What Do YOU Think About OC Politicos Rocking the Vote… Out of State?

January 14, 2008 Uncategorized 9

“I feel so strongly about John Edwards. […] I felt this was the time and this was the candidate.” – Wylie Aitken, Democratic Foundation of OC Chair & Edwards Supporter

“Until you experience boots on the ground, you don’t really know what it’s like in an early state like Iowa,” Baugh said. “You can’t capture the enthusiasm and the culture from your patio in California.” – Scott Baugh, OC GOP Chair & Romney Supporter

So what exactly are Aitken and Baugh talking about? Well, both of them have joined other well-known OC politicos in campaigning out-of-state for their favorite Presidential Candidates. Baugh, along with many other OC GOP heavyweights, went to Iowa to help Romney. Aitken went to Iowa to help Edwards, and he’ll soon be campaigning for Edwards in Nevada.

So why go out of state to help one’s favorite candidate? Apparently, both Aitken and Baugh believe that this is the only way to be a part of real grassroots campaigning, since they think that’s not possible in such a media-dependent state like California. Would you agree with their assessment?

What do you think about being so committed to a Presidential Candidate that you’d go to another state to campaign for him or her? Do you think your time is better spent right here in OC? Or do you think you may be just what your candidate needs to get that final boost of momentum to win Nevada on Saturday, or perform better than expected in South Carolina?

And do you have any plans to travel somewhere to campaign? If so, which state? And which candidate will be graced by your helpful presence.

Go ahead. Make my day. Fire away! 🙂

9 Comments

  1. There’s a time and a place for everything. I have no problem, with these early presidential primaries, of having OC’ers going out of state now and help their candidates. I just want them back here when those of us running for local positions need their help.
    “All Politics Are Local” – Thomas “Tip” O’Neill

  2. Hear Hear gary K. I was furious last election when activists went out of state to nevada and az to campaign for dems when they were sorely needed here in OC.

    But since the primaries in other states are so much earlier than ours and CA will swing Dem anyway no matter who the candidate will be, Im glad that people went to Nevada to work for Edwards or whomeveer they went there for. Hope fully they will gain some new experience if its their fiorst time canvassing and they can use those skills here in OC.

    I wanted to go to Nevada with Gila and work for Edwards but I had too many commitments to allow me to leave they state for the weekend.

  3. Gary-

    Well, I can’t speak for everyone. But as soon as I come back from Nevada on Sunday, I’m ready to get active locallly again. I do, after all, want to finish walking my precinct soon!

    Paul-

    So you don’t mind me leaving for Las Vegas on Thursday to make some history with Hillary (while I also visit family there)? I promise I’ll be back in time to help out at whatever event you’re doing next! 😉

  4. I am not a big fan of OC Politicos heading out of state. If you want a “stronger America” then you need to start by making a stronger community. The way you do that is by staying local and actually working on your own street/neighborhood/precinct.

    We have school boards, city councils and other special districts to cultivate leadership in, and our terrible situation in District 1 is more evidence of why we need to cultivate leadership in the OC!

  5. Did anyone read THIS over at the OCWeekly’s NavelGazing yesterday?
    http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/moxley/how-did-loretta-sanchez-spend/
    (CLICK on my name for the link)
    Looks like one OC Democratic Politico understands the need for retail politics right here in OC.
    Staying in touch with the folks you represent in DC (not just the ones who come to you). That’s a better use of time than flying out to South Carolina to announce another useless endorsement, I think.

  6. Paul – we’re returning the favor – I’m bringing an Arizona delegation to California for the primaries.

  7. Andrew,
    I would actually like to go with you toVegas next weekend. Call me I will drive. Katherine, You are a rockstar.

  9. Paul-

    Email me off the blog at atdnextATgmailDOTcom and give me your phone number (I’m trying to find your card in my wallet, but I’m not finding it for some reason.). If you’re leaving on Thursday, I’ll be more than happy to join you. And even if you’re not, maybe you and Bill and I can find a way to run into each other over the weekend. 😉

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