And initial turnout numbers indicate that these efforts are working out for the Democrats. Over 55,000 votes have already come in. Prince George's County, one of the most Democratic counties in the state, is showing strong relative turnout.

When I asked Mrs. Turnbull whether or not early voting benefits Democrats more than Republicans, a common theory, she replied, "Early voting benefits all Maryland voters."

Congresswoman Edwards and I also spoke briefly about the Citizens United ruling, a topic we discussed over the summer at Netroots Nation as well. I asked her if she still has hope that Congress will take action to curb political spending on elections. The Congresswoman Edwards has sponsored a Constitutional Amendment to give government the right to restrict corporate, political spending. She told me that in the 2010 election cycle "We're seeing the effects of this decision."

So far, the Chamber of Commerce and American Crossroads have each spent over $20 million on elections, almost exclusively to help Republicans, from anonymous contributors. 

To find information on voting early in Maryland, please visit Maryland State Board of Elections website.

I just got off the phone with a few of the County Boards of Elections, and the initial numbers confirm these reports. If you compare Prince George's County, one of the most pro-Obama counties in '08, with Carroll County, one of the most pro-McCain in '08, you can see what I mean.

Carroll County votes come in at 13.8% of the total votes cast in Prince George's country. In other words, nearly 9 times as many people have voted in PG County as in Carroll. But PG is expected to have higher turnout, so it helps to look at how the two Counties compared in the 2008 election.

In 2008, Carroll County votes were equal to 25.9% of the total votes in PG County. That's almost 4 times as many people voting in PG as in Carroll, not nearly as impressive as the almost 9 times as many people voting in PG as Carroll this morning and afternoon.

As of right now, Democrats in Maryland appear to be on track to perform well in the 2010 elections, outperforming comparable results for the 2008 elections. There are plenty of days left for these numbers to change, but it would seem that if there is an enthusiasm gap in Maryland, it may be favoring the Democrats.

Hail mary!!!

Please stop. Please stop treating us like imbeciles. No one in their right mind thinks the public option is getting passed next year, regardless of the outcome this November.

Yet, Rep. Clyburn expects us to believe that, although they could not muster the political will necessary to pass the public option with an almost super majority, they will pass it with slim majorities. I have a few questions for our House Majority Whip. If you succeed in passing the public option in the House, how on earth do you expect to overcome a filibuster in the Senate? Maybe the question I should be asking is, how on earth do you expect to get 51 votes for the public option in the Senate? Last I checked the progressive whip counts (last winter), we had 51 votes in the Senate, at most. So, House Majority Whip, how do you propose to pass the public option if Democrats retain the House and Senate with smaller majorities?

The simple truth is this: Congressman Clyburn knows full well that any hope of passing a public option next year is unfounded. This is a rather lame attempt to get progressives to the polls by misleading them. Sir, the time to campaign on the public option is passed. We gave you the largest majorities the House and Senate has seen in some time and you failed to pass the public option. That hurt. We felt that loss. It is, simply, insulting for you to throw that at us weeks before an election when you know full well that it is a pipe dream at best.

If you want our votes, treat us with some respect. Give us the honest truth about what you will do and why it is better than what your opponent will do.