Living well within the commute envelope of Washington DC, Mike has grown up with some friends from very wealthy and well-connected families. Last night he was invited to a barbeque at the home of a friend whose father owns an insurance company. The friend's father was entertaining some friends of his own, including the president of one of the largest insurance companies, which will remain nameless to protect me from any possible lawsuit from any possibly thin-skinned and humorless insurance poohbah--yes that sounds paranoid; so what?
Mike played poker with this group, and while they smoked cigars and joked about Kerry, Mike sat quietly and counted his chips. He says the president of the large and very famous insurance company did mutter that it might make more sense to vote for Kerry, really, but nevertheless he would vote for Bush.
This comment, together with my having some time ago heard a right wingnut/gunlover admit he was going to vote for "the demotard" because Bush had failed to nuke Afghanistan and whatnot, makes me wonder if these small moments are harbingers of a coming Kerry landslide.
Mike left his friend's house $105 richer, for which he received hearty congratulations from yours truly. He says the insurance moguls played terrible poker, but then I suppose they weren't worried at all about dropping some pocket change. Besides which, Mike had an unfair advantage: he was sober.
I see other signs of support softening for Bush, esp in VA, NC, SC and GA, untouchable states just six months ago. But the economy will be key. That Sept jobs report had better look mighty good in many places.
I agree there's a good chance of a landslide.
As for the insurance folks, I'm glad to hear that at least my premiums are ending up in the right pocket with Mike's win!
I'll be shocked if it's a landslide, but as long as Bush doesn't win, I'll be happy with whatever percentage gets us there.
I get frightened, though, by shenanigans being done in FL and TX, that is effectively disenfranchising Democrats, 40,000 of 'em -- by putting them on a felons list and then making them fill out a form to prove they're not felons. Oh, and Gov. Jeb has gotten rid of the form. I heard TX is going through similar things.
Wasn't it Stalin that said, it's not who casts the votes but who counts them?
Liz
I'll be happy with whatever percentage gets us there.
Hear hear. And yes, the shenanigans in Florida continue. It will be a very interesting election night.