There has been much discussion about regional strategies for 2008. I believe that making allocation decisions on the basis of broad regions and 2004 data is a mistake. It is fighting the last campaign; the current situation is different.
The 50-state strategy should not be sacrificed for the sake a single election. But given the fact that we will be required to make the Presidential campaign effort that we did in 2004 and the Congressional effort that we made in 2006 both at the same time, using resources wisely is indeed an issues. What we have experienced in 2004 and 2006 is the coming forth of volunteers and donation of resources as we saw the possibility of winning. What we do between now and 2008 can increase the probability of having a second watershed election. (Of course, this is assuming that the Democratic Congress will perform to enable expansion of our gains.)
The following is not the only strategy. I can think of three or four alternatives easily. So use the comments to state alternatives that we should consider.
In addition to continuing the 50-state strategy of building long-term state infrastructure, 2008 should focus on the following strategies.
State high-priority party infrastructure strengthening (DNC):
Connecticut
Ohio
Mississippi
Alabama
South Dakota
Arizona
Wyoming
Montana
Presidential Primary organization development and face-to-face with the candidates (DNC/Presidential Primary Candidate Campaigns):
Iowa
New Hampshire
Nevada
South Carolina (Up-country)
Tennessee, Virginia - (focus on coal country and suburbs around major cities in both states)
Wisconsin (Milwaukee suburbs)
Arizona, Idaho
Indiana
California (southern California, Valley)
Battleground States (DSCC and DCCC):
Connecticut
Florida
Pennsylvania
Ohio
Wisconsin
Iowa
Indiana
Kansas
California
Virginia
North Carolina
Strategic Moves:
Coal Country (Western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Southern Ohio, Southern Indiana, Southern Illinois, Eastern Kentucky, Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee)
Presidential Campaign. Gains in this area would cause diversion of resources from Republican campaigns, expand on new-found Democratic strength and expand gains made in 2006.
Suburban Rings (Chicago, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, Dallas, Houston, Southern California, Atlanta, Long Island, Staten Island)
DSCC/DCCC - Democratic campaigns in 2006 caused diversion of Republican efforts to some of these areas; this list expands that. In addition, there are possibilities for pickups of key Congressional seats.
Northern Rockies (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado)
DSCC/DCCC - Expand the pressure on this area, which was one of the exciting areas in 2006.
Media Bleed (Louisville, Tri-Cities, Evansville, Greenville-Spartanburg, Bluefield, Wheeling, Binghamton, Clarksburg, Charleston/Huntington, Portland ME)
Presidential Campaign/DSCC/DCCC - Efforts to shore up gains from 2006 and battleground state activities will involve these less-expensive markets. Use this to develop make nearby areas more competitive. Campaigning in Southern Illinois, Southern Indiana, Southern Ohio, West Virginia, and Southwest Virginia impacts on Kentucky. Holding NC-13 can be a springboard to working on Up-Country South Carolina. Campaigning in Southern Tier New York affects North Central Pennsylvania. These are effect of the particular geography of the 210 media markets, especially some of the smaller, less expensive media markets.
In addition, state Democratic Parties should work to expand infrastructure to all counties in the state, recruit candidates for every Congressional District and State Legislature Seat, and build a corps of volunteers and financing based on the fact that no one is unimportant any more.
There are 50 states, 210 media markets, 435 Congressional Districts, 3080 counties, 192,480 precincts and a base of 60 million Democratic voters. In 2008, we need to put all of those pieces together.