General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGaryCnf
(1,399 posts)Absolutely!
In a primary, though?
Elissa Slotkin, 41, is running for Congress in Michigans eighth district and is fighting her campaign from what is seen as the right end of the political spectrum of her party.
http://www.newsweek.com/who-elissa-slotkin-gun-toting-obamacare-critic-whos-also-democrat-967946
RandySF
(57,581 posts)and I don't think Our Revolution would play well in a general election. Elissa's mother died of breast cancers leaving a pile of bills. Don't think for a minute that she's insensitive to the issue.
JNelson6563
(28,151 posts)Like much of Michigan.
James48
(4,416 posts)In a very red township in Livingston County.
Elissas primary opponent is a very progressive University Professor from East Lansing.
Elissa, I think, would be a better candidate to win against the 1 term incumbent, Republican Mike Bishop.
Bishop is a reliable right-wing vote in DC who hasnt had much contact with constituents. Hes avoided doing many town halls.
It is a very winnable race if Elissa wins her primary. It wont be easy, but it definitely is competitive this year- within reach for the right qualified dem who runs the right race- competitive for the first time since 2000.
RandySF
(57,581 posts)James48
(4,416 posts)Smith has done some appearances, but he is really running a shoestring campaign so far. Elissa has sent me like four direct mails to smiths 1 so far. And shes gotten more local press.
And I think Smith may be too far to the left to win in November. Hes from the East Lansing big city part of the district, while Elissa is running as more of the small town center exburban part. I dont hear as much about his campaign as I do hers.
Its just too early to be sure that either has a clear majority for the August primary, but my spider sense tells me Slotkin is the better known candidate at this moment in time. Neither has previously held elective office that I know of, so neither has exiting name recognition.
GaryCnf
(1,399 posts)Bishop ran as a centrist Republican. He endorsed Jeb and refused to talk about Trump after he won the nomination. We opposed him in 2016 with a prototypical centrist candidate . . . female, former prosecutor, opposed single payer, with a boatload of money and tons of endorsements, who took over for Melissa Gilbert when she pulled out in May.
Like our national campaign, her ads centered on Trump instead of what our party platform means for voters.
She failed to inspire turnout from key constituencies and got trounced.
I'm not sure cloning that strategy is the best way to win.
James48
(4,416 posts)I cant even tell you the name of the 2016 candidate, and I am very involved.
When Melissa Gilbert dropped out, no one even knew who was running. If anybody spent any money, its news to me. I didnt even see a single yard sign in 2016.
GaryCnf
(1,399 posts)MI-08, Shkreli outraised Bishop during basically the first month. She had plenty of money to get her message out. It just wasn't a message that resonated. Even though DCCC polling had it a 7 point race, she was slaughtered.
We can argue all day about what constitutes "well funded" but the fact remains that her centrist message, the same "I'm not one of those librul Democrats" message the current establishment candidate is touting, failed miserably.
If you want to see what happens when message faces off against money, look to candidates like Ocasio-Cortez.
DURHAM D
(32,595 posts)RandySF
(57,581 posts)DURHAM D
(32,595 posts)I actually don't get a good vibe from that video. She works too hard to hide her affiliation.
Also, she reminds me of several family members who are career military and arrogant know-it-all Republicans.
RandySF
(57,581 posts)DURHAM D
(32,595 posts)RandySF
(57,581 posts)As in civil service.