Getting elected to Congress in the Fourth District of Kansas as a Democrat is like the rich trying to get into heaven. (Don't get mad at me. That's just what Jesus said). This is largely ironic considering Dan Glickman, a Democrat, had a stranglehold on the 4th District for nearly two decades until the 1994 "revolution" that swept anyone with an "R" after their name into office. Now, Fourth District Kansans would "gasp" at the thought of sending a Democrat to Washington. And yet, thankfully, every year, some Democrat throws his hat into the ring. And this year, the field is wide open. GOP Fourth District Congressman Todd Tihart is vacating the seat to run for Senate.
One of the proverbial camels trying to get through the eye of the needle this year is Raj Goyle. (He has a Democratic Primary opponent, Robert Tillman, about whom I could find nothing). If Goyle wins the primary, he will go up against the Republican winner, likely to be a very conservative candidate. Goyle's campaign websitesays he's a "fiscal conservative" who wants to cut government spending and lower taxes. The sad part is, even taking this moderate almost Republican kind of position will never get him elected.
Why? Because Fourth District Kansans don't vote for Democrats. Period. Unless there's a big name, big media campaign, or a big swing of moderate Republican voters, Raj Goyle doesn't stand a chance. But he should. So what can he do?
First, he needs a ton of money. Duh. (You can donate HERE).
Second, he needs to convince a lot of faithful, toe the party line, moderate Republicans to vote for him. There are a lot of moderate Republicans in this state who constantly cross party lines in the big state races to help elect Democrats (see Kathleen Sebelius, Paul Morrison). But they can't vote for you if they aren't motivated to get out to vote. The Republicans will put up a pretty conservative candidate because you can't win a primary if you're a moderate Republican. (See What's the Matter with Kansas?). The current "moderate" Republican in the GOP Primary field is Jean Schodorff. She's someone moderates and Republicans could get behind. But she's not going to be a choice in the general election. So Goyle needs to get anyone who would consider voting for her and convince them he's their guy. Plus, if he talks to the right people, Goyle might even be able to get Schodorff to endorse him. Goyle already has the right idea, though, prominently displaying this quote on his website: "Good ideas don't come with a party label. All that matters is whether it's right for Kansas."
Third, he has to register and get out every Democrat he can. There are a lot of young people hanging out in Sedgwick County (one of the largest counties in the state) who would probably vote for him if his people got them registered. They rallied in mass to help pass a $284 million dollar school bond a few years back that the elderly, conservative, Republican voters in Wichita would never have voted for. They don't want to vote from some boring guy who's going to scream about Obama and make divisive comments. (I offer no empirical proof of this other than having talked every now and then to my brother). Voter registration is the key. Wichita is full of blue collar aircraft workers who might just be willing to vote Democrat again. They voted for years for Dan Glickman. Get Glickman in town. Get him to endorse Goyle. Get out the vote get out the vote get out the vote.
So here's wishing Goyle luck. May he be the one snowball who defies the fire.