by Matt Stoller, Tue Jan 17, 2006 at 09:26:24 AM EST
Tags: Senate 2006 (all tags)
Yes, Democratic Gov. Dave Freudenthal is to Wyoming what Gov. Brian Sweitzer is to Montana.
Two popular Democratic Governors in very red states.
Hopefully,Freudenthal makes a difference in a possible upset victory for Democrats. In today's political climate, anything is possible.While Montana's Governor does the same magic in the Senate race there.
Mind you, the idealist in me despises the sort of weapons that this man built, but... I can see the big picture and not resent someone who thought he was doing what was best for his country at the time.
Max Baucus's seat has been in Dem hands continually since 1913.
Thomas Walsh 1913-33
John Erickson 1933-34
James Murray 1934-61
Lee Metcalf 1961-78
Paul Hatfield 1978
Max Baucus 1979-2006
The other seat was in Dem hands for all but one senate term between 1911-89 when Burns became only the second Republican senator elected from Montana since before WWI.
Henry Myers 1911-23
Burton Wheeler 1923-47
REPUBLICAN 1947-53
Mike Mansfield 1953-77
John Melcher 1977-89
By contrast there have only been six Dem senators ever elected from Wyoming.
John Kendrick 1917-35
Joseph O'Mahoney 1933-61
Harry Schwartz 1937-43
Lester Hunt 1949-54
John Hickey 1961-62
Gale McGee 1959-77
We always compare neighboring states of NM & WI, or MO & OH especially on Presidential elections.
Other than geography, a Democratic Presidential candidate has not carried either MT or WY for many years.
At least in the South, the last two Democratic Presidential candidates to win Clinton & Carter carried multiple southern states. MT & WT are hard to crack on a national level.
But the more we start challenging them on local levels, the better our chances for the future on the Presidential level.
But just like the South, there is a Big Disconnect between National Democrats & local WY & MT Democrats.
Schweiter & Freundal have had to win it on their own without any help from National High Profile Democrats.
Until National Democrats & Democratic Office holders in more Conservative States find common ground on the major controversial issues, we will never be able to actively compete in states like MS,AL,OK,MT,WY, & Idaho from a Presidential level.
The disconnect will always be on Guns, Gays, & Abortion rights.
Actually MT voted for Clinton in 1992. True, a large part of that was the Pert-effect, but it DID go to Clinton.
Hopefully, one more impressive statewide victory by Democrats ( as in unseating Burns) & you never know.
With the right Presidential candidate plus the Right issues, we may turn MT back Blue.
If Democrats did control all 3 statewide seats ( Governor, Two Senators), from an organizational & structural aspect alone, that would be a BIG Plus for any Democrat.
This is the same Advantage states like Ohio & Missouri have had in Presidential elections in the last two cycles. All Statewide Offices are firmly controlled by the GOP.
That's a very huge advantage on political machinery. Unfortunately, the Ohio GOP has used that advantage to abuse the system during Presidential elections.
But more importantly, this has the look of a major wedge issue for liberals. Looking back to the Terri Schiavo incident, it seems clear where religious conservatives fall on the issue. Not only are they against the practice, they're willing to go to extraordinary means. But assisted suicide is supported by a fairly substantial majority of Americans. (It varies depending on how the question is worded, but a CNN poll from last fall, which asked about the Oregon law, found that 64% of respondents felt "physicians should be given the right to dispense prescriptions to patients to end their life.")
Roe preceeded the national impulse toward abortion, came from a top-down ruling, and wedged the left. Death with Dignity followed national interest and came up from the states. It looks to have every chance of wedging the right. Dems should take note and lead the discussion on national end-of-life issues. It's a winner.
I've got a bit more analysis at my blog, which also takes an historical view (I'm an Oregonian).
Hello?
tumbleweed
They always make it a point to emphasize to people that WY Democrats are different & do no agree with National democrats especially on issues concerning Guns,Gays, & Abortion.
WY Governor Freudental is much more blunt in his criticism of National Democrats directed to Dean Bill & Hillary Clinton, Kerry & Gore. While Brian Schweitzer is more smooth in his explanation & giving advice to National Democrats. At least MT Governor Schweitzer sounds like his giving advice to National Democrats to stay away from controversial issues like Gun Rights & Gay Rights instead of castigating them.
But at the end of the day, you cannot blame these Democrats in these states. That's the only way they will survive as Democrats.
But WY Democrats don't hold any punches. Idaho Democrats are the same. They openly Disavow National Democrats on these social issues.
This is ONE BIG PROBLEM that the GOP doesn't have to deal with. While we always start with a Huge & pretty much automatic disadvantge in states like AL,MS,OK,SC,WY,MT,ID, NE,UT every 4 years.
That's 9 states right there that have been automatic GOP every 4 years primarily because of these Social Issues. ( Guns,Gays,Abortion)
Lastly, here's a link from 4 months ago out of Wyoming. It was Democratic bashing of Dean & Clinton by fellow WY Democrats. Hey, I don't blame them. That's the ONLY way they will survive as a Democrat in these states. You can then understand why people like Nelson of NE, or Baucus of MT vote the way they vote. They represent a constituency who thinks that way.
http://www.cnsnews.com/Commentary/archive/200509/COM20050929a.html
I am a Wyoming Democrat. I am also a VERY progressive person. And I have somehow managed to get into the position of Democratic Party County Chairman.
Objectively, I would say that my politics do not reflect those of Wyoming-ites in general, but that my anger at the blatant corruption of the Republicans, and the complicity and weakness of the Democrats, is common in the population of our state.
Congratulations on your success as County Chair.
I could just imagine the challenges & the persistence necessary in a state that has been dominated by Republicans for many years.
Hey, but at least you have the Governor's mansion. You also have two competent people running to try & unseat the GOP Senator & Congressman.
Kudos to you. Keep up the fight!
BTW, any thoughts on our chances ( if any) of being competitive in the Senate & House seat ???
Thanks
I am going to plead the 5th on the Senate race, but our candidate for Congress is truly fantastic. Gary Trauner has to be one of the straight-shooting-est guys I've had the pleasure of dealing with and I think he has a very good opportunity to defeat Cubin--especially as she is one of those Congress-critters who continually shoot their own feet off.
Good luck to all this year!
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