Nationalized Elections Could Hurt Dem Govs
OH Gov. Ted Strickland (D) told reporters Saturday he believes this year's legislative quagmire in DC will play a role in his bid for re-election in '10, further evidence that Dems recognize the danger they face in a nationalized midterm election.
"If I win, I will thank those who helped me. If I lose, I will certainly not blame others for that loss, but I do believe what happens in Washington has a direct effect within our individual states, whether it is politically or in terms of the economy of our states," said Strickland.
Strickland underscored the importance of passing health care for Dem candidates in '10. He knows whereof he speaks; the "failure to address the health care issue" was a major factor when he lost his House seat in '94. "I don't think the American people reward failure or perceived failure," he said.
Citing shortfalls in the current system, need, and state budgetary concerns as the most important reasons for Congress to act on the health care bill, Strickland added that there are also political implications, saying "if you're speaking only politically, I think that that's also important that we have action on health care."
MD Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) was more measured in his appraisal of the correlation between DC and his race as he stressed the importance of leadership and "a framework for the future."
"People will differentiate between national politics or on state politics, their mayors and the county governments," said O'Malley. "But to the degree that we can be effective as a party at all levels of government, certainly makes our argument a lot stronger. And that's why, we're, all of us, we're very desirous of seeing a Democratic Congress move forward."
In Washington this weekend to take part in the '10 NGA Winter Meeting, the 2 were joined at a press conference this afternoon by DGA chair/DE Gov. Jack Markell and WA Gov. Christine Gregoire (D).
The economy was the dominant topic at the press conference, as the govs stressed the importance of job creation and freeing up lending to small businesses. Markell praised Pres. Obama's work on the economy, but cautioned that work remains. "It's time for Washington to pass a common sense jobs bill, with measures we can all agree to" said Markell.