Expected lare voter turnout

The expectations are that voter turnout this year will be huge, challenging the record voter turnout recorded in the 1960 presidential election that topped off at 90 percent.

I invite you join me on Tuesday as I conduct my mini tour of Eastern Connecticut polling places throughout the day and reporting on turnout and simply how well things are working. Those reports will appear here on the blog beginning Tuesday morning.

Updating things...

john McCain's "cell mate" from the Hanoi Hilton is in Guilford tonight (Anthony's of Guilford, 2392 Boston Post Road, 6:30-8:30 p.m.). It's a fundraier ($100 per person) for the McCain-Palin ticket.

And the two-hour debate with the three candidates in the 2nd Congressinal District race (videotaped last week from Plainfield High School) is now posted on CT-N's Web page (www.ct-n.com). It's probably the bet debate between them to date.

Is it too early to call a winner?

A lot can happen between today and Election Day that could change the direction of the presidential race -- but given that, it is beginning to appear that the race is getting away from John McCain. And at this point, I think it's fair to say that it is now Barack Obama's race to lose.

McCain did not do as well as he needed in the debate this week. And lately he is beginning to look more angry...a trait that is not going to endear him to those undecided voters. Voters don't want to elect an angry man to the White House....period.

This race may still be close, but all indications today seem to suggest that when the counting is done on Nov. 4, it's not going to be close at all.

2nd District debate

It waqs an interesting debate between Congressman Joe Courtney and Sean Sullivan at the Garde Theater last night. Sullivan came out strong and put Courtney on the defensive right out of the gate. And at times it appeared that Courtney wasn't very happy. But over all, Courtney held his own andmade a strong argument for re-election.

But not many questions were asked of the candidates under the format used allowing both candidates to pretty much dominate the evening, and control the discussion. Which brings me to this...

What question would you like to ask of the two candidates?

I'll be on the panel asking question to Courtney, Sullivan and Green Party candidate G. Scott Deshefy next Tuesday in Lebanon, and then on Wednesday, I'll be moderating a debate between the three in Plainfield. So...if there is something you'd like to hear the candidates talk about....let me know and I'm make sure it gets asked during those debates.

Debate time...

A couple of big debates on tap for this evening, each with a lot riding on them.

On the presidential front, John McCain needs a clear win in tonight's second debate with Barrack Obama. More importantly, he needs to change the course of discussion away from the economy. Right now, as long as the economy is the issue, Obama has the advantage. And that'sa problem on two fronts for McCain:
1. It is the economy that is what's on people's minds;
2. McCain needs to be careful how he tries to change the course of the discussion. If he continues on his current track -- angry -- he risks turning more people away, which at this stage of the election he cal ill afford to do.

Right now...this is Obama's election to lose.

The second debate has as much riding on it. That's the showdown with Joe Courtneyand Sean Sullivan. Sullivan has an equally high mountain to scale in not much time, and not much money to accomplish that. But this is his opportunity. It's a televised debate (7 p.m. on Channel 9) and his big chance to get people to take a closer look at his candidacy.

And....he needs to hope they like what they see. If not....they may not look twice.