It's get out the votes, stupid

[question everything]

Yesterday a special election took place in the 48th California Congressional District to fill the seat of Chris Cox who moved to the SEC.

This is probably the most conservative county in the nation, but golden boy Assemblyman John Campbell got only 46% of the open primary votes, forcing a runoff which he will win.

Only 20% of the registered voters cast their votes, see results http://www.ocgov.com/election/live/e26/results.htm

I don't have exact numbers, but is has been reported that Republicans outnumbered Democratic voters 2 to 1.

Thus, if there are 100,000 registered Democrats in the district, and if all of them were voting for the three Democrats, Steve Young would have won.

He can still win. Many who voted for the second Republican - Marilyn Brewer - were Democrats who, knowing that this is a Republican county, were hoping for a moderate pro-choice candidate.

Even if Democrats will come out in drove and will elect Steve Young, he probably will be a one term Congressman. The pugs will make sure that their forces are out in 2006.

The message, still, is that if we can really energize the voters and get them out to vote - the way, yes, that Rove did form his church pulpits - we can take back the country.

But, as many have said it on many threads, we need a positive message. A message of hope not of despair. Yes, let's take a page from the Reagan campaign (Lee Atwater? Lyn Nofziger?) who talked about "Morning in America" after Jimmy Carter's "malaise."

This is a great country with so many resources that can support its citizens with its richness. As long as we invest here, in the cities, in the prairies, in the mountains. Hey, we can take a page from Rove churches and talk about turning the sword into a plowshare.

And.. we need someone new. Someone who is not afraid to charge, who will not be dogged by previous political speeches and votes in Congress. Someone who can exude a sense of optimism and of belief in the country, the people, his/her ideas and his/her people to carry the vision.

And we can point to the corrupt, inept Republicans without necessarily coming up negative. A "Santos administartion" will make sure that we are prepared for any natural disaster that may come on shore - whether hurricanes from the south, tornados in the prairies or wild fire in the west.

A "Santos administration" will invest in our crumbling infrastructure, that will provide many jobs that cannot be shipped oversea, instead of investing in corrupt regimes overseas.

etc.

Sigh. Will never happen.

[TheFarseer]

1. who is the run off between?

In districts like this, it might be best to hammer them on one specific issue. Maybe gas prices or illegal immigration in Cali. I've been thinking alot about this. I hope to be involved in an election in a heavily repuke district in 2006 (in which there is ZERO democratic base).

[question everything]

2. Runoff between top vote getters of all parties

Republican John Campbell who, while not as rabid as many vocals would have liked, especially on illegal immigration, still is plenty right winger

American Independent Jim Gilchrist, founder of the Minutemen who siphoned many republican votes on the issue of illegal immigration

Democrat Steve Young, was reviewed on the Daily Kos

Green Bea Tiritilli - don't know anything about her

[no one]

3. election days should be holidays

that is the only way to get more people to vote.

Negative campaigning works at perceptions but lowers turnouts, so there has to be a form of positive reinforcement to truly motivate people.

[question everything]

4. I agree, but it should be an absolute holiday. Nothing open

no malls, no natioanl parks, nothing. This way, voters will not just use the day to travel or to go shopping etc.

And... the people working in the malls and in the entertainment center will have time to go to vote, too.