Runoff Upside

June 29, 2010 - byGary Pearce

Conventional wisdom is that runoffs are hurtful. Not always.

Elaine Marshall’s runoff helped her. Helped her especially with her most important target right now: the national fundraising community.

If Cunningham hadn’t called for a runoff, doubts would have lingered about Marshall’s electability.

As in: “She couldn’t even get 40 percent against a first-time candidate.”

Instead, the story in Washington now is that she pulled off a surprising and convincing victory against an attractive challenger.

For now, the money race is her most important campaign.

June 29, 2010/Gary Pearce

Conventional wisdom is that runoffs are hurtful. Not always.

Elaine Marshall’s runoff helped her. Helped her especially with her most important target right now: the national fundraising community.

If Cunningham hadn’t called for a runoff, doubts would have lingered about Marshall’s electability.

As in: “She couldn’t even get 40 percent against a first-time candidate.”

Instead, the story in Washington now is that she pulled off a surprising and convincing victory against an attractive challenger.

For now, the money race is her most important campaign.

Talking About Politics