Marcy Winograd is one of our own. She's been a Kossack for four years. In 2006, she took on someone who wasn't - Jane Harman, Congresswoman from California's 36th District. She lost.
But this year she's back again. In this diary, she explains why and asks for help in making it happen. If you want to make it happen, you can contribute to her campaign via ActBlue here. You might want to add 10 cents as a sign you're from Daily Kos.
It goes without saying that the odds are against the activist Winograd. After all, she lost previously against Harman, she's an unabashed progressive, a left-progressive at that, and she doesn't have all that much money. Blue Dog Jane Harman, on the other hand, is the third richest member in Congress and has the clout of seven terms of incumbency behind her.
She also has another advantage. The Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Lynne Woolsey, is holding a conversation-and-hors-d'oeuvres fundraiser for Harman next Saturday out here in Venice, California.
Yikes and a half.
Did I say the Progressive Caucus? Aren't those the folks who want to have what we like to call better Democrats in Congress? You now, like progressive Democrats? The kind that if there were enough of in Congress maybe they'd get paid as much attention to as the Blue Dogs and the ConservaDems when it comes to cutting deals on legislation. Get enough of them maybe they wouldn't have to beg for meetings at the White House. Some respect.
One might think that reelecting Harman would tend to undercut that objective. Sure, the strategy is clear enough. Rep. Woolsey no doubt expects Winograd to lose, and she'll be working with Harman for another term. So, why not stay on good terms instead of backing a dark horse and getting the legislative cold shoulder for the next three years? After all, while Harman's not so great on economic issues, and foreign policy, and intelligence matters, she's reasonable when it comes to social issues.
So why rock the boat?
Thus are better Democrats frozen out by people who are supposed to be on our side.
Never mind that progressives are supposed to rock the boat. That is what we're supposed to be about.
As Chris Bowers points out, Harman doesn't need the dough. She could easily fund her own campaign and those of many other Democrats. Woolsey doesn't have to shun Harman. I'm not suggested that she drop her emails from the Rude Pundit. But, at the very least, she could maintain neutrality until the primary is over.
If you live in California and would like to show up to inquire of Woolsey why she's so keen on seeing a progressive foe reelected that she's willing to raise money for her, here's the address and time of the fund-raiser:
Danny's Venice
23 Windward Avenue
Venice, CA 90291
Saturday, January 16, 2010
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Want more information? Email Harman_Woolsey@yahoo.com
If you're a California Democratic Club member, it will cost you $36 to attend, if not, $50.
But since Rep. Woolsey is not likely to want to answer any inquiries about her lack of political horse sense in this, better just to drop $50 in Marcy's tip jar. You don't have to be a Californian to do that, just someone who really believes that better Democrats will make a difference.