The Delaware Way Lives On.
And I think it is a lesson to be learned for Chris Coons. From Hotline:
In the wake of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s upset defeat in Alaska to a little-known Tea Partier last month, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Delaware Republican party made a conscious decision to go nuclear on O’Donnell – an understandable one, given the immense amount of personal baggage that was well-documented in the local press and Weekly Standard.
Delaware Republican party chairman Tom Ross publicly proclaimed she was downright unelectable, saying couldn’t even win an election for dogcatcher in the state. NRSC Chairman John Cornyn told CNN, on the day of the election, that he had serious doubts about O’Donnell. All that negativity had an impact, but it may well have backfired.
Delaware is not Alaska, and Rep. Mike Castle isn’t Murkowski. Delaware is a state that has the unusual post-election tradition of “Return Day” where politicians of both parties meet together to bury the hatchet. Pundits interpreted O’Donnell’s conservative ideology as inconsistent with Delaware’s milquetoast political culture – very true – but it was Castle and the GOP establishment’s decision to throw the opposition research book at O’Donnell that was even more out of touch with the state’s non-confrontational environment.
Bingo. The Delaware Way strikes again, and it benefitted the candidate that no one ever could conceive of benefitting. O’Donnell was airing negative attacks at Castle, sure. But the reality of Mike Castle, the all around “Mr. Nice Guy,” the beloved “Delaware’s Best,” Mike the Moderate, clashed irredeemably with his name attached to the myriad negative ads he ran. Mike Castle hasn’t run a negative campaign since… well, not in my adult memory. I hear he called his opponent a liar in the 1970’s. Forty freaking years ago. And Mike Castle hasn’t really needed to run a negative campaign. He has not had a competitve campaign, either in the general election or in the GOP primary, in 18 years. In fact, that is why we were all excited for this race, because finally Mike Castle would face some questions about his record in a competitive race.
Because Mike Castle has coasted to victory on his name brand for the entirety of his Congressional career. And, suprisingly, the first thing he did when saw a threat was to go devastatingly negative. And that destroyed his brand, and forced actual conservative voters (not the O’Donnell thugs) to actually look at the record and the man. And they did not like what they saw. (A side note, I am now convinced Mike Castle would have lost to any Democrat, Coons or Biden, for if his first reaction was to go that negative on O’Donnell, he surely would have gone negative on Biden or Coons).
Hotline looked at the NRSC’s record in fighting off Teabagger candidates, and they have failed spectactularly because they have always gone horribly and very publically negative against the rebel candidates. But the NRCC, the House counterpart, has been successful in defending their establishment candidates, because it has done so behind the scenes and quietly.
So the lesson for Coons is: don’t go negative on the personal issues. Forget about the lack of education. Forget about the foreclosures and history of bad debts. Forget about her lenghty history of lying.
Contrast on the substantive issues (and there is plenty to use there, for O’Donnell is a radical creationist freak intend on installing a fundamentalist agenda on Delaware).
The lesson for the DSCC: send your money, but stay away.
Coons will win this election easily, if he keeps his nose to the ground, addressing voter concerns and their issues. The Delaware Way awards that.
I think Castle’s problem was he ignored her, then when negative. Murkowski’s problem was that she ignored Miller. McCain went devastatingly negative on Hayworth, but he started early. I’m not sure I totally agree.
However for Coons, the negative part has already been done for him. He doesn’t have to spend time defining O’Donnell, it’s been done already. Since she is much more known than he is he needs to spend the time definining himself. I think positive bio pieces and solid issue pieces is what he needs to go with.
UI – I disagree. It has NOT been done already for the non-Republican voters in Delaware. I could count on my hand the number of ordinary, non-politically involved voters in this state who paid attention to COD before last night. Other than the Republicans, bloggers and the press, she’s largely a blank slate that’s tilted to the right.
Coons MUST define her for the Democrats and independents who only have a vague idea of who she is. They know that she beat Mike Castle and is a conservative – that’s it. Start from Point Zero and work from there.
Won’t happen. She’ll claim appearances necessary to her financial survival of this campaign, and beg off for rescheduling. Also, keep in mind JCC was Castle/Rollins territory, so not a whole bunch of friends/supporters are likely to show up so soon after the piracy.
Anon,
I don’t think Chris’ style is negative. Tomorrow night’s debate at JCC will be very revealing. Chris will come to talk about issues and how to fix our economy. Christine will come to talk about — what? What’s she got to say?
I think the contrast will be startling and if the News-Journal can bring itself to give some fair coverage to a Democrat we can all read about it on Friday.
I think Karl Rove is defining her for the whole country. Who would have believed that I like something Rove has done ;-}.
Christine will try to characterize the Dem record in Congress as big spenders, no progress on the economy and jobs, big government, and creeping socialism, then pin the record on Coons.
Coons has to make the election a choice between himself and a Republican who obstructs, who opposes bills to help the middle and poor who are suffering, and who wants to go back to the policies that produced this Great Recession in the first place.
I agree that he has to allude to her character issues, but he must not make them the main focus like Mike Castle and the DEGOP did, because that backfired big time.
We must not underestimate Christine. She probably has more campaign experience and more media experience than Coons. She knows how to handle herself very well, makes a good presentation, is very attractive, and is well versed on the issues. She is a fighter, which is the basis for her appeal to women, like Hillary.
In addition, his campaign has to focus on getting out the vote in an election cycle that finds Dems unmotivated, compared to the Repubs.
This is going to be a very challenging campaign for Coons.
Coons should have to work for the right of center votes. So, what are we willing to compromise? Never mind the cries about the constitution (because those f*cks only know the constitution through AM radio).
Do we give ’em estate tax? stem cells? Or do we back down on regulations? EPA(drill baby drill)? 2nd Amendment? The 8th? How about the 19th? There are some very yappy chicks on this site and I’ll tell ya, iffen my woman gots the nerve to acts like a mans, she’d better be an O’Donnell. Bastard Woodrow.
(lower the barrels ladies, that was what the men call satire)
“Coons has to make the election a choice between himself and a Republican who obstructs, who opposes bills to help the middle and poor who are suffering, and who wants to go back to the policies that produced this Great Recession in the first place.”
How’s that brilliant strategy working for President Obama?
I don’t think she is going to campaign against Coons.
Her attention will be on Obama, Reid, Congress, TARP,etc. I think she’ll try and say Coons will be more of the same.
Allen Loudel has a very good post up today. If attacked, she’ll play the victim.
What have you got, little Miss? More braggadocio? Keep it tucked in, sister.
P.S
I think Perry nailed it.
She is a fighter, which is the basis for her appeal to women, like Hillary.
What evidence is there that she appeals to women?
From the PPP Poll of Delaware:
O’Donnell Favorability
Men Favorable…33% Unfavorable…49% Not Sure…18%
Women Favorable…24% Unfavorable…52% Not Sure…24%
So her overall favorability with men is -16 and with women is -28. She does not appeal to women. We’re smarter than that.
The first question on the Urquhart push poll this morning was about Nancy Pelosi, not Carney or Urquhart. I see O’Donnell trying the same tactic, tying Coons to Harry Reid, et al.
Miscreant is right. Accusing your critics of being obstructionists never works, unless you can point to something huge and specific they’ve done – like shutting down the government because you’re in a pissy mood, a la Newt Gingrich. It’s failing for Obama and it’ll fail for anyone else who tries it. Out-of-power critics, however complicit they may be in creating the mess, always have the moral high ground and are believed more than the defenders of failed policies. Simple strategy.
Running on obstructionism, especially explaining the Senate’s ridiculous rules, is a loser’s game. That’s a process question. The only people who care about process are political junkies.
“What have you got, little Miss? More braggadocio? Keep it tucked in, sister.”
Drop me a line when you have something substantive and/or coherent to say, simpleton. I’ll be patient, and have faith that you can have an original thought, and perhaps someday, string an actual sentence together without embarrassing yourself.
Hint: Consult Geezer. He’s also struggling with anger, inadequacy, and resentment issues, but is developing rather nicely.
“Keep it tucked in, sister.”
Please… it makes me uncomfortable when you think about me in *that* way.
Joe, I moderated your last two comments. You are getting violent, devolving into personal attacks and you use of the C word was unacceptable. Turn it down a notch.
“Consult Geezer. He’s also struggling with anger, inadequacy, and resentment issues.”
You’re kidding, right? I’m not the one who logs on here to brag about his aim. All you say about me might be true, but it’s at least as true about you. After all, you’re the one who comes here looking for fights. Did they cover this nickel psychology in your CJ classes?
Wow. Joe Cass is so manly.
DelDem – Excellent post.
Perry – You’re right on all counts – including the part about women.
UI – I guess we’re not all as smart as you. I like a fighter. That’s why I supported Hillary (tho I don’t agree with all of her policies) and I continue to despise Obama. Aaaand that’s why I’ll support Christine.
Yup. I’ll donate money to and vote for Christine (who grew up poor and had to scratch and claw for everything) and you guys will vote for the trust fund kid (who’s had every fucking thing handed to him.) Delicious irony.
DelDem – If you had a ‘like’ button, I’d click it for your last comment. Perhaps a cup of decaf or a Xanax is in order.
I am a violent bastard. I don’t intend to besmirch Delaware Liberal in any way. No one here would miss me if I’m gone. I don’t add much to the conversation. What’s a conversation worth when you bust on me while some coward rattles off lies without being called on it? I’d like to remind you that being liberal is not behaving like an ostrich. The non-violent script you swallow about Ghandi and MLK is a bunch of shit. The Indians hacked apart the brits. I don’t have to retell stories of how the Jim Crow laws came to an end. Point is, punks jump up to get beat down. I’ve learned that you can’t beat sense into a person. Fact is, it feels good trying.
Seriously? What is that even supposed to mean? Are you ok?
Remember – no sly outing attempts. Do not share information about other posters.
I’m not “ok” fatty. I’m a triple threat. My shrink is dead and she left me a diagnosis of schizophrenic, sociopathic and psychotic. I’m laughing because I’m off my meds.
Dom… you obviously have no principles or any opinions worthy of respect. That you would fall for Christine playing the victim speaks horribly for women everywhere. I mean, how you can possibly equate Hillary Clinton, a woman of accomplishment, and Christine O’Donnell, a woman of nothing, is so outlandish that it really should be a crime. You and Christine deserve each other, since you are now obviously a woman of nothing as well. Enjoy each other.
i think Liberal Geek is right; kavips pushed her over the top. Thanks Burris.
Your rudeness has no bounds. Where did I equate Christine’s accomplishments with Hillary’s? I simply said they’re both fighters and I respect that.
It’s very sad that you have absolutely no interpersonal skills that allow you to relate to people on any level unless they share your extremist views and salivate over your opinions.
BTW, I love how you think Hillary is a ‘woman of accomplishment’ now. In 2008, you thought she was a bag of shit.
We’ve established, with something as ungirly as numbers, that women aren’t all that about Our Miss Chris.
Chris Coons has a good history of public service, including the Peace Corp and he’s not batshit crazy. In this race, that and a good GOTV should make this possible.
I’m not sure ANYONE is on their meds this week. World has gone mad.
I miss Delatacit
boyoboyoboy…. what ever happened to DWA? it couldn’t have been a loud mouthed uninformed b!($h insuring the downfall. What a proud mother.
I think I like heragain, then again, I’m not so swift
Shows you how much you know. I liked both Hillary and Obama when I made my decision to support Hillary in December 2007. But then I saw how PUMAs like you acted after the Iowa loss, with unabashed racism and declarations that you would vote for a conservative Republican like McCain. It disgusted me, and drove me to Obama, as I could not be associated with such trash as yourself. Hillary did not lose my vote, you lost it for her.
I disagreed with Hillary’s campaign tactics after that, but always liked her, and like her to this day. She is a fantastic Secretary of State, and I hope she runs in 2016, as she will have my vote again.
You equate Hillary and O’Whackado. Hillary is a fighter. Christine is not. She has never fought for anything in her life. What she has, she has sued for. Literally. She has lived off the campaign contributions of rubes like you for years. Even her college degree is paid for by campaign donations. She has done nothing on her own. Being a Faux News talking head is not an accomplishment. As Tom Ross says, a parrot can repeat talking points, but is not a woman that should be a Senator.
I have lost all respect for you.
Tomorrow at 10, little Mis. Sleep well
It’s a huge insult to Hillary Clinton to compare Christine O’Donnell to her. Clinton has major accomplishments in her life. I hope Hillary runs in 2016. She’s an excellent Secretary of State and was an outstanding Senator. She endured unfair criticism with class. I think she made missteps in her presidential run in 2008 but she’s an amazing woman. Go Hillary!
“Tomorrow at 10, little Mis. Sleep well’
Substance and/or coherency at 10?
Check. Got it.
Thanks. You too, Joe.
“You’re kidding, right?… All you say about me might be true, but it’s at least as true about you. After all, you’re the one who comes here looking for fights.”
Yes… Just teasing, Geezer. Sorry to expose that nerve, though. I just come here looking for fun and edification. One out of two ain’t bad.
difference between Hillary and O’Donnell
Hillary Clinton has class, fights her own battles and pays her bills and is not surrounded by a bunch of criminals and debt dodgers and looks to bring principaled parties together
O’Donnell is a nut, has no class – pays for nothing, lies and scams and has OTHERS do her fighting for other – the others being convicted criminals, debt dodgers, racists and hate mongers and seeks to divide in order to conquer
wide enough difference for ya???
UI: Points taken about comparing Christine to Hillary regarding the impact on women’s votes. Your data speaks otherwise, as does your own opinion. Nevertheless, some other women do speak otherwise. Just goes to show how generalizations can be misleading when applied to individuals.
I’ve lost count of how many times DD has lost all respect for Dominique. Anyone keeping score at home? 😉