NWCN (Northwest Cable News) just said Bu*sh more popular to win.

[icymist]

I just heard on the news that the Northwest hasn't voted Republican since Ronald Regan. For some reason, our news seems to think that suddenly, the Northwest will vote for Bush, get this, this year! These people have got to be smoking some really good ganja because I, who live in Seattle, certainly don't see this highly pro-George signs! What do you think gives?

[amber dog democrat]

1. Its a Dewey Defeats Truman stance

As neswpapers go, its a safe bet to support the incumbant even if you are wrong, so as not to piss off advertisers. Presidents come and go.

[charlyvi]

2. Purple People Watch

Here's what The American Prospect says:
Oregon and Washington. John Kerry swept into the Pacific Northwest in style earlier this week to spend some quality time with swing voters in Oregon and Washington. The Kerry entourage touched down in Portland in a new campaign plane emblazoned with "John Kerry" and "President" on its sides. The candidate seemed happy with his new ride, joking that "in the event of an emergency, my hair can be used as a flotation device."

But Kerry isn't kidding around when it comes to the Pacific Northwest. This is Kerry's second visit to the region in two weeks. In 2000, Al Gore edged out George W. Bush in both states by a narrow margin, winning a combined 18 electoral votes. Although John Kerry can take nothing for granted, a recent Zogby poll confirms that the candidate maintains a small lead in both states. In a poll published April 5, Washington pollster Stuart Elway had Kerry with 46 percent, Bush at 41 percent, and Ralph Nader at 2 percent. In Oregon, a recent media poll showed Kerry ahead by 4 percent.

Kerry used this trip to talk about the national security threat posed by dependence on Middle East oil. That issue has particular resonance in the region; Washington motorists were paying an average of $2.34 per gallon for regular unleaded gasoline on Tuesday. According to AAA, that’s the highest in state history. Oregon’s average price is even higher, ringing in at $2.32 a gallon.

Here's the link:
http://www.prospect.org/web/page.ww?section=root&name=ViewWeb&articleId=7783

This is an ongoing status check by TAP on the swing states. Interesting, yes?

[ibegurpard]

6. This is not true, at least from the Washington perspective

"In 2000, Al Gore edged out George W. Bush in both states by a narrow margin, winning a combined 18 electoral votes."

Washington wasn't even close.

[AndyTiedye]

3. Gotten any new Voting Machinez Lately?

[West Coast Democrat]

4. God, NW Cable News has always been Conservative

Did you happen to catch any of their war protest coverage? And if you listen to any of the viewer call-ins, 90% of them are from Republicans.

[icymist]

5. You're right!!! But who else am I to watch for live coverage...

of John Kerry or, really, anything? Not much to choose from out here!
And the polls they take! They're on anything! "Should common people be allowed to walk the streets past 10:00 pm?" "Should people who are 'accused' of what we consider really bad crimes be permitted to have a life, whether guilty or not?" And much, much more...! Arrrguh!

[West Coast Democrat]

7. It's so hard to stomach their coverage....I can't watch anymore

I remember when they covered an isolated flag burning at one of the Portland war protests. They just kept replaying the clip about 100 times, and taking calls from a bunch of hicks about how they supported the troops, and all of the people against the war were just anti-American scum, etc.

[Beacho]

8. Huh, waaaaa?

Since when is eight points a 'narrow win'?

That was Gore's victory margin for Washington in '00.