Current Trends in American Politics
Due to a series of technical issues (my browswer windows crashing, a certain individual up on 34th street), I haven't gotten the chance to post on as many topics as I would have liked.
Right. Don't think you won't get your share of links to stuff you've probably already seen, though; they're a-coming. For now I'll just make two minor political points:
The GOP and the right wingers are going to scream bloody murder over these numbers and their coming from the DSCC. But it is important to remember that this poll was conducted by Bennett, Petts & Blumenthal who only make money as long as they're accurate. It is not in the DSCC's, or any other political orginization or candidate for that matter, interest to collect inaccurate data. Polls are used for formulating strategy and if those polls are wrong, the strategy will be flawed.
That comes from an analysis on the Minnesota Senate race (which, incidentally, is looking good, though you have to wonder about a supposedly Democratic-leaning state where your best Senate candidates are a county DA and, in 2008, a radio talk-show host), but the general point stands. Conventionally, internal polls are considered more or less worthless, which is not entirely appropriate. Granted, a campaign is only going to release its internal numbers when they look good, but having worked on cash-strapped campaigns before, I can say that spending untold thousands of dollars on a poll in the hopes of a great result is ridiculous. If we're going to base our strategic decisions (and spend untold hundreds of thousands of dollars) on the outcome of that poll, it sure as hell had better be right. There's no reason to make that stuff up.
Also, the Missouri Senate race is also going well. The Democratic candidate, Claire McCaskill, had a good interview with mydd.com a while ago. What I especially found compelling was this:
Singer: Final question. If there's one message you'd like to send out to the progressive blogosphere, to the Netroots, what would that be?McCaskill: I think you're doing a great thing for our country. What I fear more than anything in the United States of America is an electorate that is not passionate. I may not agree with some of the views held by some of those who spend a lot of time on the progressive blogosphere. There may be times we disagree. But I love the passion, I love the commitment, I love the enthusiasm. It is probably what will save us in this country. And so I say type away and keep working at it. You'll keep us all honest.
Missouri is arguably trending Republican, and McCaskill has to come across as a centrist. Yet she's figured out how to endorse the online progressive community while leaving herself the option of distancing herself from anything in particular that may show up online. In my mind, that's an astute phrasing, and it reveals an excellent political skill: being able to clarify what's terrific about something without being caught up in what's bad. Online political organizing is exciting, innovative and wild, and eventually everyone will understand the dynamics well enough that a Senate candidate isn't going to be tarred for being thrilled with the "netroots" (and I won't feel like a dork for using that last word). And we're going to get there by people like Claire McCaskill not being ashamed of great trends in American politics. Kudos to her.
Speaking of great trends in American politics, check this out on the Edwards machine gearing up again. All hands on deck.
(Unless you're in law school.)