Hackett's showing was a tremendous victory for the 50 state strategy

[Jersey Devil]

2005: 52% to 48%
OH-2 Past Election Results:
2004: 72% to 28%
2002: 74% to 26%
2000: 74% to 23%
1998: 76% to 24%

+20 over November 2004!

Just think of what that means in terms of motivating Democrats in districts like mine, the NJ - 5th, with wingnut Rep. Scott Garrett, who won in 2004 by a 58% - 41% margin. We know our district is much more liberal than our representative who is a right wing extremist. For years we were represented by moderate Marge Roukema.

Now we have the confidence in knowing that if Hackett could close a 44% margin to 4%, the 17% we need in our district would be a piece of cake. I am hoping it will energize Democrats in my area like never before. I am pumped up and ready to go and help get Ann Wolfe elected as our first Democratic Congessional representative in something like 30 years!

[Geoff R. Casavant]

1. It's better than you think

Since there are only two parties taking most of the votes, it's practically a zero-sum game, where one percentage point gained by party A also means a one percent loss by party B. So your district doesn't need to turn 17% of the voters, only 9 1/2 percent.