Americans' desire for change hasn't well, changed much since President Obama was elected to office in 2008 promising the kind of change many Americans believed in. That's one thing that's clear heading in to the midterm elections according to the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor Tim Kaine. He spoke about his observations at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Wednesday.
He worked hard to paint Republicans as obstructionists and told reporters and their guests that in the face of unified Republican opposition Democrats have turned the economy around, created jobs and passed landmark health care reform. He says history has shown that populist movements, like the tea party, "driven by anger tend to peter out." However, he also acknowledged that the tea party is a threat to Democrats and establishment Republicans alike.
The most interesting tidbit he took away from Tuesday's primaries, he says, was that Rand Paul, winner of the Republican primary for one of Kentucky's Senate seats recevied less votes (206,812) than the top loser of the Democratic primary for the same race, Daniel Mongiardo (224,989). That, he says, is proof that Democrats are still fired up and ready to go.
Kaine says Democrats will commence with an unprecedented campaign this year with more money and a more aggressive strategy than seen in other midterm elections. Their goal is to harness the forces that movtivated voters in 2008 by making connections between President Obama's success and Democratic candidates across the country. Kaine says he hopes to see President Obama on the campaign trail as much as his time permits.
What is still the most effective campaign tool for candidates? According to Kaine: person to person contact.