In 2006 I ran a campaign closely with Gregg Prest. I for Senate, he for the B side House seat of SD45. You know the storytough year, but we helped to grow the BPOU at the same time by bringing in new people. Gergg will be running again this year trying to unseat a man who has been in office since the Nixon administration. Seriouslyso send him some cabbage.
Gregg was there last night convening his precinct. We have been talking this morning about the great outcome, but he also pointed out the obvious problem (I posted on it here 2 weeks ago.) we must face now that the hoopla of last night is over.
Gregg writes:
Heres my caucus story: I left my neighborhood to get to my caucus but was unable to get out onto the feeder street because cars were lined up two lanes wide heading east for as far as my eyes could see. I had to turn around and go another way. Same story on my alternative choice heading north again two lanes wide for as far as you could see. I couldnt believe it! I finally was able to merge into the gridlock and crawl about a mile to the source of all of the congestion the DFL caucus at the nearby middle school.
A friend of mine who had attended (incidentally a former Republican-Bush was too liberal-so now hes a Democrat?!!!) said people were lined up outside 100 people deep across four lines! Yes my Republican caucus had record breaking numbers but across Minnesota and the rest of the nation the Democrats are getting their people out in a minimum of two Democrats for every Republican.
There is still a lot of play ahead in this exciting election year but Republicans need to search deep inside themselves and ask how committed are they to long term Republican ideals over these coming months. I have talked to a number of Republicans who said they are going to sit this one out if the nominee is McCain! One guy told me recently Let the Democrats win so it breaks and then people will have learned a lesson. The problem with this argument is the it breaks is our Country!
Republicans need to fire up and get behind whoever the nominee is and get out and vote, and vote Republican. In fact, bring a friend along; were going to need everyone on the Republican bus this fall if we want to preserve some of the gains we have fought so hard to get over these past few years. Always remember if Bush wasnt elected then no Roberts or Alito, no line in the sand against terrorism, no tax cuts, socialized everything and on and on. Its sometimes okay to play defense, just listening to Barack or Hillary should be enough of a motivator to vote, vote and vote. Otherwise God help us as we watch everything conservative slip away.
