(no subject)

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

So about "big money" "buying elections"... pic.twitter.com/k4v6FovWQh #VA07

— Phil Kerpen (@kerpen) June 11, 2014

Comments

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

I think the argument is that Brat played the race card hard
in this election, per the immigration issue, and in a district
drawn to get the most of the 'most conservative' elements'
in the region, that had a way of triumphing over money. So,
this is not a very instructive lesson about how money is
not so conclusive in our elections. It's kind of a dark lesson
revealing more of the ugly underbelly of American politics.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

I think the argument is that Brat played the race card hard
in this election, per the immigration issue

That's a bit of a reach.

and in a district
drawn to get the most of the 'most conservative' elements'
in the region, that had a way of triumphing over money.

In a sense. Surely, if money was king as I'm told so often in so many places, Brat shouldn't have even challenged!

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

Others here are saying that he got some pretty good play
by media conservatives, such as Laura Ingraham and others.
I suppose that is worth some money in the bank, especially
in a right-wing district.

[badlydrawnjeff.livejournal.com]

He did, but that's a national audience as well, and even so, he was basically ignored. I didn't even know Cantor had a contested primary until earlier yesterday morning, and it was in the context of how quickly the race could be called in his favor.

The best recaps I've seen from the race has a lot more to do with Cantor's constituent relations and his seeming entitlement for the job. I'm sure his moderate tendencies (at least for the district) and immigration certainly drove some voters, but it kind of reminds me of a race out here in 2010 where Barney Frank seemed vulnerable and then when we heard a lot of people credit his constituent outreach, it was a difference-maker in a lot of regards. Not going to matter in most races, but if it's really significant in either direction, it can make a difference.