![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Why Dean's 50 State Strategy is Important
Mar. 8th, 2008 10:44 amWhat's funny is if the Clintons and the other Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) types had their way, no one would be visiting Wyoming. Ever.
Wikipedia notes this little tidbit about the DLC which is shocking, if true:
"Marshall Wittmann, a former senior fellow at the DLC, former legislative director for the Christian Coalition, and former communications director for Republican senator John McCain, and Will Marshall, a vocal supporter of the war in Iraq, are among those associated with the DLC who have right-wing credentials." ". . . the DLC has received funding from the right-wing Bradley Foundation as well as from oil companies, military contractors, and various Fortune 500 companies."
And this extra note from the DLC's website: "Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is chair of the DLC's American Dream Initiative". Hillary has a DLC dream? If that doesn't give one the creeps.
Fortunately a small rural state Democrat like Howard Dean (thanks to MoveOn.org's influence within the Dems) has been changing things a bit in that regard. This was the so-called "50 States" strategy where the Democrats tried, at least tried in some token way, to run a nation-wide campaign rather than just put all the eggs into the swing states. Of course, once the election was over, there was Clinton strategist James Carville's demanding Dean be removed as head of the Democratic National Committee. Duh.
Imagine actually competing in the rural red states instead of leaving them to the Rush Limbaughs of the world to propagandize. Of course, those of us in these states are too Neanderthal to "get it" if people did try to campaign here. Not. Just look at "What's the Matter" Kansas or even the festy efforts done in Nebraska last election cycle thanks, in part, to Dean's strategy.
Anytime the Republicans have to bring in the President to campaign for a conservative Republican in the most red of red districts like Nebraska's third, that's got to be seen positively. The young novice challenger in that race, Scott Kleeb, is now running for Chuck Hagel's senate seat. Heck, an unknown with little money, Jim Esch, almost bumped off Rep. Lee Terry in Omaha. Of course, Democrats being Democrats, Esch has competition in the primary this time.
What me worry? :)
Wyoming Democrats Bask in the Political Spotlight - LA Times - 08 Mar 08
"Sitting in the crowd of 1,800 was Anthony Maestas, 46, who retired two years ago from the Air Force. A Republican, he said he was not a fan of the Clintons when the former president was in office. But he clapped throughout Hillary Clinton's speech, particularly when she talked about the need for universal healthcare and the importance of providing good benefits for veterans. 'I didn't know what to expect,' he said afterward. 'I was impressed.'"
"Joseph Hall, a 28-year-old student at Casper College, said he was grateful that candidates were visiting. He sat near where two students were dishing out free ice cream as the crowd waited for Chelsea Clinton to arrive. 'We never get anyone,' Hall said. 'I see on CNN all these giant rallies with people holding signs, hootin' and hollerin.' I wish we had more stuff like that to participate in.'"
Wikipedia notes this little tidbit about the DLC which is shocking, if true:
"Marshall Wittmann, a former senior fellow at the DLC, former legislative director for the Christian Coalition, and former communications director for Republican senator John McCain, and Will Marshall, a vocal supporter of the war in Iraq, are among those associated with the DLC who have right-wing credentials." ". . . the DLC has received funding from the right-wing Bradley Foundation as well as from oil companies, military contractors, and various Fortune 500 companies."
And this extra note from the DLC's website: "Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is chair of the DLC's American Dream Initiative". Hillary has a DLC dream? If that doesn't give one the creeps.
Fortunately a small rural state Democrat like Howard Dean (thanks to MoveOn.org's influence within the Dems) has been changing things a bit in that regard. This was the so-called "50 States" strategy where the Democrats tried, at least tried in some token way, to run a nation-wide campaign rather than just put all the eggs into the swing states. Of course, once the election was over, there was Clinton strategist James Carville's demanding Dean be removed as head of the Democratic National Committee. Duh.
Imagine actually competing in the rural red states instead of leaving them to the Rush Limbaughs of the world to propagandize. Of course, those of us in these states are too Neanderthal to "get it" if people did try to campaign here. Not. Just look at "What's the Matter" Kansas or even the festy efforts done in Nebraska last election cycle thanks, in part, to Dean's strategy.
Anytime the Republicans have to bring in the President to campaign for a conservative Republican in the most red of red districts like Nebraska's third, that's got to be seen positively. The young novice challenger in that race, Scott Kleeb, is now running for Chuck Hagel's senate seat. Heck, an unknown with little money, Jim Esch, almost bumped off Rep. Lee Terry in Omaha. Of course, Democrats being Democrats, Esch has competition in the primary this time.
What me worry? :)
Wyoming Democrats Bask in the Political Spotlight - LA Times - 08 Mar 08
"Sitting in the crowd of 1,800 was Anthony Maestas, 46, who retired two years ago from the Air Force. A Republican, he said he was not a fan of the Clintons when the former president was in office. But he clapped throughout Hillary Clinton's speech, particularly when she talked about the need for universal healthcare and the importance of providing good benefits for veterans. 'I didn't know what to expect,' he said afterward. 'I was impressed.'"
"Joseph Hall, a 28-year-old student at Casper College, said he was grateful that candidates were visiting. He sat near where two students were dishing out free ice cream as the crowd waited for Chelsea Clinton to arrive. 'We never get anyone,' Hall said. 'I see on CNN all these giant rallies with people holding signs, hootin' and hollerin.' I wish we had more stuff like that to participate in.'"
