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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIn new push, Florida Democrats force many Republicans to defend seats (OP)
TALLAHASSEE It's long been clear that even in a purple state such as Florida, Democrats have a decade-long if not generational chore ahead of them to regain some influence in the state Capitol.
For years, the focus at the Florida Democratic Party has been on getting its top-of-the-ticket candidate elected whether Alex Sink for governor or Barack Obama for president to the detriment of down-ticket contests. This has translated into poor candidate recruitment for legislative races, lackluster fundraising and organizational support and a self-reinforcing loop between the two.
Would-be Democratic candidates saw the lack of grass-roots focus and didn't bother to run. That's why Central Florida Republican political consultants have admitted for years they have been scoring victories in the region in places where they had no business doing so.
This year is a deviation from that norm: The Democrats actually fielded candidates in most legislative races. All told, 34 of the 40 Senate districts will have partisan competition.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-15/news/os-capview-column-deslatte061712-20120615_1_democratic-candidates-mystery-candidate-legislative-races
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)may not get a majority the first time around but they can make inroads.
Wounded Bear
(58,800 posts)it is unconscionable that Florida should be so blue. Even with the senior vote, you'd think that if they were informed, they would vote against the anti-Medicare/SS/Medicaid/elderly poor Repub agenda.
southernyankeebelle
(11,304 posts)have been good at it and it is destroying democracy as we know it. We need the eye openning all over the country. Especially in the south.
Phlem
(6,323 posts)finally some offense! Keep them on the defense for as long as possible and keep them on their toes while we figure out how crush them, some basic chess.
Nice change for once.
-p
HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)is that the FDP is by and for corporatists. They view liberals and progressives as the enemy, and republicans as their neighbors at the feed trough. FDP even actively pushes out viable candidates in liberal districts by heavily backing establishment corporatist dems. In this toxic enviroment, of course liberals and progressives are going to be less than enthused.
Baitball Blogger
(46,788 posts)Locally, whenever they do something corrupt, I have no compunction to ride them as hard, if not harder than Republicans. I have found crooked lawyers of both parties partnering to nullifying the effect of party backlash. Around them, corruption got out of hand as community leaders joined in the pilfering of a community.