Alexander: Small Towns Can Make the Difference

Hot races in Michigan's 7th and 9th Congressional Districts are generating a lot of chatter in the blogosphere, but let's not forget the Michigan 8th District seat, currently held by Republican Mike Rogers of Brighton.

It's winnable for Democrats, says Bob Alexander, candidate for the Democratic nomination for the seat.

In non-presidential election years, Rogers' support drops by about one-fourth -- from 207,000 votes in 2004 compared to 157,000 in 2006 and 156,000 in 2002. If the top of the Democratic ticket runs strongly in Michigan this fall, that could negate much of Rogers' presidential-year bounce.

But to make sure he gets every bit of the anticipated Democratic bounce this year, Alexander says he wants to knock on as many doors as possible in the small towns in Michigan's 8th Congressional District. He and his supporters have been canvassing door-to-door in communities like St. John's and Williamston.

That's the scenario that Alexander laid out Saturday (April 19, 2008) at the Livingston County Democrats' 25th annual Winans Dinner.

It's a logical strategy for a campaign on a tight-budget -- people power, person-to-person contact.

(Above, Bob Alexander makes a point to Irene Cahill, Livingston County Democrat, at the party's 25th annual Winans Dinner.)