Dixiecrats in the 41st are not Democrats
In November of 2,000 George Bush beat Al Gore 4,242 to 3,389 in the 41st. Four years later, when the truth about Bush’s stupidity and malfeasance were widely known and no Democrat had a legitimate excuse for being a Bush voter, he carried the RD beating John Kerry 5,785 to 3,722.
Think about that for a second. Bush PICKED UP 1,500 votes.
I wish I had blogged on this prior to the election because I could have easily predicted a Hastings blow out. The fact that there are more “registered Democrats” on the 41st, means nothing. Those “Democrats” are the Zell Millers of Delaware politics. They are Dixiecrats.
The fact that they call themselves Democrats has more to do with a fluke of history than it does any coherent political philosophy.
The Democratic Party is the original big tent party of American politics. But the tent is not so endlessly pliable that it can be stretched to cover everyone. At some point the philosophical fabric goes from being thin to transparent to non-existent.
The Democrats lost nothing yesterday. If anything, they won a chance to get it right next time.
Good post but I would suggest that the population of the 41st is moving towards a more true blue state configuration. Atkins tapped into the stubborn sussex county vote. He made himslf a victim of “upstate muscle’ Not true but he sold it and the write in that he told all his democrat friends was calculated to elect Bullock completely backfired and energized R’s and independents to elect Hastings.
I would suggest that the D’s can pick at least 2 perhaps 3 seats including the 41st in ’08 here in Sussex. The basement looms just as large for the R’s and the fact is, 22-19 is better than where the D’s were after november.
In the interst of time I copied my reaction to Atkins and his fake name posts below from my post at DWA
joeconnor says:
Anon, mom or as we know John,
Last night before Gaffney went off the air at 9 you reported to him that your child was fine , no concussion but a fair amount of stitches. After that, John, you began your usual round of calls “spinning your story”. If you were able to spew your toilet mouth you shoudn’t expect your crap not to be challanged. I am glad your child is recovering nicely. But I can’t wait for your interview with Jared this week. My bullshit meter will be on and will probably overload. Enjoy the rest of the weekend, John
Didn’t you endorse Hastings in this election?
http://delawareliberal.wordpress.com/2007/04/26/democrats-in-the-41st-should-vote-for-the-republican/
Those are important facts. But there are two variable not mentioned.
One, and it has been underestimated, is that the new County Chair, provides an exciting vision of the Republican party that was not available before.
Two, the Democrat, stupidly came out in support of NRG, in NRG’s home town. Just like a next door neighbor is the loudest protester over a strip mine, so do most Millsboro residents feel about NRG.
Supporting coal in a town where everyone is dying from cancer, was the kiss of death. Remember 94%of Delawareans support Wind Power over ALL other options.
Brud,
I sure did in my own understated way. I think I’ve been consitent.
Kavips,
You’re right. Another thing about Dave (and I’m not trying to give the guy a big head – it is huge already) is he is the least tone deaf republican they have. He positioned the Rs to be the champions of open government and Wind early on.
In the interst of time I copied my reaction to Atkins and his fake name posts below from my post at DWA
Is there possibly an understory to DWA softening on the JA a bit towards the end? It was one thing to take issue with how things were handled, but it was another to do it with such vitriol and throw out a bone of support for the guy? Did DWA become buds with JA? Hmm…
JA contributed to his cell phone bill.
LOL!
No blind fiducuary trust set up eh?
Assuming Bush/Kerry results are a better predictor of elections than voter registration. What does than mean for the upcoming special election in the 14th Senate District?