This according to a poll John Conyers revealed while addressing an overflow Ohio fundraising dinner.
What an incredible night! In Warren county, one of the two reddest counties in Ohio, a spectacular lineup of all the major state candidates and a guest appearance by Michigan representative John Conyers created an air of excitement and expectations for the fall. Expectations were lifted not only by John Conyers' remarks that the latest Democratic projections were that Democrats will capture seven more seats than the 15 they need for a majority (insert the usual disclaimer about early polls), but also by the two distinct groups of people attending the dinner.
Over two hundred Democrats attended Warren county's fundraising dinner, paying an average of $100 a head. But in addition, an even more remarkable group of people wanted an opportunity to meet the stellar lineup of candidates attending: disaffected Republicans.
The Warren county Democratic party chairman, Chris Gaffney, was approached by a group of Republicans who wanted a chance to determine if they could openly support the Democratic candidates, having been so thoroughly disgusted with Ohio's culture of corruption brought on by Republican rule.
Early reports are that the private meetings went well and we may be seeing some splinter groups of Republicans openly campaigning for Democrats this fall. All this in a county that didn't even give 27% of its vote to Kerry in 2004. We're talking the reddest of the red. If this kind of crossover support can happen here, it can happen anywhere! Reach out to the Republican groups in your area and encourage them to to do the same thing.
I'm still pumped at getting the chance to meet and hear Ted Strickland and Sherrod Brown along with nearly every state and local candidate on the ticket this Fall. And of course, John Conyers is legendary with is heroic efforts to expose What went Wrong in Ohio (PDF file).
To think that such a successful event took place in a county that effectively had no party organization just 20 short months ago, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Democrats who saw the county had a big problem and then stepped up to take control themselves. And it is indicative of the tidal wave of change that will wash up on America's shores this fall. I, for one, will be shocked if the Democrats take only 22 seats this fall. Look for a lot more!
MINOR UPDATE: In looking at the early comments, I don't want this diary to be taken as a que to relax. Just the opposite. I'm so pumped about the good things I see coming our way, I know my hard work will pay off in the fall. But I also know that if I don't put in the hard work, nothing will happen. Take this diary as motivation to work your ass off for your favorite candidates, knowing your efforts will be rewarded.