Joe = Rove sideshow. Keep Eyes on the Prize, the Senate!

[havocmom]

Sure, it’d be great to take CT in November and I’m not suggesting we don’t work hard there, but…

How much is that race gonna cost, going three way and a high possibility of a GOP win with DEM vote split?

That’s a ROVE trick, folks! He’s laughing his ass off as we scurry around focusing on CT.

There are other Senate races this fall. And many can be won by our side if we pay attention to what is do-able and DO IT.

Montana has a small population. Lots of folks (even here at DU) write us off because of that small population. But a DEM win for Senate counts the same IN THE SENATE! Montana, CT, NY, CA, MO, VA... all the same in the Senate.

Consider what it costs to run a viable campaign in different states. Some cost more than others, but ya still get the same ONE VOTE per senator on the hill. Think about spending wisely. The GOP sure as hell does. It is a national numbers game and that is how they play it to keep a majority.

Montana has fewer TV stations, fewer radio stations, and fewer newspapers than densely populated states, but our Senators get the same ONE VOTE per person in the Senate as Clinton of NY or Boxer of CA. And fewer media outlets mean less money needed to run ads.

DO THE MATH!

Yeah, work for CT, but do not put a lot of eggs in a basket with a hole in it. Remember there are other races that can be more easily won. Do not send all your $$ to CT. Send some of your cash and active support to races where the field is not muddied. Go for the ground game; get the ball down the field using lots of good plays. The Hail Mary in CT is exactly the play Rove is praying we call.

Do not neglect places where the GOP candidate is weak. Those are the races Rove is hoping we neglect. If he gets us to focus too much on CT, we lose opportunities in other races. We need a majority, with CT or without CT.

DO THE MATH!

Conrad Burns is twisting slowly in the wind. Jon Tester is a good candidate, a back to DEM basics populist kinda guy. Consider helping him out when you are writing checks to send to DEM candidates.

The GOP in MT tried to nudge Burns out of the way earlier. Pride and poor judgment would not allow him to stand down. GOP will be sending money this way to bolster Burns now. They have already laid groundwork to claim ‘outsiders’ are supporting DEM candidates here, even while Burns missed important candidate forums here to rub elbows with Fat Cat donors in other places.

Opportunity knocks. We need to make sure we don’t miss it. We need to make sure our anger at Turncoat Joe in CT does not blind us to the whole equation.
One Senator = One Vote, no matter what state sends them to the Hill

Mathmatical corollary: some states are a better bet than others.

Do the math. We need a majority in the Senate. And it IS possible, with or without CT.

Yeah, I would love for DEMS to take every race. But it ain’t gonna happen. Work hardest on what will work best. Don’t let another Rove sideshow draw your eyes from the prize.

Jon Tester in Montana is a do-able way to put one more Senate vote in the DEM column.

Plug the candidate in your state who can put one more Senate vote in the DEM column.

Let’s make a list and show DEMS all over the country that there are SEATS to win, not just A SEAT to win.

Here’s a plug for the DEM candidate running in the Big Sky State.
He looks damn good.



Consider sending him some support.

OK, I showed ya mine, now show me yours! What other great DEMS should we remember with our wallets and our efforts? Tell DU and America about them. Tell us where/how to send support. Give a shout out and keep this kicked.

We can do this, if we keep our eyes on the prize-
DEM Majority in the Senate

[theboss]

1. Lieberman is still going to win

And I assume he will caucus with the Dems.

It's not a Rove trick, because the Left created this circus itself.

But it is a little bizarre that all of our energies over the last two months have gone toward defeating a reasonably loyal Democrat in a state that Democrats have little trouble winning.

Meanwhile, all kinds of interesting stuff is happening in Ohio and Texas and Pennsylvania and Virginia and all over the place.

But I have no doubt that come November, fully 50 percent of the posts here will be about Lieberman.

[havocmom]

2. Interesting stuff in Ohio & Texas, good point!

And we need to keep those issues up front too.

[w4rma]

10. No. I really honestly think LIEberman will lose in the general also.

And I think he'll be a distraction in the process.

The polls had him at 40%/40%/18% **before** Sore Loserman lost the primary. Now the Democratic establishment is behind Lamont and opposing LIEberman.

Sore Loserman is a poor campaigner. I think he got lucky in beating former Governor Lowell Weicker in the first place. Sore Loserman only won that race by ~10,000 in the *general* election and it was the last serious campaign he's actually won.

[KaptBunnyPants]

12. This is not a board for Lieberman's supporters.

I don't know why you guys can't understand that. Supporting Nader in 04 wasn't tolerated here and niether will Lieberman.

[Exultant Democracy]

21. Where do you find the pro-war pro-bush votes he needs?

Ned will win the Dem's again, and in a state like CT where Bush's popularity is at a all time low (even among republicans) Joe might be able to get 60% of the republican vote but Lamont is sure to win the independent vote.

There is only one way Joe wins again, another 9-11.

[MissWaverly]

3. There should be a meet the candidates thread here

like they do at Daily KOS, I learned a lot there about candidates outside my state, I have
given to half a dozen candidates outside my state in the last year (and to the DNC every month).

[havocmom]

6. Wonderful idea!

Wonder if we can tickle Skinner into something that we can keep pinned. It might be a grand help to people in states without a Senate race going on who would like to find good DEMS in other states to help out.

[KoKo]

4. Great Post! Alas in NC we don't have a Senate Candidate running

this year. We have Liddy Dole for two more years and Richard Burr the RW Repuke who took John Edwards seat.

We have some good Dems running for the House though and that's keeping us all active here.

[KoKo]

5. Good Point about Media through Rove focusing us all on CT!

BTW....since I don't have Senators running ....I will try to cough some changeup for those in other states who need help and your Candidate sounds like a good person to give some to. :thumbsup:

[havocmom]

7. Fan-tas-tic idea: If ya don't have a senate race at home, find one

somewhere else to support!

KoKo01, I LOVE the way your mind works!

Thanks a bunch for all you do around here. Lots of us notice and appreciate! :hug:

[H2O Man]

8. Nominated.

There is a reason why the nice folks from Fox News are so concerned that democrats are making a "really, really big mistake," and are doing so much to pimp Joe. And it is because Fox News coordinates with Rove et al by way of their "consultant" Newt Gingrich.

We need to keep our eyes on the prize, exactly as the OP states. We can easily spank those messangers who try to push the Lieberman campaign, out of a new thoughtfulness aimed at democrats. The fact is that the national operatives are trying to force a Lieberman campaign on the republicans in Connecticut. We think they need to quit pushing their agenda on the state's republicans, many of whom oppose the war.

The national machine is concerned, because they recognize that a sleeping giant is beginning to wake up. Democracy, now!

[havocmom]

16. Thanks H20 Man. GOP wants us to forget about the West

And there is a lotta ground to be gained with just some nudges in the west.

RNC IS damned worried we might notice they have some serious liabilities in other races. They don't want us gaining seats in other contests.

Let's blow their plans for them

[Protagoras]

9. There is more than one prize and holding up the basket

requires more than one leg.

YES we need to retake the Senate, and the House, and the WH, and do something about the SCOTUS and get our troops out of the war. And yes that's going to require letter writing, donations, voting, calling, etc on many fronts.

But there are some battles which are KEY because they provide larger symbolic or strategic significance. The base number of the Senate is very important. But changing the NUMBERS in the senate doesn't mean nearly as much if the only change is NUMBERS and not the atmosphere and philosophy of those there.

Yes I understand the complexity and range of issues affected by committee assignments...but I also understand the effect of entrenchment and arrogance that infects not only the republicans but also far too many of our democratic officials.

ALL of the politicians on both sides of the isle must hear the wakeup call and realize THEY ARE NOT SECURE from the wrath of the voter. So while I will keep my eyes on the prize of the Senate, I also have to balance my efforts to insure that we win the Senate not just with our name but with our philosophy. And sometimes that means replacing some of our own officers so that we win in a WAY that is meaningful.

That is one thing I really agree with Howard Dean on...EVERY State counts...EVERY race should count. But they should count not just because someone who calls themselves a Democrat might win...but because someone WE would call a democrat can win.

[havocmom]

17. Howard Dean gets it ALL races, ALL states are essential

as a sidenote, if Dean had been the DEM nominee in 04, my state would have come out for him bigger than the DLC realizes. Dean resonates with a lot of people. He understands the value of the populist roots of the Democratic Party.

He knows we have to address issues in ALL states.

Tester knows it here in MT. We need to get some air time for all the DEMs.

[TomInTib]

11. Here's #5. To knock Burns out of that Chair would be just about...

as good as it gets.

Chairman, Subcommittee on Interior & Related Agencies
Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs
Subcommittee on Defense
Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development & Related Agencies
Subcommittee on Energy and Water
Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury, the Judiciary, and Housing and Urban Development

Vice Chairman, Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests
Subcommittee on Energy
Subcommittee on Water & Power

[havocmom]

18. And it would send a message to overworked firefighters too

:D

Yep, ridding the Senate of Burns would be a big help. Much as MT needs the seniority, voters here are ready to scuttle that to get rid of Burns. We need a bit of help to fight the efforts the RNC will be making in the end stretch here.

Other races need some love too. Let's not lose sight of them in all the media flash about CT. ;)

Thanks for dropping by, sir. Much apprecaited. I shall be out soon and hope this one stays up and doesn't get lost in the circus today ;)

[helderheid]

13. GREAT POST! Here's my plug for Pete Ashdown for Senate in Utah!

Get rid of Hatch and vote for a GREAT man, Pete Ashdown!

www.peteashdown.org

[havocmom]

19. I have very little $$, but I will send a check to Pete Ashdown!

Yep, Orrin does not do what is best for the West of for the Nation.
We need to beat Orrin.

helderheid, I will read up and promote your candidate.

Thanks for the link to your candidate.

Please invite your DU friends over to this thread to do the same.

Let's keep this kicked to raise awareness, $$ and efforts for taking the Senate, not just pounding Joe.

The Senate is the Prize. Joe is a sideshow.

[helderheid]

30. bless you bless you bless you!

[Rainscents]

14. I have no doubt, Tester will win Montana!

Montana don't use DIEBOLD!

[havocmom]

20. Rest assured, the RNC will be working hard here to hold their boy up

I take NOTHING for granted. We will need a lot of help, as will other states with good DEM candidates.

[robinlynne]

15. you're so right. Leiberman can be a huge distraction.

[Redstone]

22. Helluva good point you make. But it sure did feel good for a while

last night, didn't it?

Redstone

[havocmom]

26. yes it did

indeed it did, my friend :toast:

[RevCheesehead]

23. K & R

:kick:

[TomInTib]

24. I am kicking this so it gets the attention it deserves. nt

[TomInTib]

25. Again

I guess I am on a mission, here.

[havocmom]

27. And I appreciate it!

:kick: for the night shift

[H2O Man]

28. I saw Mr. Lamont

on MSNBC's Hardball this evening. He was outstanding. In boxing, a fighter who wins a title often becomes two levels better overnight. Lamont won his title last night, and he is three levels up. Lieberman is going to find that his previous strengths are gone when he meets this fellow in the next battle. Lamont has his eyes on the future; Lieberman is a sideshow from the past.

[havocmom]

29. 'Lamont has his eyes on the future'

And so do all of us.

Eyes on the Prize. DEMS take the Senate. The only way to save America from the disgrace and thieving that is going on now.

[bling bling]

31. Missouri - Incumbant republican senator Jim Talent up for re-election.

Being challenged by Democrat Claire McCaskill.

McCaskill beat the incumbant Dem Governor in the primary for Governor in 2004 but lost the election to Republican Matt Blunt. I don't recall exact numbers but it was a pretty close race, IIRC.

Most people I know really like Jim Talent. He's got this "nice guy" image with everyone. But I don't think they know or care what his voting record is (almost always votes with the conservative majority on any/everything).

[havocmom]

33. blinb bling, can you post a link to Mc Caskill's web site?

We need to make sure folks from all over can learn about DEM candidates in other states. Only 1/3 of the Senate is up right now. There might be some DUers with a bit of spare coin and no Senate race in their home state to donate it to. Put in a plug for McCaskill complete with links to how to donate to her campaign ;)

[bling bling]

34. Sure. Here it is.

http://claireonline.com/

Thanks for asking for it.

[havocmom]

35. Splendid!

Now, we need to shake the money tree a tad for her!

Thanks.

[upi402]

32. second prize is the "distraction show" n/t