Official AMG Election Day Thread
It's going to take an extreme set of political circumstances for a Republican to prevail in the First District. Read More...
Official Election Day Thread
Posted by Mr. Magoo
Wed, 11/04/2009 - 8:47am
Some of my thoughts on yesterday's results:
Question 1
1. I'm no great Ray Richardson fan, but I applaud his powers of prediction. I thought at best the Yes votes would prevail by less than i%.
2. The conservative churches did an excellent job getting their members to turn out.
3. I think age demographics played a huge role. First, looking at Lewiston, Biddeford and related results, indicate that the older Catholic voters turned out heavilly for yes. Also turnout appeared to be high as it usually is for older voters who historically are more conservative on this issue. Also, without the Obama effect, I think a lot of the younger voters gave this election a pass.
4. Rural voters turned out in record numbers. The Yes percentages in the rural counties were above 60%.
5. Polls on such a sensitive and personal issue mean nothing. A lot of yes voters are reluctant to give a response in this PC era.
6. I thought the Yes media campaign was poorly done - but it proves that emotions and deep seeded personal beliefs trump media blitzes.
7. It's going to take an extreme set of political circumstances for a Republican to prevail in the First District. It hasn't happened since 1994 ( Jim Longley) during the Newt revolution. Even then probably 10% of the voters thought they were voting for his father!
8. On the other side, I think an attractive Republican can eventually win in the Second District. I think you'll see Mike Michaud begin to take a right turn on some issues over the next 12 months.
School Consolidation:
1. Communities with over 2,500 students and exempt districts had no dog in the fight, and either didn't cate or listened to the heavy advertising paid for by the large corporations that were hit up for funding by the governor.
Tabor 2
1. Again an extremely effective fear campaign financed by the employee unions and municipal lobbyists.
2. Recession fears.
Excise Tax
1. A lousy proposition
That's my opinion - we welcome yours.
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