Of course maybe we should call you Overly Optimistic W Fan? :)
Seriously, the election will determine whether I'm more wrong than right and the same for you.
As for Tator's involvement, I enjoy his writings. Don't always agree with them, but they are educational and well thought out, a great read and always food for thought. But Tator needs to see my comments and then put them in perspective with his thoughts in independents.
Again, especially in the case of Secretary Blackwell, he's got all of his base motivated and champing at the bit. They can't wait for Blackwell to occupy Ohio's executive office. But I don't see him having much more than that. He's missing the moderates and the independents and the right leaning democrats.
That's why I called in Common Tator who just posted to me regarding this very subject. If he's not around to explain things to you, I'll just quote him.
There's more support for Blackwell than you know.
Here's one example.....
COLUMBUS POST ENDORSES BLACKWELL
COLUMBUS - Gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell yesterday received the endorsement of the Columbus Post, a prominent Central Ohio African-American newspaper.
The newspaper touted Blackwell's experience and bold solutions to Ohio's education and economic challenges.
"We endorse J. Kenneth Blackwell (R) who we believe has a greater sense of Ohio issues having served in an array of positions in local and state government including a stint as mayor of Cincinnati, Ohio state treasurer and secretary of state. He has some innovative ideas for school funding and job creation."
The newspaper also cited Blackwell's commitment to Ohio's African-American community.
"Throughout the years, Blackwell has stayed close to the black community and convinced skeptics with his arguments that he did not suppress the black vote in the 2004 election."
"As an entrepreneur, Blackwell turned around a struggling radio conglomerate and eventually sold it to black businesswoman Cathy Hughes of Radio One demonstrating a desire to support black businesses."
In addition, the Columbus Post questioned opponent Ted Strickland's lack of specific solutions to education, health care and jobs.
"Strickland speaks of his solutions in terms that are broad and voters are still unclear about his specific plans for education, health care and jobs. There is also the perception that Strickland's campaign has not been forceful enough in countering the aggressiveness of Blackwell's campaign in the black community, fostering suspicions that African-Americans' concerns will not be taken seriously."
Strickland is completely unqualified and at the extreme left. We have a week and a half, and that's a lifetime in politics.
Don't be discouraged by bogus polls and leftist tactics.
The turn out in mid term elections is generally quite lite when compared to presidential elections. For example in 2005 the total turn out was 5.7 million compared to 2002 when the turn out was 3.4 million. The turnout was 2.8 million for Bush and 2.7 million for Kerry in 2004 compared to 1.8 million for Taft and 1.3 million for the Democrat in 2002.
That means we will likely win every race if we can turn out the Republican voters in 2006 like we did in 2004.
It is unlikely that the Democrats will turn out more than 1.8 or 1.9 million in 2006. The Republicans will need to turn out 2 million or better to be assured of winning the race.
It is likely that there are no mare than 1.5 million swing voters in Ohio. If we get all of our base out and even if the swing voters go 2 to 1 against us, we can still win. We just have to get most of the base to the polls to vote.
But I am not sure the swing vote moderates will go 2 to 1 against us. With the economy good and this years campaigns so nasty I think lots of swing voters will stay home.
Yes the swing voters have voted in the last 4 elections. And they will tend to tell pollsters they will vote this year. But historically when races are as negative as this years races they tend to say fie on both your houses and stay home.
If they do we may surprise some media people and lots of pollsters. If a significant number of moderates stay home and our base comes out to vote we may pull it out yet.
btw, optimism is not a disease, joe.
I was optimistic against all odds in 2000. I was optimistic in 2002. And I was unfailingly optimistic.....especially about Ohio.......in 2004.
My track record is pretty good. :)