Well, what a difference a day makes, eh? Especially when that day contains a poll that puts your favorite candidate in the lead for the first time since the spring. If you missed the coverage here at dKos, this poll was well-covered earlier by Scarce and Chris Bowers, I'm not going to dwell too much here.
One exciting development, however, has happened in the last few hours: ABC has started accepting questions from voters for the Sestak/Toomey debate tomorrow, Oct. 20, in Philadelphia.
Over the fold for more info on the debate, the question I submitted, and your daily dose of motivation to help put Sestak over the top (with quotes from the recent Post-Gazette endorsement).
My question for the candidates, which will come as no surprise to anyone who knows my background:
As a Pennsylvania voter, I want to make sure that this state gets the jobs, industry and investment that are coming with the new clean energy economy - and isn't left behind. And, I want to make sure that our environment remains safe and stable for our children and grandchildren.
Given the overwhelming consensus by the scientific community that global warming is happening and that humanity is causing it, what are the candidates' plans to both avert environmental disaster and make sure that jobs are created here at home?
Toomey, of course, is on the record as saying that global warming is happening but there's debate about humanity's role. Here is the page where you can submit your own question (they don't say, but I suspect they're only looking for PA voters).
The first debate is TOMORROW, Wednesday, October 20, and George Stephanopoulos will be joining ABC in Philadelphia (WPVI-TV) in co-moderating. The debate will air live at 7pm ET, will be carried in participating markets and live streamed at ABCNews.com and Facebook.com/abcnews. The second debate will be in Pittsburgh on Oct. 22, and I'll keep you posted if new info comes up about submitting questions for that one.
This thing is moving. When even Nate Silver is forced to "revisit" his universally dire predictions about the PA-Sen race and his math finally gives our guy a double-digit chance of winning this (he's had it in single digits for more than a month):
When I reran our numbers with the Public Policy Polling survey included, Mr. Sestak’s chances were improved, but only to 10 percent.
With that said, our Senate model does not use partisan polling in its forecasting. But publications like The Hotline have indicated, and some contacts of mine have related, that not only do Democratic internal polls show the race tightening, but Republican ones do as well. For that reason, I would be inclined to take Mr. Sestak’s side of the 9:1 odds that our model is offering him.
---fivethirtyeight@NYT
Which of course, just means we need to keep working as hard as we can to make sure that the momentum keeps building straight on through Nov. 2.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had lovely things to say about our Admiral over the weekend, endorsing him as "the voice of reason in a season of anger":
Pennsylvanians are not likely to find a more high-contrast choice Nov. 2 than in the race for U.S. Senate. Republican Pat Toomey and Democrat Joe Sestak are vying for the seat held by Arlen Specter for the last 30 years.
Mr. Toomey wants to reduce the role of government on virtually every front. Mr. Sestak believes government should play a role in improving the lives of Americans. Based on interviews with both candidates, the choice for the Post-Gazette is easy.
In a nation with double-digit unemployment, businesses shipping jobs overseas, a health reform targeted for repeal by special interests, a Congress incapable of forging smart energy policy and a tax-cut extension that could shower billions of dollars on the rich when the deficit can ill afford it -- Joe Sestak is the voice of reason.
---Post-Gazette
And in case you've forgotten what we're up against, the latest right-wing groups to bankroll an ad on Toomey's behalf without him having to spend a dime, are the Emergency Committee for Israel (airing ads during tonights Phillies championship game) and the Republican Jewish Coalition with this lovely contribution to the fear-mongerolympics: (cue scary background and music...)
Help make sure Sestak can continue to fight back in this home stretch.
- Donate (Seems to me this diary series ought to be able to get at least 50 contributors - and the Sestak campaign is trying for a goal of $400,000 raised between now and Oct. 22 - let's help put Sestak over the top!)
- Canvass --- getting out the vote is critical. You can also go to their contact us page
- Call - they have a Virtual Phone Bank, so you can make calls from anywhere! (h/t angel65)
- Send email (link takes you to the earlier diary that contains a template) or call or talk in person with those you know in Pennsylvania about this race.
- Go to go.joesestak.com (GoJoe for short) create an account, and look for ways to get involved.
- And, if you are in Pennsylvania, plan to vote, and bring as many people with you as possible.
Thanks for reading and for all your help. Make sure to check in tomorrow for the latest in this incredibly important contest.
Previous diaries in the series can be found here.