“Being a native of the state, I have some insights from family still living there.”
I don’t remember the issue, maybe something to do with guns or abortion, but people here were shocked to see a Democrat on our side, on that issue. So I tend to agree with you...he knew how to govern to win as a Democrat in his state.
The Dems wouldn’t be smart to take it as a referendum on Trump, unless they’re prepared to run someone far to the right of any of their declared or undeclared candidates.
That is the key. Only Moderate Dems( and Obama ran as one) can win outside of the blue states.
Yes. People tend to forget that the ONLY dems who ever win ANYTHING in the deep south are blue dogs (or those who pretend to be). Once they tip their hands, they’re gone the first chance voters have (Mary Landrieu and Obamacare, anyone?) When you have a virtual unknown running against a known entity, who hasn’t been a foaming at the mouth liberal and has been fairly conservative on many social issues, the latter will win. Always. This is especially true if the other is more moderate (not sure where Rispone stands on some issues, but the general vibe I got from family was that Abraham was stronger on the social issues).
Your post made me think of lining up the declared and undeclared 'Rat candidates and Gov. Edwards. By comparison, Edwards looks pretty conservative. He is not in the "new normal" (i.e., psychotic) 'Rat mainstream. Evidently a slight majority of voters in LA are okay with that. Throw in the power of incumbency and a somewhat lackluster first-time opponent candidate with limited name recognition and you have a scenario for a close win.