Victory in Kentucky gives House Democrats hope for November

[Judi Lynn]

Victory in Kentucky gives House Democrats hope for November

DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent
Sunday, February 22, 2004


(02-22) 22:17 PST WASHINGTON (AP) --

In winning a special election in conservative Kentucky, House Democrats employed a quiet, targeted campaign to turn out thousands of voters eager to "send President Bush a wake-up call," a tactic they hope to duplicate in key races this year.

"There's a very strong anti-Bush electorate that we can go after and animate, even in the most Republican of districts," said Jim Bonham, executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"They can change the outcome of an election dramatically."

Democrat Ben Chandler, who led in the polls throughout the campaign, defeated Republican State Sen. Alice Forgy Kerr, 55 percent to 43 percent, on Tuesday in a race to fill the House seat vacated by Republican Gov. Ernest Fletcher. The campaign marked the first time since 1991 that Democrats have won a special election for a seat formerly held by the GOP.
(snip/...)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/02/22/national0117EST0409.DTL

[Hokie]

1. The recovery in 1996 started in KY in 1995

After the 1994 disaster the recovery for the Democratic party started in Kentucky in November 1995 with the election of Paul Patton (D) to the governorship. This turned out to be the start of a recovery for the Democrats in 1996 as they retained control of the White House despite predictions in 1994 that Clinton was a sure one term president. Maybe this is a sign of good things in November 2004.

The media is just starting to realize how much we hate Bush and how we have not gotten over 2000.

[dusty64]

2. This victory

had been completely ignored by the media. Lets hope the coming landslide for Democrats in November looks like 1994 in reverse, they won't be able to ignore it any longer.

[samsingh]

3. actually, better that it is ignored so the GOP will be surprised

in Nov when Congress goes back to the good people.

[dae]

4. Don't think that went unnoticed. They poured money and people into

the race to avoid that very outcome. They see the train acomin'.:)
:kick:

[David__77]

5. Disinct targeted campaigns, but national themes needed.

I think the "Contract With America" appealed to some people on a populist level of "throw the bums out" or "let's try something new." We do need a theme of sorts I think. But it is good in the south to run distinct, localized candidates. In more progressive areas, GOP "moderates" need to be demonized as stormtroopers for the radical right.