Election Race Diary Roundup (10/10 – 25 Days to Change)

PLEASE NOTE - This is not an open thread and is intended for diaries and discussion of downticket races.

For all the introductory stuff and links to previous diaries in the series, please look below the fold...

This Rescue Diary covers the period from 12:00 Noon, Thursday, 10/9 to 12:00 Noon EDT, Friday, 10/10

Today's Menu Includes :
60 Diaries Overall

- 24 On House races

- With 22 covering individual Districts in 13 states

- 12 On Senate races

- Representing 5 different states

- 11 On Various election races and ballot issues

- Encompassing Governor, Secretary of State, Local, and more

- 13 General election-related diaries

Follow us for more, come on in............

A few gentle guidelines to keep in mind:

Diary Titles - If you are doing a diary on a candidate or race, please be aware of the standard Daily Kos formatting. For House races, please start your title with the two-digit state abbreviation followed by the district number (example: NC-08: Kissell Rocks Again!). For Senate races, just use state-Sen (example: OK-Sen: Inhofe is Still a Moron). If you're doing a local race, try to use some version of this format. This immensely helps the people sifting through hundreds of diaries to more easily identify appropriate ones and minimizes the chances that we'll miss you (our Miners are almost perfect, but, alas, human after all).

"President-Diary-Free" Zone - We all know who's at the top of the ticket and how important that is. But the Presidential election is getting ample play in all venues and to try to rescue those diaries as well would be overwhelming. At this point, and our aim is to raise the profile of other races that stand to, hopefully, give our new President a better working majority.

"Sarah-Palin-Diary-Free" Zone - Unless it relates directly to one of the appropriate Alaska elections, or directly to another one somehow, we'll be ignoring all SP diaries out of hand.

Volunteers - While we have a pretty full crew on board, this project has always been about the opportunity to contribute and it's my aim to keep that door open for all who would like to be a part of it. If you have the time to spare and are interested, please email me (see my profile) and we'll get in touch with you.

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This is an attempt to compile a fairly comprehensive listing of election-related diaries that have recently been posted. Most of them are House or Senate races but there are also some local ones, as well as the occasional 'general info' diary.

For all the introductory stuff and previous diaries in the 2006 series, please see:
Election Race Roundup (11/11 - Final 2006 Edition)

And for this year's previous diaries:
Election Race Diary Roundup (9/17 - 48 Days to Change) (with links to 10 previous diaries from 9/7 to 9/16)
Election Race Diary Roundup (9/27 - 38 Days to Change) (with links to 10 previous diaries from 9/17 to 9/26)
Election Race Diary Roundup (10/7 – FOUR WEEKS TO GO!) (with links to 10 previous diaries from 9/27 to 10/6)
Election Race Diary Roundup (10/8 - 27 Days to Change)
Election Race Diary Roundup (10/9 - 26 Days to Change)

Incredible thanks to all volunteers: Land of Enchantment, ukben, welso, drchelo, randallt, Joy Busey, TruthOfAngels, eeff, Alma, Sylv, Nightprowlkitty, Spedwybabs Turbonerd, cdale777, and Relevant Rhino.

(12:00 Noon, Thursday, 10/9 to 12:00 Noon EDT, Friday, 10/10):  (60 diaries)

(Alphabetical, starting from S)

***Special Notice***

If you want to be a part of FleetAdmiralJ’s Election Results Day Live Blog project, then check out this diary for more info. Those of us who followed this effort in ’06 will always remember it as an incredible part of an incredible night, and you can be a part of it!

   House (24)

(TX-07) TX-07: Skelly (D) within single digits of incumbent Culberson by brownsox - In a heavily Republican District, Dem Michael Skelly is showing outstanding numbers in his race against Repub John Culberson

(TX-17) Rob Curnock: When You’re That Far Right, Everyone is to Your Left by LiberalTexan - Diarist Has some facts on the race between Chet Edwards (D) and Rob Curnock (R).

(TX-32) TX-32: Sessions "cuts and runs" after debate by CoolOnion - Recounts the debate between incumbent Pete Sessions and challenger Eric Roberson and how Sessions basically stuck to Repub standard talking points and left as soon as possible whereas Roberson had real answers to the questions and stuck around afterwards to interact with the crowd.  

(UT-03) Governor Richardson Rejects UT Republican Immigration Proposal as 'offensive and inhumane' (UT-3) by Happy Valley Pilgrim - Governor Bill Richardson slams Repub Jason Chaffetz' disgusting and inhumane immigration policies. More important than ever to vote for Dem Bennion Spencer.

(VA-07) VA-07 Turn the Page on Cantor by  Frank Cornish -  An impassioned plea to oust Eric Cantor (R), running against Anita Hartke (D).

(AL-03) AL-03: Segall Surging! by salsa0000 - Talks about challenger Josh Segall and describes why he is not just a "more Democrat" but also a "better Democrat" and how in just one month he has cut a 21 point deficit in the polls to just nine against incumbent Repub Mike Rogers.

(CA-02) CA-02: Red to blue registration shift favors Jeff Morris by cranberrylib - Diarist has info on the race between Jeff Morris (D) and Wally Herger (R).

(CA-04) Vote for Charlie Brown (CA-04)-- Tom McClintock Is A Dangerous Pre-Existing Condition by downwithtyranny - Talks about McClintock's bill that would have allowed insurance companies to deny health claims based on 10 years worth of your health history and reiterates how important it is to elect Dem challenger Charlie Brown .

(CA-04) CA-04: McClintock caught sneaking into the Holiday Inn this AM by AmericanRiverCanyon - Info on an Auburn Chamber of Commerce Issues Forum with Dem challenger Charlie Brown and Tom McClintock (R).

(CA-08) CA-08: Voter Registgration -- Verify by Poppy8sd - Diarist tells you everything you need to know about registering and protecting your vote, both  nationally, and in this district.

(CA-46) CA-46 Asteroids!!!!!!!! Rohrabacher in Emergency Mode by Aeolus - Repub Dana Rohrabacher was awfully complacent at the beginning of this race with Dem Debbie Cook, claiming he wasn't going to run any TV ads, but now he seems a wee bit ... panicked!  

(FL-21) Lincoln Diaz-Balart’s illegal contributions by elishastephens - Discusses the confession by Puerto Rican Senator Jorge de Castro Font that he had made a special trip to Miami to deliver some checks to the incumbent Representative knowing that the contributions were illegal. Support Dem Raul Martinez’ effort to unseat the corrupt Diaz-Balart.

(FL-21) FL-21: Indicted PR Senator Claims He Gave "Suitcase Full of Cash" to Diaz-Balart by brownsox - Jorge de Castro Font, arrested by the FBI, spills the beans on his "campaign contributions" to Repub Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Good news for Dem Raul Martinez.

(FL-25) FL-25: What a Week for Joe Garcia! by JoeGarcia08 - Everything you want to know about Dem Joe Garcia's campaign, where the numbers are edging up and up in his race against Repub Mario Diaz-Balart.

(GA-03) Mojo Friday - Collecting Money for Camp - Edition by TexDem - Help elect Democrat Stephen Camp to Congress, and get yer mojo on.

(ID-02) Tips on contributions from a real live Congressional campaign treasurer by W Lane Startin - Diarist works for Dem Debbie Holmes, who is challenging Repub incumbent Mike Simpson, and provides readers with an inside look at how a campaign must handle contributions.

(IL-18) Schock Proposed Threatening Iran with Overthrow Using Contra-style "freedom fighters" by dogwhistle - Discusses State Rep Schock’s (R) proposal for the US to fund freedom fighters in Iran as a talking point to try to dissuade Iran from their current path toward nuclear independence. Dem Colleen Callaghan is trying to take this open seat.

(MI-07) MI-07: Schauer (D) Set to Oust Walberg (R) by Eclectablog - Tim Walberg is a partisan conservative, and Mark Shauer can defeat him.

(MI-09) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New Poll: Peters Up 43-40 in MI-09 by GOTV - Shares a press release from the Gary Peters campaign about a new poll showing that Peters has a 43-40 lead at the moment and asking for our help to turn this seat blue against incumbent Repub Joseph Knollenberg.

(NM-01) NM-01: RNCC Cuts 2/3 of Media Buy by fbihop - Diarist has news of the NRCC cut & running in media buy for the race between Martin Heinrich (D) and Darren White (R).

(NM-03) Health Series: Ben Ray Lujan, NM 03, on Health and the Environment by TheFatLadySings - Diarist has candidate Ben Ray Lujan’s (D) stand on health care, energy, and agriculture. His opponent for this open seat is Dan East (R). Lots of history included about Lujan.

(NY-26) NY-26: Jon Powers let us down. by djdevvydev - The diarist receives a disappointing message from the Powers for Congress committee.

(NY-29) Massa’s Massive Now by Parmenides - Re-emphasizes how winnable this district is for Eric Massa and shares a few ads that are running in the district against Repub Randy Kuhl.

(PA-09) PA-09 Right-Wing talk radio isn’t all bad. by DvilleDem - Diarist presents a story about talk radio and Bill Shuster (R) avoiding a debate with Tony Barr (D).

   Senate (12)

(Var-Sen) Eye on the Senate: Avenge 2002 by Paul Hogarth - Profiles of the Martin (D) v. Chambliss (R) race in Georgia, and Franken (D) v. Coleman (R) and Barkley (I) in Minnesota.

(TX-Sen) TX-Sen Would DEFINITELY Break Their Backs! by RSA TX - A plea for Kossacks to help Rick Noriega (D) defeat John Cornyn (R) and a look at the newest Noriega ad.

(GA-Sen) GA-SEN: Republican’s Re-election Prospects Down-Graded by Andre in Atlanta – With challenger Jim Martin (D) making inroads against incumbent Saxby Chambliss (R), CQ Politics has revised its election forecast.

(MN-Sen) MN-Sen: Coleman's gift giver is also a government contractor by D Wreck - Excellent diary detailing sleazy Repub Norm Coleman's ties to campaign contributor and beneficiary of government contracts Nasser Kazeminy. Buh bye, Norm, and hello Al Franken!

(MN-Sen)  MN-Sen:  Comedian beating well-dressed jerk by Dracomicron - Discusses the latest poll from Rasmussen showing Dem Al Franken leading this Senate race over Norm Coleman (R).

(MN-Sen) Activism Alert: Empty Suits for Coleman by dougsha - Diarist asks supporters of Al Franken (D) to bring certain props with them to Norm Coleman (R) events.

(NC-Sen) NC-Sen Elizabeth Dole's problem with racist ally by Duke1976 - Diarist has a TV ad Elizabeth Dole (R) made on her hard stand on immigration. Kay Hagan (D) is giving incumbent Dole a real run for her money for this seat.

(NC-Sen) NC Sen: Kay Hagan Fighting Back against Freedom's Watch Attack Ads by The Southern Dem - Right-wing independent expenditure group Freedom's Watch is robocalling and running ads that attack Kay Hagan. Unfortunately, their claims are not true and the nature of the ads may be in violation of the law controlling "527" organizations.

(OR-Sen) OR-Sen: Ron Wyden cuts ad for Jeff Merkley by brownsox - Watch the video of Oregon's senior Senator Ron Wyden, who'd be expected to back Repub Gordon Smith but instead endorses Dem challenger Jeff Merkley.

(OR-Sen) Gordon Smith= Bush’s man in Oregon has got to go! by NoThirdBushTerm - Short diary against current Senator Gordon Smith in his race against Dem Jeff Merkely.

(OR-Sen) Sen. Wyden says OR needs Merkley and other Oregon Political News by skywaker9 - Nice roundup of Oregon Political News including a new ad by Ron Wyden on behalf of Jeff Merkley, information about yet another corrupt Repub and information about tonight’s debate between incumbent Repub Gordon Smith and Dem Jeff Merkley.

(OR-Sen) OR: Merkley drubs Smith in first debate by bob zimway - Jeff Merkley (D) wins the first debate against incumbent Gordon Smith (R).

   Various Races (5)

(Congress-ALL) Looking for Congressional Challengers by Rep Barbara Lee -  Gives the link for everyone to nominate progressive candidates for support from Rep. Lee's One Voice PAC.

(Var) FOLLOWING THE POLLS: The Thursday Edition (Incl. New NC #s!) by Steve Singiser - Daily Kos Poll Hero Steve analyzes 40 individual polls in Campaign 2008.

(WA-Gov) Gov. Gregoire in WA needs our support (Updated) by gtnoah - Diarist covers the debate between incumbent Christine Gregoire (D) and Dino Rossi (R).

(IN-Var) Ironworkers and Steelworkers Walk for Working Families! by Rita Dongas Labor 2008 - Video of the GOTV being done in Indiana on behalf of Barack Obama, Rep Jill Long Thompson, and Democratic candidate for the Indiana state senate, Larry Balmer.

(KY-Var) The DSCC Comes to Kentucky by RDemocrat - Diarist brings info on Western Kentucky's work to turn it blue & ditch Mitch McConnell (R) in favor of Bruce Lunsford (D) & send Ed Whitfield (R) packing in favor of Heather Ryan (D).

   Ballot Initiatives (6)

(CA Prop 8) Give to Defeat Prop 8 - and Help Me Win a Pony! by Alvin K - Diarist has an Act Blue page where we can help defeat the mean-spirited fools who are pushing Proposition 8 in California.

(CA Prop 8) Bigoted Prop 8 supporters make gains by kos - Don't let the haters win on Proposition 8 in California!  Link to donations and video included in this front page diary.

(CA Prop 8) My Thought on California’s Proposition 8 by dadlyedly - An eloquent explanation of why allowing gay people to marry won’t destroy "straight" marriages.

(CA-Prop 8) Prop 8: From the outside of California, my view. by BFSkinner - Points out just some of the hypocrisy and illogic necessary to support the "Yes on 8" position.

(FL-Var) Florida Constitutional Amendments: Back of the Ballot Explained by Surly Cracker - Breaking down the proposed amendments to the state constitution in Florida, including Amendment 2, "Florida Marriage Protection Amendment," Amendment 3, which encourages home improvements for storm protection and alternative energy, and Amendments 4 and 6, to encourage preservation of coastal areas and waterfronts.

(GA Prop 1,2) GA Amendments 1 and 3 info by TominGA - Gives detailed background on the proposed GA Amendments and urges a Yes vote on #1 and a no vote on #2.

   General (13).

NC Rebuts NYT voter purge story by dean4ever - Diarist posts the press release from North Carolina State Board of Elections explaining their actions in light of the New York Times' story questioning dubious voter purges.

ACON Voter "Fraud", False Flag by Kingdomemariner - Important story on ACORN's exemplary behavior when it comes to voter registration and who's really to blame for this "investigation."

Dirty Tricks in Pa. by lippythelion69 - Diarist's son gets fake call telling him he can vote by mail ... which is not the case in Pennsylvania.

Alabama Gov's Voter Suppression List Exposed by giarcyelsi - Republican Governor Bob Riley's lack of moral turpitude is evident in how he defines that term when it comes to released felons on the voter rolls.

The truth about "Voter Fraud" by beatpanda - Short version of the ACORN story - Repubs don't want poor people to vote.  I wonder why?

Right wing attacks on ACORN: The Willie Hortonization of Voter Registration Activities by terjeananderson - Original analysis by diarist on how the ACORN story fits into the present situation of Republican failure.

Michigan GOP in Total Meltdown by GoBlueMich02 - Talks about how McCain’s withdrawal from MI is affecting the state GOP organization and encourages us to take advantage of this chaos to elect Democrats at all levels.

Problems in Virginia by robynuva- Discusses a report that found that many precincts in Virginia are not properly prepared for the rush of voters that is expected on Election Day - they are short working machines and staff.

States Voting Purges Illegal and Dangerous UPDATE by CatM - Diary identifies several states where illegal voter purges have been taking place and what should be done about it with links and quotes from an extensive article in the New York Times.

Voter Registration Drive at Metro Community College in Omaha, Nebraska by Nebraska Matters - A photo diary about a registration drive held earlier today in Omaha, Nebraska.

Victory for Voting Rights: Mont. GOP Backs Off Plans to Challenge Mont. Voters by Project Vote - Reports that the GOP in Montana has announced they will not challenge the large number of voters they had previously tried to challenge.

RNCC on the run by spotthedog - The Republican National Campaign Committee has been forced to scale back or eliminate its advertising in 26 districts across the nation due to lack of funds.

The Voter Registration War -- How Did We Do? by jpmassar - After reviewing information from several battleground states, the diarist concludes the results of the voter registration efforts this year have increased the average percentage of net new Democrats by four percent.