Hastert predicts Carson win in Oklahoma senate race

[Dookus]

http://oklahomacity.cox.net/cci/newslocal/local?_mode=view&view=LocalNewsArticleView&articleId=74195

(Oklahoma City, OK) -- Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert says Democrat Brad Carson will defeat Doctor Tom Coburn in the Oklahoma U.S. Senate election. The Republican congressional leader made the prediction during an interview with a reporter from the Chicago newspaper the "Daily Herald." The paper quotes Hastert as saying, quote, "we have a race in Oklahoma that we are probably not going to win." The race has been one of the most hard fought in state history with both sides spending millions of dollars. The latest polls show a dead heat between the candidates with a slight edge to Congressmen Carson.


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heheh... the Freepers are very upset with Denny today.

[kostya]

1. More likely he's trying to mobilize GOP voters

[RedEarth]

2. It's a dead heat....however, a poll that came out today, showed

Coburn with a slight lead....it will definitely come down to the wire.

[Kazak]

3. Heh, I'll be voting for Carson...

even though he's a DINO...it's another "D" at least. Here in Oklahoma, that's the choice you get...DINO or Nazi.

[lady raven]

12. what a choice!

I held my nose and voted for Carson, despite his ad where his wife says that he's been called "evil", and "dangerous" and now a "liberal" and she's not sure what's worse.

Glad to know that the wife of my soon- to- be Senator believes (apparently with his approval) that I'm evil. Or worse.

But when you look at the alternative... Put on the clothespins...

[Kazak]

15. Yep...

that's about the gist of it.

:puke:

[newyawker99]

16. Hi joshuasmommy!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[RoyGBiv]

4. This is a nasty race ...

Believe it or not, I get more overt crap about my Carson bumper sticker than I do my Kerry/Edwards one.

One thing that will affect this race that is not a part of the pundits' thinking when they aren't in-tune with the OK political environment is the state question on establishing the lottery. This question will mobilize voters, for and against, at least as much as the Presidential race will, and how one may vote is not necessarily split along party lines. Regardless, it will bring people to the polls that might otherwise not bother. Combined with the intensity of the Senate race, it's sure to make things very interesting come election day.

If nothing else, it's nice to have my vote mean something in OK.

[Awsi Dooger]

6. Very nasty, I saw the debate last night

Allowing significant audience reaction really added to the atmoshpere and tension. Several times the audience would react at the very beginning of a response, yelling at the candidate to "answer the question!"

Carson smiled much more last night than previously, especially when calling Coburn out of touch and emphasizing Coburn's support for Alan Keyes in 2000.

One lady asked a terrific question of Coburn, citing all the insults he had hurled at various groups of society and why Oklahomans should want a senator like that.

Still, in looking at the audience it looked white and conservative beyond belief. No wonder Carson thinks he has to reposition his politics to win.

[RoyGBiv]

7. Carson is in a bad spot ...

I've been fortunate enough to have established a relationship with one of his campaign workers earlier in the race, and we exchange e-mails about things. Unless this person is not habitually lying to me, I feel more comfortable with what Carson will be as a Senator than what he is as a candidate.

Carson is one of those brilliant political minds who understands the difference between the process of getting elected and the act of serving a constituency. I find a lot of his rhetoric troubling at best, but I think I understand why he uses it.

[Bossy Monkey]

9. At least here, a lottery question meant 4 years of Democratic rule

not that that worked out too well, but that was because Hodges was a miserable politician. Good guy, mind you, just not what you'd call adept. I hope the result is similar in OK, but with longer lasting results.

[Awsi Dooger]

11. Same thing in Alabama

Siegelman ran on a pro-lottery stance in '98 also. That issue helps southern Democrats gain a higher percentage of the white vote than typical.

Just a shame we didn't retain those southern governorships in 2002 and 2003, losing SC, GA, AL and MS. Looks like Easley will win again in NC. I certainly hope so. I watched one debate and his opponent is a lying young egotistical cookiecutter GOP moron. More criticism available if asked.

[IIgnoreNobody]

5. OK Republicans might as well stay home.

Since Bush and Carson have it wrapped up, there's not much reason for OK Republicans to vote.

[Dookus]

8. good idea

*wink*

[bobbieinok]

10. aren't there 2 controversies on ballot- gay marriage and lottery??

religious right is vey much vs both....Coburn said he came into repub primary because 'god called him to stand up for godly virtues'

[lady raven]

13. Godly virtues...

If he stands up for Godly virtues, one must ask WHAT God that is. There's nothing Godly about Tom Coburn.

[RummyTheDummy]

14. The gay marriage thing is on the ballot

Im not sure it will be much of a factor. I just don't see a whole lot of turnout mobilization by either party. I think while more will vote nationwide, I'm doubtful Oklahoma's turnout will be much different from 2000 or 1996.

[Supersedeas]

17. Freeps always get upset by the truth