The December 2nd (I know, magazine's are fucked up over dates) issue of "The Advocate" sports a cover that declares Rachel Maddow the smartest person on TV. Well, she has been the smartest person on radio for years, so .... duh.
Congrats Rachel! You are one of my most beloved heros.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Presidential Election 2008 Redux #06
I love analyzing this sort of data.
The 6th state in this series is the land of the "hanging chads" from 2000. And like Ohio, Florida is a symbolic victory for the Democratic Party.
This win is rooted in a cornucopia of constituencies. The Hispanic hegemony of Hialeah and southeastern Dade and Broward counties, the Jewish vote in both that region and greater Tampa Bay area; the youth vote in university cities like Gainesville (University of Florida) and Tallahassee (Florida State University). And who's to say how significant the elder-American vote was given the fall of value in retirement plans due to the economic crisis?
The interesting coloration on the map to me is how deeply Republican the northern teir appears to be; but even there, there were notable trends. In both Pensacola and even more especially Jacksonville, the Democratic vote surpressed the Republican margin of victory to the point that the numbers in counties like Gadsden, Allachua, Flagler, Volusia and Monroe made a greater impact on the outcome.
The margin of victory of 2.5% percent or 204,577 votes might not seem all that significant, but by comparison, it's only 12,500 votes less than the ENTIRE voting population of Alaska, dontcha know.
The 6th state in this series is the land of the "hanging chads" from 2000. And like Ohio, Florida is a symbolic victory for the Democratic Party.
This win is rooted in a cornucopia of constituencies. The Hispanic hegemony of Hialeah and southeastern Dade and Broward counties, the Jewish vote in both that region and greater Tampa Bay area; the youth vote in university cities like Gainesville (University of Florida) and Tallahassee (Florida State University). And who's to say how significant the elder-American vote was given the fall of value in retirement plans due to the economic crisis?
The interesting coloration on the map to me is how deeply Republican the northern teir appears to be; but even there, there were notable trends. In both Pensacola and even more especially Jacksonville, the Democratic vote surpressed the Republican margin of victory to the point that the numbers in counties like Gadsden, Allachua, Flagler, Volusia and Monroe made a greater impact on the outcome.
The margin of victory of 2.5% percent or 204,577 votes might not seem all that significant, but by comparison, it's only 12,500 votes less than the ENTIRE voting population of Alaska, dontcha know.
Monday, November 10, 2008
God Just Might Have A Reason
....to Bless America.
I love this image and never thought I'd live to see it. At 47, I now cannot image what awaits my limited imagination into the future.
My parents lived from childhoods were automobiles were amazing contraptions to men walking on the moon. And I have lived to see the beauty and tenacity of the American dream reach a new height and more profound integrity.
America....land that I love.
I love this image and never thought I'd live to see it. At 47, I now cannot image what awaits my limited imagination into the future.
My parents lived from childhoods were automobiles were amazing contraptions to men walking on the moon. And I have lived to see the beauty and tenacity of the American dream reach a new height and more profound integrity.
America....land that I love.
Presidential Election 2008 Redux #05
State #5 in this strand is Indiana. The Democratic victory in the Hoosier state represents the longest single shot of the campaign. Virtually every county in the state voted more Democratic than it did in the previous election, even if only 15 of the 49 counties were majority Democratic.
Counties with large African American populations like Marion (Indianapolis), and Lake (Gary) continued their strong support for Democratic candidates. And the second area of noteable support came from counties with University's: Vigo (Terra Haute, Indiana State University), Tippecanoe (Lafayette, Perdue), and Monroe (Bloomington, Indiana University).
This win was actually foreshadowed by the 2004 election with the House delegation shifted from 7 Republicans and 2 Democrats to 5 Democrats and 4 Republicans. A margin that remained steady with this election. And in a final nod, Indiana becomes the second state to elect a Muslim to the House of Representatives, by electing André Carson the son of the late great congress woman, Julia Carson.
Counties with large African American populations like Marion (Indianapolis), and Lake (Gary) continued their strong support for Democratic candidates. And the second area of noteable support came from counties with University's: Vigo (Terra Haute, Indiana State University), Tippecanoe (Lafayette, Perdue), and Monroe (Bloomington, Indiana University).
This win was actually foreshadowed by the 2004 election with the House delegation shifted from 7 Republicans and 2 Democrats to 5 Democrats and 4 Republicans. A margin that remained steady with this election. And in a final nod, Indiana becomes the second state to elect a Muslim to the House of Representatives, by electing André Carson the son of the late great congress woman, Julia Carson.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
Today's Sermon #3
[One of the major perks to being an elementary school teacher is entering a building each day full of the most amazing works of art, by some of the most amazing artists in the world.]
I’M NOBODY! WHO ARE YOU?
I’m nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there’s a pair of us—don’t tell!
They’d banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
~ Emily Dickinson, 1830 - 1886
I’M NOBODY! WHO ARE YOU?
I’m nobody! Who are you?
Are you nobody, too?
Then there’s a pair of us—don’t tell!
They’d banish us, you know.
How dreary to be somebody!
How public, like a frog
To tell your name the livelong day
To an admiring bog!
~ Emily Dickinson, 1830 - 1886
Presidential Election 2008 Redux #04
My biggest regret about the outcome in the Centennial state is that my dearest cousin, J, didn't live to see this day. He died from the complications of Lou Gehrig's disease in mid-May of this year. J. embodied that mythical spirit of the Rockies, and I know doubt would have delighted from his pithy and to-the-point insights. J., RIP.
In spite of a last minute rally in Colorado, McCain lost this state. And here's one of the reasons why: Early Voting. You can fly in at the last minute to rally the troops, but if 35% of your potential troops have already cast their votes, your rally's only 2/3's as potential effective as it otherwise might have been. Coloradoans are not only one among 22 states with this option; they took full advantage of it this time around.
When Obama's last set of rally's in the state (Denver & Colorado Springs) brought out nearly 200,000 people, while the next day, McCain could scarcely scare up 3,000 in Denver; I knew the dye was cast in this rocky mountain paradise.
Yet the map shows some really interesting and dramatic results. It's sort of like a squishy sandwich with the Dems in the middle. 10 counties (the most sparsely populated in the state) went for McCain to the tune of 70% or more, and 5 supported Obama at the same rate.
The ten Republican strongholds are among the most isolated in the state. In fact, the eastern block is split in both the northern most reach and in the south and in both instances, major interstates run through the neighboring counties where the margin of victory is lessened. I won't try to over analyze this, but it would seem that contact with the outside world of a human nature (everyone has access to the world via TV) makes some difference.
The Democratic strongholds include the cities of Denver, Bolder, Aspen, and Telluride. Costilla County is the only one who's extreme results lack an urban nexus. And perhaps that's the last word on Colorado: Hispanic turnout and their near 80% Democratic support. Si Se Puedemos! And, “Yes, We DID”.
In spite of a last minute rally in Colorado, McCain lost this state. And here's one of the reasons why: Early Voting. You can fly in at the last minute to rally the troops, but if 35% of your potential troops have already cast their votes, your rally's only 2/3's as potential effective as it otherwise might have been. Coloradoans are not only one among 22 states with this option; they took full advantage of it this time around.
When Obama's last set of rally's in the state (Denver & Colorado Springs) brought out nearly 200,000 people, while the next day, McCain could scarcely scare up 3,000 in Denver; I knew the dye was cast in this rocky mountain paradise.
Yet the map shows some really interesting and dramatic results. It's sort of like a squishy sandwich with the Dems in the middle. 10 counties (the most sparsely populated in the state) went for McCain to the tune of 70% or more, and 5 supported Obama at the same rate.
The ten Republican strongholds are among the most isolated in the state. In fact, the eastern block is split in both the northern most reach and in the south and in both instances, major interstates run through the neighboring counties where the margin of victory is lessened. I won't try to over analyze this, but it would seem that contact with the outside world of a human nature (everyone has access to the world via TV) makes some difference.
The Democratic strongholds include the cities of Denver, Bolder, Aspen, and Telluride. Costilla County is the only one who's extreme results lack an urban nexus. And perhaps that's the last word on Colorado: Hispanic turnout and their near 80% Democratic support. Si Se Puedemos! And, “Yes, We DID”.
Saturday, November 08, 2008
The DIFFERENCE....The Real Difference
The world is so excited, energized, and even epileptic about the election of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States, and I'm thrilled by each and every expression of emotion.
Russia and Iran have acted like frightened children, China and North Korea, like hopeful suitors. And in other places, the reactions have been down right idiosyncratic.
IRELAND: Obama has a village and a song
“Tiny Irish Village Is Latest Place To Claim Obama As Its Own”
Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, Democratic candidate for president, is the talk of this village because recently unearthed records indicate that he is a son of Moneygall.
Stephen Neill, a local Anglican rector, said church documents he has found, along with census, immigration and other records tracked down by U.S. genealogists, appear to show that Obama's great-great-great-grandfather, Fulmuth Kearney, was reared in Moneygall, then left for America in 1850, when he was 19.
So inspite of the fact that there is no apostrophe in Obama, as in O'Leary or O'Hara, this small village in Ireland claims the president-elect is a descendant.
Moneygall is a town of 300 on the road between Dublin and Limerick, and because Barack Obama's great, great, great grandfather was born there, hopes for an onslaught of American tourism.
During the campaign, Obama did tell an Irish interviewer that he looked forward to going there and having a pint. There are two pubs in Moneygall, as opposed to the two per address they have in Chicago.
A welcome song has already been written: "O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara, there's no one as Irish as Barack Obama."
KENYA: Obama get a national holiday!
“Kenya Has Declared Thursday A Public Holiday To Celebrate The Election Of Barack Obama To The US Presidency”
Mr Obama's father was from Kenya and his victory has prompted jubilation across the country.
"We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots," President Mwai Kibaki said.
ANTIGUA: Obama gets a Mountain
“Antigua Wants To Rename Highest Peak 'Mount Obama'”
Antigua's prime minister wants to rename the island's highest mountain peak "Mount Obama" in honor of the U.S. president-elect.
"Boggy Peak," as it is currently known, soars more than 1,300 feet (396 meters) over the island's southern point and serves as a transmission site for broadcast and telecommunication providers. It also is a popular hiking spot.
Political analyst Avel Grant says the name change could draw more tourists to the island.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer announced the plans Wednesday in a congratulatory letter to President-elect Obama.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And out-going President Bush can't even get a book deal.....
Russia and Iran have acted like frightened children, China and North Korea, like hopeful suitors. And in other places, the reactions have been down right idiosyncratic.
IRELAND: Obama has a village and a song
“Tiny Irish Village Is Latest Place To Claim Obama As Its Own”
Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, Democratic candidate for president, is the talk of this village because recently unearthed records indicate that he is a son of Moneygall.
Stephen Neill, a local Anglican rector, said church documents he has found, along with census, immigration and other records tracked down by U.S. genealogists, appear to show that Obama's great-great-great-grandfather, Fulmuth Kearney, was reared in Moneygall, then left for America in 1850, when he was 19.
So inspite of the fact that there is no apostrophe in Obama, as in O'Leary or O'Hara, this small village in Ireland claims the president-elect is a descendant.
Moneygall is a town of 300 on the road between Dublin and Limerick, and because Barack Obama's great, great, great grandfather was born there, hopes for an onslaught of American tourism.
During the campaign, Obama did tell an Irish interviewer that he looked forward to going there and having a pint. There are two pubs in Moneygall, as opposed to the two per address they have in Chicago.
A welcome song has already been written: "O'Leary, O'Reilly, O'Hare and O'Hara, there's no one as Irish as Barack Obama."
KENYA: Obama get a national holiday!
“Kenya Has Declared Thursday A Public Holiday To Celebrate The Election Of Barack Obama To The US Presidency”
Mr Obama's father was from Kenya and his victory has prompted jubilation across the country.
"We the Kenyan people are immensely proud of your Kenyan roots," President Mwai Kibaki said.
ANTIGUA: Obama gets a Mountain
“Antigua Wants To Rename Highest Peak 'Mount Obama'”
Antigua's prime minister wants to rename the island's highest mountain peak "Mount Obama" in honor of the U.S. president-elect.
"Boggy Peak," as it is currently known, soars more than 1,300 feet (396 meters) over the island's southern point and serves as a transmission site for broadcast and telecommunication providers. It also is a popular hiking spot.
Political analyst Avel Grant says the name change could draw more tourists to the island.
Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer announced the plans Wednesday in a congratulatory letter to President-elect Obama.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And out-going President Bush can't even get a book deal.....
Presidential Election 2008 Redux #03
The Bluing of Ol' Virginny, is a tale that began in earnest two years ago with the election of a Democratic governor (Tim Kane) replacing a democratic governor (Mark Warner), and the election of a strong, centrist Democratic Senator (Jim Webb) to replace a religious conservative (and self-exposed racist) senator (George Allen).
This time it moves into a higher gear with the resounding defeat of another Republican religious conservative and former governor (Jim Gilmore) in favor of freshman senator Mark Warner. Senator elect Warner won with margins usually reserved for popular incumbents.
In this atmosphere, enter the campaign machine of Barack Obama. Much speculation was given to the loyalties and leanings of various constituencies in this election; none, perhaps, more so than the military. And one thing is absolutely for certain, Virginia is a military state. Home to the largest military port on the Atlantic Ocean as well as the U. S. Marine headquarters in Quantico. Areas of the state with concentrated military populations voted overwhelming for Obama.
Add to this a solid Democratic majority in the suburban Washington, D.C. northeastern portion of the state, and you've only one other major population center in Virginia to dominate: the capital, Richmond. Obama took Richmond by 79.2% and the sister city of Petersburg by 88.6%!
Finally, looking at the map you see a lot of red, especially in the west and southwestern regions of the state. But appearances are deceiving. Virginia, unlike any other state in the union, shares local jurisdiction between a system of county and city governments. They operate as separate entities, with the cities often representing the lion share of the population within the county area. There are approximately 35 city jurisdictions, and Obama captured victories in 80% of these population centers. A sampling includes:
Harrisonburg with 57.5%
Danville with 59.2%, and
Roanoke with 61.2 %
These victories are in no small part the result of a great ground game to get out the vote, and in cases like Harrisonburg, the home of James Madison University, a strong youth vote.
In the Old Dominion state, everything came together to deliver to the Democrats a state that has not gone Democratic in a presidential election since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
In a final thought about this year in Virginia, the delegation to the House of Representatives has also seen quite an amazing shift to majority Democratic. The Democrats picked up 3 seats (one open and two by defeating incumbents). The shift means that instead of 8 Republicans and 3 Democrats; there will be 6 Democrats with 5 Republicans. And neither of the defeated Republicans was on anyone's shortlist as being vulnerable.
This time it moves into a higher gear with the resounding defeat of another Republican religious conservative and former governor (Jim Gilmore) in favor of freshman senator Mark Warner. Senator elect Warner won with margins usually reserved for popular incumbents.
In this atmosphere, enter the campaign machine of Barack Obama. Much speculation was given to the loyalties and leanings of various constituencies in this election; none, perhaps, more so than the military. And one thing is absolutely for certain, Virginia is a military state. Home to the largest military port on the Atlantic Ocean as well as the U. S. Marine headquarters in Quantico. Areas of the state with concentrated military populations voted overwhelming for Obama.
Add to this a solid Democratic majority in the suburban Washington, D.C. northeastern portion of the state, and you've only one other major population center in Virginia to dominate: the capital, Richmond. Obama took Richmond by 79.2% and the sister city of Petersburg by 88.6%!
Finally, looking at the map you see a lot of red, especially in the west and southwestern regions of the state. But appearances are deceiving. Virginia, unlike any other state in the union, shares local jurisdiction between a system of county and city governments. They operate as separate entities, with the cities often representing the lion share of the population within the county area. There are approximately 35 city jurisdictions, and Obama captured victories in 80% of these population centers. A sampling includes:
Harrisonburg with 57.5%
Danville with 59.2%, and
Roanoke with 61.2 %
These victories are in no small part the result of a great ground game to get out the vote, and in cases like Harrisonburg, the home of James Madison University, a strong youth vote.
In the Old Dominion state, everything came together to deliver to the Democrats a state that has not gone Democratic in a presidential election since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.
In a final thought about this year in Virginia, the delegation to the House of Representatives has also seen quite an amazing shift to majority Democratic. The Democrats picked up 3 seats (one open and two by defeating incumbents). The shift means that instead of 8 Republicans and 3 Democrats; there will be 6 Democrats with 5 Republicans. And neither of the defeated Republicans was on anyone's shortlist as being vulnerable.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Presidential Election 2008 Redux #02
State #2 in this series of commentaries is New Mexico.
For the past 6 weeks prior to Tuesday's election it tracked for the Democrats, and the Democrats cautiously wanted to believe the polls. In 2000, the Democrats captured the state's 5 Electoral votes with a margin of victory in the popular election of 366 votes. In 2004, Bush prevailed in the state.
Trends being what they are, the question of New Mexico's political heart was in question. Add to that a growing Hispanic minority, a neglected Native American constituency, and a younger voting age populace; and the state seemed a true battleground -- not simply for the candidates, but for the ideological future of this nation.
In the days leading up to the election, leading pollsters presented the following results:
Albuquerque Journal - 45% for Obama, 40% for McCain, 15% undecided
Rasmussen - 54% for Obama, 44% for McCain, 2% undecided
Survey USA - 52% for Obama, 45% for McCain, 3% undecided
RealClearPolls.Com called it 50% for Obama and 43% for McCain, with 7% of the electorate undecided.
The average spread in these polls was 7.3% in Obama's favor; the actual results were 57% for Obama to 42% for McCain; or a more nuanced spread of 15.1%. A difference that is over twice as large as what polls were showing.
A closer analysis shows a very strong Obama turn out from Hispanics in the "Land of Enchantment". This trending toward the Democrats was even more powerfully expressed in the Congressional races. New Mexico enjoys the standard compliment of 2 Senators with 3 House members. Before November 4th the break down was 60% Republican/40% Democratic. After this election, New Mexico's is 100% Democratic! It joins the ranks of Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island with this distinction.
It would seem New Mexico's fledgling flirtation with the GOP has come to a speedy and decisive halt.
For the past 6 weeks prior to Tuesday's election it tracked for the Democrats, and the Democrats cautiously wanted to believe the polls. In 2000, the Democrats captured the state's 5 Electoral votes with a margin of victory in the popular election of 366 votes. In 2004, Bush prevailed in the state.
Trends being what they are, the question of New Mexico's political heart was in question. Add to that a growing Hispanic minority, a neglected Native American constituency, and a younger voting age populace; and the state seemed a true battleground -- not simply for the candidates, but for the ideological future of this nation.
In the days leading up to the election, leading pollsters presented the following results:
Albuquerque Journal - 45% for Obama, 40% for McCain, 15% undecided
Rasmussen - 54% for Obama, 44% for McCain, 2% undecided
Survey USA - 52% for Obama, 45% for McCain, 3% undecided
RealClearPolls.Com called it 50% for Obama and 43% for McCain, with 7% of the electorate undecided.
The average spread in these polls was 7.3% in Obama's favor; the actual results were 57% for Obama to 42% for McCain; or a more nuanced spread of 15.1%. A difference that is over twice as large as what polls were showing.
A closer analysis shows a very strong Obama turn out from Hispanics in the "Land of Enchantment". This trending toward the Democrats was even more powerfully expressed in the Congressional races. New Mexico enjoys the standard compliment of 2 Senators with 3 House members. Before November 4th the break down was 60% Republican/40% Democratic. After this election, New Mexico's is 100% Democratic! It joins the ranks of Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island with this distinction.
It would seem New Mexico's fledgling flirtation with the GOP has come to a speedy and decisive halt.
Unholy Alliance
Aha! Proof, at long last!
I returned home from work this evening to discover yet again a deer in my backyard casually dining. But this time she was not alone.
This time Mr. Cat, a neighbor's free roaming pet, was sitting there just staring at the deer. For her part, the deer seemed to be completely aware of the cat and just as non-plussed by the company.
Who knows what nefarious plot they were hatching? They remained in each others company for a good 20 minutes.
I returned home from work this evening to discover yet again a deer in my backyard casually dining. But this time she was not alone.
This time Mr. Cat, a neighbor's free roaming pet, was sitting there just staring at the deer. For her part, the deer seemed to be completely aware of the cat and just as non-plussed by the company.
Who knows what nefarious plot they were hatching? They remained in each others company for a good 20 minutes.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
What I'm Listening To #42
John Legend's latest CD is utterly addictive.
It transitions through a range of styles and a host of collaborators (including Kanye West & Brandy).
And "If Your Out There" is THE anthem of this generation (Nexters) -- we generation Xers/borderline boomers would do well to catch the groove!
It transitions through a range of styles and a host of collaborators (including Kanye West & Brandy).
And "If Your Out There" is THE anthem of this generation (Nexters) -- we generation Xers/borderline boomers would do well to catch the groove!
Presidential Election 2008 Redux #01
It was supremely ironic, that the state which signaled that the election was OVER, and we had somehow found the courage to elect Barack Obama as our 44th President, was Ohio! That was so lovely. And so where to start?
The landscape in the Buckeye state politically speaking was very different from 2004 in perhaps the most important office regarding elections. Instead of Attorney General Ken Blackwell who was the chair of the Bush re-election campaign in the state and who's deeply twisted and hypocritical religious values contorted his ability to possess even a smidgen of integrity, we have Attorney General Nancy H. Rogers. AG Rogers acted quickly and decisively to oppose Republican efforts to deny legitimate citizens of Ohio the right to vote. And the courts agreed with her position.
You can add to that an economic situation in this nation that has hit the lives of the working class in Ohio as hard as anywhere in this country. And I'd like to think that even the embarrassment of the opportinistic lieing sack of shit known as "Joe the Plumber" may have swayed a few reluctant undecideds to vote against the Republican ticket and their cynical, equally opportunistic tactics.
On the positive side, Obama's grassroots efforts on college campuses and effort to energize the "youth" vote clearly paid dividends in at least one Ohio county, Athens, the home of Ohio University and a southeastern county that voted for Obama to the tune of 66.5% over McCain.
Other notable trends included how resoundingly urban the support for Obama was. And in particular the strong support in Cincinnati. A support that gave Incumbent Republican representative Steve Chabot the boot in favor of Democratic challenger, Steve Dreihaus.
As good as the day was for Democrats in Ohio, it was not perfect. Two house seats remained in Republican hands that I personally supported change in. In her second attempt to unseat radically conservative wacko Jean Schmidt, Dr. Victoria Wulsin came up short. In the 15th district, bordering the western suburbs of Columbus, Mary Jo Kilroy, a long assumed successor to Deborah Price (who actually sited Kilroy's support in the district as a reason for not seeking re-election to a 10th term) ended the night 321 votes behind her Repulican challenger Steve Stivers. The ultimate end of this race may depend on a recount and provisional ballots, but from early on, this race was never suppose to be so close.
The landscape in the Buckeye state politically speaking was very different from 2004 in perhaps the most important office regarding elections. Instead of Attorney General Ken Blackwell who was the chair of the Bush re-election campaign in the state and who's deeply twisted and hypocritical religious values contorted his ability to possess even a smidgen of integrity, we have Attorney General Nancy H. Rogers. AG Rogers acted quickly and decisively to oppose Republican efforts to deny legitimate citizens of Ohio the right to vote. And the courts agreed with her position.
You can add to that an economic situation in this nation that has hit the lives of the working class in Ohio as hard as anywhere in this country. And I'd like to think that even the embarrassment of the opportinistic lieing sack of shit known as "Joe the Plumber" may have swayed a few reluctant undecideds to vote against the Republican ticket and their cynical, equally opportunistic tactics.
On the positive side, Obama's grassroots efforts on college campuses and effort to energize the "youth" vote clearly paid dividends in at least one Ohio county, Athens, the home of Ohio University and a southeastern county that voted for Obama to the tune of 66.5% over McCain.
Other notable trends included how resoundingly urban the support for Obama was. And in particular the strong support in Cincinnati. A support that gave Incumbent Republican representative Steve Chabot the boot in favor of Democratic challenger, Steve Dreihaus.
As good as the day was for Democrats in Ohio, it was not perfect. Two house seats remained in Republican hands that I personally supported change in. In her second attempt to unseat radically conservative wacko Jean Schmidt, Dr. Victoria Wulsin came up short. In the 15th district, bordering the western suburbs of Columbus, Mary Jo Kilroy, a long assumed successor to Deborah Price (who actually sited Kilroy's support in the district as a reason for not seeking re-election to a 10th term) ended the night 321 votes behind her Repulican challenger Steve Stivers. The ultimate end of this race may depend on a recount and provisional ballots, but from early on, this race was never suppose to be so close.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
What I'm Watching #172
"True Love" is a collection of short films tied together by their writer/director, Michael J. Saul. The themes run a range of topics that stab at various aspects of Gay male life. The actors worked for free, though most of them know how to act. The vinettes fail, by and large, to engage the viewer; they are more like a film student's final project than theatrical videos.
Not worth extending too much effort to see.
Not worth extending too much effort to see.
The Day Of Reckoning
The pollsters' final words before We The People have our say. The average gives Obama 345 Electoral College Votes to McCain's 193.
The states that wink on and off blue and red among the 8 polls listed here include: Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio. With all the talk of swing states and toss-ip states, it's perhaps surprising that only 5 find swing status in these final polls. Also interesting is their frequency of being on one candidate's side versus the other:
Florida ~ 7 times for Obama, 1 time for McCain
Ohio ~ 7 times for Obama, 1 time for McCain
Missouri ~ 4 times for Obama, 4 times for McCain
North Carolina ~ 3 times for Obama, 5 times for McCain
Indiana ~ 1 time for Obama, 7 times for McCain
So get out and VOTE, if you already haven't.
The states that wink on and off blue and red among the 8 polls listed here include: Florida, Indiana, Missouri, North Carolina, and Ohio. With all the talk of swing states and toss-ip states, it's perhaps surprising that only 5 find swing status in these final polls. Also interesting is their frequency of being on one candidate's side versus the other:
Florida ~ 7 times for Obama, 1 time for McCain
Ohio ~ 7 times for Obama, 1 time for McCain
Missouri ~ 4 times for Obama, 4 times for McCain
North Carolina ~ 3 times for Obama, 5 times for McCain
Indiana ~ 1 time for Obama, 7 times for McCain
So get out and VOTE, if you already haven't.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Sunday Newspaper Round-Up
Snippets from various newspaper around the country on Sunday, two days before this historic election.
Arizona Republic News [ARIZONA]
“Two days before the election, John McCain is behind in every national poll and in polls in nearly every swing state. Barring an unforeseen incident or a well-hidden trove of voters in key states across the country, the Republican Arizona senator appears headed for defeat.”
Denver Post [COLORADO]
“Democrat Barack Obama has solidified his base and picked up a majority of unaffiliated voters in Colorado, giving him a 5 percentage point lead over Republican John McCain, according to a new Denver Post poll.”
Orlando Sentinel [FLORIDA]
“With 48 hours until Election Day and candidates swarming the state like mosquitoes, a new Orlando Sentinel poll suggests that the race for president in Florida remains too close to call.”
Evansville Courier & Press [INDIANA]
“Harold Greenwell feels as if he is shouting and no one can hear him. "People are so easy to forget Sept. 11, 2001," Greenwell said, frustration creeping into his voice. "I know the economy is the issue right now, but if we're attacked by the terrorists again, money will be the least of your worries." The Greenwells believe John McCain understands the nature of the terrorist threat.”
Des Moines Register [IOWA]
“Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has strengthened his advantage in The Des Moines Register's Iowa Poll, establishing a commanding lead over Republican John McCain heading into Tuesday's election.”
New Orleans Times Picayune [LOUISIANA]
“Counting down to Election Day, Barack Obama appears within reach of becoming the nation's first black president as the epic campaign draws to a close against a backdrop of economic crisis and lingering war.”
Baltimore Sun [MARYLAND]
“With polls showing Barack Obama ahead in the final hours of the '08 contest, John McCain faces daunting odds if he is to pull off what his own camp says would be an historic comeback.”
Columbia Tribune [MISSOURI]
“There is an issue of intensity versus numbers here,” said George Connor, a political science professor at Missouri State University. “It’s not about convincing undecided voters. I can’t imagine there are too many people still undecided. It’s about turning out the base.”
Manchester Union Leader [NEW HAMPSHIRE]
“If you believe recent election polls, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is ahead in New Hampshire by 25 ... by 18 ... by 11 ... by 5 ...by 4.
“Or maybe not at all -- if you factor in the margin of error.”
Clovis News Journal [NEW MEXICO]
“The CNJ polled 20 fifth-graders at James Bickley Elementary School on the presidential election.
• 5 voted for John McCain
• 15 voted for Barack Obama”
Raleigh The News & Observer [NORTH CAROLINA]
“The Democrats campaign is culminating in an anormous door-by-door effort. North Carolina is one of its key targets.”
“The results are already showing a lopsided turnout by Democrats... The scale of the operation had left even some Republicans impressed.”
Columbus Dispatch [OHIO]
“The final Dispatch Poll shows the Illinois Democrat with a 6-point lead in Ohio, virtually identical to the 7-point advantage he held a month ago.”
Portland Tribune [OREGON]
“A new Portland Tribune/Fox 12 poll suggests Oregon voters will hand Democrat Barack Obama the state’s largest victory margin of any presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson’s 1964 landslide over Barry Goldwater.”
Arizona Republic News [ARIZONA]
“Two days before the election, John McCain is behind in every national poll and in polls in nearly every swing state. Barring an unforeseen incident or a well-hidden trove of voters in key states across the country, the Republican Arizona senator appears headed for defeat.”
Denver Post [COLORADO]
“Democrat Barack Obama has solidified his base and picked up a majority of unaffiliated voters in Colorado, giving him a 5 percentage point lead over Republican John McCain, according to a new Denver Post poll.”
Orlando Sentinel [FLORIDA]
“With 48 hours until Election Day and candidates swarming the state like mosquitoes, a new Orlando Sentinel poll suggests that the race for president in Florida remains too close to call.”
Evansville Courier & Press [INDIANA]
“Harold Greenwell feels as if he is shouting and no one can hear him. "People are so easy to forget Sept. 11, 2001," Greenwell said, frustration creeping into his voice. "I know the economy is the issue right now, but if we're attacked by the terrorists again, money will be the least of your worries." The Greenwells believe John McCain understands the nature of the terrorist threat.”
Des Moines Register [IOWA]
“Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama has strengthened his advantage in The Des Moines Register's Iowa Poll, establishing a commanding lead over Republican John McCain heading into Tuesday's election.”
New Orleans Times Picayune [LOUISIANA]
“Counting down to Election Day, Barack Obama appears within reach of becoming the nation's first black president as the epic campaign draws to a close against a backdrop of economic crisis and lingering war.”
Baltimore Sun [MARYLAND]
“With polls showing Barack Obama ahead in the final hours of the '08 contest, John McCain faces daunting odds if he is to pull off what his own camp says would be an historic comeback.”
Columbia Tribune [MISSOURI]
“There is an issue of intensity versus numbers here,” said George Connor, a political science professor at Missouri State University. “It’s not about convincing undecided voters. I can’t imagine there are too many people still undecided. It’s about turning out the base.”
Manchester Union Leader [NEW HAMPSHIRE]
“If you believe recent election polls, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama is ahead in New Hampshire by 25 ... by 18 ... by 11 ... by 5 ...by 4.
“Or maybe not at all -- if you factor in the margin of error.”
Clovis News Journal [NEW MEXICO]
“The CNJ polled 20 fifth-graders at James Bickley Elementary School on the presidential election.
• 5 voted for John McCain
• 15 voted for Barack Obama”
Raleigh The News & Observer [NORTH CAROLINA]
“The Democrats campaign is culminating in an anormous door-by-door effort. North Carolina is one of its key targets.”
“The results are already showing a lopsided turnout by Democrats... The scale of the operation had left even some Republicans impressed.”
Columbus Dispatch [OHIO]
“The final Dispatch Poll shows the Illinois Democrat with a 6-point lead in Ohio, virtually identical to the 7-point advantage he held a month ago.”
Portland Tribune [OREGON]
“A new Portland Tribune/Fox 12 poll suggests Oregon voters will hand Democrat Barack Obama the state’s largest victory margin of any presidential candidate since Lyndon Johnson’s 1964 landslide over Barry Goldwater.”
Saturday, November 01, 2008
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