Our best hopes dashed, we were outmaneuvered AGAIN

Bilbray wins by a narrow margin in spite of the crook Cunningham being sent to jail. Our candidate spits out something stupid, it gets turned into a sound bite, and the plane of hope goes crashing into the sea.

The RNC spends $5 MILLION dollars to convince the brick-heads in California, CALIFORNIA where we are supposed to have a stronghold, to vote for this douche bag, and what kind of support do we send? Can anyone tell me?


The RNC fires up a voter turnout operation and gets 200 volunteers out to fire up the Reich-wing base there to vote, and what did we do? Can anyone tell me?

This just sucks. We can't even get the seat vacated by a criminal.

who needs enemies?

Trying to convince people on these boards to waste their time on phony "Rove to be indicted!" magic bullet stories and to divide the forums with "let's kick the DLC Democrats out!" threads.

The emphasis should ALWAYS be on replacing Republicans with Democrats.

CA 50 a democratic stronghold?

Uh...no?

If you did, you'd know that this district was very heavily Republican, and that the odds of it going our way were very low in any case. This, like the OH-2 race, is one that a lot of people were looking toward for some sign of hope, but they were looking in the wrong places. When a Republican seat is vacated in a swing district, I'll get my hopes up. But sadly, opportunities have only appeared in places where victory was already a long, long shot.

California might be a Democratic stronghold for the Senate and the electoral college, but if you'd do your research you'd notice they have quite a number of RW congresscritters.

Don't give me that defeatist bullshit. We should have been in there guns blazing. How many Dem strongholds did the Thugs take from us in 2004?

We should have sent Big Dog, Dean, and every celebrity we could to focus NATIONAL attention on that race instead of conceding it.

And someone should have put the fire out on the gaff before it became a sound bite.

.

Did the DNC have a get out the vote drive like the RNC? Did Dean send anyone to help at the rallies? If the area is so strongly Rethuglian, why was the margin of victory so close?

But of course, one line shotgun responses are the norm from some.

I think we did well. That district elected Republicans to Congress even when Nixon was in the toilet. I think keeping a Republican to under 50% while forcing them to spend enormous resources in what everybody considered to be a *safe* Repub. area is great. Maybe we could have won that seat, but at what cost? Eventually we reach a point were we're investing so many resources into a long shot that we spread ourselves too thin and jeopardize other closer elections. And if we just "conceded" that race, how come I was getting scads of e-mails asking me to donate (which I can't do since I'm 19 and in college)?

I just don't see what you're talking about. I'm sorry you're so upset.

One of these days those of you who are satisfied with second place will wake up and your country will be gone.

in every single race until we boot out every Republican in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Nebraska, Utah etc. How's that going to work?

Now I must admit I have not closely followed this, since this is in California and I'm here in North Carolina. However my life experiences were and are from the 'other side of the pond' i.e. the UK. Now I must admit that I am learning US politics, but when I see a guy such as Duke Cunningham kicked out of office in such scandal and the seat re-contested I usually expect to see the opposition trump home. More often than not in UK politics, when this happens, the incumbent party gets a big bloody nose and at the next election the seat swings back to the incumbents, depending on how well the representative has represented them and whether their party has represented them well also.

This result tells me one of a number of things:

a) the district is heavily weighted Republican,
b) the general population is apathetic with politics anyway.
c) the Democratic party may have not competed hard enough.

There are some parts of the country where you could stick a monkey on the ballot (no offense to the present chimp in the white house) and say it represents the Republican party (or even the Democratic Party) and it would win.

However, when there's been scandal, I usually expect the people to be upset about this and at least vote the incumbent party out for a bit.

Now I haven't followed this. I don't know how hard the Democratic Party fought over this. If they didn't fight as hard as they could have (and I am not talking about $$$'s here... the whole state could have weighed in with volunteers going door to door) then this could have been a better result - should have won it. However if the Democratic Party have competed as hard as they could have (given all expectations) then it is a good result.

Mark.

I don't care if it is a repuke stronghold, Busby lost because the democratic party left her high and dry. Why didn't our Senators and Representatives get behind her, spend some money and help her win? The DNC did absolutely nothing to get that seat in San Diego. The main problem is the repukes know how to win and we don't. If we don't learn, as a party, to get behind ALL of our candidates we will NOT take back the House or the Senate. With all that's happening in this country there is NO reason for us to lose, unless we are still the confused party that we've been since the middle 90's. NONE of this is going to magically happen. OUR PARTY IS MESSED UP!!!!

Is it so hard to admit that there are districts where we are just at a huge disadvantage? Plus, I gotta say, all the people who think we're going to take back the House and Senate have another thing coming this November. We're too far behind. I'm pinning my hopes on modest gains now and a total Dem. sweep in 2008.

Defeatist atitudes win us nothing, in November or 2008. Unless of course it's what the RNC wants.

were posting to someone that knows a lot about the RNC. I think there are a lot of right wingers like rockymountaindem here at DU that are trying to manipulate our thinking, but it's not going to work with me.

I think we have to get all over Howard Dean for a start. The DNC has the money and it's time to spend it instead of just sitting back and waiting for things to happen.:grr:

Repuke districts in the state (much like Hackett lost to Jean Schmidt by a similarly small proportion). I think your pessimism is a bit over-done.

I'm more depressed that Marcy Winograd lost to Jane Harman in the 36th. From what I've read\heard, Winograd did get 38% of the vote which is pretty remarkable, given that Harman out-spent her 10-1 (from what I've heard).

I'm now deciding what to do in November; am leaning toward voting Democratic Socialist.

If the fucking RNC poured $5 mill in there we should have poured $6 MIL, THAT SEAT WAS THE BELL WEATHER.

NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT WHO COMES IN SECOND and by how much.

Close races in Ohio.....

The New Jersey Senate Race....

How about close seats in PA and FLorida....

You must think all the Dem's have to do is call up some euphamistic "big money" guy and spend like a drunken sailor on shore leave....

Dems aren't going to be able to spend like drunken sailors as the GOP does.

Whoever managed this campaign needs to be fired before they start on another.

it won't even be close. Take that to the bank. If you believe the RNC propaganda, you'd question the NJ race.

If that seat, as well as Oh-2 was such a bellweather, how come Hackett bailed....

I'm tired of people saying "well it is a republican stronghold". I hope everyone uses this as a reason to start getting behind ALL of our candidates and raise hell with the DNC and their congress people to start spending money and learn how to win an election. I THINK WE ARE FUCKED!!

dean...... :sarcasm:

*Choke, sob, wringing of hands* Whatever will we do, the sky is falling, the Dem candidate in an overwhelmingly Repug district lost by a whole 4.5%. Heavens to Betsy, let's just give up right now, take our marbles and go home, game over, man, GAME OVER.




;-)

4.5% will mean the difference between Fascism and freedom.

You're adorable when you're upset, Pookums. :*

Your lips, hunnybunny!! While that is one sweet cheek you offer, Vinnie's lips have already claimed that sweet spot, Snookums. B-)

eom

We can't allow ourselves the luxury of "baby steps" to victory any longer, the clock is running out.

One of the Dem Party's biggest problems they face, that they still haven't fixed, is how to communicate with women voters. They've always been the base of the party, the majority of the voters, but they've been leaving in droves for the last several years. Some defect to the other side, but most just stop voting.

The day the party starts making an honest effort to get women voters back is the day they'll turn things around.

voter turnouw was VERY LOW... county wide

The very minute someone stomps their adorable little foot, emits that exasperated sigh and commands listen, is the very minute I quit listening as there is usually nothing forthcoming worth listening to.The real difference between fascism and freedom is in having people willing to stand and oppose the fascists especially in those cases where it's fighting the fight in the heart of the opponent's territory. Your reliance on absolute numbers as indicative of the value of something brands you as either an accountant or an incipient repig or maybe both.I'd like to have seen this won as much as anybody, but the results and the accompanying drain on repig resources was of value in and of itself.

That district is NOT heavily Democrat, it is Republican. Francine has good support, but there is an article at MyDD by Chris Bowers that you should read.

http://mydd.com/story/2006/6/7/32946/22728

It was NOT that she did not have support, it was low Democratic turnout. It seems they were not inspired to turn out there. Perhaps our candidates need to run to inspire their own base and not worry so much about others.

Here is another thought on the issue.

http://mydd.com/story/2006/6/7/101138/8639

everywhere and read again my original post. NOTHING matters now, she/we LOST and once again, if we could get our fat ass supporters into the voting booths like the Thuglies did, we wouldn't be discussing this.

You are wrong to keep talking about that race as you are. You made it sound safe for Democrats, not true. She lost by 22% before, but only by 4% this time.

Who knows what November will bring if she campaigns as she wants with DC and the DCCC leaving her alone to be herself. Rahm controls those candidates completely. This was a big loss for his method.

My opinion, and we lost. This isn't Free Republic here. You don't like my talking about it, ignore my posts.

You can say whatever you want here. But if you are not saying things that are true, others will jump in and say so.

is that untrue? They had a huge get out the vote effort, where was ours? Is that untrue? And are you trying to bait me? Like I said, all the accounts I've read support what I wrote. If you don't like the truth, ignore me don't bait me.

I am simply saying you are not presenting a real picture of that race.

Did you read the blogs I posted? There is more at Kos, and a few other blogs have covered this as well.

NOTHING I posted in my original post starting this thread is untrue, NOTHING. If you can't see that, I am really sorry. Leave me alone. You've made my ignore list.

it is a heavily republican district where Busby lost by 18 points last time.

It applies to all of you satisfied with losing this opportunity. As I wrote before, if you are satisfied with losing by 4% or less, we will never get our country back from the Reich wing again.

:shrug:

very unusual circumstances meant that this was a chance to pick up a district that would have been impossible otherwise. We didn't do it. It sucks, but it isn't "our best hopes dashed!" or any other such melodramatic bullshit.

This was a seat in a Reich-wing stronghold. One step closer to control of congress. We need 15 seats. This was one of them. With Bildo winning, it is going to prove nearly impossible to take it away in November.

We had our chance and we blew it. Hope you are happy with losing. And by the way, nice candidate we have to run against the Terminator. I am sure the only response he'll get in the polls is "who" when Angelides' name is mentioned. A bean counter running against the Terminator. What fun that race will be to watch.

I live in San Diego, I get it

Let's all just stick our heads in the trash compactor right now...GGRRRRR
PROBLEM SOLVED!

Not too shabby. Considering that the demographics in many, many other districts presently held by Repubs are much better for Dems, I'd take a 17% improvement in performance every single time.

They want to make a loss in a "Dunkirk" for us--we really won! Sure and Enron was a great company. The Repugs had to defend a seat under very difficult circumstances. They did so. The optimists here are counting on Repugs not voting for Repugs in November. They will be sorely disappointed--unless the Democrats come up with a much better strategy than anything I've seen so far.

Since when did defeatism become a party plank of the Democratic party? I just wonder more and more about infiltrators. They fight you when you want to fight for the party, they fight you when you speak the truth, and then fight you when you call them on their defeatism.

I admit I wasn't following this race until the last minute.

How much money did the Dem candidate spend?

What was the remark made that was misinterpreted?

What issues did she run on and what was her message?

Sorry to ask, but I'm looking around and can't find any of these details, just references.

You're absolutely right, we have to concentrate on winning, period. No half measures here.

Busby ran on HONESTY AND INTEGRITY Bilbo ran on immigration reform in a Thuglie district where immigration reform is the number one agenda.

Here's the gaff she spoke

http://rogerhedgecock.com/files/best-of/Busby_SHORT.mp3

"You don't need papers for voting you don't need to be a registered voter to HELP" Whenever the clip was played, the Reich left out the word HELP" And the DNC did not react fast enough to counter the propaganda.

I cannot find anywhere what she spent.

Winning is everything. Period.

Last one with their head in the oven is a rotten egg!!!!

Its a security issue for women and elderly people who live close to the border. Unless she can reassure people about the hidden message of crime and fear that the GOP has built into the illegal alien issue, she's not going to get anywhere.

The honesty & integrity message will also play well, especially if she can do something to link the Bilby guy to the GOP sleazebags once he's in Washington DC. Its silly for voters to think any GOP candidate can operate outside the influence of his corrupt party once he's elected. The GOP is strict - that 4.5 million they spent on his race comes with a lot of strings attached. He'll have to do their bidding.

easy win for republicans and this time it WAS contested.

You also surely know that the PUGS have NEVER had to spend that ammount of cash

Coming within four points IS A GREAT SHOWING in the 50th

Oh and yuo also know that the DNC spent money in adds, I am sure you knew all of that before posting that diatribe

Oh and by the way, they will be at it in November... what you think Busby will not be trying AGAIN? Or the party? Think again

She'll be running against an "incumbent" then, a much more difficult task. No doubt the GOP will make sure to send quite a few perks to the 50th District before then to make voters happy. And they won't let go of the illegal immigration issue.

If Busby is going to win, she needs to rejigger her message.

but the GOP has how many raaces and now this one is contensted.

Look I wish she won, but living in San Diego I KNOW this is an icredible showing, That district has been safe for the GOP since oh EVER...

Stop with the bullshit all of you. What would it have taken to go the extra 5% to win? Money? More DNC provided volunteers? We'll never know now.

the number of people voting WAS dismally low and BOTH parties had a GOTV effort, but to quote a kid yesterday, who IS registered to vote... There were electios today? I had my I voted Sticker

To quote another, "Why should I bother nothign ever chagnes"

Oh and the truly priceless one from an old gentleman, "It is too much of a bother to go vote"

Until THOSE atttidues change into it is MY DUTY regardless... and that is civic education the kidn the GOP does NOT want... they won... we lost, look in the mirror, we also lost becuase people ARE NOT VOTING in spite of the efforts, the national party poured enormous ammounts of cash, local volunteers poured their sweat and effort, and gave money too. You are NOT familiar with this, and are just ranting. The good news, and this is from poli sci profs, is that a close showing or win by the Dems would be asign the GOP is in trouble... guess what? It was a close showing... they ARE in trouble. Get it now? Or do we need to spell it for you?

Yes she lost, but she was a lot closer than other Democrats who have tried to win there. I don't live in that district (I'm in Duncan Hunter's. Ugh.), but I know the area. It's *very* conservative. For a Democrat to do that well in that district is amazing. Of course I would have preferred for her to win, but it does show that the Republicans are in trouble.

Tammy

you donm't get the compexities of this district, and you just want to rant, go for it.

By the way, here is my thoughts on turn out having seen it as low as it was yesterday

If electiions were suspended as of now, most Muricans would not care nor would they notice. We have failed as a country, when less than 30% of the electorate shows up to vote,. We have failed to edcuate our kids on the importance of this civic responsibily.

Until that changes, the majority, which is truly the minority and benefits from this state of affairs, will continue to win. And as I said, if there are no elections in November, most Americans will not even notice, or for that matter, CARE.

So yes the parties have a roll in this (GOTV efforts, which by the way BUSBY had, I am sure you did not know this), but it is in the final analysis us who are failing to do our civic duty.

Complexities mean shit. We lost the seat. Accept it and work harder for the next seat. Oh wait. This was the important one in CA. It was handed to us on a platter. And the DNC misread the message Californians wanted to hear,

Immigration reform, not honesty and integrity.

and will never get it the 50th was a safe seat, it no longer is

Exactly.

The Democrats never had much of a chance in this District. Now we do.

We never had this seat to lose. But we have a chance in November that we didn't have in the past.

The fact that the RNC spent money here in a safe district is a sign that things are not as they always were. Oh, by the way, the DNC spent money here as well.

I'm sorry you're giving up after this one race without bothering to look at the positives. I don't anticiapate my response will be any more palatable to you than the previous ones, however.

JUST the fact that we LOST by 5% should be a wake up call. WE COULD HAVE WON IF THE DNC PAID ATTENTION.

I will say it again, second place isn't good enough. It is NEVER good enough for the RNC and that is why they have controlled our country for 12 fucking years.

When you learn that lesson, you will have grown up.

or you are tellign me you live in this cuoty and you SAW the DNC commercials.. becuase Pal I DID

...and despite your subject line, CA-50 was NEVER the 'best hope'. Only someone completely ignorant of the demographics of the district would think that.

Settle down. You're giving hysteria a bad name.

the House is meaningless? You honestly think she'll win in November? Once Bilbo is the incumbent? And against the RNC get out the vote machine? They have to only defend 14 seats now.

I guess being ignorant of National politics can be excused.:eyes:

was in democratic hands for at least 20 years or more

Now it is contested. In fact, in anybody's minds this seat was not one of the 15 get it now?

Of course you don't

:eyes:

It only takes a few minutes, Sweetums... just close your eyes and beathe deeply now.
Nighty night!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1373545&mesg_id=1373545

We were very competitive for that seat AND they have to run again in November. It was heartbreaking to see Francine lose BUT it seems that the democratic party has been revitalized in CA-50.

Finish drowning your sorrows and then realize that we did good in that election. And perhaps Francine will run again this November and maybe do better then!

Is that what you want?

I love how competitive we stayed in a very republican district (same with OH-02). I love the fact that Dean's "50 State" strategy is starting to pay off - we're not winning but if we can get competitive hopefully we can build our support in that district. Yesterday we lost by like 4% of the vote - tomorrow it might only be 2% we lose by but we're building a base and getting the voters to think about the issues before voting instead of blindly pulling a lever. Perhaps in 5-10 years we'll have a democrat in seat. We are building our future here!

I am proud of what Francine Busby did yesterday and I am encouraged at the hope we have given to CA-50 democrats who once felt the party abandoned them as a hopeles district we cannot win.

Cry your eyes out for the rest of the day because tomorrow we get back to work!!! The 50-state strategy is not a quick fix but a goal for the future. Are you ready to fight with us!

November is it. Either we take back the House (and maybe by a miracle the Senate) or we never get them back. With everything going for us, losing by any percent isn't good enough. Sorry, I do not accept losing any opportunity by any percent.

The RNC hasn't for 12 years.

Not worth it.

http://www.tomwyka.com/

Question not my work ethic, without questioning the ethics of the DNC. We should not have lost this seat, and one last time, for those of you who are satisfied with losing, I will say hi from England in December if we lose.

We will continue to lose if we feel some races are expendable. If you read that link I had posted, you'll hear about how CA-50 now has an active democratic party where none was once before. How do you expect us to win elections if there is no support from the constitutes in the area - no on to knock on doors and make the phone calls. They have it and the district in inspired.

Even without CA-50, there are plenty of very competitive seats including my gal Lois Murphy (See my link below).

If we continue to think the way you do then let's just pack up the party and give Bush his dictatorship - is this what will make you happy?

than giving one more inch to Bishy and his minions from hell. As I said before, we had this district handed to us on a platter, and we lost.

Do not think for one minute I will relax to defeat the Minions from hell until the last bell rings in November. If we lose then, I am history, I will not fight a fight that my own party doesn't want to win.

In fact - there isn't one single district, election, race, ballot anywhere out there handed to us on a plate.

If there was never a scandal we would have lost that district by way more than what we did today. And if there wasn't a scandal then perhaps the democratic party in that district would have been unorganized and unstructured.

About 2-3 weeks ago I went to a book-signing for "Crashing the Gate" by the blog owners of DailyKos and MyDD. They both spoke about how we need to build the party for the future and the importance of Dean's 50-state strategy. They also talked about getting better democrats elected (those who remember we're democrats) but perhaps holding our nose if necessary to help get back the majority now.

As long as we improve this election in November and make net gains, I'll consider it a sucess even if we don't take about the house and/or the senate. We should have been rebuilding our party back in 2002 but Terry MacAuffile did not have the vision for the party that Howard Dean is bringing today.

I understand your anger and I'm feeling it today too. But we did good in that district. We were competitive but we lost but we have started to build the party in CA-50 and without that we will never win there ever!

possible seats are you still missing?

and once a foot of mine heals I WILL Go walk precincts.

I am hoping that she is but if she doesn't run then perhaps your money is best served elsewhere, like my gal Lois Murphy who ALMOST beat her republican opponent back in 2004 (she lost by less than 1%). we're hoping for sucess in 2006!!

THey were both in the primary too

I thought she was - I don't understand California politics sometimes!

to defend one of the most republican districts on the planet. That was outstanding on our side and you would know how good this was if you are in San Diego (Camp Pendleton and home of the Pacific fleet) or behind the Orange Curtain where big big BIG pubbie donors are and they had to bring out everything including the kitchen sink to win! I KNOW this was a win for our side and the fact that it has to be redone in November after spending 6 mill is hilarious! :toast:

who knows what could happen in Nov??

They have to do this all over again in November. Let's make sure that we have more people out there next time. Bilbray did one of the sleaziest ads ever (that one where he said Busby supported some pedophile). I want him to pay just for that!

Tammy

that was the RNC... and ahem, it worked, for them, as it usually does. If you noticed it was not aproved by bilbray. Now him not having a tad to do with it, yep, sure, whatever, he did, but that is how they did it. The true slime was put out by the RNC

with the recently jailed rethug in the district this seat was ripe for the picking. Gerrymandering has taken away so many competitve seats and we just can't let one's like this get away from us.

How sad. You accept losing, and can't even give me the answers to the questions I asked originally.

No one knows how much was spent or how many of our people went out to get out the vote. All I am is the bad guy for wanting to win.

How sad we are as a party. Second best and we were close is good enough for most of you.

Not me.:mad:

have me on ignore.

Have a nice day.

Nobody is accepting losing. But to use a sports metaphor, what just happened in CA-50 is the political equivalent of the Royals taking the White Sox to seven games in the ALCS this year and losing in the 9th inning. Yes, it's too bad we didn't win. But as much as I would like to win every seat in America, this was never one I nor a lot of people counted on winning. The Republicans have blown a lot of resources here they would rather have put into other campaigns. In a national effort such as a congressional election, that's good. If we could make them put $10 million into three more "safe" Repub. seats they'll be in the poor house come September. To paraphrase John Adams (I think it was him) after the battle of Bunker Hill, "I wish we could sell them another House seat at the same price".

Extrapolating this into some kind of total nationwide defeat for us is greatly overstating things. If ou're wondering why you're being treated like the bad guy, go ask Chicken Little how many friends he has.

Not one of you has the answers, just bullshit. Chicken Little my ass. Losers wind up without Committees, subpoenas, and overturning of bad law. You are accepting losing. You should be on the phone with the DLC and DNC to find out what went wrong.

As A matter of fact I just called the DNC (202-863-8000) and spoke to the very nice lady that sits outside of Dean's office.

I asked one question;

With all the resources available to us, why did we lose the CA-50 special election.

She said someone will get back to me.

I won't hold my breath.

I think there is some revisionist history going on here. Busby had a lead of 2 or 3 points as little as a week ago. The fact that this is a rethug district is negated by the fact that the Duke is in jail for corruption.

Last I heard there were only about 30 competitive seats held by rethugs. that means we have to go 23-7 in those elections to take over the house and that's assuming we hold all of our competitive seats. This race was one of those 30 seats. We better start panacking now. We don't have time to say "it was close so it's a moral victory."

ran against the bush administration's immigration policy. That turned the tide was running against bush. He advocates telling that to other pub candidates. And for those of us here on the ground we know what works to GOTV the pubbie vote and that helped him a lot. Bilbray even had McCain cancel a fundraiser and that helped him as well. It was a moral victory that will play out again in November.

we can go 23-6 now in the competitive races that rethugs are the incumbants? That's what we're going to have to do to regain the House and that's assuming we can hold onto all of our competitive races. I got that number from Charlie Cook. It was a month or so ago but it seemed pretty close. A few more of these "moral victories" and we will not regain the House.

and only got national interest because she was so close in a congressional seat where Democrats can safely be listed as Endangered Species. The money the pubbies spent can't be gotten back from a race that was only for the next 4 months. The art of war is also apparent in getting an enemy to spend valuable resources to hold what they already had. The moral victory was also strategic in draining the pubbie bank and that is how the game is played.

are going to run out of money? Oh man, if we start believing that we are in some real trouble. District went for shrub 55-45. Not exactly "deep red." Busby got 45%, the same as Kerry. You'd think with the Duke in prison we could have easily erased that 10% advantage. Busby didn't even break what Kerry got. Well, by a tiny but but with all that corruption we should have won that seat by 3 or 4 points.

What did the Dems do in this race? The Dems evidently (according to DUers from that district) resurrected our ground organization in that district for the first time in a long time. We also had fundraising efforts going on around the country. I can't afford any expensive fundraising letters, but I got e-mails from several Dem leaders, including Kerry and Reid, asking me to donate money. We also forced the Republicans to spend money which could have probably funded at least two (if not more) Congressional campaigns in their entirety, while we spent comparatively little. Although I don't think that answer is going to satisfy you, it's what I could come up with off the top of my head. Now for what I have to say...

We cannot have the same expectations in every district. Take mine for instance, CO-5. This district has had a Republican in Congress since its creation in 1972. Republicans outnumber Democrats 2-1 in the largest county, El Paso, which accounts for 85% of the vote in CO-5. Now, we're lucky this year that our Congressman of 20 years is retiring. We have a great candidate in Jay Fawcett, who I think can appeal to a lot of ordinarily Repub. voters and who has been working very hard.

Yet, despite this, the Republicans still hold a great advantage because there are just so many of them. You know the 29% who still support Bush? The people so many on DU just can't understand? They inhabit this district in huge numbers, and they will never abandon the Republicans for anybody. So, despite all that we have going for us, in my heart of hearts I doubt it will be enough. Sure, we could have Howard Dean and Ted Kennedy come out here for fundraisers, but to be honest that would only hurt Fawcett. We could spend 10 million dollars, but that won't sway the thousands and thousands who would see our TV ads and say "communists" or "baby killers" under their breath every time Fawcett's face appeared on the screen. In some districts, there just isn't a lot to work with, and CA-50 is evidently one of those districts.

To say our "best hopes" were dashed is not the case. I never had a lot of hope here. I think we have to take this race for what it has turned out to be; a great money pit for the Republicans. I know you want to win. I want to win just as much as you do. But there are battles you can win easily, and battles which end up hurting you in the long run. Phyrros of Epiros learned all about that.

I tried to answer your questions to the best of my ability, so please answer one of mine. If it would have taken us 15 or 20 million dollars to win that seat, would you have been willing to spend it? I'll answer it myself right here: I wouldn't spend it on one seat, because it's needed elsewhere. That's probably what the Republican money managers were thinking every time they spent a dime in CA-50, "I can't believe we're spending money on this". In the absence of victory in CA-50, knowing that we may have made it impossible for the Republicans to compete effectively in two other districts is a thought that comforts me, a lot.

Thanks for the effort. A b+ is earned. I'll stick with winning. I hate losing or agreeing with losers when it comes to politics. Hand grenades and horseshoes is where close counts, not politics.

Think about this. The RNC spent $5 million. Bildo was behind by 2% points last week before the Busby gaff. How much was needed to push her over the top? $1 million? $2 million? I guess we'll never know now.

This was a poker game. The RNC went all in, and the DNC folded. How typical.

That's all folks. Got to go out. Talk amongst yourselves. I may pick up the Vince Lombardi Greatest Sports Legends DVD at Blockbuster to remind me what a winner is all about.

I hope someone will share this with you, since you don't see me.

http://www.opensecrets.org/parties/expend.asp?txtName=c&Cmte=DCCC&cycle=2006&sort=topa

This is the job of the DCCC to provide this support. The DNC is rebuilding the party state by state, and gives money to some candidates, they work mostly with the DLCC which elects state Democrats.

You're throwing around some pretty big figures like they don't matter in the long run. They do. That's like saying "why drive a Ford when you can just drive an Escalade for twice the price". It doesn't make sense.

Enjoy your DVDs. This thread has been a slow-mo train wreck.

By the way, the DNC never called me back. Read a litte Newty, they have the lllosers here pegged.

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/winningthefuture.php?id=15420

Had the Democrats won, this would be a morning of giddy excitement for Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean. Their allies in Washington and across the country would have been energized and Republicans would have been panic stricken. House Minority Leader Pelosi would be on the phone to every major donor explaining what their victory meant and why it justified more resources for the fall campaign. The left’s columnists and pundits would have filled the airwaves and the newspaper and magazines with predictions of imminent Republican disaster. The DCCC chairman, Congressman Rahm Emanuel, would be on television this morning claiming a harbinger for the fall election. The elite media would have been thrilled at the prospect of a Republican loss of the House this fall. We would have heard the phrase “bellwether election” over and over this morning on the morning shows.

Instead, we had almost no coverage.

They lost.

This is now a fact.

It is a big fact.

If so, I'd say that Ms. Busby did quite well. Made the other guy spend some money, money that won't be spent somewhere else. Good for her for making it competitive.

I live in a red area, where we are developing the philosophy that it is better to run and lose then to not run at all. The less competitive you make an area, the more the GOP can spend money elsewhere. Nickel and dime them to death.

on it. That is a victory. The way you win wars is to force your opponent to waste their resources on futile battles. Whether those resources are soldiers, tanks, bullets, money, food, time, whatever.

Then you win when you attack them when and where they are weak.

This victory wasn't a rout, but it was a victory.

up the difference by November. We are so gonna take over the house and senate. L A N D S L I D E !!!

They won, and there are thousands of contributors who will make up the 5 million in a second. Get real. We lost, and if we had the resources the RNC has, we'd have won, or at least leadership with guts to take a chance.

stop listening to him

Talking points my ass. Maybe if our leaders released some once in a while we'd be better off.

some here understand the great momentum we would have got by winning this race. It would have been worth outspending the pukes by as much as what was necessary. Could you imagine the fundraising we could have got from this victory? The base (us) would be FIRED UP right now! We would be more than happy to open our wallets. What a squandered opportunity. Let's hope that we get better focused in November.

I think we need more outrage and motivation...and less satisfaction with good showings, apologies, hearings in basements, late night speeches on cspan, token challenges to electoral vote confirmations, filibuster deals which preserve the filibuster only if we don't use it, rule 21 invocations with no follow up, old politics, being right and still losing the argument. I think that change is more likely if more people are demanding, angry, motivated, dis-satisfied, at the end of tolerance, and pissed...

Having said that, both sides of the argument have good points and neither should be flamed for their positions. DU is big enough for both.

Yes...CA-50 is red and Busby's percentage was respectable

Yes....dems could have done better there.

There are lots of lessons here to learn from....From both sides and the lessons are not mutually exclusive. We need both the Rude Pundit and Al Franken...they can coexist and each has a role. Personally, though, it is way late and the situation too grim to be happy with "respectable showings" or moral victories. It is time for some real wins. That's just me and feel free to disagree.

I think those of you satisfied with a moral victory will never be able to engage the enemy. Yes, the enemy. The life of our Country and the concept of Freedom as we know it rests on every victory. Those of you satisfied with defeat deserve your fates.

Piss on it, waste of energy here. Go talk about unsolvable conspiracy theories to keep your masters happy.

Hopes dashed and all that. Like you were throwing a pity party.

All we can do is look at what happened there, and see what we can do better next time. It was not our best effort, or we would have won. But there are bits there that heartening. You take your small victories where you can, and work toward the bigger ones.

But your OP set a certain tone that people are reacting to. Maybe if you would have ratcheted down the hyperbole a tad you would have gotten a different reaction.

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When we as a group stop being satisfied with "moral victories" we'll regain control of the People's House. Until then, keep trying to do better and keep missing the important opportunities.

Had the Democrats won, this would be a morning of giddy excitement for Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean. Their allies in Washington and across the country would have been energized and Republicans would have been panic stricken. House Minority Leader Pelosi would be on the phone to every major donor explaining what their victory meant and why it justified more resources for the fall campaign. The left’s columnists and pundits would have filled the airwaves and the newspaper and magazines with predictions of imminent Republican disaster. The DCCC chairman, Congressman Rahm Emanuel, would be on television this morning claiming a harbinger for the fall election. The elite media would have been thrilled at the prospect of a Republican loss of the House this fall. We would have heard the phrase “bellwether election” over and over this morning on the morning shows.

Instead, we had almost no coverage.

They lost.

This is now a fact.

It is a big fact.

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/winningthefuture.php

In 2004 there was a special election to fill the at-large congressional seat in South Dakota. The race was won by Democrat Stephanie Herseth. You tell me how we did in the general election that year.

Because no one wants to go for the throat. The time for little steps and bullshit moral victories are over. We have ONE chance, November, or it's over for the Democratic Party, over. 2008 Jeb Bush runs, they put up Florida as a model example of how a state is run, and the dynasty is complete, while most of you celebrate a moral victory in only losing by a little.


There is no time for moral victories, can't any of you get it. You ALL should be on the phone with the DCCC and DNC screaming at THEM not me.

In Paul Hackett's race I was, but I agree with you now that the time for moral victories is over.

That said, I don't think that this will necessarily predict the outcome of the general election. California is a dem stronghold, but not the entire state. There are some very red districts that have wealthy suburban voters and conservative anti-immigration voters. Also, the fact that the GOP had to exhaust so much money to win this district is a good sign. Sure, they will raise more money than us like they always do. But if they have to spend this money to defend their typically strong red districts, we will be able to catch up to their fund-raising advantage.

Also, here's something else to consider. The only way that we will overcome our disadvantages in November is to nationalize the election and capitalize on Bush's unpopularity. This is very difficult to do when there is a race in only one congressional district. Local issues become more of a big deal.

Again, I'm not saying that last night was a good night for the DSCC or for the Democrats in the California 50th by any means. However, I don't think that it is going to determine the outcome for November.

to this effect to the Busby campaign headquarters! You articulate yourself well so help her out.

What's done is done but Learn from IT!

In a race that unexpectedly became one of the most competitive in congressional history, Francine Busby sent a shot across the GOP bow and proved that even in the most reliably Republican district, the message of change and a new direction for the country is resonating with voters.

As an editorial in The Washington Post wrote this morning...

"If Republican were breathing easier this morning, they had few illusions about what lies ahead. The extraordinary effort to hold onto a seat that has long been safely in GOP hands underscored the challenges as they try to retain their congressional majorities in November at a time when President Bush's approval ratings remain weak, the party's coalition is fracturing and voters are repulsed by the taint of corruption in Washington."

Francine was a tough candidate who fought hard. She couldn't have come as far as she did without the support of our members like you in districts nationwide. She will have another opportunity to win this seat in November, when Republicans in her district will once again be divided. But, the truth revealed in this election is that voters are demanding change and new priorities. This November, in districts around the country -- many more moderate than Busby's -- we will be fighting for new priorities in Congress. The NRCC can't spend almost five million dollars in every district to keep their majority.

That is part of my DCCC email from Rahm Emanuel, Chairman, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

According to the NY Times this morning;

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/08/washington/08elect.html?hp&ex=1149825600&en=709f8b2b9f3d2f45&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Republicans demonstrated yet again their ability to raise more money than Democrats and to deploy the get-out-the-vote and absentee-vote operation developed by the Republican National Committee.

The committee's chairman, Ken Mehlman, said Wednesday that Republicans had 160 people in this district helping to get out the vote.

"They made 164,000 phone calls," Mr. Mehlman said.

Democrats said the Democratic National Committee had no similar effort on the ground here.


Just imagine what a difference it would have been if the DCCC and DNC HAD a get out the vote effort there. Now do you understand why I am pissed off?

what a load. :eyes:

http://www.humaneventsonline.com/winningthefuture.php

The Democrats lost in San Diego last night in a special election many thought they would win. After all, the race was to fill a seat left vacant by a Republican congressman who had to resign when he plead guilty of corruption. President Bush’s approval rating in a California Field Poll this week is around 28% percent (the lowest in that poll’s history since just before President Nixon resigned in 1974). And in the first round of voting, the Democrat, Francine Busby got 44% of the vote and the Republican Brian Bilbray, a former congressman, led a big field of Republicans with only 15% of the vote.

But with 96% of the vote reported, Brian Bilbray has 49.48% of the vote and the Democrat has 45.28% (there are two minor candidates). With a margin of almost 5,000 votes, Bilbray seems certain to win.

So what happened? Why was the Democrat only able to go from 44% to 45%? How did the Republican go from 15% to victory?

You bet it was our best hope.

are you freaking kidding me?

the excitement is over, US residents have short memories, and history really is boring for them unless it is sensational history, which this was not. You can thank the MSM for that.

They will have to steal it or maneuver a much more spectacular event, closer to election time, because this stuff right now, to the general apolitical populace, means squat.