- Oct 7, 2011
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Vulnerable Democrats looking to distance themselves from President Obama have found an easy way to bolster their independent bona fides: just skip Obama's big party.
At least half a dozen Democratic officials have said in recent days that they won't attend the Democratic National Convention this September in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the president will formally receive the party's nomination for a second term. The latest: New York Democratic Reps. Bill Owens and Kathy Hochul, both of whom won special elections in recent years in 2009 and 2011, respectively that were heralded by party leaders.
"I guarantee that my time will be better spent meeting the farmers, small business owners and other people who put me here," Hochul told The Daily today.
A spokesman for Owens gave a similar explanation.
"He just has a packed schedule back home," he said.
This comes on the heels of Pennsylvania Rep. Mark Critz saying he'd opt out, and a trio of West Virginia Democrats Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, Sen. Joe Manchin and Rep. Nick Rahall all doing the same. Even though most of the convention-skippers have claimed they'd simply rather spend time back home, the political undertones are clear. After all, these Democrats share one thing in common: They answer to a conservative-leaning electorate that, at best, views Obama with a great deal of skepticism.
So skipping a late-summer convention that doubles as a love-fest for Obama is something of a political no-brainer, especially considering the fact that a week full of extravagant parties doesn't make for the best optics with the country still in the midst of a fragile economic recovery.
"It's an easy way to make a statement that you're independent," said Democratic strategist Steve Murphy. "There are tight districts where Obama's not doing particularly well, and it makes sense from a political perspective for these folks. But I'm not sure how much difference it makes. After all, they're going to have to defend their voting records either way"...
Read More:
Bucking Convention - The Daily
DRUDGE REPORT 2012®
At least half a dozen Democratic officials have said in recent days that they won't attend the Democratic National Convention this September in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the president will formally receive the party's nomination for a second term. The latest: New York Democratic Reps. Bill Owens and Kathy Hochul, both of whom won special elections in recent years in 2009 and 2011, respectively that were heralded by party leaders.
"I guarantee that my time will be better spent meeting the farmers, small business owners and other people who put me here," Hochul told The Daily today.
A spokesman for Owens gave a similar explanation.
"He just has a packed schedule back home," he said.
This comes on the heels of Pennsylvania Rep. Mark Critz saying he'd opt out, and a trio of West Virginia Democrats Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, Sen. Joe Manchin and Rep. Nick Rahall all doing the same. Even though most of the convention-skippers have claimed they'd simply rather spend time back home, the political undertones are clear. After all, these Democrats share one thing in common: They answer to a conservative-leaning electorate that, at best, views Obama with a great deal of skepticism.
So skipping a late-summer convention that doubles as a love-fest for Obama is something of a political no-brainer, especially considering the fact that a week full of extravagant parties doesn't make for the best optics with the country still in the midst of a fragile economic recovery.
"It's an easy way to make a statement that you're independent," said Democratic strategist Steve Murphy. "There are tight districts where Obama's not doing particularly well, and it makes sense from a political perspective for these folks. But I'm not sure how much difference it makes. After all, they're going to have to defend their voting records either way"...
Read More:
Bucking Convention - The Daily
DRUDGE REPORT 2012®
