I suspect that much of what I am going to write is at the same time alien and familiar to anyone living outside of CT. I know it will feel familiar to those living in
NY-25 (AKA Terry Mac's home district)...
CT's Democratic advantage in registration is 221,930 or 11.29% and the advantage exists in each of CT's 5 congressional districts (as of October, 2003). Below is a list of the congressional districts in CT and how they voted at the top of the ticket in in 2000 and 2004:
2000 2004
Gore/Bush Kerry/Bush
CT-1 62.31/32.41 59.55/38.60
CT-2 55.45/37.55 53.92/44.22
CT-3 60.10/33.77 56.37/41.70
CT-4 54.80/40.97 52.38/46.29
CT-5 50.61/44.10 49.32/48.97
CT-6 52.44/41.76 CT-6 Largely Combined with CT-5 as per 2000 census
Total 55.91/38.45 54.31/43.95
Now - How many Democrats does CT send to the House? 5? 4? No. The answer, which is both pathetic and personally sickening, is 2.
So, what do we do?
Well, first of all, lets not lay blame. The candidates were fine. In fact, Diane Farrell was better than fine, I thought she was perfect to take out Chris Shays. And Jim Sullivan ran a very spirited campaign against Rob Simmons. And don't blame the DCCC, they poured money into both of these races. Every other commercial on TV in my area had Sullivan commercials on (when they weren't showing Simmons' attack ads).
I am going to write something that is difficult to hear. Prepare yourself.
The fault is ours. Yours and mine.
We learned an important lesson in this election from the top to bottom of tickets: Organization is important, we can do it as well as they can, and we can't wait until the last minute to start. After all, the recent Republican victories have been in the making since 1964. We should have learned that starting to build organizations in January 2006 will be starting to build 2 years too late.
What we need to do is start organizing now. Join the DNC, your local Democratic organization, your local Young Democrats organization, etc. (All local links from CT - Google your local parties).
Talk about your issues for the next 2 years to whom ever will listen! Encourage people to give their support either financially or with their time or both.
Network with other like-minded CT Dems via the blogosphere.
Volunteer for a Democrat in your congressional district in the primaries. If your candidate loses, volunteer for the candidate who won in the general election. (Substitute congressional district for Senate, Selectmen, RTM, Mayor, City Council, School Board, Dog Catcher - It doesn't matter; you will be helping a race higher up or lower down the ticket!)
RUN FOR OFFICE!!!
We have to start now in order to combat the Republican's money advantage and the inertia that is inherent with incumbents. Lets come together to make the Nutmeg state (and every other state) blue from top to bottom. Use the comments section for ideas and/or contact information.