EVERYTHING BUT THE KITCHEN SINK

OHIO

The Columbus Dispatch released their final poll of statewide races and it shows Sherrod Brown and Ted Strickland way out of reach of DeWine and Blackwell. Both races sampled over 1,500 voters, but over 9-10 days. Democrats are also up big in the races for Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, and Auditor. A sweep in these races would give Ohio Democrats control over the redistricting board.

GOP PHONE JAMMIN' SHENANIGANS

Although nothing happened to Mehlman, 3 Republican operatives in New Hampshire who jammed phones to help get Sununu elected have been sentenced to jail. But they never stop. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 makes some prank calls a felony with penalties of up to two years in prison, and possible fines (depending on severity). To run afoul of the Telecommunications Act, 47 U.S.C. 223(a)(1), the call must be done with the intent to "annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass." Far right propaganda whore, href="http://www.firedoglake.com/2006/11/07/repeat-robocalls-suck-blame-the-gop/#comments">Laura Ingraham is urging her listeners-- and it's hard to fathom how deep one would have to dig through the sludge to find people who consider themselves Laura Ingraham listeners-- to jam the phone lines of the Voter Protection hotline. The nonpartisan Election Protection coalition, led by People For the American Way Foundation, the NAACP, and the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, has a national, toll-free hotline, 1-866-OUR VOTE, available to voters with live assistance from trained volunteers now through Election Day.  Voters who experience problems are urged to call the number. Their lines are already jammed up with right wing prank calls. Can't have none of that voter protection stuff, can we?

POMBO

Even the Prince of Darkness, who is predicting only 19 pick-ups for the Dems, says Dirty Dick is probably a dead duck. "Richard Pombo (R) shows all the signs of a drowning man. His is the most vulnerable district in California. The NRCC actually chartered a plane to fly volunteers to him on Saturday. This could be a sign that they are taking no chances, but it corresponds with other information that suggests real problems for Pombo. There has been no reliable polling in this race, but the fact that Pombo has not released any polls is a bad sign for him... Republicans are glum about this one. Leaning Democratic Takeover."

ANOTHER REASON TO VOTE DEMOCRAT-- DRUDGE

Drudge? Yeah... he says he'll retire if the Democrats take the House. How many times are we allowed to vote? (This is almost as good as McCain saying he'll commit suicide if the Dems take the Senate. Hmmmm... maybe we all should say a prayer for Harold Ford.

AND, OF COURSE, FELIX MACACAWITZ

Would it surprise you to know that the FBI is already investigating Republican voter intimidation in Virginia? It shouldn't. And they are. My neighbor and I were out hiking this morning. She's always a moderating influence on me. I had been rumbling about waterboarding people-- like Mehlman, Rove, Crazy Kathy Harris, Blackwell-- when they try to subvert democracy. She suggested lie detector tests. Something's got to be done.


And now for a little inspirational music from George Michael, for anyone who hasn't been out to the polls yet and needs something to hum while you walk over.