Well according to my hometown paper in red state NC,

[wildeyed]

Dems rock.

Fund raising fueled N.C. Democratic majority

N.C. Democrats start the legislative session today with their strongest majorities in years after outspending Republicans in 2004 and mounting what some call one of most sophisticated campaign efforts in the country.

snip...

"It's like Republicans were trying to play college ball and defeat the winner of the Super Bowl," says John Davis, who has tracked legislative politics for 20 years as executive director of the pro-business group NCFREE.

When legislators convene at noon, Democrats will hold a 29-21 edge in the Senate and a 63-57 edge in the House, margins that will help push their agendas as well as that of Gov. Mike Easley.

Some observers say the Democratic majorities may be more likely than Republicans to spend money on education and health care. They're less likely to cap damages for medical malpractice.

Democratic gains came despite big wins by Republicans George W. Bush and U.S. Senate candidate Richard Burr. And they came despite a string of GOP redistricting victories that left Republicans with as level a playing field as they've had in years.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/10735229.htm

Maybe we should look at what local politicians are doing in NC and try to duplicate that success on a national level?

[annabanana]

1. I'm guessing that they weren't pretending to be Republicans......

Let me know if I'm wrong.

[wildeyed]

2. What do you mean by 'pretending to be republicans'?

Certainly they are more conservative than many on this board would like, but they did manage to win decisively. And as the article says, Some observers say the Democratic majorities may be more likely than Republicans to spend money on education and health care. They're less likely to cap damages for medical malpractice. So they are certainly more liberal than the repugs down here.

[in_cog_ni_to]

3. Did you vote on Diebold evoting machines?

If not, I would say your state's political makeup looks like what the rest of the country would look like had we not voted on hackable machines. ;)

[wildeyed]

6. Actually, NC had one of the most messed up elections

in the country. Some of the statewide races have still not been decided due to paperless voting machines. Who know, without those, maybe we would have gone blue in the senate and prez race, too.

Here is a link to an article I posted yesterday about how effective our homegrown election reform activists have been. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1182474

[accipiter]

4. Also look in MN and MT

Montana has a Dem legislature and a new Dem gov - the first time in many years.

Minnesota Dems made great progress in the state legislature this last time around.

They tapped into local issues. The Dem candidate for gov got lots of hunters and fishermen to vote for him by making access to public land that is locked behind private land an issue. See? They turned the private property thing around on the pubs.

[wildeyed]

8. Excellent!

Maybe we can turn this country around from the grassroots up.

[mwb970]

5. What. A. Jerk. n/t

[wildeyed]

7. What. Are. You. Talking. About?

Are you calling me a jerk? Why, pray tell?