Democrats strapping up to boot targeted McCotter out of seat

[Bozita]

How this assclown survived Election Day '08 is beyond me.


May 31, 2009

Democrats strapping up to boot targeted McCotter out of seat

But success could swing on finding right candidate

BY TODD SPANGLER
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF

WASHINGTON -- Emboldened by success in 2008 in two Michigan districts previously held by Republicans, Democratic strategists are taking aim at U.S. Rep Thaddeus McCotter next year, considering him as vulnerable as just about any GOP member of Congress.

Here's why: McCotter spent more than $1 million to win a fourth term representing the district that covers northwestern Wayne County and stretches into southwestern Oakland but got just 51% of the vote. His Democratic opponent, lawyer Joe Larkin, got 45% of the vote spending less than $30,000.

Add to that the fact that McCotter's Livonia-based district favored then-Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama by 9 points in the fall, and it becomes clear why it's a prime target for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, or DCCC, as the next election cycle comes into view.

"The Republicans are going backwards, they're getting worse," said Bill Ballenger, who runs the Lansing newsletter Inside Michigan Politics. And McCotter, he said, "is in exactly the same position as Walberg and Knollenberg were."

He referred to former U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, the Republican freshman who lost his seat to Democrat Mark Schauer in November, and former U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, an eight-term incumbent who lost to Democrat Gary Peters in November. Both districts had been seen as safe Republican territory when they were carved out after the 2000 census. Both, however, were helped by the big turnout in Michigan for Obama, who won't be on the ballot to help in 2010.

McCotter has been the target of the DCCC for awhile. Earlier this year, he and 11 others were the subjects of a phone call campaign to voters in their districts pointing out votes against the $787-billion stimulus bill. And it's clear Democrats intend to ride that vote -- and his position in GOP leadership as Republican Policy chair in the House -- to their full advantage.

"We think the people in this district clearly sent a signal that they're looking for change," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat who heads the DCCC.

But beating McCotter won't be easy.

The congressman, who lives in Livonia, declined to be interviewed -- a change for McCotter, who typically is accessible to the news media.

A strict believer in cutting taxes and reducing the size of government, McCotter -- like most Michigan members of Congress, regardless of their party persuasion -- is an advocate for a strong manufacturing base in America, meaning automobiles.

But he voted against the stimulus -- and with it, billions of dollars in aid for Michigan -- saying the cost was too high and that its focus on government spending and new technology branded it a "post-American manufacturing bill."

History is running against the Democrats, however: In the last 19 midterm elections, dating to 1934, the party in power has lost seats in the House all but twice.

more...

http://www.freep.com/article/20090531/NEWS15/905310474

[PassingFair]

1. "But beating McCotter won't be easy."

...let me guess, Mr. Van Hollen...

The only way to win is to let the
DCCC handpick the contender, with
no vibrant primary challenge to
waste DCCC monies, right?

Only DINO'S need apply.

:puke:

I hope a progressive steps up
and makes a run. Michigan is
a dark blue state than can
afford to have TRUTHFUL and
honest representation.

[blue_onyx]

2. I think McCotter will win again

I, unfortunately, live in his district. I don't think he is popular but I don't see a strong candidate running against him. MI will lose a representative and it could be McCotter's district that is squeezed out. Why would a strong candidate run for a job that may only last 2 years? Glenn Anderson could win against McCotter but we need him in the state Senate for redistricting purposes. McCotter is a joke and will be gone eventually....we may just have to wait until 2012.

[maddogesq]

3. We keep sending lambs to the slaughter in that district.

Just am observation.

[blue_onyx]

4. Yes..

I'm not sure why the Dems haven't put any funding into the district, particularly the last 2 elections. Although I didn't really like the last Democratic candidate so I wasn't too upset that he lost.

[shaniqua6392]

8. I live in Livonia which is part of his district too.

I agree that it will be hard to get rid of him. I can't think of any Dem that could win against him here. I would be willing to work for anyone who is willing to try though!!!

[blue_onyx]

10. Yes, it will be difficult

I think Glenn Anderson could win since he's popular in Westland and also defeated an incumbent state senator in 2006. I, however, don't see him running. I guess Andy Dillion (who is term limited in the House) could possibly win. Personally, I'm not much of a Dillion fan so it would be hard to support him. I definitely would voted for him over McCotter though. Other than these 2, I can't think of any other viable candidates.

[kpominville]

5. THIS Thad McCotter?

Are we talking about the same wackjob who said this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EcQ03qRE1s

All we have to do is hammer him with his own hyper-divisive words.
People are sick and tired of his kind of self-centered partisanship.

[bain_sidhe]

6. About effing time.

I'm of the opinion we could have taken him out in 2008 if they'd stepped up to the plate and recruited a better candidate. I'm sorry, but I'm just not prepared to go to the mat, either energy or money-wise, for yet another conservadem anti-choice second rater.

I'm sorry, but that's what, IMHO, Larkin was.

Now, it's probably too late. The tidalwave of anger and desire for change has passed.

[PassingFair]

7. I agree completely.

I am always willing to work and support
a candidate that will speak for me.

DINO's need NOT apply here in Michigan,
as far as I'm concerned.

[blue_onyx]

9. The Dems didn't have good options in 2008

The other Democrat in the primary (Edward Kriewall) said he voted for Bush both times. I was disappointed that these were my 2 Democratic options. I reluctantly voted for Larkin.

McCotter could still be defeated. I just don't know of any strong candidates. Sen. Glenn Anderson could defeat him but then we may lose a State Senator which we need for redistricting. We may have to wait until redistricting and hope that the one good thing about losing a congress seat is that we also lose McCotter.

[SharonRB]

11. Do you think Natalie Mosher has any chance of being able to beat him?

I have a feeling the DCCC won't be backing her. I hope they can find someone.

I met Joe Larkin a couple of months ago and wasn't impressed. He came across as pretty slimy for some reason.

[blue_onyx]

12. I don't know

I actually don't know much about her. I went to her website and she seems to be pro-choice which is already an improvement over the 2008 Democratic candidate. She's against "free trade" agreements like NAFTA which I'm happy about too. She's not really in line with my beliefs on health care. I want a single payer system but she wants "a voluntary, common-sense national health care plan." Obama doesn't support a single payer system either so that wouldn't make me vote against her. Her website isn't very detailed on her positions and there's more I would like to know about her.

I'm not sure about her chances of winning. If a bigger name was to enter the primary race (Andy Dillion or Glenn Anderson), her chances of even getting the Democratic nomination would be very slim. If she gets the Democratic nomination, her chances will probably depend on funding. Larkin was underfunded and unknown but was able to get 45%. If she can get her name out there a little more than Larkin did, she does have a chance but I still think it will be difficult for her to defeat McCotter.

[bain_sidhe]

13. IMHO, the real problem is that neither the state nor the national party

are willing to put any money or effort into this district at all. McCotter is beatable, but we need some party support to do it, and we're not getting it.

[blue_onyx]

14. Yes, lack of money is a big issue

Larkin spent very little money and only lost by 6%. McCotter is beatable but I don't see anyone giving money to the race unless it has a strong, well-known candidate. As of now, there's nobody running that I think would be considered strong and well-known. A lesser known candidate could win but they may have a harder time getting the necessary money.