Open Thread 6/9

Discuss the day's news here.

Taking the fight to the red states

The latest Gallup poll has good news, with John Kerry beating George W. Bush among registered voters 49 percent to 44 percent.

Five months before the election, of course, is far too early to call any head-to-head poll conclusive. But there's another set of numbers in this poll that makes for good news.

In the "blue" states, states Gore won by large margins in 2000, Kerry is up by 20 percentage points over Bush, 57-37. In the "red" states, the states that Bush won comfortably in 2000, Bush is only up four points. (In the swing states, Kerry matches his national lead over Bush, 49-44.)

This means that the battle will be fought on Bush's turf. He'll have to spend money defending states that he must win in order to win the election, while John Kerry can focus on the swing states and put pressure on Bush in the red states.

And five months before the election, that is indisputably good news.

Open Thread 6/8

Here's a fresh Open Thread.

Open Thread 6/7

Discuss the day's news here.

Statement from Senator John Kerry on the Death of Ronald Reagan

"Ronald Reagan's love of country was infectious. Even when he was breaking Democrats hearts, he did so with a smile and in the spirit of honest and open debate. Despite the disagreements, he lived by that noble ideal that at 5pm we weren't Democrats or Republicans, we were Americans and friends. President Reagan and Tip O'Neill fought hard and honorably on many issues, and sat down together to happily swap jokes and the stories of their lives. The differences were real, but because of the way President Reagan led, he taught us that there is a big difference between strong beliefs and bitter partisanship.

"He was the voice of America in good times and in grief. When we lost the brave astronauts in the Challenger tragedy, he reminded us that, 'Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue.'

"Now, his own journey has ended-a long and storied trip that spanned most of the American century-and shaped one of the greatest victories of freedom. Today in the face of new challenges, his example reminds us that we must move forward with optimism and resolve. He was our oldest president, but he made America young again.

"Our prayers are with his family, and the wife he loved in a way all the world could see. And to the end, she loved him with courage and complete devotion. She helped all of us better understand the cruel disease that took him away before it took his life, and what we must do to prevent and cure it.

"Teresa and I and our family extend our deepest sympathies to Nancy Reagan and the Reagan family. Today, from California to Maine — 'from sea to shining sea' — Americans will bow their heads in prayer and gratitude that President Reagan left such an indelible stamp on the nation he loved."

Weekend Open Thread 6/5

Ha! Beat Jesse for once. Discuss the day's news here.