Patt Morrison Weds, 10/8

PATT MORRISON SCHEDULE

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

1-3 p.m.

 

1:00 – 1:30

OPEN

 

 

 

1:30 – 2:00

Following the Prop 8 Money Trail

Supporters and opponents of California's Prop 8, the measure to ban gay marriage, have poured $41.2 million into the race. That's more than the combined total spent in the 24 states where similar measures have gone before voters since 2004. Supporters of Prop 8 have significantly outspent their opposition. Could that explain why a new poll shows passage of Prop 8 leading? (47% Yes to 42% No, with 10% undecided). Could the lead be due to a shift among young voters who now favor the proposition after previously opposing it? We follow the money behind Prop 8 and see how its influencing voters.

 

Guests:

Bob Stern, President of the Center For Governmental Studies here in L.A.

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John Della-Volpe: Director of Polling at the Harvard Institute of Politics; his focus is on young voters.

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[NPR NEWS]

 

 

2:00 – 2:30

The Blue Tide is Rising:  Democrats Poised for Big Congressional Gains

The conventional wisdom from several months back was that 2008 was going to be a very good year for Democrats in Congress. Things haven’t changed much, and in fact prospects for Democrats adding to their majorities in the Senate and House have improved in the face of horrible economic news.  However there are a few uncertain variables, namely the recent turmoil in Congress over passing the bailout package that didn’t leave anyone looking very good and the record low approval ratings for all of (the Democratically-controlled) Congress.  Nevertheless, is a blue tide inexorably sweeping toward Capitol Hill?

 

Guests:

Jennifer Duffy, senior editor at The Cook Political Report

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• Duffy researches U.S. Senate and Governor races.
• In the Senate there are currently 49 Democrats, 49 Republicans and 2 Independents (who usually caucus with the Democrats).
• Duffy predicts that Democrats will score a net gain of between five and seven Senate seats.
• Among the more interesting Senate races:  The campaign against embattled Republican Sen. Ted Stevens in Alaska; the races against moderate Republicans Gordon Smith from Washington, Elizabeth Dole from North Carolina and John Sununu from New Hampshire; the Norm Coleman-Al Franken contest in Minnesota; and a fiercely contested open Senate seat in usually Republican Mississippi.

 

David Wasserman, House editor at The Cook Political Report

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• Wasserman researches House races.
• The House currently has 236 Democratic members (54.3%) and 199 Republicans (45.7%)
• There are 8 open, currently Democratic House seats; there are 27 open, currently Republican House seats.
• Wasserman estimates that Democrats will pick up 12 to 17 House seats.

 

 

 

 

2:30 – 3:00

OPEN