Democrats Hoping For 'Obama Effect' in House and Senate Campaigns

[DeepModem Mom]

WSJ: Democrats Hoping For 'Obama Effect'
By GREG HITT and SARAH LUECK
June 5, 2008; Page A6

WASHINGTON -- Whatever happens in the race for the White House, Democratic strategists expect Barack Obama will boost the party's fortunes in House and Senate campaigns this fall. The optimism reflects a calculation that the same dynamics that transformed the Illinois senator into the Democratic presidential standard-bearer -- an ability to connect with the party's base and attract new voters to the political process -- are going to work for the party's candidates further down the ballot.

Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the campaign chief for House Democrats, while careful to avoid predictions, suggested the enthusiasm demonstrated in the presidential nominating battle, especially Mr. Obama's ability to inspire millions of Americans to register and vote, "has clearly expanded the playing field for House Democrats this fall." Democrats have already won three special elections in House districts held by Republicans this year.

In Senate races, confidence is growing among Democratic strategists that the "Obama effect" could help the party secure if not a filibuster-proof majority then at least working control of the chamber. During the presidential primaries, Mr. Obama performed well in several key states, including Mississippi, North Carolina and Oregon, where Democrats are making strong bids to knock off Republican Senate incumbents. The "Obama effect" is also buoying expectations of Democratic gains in the House, with the party's majority expected to grow by five to 10 seats and perhaps more if a big wave develops around Mr. Obama....

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Even if Mr. Obama's drive for the presidency is unsuccessful, his ability to draw young voters, African-Americans and independents to the polls should aid Democrats. Moreover, Mr. Obama was able to draw strong support among upper-income white voters, a factor that could help the party in contests from Oregon to Illinois to Virginia where suburban voters are important.

This fall, Democrats in House districts with high numbers of black voters, such as seats held by Republican Reps. Steve Chabot of Ohio and Thelma Drake of Virginia, could benefit. The senator's draw among African-Americans could also help Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu, who is in a tough battle for re-election in Louisiana, and increase Democratic competitiveness in races for Republican-held Senate races in North Carolina and Mississippi....

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121263066308647191.html

[izquierdista]

1. Don't forget the rural vote

Suburbs are not enough. This year is an opportunity to capture the rural vote for the next generation of Democrats. The last Democrat that did something for rural folks was FDR with the Rural Electrification Act. As soon as rural folks got to taking electricity for granted, they also forgot who brought it to them and began voting Republican. The Repubs promise to keep taxes low and government out of sight, and rural folks buy into it hook, line and sinker. For Obama to win in the fall, he's going to have to make some inroads into the rural vote and offer them something.

There are many parts of his platform that could be tweaked just a little to appeal to rural voters. When he talks about investing in new forms of energy, he needs to follow it up with specific examples: a biofuel facility in rural South Dakota; a geothermal plant in rural Nevada; a wind farm in rural New Mexico. If he can get rural folk excited about energy independence and show them that it is their future, he can put the farm vote back in the Democratic column.