The following diaries are examples of this week's Election Diary Rescue. This post features a collection of
76 diaries.
(Sen-Var) Small Races, Big Results: How to Hang onto the Senate for Spare Change by Phoenix Woman - Getting out the downticket races not only gets people elected downticket, but those voters will also vote the top of the ticket, and those votes are ones we need. Donate and get out the vote for local races. The money goes a long way and will also elect the Senate we want.
(MI-06) Fred Upton's voter shenanigans. Is he that desperate? by RLMiller - Fred Upton, incumbent in Michigan's 6th CD, is sending out mailers marked "Do Not Tamper, Official Document". Inside is an absentee voter application, asking "Can I count on your absentee vote? (for Upton)". This, even though Michigan's absentee voter laws allow you to vote absentee only if you are in jail, over 60, or cannot get to the polls. Most of the recipients of these applications do not qualify to vote absentee under these rules. Voters in Benton Harbor are confused and angry.
(OR-StSen) Oregon State Senate Races Post Labor Day by James Allen - Democrats currently have a 16-14 majority in the Oregon state senate. There is some concern that they will lose control in the next election. But the diarist, in his careful analysis of significant races, is doubtful that control is really in play this year.
Christian Right Voter Mobilization - The Campaign Season Finale by Frederick Clarkson - One of the secrets of the success of the Christian Right over the years has been that opponents have taken the movement with insufficient seriousness. Diarist outlines the voter mobilization going into November's election, and why that is something Democrats need to effectively counter.
This is the 39th weekly edition of Election Diary Rescue. It covers rescued down-ticket election diaries published from Sunday, September 28 through Saturday, October 4. We hope you enjoy the following gems dug up by our dedicated team of miners.
VOLUNTEER ALERT! As the election approaches we may be switching back to our traditional daily schedule for producing this blog. We will need a few good Kossacks to join the team.
Please e-mail us if you would like the opportunity to contribute to this legacy project. DKosEDR at gmail.com.
Diaries: (76)
Senate: (23) posts, (11) states
House: (13) posts, (10) states, (12) districts
State and more: (27)
General: (13)
EDR has compiled, described and linked
down ticket election related diaries since 2006.
EDR chronicles the passion, power and effectiveness of political engagement and shines a light on candidates and issues that might be otherwise missed. It gives quick access to races, hopefully inspires people to write about contests that interest them, and has become an archive for thousands of election related diaries over the years.
Archive links
Format and Tags
Diarists can help the EDR mining team by identifying the race in the diary title, for example: (FL-14) or (GA-Gov) or (NY-Sen). Using the "Elections" tag is also very helpful and keep in mind that your first sentence or two can be what you would like to see in the EDR description.
This edition of EDR was made possible by the following miners and editors: Alma, eeff, DougTuttle, Joieau, Land of Enchantment, Pucklady, randallt, sylv, suejazz and turbonerd. Special thanks to Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse.
Senate - 23
(AK-Sen) Ad: 'Sullivan would limit healthcare choices for Alaska women' by Laura Clawson. This look at the highly contested race in the nation' largest area state highlights women's reproductive issues, as does the ad it introduces.
(AR-Sen) I like where you're taking this Senator Pryor by Ask 4 Questions - Diarist is glad Democratic Senator Mark Pryor is trying to show the citizens of Arkansas how dangerous it is when one holds their radical ideology above the needs of real people. Challenger Tom Cotton (R) puts antigovernmental beliefs ahead of Arkansas.
(GA-Sen) GA: Senate -- Free eats, if you vote right. by hannah - The Republican Party of Georgia is organizing a bus ride to the National Senate Debate between David Perdue & Michelle Nunn. The busloads of GOP voters are needed to counter the 100's of Union members that Nunn will have there. Free Barbecue Dinner at the fairgrounds for attendees.
(GA-Sen) GA: Senate - Voter Rally with Michelle Nunn by hannah - Democrats, whose historical strength was in the urban areas of the northwest, have awakened to the fact that indeed there are Democrats in Georgia. Diarist announces a voter registration rally in Savannah featuring Michelle Nunn (D).
(IA-Sen) HOW TO SAVE THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE by jfried - The diarist believes Bruce Braley (D) has run a terrible campaign in Iowa against Tea Party Republican Joni Ernst, and that a Democratic election professional needs to be brought in to rescue this race.
(IA-Sen) IA-Sen: Joni Ernst (R) Backed Arresting Feds Over Obamacare In 2012 Survey by poopdogcomedy - More and more Ernst craziness is going to be revealed the closer we get to election day. Democrat Bruce Braley can still win this race if the base turns out at the polls.
(IA-Sen) WaPo 'fact checker' deserves five Pinocchios for denying Joni Ernst's anti-choice extremism by Laurence Lewis - Diarist covers the Iowa Senate race between Bruce Braley (D) & Joni Ernst (R).
(IA-Sen) POLITICAL ZANIES: Joni Ernst of Iowa by gwilz45 - Iowa Senate candidate Joni Ernst (R) is the latest entrant in the Tea Party's shoot-from-the-hip style of Zany Campaign Rhetoric.
(KS-Sen) Kansas still has the worst secretary of state in the nation and he just had another really bad day by Jen Hayden. So the "Democrat" who sued to make the party put a new candidate on the ballot didn't bother to show up in court. Kris Kobash, the worst SoS ever, tried to join the case but the court refused.
(KY-Sen) Let's Talk About Legacy, Senator McConnell by sandyknauer - The diarist sums up the legacy of Mitch McConnell after 30 years in office, and it ain't pretty.
(ME-Sen) Warren Asks for Money for Female Dem Candidates, But Leaves One Out by Liberty Equality Fraternity and Trees - Elizabeth Warren asks for donations for our female Senate candidates, but ignores Shenna Bellows of Maine. Bellows is a progressive favorite and is doing the legwork (literally!) in Maine to get her name and positions known in a blue state. Why aren't the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) and Elizabeth Warren helping out?
(ME-Sen) Shenna Bellows (D-ME) is setting a standard a lot of incumbents should be trying to meet. by slakn1 - Shenna Bellows is outraising her opponent in small donations and is talking about real Progressive issues to Maine voters. Susan Collins, the heavy favorite, is having to cover up her votes on issues that Mainers support.
(ME-Sen) Shenna Bellows is setting a standard a lof of incumbents should be trying to meet. by slakin1 - Blue America promotes the candidacy of Shenna Bellows (D) in her race against incumbent Susan Collins (R) for the US Senate in Maine.
(ME-Sen) ME-Sen: UPDATED: Collins' Plan B is .......... Bellows' Plan A by emorej a Hong Kong - Recent good news for Democrat Shenna Bellows in the Maine Senate race is her opponent Susan Collins' support for defunding Planned Parenthood and family planning clinics, and equal pay.
(ME-Sen) (ME-Sen) Collins tries to rewrite history after 2013 tea party stand. by slakn1 - Maine Senator Susan Collins' new television ad is entirely fictional. She is telling the public she opposed the government shutdown, but she voted for the bills that caused in, siding with Cruz every time. Democrat Shenna Bellows is her opponent.
(NC-Sen) Thom Tillis, flailing, grabs onto Ebola and the Secret Service by Laura Clawson - A good sign a candidate has lost faith in his message: when he starts talking about every new headline. Unfortunately, Tillis (R) is unable to tell us how Ebola and SS lapses are Kay Hagan's (D) fault.
(NH-Sen) Scott Brown's 'issues that people care about' don't include equal pay or women's health by Laura Clawson - Diarist Covers New Hampshire's Senate race between incumbent Jeanne Shaheen (D) and Scott Brown (R).
(NH-Sen) NH-Sen: Hypocrite Scott Brown (R) Missed All Border Security Hearings In Senate by poopdogcomedy - Scott Brown (R) wouldn’t be any better as a senator in NH as he was in MA. Jeanne Shaheen (D) on the other hand is a dang good senator.
(OR-Sen) Jeff Merkley calls out John McCain by James Allen - John McCain was in Oregon campaigning with Monica Wehby (R), because who better to help a flailing and desperate Republican campaign than McCain, who lost Oregon 40-56 in 2008? Democrat Jeff Merkley is the incumbent Wehby is challenging.
(OR-Sen) Wehby (R-Rove) AGAIN Plagiarizes Health Care Plan by ericlewis0 - Buzzfeed caught Republican gubernatorial candidate plagiarizing her health plan from a Karl Rove mailer last month. So she scrubbed that plan from her website and put up a new one, this time plagiarized from her primary opponent, Jason Conger.
(SD-Sen) SD-Sen: The Hill: Daschle: Reid hurting Weiland's excellent chance; Scandal Music Broadcasts by emorej a Hong Kong - Diarist gives us reasons why Rick Weiland (D) could end up beating his opponent Mike Rounds (R).
(SD-Sen) SD-Sen: Nov 5: "Who Lost" Dem's Senate Majority? "Who saved" it? by emorej a Hong Kong - With the Senate Majority at Risk, emorej a Hong Kong examines the benefits of supporting Democrat Rick Weiland in the upcoming South Dakota Senate election.
(Sen-Var) Small Races, Big Results: How to Hang onto the Senate for Spare Change by Phoenix Woman - Getting out the downticket races not only gets people elected downticket, but those voters will also vote the top of the ticket, and those votes are ones we need. Donate and get out the vote for local races. The money goes a long way and will also elect the Senate we want.
House - 13
(AK-AL) AK: A Neglected House Race That Could Affect the Senate by glassbeadgame - Democrat Forrest Dunbar is challenging long time Alaska at-large representative Don Young, and if elected would be the first representative from the state to have been born and raised there.
(AZ-02) Don't take my vote for granted - So long, Ron Barber by Dave in AZ - Diarist's congresscritter Ron Barber is one of the most endangered Democratic congressmen in the country, and it's his own fault. Here's why.
(AZ-02) AZ 2: Heavens, Tough Talk on Guns Offends Us So! by Hi Jolly–Rep. Gabby Giffords has launched an anti-gun ad against Martha McSally, the Republican challenging Ron Barber and Hi Jolly explains why it’s a good ad and the Arizona newspaper The Republic is hypocritical for decrying it.
(CA-17) "Climate Hawks Vote" Endorses Congressman Mike Honda CA-17 by remembrance - Diarist Covers California's 17th District with an endorsement for Mike Honda (D).
(CO-05) As colleagues run for cover, Lamborn claims he didn't say what he said by Jed Lewison. As well as the Air Force Academy, CO-05 is home to several extreme right religious groups such as Focus on the Family. Perhaps that why the sitting Congressman made his bizarre remarks about encouraging high-ranking military officers to resign in protest and outrage. He's busy trying to walk that back now.
(FL-02) Gwen Graham For Congress Calls Out Southerland's Doublespeak by JDWolverton - Democrat Gwen Graham is running one of the most competitive races for Congress this year. If the voters turn out, she can win. Video of debate with her opponent, Steve Southerland (R).
(Gen) These are my favorite Tight Congressional Races to Win by mole333–On Tuesday mole333 explained why these close races are his favorite and why Democrats need to win them come November.
(KS-01) Rep. Huelskamp (KS) Meets with Tea Party next week, while Kansas (R)s are Blackmailed by Them by tmservo433 - Diarist covers the political climate in Kansas with 5 weeks to go.
(KS-02) Kansas CD-02 Debate "Obamacare is a pack of Lies" and More by tmservo433 - Lynn Jenkins, incumbent (GOP) debates Margie Wakefield (Dem) and Chris Clemmons (Lib) in front of a mostly Democratic audience. Jenkins lists GOP talking points and claims farmer cred. Wakefield emphasizes GOP inaction in DC. Clemmons doesn't understand the Constitution.
(MI-06) Fred Upton's voter shenanigans. Is he that desperate? by RLMiller - Fred Upton, incumbent in Michigan's 6th CD, is sending out mailers marked "Do Not Tamper, Official Document". Inside is an absentee voter application, asking "Can I count on your absentee vote? (for Upton)". This, even though Michigan's absentee voter laws allow you to vote absentee only if you are in jail, over 60, or cannot get to the polls. Most of the recipients of these applications do not qualify to vote absentee under these rules. Voters in Benton Harbor are confused and angry.
(NH-02) Marilinda Garcia is A Member of Alec, And Why That Is Important to YOU! by NH LABOR NEWS - State Rep. Marilinda Garcia (R) is attempting to move up the political ranks from State Rep. to US Congresswoman from NH-CD-02.. Her opponent is incumbent Ann McLane Kuster (D). Ms Garcia, who has a history of being courted by lobbyists, is a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), according to a local New Hampshire newspaper. And according to another local newspaper, "Garcia said she doesn’t see anything wrong with lobbyists taking legislators out for dinner.”
(NY-02) NY-2: Patricia Maher For Congress Announces Columbus Day Fundraiser in NYC by Patricia Maher For Congress - On Columbus Day, October 13, the candidate will be having a "Flatten the Flat Earth Party" campaign fundraiser in New York City. Incumbent Republican Peter King enjoys just a +1 advantage in the district, so this race is winnable.
(NY-21) NY-21: Stefanik - A Tale of Two Families by Doctor Who - Diarist talks about Elise Stefanik's (R) two-sided family, one side rich 1%ers, the other working class 'good folks'. Her opponent is Democrat Arron Woolf.
(WI-01) WI-01 Canvassing for Zerban by Frank Palmer - On Tuesday Frank Palmer explained why he not only supports Paul Ryan’s opponent Rob Zerban, but is canvassing for him.
State, local and more - 27
(AR-AG) Arkansas GOP candidate's voter registration canceled by Laura Clawson - “Take a minute to howl with laughter. A Republican candidate bitterly complaining about how reprehensible it is to take away a person's right to vote. Like that's not one of three prongs of the Republican plan for winning elections over the next few cycles as demographics shift against them.”
(AZ-Gov) Arizona Gov. candidate Ducey begs Kochs for cash, Chris Christie covers for him by Mother Mags - Doug Ducey (R), former CEO of Coldstone Creamery, is locked in a dead-heat in the Arizona governor's race with Democrat Fred DuVal. Ducey has benefitted handomely from Koch cash funneled through nonprofits, and millions more from other out of state groups, including the Republican Governors Association, headed by Christie.
(AZ-Gov) AZ Gov: Gop nom Ducey busted for being Koch hack by Sun Tzu - The Arizona Republic featured a story detailing the ties to the Koch network of gubernatorial candidate Doug Ducey (R). Those of us in the activist community have known about this for a long time. Now the voters of Arizona know.
(AZ-Ballot Initiatives) I Just Looked At the Arizona Ballot Propositions by Ramara– Ramara examines how few propositions are on the ballot in Arizona this year and what they mean.
(CA-Prop46) Boxer and Pelosi Get it Wrong This Time--Vote No on Prop 46 by Doctor Jazz. This is an in-depth analysis of a complex measure concerning liability caps on non-injury awards in certain cases. If you are a California voter, this might help you decide how to vote on this measure.
(FL-Gov) The Most Hilariously Sexist Campaign Ad Ever? by roynorth - In keeping with a woman's fundamental purpose in life (serving as a host body), the most effective way to relate to her as a voter is as a bride-to-be. Or, that's what incumbent Republican Rick Scott's campaign seems to think. Is Scott a prettier wedding dress than Charlie Crist (D)?
(FL-Gov) With New Poll Showing Him With Six-Point Lead, Has The Worm Turned For Charlie Crist? by saintpetersblog - Diary has more than just the Survey USA poll showing Charlie Crist (D) ahead of Rick Scott (R). So go read it.
(GA-Gen) We're all tied up! GOTV in Georgia. by distraught - There is momentum in Georgia. A new poll by InsiderAdvantage finds the Governor's race tied with Carter (D) at 43.4 versus Deal's (R) 43.7. Michelle Nunn (D) is also within the margin of error against Perdue (R) in the Senate race. Getting out the vote will be crucial.
(IA-SoS) Poll finds tight race for Iowa secretary of state by Laura Clawson. The memory of Katherine Harris should be enough to sear on everyone's memory how important this all-too-often overlooked down-ticket office is.
(IL-Gov) Republican Rauner would have vetoed Illinois Medicaid expansion by Joan McCarter - Diarist covers the Illin0is Governor's Race between incumbent Pat Quinn (D) and Bruce Rauner (R).
(KS-Gen) This poll should scare the hell out of Kansas conservatives by Jen Hayden - A new Gallup poll has some troubling news for ultra-conservative Kansas Republicans. Fewer of them are identifying with the party that has done so much damage to their state.
(ME-Gov) Live stream Michelle Obama at rally for Mike Michaud, Maine's next governor by Spud1 - First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at a campaign rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Michaud on Friday. With live stream link.
(MI-StHouse61) More on the Michigan Republican Party's harassment of elderly woman under hospice care by Eclectablog - Democratic candidate John Fisher's opponent, Republican Kalamazoo County Commissioner Brandt Iden, issued a statement that does not repudiate or condemn the Republican Party's mailer urging people to call Fisher's dying mother to vent their spleens.
(MI-StHouse93) DONATE: Josh Derke, the Michigan Dem who epically smacked anti-gay group now has a fundraising page by Eclectablog - In the wake of his excellent response to Public Advocate's homophobic garbage questionaire, Democrat Josh Derke now has a fundraising page up through which we can offer support.
(MN-StHouse) MNGOP House candidate saws neighbor's garage in half by Intheknow– Roger Weber, a GOP candidate for the Minnesota Statehouse is being sued by a neighbor for cutting said neighbor’s garage with a chainsaw. Intheknow explains more.
(NC-StSen) North Carolina GOP Senator/Candidate Accused Of Welfare Fraud by Leslie Salzillo - Diarist covers North Carolina's State Senate 19 race between Billy Richardson (R) and Wesley Meredith (R).
(NV-SoS) Polling shows tight race for Nevada Secretary of State candidate Kate Marshall by Joan McCarter - Nevada's Republican candidate for Secretary of State, state senator Barbara Cegasvke, wants Nevada to be the next state to impose a voter-ID law. Standing in her way is Democrat Kate Marshall, and the two are locked in a statistical tie.
(NV-SoS) Nevada Republican wants to bring voter suppression home by Joan McCarter. The Republican candidate in Nevada wants to put voter suppression policies in place. (Please donate to Democrat Kate Marshall!).
(NY-StatenIsland) Staten Island Candidates talk jobs, taxes, manufacturing at Middle Class Action Project forum by MCAP - The Middle Class Action Project of Staten Island will be holding a candidate forum on jobs and prosperity Wednesday evening, focusing on issues important to citizens of Staten Island. Diarist introduces and highlights the candidates who will be there.
(OR-StSen) Oregon State Senate Races Post Labor Day by James Allen - Democrats currently have a 16-14 majority in the Oregon state senate. There is some concern that they will lose control in the next election. But the diarist, in his careful analysis of significant races, is doubtful that control is really in play this year.
(PA-Gov) PA Governor's Latest Attack Ad...Is Actually A Concession by jawillie - Diarist covers the Pennsylvania Governor's Race between incumbent Tom Corbett (R) and Tom Wolf (D).
(TX-Var) Oh Come On Texas. Surely we can do better than THIS? by Libby Shaw - Diarist looks at Republican candidates for office in Texas. Lots of links.
(TX-Gov) Must Watch: TX Davis hammers Abbott on Austin's pervasive culture of corruption by Libby Shaw - Wendy Davis (D) delivered a damning speech on Thursday in which she charged Greg Abbott (R) with greed, crony capitalism, and belonging to a culture of corruption in Austin.
(TX-Gov) Wendy Davis delivers address on Austin's culture of corruption and Abbott's role in TEF scandal by Egberto Willies - Diarist covers a speech Windy Davis (D) makes in the Texas Governor's race againist Greg Abbott (R).
(WI-Gov) Which Candidate for WI Governor has a Plan that Relies More Heavily on ObamaCare? by WI Budget Project. The post looks at candidate positions and claims, drilling down to analyze how their policies affect residents of the Badger State.
(WI-Gov) Scott Walker won't commit to serving his full term if re-elected by Mark E Anderson. Apparently not content with the damage he's done in his own state, Walker's not ruling out a run for President.
General - 13
Connect! Unite! Act! Daily Kos Teams With MoveOn.org's GOTV Events — Do you Cold Call Well? by navajo - Daily Kos is teaming up with MoveOn.org to GET OUT THE VOTE in October. MoveOn has setup call centers in NYC, Seattle, Chicago and Berkeley. Links to volunteer included.
My "unsubscribe" binge today by Chico David RN - a rant about how donating to a candidate or campaign causes a tsunami of begging spam to go to your inbox. The comment thread continues the rant.
The Koch Agenda and the Republican Party: Why Won't They Answer the Question? by Michael Lux - Diarist covers the Koch brothers Agenda in the midterm elections.
Democrats focus efforts on talking to voters while GOP spends on TV and mail by Laura Clawson. In which we compare expenditures for staff in several senate races.
Kochs sent hundreds of thousands of fake voter registration mailings in North Carolina by Joan McCarter. Who, me? That's just an honest mistake!
Door to Door for Braley: Remembering King by Master Alchemi - Diarist writes about going door to door to sign voters up to Vote By Mail in Iowa.
Some historical comments on the two party system by don mikulecky - A historical overview of the two-party system and arguments for and against it over the years. But two-party is what we have and we must use it to regain our Democracy.
# 4 Not Our Finest Hour: Why Is Liberal America Falling So Far Short? by AndySchmookler - 4th installment in diarist's series. Why has Liberal America in these times shown so little of the spirit of America's heroic forebears? The series will explore the question.
Where you can stretch your contribution dollars? These races give you bang for the buck by David Jarman - The diarist tells us which races it makes the most sense to invest in this cycle.
Michigan Already Knows This: The New Dixie Movement is About the Deep Blue States by Tarheel Dem - The diarist analyzes the history and rise of what he sees as a new reactionary movement drawing members from earlier movements and cloaking itself in yet another pseudo-historical narrative and a pseudo-geographical reference.
Permit 236, The Koch's Hand? Part 2 by dadadata - Diarist tries to track down the First Class Business Reply Mail Permit 236 out of Arlington, Virginia, which came printed on the paid-reply envelope on the deceptive KochCo voter registration mailer to citizens in North Carolina.
Mayday PAC moves the needle (week of 10/2): Parsimonious Paradox Edition by DocDawg - With just a hair over four weeks left until the election, Mayday PAC once again spent like Scrooge McDuck over the past week.
Christian Right Voter Mobilization - The Campaign Season Finale by Frederick Clarkson - One of the secrets of the success of the Christian Right over the years has been that opponents have taken the movement with insufficient seriousness. Diarist outlines the voter mobilization going into November's election, and why that is something Democrats need to effectively counter.