DISQUS

new_mexican · 11 months ago

Congratulations to Karen Giannini, again I think that the mean practices by GOPers cost them dearly. They do not seem to understand that the screaming rabid radio personalities hurt them. And when they joined in on the screaming like Fox-Young did, it hurt them further.

One more nail in the GOP coffin.

Hank_Williams · 11 months ago

Great article. Yes, congratulations indeed to Karen Giannini.

pari · 11 months ago

Congrats to Karen. I think we're not giving Giannini enough credit here though. Even if her campaign was minimal, she was very well known among parents in her area and beyond. I think she's been doing grass roots campaigning without ever realizing it.

I've met Karen at the school where at least one of her children goes and can say she is absolutely passionate about education and parent involvement therein.
The contacts she made via the PTA and other organizations couldn't have hurt.

And Justine Fox-Young was perceived as mean-spirited and absolutely in the pocket of traditional, old boy, Republicans.

dontlienow · 11 months ago

Do you really think she (Giannini) could have won without the Obama tsunami affect? I don't think so. I think this story and the comments underestimate the influence of Obama's ground (door to door) workers that worked on behalf of all the Dems. Because of the anti-Bush sentiment this election saw Republicans about 15-20% crossover. The amount of straight party dem voters was extremely high. I think these were people who probably didn't want to be bothered with the local races, amendments or bond issues. The early and absentee vote was in some districts over 60% of the entire vote. The Republicans totally missed out on this but the Dems won the election before Nov 4th. So in two years it will be a totally different picture. If Obama doesn't deliver then there will be a backlash of disappointed, disgruntled and fickle voters who could swing either way.

dontlienow · 11 months ago

Also, keep in mind that Justin Fox is peceived as being very liberal by conservative Republicans. Her vote for the domestic partnership act only sealed her fate with her own base. Her vote totals were lower because she could not get her own base to support her (resulting in apathy) and the people she appealed to would rather vote straight Obama. The state GOP party (not the county) supported her because she is not conservative and this didn't motivate her base to go out and vote. Between 10-15% of Republicans didn't even to bother to vote. So when you put all that together you have the perfect storm for change and Giannini just rode the wave on in. She has a chance to prove herself either as a "Republican viewed" typical liberal (pro choice, pro gay, anti-gun, anti-school choice (vouchers), big government, increase taxes) or represent her district and be a moderate and find common ground with her constituents. Justin Fox Young didn't do it and so she is out. Let's see what will happen with these next two years.

pari · 11 months ago

Hey, you raise some good points. I've never particularly liked Fox and haven't followed her career as closely as you obviously have. Thanks for the additional info.

You may be right about the straight Obama-Democrats as well.

The one thing that happened with this election is that it has made me follow politics in general much more consistently.

These next few years are going to be fascinating.

Regardless · 11 months ago

Small point: Snyder lost to Eichenberg, not Keller.

Gwyneth Doland · 11 months ago

Whoops! So many Tims! Thanks, Regardless. I fixed it.