UPDATE: Obama's endorsed Childers! And he's lending use of his magnificent GOTV tool set to the campaign today. If you can, Call for Childers (on Obama's organizational tip)
This is just a short public service announcement for any and all Kossacks who are registered to vote in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District. Don't forget to get out and vote for Travis Childers in today's special election. For Dems, taking back this seat, which Roger Wicker has held since 1994, would be a coup indeed, and it's actually within reach.
A little more below the fold.
(and, by way of plf515 in the comments, check out this piece in today's NYT on Childers and our chances)
Chances are good that we can take this seat, particularly if the Republican base is as confused about this as much as many average Democrats seem to be.
It's sad and amazing how many folks are unaware of this special election, despite the negative ads filling local tv and radio. I'm met with surprise nearly every time I mention it to people around town.
The problem, I think, lies in all the legal maneuvering around Haley Barbour's demand that the special election to fill Trent Lott's seat (currently held by the Barbour-appointed Wicker) be held in November, during a regularly scheduled contest, so as not to burden the taxpayers of Mississippi with the cost of holding another contest in a year when one was already scheduled. Or some such argument.
So, needless to say, when people hear of a race between Travis Childers and his republican opponent to be held today, they're confused, sure that all that was worked out and the election will be held in November.
And it will, again. For a full term. This election is to fill out the remainder of Wicker's term. Being able to run as an incumbent, and, obviously, being able to cast votes from now until next January, will be a boon to whomever wins.
And just think of the headlines tonight, when millions upon millions of Americans are tuned in to the cable news channels to see about the Pennsylvania race and find out Mississippi has sent a Democrat to Congress? Taking a seat the GOP's held for 14 years. It would have easily as much impact as did taking Delay's and Hastert's seats.
So anyway, if you're in N. MS, get thee to a polling place, and be sure to remind every Democrat you know that they need to get out and vote for Travis Childers today (and it's important to repeat the name, he's first on the ballot, but so are other candidates from the primary who have since left the race).
If you don't live in MS-1, but know folks who do, please give them a shout. And if you don't know anyone in Mississippi, I know the Childers campaign is making calls today. Perhaps they could use the assistance of a few folks with some cell minutes and time to spare.