Trauner-Cubin race officially a toss-up
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Oct 31, 2006 Posted by Bill Luckett
For the first time since probably the 1970s, the race for Wyoming's only U.S. House seat is now officially considered a toss-up by one of the nation's foremost political analysts. Many experts have changed their rating of the race to indicate that it's close, in the wake of Gary Trauner's fine debate performances, Cubin's recent bizarre behavior, and Gov. Freudenthal's endorsement of Trauner. But the Cook Political Report - widely regarded as one of the best prognosticators in the business - is the first one to declare the race to neither side has the edge heading into the Nov. 7 election.
Cook relies heavily on something called the "partisan voter index," which takes into consideration party registration and past voting habits, and in our state, that of course tilts heavily Republican. But this year is unique in that voters across the board, regardless of party, are beginning to realize that it is time for a change in our U.S. House seat, and they can see that Gary Trauner will bring the right kind of change for Wyoming.
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Re: Trauner-Cubin race officially a toss-up
Nov 2, 2006 | Lewis | mindwalkor@aol.comI've been a resident of Wyoming for 34 years and I haven't cared about a race like this since rooting for Pete Simpson over Mike Sullivan for governor. Now Mike was a great governor, but I just like Pete. I lean blue for sure, but just like good republicans in this state I'm not opposed to voting for a good person from the other party in the interests of the State. One of the great things about us is we've all got a strong independent streak. I got a good feel for Cubin in 94, and it didn't feel good. She just seemed to have a mean edge to her and wanted power a little too badly. Since she's been in Washington she's built a reputation as being vindictive, not particularly bright, and having greater loyalty to special interests and the leadership that gives her money than the people of Wyoming. That's putting it nicely. Basically, she's been making us look bad for more than a decade. She's been an embarrassment, and a lot of republicans in this state know that. They've failed to boot her in the primaries, and now have the best opportunity they are going to have to free the State from her clutches. Come on Wyomingites! Our congressional respresentative has been a mediocre, partisan embarrassment for more than a decade and surprise surpise she's been taking money connected to corrupt hypocrites in Washington to hold on to her seat at any cost. Is this something anyone from Wyoming wants? I don't care who Trauner is. Fortunately, he seems like a decent competent guy who is ready to represent everyone, not just the people who voted for him or gave him money or can do a favor like Barbara has done. This is the best opportunity we've had in this state to get rid of this second rate congresswoman who's been holding on too long. It's also time to bring balance to our delegation in Washington to do our part to bring balance to the country. America is not about one party rule, or a place that should reward a President who says, "the Democrat approach in Iraq comes down to this: the terrorists win and America loses" with kingly powers. The national republican party has drifted far away from what the great Republicans of our State championed: responsible government, responsible economic policy, sound foreign policy, and keeping government off the backs of individuals. The corrupt hypocrites in Washington have buried those ideals in deficits, the blood of our soldiers, and the erosion of our civil liberties. It's a sad day for Wyoming Republicans when they realize their ideals are sometimes better championed by a Democrat. But Trauner is going to win because enough Republicans know Barbara Cubin is a part of the problem and will have the courage to vote against their party once to do their part to clean house and stop the madness in Washington.
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Re: Trauner-Cubin race officially a toss-up
Nov 1, 2006 | Michael | Wheatlandbulldogs@gmail.comI moved to Wyoming from Minnesota in 1994. I must say, this is the first time since residing here that I feel like my action at the voting booth is actually going to make a difference when I choose a democrat to represent us on the national level. I am so thankful that people are seeing how much the republican party has hurt our country. Barbara Cuban has voted in favor of some of Bush's worst programs. Torturing is not OK. Taking our personal phone records and wiretapping ordinary U.S. citizens is not OK. Continuing to fund a war where "victory" is the president's goal but he won't define what "victory" is, is not O.K. It's time to put an end to this. It's time to change course, not stay the course. My vote is for Gary Trauner, and I can't wait to see him go to work in Washington D.C.