The journey from there to here
In 2002, I did the unthinkable. I campaigned for two Democratic candidates.

I also gained a frightening insight into the mind of the Democratic party in our strategizing sessions.

The campaign was interesting. As we were in Wisconsin at the time, there was no true incumbent. The governor at the time, Scott McCallum, was promoted to the post when our former governor, Tommy Thompson, went on to Washington to take the HHS cabinet post. Where Thompson had been a reasonably good governor, McCallum was a miserable failure. For that reason, I worked towards his ouster and for the local assembly candidate who was running against a 6 term incumbent.

When we began strategizing our campaign plans, we discussed canvassing different areas of the city. The Democratic party's local golden boy strategist was there, and we began discussing phone polls. As we discussed where we needed to focus our campaign, I volunteered that our candidate would win my district (as I lived in the poor section of town).

"Well, we'll see what the phone polls tell us", mr. Golden Boy replied.

"You're ignoring a simple fact," I answered him, "Many of the poor don't HAVE phones."

"Then they don't matter."

THEY DON'T MATTER?!? All that mattered to this dolt was what the polls said; he had no goal or inclination of approaching and canvassing the poorer sections of the community. Sadly, I have found this attitude to be pretty consistent among many Democratic strategists, and it appalls me, as they have always tried to sell themselves as the party of the common man.

I'm afraid that the Presidential campaign is headed in the same direction; all the Democrats care about are their poll numbers.

I will give the Republicans credit for being a tad more honest about their agenda.

signing off,

Gideon MacLeish

Comments
on Aug 22, 2004
Gid,

One idiot in Wisconsin is not the democratic party.
on Aug 22, 2004
This is one of the unfortunate effects of the media placing so much emphasis on unreliable polling and also the US' non-compulsory voting system. I still wish you luck, but I think the best you can realistically hope for is Kerry. As for the Republicans' honesty, telling someone you're going to shoot them in the head before you do it doesn't make it a less reprehensible act.
on Aug 22, 2004
One idiot in Wisconsin is not the democratic party.


This was a paid strategist from the Wisconsin Democratic party. They don't put bozos on gubernatorial campaigns if they wish to win.

Also, this was not an isolated incident. As I stated before, Oklahoma had no Bill Clinton campaign because the whole damn STATE didn't matter in 1992.

As for the Republicans' honesty, telling someone you're going to shoot them in the head before you do it doesn't make it a less reprehensible act.


True. I have to give you points for that one.

on Aug 23, 2004
The truth is that this one democratic strategist can not represent the whole democratic party. Campaign managers are often too concerned about poll numbers (some people suggest this is why Gore didn't win in 2000). The truth is that this one jerk is not really being very smart to ignore poorer areas of the state. Democrats usually have an advantage in poorc areas because their agendas are very popular there.
on Aug 23, 2004
The truth is that this one democratic strategist can not represent the whole democratic party.


True. But they are emissaries of their party, especially when they are paid

The truth is that this one jerk is not really being very smart to ignore poorer areas of the state.


The problem is, I have had a consistent problem with the Democratic Party in this area. At least when the Republicans say "f___ you", they do it to your face.