In presidential elections, especially ones with bigger-than-normal turnouts, there’s always speculation about “down-ballot” scenarios. How will those running for local office be affected by those presidential candidates at the top of the ballot? Will there be “coattails?”
And to what degree do those “down ballot” disagree with the party’s standard-bearer at the top? Are there, in fact, any significant disagreements? Here’s how the candidates (Democratic challenger Yoli Capin and Republican incumbent Faye Culp) for state representative (District 57) responded:
*Capin: “I’m a strong supporter. I was at that first fund-raiser for Obama last year. I guess it would be a little more on health care. Make it universal and one-payer.”
*Culp: “I’m a big McCain supporter. But it would be over being ‘pro-choice.’”(Culp is a member of the WISH List, a political action committee devoted to pro-choice Republican women.)
Culp is also enthusiastic — OK, rhapsodic — about VP candidate Sarah Palin. “Like Hillary Clinton, she is helping to break that glass ceiling in what is still a ‘man’s world,’” says Culp. “So, more power to her and all women. And she’s there because of her qualifications. She scrubs hard. …Yeah. ‘Drill, baby, drill.’”