Ohio Democratic Party Chairman on tonight’s special election
This just in via email from the Ohio Democratic Party:
Statement from Chris Redfern, Ohio Democratic Party Chairman, on tonight’s special election results in OH-5
Tonight’s election results show Republicans are more vulnerable than ever in Ohio. In a district that George W. Bush carried with 61% of the vote and where registered Republicans outnumber Democrats by 50 percent, the GOP had to scramble to win a special election that should have been a cake walk. Desperate to hold on to a district they had controlled for nearly 70 years, national Republicans had to spend more than $428,000 – or nearly 20% of their entire campaign account. Now the GOP – with even fewer resources on hand – will be even less equipped to play effectively in the 4-5 competitive House races in Ohio in 2008. Make no make mistake, this election shows that in November 2008, voters in Ohio and across the country will choose strong Democrats who will undo the damage of the Bush-Cheney years.
Yes, the showing for Democrat in District 5 is promising Mr. Redfern, but no offense Robin is at this race for the third time and she still lost. It’s time to recoup and start looking hard at which candidate would appeal to the typical voters of District 5 or perhaps prep Robin on a state level appointment so voters can be more familiar with her and her experience.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:42 pmDemocrats didn’t get the turnout that they needed to win this special election, they needed large numbers of Democrats to come out and vote. Her campaign worked very hard but in the end it always boils down to voter turnout.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:48 pm“Tonight’s election results show Republicans are more vulnerable than ever in Ohio.”
If you check the math, Robin did worse this year than last, and Latta got a higher percentage than Gilmore in 2006 according to SOS numbers. This despite an acidic primary and lots of buzz about Robin.
Maybe Tom Noe just ain’t the draw he used to be.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:51 pmAlex, Robin lost with 42.95% – Latta won with 56.87% this time around according to the SOS – in 2004 it was 67.05% for Gillmor and 32.95% for Weiruach, so she did better this time than in 2004 from a percentage number.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:59 pm2006 was 56.85% for Gillmor and 43.15% for Weirauch.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:04 pmYes she did better than 2004. I was referring to 2006.
Gilmor ‘06: 56.85%
Latta ‘08: 56.87%
Weirauch ‘06: 43.15%
Weirauch ‘08: 42.95%
2006 was the worst year for R’s in a looooooong time in Ohio. Robin had a lot more support this year (as opposed to 06) from national candidates, online support, virtual phone banks, and not only did her numbers not budge, they receded.
Democrats billed this race as a bellweather. It was.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:07 pmAlex, it was also a special election and I’d predict the Republican party spent much more on this race than they did in 2004 and 2006. 2006 was a bad year for Republicans but that district has traditionally voted Republican. I don’t disagree with you at all that Robin had more support than previously, and I think most people realized that it would have been an upset for her to have won, most of the polls called it close but gave the win to Latta.
Latta did have name recognition and in the end? More republicans went out to vote today than democrats, the voters in District 5 have spoken and…just like any election different facts of the outcome will be spun by both parties.
I disagreed with trying to label this race a bellweather, unfortunately they didn’t listen to me. (smile)
December 11th, 2007 at 11:18 pmThe Ds were a laugh in this one. There only chance and they put up Robin? And now she wants to run again? Redfern and the crew need grow some, she will never break 45%. Message wins campaigns, ad she ahd none.
December 11th, 2007 at 11:49 pmSigned,
Loyal D
Weirauch did worse in this election than 2006. Although the D’s hyped this race, she did worse. Not good sign for D’s.
December 12th, 2007 at 12:40 amRobin seems to have peaked at 43 %. Some had hopes for more, but this is a backwards, backwoods district which follows the republican party like lemmings off a cliff.
I’m sure Bob Latta can do for Washington what he did for Ohio. Very little. At least he has a better speaking voice than the last rep in this district.
December 12th, 2007 at 1:07 amThe Dems do need to find a better candidate, that’s for sure. Any viable options, though?
December 12th, 2007 at 9:12 amMs. Weirauch is a nice person, but she is definitely not an electable candidate for this district. I could not believe that Chairman Redfern was actually trying to spin the result as some sort of victory for the D’s. The simple fact is that the district is gerrymandered to the benefit of the R’s, that it would take an exceptional candidate (and well funded) to even be competitive. The DCCC campaign also failed to make the campaign a referendum on George Bush’s unpopular war in Iraq and the putrid economy in the region. A big mistake.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:37 amRedfern tastes sour grapes. Of course she lost and it wasn’t even close. Why did he encourage a 2-timel oser to run again?
Redfern is playing in the minor leagues and he ought to bow out before he loses Ohio in ‘08.
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