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One thing I like about right wingers, they have fewer scruples about mixing up the process when it comes to exit polls. You can often count on them to find leaks in exit polling and publish them.
The MYDD blog found this at the National Review.
My first word of exit poll results says that the first two waves of results in Massachusetts show a “dead heat” between Hillary and Obama, and a 20-point margin for Romney among Republicans.
There are so many factors as to why the polls can be off, but usually early exit polling is skewed towards women who are somewhat more likely to vote earlier in the day. Dead even in Massachussetts when the later samples are more likely to be male-heavy is good news for Obama. But there are so many other factors that could make exit polls go kablooey that I’d hold off celebrating if you support Obama. But I’d be sweating just a little bit if I was rooting for Clinton. This was supposed to be a Clinton stronghold.
Addendum: MYDD has some “second wave” exit poll data. If the numbers hold, Obama is in the driver’s seat. Call me skeptical.
I’ve been asked to start a new thread whenever the last one reaches three digits. I’ll post one more tomorrow, and then start up again on February 20 when the trial resumes.
Former Deputy D.A. Jeffrey Schwarz has a column in today’s Times Standard arguing for support for D.A. Paul Gallegos which emphasizes that there has been more to his tenure than the ill-fated PL case.
The T-S said that his legacy as the Humboldt County DA rested on his suit against Pacific Lumber. Hank Sims, in his Town Dandy column said that Gallegos’ “whole career as a prosecutor” had been tied up with the suit and said that the state appellate court has now “erased his whole reason for being.” (”An end to a saga,” Times-Standard, Jan. 25; “Full circle,” Hank Sims, North Coast Journal, Jan. 17.)
But Gallegos is no one-trick pony, and anyone who thinks so hasn’t paid attention to what has gone on inside the DA’s office.
Paul Gallegos entered office more than five years ago. Since then he has turned the DA’s role into what it should be, the protector of all people of Humboldt County and their interests. That means more than simply prosecuting drug dealers, common thieves and violent offenders. Of course, that takes priority. But the district attorney’s office under Gallegos is more than that.
Gallegos has gone after miscreants in the business community, corrupt politicians, environmental polluters and criminally negligent nursing home operators. He stands out among virtually every other district attorney in the state who limits their offices to prosecuting common criminals.
He goes on to frame the opposition in gool-ol-boy, twice placing in quotes the phrase “historical way of life” to describe the arguments of those who want the DA to stick to prosecutions of “homeless drug addicts who steal bags of Top Ramen from Winco or college students who grow marijuana.”
I think Jeff pushes the envelope too far, but there is truth to his argument. There is a stark difference between his office and his predecessor in that Gallegos takes very seriously the due process rights of his defendants. I can’t really get into the details, but I have a client who is having problems with another individual. About a decade ago under Terry Farmer an individual was banned from the township of Redway. Merely to step foot in Redway resulted in his jailing. When my client asked the D.A. to do the same thing against his antagonist, the D.A. refused on the basis that such a ban is an unconstitutional infringement of the right to travel. The D.A. did obtain a more limited restraining order, but I had to respect that the deputy took seriously the antagonist’s right so that she refused an action even though precedent indicated that one of the local judges might grant such a remedy. I find that remarkable. And I realize that not everybody will view the decision as indicative of virtue.
This is one example among others which have impressed me about the D.A.’s office, and these aren’t necessarily bragging points in an election cycle. Most people, even many liberals, are uneasy about a prosecutor which will uphold and defend even the rights of the criminal. But it’s implicit in the oath we all take when we enter the bar.
Addendum: As should be expected, the ever-vigilant Rose has her own take on the Schwarz piece – a work in construction.
The first Super Tuesday results are in. Obama appears to have won this contest by a landslide.
Addendum: Mike Huckabee wins the West Virginia delegates in what looks like a very goofy selection method at the state’s Republican Convention. Romney was the favorite, but it looks like McCain pulled off some last minute maneuvering to prevent a Romney win.
Second addendum: If you don’t nominate the candidates James Dobson likes, he’s going to take his ball and go home!
No kidding. Here’s the Reuters/Zogby poll:
Obama 49%
Clinton 36%
Clinton 52%
Obama 42%
One of these firms is going to be very embarrassed tonight. Actually, in the event of anything resembling a tie, both of them could be.
Most of the other polls have it much closer, giving Clinton the edge, according to this analysis which averaged the last 10 polls.
I actually had to wait in line to get my ballot with two whole people in front of me! And my favorite booth was taken!
Okay, I know I’m sounding like a broken record, but the Garberville precinct polling location is AT THE DMV. There are going to be plenty of voters who didn’t vote last fall (I really hope so anyway!). Last fall at least one voter went to the “usual” space up in the industrial park. When it wasn’t where he expected it to be he got mad and drove home. Yes, it’s at the New Wine Fellowship. The Fellowship has moved!
And the folks at Asis are offering rides to Garberville or Redway if you need them. Call them at 923-3356. Thanks to Sally for letting me know.
I didn’t notice this when I posted last night. It will begin at 7:30 tonight. Tune in right here.
Update: Wow. I haven’t been able to get into the site. It’s jammed.
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