Don't forget: Democratic wave washes over statehouses...Dean's goal

[madfloridian]

was the statehouses as well as other races. Here is a good write-up from DFA today.

http://www.blogforamerica.com/view/18266

"Another lovely gift courtesy of last night's Democratic tsunami:

Democratic gains vastly outnumbered Republican gains in the nation’s state legislatures Nov. 7, enough to take control of legislative chambers in at least six states – including the New Hampshire House for the first time since at least 1922.

Democratic victories in statehouses paralleled the party’s coup in the U.S. House. Final results in the 6,119 state legislative races nationwide will tell whether Democrats were able to break a near-even split in partisan control of state legislatures. But the results were true to history: Only once since 1938 has the president's party won state legislative seats in a midterm election. In addition to New Hampshire, Democrats took won new legislative majorities in Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. They also widened their majorities in several other statehouses, including Colorado, Kentucky and North Carolina.

This puts a serious kink in GOP's gerry-mandering inclination in the state legislatures around the country. It's a good day to be a Democrat."

[n2doc]

1. Gerrymandering IS the Key

If one could change the house districts to include more competitive districts, we could win more. Most (like 80% or more) of house districts are considered "safe" because of gerrymandering. It is really sad to see so many races come down to 80-20 or 70-30. And I say this even for the Democratic party safe districts (although there aren't as many of them). We need to have real elections everywhere.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

2. I would love to see multiple rep districts

Fewer districts, but each one elects two or more representatives. Makes gerrymandering much more difficult.

[Mass]

3. Thanks to Dean - We owe him a lot.

:applause::applause::applause:

[Mass]

4. New Hampshire was incredible.

Governor Lynch reelected with 73 %
2 Democratic Reps (one who was not even on the radar 2 weeks ago)
and the state house as you noted.

[cadmium]

14. County and State Houses matter big time

if you want votes counted correctly. Dean knew this right off the bat.

Great job -- we did it on just about every level in New Hampshire (Senate seats not in play this yr).

[Cha]

5. Sweet Dems in the HOuse and

Senate! Yay! Thanks Dean and your 50 state strategy!

[madfloridian]

6. More about this. Dems win majority of state legislatures.

http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?type=bondsNews&storyID=2006-11-08T203112Z_01_N08258905_RTRIDST_0_USA-ELECTIONS-LEGISLATURES-UPDATE-2.XML

"CHICAGO, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The wave of voter discontent that put Democrats in charge of the U.S. House of Representatives also hit state legislatures, where the party won control of more chambers than Republicans.

Party control on the state level was deemed crucial as policy-making on social and other issues like abortion and immigration has gravitated to the legislatures. Both parties poured millions of dollars into legislative races.

"It's a major gain for Democrats," said Tim Storey, an elections analyst at the bipartisan group, adding that Democrats now control more state legislatures than they have since 1994.

Voters gave Democrats control of both chambers in 23 states, while Republicans control 16 and 10 were split between the two parties, according to Storey."

[oasis]

7. Dean is not getting the credit he deserves. The corporate media stood ready to

celebrate the "genius" of Karl Rove after he saved both houses for the GOP.

Chuck Shumer and Rahm Emmanuel delivered a tremendous victory for Dem candidates but could not have done it without Dean doing months of groundwork in advance.

[jpak]

8. DEMs in the Governor's Mansions means it will be harder for the GOP to steal

the 2008 presidential election...

:bounce:

[Blue_In_AK]

9. Even though we didn't pick up the governorship

or U.S. House here, we did pick up some seats in the state legislature, so I'm content. Baby steps, but steps, nonetheless.

[BlueIris]

10. Why don't you ever praise Chairman Dean for what he *should* be praised for?

Who ARE you?

[madfloridian]

11. I have no idea what you are saying.

:shrug:

His goal and his job description is to win back statehouses as well as federal. I am commending him on that.

What am I doing to offend you?

[madfloridian]

12. The more I think about it... that was a very strange question.

Who am I? Why would you ask? If you look at my profile, I have been here since 2002, over 4 years. I am a person who lives in Florida, and I believe that because of Iraq our party must change.

There is no choice anymore.

I never ask people who they are.

[Vidar]

13. Dean is magnificent.

[flpoljunkie]

15. Sweet! Thanks for posting this, madfloridian! K&R.

[silvershadow]

16. I am increasing my monthly contribution to the DNC

in anticipation of the 2008 races. I am happy with the democracy bonds and the 50-state strategy. I want to do all I can to continue our success.

[calico1]

17. Thanks for posting this and for mentioning it.

It is very important to also win in the State houses. This is how the Conservatives gained more and more power. In CT the Democrats now have a veto proof majority! Jodi Rell ain't gonna have too much power even though she won.