Kerry/Feingold win Appleton; why no local Dem candidates?

[Big Al from WI]

Looking back through the sortable Excel spreadsheets on the State Elections board website I noticed, much to my shock, that both Feingold and Kerry in 2004, and Gore and Kohl in 2000 for that matter, won the 57th Assembly district (most of Appleton, Steve Wieckert) and the 55th Assembly district (most of Neenah, Dean Kaufert). Yet in 2000, 2002 AND 2004 the Dems didn't even field a candidate. Now if we had done so and lost, there would be no shame in that. But Kerry, Feingold, Gore, and Kohl all won the 55th District yet we couldn't even give the chairman of Joint Finance and Mr. Bring-Back-the-Death-Penalty a run for his money.

I realize that Appleton and Neenah have a big reputation for being conservative strongholds. Yet the numbers do not bear this out, apparently. So hopefully we can give it a shot next time.

I'm not in the district; I live in Gary Hebl's district and therefore already have a Dem incumbent. I'm also interning in his office and getting some experience that way. But if any Appleton Dems are reading this, I'm pulling for you to figure something out.

[rodeodance]

1. i used to live in Oshkosh--and seems there is a strong perception of

Appleton belonging to the Fox Valley which is repug territory. Just a thought.

[benddem]

2. Tim Petri

is a multimillionaire who has a HUGE war chest. Anyone who runs against him is just a fly in the ointment. When I lived in Waupaca we tried but we couldn't get any support from the State or National committees. Petri doesn't even campaign.

[Big Al from WI]

7. I was talking about State Assembly not Congress

and in any case our own Jef Hall ran against Petri in 2004 and ran a respectable race.

[jef4wi]

3. Dems in Winnebago County...

... would love to find someone to run in the 55th.

We are recruiting, anyone interested, please contact me.

-jef-

[Big Al from WI]

6. And I wish you luck

BTW, Republicans also let Democratic Assembly candidates go unopposed in at least 2 Assembly districts that Bush won. We'll not talk about which ones they are, in hopes that they'll do it again.

[RevCheesehead]

4. That was my impression, as well.

Plus, many think the same of Green Bay, and Kewaunee Co (where I am), yet we were fairly split on the election. So much for the theory of "republican stronghold."

[Greybnk48]

5. I live in Appleton

and worked the Dem booth at our Octoberfest celebration which consistently draws 80 thousand plus people. I must say that I was afraid (literally) on my way down there to volunteer because of the (my) perception that Appleton is staunchly repug. I must tell you I was stunned by what occured.

Our booth was swamped with people buying stickers and buttons, so much so that we could hardly keep up (four of us) and we sold out of many items in the two hours I was there. I sent a mole down College Ave. to assess the activity at the R-booth and he reported that not many were there and most were walking by ignoring them. His exact words "it's really slow--nothing like this." I was pooped when my shift was over and our cashbox was bursting!!

Also, when Kerry came and spoke at Lawrence University I was told the final tally was that 10,000 showed up and many were turned away ( I was way up front an could not tell how many were behind me). This is standing 3 hours in the rain folks. Not a very pleasant experience until the campaign buses showed up.

Based on my experiences, Appleton is much bluer than is advertised.