Denver Post: Howard Dean’s 50-state strategy paying off (in Idaho)

[madfloridian]

Interesting column about the 50 state strategy and the fact that some unexpected things have happened in unexpected places. Farrell makes the observation which many of us realize...Dean will not get any credit if we do take congress back.

None the less, this columnist has done some research. You really have to scroll way down to see the story.

Howard Dean’s 50-state strategy paying off

When Democratic Chairman Howard Dean sent Idaho Democrats the money to double the size of the state party’s tiny staff, it seemed a vainglorious gesture. Silly. Stupid, even. Few states are as Republican Red as Idaho.

Dean’s critics, and there are many here, call his “50-state strategy” to direct a chunk of the party’s treasury to states that don’t routinely elect Democrats a colossal waste of resources.

Rahm Emanuel, the debonair Chicagoan who chairs the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, threw a well-publicized tantrum over Dean’s insistence on nurturing Democratic grassroots in backwoods places like Idaho.

Emanuel’s buddy, Democratic consultant Paul Begala — who once knew a little something and cared a bit about folks who live outside the Washington Beltway — said contemptuously on CNN that Dean was wasting precious money “hiring a bunch of staff people to wander around Utah and Mississippi and pick their nose.”

And he goes on to explain why it is good that Idaho had something going for them.

In part because Dean had the foresight to send a few bucks to Idaho, the state’s Democrats were better prepared to capitalize on the unexpected Republican misfortune. With two weeks to go, centrist Democrat Larry Grant — a onetime Denver lawyer whose experience as a former corporate counsel for the high-tech Micron Technology company fits well with the intermountain West’s slowly changing demographics — has a chance to steal the seat.

“I’m ecstatic,” said the Democrats’ long- suffering Idaho party chairman, former congressman Richard Stallings. The 50-state strategy “has made all the difference.

And just to add on here, Dean is most interested in the West. US News covered this recently.
New Map Out West

"Add it all up, and Democrats hope a new day is dawning. "We intend to contest Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Nevada as a unit next time in the presidential because we think we can win there," Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean told U.S. News. Dean's theory is that, with a combined total of 29 electoral votes, those four states would make it unnecessary for the Democrats to win Florida, with 27 electoral votes, which they have lost in the last two down-to-the-wire presidential elections. "Bill Clinton won every single one of those states at one time or another," Dean added."

[Straight Shooter]

1. If we take the House (and Senate!) I'm giving 50% of the credit to Dean.

The rest of the credit will go to the people who care enough to work their tails off to see that Dems get elected by an overwhelming majority.

Begala can bite me.

Hi, madf, I knew it had to be you who posted this.

[fishwax]

18. agree with you there

Dean has been great, and major props to everybody who is doing their part.

[TheWraith]

22. 50% of the credit to Dean?

No offense, but Dean and the DNC haven't done jack to help in a lot of districts, supposed "50 state strategy" or not. I know we weren't getting any attention in the NY26th until Reynolds got superglued to a pederast, despite the fact that the campaign was at a dead heat.

[madfloridian]

24. You are confused about what the DNC does.

They are providing for salaries for staff and people to get out the vote and database people in some states.

The DNC does help in some races, but I think each state has about 4 people in place now, salaried, to stay on.

[dorktv]

2. If we did not have the 50 state strategy, we would be in a world of

hurts because we would not pick up nearly as many seats as we are going to with the old "targeting" system.

[sandnsea]

3. It helps turn national opinion too

In an election like this year, that's just as important. People have to be hearing the message locally to connect to what the national party is talking about. If you don't have a local Dem griping about something specific with the school, the national talk about NCLB won't register. Local seniors not getting their medicine connects to the doughnut hole, but somebody local has to make the connection. That's why the 50 state strategy is most important, whether we ever win a state like Idaho or not.

[KittyWampus]

4. Rahm and Howard Both Have Valid Points & Strategies

and they are not mutually exclusive.

In fact having a wider array of perspectives will be part of what moves the Democratic Party, the Left and America forward.

[baby_bear]

5. OK, then Rahm shouldn't be criticizing Howard

We don't need that crap.

b_b

[Ken Burch]

6. You honestly think Rahm's on "the Left"?

Puhleeeze....

[KittyWampus]

8. if you think he isn't- you aren't paying attention to what he ACTUALLY

says and does.

[Ken Burch]

9. What he usually says is, in effect that activists and progressives are

the enemy.

You can't push for nominating conservatives and hawks and still claim to be on "the Left".

And if we blow this thing, it's all Rahm's fault for being arrogant and antiactivist.

[Cha]

7. KNR~

I like this guy..John Aloysius Farrell!

Maybe a lot of people won't give Dean any "credit" but the smart ones will.

Arizona, too! Time to leave the dino-saurs' thinking in the dust and get with the visionary!

[Alexander]

10. Larry Grant...has a chance to "STEAL" the seat???

Look out for that liberal media!

"With two weeks to go, centrist Democrat Larry Grant — a onetime Denver lawyer whose experience as a former corporate counsel for the high-tech Micron Technology company fits well with the intermountain West’s slowly changing demographics — has a chance to steal the seat."

[madfloridian]

40. See my post below...GOP pouring 200 K into Idaho

Bet they are not used to doing that.

[PassingFair]

11. If nothing else...

it has given us the local structure to take advantage
of the fallout of the pukes own self-destructive,
unchecked behavior in this cycle.

If the machines don't stand in our way, the next
step will be to clean our OWN house.

I'm stocking up on BLEACH.

[madfloridian]

28. You are right about that part...

We have some house cleaning to do. First we win, then we house clean.

[neoblues]

12. Why isn't it obvious?

If we don't mount an effort in every region then millions of people, including the next generations, won't ever hear probably even a small part of what Democrats claim to stand for--all they'll get is what Republicans claim we stand for. The 50-State plan may not make an instantaneous (and then again, it may to some extent) difference, but as the years pass, it may make more and more.

We ought to admit that the Repugs are willing to invest in small, seemingly insignificant changes while very wisely thinking decades ahead; small change on top of small change becomes large change over time. We should be thinking of the future even when we're in a desperate battle for the present (in case the present is too capably corrupted by guess who to accomplish the needed outcomes).

[NNN0LHI]

15. It turns into a true self fulfilling prophecy n/t

[degreesofgray]

13. the naysayers who say we should throw in the towel

in places like Mississippi and Idaho have a lot to do with why Democrats have been wandering in the desert for so long. Why would anyone in those places vote blue when they can plainly see that no one gives a shit about them?

[NNN0LHI]

14. Yea, if this all pans out someone is going to have to eat some crow n/t

[spooky3]

16. I sent Dr. Dean & the DNC his requested contribution

in support of his decisions. Thanks, Dr. Dean!

[survivor999]

17. Dean is my hero!

He can stay at my place anytime!

[niallmac]

19. I can't say I am the hardest working democratic peon in Idaho

but I was profoundly impressed by Dr Deans visit to this redder than thou state one day last summer.
I post this little experience every time the topic comes up.
He spoke at lunch time at an open amphitheater in the towns central park.
It was free. Didn't have to sign a loyalty statement.
He spoke about the 50 state strategy and how we cannot afford to
concentrate on those few 'key' states anymore.
He came to this middle of nowhere state and laid down the gauntlet.
He definitely walks the talk.

[madfloridian]

23. And he drew about 500 in Idaho...artiicle.

That just amazed me.

Here is the article.

http://www.journalnet.com/articles/2005/07/16/news/loca...

Dems national chairman invades GOP stronghold
By Dan Boyd - Journal Writer

The national Democratic chairman strode to the front of the bandshell and breathed in the humid Idaho air. He was in the heart of enemy territory.


He smiled.

Minutes before, "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" had blared from the speakers as people mingled in the shade of pine trees.

Now the chairman commanded all attention. His rolled-up sleeves showed thick New England forearms. He was ready.

"We didn't quite win in Idaho the last time, but we're not quitting," he said. "People say, 'Why'd you come here? This is a Republican state,' but they're wrong.

"This is a libertarian area. We're going to win on a Western platform next time."

Less than half a mile away loomed Gov. Dirk Kempthorne's office in the ornate state capitol building where he has largely gotten his way for the past six years. Kempthorne's press secretary said the governor had no comment, adding he was currently away at a retreat in Iowa.

The chairman was obviously brave. Or crazy"

[Cha]

29. "Give 'em Hell Howie"..

I love that pic from those Idahoans!

[niallmac]

30. Thanks for the article. "The humid Idaho air."???

Not sure about that. I've lived in Dhahran Saudi Arabia, Huston Texas, Hawaii. Boise
is anything but 'humid.' Not germane but sometimes I wonder if journalists just
get nuts right before deadline.

"My Mercedes leaks more oil than ehhhhhhhhhh POLAND!"...Rick Moranis "Head Office."

[madfloridian]

31. "The chairman was obviously brave. Or crazy"

And the constant references to enemy territory. I know what you mean. The humid air, the courage of the chairman, so on...nothing to do with anything.

[madfloridian]

25. A picture from Idaho...looks like they welcomed him.

From one of the news stories then. Don't have the caption.

[OHdem10]

20. Charley Cooke, "Cooke Report" says:

"For those who thought Howard Dean was "crazy", he looks
very smart now.

Cooke, gave a 1 and 1/2 hr presentation at Georgetown University
which was aired on C-Span this week. As one of the top
political analysts in US, naturally he gave most interesting
presentation of what has been happening over the past year
which now looks like a Wave (favoring Democrats) is moving
across the US. During the talk he pointed out how
Dean's Strategy was visionary and saved the day in many
instances. When Dean took over there were state after
state in which there was no Dem. Party apparatus--NONE.
By setting up the infrastructure, when the wave started
there was the organization present--all they had to
was find a good candidate and off to the races.

Give Howard Dean Kudos every chance you get. If we do not
have a presence in the state--we sure as heck will not
win. There is no competition.

Having someone like Charley Cooke recognize Dean was great.

[madfloridian]

32. Nice statement

[Justice Is Comin]

21. Dean has showed a policy of inclusion to people who were

rebuked by Democrats before. It's not hard to understand why we never won votes with these people.

Now a little of the Democratic warmth is reaching these receptive forgottens and they are responding.

Doctor you got it going on. I am a convert and can't thank you enough

[madfloridian]

41. Policy of inclusion.

You are right. Good way to say it. It may be one reason why so many supported him in 03. No one was paying attention to us about anything.

[Kurovski]

26. K&R.(nt)

[fishwax]

27. opposition to the 50-state strategy is quite short-sighted

and Begala, alas, is a hack. I remember when he used to be relevant, but, alas, no longer.

I thought Dean's strategy was a great idea--not so much for this election (I never dreamed it would pay dividends so quickly), but in the long run. The infrastructure that the 50-state strategy is helping to establish will benefit the party for a generation.

[OnionPatch]

33. Living in a red area, I know

that the biggest reason people around here are against Democrats, is because they have no idea what the Democrats even stand for! They are getting ALL of their news from Fox News and AM radio. When I actually engage in a conversation with some of them, they'll say things that make it obvious that they have no idea where the Dems stand on any issue. When I tell them, they seem impressed and a little confused as to why they hadn't heard this before.

Anyway, we have to have our message out there....in every corner of the country. I don't care if it won't be fruitful this election. Slowly, it's getting our voice, our ideas into the heads of people in these areas and slowly debunking the propaganda that they've been brainwashed with for so many years.

[madfloridian]

34. A little about the Nebraska party from another article:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,154933...

"And some of the places where they are now competing lie in the blood-red states where Dean has been on his lonely crusade to find blue voters. In Idaho, where President Bush won 68.4% of the vote in 2004, Democrat Larry Grant is close enough to winning a House seat that Vice President Dick Cheney and Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert have made visits to campaign for Grant's opponent. In Kansas, G.O.P. incumbent Jim Ryun had Cheney in town to raise money in his race against Democrat Nancy Boyda. Democrats are holding out hope in two House districts in another Republican stronghold, Nebraska.

Victory in any of those races is still a long shot, but local officials say support from Dean could help put their candidates over the top. He has sent at least two organizers to most states to register voters and rebuild moribund state parties. With the help of Dean's staff, the Nebraska Democratic Party held conventions in 68 of the state's 93 counties this year, up from 36 in 2004; participants signed up to canvass and serve as precinct captains. Grant says staff members from the Democratic National Committee have worked to identify and contact potential voters in his district, a task congressional candidates in most states have to do themselves. Party officials in Idaho and Nebraska credit the communications directors they hired with Dean's funds--neither state had a full-time party flack--with helping coordinate their messages and successfully attack G.O.P. candidates. "If we win a House seat in Nebraska, Howard Dean will get more credit than Rahm Emanuel," says Barry Rubin, executive director of the Nebraska Democratic Party."

Even Dean appears surprised at the possibilities this soon:

"That Dean's project might pay dividends this year is surprising to everyone, including its creator. "I didn't expect much to come of this strategy for four or even six years," Dean told TIME."

[madfloridian]

36. Neat paragraph about Nebraska's Scott Kleeb...with picture. Cute guy.

The DNC has featured Scott Kleeb several times. He has met with them and talked with them. Dean did this for Traunor after meeting with him, and it brought in enough to keep him going for a while at the start.

http://www.democrats.org/cgi-bin/mt-search.cgi?IncludeB...

Here is a paragraph from a article about Markos and Chris Bowers.

http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=3808

"Even in Nebraska’s 3rd Congressional District, which covers everything in the state west of Lincoln and hasn’t elected a Democrat since 1958, 31-year-old rancher Scott Kleeb is campaigning hard – and voters who say that they’ve never even met a Democrat say they’re going to vote for him. While Kleeb is a serious underdog, he has hammered away at his Republican opponent’s support from the Club for Growth – a radical anti-tax organization that even wants to abolish the Department of Agriculture (not a popular position in Nebraska.) As Kleeb told a meeting of D.N.C. members, “I am your Fifty-State strategy.”

And he sure is cute. If I were younger...oh, well.

[uncertainty1999]

35. "YEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAA!!!" -- Howard Dean

So, now the joke's on .... every late-night comedian ..!

Perhaps the effect of replaying the 'infamous' Dean speech broadcast the message far and wide ..loudly and clearly... and maybe it sunk in at some level .... that the Democrats are coming!

[goforit]

37. Boy, did I love his howel!!! Go Dean Go!!!

[madfloridian]

38. Republicans having to put money into Idaho, the reddest of red.

"With several polls showing Grant nipping at Sali's heels, the NRCC has dumped almost $200k into this state in order to prevent a Democratic rout in Idaho, according to the latest FEC filings. And they're not done yet: the Club For Growth has scurried back into the fray, pumping in an emergency transfusion of $180k for oppositional TV ads against Grant earlier today. And knowing the Club For Growth, they're going to be leaving their kid gloves at home. Grant is within striking distance of costing them a crucial ally in the House, and they're not happy about it."

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/10/22/224653/64

Bet that surprised them.

[Rainscents]

39. I knew, Dr. Dean could do it!!!