Russ Feingold - I Don't Believe Any of the Polls on the WS Senate Race But...

[PopSixSquish]

I'd be lying if I didn't say that I was worried for him this time around. Can someone please explain what the hell is going on?

[Unvanguard]

1. The unemployment rate is going on.

Wisconsin is not a strongly Democratic state, and Russ Feingold does not appear to be an exceptionally popular Senator.

:shrug:

[HereSince1628]

4. It's unemployment and 'something' must change!

His opponent is selling faux patriot nostalgia of the good ol days. Voters here seem more nostalgic than forward looking.

[WI_DEM]

10. that's true and of our two senators Herb Kohl has always been the more popular

and had the easier time being re-elected.

[madrchsod]

2. huge loss of paper mill jobs in wisconsin along with....

other manufacturing jobs. it`s all about perception and the message. so far the democrats are losing the battle to the republicans and teabaggers.

[rocktivity]

3. But do voters perceive the Teabaggers as being able to bring those jobs back?

And do they realize it's the Rethugs who have stood in the way of their unemployment benefits?

THAT is the question.

:headbang:
rocktivity

[Recursion]

5. There are two conflicting arguments, both of which have some traction

1 (ours): A more activist government can provide a better safety net for people and help encourage employment or even directly hire

2 (theirs): A less expensive government will decrease the tax burden which would allow more businesses to hire more people

Both ideas are plausible on first blush; as long as the tea party keeps making argument #2, it will find some adherents.

[rocktivity]

6. And then there's argument #3: Why hasn't argument #2 worked?

A Republican government will cut services to make up for the lack of tax revenues, pocket the difference among their friends, render you penniless and powerless, and stick the next generation with the bill!

:evilgrin:
rocktivity

[Recursion]

8. And that probably has something to do with why "establishment" Republicans are getting thrown out

The teahadists look at the GOP as the party that is closer to their beliefs, but they have little interest in most current Republican politicians.

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

7. yeah more people overseas

[WI_DEM]

9. He is being out spent by his challenger 2-1 and Feingolds own ads aren't very good

and he is running for a fourth term--in an anti-WA year. In 1980 Gaylord Nelson ran for a fourth term and lost in a stunning defeat. Finally, everybody thinks WI is so progressive but if you take Madison and Milwaukee out of the equation it's not so much.

[PopSixSquish]

11. That's Too Bad - I Don't Always Agree with Senator Feingold

but he's good people and the Senate needs his voice as part of the process...

[EFerrari]

12. Vote caging plan busted (kos diary)

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/9/20/903538/-Huge-voter-suppression-plot-exposed-in-Wisconsin

I'm not in Wisconsin but be careful with inflated media reports that "accidentally" create a context where this old trick will make sense. fwiw