Why Democrats are happy with Tuesday's primary results

[DemocratSinceBirth]

Before Tuesday’s primaries, the media buzzed about the risk of Democrats getting locked out of seats thanks to California’s primary system, in which the top two candidates, regardless of party, go on to the general election. In New Jersey, commentators mused that Democrats might throw away pickup opportunities by nominating super-progressive candidates rather than moderates who fit well with suburban districts. Neither of those worries panned out. Instead, Democrats remained poised to boot out Republicans who have not been able to unshackle themselves from President Trump.

In New Jersey, conservative Democrat Jeff Van Drew beat out progressive activist Tanzie Youngblood in the 2nd Congressional District primary. Van Drew, in a district Trump carried by less than five points, has a solid chance to win a seat left open by retiring Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-N.J.). This is a seat Democrats normally wouldn’t expect to win; in the era of Trump, it’s a solid opportunity.

In the Democratic primary in New Jersey’s 7th district, former State Department official and human rights expert Tom Malinowski, regarded as an affable moderate, will face incumbent Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.), who normally would be a prohibitive favorite. However, in a district narrowly won by Hillary Clinton in 2016, Democratic turnout topped Republican turnout by nearly 6,000 votes; it is the sort of seat that could flip in a wave election.

...

https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2018/06/06/why-democrats-are-happy-with-tuesdays-primary-results/?utm_term=.baefcbfe5d37

[Maraya1969]

1. Thanks for posting this. I hadn't heard yet and was worried.

[calimary]

18. I was, TOO, Maraya!

OY! It's the morning after and I've STILL got my TV tuned to the Food Network! The news is generally bad enough anyway, and an Election Night usually means Steve PLEEEEZE-Switch-to-DECAF!!!! Kornacki hyperventilating all over the set. I just was NOT in the mood for stressful and disappointing Election Night returns where all the "Democrats are gonna blow it" chatter from the talking heads would supposedly be proven true. MAN they were practically ordering coffins for the blue team all day yesterday!

Guess not, 'eh?

I chose to get my news from DU this morning. At least it would be delivered from sympathetic hands. THANK YOU DU, for easing me into this morning-after. No hangovers when you do (or DU) it this way.

[Wounded Bear]

2. The media, like always, plays to the "drama"...

When they don't think there is any, they make it up.

Dems are pretty much on track to make some good solid gains this cycle. No reason to let the media disrupt it for ratings.

[deurbano]

4. Unfortunately, with the jungle primary they didn't have to make up the drama in some districts here

in CA. We need to get rid of the "nonpartisan" primary. I hate it.

Of course, I totally agree about the media always playing to and creating drama.

[Jim Lane]

17. I agree, and I don't think we're out of the woods there, either.

I thought at least one district was close enough that, although there's currently a Democrat in one of the top two slots, a Republican could still pull ahead to lock out all the Democrats in November. Mail-in ballots can still arrive, and some of the provisional ballots may be counted.

[janx]

3. The beautiful woman in that picture--

SHE is going to represent my district in the U.S. Congress!!!

Yes, I know it was the primary. She will win in the general election. No doubt about it.

[Desert grandma]

5. Yes! She is my future representative as well.

I am making a donation to her campaign as well as to the winner of the Dem primary in the southern part of the state, Xochitl Torres-Small, a water rights attorney. She will run against a woman whose ads proudly touted her agreement with Donald Trump, even going as far as calling herself a "Donald Trump Republican". It's enough to make any thinking person vomit. That seat in particular is a possible red to blue flip. Deb Haaland, in the photo above, will be the first Native American woman in Congress. This district is fairly blue, the seat is open only because Michelle Lujan-Grisham is running for Governor in November. It will be totally awesome for New Mexico to go totally blue in November.

[janx]

6. I was very happy about the primary results.

Michelle and Howie are going to kick it in November! Was very happy about Small as well.

[Garrett78]

9. "Donald Trump Republican"

As if there is some great divide within the Republican Party. The Trump base is the Republican base. And aside from tariffs and being more overt in his bigotry, Trump is following standard operating procedure for Republicans.

In spite of what some pundits and retiring Congress critters claim, they helped create this monster known as Trump. They have blood on their hands. Trump, in fact, is a monster 50 years in the making. 5 f***ing decades. It goes back to Nixon's Southern Strategy and The Powell Memo.

Own it, Republicans.

[solara]

7. The picture is of Deb Haaland who represents my district too

Deb Haaland is for sure going to win in November. Watching New Mexico turn blue has been a lovely experience. We have exceptional Senators Sen Martin Heinrich (D) and Sen Tom Udall (D) Rep Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) (who will be our next Governor) and Rep Ben Ray Lujan (D) and excellent Secretary of State, Maggie Toulouse Oliver (D). We may be a small state but we are definitely a large part of the Blue Wave. #GOTV !



edited to add: I am certainly not implying that pumping up the Blue Wave has been easy-peasy - we New Mexico Dems have worked our butts off to turn this state Blue. Yay for All of us!

[janx]

8. We're small in terms of population,

but that makes politics all the more interesting. "Politics are local"--definitely applies in NM.

[solara]

21. You are so right!

[DownriverDem]

10. How to win in November

Our candidates have to appeal to both Dems and independents. Far left or far right won't win. Purity left leaners do not get it.

[highmindedhavi]

11. California Dems lost supermajority in the state Senate

sucks

[calimary]

19. SHIT.

[LanternWaste]

20. Democrats lost supermajority in February

Democrats lost CA supermajority in February when a lawmaker accused of sexual misconduct resigned.

[aeromanKC]

12. Good to hear Dems have reasonable shot at pickups in the East

Sure would be nice to be north of 23 pick ups for the Dem's before California which would be icing on the cake and alot less stressful of a night!!

[leftynyc]

15. I'm already considering taking

the day after election day off from work. I'm hoping we don't have to wait until results in CA come in but just in case......

[mwooldri]

13. Good.

When primary is over, campaign for the Dem. Vote for the Dem. In some areas a Conservadem is going to be the best fit. In others a progressive Dem is best. It totally depends on the district.

But vote for the Democrat. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO HOLD YOUR NOSE WHILE DOING SO. I'd rather have Joe Manchin in the Senate caucusing with the Democrats than a Trumpster.

[IronLionZion]

14. Gotta love the media telling us about the media

They'll always claim things are more dramatic and sensational than it really is. And that mean making elections out to be more competitive than they really are.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

16. Keep RepubliCons shackled to Trump. Keep the brands welded together. The GOParty enables tRump. nt