Let's get ready to rumble

Debate Fever is sweeping Blast Off!, and it's that time of year in Florida.

First up, U.S. Senate candidates Bill Nelson and "Krazy" Katherine Harris, tonight at 8:00 pm at Nova Southeastern University in Davie. This time, they'll be on the same stage at the same time.

Tomorrow night, it's the epic first showdown between Jim Davis and Charlie Crist, also at 8:00 pm at NSU. The two will meet again in Tampa next Tuesday night, October 30, when the moderator will be none other than Chris "Tweety" Matthews of MSNBC's "Hardball." Gee, that oughta be a show.

Because I have rehearsal tonight, I won't be able to watch the Nelson-Harris debacle debate (maybe I should set the DVR ...), but I'll see about live-blogging the gubernatorial debate tomorrow night. Stay tuned ...

Both debates may be viewed live online at BeforeYouVote.org.

Crist: "Won't comment" on targeted calls with extreme message

The Florida GOP is nervous.

They're pulling out all the stops to get their guy elected governor. The latest is a series of recorded, targeted phone calls with a far-right message:

During the call, Crist can be heard telling voters, "I support a constitutional amendment to protect traditional marriages, and I oppose adoption by gay couples. I also support the ban on human cloning, and I want to ensure the right to display the Ten Commandments in public places."

Obviously, the intent is to shore up the base and GOTV. The recipients of these calls are unlikely to vote for Jim Davis, but given the Republican scandals of late, I suppose whoever paid for the calls (the article is unclear) is concerned that their base might just stay home.

Now, I'm not saying Crist is gay: although the blogosphere has been abuzz about that prospect, but these calls are mighty suspicious in light of such allegations. If he is gay, his positions are hypocritical and abhorrent. If not, he's still out of the mainstream on this, even in Florida.

Keep working and keep giving. Jim Davis for governor.

UPDATE: Davis behind by only 5 points

As an anonymous commenter pointed out, and as my Davis campaign e-mail stated today, the absolute newest poll in the Florida governor's race shows Davis trailing Crist now by only 5 points, at 46-41. Compare this to the last poll from the same firm (Rasmussen Reports), which had Crist ahead 54-38.

The trends are breaking the right way at the right time. Keep working and keep giving.

Davis still trails in latest polling

Although Jim Davis has managed to close the gap a bit, Charlie Crist still leads the Florida gubernatorial race by 11 points, according to the latest poll released yesterday.

It's a healthy lead, but slightly narrower than the 15-point margin Crist enjoyed in the poll last month.

Since that poll, Davis has started running TV ads so many voters have gotten more acquainted with him.

Still, Crist ads outnumber the Davis spots 3-1 on NBC 6 [in Miami] and most television stations across the state.

When I met Rep. Davis a few weeks ago, I learned that there was going to be more of a television presence for him in the weeks leading up to the election. There simply hasn't been enough money, though, and the wealthier Crist campaign has been bombarding the airwaves with ads.

Unfortunately, while I truly believe Davis would win the election on the issues, this race, like so many before it, may well come down to two co-dependent things: money and name recognition.

Take a moment to help Jim Davis close the gap even further.

Schadenfreude: It's not just for breakfast anymore

Since I'll be away from a computer much of the day, I'll throw this out as a semi-open thread. I mean, I know, it's not like anyone really comments on this blog anymore, but I'm an eternal optimist.

When was the last time you saw anything in the news (Faux News doesn't count) positive about a Republican? Let's take a quick tour around today's headlines ...

Washington Post: Homes Raided In Rep. Weldon Influence Probe

My goodness, the House Ethics Committee is going to be busy!

South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Florida's GOP rakes in $27.9 million from special interests, twice that of Democrats

Best quote: " 'It's as close to bribery as you can get without it being bribery,' says Lance deHaven-Smith, a professor of public administration at Florida State University."

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Ashcroft slammed for book's criticism of 9/11 panel

Yeah, it's a couple of days old, but still oh so sweet:

Fellow Republicans who served on the 9/11 Commission, which investigated the 2001 terrorist attacks, are ripping Ashcroft for what he wrote about the panel in his new book. Ashcroft's behavior - back then as a witness and now as an author - is "underhanded" and "outrageous," they say.

**********

In an interview Friday, former Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash., said that of the many witnesses interviewed by the commission, Ashcroft was the least interested in helping the panel get at the facts of what had happened before Sept. 11, 2001, so another terrorist attack could be averted.

"John was the least cooperative of all the witnesses we had," Gorton said. "He was the only one who refused to submit his written testimony in advance, he probably came with the largest entourage of any of the people we talked to, and he engaged in a disingenuous and partisan attack" on the committee.

I love when Republicans eat their own.

Houston Chronicle: Foes hit timing of Perry mailing

Surely Gov. Goodhair (as Molly Ivins calls Perry) wouldn't use taxpayer money for blatantly political purposes? Would he? Huh? Huh? Hello? Is this thing on?

Okay, fellow moonbats (and you trolls, too). Go to it. Comment on the above or add your own. It's a Blast Off! schadenfreude-fest, and you're invited!