|
Another fucking election
An election day is coming up, so I figured we ought to have a thread about it.
Virginia Governor: Easy R Pick-up
McDonnell (R) is trouncing Deeds (D), who he has previously defeated in a statewide election (Attorney General). The Washington Post pulled out all the stops on behalf of Deeds in this race, at one point penning 12 hit pieces in 11 days, but it hasn't mattered. The White House has already preemptively thrown Deeds under the bus, blaming his impending loss on not using them enough. Ha!
New Jersey Governor: Toss Up
Corzine's (D) favorables are bad news for an incumbent, but the race is complicated by a third party candidate in Daggett (I). Christie (R) has been outspent by Corzine, a former Goldman Sachs Chairman who pretty much bought the seat in the first place, by a factor of 3 to 1. Nevertheless, polls have the race as a dead-heat.
Of note in the race has been some Corzine digs at Christie's weight, which prompted Christie to say that he is gonna be a "big, fat winner."
New York District 23: Likely Conservative Pick-up (he'll caucus with Republicans, so also an R Hold)
Most recent polls have this three-way race down to Democrat Bill Owens and Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman. Republican Dede Scozzafava, a card-check and stimulus supporting liberal endorsed by DailyKOS, was appointed the Republican candidate by the local party bigwigs. There was no primary for this special election.
After running a terrible campaign (which at one point included an odd episode where the cops were called on a conservative reporter for asking her questions), and numerous prominent conservative Republicans endorsed Hoffman, recent polls have shown her falling fast. With campaign funds completely dried up, she finally threw in the towel this morning. Expect Hoffman to pick up most of her supporters.
Ballot Initiatives*
Six** states will have state-wide ballot initiatives up for vote on November 3rd. Some of the more interesting ones include:
Maine Question 1: A "People's Veto" attempt to repeal an act which authorized same-sex marriage in Maine.
Maine Question 4: A TAxpayer Bill Of Rights (TABOR) initiative, question 4 would require taxpayer approval of taxing and spending efforts above a certain threshold (tied to inflation and population growth). The last TABOR attempt in Maine failed to pass.
Maine Question 5: Would allow for legal medical marijuana, and a regulated system of distribution.
Texas Proposition 11: Will prevent government, via constitutional amendment, from acquiring land for non-public use (Eminent Domain abuse).
Washington Referendum 71: A veto referendum that seeks to overturn SB 5688, a state domestic partnership law which granted all marriage rights to domestic partners.
*I take no position on these measures; rather, I just found them of significance.
**Correction: Six, and not seven, states will have ballots up on Nov. 3rd. The seventh with ballots this year, California, has already voted.
Last edited by Grst : 10-31-2009 at 07:06 PM.
|
10-31-2009, 11:37 AM
Linear Mode
