Dems gain in 'hidden election'

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Dennis Cauchon, USA TODAY

Bernie Buescher is no John Kerry — and for that, Colorado Democrats are grateful.

The businessman from Grand Junction, Colo., won 55% of the vote to become a Democratic state representative in a county that supported Republican President Bush by a 2-to-1 ratio.

And Buescher was not alone.

Democrats had great success in state legislative races this year, even as they performed poorly in the presidential race and campaigns for Congress. Many Democratic gains came in the heart of Republican territory.

more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/state/2004-12-14-dems-hidden-election_x.htm

[auburngrad82]

1. NC Dems regained control of the state house this year

If we can figure out how to win on a national level before the Repugs screw everything up we'll be ok.

[Jane Austin]

10. While you've got a Dem state majority . . .

. . . this is your chance to make sure your voting system is secure.

I think the only time this is going to happen is when Dems are in the majority, so better get cracking or we'll never have honest elections again.

[Supersedeas]

13. Great point Jane

[Jane Austin]

15. Thanks - - and for me . . .

It's the only point until we have reliable election results again.

[blm]

2. That's because the machines were only rigged for the presidential race.

Bush would only care about rigging his race and a few Senate races.

Kerry likely won Colorado. Typical gratuitous slam against Kerry in the article.

[CatWoman]

4. BINGO!!!!!

"That's because the machines were only rigged for the presidential race."

And only a goddamn fool won't or can't see this.

[PATRICK]

5. Just ask Republicans

People here have been courting their GOP friends for months and the constant refrain is ABB or simply vote for the rest of the GOP slate. This is extremely counterintuitive on the evidence and the common sense.

The feckless Dems are happy to except some kind of fantasy that makes Dems with social agendas locally more appealing than dumping the hated Bush?

Proof sadly of many things, but finally of the corruption of Bush "dumbness" in the rank and file Dem politicians.

[fshrink]

8. Yep.

[GOPBasher]

9. That's the truth.

[lonestarnot]

3. Machine rigging effort not local!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

6. my rural & very very repub town went completely dem this cycle

a complete turnover....i was surprised and very very pleased

[blm]

7. There were probably plenty more towns like yours, but, their votes were

stolen.

[w4rma]

11. So why isn't Kerry calling up elections officals on the phone and

getting them to chuck out the black boxes?

Why does he appear not to be doing a blasted thing behind the scenes on that?

Why is he not calling up Democratic governors (why didn't he call up Grey Davis before he lost to Arnold?)?

[blm]

12. I don't think he knows much about BBV, and I don't think any of them

have a firm grasp on it as an issue yet. Even Dean, who has touched on it as an issue, hasn't made it a priority. If he had, he would have made certain Kerry was aware of it, as he had Kerry's ear throughout the general election.

I haven't seen any senior Democrat grab hold of this as a priority issue. I really expected some of them to be on this while Kerry was dealing with an already overflowing plate of campaign issues on a daily basis.

Those Democrats who had some level of awareness of BBV should have studied it further, informed Kerry, and then spearheaded a defensive line to tackle the problems BEFORE election day while Kerry was handling his campaign duties.

[Child_Of_Isis]

14. So true.

But, I am hoping that they set a trap for shrub. Most likely I am in denial and nothing was being done...nor will be done... and things will continue as before.