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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWyoming Democrats ponder strategy after 2012 election losses
Along the campaign trail, his first as a candidate, Henrichsen was impressed by the efforts of Obama for America Wyoming. The presidents in-state re-election campaign ran separate from the Wyoming Democratic Party but was aided by numerous Wyoming Democrats.
Henrichsen said there were call and volunteer centers in Laramie, Cheyenne, Torrington, Sheridan and Jackson. He said Wyoming callers mostly talked with voters in Colorado, a presidential swing state.
On Saturdays, buses of Democratic students from the University of Wyoming rode to Fort Collins, Colo., to canvass.
**snip**
The Obama for America people were more than willing to throw elbows and to throw people under the bus [those of us] who were Wyoming Democrats. ... I know at least one Obama for America volunteer who was bad-mouthing me to one of the people called in Colorado, he said.
Henrichsen said he learned of the disparaging remarks against him through an old friend in Colorado, who was phoned by an Obama for America volunteer.
Its sort of this idea that Wyoming candidates are a joke, he said.
Aside from President Barack Obamas re-election victory, there was little for Wyoming Democrats to celebrate this election.
Democrats lost two seats in the Wyoming House of Representatives, both from historically Democratic stronghold Sweetwater County. The biggest blow was the loss of incumbent Rep. Joseph Barbuto to Republican Mark Baker in House District 48 representing Rock Springs.
Rest at http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/wyoming-democrats-ponder-strategy-after-election-losses/article_ffdafc9a-16b8-5157-81ec-16aa7d99f3c0.html
elleng
(131,028 posts)Sounds like stuff I heard years ago about Obama supporters, when I was working for Wes Clark, AND sounds like response Wayne Powell received from DCCC this year, trying to remove eric cancer: NO response.
Swede Atlanta
(3,596 posts)It isn't a crimson red state but a very nearly crimson red one.
There are exceptions to the rule that only republics can be elected to office. Since 1890 there have been 12 Democratic governors versus 19 republics. That is just an example. The same is probably true of Montana.
But the people of Wyoming continue to feel they are victims of Washington. They don't like Washington imposing things like the 55 MPG speed limit (about the time I started driving - I date myself). They feel Washington imposes too many regulations. They fear Washington is going to try to take their guns away from them.
Despite those long-held beliefs, Wyoming receives a significantly more in federal spending than the citizens of the state pay into Washington. They are in fact, the "takers" and not "givers".
The citizens would never admit to that but the facts speak for themselves.
earthside
(6,960 posts)Unless the national Democratic Party decided to put some staff and money into Wyoming, it is pretty much hopeless for Democrats there to make much progress.
I was born and lived in Wyoming for about twenty-five years and was very active is state Democratic politics in the 1970s.
In those days we had a vibrant party: U.S. Senator Gale McGee, Congressman Teno Roncalio, Gov. Ed Herschler, etc.
But since then, and especially with the advent of Fox 'News', there is essentially a one party system in Wyoming (I still have family and many friends in the state).
As far as I can tell, there isn't any, I repeat any, progressive media in the state -- it is a constant drumbeat of rightwing talk radio; the only national news one can even admit to watching is Fox; all the newspapers (such as they are) are Republican; and the social pressure to be conservative and Republican is enormous (I could tell you stories).
So, there isn't going to ever be a federal representative elected out of Wyoming, maybe ever again. Once in a while a Democrat can get elected governor, but that is strictly a personal popularity phenomenon.
I feel sorry for you Wyoming Democrats and wish you the best -- it is tough and I know you are brave.