As 2006 campaign season gets underway Democrats can point to a popular Governor, and an increasingly unpopular Republican president. How those factors will inform the coming elections was a common topic as Democrats gathered last weekend for their annual convention.
Saturday's Democratic convention drew more than 800 party loyalists…….the highest number in more than 30 years………….Part of the crowd was no doubt drawn to the appearances of possible Presidential candidates Russ Feingold and Mark Warner…….but top state democrats were also quick to claim it as a sign of good things to come in November……..When Governor Lynch addressed the convention he noted the turnout……..thanked those he called his "friends" for getting him elected in 2004…….And Lynch didn't stop there.
"I am looking forward to having a lot more friends on my side come January --in the house, in the senate, on the executive council and in Washington DC."
Of course it remains anyone's guess if Dems pick up a single seat -- either in Concord or Washington……But that didn't stop many from entertaining the possibility of sizable gains……Salem Selectman Beth Roth is running for the State Senate District 22……She says she's expects to benefit from the current political mood.
"I think there's a trend throughout the country. I mean, look at the approval rating of the President versus the approval rating of our Governor, and I think having the ability of to just promote what our Governor is trying to do for this state we'll be of benefit for everyone."
But not everybody at the convention saw the so-called Lynch dynamic quite that way.
"John Lynch is almost a non-player in this conversation. It has nothing to do with Concord and everything to do with Washington."
That's Arnie Arnesen, former Democratic candidate for both Governor and Congress…..She says candidates counting on Lynch's quest for a second term to galvanize voters are making a mistake.
"If the election were held tomorrow sixteen people would show up to vote because there is no excitement."
One possible indication of that lack of excitement is that the democrats have yet to muster 16 state senate candidates. In fact, with the candidate filing period opening on Wednesday, the Dems have only 12 confirmed hopefuls.……Democratic State representative Jim Ryan of Franklin says the more than 50,000 dollar cost of mounting a credible campaign caused him to reconsider a senate bid in the past……Ryan added that he's optimistic that Democrats might claim a majority in one chamber of the state legislature in the near future……but this year, he says, may not be it.
"You know the thing that troubles me greatly is you read the national polls about people saying we would like to have democrats -- that's wonderful. Except when you talk to them about local races, I just don't sense it's going to be that aggressive."
Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand, who some Democrats tout as a future contender for higher office, also pointed to the lack of viable candidates as a problem. But he says articulating the right message is also key.
"You have to match up people's willingness to look at the other party with a positive reason to go ahead to make the change and make that decision. And you have to have a positive economic message and a social message. You can't be angry; you have to show the ability to be a decision maker a leader and a problem solver. And I think we still have work to do on that point."
The filing period for state offices opens Wednesday……….State Democrats say their recruitment efforts are ongoing.
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