That Didn't Work
Democrats have to be rubbing their heads today after California's election to replace Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-San Diego) who is now in prison.
In Nancy Pelosi's home state, where the "culture of corruption" should have been a huge issue, the Democrats still lost by about 6% of the vote. It didn't matter than Pelosi, Boxer, Feinstein, Al Gore and John Kerry all campaigned for the Democratic candidate, she still lost.
The pre-election polling showed the race in the 3.5% margin of error, the media was touting it as "too close to call" and a possible coup for the Democrats. Instead, they got beat, badly considering the circumstance.
In Montana, Conrad Burns (R) also won his primary, with 75% of the vote, even though he's been closely tied to Jack Abramoff.
So now you have to wonder what the new strategy will be for the Democrats. Lots of bloggers and right leaning policy wonks have been warning for months that the "culture of corruption" platform wouldn't works, since a solid 2/3's of the electorate consider both parties corrupt and out of touch.
The Bilbray(R) vs. Busby(D) race was supposed to highlight that Democrats could take a weakened GOP seat by drumming on the Abramoff scandal and Cunningham's own problems. Busby even referred to Bilbray as "that lobbyist" regularly, trying to tie him to the scandals he had no part of.
Having lived in that district for a number of years, and knowing Brian Bilbray's actual reputation and experience instead of what the Democrats tried to paint him as, I could have told them this tact wouldn't work. That district has some pretty well informed voters, who for the most part would rather not be part of California politically.
In what the media tried to paint as the most open race, the Democrats strategy has failed, now it will be interesting to watch and see if they decide on a new way to run against the GOP come November.
Technorati Tags: Brian Bilbray, Democrats, Elections, Corruption, California, Congress, Culture of Corruption
In Nancy Pelosi's home state, where the "culture of corruption" should have been a huge issue, the Democrats still lost by about 6% of the vote. It didn't matter than Pelosi, Boxer, Feinstein, Al Gore and John Kerry all campaigned for the Democratic candidate, she still lost.
The pre-election polling showed the race in the 3.5% margin of error, the media was touting it as "too close to call" and a possible coup for the Democrats. Instead, they got beat, badly considering the circumstance.
In Montana, Conrad Burns (R) also won his primary, with 75% of the vote, even though he's been closely tied to Jack Abramoff.
So now you have to wonder what the new strategy will be for the Democrats. Lots of bloggers and right leaning policy wonks have been warning for months that the "culture of corruption" platform wouldn't works, since a solid 2/3's of the electorate consider both parties corrupt and out of touch.
The Bilbray(R) vs. Busby(D) race was supposed to highlight that Democrats could take a weakened GOP seat by drumming on the Abramoff scandal and Cunningham's own problems. Busby even referred to Bilbray as "that lobbyist" regularly, trying to tie him to the scandals he had no part of.
Having lived in that district for a number of years, and knowing Brian Bilbray's actual reputation and experience instead of what the Democrats tried to paint him as, I could have told them this tact wouldn't work. That district has some pretty well informed voters, who for the most part would rather not be part of California politically.
In what the media tried to paint as the most open race, the Democrats strategy has failed, now it will be interesting to watch and see if they decide on a new way to run against the GOP come November.
Technorati Tags: Brian Bilbray, Democrats, Elections, Corruption, California, Congress, Culture of Corruption
posted by Crazy Politico at 6:43 AM
3Comments:
As they have said in many movies, "Oh well...back to the ol' drawing board."
Unfortunately, the Dems seem to be snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. BTW it is tack (not tact). I would expect more from a fellow sailor!
Good news 2 days in a row. I think this is really bad news for democrats and their hopes of taking over either the House or the Senate. My words to dems: Good luck w/that!! I just saw a great cartoon of Harry Reid knocked out in a boxing ring w/Culture of Corruption written on the circle :-).
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