A friend who is canvassing in NY-20 writes
the Field Staff is saying that this is Michael Steele's last stand. it may just be motivational, but perhaps there is something to it
It's interesting to me that Republican sources leaked the idea that Steele will get fired as RNC chair if Tedisco loses. They had to know that this would indeed be a good motivator for Democrats.
I also asked my friend to describe how various issues were playing. He wrote:
The focus of the campaign staff is GOTV, therefore canvassers aren't asking about issues. But invariably some voters are still undecided. Much of the voters' critique of Scott Murphy surrounds his status as a wealthy guy in an economic downturn, and his assumed link to the current financial crisis. Even though there is no connection between Scott Murphy and derivative traders or anyone else culpable for our current recession, undecided voters are susceptible to this line of Tedisco attack, and it shows in conversation. I talked to one gentleman today who told me that he was genuinely undecided because he doesn't trust Tedisco, but he feels that Murphy is too tight with people on Wall Street.
Overwhelmingly however the voters are responding positively to Murphy message. Despite working for 8 hours, even skilled canvassers were having difficultly getting to more than one turf, because the lists are so thick. I think this illustrated how throughly the field staff have culled the 20th CD for issues and support. Because of the field work prior our arrival, there is a real sense that Murphy will win, despite the districts intrinsic difficulty.
Many people I spoke with had very sour thoughts on Tedisco, believing correctly that his years in Albany's fishbowl have alienated him from his constituents, and put him on the wrong side of the issues. Either way, if Tedisco continues to lose traction, if the markets continue to respond, and if we have three more solid days of GOTV, this race could surprise everybody. Get people down to the 20th if they have time, every voters counts!
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