In a major upset that shows just how strong opposition to the Iraq War is in even very red states, the Democratic candidate came out on top in the first round of the special election to succeed Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) in his old House seat, in a district that by all rights should have had an outright win for the Republican candidate.
Democrat Travis Childers finished with 49% of the vote in last night's special election, Republican Greg Davis 46%, and the remainder going to the defeated candidates from the primaries for the regular election in November, plus third-party candidates. Without anybody getting 50% of the vote, this goes to a runoff in three weeks.
Both Childers and Davis are strong social conservatives, so it might be useful to look at the major issue dividing them: Iraq, with Childers supporting a timetable for withdrawal and Davis in favor of staying.
Bear in mind, this is a huge upset in a district that voted 62%-37% for President Bush in 2004, and where the last Democrat to represent the place was Jamie Whitten, who spent a good part of his career as an old-time Southern conservative segregationist. And with the DCCC beating the Republicans in the money game, the Dems will have a lot of money to bring to bear for the runoff.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Talking Points Memo: "Surprise Mississippi Result Shows Unpopularity Of Iraq War In Deep Red States"
Talking Points Memo, anational political news/blog site has covered the MS-01 race as well as anyone nationally. Josh Marshall, the blog founder, won a Polk award this year for his work on memo-gate. TPM had this to say about the results from MS-01.
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Maybe a surprise to TPM. Not to me.
ReplyDeleteThis should only surprise people who don't realize how many smart people, working folks, and young people we have here. Folks understand who's actually fighting this war, and who started it, and who's profiting from it.
People might not be talking about it as much here as in other places, but there's quite a bit of resentment. This is some anecdotal evidence that the war is a national issue. IMO, if it plays this well here, that's a sign the party needs to be more aggressive in it's criticism and offer a policy change.
This race is not about the Iraq War. This race is not about Democrat or Republican. This race is about who is the more likeable candidate, and the people of NE MS think that is Travis Childers. Also, this race is about jealously from the East side of the District of Desoto County. I know several Republicans who voted for Childers because they want to keep the seat in the East, and hope that they can run another Republican next election to unseat him.
ReplyDeleteit all get's a little interesting here, doesn't it.
ReplyDeletei'm curious what role the war really will play in the upcoming election.
how big will the promises be???