Dems: Experiencing a Rebirth

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gerald-mcentee/dems-experiencing-a-rebir_b_98275.html?view=print

Posted April 23, 2008

Despite being outspent three to one by "the highest political spender" in the history of Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton's important victory in Pennsylvania yesterday is a clear sign that voters want this unprecedented presidential campaign to go on a little longer. Barack Obama has not closed the deal, and has now lost to Senator Clinton in every large state in the nation, other than his home state of Illinois.

Hillary Clinton has shown that she is the best Democrat to beat John McCain this November. We have two strong candidates, but Hillary has the toughness, the resilience and the determination that we need in a president. At every step in this process, when the pundits and the Obama campaign claimed the race was over, the voters have intervened to say "Not so fast!" America's voters deserve to choose our nominee, and there still are potentially more than 15 million to be counted in states that have not yet voted. They deserve their say before this nomination battle is prematurely shut down.

Too many reporters are complaining that the race has gone on too long. They're wrong. The race is energizing the Democratic Party's base as never before -- bringing new activists into campaigns, increasing our fundraising and laying a solid and vibrant foundation for success in the fall against a Republican candidate who guarantees four more years of the Bush economic and foreign policy agenda. Whether Hillary or Barack win the Democratic nomination, John McCain will face a party fully committed to bringing a Democrat into the White House, and ending the disastrous policies of George W. Bush.

I spent much of the last three weeks in Pennsylvania, speaking to AFSCME gatherings from one end of the state to the other. The members and retirees I met with were fired up. Pennsylvanians were excited to have a chance to help choose the next president of the United States. The unusually competitive nominating contest has electrified Democratic voters, encouraging many to become part of the process and the party. Democrats in Indiana, Kentucky, Oregon, West Virginia and other places still waiting to vote deserve a chance to feel that energy, to have their voices heard and their votes counted.

According to USA Today, Democrats are registering to vote in encouraging numbers in states next in line to vote, calling this "a sign that turnout could continue to break records." Some 12,500 voters in the swing state of Oregon changed party affiliation in March, with the overwhelming majority choosing to become Democrats. Bucks County, Pennsylvania, until recently a Republican-leaning suburb of Philadelphia with 21,000 more Republicans, has turned voter registration on its head, with a new Democratic advantage of 3,500 voters. Those party switchers and new voters are joining the Democratic Party because of the vibrant competition between Clinton and Obama that some pundits and Obama supporters want to choke off.

One result of this landmark primary campaign is that our party is experiencing a rebirth. Democrats set new records for turnout in 12 states on Super Tuesday. James Thurber, of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, sees a dramatic shift in politics not seen since John F. Kennedy's 1960 campaign. Thurber says that the candidates and issues at stake this year, including an unpopular war and a shriveling economy, are driving turnout to historic levels that have the potential to reshape politics well into the future. That's the kind of change we can all agree on.

Both Democratic candidates raised more than $100 million each 2007 – each more than doubling Howard Dean's 2003 take in what the Wall Street Journal called "a stunning reversal of fortune." They have set new fundraising records this year at a pace that The Politico labels "a disturbing trend for Republicans."

The primary campaigns of U.S. Senators Clinton and Obama have built unprecedented field operations in state after state that dwarf Republicans' campaign efforts in their ability to move volunteers to action AND voters to turn out on Primary Day. The Clinton campaign has increased turnout among women 4% to 6% while both campaigns have brought new voters into the process and re-energized those who are determined to end the destructive politics of President Bush and Republicans like John McCain. When the primary season ends, we will have a strong candidate for the general election. Just as importantly, we will have a strong base of activists to turn out the vote and turn our country around.

Read more reactions from Huffington Post bloggers to the Pennsylvania Primary results

[lapfog_1]

1. This is myopic utter bullshit.

The race has turned so ugly (and from ONE candidate) that no matter what happens at this point, ESPECIALLY if what happens is what the author of this piece wants to happen, something like 1/3 of the Democratic voters will sit it out, or worse, vote for McCain.

It's not building the party, it's going to destroy the party. The level of acrimony here is so high that I think DU will lose 1000 active members should Hillary get the nod. That's a *lot* of Dems.

We are NOT GOING TO CLOSE RANKS and vote for the candidate. This isn't just another hard fought and close primary.

I've seen the posts here saying "no matter who is the nominee, we all must vote for them"... but when you see the responses... and hear the callers on the liberal talk radio... it's not going to happen. Especially if the Super Delegates overturn the decision of the voters as expressed by pledged delegates.

[crankychatter]

2. "the voters want this thing to go on" as proven by the PA results?

you read this obvious crap... and I believe you.

it's obvious crap... but I couldn't read past that particular piece of crap.

congratulations on your iron constitution... it made ME ill.

Point: The goal of that primary and every primary is to increase the number of people that vote for YOU.

Obama had a bigger increase and in that sense, he won PA... he went faster and further...no spin.

If anything the PA results PROVE BEYOND DOUBT, the voters want this thing

TO BE OVER.

[lapfog_1]

3. The voters are not voting on Continue/Over

they are voting for their candidate. It's the pundits "spin" that says "they want it to continue"... but the more it continues, the more polarized each camp becomes. So, while the fight benefits the punditocracy and the cable media... it does NOT benefit the Democratic Party. We might lose control of the Senate and lose seats in the house at this rate.

[crankychatter]

4. no argument here... that's what I said

yup

[MarjorieG]

5. Stronger in skill, appeal and numbers. But also mischaracterized by Hillary, difficult to regain.

Love the party-building. If in place in 2004, we'd have won. Now with the infrastructure, we're fighting unverifiable voting.

Lies from the opposition are easier to dismiss; not so with Hillary simply lying about the facts and Obama's abilities.

[dorktv]

6. I am so tired of the negative focus and this post shows what I have been

awkwardly trying to say...

Come on! THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTRY TO SEE WHY THEY SHOULD GET INVOLVED.

[featherman]

7. Take it from a long time political op, this guy is correct

Not in every particular, obviously, but certainly about field operations. We will be melding three field operations for the GE (local, Clinton, Obama) for our county and district and have begun to network on this already. This process is good for party building... far, far better that the quickie primary victories by Gore and Kerry.

The quick take: The damage done to our nominee Obama is ugly but early and will be stale by the time McCain tries to use it. Bill and Hillary and all the Clinton professionals will come out strongly for Obama in the GE. I have NO DOUBT. All but the most deranged, bitter, and disillusioned supporters will vote and vote DEM. Always remember that 10-12% of nominal Dems generally vote GOP anyway and about 1/2 of eligible don't vote at all. We win with the VOTERS... the one's who actually do it: 90% of Dems, 10% of GOP, and 60% of INDs will be an easy win.

Everybody take it easy and enjoy the ride. It is a PARTY BUILDER for both the short and long term.

Please do not be deceived by the MSM conventional wisdom repeated ad nauseum... remember whose side they are on (not ours). Does the phrase "concern troll" not mean anything anymore? Think about it.