Bill Scher: Election Message: The Progressive Base Needs a Jolt

[marmar]

from ourfuture.org:


Election Message: The Progressive Base Needs a Jolt
By Bill Scher

November 4, 2009 - 10:56am ET


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What do last night's election results tell us about the electorate? Some numbers from New Jersey, Virginia and Maine.

In 2008, Sen. John McCain lost the presidential race in NJ after garnering 1,613,207 votes. In 2009, Chris Christie won the governor's race with 1,140,134 votes. (Barack Obama had 2,215,422 votes while Gov. Jon Corzine received only 1,038,170.)

In 2008, McCain lost VA after getting 1,725,005 votes. In 2009, Robert McDonnell won the governor's race with 1,159,003 votes. (Barack Obama got 1,959,532 while Creigh Deeds got a mere 815,350.)

In 2008, McCain lost ME after earning 295,273 votes. In 2009, Maine's gay marriage law was repealed with 292,667 votes. (Barack Obama won Maine with 421,923 votes, but gay rights forces only could get 260,537 to the polls.)

It's not unusual at all for elections in non-presidential years to attract lower voter turnout. And lower turnout elections reward motivated bases. Right now, conservatives are more motivated than liberals.

Of course, local matters loomed very large in the NJ and VA races. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.ourfuture.org/blog-entry/2009114504/election-message-progressive-base-needs-jolt

[BrklynLiberal]

1. I do not think it is the PROGRESSIVE base that needs the jolt.

Someone needs to light a fire under the "Centrists" and "Moderates"...the DLC is the one sitting on their asses doing nothing to promote or help an agenda that would make people proud to be Democrats.

[FiveGoodMen]

2. The progressive base needs a candidate

Look at Congress.

Look at the White House.

Give us a real choice, please.