Dayton Daily News..Kerry hasnt converted bellwhether precinct.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

....Democratic contender John Kerry is failing to make significant gains among undecided voters.

That's the message gleaned from interviews this week with 25 voters in Dayton precinct 11-H, the bellwether East Dayton neighborhood at Huffman Avenue and Smithville Road. Among almost 600 Montgomery County precincts, 11-H has most consistently mirrored Ohio's presidential voting patterns since 1992....

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0510precinct.html

A traditionally blue collar area. "Larry the Cable Guy" country.

Not too good news for the Dems.

[yardwork]

1. Sample size = a whole 25 voters. Insert eye-roll icon.

Ya'll are going to have to do a little better than this to convince me that Ohio isn't Kerry's for the taking. I grew up there and have many friends and relatives around the state. W is not a popular man in Ohio - no he is not.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

2. I usually pay attention to bellwhethers.

So, I dont' have any problem with the sample size. Its not scientific, but its a traditionally good indicator for political insiders and politix junkys.

My gut feeling is that, yes, Kerry, will take this county, Montgomery County, but it will be that close.

[liberalnurse]

3. I'm in Dayton...

Sadly, it is true......no inspiration or leadership momentum.

[Kukesa]

4. I gotta agree, Liberal Nurse,

So what are we going to do? Kerry wasn't my first choice, but he's my candidate now, and I'll embrace him, warts and all.

As you know, this area of Ohio is a Republican stronghold (yes, I do remember Tony Hall and when things were different).

We've got to do something . . .

[Philostopher]

5. What's really creepy is I've heard more than one R around here

Pick Rumsfeld apart, criticize the way Iraq's being prosecuted, complain about outsourcing and how corporations and drug companies and (insert money-grubbing organization here) are throttling the country ... and then go on to say they'll vote for Bush* in November if they have to crawl across a block of broken glass on their elbows. I want to know what Kool-Aid they're drinking, it must be some interesting stuff.

I don't know if it's the preponderance of hate radio around here, or the churches, or the fact that the Air Force is a big employer ... I can't figure it out. They have all the pieces right there in their heads, but when you put it together, they sneer at you and call you a rabid partisan. They hate everything conservatism is about, and yet when you point it out, you're being partisan. I don't know what the solution is, frankly -- they already have it, they just choose not to understand that they have it.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

8. I think WPAFB & military have a big negative effect here...

...on local politics as well as the general overall conformist and conservative tenor of the place, socially and culturally.

The churches, too. Probably one of the most churchy places Ive ever been at.

[liberalnurse]

6. We can start with backing the Democratic

ticket against Mike Turner. We have to start at home. Last week, I read about Jane Mitakides who will challenge Turner....Her campaign reported having $100,000 on hand in mid-April and she just got an endorsement from a New York City group who were Wes Clark supporters.....The New Democratic Action Team of New York. We need to get her out in public and speak out against Turners *bush hugging. He sends out mailings every 60 days ....I know becvause I get them.....I've called his office on various issues thus they send me updates now.......


It's a start.

[Kukesa]

7. Website? Headquarters? Phone number?

liberalnurse, can you give me any of the above for Jane Mitakides? Sounds like a good place to start.