Edwards Touts Red State Appeal
by Todd Beeton, Wed Sep 12, 2007 at 10:45:42 AM EDT
This is interesting. John Edwards's latest fundraising ask claims that he, of all the Democratic candidates, can best "expand the electoral map" for Democrats beyond what are typically considered blue states. As evidence, the e-mail cites Edwards's recent decisive "e-primary" win among Texas Democrats and is signed by and written from the perspective of 8 prominent state representatives from red or purple states. The point here is more than his usual boasting that he's best equipped to run nationally (which has always struck me as code for "this country elects white southern men to be president and I'm the only white southern man here.") This e-mail takes that claim to another level by stating unequivocally that whom we choose to be the Democratic nominee will determine more than merely who the next president will be, it will directly impact downticket races as well.
The e-mail reads:
As leaders of our respective legislative chambers, no one knows the effect of the top-of-the-ticket candidate on state legislative races better than us, no one. The difference between winning or losing control of legislative chambers in many states will be greatly influenced by who is the nominee for the general election. We believe that we have the best chance, in some areas, the only chance, of ensuring Democratic control throughout this country with John Edwards leading the charge for Democrats next fall.
This is a clear shot at Hillary Clinton who, many fear, will be a drag on downticket races, both because the far left will see her as yet another establishment Democrat and maybe stay home while the far right will be motivated to actually go out and vote. And the shots at Hillary don't end there.
Expanding the map will mean we don't have to triangulate. Some candidates argue that they're the best candidate because they know the system in Washington, D.C.--but that's not good enough.
But ultimately, this new strategy seems more of a shot across Obama's bow to the extent that it re-writes the script of how one attracts support in swing districts and states around the country. Whereas Obama uses a non-partisan "unity" message to appeal to independents, conservative Democrats and even Republicans, this e-mail is a decidedly partisan exercise, using some form of the word "Democrat" 26 times by my count. Take this paragraph for example.
We can expand the map and build on John's record of fighting for Democrats in all 50 states. We can continue to build the infrastructure for Democratic victories across the nation in 2008. But it will only happen if we put a true fighter at the top of the ticket--one who will strengthen the hands of Democrats running in red states as well as blue.
Edwards here is turning the conventional wisdom of partisanship as a divisive force on its head and instead argues that his brand of partisanship will actually unite the country behind him. This is more than just red meat to the base to raise money, this is really good messaging. If it works as a fundraising ask, hopefully it will be replicated by other candidates, both on the presidential level and downticket as well.
Tags: 2008 Presidential election, Democratic Primary, John Edwards (all tags)
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