Of course, you can believe whatever polls you want, but a new one just came out from Suffolk University, (incidentally, they came closest to the right answer for the PA Democratic primary, with Sestak crushing Specter) and it shows Joe Sestak within 5 points of Toomey.
For those who are new to following this race, Sestak was ahead this spring, and then Big Business spent the whole summer funding attack ad after attack ad for Toomey. We ended August down by 9 or 10 points - so this is welcome news, and a reason for renewed vigor in our support, now that the Sestak campaign is using their conserved cash to go on the offensive (see below for Sestak's newest ad).
Oh, and in case you were wondering about the rational for the missed debate I talked about yesterday:
Democrat Joe Sestak skipped the debate after the U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent thousands of dollars attacking him in TV ads. -KDKA.com
First things first, of course - I wanted to point out that anyone, anywhere can help the campaign by Donating or Calling (through the campaign's virtual phone bank) --- this is one race the Netroots should get behind. Sestak challenged Republican-turned-Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter in the primary and beat him, despite a complete lack of support from the establishment, and is now in a serious contest with one of the most extreme right-wingers this election cycle.
This week, Sestak unveiled a new ad, "The Difference":
Which illustrates, once again, how Toomey cares more about corporations than people. Or, probably more accurately, how much Toomey believes that the best way to help people is by helping giant corporations make more money.
Well, maybe the voters are just starting to remember that that's crazy talk, because:
Sestak has pulled within five points of Toomey, according to the latest Suffolk University poll.
Toomey has 45 percent to Sestak's 40 percent with 15 percent undecided or unwilling to state a preference.
...
Toomey has 58 percent of those [independent] voters compared to 21 percent for Sestak with another 21 percent undecided.
But the high undecideds give Sestak a shot, says pollster Paleologos. -KDKA
Two other polls also show Sestak with a more modest gain, down by 7 or 8 points. However:
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race for Specter's seat as a tossup. -All Headline News
Sestak humorously stated a week or two ago that he's never been this close so far out from an election. Let's put him over the top.
Here are the important to-do items:
- Donate (I set up a new ActBlue page, it seems to me this series ought to be able to get at least 50 contributors - my email - feel free to cut-and-paste - got us several new donors!)
- Canvass --- getting out the vote is critical. You can also go to their contact us page --- they just opened four new offices!
- Call - they have a Virtual Phone Bank, so you can make calls from anywhere! (h/t angel65)
- Send email (link takes you to the diary yesterday with a template) or call or talk in person with those you know in Pennsylvania about this race.
- And, if you are in Pennsylvania, plan to vote, and bring as many people with you as possible.
Other diaries in the series:
#9 - Toomey's outlandish beliefs on parade
#8 - Knocking on doors in Pittsburgh this past weekend
#7 - The Admirable Admiral weighs in on tax cuts.
#6 - Sestak v. Toomey on crime
#5 - Mobilizing Pennsylvania's Progressives
#4 - Why is dKos advertising for a Tea Party Republican?!
#3 - Obama's other engagement today
#2 - Lies, Damn Lies, and Pat Toomey's ads.
#1 - Let's do better than the teabaggers in DE. Seriously, people, fight for it.
Thanks for reading, and make sure to check in tomorrow to see what a new day brings in this incredibly important contest.