When You Think that Palin couldn’t get any dumber….

She thinks that we are at war with Iran.

Update: Sarah Palin was at a rally. There was something missing.

POLK CITY, Florida (CNN) — At a boisterous Sarah Palin rally in Polk City, Florida on Saturday afternoon, one name was surprisingly absent from the campaign décor — John McCain’s.

Watch: Palin campaigns in Polk City, FL Saturday

Looking around the Fantasy of Flight aircraft hangar where the rally took place, one could see all the usual reminders that it was a pro-McCain event. There were two large “Country First” banners hung on the walls along with four enormous American flags meant to conjure the campaign’s underlying patriotic theme. Many of the men and women in the audience wore McCain hats and t-shirts.

But on closer inspection, the GOP nominee’s name was literally nowhere to be found on any of the official campaign signage distributed to supporters at the event.

There is a Daily Kos diary that has photos of this event.

Off to watch the Texas Longhorns play the Texas Tech Red Raiders: yet another top-10 opponent for UT. This might be the toughest one yet; UT has beaten Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State.

Note: I have posted a diary at the Daily Kos in which I talk about some of the races in Central Illinois. Here is what I haven’t posted elsewhere on blueollie:

BREAKING!!!! Unnamed sources have found out that the second cousin of the brother of the best friend of someone who was in Barack Obama’s kindergarten class has an unpaid parking ticket!!!!!!!

Sorry; I couldn’t resist, given BS like this is written up in the press. Sheesh…talk about silly season.

But I do have a few things to say; most of it will be about how early voting is going in Central Illinois and about some of the downticket races here.

[...]

Central Illinois

Lines for early voting in Peoria, IL have gotten up to two hours!

PEORIA —

When was the last time you stood in line for two hours for anything?

How about to vote?

Hundreds upon hundreds of people in central Illinois did just that Thursday – the last day to vote early before the Tuesday general election.

Some showed up more than an hour before the polls even opened to secure their spots. Others waited patiently in lines that spanned two hours or longer. Still others jumped from one polling place to another only to find the same situation at each.

So why? Isn’t the whole philosophy behind early voting to AVOID lines?

“I’m so excited about voting. I just couldn’t wait. It’s like a kid at Christmas,” said Will Moore, of Peoria, who waited an hour to vote at the Peoria City Election Commission.

Moore said he was told by a family member that lines would stretch even longer on Tuesday. “Everybody I’ve talked to is excited about this. Something is in the air.”

That “something” for many is a renewed enthusiasm in politics prompted by a slumping economy and overall dissatisfaction with government. It’s a passion for what they believe.

In Peoria alone, more than 13,300 residents cast early ballots from Oct. 13 through Thursday, which accounts for about 19 percent of registered voters. The results – similar in surrounding counties – are what election officials had hoped for.

Note that about 41,000 voters total (City of Peoria) cast their ballots in the 2004 general election.

Anyway, the trend is showing up elsewhere in the state as well.

What people are voting for

Clearly people are excited about the Presidential election and Obama enjoys strong support around here, though it is NOT unanimous. But there are other things going on:

1. We have a measure about the way the city runs its city council elections; this measure will provide for primaries and run-offs in non-partisan city elections.

2. We have a up/down vote on whether or not to have a Constitutional Convention or not. I voted “no” here.

3. Then there are, of course, the downticket races. Two of interest to me are

a. the IL-92 State House. The current office holder is running for the US House (IL-18; held by Ray LaHood (R) who is retiring). So we have a race between Joan Krupa (R, long history of civic involvement but definitely a “money” Republican) and Jehan Gordon.

Ms. Gordon has made some rather embarrassing blunders in her personal life: she was convicted of shoplifting when she was 18 (she is now in her mid 20’s) and didn’t pay her fine until just prior to this election. Also, one of her radio ads (during the primary election) said that she had graduated from the University of Illinois when she had not; she did NOT make this claim on her website or in the literature that I had seen.

Since, she has officially graduated (this summer) and, IMHO, has done a better job at the forums where she actually answers the questions that are asked of her.

Given the negative publicity and the money, Krupa would be way ahead. But the IL-92 House district has a high percentage of African Americans and Obama being on the ticket might well help her. In 2004, this district went overwhelmingly for Kerry; the margin for Obama could well be higher.
In the 92nd, Schock won by TWO HUNDRED VOTES in 2004. This time the D could well take the seat back.

b. the US House IL-18 race. Here Aaron Schock (formerly of the IL-92 seat, see the above) is running to replace Ray LaHood. Schock is loaded with political potential having won his state house race while in his early 20s. He is telegenic and speaks to crowds well. He is also a Cheney type Republican.

Schock made waves when The Decider (Bush) flew in for a private fundraiser. The City of Peoria had to spend an extra 38,000 dollars for Bush’s security (note: Bush did NOT hold a public event of any kind). Schock ended up paying the city back.

Opposing him is a Green candidate and the Democrat Colleen Callahan. Callahan is a telegenic, well spoken candidate with years of agricultural experience and expertise. But, given that she couldn’t start campaigning until after the primary in March (as the original D candidate dropped out), she has been in a big hole and it will be hard to catch up.

I have given some money and attended a fundraiser of hers.