WY-AL: Trauner (D) leads Lummis (R) by 3% in open House race

[Meeker]

Obama will help here

[Meeker]

Obama will help here

You really think so, Meek?  I know he caucused well there but it is Wyoming, after all.  I think there might be some coattail if Governor Freudenthal were running for one of the open Senate seats.  But I am not sure Obama will do well in the general there.

Hope I'm wrong!

I didn't say he'll win, but he'll do better than Kerry. Congressional races West of the Mississippi will nearly universally be helped by Obama.

[Meeker]

Does the downballot effect even exist all that strongly?  I can see certain races increasing certain levels of turnout.  But do that many people say "well, I've voted Obama, time to just D the rest"?

In fact, subconsciously, I'm probably more apt to make a concerted effort to split my ticket...

You're too much of an educated Washingtonian. It's very common among low information voters, especially in Presidential years, especially in states that aren't Washington (we hate our parties too much).

[Meeker]

Does the downballot effect even exist all that strongly?  I can see certain races increasing certain levels of turnout.  But do that many people say "well, I've voted Obama, time to just D the rest"?

In fact, subconsciously, I'm probably more apt to make a concerted effort to split my ticket...

You're too much of an educated Washingtonian. It's very common among low information voters, especially in Presidential years, especially in states that aren't Washington (we hate our parties too much).

I'm hoping that explains Will Baker's ability to actually receive more than his own vote

That and his cool hair.