Let's check in with all that "conventional wisdom" that I like to call spin from just a few days ago...We were told that...
...conservatives in OH-05 were splintered.
...Republicans were going to stay home.
...Democrats were on the rise.
...Republicans were dispirited.
How we looking today?
...conservatives in OH-05 are united.
...enough Republicans voted to get a 57 - 43 victory.
...Democrats lose again.
...Democrats are dispirited.
NixGuy says it best:
So with a lot of help from Kos, a safe +10 GOP district becomes a safe +14 for the Republicans. Well done!Bravo! Indeed... Heh! even... Like Dave, I had this pegged at about a ten-point race about two weeks ago...
What can we expect in the future?
Well, if OH-05's Club for Growthers are anything like OH-02's COASTers, we can expect slugfest primaries for the next decade...
...the Democrats ought to like that outcome a lot...
...but they will still lose...
...and so will the Club for Growthers...
Oh, and we can't miss this tidbit from Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett about Ohio's Turnaround Savior, Taxin' Ted:
“The outcome is a clear rejection of a popular governor who spent enormous political capital on this race, and it’s a sign that voters are tired of the worn-out rhetoric from a party that has nothing more to offer than a sad fixation on yesterday’s news."Good times all around if you ask me...
UPDATE: One of my favorite themes was the "Republican leadership has given up on this race" as evidenced by numberous stories touting that Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- was unavailalbe to campaign for Latta in the closing moments of the race.
Au contraire... Rep. Boehner did a LOT for Bob Latta and his campaign. Amongst the offerings that Team Boehner provided includes the following:
Boehner assisted in raising $250,000 for the Latta's campaign: $120,000 for the OH-5 Victory Fund and another $130,000 after the special primary. He also helped raise $100K for Latta for the Cheney event.Once again, the buzz didn't reflect the reality...
Boehner's leadership PAC -- The Freedom Project -- donated $5,000 to Latta.
Boehner staffers and supporters in Ohio volunteered and organized GOTV efforts (doors, phone banks). They also made 7,000 calls into the 5th District.
Dee-Cee Staffers and supporters organized volunteers to travel to OH-5 for GOTV. They also helped at RNC phone banks.
