Mid term elections

[rcne]

With the elections just two weeks away the campaigns are hitting a high on negative ads.

Here in Ohio political ads are getting muddier and muddier in these final days before the vote.

Some of the backlash from the '04' election is being seen by the increased number of absentee ballots being cast thanks to Ohio's "no excuse" expanded absentee provision. And this will be interesting because it may take additional weeks to get the official results for all the races due to the much increased amount of these absentee ballots.

I'm aware of the Ohio political scene; we will have a Democratic Governor; but the rest is up in the air, or so it seems. The polls show the GOP closing the gap and the once sure of victory Democrats are no longer quite so confident here.

It seems as if other races aren't quite as locked as early predictions made them out to be. So, if the Democrats fail to win control of the house and senate in this political environment - what chance does the party have in remaining a viable party.

Of, course if they do win a majority in either the house or senate, it appears that it will only be the slimmest of margins.

To the members from across the country; are your races as close as those in Ohio, and are your polls showing this increase of the GOP.

Is it possible that the GOP can retain a majority?

[brien]

Quote by: rcne With the elections just two weeks away the campaigns are hitting a high on negative ads. Here in Ohio political ads are getting muddier and muddier in these final days before the vote. Some of the backlash from the '04' election is being seen by the increased number of absentee ballots being cast thanks to Ohio's "no excuse" expanded absentee provision. And this will be interesting because it may take additional weeks to get the official results for all the races due to the much increased amount of these absentee ballots. I'm aware of the Ohio political scene; we will have a Democratic Governor; but the rest is up in the air, or so it seems. The polls show the GOP closing the gap and the once sure of victory Democrats are no longer quite so confident here. It seems as if other races aren't quite as locked as early predictions made them out to be. So, if the Democrats fail to win control of the house and senate in this political environment - what chance does the party have in remaining a viable party. Of, course if they do win a majority in either the house or senate, it appears that it will only be the slimmest of margins. To the members from across the country; are your races as close as those in Ohio, and are your polls showing this increase of the GOP. Is it possible that the GOP can retain a majority?

Milt; I think anything is possible. It is entirely plausible that the Dems can win both houses but many races are within the percentage of plus or minus 5 points either way. This "margin of error" is usually about 5 percentage points.

If one talks to the Democratic Party regulars, they have it wrapped and Pelosi is already selecting her drapery. The Republicans are conceding certain races but it doesn't give the Dems a majority in the house yet.

I think at this point the House is looking like it may change hands, but the Senate may stay the same. This election is very fluid and it seems to me that many races can tip either way. Anyone who calls the election either way probably has an agenda.

As for the negative campaigning, it is as usual, horrendous. No one stands for anything but they rather bash their opponent. Americans accept this and the candidates know it works. This may be the reason why the balance of power in the Congress is indeed going to change. Not that either candidate stands for any one particular platform, but they rather criticize and bash their opponents. This seems to work quite well in American elections.

[Fonceai]

It's gotten so bad that here in the capital of New York, it's being voiced on radio stations and by news reporters that the candidates aren't actually saying anything about their issues, just mudslinging and defense against mudslinging.

New Yorkers have become a bit more politics-savvy since we're voting for our new governor this year. Hillary Clinton has been avoiding a mud campaign, and I know I'll be voting for her based on nothing more than her integrity this season.

The Congressional race between Gillenbrand and Sweeney boils down to Gill's side showing the Sweeney spends crazy amounts of lobby money on bullshit fluff-stuff, and Sweeney showing that Gill' hasn't been keeping her earlier promises. At the end of the day, I still don't know where either of them stand on issues.

[brien]

Quote by: Fonceai It's gotten so bad that here in the capital of New York, it's being voiced on radio stations and by news reporters that the candidates aren't actually saying anything about their issues, just mudslinging and defense against mudslinging. New Yorkers have become a bit more politics-savvy since we're voting for our new governor this year. Hillary Clinton has been avoiding a mud campaign, and I know I'll be voting for her based on nothing more than her integrity this season. The Congressional race between Gillenbrand and Sweeney boils down to Gill's side showing the Sweeney spends crazy amounts of lobby money on bullshit fluff-stuff, and Sweeney showing that Gill' hasn't been keeping her earlier promises. At the end of the day, I still don't know where either of them stand on issues.

Hillary Clinton has been avoiding a mud campaign, and I know I'll be voting for her based on nothing more than her integrity this season.

I wasn't aware she was running for re-election this November. Or do you mean when she runs for President?

[Fonceai]

Whichever.

Mud is being slung at her regardless and she isn't responding in kind.

She also stated in a recent debate that she may or may not be fullfilling her 6 year commitment. So I don't know which she plans on doing.

As far as what she's done for New York, she's removed her head from her ass and started helping out the state in which she has never lived.

[brien]

Quote by: Fonceai Whichever. Mud is being slung at her regardless and she isn't responding in kind. She also stated in a recent debate that she may or may not be fullfilling her 6 year commitment. So I don't know which she plans on doing. As far as what she's done for New York, she's removed her head from her ass and started helping out the state in which she has never lived.

Mud is being slung at her regardless and she isn't responding in kind.

This is true for all politicians.

She also stated in a recent debate that she may or may not be fullfilling her 6 year commitment.

I doubted she ever would be honest in her commitment to the people of NY to remain in the seat for a full 6 years. It makes her too old to wait for another two Presidential terms past her Senate term. But she continues to fool the voters of NY with her political double talk. She is a carpetbagger and was insincere in her intentions from the outset of her election. Did you really think she would be content with a Carpetbagged Senate seat. Her agenda has been transparent from the time she left the White House. Too bad the voters of NY are taken in by her chicanery.

[Fonceai]

I am a voter of NY and I didn't vote for her initially.

I thought only a fool would vote for a representative who never once actually lived in the state. She started her term serving herself and then slowly started realizing that she was pulling that crap in the wrong state.

She has done a lot of good for New York. When she spoke about her 6 years, she told people that if that bothered them to let it be a factor in how they vote.

Her agenda is transparent, that's true, but she's done her job and helped New York. While I don't agree with things about her personally, her political relationship with New York is good.

[Osborn F Enready]

There will be no LEGAL elections in Ohio, since there can't even be LEGAL DEBATE.

There are more than two canidates for Governor, but you wouldn't know it from the debates since there is organized bi-partisan control over who sponsors the debates, and they make a PACT to only show-up to debates that are ONLY between the major parties.

CORRUPTION.

There are TWO other canidates for Governor of Ohio that are on the ballot BY PETITION AND SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE, as well as there are for other positions coming up for election.

STOP THE CORRUPTION, DEMAND EQUAL COVERAGE! VOTE THIRD PARTY.

[brien]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready There will be no LEGAL elections in Ohio, since there can't even be LEGAL DEBATE. There are more than two canidates for Governor, but you wouldn't know it from the debates since there is organized bi-partisan control over who sponsors the debates, and they make a PACT to only show-up to debates that are ONLY between the major parties. CORRUPTION. There are TWO other canidates for Governor of Ohio that are on the ballot BY PETITION AND SUPPORT OF THE PEOPLE, as well as there are for other positions coming up for election. STOP THE CORRUPTION, DEMAND EQUAL COVERAGE! VOTE THIRD PARTY.

The locations of those debates need to be picketed to attract the media so as to bring attention to this sham of a program called a "debate." Giant papermache dummies need to be paraded around that merely parrot each other. A bread and circus type demonstration where you use giant papermache puppets held up by people under the puppet. Using strings to work the puppet mouths, the puppeteer can operate the oral opening and playback recordings of stupid candidate remarks. It's a good thing I don't live near these debates.

I had a stuffed parrot once bought in a truck stop. It was called "Repeate Pete." He merely mimicked everything that was said to him by recording it and playing back. This is what you need to show the hypocricy and highlight the same policies from the two Republicrats running for Governor in Ohio. They are merley repetitious parrots who are afraid of real debate.

In any event, organized opposition to this violation of the Constitution needs to be demonstrated, not only at the site of the debates, but also statewide as well. Who is sponsoring these so called debates?

[Osborn F Enready]

brien, I couldn't agree more. Its a travesty that American citizens allow this to happen, let alone still particpate in sanctioning a corrupt election by voting.

brien said: Who is sponsoring these so called debates?

I say:
Good question....
Here is this article:

Four debates are scheduled between Ohio’s major-party candidates for governor, including a final one in Columbus, the two campaigns announced yesterday. It will be the most gubernatorial debates in the state in at least 24 years. Specific locations were not revealed, but the campaigns said they would establish guidelines for limited on-site ticketing at each event. Republican J. Kenneth Blackwell and Democrat Ted Strickland will open the series immediately after Labor Day weekend, for years a statewide campaign’s traditional kickoff. The first matchup is set for noon Sept. 5 in Youngstown, with no specific topic. Sponsors include The (Youngstown) Vindicator and WFMJ-TV (Channel 21). Education will be the topic of the second matchup, at noon Sept. 20 in Cleveland. This one is sponsored by the Call & Post and WEWS-TV (Channel 5). The economy will take center stage for the next confrontation at 7 p.m. Oct. 4 in Cincinnati. Sponsors of are the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce and Debate USA Alliance. The capital city will host the final debate, scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 16. The topic is open; sponsors are to be announced. On the downside, neither of the third party candidates in the race have been invited to participate in any of the meetings… The two minor-party candidates — Robert Fitrakis, of the Green Party, and William S. Peirce, of the Libertarian Party — will not be included in any of the debates.

4th debate sponsors: It will be sponsored and aired live by WBNS-TV and the Ohio News Network, both of which are owned by the same corporate parent as The Dispatch.(The Dispatch is the Columbus leading paper of course)

Here is a link to Pierce websites record of injustice.....
Peirce for Ohio Governor 2006 - On the Trail

[Chris]

Found this excellent research tool:

Project Vote Smart - American Government, Elections, Candidates and Voting

Turns out these people in TN want to ban gay marriage :rolleyes:

[rcne]

This IS a good site Chris, I'll be looking at all the races in my state.

[brien]

Quote by: Osborn F Enready brien, I couldn't agree more. Its a travesty that American citizens allow this to happen, let alone still particpate in sanctioning a corrupt election by voting. I say: Good question.... Here is this article: 4th debate sponsors: It will be sponsored and aired live by WBNS-TV and the Ohio News Network, both of which are owned by the same corporate parent as The Dispatch.(The Dispatch is the Columbus leading paper of course) Here is a link to Pierce websites record of injustice..... Peirce for Ohio Governor 2006 - On the Trail

Welll this explains it all then Os. The media has a clear agenda to promote the Republicrats. It is in their interest to exclude the best candidates because they don' generate advertising revenue. Major advertisers are usuallly Republicrats and what interest do they have in bringing diversity to the elections? COWARDS the entire lot of them.

[jose]

delete

[Milton Bradley]

My message will remain the same as last election.


If you vote for a Republican, or a Democrat, you'll get exaclty what you deserve.


Unfortunately, the rest of the world will have to deal with the results as well.


( How do you sleep at night? )


I guess what I will never understand is how any humanitarian can be a Democrat/Liberal. The Democrats squish Third World countries between their toes just like the Republicans. At least with the Republicans, it's obvious on it's face at this point. You are voting for corporate profits, and the Stock Market.

[brien]

Quote by: Milton Bradley My message will remain the same as last election. If you vote for a Republican, or a Democrat, you'll get exaclty what you deserve. Unfortunately, the rest of the world will have to deal with the results as well. ( How do you sleep at night? ) I guess what I will never understand is how any humanitarian can be a Democrat/Liberal. The Democrats squish Third World countries between their toes just like the Republicans. At least with the Republicans, it's obvious on it's face at this point. You are voting for corporate profits, and the Stock Market.

Both parties are merely self interested dinosaurs that promise everything and deliver nothing but more of the same old shit.

[Fonceai]

And yet for any hope of getting elected, an honest politician has to associate with one of them.

But to get that endorsement, the politician has to lie to the party in order to get nominated. And has to lie to the public to get elected.

I wonder what would happen if someone got elected as a Republican then suddenly said, "Hey, guess what? I'm breaking those campaign promises to actually help the people."

[brien]

Quote by: Fonceai And yet for any hope of getting elected, an honest politician has to associate with one of them. But to get that endorsement, the politician has to lie to the party in order to get nominated. And has to lie to the public to get elected. I wonder what would happen if someone got elected as a Republican then suddenly said, "Hey, guess what? I'm breaking those campaign promises to actually help the people."

I saw in another thread somewhere that the Democrats have already threatened Obama with exclusion if he doesn't play ball with the leadership. When a politician doesn't play with the power brokers, he gets ostracized which means no campaign money, no influence, and no power. It is the kiss of death in the Congress for those who need their party.

[Fonceai]

I hate that it all boils down to money.

Clinton - Obama for Pres/VP would be awesome.

[Osborn F Enready]

Ron Paul "changed" in title from a Libertarian to a Republican, his people still like him, due to his efforts, his positions and his respect for their input. (so I have heard, I don't live there.)