What state are you from, and what anecdotal evidence do you have about this election?

[Onlooker]

I live in Massachusetts and am a therapist for mostly poor people. All my colleagues and the clients who have talked about politics are almost without exception voting for the Democrats, but they probably would vote in almost any election for Democrats since tax cuts would affect their services. Two clients who lean to the right are not going to vote. My partner works in the finance industry, and basically no one he knows he changing their vote. Those who supported Obama will vote Democratic, and those who supported McCain will vote Republican. While the sample I am working with is not a broad sample, it's a little encouraging that I know no one who is changing their vote, and believe that most of those who voted in 2008 will vote this time around.

[CBR]

1. I live in Wilmington, Delaware.

I drive through an upper income neighborhood each evening on the way to the dog park. Prior to the GOP primary the election yard signs for the senatorial race were pretty even between Chris Coons (D) and Mike Castle (R). A few days after O'Donnell won the GOP primary I was driving through that very same neighborhood and the Castle signs had been replaced with Coons.

[LynneSin]

5. I have to agree - Coons & Carney signs are everywhere but only a few O'Donnell signs

And Wilmington still has a very favorable rating with Barack Obama, so people want to vote for Coons & Carney because that means they will be helping Barack Obama.

[SteveG]

9. exactly

I live in Sussex Co. and O'Donnell will likely win here, but I travel to Wilmington and North weekly. Coons and Carney will win the State by a fairly large margin.

[LynneSin]

16. The News Journal had an article a few weeks ago about how the Beaches were more liberal

It's just inland where it starts getting bad.

[pstokely]

2. In the Kansas City area, I see more Carnahan than Blunt signs in people's yard's

But there seems to be a lot of Blunt and Turk signs along the roads even in heavily Democratic areas like 63rd Street east of Troost to Raytown. The Turk signs appear to be in the White areas of the district. From I70 from KC to Columbia there's a lot of Blunt signs near the roadside porn shops.

[flamingdem]

3. This is a great subject, in CA it's all about robocalls, Jerry Brown called me! nt

[NV Whino]

4. I live in the Napa Valley

I've actually seen 2 Meg signs and 1 Carly sign.

[marlakay]

22. that's cuz the rich took over my town!

I was raised in napa 2-19 and left in 1975 before the tourists came in the early 80's...just a few vineyards then and nice and quiet, i could get from napa to st helena in 15 min...try that now with 300 wineries!! lol

I know some regular folks who live there, my daughters best friend...(we ended up in santa rosa although I moved 5 yrs ago)

[beltanefauve]

26. I drive up route 29 regularly for work

and many of the big wineries and expensive properties have Carly and Meg signs. The rich folks know which side their bread is buttered on. No surprises there.

[emulatorloo]

6. In Iowa, in a Blue County. Lots of Dem yard signs, but the Republican signs are HUGE

It is kind of bizarre. Normal sized Democratic yard signs, and then the Republican/Teabag candidates ones I have seen are like Mini Billboard Yard Signs.

There seem to be a lot of GOTV volunteers. I have gone in several times, but they have so many volunteers they don't need you that often. I am going back in on Monday before election day, they have rented a large hall to hold all the volunteers,

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. I'm in Illinois

I saw massive lines at major Democratic voting places in Chicago.

I waited on a huge line to vote early last Wednesday.

It's gonna be tight, for sure, but I think Quinn and Giannoulias have a good shot at it.

[David Zephyr]

36. Thanks for the report.

:)

[rug]

8. PA 10 is close.

Went to a Chris Carney (Blue Dog caucus, running for a fourth term in ne PA) rally today (one of many he made today). There were about 100 people and about 12 teabaggers heckling. He said he agrees with his opponent Marino on one thing: if he can beat a congressman like Carney, they take the House. I think he's right about that. He then said 70,000 phone calls were made for his campaign in the last few days. I think he'll survive but my gut tells me there's going to be a low turnout on both sides.

[AlinPA]

10. PA: I've never seen so many yard signs for one candidate (Corbett-R) for Gov.

I've lived here all my life. I saw one corner with more than 30 signs for him.

[Skittles]

11. I live in Texas

the few Democrats I know are disappointed with Obama but do intend to vote...need I say anything about Texas repukes? They goose-step.

[ChiciB1]

25. I Really MUST Tell This Story About Texas. I Posted It Once, But It

was on another subject. I DO know about Texas politics though. I kind of grew up there, and even as an Army brat I went to school there from 6th thru 12th grades and graduated from Killeen High School. Got married and lived there another 11 years.

So, I have a sister who lives in Round Rock, close to Austin (Austin one of the best parts of TX) and she's the only one in our family that's a Repuke. AND a Fundamentalist, is that a Christian? Honestly I don't know, we don't talk religion, and only a little politics. She's older than me, but we've always been "very" close and still are. She is a good person, but she's waaaaaaaaaaay out there, REALLY!

She called me recently when I wasn't home and she left a message saying, "well, I wasn't sure I would get you, I figure you're out campaigning." I called her back and said I wasn't campaigning, but we started talking. Somehow, politics DID come up, not in a yay or nay way, but she was telling me what she told one of my other sisters, and how my other sister reacted.

My other sister is a die-hard very, very devout Catholic, and a Democrat, and both of them get along extremely well too. All 6 of us girls are overly chatty, so my one sister is telling me what happened when she told the Catholic one what she felt about Obama, and how this sister simply couldn't find any words to react to what she said. I'm rarely at a loss for words myself, but she actually told my sister that she TRULY believes that Obama is THE ANTI-CHRIST and furthermore that his birth certificate is REALLY A FAKE!

Well, I just burst out laughing and then said "well, I'm not at a loss for words" and went on to tell her that she does have the right to free speech, but there's NO WAY I believed that. But I DO follow politics very closely and that I AM aware that there are "some people" who "actually" believe it. Trying not to get too deep into this I went on to say that since I left the Catholic Church, I'd have to believe that there REALLY was an Anti-Christ to begin with. But I did say those were some pretty strong words and I UNDERSTOOD why my other sister didn't have a reply.

So we talked about other things, but here's the problem. She has 4 sons, who in turn have had many kids of their own, and THEY ALL think that way! This is some VERY scary thinking IMO, especially when she once said after the election "well, he is our President and I have to respect that."

Didn't last long now did it? So Texas is RIGHT up there with lots of LOONIES, my sister and her family right in the mix! But as a Boomer, when I lived there it wasn't so Red, but now I really don't like going back there for my class reunions. It's difficult.

But, now I live in FLOR-EE-DUH! How am I doing??

[jimlup]

12. Michigan - we'll lose the Governor but should hold most of congressional seats

We will lose the Governor to this guy "Rick Synder". Everyone is under the false impression that he is the coming messiah. Michigan is desperate and has been hit hard by the recession so people have been mislead into believing the current Democratic governor is to blame. Actually, nothing could be further from the truth. She's made the tough decisions and handled righting the ship despite the mess Republican Engler left behind.

We seem to be holding the congress people. All of the democratic incumbents are leading in the regions near me. I'm in the bluest city in the state (Ann Arbor - actually we are one of the bluest places in the whole country I'm proud to say!) Anyway, I'm a little worried about the congressional race in the district next to mine and will do some phone banking for him depending on my schedule (which has been busy of late).

My democratic friends are all saying the same thing that I am - we wish we had some time to do some work for the candidates in trouble but we are already tapped out managing our own lives. We will all do what we can but it won't be nearly as much as it was back in 2008.

[Dawson Leery]

13. Connecticut.

Linda McSteroids has bought her support. She has the most yard signs, as they handed out to anyone who wants one. Still, women prefer Blumenthal 2:1.
Malloy has a strong GOTV operation.
I am highly suspect of the latest PPP poll which says the Malloy/Foley race is a tie.

[Jennicut]

35. In CT too. Lots of Linda signs where I live but she is not doing well in the polls.

I want my rep, Chris Murphy, to do well. I think Himes, Courtney, and the rest will be fine. I think it will be close but I think Malloy will pull it out over Foley, who is just so sleazy and unlikable.

[Dawson Leery]

45. Courtney has served his constituents very well.

That is important and key for him receiving another term.

[Blue_In_AK]

14. I'm in Alaska

and we're all over the place. It's a good possibility that we will elect a Democratic governor and finally get rid of the left-over Palin stench. Our ticket is well-balanced -- quite liberal socially but pro business for the moderate Republicans around here. The current governor, who took over when SP quit, is the Republican nominee. If Sarah Palin had no personality at all, she would be Sean Parnell. Some of us call him SP version 2.0, or as Rep. Don Young calls him, "Captain Zero."

I've posted a lot about the Senate race, so I won't bore you with that again.

There is a lot of enthusiasm up here this election cycle, all across the spectrum, so I expect there will be quite a large turnout.

As with most our elections, it hasn't been boring.

[struggle4progress]

15. I've knocked hundreds and hundreds of doors, belonging to folk

who might need a push. They're not always home; sometimes they won't answer the door; sometimes they've moved. But I'll still spoken to hundreds to voters. It's not a random sample; maybe three people have told me they're Republican and another three that they're Independents. A small handful have told me they're not interested

The most common response is that the folk know the election is important and plan to vote. All but a few have been willing to tell me how they plan to vote, and I often hear Dem all the way! When I asked whether everyone at the house is registered, the answer was usually yes. People who have moved seem to have been replaced by other Dems

The election here in NC isn't over until Monday evening. We won't know before then how we did. We can't sit on our hands now. But from what I've seen I think we have a good shot at this

[David Zephyr]

38. Thanks for the knocking, struggle4progress.

:)

[BlueIris]

17. Western Oregon. I'm scared by how emboldened the right

has become this election--far more than they were in '06/'08--as evidenced by a shocking number of yard signs for the Republican Gubernatorial candidate in my once Obama-supporting neighborhood, despite the fact that this man is by far the stupidest candidate Oregon's GOP has ever come up with.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. They are not emboldened they are just more funded

by a handful of out of State players. The signs are not there because they are bold, but because they can buy them. In '08 the Oregon GOP was nearly bankrupt and this time, floods of cash are on hand from outside sources.

[Arugula Latte]

27. Dudley (R) signs are all over Portland, which is weird, weird, weird.

I do see some Kitzhaber signs, but I hardly saw ANY Repuke signs last election.

However, I think there is a good chance Kitz will win, and I will savor the lamentations of the rightwing if/when that happens.

[RBInMaine]

18. I have been working the ground for months in Maine. Here's the situation:

The Gov race has five candidates, and we've just had 8 years of a Dem so people do want a change. Sadly, the right winger Paul LePage (Pukes last had the Gov. office here in '94) has at least consolidated the right wing of his base and will probably get no less than 35%. Some polls have him at 40%. Eliot Cutler, the moderate Indy, has been surging of late and Libby Mitchell, the Dem, has been fading. It's kind of like the situation in Florida. It appears the only hope of stopping the right winger (and this guy LePage is a REAL asshat - arrogant loudmouthed foul mouthed asshole TeaBag type) is if Cutler can surge enough in the endgame. I think much of our electorate is still soft and will be right up to the end. There are also two minor Indies, but they aren't drawing much. We'll see, but sadly, the PUKE has the edge given the dynamics. I can say that if he does get in on a plurality vote, Mainers won't long tolerate far right asshat governance. So he'll either have to moderate and piss off the bagger base or lead like a bagger and have approvals down in the 30's at best.

The Dems will hold the Maine house. The Maine senate is up in the air. It is a very narrow D majority now. If the Pukes get it, it'll only be by a seat or two.
Like many places, outside Puke groups are spending a lot of money here.

The D congressman Mike Michaud will win. Our congresswoman Chellie Pingree is getting a stronger challenge, but I think she can pull it out. Interestingly, our statewide student mock election had LePage winning with Cutler a close second, and Michaud and Pingree far ahead. Over 24,000 students voted. They are usually pretty correct, but sometimes a little off. I hope that LePUKE doesn't win our governorship. He's a real shithead.

Early voting here has D's and R's about even, but there are more registered D's so there is some enthusiasm gap, but not much. We are working hard to pull out the vote all over the state. My door to door and phone response from D's has been pretty good. Most are saying they'll vote. We also have three ballot measures: two bonds and a casino proposal, so those, especially the casino question, are drawing interest. My wife and I have already voted by mail-in.

[CitizenLeft]

20. I live in Cleveland, and I can only go by my co-workers...

...who are mostly African-American (as I am). They are voting. Urgent mass emails about the importance of this election have been circulating for months, especially detailing how little respect Obama gets from the right, and where they want to take us - back. The "we've got your back" meme is right on target. Black radio has been pushing GOTV almost 24/7. The black vote is being ignored, I sincerely hope, to the GOP's detriment, and to the shock of the media pundits who always forget we exist until election day when we show up. We will vote. In big enough numbers, I don't know, but the effort certainly can't be criticized.

[oswaldactedalone]

21. I've been helping to circulate one or more of those emails

since I first received it six weeks ago. In fact, one of them was mentioned in a National Public Radio article on their website. If anyone wants a copy, I'll post it again here and you can paste it and send it on.

My observation in my community is that blacks want to vote, some just need the encouragement to do so, and a little info on where to vote. Democratic Party voter guides are a great way to break the ice, and get them important info. I've kept some with me the past week, and everyone I've handed one to has been thankful for it and said they will vote.

Also, in the white areas, I'm noticing the same amout of Republican yard signs in the usual places. The difference is that there are far fewer Democratic signs in the places where they are usually seen. I've been to four early voting places in my county, and have yet to see an Elaine Marshall for U.S. Senator sign at any of them. All the other candidates, yes, Elaine Marshall no... inexcusable. I've put some around myself to help make up for it.

I'd say that, sadly, in Guilford County of NC, there is an enthusisam gap, again just based on my anecdotal evidence.

[CitizenLeft]

29. I'm sorry to hear that (about the gap)

Maybe it's the state party organization? I don't know. Ohio's Dem party is pretty active, from what I can tell. Then again, I pay attention and get all the emails.

Good luck down there; hoping that the NC tentative voters get out tomorrow and make a difference.

[ChiciB1]

23. OOOOOHHHHH, I LIVE In Florida... I Think OUR Politics Have Been

all over DU for quite some time now! And so much of it just ain't pretty!

[marlakay]

24. WA state half way in the mountains

I am in small tourist town, very religious even the dems go to more liberal ones. I am one of the few that doesn't go...I would say its a bit blue dog here but not totally of the dems, but around 60/40 with 60 being red. The towns small paper is run by a total Rush type guy...you get torn to shreds if you dare to write anything in editorial.

My town went for Obama in 08 but I think it was because McCain wasn't religious republicans didn't vote hardly.

This time I see about equal signs of both left & right....and in Wenatchee which had a ton of Rossi signs last time he ran for gov, this time they are there but not as many and I saw some put up large signs of Murray. So the dems are finally getting some courage in a mostly red town.

[femmocrat]

28. Western PA. It's depressing as hell here.

I knew last spring that Corbett would beat Onorato. If we had only gone with Jack Wagner, it would be a different story today. I'm still praying for Sestak, but I just don't know if PA voters will split their tickets.

We are really counting on Philadelphia--- GOTV, Philly!

[BootinUp]

30. NW Georgia

cue battling banjoes.

[AndrewP]

31. I live in Minnesota, and Tom Emmer is fucking nuts

I'm an atheist, but I'm "praying" for Mark Dayton to win the Governors race Tuesday in order to keep this wack job out of the office.

[Arkana]

32. Massachusetts, and the only rightwing candidates where I live who have a chance

are local nuts. Olver is my rep, and he's gonna coast. Rich Neal and Jim McGovern will as well.

Mostly Baker signs of the few governor's signs where I am, but as I get closer to Worcester the Patrick signs start to show up.

[PopSixSquish]

33. The Democrats Here in GA are Facing a Wipeout

We'll get Nathan Deal for Gov - yippee!! And we're going to lose Democrats Sanford Bishop in GA 2 and Jim Marshall in GA 8, possibly John Barrow in GA 12 (Savannah).

The Democratic Congressfolks in and around the Atlanta area should be fine - Hank Johnson GA 4, John Lewis GA 5 (my district), David Scott GA 13...

[alsame]

34. NY - a few GOPers I know aren't voting all races because they won't

vote for Democrats but can't bring themselves to vote for Paladino or Russell (NY 18 'white pride' guy).

They are voting for the GOP Senate candidates but it won't matter.

[David Zephyr]

37. Onlooker, I like your thread. K&R.

This is very helpful.

I've read every post thus far.

Thanks. :)

[Emillereid]

39. I've been doing a lot of phone-banking for the last few weeks and I think the

Dems are in pretty good shape in CA. Of the people I've actually spoken to, the vast majority are planning on voting dems!
That -- and the young people I've talked sound pretty damn enthusiastic!

Now I have to get back to the phone -- and everyone else should too!

[Riley133]

40. Ohio - canvassed Saturday

Here is my general take: People don't think anyone can help at this point. Many are sitting it out but I couldn't tell you it was all one party or another party. People are sick and tired and truly worn out of trying to get through everyday life. A hostile environment for canvassers before they even know which side you're on. Out of those who still want to vote but are disgusted with the candidates and/or their performance, there is a lot of interest in third parties. Some folks wanted to vote Republican but couldn't stand Kasich so they are going back to Strickland even though they are not happy with his performance. I think the elections could go either way, really.

[Armstead]

41. I live in one of the "greenest" (or bluest) counties in America in Massachusetts

I can't give any sample -- unscientific or otherwise -- because almost everyone I know would vote for a liberal/Democrat/Green no matter who it was.

(We voted against Scott Brown for example.)

If all of America had the same profile as this area, Democrats would be sweeping this thing.

Alas, this place is kind of a little sliver of Oz.

[ljm2002]

42. Don't know how people are going to vote...

...but I do know that in the last 3 days I've received 10 phone calls and 3 knocks at the door, all from Democratic organizations asking if I'll be voting and if so, will I vote for (Democrats | Harry Reid | Rory Reid | Dina Titus). This is a good thing, it means the GOTV effort has really kicked into high gear.

Go Dems!!!

[paulk]

43. Denver, colorado

I live in a precinct that is over 90% registered Dem. This election cycle there is a distinct lack of yard signs, which can be seen, perhaps, as a reflection of the lack of enthusiasm I'm hearing about in the press.

[elana i am]

44. kansas side of kansas city area

highly repug area if the yard signs are any indication. i've seen a grand total of ONE dem sign (for stephene moore) and that includes both during the primary and the general.

definitely not hopeful.

[Avalux]

46. Pennsylvania...

I live in Texas, but just got off the phone with my Mom in central PA. She and my Dad will be voting straight Dem. She then told me that a lifelong friend of my Dad's who has been a registered Republican for years, is voting Dem - "can't stand Toomey that other guy running for Governor". Only one person, but maybe others will do the same. ;)