DCCC Chairman Van Hollen Predicts Victory In NY-20
DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen has put out this statement regarding tonight's deadlocked special election for Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's former House seat -- predicting that Murphy will only expand his lead as the absentee ballots are counted, and pretty much declaring victory:
"From 21 points down to securing a majority of the vote tonight, congratulations to Scott Murphy who ran an extraordinary campaign focused on his record as a successful businessman who helped to create jobs and his strong support for President Obama's economic recovery act. As votes continue to be counted, we're confident that Scott Murphy will expand his lead.
"Scott Murphy's strong showing in this district where Republicans outnumber Democrats by more than 70,000 represents a rejection of the obstructionist agenda and scare tactics that have become the hallmark of House Republicans."
At this point, the race really comes down to which party had the better absentee ballot operation. Van Hollen is voicing a confident tone here.
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Josh
Matt
Eric
Brian
Let's hope he knows something for real.
March 31, 2009 11:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think this is a great move by the DCCC. Democrats can already claim a victory of sorts here. Thus, they should continue to emphasize, regardless of the ultimate outcome, that the Democratic candidate was incredibly competitive in this heavily Republican-skewed district. They should tenaciously reiterate that this outcome is bad news for Republicans and their policies. On paper, Tedisco should have crushed Murphy. But he didn't.
Hopefully, Murphy will also win the absentee ballot, and this will be a true victory. But, even if Tedisco does pull this out, he will have done so by eeking out a victory in a heavily Republican district. Cue the red flags for Republicans.
April 1, 2009 12:26 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's something that needs to be mentioned. If Republicans do pull this out, then Murphy should keep them in court for as long as possible. Then we'll offer the Republicans a "quid pro quo" as it were. They want their revitalization. We want Al Franken. We'll stop when they stop. Win-Win.
April 1, 2009 1:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
At first reading I liked your idea, but the Repubs would never go for that. Minnesota's empty seat is far more important to the Repubs than an empty New York house seat.
April 1, 2009 1:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's not the seat they're into. I mean, sure they'll take it, but they're into the meme that "Republicans are back." I say fine, give it to them, but only after threatening to take this as far and for as long as possible. If they don't back down, they look EXTREMELY hypocritical. Newscasters will notice.
April 1, 2009 3:25 AM | Reply | Permalink