The Ties That Bind

Yes, I have still been paying attention. No, I'm not laying down on the job. I still follow all the same elections that I was during primary season and I'm just as invested; there's just one problem: nothing seems to be changing. There is no new story and no new narrative. Nathan Deal has come out with commercials tying Roy Barnes to Barack Obama. Who didn't see that coming? Roy Barnes has spent his time tying Nathan Deal to his own corruption. Yep. Spotted that one a mile away. Casey Cagle is still as corrupt as ever, but there are still tons of folks who will vote for him. I fear that this is the hackneyed "enthusiasm gap" that the national media talks about. It's the same-ole-same-ole, every single day. Nothing new is breaking. I'm looking forward to these debates between Deal and Barnes; at least we'll have something to take away from those. But as for now, with nothing earth-shattering happening, I think Republicans are just more excited. It's their race to lose in every aspect.

Let's be honest, how many people in this state do you think could tell you who the candidates for Secretary of State are? How many know the names of the potential next Labor Commissioners, or State Superintendent of Schools? Democrats who are functioning in a Republican state (like the one we are in) are going to have to display a massive GOTV machine between now and November if something is going to change. We may not like to admit it, but here, a lot of people will walk into a voting booth and tap the box next to the name of the Republican, no matter what that name is or what baggage it carries with it. Even the people who would say that Nathan Deal is "corrupt" probably don't know why that is exactly. They can't tell you much about his auto salvage dealership...and why? Cause that's boring. Period. Voters like phrases and images they can hold onto. I.e., Roy Barnes calling Nathan Deal "too corrupt even for Washington, D.C." Let's not kid ourselves, for Carol Porter (who is still the best candidate out of any race), Michael Thurmond, Darryl Hicks, Georganna Sinkfield, Joe Martin, even Russell Edwards or any other Democrat to win, they are going to have find a way to make their names household names, and tie their names (at the very least) to a reason NOT to vote for the opponent. And right now, I'm just not feeling it with most of them. If they're counting on people just to "pick them" this year, I don't think 2010 was the best time for that strategy.