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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIn Race Against Roy Moore, Democratic Candidate Is Mostly on His Own
By JESS BIDGOOD NOV. 19, 2017
HELENA, Ala. It was unusual enough for Keith Dorsey to open his door in this heavily Republican Birmingham suburb and be greeted by a Democratic canvasser, a sight normally as rare here as a Clemson fan. But these are unusual times.
This is our only opportunity, Mr. Dorsey, a Democratic-leaning engineer, said, referring to the tight Senate contest between the increasingly embattled Republican Roy S. Moore and the Democrat Doug Jones. We need to seize it.
-snip-
But opportunity has knocked on the door of a Democratic operation with the lights out. With a fairly anemic state party, there is little existing infrastructure for routine campaign activities like phone banks or canvassing drives. National Democrats, while helping to pour in money, are taking pains to keep the race at arms length, figuring their presence could hurt rather than help Mr. Jones. There are no beloved statewide officeholders or popular party elders to rally the troops.
The Democratic Party is not behind him pushing him up the hill to victory, because they dont have a wagon for him to ride in right now, said Mark Kennedy, a former state Supreme Court justice and erstwhile chairman of the Democratic Party. Hes got to do it all by himself.
To win, analysts say, Mr. Jones needs to galvanize black voters support and try to pick off moderate white Republicans repulsed by Mr. Moore. Mr. Joness supporters are trying to make headway in counties that voted 65 percent or more for President Trump. Even as some polls show Mr. Jones gaining support and perhaps, after the allegations, opening a lead he faces stiff odds.
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https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/19/us/jones-alabama-democrats.html
bearsfootball516
(6,378 posts)First political donation I've ever made.
Arkansas Granny
(31,543 posts)The way I see it, we have to fight for every Dem seat possible, not just those in our own states.
nycbos
(6,044 posts)Nationalizing the race would hurt him.
Initech
(100,149 posts)This race should be a no brainer, either you support Roy Moore and his "family values", or you don't. The fact that he's polling that high should give you an indication of how divided we are.