In the days of yeller dawg Democrats who believed in the brand, you could get rural North Carolinians to vote for liberals as part of a straight ticket. That ended about 1980, when the era of ticket-splitting began -- Republican for president, Democrat for governor. This year, if Josh Stein can get about 53% or 54% of the vote for governor, I believe reverse coattails can occur. Biden will win the state, as will the entire Democratic council of state. Maybe even a gerrymandered GOP House seat or two will be in play due to the extreme Republican agenda.
Democrats also should go after these fools in rural areas. Once the GOP takes away the Social Security checks and Medicare payments, as they assuredly would do if they control the White House and Congress, it will be easier to show pretty bad-information voters what this crazed GOP is doing to our country and its institutions.
I grew up in the North Carolina mountains among Republicans. My late grandfather was chairman on the county Democrats. What a tough nut that was to carry. But those Republicans largely were decent people, at least in ways other than race. The party's fall into darkness is the stuff of doctoral dissertations.
I love North Carolina still, but I am glad to be a Virginian, too.
Yes. Not just Democrats have a moment to seize but also the unaffiliated and Republicans who are baffled. I’ve listened to some confused Republicans who admit they are mixed up about the moment we’re in. But for Democrats in N.C. not to do some Republican brand busting from here on—and fiercely get on with it—means bad shit, real bad. A silver lining—absolute repulsive candidates like Robinson and Morrow continue to receive national spotlight because each is so far out there. These two crazies receive national media coverage. Because mainstream media and our public seem to thrive on spectacle. When either of these two get attention, each spews “nut(sense).” They can’t help it. Democrats can capitalize on this. Go at it. What must be prevented come early voting which is quite close—too close for comfort—bust up the brand so bad that registered Republicans will stop unthinking down ballot voting. I understand many do not do homework before vote casting. And that’s lazy. Worse than lazy. Way worse. It’s past time to allow what Republicans have turned into to keep it up. It’s close to mid May for heaven’s sake. Shake it down.
Non-MAGA Republicans voters are an incredible opportunity for Democratic and Independent candidates. They always have been, well before MAGA became a badge of honor. But it’s always been tough for us campaign consultants to get our Democratic clients to spend money on reaching out to them. When we did, they won quite a few Republican votes.
Being Republican doesn’t mean being deaf and blind. Many have a core decency and are open to appeals from candidates with moderate positions.
The balkanization of the Democratic Party into narrow-interest, left-leaning groups is hurting the Democratic brand, now more than ever. If some would moderate their positions - only to respect the fact that you can’t govern if you don’t win - many reasonable Republicans could be persuaded to vote for candidates outside their own party. It’s all about the ask.
I believe that showing moderate Republicans that not all Democrats are extreme Left loonies can go a long way to lessening the irrational fear that’s been destroying the Democratic brand.
In the days of yeller dawg Democrats who believed in the brand, you could get rural North Carolinians to vote for liberals as part of a straight ticket. That ended about 1980, when the era of ticket-splitting began -- Republican for president, Democrat for governor. This year, if Josh Stein can get about 53% or 54% of the vote for governor, I believe reverse coattails can occur. Biden will win the state, as will the entire Democratic council of state. Maybe even a gerrymandered GOP House seat or two will be in play due to the extreme Republican agenda.
Thank you for a superb column.
Democrats also should go after these fools in rural areas. Once the GOP takes away the Social Security checks and Medicare payments, as they assuredly would do if they control the White House and Congress, it will be easier to show pretty bad-information voters what this crazed GOP is doing to our country and its institutions.
I grew up in the North Carolina mountains among Republicans. My late grandfather was chairman on the county Democrats. What a tough nut that was to carry. But those Republicans largely were decent people, at least in ways other than race. The party's fall into darkness is the stuff of doctoral dissertations.
I love North Carolina still, but I am glad to be a Virginian, too.
Yes. Not just Democrats have a moment to seize but also the unaffiliated and Republicans who are baffled. I’ve listened to some confused Republicans who admit they are mixed up about the moment we’re in. But for Democrats in N.C. not to do some Republican brand busting from here on—and fiercely get on with it—means bad shit, real bad. A silver lining—absolute repulsive candidates like Robinson and Morrow continue to receive national spotlight because each is so far out there. These two crazies receive national media coverage. Because mainstream media and our public seem to thrive on spectacle. When either of these two get attention, each spews “nut(sense).” They can’t help it. Democrats can capitalize on this. Go at it. What must be prevented come early voting which is quite close—too close for comfort—bust up the brand so bad that registered Republicans will stop unthinking down ballot voting. I understand many do not do homework before vote casting. And that’s lazy. Worse than lazy. Way worse. It’s past time to allow what Republicans have turned into to keep it up. It’s close to mid May for heaven’s sake. Shake it down.
Non-MAGA Republicans voters are an incredible opportunity for Democratic and Independent candidates. They always have been, well before MAGA became a badge of honor. But it’s always been tough for us campaign consultants to get our Democratic clients to spend money on reaching out to them. When we did, they won quite a few Republican votes.
Being Republican doesn’t mean being deaf and blind. Many have a core decency and are open to appeals from candidates with moderate positions.
The balkanization of the Democratic Party into narrow-interest, left-leaning groups is hurting the Democratic brand, now more than ever. If some would moderate their positions - only to respect the fact that you can’t govern if you don’t win - many reasonable Republicans could be persuaded to vote for candidates outside their own party. It’s all about the ask.
I believe that showing moderate Republicans that not all Democrats are extreme Left loonies can go a long way to lessening the irrational fear that’s been destroying the Democratic brand.
What a great column and your ideas are spot on. I’m going to take this column to every organization I work with. Thank you.