Rep. Loebsack discusses the new 2nd District

Congressman Dave Loebsack and the University Democrats hosted an event with Rep. Steve Israel, the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) Saturday evening at the IMU. Rep. Israel  discussed the importance of Congressman Loebsack’s race on both a local and national level.

The Indiana Room was full, probably 40 or 50 people in attendance. Loebsack filled the time waiting for Israel to arrive chatting with students, answering questions and talking about the new district.  A couple of the new counties were in King’s district and rumor has it they are so ready for a new congressman.

Rep. Loebsack spoke a bit about Iowa politics giving a nod to Senator Bob Dvorsky who was present  with IDP Chair Sue Dvorsky, and to Sen. Mike Gronstal for their work in the Iowa Senate. Loebsack said he feels we have a real shot at taking back the Iowa House.

As far as the District 2 race Loebsack said, “It’s a more competitive district – no doubt about it – but I am going to win.  There will be a clear choice between me and whomever the nominee is.  We need to make sure people find out about who I am and where I stand.”

Someone in the audience thanked the congressman for signing onto the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill to allow the government to extend benefits to couples in a same sex marriage.

Loebsack mentioned that he was also an early sponsor of the STOCK (Stop Trading On Congressional Knowledge) Act which would require congressional financial transactions to be disclosed among other things.   LINK

Steve Israel arrived and Loebsack turned it over.

– First, Israel mentioned the “Drive for 25”, the number of seats needed for Democrats to take back the House of Representatives. Israel said the formula is, you need 50 seats in play to win 25.  According to the DCCC’s estimate there will be 76 House seats in play in 2012.

– Redistricting is turning out to be mostly a wash according to Israel. At this time Dems, currently up 2 seats, seem to have a slight advantage but this could change.

– Fundraising parity with the NRCC – Dems outraised them by 7 million last year, but the big challenge will be in the area of what he called “outside allies” (PACs).  Democrats will be competitive with our own PACs but it is not expected we will be able to match what the GOP PACs will be able to raise.  [check out the House Majority PAC   http://www.thehousemajoritypac.com/]  Israel said that after the Citizens United decision allowing unlimited corporate donations, Democrats have no choice but to play by the new rules.  Using a baseball analogy, he said to not raise PAC money would be like asking our side to try to win a baseball game without bats.

– Messaging – two words:  clear contrast

– DCCC will have the backs of the Iowa delegation because we are a battleground state.

Battle Plan:

– stressed importance of ground game, voter contact, grassroots

– mobilization of resources

– internal polling numbers of individuals responding to the question, “Do you want a Republican or Democrat to represent you in congress?”  look quite favorable for Democrats at this time.

Rep. Israel cited three challenges that are causing them to lose sleep:

(1) The GOP voter suppression efforts across the country. [This is also happening in Iowa if the GOP (and ALEC)  has anything to say about it.  See BFIA post New Voter ID Law Will Make It Harder For Students To Vote].

(2) Downticket voting – making sure that presidential voters also continue down the ballot and vote in the congressional races.

(3) Independent voters – 2010 saw the Dems lose independent votes.  [Presumably, the wacky GOP candidates are sending them back our way in droves.  [Update:  See “Independents Abandoning Romney”, cites new Pew Research poll today]

There was a question, comment and answer period.

Sue Dvorsky spoke of the Iowa ground game and said if she has her way which she plans to, Iowa will be sending four Democrats to Congress.

Someone asked a question about voting machines. Johnson County auditor Tom Slockett was present and answered, saying that in Iowa everyone votes on a paper ballot (applause).  He acknowledged that there is a legitimate worry regarding certain types of voting machines around the country and that there needs to be a paper trail for all voting machines but this should not prevent people from voting.  Congressman Loebsack added that he is a co-sponsor for a national paper trail bill.

A question about why we should financially support the DCCC when it also supports conservative dems that sometimes betray our interests.

Israel explained, Democrats are a diverse party, we don’t all have to have exactly the same views, unlike the GOP. The DCCC’s job is to make sure there is a Democratic majority so that people-friendly Democratic policies can actually pass.  [Update: see John Deeth’s blog for more info].  He said we should all contribute directly to our candidates but also to the DCCC who will have the backs of all of the Democratic candidates including Christie Vilsack, Boswell, Braley and Loebsack.

One thing was clear. Democrats are all over this.  But it will be a fight and Democrats will be on the air answering attack ads and on the ground making person to person contact with voters.

You can sign up to volunteer in your county.  Go to IDP.org to locate your district or county where you can help.  Or go to Iowa College Dems or Obama for America-Iowa