Before the libtards on this board claim that it was not an important race, I will point out that it was considered an important race as evidenced by the efforts of the DNC.
FLASHBACK:
http://www3.blogs.rollcall.com/rothenblog/the-race-democrats-cant-afford-to-lose/It’s rare in politics that anything other than a presidential contest is viewed as a
“must win” — but the special election in Florida’s 13th District falls into that category for Democrats.
A loss in the competitive March 11 contest would almost certainly be regarded by dispassionate observers as a sign that President Barack Obama could constitute an albatross around the neck of his party’s nominees in November. And that could make it more difficult for Democratic candidates, campaign committees and interest groups to raise money and energize the grass roots.
Fundamentally, the district, left vacant by the death of longtime Republican Rep. C.W. Bill Young,
looks competitive but has a slight Democratic tinge. Barack Obama carried it 52 percent to 48 percent in 2008, but he had a more narrow victory four years later, when he won 50 percent to 49 percent.
But fundamentals are only a small part of the Democratic advantage in the district this year.
Campaign-related factors should strongly benefit the Democrats, as well.
Alex Sink is certain to win the Democratic nomination in the Jan. 14 primary. Sink, whose late husband, Bill McBride, was the unsuccessful Democratic nominee for governor in 2002, was elected Florida’s chief financial officer in 2006.
Four years later, she was her party’s gubernatorial nominee. In that toxic political environment for Democrats,
Sink lost to multimillionaire GOP businessman Rick Scott by a mere 61,550 votes out of more than 5.3 million cast – a margin of just more than 1 point. In that contest, Scott spent $73 million of his own money (including money from his wife’s revocable trust), according to the Orlando Sentinel. But
Sink carried the 13th District by 2 points in that race.
Democrats have rallied behind Sink’s congressional bid so completely that 2012 Democratic nominee Jessica Ehrlich, who wanted to run in the special election, was forced out of the contest.
Money could be a significant problem for the GOP.
In her Dec. 25 online fundraising report,
Sink showed total contributions of $1.43 million, with just more than $1 million in the bank. In his late December report, Jolly showed just under $142,000 on hand, while Peters reported less than $18,000 in the bank.
Given all of the
advantages that Sink has — the district, her experience and proven electoral success, her money in the bank and her united party — and the problems the GOP nominee will face, shouldn’t the likely Democratic nominee be a clear favorite to win the special election, getting her party one seat closer to the majority in November?
The answer is “yes,” and if this seat had become open in 2006 or 2007, there is little doubt that Democrats would have been solid favorites to win.
On the other hand, since most nonpartisan handicappers and analysts have for years expected this seat to go Democratic when it became open, ...
