Article of the day

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/323233-weak-state-parties-weigh-down-senate-democrats-in-south

Weak state parties in the South risk hurting Democrats’ chances of holding — or gaining — critical Senate seats in 2014.

Struggles in Louisiana, Georgia and North Carolina could force national Democrats, and the candidates themselves, to step in with big-dollar investments to build get-out-the-vote programs that are often left to the party’s state-level operations.

“There’s a lot of drama in all of those places,” said one national Democratic strategist. “That means a lot more responsibility for coordinated campaigns in those states and really elevates the importance of field programs, things that are traditionally done by those state parties.”

All three states have endured turmoil at the top of their party structures, as scandals and power struggles have left efforts to build voter lists and recruit down-ballot candidates untended.

The consequences could be significant.  

Sens. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Kay Hagan (D-N.C.) face tough reelection fights, and Democrats are excited about the prospects of former nonprofit CEO Michelle Nunn (D) in Georgia.

But those candidates face increased jeopardy if the state leaders tasked with fixing their parties fail.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/323233-weak-state-parties-weigh-down-senate-democrats-in-south#ixzz2fpDVutdw