Another take on conservatives organizing for Djou (WaPo rationalizes Democratic loss in Hawaii)

Washington (Com)Post ^ | 05/23/2010 | David Weigel

[SeekAndFind]

Chris Bowers, the OpenLeft blogger who's one of the most battle-hardened and influential members of the lefty Net roots, rakes me over the coals for my post on conservatives organizing for Hawaii GOP congressional candidate Charles Djou. Read it all, but here's the key bit.

Crediting the online organizing Weigel lists for Republican success in Hawaii is like crediting a particularly nice font on yard signs, combined with a well-run press conference, for a campaign victory. Democrats are losing this campaign because there are two Dems splitting the vote. That's it. Even if Djou has improved his position over the past couple of weeks, the two Democrats combined still lead him by 50%-36% in the latest poll. With voting underway, this campaign would be over if only one Democrat was in the race. That's basically true -- make this a two-man race, and Djou outperforms the last few Republican candidates but goes down to defeat. But why haven't the liberal Net roots rallied around one candidate or another? Why aren't Democratic groups getting their stories straight and backing one candidate, to eliminate the possibility of a Djou plurality win? Why can't they make an attack stick to Djou? If only by comparison, conservative activists (and as in my original post I'm referring to established D.C. groups and to newer activists) are maximizing their effort, exploiting the resources of activists in the other 49 states and holding successful fundraising drives. They've been on point while Democrats have stumbled. You don't need to pretend they've broken the mold. It's that the Democrats can't find the mold.

[Kenny]

I love all this hind sight. If there had been one Dem, it would have been a different race all the way around. They don’t know how it would have gone down unless they’re saying that Democrat voters only vote party line no matter who’s running. Wait a minute ...

[DemforBush]

I just read up on Djou earlier today. I gotta say, the guy has an impressive background. I still don’t know all his positions, but I feel pretty good about this guy winning the seat.

[bilhosty]

One bit of background on this seat that there has not been much detail on is that an incumbent member of congress or Governor has never lost reelection or renomination in Hawaii's history. They especially the Asians) seem duty bound to reelect incumbents. Even Nixon and Reagan won Hawaii running for reelection. Bush in ‘04 came close taking 47%. Djou may not have along career but even Hiram Fong won reelection twice in Dem years. He should be good for several more terms i would think.

[SeekAndFind]

I hate to agree with the Washington Composte, but in this case I believe that Djou won by a fluke.

This is still a majority Democratic district.

The figures he cites tell me that the majority still prefer Democrats. It’s really hard to refute the number. Less than 40% voted for Djou.

I fear the same effect in Florida on Marco Rubio with that traitor Crist running as an independent and splitting the vote.

[Tennessean4Bush]

I hate to agree with the Washington Composte, but in this case I believe that Djou won by a fluke.

Hawaiian voters tend to re-elect incumbents. Fluke or not, Djou will be a challenge to take down for a Dem once he is in office.

[Islander2]

Your post, “I hate to agree with the Washington Composte, but in this case I believe that Djou won by a fluke.
This is still a majority Democrat district.” is true except for the “fluke” part.

The 800 lb. gorilla in the room is the animosity between Case and Hanabusa and their backers.

[ROTB]

Democrats are losing this campaign because there are two Dems splitting the vote.

**************

The Sith managed to reduce themselves to 1 leader, 1 learner. Why so many “leaders” democrats?

Why can’t you be at least as good as the Sith?

[cradle of freedom]

It is good to see an Asian face running on the Republican ticket. Asians are a potential good source of conservative votes because Asians have conservative values. I think if Republicans stress common values with the Asians such as law and order and holding on to the money that you earn, many Asians will start to come around. I think that seeing an Asian face will attract many Asians to the party.

We can reach out to qualified and talented Asians without pandering. I think we have to rethink the whole ethnic outreach rather than slavishly copying the Democrat approach of giving away government jobs, welfare and more immigration. We can appeal to Asians without promising special treatment. The Dems go to all the ethnic groups promising each that somehow they will get special treatment. You can't give each group the illusion that it will receive special treatment. That just causes division among groups. I think that Republicans can find many new voters among the Asian population without becoming panderers like the Democrats.

[SeekAndFind]

We can appeal to Asians without promising special treatment.

Asians don't need special treatment. They'll do fine as long as the competition is fair.

The reality is they're the ones suffering discrimination today ( witness the affirmative action policies for college entrance for instance ).