Democrats leave Doug Jones hanging as Senate map takes shape
Source: Politico
There's a glaring omission as Democrats lay down millions of dollars to try and win control of the Senate: Democratic Alabama Sen. Doug Jones.
The two leading Senate Democratic campaign groups reserved nearly $100 million for the fall in half a dozen states with Republican incumbents. But so far they have put down nothing to protect their most vulnerable incumbent and arent yet formally committing to spend big dollars for him.
Jones said the cavalry will come eventually.
I dont think they have to do that right now. I dont even have an opponent yet. I dont think that theyre going to leave us out at all, Jones said in an interview. We feel very good about where we are in this race. Theres no question about that.
Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/03/senate-democrats-alabama-doug-jones-229073
At least Jones can put a positive spin on it.
cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)will be very difficult so the campaign groups have to decide how to get the most bang for their buck.
That means they will probably focus most of their resources on defeating Republicans in purple and light blue an red states where they might be more likely to win.
It sucks though that they have to make such hard choices on where to spend the money they do have.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)the national Democratic Party backing him is a bad idea now.
qazplm135
(7,447 posts)Alabama is just too red to keep him there no matter how good a job he does.
Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)He only won because Roy Moore was on the ballot.
The Magistrate
(95,237 posts)The Republican vote is pretty fractured, and his chances today are good as they were two years ago, at least.
Mr. Dean was right --- make the boogers fight everywhere....
Mister Ed
(5,895 posts)we shall fight on the landing grounds,
we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,
we shall fight in the hills;
we shall never surrender."
- Winston Churchill
brooklynite
(93,834 posts)As someone who HAS given money to Jones, I'll say that I support DSCC being more strategic in their spending. We can get the Republicans to play defense in Arizona, North Carolina, Iowa and Georgia.
elleng
(130,126 posts)localroger
(3,602 posts)Obviously the Republicans weren't going to run another candidate as toxic as David Vitter against him. But Republicans are FUCKING STUPID and their two frontrunners ignored the fact that we have a jungle primary, split the vote, and handed Edwards a second term. (And I am extremely grateful we have JBE instead of any of the maniacs who were running against him now that Louisiana is on the front page of the coronavirus show. He's handled the crisis extremely well.)
kevink077
(365 posts)Edwards was reasonably popular even among moderate republicans (pro life) and LA will elect dems from time to time. The republican running against Edwards was about the most lackluster candidate they could have ever picked, bad choice against the charismatic Edwards in a good Economy. Jindals ghost was still lurking too.
localroger
(3,602 posts)...but it's still exceedingly difficult for a Democrat of any stripe to win a statewide office here. He won the first time because the two Republicans running against David Vitter split the anti-Vitter vote in the primary, leaving him in the general against Edwards, and Vitter was so toxic Edwards was able to beat him -- although the polling showed either of the other two Republicans easily beating Edwards in a one-on-one general. For his second term he had some benefit from his own first term looking like a breath of fresh air after the Jindal administration, plus the two Republicans who floated to the top in the primary were both serious whack jobs even by mainstream Republican standards. Again, had the Republicans done a better job of candidate management, they should have been able to find someone who could beat any Democrat.
WyLoochka
(1,629 posts)Don't give up anywhere. Turning our backs on races, not fighting everywhere, not taking the message to all the people has been a big factor in the decrease in enthusiasm for the Democratic Party over the years.
This type of thinking by party "deciders" can be so darn depressing - and discouraging.
You can't win seats unless you contest seats.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)and overt Democratic Party help would be fatal.
I can't believe so many don't understand that AL's swing voters chose him IN SPITE OF being a Democrat and that every action defining him as our man would be a mistake.
Surely others here remember that Jones himself ostentatiously rejected party help in 2016? That's how we barely took that seat away from a depraved child molester, that's how much they DON'T like Democrats.
This time the opponent will be a depraved, corrupt member of a depraved, corrupt party that is destroying the nation we all inherited. Let's see what happens between now and November 3.
Progressive Jones
(6,011 posts)Iliyah
(25,111 posts)DNC is there for him
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)The swing voters who helped elect him may still like him more than corrupt Sessions as their alternative, but it would again be spite of his being a Democrat. He disassociated himself amap last time as well.
It's not Politico's intent to HELP reelect Senator Jones, of course, but this headline can only help in AL.
Go, Senator Jones: Keep those corrupt scum out of power.
Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)Truth is his victory was a fluke and only because enough Republicans couldn't stomach voting for creepy Roy Moore and stayed home.
There are races we are on track to win such as defeating Trump humpers Cory Gardner in Colorado and Martha McSally in Arizona and we stand a good chance of turning Texas purple. Those would be a better use of funds than trying to keep Jones's campaign on life support.
cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)other seats like McConnell because of a number of factors so their resources are going to be stretched thin trying to keep their people in office so Jones might be able to pull off a win.
Salviati
(6,002 posts)... are the places that the most toxic brand of republicanism festers. We need to at least get our message out everywhere if we want to have any hope of changing some of these deep red states. We may not win right away, but it is an investment in the future.
groundloop
(11,486 posts)He's done a good job here, despite fierce resistance from repubs.
For instance, Goodyear recently announced the closure of their plant in Gadsden. Doug worked, albeit unsuccessfully, to save the plant. He held a forum and invited all the local and state politicians, but was boycotted by several city and state officials because it was a Democrat calling for action.
Salviati
(6,002 posts)We shouldn't measure whether the money we spend in fights like this is wasted purely based on whether we win or lose, but rather if we move the needle a little. Doug Jones many have an unlikely road to victory, but that doesn't mean that backing him to some extent is not a smart play. He may lose, but if we can convince some of his constituents that he did a good job for them, they will be more likely to vote for him or even a different Democrat in the future.
Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)like the one against Cory Gardner in Colorado or Martha McSally in Arizona to throw at a race where victory is simply not in the cards.
Of course it's possible they'll be dumb enough to nominate Roy Moore again but I doubt it.
cyclezealot1
(4 posts)Because Jones chooses not to high profile DSCC help, does not mean behind the scenes technical help won't be accepted.
Of course, competitive races need the higher priority. But, no loyal Dem candidate should be left hanging.
Remember, he ruled Donnie incompetent to serve as president.
That took real courage. The fifty state strategy requires no loyal Democrat be abandoned.
Minimal support for Jones builds a local following offering future sane Alabamians new options by building from the local communities up.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)He deserves our support.
-Laelth
rockfordfile
(8,682 posts)DrToast
(6,414 posts)With Trump on the ballot in Alabama? No, I dont think he can.
brooklynite
(93,834 posts)mikewv
(126 posts)question everything
(47,263 posts)Shall I wait for the fall?
Indykatie
(3,691 posts)Throwing millions at his re-election campaign is not the best use of money when we have seats like AZ, SC and IA that are good targets to be flipped. Even with a sexual predator on the ballot Jones' win was still razor thin at 1.5% points. Alabama is gonna be Alabama sadly and elect whoever is running with an R behind their name in 2020.
DrToast
(6,414 posts)Gore1FL
(21,027 posts)I don't know what 2020 holds. One sure way to lose that seat is to not fight for it.
peacebuzzard
(5,123 posts)and will again.
Even if he can't side with Dems in all votes, he is careful he is not the deciding vote.
He plays it right.
Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)It's about him running for re-election as a Democrat in a cherry red state with Trump on the ballot.
It is always a possibility that they'll nominate Roy Moore again but I have the feeling that Trump will do his damndest to avoid that and push someone a bit more polished.
ibegurpard
(16,685 posts)He is an incumbent running in a cycle of nearly unprecedented enthusiasm to punish repukes. Even if its only to make them spend big there and not somewhere else we must put as much into it as we can.
Chicago1980
(1,968 posts)He said he'd help the democrats and this is his chance.
Throw $15,000,000 into a PAC for Jones and call it a day.
Ferrets are Cool
(21,057 posts)every Democrat in Alabama got out and voted in November, he "MIGHT" have a snowflakes chance in hell. But, everyone has to vote.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)-Laelth
Ferrets are Cool
(21,057 posts)but ONLY if every last Democrat votes.
bucolic_frolic
(42,651 posts)Let's see if grass roots Democrats can put their shoulders to it and make sure his campaign has the resources to win if they can.
Let's not lose this because of money. Contributions can go directly to the campaign.
druidity33
(6,435 posts)that might give him a better chance? You know, "He's a Democrat, but those Washington Democrats don't support him so he might be alright... better than that weasel Sessions"
NewDayOranges
(691 posts)Hulk
(6,699 posts)The mere fact that he was elected and served, showed his grit and represented the progressive and democratic voters in Alabama deserves support.
He may lose, but we should give it our best shot. He has been a sound Democratic Senator, and he deserves our support. We've wasted money in worst ways.
We had better not leave him out to dry. ALL of these red states have a large contingency of progressives and Democratic voters...and they deserve every opportunity to be represented by a decent Congressman.
-Laelth
MiniMe
(21,676 posts)One who like tRump went after children. Unless he wins the repuke nomination again, I doubt Jones can win.
IronLionZion
(45,250 posts)Aim high. Fight them everywhere so that we can be ready for any opportunity like last time when Roy Moore imploded. GOP turnout could very well be low if enough of them are dissatisfied with the direction of the country under Trump.
Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)like Arizona but highly unlikely in a deep red state like Alabama.
They see the choice as flawed and gruff but staunchly pro-life, pro-Christian conservative Donald Trump versus baby killin socialist democrat Joe Biden and by extension Doug Jones.
Texas is will go blue long before Alabama.
cry baby
(6,682 posts)Jones has been courageous and has the respect of other Dems. I think we will regret this decision.
kaiserhog
(167 posts)Most Bama fans won't vote for him because he coached Auburn. Heck, a lot of Auburn fans won't vote for him because they think he was a lousy coach.
Screw Chuck Schumer, Doug Jones can win this thing.
Scalded Nun
(1,231 posts)I do not live in Alabama but I am unfortunately in a red state.
This is not just turning your back on a sitting dem senator. It is telling all the dem, left leaning, smart people of that state that they are just not important enough to even try and help them be represented.
Then the DNC wonders why folks turn their backs.
lastlib
(22,978 posts)...and send a little of that green stuff Mr. Jones' way.......
Aristus
(66,075 posts)The DNC should wait until a GOP challenger announces, and then hit him with both barrels...
nycbos
(6,032 posts)... because buying airtime before an election is way more expesive.
These reservations are about locking in lower rates.
VarryOn
(2,343 posts)Plus, there will be votes where he disappoints us. Might as well have a Republican. He's no better than a Manchin.
RhodeIslandOne
(5,042 posts)Gimme a break, if you're going to say something like that at least get educated beforehand.
Jones has absolutely voted like a solid moderate Democrat, knowing he's likely to lose anyway, unlike that fraud Manchin who is more than 4 years away from even coming up again. He does not deserve scorn. Shame on you.
Tactical Peek
(1,204 posts)larwdem
(757 posts)He said (I don't even have an opponent yet)
RhodeIslandOne
(5,042 posts)He has been fearless with his votes.
BigDemVoter
(4,149 posts)chance of winning there are about 0%. . . Better to bring down the Collins assholoe in Maine and McSally in AZ. . .
Progressive Jones
(6,011 posts)I don't believe he won merely by "not being Roy Moore"
It's a Blue wave, and it's even hitting the Red States.
I'd truly believe that this nation will be much Bluer by 2024.