Thank you, thank you, thank you Deda, for posting this column! I have tried in vain to convince people that it is a huge mistake to try to become amateur political strategists! Please remember that the Democrats need YOU to vote for their strongest candidates who have the best chance of beating Republicans for every office!
The strategy of trying to get rid of Cawthorn in the primary only got us their strongest candidate, Chuck Edwards, on the ballot for the general election, and so he went on to win that election and now we are stuck with him 'til the cows come home. There were a lot of Republicans who couldn't stomach Cawthorn who would have voted against him in the general election, but because he wasn't on the ballot, they were happy to vote for Edwards who now will be in position to stay in office for ages--just follow the money: https://avlwatchdog.org/republican-rep-chuck-edwards-crushes-challengers-in-the-race-to-raise-and-spend-campaign-cash/
Also, there are always a number of folks on the fence about whether to bother to vote at all; they would have made the effort in order to get rid of Cawthorn, but because he wasn't on the ballot, they didn't bother to vote at all. I'm very sensitive about that topic! The Democrats need your support from DAY 1, and we ought to leave the "clever" political maneuvering to those who actually understand what will work and what won't--and lots of people were led astray with what some misguided person (whom I will not name) thought was a "clever" move. We are living with the results of that move.
One last comment: if you don't take a Democratic ballot in the primary, you are telling all those folks whose names are in down-ballot positions that you can't be bothered to vote for them, and that is a real slap in their faces! It is really HARD to run for office, in terms of time, effort, money, physical stamina and sacrifice of time with loved ones and other activities and responsibilities--added to that is all the effort that so many others have put into each candidate's campaign. Those who are willing to put themselves in that position deserve our very best support. I have physically stood behind some of our excellent candidates as the electronic screens displayed the votes, as they piled up for the opposing candidate, and when they lost, after all that effort, it was excruciating! How could you possibly feel good about knowing that YOU contributed to that end??!! Get off the fence! If you want to get Democrats elected, vote in the primary for those that give us the best chance of winning in the general election!
It's unfortunate that voters need this lesson when it comes to voting in the primary. You certainly shared valuable information, Deda. I wish voters realized how hard candidates work to have a place on their party's ballot.
I appreciated Helen's words of wisdom. She called needed attention to the importance of the primary and how valuable our Democrat's votes are. Her comments about the Cawthorn primary results are spot on!
Thanks, Deda, this helps as we have our precinct meeting here in Saluda on Saturday and I started being at the HQ yesterday with some folks coming in with questions. Onward into the fray! Carolyn
Thank you, thank you, thank you Deda, for posting this column! I have tried in vain to convince people that it is a huge mistake to try to become amateur political strategists! Please remember that the Democrats need YOU to vote for their strongest candidates who have the best chance of beating Republicans for every office!
The strategy of trying to get rid of Cawthorn in the primary only got us their strongest candidate, Chuck Edwards, on the ballot for the general election, and so he went on to win that election and now we are stuck with him 'til the cows come home. There were a lot of Republicans who couldn't stomach Cawthorn who would have voted against him in the general election, but because he wasn't on the ballot, they were happy to vote for Edwards who now will be in position to stay in office for ages--just follow the money: https://avlwatchdog.org/republican-rep-chuck-edwards-crushes-challengers-in-the-race-to-raise-and-spend-campaign-cash/
Also, there are always a number of folks on the fence about whether to bother to vote at all; they would have made the effort in order to get rid of Cawthorn, but because he wasn't on the ballot, they didn't bother to vote at all. I'm very sensitive about that topic! The Democrats need your support from DAY 1, and we ought to leave the "clever" political maneuvering to those who actually understand what will work and what won't--and lots of people were led astray with what some misguided person (whom I will not name) thought was a "clever" move. We are living with the results of that move.
One last comment: if you don't take a Democratic ballot in the primary, you are telling all those folks whose names are in down-ballot positions that you can't be bothered to vote for them, and that is a real slap in their faces! It is really HARD to run for office, in terms of time, effort, money, physical stamina and sacrifice of time with loved ones and other activities and responsibilities--added to that is all the effort that so many others have put into each candidate's campaign. Those who are willing to put themselves in that position deserve our very best support. I have physically stood behind some of our excellent candidates as the electronic screens displayed the votes, as they piled up for the opposing candidate, and when they lost, after all that effort, it was excruciating! How could you possibly feel good about knowing that YOU contributed to that end??!! Get off the fence! If you want to get Democrats elected, vote in the primary for those that give us the best chance of winning in the general election!
It's unfortunate that voters need this lesson when it comes to voting in the primary. You certainly shared valuable information, Deda. I wish voters realized how hard candidates work to have a place on their party's ballot.
I appreciated Helen's words of wisdom. She called needed attention to the importance of the primary and how valuable our Democrat's votes are. Her comments about the Cawthorn primary results are spot on!
Thanks, Deda, this helps as we have our precinct meeting here in Saluda on Saturday and I started being at the HQ yesterday with some folks coming in with questions. Onward into the fray! Carolyn