Joe Trippi: Edwards Ticket Helps Democrats In All Races
As Joe Trippi put it in an email on October 18, 2007 to Edwards supporters, it is a premise that is increasingly echoed in opinion pieces and blog entries and analysis...that the right Democratic nominee can compete and win in many of the states that the Democrats have typically given up on in the last few elections. With Edwards on the top of the Democratic ticket, the playbook for winning the White House changes drastically and benefits Democrats runnning for Congress and other positions:
Imagine election night 2008. From around the country the results are coming in thick and fast. We've won Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Kentucky... it's a Democratic landslide....
By the time the election night dust settles, the Washington pundits are speechless—the Democratic Party has won 280 seats in the House and 61 seats in the Senate, majorities that allow the new Democratic president to implement bold and vigorous change. The day of deadlocked agendas and timid politics is over.
A pipe dream? Far from it.
With retirements and scandals among Republicans continuing to open up more competitive seats in the Senate, and the disgraced policies of George Bush dragging down the Republicans in House and state-level races in nearly every district in the country, Democrats across the country know next year could be more than just an election year—it could be the year when a fundamental realignment takes place, from state houses to the White House.
In states like Texas, Oklahoma, Maine, Wisconsin, Georgia, Virginia, North Dakota and Missouri, John Edwards enjoys strong support from Democratic legislators and leaders. They understand that the Democratic Party needs a nominee who can compete—and win—in red, blue and purple states across the country and help sweep Democrats at all levels to victory in 2008....The difference between winning or losing control of legislative chambers in many states will be greatly influenced by who is the nominee for the general election. The best chance—in some areas, the only chance—of ensuring Democratic control throughout this country is with John Edwards leading the charge for Democrats next fall.