
(FL-07) Important: Vote Al Krulick (NPA) NOT THE DEMOCRAT Against Jon Mica (Fl-07) by SemDem - The Democratic candidate for Congress in FL-07 has dropped out of the race. The diarist strongly urges a vote for the Independent candidate, Al Krulick. Also, the Democratic Party in Florida sucks.
(MI-03) Sharon Sund for Minnesota District 3 by WXRock - Sharon Sund (D) is running for Congress in Minnesota's Third district. Sharon is a scientist, business woman, community activist, daughter from a military family, and a true progressive. Her opponent is moderate in name only Republican, Eric Paulsen.
(MI-11) MI-11 - See the video WashPo calls "one of the most brutal attack ads you'll ever see" by Eclectablog - Bobby McKenzie, the Dem candidate in Michigan's 11th district has his first ad of the cycle up and it's a doozy. It shows what it looks like when Republican David Trott evicts people, in this case an elderly woman, from their homes.
(NJ-05) Hopes for a Flip in NJ5th by bkswrites - Diarist has info on New Jersey's US House District 05 race between incumbent Scott Garrett (R) and Challenger Roy Cho (D).
(NJ-05) New Garrett Ad in NJ5th by bkswrites - New Scott Garrett (R) ad totes up all the votes, including 2 Congressional elections, in which his opponent Roy Cho (D) has supposedly failed to vote. It does not mention that Cho has lived in the 5th district only 18 months.
(NY-02) NY-02: Patricia Maher v. Peter King: Debate At Brentwood Library Tuesday October 28 by Patricia Maher For Congress - Diarist announces and urges Kossacks to attend her Tuesday debate against Republican Congressman Peter King.
(NY-13) The only "money-free" campaign in America by RoughAcres - Independent Progressive write-in candidate Rita McKee introduces her platform in a bid to unseat notoriously corrupt Democratic old-timer Charles Rangel.
(NY-18) ... and you approved THAT message? by mstaggerlee - Incumbent blue dog Dem Sean Patrick Maloney faces wealthy Tea Party Ophthalmologist Nan Hayworth. Her tactic in this race is to make fun of Maloney's name with the slogan "Sean Maloney is full of baloney" and a TV ad showing a picture of Maloney with a slice of baloney over his face. It's not going to help her in this Hudson Valley district.
(NY-21) NY-21 - Aaron Woolf Launches New Television Commercial, "True" by Upstate Blue - A diary in support of Aaron Woolf(D) running against Elise Stefanik (R) in the NY-21 Congressional District. With video.
(NY-21) NY-21 - Elise Stefanik Has Received Thousands from Gas, Oil, Fracking & Energy Interests by Upstate Blue - Diarist has a post up on New York's US House district 21 race between aaron Wolfe (D) and Elise Stefanik (R).
(SC-06) SC GOP Congressional Candidate: Same-Sex Couples Are 'Gremlins' And A 'Pestilence' by librarisingnsf - The Republican challenger to highly respected veteran Democratic Congressman Jim Clyburn wants to make sure everybody knows he's a full-bore bigot.
(SC-06) Gremlin Fighter Anthony Culler Aims To Put The "Con" In Congress by BetteNoir - A little background on the conservative nutjob challenging Rep. Jim Clyburn (D) in South Carolina's 6th CD.
(TX-27) TX-27: Texas' 27th Congressional District Debate by DemSign - Video of the debate between candidates for Texas' 27th CD: Democrat Wesley Reed, Libertarian Roxanne Simonson, and Republican Blake Farenthold.
(WA-08) WA-08: Jason Ritchie (D) endorsed by national advocacy group, Alliance for Retired Americans by Park Ranger - Diarist has a post up on the Washington US House District 08 with incumbent Dave Reichert (R) and challenger Jason Ritchie (D).
State, local and more - 61
(AK-Gov) Dammit! I hate when I agree with Sarah Palin w'poll by glassbeadgame - On October 21st Sarah Palin hosted an event where she endorsed the challengers to the incumbent she left Alaska with when she got a better offer elsewhere. Deal is, it's the same "unity" double ticket the Democratic Party has endorsed. Uh, oh.
(CA-Prop1) No on Prop 1: Where is the water to show for billions borrowed from previous bonds? by Dan Bacher - Why Dan Bacher doesn’t support Prop 1.
(CA-Prop1) Home of the Free Speech Movement Suppresses Free Speech by Dan Bacher - In the home of the Free Speech Movement at the U.C. Berkeley campus, students got a rude awakening when what they describe as an administrator "with clear political motivations" shut down the Beehive Collective's art project on drought and Proposition 1, Governor Jerry Brown's $7.5 billion water bond.
(CA-Prop1, 2) Contributions to Yes on Prop. 1 and 2 campaign rise to over $13 million by Dan Bacher - Corporate agribusiness, oil companies, billionaires and the health care industry continues to dump millions of dollars into CA Governor Jerry Brown's campaign to pass the water bond.
(CA-Richmond) Veolia LOVES Chevron in Richmond, CA during elections by musico - Diarist looks at where the money comes from in Richmond during election cycles, and how that works out for local/regional governance.
(CA-SupInstr.) K12NN Wire: Marshall Tuck run schools SAT scores remained flat, some even declined by rdsathene - Marshall Tuck seems to think he’s done a better job than he has.
(CA-SupInstr.) @ THE CHALK FACE: Banker Marshall Tuck put student lives at risk by terminating Health Education by rdsathene - Tom Torlakson, a teacher, would be a better leader than Marshall Tuck.
(CA-SupInstr.) Why I Support Tom Torlakson for California Schools by dcampbell - Diarist explains why the incumbent Superintendent of Public Education Tom Torlakson, is the best candidate in the race.
(CO-Gen) Colorado Station Busts Megyn Kelly for Outright Lyiing; FoxNews Offers No Correction by SemDem - Election's close, Fox has to run dishonest interference for the wing nuts. So Megyn Kelly decided to make stuff up - saying that fraud could be committed in Colorado because residents can print ballots from their home computers and turn them over to 'collectors'. That's a lie. Only active duty military serving overseas can do that, and they could do that before vote-by-mail was passed.
(CT-Gov) Connecticut - '14 Gov Race:Gop Candidate Tom Foley Paid 0% Tax-Rate for Past Three Years by marktheshark - Tom Foley (R) who is running for Governor in Connecticut against incumbent Democrat, Dan Malloy, is a very wealthy man but he paid no federal taxes in the years 2010-2012. He has not released his 2013 tax returns. Whether this will hurt him in this very close race remains to be seen.
(CT-Gov) Empty chair on stage at CT Governor's debate by TheC - Republican candidate Tom Foley backed out of a debate with Democratic incumbent Dan Malloy and unaffiliated candidate Joe Visconti. As a result, the debate started out with an empty third chair (later removed) and an explanation from moderator Gerry Brooks.
(DC-Initiative71) Legalizing Marijuana in Washington, DC by cabaretic - Initiative 71 will further legalize marijuana in DC. Doesn't go as far as Colorado, but it will help keep people out of jail. Legalizes grow your own, use and sale of paraphernalia, and possession of up to two ounces.
(FL-Gov) Photo Diary - A protest march to Rick Scotts beachside mansion by Pakalolo - About 200 people from Tallahassee all the way south to the Florida Keys marched from the Naples Pier to Governor Rick Scott's (R) beachfront home. The protesters want action many important issues.
(FL-Gov) I Want a Future ...Ad by my 9 year old by Vetwife - A precocious environmental activist creates a video ad opposing Rick Scott. The video is embedded in the diary.
(FL-Gov) Florida's Psychosis: Do You NOT Remember the Day When Rick Scott Showed He Was a Monster? by SemDem - A reminder of a few of the truly horrible things about Rick Scott, including those visited upon those least able to defend themselves (and those who help them.)
(FL-Gov) Rick Scott's Death Penalty... Just Another Annoying Law That Interferes With His Politicking by thinkingblue - The death penalty came up during the debate between Charlie Crist (D) and Rick Scott (R).
(FL-Gov) Charlie Crist 43%, Rick Scott 40%, According to St. Leo Univ. Poll by saintpetersblog - The Florida governor’s election between former Gov. Charlie Crist and incumbent Gov. Rick Scott is statistically tied, according to a new poll from the Saint Leo University Polling Institute.
(FL-Gov) Rick Scott doesn't believe in climate change by Armando - Gov. Rick Scott (R) seems unable to admit climate change is real, even when describing actions his administration has taken to adapt to it.
(FL-Gov) Rick Scott sends white supporters to harass black voters by SemDem - Rick Scott (R) supporters showed up at a Charlie Crist early voting rally in Ft. Lauderdale. At the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center. The ridiculous ensued.
(FL-Gen) SemDem's Florida Elections Endorsements by SemDem - SemDem endorses candidates and initiatives in the upcoming Florida elections.
(ID-Schools) Idaho Schools Chief Hopeful Sherri Ybarra's Trainwreck Campaign by The Book Bear - Diarist has info on Idaho's state superintendent of schools race between Jana Jones (D) and Sherri Ybarra (R).
(IL-Gov) IL-Gov: Plutocrat (The Ballad Of Bruce Rauner (R)) by poopdogcomedy - Diarist offers some fun campaign music making fun of Republican plutocrat Bruce Rauner, urges donations and GOTV efforts to help incumbent Governor Pat Quinn's campaign.
(KS-Gov) Kansas City Tea Party Organization Encourages Members to Consider the Libertarian over Brownback by tmservo433 - Kansas Governor Sam Brownback, who has faced a tough election cycle this year, ran into an unexpected sideswipe on Friday. FairTaxKC, a "Fairtax"/Tea Party organization, sent out their official endorsement letter, and it didn't include Brownback.
(KS-HD92) Kansas Republicans run Failed Financial Advisor in attempt to win House Seat by tmservo433 - In the race for Kansas House District 92, James Alessi, a financial advisor who has lived in Wichita for 5 years has been receiving a tax break on property he owns in Illinois that is available to Illinois residents only. His opponent is the incumbent, John Carmichael(D).
(KS-Var) Governor Brownback (KS) Meets in Wichita to Rally Against Gay Marriage by tmservo433 - Kansas Republicans have decided that running the anti-gay campaign works for them. It would be nice to send them a message that says, we aren't afraid to talk about this issue. Link to support Dems Liz Dickinson, running for the KS State House District 30 seat, Jim Sherow, nominee to represent the KS-01 and Paul Davis for governor at the end of the diary.
(LA-Gen) Louisiana Election Night Guide + County Benchmarks by Alibguy - What to expect from the Louisiana election and how to follow the results.
(MA-Gov) MA-Gov: Chris Christie (R. NJ) Blocks Release Of Pay-To-Play Probe Of Charlie Baker (R) by poopdogcomedy - Chris Christie has helped Massachusetts Governor candidate Charlie Baker (R) with millions of dollars. Now, Christie officials are blocking the release of the findings of New Jersey's pay-to-play investigation into Baker.
(MA-Gov) Clinton and Warren Attempt To Prop Up Another Sinking Coakley Campaign by Richard Lyon - If you thought Martha Coakley's campaign to fill Ted Kennedy's Senate seat was a disaster, her run for Massachusetts Governor against Charlie Baker (R) may beat it out on the disaster front.
(ME-Gov) LePage defends tax cuts for the wealthiest one percent. Dishonestly, of course. by Laura Clawson - False arguments based on fake info. So, what else is new?
(ME-Gov) After five Medicaid expansion vetoes, Maine Gov. LePage wants to 'find a way' to help uninsured by Joan McCarter - Pitch in to help Michael Michaud (D) defeat incumbent Gov. Paul LePage (R).
(ME-Gov) NPR's Morning Edition gives LePage a big wet one by rb608 - NPR landed a big wet kiss on incumbent Republican Governor LePage over Democratic challenger Mike Michaud.
(MI StHouse 98 & 107) As Above So Below: Tea Party Hate In Michigan by Hoi Polloi - Whether you live up north or down state in Michigan, one of the most interesting aspects of the 2014 election that barely anyone's talking about is the split in the Republican big tent. Diarist looks at this split by zeroing in on two state house districts in Michigan, the 98th and 107th.
(MI-Var) Michigan/Motor City Kossacks Weekly Open Thread: Local Candidate Promotion! by peregrine kate - A chance for Michigander Kossacks (Kosiganders?) to plug their favorite local candidates.
(MN-Gov) Republican Candidate For MN-Gov Has "No Clue" by Dbug - You'd think that if you are running to "stand up for the middle class", you think you'd have some handy-dandy sound bite as to how you define what the middle class is. But not if you're the Republican challenger to become governor of Minnesota. The silly season is here!
(MN-SoS) MN-SOS Dan Severson wrongly denies saying voters should stand in the cold for two hours by ericf - During Friday's Secretary of State debate, Republican candidate Dan Severson repeated his idea of an express lane for voters showing photo ID. DFL candidate Steve Simon pointed out that Severson said he was fine with making people without photo IDs wait in the cold for two hours to vote. Severson forgot that things like Youtube exist, so denied it.
(Navajo Nation-Pres) Navajo High Court Postpones Nov. Election. Orders Ballots without Candidate Deschene by manyamile - The Supreme Court of the Navajo Nation has ruled today that Christopher Deschene is disqualified as a candidate for president in the Nov. 4th runoff. Deschene finished second in the August primary, but two also-rans sought to have him barred on the basis of his fluency in the Navajo language.
(NC-HD98) Mojo Friday - NC House District 98 - Edition by TexDem - Update from Natasha Marcus (D) on numbers racked up in her efforts to get elected to Thom Tillis' vacated seat.
(NYC-Mayor) NYT Endorses Cuomo in Hope that He Will Do Things He Will Never, Ever Do by Liberty Equality Fraternity and Trees - As was inevitable, the New York Times editorial board finally endorsed Andrew Cuomo for re-election. The Times had sat out the primary. They endorsed Tim Wu, Zephyr Teachout's running mate, but refused to endorse Teachout. The endorsement contains both understatement and an impressive degree of self-delusion.
(NY-SD49) NY-SD-49 - State Sen. Hugh Farley: Fracking Opponents Are "Terrorists" (with video) by Upstate Blue - State Senator Hugh Farley (R - Schenectady County) has long maintained one of the most right-wing voting records in the New York State Legislature and has generally received poor scores from statewide advocacy groups supporting environmental protections. A video shows his disregard for the environment.
(OH-Gov) Kasich scandal developing? by jr6020 - This brief diary links a news story about some questionable practices by the incumbent Republican governor's campaign manager.
(OH-Gov) A Bombshell in the Ohio Governor's Race by anastasia p - Posted half an hour later, this is a substantive discussion of the same scandalous behavior by the incumbent Republican's campaign manager.
(OH-Gov) Kasich scandal developing? by jr6020 - A link to a story in "Plunderbund" about Ohio Gov John Kasich possibly illegally assessing state records of his opponent, Dem Ed Fitzgerald.
(OH-SecState) Nina Turner fights for voter rights in Ohio as 2016 looms by Shockwave - Ohio State Senator Nina Turner is running for Secretary of State against notorious Republican voting rights hater Jon Husted. She is in a dead heat with Husted. Here are the reasons why.
(OR-Measure90) Oregon's Measure 90 will Reduce Voter Choice - Visual Proof by conversations for connecting - The diarist Oregon's proposed Measure 90 to allow open primary / top 2 voting would result in the reduction of voter choice in general elections.
(OR-Measure90) Oregon Measure 90 Debate: Open Primary / Top 2 Voting by conversations4connecting - Links to pro and con websites for Oregon's Top 2 ballot measure.
(OR- Measure90) I voted yes on 90 BECAUSE of what happened in California after TOp 2 passed. by daeros - Diarist argues in favor of a "Top 2" runoff system in Oregon.
(OR-Measure91) Oregon ballot + "No on 91" Propaganda in today's mail by kbman - The author received his ballot in the mail along with a mailer from the opponents of legal marijuana. He debunks the allegations in the mailer.
(OR-Measure91) Marijuana Legalization in Oregon - Measure 91 Update by Mike Phoenix - Three things make this diarist optimistic that Measure 91 will pass: endorsements, polls, and the campaigns. Read about those here.
(PA-HD46) DA Reviewing Private Criminal Complaint Against GOP PA State House Candidate for Alleged Voter Fraud by jessewhite - A formal private criminal complaint was filed against a Republican state house candidate asking the Washington County DA to investigate whether Jason Oritay (R) knowingly and intentionally changed his voter registration to an address he never lived at in order to run for the General Assembly.
(TX-HD94) Too Crazy even for Texas by BurningFeet - Several prominent local Republicans endorse Cole Ballweg (D) for Texas State House District 94.
(WI-Gov) Scott Walker still trying to spin away exploding budget deficit by Jake formerly of the LP - A useful collection of fact-checking on Scott Walker's failed state budget.
(WI-Gov) Wisconsin Budget Balance Made to Look Larger by Delayed Transfer by WI Budget Project - In which we learn about some Scott Walker "creative accounting" to mask the severity of the Badger State's budget problems under his leadership.
(WI-Gov) RNC says Wisconsin voters are stupid ... then asks them to vote for Scott Walker by Joan McCarter - You can't make this stuff up: "I don't want to say anything about your Wisconsin voters but, some of them might not be as sharp as a knife." (Though one does sometimes wonder about voters who vote against their own interests.)
(WI-Gov) Milwaukee County to release Doe emails by Ole Texan - The day the diary was published, Milwaukee County will finally release a trove of Walker-related "John Doe" emails. No telling what will emerge!
(WI-Gov)Sorry Gov Walker, Wisconsin really is DEAD LAST for jobs under you by Jake formerly of the LP - Before next Tuesday’s election, look at all the ways Scott Walker messed up Wisconsin’s economy.
(WI-Gov) Wisconsin voters beware: Scott Walker's public and private words don't match up on key issues by Laura Clawson - Scott Walker (R) talks out of both sides of his mouth and doesn’t think anyone will find out. Mary Burke is our Dem. In this race.
(WI-Gov) Burke 49 Walker 48 Via Rasmussen by jesse061890 - Mary Burke (D) pulls ahead of Gov. Scott Walker (R) in polling conducted by Rasmussen, for the first time.
(WI-Gov) MORE COWBELL! Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's official, government-funded, campaign web site by Ron Legro - Diarist has a post up about how Scott Walker (R)uses his Government Website for his office as part of his campaign for re-election against Mary Burke (D).
(WI-Gov) Why Mary Burke Might Lose by bgm1969 - Diarist is disappointed that Mary Burke (D) didn't run the kind of campaign against Scott Walker that Dems should have run, emphasizing how bad Walker's policies have been for Wisconsin.
(WI-Var) Wisconsin election night county-by-county benchmarks for statewide races by DownstateDemocrat - County-by-county benchmarks for statewide candidates in Wisconsin, based on the results of the 2012 presidential election in Wisconsin.
(WI-StSen) 2014 Wisconsin Senate Races 2.0: October Ratings. by WisJohn - Handicapping this year's Wisconsin State Senate races.
General - 34
Getting That Polling Monkey Off Your Back. Turn That Frown Upside Down. by pollwatcher - That roller coaster ride of watching the polls swing back and forth from day to day can give your emotions a bad case of whiplash. So let's step out of the polling amusement park and take a look at the very nature of polling human beings.
An Open Letter to the ND Democratic Party/NPL by Fiddler On A Hot Tin Roof - Diarist is a very active North Dakota Democrat who has been a regular volunteer. This year he volunteered to help the campaigns of George Sinner for Congress and Ryan Taylor for Ag Commissioner, but neither campaign has contacted him. If this is how campaigns are being waged, nothing but a constant bombardment of e-mail requests for money, then you are probably better off ignoring us.
Celebrating the iron Woman of Canvassing in Massachusetts by bobvm - Kate Donaghue, Democratic canvasser extraordinaire, has knocked on over 25,000 doors during her canvassing career.
NC State Board Appeals Court Demand that they Open Voting Site on Appalachian State University Campus by derridog - The North Carolina State Board of Elections is appealing a ruling by the Superior Court to reinstate an early voting site on the campus of Appalachian State University in Boone, NC.
Fighting Back Against Voter ID Laws by ManhattenMan - The diarist makes his case for a national voter ID and gets a lot of pushback in the comments.
How the World Series could decide the 2014 elections-seriously by Jeff Singer - How political ads run during the World Series in CA and Kansas could effect key races for US Senate and House.
Early Voting in TX starts TODAY by StarbucksGirl51 - Notice on the day early voting in Texas began. Get out there and do your civic job, Texans!
The Republican Fear Of Cooties by barehl - Several Republicans have fears about Democratically supported health plans. And fans at debates.
Race Ratings 3.0: Two Weeks Out by jncca - The latest installment of the author's ratings for Senate, Governorships, and House races.
TX Early Voting Has Started! Plus Wendy Newspaper Endorsements and TexKos Weekend of Action Updates by Chrislove - Early voting in Texas has started. Be sure you bring your voter ID.
Can these 3 beat the GOP? by eltee - The author finds agreement with his Republican neighbors on three issues: Fracking, Alt-Fuel and Net neutrality. The Democrats should use these issues in their campaigns.
Democrat candidates look for Clinton help, not Obama by nicoleweddington - Bill Clinton is a sought-after boost to campaigns. Obama, not so much. Obama says that is fine, as long as Democratic candidates get elected.
Early Voting In Ga by Philly76 - One line diary about the author's voting experience.
In the Midterms GOP Operatives Have a $331 Million Advantage Over Dems by murphthesurf3 - Democrats this election have done a good job attracting a lot of big on the record public donors, but Republicans appear to have the big advantage when it comes to big secret donors. The diarist provides examples.
Act Blue Discriminates, and it's Wrong! by Teenvote - Actblue doesn’t allow people under 18 to donate and teenvote discusses why that’s wrong.
Update on Georgia lawsuit over voter registrations by distraught - Just how many registrations are missing?
Kitchen Table Kibitzing 10.22: Tales From the Battleground Texas Virtual Phone Banks by bastrop - I have been engaged in calling registered Democratic voters in my area through the Battleground Texas virtual phonebank, powered by the Texas Democratic Party's comprehensive Voter Activation Network (VAN). With links for Texans and Restuvusians to help elect Wendy Davis and other Texas Democrats.
PISS OFF THE GOP & VOTE! by noise of rain - A righteous call to action featuring the Overpass Light Brigade.
UPDATE: WE Won! Rev. William Barber excites our local activists by smiley7 - The Republican attempt to disenfranchise students by moving their precinct polling place off campus has been ruled unconstitutional.
Why you should phone bank to save the Senate by HarryWaisbren - Diarist has a post up encouraging you to join the phone bank team to save the Senate.
Voting Preference: It's All In Your Head by thefarleftside - Diarist offers a nice comic and urges voters to read the League of Women Voters voting guide before casting their ballots.
I'm SO disappointed in the democratic message for the mid terms! by StellaRay - Diarist expresses disappointment in Democratic candidates and the party for a weak, hollow message and seeming dismissal of what we should stand for.
Stampede to the Exit by Richard J Rosendall - As the election season winds down, voters are caught between scary movie and farce. The gloom and doom in fundraising pleas raises no hopes, and the scare-mongering inspires no one.
Democrats' Midterm Drop Off Voters: Let's Get Them To The Polls! by blugrlnrdst - Some excellent tips for getting our Democratic voters to the polls for this midterm election, even if we aren't door-knocking for candidates.
Early voting in NC by DWKING - Diarist reports on the early voting experience, what the people standing in line and socializing after voting were talking about. There's a lot of anger out there about the mess McCrory, Tillis and the Teabaggers have made.
The GOP Has A New Propaganda Vehicle by Dartagnan - The Yahoo "All Stories" news feed has been dominated lately with video ads from the right wing mouthpiece The Daily Caller. The ads are a continuous litany of GOP smear attacks on Democratic Senate and House candidates, presented as if they are a news feed.
If You Could Travel to Help One GOTV Effort... by kyle - ...which one would it be? Diarist has travel down, but can't make up his mind, asks for help.
Making a Difference on Election Day by SpamNunn - Diarist explains how even little things can make a big difference in GOTV efforts if everybody does their part.
Projection exclusing GOP pollsters: Dems can retain Senate, poised to gain Governorships by PALiberal1 - GOP pollsters with horrible track records and no-name firms that pop up to try and drive a narrative hurt the picture of how races are going. Yet despite these firms being discredited, aggregation sites continue to include them. Diarist does analysis and believes Dems have a real chance to hold the Senate and take some governorships.
A Beautiful North Carolina Day by NCJim - In the few counties reporting, the numbers of voters on the second day of early voting in NC matched or exceeded the surprisingly large number of early voters on the first day of early voting. The vast majority of these early voters are Democrats, and the number of AA voters is heartening. There is perfect weather all weekend, the canvassers will be out in force. Diarist gives the activity lowdown.
Florida Democrats Continue To Chip Away At GOP's Early Vote Lead by saintpetersblog - Democratic voters have been steadily chipping away at the traditional GOP early vote and absentee ballot lead. It's all about momentum, particularly compared with 2010 numbers when Rick Scott (R) won by a mere 61,000 votes.
Early Voting in North Carolina by unapologeticliberal777 - Diarist offers a link to a NC blogger with early voter information for all early voting sites in the state, plus daily stats on the incoming.
Sam Wang has Ds back up to 50% for holding Sen; Nate moves in right direction by Houses in Motion - Report that the Princeton Election Consortium has Dems back up to 50% for probability of holding the Senate, and Nate Silver's 538 follows suit in the right - er, left - direction.
AWESOME Day Pounding the Pavement to Defeat Thom Tillis! by ExpatGirl - Report from the trenches of North Carolina, where things kind of fell right into place. Read all about it!