There is an awesome, wacky poll below the fold. It makes me think that Jim Esch, the Democrat in the NE-02, is going to win.
If we can win here, we can win anywhere. A victory in the NE-02, just like a victory in NE-03, or CO-04 or CO-05, or OH-02, or several other districts, would be a final, or near-final, nail in the coffin of the arguments against the 50 State Strategy.
There is a palable excitement on the ground in the NE-02. Let me show you why:
I have been canvassing like crazy for this race. Over the last week, I have been at mostly Likely Voting Republican houses, figuring that if they are going to go out and vote anyway, they might as well vote for Jim. So, to get a feel for how
they feel about Jim, I asked how they planned on voting in the Congressional Election. The results are stunning:
NEBRASKA (2nd CD)
DMOmaha Canvassing. 10/24-11/1. Likely REPUBLICAN voters. Sample size 452. MoE Probably Really Fucking High. (No trend lines)
Terry (R) 49
Esch (D) 46
I know this isn't scientific. I know that maybe these Esch voters are only Esch voters because I came to their doors. I know all of that.
I also know, depending on Dem turnout and the way the indies break, that we need somewhere between 8.5% and 12.5% of the Republican vote. So even if I am off by THIRTY POINTS, that is STILL enough for a win.
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We are competing everywhere, because there are good, honest, progressive men and women who want to be leaders everywhere. This is not merely a democratic ideal, but an American ideal, a human ideal.
If you live in Omaha, or Lincoln, or Colorado Springs, or anywhere in CT, or Ohio, or Florida, or any other state that our esteemed national party chairman may have yelled about at one time, and you have not yet volunteered, GO VOLUNTEER!!
Take a yardsign, walk a precinct, take a call list. It is not too late!
We need to prove that this 50-State Strategy is worth implementing for more than one election cycle. Because as much as these upset victories would be stunning, if we somehow blow this opportunity, if we fail to take back the House, or only win a razor-thin majority, all the beltway types will take that as a sign that this was a nice little experiment, but one that has run its course.
We must be successful, and we have not won anything yet (except maybe for MN-Sen, and CO-Gov, those guys are kicking some serious ass).
We have the potential for this to be the greatest sweep in a long time, maybe even longer than 12 years.
Let's not let it go to waste, alright?
UPDATE: PLEASE use the comments to post ways to help other deserving, progressivde candidates!!!
UPDATE 2: Since I linked to my diary in a front-pager about Kleeb, I feel I should at least return the favor in my diary. Scott is a great candidate, and would make a wonderful congressman. I am, admittedly, just a little tired of seeing NE-03 everywhere on DKos, when I am working so hard on NE-02, and think that Jim Esch is also an excellent candidate, and would also make an excellent congressman.
Anyway, check out the front-pager on Kleeb's closing ad. It's good.