December 2004

Write Your Congressman

ArchPundit December 15, 2004 3 Comments

In 1964, three brave Civil Rights Volunteers, James Chaney, Mickey Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman, were murdered in Mississippi for trying to help African Americans the right to vote. Although the murderers were identified, they were never tried, due to the racism of the time. Today, there is a growing movement, in Mississippi and across the nation, to bring the all of the killers to justice.

Congress is currently considering H.Con 457 – a resolution that calls on the Department Of Justice to offer their assistance to the State Of Mississippi in order to reopen the “Mississippi Burning” murder case. I am asking you to take five minutes today to write your Congressional Representative and ask them to support the resolution.

By clicking on the link below: you will find all of the information you need to

? Find your Congressperson
? Copy and paste a message regarding the reolution
? Read the resolution
? Learn more about the case
? Get more information

THANK YOU in advance for your help! James Chaney, Michael Schwerner, and Andrew Goodman gave their lives for the cause of justice. We must not let them be forgotten – the murderers must be brought to justice! Please write to your Representative today!

Here is the link: http://www6.district125.k12.il.us/~bbradfor/howyoucanhelp.html

I know Mark Kirk has already signed on as well as Jackson and Davis. That this is being done by students make it all the better. Other bloggers–consider posting as well.

Pollster Chest Beating

ArchPundit December 15, 2004 3 Comments

Rod McCulloch compared his statewide results to the final results and he shows pretty good numbers this cycle (his 8th District poll kinda stunk, but that happens)

For the second straight election cycle, the most accurate statewide Illinois polling numbers came from McCulloch Research & Polling, a Chicago-based polling company, according to an analysis released by the firm today.

In both the Illinois U.S. Senate race, and the Presidential race in Illinois in 2004, MRP?s final polling results, were the most accurate when compared to other polling firms? numbers.

In the Presidential race, McCulloch?s October, 2004 Illinois poll, released the day before the election, showed Senator John Kerry with a lead of exactly ten percentage points. His final margin in the the state was actually 9.92%, or only .08% off of the Illinois poll.

Similarly, the Illinois Poll showed Barack Obama?s final percentage at 70.1%. He actually received 69.9% of the vote from Illinois voters on election day, or a difference of .2%.

While all statewide polls had Democrats John Kerry and Barack Obama leading consistently throughout the campaign, their final numbers and margins of victory were all over the map, depending on which poll you read, according to Rod McCulloch, the company?s pollster.

In the Presidential race, other polls released late in the campaign showed Senator Kerry?s lead anywhere from 8% (Chicago Tribune) to 14% (Research 2000). The final poll from SurveyUSA showed a 12% Kerry lead. Only McCulloch Research & Polling had the margin right.

In the Senate race, again, all surveys showed a solid lead for State Senator Barack Obama , but every poll except the October Illinois poll underestimated Mr. Obama?s strength in the polls. Rasmussen Research?s final survey showed Mr. Obama?s total at 64%, while the Chicago Tribune had him at 66%, Survey USA also at 66%, and Research 2000 at 67%. Again, the October Illinois Poll was the only one right on the money with regards to Mr. Obama?s final vote percentage.

These results mirror what happened in the 2002 Illinois Governor?s race, where again McCulloch Research & Polling was the most accurate. In that race, MRP?s October, 2002 Illinois poll, released the day before the election, showed the margin of victory for then Congressman Rod Blagojevich to be 6.8%. The final margin for Mr. Blagojevich was 7.12%, according to the State Board of Elections, for a difference of .34%.

When compared to other polls released late in that campaign, MRP again comes out on top. In a poll released on November 1, 2002, Zogby actually had Jim Ryan winning that race by .3%. Other polls released in the final days of the campaign were varied. Survey USA had Mr. Blagojevich?s lead at 14%, KRC Comm had it at 12%, Research 2000 showed a 11% margin, and the Chicago Tribune weighed in with a 10% spread.

What does this mean? He’s doing a good job on statewide polls over the last couple cycles.

New American Dream Contest

ArchPundit December 15, 2004 0 Comment

Come up with a slogan selling fuel efficiency to car manufacturers and win a new 2005 Prius.

Brought to you by the fine people at the New American Dream.

Don’t enter if you are an ingrate like some of the folks on Oprah who had to pay taxes on their new cars.

Pop Culture Weakness

ArchPundit December 15, 2004 1 Comment

For Bernie Kerik.

This stuff just fascinates me. It’s really just a personal train wreck for the guy, but wow is it hard to resist watching.

Joe Gandelman has a more serious take on it

Drinking Liberally

ArchPundit December 15, 2004 1 Comment

With a bitter chill in the air,
What way to better warm spirits
Than good friends, good beer,
And a little Progressive banter?

Drinking Liberally Chicago
Promoting democracy one pint at a time

Each and Every Wednesday Night @ 8:30 pm
The Red Lion, 2446 N Lincoln, 2nd Floor
Just around the corner from the Fullerton L Stop

Come join fellow progressives and find out what
Newsweek, the New York Daily News, and the Atrios blog
Have all been talking about!

All you need to do is show up and drink

www.drinkingliberally.org

Co-Hosted by The Chicago Chapter of 2020 Democrats

Eric Zorn’s Cry for Attention

ArchPundit December 13, 2004 1 Comment

Who is betting Zorn just wants Falwell, Buchanan or O’Reilly to attack him?

There’s nothing wrong with that–in fact, I encourage baiting morons.

I happen to think Christmas is under assault, but by Walmart and others, not school districts that attempt to be inclusive to various traditions.