For those that don't know he's a former 2 term governor of Delaware, and 16yr incumbent of Delaware's only house seat. Not an easy task...
So how do we do it? Well those looking for a repeat of Carper taking out Roth, you are sadly mistaken. Carper was a 2 term governor, and extremely popular statewide. Chris Coons, as of now, is really only known in New Castle County. So what needs to happen?
Here's what I think is the game plan:
- Attack Castle on his age. He's 72, and had a stroke 2 years ago. Dirty you say? Not really, what can a freshman senator, in the minortiy really do for Delaware? Not much, especially since odds are it's going to be his only term. Coons needs to be seen as a young long term politican looking out for Delaware well into the 21st century.(plus really we want Beau Biden to primary Carper and take out a consevadem asap, not in 6 years)
- Attack the News Journal. Mike Castle is Delaware's most popular politican, and they have a lot to do with it. He's not an extreme right winger, and the paper loves to wirte about his moderate stances. They need to get hammered with editorals and calls when they write fluff peices on him, and they will. www.delawareonline.com is thier website. keep it handy and write them often.
- Nationalize the race. Delaware is one of the most Democratic states in the country, the implications of losing a senate seat for six years needs to be mentioned over and over again. No matter how moderate Castle is, it makes Mitch McConnell one step closer to being majority leader.
- Call Castle out on his hypocracy. Don't allow him to have it both ways. He slams the feds for not giving more stimulus money to Delaware, a bill of course he voted against.
- Explain just how well of a job Coons has done as New Castle County Commisioner during this economic down turn. Some of the decisions he's made haven't been popular, but they were all the right things to do, and without his leadership, residents would be feeling it much harder than they are.
- Money. Castle has it Coons doesn't. that needs to change. donate at http://www.chriscoons.com
- Joe Biden, pressure him to attack his long time friend. With out pressure he'll lay off full attack mode on Castle. (partially becasue Castle will actually be a good bipartisan ally, and will vote with the dems on key issues more then Nelson does, though 40% Democrat isnt' 100% Democrat)
I think those and a good get out the vote effort can lead to victory.
edit: Castle is running with the "I Like Mike" slogan. The less he has to talk about issues, the better he'll do, even just right of center puts him out of touch with a state that has Democrats in every statewide level office, and Democratic supermajorities in both state houses. And unfortunately Delaware Republicans aren't crazy, so he won't have to tack right to defeat any primary challenge.