The first Tuesday in November, 2009, looks sweet to local Republican operatives nationwide. In county and ward level offices, they brag and snicker. They are fully expecting to defeat sleepy democrats, as usual, in this year's odd year elections.
As it has been repeatedly explained to this reporter, Democrats are poor voters. They vote, shall we say, irregularly. Their numbers swell with the importance of things, and they show up for big, emotional stuff, but a great many, far too many, don't vote in local and municipal elections in odd numbered years.
Even though these elections are important -- far more important than not-voting -- the Dems just don't turn out enough to dominate county and municipal odd year elections.
I would wager that most of the Kossaks are not yet even thinking about voting this year. I'd bet the same about HuffPo readers. And Dems nationwide, except where they have been activated by a big local race for Governor or something. Most of the rest of the Dems are electorally asleep. Because so many of them are like that, and thus don't get registered, don't order a ballot, don't plan ahead, don't even know what day to vote (first Tuesday of November, friends) -- the righties expect to maintain or increase their stranglehold on county and municipal governments throughout the land.
'Don't expect them to be out there voting this year,' snarled an FO in Bastrop, 'because they never are.' 'If you see a democrat out voting this year,' snorted another in Dayton, 'it will probably be a republican.' A festering field director in Springfield explained that 'Our voters are reliable like clockwork for these things -- its our system.' A vulture-like volunteer coordinator in Danville whistles that 'Republican party volunteers expect to work in odd numbered years.' A data toad in Ogden said much the same, and croaked that her Democratic friends on campus had no idea there was an election coming. That sentiment was affirmed by a warped young volunteer in Farmington, and by a twisted political director in Washington County, who added, 'we win these things on turnout alone -- whatever it is -- the water board, the local library committee, the ward commissions, county court seats or the sheriff's office -- if we can get the election in an odd numbered year, the office will go our way.' 'Of course it will,' blinked a big bad communications chump in Hillside, 'because the D's won't show up!'
The only way to stop these ghoulish field operatives is to work against them for the next 6 weeks.
To do so, contact your local democratic party office.
Volunteer this year. Help change your city and county. Help Democrats. Knock doors, make calls, be there for GOTV in your local area.
And vote. Get your friends to vote.
Republican domination of the suburbs and exurbs must end. A 10% increase of D turnout in this year's odd year elections could make a huge difference for next year's mid-term elections. Holding more offices is good for the D's chances next year. R's controlling the suburbs is bad for D's next year. Help take offices from the R's. Resist the red rot at its very heart -- which is Republican control of rural and suburban municipal government, and county government.
Be the turnout.
Create the turnout.
Volunteer now.