Staying optimistic about the midterms.
Just a quick blog today to recommend Chris Bowers' post yesterday addressing the niggling problem that Democrats almost always lead in the generic midterm balloting polls until near the actual election, then blow it anyway. Chris convinces me that the upcoming 2006 midterms really are different.
Anecdotally, I'd add that even forgiving, accomodating me thought the Dems to be barely worth the trek down to the polling station in the fall of 2002. As frustrating as the party can be, I don't think that way now.
Anecdotally, I'd add that even forgiving, accomodating me thought the Dems to be barely worth the trek down to the polling station in the fall of 2002. As frustrating as the party can be, I don't think that way now.
6 Comments:
Laura: I feel about as fed up as anyone with the current state of OUR government, but have zero motivation to send in my absentee ballot this fall.* We need new blood far more than you`re willing to admit. Hillary/Dean/Gore are not going to cut it. Feingold I like, but how much of a base can he really attract?
The party is disorganized and dishonest about why they cast their votes. If the most the Dems can offer up in terms of motivation is "the other guys are worse" than why should we bother getting off the couch?
*Disclaimer: being registered in Massachusetts (in Tip´s 8th no less) might have something to do with it.
Chris is right that the elections are a long way off, but all we can judge is the moment. In this moment, things look very promising indeed for the Democrats. The issue of turnout will be for the last two weeks of the campaign, though. Money and message should be the focus until then.
When I think about the midterms, I fantasize about Henry Waxman having subpoena power, and being able to call White House aides to testify under oath.
One refrain I keep hearing from Republicans and conservatives is that alot of them are going to be sitting out this election. Which is, apparently, what happened to Dems in 1994. So if all we do is get most Dems to just show up, I think we could do very well.
Exactly, John.
And the Dems need to use that delicious Bush quote from earlier this week: "They told me to say that" :-)
Subpoena power is my fantasy too. They need to make a porn site for people like us.
Don't count Dean out, Ishmaelabroad. There's a lot of work on the ground going on, contrary to the wishes of the Beltway crowd, and grassroots are sprouting.
(Thanks to Jerry Doolittle for recommending this blog.)
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