MyDD :: Where Should I Go?

Where Should I Go?

by carlmanaster, Wed May 19, 2004 at 01:25:17 AM EST

I asked this first on Daily Kos, and got some nice suggestions, but it occurred to me that MyDD has more of a focus on just this kind of issue. So:

I'm going to move back to the US in mid-July and want to move where my vote will make the most difference and where I can make the most difference by recruiting other voters. Beyond "move to a battleground state," what suggestions - either to place or to how best to choose one - do you have?

Thanks in advance.

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Strategic location plans (none / 0)

I don't have any deep thoughts re: your selection. I would pick either Florida, Ohio or one of the other critical battelground states. In choosing between them, I would try and decide where you would connect best with the voters. Not knowing you, I couldn't hazard a guess as to where that might be.

-dylan howard

by dylanh on Wed May 19, 2004 at 05:28:26 PM EST

Philadelphia (none / 0)

The three most important states in the eelction are Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. All three also have Senate races where Democrats could pick up a seat, and all three also have importatn House races.

However, IMHO, Philadelphia is just the best place to be in any of those three states. If you are going to move strategically, move somewhere that you can enjoy.

by Chris Bowers on Wed May 19, 2004 at 07:21:29 PM EST

Montgomery County (none / 0)

More specifically, move into the 13th congressional district, which includes parts of Philadelphia and parts of Montgomery County. Then you can vote for Kerry, Hoeffel, and Schwartz (the Dem who is running to hold Hoeffel's House seat).

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu May 20, 2004 at 10:04:32 AM EST
[ Parent ]

New Hampshire (none / 0)

If you want to maximize your vote, go to New Hampshire. It has the least population of any of the battleground states. Your vote will count there more.

by Anonymous Citizen on Wed May 19, 2004 at 07:24:57 PM EST

Joe (none / 0)

If you factor in livability, I'd consider the following, in order:

Denver
Portland, OR
Philadelphia
Cincinatti
Miami (I don't like Florida)

by Anonymous Citizen on Wed May 19, 2004 at 07:41:24 PM EST

Wow (none / 0)

Miami behind Cincinasty. That's hrash.

by Chris Bowers on Wed May 19, 2004 at 07:50:47 PM EST
[ Parent ]

this was addressed at kos recently (none / 0)

Have a look at an attempt to mathematically answer exactly your question here.

by Anonymous Citizen on Wed May 19, 2004 at 07:47:44 PM EST

following up on prev post (none / 0)

The conclusion from the math work referred to above was that these four states offer significantly more leverage per vote than the others:

New Mexico
Iowa
Oregon
Wisconsin

The next tier is:

New Hampshire
Florida
Pennsylvania
Ohio

Of course, if Kerry begins to open a real lead in any of those states it would drop down the list.

by Anonymous Citizen on Wed May 19, 2004 at 07:51:58 PM EST

Ohio? (none / 0)

Yeah, but in Florida when it goes below 60 degrees it's considered a snow day. I hate when that happens.

by Anonymous Citizen on Wed May 19, 2004 at 08:15:11 PM EST

Florida in July? (none / 0)

If you come here then, I promise you:
Temperature 95 degrees Fahrenheit daytime, 78 degrees overnight low, dewpoint 78 degrees, likely thunderstorm in late afternoon. A sauna. To see if you might stand it, put a pan of water in your oven, crank it up to about 180 degrees, then turn off the heat and wait about half an hour until it's cooler but the air has become saturated with water. Then open it up and stick your head in.

The upside is that on Election Day, November 2, it will be 78 degrees Fahrenheit daytime, 55 degrees overnight, and likely dry and sunny, whereas in New Hampshire or Ohio, it'll be...cold, perhaps windy, a little sleet maybe.

So, you choose. I would not fault you if you chose New Mexico.

Cheers,

by GreginFL on Wed May 19, 2004 at 10:41:13 PM EST

Minnesota is nice (none / 0)

It's a battleground state where the Wellstone wing of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party needs help. And if you stick around, you can campaign for Al Franken in 2008, and help us rid the Senate of Norm Coleman.

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu May 20, 2004 at 12:07:40 AM EST

Definitely Florida (none / 0)

Close margin. More electoral votes. Between Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida, Kerry has to win, at least, either: Florida and one other state, or no Florida and ALL three others.

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu May 20, 2004 at 01:11:33 AM EST

another thought (5.00 / 1)

Everyone is focusing on the big prize -- where will one vote matter the most for a presidential race. How about delving a level deeper? Find a targeted congressional district in a targeted Senate seat in a targeted presidential state. Options include... FL-22, LA-3, LA-7... are there other competitive congressional seats in senate seats in presidential states?

by Anonymous Citizen on Thu May 20, 2004 at 10:15:07 AM EST

That Is A Really Good Point (none / 0)

I think we should come up with a comprehensive list and post them! We call the list the "If You're Looking For a Place to Move" list.

by CoolHandLuc on Thu May 20, 2004 at 05:36:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Back to my simplistic thinking... (none / 0)

I'm impressed by the level of thought people have put into this question. One thing that I think is being overlooked is the psychological, interpersonal aspect. You need to be in a place where you naturally bond with and can convince the right kind of voter.