Fallon run sparks blogs

[4dsc]

All across America, political junkies are paying close attention to Ed Fallon's Democratic primary campaign - and working to help him win.

Fallon is challenging incumbent Leonard Boswell for the Democratic nomination in the contest to represent Iowa's 3rd District, but the primary is drawing attention from outside the district. Liberal bloggers from other states are becoming active in the race as part of a national campaign against those they have labeled "Bush Dog" Democrats.

Chris Bowers and Matt Stoller, cofounders of the website Open Left, are both backing Fallon in his attempt to unseat Boswell.

"We've identified a list of Democrats who have supported Bush on most of the key issues of the legislative session in 2007, and we're trying to find ways to put pressure on them," Bowers said, adding that Boswell is on the list.

One of the ways they've chosen to exert that pressure is supporting primary challenges against incumbents such as Boswell. This tactic is designed to force congressional Democrats to change their votes on key issues, even if their primary challengers are unable to defeat them.

"We've raised awareness that there's still a conservative working majority in Washington even though the Democrats are in power," Bowers said, arguing that the efforts of those similar to him are beginning to pay off.

http://media.www.dailyiowan.com/media/storage/paper599/news/2008/02/01/Metro/Fallon.Run.Sparks.Blogs-3182306.shtml

[IA_Seth]

1. He had better be able to beat Boswell and still compete in the GE...

"This tactic is designed to force congressional Democrats to change their votes on key issues, even if their primary challengers are unable to defeat them."

If he is unable to defeat him he has no business running as a Democrat, IMO. All this primary will do is fracture our party when we have at best tenuous control of the district. This will open up the floodgates of potential challengers who will be more than eager to run against someone with weakened support, depleted funds, and tired supporters.

Fallon had better win, and then he had better win the GE. Otherwise we may be screwing ourselves unnecessarily (but then again, when isnt that our party's MO, right?).

Ugh.

[Vet31203]

2. Agreed

I have heard a lot about him. However, a conservative democrat is better (although ever so slightly) than a moderate republican. I haven't heard of any big namers challenging them, but they may just be wait to see if Fallon wins...He has an uphill climb, but I have to agree the momentum has shifted to him, at least for the moment.

Ames Vet
Meyers for House 2008

[pstans]

3. This is about getting the best Democratic candidate

if is Fallon great, if not Boswell has a lot of room for improvement and a primary might be just what is needed to give him and other corporate Dems a wakeup call.

[Hardrada]

4. It is necessary to eliminate an Establishment candidate

now and then in order to encourage the others.

[IADEMO2004]

5. Like Al Gore in 2000

[Hardrada]

7. The Supreme Court eliminated him.

No, I was thinking more of the eminently removeable Joe LIEberman. Who should have been removed through that excellent effort in CT!

[pstans]

8. People who voted for Nadar in FLA did not care what Fallon said

Why would you think that people in Florida that voted for Nader in 2000 would care what a State Representitive from Iowa said about Al Gore? Gore won Iowa, Fallon's support of Nader had no effect on the outcome.

These attacks from the Boswell camp are just simply attacks. Boswell has to resort to mudslinging because he knows he will lose on the issues.

[4dsc]

6. I'm so tired of Boswell supporting this president

I don't believe Boswell has done a very good job representing our district with this support of this administration.. I don't believe his votes in congress represent the true feeling of this constituants either.. I dont believe most of the democrat's in central Iowa are that conservative that they won't give Fallon a good look.. We need someone that will truely represent us in congress.. Boswell has not met the challenge IMHO..

[Hardrada]

9. I'm sorry but I keep reading this as Fallon ruins spark plugs!

I must need new glasses.

[Vet31203]

10. Im behind you

We stand up to protect the spark plugs!!!




William J Meyers for House 2008