Cogito Ergo Non Serviam

National Democrats End Spending on Grimes in Kentucky

The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, which helps fund Democrats running for the US Senate, has announced it is no longer buying ads for Alison Lundergan Grimes. Ms. Grimes is challenging Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, for his seat as part of the Kentucky delegation. While Ms. Grimes is still competitive in this race according to recent polls, the DSCC clearly believes she's going to lose. The decision is probably the correct one.

The DSCC is pretending that it hasn't pulled the plug just yet. Guy Cecil, executive director of the DSCC, tweeted last night "Just signed a $300,000 wire for the KY Get Out The Vote operation for @AlisonForKY. That's an interesting view of 'pulling out of the race'." Actually, GOTV efforts don't just benefit Ms. Grimes but also will help down-ballot Democrats in their less glamorous races. That is not quite the same thing as buying ads for a single candidate. Mr. Cecil's tweet displayed a crafty nature but is misleading at best.

This journal agrees with Al Cross, a political commentator and journalism professor at the University of Kentucky, who said, "It's ominous for the Grimes campaign. This race has been slipping away from Democrats very slowly for about two months."

Monday's debate, the only one between Ms. Grimes and Mr. McConnell, did not result in the kind of knock-out punch she needed. A Republican strategist close to McConnell's campaign told The Hill, "My guess is they thought they had the resources to throw one last push at it and if it didn't move the needle, they were going to pull the plug."

The DSCC is trying to retain control of the Senate and needs to keep the GOP to pick up 6 or fewer seats. Of the 35 seats being contested, the Democrats are defending 21 and only 9 are considered sewn up already. Ms. Grimes taking Mr. McConnell's seat would be a coup, but in truth, there are races where the money is probably better spent. The DSCC bought $1 million in TV and radio ads in South Dakota and Georgia, where the polls look more promising. In addition, Alaska, Arkansas and Colorado might stay Democratic if the funds are there to deliver votes.

What really did Ms. Grimes in, however, was her coyness about her presidential votes in 2008 and 2012. If one is running for office and if the president is a member on one's party, the only acceptable answer to the question "For whom did you vote for president?" is "I voted for the guy who won." Four times before an editorial board, Ms. Grimes said, "I respect the sanctity of the ballot box, and I know the members of this editorial board do as well." It's a fine, principled answer that comes off as slick, hesitant and cowardly. Peter denied Jesus only three times.

The idea of taking out Mr. McConnell, decapitation is the term for getting rid of a party's leader at the polls, remains on the table. Ms. Grimes has a following, has managed to raise money, and her support from feminist groups is unwavering. However, the pros at the DSCC have decided that any more money spent on her is money wasted. At this stage in an election campaign, the money and staffing levels are how one judges the race. Based on the DSCC actions, Mr. McConnell will win with a 5% margin of victory.

© Copyright 2014 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.



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