The Carville Claims: A Closer Look

[ProSense]

November 17, 2006

The Carville Claims: A Closer Look

James Carville has been generating a wave of publicity in criticizing DNC Chair Howard Dean for not sufficiently funding competitive House races. He’s claimed the Democrats could have won another dozen seats if the DNC allocated more money in the campaign’s final weeks. The DNC has pushed back on Carville’s charges. Who’s right?

14 Democratic candidates lost by 2 points or less, but many of the campaigns were funded to the hilt by the DCCC. Lois Murphy certainly can’t blame her loss in PA 06 on inadequate funding; the DCCC spent over $3 million on her behalf. Patricia Madrid (NM 01) also had plenty of money – her razor-thin loss came because of an embarrassing gaffe at a debate. Mary Jo Kilroy (OH 15), Darcy Burner (WA 08), Phil Kellam (VA 02), Christine Jennings and Tammy Duckworth (IL 06) were all among the top-funded candidates by the DCCC. (In Jennings’ case, the money was funneled through the Florida Democratic party.)

And in some conservative districts, the DCCC strategically declined to spend money because they felt national advertising from Democrats would hurt their candidates. Gary Trauner, who narrowly lost to Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-WY AL), was the “victim” of such thinking.

That leaves 6 other races where more money could potentially have made a difference. Larry Kissell, who lost by less than 1 percent to Rep. Robin Hayes (R-NC 08), certainly would have benefited from some cash; the DCCC didn’t give his campaign a dime. But it wasn’t a lack of DCCC funds, it was a lack of strategic foresight in this case.

Snip...

There’s realistically only four – certainly no more than six seats – that perhaps could have been won with extra cash. Extra money could have made a small difference, but certainly not to the degree that Carville has been suggesting. Dean may have made strategic blunders in the past, but his fiscal responsibility here seems like the wiser course.

Seems Carville was preempting criticism of Rahm!

[let us vote]

1. He is right or underestimating the number we could have won

I know more than a dozen Democratic candidates who blame Dean and Emanuel for their loses.

[acmavm]

2. Yeah, Lord God knows it would NEVER BE BECAUSE

they ran a crappy campaign, weren't that great a candidate, or were running against a strong imcumbent in a heavily republican area. Nope, not ever. Uh Uh.

[hatrack]

3. Yeah, and the post-2000 redistricting had NOTHING to do with it!

:eyes:

[acmavm]

4. In some cases that too.

[Buzz Clik]

5. So you guys aren't blaming Carville, Rahm Emanuel, or Dean? Are you .... sane?

You're certainly in the minority around here.

[ProSense]

6. Democratic Party Leaders Applaud Success of 50 State Strategy

Democratic Party Leaders Applaud Success of 50 State Strategy

7 minutes ago

To: National Desk

Contact: Jason Moon of Association of State Democratic Chairs, 517-505-1915, or Damien LaVera of Democratic National Committee, 202-863-8148

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo., Nov. 17 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Association of State Democratic Chairs (ASDC) today applauded Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean for his commitment to the DNC's 50 State Strategy and celebrated its contribution to last week's historic election victories. The ASDC members adopted a resolution today during its fall meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyo., that noted the tremendous success of all the Democratic candidates and state parties who won races up and down the ticket, all across the country. After last Tuesday's elections, Democrats took back the U.S. House and Senate, elected a majority of Democratic governors, and won 10 new Democratic majorities in state legislatures.

"This month's historic elections sent a clear message that if we stand up for our values, and show up and compete in every part of the country, Democrats can win everywhere," said ASDC President Mark Brewer of Michigan. "Today, the State Democratic Chairs and Vice Chairs applaud all the tremendous candidates, their campaigns, and state parties who worked so hard to ensure that Democrats were successful all across America up and down the ballot. Working together across the Democratic family we are a national party again."

"We applaud Chairman Dean for his commitment to ensuring Democratic candidates and State Democratic Parties have the resources and tools needed to compete and win, and we remain committed to the hard work of rebuilding our party for the future."

The following is the text of the resolution adopted today by the ASDC:

Resolution Commending Governor Howard Dean for Instituting "The 50 State Strategy" at the DNC

WHEREAS, Governor Howard Dean is Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, duly elected by members of the Democratic National Committee;

WHEREAS, Governor Dean has implemented a "50 State Strategy" that has been instrumental in helping to ensure State Democratic Parties have the tools, training, and resources needed to win elections up and down the ticket, in all parts of the country;

WHEREAS, previously too many of our state parties had been neglected by the national party even as Republicans did a far better job of effectively organizing their State parties. The "50 State Strategy" reversed that trend and provided State Democratic Parties the tools, resources, and infrastructure needed to compete and win races in all parts of the country;

WHEREAS, the 2006 elections demonstrated that if Democrats show up, stand up for what we believe in and work hard and ask every American for their vote, we can win in any part of the country at every level;

WHEREAS, the "50 State Strategy" ensured that State Democratic Parties were able to lay the groundwork that enabled Democratic candidates to take advantage of a favorable political climate;

WHEREAS, thanks in great part to the "50 State Strategy," Democratic candidates won races up and down the ticket, all across the country that they would not have been able to win, helping take back the U.S. House and Senate, elect a majority of Democratic governors - who now govern states that control 295 electoral votes -- and win ten new Democratic majorities in state legislatures;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Association of State Democratic Chairs honor and thank Governor Dean for his tireless commitment to State Democratic Parties and the "The 50 State Strategy," for holding himself to the highest ethical standards, and for never retreating from what was right for every Democrat in every state;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the "50 State Strategy" is a long term investment paying immediate dividends and that, as we look toward the future, State Democratic Parties will evaluate and enhance these efforts, to grow our majority and sustain Americans' trust in and support for us;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Democratic State Parties will continue working hard to show up and ask for people's votes in every corner of America to ensure Democratic victories in governor's races next November, to take back the White House in 2008, and to continue to rebuild the Democratic Party for the future.

Paid for and authorized by the Democratic National Committee, http://www.democrats.org. This communication is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Just my guess, but Carville stepped in it big time!