2008 Senate Races

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilfredo Ledezma

For a few quick-hitters:

2008 wasn't the highest turnout percentage ever, as was wrongly predicted (Stephanopolous).

Black vote increased from 13% to a whopping 14% (if only Detroit had mass-transit, right?)

So that pretty much puts an end to the "he only won because of black voters" schpiel, eh?

Pretty much, yeah. I think it was the Hollywood effect with A-list African-Americans, who we're non-existent in supporting John Kerry, that made it seem like they grew in numbers.

Although in states like Virginia & North Carolina, black vote played a significant role. No Democrat has any business winning those two states, not that it would've swung the election anyway had he lost 'em...

I'd bet no white democrat ever wins those states ever again.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilfredo Ledezma

How do you know that Saxby isn't very inspiring? He's in a red state, he won every single pre-election poll and a state that voted for McCain isn't going to give the Democrats more power. Plus in a runoff poll, I doubt the number of blacks in Georgia who showed up strictly to cast a vote for Obama would show up anyway.

Saxby flopped on a lot of hot-button red-meat issues for Georgian Republicans-- immigration, the bailout, gun rights, etc. That's why he's in this bind. He does not have a base much beyond those that vote for him because of the "R" next to his name.

Begich just pulled ahead of Stevens for the Alaskan Senate seat, and the remaining ~30000 votes yet to be counted this week are from Begich's turf.

Franken's behind by ~200 votes now, and keeps on gaining as results are canvassed. There's ~10000 ballots, largely from counties Franken won by a lot, that improbably have no votes for either President or Senator. Franken may squeak this one out in the upcoming recount.

I don't hold good odds of the Dems winning in the Georgia runoff. But the Dem went to a runoff in 2nd place before and came out a winner. We'll know how this will go by the early voting on Thanksgiving week.

Keith reported earlier tonight that Begich is ahead by 3 votes over Stevens.

Begich will go down to Palin in that seat in the next election.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glenn

Keith reported earlier tonight that Begich is ahead by 3 votes over Stevens.

814 votes now, with more Begich-favorable territory to be tallied on Friday. This is shaping up like the Oregon race.

If Palin wants a Senate seat, she'd probably go for the 2010 seat in Alaska. Her and Murkowski don't exactly "pal around". I can't see why she'd want to be in the Senate, though. She's in the best spot possible for doing a future Presidential run.

I think it'd help if she got involved in some of the wordly affairs so she is a lil more prepared.

That would be one fucked up commute though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tahoe

Begich will go down to Palin in that seat in the next election.

That's six years from now in 2014. Writing off Palin in '12 already?

^ I hope she takes a few decades off. Bobby Jindal or Pawlenty are better suited to make that leap, imo.