Notes on Chandler campaign - Portend for the future

[groovedaddy]

Democrat Ben Chandler won the Kentucky U.S. 6th House seat yesterday.
I attended Dem committee meetings re: selection of a candidate for the special election to replace Republican Ernie Fletcher, elected governor in November (defeating Chandler).
I felt that Chandler should run for the seat, though other Dems came forth who wanted to run. Local party leaders seemed a little nervous about a Chandler candidacy for this race. In fact, Chandler told those gathered to celebrate last night that his own parents had asked him not to run! I also overheard him telling someone that a number of other people didn't want him to run. They feared that a consecutive loss would spell the end of his political career.

I just spent the last 5 weeks working for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC - through Grassroots Solutions)in support of the Ben Chandler campaign. As a result of McCain-Feingold, we could not be in contact with the Chandler campaign to co-ordiante our efforts...very cumbersome and had many of us questioning the effectiveness of this law.
A number of us (volunteer and paid)did targeted canvassing asking people:
Do you plan to vote to re-elect Bush, someone else definite or maybe, or have not decided.
In the upcoming special election will you vote for Chandler or Forgy-Kerr or undecided.

This was a very interesting process, often done in cold temps.
This past weekend I was a team leader for the Get Out The Vote Effort, helping to manage 40-50 volunteers in our targeted canvassing & visibility efforts. We had more than 500 volunteers who bussed in from D.C. including Hill staffers, college students and other committed Dems.
This was a pioneering effort on the part of the DCCC and indications are that it had a profound impact on this race.
Many of the people on my team had never canvassed before. There was some obvious trepidation on their part, but we divided the groups up to include experienced folks. The effort of people was nothing short of amazing. We all operated on very little sleep. On election day, some of my canvassing team would fall asleep in the van while driving from one location to the next. We were out on the streets shortly after 6:00a.m. doing visibility - holding Chandler signs, homemade ones too and encouraging people to go to the polls. Many honks, waves etc. from early morning drivers...a few middle fingers and thumbs down, but not many.
This effort showed what is possible and committed Democrats should take note. Jim Bonham, Director of DCCC, hopes this effort can be improved upon and used again to produce winning efforts for future Democratic candidates running for Congressional seats.
Thanks to all those who helped make this a winning campaign!
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/7978082.htm article on election
http://www.democraticaction.org/default.aspx (DCCC website)
http://www.grassrootssolutions.com/ (consulting firm)

[revcarol]

1. Nice.

It sounds like you really brought out the vote. Congrats to you and the volunteers and the candidate. WOOHOO!!

[Lostnote03]

2. Question???

.......I heard that 38% was the total for registered voters in this off yr election.....Is that the case?.....I have heard this referred to as a huge turnout?.....I congragulate you for your efforts and as a resident of the 6th District I contributed my efforts as well......I have heard him say that he wishes to be placed on the Foreign relations committee.....I had suggested downloading the documentary "Iraq Uncovered" and distributing it since the producer has agreed to waive proprietary rights.......Neither the campaign chairman or anyone else in the campaign heirarchy was familiar with it, including the candidate himself.....They rejected this idea w/o having viewed the documentary.....In any case I feel that he has much to prove wrt his understanding of internat'l issues before being allowed on the Foreign Relations Committee......I personaly feel that he is more qualified for the Governors position however am elated that he is being sent to Congress.....I feel that he is a very decent person and will represent our country with distinction......Best Wishes

[groovedaddy]

3. I heard 35%, though 38% might be right

While working on the campaign, I experienced a low point when Chandler announced during a debate that he would have voted for invading Iraq. I thought it was the wrong message to send. He could just have easily said: "I wasn't in Congress when the decision was made. We now know that many of the reasons put forth by this administration for invading Iraq are being called into question. My objective, if elected, will be get our troops out of harms way as soon as possible and leave the Iraqi people with the means to create a political system that will work for all of their people." Just my suggestion.
If I can get my hands on a copy of "UnCovered - The Whole Truth" (which I've seen and it's great) I will personally put it in his hands and ask him to watch it. I would ask that you also write him and make the request.

[BridgeTheGap]

4. The reason Chandler won

Chandler won this race because the rural counties surrounding Lexington typically don't support women in elections. If you don't believe that, check out how many women hold elective office in these counties. Chandler's support in this race pretty much matches what he received from this district in his loosing effort for Governor last fall. Turn out will be alot higher this fall and Chandler will be facing a male Repub opponent. He's vulnerable in that race.

[dArKeR]

5. How Dems won Kentucky House seat - MSGOP

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4351829/