"Congratulations Rahm" Thread!

[karynnj]

30. There were many many people responsible for winning 2006 -- and Rahm has no more claim than others

First of all, the SENATE gained every seat but TN that was remotely likely. No one - even the week before the election thought we would essentially get every single one of the seats we did - and as that took us to 51 - it was important.

Many things were responsible - starting with two very bad things. Katrina and the incredibly poor response by the Bush administration and the civil war in Iraq. Public opinion spun very strongly against the war -- and the shift was stunningly fast. In June 2006, only 13 Senators voted for Kerry/Feingold. By fall, top Republicans, John Warner and Chuck Hagel,returning from Iraq were suddenly not far from that position. By early 2007, more than 50 Senators voted for essentially the same amendment on which REID put his name. (Note Rahm and others who did not want Iraq raised were wrong -- it was a major issue.)

One thing where Dean should get the credit is that one aspect of the misunderstood 50 state plan was that good candidates should be sought and supported - even in places where a win is not very likely. 2006 became a wave election, but that was not obvious until fall 2006. Had there not been good candidates, with enough money to run a decent campaign - we would have lost those opportunities.

In addition to Dean, there were two other people helping people outside the likely races win - John Kerry and Wesley Clark - both especially helping vets. In Kerry's case, he provided much of teh GOTV money that Webb used in the primary. He was the stronger candidate in the general election - though he was not likely to win until Allen imploded. (Kerry also endorsed him in the primary - in spite of Webb having swiftboated him and having refused to shake his hand for 30 years out of anger because Kerry famously said Vietnam was unwinnable.) Tell me if you think Rahm, would have acted that selflessly - and given the results it meant that difference in being in the majority or minority. (Webb very very narrowly won - it is very unlikely his primary opponent would have won.)