What worked so well in Minnesota?

[Big Al from WI]

I see that you gained 13 seats in the State House. Were there any common strategies that you used that we could maybe use in Wisconsin? 60-39 seems like a big hole for us, but even if we gained only 7 seats it would be back to 53-46, a huge improvement. Also, on the Wisconsin forum I had identified 13 seats to target in 2006, at least 7 of which seem very winnable.

[dflprincess]

1. I think it had more to do with people being sick of Pawlenty and

the house republicans obstructionist tactics in the last legislative session that with any specific strategies.

I take the gain of 13 house seats as a sign that a lot of people have been hurt by Pawlenty's budget cuts and refusal to raise taxes and the general "quality of life" decline in Minnesota.

[trotsky]

3. That was probably the #1 factor.

Pawlenty kept his "no new taxes" pledge, but had to do it by cutting services and aid to local governments (causing property taxes to go way up) as well as increasing / introducing fees. You see, it's a FEE, not a TAX, and so he kept his precious promise! :puke:

[no name no slogan]

2. A lot of motivated DFLers, too

This year, the presidential race had A LOT to do with our GOTV and organizing efforts.

Coincidentally, the two biggest, most organized and most grassroots presidential campaigns in the state were Dean's and Kucinich's. These two campaigns did a lot to energize dormant and previously inactive DFLers, and really helped win a lot of local races.

I know for a fact that a lot of the Dean/DFA folk focused on local races after the caucuses, and targeted a number of close races for extra attention. Many of them volunteered for local races, and really did a tremendous job.

Also, the State House DFL Caucus had a program called the "Legacy Project", where they targeted five winnable seats in borderline GOP districts. IIRC DFLers won all of these seats, too.

IMHO it all comes down to the grassroots. Organize at the local level. If you have a state progressive caucus, get in touch with them (check http://www.pdamerica.com). Also get in touch with your DFA group, too. Local elections are won by shoe leather and hard work-- and by candidates who are not afraid to be Democrats, too!

:toast:

[Dickie Flatt]

4. DFL and allies really went for it (warning: anecdotal evidence)

In 2002, our State House seat went to the GOP by 1.78%. This year, the DFL won by 4.14%. We must have received about 30 mailings from the AFL-CIO, Education Minnesota, Planned Parenthood, and the DFL supporting the Dem or attacking the Repub.

On the GOP side, we received two generic mailings, both from a business PAC, and one robocall from North Dakota, also sponsored by the business PAC.

No contest.

[Eric J in MN]

5. I think the Get-out-the-Vote for Kerry helped the local candidates.

Door-knocking, phone-calls.

[Demrock6]

6. Most agree, gotv was the biggest part I think.

I only wish I tried harder for Patty Wetterling in the 6th more. I spent all my time focused on Kerry.