2003: A Good Year for Democrats:

[mdguss]

I'd just like to say this has been a good year for Democrats. Our base has been energized by some presidential candidates. People are motivated not only to vote, but to do the gritty work of a campaign. We've disagreed, but we have 9 good choices in the primary.

Democrats have had a pretty good year at the polls:

Kathleen Blanco was elected Governor of Louisana.

Dan Onorato defeated the incumbent and was elected County Executive of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

John Street was re-elected Mayor of Philadelphia.

A Democrat won the county executive race in a northern Virginia suburb; while his fellow Democrats gained seats in the Virginia House for the first time in 30 years.

And, tongiht, Gavin Newsom was elected Mayor of San Francisco.

Democrats did well at the state legislative level as well--making in roads in conservative southern states. And, compared to the 2000 totals, we did better in two deep south Governor's races than we should have.

The lesson: with good candidates, we can win. In some ways McCain/Fiengold is good for the party (even though it reduces the amount we can raise). It forces us to do things on the cheap: knock on doors instead of buy tv ads. Make phone calls, and campaign at community centers.

We can win. We've won this year. Each of the candidates I've mentioned have fought off serious challenges from Republicans (or in Newsom's case Greens).

We've had a good year. Hopefully, we can keep the success up in 2004.

[alexwcovington]

1. yuck yuck yuck

No point in worthless back-patting. It does us no good to revel in our victories when the Republicans still in power.

I'll be dancing the night away if we get our blessed victory November 2, 2004. But until then -- constant vigilance! :P

[mdguss]

2. No, there is a point:

The media has portrayed it as a barren year for us Democrats. It wasn't. The key is observing how the successful campaigns operated, and implementing their stratgies next year.

Here's a hint: they all had a clear statement of what they would do better.

Our party needs to step forward, and say what we would do. Bush deserves it, but bashing him leads to defeat. We need to be proud, clear and articulate.

[Leftist78]

3. Newsom????

that's a victory for DINO's not real Democrats. :puke:

[mdguss]

4. A DINO no way:

There was a piece on NPR that talked about Newsom's credentials. He's no moderate. He supports things like same-sex benefits and health benefits for sex-change operations. That's not DINO. Actually, he's a bit liberal for my moderate taste.

Is Willie Brown a DINO too? He accepted the Republican and Democratic endorsements in his last campaign for Mayor. He's no DINO--he's a real DEMOCRAT.

[Leftist78]

5. oh yeah

Newsom's great as long as you don't happen to be homeless. Economically he's a nightmare for progressives.

[mdguss]

6. The way I read his plan:

It gives hope, not cash to the destitute. That's the right thing to do.

[Leftist78]

8. I suppose that's the moderate take on it

the left end of the party has a MUCH different opinion.

[Pastiche423]

7. Newsome is a DINO

And da mayor has never been a liberal. I've know him for about three decades and the only thing liberal about him was his drinking.

[AndyTiedye]

9. There Was That DISASTER of a Recall here in CA.

And now we're stuck with the Gropernator trying to run our state.
Who is all too happy to give Kennyboy and his friends a pass on
the 9 Billion they stole from our nearly bankrupt state.
and has already broken almost every promise he made.

I don't even know anybody who voted for him.
Was Diebold beta testing their new software?

They were certainly testing out the saturation media offensive.
All Arnie all the time.

(and no, Newsom's victory is not good news. He is only a Dem
because there is essentially no Republican party in San Francisco)

[mdguss]

10. Focus on the positive,

And see what was done right. Having a real plan and clearly stating it is what is going to win next year. People are also worried about process--how are you going to get that done?

The Governor of California--he appears weak and is struggling now that the media attention has moved elsewhere. He won't be re-elected.

As for Newsom, I think anytime a Democrat wins, it is good news.