The Rest of the West: Part 1

About 2 weeks ago, we talked about the rising Democratic tide in The Southwest. Now, I want for us to discuss what's happening in The Northwest. Believe it or not, we have plenty of opportunities up north as well.

Want to come along with me as we look at where we can win in 2010 and beyond?

Let's start in Wyoming. While John McCain beat Barack Obama by 32%, it was an improvement over Bush's 40% margin of victory in 2004. And believe it or not, Wyoming voters twice elected Democrat Dave Freudenthal as Governor while Democrat Gary Trauner twice lost the At-Large House seat by surprisingly narrow margins. We have an opportunity in 2010 to win both races, as Freudenthal is termed out and newly elected GOP Rep. Cynthia Lummis doesn't seem much more popular than outgoing GOP Rep. Barbara Cubin. I see both races as "Leans Republican" now, but that can change if we find good candidates.

Unlike Wyoming, Montana is rapidly trending Democratic. Bush won the state by 20% in 2004, but McCain could only muster a 3% win and Obama may be the first Democrat since Bill Clinton in 1992 to win here in 2012. And better yet, Montana now has 2 Democratic Senators, a Democratic Governor, and a split legislature. But for some reason, incumbent GOP Rep. Dennis Rehberg is still in office. If we find a strong Democrat to challenge Rehberg in 2010, I think we can make this "Likely Republican" seat more competitive.

Now Idaho may not be trending Democratic as quickly as Montana, but the state is moving our way. Bush's 39% win in 2004 was reduced to a 25% McCain win this year. And better yet, Democrat Walt Minnick scored a stunning upset win over incumbent GOP Rep. Bill Sali in ID-01. But even though Minnick won this year, we must remember that this House seat will be the top GOP target in 2010. This race looks like a "Toss-up" now, and we'll need to work hard to hold ID-01 while continuing to make electoral gains in Idaho.

While all the other Northwest states previously mentioned still tilt toward the GOP, Washington state is quite the different game. Barack Obama won here by 17%, a great improvement over Kerry's narrower 7% win in 2004. Meanwhile, Democratic Governor Chris Gregoire won reelection this year while Democratic majorities in both house of the legislature, both Democratic Senators, and all 6 Democratic House Reps. look pretty safe. However, we have a chance to pick up another House seat in the eastern suburban Seattle WA-08 district. Incumbent GOP Rep. Dave Reichert only narrowly won reelection in 2006 & 2008 in a district that both Kerry & Obama won. If we perhaps find a candidate with legislative experience to challenge Reichert in 2010, we can finally win this "Toss-up" race.

As you can see, The Northwest is undergoing many of the same changes being seen Southwest. Wyoming and Idaho may still look strongly Republican, but Montana has rapidly become a swing state as Oregon and Washington have gone from simply leaning Democratic to strongly Democratic. As the population grows, diversifies, and changes from rural to suburban & urban, Democrats are rising to victory.

As long as demographics change and voters continue to care less about "the culture wars" and more about issues like energy, environmental preservation, and economic development, Democrats will win. That's why our party must continue to invest in winning The West. So are you ready to win?

GOP Still in Blago-Rezko-Ayers Fantasyland

Even though President-Elect Obama had nothing to do with IL Gov. Blagojevich's "pay to play" scandals, that isn't stopping the Republican Party from insinuating that he was involved. Are they that desperate? They really have nothing else to say?

I guess not. And if this is a sign of what's to come in 2010 & 2012, then Democrats are in good shape for the next coming elections.

Keynes Is the New Black?

Perhaps so? Let's hope so.

IL House Begins Impeachment Proceedings

The vote to impeach Gov. Blagojevich was unanimous. The only point of contention was over the ability of the Governor to appoint a new US Senator to fill President-Elect Obama's vacant seat. Republicans want a special election, but there was no vote on it, possibly because the state is already cash-strapped & may not afford another election.

The first step has begun in Illinois ridding itself of Blago, and just about everyone wants him gone.

Our Idiot President Goes Out the Same Way He Came In

As dumb as a rock.

Martha Raddatz interviewed The Disaster President, George W. Bush, the obtuse cartoon character who has occupied the Oval Office during the last eight long and disastrous years. Of course, one of Mr. Magoo's worst disasters was his expensive incursion into Iraq which has poured out a steady stream of our national treasure and completely hemorrhaged international good will for the United States. The Prince Buffoon had this exchange with Raddatz:

Chimp: One of the major theaters against al Qaeda turns out to have been Iraq. This is where al Qaeda said they were going to take their stand. This is where al Qaeda was hoping to take ...

Raddatz: But not until after the U.S. invaded.

Chimp: Yeah, that's right. So what?

So, there you have it, one by one, the weapons of mass destruction defense, the we've gotta fight where they are defense, one prevarication after another, the Prince Buffoon admits he just lied his way through the whole eight years.

Secretary Salazar?

Will Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) be our next Interior Secretary? Jeralyn at TalkLeft has been scouring the Denver media, and she says it's happening. Good, I guess.

Well, Salazar is quite centrist. However, he's pretty good on environmental issues. And hey, this may mean Colorado will get a better Democrat for Senator. ;-)

Where the Votes Are

What's the potential of "Blue State Republicans" & "Red State Democrats" altering the dynamics of the incoming Senate? 538.com looks into it. I guess we'll see whether or not this benefits the future President Obama.

An Idea for Filling Hillary's Vacant Senate Seat

Louise Slaughter for Senate?

Today is election day

Yep, that's right. Today is the official election day. The electors have been meeting today in the several states to cast their electoral votes for president and vice president of the United States. Whoever wins today in the Electoral College will be elected. I am going to throw the dice on this and take a wild-eyed guess that the outcome will be:

Obama 365
McCain 173

Yeah, I know I am going out on a limb here, but my money is on Obama to pull out a comfortable win.

The Case of the Tossed Shoe

How fitting.

The R Word

Can we say it now? Really? Well, perhaps we should wait until 2012 before celebrating it. In the mean time, we can work hard to make it happen!

An Unexpected Climate Crisis Solution

Who knew we could sequester carbon by farming organically! Wow! I'll remember that when I'm buying my organic groceries at Trader Joe's. ;-)

It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this

Acting on behalf of billions of people, people who live inside the United States and outside of it, an Iraqi journalist sums up, by his actions, our assessment of the Bush presidency.

Sick at Home Sunday

I can hardly wait to feel well again! Yes, I'm still sick at home. No, I don't like it. And yes, it's so frustrating to be quarantined!

So what's happening with you today?

Why do Republicans hate America?

You doubtless remember George Bush's testimonial that he and his administration never stop thinking about ways they, like the terrorists, could hurt America:



Republicans, committed to perpetuating George W. Bush's legacy, are now trying to make a mountain out of a molehill by attenuating the links between the senator from Illinois to the governor of Illinois into something quite sinister:



The United States is deep trouble, directly as the result of the policy and behavior of Republicans. The only way the country will save itself is for Barack Obama to succeed as president, but here come the Republicans, the same as they ever were, trying to destroy America by trying to destroy her new president.

Pathetic.