.Tonight I went to dinner with a group of Republicans. It was a

[saracat]

neighborhood gathering. My husband is running for the state senate in Arizona. These are people that were rabid Bush supporters.Congressman Shadegg is also our neighbor and many are his friends.His next door neighbors were among this group.All of them are voting a straight Democratic ticket.Two asked me to change their registration.I went through hell with these people in both election 2000, and 2004. They have all just had it.I often use this group as a barometer as to election results and I haven't been wrong yet! We are definitely going to win big this November.And they are not just voting against the Republicans because of Foley.They are voting against Bush for all the bad decisions they feel have been made and they feel they are also voting against the religious right and stated they are ashamed that their party has nominated such people.

[niyad]

1. THANK YOU for that ray of hope and good news.

[babylonsister]

2. Kick and a nom from me! People are aware, and that's good! nt

[twilight_sailing]

3. saracat

You rock!

[Erika]

4. Great job Saracat.

Thanks for sharing. Even among the GOP, I find none who support the W. They've seen enough of his policies.

[stopbush]

5. Just wondering, did any of them opine on the media propping up *?

[saracat]

9. Nope but they just feel stupid themselves.They feel lied to ,finally!

[blm]

6. Great news, saract....and it sounds like you'll be hosting a victory party

soon. You've gone through alot these years - drop us a thread on election night. Commandeer a laptop if you have to....heh.

[immoderate]

7. I used to live in Pheonix...

Is Karen Johnson still in the legislature?

When I was there the city government was on TV all the time, but not the state government. I always figured it was just too crazy to show.

Glad to see things are looking up. I did have a chance to vote for Janet before I left. :)

--IMM

[poverlay]

8. If we could just get Kyl out of here I'd feel like partying no matter how

we did nationally...

[saracat]

11. Oddly, no one mentioned Kyl.He is an odd sort.

Even with Jim Pederson forcing him to actually campaign, he is somehow below the radar. No one really knows him. He was at a picnic all the politicians attended Sat.It was odd. Janet and Kyl and JD Hayworth all in one place and many others as well.He is so innocuous I still can't remember what he spoke about.And you really don't recognize him in person. I think that is how he keeps getting elected. He is just nothing.

[longship]

10. We keep hearing these kind of stories.

There really is something happening this year.

www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2342492&mesg_id=2342492

[bobbieinok]

12. heard many in 2004 too ..... and they stole election in plain sight

[eridani]

19. The question is--

--can we win big enough to cancel out the cheating and vote suppression?

[longship]

34. And what are *you* doing to stop it?

Since you consider this so important, I know that you are highly involved in building a solution to the problem. Myself, I am working GOTV this year which can build margins which are not Diebold-able.

What are you doing?

Have you volunteered as a poll watcher? A poll worker?
Have you organized with media and lawyers for a fast response on election day?
Do you have any official witnesses scheduled at the polls in hot areas?
Etc.

More importantly, why are you screeching about stolen elections without enlisting assistance from us? I know that you are highly engaged on this issue. So, why be so negative. Ask us for help. I think you'll find that you'll get it.

[tavalon]

55. What is the level at which it isn't Diebold-able

10,000 votes, 100,000 votes, 1,000,000? I mean really, think about it. These are machines that can switch any amount of numbers and can even make their own paper trail, should they desire to, of course, it would be a paper trail they themselves create. Without exit polls which seem to rapidly be becoming a thing of the past, there is no way, short of paper ballots counted by humans and verifiable by the voters that they can't make any numbers come out just like they want them to.

See that's the thing. I keep seeing how the numbers are still close between Dems and Repubs and we have no way of knowing that. Realy, I suspect it's not really close at all, that we Dems are poised for a huge win and yet, I'm not bothering to get any champagne just yet. My gut feeling is that Diebold will make it close enough to seem almost reasonable especially if we look at how the races are supposed to be so close. I've got a real bad feeling about this, at least a deja vu feeling about this.

[Lasher]

20. Thanks for putting up this link.

I might have otherwise missed that excellent thread.

[civildisoBDence]

31. The polls are looking better and better (except in Virginia)...

...and the polls are probably underestimating Democratic strength.

Plenty of Republicans who say they would vote Republican on the phone won't bother voting at all. Others will vote Democrat even after saying they'd vote Republican. Still others will maintain their Republican credentials out loud, but secretly vote Democrat when they enter the booth, so even the exit polls may wind up underestimating Democratic strength.

Yeeeeeeeeeeeee-haw! Happy days are (almost) here again.

Newsprism

[longship]

37. You've hit a nail on the head.

This is what I am thinking...

The pollsters are clearly missing some dynamics this election. First, they are overstating Republican and independant demographics which skews their internals to favor the Republican. In CT, especially, this is true.

Second, they are missing people who will vote by only polling "most likely voters". That dynamic just might not work this year. People are ultra-pissed at the Republicans. "Most likely voters" always favors Republicans. This time that will be wrong.

Third, and this is your point, the demonizing of the Democrats over the past two decades may make people reticent to admit that they're going to vote for Democrats. However, with all the anger directed at the Republicans, people will go into the privacy of the voting booth and pull the levers next to the Dems anyway.

If these dynamics play out like that, we *will* take fifty House seats, and not even Diebold is going to stop it.

[Monk06]

13. I am inclined to share your optimism. A friend of mine does a lot

of business in Arizona and his perception is
that Arizona is the Reddest of Red States among
the wealthy business class. True believers to
the end.

So if the Arizona business and political elite
are turning Blue that is a serious belle weather
indicator.

BTW You have a lot of perseverance and a thick skin
maybe you should run for office.

[ginnyinWI]

14. at least two years behind the rest of us, but

at least they are becoming aware of the truth. Thanks for sharing it.

[and-justice-for-all]

15. Kick Ass.....

...I am going to what I am perceiving to be a Repuke party, but I am not definite about that. Its a group of local high class peoples, whom have what they call a barn party. I have never been to one, I can not antisepate Repukeness abound...I hope not, but I am prepared for the worst.

[cui bono]

16. great news! Good luck to the hubby. n/t

[kster]

17. Why all the Silence from this bunch

when it comes to the Secret Vote Counting Machines? I'm just curious, Good luck to the hubby.

[Chipper Chat]

18. Isn't Diebold big in Arizona?

I think there were lawsuits filed challenging electronic voting? Any progress?

[file83]

21. When I voted in western Phoenix 2004, it was a "scantron" like system...

didn't notice if the machine that "scanned" the cards was Diebold or not. I do remember that one scandal was that there weren't nearly enough voting machines for all the people in some precinct - so there was a HUGE line of voters. Their voting rights were violated because even though they had gotten in line before 7:00PM, they were all told to go home by 7:30PM. I remember watching that on the news that evening.

[saracat]

43. There is diebold in only one county. And it is a small one.Can't

remember which.And I think they may have an injunction against use.Maricopa has Sequoia machines.We have never had Diebold. And the Diebold in question were purchased by the Sec.of State Jan Brewer last year.Jan was also the Az State Chair of the Bush Cheney Campaign, our very own version of Blackwell.I am presuming she will alo count the votes reelecting herself this cycle. This political suckup needs to be gone!We must take her down.Isreal Torres for Sec.of State!

[kster]

59. I was asking about the secret vote counting machines

not just Diebold, has secret vote counting machines, All the vote counting machines allow our votes to be counted in secret, that includes Sequoia, my question was, why do the Politicians REMAIN SILENT about the secret vote counting machines?

I asked about the secret vote counting machines, if your husband is running for state senate in Arizona he should be VERY CONCERNED about how the votes are BEING counted, Most importantly you should want to know how your Husbands votes are going to be counted, and most definitely you should want to SEE your husbands votes BEING COUNTED, or else you won't know if your Husbands vote were even BEING COUNTED?

Did you even ask to see how your husbands votes are going to be counted, and/or if you can see the actual votes being counted?

Just curious.

I'll understand if you don't want to answer me directly.

[kster]

60. I'm going to have to make a thread, combining your thread

with my question, Do you think it will work, I'm just lookin for an answer, Why the silence from the politicians about the secret vote counting machines, from your thread, it looks like you should be able to provide me with an answer. So far you haven't.

[saracat]

61. I know the people at the B of E and obseved the mandatory handcount

We have a new law that requires a mandatory handcount of random precincts. Our Bof E has always done an outstanding job and Karen Osborne who runs the place and her workers are honest and competant.They are perfectly willing and able to answer all quaestions and show you the machines.I suggest you ask them.That would be the Board of Elections in Phoenix. I honestly am not concerned about our votes.

[rman]

27. It'll be interesting to hear what these people have to say if

the Repubs win again.

[NoAmericanTaliban]

22. A republican at work told me that now he has no party

He is in the Air Force reserve and didn't vote for Kerry because he fell for the lie that Kerry & Hanoi Fonda protested together. I pointed out at that time that Kerry at least fought in Vietnam & that Bush stayed home.

He now is dismayed at the GOP, especially after the Foley scandal and the way Iraq is turning out. He hears a lot about Iraq from people that are actually there and it's a dismal portrait. I also may have had some part in it by sending him some emails & talking to him.

Interesting thing is that he has no issue with gay marriage and abortion, or even drug use. More GOP because his wife is a rabid right winger & his belief that the dems are anti-military. Now he says he doesn't know who he will vote for, might just stay at home or vote libertarian.

[Patiod]

32. "well, I'm really more of a Libertarian"

The new mantra of the non-Religious-Right Republican. Have heard it more than once when I ask them "so, how do you think your boy Bush is doing?"

[NoAmericanTaliban]

33. maybe the GOP 'libertarians' are embarresed by the fundies

with all the corruption, scandals, etc. Maybe they will start kicking the fundies out of the GOP. Now that they are losing the regular GOPers are quick to distance themselves. Where were they when the fundies took over their party.

Many of them are now libertarians like we are progressives.

[Vidar]

23. Thank you, saracat.

[Kurovski]

24. I see disaffected Republicans all over the place,

so what's with all the polls still saying we're so split in half here in this country. it's the same thing we're told in every run-up to an election.

somethings screwy here.

[pretzel4gore]

39. the pigmedia is bushevik....

weirdly, to be well educated and well to do in modern world says outright you are a neanderthal, a knuckledragging boor with racism, sexism and class superiority behind everything said or done....it probably always was true, but 'noblesse oblige' once inspired the upper class twittery (see the Kennedys, the Rockefellers etc) - offset the tapeworm mentality and kept society reasonably healthy (considering almost everything we were told about history was a self serving lie by the same people who actually saw geebush junyer as....as a tall dark handsome movie star politician who was tough and firm of intention blah blah blah)....
there are ricksaw men in calcutta who are provably smarter, tougher and much more decent then the prez usa..... it's incredible!

[Kurovski]

56. Well hush my mouth!

An hour after my post polls started coming out that show the gap is widening.

The Republican defection is on.

[amb123]

25. K & R. Keep working Dems!

This is wonderful news, but this election isn't over by a long shot. We need to keep on talking to our neighbors (like saracat), volunteer for Democratic candidates, knock on doors and contribute $ to the very last minute.

NO LET UP! Each day the Bush Administration and the GOP remains in power the Constitution and the Bill of Rights dies!

[Claire Beth]

26. glad to hear this!

Thanks for the info. I love to hear good news for us Dem's.

[WillyT]

28. K & R !!!

:bounce::kick::bounce:

[City Lights]

29. OMG, saracat, that is fantastic news!

As a former resident of the Phoenix suburbs, this is big news indeed!

Good luck to your husband. :toast: :yourock:

[gully]

30. Wow!

*goosebumps* thinking about it.

[CoffeeCat]

35. Your post came at a good time...

...I'm feeling a bit depressed and overwhelmed by the evil Republicans
lack of suffering, despite their long litany of scandals and crimes.

However, your real-world example was a nice ray of sunshine.

Thanks for lighting up the darkness. :)

[Freeusfromthechurch]

36. Republicans voting a straight Democratic ticket !

Truth leads to change.I am releived that (some) people are beginning to want a different leadership before the constitution completely unravels. One of my concerns is voting. I hope there will be a paper back-up system in case there are any questions about fraud. My hopes are up for the first time in quite a while. Perhaps our founding fathers will be given some rest after turning over in their graves for so long.

[calimary]

52. Welcome to DU!

I hope this is true, too.

[Vincardog]

38. Thanks for the hope. I will believe Nov. 8. We have to win too BIG TO STEAL

[Mad_Dem_X]

45. Exactly - we need a DEM LANDSLIDE

so big and obvious, there's no way they can steal it!

[lisainmilo]

40. WONDERFUL!

I am so glad to hear that! :bounce:

[yellerpup]

41. Great news.

Gives me hope.

[Arugula Latte]

42. Great news!

Of course it's baffling that these people were still so blinded in '04, but, oh well. No going back now.

[Mad_Dem_X]

44. Better late than never, I guess...

It's a shame they made your life hell for all those years before finally coming around and throwing out the Kool-Aid. But, that's great that they've seen the light!

[DinahMoeHum]

46. Like I've said: One by one by one by one by one by one by one by one

by one by one by one

Etc.

:kick:

[Grateful for Hope]

47. Excellent news, saracat!

Thank you for sharing this with us!

:yourock:

[truedelphi]

48. I just picked up a copy of the local rag

here in Lake COunty California

I wasn't enthused about reading it just three months ago - but MYGOWD AMIGHTY-Y!

Front page story about local high school anti-war protest - with PICTURES mind you. Seemd to be told in supportive way, not ridiculing or slamming them.

Long front page article about the uphill battles Repukes face as people state in newest polls that they have lost faith in Repukes! This locally written article predicts the loss of the House to the Dems.

HOWEVER on the national side of things, the corporate media and the corporate controlled voting machinery are not about to let the country slip from the grasp of tyranny as long as the tyrants keep shelling out big time to their supporters.

It should scare all of us that the Right Wing Talking Heads keep dismissing the Foley scandal and saying that in bringing up the subject, the DEMS are letting go of the issue of Iraq - and that unless the Iraq situation is brought to the fore, the Dems will lose.

I almost expect these talking headsters to start singing out loud "We don't have no real elections" (to the tune of the Pink Floyd classic "We don't need no education!) And always that smug look on their face.

[PATRICK]

49. Maybe this is the wrong time

or state to introduce more troubling ideas but are the (ex)Republicans aware that ballot tampering might happen to them perhaps even more easily than to Dems? That goes for primary choices as well. Just a note that they have an interest as well, no matter their choice, in having a correct tally. Most of them are immune to suppression and have a full plate already with all the other Bush illusions blowing up in their faces.

Just a careful idea.

[jillan]

50. Saracat - are you telling me Az is turning BLUE?

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

:kick: :kick: :kick: :kick: :kick:

Yeehaw!

[Wheezy]

51. Oh please

let it happen.

signed,

former blue-stater, now AZ resident

[Lydia Leftcoast]

53. If this is true, then the Dems MUST do something when they're

in office.

If they prove to be nothing more than the same-old same-old (in terms of ignoring bread and butter issues), the Republican defectors may not go back to the GOP, but they will always have the option of becoming totally disillusioned with the political process and opting out of voting at all.

[NotGivingUp]

54. that is so very cool!!

[buddysmellgood]

57. Good luck. Thanks for sharing that.

[midnight]

58. My baby just got accepted to ASU.

She loves Arizona, and she speakes Spanish as a second language. Not sure how I feel about the political climate out West. We are from Wisconsin. Our State legislature is considered pretty corrupt. Just wondering what she would be moving into?

[barb162]

62. that's a heartening story

thanks