Hillarysworld

"

Anti-Incumbent Or Anti-Incompetent?

All That's Needed To Claim The Outsider Mantle This Year Is To Look Like A Problem Solver

by Amy Walter

Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010

If Illinois Comptroller Dan Hynes beats Gov. Pat Quinn in today's Democratic gubernatorial primary, the political wires will once again be buzzing about the anti-incumbent and anti-establishment mood out there.

Compounded by Sen.-elect Scott Brown's win in Massachusetts and Marco Rubio's rise in Florida, the Illinois upset will be further proof that this is the year of the outsider and of anti-government groups like the Tea Party movement. Yet, if you look closer, you'll see that many of these candidates aren't so "outsider" after all.

Hynes, 41, has been the state's comptroller since 1998. His father, Tom Hynes, served as the Cook County assessor and Illinois Senate president. Rubio, 39, served in the state legislature from 2000 to 2008 and took on such anti-establishment roles as majority leader and speaker of the House.

Let's not confuse a mood with a movement.

For most of their adult working lives, Rubio and Hynes have been part of the system. And, of course we know that Scott Brown, despite the pick-up truck, barn coat and Cosmo spread, didn't simply emerge from the ether. He's been in local elected office -- town selectman, state representative and finally state senator -- for the last 15 or so years.

These candidates have been able to cast themselves as anti-status quo, in part, by making their opponents the face of the establishment.

But it's not just challengers who can do this. Probably the greatest example of candidate rebranding is Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R). Perry has made his primary opponent, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, the issue. What's worse than being a longtime chief executive in times of economic distress? Being a longtime Washington incumbent, of course.

In fact, the only real "outsider" in the Texas race is former nurse Debra Medina, who's running an underfunded and uphill battle for the GOP nomination. In one of her TV ads, Medina says, "If you want lies and corruption, then vote for career politicians. If you want someone to fight with you, to defend the U.S. Constitution and the great state of Texas, then vote 'We Texans' -- vote Debra Medina for governor."

More important, let's not confuse a mood with a movement. The mood is very anti-Washington and very anti-status quo. If you are a sitting governor, senator or House member, you already know this. That said, simplifying this as an anti-government backlash misses the point. It's about competence. When voters are hurting they really don't care to hear excuses from those who are in charge. They want results. And if you are someone who can sell that -- whether you are a longtime legislator or a first-time candidate -- you can get the ear of voters. (Emphasis added)

This isn't to say that voters aren't going to be able to see through many of these attempts at rebranding. It has to be believable and look organic. I'm already envisioning lots of TV ads and events where a candidate's attempt at looking like an "outsider" flops. The prop or symbol has to be organic to the candidate. (Emphasis added)

But most important, incumbents can't cede the insider-outsider game to their opponents. Gov. Charlie Crist (R), for example, has allowed Rubio too much time to build -- and ultimately cement -- his outsider cred. Yes, it's tougher to be an incumbent in this current environment. But the only way to survive is to join with -- rather than trying to fight against -- that voter frustration, in any way possible.(Emphasis added)

"

Source link.
====================================

I have to agree with the author. It is an excellent article that gives due credit to the intelligence of the American voters.

-- Edited by Sanders on Wednesday 10th of February 2010 10:35:17 AM