Does Big Halloween Night Presage Heavy Turnout for Election?

Last night we had a huge turnout of trick-or-treaters for Halloween. Could a big turnout of costumed munchkins presage a big turnout of Arlington Democrats in the election next week?

We doubt there's a connection. After all, last night was perfect for trick-or-treating, with evening temperatures in the low-60's.

For awhile there, we thought we might even run out of candy, the ghosts, goblins and washing machines (yes, we saw a youngster dressed as one) came streaming by.

If there were a contest for best trick-or-treating street in America, we would nominate the roughly ten block stretch of Key Blvd. in Arlington's Lyon Village. Lined with well-kept, upscale homes on both sides of the street, Key is mostly flat and has sidewalks on both sides. Lots are small, so the houses are cozily close to each other. As a result, Key Blvd. is a destination spot for trick-or-treaters--many parents drive their tykes over from other parts of the county to make their candy collections.

The residents of Key Blvd. are used to the two hours of nonstop door knocking and bell-ringing between 6:30 and 8:30 on Halloween night. Many find it easier simply to just sit on the porch or the front stoop and hand out candy to the crowd, rather than answering the door.

We took our pint-sized "fat sumo wrestler"--dressed in a plastic suit with a cheap fan to inflate it--on the Key Blvd. walk with his two friends, and they managed to literally fill their bags with candy to the point they were complaining about having to drag them around.

Best of all, we counted 10 Webb signs and only one Allen sign. Here's hoping for a similarly robust turnout in Arlington--which typically votes 65%+ Democratic--next Tuesday.