Georgia didn't repudiate Trump either. Ossoff is about to learn a lot about hard politics. He might want to move into his district (duh) and develop a snark-free answer for why he hasn't married the woman he's lived with for the past twelve years. Anyone thinking his living arrangements don't matter should think again.
27
What kind of special election is it which fails to elect anyone? Special indeed.
8
Jon made a good try but will stand no chance against Karen Handel.
All the elite feminists & self-absorbed 'leaners in' that lectured me last year I could only vote for Hedge Fund Hillary because of her gender are now eagerly sounding the trumpet to elect Karen.
All the elite feminists & self-absorbed 'leaners in' that lectured me last year I could only vote for Hedge Fund Hillary because of her gender are now eagerly sounding the trumpet to elect Karen.
8
Pointing with pride to his 48% showing in an 18 member field surely doesn't reflect that the opposition was fragmented. Otherwise, he would be an unstoppable juggernaut in the election, and predictions are exactly the opposite.
6
Ossoff has some "shortcomings", yes -- but where are his positive aspects? I realize this is an opionion page, but Bruni's view of the Democrats "humiliation of Nov. 8" is debatable. Since Bruni brought up that election, what was so humiliating about losing by approximately 70,000 votes total from three swing states? However, I can view "humiliation" as a positive thing, that a democrat can -- feel -- humiliated. And, I didn't even mention Russia.
9
I don't think the NYT can have it both ways. If his victory heralded an emerging voter repudiation of Trump, his loss should signify the opposite. Of course, the realty is that this was an inconsequential special house election with an inconsequential Democrat running against 12 inconsequential Republicans in an election with no national meaning whatsoever. .
22
The Democratic Party needs a win. Southern Democrats are starving for a victory. However, perpetually blocking the Trump Agenda is not that sort of victory. Just the notion that a Democratic Candidate can get into a run off in a safely Republican district is a small gain. If a deep south Democrat can win in the 6th district--given that it sent Newt Gingrich, Johnny Isakson, and Tom Price to Congress--then we could be the spark igniting the party's morale.
9
How can Ossoff run if he is not in the district? He needs to move.
17
People are reading waaay too much into this special election. If the Republican candidate wins it isn't an affirmation of Trump's administration. If the Democrat candidate wins its not a rejection of the Trump administration.
On another note, did the DNC not learn anything from November? Celebrity and endorsements are not a winning strategy! People want to vote for someone based on their ideas and policy positions not because Morgan Freeman and Katy Perry like them.
On another note, did the DNC not learn anything from November? Celebrity and endorsements are not a winning strategy! People want to vote for someone based on their ideas and policy positions not because Morgan Freeman and Katy Perry like them.
18
History has taught us what happens when one man imposes his will on an entire nation and good people do nothing. Their excuse? They just followed orders.
Now that we are in a similar situation , how are we going to explain our inaction while watching an unstable autocrat who, with the support of a few fanatic districts around the country,could ruin the future for all of us?
Now that we are in a similar situation , how are we going to explain our inaction while watching an unstable autocrat who, with the support of a few fanatic districts around the country,could ruin the future for all of us?
13
There were 18 candidates. 17 republicans. Don't you think the vote was split for that reason?
13
Let us Hope Mr Ossof doesn't take the same path as HRC. Ignore the bait to point out how awful Trump and the GOP are and focus on what needs doing and what he intends to do and how. You need those people who normally vote GOP to like you and respect your ideas.
"It's the policy, Stupid" Except that stupid at the end there sort of telegraphs the contempt for common folks that lost her the presidency.
"It's the policy, Stupid" Except that stupid at the end there sort of telegraphs the contempt for common folks that lost her the presidency.
8
The entire "referendum on Trump" is the liberal narrative created by the liberal media, coastal elites, and those who still cannot accept the fact Hillary lost. To conflate a local race into a national referendum shows how pitiful and desperate Democrats have become. I hope they keep it up.
17
"seriously delusional." Yep, that about sums up Trump.
Time for the Democrats to take back the flag. Studies show that looking at the US flag leafs people to vote more conservatively. Why is that? Why is it that anytime I see a flag, I automatically assume that person is republican? When the flag really stands for Democratic values? Democrats need to take charge of this simple and highly effective symbol--especially in the red states!
16
His poise and stamina will be severely tested over the next two months. So will Democrats’ tenacity. The party’s candidate outperformed expectations in a special Congressional election in Kansas last week, but there, too, Democrats were denied the moment of triumph that they so sorely need after the humiliation of Nov. 8 and the diminution of Democratic power nationwide during the Obama years.
----------------------------
I get it: the new Team Dem is hurting, badly, for a win. But can we stop pretending? A victory in some little race in KS or GA is not going to avenge the "humiliating" Nov. defeat. Nor will downplaying Trump's presidential victory: nevermind the popular vote (please! enough already). Put up a red-and-blue map of Clinton's vs. Trump's winning states...
It's sad, for some, to see the real results of the voting patterns in our country, in red and blue. There's no contest.
Nothing will change until the Democratic party reworks its recent branding: (social issues over economic ones; no room for "White Lives Matter too" or "All Life Matters from conception on."; no respect for working whites -- "they got it all on their skin color privilege"; no room for men w traditional families + women who desire the same for their children; no room for religion, self defense, borders.)
Do you remember all the knocks against Paul Ryan? (lightweight, faker, in over his head, boyish charm in a Washington/New York/Hollywood devoid of such young family men, etc etc.)
----------------------------
I get it: the new Team Dem is hurting, badly, for a win. But can we stop pretending? A victory in some little race in KS or GA is not going to avenge the "humiliating" Nov. defeat. Nor will downplaying Trump's presidential victory: nevermind the popular vote (please! enough already). Put up a red-and-blue map of Clinton's vs. Trump's winning states...
It's sad, for some, to see the real results of the voting patterns in our country, in red and blue. There's no contest.
Nothing will change until the Democratic party reworks its recent branding: (social issues over economic ones; no room for "White Lives Matter too" or "All Life Matters from conception on."; no respect for working whites -- "they got it all on their skin color privilege"; no room for men w traditional families + women who desire the same for their children; no room for religion, self defense, borders.)
Do you remember all the knocks against Paul Ryan? (lightweight, faker, in over his head, boyish charm in a Washington/New York/Hollywood devoid of such young family men, etc etc.)
11
There's no regional limitations in the "knocks against Paul Ryan".
He deserves them whatever corner, and political party they come from.
He deserves them whatever corner, and political party they come from.
14
If the Democrats are serious about retaking seats from the Republicans so they can act as a buffer and protect our country from Trump they need to start supporting candidates. The time has come to embrace a 50 state strategy. I'm tired of reading that the DNC hasn't done much to help support Democrats running for office.
Right now Bernie Sanders is doing more to support candidates then the DNC and he's an independent. Perhaps we need more Independents running if the DNC isn't going to step up.
Right now Bernie Sanders is doing more to support candidates then the DNC and he's an independent. Perhaps we need more Independents running if the DNC isn't going to step up.
100
"Callow". "He was skewered in negative ads as a lightweight"
I may not know much about Ossoff, but I do know that the last standard I would evaluate him by is a negative ad that skewers him. Remember, Georgia is where negative ads helped beat Senator Max Cleland - an honorable man - with the most vicious character assassination.
If anyone comes across as callow, it's Bruni himself.
I may not know much about Ossoff, but I do know that the last standard I would evaluate him by is a negative ad that skewers him. Remember, Georgia is where negative ads helped beat Senator Max Cleland - an honorable man - with the most vicious character assassination.
If anyone comes across as callow, it's Bruni himself.
9
He spent a whole column re. Dem strategy, and never gave us even one good reason why the local people should elect this young man.
What every happened to persuasive writing about the political issues that matter to people? This is horse-race coverage. Where are the facts -- historical and otherwise -- to tell us why this "horse" is the best to represent that district in these times?
He's a young pretty white male face?
We need more than that, Mr. Frank Bruni.
In fact, look around: the people are demanding it.
"More, sir. We want more."
What every happened to persuasive writing about the political issues that matter to people? This is horse-race coverage. Where are the facts -- historical and otherwise -- to tell us why this "horse" is the best to represent that district in these times?
He's a young pretty white male face?
We need more than that, Mr. Frank Bruni.
In fact, look around: the people are demanding it.
"More, sir. We want more."
9
The outcome shouldn't be a surprise in that all the polling showed Mr. Ossoff was in the 40's. While Handel could eke out out a victory, it assumes that all her Republican rival supporters will vote for her in lockstep which is not a sure thing. Trump's help could also prove counter productive.
14
No worries, there will be plenty of "dark" money that will cover the ground all the way to each and every voting location, for Republicans only of course..
Democrats cans stay home. The gerrymandering district is almost 100% Republicans anyways
Democrats cans stay home. The gerrymandering district is almost 100% Republicans anyways
5
So the Democrat plan is to deem a close loss by their candidate in a district that Trump barely won as a resounding renunciation of Trump? Did anyone think before deciding that that was the strategy? It makes no sense. It's utterly illogical. All it means is that the Republicans will control smoother House seat. It says nothing about Trump at all. Or anything about America's views of Trump. Trump isn't up for election. This district is not representative of our nation. Turnout will surely be much lower than for the presidential election. I fail to see how this election means anything at all.
7
So Dan can't spell "Democratic"?
6
dan has the right word. It was changed in the bush admin by the repubs. Its the "Democrat" party.
Would you say Republicanic?
Would you say Republicanic?
2
Thomas, the Republicans are routinely called names far worse than a minimal truncation of its formal name. These variants are the height of self-styled wit. Don't be fastidious. If you want to call us the "Republic" Party, I promise we won't take offense.
5
When the president of the US personally campaigns against a newcomer who still earns 48% of the vote, I don't know what you call it but I call it a victory.
18
There is definitely a clear message from the outcome of this election. Millennial Democratic candidates can energize their supporters, get them to actually vote and outperform their older competitors. I agree Ossoff has his flaws, but despite those, he raised a huge amount of money and ran an incredibly effective campaign. Now if the Democratic Party helps him, this young man will win the general election in June. Bernie Sanders demonstrated the power of energizing Millennials, but the Democratic Party still seems to want to ignore this most important of generations.
12
Democrats have to learn to run better campaigns, from now on.
I would suggest some added REPETITION, not just boring policy statements, like Hillary Clinton used.
"Perhaps
The man-hero is not the exceptional monster,
But he that of repetition is most master.”
―Wallace Stevens
Repetition could start with the use of a single WORD or two, that tends to define the mission of the candidate. Democrats might start with:
STOP TRUMP?
===========
I would suggest some added REPETITION, not just boring policy statements, like Hillary Clinton used.
"Perhaps
The man-hero is not the exceptional monster,
But he that of repetition is most master.”
―Wallace Stevens
Repetition could start with the use of a single WORD or two, that tends to define the mission of the candidate. Democrats might start with:
STOP TRUMP?
===========
7
Live in the 5th district, Rep John Lewis territory. Thank heavens! The 6th raps around the top of the 5th and is mostly, but not all, suburban homes, business offices, apartments, etc. Typical of communities surrounding a large metro area like Atlanta. Solid and mostly moderate Republicans, but they do have their share of Trump supporters. And those “Trumpets” don’t care for their candidate Karen Handel. We may not see the 6h district go Democrat this time around, but I still want to think there’s a fair chance. It will though on the next cycle or the one after that. Jon Ossoff and the DCCC have done a great job.
Here’s the new ingredient for change, Millennial's. Their moving into the area in droves and the Atlanta metro area has somewhere in the neighborhood of 8,000 apartments under construction. And it goes on like that every year. And the 6th district is in the heart of it. This new demographic will turn the 6th to the Democrats and I would suggest that this is going on in many other moderate Republican suburbs throughout the country
Here’s the new ingredient for change, Millennial's. Their moving into the area in droves and the Atlanta metro area has somewhere in the neighborhood of 8,000 apartments under construction. And it goes on like that every year. And the 6th district is in the heart of it. This new demographic will turn the 6th to the Democrats and I would suggest that this is going on in many other moderate Republican suburbs throughout the country
7
Glad I could help!? Please. With friends like Trump, Republicans don't need enemies!
4
This election result did affirm Trump; as a sad delusional character.
8
Your spray of words doesn't reveal the entire truth of the matter. In fact, so much relevant information is left out that your column could interpreted as dishonest.
1. In an 18-person field, Mr. Ossoff got nearly 50 percent of the vote in a VERY Republican district where he doesn't even live.
2. According to FiveThirtyEight, “Georgia 6 is about 9.5 percentage points more Republican than the nation as a whole. (That is, if there were a tie in the national popular vote, a Republican would be expected to win Georgia 6 by 9.5 points.)”I
3. It makes sense to compare Ossoff with Tom Price. In 2016, Tom Price won the House seat by more than 20 points.
1, 2, and 3 taken together would imply that Democrats are STILL enthusiastic about winning that seat. Enjoy your gloat, Mr. Bruni.
1. In an 18-person field, Mr. Ossoff got nearly 50 percent of the vote in a VERY Republican district where he doesn't even live.
2. According to FiveThirtyEight, “Georgia 6 is about 9.5 percentage points more Republican than the nation as a whole. (That is, if there were a tie in the national popular vote, a Republican would be expected to win Georgia 6 by 9.5 points.)”I
3. It makes sense to compare Ossoff with Tom Price. In 2016, Tom Price won the House seat by more than 20 points.
1, 2, and 3 taken together would imply that Democrats are STILL enthusiastic about winning that seat. Enjoy your gloat, Mr. Bruni.
6
Once again, Dems are their own worst, and most clueless, enemy, and once again they play right into the hands of their opponents. Running a candidate who actually lives in the district should be an ante, not an after-thought.
10
Diego, he grew up in the district and he lives ten minutes away as his girlfriend attends medical school at Emory University. Bruni's failure to point this out underscores his routine failure to include key points which, if not mentioned, makes liberals or democrats look worse. Conservative and Republican editorialists do not omit things that help their cause.
18
Mr. Bruno chose to employ the cliche "dodged a bullet", so I will use one of my own describing his column ( and the Times' headline on the article about this race): "whistling past the graveyard".
5
By some counts, Ossof got 48.6% of the vote, thus losing by only one point. While not a clear victory, it is hopeful. The Times coverage in this race has seemed to be pro-Republican!
6
Yes, the Times' coverage of the race was pro-Republican.
In other news, the Times is planning, after considerably more thought, to endorse Jeff Sessions' views on immigration and commencement of legal proceedings to put Hillary in jail
In other news, the Times is planning, after considerably more thought, to endorse Jeff Sessions' views on immigration and commencement of legal proceedings to put Hillary in jail
8
Reporters on the ground in the congressional district in Georgia all commented on the tireless work of women, many of them new to grassroots political work, in support of the democrat. Women were the spine, the legs, the mouths and the minds of Ossoff's campaign. Money helped and so did eleven candidates running on the republican side, but the women shined brightest. Bruni provided a generic response to this campaign because he was in NYC, not on the ground in Georgia. Look out, finally, women are bringing down Fox's, O'Reilly, protesting on our streets, attending town-meetings and, perhaps, will provide the republicans and Donald Trump the comeuppance that they deserve.
23
When the going gets tough, the women get going and why not? They have the most to lose by this administration's far right capitulation on all women's rights issues. We are mad and we are marching to the polls all over the country. If you have a hard job to do, ask a woman to do it. We know how to multi-task far better than any man. Go for it women!
4
Compared to Dem State of Mind on Nov 9 2016 this is HUGE...its going to get better...be realistic and stay engaged
4
As an Atlantan who lives just over the border from the sixth district in the "crime-infested" district of John Lewis, I interpret this as a major win for Ossoff. First, that part of Atlanta -- the sixth district -- is richly Republican. Many from that district are known to get ill if they have to drive into the city and rub shoulders with colored folks and the poor. It's the value system that just got us a new Braves stadium closer to Tennessee than to downtown. I know I am biased by the fact that I view Lewis as a hero and that I think we should have a baseball park named for Hank Aaron in the heart of Atlanta and not in Chattanooga,but I still think the Offoff runoff is a defeat for the Trumpets. Without any political experience, Ossoff landed in a run-off for a Congressional seat vacated by an investor with the power to help dismantle the Affordable Care Act. If people were so crazy about Trump and Tom Price -- and if they hated the ACA as much as they claim - Ossoff wouldn't have had this strong showing. So when Trump tweeted "Glad to be of help," maybe he meant of help to Ossoff. I don't think yesterday's results give Trump anything to be proud of. As he'll take credit for war ships in the vicinity of Borneo as evidence of being tough on North Korea, it is no surprise he'll claim credit for this. In reality, however, I think it was a defeat for him.
I can't wait for the final vote!
I can't wait for the final vote!
17
Rare for Mr. Bruni, this column is devoid of substance or even content. The media need to stop yakking about every election as a horse race and a prognostication of what it "means" for 2018 and 2020. The only way to rally Democrats behind new faces is to illuminate what they actually believe and what they will fight for. Nothing in this piece even hints at who Oussoff actually is, his experience in the world and what he stands for.
9
At this point, one should take whatever cold comfort wherever one can find it.
And the fact that a relatively unknown Democrat candidate can make even a small splash in a notoriously Red State & District, is nothing to shrug off.
And the fact that a relatively unknown Democrat candidate can make even a small splash in a notoriously Red State & District, is nothing to shrug off.
25
Democrats still really need to get their act together, they need to field candidates who can win, they have a long way to go the sooner they get started the better.
11
And they need to support good candidates like the one who narrowly lost in Kansas.
11
Trump came in at the end with his robo-calls which probably helped Defeat Ossoff. Many people probably didn't realize he was a democrat since he seemed to hide the fact and there were so many other candidates. He tried to sound as republican as possible with ads saying he supported the military ... He should have at least moved to the area before running...rented an apartment or something. Probably the worst thing was all the outside money spent to elect him. Who is he and what does he really believe? Having progressive elites from out of state spend money to elect someone who doesn't live in district and spouts republican lite statements really doesn't fly... it only serves to piss people off.
25
Connie obviously is not from the area. Ossoff ran tv ads saying he's "a proud Georgia Democrat." He grew up in the 6th district, his family lives there and he lives minutes away near Emory while his girlfriend attends medical school. Those of us in the district received so many robocalls daily that with caller id, we would not answer for numbers we don't know. If anything, Trump's robocall helped Ossoff, reminding people to go vote against Trump's recommendation. If you look at the results among the Republican candidates, those who were most closely aligned to Trump fared worst. Karen Handel was careful to feign independence from Trump.
Umm, no. The $$$? There was one Georgia penny spent for every $10 in national cash - that includes both parties. What party spent the most out-of-state cash? It wasn't Ossoff: "about 65 percent of all non-candidate money spent so far — $5.8 million —has gone toward opposing Ossoff."
https://www.publicintegrity.org/2017/04/17/20819/georgia-special-electio...
https://www.publicintegrity.org/2017/04/17/20819/georgia-special-electio...
6
Connie, I live in Metro Atlanta and your comment reveals your ignorance of the situation. Everyone knew Ossoff was a Democrat because the various Republican candidates ran ads 24/7 trying to link him to Nancy Pelosi and Obamacare. Also he grew up in the district and lives ten minutes away which people here know. There was also a lot of outside money spent by conservative groups. Is that just as problematic as out-of-state money from progressive groups?
10
One thing that Democrats must do before they can move forward to win elections like Ossof's yesterday is to settle the Bernie Sanders' issue that is threatening to divide the party. Once again party leaders have allowed Mr. Sanders and his rabid supporters to have a foothold in the party that he says blatantly he has no interest in joining. He is currently touring with Tom Perez--and that is an error as major as Debbie Wasserman-Shultz made in allowing Sanders to run as a Democrat in the primaries. How can we win elections on any level when Democratic leadership allows a man who is openly contemptuous of the party and its beliefs and candidates to hold power on a national level? It seems we have learned nothing about Sanders' role in the defeat of Hillary Clinton. Senator Sanders needs to join the party and be positive about the Democrats or remain an Independent and go his own way. Democrats can't have it both ways with him--we've already seen the horrible results of that this past November. How much do we want to move forward? Our leadership must make a decision.
26
Clinton defeated Clinton
7
There is a tectonic shift going on in American politics. It was predicted as far back as the 1960s. We can't judge a party by the standards of the 1980s--just look at the pathetic state of the GOP. They win because they gerrymandered the districts when they had power. Pete Mair described the change in "Ruling The Void."
1
Well said, Meg.
2
Poor Democrats. Moral victories but no real victories.
As the old saying goes - "close" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades
As the old saying goes - "close" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades
10
There is a run-off election, you know!
2
Getting 48% of the vote among 18 candidates is pretty spectacular. Add all Democratic candidates together and it was almost 50%. Pretty impressive in a district that leans heavily Republican.
8
Um, the man beat all the Republican contenders combined by double-digits.
6
Georgia is a Trump state. They elected an embarrassing clown for President, and like every Trump state, they are a disgrace to the nation. In June they will elect another GOP rubber stamp for the Trump kleptocracy. Decent people who care about what Trump is doing to America will be disappointed if they get their hopes up. Trump states cannot be trusted to do the right thing.
20
What Mr Bruni does not want you to know: the Dems lost more than 1,030 seats in state legislatures, governor's mansions and Congress during Barack Obama's presidency.
So he is partially correct, Georgia did not affirm Trump, the US electorate affirmed a government-light personal-responsibility message over the past nine years and counting. The sooner the Dems accept that reality - the better off they will be.
So he is partially correct, Georgia did not affirm Trump, the US electorate affirmed a government-light personal-responsibility message over the past nine years and counting. The sooner the Dems accept that reality - the better off they will be.
14
My district was gerrymandered after the last census to resemble something like an alien amoeba. As a result, a highly competent, moderate Democrat, Steve Driehaus, lost to an underwhelming Steve Chabot who won solely due to his Tea Party label. Chabot won't hold real town hall meetings. When you call his office to politely ask his position on an issue, his staff can't tell you. There has even been a "Where's Waldo," inspired effort online to find him, since he seems to be in hiding most of the time.
We deserve better. Fair congressional districts are an absolute necessity if we want a return to functional government.
We deserve better. Fair congressional districts are an absolute necessity if we want a return to functional government.
11
What SteveRR doesn't understand is that gerrymandering has negated popular will and the popular vote. I like the concept of the top two vote getters, regardless of party. This will force both parties to the middle rather.
3
I think what Mr Bruni is saying is that there are signs that this may indeed be swinging back the other way. No way to know for sure until it happens.
4
Your spray of words doesn't reveal the entire truth of the matter. In fact, so much relevant information is left out that your column could interpreted as dishonest.
1. In an 18-person field, Mr. Ossoff got nearly 50 percent of the vote in a VERY Republican district.
2. According to FiveThirtyEight, “Georgia 6 is about 9.5 percentage points more Republican than the nation as a whole. (That is, if there were a tie in the national popular vote, a Republican would be expected to win Georgia 6 by 9.5 points.)”I
3. It makes sense to compare Ossoff with Tom Price. In 2016, Tom Price won the House seat by more than 20 points.
1, 2, and 3 taken together would imply that Democrats are STILL enthusiastic about winning that seat. Enjoy your gloat, Mr. Bruni.
1. In an 18-person field, Mr. Ossoff got nearly 50 percent of the vote in a VERY Republican district.
2. According to FiveThirtyEight, “Georgia 6 is about 9.5 percentage points more Republican than the nation as a whole. (That is, if there were a tie in the national popular vote, a Republican would be expected to win Georgia 6 by 9.5 points.)”I
3. It makes sense to compare Ossoff with Tom Price. In 2016, Tom Price won the House seat by more than 20 points.
1, 2, and 3 taken together would imply that Democrats are STILL enthusiastic about winning that seat. Enjoy your gloat, Mr. Bruni.
Oh there are a few lessons Frank....how about running some real men for office? This skinny film maker was about as imposing and charismatic as a five -pound bag of feed. Sheesh.
9
Mr Bruni
You need to play the game like Fox does
Ossoff is our guy
Go all in or be quiet
Saying he is callow does not help
All of this liberal navel gazing is how we lose elections
You need to play the game like Fox does
Ossoff is our guy
Go all in or be quiet
Saying he is callow does not help
All of this liberal navel gazing is how we lose elections
Keep these items in mind:
#1 The 6th is a strongly GOP gerrymandered district in a state riddled with gerrymandered districts-- 84% of our incumbent candidates ran unopposed in 2016 giving most voters no choice of candidate. We look like a red state electorally but we actually have a nearly even mix of red and blue voters.
#2 In the bluest section of the 6th (Dekalb) the only early voting location was open as far from the constituents' homes as possible in the most inconvenient place possible. Finally, through protest, another location was opened for a short time but days and days were lost.
#3 Enormous amounts of Republican super-pac money was used to spread false information about Mr. Ossoff through continuous ads in all forms of media.
#4 Those GOP candidates running on platforms that aligned most closely with Trump and who actually wore the red hat at rallies lost bigly. Handel is an establishment GOP'er who has lost her run-off races bust has name recog.
#5 Those who are calling for a more Bernie style liberal to appear in this district can dream on. That "one size fits all liberalism" isn't going to work in the 6th where a moderate dem is a more appropriate rep. for the people.
#1 The 6th is a strongly GOP gerrymandered district in a state riddled with gerrymandered districts-- 84% of our incumbent candidates ran unopposed in 2016 giving most voters no choice of candidate. We look like a red state electorally but we actually have a nearly even mix of red and blue voters.
#2 In the bluest section of the 6th (Dekalb) the only early voting location was open as far from the constituents' homes as possible in the most inconvenient place possible. Finally, through protest, another location was opened for a short time but days and days were lost.
#3 Enormous amounts of Republican super-pac money was used to spread false information about Mr. Ossoff through continuous ads in all forms of media.
#4 Those GOP candidates running on platforms that aligned most closely with Trump and who actually wore the red hat at rallies lost bigly. Handel is an establishment GOP'er who has lost her run-off races bust has name recog.
#5 Those who are calling for a more Bernie style liberal to appear in this district can dream on. That "one size fits all liberalism" isn't going to work in the 6th where a moderate dem is a more appropriate rep. for the people.
18
Anyone who declares this as a resounding Republican victory has no idea how these Georgia "jungle primaries" work and is banking on others not knowing either. I lived in GA for eight years so I have seen what happens.
For any candidate in any situation to get a clear majority in an 18-candidate field would be a MIRACLE. That basically never happens. For anyone to get as close as Ossoff did in that big of a field is also a miracle, although unfortunately one that does not give him the seat.
Conversely, unfortunately, the structure of the system does not favor Ossoff in the runoff -- but, that is not unique to this race and therefore if he ultimately loses, it should not be seen as a "failure" by the Democrats.
Generally there are two kinds of Georgia runoffs. One kind is where you have three or four candidates, with two of them running neck-and-neck at 48-49 percent, and the other(s) are fringe Nader/Stein type candidates who picked up a tiny smattering of votes. That runoff often favors whoever was ahead in the first round of balloting. The supporters of the fringe candidates dislike both of the mainstream ones and mostly stay home in the runoff.
However, where several major party candidates split the votes, the dynamic tends to favor whoever came in second in the primary -- because the voters for Candidates 2 through X all have something in common; they did not support Candidate #1.
For any candidate in any situation to get a clear majority in an 18-candidate field would be a MIRACLE. That basically never happens. For anyone to get as close as Ossoff did in that big of a field is also a miracle, although unfortunately one that does not give him the seat.
Conversely, unfortunately, the structure of the system does not favor Ossoff in the runoff -- but, that is not unique to this race and therefore if he ultimately loses, it should not be seen as a "failure" by the Democrats.
Generally there are two kinds of Georgia runoffs. One kind is where you have three or four candidates, with two of them running neck-and-neck at 48-49 percent, and the other(s) are fringe Nader/Stein type candidates who picked up a tiny smattering of votes. That runoff often favors whoever was ahead in the first round of balloting. The supporters of the fringe candidates dislike both of the mainstream ones and mostly stay home in the runoff.
However, where several major party candidates split the votes, the dynamic tends to favor whoever came in second in the primary -- because the voters for Candidates 2 through X all have something in common; they did not support Candidate #1.
12
Whether Georgia did or did not affirm Trump isn't relevant ... who wins is. Dems need to stop rationalizing, analyzing, and relying on polls to spike the ball before the election is over. Its all about votes cast and nothing else. Until we learn that, we'll continue to suppress Democratic votes and be our own, worst enemy. UGH!
6
It did affirm that resistance and doom and gloom doesn't carry the day either. The Democrats have to stand for something - something sorely missing from Hillary's campaign and the current Democrat leadership.
14
Michael S, so what does Trump stand for besides himself?
3
"...he’s sorely mistaken and seriously delusional." This may apply to you, Mr. Bruni, come June. I didn't know fantasy was your genre. But I don't disagree with you on Trump.
1
But Trump is seriously delusional. No one can dispute that. The only question is whether we can survive it.
3
Too soon to tell.
2
Republican Tom Price won re-election to this seat last November by 23 percent of the vote, yet the seat was seriously contested just months later by a Democratic newcomer. There are 75 Republican members of the House who won their seats last November by margins of 20 percent or less. The lesson of this special election is that every one of those 75 Republicans is at risk next year.
Anyone who was being serious knew that a narcissistic blowhard, a bigoted buffoon, would be a terrible president. Still, Republicans cast their lot with Trump, because they cared more about power than principle.
In the 2018 mid-terms, the bill is coming due.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
Anyone who was being serious knew that a narcissistic blowhard, a bigoted buffoon, would be a terrible president. Still, Republicans cast their lot with Trump, because they cared more about power than principle.
In the 2018 mid-terms, the bill is coming due.
politicsbyeccehomo.wordpress.com
Elections aren't like a game of horse shoes. Close doesn't count. Democrats need to win or nothing will change. The DNC needs to promote and invest in young candidates at the local, state and national level and focus on a populist message that resonates with voters.
11
Thank you, Mr. Bruni. Your first three paragraphs express exactly - and so beautifully - my own immediate reaction at reading Trump's tweet.
The hubris! Taking credit for the Republican 'victory', which is anything but.
But then, what else can we expect from this arrogant, narcisissistic, pathetic excuse of a man.
The hubris! Taking credit for the Republican 'victory', which is anything but.
But then, what else can we expect from this arrogant, narcisissistic, pathetic excuse of a man.
I'm tired of "moral victories." I want some REAL ones.
11
Given Ossof's weaknesses, including a very low financial boost from the district in which he does not reside, it is a remarkable achievement...for the moment, as you rightly caution. Democrats have a very long road to go. Perseverance and an in-touch-with-people sense that translates into tangible results...can we get there?
" Glad to be of help ". Only a tone deaf person or an ignorant narcissist could have come out with that tweet. But that comes straight from our President, nothing 'fake' about this news. It maybe a local election but it has occurred in Georgia. It maybe a prelude or a wind gaining momentum to become a hurricane in the Elections of 2018. I hope it's not wishful thinking on my part.
16
Naturally the Times and other media are looking at us with furrowed brows and serious expressions and telling us that the Republicans "dodged a bullet," as you put it. Nope. They lost. They won nothing, and they will lose even more bigly in the runoff. Until a Democrat actually wins an election in a red seat or the few remaining "swing" seats, or, by some supernatural force take control of some red state governments, nothing will change. Nothing. The party of privilege and hate have pretty much got the country sewn up.
The Democratic party which has been decimated at every level since 2010 is now pinning their hopes on special elections which typically have results that are fluky at best. And when they get close like in Georgia or Kansas they do victory laps despite not actually winning anything. Moral victories might get your base to send you more money, but clearly the Democratic base isn't close to a majority of the electorate. They threw over 8 million dollars into this race. That rate would meaning spending 3.5 billions for a House midterm, which clearly can't happen. When the Karen Handle wins the runoff in June ( all the Republican candidates together still got more than 50%), the Democratics will look like Charley Brown with Lucy and the football yet again. But Ossoff will get his victory lap because he got close. It's a little pathetic.
10
Maybe he will get a participation trophy
4
Let's not fool ourselves here. Ossoff lost
11
It ain't over yet.
2
It's more nuanced than that. He got 48%+ of the vote in a field of *13* candidates. That's not insignificant.
7
BL, for any Democrat to get 48% in the district formerly held by Newt Gingrich and then Tom Price is a substantial accomplishment. I live nearby and it is a true sign of a shift. Also we will see what happens in June.
2
Here we go again...the liberal cheerleading NYTs columnists, strike again!
Frank, you are certainly making your readers (most NYTs subscribers...) feel good, but there is are three basic problems with no solutions anywhere on the horizon:
First - the Democratic party HAS NO MESSAGE that is compelling to middle America.
Second - the Democrats have long been outgunned and outmaneuvered by a Republican party that long since decided that the ends (winning...) justifies any means necessary.
Third - the Democratic base is driving the party's "leadership" into positions that are self defeating and totally divorced from electoral reality (see first problem, above...)
Frank, you are certainly making your readers (most NYTs subscribers...) feel good, but there is are three basic problems with no solutions anywhere on the horizon:
First - the Democratic party HAS NO MESSAGE that is compelling to middle America.
Second - the Democrats have long been outgunned and outmaneuvered by a Republican party that long since decided that the ends (winning...) justifies any means necessary.
Third - the Democratic base is driving the party's "leadership" into positions that are self defeating and totally divorced from electoral reality (see first problem, above...)
Frank, I usually love your columns but you neglected to mention the white elephant in the room - gerrymandering. Republicans cheat, lie and steal their way into power via gerrymandering districts that maintain their power. Until that issue is addressed, these elections will continue to be "close".
22
Not even the NY Times believes in the gerrymander canard. Study after study shows that Democrats "self-gerrymander" by packing themselves into small geographic areas. In 2016, Republicans got more total votes in House races than Democrats.
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/26/opinion/sunday/its-the-geography-stup...
http://cookpolitical.com/file/Cook_Political_Report_Partisan_Voter_Index...
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/26/opinion/sunday/its-the-geography-stup...
http://cookpolitical.com/file/Cook_Political_Report_Partisan_Voter_Index...
5
GA State Senator Fran Miller, “I’ll be very blunt: These lines were not drawn to get Hank Johnson’s protégé to be my representative. And you didn’t hear that. They were not drawn for that purpose, OK? They were not drawn for that purpose.”
1
Almost eight and a half million, mostly from wealthy Hollywood types. It begs two questions; when will liberal realize they're sooo out of touch. And secondly, will this FINALLY prompt Lena Dunham to actually move to Canada?
And you wonder why you keep losing.
And you wonder why you keep losing.
12
http://begthequestion.info/
What is "Begging the Question?"
"Begging the question" is a form of logical fallacy in which a statement or claim is assumed to be true without evidence other than the statement or claim itself. When one begs the question, the initial assumption of a statement is treated as already proven without any logic to show why the statement is true in the first place.
A simple example would be "My favorite author is always right because he says so in his latest book." The proof is merely a restatement of the premise. The sentence has begged the question.
What is it Not?
To beg the question does not mean "to raise the question."
What is "Begging the Question?"
"Begging the question" is a form of logical fallacy in which a statement or claim is assumed to be true without evidence other than the statement or claim itself. When one begs the question, the initial assumption of a statement is treated as already proven without any logic to show why the statement is true in the first place.
A simple example would be "My favorite author is always right because he says so in his latest book." The proof is merely a restatement of the premise. The sentence has begged the question.
What is it Not?
To beg the question does not mean "to raise the question."
3
Well, Tundra, while you are pedagogically correct, I bet his interpretation is widely used. If the Constitution is s living document, as one group frequently asserts, how much more so the language itself? I mean, the original time-honored meaning of "gay", for example, has now been totally eclipsed.
1
Where do you get the idea the money was from Hollywood types and that is worse than money from the Kochs? Much of the money came from ACT Blue which is an organization which raised money in small increments.
I was wondering why Nancy Pelosi didn't roll up her sleeves and campaign more actively for this lightweight candidate.She could have participated in local town halls, given speeches and really tried to help Ossoff. Maybe Bernie could have helped or perhaps Tom Perez who does not appear to be the person to unite The libs. Oh I forgot, Warren could have gone to Atlanta and given one of her rousing speeches about nothing.. National Dem Politicians can't help at the local level because they are to far left (Sanders) unpopular (Pelosi) or totally disconnected from reality (Perez).
8
I was wondering why Nancy Pelosi didn't roll up her sleeves and campaign more actively for this lightweight candidate.
===============
She's wildly unpopular. I'm sure Ostroff didn't want her. Press accounts say his ads didn't identify him as a Democrat
===============
She's wildly unpopular. I'm sure Ostroff didn't want her. Press accounts say his ads didn't identify him as a Democrat
3
@Brian: The Dems are leaderless. Tom Perez is not the person to lead them out of the wilderness. I can barely stand to listen to or watch him speak. He's not an appealing character at all. That may be shallow of me, but he is more grating when he speaks than even Hillary.
We need young people and there are none coming up on the national level that I can see. I admire Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, both senators from Minnesota. Kirsten Gillibrand, too, is a leader. The Castro brothers.....but that's not enough to energize this party. I don't even think Liz Warren can be a unifier. She's got real problems if she decides to run for president. Ah, it's just frustrating not to have more white knights out there to save us. We must work on breaking gerrymandering and getting the vote out. There are more of us than them. We just have to get out and vote.
We need young people and there are none coming up on the national level that I can see. I admire Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken, both senators from Minnesota. Kirsten Gillibrand, too, is a leader. The Castro brothers.....but that's not enough to energize this party. I don't even think Liz Warren can be a unifier. She's got real problems if she decides to run for president. Ah, it's just frustrating not to have more white knights out there to save us. We must work on breaking gerrymandering and getting the vote out. There are more of us than them. We just have to get out and vote.
4
Orsoff sounds like a mild Republican, to be honest. If he was one of those uppity social justice types, he would've been crushed in every demographic except blacks and white women. And deservedly so.
2
People need to give Ossoff a break on the residence question. He's hardly a carpetbagger. He lived his entire life before college in the Georgia 6th.
What's more, Trump isn't the only one misinterpretating this election result. Even as they point out why Ossoff's close-run failure to win outright is still a bad sign for the GOP, pundits including Bruni are treating it like a loss. The election isn't over! Over at 538, Nate Silver - who's 2016 presidential call was considerably less wrong than most others - is calling the Georgia 6 runoff a pure toss-up. Think about it: the 52% of the electorate that voted Republican split its vote six ways. What proportion of the two thirds of GOP electorate who voted for someone other than Karen Handel wouldn't pull the lever for her if you paid them? At least we know that 100% of Democratic voters are happy to cast ballots for Ossoff, whatever his shortcomings as a candidate.
What's more, Trump isn't the only one misinterpretating this election result. Even as they point out why Ossoff's close-run failure to win outright is still a bad sign for the GOP, pundits including Bruni are treating it like a loss. The election isn't over! Over at 538, Nate Silver - who's 2016 presidential call was considerably less wrong than most others - is calling the Georgia 6 runoff a pure toss-up. Think about it: the 52% of the electorate that voted Republican split its vote six ways. What proportion of the two thirds of GOP electorate who voted for someone other than Karen Handel wouldn't pull the lever for her if you paid them? At least we know that 100% of Democratic voters are happy to cast ballots for Ossoff, whatever his shortcomings as a candidate.
11
Being considerably less wrong than most others makes Nate Silver - let me think of the right word - aw, yes, I have it. Wrong.
As has often been the case, this was an opportunity wasted. The sixth is not at all the most conservative part of this state. Even with generous outside funding the Democrats could only pull about 2% higher per county than Clinton did. After all Trump has done to disenfranchise the middle and polarize and motivate the left. It's embarrassing really.
As a voter in the sixth I got canvased, I got a sea of mailers (none of which were issue targeted). It looks like Ossoff spent more than $80 per vote, but as with Hillary, he didn't spend it wisely. This was an election that required an issue by issue target. If you're LGBT then you need to specifically address what Trump has done to hurt that community and what his appointees think of it. The same regarding immigration, women's health, and every other issue. Discuss how Republicans are lining up to do whatever Trump asks, even if it's to be sheep and confirm DeVos. These people have kids in public schools, did they target by Special Needs? And you need to not just badger, but encourage a voting plan. If people decide when they're going to vote, and know where then they vote more. Nobody wants to the need to check Twitter every day to make sure we haven't gone to war, but if you want to motivate people you have to speak directly to their specific concerns. The Ossoff campaign did as much to energize the Republicans as the Democrats.
The better candidate doesn't win, the better marketer does. As we've seen.
As a voter in the sixth I got canvased, I got a sea of mailers (none of which were issue targeted). It looks like Ossoff spent more than $80 per vote, but as with Hillary, he didn't spend it wisely. This was an election that required an issue by issue target. If you're LGBT then you need to specifically address what Trump has done to hurt that community and what his appointees think of it. The same regarding immigration, women's health, and every other issue. Discuss how Republicans are lining up to do whatever Trump asks, even if it's to be sheep and confirm DeVos. These people have kids in public schools, did they target by Special Needs? And you need to not just badger, but encourage a voting plan. If people decide when they're going to vote, and know where then they vote more. Nobody wants to the need to check Twitter every day to make sure we haven't gone to war, but if you want to motivate people you have to speak directly to their specific concerns. The Ossoff campaign did as much to energize the Republicans as the Democrats.
The better candidate doesn't win, the better marketer does. As we've seen.
9
The Cabinet selections from the House and Senate (Price, Sessions, and others) were, in part, selected because they represented districts considered relatively safe. Republicans may be craven and greedy but they are not stupid. The hubbub around special elections in districts that have voted Republican for four decades tells us very little. Most people in this country revile Trump, liberals, independents and moderates of all stripes. Quit hoping for some telltale victory in hopelessly conservative districts and find solid candidates in Democratic or purple districts in states trending progressive. I will repeat to the DNC what constituents have been hollering (to little effct) at Republicans in townhalls. Do your job!
3
Those saying that only a win matters rather miss the point. This is a gerrymandered district that historically brought us New Gingrich, Tom Price and Johnny Isakson, all disgusting low lifes feeding at the trough of hate. Ossoff outperformed his polls and most people's expectations rather handily. If this degree of passion and organizing existed everywhere in the country, Democrats would control both houses of Congress, the White House, the Supreme Court and most state houses. So give some credit where credit is due.
As to the "outside money," it was both a sign of the times and a credit to Ossoff, not a basis for criticism - similar support would have turned the Kansas Fourth.
It is not unlikely that Ossoff will win the runoff. He will certainly face a barrage of dark money and hate, which may well be insurmountable. That said, we're taking the fight to the enemy. Stop whining and join us.
As to the "outside money," it was both a sign of the times and a credit to Ossoff, not a basis for criticism - similar support would have turned the Kansas Fourth.
It is not unlikely that Ossoff will win the runoff. He will certainly face a barrage of dark money and hate, which may well be insurmountable. That said, we're taking the fight to the enemy. Stop whining and join us.
12
She will certainly face a barrage of dark money and hate (not to mention an onslaught of Hollywood Types), which may well be insurmountable. That's OK, because we are going to take the fight to the enemy. Y'all can take that to the bank in which y'all deposited all that dark money.
1
The next step will be for Trump to say that Ossoff only got the plurality of votes due to illegal voting.
6
How many of the @trumpregrets will vote for him if at least 1 happens: Roe is overturned; NRA writes federal gun control legislation; gay marriage becomes illegal; and/or they receive a large tax cut? I regret many of them.
1
This byelection affirmed Clinton's defeat. The Republican will be elected in the run off.
6
As long as leftist democrats like Bruni apologize for democrat losses they will never learn. Just admit it. Democrats threw away 8 million dollars on a failed candidate. Regroup and move on. Democrats think losing is progress. Sad what the party Truman has become. Bunch of wimpy losers.
8
Really. Is it just gall? Maybe stupidity. Or both. The guy whose popularity has sunk so low in a district that his party only won by a fraction is preening about him being instrumental in a victory which has yet to occur? Or is it what I suspect in that he really believes most people are stupid and his branch of stupid followers will believe anything he says. I'll bet the Republican party isn't celebrating.
1
I'll suppose that perhaps DJT will do something showy or "muscular" between now and the June runoff.
That's how I interpret this special election in which he allegedly weighed in with annoying robo calls.
The Syrian & Afghan *doodas if not gambits seemingly worked.
DJT knows he alienates some swinging independents and wins some, and JO & Karen Handel appreciate the fluidity in opinion poll popularity, because DJT apparently upped popularity circa 35% to circa 50%, just enough for KH's soon consolidated constituency to save her.
That KH is very possibly gonna beat JO-- I'll guess--is an even bet.
I previously resided in Newt's 6th, and believe it or not, voted for him in the GOP primary in the 1970s or 1980s because I thought the incumbent Democrat opponent John Flynt Sr. would beat Newt, and because I knew personable John Jr. from high school.
The governing party of course "gerrymanders" district boundaries every decade, as per Mass Governor Elbridge Gary-- isn't that infamous politico's surname actually spelled with an "a?"
And if that what Justice Gorsuch plus at least 4 other politically appointed Justices say is righteous justice, then who would filibuster that.
So, perhaps it's up to Fox's and The Apprentice's loyal viewers, I cynically hereby dimly assert as the future of world civilization if not mankind's survival.
That's how I interpret this special election in which he allegedly weighed in with annoying robo calls.
The Syrian & Afghan *doodas if not gambits seemingly worked.
DJT knows he alienates some swinging independents and wins some, and JO & Karen Handel appreciate the fluidity in opinion poll popularity, because DJT apparently upped popularity circa 35% to circa 50%, just enough for KH's soon consolidated constituency to save her.
That KH is very possibly gonna beat JO-- I'll guess--is an even bet.
I previously resided in Newt's 6th, and believe it or not, voted for him in the GOP primary in the 1970s or 1980s because I thought the incumbent Democrat opponent John Flynt Sr. would beat Newt, and because I knew personable John Jr. from high school.
The governing party of course "gerrymanders" district boundaries every decade, as per Mass Governor Elbridge Gary-- isn't that infamous politico's surname actually spelled with an "a?"
And if that what Justice Gorsuch plus at least 4 other politically appointed Justices say is righteous justice, then who would filibuster that.
So, perhaps it's up to Fox's and The Apprentice's loyal viewers, I cynically hereby dimly assert as the future of world civilization if not mankind's survival.
I don't know - there's something missing in the way Jon Ossoff presents himself. Talk about being carefully scripted! Disappointed to see that he could not get over the finish line, missing it by less than 2%.
And the Dems pumped $8 mil into the campaign. Sooner or later the Dems have to put some "W"s in the win column. Let's hope that June will be a portent of things to come.
And the Dems pumped $8 mil into the campaign. Sooner or later the Dems have to put some "W"s in the win column. Let's hope that June will be a portent of things to come.
1
Add up all the Republican votes - over 50% - just enough, as usual, to bring down Ossoff, who got only 48%, in the general election. Coming up short seems to be your modus operandi - and the country suffers for it. Same old story - Democrats - a dollar long, but a truly "new" candidate late.
1
"...have energized progressives and other Democrats..."
IMO it's those "other Democrats"/potential "other Democrats" who also need to be remembered - but the white "progressives" are sucking the air out of the room.
From census.gov:"The Asian alone population grew faster than any other major race group between 2000 and 2010, increasing by 43 percent. The Asian alone population had the second-largest numeric change (4.4 million), growing from 10.2 million in 2000 to 14.7 million in 2010." Doesn't anybody from either party care about voting patterns of Asian-Americans? Shouldn't they care?
P.S. It's funny that when a progressive darling like Jon Ossoff loses there are cries of "voter suppression/fraud/gerrymandering". So now progressives care about those things, huh?
P.P.S. Note that in the 6th district on the Dem/Independent side, three white people - including one physician plus the publisher of Atlanta Jewish Life magazine - were in yesterday's primary competing against Mr. Ossoff. There were also two black and one Hispanic candidates (the Hispanic candidate ran on pro-Medicare/jobs/pay raises for military enlistees platform). Has anyone asked them why they didn't "fall in line" for Mr. Ossoff? Doesn't anyone care why so many people don't fit the progressive narrative?
I've already seen threats to stop backing Mr. Ossoff if he "becomes a corporate centrist". The progressives will learn they have to play well with others. Hopefully they'll learn that before midterms!
IMO it's those "other Democrats"/potential "other Democrats" who also need to be remembered - but the white "progressives" are sucking the air out of the room.
From census.gov:"The Asian alone population grew faster than any other major race group between 2000 and 2010, increasing by 43 percent. The Asian alone population had the second-largest numeric change (4.4 million), growing from 10.2 million in 2000 to 14.7 million in 2010." Doesn't anybody from either party care about voting patterns of Asian-Americans? Shouldn't they care?
P.S. It's funny that when a progressive darling like Jon Ossoff loses there are cries of "voter suppression/fraud/gerrymandering". So now progressives care about those things, huh?
P.P.S. Note that in the 6th district on the Dem/Independent side, three white people - including one physician plus the publisher of Atlanta Jewish Life magazine - were in yesterday's primary competing against Mr. Ossoff. There were also two black and one Hispanic candidates (the Hispanic candidate ran on pro-Medicare/jobs/pay raises for military enlistees platform). Has anyone asked them why they didn't "fall in line" for Mr. Ossoff? Doesn't anyone care why so many people don't fit the progressive narrative?
I've already seen threats to stop backing Mr. Ossoff if he "becomes a corporate centrist". The progressives will learn they have to play well with others. Hopefully they'll learn that before midterms!
5
A move-into-the-district fund should be started for Mr. Ossoff this afternoon!
3
"glad to lend a hand".self congratulation,bozo at his childish best.we're not even at 100 days and I'm so sick of this clown and the trumpanoffs.Where is the tape carter page took to russia proving bozo's collusion and treason.Please release it I can't take much more of this nightmare.Is there even an investigation into bozo's doings and if so we deserve to hear SOMETHING.Comey,you OWE us the truth
To get 48 percent of the vote is pretty damn good, but of course the obligatory downer column throwing dirt on Ossoff and those who are trying to do something positive. The media responds with glee at missile strikes but ho hum when a someone achieves a positive.
2
So in a district full of Romney-lovers a liberal political neophyte who lives outside the district nearly won a majority? "Almost" only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades but that he almost won the election outright is noteworthy. We'll see if Handel can channel her inner Romney effectively enough to win the day. The race is hers to lose but she may be up (down?) to it.
Can we wait until the midterm elections before we start prophesying how things will turn out? Let's see who voted for whom in this particular election in Georgia and also wait to see if the Democrats can turn it into a victory. Finally, let's stop using Trump as a measure of success or failure for the GOP or the Democrats until he does something that is worth an impeachment hearing or worse.
2
There will be no impeachment hearing until the GOP is not the majority party in the house and the senate. (Why don't people get this?) Soooooo...paying very close attention to primaries and special elections is absolutely what both parties should be doing right now. The stakes are high.
1
Karen Handel has real shortcomings as well. Her voter ID efforts as Secretary of State were halted as voter suppression by the Department of Justice, and her politicization of the Susan G. Komen Foundation by denying funds to Planned Parenthood were harmful when the funds were ONLY used for cancer screenings and not other services.
Jon Ossoff did extremely well in such a Republican district. Fresh faces and ideas are not a bad thing. Trump's tweets notwithstanding, he is deeply unpopular and his an expiration date fast approaching.
Jon Ossoff did extremely well in such a Republican district. Fresh faces and ideas are not a bad thing. Trump's tweets notwithstanding, he is deeply unpopular and his an expiration date fast approaching.
9
Um - Mr. Bruni - the message I have heard from political strategists, again and again and again since the election, is that Democrats need to begin fighting in EVERY DISTRICT. Don't just assume Wisconsin (or Michigan - or Ohio...), but campaign there. Or, put another way - that it makes a difference if we lose 60-40% vs. 70-30%. By that read, both the Kansas and Georgia special elections have been resounding successes - both candidates cut the most recent Republican Congressional margins by LARGE amounts. This is what matters. Why are you focusing on only the black/white, on/off result, and not the trend? I think you are missing the point.
4
Or, put another way - that it makes a difference if we lose 60-40% vs. 70-30%. By that read, both the Kansas and Georgia special elections have been resounding successes - both candidates cut the most recent Republican Congressional margins by LARGE amounts.
===============
Republicans certainly hope you keep that as your standard of success. Pouring millions into races you don't win (as in this one) is a good way to starve races Dems have a real shot at.
===============
Republicans certainly hope you keep that as your standard of success. Pouring millions into races you don't win (as in this one) is a good way to starve races Dems have a real shot at.
3
and we know that if more younger voters had voted for Clinton instead of third party candidates , the result in those three states would have been quite different .
I don't even count all the democrats who decided not to vote because it wasn't Sanders on the ballot. those people have a responsibility like with Gore for putting a man in the white house that will cause huge damage to our society in the next few years
I don't even count all the democrats who decided not to vote because it wasn't Sanders on the ballot. those people have a responsibility like with Gore for putting a man in the white house that will cause huge damage to our society in the next few years
5
In line light of trumps first 100 days in office one would think the Democrats would have gained a strong foothold, not. Until they come out with their own version of "A Contract With America" that clearly focuses on the needs of the many who have been maligned by and seen what little wealth they had redistributed to the wealthy elite, they will continue to run in place. Bernie Sandeers and Elizabeth Warren were and are on the right track. The party needs to step up and shout out. what are they waiting for or are they as bankrupt on ideas as the Republicans?
2
In the deep South maybe that all can be hoped for right now is electing a Republican that is somewhat moderate, and willing to stand against the ultra conservative "(non) Freedom Caucus". It would be a start.
Democrats realistically need to start looking at candidates nationwide that are more centrist in their views, but committed to progressive values. We need to protect the social progress that came at a great expense to those who fought for civil and women's rights. Given the humiliating defeat of Democrats last November, If all we can do is maintain, then that would be a victory.
Democrats realistically need to start looking at candidates nationwide that are more centrist in their views, but committed to progressive values. We need to protect the social progress that came at a great expense to those who fought for civil and women's rights. Given the humiliating defeat of Democrats last November, If all we can do is maintain, then that would be a victory.
5
After 8 1/2 million dollars raised for the campaign, and a gaggle of out of state volunteers to do grass roots campaigning, the Democrat candidate lost. Claims that the candidate was a "carpetbagger", ie, didn't reside in the district may have resonated in the Peach State where the immediate post Civil War reality wrought almost as much damage as bullets and cannon fire.
In two instances with out of cycle elections to replace departed Representatives, and, trying mightily to undo the legacy of HRC's neglect of the "fly-over-states" and lack of grass roots campaigning, money and personal have poured into these two elections, to no avail.
Instead of throwing money and resources around in the false belief that the Republicans bought the Presidential election with oil baron's dollars and trying to emulate such election purchases, the Democrats should spend some time on developing a "message" that will attract voters. Wow! What a concept.
The Republican message was successful at branding HRC as a continuation of Obama's legacy and the American electorate was tired of Obama. The Republican positive message of "draining the swamp" resonated with much fewer voters, but enough voters in geographical areas where HRC didn't do her homework.
To develop a "message" the Democrats need more than a few "focus groups" run by coastal elite polling agencies. As the American electorate is not hellbent on the road to socialism, maybe other issues are on the American electorate's mind?
In two instances with out of cycle elections to replace departed Representatives, and, trying mightily to undo the legacy of HRC's neglect of the "fly-over-states" and lack of grass roots campaigning, money and personal have poured into these two elections, to no avail.
Instead of throwing money and resources around in the false belief that the Republicans bought the Presidential election with oil baron's dollars and trying to emulate such election purchases, the Democrats should spend some time on developing a "message" that will attract voters. Wow! What a concept.
The Republican message was successful at branding HRC as a continuation of Obama's legacy and the American electorate was tired of Obama. The Republican positive message of "draining the swamp" resonated with much fewer voters, but enough voters in geographical areas where HRC didn't do her homework.
To develop a "message" the Democrats need more than a few "focus groups" run by coastal elite polling agencies. As the American electorate is not hellbent on the road to socialism, maybe other issues are on the American electorate's mind?
4
The Boston Globe already is forecasting that Hillary Clinton will run again in 2020. That sounds preposterous until you realize the party remains on the same path -- higher taxes, more regulation, more Asian imports, more mergers, less competition, higher profits, lower personal income. It's nice to be be nice but it's better to help people make money.
4
Here in the Boston area, we are waiting for Liz Warren to announce, ready to quit CEO job to work for her campaign full time. Hillary? NO thank you, we are totally fatigued of Clintons.
2
While there is no affirmation of Trump it is still a loss for Democrats who tried to make the vote a referendum on Trump. That is the same failed strategy Hillary Clinton deployed. It will not work. Democrats need policy proposals that are realistic and not based on identity politics. Unfortunately they seem to be tilting in Bernie Sanders direction. He is a man whose 40 years in politics has produced nothing. His only accomplishment may be to join Ralph Nader as Democratic spoiler.
5
Don't forget that Trump's entire approach has been based on identity politics. It obviously can work.
Voter loyalty to Party is the crutch our Congressmen depend on to return them to office--where their are then free to legislate for their donors.
Think about it: the majority of Americans now prefer the ACA, would prefer even more single-payer like Medicare extended to all. They are not for tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations. They are against corruption in Congress and the WH. Now 3/4 of citizens want Trump to make public his tax records.
Yet the GOP is publicly against all of this--directly against the will of their own electorate.
They have allowed lying under oath (Sessions, Mnuchin, Pruitt,...), insider trading (Price), profiteering in office (entire Trump family), who in Trump's coterie doe NOT have Russian contacts (including Kushner falsely filling out his security clearance forms)? Trump himself has long-standing ties, has loans from Deutche Bank just convicted of massive Russian money-laundering).
When Biden asked 15 GOP Senators about their refusal to consider Garland for Supreme Court, 9 said that although they knew it was wrong, they would act with McConnell. If not, a wealthy donor would sponsor another candidate for their office next primary.
Think about it--in this small sample, the majority of Senators stated that their loyalty was NOT to their voters--but to themselves.
Think about it: the majority of Americans now prefer the ACA, would prefer even more single-payer like Medicare extended to all. They are not for tax cuts to the wealthy and corporations. They are against corruption in Congress and the WH. Now 3/4 of citizens want Trump to make public his tax records.
Yet the GOP is publicly against all of this--directly against the will of their own electorate.
They have allowed lying under oath (Sessions, Mnuchin, Pruitt,...), insider trading (Price), profiteering in office (entire Trump family), who in Trump's coterie doe NOT have Russian contacts (including Kushner falsely filling out his security clearance forms)? Trump himself has long-standing ties, has loans from Deutche Bank just convicted of massive Russian money-laundering).
When Biden asked 15 GOP Senators about their refusal to consider Garland for Supreme Court, 9 said that although they knew it was wrong, they would act with McConnell. If not, a wealthy donor would sponsor another candidate for their office next primary.
Think about it--in this small sample, the majority of Senators stated that their loyalty was NOT to their voters--but to themselves.
Looking forward to reading the scoreboard - a balanced review of Trump's campaign promises on the 101st day of his Presidency.
1
We should know by now that it is a mistake even to conceive of Donald Trump's thought process as somehow involving an act of "proving." When you say, "if Trump thinks what happened proves his strength..." you are posing a hypothetical that grossly misunderstands Trump. He cares only how things appear; the very ideas of "proof" or even "fact" simply do not exist for him. It would be far better to wonder if he thinks the result appears to show his strength. And for him, and for a shocking number of people who support him (but perhaps dwindling?), it does.
3
The lesson is clear and consistent: the south will always be the south. It's still pro-slavery and anti-civil rights, and any Democrat who thinks otherwise is wasting time and money.
Hillary would have won the electoral college if she simply wrote off the south, and campaigned in Wisconsin, Pa., and Michigan.
Hillary would have won the electoral college if she simply wrote off the south, and campaigned in Wisconsin, Pa., and Michigan.
2
I am a democrat who lives in Atlanta but I work in Roswell, the 6th congressional district. I spoke to as many people as I could to vote for Ossoff. I had to do this on the sly as many of the millenials I work with voted for Trump, and I did not want to activate their participation. They do not know what is going on in the news and very likely did not vote in this election because they did not know an election was being held. They only listen to their parents, who were convinced Obama was going to take away their guns -- they held firm to that for 8 years. More impressive critical thinking skills at play here.
I am very disappointed that Ossoff did not win the seat outright. We came close in Kansas and, of course, we won the popular vote in the general election, but this is not enough. I went to bed disappointed and I woke up disappointed. I continue to be perplexed and want to bang my head on a counter. In the face of all that has gone on since the election I am weary as to what is going on around me and why more people have not "seen the light." I am so captivated by the news that I feel my life is on hold. I bathe. I go to work. And I watch cable news and read online. That's all I do. My house is a mess. My yard is a mess and my projects are on hold. How much longer can we sustain this?
I am very disappointed that Ossoff did not win the seat outright. We came close in Kansas and, of course, we won the popular vote in the general election, but this is not enough. I went to bed disappointed and I woke up disappointed. I continue to be perplexed and want to bang my head on a counter. In the face of all that has gone on since the election I am weary as to what is going on around me and why more people have not "seen the light." I am so captivated by the news that I feel my life is on hold. I bathe. I go to work. And I watch cable news and read online. That's all I do. My house is a mess. My yard is a mess and my projects are on hold. How much longer can we sustain this?
Frank, I love you, but a 24% swing is seismic. Nothing else can describe it.
Your starting point appears to be Trump's pronouncements.
Erroneously.
This is huge, and is just the beginning.
Your starting point appears to be Trump's pronouncements.
Erroneously.
This is huge, and is just the beginning.
We need to revitalize the voice of the people. The way to do that is what Australia did after too many low voter turnouts: make showing up at the voting booth compulsory. You can vote or draw a picture of Mickey Mouse, but you must show up.
With voting required, Republicans lose their voter suppression tools. Once citizens regain their voices, getting rid of gerrymandering and the worthless Electoral College will be next and hopefully the repeal of Citizens United.
If Americans speak, we can take our country back.
With voting required, Republicans lose their voter suppression tools. Once citizens regain their voices, getting rid of gerrymandering and the worthless Electoral College will be next and hopefully the repeal of Citizens United.
If Americans speak, we can take our country back.
3
As a resident and voter in Georgia's sixth congressional district, I appreciate the attention this race is getting nationally and internationally. But I disagree with Mr. Bruni's assessment that Jon Ossoff appears callow and embarrassed. I think his poise, discipline, and focus would be impressive in someone twice his age. That he can was able to maintain his cool under the kind of pressure that's been building here indicates to me that he is bound for great things, if he stays in politics.
4
I do not understand why Democrats seem to focus most of their efforts on the national level, instead of investing money and resources developing and promoting local candidates.
New York may be considered a "blue state" because the Presidental election votes always go to the Democrats, but outside of NYC there are a lot of die-hard Republicans who are as "Tea Party" or "Trumpish" as anyone in Kansas or Georgia.
The congressman who represents my district considers himself a "pal" of Trump and supports everything he does. At the last election apparently he won 68% of the vote and uses this to justify why he has no interest in holding town meetings with constituents who want to talk to him (among other excuses). At the last election, his Democratic opponent was a person I had never heard of - I had no idea who she was, where she came from, or what she stood for - but I voted for her anyway - no other option as far as I was concerned!
New York may be considered a "blue state" because the Presidental election votes always go to the Democrats, but outside of NYC there are a lot of die-hard Republicans who are as "Tea Party" or "Trumpish" as anyone in Kansas or Georgia.
The congressman who represents my district considers himself a "pal" of Trump and supports everything he does. At the last election apparently he won 68% of the vote and uses this to justify why he has no interest in holding town meetings with constituents who want to talk to him (among other excuses). At the last election, his Democratic opponent was a person I had never heard of - I had no idea who she was, where she came from, or what she stood for - but I voted for her anyway - no other option as far as I was concerned!
2
For once, I actually agree with Mr. Bruni.
I hope these special elections wake Speaker Ryan up and convince him that he has to produce legislation. The people have given the GOP the White House, the states and Congress and expect tax reform and a better healthcare program than Obamacare.
I hope these special elections wake Speaker Ryan up and convince him that he has to produce legislation. The people have given the GOP the White House, the states and Congress and expect tax reform and a better healthcare program than Obamacare.
1
Much more likely that Republicans will turn Democrats seats.
6
There seems to be very little institutional Democratic support for these candidates. The party does not seem to have gotten its' act together despite their claims.
It appears that the rest of the country will need to suffer more before coming to their senses. Republicans need to take away health insurance from 24 million, gut Social Security and install that crazy budget, maybe then Americans will wake up. It is sad that it has to come to this.
It appears that the rest of the country will need to suffer more before coming to their senses. Republicans need to take away health insurance from 24 million, gut Social Security and install that crazy budget, maybe then Americans will wake up. It is sad that it has to come to this.
3
Yes, (Trump) is seriously delusional.
So delusional that I am robbed of my sleep thinking about what became of my adopted country.
Heinrich Heine, a German-Jewish poet and writer who lived in exile in Paris in the mid 19th century comes to mind.
His poem Nachtgedanken, night thoughts,- begins in translation:
Thinking of Germany in the night
just puts all thought of sleep to fight,
no longer I can close an eye
tears gather and I start to cry.
Just insert America for Germany, and a large number of Americans feels the same in 2017.
So delusional that I am robbed of my sleep thinking about what became of my adopted country.
Heinrich Heine, a German-Jewish poet and writer who lived in exile in Paris in the mid 19th century comes to mind.
His poem Nachtgedanken, night thoughts,- begins in translation:
Thinking of Germany in the night
just puts all thought of sleep to fight,
no longer I can close an eye
tears gather and I start to cry.
Just insert America for Germany, and a large number of Americans feels the same in 2017.
4
For an election that supposedly was going to demonstrate Democratic strength, it's a little misleading to headline that it didn't affirm Trump. It never was billed as an election that would affirm Trump.
5
It will take time. It's not going to happen in one primary. Dems need to be more patient and persistent than that.
2
I still am having trouble believing that Trump actually won. It boggles my mind.
3
I live in Georgia's 6th district and voted for Jon Ossoff. After listening to him speak at a political gathering, I did not find him callow in the least. In fact, he is quite knowledgable about our district–he knows better than Trump what our constituents want: infrastructure improvements such as light rail, technology sector jobs, reliable healthcare insurance, and immigration reform. His experience as a documentary filmmaker and his degree from the London School of Economics shows in his breadth of knowledge of the Middle East and the war in Syria. Trump is afraid of Jon Ossoff because he will speak truth to power, bigotry, and ignorance.
Osoff was polling, on the average, between 40% and 45% prior to the election. Fivethirtyeight.com had it at 46%. Then Trump got involved.
Osoff received 48.1% of the vote, per the Times.
So, yeah, Trump "helped" but not in the way he thinks and that makes him "sorely mistaken and seriously delusional," you put it.
Osoff received 48.1% of the vote, per the Times.
So, yeah, Trump "helped" but not in the way he thinks and that makes him "sorely mistaken and seriously delusional," you put it.
Only Trump can claim victory when defeated
1
Yes Mr.Bruni, the Dems have a chance to take the country back to normalcy.Bernie Sanders traveling the country with the new DNC chair.You, and all your fellow writers at the NYTs,ridiculed and tried to bury him.Yes I voted for her.Let's forget those with the celebrity,and the Wall St connections.Let us support those who will truly support the working and middle classes.
2
Sometimes polls get it right - even in hard to predict local contests. Before Tuesday's final tally we expected a close race but no definitive outcome (i.e. no one reaching 50%). The Republican and Democratic partisans could have prepared their Wednesday spin days in advance. And they did.
We didn't learn much on Tuesday. But the GOP gets to breathe a genuine sigh of relief for the moment because if Ossoff had garnered 2 points more, that would have been much bigger news than if he had garnered 2 points less (in which case today's stories would have been essentially unaltered from what we're reading).
The district has a Republican history and a Democratic demographic. We'll see something of more interest and more import in June.
We didn't learn much on Tuesday. But the GOP gets to breathe a genuine sigh of relief for the moment because if Ossoff had garnered 2 points more, that would have been much bigger news than if he had garnered 2 points less (in which case today's stories would have been essentially unaltered from what we're reading).
The district has a Republican history and a Democratic demographic. We'll see something of more interest and more import in June.
54
To their credit, Ossoff and the DNC put a great deal of money and effort into turning out the base. The result shows the difficulty of winning in red or swing districts with the base alone.
The Dems need help, and that help can come from disillusioned Trump voters. Their numbers will grow, and could be decisive in many congressional districts in 2018, as well as in the all-important state races.
Democrats should not listen to the siren song of the purists who would like to see the Democratic Party become an ideological party. These zealots argue that single-payer health care, free college tuition, getting money out of politics and other devoutly held liberal goals require a narrow party. The opposite is true; they will only become a reality with broad-based support.
No national party can govern this country without a broad base of support. Ideological purity is a dead end. Coalition-building has always been a strength of the Democratic Party, and the party should build on that tradition.
The Dems need help, and that help can come from disillusioned Trump voters. Their numbers will grow, and could be decisive in many congressional districts in 2018, as well as in the all-important state races.
Democrats should not listen to the siren song of the purists who would like to see the Democratic Party become an ideological party. These zealots argue that single-payer health care, free college tuition, getting money out of politics and other devoutly held liberal goals require a narrow party. The opposite is true; they will only become a reality with broad-based support.
No national party can govern this country without a broad base of support. Ideological purity is a dead end. Coalition-building has always been a strength of the Democratic Party, and the party should build on that tradition.
70
Polls show majority support for single-payer health care, free tuition at public universities and strong campaign contribution controls. These aren't far out left wing ideas. They are mainstream ideas. People are just tired of allegedly liberal democrats equivocating on the programs that most people want.
Why vote for Democrats who believe in nothing but spouting meaningless platitudes that sound nice but have no substance? If you are a Democrat and don't want single payer health care or free public college education and you are OK with rich people controlling the political process, who are you and why are you running for office as a Democrat?
Why vote for Democrats who believe in nothing but spouting meaningless platitudes that sound nice but have no substance? If you are a Democrat and don't want single payer health care or free public college education and you are OK with rich people controlling the political process, who are you and why are you running for office as a Democrat?
4
How exactly do Dems build "broad-based support" without rallying behind the social programs that are hugely popular such as single-payer health care, free college tuition, and getting money out of politics? These are not fringe issues. The Dems will continue to flounder until they embrace the fact that our country is suffering from an ever widening economic disparity between the 1% and the 99%. We will attract the lower and middle income of both parties by building a more progressive platform.
6
I think that Bruni is making the wrong comparison fore two reasons: first, he forgets that all election are local and the comparison to a presidential election is not well taken; second, the comparison should be between the previous congressional race and the present one. In any event, it proves that the district can be competitive. The struggle now is to get the same people to vote in the run-off in the hopes that some of those who did not vote for Ossoff will not bother to vote for Hadel.
53
Democrats need to wake up but I doubt they will. Look at the local elections just held in Los Angeles after Trump; 12% turnout.
This country is failing due to apathy.
This country is failing due to apathy.
116
Choosing not to vote is not necessarily apathy.
Democrats always have to overcome the fact that Republicans cheat through voter suppression/intimidation and redistricting done in Republican statehouses.
As a tremendously unpopular so-called president would say: "Very, very unfair."
As a tremendously unpopular so-called president would say: "Very, very unfair."
104
Kansas was a wake-up call to Republicans, although the vote there was more a reflection of the dislike of the governor, Brownback, than Trump. Still, a less-than-vanilla Republican who has accomplished nothing in his political career was able to win.
The fact Democrats have fallen short in Georgia with an inexperienced former legislative aid because they couldn't line up a better-known, experienced candidate reflects the shallow bench Democrats have in many states. Democrats need to have the discipline to build independent, strong state party organizations. If Democrats cannot rack up wins in the state legislatures it will be hard to win control of the U.S. House and keep it.
The fact Democrats have fallen short in Georgia with an inexperienced former legislative aid because they couldn't line up a better-known, experienced candidate reflects the shallow bench Democrats have in many states. Democrats need to have the discipline to build independent, strong state party organizations. If Democrats cannot rack up wins in the state legislatures it will be hard to win control of the U.S. House and keep it.
91
Voter suppression is very strong in Georgia and has been assiduously expanded by state officials including Karen Handel. And I remember hearing endless about the deep Republican bench in the GOP presidential election and look what that churned up.
1
We needed a Howard Dean and we got a Tom Perez. I am not holding my breath for a 50-state strategy. Sigh.
2
Give it up, biased rag. Democrats have lost everything. House of Representatives, Senate, White House..gone. Over a thousand State Legislature seats..poof. And there is now going to be a conservative Supreme Court for the rest of your lives. Democrats have sunk not because their doctrine has been misunderstood. They have sunk because voters have rejected their doctrine. You can only ignore truth so long.
I think what this special Congressional election exhibits emphatically is that the Democrats must recruit (and run) highly qualified candidates. If a young, inexperienced, and "callow" candidate can do this much, imagine what candidates with experience and some gravitas will do in 2018.
This district has been Republican for 4 decades going back to Newt Gingrich (and Tom Price won reelection in 2016 by over 20 points). It is a huge accomplishment for this previously unknown Democrat to garner almost 49% of the vote and force a run-off. (Yes, he spent a great deal on television ads. In response, he has faced a barrage of attack ads from Republican super pacs.) Attacks on the grounds that he doesn't live in the district are a red herring. He grew up in the district and his family still lives there. He lives a few minutes away near Emory University (while his girlfriend attends medical school there). A lot can happen in 2 months but he has an opportunity to focus on substance against one flawed Republican. Karen Handel lost her last 2 races for statewide office and nearly destroyed the Komen Foundation by seeking to cut funding for women's breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood. He has a real chance to win the runoff. As someone who has lived in this district for 20 years, I can vouch that I have not seen this many signs or volunteers supporting a Democratic congressional candidate before.
226
I just listened to a Republican strategist besmirch Mr. Ossoff in the following manner: the fact that Ossoff has a long-time girlfriend shows he has an aversion to commitment!
I'm very surprised to learn that Mr Ossoff does not reside in the district he seeks to represent and that is is rather a lightweight candidat. What are the Dems thinking? If you cant find a local star to run as your candidate, either run a star from somewhere else or a local peewee, not a nobody from afar, that is if you really want to win.
But then, maybe the DNC just wants to continue to run against Donald Trump. That worked so well the last time!
But then, maybe the DNC just wants to continue to run against Donald Trump. That worked so well the last time!
14
A reader named Atlaw wrote this in his comment: "Attacks on the grounds that he doesn't live in the district are a red herring. He grew up in the district and his family still lives there. He lives a few minutes away near Emory University (while his girlfriend attends medical school there)." Robert Kennedy and Hillary Clinton were both labeled carpetbaggers when they ran for U.S. senator from New York--and both won anyway. Moreover, in England, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, parliamentarians often do not live in the district that they represent.
2
He lives 1.5 blocks away from the district, which is a temporary thing while his partner is in Medical school. He is truly a homegrown Norcross boy. This is a red herring.
3
Frank, stop making excuses for the Democratic loss in the Sixth District. They raised $8.3 million, 95% of it from outside the district, and still lost. The Democrats can't win the hearts and minds of the majority of the US constituency, nor can they be bought. The strategy isn't working.
24
The Dems can't win the hearts and minds of the majority of the US constituency? That's funny because I thought it was the Democratic presidential candidate who won the popular (constituency) vote in the election. Or maybe in the world of election numbers there are numbers and then there are "numbers."
Do you also believe that Trumpy won by a historic landslide?
In the same way in GA (if I remember the numbers correctly), Ossoff beat all the Republican competitors *combined*, so his position going into the runoff is pretty advantageous.
Do you also believe that Trumpy won by a historic landslide?
In the same way in GA (if I remember the numbers correctly), Ossoff beat all the Republican competitors *combined*, so his position going into the runoff is pretty advantageous.
13
Citizen, Democrats did not win a majority of the votes - no matter whether you consider popular or electoral - in 2016. Repeating spurious "numbers" will not alter the fact that Trump won enough electoral votes to become President.
2
Many Trump voters did turn out due to the 'voter suppression' tactics used by major national news outlets declaring Clinton the all but winner.
He still won fair and square.
He still won fair and square.
1
It's really a stunning contrast to see what democratic voters require of their candidates compared to what republican voters require of theirs. Granting the fact that to regain power you need to demonstrate so much more than the opposition, but Democratic candidates suffer the Goldilocks conundrum: not too old, not too young, not too callow, not too scripted etc. Contrast this with Republican candidates who just need to shout, "Tax cuts, no abortion, immigrants out!" and they're golden. Progressive voters may need to re-calibrate their standards and stop searching for perfect; it's the enemy of rescuing this country from abject failure and pillage.
403
It's because we were spoiled by having President Obama as our leader.
4
I agree COMPLETELY. Great comment. Democrats very often "make the perfect be the enemy of the good."
3
All you're saying is that Republicanism is shallow and simplistic, as if the daughters of Republicans never need an abortion. Look what they gave us for President. Democrats never need to go there.
2
I don't know anything about his opponent, but I think a moderate Republican--one who is truly a conservative without an agenda to dismantle government (remember when Lincoln was a Republican and favored the united part more than the states' part?)--would be fine with me.
6
A 'moderate' Republican. Sorry, they don't exist.
2
There aren't any moderate Republicans in Georgia.
3
If you do reside in Kentucky, as your location states, you don't get a vote regarding the representation of Georgia's Sixth District. That's up to those of us who actually live here. :)
There is something you could help with, though, that impacts America as a whole. How about voting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell out of office?
There is something you could help with, though, that impacts America as a whole. How about voting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell out of office?
3
I dont agree with your oremise; buyer's remorse as a result of erratic leadership, precisely the type we have observed thus far, would have resulted in a victory last evening in this district for Ossoff. Remember, they didn't like Trump that much in the general, so really nothing has changed. What we can derive from the result is a very vibrant backlash both against Obama, and Liberalism. For the most part, these voters prefer dysfunction to the Liberal agenda, even if it helps them, which in this district it decidedly does not. No, my prediction is the Trump honeymoon lasts at least until the midterms unless the FBI investigation bears fruit. Forget the congressional investigations; patriotism has taken a back seat to politics. However, and I am sincerely praying it doesn't happen, the culture of chaos and self-dealing that has taken root in the White House has the increased potential for catastrophic outcomes. Then the voters of Georgia will not only regret their vote but recognize the full magnitude of their political folly.
11
What's most telling is that while Trump played up his role, the winner of the Republican field, Handel, was careful to NOT mention Trump at all in her "victory" speech.
Unfortunately for Ossoff, who really should move back to the district he is running in (he was raised there and does live nearby, but the optics are bad), even though he nearly had 50% of the vote his 48% still amounted to less than the 51% won by the six top Republican candidates.
Yet fortunately for Ossoff (and America), it would seem his popularity and even Handel's are connected to a rejection of a Trump. The way Trump is sinking in his Trump-built Crony Swamp, that seems to be in Ossoff's favor.
Keep up the pressure. Resist.
Unfortunately for Ossoff, who really should move back to the district he is running in (he was raised there and does live nearby, but the optics are bad), even though he nearly had 50% of the vote his 48% still amounted to less than the 51% won by the six top Republican candidates.
Yet fortunately for Ossoff (and America), it would seem his popularity and even Handel's are connected to a rejection of a Trump. The way Trump is sinking in his Trump-built Crony Swamp, that seems to be in Ossoff's favor.
Keep up the pressure. Resist.
36
Too bad the democrats are unable, thus far, to gather stamina and win elections, so to stop the unconscionable destruction of american society's values by Trump's kleptocracy. But the winds of change may accelerate, as more and more people, especially those that demagogue Trump promised sand castles, wake up and grasp reality as is. Unless we are stupid enough to continue to vote with our feet. Are we that gullible? So uneducated? We shall see.
8
If Dems do not take back both chambers next year with this flawed imposter in WH, they better disband and we Libs will we get our very own party.
8
If the United States of America has a future surely people like Jon Ossoff is that future and surely Georgia's sixth congressional district as the best educated Republican district in the United States of America is the barometer of how things are going.
Fifty percent of a district whose citizens rejected the way America is going would be meaningless except when that district encompasses everything the United States is supposed to be about.
Georgia's sixth district represents where the Democratic Party wants to take the country and only 50% said this is the way we want to go. Surely there are more than just the two options. Surely there are visions that are not Democratic or Republican. Nether party seems particularly seems particularly liberal nor conservative to me and neither party offers American citizens a way forward in 2017, Surely what was the most dynamic and most forward looking nation of my lifetime can do better or can it?
Georgia's Sixth is the epitome of America's middle class and Tuesday's results tell me how deep the divisions truly are. Georgia's sixth should be the bluest district in all the USA and it as purple as purple can be.
Fifty percent of a district whose citizens rejected the way America is going would be meaningless except when that district encompasses everything the United States is supposed to be about.
Georgia's sixth district represents where the Democratic Party wants to take the country and only 50% said this is the way we want to go. Surely there are more than just the two options. Surely there are visions that are not Democratic or Republican. Nether party seems particularly seems particularly liberal nor conservative to me and neither party offers American citizens a way forward in 2017, Surely what was the most dynamic and most forward looking nation of my lifetime can do better or can it?
Georgia's Sixth is the epitome of America's middle class and Tuesday's results tell me how deep the divisions truly are. Georgia's sixth should be the bluest district in all the USA and it as purple as purple can be.
8
Trump's tweets allow him to bypass traditional news media and are designed to cheer his millions of followers who can continue to think he's a winner!
7
@ Cheryl nally
Yes, but this strategy will only work with those who are literally incapable of discerning fact from fantasy. Sadly for this country there are plenty of those but, this must not deter the rest of us from calling out this president and his administration when they embark on schemes that endanger the health of our democracy.
Yes, but this strategy will only work with those who are literally incapable of discerning fact from fantasy. Sadly for this country there are plenty of those but, this must not deter the rest of us from calling out this president and his administration when they embark on schemes that endanger the health of our democracy.
1
Bruni's question: "Are they worked up enough to foil and eventually topple Trump? More to the point, are they organized, disciplined and pragmatic enough to turn the passion of marches and street protests into concrete results at the polls".
My answer: join a local Indivisble group and make it happen! Call your reps every week!
My answer: join a local Indivisble group and make it happen! Call your reps every week!
36
Can we just stop following the clown around and PROSECUTE RUSSIAGATE?
Lots of time and words being wasted.
Lots of time and words being wasted.
48
Those familiar with Georgia know that district to be among the reddest in a consistently red state. As such it doesn't provide much of a litmus test to Trump, as the voters will likely install the GOP candidate, albeit likely by a somewhat narrower margin than usual. That said, the real test will come in the midterm in those districts around the country that are historically more balanced than this one. Right now, my sense is that progressives have reason for cautious optimism, and I hope that holds. Given Trump, and who he is to his core, I suspect it will.
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" ... he isn’t currently residing in the district that he’s seeking to represent."
Tom McClintock (R, CA-04) has not resided in his district since his election in 2008. Moreover, he is a carpetbagger from southern California (Ca senator from LA county). An ardent Tea Partier and free market fan, he has never held a job in the private sector. An empty suit, on his good days.
Tom McClintock (R, CA-04) has not resided in his district since his election in 2008. Moreover, he is a carpetbagger from southern California (Ca senator from LA county). An ardent Tea Partier and free market fan, he has never held a job in the private sector. An empty suit, on his good days.
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We have to get rid of him next year. Scrub the GOP out of the California delegation.
I am far less sanguine than Mr. Bruni about this result. Democrats cannot be satisfied with nearly winning. Trump's damage to the country depends on having control of Congress. Democrats must find a way to win. Period.
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Uh, no one lost. It's not over. And it's Georgia. We wouldn't even be talking about this if Ossoff hadn't come so close. There's no saying he won't win in June - except for the naysaying.
3
In the 2016 presidential election that re-elected Price with a 62% plus majority, 119,536 people voted for Stooksbury, the Democratic candidate.
92,390 people voted for Ossoff yesterday, a shortfall of 37,146 from November. If the 37,146 people who did not find the time, or have the means and the transportation, or could not muster the sense of urgency and the strong disapproval of this administration and its president, had gone to the polls, Ossoff would have attained the 50% +1 required. Like cockroaches, complacency and apathy seem to survive no matter what. We have the democracy we deserve, and blaming the off-season primary or the gerrymandering is typical of the passive-aggressive stance of my party.
92,390 people voted for Ossoff yesterday, a shortfall of 37,146 from November. If the 37,146 people who did not find the time, or have the means and the transportation, or could not muster the sense of urgency and the strong disapproval of this administration and its president, had gone to the polls, Ossoff would have attained the 50% +1 required. Like cockroaches, complacency and apathy seem to survive no matter what. We have the democracy we deserve, and blaming the off-season primary or the gerrymandering is typical of the passive-aggressive stance of my party.
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"If the 37,146 people who did not find the time... had gone to the polls, Ossoff would have attained the 50% +1 required."
Same with Romney in '12. Same with Hillary in '16. And if all those Republicans who didn't vote in GA6 had gone to the polls, Ossoff still would have been below 50%. And I wish rain water were beer, but t'isn't.
Same with Romney in '12. Same with Hillary in '16. And if all those Republicans who didn't vote in GA6 had gone to the polls, Ossoff still would have been below 50%. And I wish rain water were beer, but t'isn't.
37,000 fewer voted for the Dem candidate but the Republicans are down from 192,000 to less than 100,000. Keep it up!
Yes, apathy is a problem. But keep in mind as well that Republicans did not gut the Voting Rights Act for idle fun. For a decade, Republican donors have been spending vast amounts of money, energy and lobbying; coordinating strategy through their think tanks; supplying states with model legislation; and conducting a very disciplined PR campaign via their sympathetic media outlets - all in the service of making it harder for left-leaning independents and Democrats to vote or have their votes counted. The blocking of Obama's judicial nominees, up to and including Garland, was also part of this strategy.
The people coordinating this are a lot of things, but dumb is not one.
Hundreds of millions of dollars an enormous amount of political capital has been thrown at suppressing turnout. Why would you be shocked that this has had an effect?
The people coordinating this are a lot of things, but dumb is not one.
Hundreds of millions of dollars an enormous amount of political capital has been thrown at suppressing turnout. Why would you be shocked that this has had an effect?
6
Ignored is how many millions the Dems blew on this race. The next census is in three years. They should be spending their money on state legislative seats so they can counter the masterful relentless gerrymandering and voting rights diminishing efforts of republicans of the last two decades
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rising tide lifts all boats...
Seriously delusional? In this matter and in all else. No, I take that back somewhat. He certainly knows how to use the presidency (while he's got it) to enrich self and family. Or maybe that's just the famous stopped clock effect.
33
He is a master at using other people's money; he has bragged about that. He used his "foundation" as a slush fund to pay his fines and legal representation in Florida; he also used it to commission a 6' tall portrait of himself at a much younger age when he wasn't a bloated, red faced grifter lumbering his way up the steps of Air Force One. His family have jumped right in with "business" trips to Peru, (Eric); business development trip to Mumbai, India, (Don, Jr.); marketing of jewelry and clothing, now stopped, (Ivanka and Melania). We are lucky he has not attempted to sell the antiques in the White House; we are lucky he spends more time in his garish estate in Florida and even more hideous gilded penthouse in NYC. This man is still the rube from Queens with bad taste, not invited to the right parties, snubbed by old money, and still angry. He and Putin have a lot in common: bad taste, no moral standards, rapacious, and vulgar.
16
In Trump's robo-call in support of the Rep. candidate he disdainfully comments on all the "outside" money supporting Ossoff.
Unless Trump resides in that Atlanta district, he is an "outsider" himself, trying to influence Atlanta voters.
Even if Ossoff does not ultimately win his race, Democrats are closing in--it's only a matter of time.
Unless Trump resides in that Atlanta district, he is an "outsider" himself, trying to influence Atlanta voters.
Even if Ossoff does not ultimately win his race, Democrats are closing in--it's only a matter of time.
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We also need to account for gerrymandering in this analysis. Mr. Ossoff never needed a 50+1% majority as he already starts from a structural disadvantage. He needed more than 50+1% in order to offset his handicap. Although technically legal, the system is still rigged. The threshold for Democratic victory is intentionally set higher than for Republicans. Even when you win, you lose. Witness President Trump.
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Ossoff way outperformed polling (which had him hovering around 42%) and the Republican who came in second place probably did the most to distance herself from Trump of the main Republican candidates in the race. It may not have been an outright victory for the Democrats, but it was an absolute catastrophe for Trump. I wouldn't be surprised if the Koch brothers start financing primary candidates to challenge Republicans who are too friendly to Trump in the midterms.
20
Ossoff is a weak candidate in a strong Republican district--so, wish him well, but Georgia is Georgia. Having said that, I was encouraged in listening to interviews of voters in the district who voted for Trump---it was apparent they are unhappy with both Trump's performance and behavior. Terms like better prepared, being focused, stop tweeting, and take the job more seriously were typical of voters that maybe a sign that his followers are not monolithic true believers.
21
Is this national party giving this candidate the support he needs, especially as a novice politician? I'm not talking just money, but coaching and mentoring. And for heaven's sake, move into the district, now.
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Indeed, as commentators never tire of noting, Trump "lost the popular vote — by a lot."
But that margin is accounted for entirely by Los Angeles County and four of the five boroughs of New York City (excluding Staten Island, where many of the city's workers live).
Those who wish to rid the country of him and his successors (and there will be successors) are just going to have to get out into the countryside more. And not just to continue abusing the folks they find there.
But that margin is accounted for entirely by Los Angeles County and four of the five boroughs of New York City (excluding Staten Island, where many of the city's workers live).
Those who wish to rid the country of him and his successors (and there will be successors) are just going to have to get out into the countryside more. And not just to continue abusing the folks they find there.
16
LA and NYC don't count right?
2
And what is LA County packed solid with? Illegal aliens, who were encouraged to vote in a "Sanctuary" State and by no less than Barack Obama himself !(LOOK IT UP -- he states that "if you contribute to society, you are a citizen and can vote, no matter your immigration status!").
The votes of illegals do not and should not be counted. Fortunately the popular vote does, and NEVER HAS, determined the POTUS.
The votes of illegals do not and should not be counted. Fortunately the popular vote does, and NEVER HAS, determined the POTUS.
4
These things take time. It took Fox, Breibart and right wing talk radio over a decade to brainwash the American public. We can't expect sanity to return instantly. America moves at a glacial pace, it's one of our charms.
Only can Donald Trump claim success after the candidate he so publicly supported was enough of a foil to prevent the Dem opponent from breaching 50 percent. I can see Donald now: "My candidates didn't get beat by 30 or more points. She only got beat by 29 points!"
3
The takeaway from the election obviously doesn't prove Trump's strength but it does prove that large swaths of American people are still voting for and supporting a Republican Party integratively linked to Trump based on hate, ignorance, lies, hypocrisy, and incompetence of an unprecedented scale.
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And they will continue to in states like this. To be expected.
2
Don't try to use hyperbole to confuse those intelligent readers who know the difference between a win and a loss. After nearly 100 days in office, a 1% swing is a failure OF SOME SORT. I mean to say that the administration has been so abominably dismal, so horribly incompetent and dangerous that while we know there are millions of ignorant fools in this country with no conscience at all who will never do the right thing, those poor lost souls who were somehow "on the fence" in November seem to have been swayed too little by these 100 days so that they would refute IN NO UNCERTAIN TERMS the charlatan's time in office. The charlatan lost the popular vote but won the Electoral College and sits in the Oval Office. A "win" is a "win" and a "loss" just that. There WILL be a runoff. LESS than 50% of the Georgia district was willing to repudiate the GOP and a federal government so obviously dismal. I see that as a loss, as much as it pains me to say it and additional proof that an eventual breakup of our "United" States, which are nothing - nothing - of the kind.
24
Whisking in the dark. If the Republicans lose the next round, it'll be startling indeed.
1
That will be the key for Democrats, the ability to carry the energy, the passion, and the political muscle into the mid-terms to take back the House.
6
This is no time to delude ourselves into thinking that this is the liberal wave washing away the stench of Trump. The only way to reclaim the country is for liberals to move to deep red states instead of clustering around the blue centers, and change the electorate. But we don't want to do that because they you'd have to live in the red state...
21
The "red state/blue state" notion is good for counting Electoral College votes, but it tells one very little about its culture, because every state has conservative and liberal enclaves. The writer thinks it's horrible that "you'd have to live in the red state". Lots of liberals live in Atlanta. All of the urban areas in Georgia voted Democratic in the Presidential election. The state government, though Republican, has been willing and able to resist pressure from the religious right.
So why does the media keep talking about red/blue states? Because it's a lazy way to cover political news.
So why does the media keep talking about red/blue states? Because it's a lazy way to cover political news.
7
When college students graduate many of their jobs are in the big coastal cities as well as Atlanta, Dallas, and Chicago. Accenture would hire students from the University of Florida contingent on them moving to one of the bigger hubs. So if anyone needs to move it is those at retirement age. But as you stated we would have to live in red states. Maybe we could draw straws for Florida and Arizona. If we turned Florida back to the democratic state it used to be, it would be enough to turn the tide.
2
Coming close is simply not good enough to turn the political tables in this country. Only winning does that.
12
The fact that Ossoff had so many weaknesses & still did pretty well in a GOP bastion says to me that the disillusion w/ DT is fairly wide-spread. I hope he can capitalize on the disparity among the voters who didn't want Handel.
Georgia affirmed Trump on November 8, 2016 by a vote of 51% for Trump over 46% for Hillary winning all 16 Electoral College votes from Georgia. Nothing changed yesterday in Georgia to alter that result.
My enslaved African Georgia ancestors remained in inhuman bondage until General William T. Sherman and his Union troops came by their plantations after torching Atlanta. The Emancipation Proclamation did not affirm their humanity as persons instead of property.
My enslaved African Georgia ancestors remained in inhuman bondage until General William T. Sherman and his Union troops came by their plantations after torching Atlanta. The Emancipation Proclamation did not affirm their humanity as persons instead of property.
5
I donated to this young guy's campaign. Did not know him, have never been to Georgia, I live in Chicago. I did it because we need young democrats all over the country. Whatever we did wrong in the election, doing it with the same old faces is not going to cut it going forward. I hope Ossoff wins in the general election.
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I just donated too.
1
Jon Ossoff fell shy of 50%. Which is progress in a historically red state, no? What is missing? For one thing, the visual of Barack Obama vacationing in some private island, surrounded by Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, Bruce Springsteen...does not help one bit. If Obama is half as popular as my millennials believed him to be, he should be out here in Georgia, campaigning for Jon who is technically a millennial too. This exactly has been the visual portrayed by the Obamas, not their mistake, they mimic the Clintons, by surrounding themselves with the wealthiest of the wealthiest, while their constituents cry for their help. Instead they get snarled in lost messaging, lost opportunities to truly connect with the voters who "matter". Celebrities do not matter a single bit, except when you are seeking their big bucks. Bernie proved to us and the DNC that you do NOT have to rely on these celebrities, you can rely on WE the people. Jon, God Speed, with or without Obamas and Clintons, please make good things happen to the good people of Georgia!
87
We eight years. I think you can no longer critique a person who doesn't work for you anymore. Where are you? Where are we? Leave the Obamas alone.
12
As America's first African-American president, Barak Obama struggled for eight years trying to work with or around men who hated him professionally. Some of them likely hated him personally, possibly racially. I'd say he worked hard enough to deserve to do whatever he likes. We don't deserve him.
46
And if Obama campaigned for him and he still missed 50% he would have been blamed for tying himself to our last popularly elected President. In any case the Obamas are presently doing what The Donald has been doing all his life: living the high life. They're entitled to a vacation now whereas Trump is on holiday every weekend, at taxpayers' expense.
33
Ossoff racked up a lot of votes in a highly unlikely area; we'll see what happens next. I think the Democrats need a wave of younger people willing to stand for office - there's a dearth of people willing to take on the time and expense and the flack at local levels - ( outside money produces negative ads at every level now - and there is use of antisocial media to generate false rumors to wreck images) and for those who aren't a Trump, that's where involvement starts.
And Trump may be florid but he never blushes.
And Trump may be florid but he never blushes.
4
This ignores a vital part of the story, which is the deep split among nominal Republicans between their establishment and Trump.
It split 60/40 among Republicans in favor of Trump, but Romney outperformed Trump by a huge margin. That is a real divide.
The divide is between the establishment Republicans of the tax cut variety, and those demanding reforms to economy and trade that offend the establishment. It is fundamental, not tactical.
Democrats suffered from a similar division in the last election. They will need to resolve that in order to rise past the still-divided Republicans.
Democrats can do that, far more readily than can Republicans. They did not, they resisted, they entirely sold out in their final choices, but they could actually find a middle ground where there is not one for the Republicans.
Ossoff or someone like him will have to offer that, not just anti-Trump, in order to move forward from a protest vote to a winning majority.
It split 60/40 among Republicans in favor of Trump, but Romney outperformed Trump by a huge margin. That is a real divide.
The divide is between the establishment Republicans of the tax cut variety, and those demanding reforms to economy and trade that offend the establishment. It is fundamental, not tactical.
Democrats suffered from a similar division in the last election. They will need to resolve that in order to rise past the still-divided Republicans.
Democrats can do that, far more readily than can Republicans. They did not, they resisted, they entirely sold out in their final choices, but they could actually find a middle ground where there is not one for the Republicans.
Ossoff or someone like him will have to offer that, not just anti-Trump, in order to move forward from a protest vote to a winning majority.
74
you should read up on how Ossoff campaigned. It was not anti Trump - it was for economic development for the metro region. Yes he genuflected towards environmental protection, voter rights, and host of standard Dem causes but he kept to the middle of the road.
7
Trump is "seriously delusional" as you say. As I recall, he even claimed to have turned rain into sun during his inaugural speech.
Moreover, I'm sure he sees himself as an Electoral College conqueror, popular vote be damned. For Trump, self-congratulations even in the face of failure are so hardwired into his mental makeup that I suspect he'd find something to brag about even if Ossoff had won.
Donald Trump should change professions, like now--resign the presidency and join an ad agency, which gets paid for making the worst appear the better cause.
As for Ossoff, yes, he makes a lousy candidate and I cannot for the life of me see how he thought he could win a district when he doesn't even live there, As one pundit pointed out last night, couldn't he have afforded to rent a room from Airbnb?
Yes he presents nicely, is clearly smart, and knows his scripts, likely too well. But even at the local level, he needs to show more engagement with the district he would be serving. Unless he radically changes his flaws before June, he will sink faster than a dead weight in a shallow pond.
I watched Tom Perez this morning expound on all the "momentum" dems have as the party of resistance. I'm sorry, Tom: momentum won't cut it without wins. If party outsiders are going to throw cash at unknown candidates, they need to have more of a say over how it's spent. That's where the DNC chairman comes in.
At the very least, run candidates who actually live in the right place.
Moreover, I'm sure he sees himself as an Electoral College conqueror, popular vote be damned. For Trump, self-congratulations even in the face of failure are so hardwired into his mental makeup that I suspect he'd find something to brag about even if Ossoff had won.
Donald Trump should change professions, like now--resign the presidency and join an ad agency, which gets paid for making the worst appear the better cause.
As for Ossoff, yes, he makes a lousy candidate and I cannot for the life of me see how he thought he could win a district when he doesn't even live there, As one pundit pointed out last night, couldn't he have afforded to rent a room from Airbnb?
Yes he presents nicely, is clearly smart, and knows his scripts, likely too well. But even at the local level, he needs to show more engagement with the district he would be serving. Unless he radically changes his flaws before June, he will sink faster than a dead weight in a shallow pond.
I watched Tom Perez this morning expound on all the "momentum" dems have as the party of resistance. I'm sorry, Tom: momentum won't cut it without wins. If party outsiders are going to throw cash at unknown candidates, they need to have more of a say over how it's spent. That's where the DNC chairman comes in.
At the very least, run candidates who actually live in the right place.
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The Democratic Party is, at the same time, toast and its own toaster.
7
Hi! I'm a local here in Atlanta (and full disclosure: a good friend of mine is a former supervisor of Ossoff). I offer a couple pieces of contextual data: Ossoff grew up in the 6th, lived there until recently, and his extended family still lives there. His girlfriend is a medical student at Emory University in central Atlanta; they live in a place that is about 5 minutes by car outside of the 6th district outside of rush hour. You may have seen the news about our recent highway disasters, but even before then it was a bad idea to try to commute into the Emory/CDC area from the northern suburbs on a regular basis.
Second, it's explicitly legal in Georgia for representatives to live outside their district, and a good number of them do. The GOP is casting this as unusual and illegal, but it's typical political ad distortion.
Third and last, I keep hearing about all the out-district money that Ossoff received. I don't hear as much about the astonishing amount of local volunteer support he gathered, though, which is also quite surprising given the highly Republican nature of the district.
Second, it's explicitly legal in Georgia for representatives to live outside their district, and a good number of them do. The GOP is casting this as unusual and illegal, but it's typical political ad distortion.
Third and last, I keep hearing about all the out-district money that Ossoff received. I don't hear as much about the astonishing amount of local volunteer support he gathered, though, which is also quite surprising given the highly Republican nature of the district.
58
He was raised in the district, this counts for nothing? And if getting half the vote is not significant, then only winning is meaningful? Many of us found the result very encouraging.
15