Is the outlook really bleak in Kentucky and Mississippi?

[Changenow]

The polls suck, is there any reason to hope? It is too hard to weather the disappointment any more when I watch a hopeless race, but there has to come a point that people will realize what is going on, right? Maybe not this week at any rate,

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. what gets me is the people who say this is a harbinger for 2004

Local elections are local. I haven't heard a lot about either race, and I live in nearby Arkansas. Has either Repug candidate announced that his race was really a mandate supporting Bush's policies? The only think I have read is here on DU, and it was about the MS candidate being a supporter of racist organizations.

[Imajika]

4. Everyone says that...

"what gets me is the people who say this is a harbinger for 2004"

That is exactly what many of we Democrats and our fearless leader Terry McAuliffe said when Warner (VA) and McGreevey (NJ) won the Governorships in 2001. It was supposed to be a harbinger for 2002. We all know how that turned out.

"Local elections are local."

And ofcourse your right about this. Sometimes, if the incumbent national party is very unpopular trends can be spotted in these sorts of offyear State elections, but mostly it is a case of politics being local.

I think Bush is mostly just a fundraising tool here. He probably does not negatively or positively effect the races in these states one way or the other.

But that will not stop the Republicans from claiming a smashing victory is they win these Governors races, nor will it stop the Dem's from doing the same if we win.

It is mostly just a bunch of nonsense political talking points used by almost all political parties anywhere in the world.

Imajika

[jarab]

2. Yes, it is bleak in KY

as far as the governor's race is concerned.
The desperation is evident (to me) when Chandler resorts to Happy's background favorite in his ad.
I also have seen more legwork by Fletcher's crew, a clear indication that they are not just whistling in the wind - this time.
In all honesty, Patton has not made it easy for the Dems in KY. And, this is the absolute worst time for a change in parties. This probably won't affect the '04 races, since we generally give the Pugs our electoral votes (easily).
Sad week coming up in Kentucky, but I can always hope for some economic backlash against the other party. It would surprise me if Chandler pulls it out.
...O...

[Devlzown]

3. It's going to be close here in Mississippi.

It could go either way in the Governor's, Lt. Gov.'s, and Atty. General's races.