DCCC: Michigan Who?

Visit. Donate. Volunteer. (0.00 / 0)

Lance2012.com and Waltz2012.com.

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by: kelster @ Mon Jan 23, 2012 at 15:48:44 PM UTC

Benishek is also on the DCCC's Red to Blue list (0.00 / 0)

...because that is a swing district. Here's the Red to Blue list.

If you were in charge of the DCCC, an arm with limited resources and no access to the Koch machine, would you pour money into seats you know you can win (like the Benishek-McDowell race)? Or would you pour money into districts which haven't elected Democrats in many years, and where the Republicans are running longtime incumbents?

My heart wishes the DCCC could support Waltz, Enderle, and even Syed Taj (running against McCotter). Every single one of them deserves it. They more than deserve it, actually.

My brain knows, however, that we don't have the Kochs, and DeVoses on our side, and given limited resources, we are much more likely to beat people like Benishek, Bob Dold, Dan Webster, and Charlie Bass than Rogers, Upton, and McCotter.

If we can work in the next few months to build the grassroots support necessary to make it competitive, then we should be able to get the DCCC's attention.

Say what you will about the DCCC, but until they see that Rogers, Upton, McCotter, et. al. have a legitimate shot of losing, who can blame them for wanting to go after Republicans they know they can beat?

Great Lakes, Great Times, Great Scott

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by: ScottyUrb @ Thu Jan 26, 2012 at 20:06:01 PM UTC

It's not just the money (4.00 / 1)

No question that these are tough districts -- but how hard would it be for the DCCC to provide non-monetary support such as a press release, a link to their campaign website, or oppo research? Give these candidates something to show -- after all, they are the ones willing to stand up for the party in less-than-friendly territory.

In any case, the "picking winners" approach doesn't always work out: in 2006, Tammy Duckworth, Ken Lewis & Lois Murphy were all selected as "top priorities" for the DCCC. All three got some serious money. All three lost in the general.

There's a strong case to be made for providing smaller amounts to smaller races ($100K to one candidate vs. $20K to 5 candidates, or even $10K to 10) where the support can make a big difference.

Lance stepped up to the plate big time in 2010. He has logged a LOT of time on the roads of MI-08 since then, and he deserves to be treated as a serious candidate.

Re: your comment about grassroots support, that was the whole point of the post. Lance needs our help now, because the DCCC won't be riding to the rescue.

www.lance2012.com

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by: kelster @ Fri Jan 27, 2012 at 01:46:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

MI-8 (4.00 / 1)

MI-8 resident, here.

As much as I appreciate Lance's runs, I have to say that the only way this district will be won is some metropolitan Lansing politician who can drive more turnout in the city.  There are parts of this district that will forever be lost to us simply given that Livingston County (exurban Detroit sprawl) is easily one of the most neo-conservative areas in the entire state.  The only way we get this thing even being close to competitive is a big name with a big list.  Someone like Dianne Byrum could make this competitive, but she's outside of elected politics, now.

To be completely honest, people would be better trying to win back the 7th than pouring money into the 8th without a more known candidate on the ballot.

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by: MiddleGrandGuy @ Fri Jan 27, 2012 at 02:20:00 AM UTC

A known candidate in MI-08...? (0.00 / 0)

Virg Bernero, opportunity knocks!

"I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth and they thought it was hell." -- Harry S Truman

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by: Butch Snider @ Mon Jan 30, 2012 at 19:50:52 PM UTC