Maryland, like Massachusetts, a solidly blue state-suffered an even more surprising result at the polls two Tuesdays ago. We knew Baker was a slight favorite-but Larry Horgan had only an 7% chance of victory according to Nate Silver and pulled a lot of delegates (representatives) and state senators down with his Republican coattails, which nearly toppled Chris Van Hollen the DCCC chair.
One of those candidates dragged down asked why in this provocative article.
The Democratic campaign had no message other than attacks on long-resolved social issues, which are set in the state and not in any risk of being undone. Those attacks did not sow fear in the Democratic base, but they distracted the lieutenant governor from engaging on the issues that matter—economic fairness. The overall apathy, created by a Democratic machine that does its best to stifle honest engagement on issues and refuses to embrace new generational blood, left most Democrats home, which showed in those stunning numbers.
Frankly, we could cross apply all that analysis to Massachusetts and it works to a tee. A focus on resolved social issues nationally and locally is not enough to stir a base, particularly when MA routine nominates socially moderate candidates. Lacking a compelling economic vision that appeals to minorities and downscale whites cost Coakley the election. A machine dominated legislature that stifles reforms and keeps innovators on the backbench also contributes to a sclerotic party apparatus that fails to connect to the grassroots. It’s time for a bottom up reform of our party, and redoubling our focus on economic fairness. A commonwealth that leaves no family behind.
fredrichlariccia says
and isn’t this Republican victory for Governor in Blue Maryland a bad harbinger for outgoing Democratic Governor
Martin O’Malley who has Presidential ambitions ? It reminds me of Gore losing his home state of Tennessee in 2000. No?
Fred Rich LaRiccia
jcohn88 says
I have a few friends in Baltimore, and they all commented numerous times about what bad of a campaign Brown was running.
His issues page is down, but if there is a way to find it, I highly recommend doing so. The top “issue” discussed was how to partner more with business. He also had a page devoted to his “efficiency plan,” in which he touted how he and O’Malley slashed the state budget and how he would continue to make such “tough but unpopular decisions.” What a great way to inspire voters!
jconway says
Definitely a “our rivers are full of fish” kinda campaign, and like most similar efforts by the Democrats it resulted in a loss.
Here is how a longtime Harvard educated liberal with ties to Hollywood easily won a ten point victory in the Midwest
jcohn88 says
One of the best ads I’ve seen this cycle
Mark L. Bail says
issues and the demographics.
Everyone is freaked out about the economy. Pissed about inequality. Dulce et decorum est to work on women’s issues, but this was an economic social issues season.
Immigrants, the undocumented and their families, are pissed because Obama hasn’t done much for them. Latinos stayed home. So did Asians. Overall, turnout was the lowest in 72 years. The percentage of registered Republican voters exceeded the number of Democrats by 1%. Old, white people typically dominate the mid-terms. We didn’t give them anything to vote for.
The Democratic Party needs to start appealing to the white-working class/working poor. We have our work cut out for us. There is a sizable portion that would vote Democratic, but they need a reason. Once upon a time, unions were our connection to the working class. But with the demise of union jobs and union membership, that connection is largely gone.
Most Democrats don’t talk like or understand people who work for a living. Much of working-class is now largely not educated beyond high school and trapped in a low-wage job. We may share many of the same priorities, but many of us don’t understand their thinking or their values.
Whatever we do, we not only have to appeal to working-class voters, we have to be authentically engaged with them. Messaging is important, but the reason for Rushisms like latte-sipping, liberal elitists work is the grain of truth behind them.
jconway says
The face of modern liberalism used to be guys like this and this, but today it looks like this and this. Which is why this keeps happening.
johntmay says
How? That’s the big question and I think we have an answer with people like Elizabeth Warren.
jconway says
Warren and Franken don’t hide the fact that they are Harvard types who did well, you don’t see them getting in a duck blind and auditioning for duck dynasty like Kerry did throughout his abysmal 04′ campaign. Liz didn’t buy a bigger pickup to compete with Brown, she pointed out they both did well since America used to work for the middle class and now it doesn’t. While Brown was voting to pull the ladder up-Warren to lay more down. That’s the difference, and voters can see through Landreiu style pandering.