Impressions of an Election.............By David Mixner

-So far, Barack Obama has been endorsed by 231 newspapers with a combined circulation of 21 million people. McCain has a total of 102 newspapers with a circulation of 7 million people. Forty-Six of the papers that endorsed Bush in 2004 have switched to Obama. One of the more interesting endorsements for Obama was the Anchorage Daily News. You bet'cha. If you want to know how your newspaper endorsed, go to www.editorandpublisher.com .

-Tell me again, John McCain, why we should not tax corporations more? Exxon/ Mobil, just for this quarter, has reported an all time record profit of $14.3 billion dollars! So much for taking our hard earned money at the gas pump and putting it back into exploration.

-Astronaut Sally Ride (photograph) has endorsed Obama and says he is the best choice for the future of the space program.

-Matt Drudge continues to bring shame to his site The Drudge Report by endlessly printing every slimy unauthenticated rumor about Obama. His effort to pump up the Republicans with such trash is unbecoming. But not surprising.

-The latest CNN/Time battleground state polls continue to show we are heading in the right direction. They showed Obama leading in a number of states including:

Florida +4%
Virginia +9%
Pennsylvania +12%
North Carolina +6%
Nevada +7%
Ohio +4%

-In the 'just when you think it can't get any worse' department, incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole sank to new lows in the already acknowledged nadir known as Republican politics. She accused very religious challenger Kay Hagan of 'associating with Atheists" in a television spot! The Charlotte Observer called out Dole on her disgusting ad and said:

“This is indecent. It is the modern-day version of the “white hands” ad, a lie born of Dole's desperation in a race in which she has trailed for weeks. It is also a deliberate attempt by Dole's campaign not just to distort the truth, but to shatter Hagan's admirable record as an elder for more than a decade in Greensboro's First Presbyterian Church, as a Sunday School teacher and a volunteer in her church's fundraising campaigns, worship services and community service programs. It has no place in N.C. politics. Unless she admits this egregious, shameful mistake and acts appropriately, Elizabeth Dole has no place in N.C. politics, either.”

-Queerty.com carried the story of 109 year old Texan Amanda Jones whose father was a slave. Her life has spanned three centuries and has voted Democrat for seventy years. She proudly filled out her Absentee Ballot for Barack Obama this week. She announced it was her proudest vote ever in her long life.

-Speaking of the Lone Star State, a University of Texas poll showed that 23% of the voters of that state believe Barack Obama is a Muslim. Really. No kidding. No wonder they keep electing Republicans. Guess they have had too many head injuries in those Friday night football games.

-McCain has 177 lobbyists for Big Oil, Wall Street and other corporations running his campaign. No wonder his campaign thinks Obama's fair tax policy is "socialism".

-My political guru in Nevada, Dr. Jerry Cade, reports that Democrats out numbered Republicans in early voting in Clark County (Las Vegas) by 54% to 29%! In the Republican stronghold of Washoe County (Reno), Democrats have out numbered Republicans in early voting by 51% to 33%. Good news.

-Patrick Range McDonald sent a note about a rally in West Hollywood, California on Sunday at 4PM against Proposition 8. The huge rally will be at Santa Monica and Robertson Blvd. If you are in the Southland, please get your butt to it and while you are at it please give more money. We need $3 million more in three days to air a spot by Senator Dianne Feinstein against Proposition 8. Go to www.noonprop8.com and give one more check.

-"Keep on truckin' Scott Kleeb" is driving his pickup truck all over Nebraska. The Democrat, running for U.S. Senate, is having citizens sign his truck with missives detailing what they need from their government. The truck is covered with messages from the grassroots. (See Photograph).

-Alison Teal reports in "Hot Flashes from the Campaign Trail" that National Public Radio had a story of a factory worker in Missouri who voting early. As an old civil rights activist, I loved his quote which sounds like he might have gotten it from his preacher last Sunday:

 "Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Barack could run; Barack is running so children can fly."

-The Lady de Rothchild has taken her tiara and diamonds to New Hampshire to hold press conferences for John McCain. Once again the big Democratic contributor married to a billionaire is accusing Obama of being an elitist! I guess when you have that much inherited money, the notion of irony never enters your addled thought process. Even so, you have to admit that Lady de Rothchild seems to have lost all sense of what is elite and what is a noble struggle to create a magnificent life.

-The 'silver fox' President Clinton joined Barack Obama on stage for the first time last night at a huge, boisterous, and incredibly satisfying rally in Florida. If you missed the meeting of Democratic Titans, it is worth viewing. Just click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RC-9PgJfJIw

-This will be my last Impressions of an Election column and next week after the election, I will begin my "Impressions by David Mixner" column. Lets hope I love covering this transition!

I leave you with this Obama canvasser who does it all on horseback in Missouri.

The Economist Endorses Obama

One of the world's most influential magazines, The Economist, announced their support of Barack Obama for President. You read the entire endorsement by clicking here. However, you see the tone of the endorsement in the excerpts that follow:

"That, however, was Senator McCain; the Candidate McCain of the past six months has too often seemed the victim of political sorcery, his good features magically inverted, his bad ones exaggerated. The fiscal conservative who once tackled Mr Bush over his unaffordable tax cuts now proposes not just to keep the cuts, but to deepen them. The man who denounced the religious right as “agents of intolerance” now embraces theocratic culture warriors. The campaigner against ethanol subsidies (who had a better record on global warming than most Democrats) came out in favour of a petrol-tax holiday. It has not all disappeared: his support for free trade has never wavered. Yet rather than heading towards the centre after he won the nomination, Mr McCain moved to the right.

Meanwhile his temperament, always perhaps his weak spot, has been found wanting. Sometimes the seat-of-the-pants method still works: his gut reaction over Georgia—to warn Russia off immediately—was the right one. Yet on the great issue of the campaign, the financial crisis, he has seemed all at sea, emitting panic and indecision. Mr McCain has never been particularly interested in economics, but, unlike Mr Obama, he has made little effort to catch up or to bring in good advisers (Doug Holtz-Eakin being the impressive exception).

The choice of Sarah Palin epitomised the sloppiness. It is not just that she is an unconvincing stand-in, nor even that she seems to have been chosen partly for her views on divisive social issues, notably abortion. Mr McCain made his most important appointment having met her just twice."

The Economist concludes by saying:

"So Mr Obama in that respect is a gamble. But the same goes for Mr McCain on at least as many counts, not least the possibility of President Palin. And this cannot be another election where the choice is based merely on fear. In terms of painting a brighter future for America and the world, Mr Obama has produced the more compelling and detailed portrait. He has campaigned with more style, intelligence and discipline than his opponent. Whether he can fulfil his immense potential remains to be seen. But Mr Obama deserves the presidency."

Final Days: Tale of Two Rallies

Nothing better illustrates the differences between the McCain and Obama campaigns than the situation this week in the Philadelphia area. Both candidates were in Southeast Pennsylvania stumping for votes in the final days.

On Tuesday, an old fashion Northeaster was winding up off the coast of Delaware. The impact up and down the East coast was severe. In the City of Brotherly Love, heavy cold rain poured down all day. Even some of the outer edges of the city had their first hint of snow. It couldn't have been a more miserable day.

McCain canceled his scheduled rally in Quakertown. Not far away 9,000 people in the West Chester area stood in freezing temperatures, pouring rain and waited for Obama. The candidate bounded on the stage in casual dress (sneakers and jeans) and gave a stirring speech to the enthusiastic crowd that was drench to the bone. Nothing will stop us this time around and the people of West Chester proved that once again. Neither rain nor snow nor gloom of night....

Final Days: Obama's Last Economic Ad - Pass It On!

The following ad from the Obama campaign captures the dramatic difference between the two candidates on the economic crisis and McCain's impetuous choice of Palin. It is really good and if you have time you should send it to your entire list of family and friends this weekend. This is just one more thing you can do to help propel Obama to victory!

Mixner's Final Fearless Forecast

While the prediction game is sort of silly given how little in reality we all know, it is one that is still fun to play. So in that spirit, I have spent the last couple of days going over polls, ground organizations, staff in certain states and tried to plug into good old fashioned political instinct. Of course if I am way off in my predictions, I am counting on the good grace of my readers to forget them totally. If I am spot on, then I will do my best to be somewhat humble but I am sure I will not be totally successful at that goal.

Basic:

There is no question in my mind but that Barack Obama will carry every state that John Kerry carried in 2004. This will give Obama a solid base of 252 electoral votes only 18 short of his needed goal. I was concerned about New Hampshire for a while but it is clear that Obama is pulling way ahead in the Granite State. Forgive me, but I feel Pennsylvania is really not into play. McCain/Palin might do better than expected in the Keystone State but their efforts will not close the race.

States That Are No Longer Battleground States:

These are the states that have been put, at one time or another, in the battleground category but in reality I believe are safe Obama battlegrounds at this point of time. These would include Virginia, Iowa, Colorado and New Mexico. These total 33 electoral votes and easily take Obama over the 270 mark with a total of 285 electoral votes.

The Two Giants:

For the last two elections it seems as though it has been a mantra of Ohio and Florida, Ohio and Florida and Ohio and Florida! Somehow we have gotten ourselves into some false common wisdom that no one can win without at least one of these two giants. Well, we now know that is not true. I am listening more and more to the polls concerning Ohio. Last week I believed McCain would carry this state but now I have put it solidly in Obama's camp. The massive ground organization that exists in Ohio has made close to 2 million contacts which has to count heavily for Obama on election day. I am still in shock about some of the stories highlighting the fact that McCain headquarters in the Buckeye State that have been closed on weekends! So with some confidence, I put Ohio's 20 votes in Obama's camp.

Florida also is a tough one to call. The polls have been trending toward Obama but still there has not been a big break toward him. Clearly, with the number of appearances by Obama/ Biden and the Clintons in central Florida, we know what turf we are fighting for in the Sunshine State. One of Obama's best field organizers in the country is Steve Hildebrand and he has been in Florida for three to four weeks full time. As Deputy Campaign Manager he built a remarkable grassroots organization for Obama. In some part because of Hildebrand's presence, I am giving Florida's 27 votes to Obama.

The Close Calls

These states are really extremely close and are the highest candidates for recounts on election day. My read is that they are truly toss-up states but I must make a call.

I am going to put Nevada in the Obama camp. In part because my good friend on the ground Nevada political wizard, Jerry Cade, says it is going for Obama. He has one of the better political judgements of anyone I know. The Second Congressional District is a historic strong Republican area and it is breaking even which tells me this state might be changing from Red to Blue this year. Plus, I think the West will go big for Obama and that includes the Silver State. So in the spirit of gaming, I am putting Nevada's 6 votes in the Obama column with some comfort.

North Carolina is literally neck and neck but Obama has held in there for the last couple of weeks. Because of a record turnout in early voting, a strong Obama organizational presence in traditionally Republican Charlotte, a record turnout in the Golden Triangle and huge African-American vote, I am giving North Carolina's 15 votes to Obama.

The notion that Indiana, which is as Republican as you can get, is even in play this year tells you a lot about this election. The fact that Chicago's media market goes into heavily populated Northern Indiana has given Obama great visibility in Hoosier state. Nevertheless, I think it will stay with McCain/Palin and am giving its 11 votes to the Republicans.

Then the Show-Me State of Missouri has been trending heavily toward Obama. His turnout of 100,000 in St. Louis and 75,000 in Kansas City is nothing short of remarkable. Senator Claire McCaskill is one of Obama's strongest supporters. Having assisted her in a small way in her election to the United States Senate, I have seen her remarkable political skills. However, this one state where I think the famous "Bradley Factor" might come into play. Just can't see the Southwest portions of this state going for Obama. For Claire's sake, I hope I am wrong, but I am giving Missouri's 11 votes to McCain.

The Surprises:

We all like surprises and every election has them. That is why many commentators are attempting to make a real race in Pennsylvania. I think three states will surprise us somewhat this year. Two won't be huge surprises and they are North Dakota with 3 votes and Montana with 3 votes. I think they will be swept up in part of the Obama slide in the Western states. The really big surprise I think will be Georgia with its 15 votes. I think the state will go hugely Democratic on election day and put its votes with Obama.

Prediction:

Obama: 374 Electoral Votes
McCain: 164 Electoral Votes

Stay tuned.

Impressions of an Election.......by David Mixner

-So far over 1,098,777 doors have been knocked upon for Obama just in Ohio! According to First Read, the grassroots operation for Obama is historic. In addition to the house visits, over a million calls have been made to voters in this battleground state! The McCain Troy, Ohio office was closed for the weekend again.

-The people are responding like never before in an election and early voting is a good indication of record turnouts. States with early voting report long lines and no one leaving those lines no matter how long the wait. Ben Smith in www.politico.com says that reports in Cleveland show (see photograph at right) long lines and literally bus loads of supporters arriving at the early voting stations. Smith reports that over 1.6 million people have voted so far in Florida. These are amazing statistics.

-Unfortunately in the Sunshine State there have also been cries of voter suppression due to the fact that while hundreds of machines are available for early voting, most polling places have only two -- an undersupply seriously compromising people's efforts to vote. The elderly, the infirm, people desperate to get back to their jobs are waiting three and four hours to cast their votes! This is unconscionable. Time to call upon Republican Governor Crist to free up the extra machines so Floridians can vote in a timely manner.

-Speaking of early voting, I cast my absentee ballot this weekend for Obama! It sure felt incredible as I placed my mark next to his name. I had to take a few minutes and enjoy the moment.

-Apple corporation gave $100,000 to the battle for marriage equality in California. Have you made your contribution to www.noonprop8.com this week? Just give one more time!

-Incumbent Republican North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole finally got a newspaper endorsement! The endangered Senator got endorsed by her hometown newspaper - The Washington Times. Oops, that's right she is from North Carolina. Her Democratic challenger, Kay Hagan, has garnered every major newspaper endorsement that is in the state.

-According to a Gallup, 75% of the Jewish voters will cast their ballots for Obama!

-The conservative Financial Times shed its Republican leanings and endorsed Barack Obama this week! The paper stated in its editorial on Sunday:

"In responding to the economic emergency, Mr Obama has again impressed – not by advancing solutions of his own, but in displaying a calm and methodical disposition, and in seeking the best advice. Mr McCain’s hasty half-baked interventions were unnerving when they were not beside the point.

On foreign policy, where the candidates have often conspired to exaggerate their differences, this contrast in temperaments seems crucial. For all his experience, Mr McCain has seemed too much guided by an instinct for peremptory action, an exaggerated sense of certainty, and a reluctance to see shades of grey."

-Speaking of endorsements, The Miami Herald also stressed the economic crisis when it endorsed Obama. The paper said,

"The way the two candidates responded to the economic meltdown offers a lesson in contrasting styles of leadership. Both have put forth a series of worthwhile policy options, but where Sen. Obama was calm, Sen. McCain was frantic. He first put his campaign "on hold" and suggested he would cancel the first debate, and then suddenly decided to take part even as the first bailout deal cratered. He said the fundamentals of the economy were strong, then a few days later vowed to "name the names" of those responsible for the financial crisis.

In other elections, voters have complained of having to make a choice between two bad candidates. That is not the case this time. The nation is fortunate to have good candidates and a clear choice. Sen. Obama represents the best chance for America to make a clean break with the culture wars and failed policies of the past, and begin to restore the hope and promise of America as the world's greatest democracy."

-Polling continues to look good for Obama...almost too good. In eight states that George W. Bush carried in 2004, Obama now leads in six of them according to the Reuters/ Zogby poll! Obama leads in Virginia, Ohio, Nevada, Missouri, North Carolina and Florida. McCain leads in Indiana and West Virginia. In many of those states the leads are paper thin so get out there and walk and call for Obama.

-MSNBC's First Read has Barack Obama, for the first time, edging over the magical 270 number in electoral votes by shifting Virginia and Colorado into the Illinois senator's column. This gives Obama 286 electoral votes according to the political team at the cable network.

-Politico.com reports a major endorsement for Obama out of South Dakota. Former United States Republican Senator Larry Pressler, who was the first Vietnam veteran elected to the United States Senate, has endorsed Obama. He cited the economic crisis as the reason for his cross party endorsement.

-Speaking of South Dakota, it is too bad that Obama is running out of time. I am convinced if he could make stops in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Arizona and Georgia he could carry those states.

-You have to love those folks in Colorado. Not only did they fill Mile High Stadium at the Convention, they turned out 100,000 in Denver and 45,000 in Ft. Collins on Sunday. Take a look at the local newspaper's front page.

Impressions of an Election.................by David Mixner

-The Brits are feeling a new pride in their Prime Minister. Ever since most of the world adopted Prime Minister Brown's economic "British Solution" and the markets calmed down, his ratings have dramatically improved in the British Isles. They discovered the powerful intellect and innovation that Brown brings in time of trouble.

-The citizens of Colorado aren't going to take a chance that the weather might stop them from voting on election day. Over 1.5 million ballots have been sent out to voters and already near 400,000 have returned ballots or voted early.

-You would think after forking over an astonishing $150,000 on clothes for Sarah Palin the RNC could have least spent it with some taste. Where are the gay men in the Republican Party that should have taken her shopping? It appears Karl Rove is the one that picked out the clothes. Trust me, for that amount of money she should be looking like Angelina Jolie.

-Jeffrey Ressner at Politico.com has a great piece on the crucial part that California played in raising money for Obama. He especially singled out Jeremy Bernard and Rufus Gifford saying:

"This professional fundraising couple has been the subject of glowing profiles in political and gay magazines, with website washingtonblade.com praising their “golden Rolodex.” Organizational wizards, the team constantly strategizes with the four California finance chairs (below) to split up territories, plan events, and target new donors."

-Appears that people are just over the Republicans and according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, Americans want the Democrats to control Congress by 49% to 38%. Guess you can't run a country into the ground and expect to be rewarded.

-How sad that the California Sierra Club on their slate couldn't bring themselves to oppose Proposition 8. Think ridding the state of hate would do a lot to improve the environment. Don't you?

-The Minnesota Star Tribune has Al Franken leading incumbent Republican Norm Coleman by three points. While in the bluegrass state of Kentucky incumbent Republican McConnell is tied with his Democratic challenger. McConnell might be singing soon "My Old Kentucky Home".

-PBS has announced their election night team headed by Jim Lehrer. He will be assisted by Mark Shields, Stu Rothenberg, Amy Walterand David Brooks. Providing the historical prospective will be handsome and intelligent Michael Beschloss.

-Seems Obama isn't the only one that knows how to fundraise! The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) has raised double what the Republicans have raised so far! Any committee that is led by Senator Chuck Schumer and has Tom Lopach working for them is bound to do well!

-The Houston Chronicle shed its Texas Republican credentials and endorsed Obama. Once again Palin was sited as a major reason for their endorsement. They said:

"Perhaps the worst mistake McCain made in his campaign for the White House was the choice of the inexperienced and inflammatory Palin as his vice-presidential running mate. Had he selected a moderate, experienced Republican lawmaker such as Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison with a strong appeal to independents, the Chronicle's choice for an endorsement would have been far more difficult."

-The Republican National Committee has hit a new all time low. They seriously have absolutely no conscience, values or principles left in the entire Committee. Their most recent disgusting product is a mailer that has in large letters "Terrorist" on the front and you open up to a picture of Obama and the worlds"Not Who You Think He Is!". There has to be a special place in hell for the people who put together this hate filled flyer!

-In the 'dare I believe this or even too good to be true' department, the latest Quinnipiac Poll numbers came out today for the big three states that McCain must carry. Hold your breath because the numbers are:

Florida: Obama 49 McCain 44
Ohio: Obama 52 McCain 38
Pennsylvania: Obama 53 McCain 40

-Our thoughts and prayers are with Barack Obama and his ailing maternal grandmother. We are sending lots of love their way.

Barack Obama: Women's Ad

Major Newspapers Come Out for Obama

As expected the flood of endorsements are continuing from all the major newspapers. The big news is out of Chicago where for the first time in its history the Chicago Tribune has endorsed a Democrat for President. Other endorsements are really not a huge surprise but amazingly strong and unconditional endorsements of Obama. It is important to hear these voices so here are excerpts from key newspapers: Chicago Tribune

Chicago Tribune

"The Tribune in its earliest days took up the abolition of slavery and linked itself to a powerful force for that cause--the Republican Party. The Tribune's first great leader, Joseph Medill, was a founder of the GOP. The editorial page has been a proponent of conservative principles. It believes that government has to serve people honestly and efficiently.....

......He has risen with his honor, grace and civility intact. He has the intelligence to understand the grave economic and national security risks that face us, to listen to good advice and make careful decisions.

When Obama said at the 2004 Democratic Convention that we weren't a nation of red states and blue states, he spoke of union the way Abraham Lincoln did.

It may have seemed audacious for Obama to start his campaign in Springfield, invoking Lincoln. We think, given the opportunity to hold this nation's most powerful office, he will prove it wasn't so audacious after all. We are proud to add Barack Obama's name to Lincoln's in the list of people the Tribune has endorsed for president of the United States."

LOS ANGELES TIMES

"We need a leader who demonstrates thoughtful calm and grace under pressure, one not prone to volatile gesture or capricious pronouncement. We need a leader well-grounded in the intellectual and legal foundations of American freedom. Yet we ask that the same person also possess the spark and passion to inspire the best within us: creativity, generosity and a fierce defense of justice and liberty.

The Times without hesitation endorses Barack Obama for president.....

.......We may one day look back on this presidential campaign in wonder. We may marvel that Obama's critics called him an elitist, as if an Ivy League education were a source of embarrassment, and belittled his eloquence, as if a gift with words were suddenly a defect. In fact, Obama is educated and eloquent, sober and exciting, steady and mature. He represents the nation as it is, and as it aspires to be."

Washington Post

"The choice is made easy in part by Mr. McCain's disappointing campaign, above all his irresponsible selection of a running mate who is not ready to be president. It is made easy in larger part, though, because of our admiration for Mr. Obama and the impressive qualities he has shown during this long race. Yes, we have reservations and concerns, almost inevitably, given Mr. Obama's relatively brief experience in national politics. But we also have enormous hopes.

Mr. Obama is a man of supple intelligence, with a nuanced grasp of complex issues and evident skill at conciliation and consensus-building. At home, we believe, he would respond to the economic crisis with a healthy respect for markets tempered by justified dismay over rising inequality and an understanding of the need for focused regulation. Abroad, the best evidence suggests that he would seek to maintain U.S. leadership and engagement, continue the fight against terrorists, and wage vigorous diplomacy on behalf of U.S. values and interests. Mr. Obama has the potential to become a great president. Given the enormous problems he would confront from his first day in office, and the damage wrought over the past eight years, we would settle for very good. ......

.......But Mr. Obama's temperament is unlike anything we've seen on the national stage in many years. He is deliberate but not indecisive; eloquent but a master of substance and detail; preternaturally confident but eager to hear opposing points of view. He has inspired millions of voters of diverse ages and races, no small thing in our often divided and cynical country. We think he is the right man for a perilous moment."

Impressions of an Election.........by David Mixner

-"kill'em them, gut'em them" Sarah Palin has told the press that they have to pay, get this, $15 million to get copies of her emails surrounding the controversies that are surfacing in Alaska. Oh, and by the way, she can't get them to you until after November 4. That should discourage anyone from vetting her!

-As only a Shakespearean bard can, Sir Ian McKellen (photograph) added a moment of class to American politics when he announced his opposition to Proposition 8. Sir Ian said,

"California's influence stretches across the world through the imagination of its citizens in films and through the internet. At the same time, its welcome to strangers has meant it has been home to those escaping oppression, many of whom have identified themselves as gay. For both reasons I feel involved in the outcome of voting over Proposition 8.

I think of Englishmen like the painter David Hockney and the writer Christopher Isherwood who emigrated to Los Angeles and Santa Monica where (far from home) they loved in the way they felt they were born to, with people of their own gender. I think of the gay novelist Armistead Maupin, a refugee from the Deep South who in San Francisco discovered his talent to amuse. These great men (and there are many women like them) deserve society's respect for their honesty and their determination to dream in the American way of being completely themselves, against all the odds."

-Holly Near, in the best tradition of Woody Guthrie, is heading to Ohio with "Sing Out The Vote"! She says, "We plan to use our 11 days to energize the weary activists in Ohio who are working so hard. We know how song works, we walk in that tradition." Over a dozen troubadours are traveling with Holly to the major cities to "Sing Out The Vote!". They are paying their own way and sleeping in people's home. Another good reason to volunteer for Obama.

-two more Republican newspapers that backed Bush in 2004, the Salt Lake Tribune and Kansas City Star, have endorsed Obama. Now get this, the main reason that they did so was because of the choice of Sarah Palin.

-what a weekend of numbers Obama has had! He announced that he raised a record breaking $150 million just in the month of September and now has 3.1 million contributors. The average contribution was less than $100 which is astounding. In addition, he had 100,000 people in St. Louis and 75,000 in Kansas City meaning that 175,000 people showed up in Missouri to see him.

-one very happy group of staffers are those that work for the Democratic Governors Association. They have raised more money to help elect Democratic governors than anytime in the organization's history. They raised one million dollars more than the Republicans!

-too bad our Canadian brother and sisters can't vote in this election. They favor Barack Obama over John McCain by 70% to 14%! But the record has to go to the Swiss who like Obama over McCain 83% to 7%.

-this is an indicator of this year's turn-out. Over 50% of Colorado voters have requested a ballot before election day! And, what was once solidly Republican, Arapahoe County in Colorado is now Democratic for the first time ever. Democrats have had a 26% increase in the county while Republicans have dropped 20%.

-my favorite Senate race continues to be Kay Hagan's incredible challenge to Republican incumbent Elizabeth Dole. The latest Daily Kos pol has Hagan up by 4 points. And so far, five major newspaper have endorsed in this race and all of them urged voters to vote for Hagan. Guess Liddy Dole will have to find a new retirement plan.

-speaking of Daily Kos, his latest poll has Republican incumbent Wicker only up by 1 point in Mississippi over Democratic challenger Ronnie Musgrove. Daily Kos has done remarkable and professional polling throughout this election.

-author Marylouise Oates (photograph by Michael Oates Palmer) who wrote the fun "Second Home Book" has no problem understanding why John McCain is obsessed with "Joe the Plumber". She says, "After all, he has seven homes and everyone knows how valuable plumbers are to homeowners!"

-is it just me, or has Time Magazine's "The Page", written by Mark Halperin, become nothing more than a newsletter for McCain/ Palin? I expected more of him.

-the latest polls from battleground states have Obama up over McCain by 7 in Colorado, 5 in Nevada and an amazing 6 in Missouri.

-Obama/ Biden had their surrogates and staff on conference call making sure all of us know his strong commitment to fight HIV/AIDS in his administration. Waiting for that same call from McCain...oops, there won't be one on this issue.

-more on endorsements. The Denver Post has a great endorsement of Obama. They say:

"Republicans love to mock Obama's history as a community organizer. But here was a man with no money to offer, no patronage to dispense, no way to punish his opponents. All he could do was to work with people from all walks of life, liberals and conservatives, business people and the unemployed, and bring them together in common cause for a better community. Could there really be better preparation to reunite a worried and divided America to again pursue our 'more perfect union'?"

-on the first day of early voting in North Carolina over 100,000 voters showed up at the polls.

-campaigns can be a work of art and GQ Magazine proves that in their latest issue. It has a photographic portfolio of pictures from this year's campaign. Click here to see it.

-you have to love the St. Louis rally picture of 100,000 turning out for Obama.