I've been a little concerned lately because I think we're missing a lot of diaries about races that might actually generate more interest if they didn't disappear so fast. Even though I log on every day (yep, I'm an addict) I missed three diaries written by a candidate in a local house race that I'm very interested in.
Even Kos has acknowledged that the site isn't perfect (but it's home) and this is one of the drawbacks to the short recommend list. Even with the noble effort of SusanG and her rescue band it's a tough chore, sorting through the literally hundreds of diaries every day, and choosing which race diaries to rescue must be nearly impossible. More on this over the jump.
With that in mind, I have tried to compile a listing of election-related diaries that have recently been posted. Many of them are House races, but there are also some Senate and local ones, as well as the occasional 'general info' diary that I felt was worthy of including.
Please be aware that this is an inexact science. This is something that seems to be a need and, while I don't believe I'm the best person to tackle this, I'm willing to give it my best shot. Hopefully, if this catches on, I'd be very receptive to refining it with any suggestions or even handing it off to someone better suited to handle it.
That said, before I go any further, please note the following request:
If you are doing a diary on a specific race, particularly a House race, please, please, PLEASE, put the race number in the diary header. I can't tell you how much easier it makes it when sifting through hundreds of diaries, and it would be a shame to miss important ones.
Otherwise, I've tried to be pretty much comprehensive on diaries that cover races in any way. I don't vouch for quality and listing a diary here in no way is meant to connote my support (or lack thereof) for a given candidate. I will try to add a brief comment on the diary (if possible), and if anyone has any others that you feel should be added, please direct me to them in the comments and I'll add them if I think they're appropriate.
Once again, I'm extremely open to suggestion and (constructive) criticism. I'm hoping this morphs into a regular series - since so very few of these individual diaries make the rec list, I'd really appreciate it if this one diary could be recommended so folks can see them all (I'm sorry, I really hate to sound like a "reco beggar").
One more thing. On election day, I volunteered for Ned Lamont; it was the first political work I've done in my 43 years. As much as I do read many of them, I'm going to try to keep this a "CT-Sen-Free-Zone" (unless it impacts the other CT races). I'm also inclined to limit other races that I see as garnering enough attention in their own right.
So, here goes (Approx 12 Noon 8/21 to 5:30 AM EDT 8/22):
House
OH-18: Padgett: Life Just Ain't Fair by redenemy - (Rescued diary, Monday night) "Fiscally responsible" Republican candidate Joy Padgett files for bankruptcy.
MD - 04: Wynn Campaign Dirty Tricks Part 2: VIOLENCE by MTinMD - Donna Edwards (D) campaign worker allegedly assulted by Albert Wynn (R) campaign worker at college forum.
AZ-05 Must See: What's Wrong with Congress Video by loftydonkey - Very brief; link to video of Repub candidate's links to Abramoff.
BREAKING: TX-22 Wallace Drops Write-In Bid by MrSnarkyPants - Short diary; Repub mayor drops write-in bid for Delay's open seat.
NM-01: WashingtonWilsonWatch.com Launches by Patricia Madrid for Congress - Patricia Madrid (D) launches site tying Repub opponent to Bush.
(IN-06) I got your Netroots Candidate right here!!!! by Congressional Candidates Wife - Sherry Welsh, wife of "50-State Strategy"s Barry Welsh shows hubby some love.
(OH-02) Jean Schmidt Has Time for Your Dollars, but Not Your Questions? by Vic Wulsin - Victoria Wuslin (D) posts video on Mean Jean Schmidt's (R) reluctance to debate.
(TX-19) Ricketts Declares Neugebauer AWOL by Xpatriated Texan - Robert Ricketts (D) accuses Repub incumbent of failing to provide aid for district hit by drought.
(VT-AL) Peter Welch - New Television Ad by demfromvt - Brief diary; link to video of Dem candidate's new ad.
IN-8 (Sheriff Ellsworth vs. "Democrats hate Christians" Hostettler by DemocraticLuntz - Very detailed analysis of IN-08 and Sheriff Brad Ellsworth's (D) strong challenge against incumbent John Hostettler (R).
(NY-03) Peter King is Going Down by pontificator - (A personal favorite race) Dave Meijas (D) moving onto radar in race against incumbent Peter "we'll take care of the counting" King (R) on Long Island.
(NY-11) A View from the Fightin' 11th by Yero - Personal anecdote about Dem candidate Chris Owens and his Brooklyn district.
(CA-45) Top Comments with Top Candidate! by Buffalo Girl - (Recommended diary) Buffalo Girl goes to left coast to highlight David Roth (D) in top comment diary.
NH-02: BREAKING: Hodes in Dead Heat with Bass! by Republic Not Empire - Brief diary; poll shows Paul Hodes (D) in statistical dead heat with incumbent Charlie Bass (R)
CO-07 in dead heat. by CO Democrat - Brief diary; poll shows Ed Perlmutter (D) in statistical tie with Rick O'Donnell (R) for big open seat (however, SUSA poll appears to have oversampled Repubs).
(CA-11) Bush gives Pombo "The Squeeze" (w/ pics!): Can you make it the Kiss of Death? (CA-11) by McNerneyforCongress - (Recommended) Jerry McNerney (D) uses Richard Pombo's (R) own photo to show President's affection for California incumbent.
IL-19-John Shimkus - Talking the Talk but not Walking the Walk on Darfur by MBell0 - Diarist takes incumbent John Shimkus (R) to task for being "pro-life" but ignoring killing in Darfur. (Dem opponent Danny Stover is mentioned in the last sentence).
Senate
PA- Sen: Liberals rally around Casey! by jimmydean201 - Appeal to liberals to support Bob Casey, Jr. (D) over Green candidate in race against Rick Santorum (R).
NJ-Sen: Kean Family 'Ethics': A History of Shakedown Schemes by jmelli - A roundup of the ethical inconsistencies of Tom Kean, Jr. (R) in his tough race to unseat Robert Menendez (D).
VA-Sen: Webb Pulls Within Three Points of Allen by SusanG - (Front Paged - I've worked hard enough to violate my own rule here. Having recently visited relatives in Virginia this race has a new place in my heart.)
VT-SEN: Alleged Multimillion Dollar Fraud, Retaliation, and Whistle-Blowing by Odum - Detailed diary about possible charges against Repub Rich Tarrant as he vies for open seat against Bernie Sanders (I/D?)
TN-Sen: BREAKING/ EXCLUSIVE: Ford (D) Leads! by R o o k - (Recommended) Rasmussen poll shows Harold Ford, Jr. (D) with narrow lead over Bob Corker (R) in huge senate race.
(NY-Sen) Vote for Tasini, not Hillary by betty35 - Diarist makes a case for voting for Jonathan Tasini over Hillary Clinton in upcoming NY Dem primary.
Various
Help Support the Netroots Candidates by DavidNYC - If you care enough to read this diary and haven't already done so, get to DavidNYC's diary and support this project. Go. Now.
(MN-SoS) Meet Your Champion for Democracy by Fantastic - Passionate defense of Mark Ritchie (D) for Minnesota's next Secretary of State.
(NY-Var) National Journal rankings shows New York is the swing state by Steve WFP - (Rescued diary, Monday night) Journal ranks Big Apple with four competitve races as NY could be center of Blue Tide.
(CA-Var) Angelides, Bowen, McNerney and the grassroots angels by kid oakland - (Recommended) Daily Kos' own KO (not MSNBC's) shares thoughts on some California candidates and the Netroots' continuing role.
Part I of 2006 Competitive Congressional Races: Holds and Top Tier Pick-Ups by Mister Gloom - Brief, one-paragraph analysis of diarist's take on each of no less than 26 different house races, including CoH numbers for each.
(WI-State) Innovative Fundraising in Wisconsin by edgery - Innovative fundraising plan utilized by Wisconson State District 23 candidate Bill Elliot.
(PA-State) Help turn Pennsylvania Blue by Conshieguy - Democrat Ron Stoloff (D) makes a run to unseat Kate Harper (R) in PA's 61st house district.
(OR-State) ACTION ITEM: 5 Minutes Today Can Help Mike Win in November by Mike Caudle for State Rep - Deadline passed for action item, but you can still read about Mike Caudle's run for Oregon state house seat in District 39.
General
DC Area Events -- Lots Going On! by howardpark - If you're in the area (or even if you're not), check this out. Lots of stuff in and around DC, VA, MD, and many actionable items.