Republican apathy combined with a significant advantage in data base mining which results in larger number of Democratic voters could spell disaster for the Republicans in the upcoming midterms. Even though polls indicate the GOP is leading and has the potential to take the Senate while maintaining the House, we are uncomfortable making any declarations of victory.
One reason is that we were listening to Rush Limbaugh today (September 18) and heard a caller phone in to tell the host that he was voting Democratic to "punish the Republicans." Could this been a set up call to make the "host look good?" Of course, however, I doubt it as in 2008 and 2014, we heard the same type of calls to different hosts.
Republicans sat out the 2012 elections (4 million who voted in 2008 didn't vote in 2012) and we ended up getting Obama for another four years. In 2008, Republicans were not enthused with McCain and so the energy needed to elect him was not there. Are we seeing a similar trend today?
There are two trends that make us very concerned about this election. The first is a feeling in traditional Republican groups that they have it won. That the election is all but a cinch. We don't think so.
For example in Michigan, we have a great governor (Rick Snyder) who has balanced the budget, created a rainy day fund and has made some tough choices (Right to Work) to drastically improved the economic conditions in the state. He is in a neck to neck race with the former state senator, Mark Schauer, who was the "go to guy" in the former disastrous Jennifer Granholm administration. He loved the spending and regulation of the former governor.
The other close race is the Senate race to replace retiring Carl Levin between Democrat, Gary Peters and Republican, Terry Lynn Land. In this race most put Peters ahead even though he voted for such unpopular programs as Cap and Trade and ObamaCare. Ms. Land is the former Secretary of State where she did a good job and Peters was an eight year Congressman.
The second concern is illustrated by the previous posting:"Wonder Why Republicans Lost In 2008 And 2014? Fear They Will Continue To Lose? Catalist May Be The Answer." In the article that follows J. Christian Adams, shows us how the Democrats mined their base and dismissed the independents which the Republicans were trying to woo. He showed how much easier and less expensive it is to mine those who agree with you rather than trying to move someone to your argument. It is a brilliant strategy, one that Republicans don't have an answer.
To guarantee Republican success this fall, they need to convince their followers that they MUST vote this fall. Even a vote for someone who does not totally agree with you is much better than a vote for one whose goals and aspirations for the country are diametrically opposed. Punishing the Republicans will give Obama more power, not less. It is like shooting yourself in the foot to see if it will hurt.
Republicans also need to give up on their territorial control of data. In other words, they need to share freely with other GOP and Tea Party groups. Additionally, they must come up with a competitor for Catalist, otherwise, the donkeys are going to win races for some time in the future.
In both Michigan races, polls show they are close. However, if Republican apathy takes hold, like we fear it might be or the Democrats mine their base like they did in 2012, Michigan might find itself with a Democratic governor and two Democratic Senators. Nationwide, Democrats have the potential to give Obama his dream of a Democratic House and Senate. We hope they don't.
One reason is that we were listening to Rush Limbaugh today (September 18) and heard a caller phone in to tell the host that he was voting Democratic to "punish the Republicans." Could this been a set up call to make the "host look good?" Of course, however, I doubt it as in 2008 and 2014, we heard the same type of calls to different hosts.
Republicans sat out the 2012 elections (4 million who voted in 2008 didn't vote in 2012) and we ended up getting Obama for another four years. In 2008, Republicans were not enthused with McCain and so the energy needed to elect him was not there. Are we seeing a similar trend today?
There are two trends that make us very concerned about this election. The first is a feeling in traditional Republican groups that they have it won. That the election is all but a cinch. We don't think so.
For example in Michigan, we have a great governor (Rick Snyder) who has balanced the budget, created a rainy day fund and has made some tough choices (Right to Work) to drastically improved the economic conditions in the state. He is in a neck to neck race with the former state senator, Mark Schauer, who was the "go to guy" in the former disastrous Jennifer Granholm administration. He loved the spending and regulation of the former governor.
The other close race is the Senate race to replace retiring Carl Levin between Democrat, Gary Peters and Republican, Terry Lynn Land. In this race most put Peters ahead even though he voted for such unpopular programs as Cap and Trade and ObamaCare. Ms. Land is the former Secretary of State where she did a good job and Peters was an eight year Congressman.
The second concern is illustrated by the previous posting:"Wonder Why Republicans Lost In 2008 And 2014? Fear They Will Continue To Lose? Catalist May Be The Answer." In the article that follows J. Christian Adams, shows us how the Democrats mined their base and dismissed the independents which the Republicans were trying to woo. He showed how much easier and less expensive it is to mine those who agree with you rather than trying to move someone to your argument. It is a brilliant strategy, one that Republicans don't have an answer.
To guarantee Republican success this fall, they need to convince their followers that they MUST vote this fall. Even a vote for someone who does not totally agree with you is much better than a vote for one whose goals and aspirations for the country are diametrically opposed. Punishing the Republicans will give Obama more power, not less. It is like shooting yourself in the foot to see if it will hurt.
Republicans also need to give up on their territorial control of data. In other words, they need to share freely with other GOP and Tea Party groups. Additionally, they must come up with a competitor for Catalist, otherwise, the donkeys are going to win races for some time in the future.
In both Michigan races, polls show they are close. However, if Republican apathy takes hold, like we fear it might be or the Democrats mine their base like they did in 2012, Michigan might find itself with a Democratic governor and two Democratic Senators. Nationwide, Democrats have the potential to give Obama his dream of a Democratic House and Senate. We hope they don't.
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