Yesterday brought great news for Iowa Democrats. The Iowa Poll that came out and has Chet Culver 9 points up, Bruce Braley 21 points up, and in command of the majority of races across the state. But it is too close to call in two statewide offices and a few state legislative races.
We're close to a sweep -- and we can do it.
This is remarkable because if Chet Culver wins tomorrow, it will be the first time in history that Democrats have been Governor for 12 consecutive years. We are on the eve of a truly historic election in Iowa.
We have worked hard to get to this point. Over the past eight years Iowan Democrats at all levels have built up our party from the ground up. One of my proudest accomplishments is the solid gains we've made in voter registration, beating Republicans for the first time in nearly a decade.
Our early voting operation combined with our election day GOTV gives us a real advantage. This is exactly the kind of success many of you have helped build in your states in recent years.
As part of the GOTV operation, Christie and I have been traveling across the state with our friends: Chet Culver, Paddy Judge, Mike Mauro, Denise O'Brien, and of course, Sen. Tom Harkin. We have been everywhere from Sioux City to Burlington. We're on the road again today before going home to vote tomorrow morning.
I have included some pictures from the events yesterday, including events at my hometown Mt. Pleasant and a huge rally in Iowa City with Sen. Barack Obama. The energy across the state is powerful.
So far Democrats are way ahead in early voting - - nearly 2x1 against the GOP. Our field efforts have targeted drop off voters, people who voted in 2000 and 2004 but not 2002, so we hope really drive turnout to prove the strong support for our democratic agenda.
Fittingly, the tour ends today at Hoover High school where Chet Culver taught high school. So this homecoming will be a sight to see - something I've really been looking forward to.
Thank you for welcoming me into your community this year. I will still be traveling tomorrow to help get out the vote, so I likely won't be able to check back in until after the election, so between now please read one of Iowa's blogs that is doing a great job covering our targeted races in great detail:
http://www.politicalforecast.net/
Iowa is going from Red to Purple to a solid shade of blue!
We have one more day, and if you haven't yet, please
volunteer in your local area.
PS -- As I was writing this I was told about the work you all have been doing on the voter suppression calls and I wanted to thank you. I am disturbed by the reports coming in from around the country. But there's one sure way of ending them -- turnout out those voters.
Let's keep fighting in the final hours ahead.