Check out Oregon's numbers. Lots of people not affected by tape

[PretzelWarrior]

cuz they already voted. AWESOMEEE!!!

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/nov22004/g04cum.pdf

[liberalmuse]

1. My sister already voted.

I'm so jealous! She took her ballot right down to the elections office, LOL.

And what is going on with bin Laden? I'm getting that another tape was released today? What a coincidence! I'll tell you, just when Bush needs him the most, he's there for him. I hope Bush took time out of his busy day to send bin Laden a Hallmark card.

[Awsi Dooger]

2. Oregon is not the greatest reference point

With 100% mail-in voting, I'm sure a huge percentage had already been filled out and mailed before this story broke. The question is how it plays among the sizeable majority of Americans who vote on Tuesday..

[PretzelWarrior]

4. of course I know that. just point out the 51% ballots turned in

I live in Oregon. I think this could be a bellweather for what OTHER STATES SHOULD BE DOING!

Have a nationwide weeklong period of voting culminating in election day where the results are tabulated and the voting deadline occurs.

THAT WOULD BE AWESOME! could have 80% turnout every presidential election.

[Generator]

5. The point is: the stupid freaking October surprise should not matter EVER

You should be able to figure out who to is worth your vote by so oh I don't know September 30th. I tell yah all the smart people figured it out YEARS ago.

[Generator]

3. Yep Oregon's superior in every way

51% of registered voters have already voted. Our voting process is so simple and easy. Get your ballot, have two weeks to decide, unpressured, at home. Too cheap for the 37cents, can't afford 37cents, well there are many drop sites. And guess what the weather is not a factor! Nobody challenges your vote.

[shivaji]

10. Oregon is a great state except it has highest UNemployment rate

in the nation...or May be 2nd highest...but its an
economic basket case compared to other states.
Businesses have left the state in droves due to
high taxes. State income tax begins at $4000/year
and is nearly 10% for incomes above $10,000/yr.

[0rganism]

6. We need another 130000+ in Multnomah country to seal it for Kerry

A lot of those counties with 55%+ are heavily republican strongholds. Multnomah is still lagging with 49%.

Plus, there's no telling what the overall impact of "The Tapes" will be on voters of any stripe, but especially the legendary "undecideds". Maybe it will be "the incompetence, stupid", or maybe it will be "remember how 9/11 showed us what a Demigod is bush", too soon to know for sure.

[PretzelWarrior]

8. but Lane is another populous county going DEM has over 50%

Multnomah blows away surrounding counties for population. I believe Washington and Clackamas will be fairly even for Bush/Kerry.

[Generator]

9. Yes but those counties have much smaller numbers

55% of 11,000 isn't better than 49% of 450,000-I agree and I'm sure Multnomah will be much higher-those figures were of yesterday.

And I honestly don't believe in the undecided voter. They are either someone that A) isn't going to vote anyway or B) KNOWS they want Kerry or Bush but for whatever zillion hairbrained reason doesn't want to admit it

[0rganism]

11. Undecided voters in Multnomah county...

...I gotta admit, choosing between Sam Adams and Nick Fish for city council was kind of tricky, and the mayor's race is a potential stumper for those who don't know much about Tom Potter or Jim Francesconi. It's quite possible that people are still trying to make up their minds on local races and ballot measures.

I'm not sure how OBL impacts those races. :D

[Ducks In A Row]

7. The tape is going to turn out MORE people for Kerry

I've watched people really turned away from bush