TIME: In Final Days, Parties Dream of Senate Upsets in Arizona, Michigan

[DeepModem Mom]

Campaign '06: In Final Days, Parties Dream of Senate Upsets
While confident Democrats brag about an expanding playing field, the panicked G.O.P. places last-minute bets on states where they hope an anti-Republican wave turns out to be anti-incumbent
By MIKE ALLEN/WASHINGTON
Thursday, Nov. 02, 2006

Democrats and Republicans have each picked a state where they're hoping for a November Surprise and have begun pouring buzzer-beating money into Senate contests that have not been on anyone's toss-up list.

For Democrats, the hope for an upset is Arizona, where incumbent Sen. Jon Kyl (R), has looked safe from the Democratic challenger, shopping mall developer Jim Pederson.

For Republicans, the long shot is Michigan, where the National Republican Senatorial Committee is throwing a $900,000 lifeline to Mike Bouchard, a sheriff challenging Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D).

In Arizona, Kyl would only lose in a national typhoon. But Democrats are acting confident and Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, is touting an "expanding Senate playing field." Pederson, the Democrat, has mounted an attack focusing on Iraq and special interests. The conservative Kyl has focused on "Arizona accomplishments" and expertise on terrorism.

In Michigan, Stabenow has led handily in polls and fundraising. Bouchard, with the slogan "Results for a Change," began running the nationally financed ads yesterday, and reaches out to younger voters tonight by appearing with Kid Rock. Democrats say it's too late, and that Stabenow has used her cash advantage to build a lead and define Bouchard....

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1553811,00.html?cnn=yes

[cobaindrain]

1. It's over in Michigan

latest polls put Stabenow up 10 and 14, Bouchard is finished. Kyl is only by around 5 so we still have a shot in Arizona though time is running out.

[Tansy_Gold]

2. Bill Clinton rally for Pederson in Tempe yesterday

drew what looked to me like significant support. Kyl is such a piece of shit, I would be sooooooooooooooooooooo happy to see him lose.

As one analyst put it, Arizona has a very unstable political demographic. New people come into this state from all over the country, changing the political picture all the time. I would love to see the pukes spend big bucks to defend Kyl, even if he ends up winning, and maybe forcing them to abandon another race that we ultimately take. But I also think just about anything could happen here on Tuesday. . .. and I've got my fingers and toes crossed!



Tansy Gold

[demzilla]

3. Pederson leads in early voting

There is a poll showing Pederson leading among those casting early ballots -- expected to be a third of the electorate. This triggered the national party's interest so late in the game.

There IS a national Democratic trend, and it will be felt in AZ -- the question is, will it be enough? Stay tuned . . .