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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Democrats and the lessons of a losing campaign

If Jon Ossoff had won yesterday in the Atlanta suburbs, his campaign would have provided a blueprint for other Democrats to challenge the GOP, but he lost — after the most expensive Congressional race in history. The political novice, surprised a lot of contributors by taking a moderate tone.

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By Warren Olney • Jun 21, 2017 • 1 min read

If Jon Ossoff had won yesterday in the Atlanta suburbs, his campaign would have provided a blueprint for other Democrats to challenge the GOP, but he lost — after the most expensive Congressional race in history. The political novice, surprised a lot of contributors by taking a moderate tone. His opponent, veteran Republican Sharon Handel's message was tough as nails. So, was his typically centrist campaign a blueprint for failure? It's the fourth special-election defeat for Democrats with an unpopular Republican in the White House; many anti-Trump activists around the country are angry. They're tired of waiting for the National Party to do “something right” — and they're organizing on their own at the state and local level.

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    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Gideon Brower

    Independent Producer

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    Luke Vander Ploeg

    Producer, 'To the Point'

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    Cameron McWhirter

    Wall Street Journal

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    Josh Kraushaar

    Political Editor for National Journal

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    Evan Halper

    staff writer at Washington Post

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