MOLDY CITY

From the Rahm Emanual of the DCCC:

Dear Friend,

In a race that unexpectedly became one of the most competitive in congressional history, Francine Busby sent a shot across the GOP bow and proved that even in the most reliably Republican district, the message of change and a new direction for the country is resonating with voters.

As an editorial in The Washington Post wrote this morning...

"If Republican were breathing easier this morning, they had few illusions about what lies ahead. The extraordinary effort to hold onto a seat that has long been safely in GOP hands underscored the challenges as they try to retain their congressional majorities in November at a time when President Bush's approval ratings remain weak, the party's coalition is fracturing and voters are repulsed by the taint of corruption in Washington."

Francine was a tough candidate who fought hard. She couldn't have come as far as she did without the support of our members like you in districts nationwide. She will have another opportunity to win this seat in November, when Republicans in her district will once again be divided. But, the truth revealed in this election is that voters are demanding change and new priorities. This November, in districts around the country -- many more moderate than Busby's -- we will be fighting for new priorities in Congress. The NRCC can't spend almost five million dollars in every district to keep their majority.

CA-50 is a district that President Bush carried by 11 points in both 2000 and 2004 - this race should not have been close. By all measures this was a safe Republican Congressional seat. Yet, Francine Busby forced the Republican Party to spend close to five million defending it - the most federal money the NRCC has spent on a House race, ever.

As Carl Luna [1], a political science professor at San Diego Mesa College put it...

"This race, of course, should have attracted almost no attention from anyone outside of the candidates' immediate families, let alone national news coverage and millions of dollars in national campaign money. The Republican candidate, be it Brian Bilbray or Zippy the Wonder Pup, should have been assured this seat hands down. And, as the Republican nominee, Bilbray should have been hanging ten right now to an assured, double digit victory.

"Key words: should have."

After spending more than five million dollars - more than 20% of their reserves for November -- and using national Republican leaders like George W. Bush, John McCain and Laura Bush, and running viciously negative ads, Brian Bilbray and the NRCC were able to pull out less than 50 percent of the vote in a solidly Republican district. We've got them on the ropes, but we also know that they are not going down without a fight. The fact that the DCCC and Democrats across the country are already competitive or ahead of Republicans in campaign funds and polling numbers is unprecedented, but we need to keep up the momentum until November.

Francine Busby's hard charging campaign demonstrated that we can and will bring this message of change and new priorities to Americans across the country. Not just in Democratic or moderate districts, but deep into the heart of Republican territory. During these last five months, Democrats in Republican districts from Pennsylvania to Washington state will look to Francine's campaign as an example.

From Consortium News:

The defeat of Democrat Francine Busby in a special congressional
election outside San Diego was a case study in why Democrats lose. With
conservatives dominating the media and with Busby running a "safe"
consultant-driven campaign, the Republicans pounced on a minor verbal slip-up by
Busby in the final days and propelled Brian Bilbray to victory. The
question now is: what can the Democrats do to ever break out of their
cycle of losing?

For the full story of why the Democrats always seem to find themselves
in the same rut, go to Consortiumnews.com at
http://www.consortiumnews.com .

Also, while at the site, you might want to look at other recent
articles -- including how the Haditha massacre and the Nuremberg Principles
apply to George W. Bush and what one seasoned political analyst says is
at stake for America in Election 2006.

Also, please consider a tax-deductible donation to keep
Consortiumnews.com alive. Our spring fund-raising drive has raised less than one-fifth
of the $10,000 we need to maintain this Web site at this crucial time
in American history. You can contribute by credit card at the site or by
sending a check to Consortium for Independent Journalism (CIJ), Suite
102-231, 2200 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201.

Blogger ate a lengthy post that the above that included the above last night. Judge for yourself. If you're not familiar with consortium, it's a worthwhile sight. No time to add more.