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Giving Our All for GOTV 

The first polls that close today will be in two states that traditionally discourage voter participation, Indiana and Kentucky. Polls in the eastern parts of both states at 6PM, making it more difficult for working people to vote. Both states have been very red and even Democrats tend to be conservative, like Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, if not down right reactionary like the Democrat running in Kentucky's second congressional district, Mike Weaver (a rabid and vicious homophobe). Evangelical and self-identified values voters have been powerful in both states.

The clearest indication of how tonight will turn out is to watch Kentucky's 2nd, 3rd and 4th CDs and Indiana's 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 8th and 9th CDs. All 8 districts have rubber stamp Republican incumbents. In Kentucky the Louisville metro area is represented by a not very impressive Anne Northup. Polls show a genuine progressive, John Yarmuth, beating her. Kentucky's 2nd and 4th are represented by far right extremists, Ron Lewis and Geoff Davis, and their Democratic challengers are about as far from progressive are still able to claim, with a straight face, to be a Democrat, Mike Weaver and Ken Lucas. If Kentuckians chose these two, it's just because they have had enough of the Republicans and it will be a signal that nationally the GOP can expect a catastrophic night across the country.

Indiana has 9 congressional districts and 7 of those are represented by Republicans. It is widely expected that that will change drastically this evening. Mostly like to face defeat are far right fanatics Chris Chocola (IN-02), John Hosteteller (IN-08) and Michael Sodrel (IN-09). If the 3 are defeated, it will signal definitively that values voters are indeed abandoning the Republicans. It will also signal that the Democrats are on their way to a 30 seat sweep. Joe Donnelly, Brad Ellsworth and Baron Hill are the 3 conservative Democrats contesting those seats. Less vulnerable, but not out of danger, are Mark Souder (IN-03) and Mike Pence (IN-06). If Tom Hayhurst beats Souder expect to see Republican loses in the 40's nationally. If Barry Welsh, the only actual progressive in the Indiana races, beats Mike Pence (who is not just a right wing extremist but also an up and coming GOP congressional leader) expect complete Republican disintegration tonight with losses beyond 50 seats.

By 3 PM on the West Coast we should start getting the early indications about how much of a rout the Republicans will suffer today. If you see Democrats like Tom Hayhurst and Barry Welsh doing well, the results in California will go well beyond Dirty Dick Pombo and could very well sweep away right wing garbage like John Doolittle, Buck McKeon and Mary Bono.

(thanks to cbl for the photo and no, it's not Kobe) 

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