Spring Meeting: Exec. Committee Meeting & Dem. Governors Assoc.
I just got done with the executive committee meeting and wanted to post a few quick notes before turning towards uploading photos and video from the session. Of all the pieces I've attended so far, this one provided the most information for the campaign addict stuffed away inside of me. First Governor Dean took to the podium and talked about some of the ways the DNC has worked together with the state parties in terms of providing bodies on the battleground and cash in the coffers. We've all heard it before, the fifty state strategy -- lots of applause from those from inside the states, they are quite appreciative. I'll have video up shortly from portions of the governor's comments. When he wa done, he turned the mic over the Penny Lee for a Democratic Governors Association briefing.
Penny talked about some real pick-up opportunities for Democrats in the 2006 election cycle. By the time the ballots are cast, the goal is undoubtedly to flip a majority of seats into the Democratic column for the first time in quite some time (as I write this, I see New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin to the right of me interviewed by scores of media -- there is a contested Mayoral primary here tomorrow). Anyway, Lee mentioned New York as a real opportunity for Democrats to pick-up a seat. That's stating the obvious, indeed. She went onto Ohio where criminally convicted Republican Governor Bob Taft is term-limited out of his seat, but leaves a legacy that includes a 13% approval rating, a state caught up in scandal, and a dire mess of fiscal irresponsibility. She mentioned Arkansas, where former Attorney General Mike Beebe is facing off against Republican Asa Hutchinson. This seat is a tremendous opportunity for Democrats in the South, and we lead handily in the polls as of today. California, of course, is a currently a contested primary, but we have a great chance to flip another governorship into our column there. Another expensive state in the top-tier of pick-up opportunities is Florida, where Jeb Bush is also gone in November. Both Florida and California are very very expensive states with large media markets. Massachusetts is another seat Republican Governor Mitt Romney will be vacating as he pursues his quest to become the Republican nominee for president in 2008. There is a three-way Democratic primary in Mass., and with a late primary date (September), the emphasis is on messaging about why a Democratic governor is so important. Maryland and Minnesota rounded out the top-teir races mentioned by Penny Lee in 2008. Lee concluded her remarks by thanking Governor Dean, again, for the amount of investment in terms of time, personnel, and resources he has devoted to the state parties, allowing them to organize on the ground in a cohesive way. She also appreciates the state partnership program for the fact that organizers are going to be staying in those roles for longer than just a six or seven month election cycle. The DGA has a saying, "don't wait 'til '08," as this cycle is about more than just taking a majority of governorships, but also setting the pace for 2008 and 2010, when redistricting becomes an issue once again.
At this point, Governor Dean re-took the podium and mentioned two more Southern states to keep an eye on as well: Alabama and Georgia.
More coming from the DLCC, not to be confused with the DLC. The DLCC is the committee that oversees the 7382 state legislative campaigns across the country.
