The Case for Alan Grayson

[DainBramaged]

(Forgive me if this has been posted elsewhere)

Current Beltway consensus holds that the 2012 race, like 2010, will be a referendum on the economy. But what if, instead, the war in Afghanistan, which Barack Obama has embraced, deteriorates dramatically, requiring a delay in the scheduled troop withdrawal or, worse, forces another escalation? Might Democratic anti-war sentiment -- until now a sleeper issue -- turn rebellious?

Already, national polls show a plurality (Pew) or a majority (Quinnipiac) opposed to remaining in Afghanistan, with the margins of opposition rising. A Washington Post/ABC News poll conducted Dec. 9-12 found that 60 percent of Americans believe that, "considering the costs to the United States versus the benefits to the United States," the war in Afghanistan has not been worth fighting.

The practical goal of a liberal Democratic primary challenge would be less to wrest the nomination from Obama than as a vehicle for policy transformation. That is, to rally the liberal base in forcing the president to speed departure of U.S. military forces and, in the process, pressure him back to the left on economic issues.

With early caucuses in Iowa and the New Hampshire primary, the primary schedule would favor such an effort, even one that is largely symbolic. Both are states where anti-war sentiment tends to run high, and where there are relatively few African-American Democrats, who make up the core of Obama's support.

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/12/28/an-anti-war-challenge-to-obama-in-2012-the-case-for-alan-grayso/

[emilyg]

1. Kick

[hfojvt]

2. why wouldn't it work the other way?

Pressure him to go back and give lip service to the left on economic issues.

I still remember the big press release on how "Obama cares about poverty too." Well, he cared about poverty at least long enough for Edwards to drop out. After that? Not so much.

[givemebackmycountry]

3. Gee, I wonder where I stand on this?

Any guesses?

[WiffenPoof]

51. I Love Your Signature.....n/t

[midnight]

4. Maybe this will be the only way to end this stupid war...

[dionysus]

5. i'll take foolhardy ways to end up with a republican president for 500 alex...

[bluestate10]

52. ROLMA OFF!!!! Surefire recipe for electing a republican President in 2012. nt.

[Kahuna]

89. Don't worry. Grayson would poll ..whose that guy from Alaska who

ran in 2008? I can't even remember his name, numbers. :rofl: Which means he wouldn't even qualify to debate the president. Anyway, Obama would look sane in comparison.

[grahamhgreen]

6. Whoever challenges Obama in 2012 will be thrust onto the national stage in a major way,

setting them up for another 2016 run should they lose or withdraw.

Grayson should go for it.

[wakemewhenitsover]

8. Hear, hear!

:thumbsup:

[MrScorpio]

7. Alan Grayson, I love the guy...

But primarying President Obama is a non-starter.

I'd love to see him take another stab at Congress though… It really needs to shift left as soon as possible.

[Kaleva]

9. Alan Grayson would be the man if it weren't for those troublesome blacks

From the article:

"With early caucuses in Iowa and the New Hampshire primary, the primary schedule would favor such an effort, even one that is largely symbolic. Both are states where anti-war sentiment tends to run high,and where there are relatively few African-American Democrats, who make up the core of Obama's support. "

[pnwmom]

98. Aren't they uppity, to think Obama deserves our support?

:sarcasm:

[Cleita]

10. Alan Grayson needs his own radio or TV show.

I heard him verbally squash a Freeper caller on a rerun of Stephanie Miller this morning. I think he could be more effective outside of politics shining a light on all the cockroaches than as a Congressman, where he has only one vote among many. He could be as effective as Jon Stewart and I'm sure he would have great ratings.

[KharmaTrain]

23. I Suspect Its Coming...

He's had to finish out his term first. I think he'd do well on radio and would be a breath of fresh air over a lot of the stale shows I hear these days.

I also see him as a regular teevee talking head...I'm sure MSNBC will try to lock him down as a "contributor". Be fun to see him go up against the GOTB sockpuppets.

[DainBramaged]

44. shining a light on all the cockroaches

[dionysus]

69. that is an excellent idea. it makes greater use of his personality.

[Old Codger]

11. Regardless

Of any primary challenges, in the end it is all politics, and political promises. Obama or anyone else can and has said anything they needed to in order to get elected after which they do whatever they please. Obama in particular would have even less reason after being elected to a second term to keep his promises since he cannot run again anyway.... It is all politics all the time always.... Grayson seems like a person that might keep his word and do his best to fulfill his promises but I thought the same about Obama....The only way Obama won't be the dem candidate in 2012 would be if he chooses not to run, if he runs I will vote for him as opposed to anything the rethugs can field.

[PBS Poll-435]

12. As President?

:rofl:


A fighter for Democrats, but when you can't win your own House Seat back...


:rofl:

[Smarmie Doofus]

14. Obama lost a congressional primary to Bobby Rush. n/t

[namahage]

15. Which one was the incumbent? n/t

[Smarmie Doofus]

17. Rush. Several. Your point? n/t

[Ghost in the Machine]

16. "A fighter for Democrats, but when you can't win your own House Seat back..."

You do realize that he would have a lot more support nationwide, instead of just his very district in Florida... right?

I know I would personally work my ass off to get Alan Grayson elected. Obama? Been there, done that.... won't do it again. I'll hold my nose and vote for him if he is the Democratic nominee, but I have better ways to spend my time than going out canvassing for him again.

[PBS Poll-435]

21. Don't know whether to laugh or cry at this point

His district was and is close to PVI neutral.

When your campaign spends so much money and you can't get within 2 pts...

[Ghost in the Machine]

22. Maybe you should study his district some and get back to me again..

Republicans held his seat for 16 years before Grayson won.

[PBS Poll-435]

24. And FL never had redistricting in the 16 years....

Derp.

[Ghost in the Machine]

25. Oh really?

Do you have a habit of making incorrect, uninformed statements and presenting them as fact?

"Derp" was the most intelligent part of your post... perfectly described your reply.

[bluestate10]

109. The last redistricting was in 2001.

That redistricting is likely the reason why Grayson was elected to begin with, more conservative regions were carved out. Redistricting during 2011 is likely to result in Grayson's former district being cut into two. I have a relative that lives there and do business in that district, the change since 2001 is astounding, lots more hispanics and young people. Even in the last five years, the district has transformed so much that staying away for four months causes spatial disorientation when I travel there, there is massive development, homes and businesses.

[bluestate10]

110. The last redistricting was 2001.

But Ghost, I agree with the other poster that it seems like a decade and a half ago. I have a relative that lives in that district and I travel there frequently on business. Five years for that district sees more change than fifteen years in some places. During the last five years, I have noticed a higher percentage of minorities all over the landmass of Grayson's district. The demographic change will finally prove to be fatal for republicans. The hispanics in the district are of the south and central american variety, not cuban, they are more much more democratic leaning voters than Florida cubans.

[bluestate10]

54. Grayson's district is moderate. I know from personal experience.

The district is one of the many Florida districts that is transitioning from deeply conservative to progressive, Grayson's district's position on that path is solidly moderate, with significant progressive enclaves.

[Arkana]

28. I'm more concerned about the fact

that Grayson could not stop himself from lying about his insane Talibornagain opponent. Daniel Webster is fucking crazy, and Grayson had SO MUCH FUCKING TRUTH to work with. But that Taliban Dan ad was like a torpedo to the hull.

How do you stop him from doing that during the campaign? Running for Congress is one thing because you only have to please a small fraction of one state. But when you have to travel the country at large you cannot just say whatever comes down the pike from your brain to your mouth instantly--if there is no filter on it you will not get near the nomination. Period.

e: brains don't talk.

[Ghost in the Machine]

33. I'm more concerned about the identical talking points at least 3 of you are spewing on this thread

Did you get a new memo this morning??

By the way, Alan Grayson is a DUer and your personal attacks against him, calling him a liar, is against the rules of this board...

[Arkana]

34. Ahahahahahahaha. Really? REALLY?!

That was the best you could do?

Those talking points have some merit, whether you like it or not--and just because Alan Grayson MAY have posted here once does not make him immune to criticism.

[Ghost in the Machine]

38. No, they have no merit, unless you find merit in bullshit...

See post 22 and see if you can come up with a better half-assed defense of your bulshit talking point than your buddy did...

[Arkana]

78. I don't really care what the demographic makeup of Grayson's old district was.

He could easily have won that election if he hadn't lied about his opponent. Taliban Dan was completely unnecessary--Daniel Webster is an insane wingnut fundie who should have given Grayson plenty of material. But he chose to lie. That does not bode well for any kind of state campaign, much less a national campaign.

I'm not really sure why you can't accept that Alan Grayson isn't infallible.

[Recursion]

43. Sorry, that "Taliban" ad was simply outright dishonest

And he never really got back on my good side after that.

[Ghost in the Machine]

46. I don't disagree about the ad, the point I'm talking about is...

"He's a Congressman who couldn't win reelection. If he couldn't win his district"

You notice neither one of them had a response about the fact that republicans held that seat for 16 years prior to Grayson winning....

[PBS Poll-435]

48. (It isn't the same seat) ((2000 Census))

It got a little more cozy for Democrats

And Barack Obama won Florida in 2008.

[Ghost in the Machine]

50. I was wrong, republicans held that seat for 26 years, not 16...

Bill Young - January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1993

Bill McCollum - January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2001

Ric Keller - January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2009


Yes, it's the same seat, too. The last time it was redisticted was during Bill McCollum's term, somewhere between 1993 & 2001.


"It got a little more cozy for Democrats"

"Grayson defeated Keller in the November election receiving 52% of the vote, the same share as Barack Obama on the top of the ballot. Democratic activists in the district had mounted an aggressive campaign to register traditionally Democratic union workers and an increasing Hispanic (primarily Puerto Rican) demographic in the district"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida%27s_8th_congressional_district#2008_election


"And Barack Obama won Florida in 2008."

So?? Grayson only won by 13,364 votes (52%) Obama won Florida with 50.92% of the vote overall. He won by 52% in Grayson's distict, George Bush won with 53% in 2000 and 55% in 2004.

Facts matter, try using some...

[bluestate10]

58. Facts.

Grayson's district in 2009 was not the district Bush took in 2000, or even in 2004. The district over five years trended more minority and more white moderate/liberal. The trend in 2012 should be even more liberal. A level headed democratic candidate should dismantle Webster in that district in 2012. With demographics changing as rapidly as they are changing in the particular Florida district that Grayson represented, your statement about republicans holding the seat for 26 years is rather irrelevant. Changes are rapidly happening that makes Grayson's district hostile territory for conservative republicans and even moderate republicans, assuming the democrat in the race runs a sane campaign.

[Recursion]

74. OK, then let me ask the obvious question

If he knew he was elected on a wave in a conservative district, why did he run so far to the left?

[Ghost in the Machine]

76. That is something only Mr Grayson can answer, but if I had to take a stab at it

my guess would be because that is just who he is and he stayed true to himself. He didn't compromise his own values and integrity by pandering or selling himself out.

[bluestate10]

106. My god. How arguments are shaped to fit a point of view.

Conservative districts do not elect a liberal on a wave. Grayson's district has been on an arc toward progressive since the 90s. My sense is that voters elected Grayson thinking that they had a sane fighter for working people, then saw Grayson throw fireball after fireball during grand standing speeches. As I have stated, my view is that Webster will prove to be unsuitable for the district, he comes from the more conservative part of the district, which is also the slowest growing part. I expect a solid, sane democrat to demolish Webster in the 2012 election.

[Ghost in the Machine]

113. "Grayson's district has been on an arc toward progressive since the 90s."

Yeah, that's why it's been a republican stronghold for the past 26 years :eyes:

Talk about shaping an argument to fit your views... I hope you were looking in a mirror when you said that.

[dionysus]

70. shhh.. it's supposed to be a fact-free zone...

[bluestate10]

57. It was not dishonest as much as it was over the top and completely

unnecessary. Grayson had an extreme opponent that was vulnerable and turned that opponent into a victor. That performance in my opinion is not how democrats strengthen hold of power and guide the nation away from a beaching on rocks.

[bluestate10]

56. So that is your response to being challenged.

Accuse people that challenge you of somehow being part of a conspiracy. I personally have no association with the people that agree with me on Grayson, NONE. It is far better if we stay on point. Grayson is a fringe candidate, in the league of a Sarah Palin. Grayson will not attract moderate independent voters and may not attract some moderate democratic voters. The question is whether democrats want to maintain their hold on the Presidency, or piss it away by nominating someone that will make a minority of democrats piss happy, but get democrats crushed at the polls in 2012?

I don't care if Grayson is a DU member. He puts on his trousers the same way that I do each morning. If he disagrees with points being made, let him fight it out on the field of ideas.

[Ghost in the Machine]

67. First off, no one "challenged" me to anything...

Second off, you comparing a Progressive like Alan Grayson to Sarah Palin tells me all I need to know about you...

More people support a strong Democrat like Grayson, who isn't afraid to speak the truth, than they do the spineless, gutless pandering jellocrats and/or the DINOs and blue dogs.


"I don't care if Grayson is a DU member"

Maybe you should read the rules and start caring.

[treestar]

80. As a politician?

No, the rule would be when he's posting on the board not to attack directly as with any other poster. That would be silly.

:rofl: And if Obama joined the Board? :rofl:

[bluestate10]

55. Grayson is the liberal equivalent of Sarah Palin or Rush Limbaugh.

Just throw shit out there without thinking first about the consequences.

BTW. I wholeheartedly agree that taliban ad sunk Grayson. Grayson has a perfect neanderthal republican rival. My wish is that a rational democrat comes along in 2012 and take Webster out of that seat, that democratic candidate will have mucho ammo to work with and if he or she avoids getting crazy, ala Grayson, should win in a walk. Florida by then will be disgusted with anything that has republican attached to it.

[DainBramaged]

86. Rational, there's that DLC word again, rational

you folks need to let the people decide and not the consultants.

[bluestate10]

107. The voters of Grayson's district decided.

Time to put up a democrat in 2012 that can hold the seat. Coincidentally, I think that democrat WILL be a progressive. The district is trending sharply progressive and should be there after a dose of Webster and his nuttiness. Except for my doubts about Grayson, I am of the same mind as you, a progressive should and will hold that district's seat, very soon. I just don't think that person is Grayson.

BTW. Please find another insult buzzword for those that disagree with you other than "DLC", it's sort of tired. But BRO, thanks for fighting it out with me on the battlefield of ideas, you could easily have set me to ignore (although I would not do that to you). Even if neither of us are better because of our fight over Grayson, I look forward to debating, and learning from you during the future here on DU. Have a great new year.

[bluestate10]

53. Grayson's district tends to moderate.

Guess what voting block decides who becomes President? If Grayson can't keep moderates in his re-election bid, why would anyone expect him to be a viable Presidential candidate?

Grayson could have won re-election until he allowed that insane taliban add to be aired. That ad, more than anything else, took wind out of Grayson's sails and buoyed Webster.

[sabrina 1]

47. Clinton lost one of his runs for Governor. Then came back to win again.

How many times did Nixon lose before finally winning?

It's politics, you win some you lose some, but losing is just a bump in the road to a politician who is determined and has a huge national support base.

Had he run in NY, eg, he would have won. His original win in a Republican dist. was a huge victory.

He was fighting against huge amounts of money being poured into the Repub campaign.

But Grayson IS a winner and will definitely overcome this minor loss if he wants to.

He would make a great president so long as he sticks to his principles and doesn't somehow forget them when he reaches the WH.

He is a Teddy Roosevelt type fighter who more and more looks like Democrat by comparison to some of those calling themselves Democrats in today's political arena.

[dionysus]

71. grayson doesn't have "a huge national support base." outside of political junkies, no one knows who

he even is...

[defendandprotect]

13. Grayson would make a fine challenger ... and we need more than a "symbolic" challenge in 2012....

[dionysus]

72. grayson\mercer 2012!!11!11!!

:rofl:

[Kahuna]

88. I'd love to see Grayson run against Obama. He would make Obama..

look reaaaally sane. :rofl:

[PufPuf23]

18. The USA will have large Embassies in Iraq. Afghanistan, and Pakistan

as well as "non-combatant" military bases in 2012.

Count on it. Africa and Latin America will grow in National Security importance over the next six years regardless of party.

[cali]

19. ridiculous.

he'd get 1% or 2% of the vote in a primary challenge.

[Kahuna]

91. Sssh. That's what makes him the perfect opponent, IMO..

Go for it Alan! :patriot:

[quaker bill]

20. And to think they called Howard Dean

"too angry". We will have two new house districts in FL. Given local growth in population over the last decade and the ammendment requiring compact Districts, the map will be reshuffled, likely resulting in a more Dem favorable seat in the Orlando area. He should look at the map and consider running for the house again.

[bluestate10]

59. Redistricting.

Will likely split off the very northern or very southern parts of the district. The Orlando region will be democratic favorable by a wide margin. I would not rule out a moderate democrat taking the other seat that is created. That part of Florida is changing almost daily from farmland to metropolitan, from what is now moderate conservative to moderate, with a definite progression toward progressive. My preference is that Grayson not run again. I view him in the same light as I view Sarah Palin as far as electability is concerned, I view both as being unyielding and hostile, even when faced with reason.

[quaker bill]

87. My dollar is on Buddy Dyer in 2012

Bill Segal might make an attempt, but if Buddy gets in, he will take it.

[bluestate10]

108. Some progressive democratic groups are very active in Florida now.

I am a moderate, but I contribute to two progressive democratic groups, both have started to canvass grass roots and are finding and training democratic hopefuls. The democrat that face Webster and the one that competes for what is likely to be a second seat for that part of Florida, will be of progressive persuasion and well schooled in the politics of winning elections, and well funded. Even though my core is rock solid moderate, I infinitely prefer progressives in office if I can't get moderates in.

[Arkana]

26. The same Alan Grayson

who couldn't stop himself from lying about his opponent when there was just so much awful truth to work with?

He's a Congressman who couldn't win reelection. If he couldn't win his district, how does he win Florida? And if he can't win Florida, how the hell does he win the country?

[DainBramaged]

27. Being positive, when your elected officials lie to you, attack the opposition

you do a good job !!!!

[bluestate10]

60. You are seeing open debate.

If this can't stomached this, I can only imagine the reaction when Grayson is being pilloried nationally.

[Freddie Stubbs]

29. Imagine the lies he would tell about President Obama if he ran

[robcon]

30. He might get 1 or 2% in a primary or two.. not quite up to Kucinich's 4%

He'd be a symbolic candidate only.

Although Kucinich got up to 40% in primary polls here on DU, Grayson wouldn't get that much on DU, IMO.

[bluestate10]

62. Progressives, when clustered in groups that they dominate.

Somehow convince themselves that they are of large enough numbers to drive an election. In fact, progressives are icing on a cake the moderate democrats and independents have made. The way moderates vote predominately decide elections, progressives are of significance only when moderates are split so badly that the progressive percentage acts as the decider. Given what progressives did in Florida 2000, I for one don't want them in position to be deciding votes.

[DainBramaged]

40. I see the disinformation campaign is already in high gear

Democrats, shooting themselves in the foot is in their genes.....

[dionysus]

41. shooting yourself in the foot would be having a gadlfy attept to challenge the incumbent president

in a primary.

he'd wind up more than a joke than kucinich.

but he's too smart to embarrass himself like that.

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bluestate10]

63. Nominating Grayson would be shooting ourselves in the foot,

after the bullet that we put through our head ricocheted off a wall and hit us in the foot as we fell dead to the ground.

[mmonk]

94. I am curious.

Are you aware the picture you sport of Obama and Duncan together with the "reforming" word is a turn off for many of us?

[Kahuna]

90. Silly Arkana. Don't you know that "WINNING" isn't important. It's the

principle that counts. And the principle is to punish Obama for not being socialist enough.
:sarcasm:

[tritsofme]

31. I'm sure the White House is just terrified of some guy who couldn't even break 40% of the vote

in his district.

His campaign would be about as relevant as Lee Mercer Jr's.

[robcon]

32. Maybe he could run for "The Rent's Too Damn High" party nomination.

Get in a primary with Jimmy McMillan. ;)

[Freddie Stubbs]

35. The "The Rent's Too Damn High" guy is running for President as a Republican:

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/12/24/Rent-party-candidate-eyes-presidency/UPI-79361293183000/

[DainBramaged]

36. I love how so many have showed up to attack the article and the man

how Progressive.

[robcon]

37. The problem is that the lies in his campaign were not "Progressive"

We'd expect that from Repuglicans.

I cannot support what Grayson did, and the fact that he didn't admit/regret his lies clinches it.

I could never vote for him, and I think any Progressive should take his lying into consideration before supporting him.

[DainBramaged]

39. And I'm glad you could never vote for him, that's your prerogative

Political purity, an absolute for Progressives........:spray:

[bluestate10]

64. I prefer a more level headed democrat.

Daniel Webster will be up for the taking in 2012, some democratic groups realize that and are grooming candidates that can appeal to the voters in Webster's district and defeat him. Grayson is too much of a lightening rod.

[DainBramaged]

82. What you prefer and who can win are two entirely different politicians

[pnwmom]

99. How clear-headed. n/t

[jillan]

45. I'd like to see Grayson head the DNC. He would be perfect.

[bluestate10]

65. Surprisingly, I agree.

A person like Grayson, while not perfect, will be one of the best fits available. Grayson will need a couple of lieutenants that he trusts to keep him from throwing bombs what could backfire, but Grayson throwing well aimed bombs at republicans and driving the message home is close to just what democrats need over the next two years.

[dionysus]

73. to run him for president would be incredibly stupid... but DNC chair.. would be brilliant.

[Recursion]

75. A can opener would be better than Kaine, at this point. (nt)

[ecstatic]

49. Wow. Just wow: "Where there are relatively few African American Democrats"

To the genius who wrote the article: What happens in the general??

[pnwmom]

100. That genius probably doesn't care.

Or maybe that genius would prefer someone other than the Dem to win.

[Nye Bevan]

61. "Taliban Dan" was about the worst, most distorted political attack ad I have ever seen.

It made me lose all respect for Grayson.

[bluestate10]

66. That ad cost Grayson the election. Until that ad, Grayson had Webster on the ropes. nt.

[davidwparker]

68. He has my vote.

Anybody who primaries O does.

[MilesColtrane]

77. Does anybody actually remember why Reagan got elected?

[JNelson6563]

79. lolz

I wager he won't get as far as Kucinich ever did.

Julie

[DainBramaged]

81. Part of this country adores an ignorant grifting quitter Alaskan hillbilly

what makes you think people other than you won't think highly of Greyson?

[Throd]

83. Are they the other side of the same coin?

[DainBramaged]

84. Ae you calling us ignorant?

[cali]

85. certainly they will, but it's precious few of them.

[Kahuna]

92. Is Grayson getting national attention like palin? Unless he ever

polls as a serious contender (and he WON'T), he never will get national attention.

[robcon]

93. I think he'll continue to be ignored.

I don't think a lot of people will forget his legacy: obvious, intnetional lies in order to win an election.

I think we've seen the last of him, except as a lesson for politicians.

[DainBramaged]

95. So positive, aren't you.......

Meh

[Kahuna]

102. Why would I want to be positive about a challenge to the President?

Meh, yourself. Pfft.

You seem to think that is a good thing. I don't agree. However, there would be no better challenger to him than Grayson or that dried-out,retread, nader.

[DainBramaged]

104. The box, something so many so-called Progressives fail to look out of

Have a nice year..........meh.

[pnwmom]

101. You're suggesting that Palin supporters will like Grayson?

And that's a selling point?

[DainBramaged]

114. Another supporter of the status quo floods a thread they disapprove of

tsk tsk

[aikoaiko]

96. Unless the war in Afg. gets much uglier, the economy will trump it.

But Grayson has spunk and he's smart. I'll never underestimate him.

[pnwmom]

97. African Americans make up "the core of Obama's support"? Tell that to the

vast majority of non-AA's who still support him.

A liberal primary challenger to Hubert Humphrey paved the way for Richard Nixon's re-election. In the same way, a liberal primary challenger to Obama would do nothing but weaken him in the general election. It wouldn't do anything to achieve progressive goals.

[Kahuna]

103. It depends on who the challenger is. If it's a Grayson or nader

type, I believe it would help the president with moderates and independents as they would see that Obama in comparison is not the socialist, marxist they've been hearing about on faux news.

[DainBramaged]

105. No, he's the Republican enabler we fear more than anything....

Compromise, we didn't vote for it and we will not stand for it. Maybe you folks who support the DLC way of thinking can, but not those of us on the true Left.

[pnwmom]

112. If the handful of people you deem the "true left" are unwilling

to ever compromise, then they'll never get an inch closer to their goals.

[pnwmom]

111. Show me any Presidential election where a primary challenge strengthened

the incumbent. That doesn't happen. It just causes disarray and helps the other side.