What about the Democrats who won?

[phantom power]

Here's an interesting little factoid.

One trend that was interesting last night is that clear, strong progressives like Jeff Merkley (OR), Tom Udall (NM), Brian Schatz (HI) and Al Franken (MN)-- who had massive right-wing money thrown at them-- won, while conservative Democrats like Mark Warner, Mary Landrieu and Kay Hagan stumbled and the most conservative Democrat of all, Mark Pryor, lost badly. In the House, conservative Democrats-- Blue Dogs and New Dems-- lost everywhere, even in Democratic districts. Almost all of Israel's Red-to-Blue recruits lost, as did many of his Frontline incumbents.

Schatz is no surprise being from Blue Hawaii. And Oregon went even more blue all around (although that wasn't destined to be true --- it wasn't that long ago that they had GOP Senators.) But both Franken and Udall pulled it out in states that are not reliably liberal. What happened in these races that didn't happen elsewhere? The right certainly gave it their all to unseat them.

And as Howie points out, all those Republicans in Democratic clothing the Party recruited lost as did all the Blue Dogs who've been very reliable GOP votes. It just doesn't pay to be a conservative Democrat these days.

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2014/11/what-about-democrats-who-won.html

[MineralMan]

1. Well, I can talk about Senator Franken.

He won in 2008 with only a 312 vote margin, and wasn't seated until months later, due to a statewide recount. Since then, he has been working very hard to become a trusted Senator. He's earned the respect of the voters in Minnesota, and is here in the state frequently and is accessible to his constituents. I've met him a few times and had brief conversations with him. He's a very approachable man and actually listens to you and comments clearly on what you've brought up. I've met his wife and daughter, too, at DFL Party events, and they're also just very nice people.

So, this year, he won handily. No more 312 vote margins for Al Franken. He's been to DC; he's done his job. He has helped a number of Minnesotans who needed help at the federal level with many issues. He's representing his state with integrity and vigor, while working toward progressive goals on the national level.

Al Franken is an excellent Senator. His reward was his re-election by the people in this state.

[jwirr]

8. Absolutely. He is what we all want. Honest.

[TheFarseer]

2. in Nebraska

Democrat Brad Ashford defeated 8 term incumbent Lee Terry to rep the 2nd district if that makes anyone feel better.

[progressoid]

9. +1

[0rganism]

3. Merkely's a strong candidate, and the GOP tried to run a nutjob against him

It was outright hilarious to see the Kochsters trying to unseat him by throwing money at Wehby's lackluster campaign.

Just like the ongoing battles between Rep. DeFazio (D, OR-4) vs. Art Robinson (R, freakishly weird), the Oregon GOP has a serious problem marshalling solid candidates at the federal level. Sometimes i wonder if they've been infiltrated by DNC operatives.

Unfortunately, i don't think we can extrapolate too much from Oregon's candidates' performances. In a lot of other states, either the GOP is far more competent or the Democratic party infrastructure is close to their levels of incompetence, maybe both.

Also we have vote-by-mail and relatively high turnout even in off-year elections. That really helps.

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Most of the DU folkken don't want to talk about any of this. It fucks with their narratives.

nt

[kentuck]

5. Hickenlooper of Colorado shot pool with the President and had a beer.....

This was the same Governor that signed the bill to limit rounds in magazines that led to the special election last year where John Morse was thrown out of office and Bernie Herpin was elected in his place. The gun nuts were about the only ones to show up for the special election.

Governor Hickenlooper (Hick) won his election yesterday over the right-winger Beauprez and Bernie Herpin was defeated by a Democrat in El Paso County.

Figure that one out!

[JI7]

6. would they have won in Kentucky?

Jerry Brown won without campaigning but it's also California

[kentuck]

7. No.

None would have won in Kentucky. Most would probably have lost by bigger margins than Alison Grimes.

[bigwillq]

10. Obama came to CT to campaign for Gov. Dan Malloy. Guess who won?

Dan Malloy.

Reelected.

[Art_from_Ark]

11. In 2010, Obama campaigned for Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas

Guess who *didn't* win?

In states where Obama has solid support, his assistance in local campaigns may have helped. But in states where he could only manage 40% or so of the vote in the last election, his endorsement wouldn't have done a damn bit of good.

[bigwillq]

12. Good points (nt)

[m-lekktor]

13. just barely though. I was sweating bullets until the end! nt

[bigwillq]

14. Well, we knew it was going to be close.

But Malloy won by more votes than in 2010.