Two Headlines That Made My Sunday Morning
1. Headline #1 - Allen & Webb in Virtual Tie, according to a new WaPo poll.
Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) and Democratic challenger James Webb are virtually tied in a race that could shift the balance of power in Washington and which reinforces the differences between Northern Virginia and the rest of the commonwealth, according to a new Washington Post poll.
Allen gets 49 percent, compared with 47 percent for Webb, within the 3 percentage point margin of error for the poll conducted over three days last week. With few respondents saying they are undecided and most seemingly locked in for their candidate, the poll indicates that the candidates' strategies for turning out supporters will be vital and that changes in the national political climate could tilt the outcome.
The article also talks about how NoVa has become "increasingly Democratic", which is very important because we have a good fourth of the state's population up here.
Let's help Webb close the 2 point gap, shall we?
2. Headline #2 - Gay Marriage Losing Punch as Ballot Issue, from NYT.
DENVER, Oct. 13 - The debate over same-sex marriage was a black-or-white proposition two years ago when voters in 11 states barred gay couples from marrying.
But this year shades of gray are everywhere, as eight more states consider similar ballot measures. Some of the proposed bans are struggling in the polls, and the issue of same-sex marriage itself has largely failed to rouse conservative voters.
In some cases, other issues, like the war in Iraq and ethics in Washington, have seized voters’ attention. But the biggest change, people on both sides of the issue say, is that supporters of same-sex marriage this year are likely to be as mobilized as the opponents.
We have an incredibly restrictive "Marriage Protection" amendment on the ballot here in Virginia that will get passed unless an act of God brings voters to their senses. BLEH. But it heartens me that the amendments might not get passed in the seven other states.
Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) and Democratic challenger James Webb are virtually tied in a race that could shift the balance of power in Washington and which reinforces the differences between Northern Virginia and the rest of the commonwealth, according to a new Washington Post poll.
Allen gets 49 percent, compared with 47 percent for Webb, within the 3 percentage point margin of error for the poll conducted over three days last week. With few respondents saying they are undecided and most seemingly locked in for their candidate, the poll indicates that the candidates' strategies for turning out supporters will be vital and that changes in the national political climate could tilt the outcome.
The article also talks about how NoVa has become "increasingly Democratic", which is very important because we have a good fourth of the state's population up here.
Let's help Webb close the 2 point gap, shall we?
2. Headline #2 - Gay Marriage Losing Punch as Ballot Issue, from NYT.
DENVER, Oct. 13 - The debate over same-sex marriage was a black-or-white proposition two years ago when voters in 11 states barred gay couples from marrying.
But this year shades of gray are everywhere, as eight more states consider similar ballot measures. Some of the proposed bans are struggling in the polls, and the issue of same-sex marriage itself has largely failed to rouse conservative voters.
In some cases, other issues, like the war in Iraq and ethics in Washington, have seized voters’ attention. But the biggest change, people on both sides of the issue say, is that supporters of same-sex marriage this year are likely to be as mobilized as the opponents.
We have an incredibly restrictive "Marriage Protection" amendment on the ballot here in Virginia that will get passed unless an act of God brings voters to their senses. BLEH. But it heartens me that the amendments might not get passed in the seven other states.