We all give crap to people like Chris Matthews and Chuck Todd for journalistic failures on MSNBC, but tonight, some stunning clarity that Democrats of all stripes would be wise to heed.
Stop. Running. From. The. Democratic. President
It doesn't matter if it's Barack Hussein Obama, Joe Everyman, or Jane Everywoman.
Though not solely directed in Alison Grimes' direction, people like Matthews, Todd, and Andrea Mitchell basically asked the following question, repeatedly:
Why do the Democrats bother running away from the leader of their Party, when it doesn't matter what they say or do, Republicans will tie them to their leader anyway?
Mitchell made a comment about the "inartful" way that Grimes refused to even admit that Barack Obama was President, and was from the same Party she was. She compared to Michelle Nunn, who apparently said something to the effect of "Well I support (The President) on some issues, but on others I don't".
Notice how one became national news, and the other - to the best of my knowledge anyway - did not?
I get it; Some places are full of racist bastards, and even breathing the President's name is treason in their view. Mary Landrieu had the gall to call out how the Deep South is racist and sexist, and she was pilloried by the right for telling the truth...but did she alienate most Democratic voters by saying that? Hell No!.
As voters and activists, we have to start demanding - at a bare minimum - that Party members, especially high profile ones, not be afraid to defend the Party and its President if we have one, on balance.
Do you have to give a full-throated defense of every single policy idea in your neck of the woods? You probably should, but I can understand why Grimes never utter the word "Obamacare" or "ACA".
...I think she should have strongly tied the law to the very successful Kentucky Kynect, but she did so only tangentially. Is it enough? We don't know yet.
Bottom line? Barring a massive scandal that nobody would go on record as supporting someone for...Democrats need to at least not be so freaking paranoid of linking themselves to the national agenda, at least in part.
Democrats want Democrats to be...DEMOCRATS. Not Republican Lite™.
And again, it cannot be stressed enough:
REPUBLICANS WILL TIE YOU TO THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT AND THEIR PERCEIVED LIBERALISM ANYWAY!
You cannot just always be about "I'm not them, vote for me". You have to give your voters, and swing voters
something to vote FOR.
This isn't meant to be a downer on the night; The night is young.
But I really hope a lot more Democratic strategists, consultants, and candidates get this message, and file it away for quick recall the next time it's Election Day.
Sooner, rather than later, please.
EDIT: 7:37 PM EST
Thanks for the Rec's everyone! Here's hoping for a much better rest of the evening for Team Blue!