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DEL.ICIO.USThe Democratic dog that didn’t bark
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sometimes the news is what doesn’t happen. CQ Politics this afternoon posted an article on the Democratic additions to the list of U.S. House candidates who will be getting concentrated help in their challenges against Republican incumbents.
Wrote CQ:
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is adding six Democratic challengers to its “Red to Blue” program in hopes of boosting their candidacies and expanding the electoral playing field.
One seat is in Louisiana, one in Nevada, one in Ohio, one in Pennsylvania, and two in Virginia. But none in Georgia.
That’s bad news for Democrat Bobby Saxon, who has been hoping for more Washington attention in his attempt to oust U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens). And it might say something more about what Democrats think — for now — of their true chances in Georgia when it comes to electoral votes.
Update: After this was posted, a frustrated Saxon called in to say that he looked at those six districts added to Democratic prospects — and said that the only difference was the fact that those challengers had raised more than $100,000.
“I think they have to look past the money and see what’s on the ground,” he said. “This district is so much at play.”
Comments
By Phillip
August 1, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Electoral Votes of states and the gerrymandered districts of the US House are two completely separate animals. Saxon has the misfortune to be drawn into a district that was tailor made for the GOP thus any idiot with an “R” next to his name will win that seat.
On the other hand, politicians cannot gerrymander our borders with Florida, Alabama, etc. Therefore, they cannot manipulate the electoral votes of our state.
That means, given the current set of circumstances, Obama will clearly lose the 10th Congressional District but he does have a real shot at upsetting McCain here in Georgia (the Barr effect, the newly registered voters, Nunn’s endorsement, etc.).
By the way, if the Dems start to come within range in the 10th, then the GOP should just simply close up shop (with all their failures, maybe it’s time to do that anyway).
By Phillip
August 1, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
However, if your argument is that by pumping up Saxon’s vote, then you will also pump up Obama’s votes in the 10th (would that be reverse coattails?)… well I don’t buy that either b/c money is better spent getting out the vote directly for Obama, not Saxon.
By RJ
August 1, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Phillip, You put forth some interesting and compelling observations. The post and your observations prompt several questions…does this move say what they think of Saxon, the candidate, more than anything else? With enough money and savy can Saxon sell himself on the notion that with a Democrat controlled Congress its better to have a Democrat representing the District?
I don’t know much about the guy except that he has a military background, which is not enough to be made a Congressman.
By Phillip
August 1, 2008 5:52 PM | Link to this
Thanks for your comments RJ. Saxon is good guy from what I hear. Therefore, the DNC’s move to support other candidates in other states is based on the combined criteria of Dems winning the district AND winning the statewide vote.
If the district had a shot at going Blue then I think we’d see some $$. If the district lines were drawn fairly, Saxon might win. But their not so he probably won’t.