Wendy Davis' Campaign Furious Dem Guv Group Won't Prioritize Texas - TPMDC

[WillyT]

Wendy Davis' Campaign Furious Dem Guv Group Won't Prioritize Texas
Daniel Strauss – TPMDC
April 29, 2014, 5:58 PM EDT

<snip>

Texas Democratic gubernatorial nominee Wendy Davis's campaign is in a bit of a feud with the Democratic Governors Association.

After Democratic Governors Association chairman and Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin did not list the Texas gubernatorial race as a top target for Democrats this cycle, Davis's campaign manager, Karin Johanson, shot back.

"The uninformed opinions of a Washington, DC desk jockey who's never stepped foot in Texas couldn't be less relevant to what's actually happening on the ground," Johanson said in a statement according to the San Antonio Express-News. "The Davis campaign is constructing an operation never before seen in Texas that's built on the hard work of 15,000 volunteers who knocked on more than 55,000 doors in one weekend, more than 120,000 individual donors and a candidate who is exciting voters in a way not seen since Ann Richards' come from behind victory."

In a followup, Davis campaign communications director Zac Petkanas said Johanson was talking about "whoever at the DGA prepared the governor's talking points."

At a Third Way event on Tuesday, Shumlin listed Maine, Florida, and Pennsylvania as top gubernatorial races for Democrats to win this cycle. Shumlin also mentioned Wisconsin, Ohio, and Michigan as the second-tier races that could be good for Democrats.

Democrats are poised to pick up a few governors' mansions this cycle and the Texas gubernatorial race, between Davis and Attorney General Greg Abbot (R) has been, arguably, the most high-profile race. Still, Davis's chances of winning are far from a sure thing.

<snip>

More: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/wendy-davis-dga-top-pickup-texas

[Faux pas]

1. Here's where we can email them

https://secure.democraticgovernors.org/contact-us-email

I'm giving them a piece of my mind!!!!!

[elleng]

5. Ditto!

and i'm inclined to do similar with all the other Dem Party orgs that continually ask me to contribute.

[Txchick]

31. DGA using Senator Davis's Name

The DGA is using Wendy's name in emails to raise money titled "Wendy's in trouble and needs your help". The money goes to candidates outside Texas!! BS DGA!!

[elleng]

32. I sent directly to Wendy.

HOPE I didn't jinx her!!!

[tabbycat31]

36. This is very typical on both sides

If one name is sexy to the base, then they'll use it.

They'll do the same on a name that is toxic to the base (Nancy Pelosi, Paul Ryan, etc)

[elleng]

8. DONE!

and tomorrow, Wendy gets some $ from me directly.

[oldandhappy]

16. Thank you -- did!

[Skidmore]

21. done

[Eleanors38]

24. Thanks for the link. DGA just received my non-contribution.

I'm putting my $$ on Davis & Van de Putte, and other candidates who show some toughness, and not into some group that tells me who is important.

[WillyT]

27. You Are Quite Welcome !!!

[Scuba]

2. Me too. That's why I donate only to candidates themselves, never to any other orgs.

[northoftheborder]

4. same here.

[elleng]

6. ditto

[truedelphi]

10. Same here. n/t

[bullwinkle428]

3. UGH - "Third Way event". SLOWLY I TURN.

[FiveGoodMen]

19. Step by step ... inch by inch

Yup. The Third Way must go.

[Eleanors38]

25. My stomach just turned.

[woo me with science]

7. The stated goals of the party are often not the actual goals of the party....

A lesson we have learned well from the corporate purchase of our party...

[truedelphi]

11. Oh buh buh buh is your statement to be believed?

Some here will only attempt to begin to think about what you are stating, if Barack or Hillary confirm it is so.


Until then, the entire meme of "It is the nasty awful Republicans fault" must be allowed 98% of their gray matter.

[progressoid]

9. Wonder if the pressure is paying off. Wendy is at the top of their webpage now.

http://democraticgovernors.org/#

[MagickMuffin]

13. It Appears That You Can Donate (Secured Link) To Her Campaign Through Their Site

Perhaps that would encourage the DGA to contribute with matching funds? Or at least show her some other support.

That would be a fantastic, and terrific way to show our support.

Thanks for the link

[Orsino]

12. Because they'd rather have Perry signing off on vote suppression...

...in the biggest battleground state. Go, big D!

[WaitWut]

14. This is a GOTV issue...

Nationwide.

I think that if the DNC would utilize their collective assets for a major nationwide get out the vote push. They would see that they do hold the majorities in many "Republican owned" areas.

A simple marketing campaign describing Regional Voting Procedures and How to be prepared for the Long Lines. Would get some attention, then a tag line of "Change the Rules." Would probably be more successful than a Candidate based ad.

Ah, but what the heck do I know.

WaitWut (the other one.)

[DavidDvorkin]

15. The governors' association can read the polls

They have to concentrate their resources where they can help the Democrat win. Sadly, the Texas governor's race is not one of those places.

[oldandhappy]

17. I did the email and am reposting the address on another thread.

Thanks

[SQUEE]

18. Also, Texas has a very weak Governor.

In terms of Poli Sci, the Governorship of Texas is a weak one, but it does come with a large amount of name recognition. the uninformed are often impressed by the title, but the duties and responsibilties of the Gov of Texas are not too impressive. Spend money in offices that can be won, and can have a stronger influence.

[Gothmog]

22. I think that the Lt. Governor is both the more winnable race and the more important race

The Lt. Governor is a more powerful position and the likely GOP nominee is a nut case named Dan Patrick. I can see Leticia winning even if Wendy is not successful. Here is a decent look at the numbers from a blogger at the Houston paper. http://blog.chron.com/kuffsworld/2014/03/no-love-for-dan/

We saw a great example of it in 2010. Bill White received over 387,000 more votes than Democratic Lt. Governor candidate Linda Chavez-Thompson, while Rick Perry collected over 311,000 fewer votes than David Dewhurst. That’s nearly a 700,000 vote swing towards White. People often don’t realize how big the swing was towards White because the Republican tidal wave of 2010 was too big for it to matter, but in a more normal year, 700,000 votes is more than enough to make a difference.

Consider this scenario: Turnout in November is 4.9 million voters – a bit less than 2010, but more than any other off year. The average statewide Republican wins with a 57-43 margin, which I think we can agree is healthy enough to invite plenty of post-electoral scoffing at Battleground Texas and any thought of a blue state in the foreseeable future. Well, in this scenario a Bill White-sized swing is just about what it would take to tip an election, since the average vote tally would be 2.8 million to 2.1 million. If there’s any Republican candidate capable of inspiring that kind of disloyalty among his fellow Republicans, it’s Dan Patrick.

Again, it is early but Dan Patrick could alienate sufficient number of voters to swing the election towards Leticia

[Gothmog]

20. I am Wendy supporter and have given money to both Wendy and Battleground

There are several states that are far easier wins compared to Texas. Wendy has a good chance but I think that Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin, Ohio and Michigan are more probable victories compared to Texas. Texas is going to be a hard state to turn blue but it can be done.

Remember that in most years, Texas Democrats are giving money to Democrats in other states. This year a great deal of this money is staying in Texas to finance the Davis and van de Putte campaigns. I just made another donation to Wendy and will be making a donation to Leticia van de Putte today in time for a reporting deadline.

The DGA will not be getting any donations from me this year and I will be focusing my efforts on Leticia, Wendy and a couple of local races.

[WillyT]

23. Kick !!!

[UTUSN]

26. I'll K&R this n/t

[tammywammy]

28. The national democratic organizations never support Texas.

This should be no surprise to any Texas democrat. I never give money to these groups, only directly to candidates. Fuck them. I got off the Democratic Senators call list by flat telling them I'll donate money to them when they start spending money in Texas.

[MohRokTah]

29. I wrote to the DGA

Told them my small donation would be going to Wendy Davis instead of their organization.

[pstokely]

30. TX can't turn blue overnight

nt

[tritsofme]

33. Resources are in fact finite, despite the best of wishes to the contrary.

[0rganism]

34. she's probably better off without their overt support

I really think she could pull off a win, but to do so she'll have to present herself as very much independent of any national Democratic association. This could help her, and the more she sets up an argument about "making sure DC politicians don't go around neglecting Texas", the more it will help her.

[tabbycat31]

35. The DGA has finite resources

It does not have the Koch brothers or Sheldon Adleson bankrolling them and can't fund unlimited campaigns. (This goes for the DSCC, DCCC as well). Would I like the national party to put $$$ into all 50 governors mansions, 100 senate seats, and 435 House seats? Of course. But with finite resources, they put $$ into states or districts that are winnable.

Last year there were only two governors races, and the DGA wrote one of them off completely (even though the state is the bluer of the two states). The polling was just not there and to compete in that state (that does not have a media market of its own) you have to buy into two of the most expensive media markets in the country. So they didn't want to waste their $$.

Texas is a HUGE state with about 20 media markets. To contrast that, California has about 8. It could possibly be cheaper to run in California than in Texas. (I'm doing quick counts so my numbers are not all accurate as I've never worked in Texas or California and am not very familiar with the media markets or politics). (map of media markets here http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/12/03/the-2012-election-results-by-media-market/)

Here is the Washington Post's take on it
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2014/05/01/no-wendy-davis-isnt-a-top-tier-challenger/
(SC and GA, who the article calls 'ruby red' are bluer than Texas). In SC, Nikki Haley only won by 3 points in a GOP wave year in a 'ruby red' state.

In Texas Obama got 41% of the vote.

Here are some of the states DGA is putting $$ into and the Obama percentage. All of which is higher than Texas
PA-- 52%
ME-- 56%
FL-- 50%
OH--50.6%
WI-- 53%
MI--54%
GA-- 45%
SC-- 44%