I have a few days off around election day and I'm trying to decide where to focus my energy. I've never seen so many competitive and meaningful races in the NYC region, and obviously we've all got to pitch in.
I want readers to read my rationale for volunteering to what I think are the most significant local races, add to or criticize it, and finally vote on where to send me and my friends and family that I'm going to drag with me come november.
Prioritizing like this also begs the obvious question- is it better to control the House or Senate if you had to choose one?
Philly suburbs: several congressional races, Man on dog himself, and a governor's race. I despise Ricky, but it looks like he's going down. I'd hate to underestimate the slimeball, but he can't break 40%. Rendell seems safe too. The house races are key here.
NJ: Menendez' numbers scare me, but NJ's polls scared me during the 04 election too, and NJ is solidly blue. I'm not aware of any competitive congressional races.
NY: Spitzer and Clinton have already taken their oaths of office, but there are some great congressional races upstate. Also, the NYS Senate is the last holdout of the NYGOP and we could flip it. Andrea Stewart-Cousins is running again, and lost by something like 18 votes last time. Several volunteers could make this seat blue. Imagine if NY passed progressive legislation regarding fuel mileage, CO2 emissions, electoral vote reform, and redrew its House districts? It would have rapid national implications
CT: competitive house races and Senator Sanctimony. I door knocked for Ned, but I can't see myself dedicating time to kick out someone who will vote for Reid's leadership when there is so much else at stake.
RI: I like Chafee but we need this seat. I think he's going to lose without my help. I don't see the Governor's race as having any major implications.
I can't think of anything else, except for going further afield to OH or VA (that's not happening)
I think the house is most important because it's structurally much less competitive. We can flip the Senate in 2008 if we miss out this time- there will be far more open R seats.
Please add comments, vote on my assignment (we're talking 4-5 volunteers here), and start looking for your own races to contribute to.