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Only five years ago this was a district that Republicans could take for granted. They could run a potted plant in that district and win it with over 60% of the vote. The Democrats never really contested it, and they did not have much of an organization in San Diego County, outside of the city proper. Busby ran a tough race, though not without some mistakes, and made the Republicans sweat for this seat. They had to earn it this time. She lost by 5 points, held the Republican to under 50% of the vote and she will be back in the race for a rematch in the fall, when turnout will be higher. Furthermore, the demographics are very much moving in the Democrats direction in this district, much like what happened to Bob Dornan's Orange County district (CA 47th): once a rock solid bastion of white Republican suburbia, it gradually became more urban and more Hispanic. It became a swing district, an now the California 46th is considered to be a Democratic district.
It takes time to build up a party organization at the grass roots level in a place where none has existed before. At first, there are bound to be setbacks. These things can't be done overnight, nor is victory always going to be attainable. When Democrats make Republicans contest every race, against a real opponent, not a token opponent, Democrats will have the momentum on their side, if not now, then soon. In addition, you also force the Republicans to spread their resources thin, and hence fewer of their resources can be devoted to a small concentration of districts. Rather, they have to defend all or most of them. This is part of the appeal of the 50 state strategy. I'm not a fool to think that the Democratic nominee will carry Texas, Mississippi and Kansas in 2008, but he/she can make the Republicans earn those states, by contesting the election everywhere, rather than just the usual suspects of traditional "swing" states (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Ohio, etc.). Play offense everywhere, so the Republicans have to play defense everywhere. You'll still lose some of those states you contest, but you'll have forced Republicans to spread their resources thinner.
I'm not suggesting that Busby be satisfied by the outcome. She lost, and there is still work to be done. But she did make progress toward the day when the CA 50th can become a Democratic district. Now she, or some other Democrat, should move forward to finish the job.
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