Posted on 11/01/2010 9:56:11 AM PDT by Qbert
Republican U.S. Senate candidate John Raese continues to enjoy large crowds, upwards of 400 at a recent event in Martinsburg and 250 in Charleston. Raese seems to have surprisingly enthusiastic crowds in the southern coal counties, too.
On Saturday, campaign organizers expect a very large gathering in Charleston to cap off Raese's ten-week barnstorming campaign across the state. Rock legend and gun rights advocate Ted Nugent will be on hand to lead a rally for Raese at Haddad Riverfront Park, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Another crowd pleaser will be the appearance of former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani promoting Raese in Marion and Harrison Counties on Monday before Election Day.
Meanwhile, while Governor Manchin's campaign had a decent turnout for former President Bill Clinton three weeks ago, it now seems hard pressed to find enough Democrats to fill a room even at Democratic Jefferson-Jackson Day dinners. One in Wheeling recently had several empty tables--even with Manchin and Rockefeller as the special guests.
"The polls may be tightening some, but I have checked with several friends around the state, and they see little or no evidence of any kind of Democratic surge going on," said Ellis. "That is a fantasy concocted in the back chamber of the Governor's office. Just like nationally, the West Virginia Democratic Party know they're in for a shellacking this November, and many of them either don't want to be near it or they agree with the Republicans this time."
"No one likes to be on a sinking ship," said Ellis. "Manchin has disappointed a lot of people with his campaign this time, attacking John Raese's wife and kids, going after his Greer Industries employees. We fight politics hard in West Virginia, but most still play reasonably fair. Joe has shown a side we hadn't seen since his 1996 loss to Charlotte Pritt."
"And that side is a shallow, vindictive side, quite frankly," said Ellis. "People want to see their Governor rise above partisan rancor, to talk about the issues of importance to them, not be all over the map, changing his mind, throwing negative instead of talking up the state."
"I think Joe Manchin is going to get a serious political lesson come Tuesday," said Ellis. "John Raese is your next U.S. Senator, thanks to all those Democrats, Independents, and Republicans who have grown weary of Joe's constant sideshows.
"People across party lines are saying that they've had enough--no more drama!" said Ellis. "Between skipping out on filling out his term as Governor, to the federal investigation, and now this negative campaign he's waged against Raese's family and employees, it's too much for folks. Raese is not only the anti-Obama. He's the answer to having to have more Joe Manchin in your face, 24/7."
A “groundswell” of Democrat voters clearly occurs when the dead rise just long enough to vote!
The momentum is Raese’s. The turnout will be Raese’s. The flaccid turnout will be Manchin’s. Too many would be supporters are divided about whether he should go to Washington or stay where he is wanted in Charleston.
Union state, but Obama threatens King Coal. Mountain Mama will vote survival.
-PJ
PPP and Rasmussen show a slight Manchin edge, but no “groundswell”.
Btw, Roll Call just put this race into the “tossup” category.
http://www.rollcall.com/news/51143-1.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
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