GOTV in blue CA! Blue states can help flip the House!

[SunSeeker]

Yes, Obama will get CA, but don't stay home thinking your vote is not needed. There are important down ticket races that need your vote! Besides voting NO on some of the heinous propositions out there (anti-union Prop. 32), a number of Congressional races are in play. For example, anti-marriage equality and anti-equal pay Republican Rep. Mary Bono Mack finds herself trying to fend off a challenge from Democrat Raul Ruiz in California's 36th Congressional District:

2012 ELECTION: Bono Mack, Ruiz race gets hot

Bono Mack, R-Palm Springs, has cruised to easy victories in the past few cycles, despite Democratic predictions that she could be beaten. This year, however, Democrats are putting their money where their mouths are. The party and its allies have launched a series of TV ad campaigns attacking Bono Mack and released polling data that shows Ruiz, an emergency room doctor at Eisenhower Medical Center, is close behind the incumbent.

Leading political handicappers also view the race as tightening. In recent weeks, the Cook Political Report and analyst Larry Sabato each have moved the seat from “likely Republican” to “leans Republican,” a distinction that means they think Ruiz has a better shot at winning than before.

“It’s still uphill for Democrats, but polling in that race is encouraging for Ruiz,” said Dave Wasserman, who analyzes House races for the Cook report. “He’s within striking distance, and that’s the first time we’ve been able to say that about one of Bono Mack’s opponents in a long time.”

First elected to Congress after her husband, the late entertainer and Rep. Sonny Bono, was killed in a 1998 skiing accident, Bono Mack has represented eastern Riverside County for 14 years.



http://www.pe.com/local-news/politics/ben-goad-headlines/20121015-2012-election-bono-mack-ruiz-race-gets-hot.ece

[flamingdem]

1. But duude I was going to go surfing that day

[Retrograde]

2. Polls open at 7AM, close at 8PM

and you can always vote in person at your county registrar's office before that, or get an mail-in ballot (yeah, I know you're kidding).

Obama's going to take California, Feinstein's going to get elected, and my congressional district is so safely DEM that the challenger didn't even bother putting a statement in the voters' guide. But I always vote, because the local issues are important, maybe even more so. And there are always the propositions - one in the June election lost by a handful of surfers.

[flamingdem]

3. There's a hot race between Berman and Sherman in LA

The two got into a physical alteration last week and it was covered on msnbc!

[SunSeeker]

10. Yes! And Oct. 22 is the registration deadline. Register online at this link:

http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm

[pinboy3niner]

4. CA has a special program designed specially for you surfers

They call it "Vote by Mail." Cowabunga, dude!

[flamingdem]

5. I never much watch SNL but caught "The Californians" on Saturday

Since then I've been making California jokes. Recommended.

* by the way does the absentee ballot come with any medical marijuana because that helps me make decisions!

[pinboy3niner]

6. For authenticity, remember that all CA jokes must include a hwy #, preceded by "the" :)

*On the other thing, I think that doesn't go into effect until next year.

[Retrograde]

7. Southerner

no real (i.e., Northern) California says the 101 or the 280. Well, some do, but they're transplants from LA.

[pinboy3niner]

8. Busted, lol

I grew up in SoCal (San Fernando Valley) and returned after many years away. I'm still a little rusty, so some of this stuff is strange even to me. Gotta say, though, that SoCal is as real as it gets. As much as I love Shasta and Redding.

[We are Devo]

16. I lived

up in Trinity Co. (Hyampom to be exact), for a couple years. Redding was the Big City to us..this was the 1970s

[TDale313]

9. Yep, the "the" thing is socal. n/t

[flamingdem]

11. You mean you just say take 101 to San Francisco?

That sounds strange! Is that some kind of Bay Area snob kind of thing

* I'm not trying to start a North South war
** Yes I am

[TDale313]

15. At least ya didn't call it Frisco.

Bay Area gal, born and raised, and like most natives hearing San Francisco called Frisco makes me cringe. Is that Bay Area snobbery?

[Retrograde]

17. Of course!

You can also say "take 280 to San Francisco", although IMHO CalTrain is easier.

Yeah, we're snobs. At least I am.

[KamaAina]

12. Also, be sure to vote Yes on Prop 30

without it, we will be facing a budget crisis that will end up turning us into Florida with lower humidity.

In particular, UC and CSU would be gutted. Students around the state are organizing around this issue.

[SunSeeker]

13. Yes indeed. Here's the recommendations for the statewide props:

(Per the Los Angeles County Democratic Party)

STATEWIDE PROPOSITIONS
Proposition 30 – YES – Protects funding for schools and local public safety
Proposition 31 – NO – Locks California into permanent underfunding of education, health, and other vital services
Proposition 32 – NO – Creates special exemptions for billionaires and Super PACs allowing them to buy elections
Proposition 33 – NO – Auto insurance rate hike
Proposition 34 – YES – Repeals death penalty and replaces with life without parole
Proposition 35 – YES – Increases penalties for human trafficking
Proposition 36 – YES – Reforms “Three Strikes” law
Proposition 37 – YES – Labeling of genetically engineered foods
Proposition 38 – NO – Munger initiative
Proposition 39 – YES – Adjusts taxes for multi-state corporations to fund clean energy programs
Proposition 40 – YES – Referendum on State Senate district boundaries

http://www.lacdp.org/endorsements/

[KamaAina]

14. Beware 35. It has a "gotcha" on Internet privacy.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10401779

Expanded Requirements for Sex Offender Registration. This measure requires registered sex offenders to provide the names of their Internet providers and identifiers to local police or sheriff’s departments. Such identifiers include e-mail addresses, user names, screen names, or other personal identifiers for Internet communication and activity. If a registrant changes his or her Internet service account or changes or adds an Internet identifier, the individual must notify law enforcement within 24 hours of such changes.

Remember, not all sex offenders are Jerry Sandusky. Got busted for indecent exposure for peeing in an alley behind a bar at 2 AM? Tough luck. Your Internet privacy is gone.

[ianrhett]

18. GOTV video

I just published this GOTV music video- hope it will inspire people to vote!

http://www.ianrhett.com/saygoodbye