 2004 Presidential Election
Spending on spanish language ads is way up this election cycle as the candidates finally realize what we've know for a long time in Colorado. Hispanic voters are a large well of potential votes for any candidate, they vote, they are independent minded, and they remember promises. Here's a short article on the subject from Rocky Mountain News [October 2, 2004, "Spending on Spanish campaign ads surging"]. From the article, "Spanish-language campaign advertising has hit record highs in the Bush-Kerry contest, according to the Hispanic Voter Project at Johns Hopkins University. Most of that advertising has been in Colorado and other states where the race is close and the Hispanic population is large.The New Democrat Network, a "527" group that can accept unlimited campaign contributions but isn't officially affiliated with any campaign or party, has spent $3.2 million on Spanish language TV ads this election season, the report found. Kerry's campaign has spent an additional $1 million through mid-September, more than the Gore-Lieberman campaign and the Democratic National Committee combined spent in 2000, the report said. The Republican National Committee has spent $435,000 on Spanish advertising and the Bush campaign has spent more than $3 million on ads aimed at Hispanic voters. Bush spent $2 million on Spanish language advertising in 2000."
Is this the year that we in the west will determine the outcome of the Presidential election? Bill Richardson thinks that it is, according to the Denver Post [October 2, 2004, "West seen as key to election"]. From the article, "Calling Colorado the state that can swing the presidential election, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson stumped for the Kerry/Edwards ticket in western Colorado on Friday. Richardson, one of the country's most influential Democrats and a politician mentioned early in Sen. John Kerry's campaign as a possible running mate, told a crowd of about 100 Kerry-sign-waving Democrats at Mesa State College that Colorado is 'the battleground state in this election. As Colorado goes, so goes the election,' Richardson said."
Coyote Gulch is not sure that 9 (historically red) electoral votes will be as important as Ohio (20), Pennsylvania (21), or Florida (27). I do however accept the challenge from New Mexico's govenor and will continue to try to inform Coloradans and get them to the polls.
Electoral-vote.com: "Survey USA has polled over 20,000 people in 14 states and 21 cities to ask who won the first debate. In 11 states and 15 cities Kerry was the clear winner. In 2 states and 6 cities, Bush was the clear winner. Colorado was a tossup. Ominously for Bush, the 2 states that said he won the debate are Texas and Oklahoma, which he has in the bag already, but the states that gave Kerry the win include Oregon (by 19%), Maine (by 18%), Pennsylvania (by 22%), Arkansas (by 12%), and most significantly Florida (by 24%). American Research Group has now produced more details on its post-debate poll. Not surprisingly, practically all Democrats thought Kerry won and practically all Republicans thought Bush won. But among independents, Kerry won by 19%. Gallup's lead story today is entitled 'Kerry Wins Debate.' According to Gallup's poll, 53% of the people interviewed felt Kerry won and 37% felt Bush won."
John Zogby: "The debates will take on a special significance this year. The stakes are extremely high. Will Mr. Kerry be able bridge the likeability gap? Can he find his bumper sticker messages to make his point to those who want a change? Will he be able to put the President on the defensive on the war, health care, the economy, etc. without appearing to be bullying a leader that Americans seem to like? And can he make a connection with the war in Iraq spinning out of control and a squandered opportunity to pursue Osama bin Laden with full global support by alienating long-time US allies and dissipating US troop strength? Will the President be able to force Mr. Kerry on the defensive by revealing the Senator[base ']s changing positions? Can he do as he did successfully during the Republican National Convention by effectively linking his leadership on the war on terrorism with the ongoing war in Iraq? Can he finesse the three debates by just showing himself to be a plainspoken guy next door?"
Makes Me Ralph: "Colorado Latino/as are moving more towards the Democrats, as they see more of John Kerry and rally around Ken Salazar. Democrats are talking the issues--Jobs, Healthcare--that affect Latino/as while Republicans continue to grandstand on immigration and social conservatism."
Andy Lester: "George Bush as programming project leader." Thanks to Will Parker for the link.
Blogs For Bush: "Truth be told, Kerry exceeded expectations, but when it came to substance, he came up short."
9:02:45 AM 
|
|
