Before I post an op in GD or GDP.. straighten me out if I am wrong

[Peacetrain]

I know coattails of a national canidate can even get the "not the greatest politician" in the same party elected during a national campagin.

But coattails can only stretch so far.. Individual canidates have to stand for something on their own and not just be part of the party of a popular President.

Am I misguided in my perceptions? If someone is not doing the job they are supposed to be doing and does not get elected or reelected.. is it not up to the local party and voters of that state?

The media putting off today's election in Illinois as a reflection of the Presidents strength (aka Mass.) .. well not so sure about that. Good or Bad.. does not the canidate who will win the primary reflect their own capabilities .. and more important than that.. the local party's get out the vote?
Especially in off year elections.

[quiet.american]

1. Here's the thing, pushing back against the media's version is howling in the wind at this point.

Yes, you're probably right. But let's face it, the media angle for every single Democratic candidate this year is: it's a referendum on Barack Obama and his administration's policies. That's their story, and they're sticking to it, regardless of what's really so.

[DevonRex]

5. Yep. And it will encourage the anti-Obama folks to come out and vote

in every election. They know it and that's why they're doing it. The media is NOT on our side, as Robb said so very well.

[quiet.american]

6. I hear you. I'm getting the picture that GOTV will have to be a major Dem tactic this year. nt

[DevonRex]

2. There's another thing to think about, too.

I read a person's post about the election in MA. They said that the anti-Kennedy vote came out in force because they finally perceived a chance to stick it to the Kennedys after decades of hating their guts and not being able to do anything about it. Couple that with a weak Dem candidate and MA was a disaster.

The same might be true for Illinois. The racists and rabid RWers will see a prime opportunity to show up Obama and the democratic party so they will come out in force.

[quiet.american]

4. That's very interesting - I think that's a valuable insight - especially for Dem strategists.nt

[Cha]

8. On the other side..the Dems should be aware of

this and especially the lesson in Mass..and be prepared to "stick it" with an amazing off season election win of their own!

[Cary]

3. I live in Illinois

It is utterly ridiculous to make our election here into a referendum on Obama. We do have real issues here.

[Hutzpa]

7. I don't think you are

it is the uttermost duty of every individual candidate to put in the ground work, if you cannot do that then there is no
point, stopping short of putting in the hours will come across as someone who is disinterested with no charisma and lack
of understanding of the local issues and maybe statewide, an example Martha Coakley.