Home Is Where The Votes Are, But...
House candidates may not be the focal points of the Dem Convo, but many are still here, fishing for votes and support among the myriad of delegates and fundraising types that populate the grounds of the Pepsi Center.
It's not because their party leaders necessarily want them here. With a bit more than 10 weeks before voters head to the polls, this is prime campaign season. DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen (MD-08) today reiterated his cmte's stance that "Your voters are at home, you should be home campaigning there." And in late Aug, NRCC Chair Tom Cole (OK-04) told candidates in competitive races to stay away from the GOP Convo in St. Paul, saying it'd be a "waste of time" to attend.
But after spending time with state Sen./Iraq vet John Boccieri (D) this p.m., it's hard not to see the benefits for top candidates of attending their convo. Trying to hustle through a crowded room of OH Dem delegates, he was mobbed for 15 minutes by adoring fans (including Gov. Dem Ted Strickland), and called Congressman more than once. Those same donors and delegates will be key to his GOTV operation in his bid to win Rep. Ralph Regula's (R-OH 16) open seat.
A trip to Denver carries a few risks for Dems like Boccieri, not including the time away from the campaign trail. He also risks being associated with nat'l Dems, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA-08), who's been a fixture here. Boccieri's opponent, state Sen. Kirk Schuring (R), has already attacked him for rubbing elbows with the DC "elite," while he's at home attending local events, like the Stark Co. fair.
But Boccieri says he's here to work on the DNC's Vets and Military Families Council, which meets tomorrow. After that, he's headed back to the CD, where he'll also attend the Stark Co. fair. "I'm here because I want to make sure our party's platform is weighted heavily towards veterans," Boccieri said. "And if my opponent wants to beat me up for standing up for veterans, then he smacks one veteran he smacks them all."
(TIM SAHD)