I wonder what Freudenthal thinks of Dean now?
Last year during a visit by some DNC officials in Wyoming, Gov. Dave Freudenthal pointed out that he didn't really have much love for that back-East liberal Howard Dean.
Now Dean is fighting off the DC Dems, protecting the 50-State Strategy that is pumping money into states like Wyoming. Does that Dean wants to spend more money into so-called "red states" like Wyoming, than the DSCC and DCCC, matter to Gov. Dave?
Especially now that the Wyoming House seat is in play?
The one interesting statewide race is the battle for Wyoming's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Wyoming is one of seven sparsely-populated states which send only a single congressman to that chamber. Since 1942, with one exception, the state's Member-at-Large has been a Republican.But Representative Barbara Cubin, first elected in 1994, now leads Democratic challenger Gary Trauner by only four percentage points, 47% to 43% and the GOP can hardly take her reelection for granted. This becomes one more contest to which the GOP may have to devote resources during an election year in which the party is proving especially vulnerable.
Who is more willing to send money to Wyoming?
Emmett O'Connell | May 14, 2006 | Comment on This Post (13 so far) |
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Comments
A fifty-state strategy is the way to go. Is there a particular issue driving this congressional campaign, or is it just general dissatisfaction with the President and the GOP?
Posted by: Leo Brown | May 15, 2006 7:36:24 AM
That is hard to tell, Survey USA has Wyoming as the second best state for Bush, but only at 54 percent.
Posted by: Emmett O'Connell | May 15, 2006 9:00:15 AM
Freudenthal kicks ass. Don't bash my governor. He is the greatest politician in the nation.
And Trauner won't win. He's more liberal than Howard Dean.
Posted by: WyoBlueDog | May 15, 2006 2:38:59 PM
Hello,
I think that Trauner has a chance at beating Cubin, who is not really greatly loved, even by Republicans. The money from the DNC has helped hire some staff and get the local parties here motivated. More than anything, it has let us Democrats here in Wyoming know that we can make a difference, even in such a red state as Wyoming.
Posted by: Daniel Cardenas | May 15, 2006 2:52:31 PM
Great polling news from Colorado today. Even CO-05 and CO-06 are in play. See http://www.demnotes.com.
Posted by: pdt | May 15, 2006 4:12:27 PM
Bluedog, don't get me wrong, I love Gov. Dave, I half-wish he was my governor. I'm just pointing out that Dean at the DNC might be good for Wyoming.
Posted by: Emmett O'Connell | May 15, 2006 4:14:16 PM
Friends back home,
As a Western Democrat living abroad, I would like to urge you to reach out to Westerners living outside the US. Democrats Abroad includes several thousand members from Western states--we would like to ask your help to reach every Democrat who lives outside the US, and to make the 50-state strategy work.
Registering to vote from abroad has been a pain in the whatever --until this year. With the cooperation of the DNC, Democrats Abroad has developed a great voter registration tool at www.VoteFromAbroad.org. This tool allows overseas voters to respond to an online wizard (programmed to the registration requirements relevant to each state) in a couple of minutes. The voter then has to print the form and mail it to local election officials.
Help us help Democrats in the West--and our country.
Regards,
Redstaterabroad
Gary Suwannarat
Asia-Pacific Regional Vice-Chair, Democrats Abroad
Posted by: Gary Suwannarat | May 15, 2006 8:21:04 PM
Dean has actually been horrible as DNC Chair. His 50 state strategy is foolhardy and unrealistic, and his modus operandi in regards to raising money is the same as when he was a presidential candidate: thousands and thousands of grassroots, middle class Democrats, as opposed the creation of an infrastructure of wealthy Democrats. He's raised more than McAuliffe did at this point, but it's not sustainble, because the fact is, McAuliffe built a network of very rich Democrats rather slowly, who could could continue to funnel money into the party every year. Dean has asked grassroots Democrats for cash, and they have given it: but these aren't the kind of donors that can do this on a consistent basis.
And Gov Dave had an 81% approval rating over a month ago. As a Democrat. In Wyoming.
Posted by: WyoBlueDog | May 15, 2006 11:00:49 PM
Hello,
I think that as far as Wyoming is concerned, the DNC has been helpful with their resources. They donated sums of money to fund two positions, which are being used to help the party committees at the county level. This is a great help, because most of the counties in Wyoming do not have active committees, or committees that need a jumpstart.
But more importantly, by paying attention to Wyoming, they are showing Wyoming Democrats that our votes do count and are giving us some hope that we can make a difference, not just during the coming elections, but in the future.
In actuality, Governor Freudenthal does not lead the party in Wyoming. He may have some influence, but he does not guide policy or party platforms. I believe that our governor has a bright future after being governor, hopefully as a US Senator.
Democrats can and will continue to be elected to office in Wyoming. Our first step will to unseat Cubin, which is doable. If her approbal rating is 47% in an overly republican state, that is a shame. It is proof that she has done nothing for the people of Wyoming. Everything she does is for the mining and oil companies, which are not homegrown. As the presidents ratings continue to fall, so will hers.
Our strategy in Wyoming is long term. As the oil, natural gas, and coal boom in Wyoming and will continue in the near and long term future, Wyoming will continue to attract out of state immigration, which will change the political playground and lessen the republicans hold on the state.
Posted by: Daniel Cardenas | May 16, 2006 11:38:05 AM
Governor Dave SHOULD lead the Wyoming Democratic Party (and I think he indeed has a significant influence). Next Saturday, at the state convention, when the WY Democratic Party Platform is ratified by a bunch of raging ultra-leftists, and then is used in the fall as a WEAPON by the REPUBLICANS against us (impeachment of Pres. Bush in WY, where he still has a positive approval rating, anyone? Give me a f**king break), then perhaps the immense political talent of Governor Dave will be more appreciated.
Posted by: WyoBlueDog | May 17, 2006 7:32:38 PM
Hello,
Governor Freudenthal doesnt lead and shouldnt lead the state party, because he is more republican than democrat. Also, there is a little thing called leadership. Although he is the governor, is he a leader? He hasnt shown any leadership ability other than a caretaker governor. What does he stand for? What is he against? Most Wyomingites wouldnt be able to say, even if they support him. Hell, I support him, and I know that he doesnt stand for anything.
Although he was against the Food Tax Initiative which although was not successful, got the legislature to pass the repeal of the food tax this past session. The governor was for taxing food, which is as regressive as you get.
The governor has won because he has faced opponents that were worse, and their own republicans could see past them.
What is the political talent of the governor? Keeping his approval rating up, thats it. He should stand for something, even if its unpopular, be a leader, even if his approval rating is sacrificed.
Posted by: Daniel Cardenas | May 18, 2006 2:08:49 PM
No, Eli Bebout and Ray Hunkins are more Republican than Democrat. But I guess you would have preferred them to Gov. Dave.
Posted by: WyoBlueDog | May 18, 2006 2:37:42 PM
What, exactly, makes Trauner more liberal than Dean?
Posted by: Michael | Jul 20, 2006 11:58:09 PM
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(and yes, we know that sometimes they're very, very wrong. Other times, they're right on.)
