Democrats Enlist Veterans Ahead of 2018 House Elections
Source: WSJ
WASHINGTONThe last time Democrats won a House majority it was in part because the Iraq War was so unpopular. The next time may be with candidates who fought in Americas post-9/11 conflicts. The party is running military veterans in competitive congressional districts across the country: Fifteen veterans have already launched 2018 House campaigns, and 10 more may enter races by this summer, Democratic officials say.
In addition to framing their campaigns as a continuation of their national service, the veterans allow the Democratic Party to appeal to segments of the electorate that have fled the party in recent elections. It recalls their strategy in 2006, when they took control of the House by fielding candidates who could appeal to voters in more conservative districts.
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For the first time this year, the DCCC is working with VoteVets, a liberal political-action committee with which the partys House campaign arm has often been at odds. VoteVets, which in the past has backed Democratic veterans in primary challenges, is now targeting competitive general election races.
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For all the energy on the political left, Republicans won a House special election in Kansas and remain favored to win coming contests in Montana on Thursday and in Georgia and South Carolina in June. Told Democrats believe 75 to 100 districts will be in play, Matt Gorman, the National Republican Congressional Committee communications director, laughed.
Veterans face an array of challenges politically. Their military service takes them far from home. They dont come with the political base like previously elected officials. Very few can tap a network of wealthy friends.
Read more: https://www.wsj.com/articles/democrats-enlist-veterans-ahead-of-2018-house-elections-1495394418
sandensea
(21,713 posts)These are, after all, some of the people with the most to lose from prolonged Rethug control of the federal government.
SunSeeker
(51,796 posts)Issa only won by about 1,000 votes. Issa's seat is very flippable in 2018.
Victor_c3
(3,557 posts)I also really love VoteVets.org. I feel they put together some powerful messaging that is congruent with the core of what I believe. To me, this is a great development for Democrats.
Tanuki
(14,930 posts)is running for Bob Corker's Senate seat.
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/politics/2017/04/16/nashville-attorney-iraq-war-vet-announces-democratic-run-corkers-senate-seate/100550894/
..."Mackler highlighted his military background repeatedly in a news release provided to The USA Today Network - Tennessee ahead of the formal announcement, saying he's "running to restore respect, honesty, and most importantly, integrity in Washington."
"Our country has become so divided that our leaders refuse to work together to solve our most important problems," Mackler said in a statement. "As a veteran, I know first hand the strength of teamwork, cooperation, and the benefits of diversity to accomplish even the most difficult mission."
Before those stints, Mackler spent three years as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot with the 101st Airborne Division, according to a news release from his campaign, after he had put aside his legal work for the Army in 2001 following the attacks on 9/11. His military service included a deployment to Iraq.
Mackler, who continues serving in the Tennessee Air National Guard, earned his Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge and an Air Medal for "bold and audacious piloting." After his service in Iraq, Mackler transferred to the Judge Advocate General Corps, where he was a military prosecutor.".........(more)
Achilleaze
(15,543 posts)That's right. The republicans are recruiting heavily to create an elite counter-election, counter-democracy brigade of Draft & Truth Dodgers to back up and support their elite, gourmet, gold-plated beloved fartful dodger, Comrade Casino. The republicans are hoping they can impress Moscow enough to keep the Freshly Laundered Illicit MoneyBucks flowing into their Tiny Little Gelt-Grubbing Hands by deploying their DDDCF with spiffy new Russia-red baseball caps.