Charlie Cook: CSE “Absolutely A Part of” Improved Conservative Ground Game

Renowned political analyst Charlie Cook, author of the Cook Political Report, spoke today at a post-election roundtable organized by Citizens for a Sound Economy. Less than a week after Election Day, Cook offered his analysis of the outcome. Among his key points:

  • The election result was not a landslide or mandate for Republicans. Rather, the election was fought “race by race” and most of the toss up races broke for the GOP.
  • Democrat turnout was strong almost everywhere, but conservatives did a better job mobilizing their base. Cook said, “The role that CSE played absolutely was a part of that.” For the first time in at least 15 years, the GOP and conservative “Ground Game,” or Get Out the Vote effort, was as good or better than the Democrat and labor union effort.
  • In the past, the GOP was overly dependent on the religious right for voter mobilization. This cycle, business and economic conservatives like CSE were more involved and more effective.
  • Rather than call this election the result of a “wave” or “tide,” it is a higher complement to recognize that effective, on-the-ground organizing won races.
  • Because of this improved mobilization, changes in campaign finance law, and probable liberal retirements, the 2004 and 2006 elections present an even greater opportunity for conservative gains.

    As the leading free market, limited government grassroots group, CSE conducted a massive voter education and Get Out the Vote drive on the key issues of taxes, Social Security reform, tort reform, and energy security. In ten battleground states this election, CSE and its affiliated PAC directly reached over 1.7 million individual voters with personal mail, telephone calls, and house visits. Millions more were reached indirectly through a paid radio, newspaper, and television media campaign.