Running Dems in really Red areas: A Good Strategy?

[LittleClarkie]

Our county Dem Party newsletter had a front page article this month about running Democrats in races that have been uncontested in the past, arguing that even if we don't think we can win in those areas, it's a good thing to run anyway.

For one thing, you force the Repubs to spend money in a race that they might not have spent otherwise. For another, you up the visibility of the party in your area.

Those were a couple of their reasons. Not surprising they were talking about this, and asking folks to run regardless of whether they think they can win, considering how Red an area the county is.

What say you? Resources better spent in areas where we can win? Or better to make Repubs work for it, ala Hackett?

[ray of light]

1. I believe we should run everywhere.

But I heavily agree with strong grassroots leading the way. (That's why I'm also a member of the Democracy Cell Project.) AND I believe it's the grassroots that will lead us out of the desert.

[LittleClarkie]

5. My local party (in Sensenbrenner's district) wants to be an activist force

in our area. They're working on upping their visibility. I think they might be doing better than the Milwaukee Dems, which is weird.

[ray of light]

15. Good for your group and you for being so determined.

I've noticed your posts are always so effective.

[Fovea]

2. You make the whole party stronger

when you give those Dems in Red States something to fight for.
You also make the pubs feel weaker everywhere.

[ironman202]

3. run conservative-ish dems....yes absolutely

waste of time, for example, for me to run in some texas district. They're as likely to shoot me as they are to vote for me... but the Sam Nunn's of the world have a good shot.

[TheFarseer]

4. We cannot become a regional party

Besides that, I don't want my state given up on. If the libertarians can run someone in nearly every race, there is no reason we can't run someone in every race.

[OhioBlue]

6. Hackett was an exception

he was a GREAT candidate in a special election for an open seat against a weak R in Ohio which has been hammered in Repug scandals. He had a definite chance. It comes down to where resources are most needed, I would think that the DCCC or other such organizations should focus on more "purple" districts than those that go with 50 points to an Repug incumbant. That being said, no race should be uncontested. We should find candidates to run and start a debate. Just MHO -

[kevsand]

7. As you suggest, I think that it is possible to run everywhere

and still strike a balance. Put the heaviest resources into the races with the closer margins, i.e., the purple districts. There actually are a surprising number of counties that were within 10 points for Kerry.

But still run grassroots campaigns (people and labor intensive door to door and special event stuff) in all the rest to raise the buzz and the awareness levels, and strengthen the party.

In football, it's called "stretching the field," and it works if you have the personnel. The only way we'll ever be able to fully implement Dean's vision of rebuilding the party is with a massive grassroots element.

[neuvocat]

8. Back in the '02 elections

republicans took up 41 uncontested seats nationwide. The less seats the dems have, the less resources in general.

[ulysses]

9. YES!

Why give them a freebie? HELL yes.

[blondeatlast]

10. Make them work for it. I'm in a deadly red area (rest of the state

is blue or purple) and we rarely see challenges to Republican offices.

Bad, bad, bad, idea. There should be a Dem box on every single ballot, from dog-catcher to President and all points between.

[PeachyDem88]

11. Of course...

Democrats can win everywhere. They should run everywhere.

We control state legislatures and governors' mansions in some pretty conservative states.

Red State Dems, no matter how conservative, run with the (D) next to their names. They take on the "liability" of being associated with the national party, and they win.

'04 was the high water mark of the modern Republican Party, and the Neo-Con movement in general. Democrats will start winning in Alaska and Utah, if the Republicans keep it up.

2006 is going to be sweet.

[LWolf]

12. Yes, or

campaign independents if they have a better chance of beating the incumbent.

[usregimechange]

13. We have a big name running against the #2 Republican in the

House, Roy Blunt:

http://www.draftkreideruscongress.org/

[bribri16]

14. Yes, but i would run them as repugs or Independents. n/t