How big a Wave will it be?

Anonymous consultant sums it up

Democratic Party leaders are preparing for massive defeat on Tuesday.

From Politico.com, "Grim Dems await huge House losses" Oct. 31:

There is nearly uniform consensus among Democratic campaign professionals that the House is gone — the only question, it seems, is how many seats they will lose.

One top Democrat consultant says the Wave will sweep in Republicans in tight races, who in a normal year would not have won.

“Everybody that is tied will lose, and everyone that is ahead by a few points will lose because of the GOP wave,” said one party media consultant who is involved in a wide array of House races. “There are going to be some surprises.”

All top Dem consultants polled say 50 to 70 seat loss in the House.

Hope is Alive for GOP in Massachusetts Governor's race

Margin of error 46 to 44

From Eric Dondero:

This is a race we've been following quite closely here at LR, for a variety of reasons. It's a true bellweather for the Nation. If we can beat an Obama incumbent Dem in the bluest of blue states, that will be the hugest of victories for the GOP on election night. Plus, the candidate - Charlie Baker - is a friend of longtime libertarian Republican State Senator and Republican Liberty Caucus member Bob Hedlund of Weymouth. Finally, if the GOP ticket wins, Baker's running mate Senate Majority leader Richard Tsei, will instantly become the Nation's top openly Gay Republican elected official.

(Note - only 5 out of 40 Senators are Republican, including Tisei and Hedlund.)

From Rasmussen (via NewsMax):

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely voters in the state finds incumbent Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick with 46 percent support, while Republican challenger Charlie Baker gets 44 percent of the vote. Democrat-turned-Independent Tim Cahill remains a distant third with six percent. Three percent prefer some other candidate, but just one percent is still undecided.

The race now moves from Leans Democrat to a Toss-Up in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Gubernatorial Scorecard.

Less than two weeks ago, Patrick held a 47 percent to 42 percent lead over Baker.

Even if Baker/Tisei lose by a hair, they will have helped to greatly boost the entire GOP ticket to make gains on Beacon Hill and for statewide offices.

Sidenote - I was proud to have contributed a day of campaigning, phone banking and sign-waving, to the Baker campaign two weekends ago.

Republican Liberty Caucus in the home stretch...

To Libertarian Republican readers:

Your Republican Liberty Caucus (RLC) has been busy endorsing and supporting candidates this election cycle, including several who will be heading off to Congress in January.

As you know, we'll have to hold the Republican leaderships' feet to the fire because they still don't understand our principles or the Tea Party's deep concerns.

That's where the RLC can help! Republican Liberty Caucus activists in 25 states have been hosting events, volunteering their time to help our candidates succeed, and marketing liberty to a new generation of activists.

Today I am asking for your financial support so the RLC can reach out at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) and host the 20th Anniversary celebration of the RLC's existence, our 2011 National Convention.

The cost of hosting a booth at CPAC is $2,500 and we need to raise an additional $3,500 for our Convention -- so we need to raise $6,000 soon.

Your generous gift of $50, $100, or $250 will really make a difference. You can donate at RLC.org/dues

The RLC is sounding its voice for liberty and responsibility -- and far less government intervention in the economy! But we need to take our outreach and visibility to the next level.

The Republican Liberty Caucus is already providing you with a courageous, principled, and committed voice for reform in the Republican Party. But we have to expand our base of support and we cannot do it without you.

Your generous support will make the difference. Please make your most generous donation today so we can host our Convention and reach an entirely new audience at CPAC.

Thank you in advance,

Dave Nalle, National Chair
Austin, Texas

Beautiful Republican Women, and why the Democrats hate them so much

by Clifford F. Thies

In the 1980s, a Pantene hair product commercial featuring a gorgeous woman with the name Rula Lenska and a slight, very sultry accent opened with the line "Don't hate me because I'm beautiful."

Why is it that there's so much hate for our beautiful Republican women this year?

Early in the year, we had the so-called sex scandal during the primary in South Carolina. A political consultant associated with a rival intimated that he had had an inappropriate physical relationship with the Tea Party candidate Nikki Haley. As to what this inappropriate physical relationship was, e.g., getting to second base or further, was never indicated. It was clear enough from the start that the idea was to place in the mind of the voter that there something was involved and let the evil within human mind take over.

Just look at Nikki Haley. She is beautiful, intelligent, vivacious, devoted to family and community, and exotic having a Sikh-Indian heritage. She is the total package.

I was in South Carolina at the time. The issue was the centerpiece of the talk shows. People couldn't help but comment on topics such as: what would constitute an inappropriate physical relationship, whether it would be better to come clean about it or to deny it, was it important enough to the voters for somebody to bring the matter up during the campaign at the risk of destroying her family? All the while, there was nothing to it.

More recently, we have a national commentator calling Sharon Angle a bitch on network television, and - instead of apologizing - calling her a bitch a second time. Excuse me, but you don't call our women bitches. The arrogance of the national media, the intellectual elite and the Democrats, calling us racists, Nazis, and stupid, and now calling our women bitches.

Now, let's think this through a bit. They embrace the use of the coercive force of government. They believe in abortion, health care rationing, eugenics. They believe in taking what is owned by some for the purpose of redistribution. They believe there is no sphere of privacy protecting us from regulation. Why wouldn't they engage in lying and name-calling?

They are obsessed with power and we know what power does. The ring of power is about to be taken from them. They are about to lose The Precious. They need to get their therapists to increase the dosages of their meds.

Now we have the Christine O'Donnell "sex scandal," Right from the playbook of the Nikki Haley "sex scandal." Another "sex scandal" without any sex. Some holier than thou Democrat, who had no hesitation to vote for the current and prior bastards put into the White House by the Democrats, both of whom were admitted users of illegal drugs during their youth, and one of whom was a philanderer all through his life including during his stint as President, intimates that he and Christine O'Donnell had an inappropriate relationship and we're supposed to jump to some kind of conclusion based on Christine O'Donnell's good looks, perky personality and wide-ranging intellectual curiosities.

If we were to take this accusation seriously, we'd wind up like Saudi Arabia, forbidding women to appear in public except under the supervision of their father, an older brother or some other responsible male. No and hell no.

A woman's personhood involves her beauty and her charm. Our desire is for everybody to be able to be free, for each person to be able to develop their own personality, and to be able freely express to themselves, whether in speaking and writing, or in their work, in the performing arts or in their appearance. We reject the puritanism advanced by certain elements of the cultural and political left and of the ultra-orthodox and religious right. They are the real extremists and the would-be Nazis and the potential if not actual terrorists. And they're also stupid.

Editor's note - Even our Lesbian women, Tammy Bruce (photo) are hotter! Other photos - Christine O'Donnell, Nikki Haley, Michele Bachmann, Dana Perino and Jerri Thompson.

Pelosi's socialist Health Care push: Remember in November indeed

Almost all last minute ObamaCare-supporting Dems going down to defeat

From Eric Dondero:

The last slew of polls have been released. So what about all those Democrats who walked the plank for Nancy Pelosi on the Health Care bill earlier this year? As The Hill points out, Pelosi's legions in the House, many moderate Democrats, are mostly all goners.

From The Hill "House Dems who pushed health bill to passage face grim Election Day" Oct. 29:

President Obama and Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) needed every vote they could muster to push the bill through the House in March. The legislation passed 219-212, but for some Democrats, that vote could prove to be their political death.

Democratic Reps. Ann Kirkpatrick (Ariz.), Suzanne Kosmas (Fla.), Debbie Halvorson (Ill.), Kathy Dahlkemper (Pa.), Carol Shea-Porter (N.H.), Mary Jo Kilroy (Ohio), Steve Driehaus (Ohio) and Betsy Markey (Colo.) were all late yes votes on health reform. Most, if not all, of them will lose on Tuesday, according to nonpartisan campaign experts.

Other Democrats who announced their support in the last few days before the March 21 vote are in tossup races, including Reps. Harry Mitchell (Ariz.), Paul Kanjorski (Pa.), Chris Carney (Pa.) and Bill Foster (Ill.).

The liberal-leaning The Hill is being a bit kind to at least two of the four "in tossup races." In actuality, Kanjorski and Mitchell have been steadily behind their opponents in the last few weeks, by decent margins.

Democrats on the defensive having to explain support for Socialized Health Care

Libertarian themes entering Republican attack ads

From Eric Dondero:

Washington-based Republicans are normally shy about labeling Democrats as outright Socialists. But as evidenced by this ad, the NRCC is now using explicitly hardline libertarian policy arguments to go after Democrat candidates.

Julie Lassa is Sean Duffy's Democrat opponent for Congress in Wisconsin. In the 2007 legislative session she was a prime sponsor of a bill to enact a Canadian-style "single-payer" system for the State.

From Politifact "Republican group says Julie Lassa pushed for a Canadian-style health care system in Wisconsin":

In testimony before a state Senate committee, Michael Tanner, an official with the Cato Institute, a libertarian group, said the plan "combines many aspects of a single-payer health care system with the central structure of a concept known as ‘managed competition.’"

This, he said, would almost inevitably reduce the availability of and access to care, and lead to a reduction in capital spending on health care.

Editor's comment - May have taken them a while. But glad to see Beltway Republicans are finally catching on.

Sarah Palin cusses out Alaska Media for conspiring to destroy Joe Miller campaign

MORE BREAKING NEWS...

Calls Anchorage media cabal "Corrupt bastards"

From Eric Dondero:

The story now has an enticing national news angle with Sarah Palin entering the fray.

Just Tweeted from Sarah Palin twitter account:

Corrupt bastards. CBS/media plot against Joe Miller before our Anchorage rally Thurs Kinda'what I've put up w for 2 yrs http://bit.ly/cmbzMr

Amazingly the mainstream media has yet to catch up on this story. Only a handful of right blogs, including Andrew Breitbart's BigGovernment.com, NewsBusters, Dan Riehl, and our friend Tim Daniels, Left Coast Rebel, have picked up on it.

Additionally, there has not been a single word yet from the Anchorage Daily News, or the notoriously quick-on-the-trigger news blog Alaska Dispatch.

UPDATE!

Sarah Palin repeats "corrupt bastards" remark on Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace. HotAir.com has the EyeBlast video.

Breaking Scandal!! CBS news reporters caught on I-Phone conspiring to find "Child Molesters" in Joe Miller Campaign

Reporters wanted to create a "Rand Paul incident"

From Eric Dondero:

A potential bombshell has just broken last minute in the hotly contested 3-way Alaska Senate race.

From a Joe Miller for Senate news release late last night:

Anchorage, Alaska. October 30, 2010 -- In an apparent accidental voice mail message left on the cell phone of Joe Miller's spokesperson, Randy DeSoto, what is believed to be the news director for CBS Anchorage affiliate KTVA, along with assignment editor Nick McDermott, and other reporters, openly discuss creating, if not fabricating, two stories about Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Joe Miller. The voice mail message was later authenticated by Mr. McDermott, who sent a text to DeSoto stating “Damn iPhone . . . I left you a long message. I thought I hung up. Sorry.”

In the first discussion, the KTVA reporters discuss getting a list of Miller campaign supporters in order to 'find' a “child molester.” “You have to find that one person,” says the male reporter, to laughter in the news room. The reporters at KTVA then discuss creating a “Rand Paul” incident at the then upcoming Miller Rally (held on October 28, 2010) and hoping for violence so that they can “send out a tweet” and “Facebook” that “Miller got punched” at the rally.

I was alerted to this breaking news by one of my very good sources on the ground in Anchorage late yesterday. He informed me that the Miller campaign was being "extremely cautious" about the release of the recording. They were so shocked by the discussions on the recording, reporters that they knew personally and had what they thought was a decent working relationship with, that they seriously considered not releasing the recording at all. Last word I got was that they were heading into intense discussions over the matter with attorneys connected with the campaign.

Hard to believe, but Five of Six New England Governors likely to be non-Democrats

All except New Hampshire

From Eric Dondero:

Remember all the headlines after Obama's victory in 2008: "Republican Party dead in New England."

A new poll was released on Thursday with surprising results. The liberal-leaning Public Policy Project (PPP), has Republican Tom Foley moving ahead of Democrat Dan Malloy by a hair:

A new Public Policy Polling survey in Connecticut finds there has been a huge movement in the race for governor... the race is now a toss up, with Tom Foley (R) inching ahead of Dan Malloy (D), 49% to 47%.

Malloy has led consistently since the primaries, and with comfortable margins. If Foley squeeks it out, that will keep Connecticut in the GOP column.

Up in Vermont, a recent poll by left-leaning Vermont Public Radio had Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie up by 1 point, over Democrat Peter Shumlin. Though, a crowded ballot including 5 other third party candidates could make for a long election night.

LePage up Big in Maine, Baker closing in Mass

In Maine, Tea Party Republican Paul LePage has a comfortable lead of 10 to 12 points in two recent polls, over liberal Democrat Libby Mitchell, and liberal-centrist Independent Elliot Cutler. Mitchell is in the fight of her life to keep second place, ahead of Cutler by only 3 points, 22 to 19.

In Rhode Island, it's increasingly apparent that Independent Lincoln Chafee will be the next Governor. He leads his Republican opponent John Robataille, in second place by 7 points respectively. The Democrat is lagging behind in 3rd.

And then there's Massachusetts. This is arguably the most important race in the region. The liberal Boston Globe this morning describes "dizzying poll numbers," one week incumbent Obama Democrat Deval Patrick up, the next Charlie Baker by two to three points. From Boston.com, "Up and down ballot, GOP is dreaming Big":

Not since 1990, when fiscal and political chaos gripped Beacon Hill, has such potential existed for major Republican gains up and down the ticket. For the first time in years, the party is making spirited challenges for statewide constitutional offices, several of the state’s 10 congressional seats, and in dozens of legislative districts.

From NECN (Comcast), Latest polls show race getting closer" Oct. 24:

The Boston Globe poll gives incumbent governor Deval Patrick a 4-point lead over Republican Charlie Baker. About 43% of likely voters say they plan to support Patrick on election day, and 39% say they plan to support baker. Independent Tim Cahill is in third place with 8%, and Green-Rainbow candidate Jill Stein received 2%.

Only in New Hampshire, do the Democrats appear to be secure, with incumbent Governor John Lynch over Tea Partyer John Stephen by 8 to 10 points in various polls. This despite a virtual blow-out for Republicans over Democrats in virtually every other major NH race including of course, US Senator with Kelly Ayotte, Congress CD1 with Frank Guinta, and most recently Charlie Bass taking a slight lead for Congress CD2.

New England Republicans, some good, some not-so-good for libertarians

New England Republicans for Governor are a mixed-bag for libertarian voters. Paul LePage is without doubt the most libertarian of the bunch. A tax-cutting Tea Partyer he has close ties to Maine libertarians, including the Republican Liberty Caucus. LePage is Pro-Casino gambling. He also supports legalized Medicinal Marijuana (MaineWebNews).

Charlie Baker leans libertarian, fiscally conservative yet socially moderate. He is friends with longtime libertarian Republican State Senator Bob Hedlund of Weymouth. Baker has the strong backing of Boston's legendary libertarian radio talk show host Howie Carr.

Next up, young brash John Stephens of NH leans Tea Party, but is behind in the polls.

The Rhode Island Libertarian Party (LPRI), which includes many dual-party Republican activists, recently put out a press release urging None of the Above, saying that not one of the four candidates for Governor is worthy of support. They have endorsed Robert Healy for Lt. Governor, who wants to abolish the office. (Source: Brown Daily Herald)

Vermont's Brian Dubie is not at all libertarian; a fiscal moderate and social conservative who is on record against legalizing marijuana.

Tom Malloy (photo with family) is a business leader, His website promotes "reliance on the private sector and free markets." But he's generally considered well within the traditions of CT Republicans of fiscal moderation.

Reporting from New England... Very likely to be at the Paul LePage victory party in Maine on Tuesday night.

It's not just the Economy. Republicans gain for Patriotism and Love of Country

Bleed Red, White & Blue

I was standing there in Dallas, waiting on a plane. I overheard an old man, tell a young soldier thanks.

The young soldier hung his head and said, it's hard to believe. You're the only one who took the time to say a word to me.

When you go to the polls next Tuesday, remember which Party supports America, and which Party opposes American values -- The Editors

Star-studded rally for Sharron Angle in Las Vegas - Actor Jon Voigt joins in

Reagan-inspired love for country

From Eric Dondero:

On Friday night, an impressive line-up of speakers joined Republican for Senate Sharron Angle at a rally in Las Vegas. The line-up included John McCain, Michael Reagan, and Jon Voight.

Las Vegas Channel 13 News describes a Reagan-inspired event:

Friday night, Hollywood was in town, so was the posterity of a celebrated Republican president, and a former presidential candidate. It started with patriotic music, sound clips from past presidents...

Republican Senatorial candidate Sharron Angle was all smiles as she took the stage with her big name supporters.

"answer Ronald Reagan's last wish in politics. To rid this country of Harry Reid," says Michael Reagan

Obama a "radical Socialist" sympathetic with our enemies

According to CNN, Angle declared that "shock and awe" were coming to Washington.

McCain shouted out:

"This election will change America. The world is watching this election. My friends, the 51st vote to give Republicans majority in the U.S. Senate will come right here from the state of Nevada. I look forward to standing side by side with Angle."

Voight gave the crowd red meat. Continuing from CNN:

Perhaps the most impassioned speaker of the night was Voight.

The actor attacked Obama for launching a "destructive assault" on the nation.

Lacing his remarks with accusations of "lies' and "fraud" perpetrated by the White House, he elicited a rousing ovation when he announced, "Obama is not a Democrat. He is a radical socialist more sympathetic with our enemies than our allies."

Did a Democrat just play the race card in Idaho race?

AD COMPARISON: Walt Minnick, ID vs. Sharron Angle, NV

From Eric Dondero:

The hotly contested Idaho congressional race, just got nasty. Incumbent Democrat Congressman Walt Minnick has released an ad highlighting Tea Party Republican Raul Labrador's alleged inaction in a case before the prosecutor's office regarding meth-amphetamine. The suspect Carlos Lopez, like Labrador, is Hispanic. The ad implies that Labrador actually assisted Lopez in escaping to Mexico.



Two weeks ago, Democrat operatives slammed Nevada's Sharron Angle for producing an ad against Harry Reid's lax record on border enforcement. Democrats claimed that the ad portrayed whites in a sympathetic light, and illegals as all Hispanic.



Yet as one can clearly see towards the end, unlike the Minnick ad, the Angle ad has one Hispanic construction worker expressing disdain at taxpayer money going to illegals. In contrast, in the opening scene of the Minnick ad, all the constituents he is meeting with are white.

Note - Ironically, in the past, Walt Minnick has been rather decent from a libertarian perspective as Democrats go. But most recently he declined to back repeal of ObamaCare. Polls show the race razor-tight.

NYC Democrat Councilmen move to outlaw whistling at women

NANNY-STATE UPDATE

From Eric Dondero:

Muslim men forcing women to wear ugly black burqas from head-to-toe on the streets of Brooklyn and Queens is apparently of no concern to the Democrat lawmakers in New York City. Rather, they're far more concerned about construction workers making catcalls to women passing by.

The Council is considering a law making catcalls, whistles and any welcoming gesture to females, illegal in the City of New York.

From the AP (via NBCNewYork.com) "NYC Considers a No Catcall Zone":

Councilmembers said they are open to many of the ideas, but said they are in the early stages of exploring just what can be done. If there were to be legislation, a key issue would be enforcement, since the concept of no-harassment zones could encroach on First Amendment rights.

NY Democrats declare War on the Working Man

A far-left feminist group called Hallaback is pushing the changes. According to the group, even an overly friendly Hello should be considered "lewd" and punishable by law. Working class men in New York are reacting with surprise. Continuing:

New York men who told the AP they have called out strange women on the street said they were doing it just to be friendly and seemed genuinely surprised that any attention can be unwelcome.

"We say hello, that's all, nothing derogatory," said Tony Alibrandi, 54, a construction worker taking a lunch break with several of his fellow workers. "We see a friendly face, we say hello."

Columnist David Rothkopf of Foreign Policy asks:

What next? Criminalizing bagels? Prohibiting nearly naked faux cowboys in Times Square? Locking porn stars out of the family suites at the Plaza? What would New York be without meat-headed construction workers hooting at Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, and all the other local beauties? If New York outlaws cat calls... is Paris going to outlaw rude waiters? Is Hollywood going to outlaw kissing studio executives' asses with collagen-injected lips? Is Mumbai going to outlaw insane taxi drivers? Is Moscow going to outlaw outlaws? Every city is as defined by its idiosyncratic flaws as it is by its monuments. If not exactly part of their charm, they are part of the character.

The New York Council consists of 51 members, 46 of whom are Democrats. There are 4 Republicans, and 1 Libertarian Party member (Dan Halloran of Queens who caucuses with the Republicans.)

Photos - New York City Hall. Un-named NYC construction worker

Liberal Media acknowledge Sarah's Super Hotness

From Eric Dondero:

The following comment warrants a big "Well, duh!"

It came from Sharon Osbourne of the CBS morning show The Talk:

“She is very attractive, but she's the type that you know the classic rock videos, the secretary, the teacher. She lets down her hair. She takes the glasses off. She unbuttons the shirt. Yeah, that's what she's like. Must be. I mean, I don't get it. But men obviously want it.”

(H/t Newsbusters)

Editor's comment - Has anyone ever even heard of this show before?

Sarah Palin & Ted Nugent back together again; this time for John Raese - West Virginia

Working Class America!

by Eric Dondero

During the Texas GOP primry, Sarah Palin appeared at a huge rally in Sugarland, Texas for Governor Rick Perry. Opening the event, Ted Nugent with his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

(My wife and I attended this event, and it was spectacular.)

Now, the duo will appear together again, along with Alaska working man and super outdoorsman Todd Palin.

A rally is scheduled to 11:00 am in Charleston, West Virginia to boost Republican Senate candidate John Raese. He is in a statistical dead heat with Blue Dog Democrat Joe Manchin. The race is turning out to be the most pivotal in the entire Nation, and could decide the make-up of the US Senate. If Raese wins, and all other Senate races break according to current polls, Republicans will have the majority in the upper chamber.

Todd and Sarah's working class roots, should play particularly well in this hard-hat mostly blue collar state.

And Palin's appearance for Raese in the waning days of the campaign will be credited, justifiably so, for putting him over the top if he prevails.

The Queenmaker indeed.

Barney's jet-setting lifestyle; not so worried about the folks back home in Massachusetts

New Ad by Sean Bielat for Congress

The most recent poll from a week ago, finds Bielat "within striking distance," of Barney Frank, down by 10 points.

Sex Slander on Christine O'Donnell similar to attack on Nikki Haley in South Carolina

Liberals just love to attack bright attractive Conservative Women

From Clifford Thies:

A last minute anonymous sex slander has been posted on the internet regarding Christine O'Donnell. Didn't we see this exact same thing in South Carolina, during the Republican primary?

The Christine O'Donnell Campaign has just released the following statement on Facebook this morning:

"This story is just another example of the sexism and slander that female candidates are forced to deal with. From Secretary Clinton, to Governor Palin, to soon-to-be Governor Haley, Christine's political opponents have been willing to engage in appalling and baseless attacks -- all with the aim of distracting the press from covering the real issues in this race.

Even the National Organization for Women gets it, but Christine’s opponent disturbingly does not. As Chris Coons said on September 16th he would not condone personal attacks against Christine. Classless Coons goons have proven yet again to have no sense of common decency or common sense with their desperate attacks to get another rubber stamp for the Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda. Such attacks are truly shameful, but they will not distract us from making our case to Delaware voters -- and keeping the focus on Chris Coons’ record of higher taxes, increased spending, and as he has done again here, breaking his promises to the voters."

Story Developing...

MARYLAND: Democrats using Libertarian Party again to undermine Republican candidate

Dr. Andy Harris, fiscal conservative

From Eric Dondero:

Republicans have their best shot to pick off a seat on Maryland's Eastern shore. Dr. Andy Harris is running for the second time against incumbent Democrat Rep. Frank Kratovil. Harris lost in 2008 by a few thousand votes. The very latest poll finds Harris ahead by 11 points.

See our article from last week on Andy Harris "Republicans set to gain one on Delmarva Peninsula."

But in a last ditch effort, the Democrats are boosting the candidacy of the Libertarian Party candidate.

A pattern across the country, Dems propping up LP candidates

Just breaking from the Baltimore Sun "Democrats promoting Libertarian to undermine Harris":

In what appears to be a national pattern, the Democratic Party is highlighting a longshot third-party candidate in an effort to undermine a Republican nominee--in this case, Andy Harris, the GOP challenger in Maryland's tightest House race.

The tactic is either a desperation move, or a sign of how close the contest is, or both. It has special resonance in Maryland's First District, where the Libertarian candidate's two percent of the vote arguably tipped the historically Republican seat to Democrat Frank Kratovil in '08.

The Democratic mailer, first reported by Eastern Shore blogger Michael Swartz, masquerades as an attack on Richard Davis, the third man in the race, running again this year on the Libertarian line, with no realistic chance of winning.

Paid for by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the flier describes Davis, twice, as an outsider and Tea Party type.

Davis "plans to cut government spending, will drastically reduce the size of government across the board, is a complete outsider . . . Davis and the Tea Party think government is part of the problem, and want to make it as small as possible."

"Richard Davis: Is he too conservative?" asks the mail piece.

Libertarian candidate denies any role in the mailing

Later in the piece:

The audience for the flier appears to be conservative voters. The barely disguised ploy to pull votes away from the Republican is a tactic Democrats are using elsewhere, too.

In Illinois, Democrats are promoting another Libertarian candidate, Mike Labno, in an attempt to cut into Republican Senate nominee Mark Kirk's support in conservative southern Illinois, the Wall Street Journal reported this week.

A second mailer that portrays the Libertarian as more serious than Harris about deficit reduction also went out recently in the district, according to blogger Mark Newgent. The piece does not say who paid for it, but Davis has issued a statement saying that neither he nor the Libertarian Party had any involvement in the mailing.

From the press release:

"neither the Maryland Libertarian Party nor Dr. Davis' campaign had any involvement or prior knowledge of this mailing and both entities do not support, encourage or endorse this type of activity."

Ironically, Harris is considered to be a strong fiscal conservative, even libertarian-leaning candidate. He was backed heavily in 2008, and again this year, by the economic libertarian group Club for Growth.

Surprise! Anonymous author of Gawker smear on Christine O'Donnell works for the Federal Government

Fed Employees now actively engaged in campaigns against the Tea Party

From Eric Dondero:

The Smokin' Gun blog has uncovered the identity of the author of the vicious attack piece on Gawker, "I had a one-night stand with Christine O'Donnell." The piece talks of a wild Halloween party that O'Donnell attended at his Philadelphia apartment a few years back. It describes how O'Donnell allegedly got drunk and spent the night in his bed, though he says the two never had sex.

Now Smokin' Gun, through exhaustive investigative work, has zeroed in on the Anonymous author. He's Dustin Dominiak. And it turns out he works for the Federal Government.

A college buddy of Donminiak's and oddly enough "a district executive with a Boy Scouts council in the Philadelphia area" named Brad Kurisko reluctantly revealed the details and name of the individual.

While Kurisko refused to out “Anonymous,” some online activity this evening may point to the author’s identity. Shortly after his last phone conversation with a TSG reporter, a single name disappeared from Kurisko's list of Facebook friends.

The man with whom electronic ties were abruptly cut is Dustin Dominiak, a 28-year-old buddy who attended Albion College with Kurisko. Records show that Dominiak has previously shared a Philadelphia address with Kurisko. One online posting reports that Dominiak, a Michigan native, has worked as an auditor at the Federal Reserve in Philadelphia...

It has also been revealed by Yahoo News that the anonymous author was paid in the "low four figures" by Gawker for the story.

This Weekend: March planned in D.C. to convince Taxpayers government "doesn't suck"

Federal bureaucrats are "cool cats": They even listen to good music

From Eric Dondero:

There's a new website that has been launched to lift the spirits of Federal bureaucrats in these days of Tea Party rebellion. It's called GovLoop. (No link cause we don't encourage bureacracy here at LR.) It serves as a social networking site for Inside the Beltway hipsters. A photo at the site has white-shirted guys, and frompy looking gals holding up signs saying "Government doesn't Suck," and the emphathy-inducing "What if Governent was one of us."

There's also a march planned for Washington D.C. to coincide with ultra-leftist Jon Stewart's "Restore Sanity" rally this weekend.

The site and march are the brainchild of Jon Ressler, a Fed bureaucrat himself, who's on a mission to change the image of Red Tapers.

From WaPo, "Government doesn't suck march planned" Oct. 29:

"It's time to turn the tables and remind the world that government employees just happen to be people -- people that don't suck," Ressler said in a message sent to The Federal Eye on Sunday announcing the march. Government workers "are a lot of cool cats" who work hard, listen to good music and watch Stewart's "The Daily Show,"

Editor's comment - there's a longstanding rule about coolness dating way back to the doobie smokin', bongo pounding, J.D. Salinger reading, 1940s and 50s: If you have to say you're cool, you're probably not.

The ladies are rallying behind Ruth - Arizona CD 7

From Eric Dondero:

Ruth McClung appears to be surging in her race to unseat incumbent Democrat and Progressive Caucus Chair Rep. Raul Grijalva. Latest polls indicate it's a dead heat. And some of the credit for her rise, particularly on the fundraising front, goes to a trio of top conservative ladies.

From The Hill "Rep. Grijalva fights for his political life against insurgent Republican" Oct. 28:

Four-term Progressive Caucus Co-Chairman Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) is locked in the fight of his political life against a 28-year-old rocket scientist.

Raytheon physicist Ruth McClung does not have the most sophisticated campaign operation this election cycle — it’s being managed by her mother, Gini Crawford — but the Republican nonetheless finds herself running neck and neck with an established Democrat.

McClung’s sudden rise has taken many — including Grijalva — by surprise...

In recent weeks, McClung’s campaign has benefited from an influx in outside cash and donor dollars spurred by endorsements from conservative heavyweights Sarah Palin, Michelle Malkin and Tammy Bruce.

Meanwhile, The Tucson Weekly reports that McClung is getting a "major assist" from another Republican biggie, of the male gender - John McCain. The news site suggests that McCain has "invest[ed] more than $90,000 of his Senate campaign's money to boost McClung's candidacy."

The 7th District encompasses the border region of southwest Arizona, including Yuma. There's still time to help: Ruth4AZ.com

INDIANA: Democrat attacks Republican for being a closeted Washington Redskins fan

He's a fan of the hometown Colts

From Eric Dondero:

What's been a total snoozer of a race in Indiana just got a bit more interesting. Democratic Rep. Brad Ellsworth debated former Republican Senator Dan Coats in Indianapolis Tuesday night.

From TheRepublic.com (Ellsworth, IN):

Coats spokesman Pete Seat. "The campaign has shifted from desperate to sad."

Ellsworth and Coats are running to replace Democrat Sen. Evan Bayh...

When the Indianapolis Colts played the Washington Redskins recently, the Ellsworth campaign sent out an e-mail that said it would be no surprise if Coats wore burgundy and gold rather than Colts blue since he had lived in Virginia for years until renting a house this year in Indianapolis.

"We may make light of football allegiances, but the candidates' allegiance to Hoosiers is no laughing matter," campaign manager Cori Smith wrote in the e-mail to supporters before asking for contributions.

For the record, Seat said, Coats is a Colts fan.

Even the Seals are voting for Republican Bob Dold - Illinois

Give him a fish treat already!

From Cliff Thies:

One of the funniest political ads of the year.

Note - Dold is the Republican candidate for Congress in the 10th CD - suburban Chicago district.

WSJ's John Fund picks Nick Popaditch as potential upset winner in California

San Diego to El Centro

From Eric Dondero:

Libertarian columnist for the Wall Street Journal John Fund, has picked five districts across the U.S. where he most expects an upset on Election night - "Read this before Joining the office pool." Four are Republican wins - MI 5, GA 12 and NC 2. Oddly, one is a possible Democrat pick-up, AZ 5 (Ben Quayle).

The first on the list is libertarian-leaning Iraq War hero Nick Popaditch. (Note - Popaditch lost an eye in battle in Iraq).
From the WSJ, Oct. 20:

California 51 -- Rep. Bob Filner hasn't had a tough race against a Republican in this majority Hispanic district in years. But in 2006, he won only 51% of the Democratic primary vote against then-San Diego City Councilman Juan Vargas. Wounds from that race haven't fully healed.

Mr. Filner is being challenged by Nick Popaditch, a former Marine officer who won a Silver Star in Iraq and was blinded in one eye by a grenade. Mr. Popaditch hasn't raised much money, but the district contains many military families who may be drawn to his compelling story. The district, which includes downtown San Diego, is Democratic but George W. Bush won 46% of the vote in 2004, and Arnold Schwarzenegger carried the district by nine percentage points in his 2006 re-election race. This area was the scene of another stunning upset of a Democratic incumbent in the 1980 Reagan landslide, when Republican Duncan Hunter won unexpectedly. His son currently serves in Congress from a different San Diego district.

Readers, please take note of John's line, "Mr. Popaditch hasn't raised much money..." There's still time to make an on-line contribution - PopaditchforCongress.com/donate

Photo - yes, that's Nick in the famous Time Magazine photo of American troops liberating Iraq.

LR SPECIAL: With less than 1 week to go

By Clifford F. Thies

Things turn real ugly for House Democrats
Many races suddenly in play
Several Democrat incumbents distance themselves from Obama
Possibility of a Republican landslide of historic proportions
Maybe the largest ever
Rumor that Pelosi will resign her seat

No real change in Senate races
Republicans continue projected to pick-up six to ten seats

Double-digit gains in Governors and in control of state legislative chambers
Perhaps 4 to 600 seats in state legislatures

Electorate turns decidedly free-market
Majority of Democrats still committed socialists

This is the Year of the Republican Woman
Young voters turn against Democrats with a vengeance
Republicans look to win Hispanic and Asian vote
Twenty percent possible with African Americans

Newsweek has lost all credibility
Paul Krugman certifiable
Democrat pollsters strive to keep hope alive
Signs of low-level electoral fraud all over the country
Overseas military voters again disenfranchised by Democrat-dominated
electoral boards

Don’t forget to vote
Don’t give up on our country
Don’t give up on yourself
Yes, we can turn this thing around
Yes, you can find a job
We will never give in to the terrorists
We proclaim Liberty now and forever!

Editor's comment - Yes, we admit it. We are getting giddy here at LR. So much so, that Professor Thies is breaking into limericks.

Small business owners favor GOP by overwhelming numbers

Suddenly feeling more optimistic about the economy with Republican gains on the horizon

From WebCPA.com, "Small Business Owners Feeling More Optimistic and Republican," Oct. 27:

Small business economic confidence rebounded in October as more small business owners reported that economic conditions for their businesses and for the country have improved, according to a new poll that also found small business owners favoring a Republican-controlled Congress in the midterm elections.

"...in this politically charged atmosphere, small business owners are likely in a holding pattern with the rest of us to see how the economy responds after Election Day," said Ryan Scully, director of Discover's business card. "When we asked small business owners whether there would be a greater impact on the economy if Republicans win control of Congress or Democrats remain the majority, they leaned in the direction of having a change."

When it comes to the economy, small business owners believe a Republican-controlled Congress would have a greater impact: 51 percent of small business owners say it would be better for the GOP to control Congress, 39 percent said it's better for Democrats to remain in control, and 12 percent aren't sure.

Forty-nine percent of small business owners would choose the Republican candidate if the elections were held today, 38 percent would vote for the Democrat...

The Republican Party comes out on top when it comes to which political party is better at understanding the needs of small business owners, a gap that has widened in the past two years: In October, 45 percent of small business owners gave the nod to Republicans, 30 favored Democrats...

Note - National Fed. of Independent Businessmen (NFIB), has endorsed over 200 candidates nationwide. All of them, with one exception, are Republicans. See the full list at NFIB.com

Republican Party of Alaska urges vote for Libertarian for State House

LR EXCLUSIVE!

From Eric Dondero:

Scott Kohlhaas is Chairman of the Alaska Libertarian Party. He's also a candidate for State House, in District 23, northeast Anchorage (Russian Jack, Mountainview).

There is no Republican in the race.

Kohlhaas ran in 2008, similarly in a 2-way race with Democrat incumbent Max Gruenberg. He polled 20%.

However, this time he has the backing of the State Republican Party. In August, Kohlhaas secured the endorsement of the local GOP precinct chairman. And now the ARP is sending out a mailing to every Republican household in the district announcing Kohlhaas as their choice.

Kohlhaas, for his part, has agreed to "caucus" with the GOP if elected; not necessarily siding with Republicans on every vote, but supporting their choice for house speaker.

Kohlhaas has one of the best opportunities in the Nation of any Libertarian Party candidate to be elected to a State Legislature. A huge number of Republicans voted in the primary in August, in contrast to the Democrats, nearly 3-to-1. Republicans will have no other choice on the ballot, except liberal Gruenberg.

Kohlhaas is a well-known and well-liked community activist, as a leading member of the Mountainview Neighborhood Board, and the leader of the annual Mountainview Clean-up. He is running an aggressive campaign, with a massive yard-sign effort, precinct walking and radio ads.

You can help: ScottforHouse.org

Another outlier - this time New Jersey - moves into the toss-up category

Tea Party underdog Anna Little

Before her GOP primary win, back in early June, we wrote here at LR, "The emergence of the "Chris Christie Republican":

She has attended numerous Tea Party rallies. She's a strong Constitutionalist, and supports the Enumerated Powers Act. She's a staunch defender of the 2nd Amendment. Little has the endorsement of the Conservative Party of New Jersey.

Now, this latest news from NJ.com "Little gains ground on Pallone" Oct. 26:

TRENTON — A new poll shows that a Tea Party Republican candidate is continuing to close the gap with the Democratic incumbent in the race to represent New Jersey's 6th District in Congress.

The Monmouth University poll shows Democrat Frank Pallone getting 52 percent of the vote to Republican Anna Little's 47 percent among likely voters.

That 7-point margin in the poll conducted Oct. 22 to 25 is closer than just three weeks ago, when Pallone was up by 12.

Little is Mayor of Highlands Borough. The 6th CD includes Asbury Park and coastal Jersey bordering NYC.

Longshot GOP Campaigns: We can now Dream the Impossible

by John Hawkins, Rightwingnews.com

Now, when I say these are longshots? I meant it. It's entirely possible that all five of the races I'm about to describe to you could go to the Democrats. That being said, the wind blowing at the back of the GOP is about as strong as it can get so if there's ever a year when we might manage to steal a race of two off the list, this would be it. So, if you want to be really aggressive and shoot for the moon on November 2nd, here are some candidates you can chip in a few bucks for or better yet, help out by making some GOTV phone calls.

Peter Corrigan (Ohio): Beat Dennis Kucinich in a +8 Democratic district? No way! Couldn't happen, right? Well, guess what? According to a sketchy private poll The Weekly Standard is pushing, Kucinich is only up by 4 points. Corrigan could just knock him off.

Karen Harrington (Florida): Harrington is an aggressive, active candidate up against Debbie Wasserman-Schultz in +13 Democrat district. An internal Harrington poll from earlier this month showed her only down by 8 points. Could she pull off an upset? Just maybe.

Fenn Little (Georgia): Knocking off John Lewis? In a D+26 district? It sounds impossible. It may be. But Little has certainly managed to attract some enthusiastic local support and a month ago, the rumor was that Little was polling north of 45% in an internal Lewis poll.

Charles Lollar (photo up top): Lollar is an outstanding candidate, but he's up against Steny Hoyer in a +11 Democratic district, (Maryland). Although there's no public polling, Hoyer has actually been campaigning which is an indication that he's seen something that indicates his job could be in real danger.

Star Parker (California): A conservative columnist knocking off a Democrat in a +26 Democratic district? It seems impossible, but her opponent Laura Richardson is scandal ridden and Erik Erickson predicted Parker would be the "surprise of the year."

Editor's Note - If they don't win this time, they'll most certainly be back for the Second Republican Wave in 2012. Look at Allen West. Lost barely in 2008; now in 2010 poised for a win in Florida.

State of Connecticut reverses ruling - WWE dress now okay at polling places

LR FOLLOW-UP

Republican Party fights for the right to dress as one pleases

From Eric Dondero:

The Linda McMahon campaign for US Senate, joined by the Republican Party of Connecticut objected strongly to a recent ruling by the Secretary of State that voters could not come into polling places dressed in Wrestling-oriented clothing.

From CNN "Connecticut secretary of state says WWE apparel OK at polling places" Oct. 26:

World Wrestling Entertainment chief Vince McMahon filed a lawsuit Tuesday against Connecticut's secretary of state after she said poll workers should enforce a state law banning campaign material, including clothing, within 75 feet of the entrance to a polling place.

"On behalf of myself, my company, WWE fans and any Connecticut citizen who wants to exercise their constitutional right to vote, I have filed a lawsuit today asserting that Bysiewicz's directive that allows poll workers to refuse registered voters wearing WWE merchandise the right to vote is a flagrant act of censorship and discrimination," said McMahon in a written statement.

"On what grounds does Bysiewicz base this ridiculous act of voter intimidation?" asked Republican State Party Chairman Chris Healy last week.

The SOS, a Democrat, says her original ruling was "mis-construed." CNN makes no mention of Ms. Bysiericz's party affiliation in their report.

Titles matter: Most especially to Barbara Boxer - ahem - Senator Barbara Boxer

She worked so hard to get that Title

From Eric Dondero:

This video has been making the rounds the last week in the rightwing blogosphere. A regular LR reader requested to present it. Enjoy!

The Basketball Star pulls ahead of the Obama-ite for Oregon Guv

Fiscal Conservative like Chris Christie and Mitch Daniels

From Eric Dondero:

If this holds up, and projected GOP victories come through in the other tight races, Republicans could stand to have a total of 31 Governors (plus Puerto Rico), after Nov. 2.

Via Rightosphere:

Rasmussen Oregon Gubernatorial Survey

•Chris Dudley (R) 49% {46%}
•John Kitzhaber (D) 46% {48%}

At 6 foot '7, Dudley is the former center for the Portland Trailblazers.

Dudley's campaign just confirmed New Jersey Governor Chris Christie for a Saturday appearance at a rally in Portland. Dudley has expressed admiration for the governing style and fiscal politics of Christie and Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels. (Source: Oregonian)