While the article paints one of the biggest issues with the democratic constituency (Democrats don't vote in mid-term elections), I've really grown tired of the game of war that the parties play, it's almost comical looking at the map in the article as a game board for some.
I had a political science professor in college who wrote a book about the Democrats' demographically securing a more-or-less permanent edge in presidential elections, a strategy where they can essentially ignore the south and still win the White House. Since reading (parts) of his book and hearing this strategy, I felt the exact complacency the author of this article describes. The White House is a big deal, no? But looking at maps of not only Republican counties but the maps of state legislatures, it's enough to make your pants wet if you're a progressive/liberal: There's no question about it, the Republicans own the majority of states. And our little laboratories of democracy are experimenting all the time. John Oliver has an excellent take on the effects. It's all a little dispiriting.
This article hits on what happened in Wisconsin. Wisconsin went to Obama, and one of our two senators is a Democrat (and not a particularly right leaning one). But the governor and the rest of state government is dominated by Republicans. Scott Walker keeps winning, but it's against Wisconsin's versions of John Kerry or Mitt Romney. People are voting for "not Scott Walker" rather than the actual opponent, and that doesn't win elections.
Exactly. I have loved Mary Burke on the Madison school board. She is probably the memeber most in touch with the actual needs of the students. But her gubernatorial campaign threw me off because she seemed to become largely the "anti-Walker." That wasn't who I wanted to support.People are voting for "not Scott Walker" rather than the actual opponent, and that doesn't win elections.