EXCELLENT post.

The point is not whether Bush and Gore were different, the point is how much should be done to push Democrats leftward to the extent that we will NEVER get meaningful reform if the Democratic Party is not reformed.

I'm confused: Garamendi NOW lives in CA-10, I think? He would then have to move to CA-03 to be able to run there...?

The other big number from this poll: In a Paterson-Giuliani match-up, Democrats split 41% to 40%... If that doesn't show that Paterson is toast, I don't know what does.

Watching this, I can't believe Blackwell was almost a Governor. (Well, he lost by a lot, but he was the GOP nominee.)

I had not heard about the 2010 constitutional convention issue. Ugh, there HAD to be a loophole, why couldn't that once-a-decade vote have happened in 2008!

But as you said it would be a big risk for the GOP to push for this if they aren't sure of picking up at least one chamber of the legislature. They could be stuck in a pretty bad position if Democrats control the legislature.

As I posted in the diaries last night, Campaign Diaries has just published a detailed head count of EFCA, broken down by individual Senator.

There is an overall whip count, as well as a table breaking down the past position and most recent statements of the 24 Senators who are not co-sponsors and whose vote will be decisive.

Two important notes: For now, Ben Nelson is the only Senator to separate the issue of the cloture vote and that of the final legislation (that is obviously a major distinction). And Kay Hagan is the only one who is NOT a co-sponsor but whose office unequivocally said that she favors the bill.

The only poll of the race to date has Toomey narrowly trailing Specter in the primary; but the poll also finds Toomey trailing two Democrats in the general election. This should be good.

The viewing link above is overwhelmed. But this one is working.

I was under the impression that Feigenholtz had a more left-leaning reputation than Quigley? So was that wrong? I followed the race from afar, so wasn't aware of all the details.

Agreed, this is all very disappointing. And it looks like Burris is playing with us on key votes as well. Labor is reportedly angry at him for refusing to say how he will vote on EFCA!

agreed, as I wrote below, at issue is whether Obama's policies are good, not whether he wants to improve or screw up the economy. And Bush had every incentive to get Iraq right...

This is great news. Hodes is a progressive Democrat AND he would be a very strong candidate (you've got to admit, that's a pretty good combination).

Campaign Diaries discusses other potential contenders for the seat: Shea-Porter, Lynch, Swett, Sununu, Bass...