DGA Target Practice
Leaders of the Democratic Governors Association set the stage for 2009 and 2010 on a call with donors today, suggesting that despite control of the White House and advantages in both chambers of Congress, the group is at a disadvantage.
"We now enter a cycle where, traditionally, the party in power at the White House has lost governorships at the midterm," said Raymond Glendening, DGA political director.
The cycle starts this year with contests in New Jersey and Virginia, where Gov. Tim Kaine, a Democrat, is term-limited.
"In both states, national Republicans will be looking to regain their footing heading into 2010 as they have publicly stated that the governorships is where they will look to regroup their national effort," Glendening said.
Corzine, he noted, has a proven track record. Glendening mentioned, too, that the party has added 400,000 new Democrats to the rolls last year as a result of the presidential primary in February.
In Virginia, meanwhile, he sought to downplay expectations -- even though the party is fielding three strong primary candidates: former Democratic National Committee chief Terry McAuliffe, state Sen. Creigh Deeds and former Del. Brian Moran.
"All three will be strong candidates against former Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who does not have a primary and has benefited from early campaign help from John McCain, Mike Huckabee, Rudy Giuliani and Bobby Jindal," Glendening, the son of former Maryland Gov. Parris Glendening, said on the call. "Although Virginia has been trending Democratic over the last two cycles, it is important to note that the party losing the White House has won Virginia the following year in every election since 1976."
In 2010, there will be 36 races in play. Defending the incumbents, Glendening said, is the party's top priority. Still, he noted opportunities for possible Democratic "pickups across the country to combat the reality of Democratic Governors in red states like Tennessee, Oklahoma, Kansas and Wyoming being unable to run again in 2010 because of term-limits." In California, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will end his service, making the left-leaning state a possible get. He mentioned Hawaii as well, where Linda Lingle (R) leaves office. Arizona and Nevada have GOP governors, Glendening said, with "plummeting poll numbers," and in Florida, Gov. Charlie Crist, he said is looking like a likely Senate candidate.
Other targets mentioned: Gov. Tim Pawlenty in Minnesota, Gov. Jodi Rell in Connecticut, and an open seat in Rhode Island.
Gov. Brian Schweitzer, chairman of the DGA, told donors that Democratic governors finally have a cooperative White House and that the efficacy of Pres. Obama's economic plans -- his recovery dollars in particular -- depend on cooperation from the states.
"It is imperative that we continue to build this partnership between the democratic governors and Pres. Obama," Schweitzer said.
Nathan Daschle, executive director of the DGA, asked those participating in the call to help the committee seed strong candidates across the three dozen 2010 races.
"We know that the national Republicans will have more money than us, they always do," he said.
(JENNIFER SKALKA)
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