As Goes Ohio (Am. Spectator Article By Freeper Previewing 2006 House Races)

American Spectator ^ | 8/5/05 | Patrick Hynes (freeper)

[crushkerry]

Pat Hynes is a freeper (Screen Name: Kerry Crusher)who has worked for a national GOP campaign consulting firm, and has helped manage Congressional races for the NRCC. He's the past political director of the New Hampshire Republican Committee. He's now working for the CATO Institute on media management and lobbying for Social Security reform. He's also the proprietor of AnkleBitingPundits.com

[crushkerry]

Ping

[jwalsh07]

Right up you alley. Comments?

[EQAndyBuzz]

"And Hackett made it close. Schmidt won with only 52% of the vote compared to 48% for Hackett. And yet, despite the Democrat nominee's relatively high vote count in this Republican district, his loss should come as further discouraging news to national Democrats who hope beyond all hope to take back the House of Representatives someday.
"

The Right of Center didn't vote and Hackett did not say he was a Republican.

I guess the RAT strategy in 2006 is not to tell America that they are Democrats. I would be willing to bet that in the future we will see alot more of this to a point where the ACLU will sue to take party affiliation off all public displays.

[Recon Dad]

I would agree with all the points made in this article with one caveat. If we are still perceived as playing defense in Iraq the GOP base will not be rushing to the polls. Also if the loyal GOP feels that their reps are no better at spending their money as the Dem's, they'll say what's the point.
I know I'm getting there, fast........

[Redmen4ever]

Between 2002 and 2004, we lost two seats in by-elections in deep red districts, one in ND and the other in KY. (By-elections are always tricky things, where the party out of power has a chance to do "surprisingly" well.) In 2004, we came close, but failed to get those two seats back. The usual rule is that Congress-entities are hard to defeat after they have been re-elected at least once. Does mean that these two seats, which should be ours, are lost for the foreseeable future?

Also, in MD, do we have a chance to pick-up the southeastern Baltimore suburban district being vacated by Congressman Cardin, who is running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator? I am also curious about the northeastern suburban seat that we lost when then Congressman Erlich ran for Governor. What do you see for us in Maryland, especially if we have two strong Republican candidates at the top, running for Governor and Senator?

[Fenris6]

I'm more concerned with the Senate. Apparently, our congress-critters think they need a super-majority before they'll start behaving like a Majority Party. Any thoughts?

[jmaroneps37]

This all looks about right. One element of elections not touched here is that of guys who will be "Black or Red" what I mean is the guys who just want to get involved in a race as a "bet" in hopes of backing a winner who will owe them something. Because of these guys, the same amount of money will be spent on fewer races. The CD races that cost 3 million last time will be 4.5 or more this cycle.
We will pick up seats.

[xzins]

I live in Ohio 2.

Schmidt ran a terrible campaign in outlying counties. Something to think about: they are conservative, patriotic, and PATRIARCHAL. (I know these places.)

Schmidt was hurt by Hackett being a soldier and hurt by herself being a female. Not trying to stir anything. I just think it's a point that needs considering.

What it means is that the Republicans should run veterans and males in this area. It also means that Hillary is toast in some telling regions of Ohio.

Republicans win when they take Ohio.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I think you're on to something.

[bill1952]

It also means that Hillary is toast in some telling regions of Ohio.

I believe that the Clintons agree with that assessment and are looking at ways around it.

I further believe that they aren't making the Kerry mistake of selecting a running mate who can't deliver his own state.

And probably their best chance to do that is in the SW. Richardson?

[crushkerry]

Click the link in the article to his preview of the Senate races.

[Malesherbes]

I'm right behind Recon Dad. Nothing would bring me to vote for a Dim, but if the Republicans don't get a few things straightened out, I'm perfectly capable of staying home. That's the way I feel. Of course, confronted with the possibility of a Gore or a Kerry or a Hillary, I'd swallow my reservations and rush out to vote for anybody with an R after his name. (Note: I use the word "his" in its traditional generic, not gender specific, sense. I refuse to violate what's left of English grammar by putting a "their" in a sentence like that.)

[ken5050]

Another reason Dems have trouble recruiting candidates for House races..while in theory any particular Dem candidate might well win his own race, as you point out it's highly unlikely that the Dems will retake the House in the near future. So, a prospective Dem candidate asks himself.."why do I want to do this? If I win, I get to serve in the Minority in the House, and that's akin to being a limited partner of George Steinbrenner. And, further, I'd have to go to those inane weekly Dem caucus luncheons with Nancy Pelosi, and listen to the rantings of the Black Caucus all the time." Ergo..no way..

May I yet again reiterate my fave stat: 60% of House Dems have NEVER served in the majority!!

[JohnnyZ]

if the Republicans don't get a few things straightened out, I'm perfectly capable of staying home.

I have no problem with people withholding their votes in certain cases, as long as you do go to the polls and vote for the candidates who you DO like. No need to punish your state rep for something your congresscritter did, or didn't do.

[RoseofTexas]

"And probably their best chance to do that is in the SW. Richardson?"

You are absolutely right! If the RATS are smart they would pick Richardson for the VP spot! He is well liked in the Hispanic community and considered a good choice. You'll have the likes of those radical Hispanic liberal democrat hodgepodge groups such as LULAC, MECHA, LA REZA, and the rest of the communist groups humping the streets in droves soliciting votes for him and the WITCH! Since the UNIONS are slowly disappearing and in disarray and probably won't make a dent in 08, these groups could easily take their place! I'm hoping the Republicans can come up with strong likable, electable candidates who will give the SHE-DEVIL and Richardson a run for their money, if he happens to be the VP! Even though NM, I believe has only two electorals, it could either make or break the outcome for us!

[JohnnyZ]

New Mexico has five -- one for each member of Congress (3 Reps, 2 Senators).

[NeoCaveman]

media markets, as well as in pricy Pittsburgh and Cleveland to defend CO-03, IL-08, and OH-6, respectively.

If you advertise for OH-6 in the Cleveland market no one will see it. Better to advertise in the cheaper Youngstown and Stuebenville markets (where the voters will see them)

[fireforeffect]

I have always wished that you could vote for none of the above in an election. If none of the above wins than the election is done over with the original candidates banned from the second try.

[Fenris6]

"And probably their best chance to do that is in the SW. Richardson?"

Agreed:
Addresses the Dems "southern blindspot"
Draws in hispanics
Governor, not elitist Congress-critter
Perceived to be a strong and well-spoken leader.

Don't discount a reverse ticket: Richardson/Clinton.