Tomasky: Despite Their Loss In Florida’s Special Election, Democrats Shouldn’t Panic Over November

[flpoljunkie]

Apparently, Independents broke for Jolly at the last minute, responding to ads that painted Sink as a banker who fired workers and gave herself a bonus--from a NYT's reporter on Morning Joe earlier today. The district has over 170,000 registered Republicans compared to 159,000 or so Democrats.

Despite Their Loss In Florida’s Special Election, Democrats Shouldn’t Panic Over November

While the defeat of Alex Sink in Florida’s special election Tuesday night may be embarrassing for Democrats, they shouldn’t panic and run away from the electoral benefits of Obamacare.

So here we go: Republicans—and, no doubt, the Koch Brothers—are crowing that David Jolly’s win over Alex Sink in the special election in Florida’s 13th Congressional District Tuesday proves that Obamacare is the death knell for Democrats this fall. Outside groups, led by the Kochs, pumped a few million into the district, largely hitting Sink over Obamacare, which she said needed to be improved although she still trumpeted its benefits for senior citizens.

There’s other evidence out there in the world that Obamacare is a political disaster only if the Democrats don’t fight for it. The media didn’t write much last week about a very interesting WashPost-ABC poll result. The survey asked people if they’d be more or less likely to vote for a candidate who backed Obamacare. It came out less likely 36, more likely 34. That’s a margin of error tie, but it’s also a huge change from four months ago, when Republican opponents had a 16-point advantage in that realm. The new poll also reported that Americans said they trusted Democrats more on health care by 44 to 36 percent.

Perhaps the best evidence though that Obamacare wasn’t a real issue came from Jolly himself, who didn’t even mention the ACA in his victory speech. He told reporters later, “This was a closely run race, we know that. I don’t take a mandate from this.”

more...

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/12/despite-their-loss-in-florida-s-special-election-democrats-shouldn-t-panic-over-november.html

[Proud Liberal Dem]

1. Sink didn't lose to Jolly by much

Doesn't Jolly have to stand for re-election AGAIN in November? Sink could try again or the Dems can find somebody else to challenge him again in just a few months, right? And I'm sure that he'll have an opportunity to do or say something embarrassing too.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Yes, he does. Apparently, Sink pushed another Dem woman out of the race.

Check out this DU post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251356938#post3

[Proud Liberal Dem]

5. It speculates but doesn't say for sure that she did

At any rate, this other person could still jump back in for November, right?

[flpoljunkie]

6. Sure. Alex Sink may well not run again.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

8. This is the second major race she has lost, isn't it?

Maybe she should throw in the towel at this point (though I don't know much about her). Dems don't usually like to run *losers* over and over again but I hope that Jolly doesn't run unopposed since he might easily get picked off. He'll have some time to embarrass himself while in the House (and even less time for people to remember) and the odds of him casting a questionable vote and/or saying something stupid/tone deaf seem pretty high if you're a Republican.

[flpoljunkie]

12. Yes, Sink lost to Rick 'Medicare Fraudster' Scott in 2010 Governor's race.

Democratic leaders, particularly the President, need to convince Democrats of the importance of voting in mid-term elections. With a heavy Democratic turnout Sink, or another Dem, could win in November.

[XiaomuWave]

3. November isnt going to be great, no two ways about it

Almost every single midterm for the last hundred years has been bad for the party in charge. Thats just the way it is.

However, it wont mean anything for ACA since they need the Presidency for a repeal. Legislatively the House isnt doing anything already anyway, so not much changes here either. They can do nothing even more efficiently!

[beerandjesus]

4. This is the line that sticks out:

"There’s other evidence out there in the world that Obamacare is a political disaster only if the Democrats don’t fight for it."


Well, how bout that!

[flpoljunkie]

7. Yep! Polls now show people want it fixed, not repealed.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

9. Just hopefully not "fixed" in a way that harms the law

The Republicans in the House apparently have some "fixes" on the table in the House- apparently with bipartisan support- that I'd want to carefully scrutinize before being signed into law. Of course, where were they in 2009-2010 while this was all being hammered out?

[flpoljunkie]

10. Indeed!

[jerryster]

11. And will Democrtas fight for it?

With the exception of Alan Grayson, probably not. The only thing they'll focus on is the fact that Sink lost. Be prepared for a lot of Democratic candidates to run like hell from the ACA. They'll talk about " fixing EVERYTHING that's wrong with it. Translation: They'll be saying the everything IS wrong with it. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised at all if some go as far as promising to join the RepubliKochs to vote for repeal in the next session.