Maine News Updates, Tidbits and Rumors

This bit of news...

gives me hope.  I just hope we haven't underestimated the other side's turnout.

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by: Bruno @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 13:20:59 PM CST

Lets hope that their turnout

  was as big as The Peter's press conference.  

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:08:18 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Bangor Daily News has beautiful NO on 1 Banner Ad...

...on their home page. Check it out!

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by: UnitetheFight.org @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 13:30:46 PM CST

I think it was gay americablog or Rex Wockner

They showed a sign at one of No on 1 headquarters

WHAT WOULD HARVEY DO?

thumbs up for who ever made the sign.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:10:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

We're all waiting

and hoping around the country. Come on Mainers!

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by: ojrocks @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 13:36:48 PM CST

That is just GOOD news on any election day....

"As it should be" as Mary Poppins says.

Good luck, it's nice to know your hard hard work really is OBVIOUS, even if it brings out the other side too. 

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:07:55 PM CST

According to the Portland paper...

the SOS's turnout figures adjustment was partially based on observation in Portland:

http://pressherald.mainetoday....

So I'm guessing whatever sources are saying the turnout is low there are inaccurate.

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by: Bruno @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:12:12 PM CST

I still remember how tense I was

a year ago, waiting for the results on Prop 8.  Can you say deja vu?  I am hoping, hoping HOPING this goes our way.  But I can never deal well with suspense.  My editor has told me in the past that that contributes to the quality of my horror novels.  But this real-life horror is just too much for me to deal with.  Fingers crossed--bigtime.

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.  -Archbishop Desmond Tutu

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by: QScribe @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:13:37 PM CST

Funny, Prop 8 caught me by surprise. I was in Reno

working GOTV, it wasn't until Tuesday afternoon that I realized my absentee ballot might actually be counted for Prop 8.

Come on, Maine, don't fuck this one up! We need the momentum here in CA for 2010.

Remember what FDR said, "I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it." Have you written/called a congress-critter today? 8.25, 6.21

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by: Jacques @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:52:28 PM CST

[ Parent ]

John Baldacci to be on MSNBC

in a few minutes...

"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

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by: Louise @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:16:02 PM CST

He's recorded a Robocall too

that's what I call "fierce advocacy." Yay, Baldacci!!!!

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by: Clarknt67 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:42:17 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Apparently, so did Glenn Close

I hope that doesn't backfire, as Glose grew up in Connecticut and now lives outside Albany, I believe - aak! She's an outsider!

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by: CPT_Doom @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:44:14 PM CST

[ Parent ]

or as they say in Maine

"from away..."

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by: Clarknt67 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:45:45 PM CST

[ Parent ]

She's fairly well known in the state as a summer person

Which, granted, probably doesn't count in her favor. But I think it's a little late in the game now for people to be voting Yes on 1 because they got a robocall from a famous actress who has a house here! I don't think it could do much harm.

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by: Lexie @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:48:46 PM CST

[ Parent ]

"Glenn Close"

For some reason I read that as "Glenn Beck" at first and I was about to say, "Oh god."

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by: CisgenderLesbianRadical @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:50:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

MSNBC

Showing Clip of Jesse, then Father --- (missed it). Now on with John B, via phone.


"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

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by: Louise @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:18:09 PM CST

SHOWING PROP 8 FOOTAGE!

Lots of it; go MSNBC!

"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

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by: Louise @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:19:02 PM CST

[ Parent ]

John B

talking about the public hearing, etc- now the rally from yesterday clips!

Voter turnout high...  

"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

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by: Louise @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:20:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm back on the phone!

Not even Cox can keep me off! I might as well make some more calls while I wait for Cox to fix my cable.

I just hope all of our efforts pay off tonight!!!!

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:29:21 PM CST

I don't think I've ever prayed so hard for anything.

Even though I'm not a big believer in "prayer" and all of that hocus pocus stuff, I've prayed like a hooker at a Jimmy Swaggart revival all day long.

I'm not particular about which of the superfriends answers my prayers as long as they get answered.

THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS IN MAINE!

MOST ESPECIALLY LOUISE!

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by: Zeke @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:30:42 PM CST

I prayed

and I'm an atheist. I figured it couldn't hurt.

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by: Clarknt67 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:42:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Based on the parable of the lost sheep...

God'll take much more notice of your prayers then those of the NOMskulls.

____________________________________
Cuius testiculos habes, habeas cardia et cerebellum.

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by: tavdy79 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:51:36 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What source is saying turnout is low in Portland?

Out of curiosity. I went out at lunch (work in Portland) and saw what looked like steady traffic at the local polling place. Crossing my fingers that the report is untrue, as Portland is likely to be a huge area of support for No!

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by: Lexie @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:33:32 PM CST

Apparently NOT the SoS or PPH...

Maine's SoS just revised his turnout estimate higher mainly due to noticing high turnout in Portland and other big cities. So far, so good (crossing fingers and MAKING MORE CALLS!!)....

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:41:45 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I hope that's really the case!

The idea of Portland not turning out just makes me so nervous and so sad; all along I was worried about the effect of District 2, and if (God forbid) it turns out in the end that my city is the one that totally fails -- heartbreak! Good luck on the calls!

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by: Lexie @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:48:11 PM CST

[ Parent ]

One FB contact

and I haven't heard anything more, so... skimming lightly past that.

"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

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by: Louise @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:55:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Does anyone know

why absentee ballots are counted after the live vote is complete?

I'm so nervous for Maine... what an amazing victory this would be (and should be!)

CROSSING FINGERS FOR YOU MAINE!!

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by: wspencer @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:33:40 PM CST

I can't speak to Maine's specifc laws

but many municipalities don't count absentee votes unless the contest is close.

It makes sense. Say a candidate wins by 10% and the absentee ballot is only 3% of the electorate, they toss them. It wouldn't matter if all absentee votes were in one candidate's favor (which of course it wouldn't be). It's kind of horrifying though, I know. "They tossed my vote?!?"

Anyway, not counting absentee until the live vote is counted may just be standard operating procedure to save the state man-hours (so, money).

I have feeling they'll be counting absentee in Maine tonight though.

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by: Clarknt67 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:47:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It throws percentages off

to not count the absentee ballots at all :(  I'm all for having it go down in the "record" that someone won by 7 percentage points rather than 10!

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by: CisgenderLesbianRadical @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:02:14 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Anyone have some spare Valium?

Today, we are all Mainers and Washingtonians. In general, the higher the turnout, the better it is for us - at least based on historical results.

"Neither Lifestyle nor Agenda"

http://tips-q.com

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by: davidhart @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:36:27 PM CST

I would suggest chamomile tea

With maybe a touch of valerian root; the honey and lemon will cover up the somewhat bitter taste. Good tonic when you are stressed and hot liquids are good for you during cold and flu season.

Plus ça change, plus c'est la même merde.

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by: TechBear @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:02:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Just found my first undecided voter...

It seems she was scared by the schools ads. She was about to vote Yes on 1, but at least I got her to reconsider. How are the TV ads running? I hope No on 1 got enough $$$$ yesterday to put up plenty of ads today!

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:37:33 PM CST

Good for you!

I made calls for a few hours last night and only ran into irritated No on 1 supporters who were sick of being called. It's so nice to hear that people are actually finding undecided voters and convincing them to consider a No vote!

The last I saw, it felt like I was seeing two Yes on 1 ads to every No on 1. I haven't turned on the TV in a few days, though, so hopefully that has changed! Especially after the campaign raised $75,000 yesterday.

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by: Lexie @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:42:12 PM CST

[ Parent ]

This is what worries me most...

I've heard this elsewhere too, that the Yes side had way more ads on than the No side lately.  Why is that?

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by: Bruno @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:50:11 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Because we were abandoned by big donors like Tim Gill and Bruce Bastian

Yes on 1 got a huge infusion of cash, probably from NOM.  No on 1 got some, but there is no evidence of a large cash drop from multi-millionaires like Gill or Bastian.  These people gave $2 million in CA, but I guess Maine just wasn't important enough to them.  I think the combined total for the 2 of them this time is like $31,000. The result is that No on 1 was outspent in the last week.

Screw it all.  Let's win.

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by: Daniel2009 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:55:07 PM CST

[ Parent ]

b/c No on 1 was running out of $$...

While Yes on 1 got that BIG NOM boost. Fortunately, No on 1 got a good last-minute moneybomb last night so hopefully that means more TV ads today.

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:57:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It disgusts me that Jesse C. has to beg for money, when HRC could have covered his needs

They probably brought in something like $1 million at that fundraising dinner where Obama showed up.  Presidential appearances can garner that kind of windfall.  They should have written 2 checks for $500K each, one for ME and one for WA.  Or they could have prevailed on one of their board of directors, Bruce Bastian, to dip into his $400 million net worth and give something more than $6,000.

When this is all over, HRC will have certainly helped, but it may be something like 1/10 to 1/20 of what NOM did for Yes on 1.

 

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by: Daniel2009 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:05:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What Daniel said about the money.

Yes on 1 seems to have gotten some huge last-second donations. There's no way to know for sure right now, as I don't think there are any reports out on funding for the last week or so, but that's certainly what it feels like. I'm not normally a betting girl, but I'd bet my life on the fact that NOM has been pouring obscene amounts into the state at the 11th hour.

I'm mostly basing this on the advertising. Like I said, the TV ads have been running almost double for the last couple of days, and even more irritatingly, almost every single website I click on is covered in Yes on 1 banner ads, including the Portland Press Herald, blogs, humor pages, all kinds of sites; being on the Blend is a welcome relief. It's gotten to the point that wherever I go, there's a little kid with his head in his hands and blood-red text saying DON'T LET THEM TEACH HOMOSEXUAL MARRIAGE IN SCHOOLS, or whatever the exact text of that particular ridiculous ad is. Being on the internet isn't good for my blood pressure when those pop up every time I scroll to the bottom of a page. They've completely overpowered the majority of No on 1's online advertising.

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by: Lexie @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:04:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You can definitely conclude that they got a huge cash drop

Each campaign has to report its spending on a 24-hour basis.  They don't have to report contributors, so you don't know exactly where the money is coming from.  Yes on 1 has been spending money like water, far more money than it had on hand at the end of the last full reporting period.  The only way it could do this is if NOM or Knights of Columbus dropped major bucks on them.

We can also tell from the 24-hour reports that the Catholic Church, FRC, and FOF did not do any significant giving in the last 2 weeks.  That leaves NOM, KoC, or some new contributor like Ahmanson as the culprits.  I doubt that someone new swept in at the last minute, so the best bets are NOM and KoC.

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by: Daniel2009 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:08:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Which...

all leads me to believe that in this one particular area of focus, the No on 1 campaign has actually fallen short.  Let's hope it's not that big a factor, and that it more indicates desperation on the bigots' side.

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by: Bruno @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:10:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

So did I yesterday...

It's OK, just as long as they vote. I remind them whenever they get irritated that we'll stop calling them once they vote.

We're in GOTV mode now, so we should mostly be finding No on 1 voters to get out to the polls.

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:54:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You

are a hero :)

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by: CisgenderLesbianRadical @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:46:40 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I read No on 1 was hoping for 25K and got 65K in the last fund drive

I think on gay americablog

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:16:25 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The final tally was $75,000

when I last checked, which is great.

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by: Lexie @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:19:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

YES.

I even had a last minute donation my my ActBlue, so we ended up raising $5400 here at the Blend!

Actually more; 3 other people donated then emailed me privately- so closer to 6k.

I am just utterly blown away by all of you- the $$, the phone-banking, the GOTV efforts, the Volunteer Vacations, the FBs and Twitters, emails, suggestions, constructive critisisms, SUPPORT- it's been an incredible experience and easily the most amazing time of my LIFE.

So FAR. We've got alot of states to go, to put this country on the path of true inclusion and full equality. But we WILL get there...

THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR MY HOME STATE.


"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

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by: Louise @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:36:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

and equality will come through Maine

Louise we could use another 50 folks JUST LIKE YOU!

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:53:26 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Almost $76K

From yesterday's plea from 1,380 donors.

http://www.actblue.com/page/no...

The Netroots stepped up for us.

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by: Clarknt67 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:34:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

#VoteNoOn1 has been Twitter's #5 trending topic

all day. No sign of Yes in twitter's top 10. It's something!

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by: Clarknt67 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:50:57 PM CST

This is high drama. I hope these turnout stats hold up

Those stats that Louise is reporting are huge.  If they hold up in southern Maine, and if these are really our people showing up, then we can win this.  Hopefully this is the result of the relentless and very professional ground campaign that No on 1 has been waging since May.

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by: Daniel2009 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:57:42 PM CST

OK, more angry No on 1 voters...

I just got 4 in a row yelling and screaming at me. "NO MORE CALLS!!!!" Whatever. If they're telling the truth and they already voted, they won't be called any more. I don't mind taking crap on the phone so long as it turns out enough votes to defeat Question 1 today!

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:59:33 PM CST

As a member of the queer community,

if I lived in Maine, I think that I would be GRATEFUL every time someone from NO on 1 called me, even if it was 300 million times.  I deeply respect those phone calls and the dedication towards helping our communities.

This is unrelated, but I got a call at my parents' house in Sacramento in which someone asked me how I voted, and I didn't stop to think how weirdly unprofessional it was that they didn't identify themselves before I answered.  When they heard I was anti-Prop 8, they were like, "YES on 8!!" before they hung up on me.  ...How effective..........

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by: CisgenderLesbianRadical @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:12:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Louise, do you see any on-the-ground evidence of Yes on 1's GOTV?

Their ground campaign has been one big mystery.  Do you see canvassers, sign-holders, van pick-ups and the like?

One thing going for us:  in CA, the Yessers had (they claim) 100,000 volunteers on the ground, 5 for each of CA's 20,000 precincts.  This time, without their Mormon Zombie Army, we should have the advantage.

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by: Daniel2009 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:01:01 PM CST

Not Louise, but a Mainer in Portland.

I've seen a handful of people waving signs and absolutely nothing else.

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by: Lexie @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:07:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Cool! Last year, we were waving signs -

while the other side waged a sophisticated state-wide GOTV.  Let's hope and pray that this time the roles are reversed.

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by: Daniel2009 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:11:38 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Well, to be fair, Portland isn't exactly representative of the entire state.

(Unfortunately.) The greater Portland area definitely isn't going to be Yes on 1's voter stronghold; I wouldn't be surprised if their effort was stronger in other areas. But it's been nice to see Yes on 1 so low-profile around here.

I think it's pretty safe to say that this time around, the roles are reversed; that's just based on my own experience living here and watching the two campaigns. Besides this issue with Yes on 1 seeming to have more last-second funds than No on 1, No has just been flat-out running the more sophisticated, efficient, savvy and organized campaign. I can't speak to Yes on 1's GOTV efforts, but I was at both a Cumberland County call center and then a York County field office yesterday, and I was amazed by how well organized everything was, especially the canvassing. I was expecting much more chaos.

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by: Lexie @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:18:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The one thing I have tried to test on Yes on 1

has been on their website.  They tried to get people to sign up for "house parties" to support Q1.  You could search for such parties w/in a 50 mile radius of any zip code.  I tried searching a number of zip codes in conservative areas and in big cities, but I could not find a single house party listed.

Obviously they are doing stuff in churches and I think I read that Mary Conroy claimed something like 1,500 volunteers.  But I just don't see any evidence of it.

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by: Daniel2009 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:24:36 PM CST

[ Parent ]

They're SHOWING UP

OUTSTANDING!
I exhausted my arms scrubbing the house, so now I'll tuck in at my puter and rest....(sort of) maybe I'll make an ugly(ier) image of Maggie(cuz i can.)

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:03:28 PM CST

My Maggie image may have a Giant lobster pinching her, a big lavender lobster

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:20:34 PM CST

[ Parent ]

here's the lobsters pinching Maggie

The lavender lobster was so fun to make, I made a pink one too

  http://s810.photobucket.com/al...

Sounds like Porno Petey wants to go at Louise...ya'll need come thru me first, ya skank ho'!
Looks like Petey needs a picture too
work work work

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:12:02 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Porno Petey, you attacked the WRONG FAMILIES....cupcake

http://s810.photobucket.com/al...

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:49:02 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Assuming the usual off year voting is 25% and that'll be the regular folks mainly seniors

A 55% vote turn out overwhelms the regular voters.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:06:02 PM CST

Amen, good concise of analysis of how

huge turnout helps us. In general, the Yessers are hardcore voters, and the senior citizens who were sure to show up anyway... We need to make sure they are not the majority.

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by: Clarknt67 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:10:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Talking Points Memo:

Summarized Gov Baldacci's interview on MSNBC:

When asked about voter turnout, the governor said he is "impressed with people who are working to keep the law in place," and they are "cautiously optimistic" about the outcome of the vote. However, in order to uphold the law, advocates need "better than expected turnout," and "both camps are very well organized" in getting supporters out to vote.

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpoin...

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by: Clarknt67 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 15:48:03 PM CST

More angry No on 1 voters...

They're still shouting at me, but at least they already voted. One can tell a good campaign has been waged if voters complain about TOO MUCH contact! :-p

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 17:05:06 PM CST

you don't ask ,you don't get

It might be aggrevating one day, but it's much better to ask too many times than not ask at all.

One thing that might show our supporters, younger voters tend to come later, so if there are long lines when the polls are closing, that's an excellent sign, and it might delay getting results, but the results will be BETTER.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 17:17:50 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Turnout higher than expected

  http://www.politico.com/blogs/...

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 18:29:44 PM CST