Red State Rebels

Analysis: Obama improves Dem position in 43 of 44 counties

Earlier today, our good friend kos noted that President-elect Barack Obama improved on John Kerry's 2004 performance in all except four states. Idaho, which scored a D +12, was actually among the more improved states in the country.

Based on this I decided to drill down to the county level in Idaho and see what happened there. The results are fascinating. The margin gains in Idaho favored Obama in 43 of 44 counties. Only Lemhi County (R +3) went the other direction.

The best margin gain was in Teton County, which posted a D +23 and flipped blue for perhaps the first time ever. Elmore County was right behind at D +20. Although still not terribly competitive, the margins are no longer ridiculous there.

Other notable Democratic margin gains were Lincoln County (D +18), Ada County (D +17), Power County (D +17), Camas County (D +15) and Canyon County (D +15). In Blaine County, the only county Kerry won in 2004, Obama still managed a D +14, indicating the folks along Highway 75 are moving blue as strongly as ever.

In addition to Teton County, Latah County flipped blue as well. Latah was the only Bush county in 2004 where the margin of victory was under 10 points. In 2008 there were three McCain counties decided by less than 10 points: Shoshone (8 points), Valley (7 points), and Ada (6 points).

There's still a lot of work to do. For example, while Madison County was a D +12, it was still a 73-point McCain win. Several other counties, mainly in eastern Idaho, are still posting insane red blowout numbers, just not as bad as four years ago. Even so, these figures indicate improved Democratic strength is a statewide phenomenon.

The margin gains by county are as follows:

Ada - D +17
Adams - D +10
Bannock - D +12
Bear Lake - D +2
Benewah - D +12
Bingham - D +10
Blaine - D +14
Boise - D +12
Bonner - D +5
Bonneville - D +13
Boundary - D +6
Butte - D +2
Camas - D +15
Canyon - D +15
Caribou - D +6
Cassia - D +5
Clark - D +9
Clearwater - D +7
Custer - D +5
Elmore - D +20
Franklin - D +9
Fremont - D +11
Gem - D +10
Gooding - D +9
Idaho - D +6
Jefferson - D +8
Jerome - D +13
Kootenai - D +8
Latah - D +9 (pickup)
Lemhi - R +3
Lewis - D +7
Lincoln - D +18
Madison - D +12
Minidoka - D +9
Nez Perce - D +7
Oneida - D +8
Owyhee - D +9
Payette - D +9
Power - D +17
Shoshone - D +3
Teton - D +23 (pickup)
Twin Falls - D +13
Valley - D +14
Washington - D +9

New day in Idaho

As Democrats across the country celebrate the historic election of Barack Obama, Idaho Democrats have plenty of reason to celebrate as well. Walt Minnick has safely secured a win in Idaho's 1st Congressional District!

Bubblehead called it last night, long before the AP called it, and this morning Walt Minnick gave his victory speech in front of the Idaho Historical Museum in Boise.

For the first time since Larry LaRocco lost the seat in 1994, the state of Idaho will be sending a Democrat to Washington, D.C. What a wonderful day for Walt and a wonderful day for Idaho.

Here is a small sampling of what the Idaho progressive blogosphere has to say on this new day in Idaho and across the country:

• "Separate but equal," BinkyBoy, 43rd State Blues
• "And Day," The Political Game
• "Walt Wins!, The MountainGoat Report
• "The Culture Wars' Diminishing Returns," f-words
• "Happy days are here again," Idablue
• "Our long national nightmare is over," unequivocal notion

Today is the Day!

Share your stories about voting TODAY! and then tonight we can watch the returns come in and post them up here.

Big day -- should be LOTS of posts in this thread.

t

New Byron Yankey ad

You may have already seen this on your TV -- this ad has been airing around the Treasure Valley since last week.

Check out Byron's blog and don't forget to get out there and vote on Tuesday!

We've got some outstanding Democrats running here in Canyon County, lets hope we can get them all elected!

Events on the 3rd and 4th

Monday the 3rd please join BSU College Democrats at noon, on the SUB Patio! Live music, free chili and drinks and wear your I voted (for those of us that are already done) stickers for a chance to win a prize. More information here.

Then on ELECTION NIGHT choose from 2 events here in the valley and over a dozen through out the state.

Everyone is welcome to celebrate in Ada County with the candidates, starting at 8pm, at Hilton Garden Inn-Boise Spectrum (near the corner of Overland and Cole roads).

There is another event across town for the Obama supporters at the Powerhouse Event Center (621 S. 17th St., off Shoreline Drive) from 8 p.m. to midnight. RSVPs for the Obama event are requested at this website.

More information on both events AND the other parties in the state here.

May it be a very BLUE night!

t

Imagine It

This time next week, all of the elections will be behind us. We will know who won and who lost and we will be counting the days till W and team leave the White House.

We will know how red Idaho still is, and how much new BLUE there is. We will be tired from staying up late the night before and holding our breath while each vote is counted.

It will be time to look at those signs in our yards and take them down...and start thinking just for a moment about "next time".

We will push those thoughts aside though, and be focused on how this round is OVER.

Who besides me is ready for next Wednesday? and what if, just what if, next Wednesday; we are The Blue State Rebels??

t

Early Voting is NOW open in Idaho

With a nod to Irwin, for posting this info in an early entry - I think this deserves a post all its own.

Early voting is an option in Idaho and here is a link for the different counties in the state. Scroll to the bottom and click on the County name to see specific voting instructions for each voting system.

If you are in Ada County here is the link. Early voting started today and closes Monday, November 3, 2008. Polls remain open from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday at the following location:

Ada County Public Safety Building
7180 Barrister
Boise, ID

And in Canyon county at the County Elections Office, 1102 E. Chicago, Caldwell

Also I thought the Statesman did a nice Voting 101 article. It will help you make sure you have the proper identification with you and such.

I would suggest that these are some nice links for each of us to keep handy; so that we can be a resource to others in our circle of influence - and to help Get Out The Vote!

t

New campaign video from Byron Yankey

Byron Yankey is running for the Idaho House of Representatives seat 13B in Canyon County. Here is his new campaign video:

Check out Byron Yankey's website and blog.
Donate to his campaign and help send another Democrat to Idaho's Legislature.

Celebrate Drinking Liberally's 50th Meetup and Debate Watching Party!

Hard to believe, isn't it?  Drinking Liberally isn't technically old enough to drink (we're just over 4 years old), and we're about to meet for the 50th time.  To celebrate, we have a host of exciting news and events you can't live winout: 

1. Announcing the Drinking Liberally SLOGAN CONTEST!  Listen, people, we need your help.  Every great organization has its byline, and Drinking Liberally is no different.  But what should our byline be?  Samples: Hash House Harriers, a Drinking Club With a Running Problem; The GOP, Helping the Rich Get Richer Since 1854.  Email your suggestions to boise@drinkingliberally.org.  We'll vote on the top three at our gathering on Wednesday, and the winner will get a FABULOUS PRIZE!
2. You can now eat liberally, too!  We've moved the City Grill, 199 8th Street, in downtown Boise.
3. Watch the last presidential debate with us!
4. Come early (6 PM) and stay late (?) for a rousing good partay with your fellow Red State Rebels and Liberal Drinkers.

Again, sign up for alerts here.  Cheers!

Have you voted yet?

Here in Ada Co, there are record numbers of folks, that are voting absentee. I am proud to say I am one of them. In fact I have already cast my votes for Werk, Killeen, Chew, Holmes, LaRocco even Obama. It feels good to know my vote is done and on the way.

That said, I think there are some things for us to make sure and share with absentee voters - especially those who are voting for the first time this year. Of course the paper ballot is nice, and takes you back to those tests at school, where you fill in the oval fully; and they can use a cheat sheet if they want, and vote when they want.

There are some other important keys though. One is to then get the ballot IN the official ballot envelope and sealed and then in the envelope that goes back to the office to be counted. The second envelope, the one you must place a stamp on, must be signed!

I have had a couple of people ask me, "BUT then how is my vote private?" Some folks, do not realize that when you go vote in person, you also sign your name, in the log book, that you voted. Make sure you ask the new voters, and or absentee voters in your life -- if they have ANY questions!

And of course make sure you vote!

t