Why aren;t we trying to take the House?

[jobycom]

Tip O'Neal said all politics is local, and that was common wisdom until 1994, when Gingrich turned all local elections on national issues. He called for a Republican House, united the candidates behind a few key issues, and campaigned nationally to get people to throw out Democrats.

It worked. We need to do something like that. The presidency, should we win it, will be empty with a Republican Congress. Our candidate would either have to work with the Republicans, costing him Democrat support, or stick with his core Democrat voters, and get nothing done. Either way, he's a lame duck until 2008, when he can retire and look sage.

Anyone know if MoveOn or Pelosi or anyone is planning to campaign for Congress? The excitement that drummed up could help our presidential candidate, and might even swing the House. After all, Congress backed Bush's invasion, they passed Bush's bills, they have given him almost free reign, abdicating their duties as an equal branch of government. There are issues. Even 9-11, since the Republican Congress had previously rejected every anti-terrorist bill that Bush adobted after 9-11.

[mopinko]

1. i believe dean

is dedicating money, etc to congressional races. maybe someone closer to the campaign could clarify.

[ramapo]

2. You're right...

The Republicans have been in control for awhile now and don't have much to actually show for it except a lot of rhetoric and empty legislation.

Even though it's fairly close, taking back the House will be difficult since so many seats go uncontested, which I think is a mistake.

Kicking Bush out won't help much if the Repubs remain incontrol of Congress.

[BackDoorMan]

9. Pigshit Delay's Texas redistricting of five seats to the republicans

won't make it any easier. And getting rid of Bush and his criminals in the administration will make a huge difference.

[izzie]

10. I my self like congress split as we as voters do not get killed so often.

I do not think one party rule helps at all. Even every one Dem would turn me off. Power for one party is not good for the people.

[Dr.Phool]

3. We're trying

A friend of mine just announced last week that he's going to run for the congressional seat held by Ginnie Brown-Waite, the idiot who wanted to dig up all the bodies in France. And I understand that Katherine Harris is going to have a formidable challenge this year also. We've got to hold those Democratic Senate seats also. Betty Castor has a lot of experience in winning statewide elections, and is well liked.

Lets get off our butts and win these elections!!:nuke: :kick:

[DieboldMustDie]

4. The whole country is so thoroughly gerrymandered...

that it's almost impossible.   Maybe some mid-decade redistricting can be done in Democratic states the way the Repubs have done it in Texas.

[sweetheart]

6. The economists says the US district competition...

is about as competetive as north korea... and that it is a serious threat to the system of democracy that america purports to believe in.

I think the congress or the courts should be pressured somehow by the executive to force a nationwide grid-based redistricting. This should perhaps be on the back of a public campaign on the illegal nature of gerrymandering which should be a easy populist sales pitch for a real elected president.

WIthout an end to the gerrymandering, the country will die. It is my deep concern that the democracy is entirely dead except in name.

[RC]

5. Now there is at least two of us that are aware.

"The presidency, should we win it, will be empty with a Republican Congress."

gwbu$h won't really matter much if the good guys control the Congress, instead of the the criminals we have now.

[theboss]

7. We've been sold out by both parties on redistricting

The number of 'safe' districts is astronomical. Barring some massive scandal, we need demographics to shift before most House seats can be contested now.

[leyton]

8. I'm itching for another Contract with America

or some variant thereof. Though it's hard to get Democrats to unite on some issues - like the Iraq war - it's important that we stand together on domestic stuff like education and especially to present a solid agenda.

I'm especially hoping someone like Clark or Edwards can get the nomination, because they might carry a few southern Senate or House races. (Although Edwards is dangerous in this respect, since he's not popular in NC at the moment.)

[kentuck]

11. I hope between now and November we start attacking the Republican

Congress and Senate. Because if we can win a few House seats here and there, that alone will give us a better chance at winning the Presidency. Contrary to what a lot of people think, the House is always in play, just as it was in 1994. Things did not change permanently to Republican after 1994. When 435 races are up for grabs, with a good turnout either Party can take 50-75 seats in any given election. In my opinion, this is one of those elections.

[rockymountaindem]

12. Now is a great time to take back Congress

Have any of you seen the approval rating of Congress these days? They make George Bush look like the people's hero. People seem angry at Congress. If we could turn this anger against the Republicans who control the House and Senate, we could really get some gains.

I agree with the turnout issue. That is key.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

13. And another key

Not one Republican incumbent should go unchallenged.

Even if the Dem candidates lose, they shall have had a soap box from which to start persuading people. Maybe the next Dem candidate will win, or the one after that.

If the Dems can't find anyone, then they should allign themselves with the local Greens or Socialists and endorse whoever those parties choose.

Don't leave the left segment of the population, no matter how few there may be in any given district, without anyone to vote for.

In 1998, a Socialist ran in a "safe" Republican state leg. district in Oregon where the Dems hadn't run anyone for years and took 20% of the vote. The results led the Dems to take another look at the district and run a candidate in 2000. He came within a couple of percentage points of winning. He ran again in 2002, and his winning was one of the few pieces of good news.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. better that we have the house and senate than the oval ofice

more control ...imho