In IL Senate race Green Party may have hurt democrat?

[book_worm]

Kirk: 1,750,993 (R) 48%
Giannoulas: 1,668,690 (D) 46%
Jones (G): 115,623 3%

http://elections.msnbc.msn.com/ns/politics/2010/illinois/senate

In a close election where every vote counts--it probably didn't help, but in the end who knows if many of those who voted for the Green nominee would have voted.

[ColesCountyDem]

1. The gazillions of $$$$ poured into Kirk's campaign by Corporate Amerika, Inc. hurt more. n/t

[truebrit71]

3. Yup...the blitz was non-stop during the last week...

...

[nevergiveup]

4. A combination of "Citizens United" and the green party

did Alexi in. The barrage of negative adds against him was unlike anything I have ever seen. It is really sad as he is very progressive and would have made a great senator.

[ColesCountyDem]

14. I'm loathe to lay much blame at the Green Party's doorstep.

A little history here ( about me ) is helpful. I basically don't blame Nader for Florida in 2000, because it was OUR fault that we didn't excite HIS voters enough to vote for OUR candidate; for that same reason, I'm not gonna throw rocks at Whitney's people. I'm an old man and have lived long enough to know that you oughta not throw rocks at anyone but the Republicans, and most certainly not at fellow progressives.

:hi:

[onehandle]

2. Of course. Ralph Nader could have been a very powerful Congressman.

But, no. He had to teach us a 'lesson.'

[Lil Missy]

5. No shit, Ralph.

[Ganja Ninja]

6. Greens have as much right to run as anybody else.

The Democrats don't own the left side of the political spectrum.

[Occam Bandage]

7. I have the right to do all sorts of stupid things. Doesn't mean it's a good idea to do 'em.

Greens have the right to fracture the liberal electorate and hand elections to Republicans. Doesn't mean it's a good idea.

[Ganja Ninja]

10. Why is that the Green's fault?

That door swings both ways. Maybe the Democrat should have backed out so the liberal electorate could unite behind the green party.

Nobody has to get out of the Democrats way and nobody should. There's plenty of room on the left where the Democrats have abandoned the so called "far left". If they don't want the competition then they should try to represent the left instead trying to blow them off as "retarded".

[Occam Bandage]

12. It's a matter of practicality.

If the Greens could demonstrate the ability to appeal to more than a narrow fraction of the electorate, if they could demonstrate any ability to raise funding, and if they could demonstrate the ability to create a modern political machine, then it would be feasible to suggest that the Democrat drop out so as to provide the best possible chance of defeating a Republican.

But they can't, so that's a nowhere argument.

[OHdem10]

8. Many disillusioned Democrats have joined the Green Party

I find it hard to believe they would have voted for the Democrat.

[BootinUp]

16. They may be dumber than Teabaggers

At least the Teabaggers realized it was smarter to not have 3 on the ballot at the same time.

[ej510]

9. If more people voted it wouldn't have mattered.

Blame it on the people who stayed home.

[ColesCountyDem]

15. We have a winner!

Best answer.

:thumbsup:

[Prism]

11. Blame Blagojevich

He mucked up that seat all on his own. It would not have been close in the slightest without his corruption. No one at all thought the seat was in play until the scandal hit. Then it was "Oooh, Republican opportunity!" And off we went.

[PVnRT]

13. How many Democrats voted for Kirk?

Just curious.