I nearly had a complete falling out with the Michigan Democratic Party about sixteen years ago. That year, the political and labor establishment rallied around two severely flawed primary candidates for Governor and Senator: Howard Wolpe and Bob Carr. Wolpe was a nice guy, but he was a little known congressman from Western Michigan and a weak campaigner who did not have a taste for political combat. Bob Carr was just a sleaze. But for some reason, labor officials and top party bosses did their best to push them down our throat. I, on the other hand, supported Debbie Stabenaw and Lana Pollack.I cannot say that I was threatened, bribed or had my arm twisted, but you still felt pressure of sorts. In the end, Wolpe and Carr were nominated (although both almost lost) and went on to lose in November. However, in a delicious slice of justice, Stabenaw went on to be elected to the House and Senate while Wolpe and Carr faded from memory.
But you know, it wasn't the primary itself that was the telling moment for me. About a week after the state convention, I went to the driving range with a buddy who towed the party line for Wolpe and, as were swinging away, he said that he gave the Democrat a one-in-three chance of beating incumbent John Engler. And for me, that was what defined the state party at the time. It wasn't even about winning for them. It was about control. And they were happy to just maintain control of the organization even if it meant losing in November. They didn't control my vote then and the California Democratic Party does not control my vote now. And tonight, the bosses in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, and Little Rock are learning they don't control anyone else. We will choose our candidates on their own merits and not even brining in the president will not change that.