The Pelosi-Reid kiss of death

Jerome, who has been blogging up a storm over at MyDD, has this encouraging catch from the DC bible -- the National Journal's hotline:

The candidate du jour is 9/11 Commis./ex-Rep. Tim Roemer.  -- And while the Cong. Dem leadership has enough sway to get news outlets to report about a new candidate, they may not realize that to the DNC members, their opinion is a kiss of death. While DNC members are not in agreement about who the ideal candidate would be, there is a near unanimous contention that the next chair can't be a DC creation. So unless Reid/Pelosi are using some political jujitsu tactic to kill potential candidacies by endorsing them, they may need to realize that about the most influence they'll have on this process is veto-power (and even that has be used judiciously).

I like it -- veto through endorsement. Let's hope Hotline has a good finger on the pulse (they usually do).

As for Netroots reaction, Blogswarm has the finger on that pulse, and the reaction has been brutal. Not a lot of love for Roemer outside the Pelosi/Reid circle.

(And what am I doing blogging? My in-laws' neighbors have an open wi-fi network that is bleeding into their townhome.)

•  I think that the people in charge of the party

  and DLC are not only a bit self-interested, corrupt, conservative and unprincipled - but are also BORING.  They are the type of people who were on student council and who love to follow rules, do process, go to meetings, hear each other give introductions, etc.  And it is the boringness that really gets to me.  No sizzle.  Just survival and same-o.  It's like have the honors class take over - we need the alternative high school and we get the hall monitors instead.

  by Liberation Learning on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 09:57:41 AM PDT

  •  They STILL haven't learned

    Two losses in presidential years, a steady loss of seats in Congress, and triumphalist Republicans boasting of a permanent majority--and these clowns inside the Beltway still don't perceive something is wrong.

    They need to go, but it will take years and years to root them out.

    If Roemer or some other DLC sock-puppet winds up at the head of the DNC, follow a two-prong strategy: (1) Not one dime to the party organization. Give to individual candidates, 527s, or causes you believe in. Starve the establishment. (2) Take over your local party and systematically eliminate the deadwood.

    by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:15:11 AM PDT

    •  Not giving to the DNC if change isn't forthcoming

      That's about the point I have arrived on this. I made my first campaign contribution ever during this election cycle to Howard Dean because he took a stand against Bush (I only gave to Kerry, the DNC and the Demo. house and senate committees late). If the DNC repudiates that fire and that political faith, it won't get another dime from me.

      We need leaders who are not determined to fight for their privilege to sit on their asses in luxury offices whining about all of those "outsiders" who insist on having the faith of Roosevelt, Truman, and Stevenson.

      - Superskepticalman

      by Superskepticalman on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 03:35:37 PM PDT

      •  Give to Real Dems primarying DLC'ers...

        That's what I say. Let's start with Taking Back our Party. If they don't want to initiate change, well, that's where my money will be going.

        And it's not a left-right litmus test. It's about standing up for everyday people.

        by DeanFan84 on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 05:38:23 PM PDT

  •  D.C.

    Has gone to their heads. These people are completely out of touch with the roots of the party. They must believe that grabbing onto Republican coattails will prolong their DC existence. The DLC and Roemer types are in it for themselves, not for the people they claim to want to lead. It's up to us to have a voice in the process and to let them know that Roemer is unacceptable.

    by sandra1113 on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:30:37 AM PDT

  •  Burning Question for DLC'ers

    Will Tommy Boggs let us have a Coke machine in the student lounge?

    by kaleidescope on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 12:40:20 PM PDT

•  How much snow did you get last night

  in NH?

  by Delaware Dem on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 09:57:54 AM PDT

•  He, If I knew you were going

  to thieve an internet connection, I wouldn't have clogged up your front page.

  by Armando on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 09:59:52 AM PDT

  •  Intervention.

    Blogging on a stolen wi-fi connection while visiting the in-laws?

    It's time to admit you have a problem.

    by Kagro X on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:02:25 AM PDT

    •  Stolen connection?

      You can't use a Borders, Starbucks or Panera like everyone else in New Hampshire?

      by Jon Meltzer on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:11:01 AM PDT

      •  I have this vision....

        of kos, hiding under the in-laws' kitchen sink, scrunched up around his laptop, huffing Endust and frantically shouting to the family that he's in the bathroom and they should just leave him the hell alone already...

        by Kagro X on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:13:56 AM PDT

        •  because

          He's already searched the house and that was the ONLY spot to secure the connection.

          Thanks for the laugh.

          by changingamerica on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:16:54 AM PDT

  •  You've dkos purring

    like a little kitten.  Thanks for the hard work, Armando.

    by DCDemocrat on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:10:00 AM PDT

  •  Don't worry

    No clogging going on.

    And it's a flaky connection. This is the first time it's been stable enough to post, and it's already flaking out. This will be my lost post/comment for a while.

    by kos on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:41:09 AM PDT

    •  OK, one more...

      And yeah, I have a problem.

      This site will be the death of me.

      by kos on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:42:01 AM PDT

•  Great catch, kos...

  ...and it will be really interesting to see the effect of folks from NDN and DFA starting to take over those local-level Dem spots (like e.g. my little bro in your neck of the woods) and what this will do to the DNC...

  ...but what happened to
  

  I'm checking out until January 2nd. Will be heading to New Hampshire to spend the holidays with my inlaws. I won't have Internet access, which should be nice.

  
  I know, I know. You can quit any time you want to....

  (says the lowly sheba, reading and posting and diarying during her winter break....)

  by sheba on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:03:07 AM PDT

•  it's a shame...

  
  For a while, Pelosi seemed like she was a reform democrat.  But now, she's turning establishment.

  by joshyelon on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:08:16 AM PDT

  •  too much makeup

    and reid says anton scalia is kosher (very intelligent). very inspiring.
    cannot wait for them to go nuclear.

    by ralphyboy on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:23:06 AM PDT

  •  I still don't believe it

    There's no solid evidence that Pelosi backs Roemer.  Calls to her office indicate that she hasn't endorsed a candidate.  The only evidence that we have comes from unnamed sources.

    by The Truffle on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 05:40:20 PM PDT

  •  pelosi is not endorsing roemer

    her statement she made about him is exactly the same kind of diplomatic thing she'd say about most members of the house, especially if a democrat.

    but her offices have been clear she is not endorsing him and that they (pelosi and former rep. roemer) have serious and fundamental differnces.  she has not retreated from her stance on choice.  

    in spoeaking with her staff -- who would not lie or dick me over with spin  -- they have all agreed that she is not endorsing roemer.

    i am beginning to think this is being pushed absent facts and absent pelosi stomping out someone else's fire...  and with some ulterior motive possibly?

    _______________

    it's their screen name because they couldn't figure out how to spell "moran."

    -9.75 (e), -7.18 (s)

    by dadanation on Thu Jan 06, 2005 at 12:43:00 AM PDT

•  Markos!

  Democratic Leadership is recommending that we don't talk to one another!

  Some folks at Rockridge sent me your way.

  This has all of the info on my latest attempt to make the no-fly list. I am really looking forward to your thoughts, and perhaps meeting. I have spent some time in El Salvador, and Witness to War was one of the catalysts to get me out of my well-paid technology haze and into being actively engaged.

  http://100yearmarch.dailykos.com/

  by 100yearmarch on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:09:07 AM PDT

•  kos

  Weren't you the one considering shutting down over the holidays? Haha. You're just as hooked as we are.
  

  by Carnacki on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:09:43 AM PDT

  •  And weren't you

    the one, Carnacki, who protested that Kos would be trying to take away your heroin next?

    by DCDemocrat on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:11:45 AM PDT

    •  Shhh

      Where'd I leave that syringe?

      P.S. Your card arrived today. That was a lovely note.
      

      by Carnacki on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:13:29 AM PDT

      •  C-

        I am making the famous Carnacki French toast.  I will let you know how it turns out.  The slices are in the frying pan even as I write these few words.

        by DCDemocrat on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 03:57:36 PM PDT

      •  Excellent, excellent

        French toast.

        by DCDemocrat on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 04:16:14 PM PDT

        •  French toast

          Glad you liked it. It was a Martha Stewart tip that we've made a family tradition.
          

          by Carnacki on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 06:21:45 PM PDT

          •  Even from her prison cell

            she still winds spells of magic.

            by DCDemocrat on Tue Dec 28, 2004 at 03:20:48 AM PDT

  •  It's a sickness

    There's no doubt about that.

    Fortunately, it's a flaky connection, and not worth the hassle half the time. I'm sure to get frustrated and tune out for a few days.

    by kos on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:39:59 AM PDT

    •  Dammit Kos

      Go hit the slopes. Don't come back while you're there unless you need to see an orthopedic first.

      No_broken_leg=no_access2DKos4U

      by wystler on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 12:22:52 PM PDT

•  the kiss of death is the DLC endorsement

  I think the DLC has realized that any candidate they endorse will be publically flogged. Understanding this it looks like From will not endorse or try to game the endorsements with fake support for somebody he hates (Rosenberg?).

  It is interesting that Reid and Pelosi haven't caught on to the pro-reform groundswell that is gaining momentum every day.

  This isn't about moving to the right, it is about realizing that if we do as we've done then we'll get what we've got.

  I am a reform Democrat.

  by blogswarm on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:11:28 AM PDT

  •  All Roemer needs now

    is Dubya saying "That Tim Roemer, he's doing a superb job."

    by Steve G on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:45:21 AM PDT

•  Pelosi

  I'm still not sure from all that's out there that Pelosi actually endorsed Roemer.  In any event, I agree that he would be a disasterous choice.  What's the next great idea?  A Bayh-Ford ticket?  If so, at least be honest and change the name of the party to the Republican-lite party.

  by Paleo on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:12:46 AM PDT

  •  asdf

    As progressives, we're all wondering what the hell Nancy Pelosi is thinking by endorsing Roemer. Given her leadership role, she has to keep up some kind of front with the DC crowd. I hope she's spending some time in her district over the holidays (and that's district with a lowercase 'd' - meaning the California 8th). She can't be that far out of the loop with the grassroots ...

    by sandra1113 on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:23:24 AM PDT

    •  Sure Pelosi can be out of touch

      with her district. She always has been -- she is a moderate from a left district, an instrument of control over a place which would naturally send someone much more radical.

      Not that I think she has altogether been a bad deal -- a real leftist would have been marginalized. She can be leadership, yet we can get at her as her constituents, keeping up the pressure.

      I would be surprised if she'll ever publically cop to endorse an anti-choice pol -- she'll do whatever behind closed doors.

      by janinsanfran on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:32:58 AM PDT

      •  Reid

        Do we even know for sure if Reid backed Roemer?

        Jeez, people, remember that Pelosi and Reid are just two voices in the DNC.  Others (Feingold and Richardson) backed Dean.

        by The Truffle on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 05:46:51 PM PDT

    •  Control Dynamics against True Democracy....

      In my hometown, there isn't much Democratic about the local Party. Completely top-down, behind closed doors, activity.

      The funny thing is our Politburo-style Mayor is trying to figure out how to run as a grassroots type guy in the coming gubernatorial race. ('06).

      by DeanFan84 on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 05:41:54 PM PDT

  •  Nancy boys

    What has gotten into Pelosi, anyway? She seemed like a pretty stand-up pol and a decent tactician until recently. I can even recall reading that she was tenatively backing Dean for DNC chair initially, before Kerry put in some arm-twisting.

    I'll take Bowers' argument and raise him. If the fix is in and the DNC consolidates around another tired DC DINO, I think we need to do whatever we can to imminatize the party's demise that it might be reborn. I won't give to third-party groups that help Dems throughout the rightward-listing big tent. I'll give instead of my time and my money to third parties and progressive Dems who will represent my values.

    The old Democratic coalition was held in place by a sort of doctrine of Mutually Assured destruction. If the Dixiecrats or the coastal liberals bolted, the party was kaput. Well, it worked for 30 years. Then the Dixiecrats defected and the corporatists took over, proceeding to do naught but lose elections and shit on progressives.

    Well, now it's time for Progressively Assured Destruction. Screw 'em. If we're not wanted and won't be represented, PAD the pockets of third parties and let these jackasses wither all the faster. The sooner will come that day when what's left of 'em comes groveling back to us with their begging bowls in hand. In the meantime, I'd rather go Green/WFP/progressive Dem than waste another nickel on a lost election and another four years of rank condescention from these Yellow Dems.  

    by Septic Tank on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:30:09 AM PDT

    •  A "4" for "Nancy boys"

      Great play on words.

      by Dump Terry McAuliffe on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:37:13 AM PDT

•  I think this simply suggests...

  ...once again the need for us to have our own power base. I don't like the idea of relying on these Dem leaders' use of reverse psychology to get us a good DNC chair. I much prefer us forcing them to listen and take us seriously and cut a deal we can all live with - at least until we grow powerful enough to dictate terms.

  by eugene on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:13:49 AM PDT

  •  The Left needs its AEI/CATO/Heritage

    And there's gotta be some upstanding pinko magnate out there willing to plunk down some dosh on getting our ideas out. This is really urgent, given that the center and center-right factions of the party are either establishing think tanks (CAP, NDN) or have established think tanks (DLC), and the monied "Young Turks" that the DC disintelligencia listens to are actively campaigning for the rightward lurch now underway.

    by Septic Tank on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:36:37 AM PDT

    •  we've got our CATO

      it's called NORML ...

      by wystler on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 12:25:58 PM PDT

      •  (hit enter too quick ...)

        and, of course, ACLU

        by wystler on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 12:26:33 PM PDT

•  Rock that Boat

  Make some waves. Shake it up!

  Tim Roemer.........mr. blah.

  Why in god's name would they endore HIM? Somebody tell them to get a grip!

  by missliberties on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:15:25 AM PDT

•  I'm Getting Vertigo

  Jerome, who has been blogging up a storm over at MyDD, has this encouraging catch from the DC bible -- the National Journal's hotline

  Then, if you follow the link to mydd, you get this:

  Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, according to the Albuquerque Journal, via Hotline:

  But the only hyperlink in either of the two box quotes that I think are supposed to be from the Albuquerque Journal, or Hotline--is it an A.J article in Hotline, or a Hotline article in the A.J.?--is a link to another post at mydd, which again has no link to the A.J. or Hotline.  I also put a couple phrases from the excerpted section into Google news, where I got nothing, and regular Google, where all I got was the link to mydd.  Then I went to the Albuquerque Journal, and in an archive search on Roemer and only came up with stuff about the 9-11 commission.

  Where's the origninal article?  

  by DHinMI on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:18:53 AM PDT

  •  I don't know about the Alburqueue

    Jerome's hotline quotes never have a link because it is pay-per-view.

    by blogswarm on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:22:23 AM PDT

    •  But Where Does it Come From?

      Where does the A.J. fit into it?  Is it Hotline, or the Alburquerque Journal?  If if it was in the A.J., why no link?

      The few times I've quoted something in a frontpage post that was subscription only, I mentioned it was subscription only and still attributed the date or edition of the orginal source.  I don't think that's unreasonable to expect that as a standard practice.  

      by DHinMI on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:29:55 AM PDT

      •  if something is subscription only

        I don't think you need to give them the courtesy of a link. However, I am a strong believer in attributing everything in the public domain.

        by blogswarm on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:37:38 AM PDT

        •  I'm a Strong Believer..

          ...in attributing everything that should be attributed.  If you can't provide a link or it's subscription only, at least provide a date or volume number.  

          by DHinMI on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:59:22 AM PDT

          •  links are respect

            This isn't Dewey where everything gets a number, this is the internet where our links are our currency in organizing the online world. But I consider attribution a sign of respect and I firmly believe that respect is something that must be earned. I don't believe in subscription only sites, I think the hotline doesn't need to use subscription as a business model but continues to rely upon it for elitist reasons that help prop-up the inside-the-beltway aristocracy of consultants and big money.

            Un-attributed material lacks third party validation and thus has less credibility. It think the Hotline should suffer this fate until they are willing to embrace post-modern politics.

            Since that will never happen, I think we need to start a strong, daily, DNC Hotline. If that were to happen I would be proud to provide attribution to the content they freed from the subscription-only elitists.
            

            by blogswarm on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 11:24:47 AM PDT

            •  Whaaaa?

              The Hotline should lose credibility, why? What's unattributed? Jermoe may not have included the attribution in his clip, but The Hotline is all about attribution. Practically every line in every story is attributed.

              And while I can't entirely rule out the use of the subscription model to bolster their insider image, they charge purely as service providers. There's nothing in The Hotline that you can't get from reading every major daily newspaper in the United States every morning. But since most people haven't got the time or money to make that possible, they do it for you, for a fee.

              I don't necessarily see that as elitist.

              But again, this is not to say that you couldn't pose a substantial challenge to their dominance and their business model. All you'd have to do is gather and manage a group of volunteers willing to read their local papers and produce reliable, timely and attributed reports of what they read. Then the only difference between you and The Hotline would be that they're making their money directly from what they do, and you'd have to find some other way to finance it.

              by Kagro X on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 11:42:46 AM PDT

            •  Readers Don't Need to Earn Respect

              It's up to the writer to grant respect to the reader.  I agree that links are respect, but not as a form of respect to the source, but to the readers so they can follow the source and determine whether the source was properly attributed, summarized, etc.  

              Links aren't a tip of the hat, they're embedded footnotes and invitations to share information with your readers.  

              by DHinMI on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 11:52:37 AM PDT

      •  The Albuquerque Journal is also subscription only.

        I'm sure it costs less than The Hotline, but it's subscription only, nonetheless.

        Jerome is quoting The Hotline, whose stock in trade is quoting other newspapers. There's not much point in linking to a subscription-only site that's quoting another subscription-only site. Besides, you're supposed to be hip enough to know that riff-raff like you doesn't get to see The Hotline. It's one of those "if you have to ask" things.

        by Kagro X on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:43:28 AM PDT

    •  So's the A.J.

      But if you're a subscriber, the article is here: http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/276844nm12-22-04.htm

      I'm not.

      by Kagro X on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:33:01 AM PDT

      •  OK, So You May Be Able to Answer...

        ...what I mistakenly thought was a simple question: is the article originally from the AJ?  

        by DHinMI on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 11:01:02 AM PDT

        •  Apparently.

          The Hotline, typically, is about "covering the coverage," not producing its own content -- although it does do this from time to time.

          Jerome doesn't make it perfectly clear whether or not the second quote (the one kos cites) is also from the Journal, or even from the same Hotline story. In fact, it's not really even clear if it's from the same edition of The Hotline. But if I had to guess, based on some familiarity with The Hotline style, I'd say the first box is from their regular coverage of the coverage, and the second box is internal editorial, and not to be found in the Journal article.

          by Kagro X on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 11:10:05 AM PDT

  •  Subscription only

    And it's not cheap, about $1,000/year subscription.

    by kos on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:40:03 AM PDT

    •  DNC Hotline

      I'd like to see the DNC publish our own (free) Hotline so every morning people could read all of the political news in all of the states...with our commentary.

      by blogswarm on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:44:10 AM PDT

      •  This is it.

        This is your Hotline. All The Hotline is is a collection of the day's top political stories from publications across the country. We get that here, plus the bonus of commentary.

        Occasionally we miss stuff because nobody thinks they'll get their diary recommended if they just tell us what's in this morning's Hartford Courant, but we certainly have among us the ability to do as much or more than The Hotline does. There's no magic in it, just diligence.

        by Kagro X on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:50:21 AM PDT

•  so finally

  an indication that somebody is listening.  Hopefully, Pelosi et al will pay attention, consider, and perhaps do a self-analysis on how the hell they manage to keep finding people and positions that few in their party support.  Roemer barely supports the Democratic platform so why would any of us support him as chair? The status quo has brought us to these straits and we need someone with vision, ideas, and enthusiasm to find our way out. That, my dears, is not an anti-Choice, pro-privitization, Republican wanna-be.  

  by eunichorn on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:20:42 AM PDT

•  Isn't the bigger concern ...

  That Pelosi and Reid want Roemer, thereby exhibiting a profound cluelessness?  If Roemer isn't selected, fine; but we still have our top two Congresspersons on record as supporting him. What does this say about our willingness to actually stand for something and fight on Social Security?

  by Tuffie on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:20:55 AM PDT

  •  Reid was actually quite good on SS...

    ... this weekend on the Political shows..

    On one [can't recall which... I was watching w/ my family...] he said that SS is NOT broken, that the whole movement to 'fix' SS was a sham, and that the Republicans just want to raid the SS funds to reward their large corporate contributors.

    Pretty powerful statement - and I can't recall hearing any other of our so-called-leadership speaking so forcefully.  Despite my qualms about Reid when it was first announced he would replace Daschle, he has gained my respect each time he has appeared in public. He does not come off as the accomodationist he has been portrayed as by some here on dKos.

    The Roemer endorsement is troubling... but has this even been confirmed by anybody?  It looks to be, at this point, an "inside sources say..." story.  Is this the same inside source douchbag Novak uses to out CIA operatives?

    I'd say wait and see what comes from a more trusted voice before going totally nuts here...

    by Timoteo on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:58:37 AM PDT

•  Do Reid & Pelosi know they have no support

  I think both of them need to be replaced as Minority leaders.

  How can we go about getting rid of THEM?

  by naufragus on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:21:25 AM PDT

  •  do not bother

    so not bother they  are due to self destruct; the only problem is that they take us with them.

    by ralphyboy on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:26:53 AM PDT

  •  Remember when

    Pelosi was supposed to be a step away from Dick Gephardt? Let's not give up on her just yet.

    by sandra1113 on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 11:08:29 AM PDT

•  I was about to say....

  Aren't you on vacation? There's some ski lodge or brewery looking for a customer. If you're that bored, Boston is a short, if snowy drive.

  As to your contention that Pelosi and Reid have doomed Roemer, well, I think so.

  by stevegilliard on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:36:37 AM PDT

•  If Dean Leaves We Will Follow!

  At least I will and I'm sure I'm not alone on this. If Roemer is the choice, I'm certain Dean will have enough EX-democrats, progressives, etc. to build a third party super-power Nader could only dream about. I'm sick of supporting this sell-out party. If we're going to lose, I'd rather we lose with our principles intact. I hope the DNC is listening otherwise they're about to get a rude awakening.

  by Rome890 on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:51:05 AM PDT

  •  Wouldn't Expect That

    If some wishy-washy muddling DINO gets the chair, I'd fully expect Howard Dean to continue using Democracy For America as a podium for speaking out for the Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party, supporting the progressive grass roots to take back the party at the local level. He's far too insightful to believe that a third-party Nader-like silliness would be a viable solution in a system that will only elect from the two major parties.

    by wystler on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 12:34:45 PM PDT

    •  I have to agree with you....

      Dean is much too realistic to leave.

      by Rome890 on Wed Dec 29, 2004 at 12:47:48 PM PDT

•  DLC Strategy?

  This sounds suspiciously to me like the same strategy the DLC used in the primaries to terminate the reform candidate. Back a mediocre candidate incredibly out of touch with the real world who has no chance of winning (Gephardt) and use him to destroy any reform candidates in favour of their real sock puppet. If this is the case, watch to see how much noise they make when a reform candidate starts gaining ground, and watch who gets put forward as a compromise candidate.

  Another possibility is that they're setting up to stab the reformer in the back - again - but waiting until after he gets elected to either destroy the party or eliminate any support for reform among the establishment.

  Remember - reform means these guys lose billions in contributions and bribes from big corporate donors. They're going to fight it to the last breath.

  by RHunter on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:58:40 AM PDT

•  I am in the process of sending this letter to

  all of the members of the DNC listed on the drafthoward.com site.

  Dear :

  You have the power to help me. Specifically, I am writing to ask that you consider carefully your upcoming vote for the next Chair of the DNC.   I am a weary democrat that has a Republican County Chairman, a Republican State Senator, a Republican State Legislator, a Republican Governor, a Republican Representative to Congress, one Republican Senator, and a Republican President.   For this to change, some serious changes have to be made in the Democratic Party, starting with the election of a reform candidate for DNC Chair.  This is where you can help.

  My community is not as conservative as our representation would lead one to believe.  If we had a decent party apparatus at the local levels, we could be competitive in state and local races.  While I would love a Democratic President, I would also love to have a Democratic State Legislator.  To accomplish this, we need a DNC Chair who provides leadership deep into the grassroots to revitalize this party from the ground up in such a way that it endures from year to year.  Only one contender for DNC Chair has shown an ability to accomplish this.

  ·    Howard Dean has proven his ability to inspire people to not just give money and time, but to become invested in the process.
  ·    If we are to be successful at rebuilding our party in the South, the Democratic Party must have a plainspoken leader.  Howard Dean has proven that he is always plainspoken.
  ·    Howard Dean is fiscally conservative and socially progressive, combining the best of the left and the right.

  Please vote for Howard Dean as DNC Chair.  I want a Democratic State representative, or Congressman, or Governor, or President again.  How many more years are going to pass before people give up for good on the Democratic Party?  The status quo is not working for me.  Vote for Howard Dean.  The fate of our Party is in your hands.  Use your power to make a difference for the good of our cities, states and nation.

  Sincerely,

  by Evie on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 11:07:12 AM PDT

  •  Want a Strong Local Party?

    Don't look to the DNC for help, unless you &/or your neighbors and friends are already doing something to strengthen your local party.

    Tired of GOP domination of your local political scene, even though you believe that the community is more progressive? Try to get some candidates elected to village board, city councils, school boards.

    Here's the bad news: it's hard work. You'll have to knock on some doors. You'll have to find some money for literature and promotion. And you'll have to network.

    The good news? There are probably some folks already working to do that. Find out when your local Democratic Party meets, and get yourself there. Or try to find some like-minded souls through MeetUp.com:

    • http://dfa.meetup.com will find you local DemocracyForAmerica meetups;
      
    • http://democrat.meetup.com will hook you up with democrats, though not necessarily the official party; other options exist at meetup too.

    Maybe it sounds difficult, but local spring elections are a real opportunity. Turnout is much lighter, so it takes less effort to elect your folks. (The xian right used this model starting back in the 70s.)

    So, if you're not already doing so, get crackin'.

    by wystler on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 12:45:31 PM PDT

    •  Been there, done that...

      we are trying.  We go to meetup, worked in Dean then Kerry campaign.  We do have a school board rep that's progressive.  Why belong to a national party if there's no local visibility?

      by Evie on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 01:33:27 PM PDT

      •  Then Keep Doing It

        Patience is needed. I'm not counselling that you should be satisfied with the happenings inside the beltway.

        The February confab that results in the new DNC chair may or may not satisfy us. Know this, though: The lion's share of the votes belong not to beltway insiders, but to state party officials and local activists (albeit those empowered within the local party structure). To control those votes means controlling the future of the party.

        We'd most assuredly be more likely to find satisfaction in the February selection if more of us were sufficiently involved in the process four or eight or 12 or 16 years ago. The folks who have the votes this time have paid their dues and put in their time. I've got a quarrel with some of them, but know that:

        • the best solution takes time;
          
        • we must treasure those who've put in the time and effort locally, as they have knowledge, expertise and relationship that will continue to be valuable as we continue to build.

        Evie, I really am not what you're suggesting vis a vis local visibility. If you're wondering why the national party organization has little impact on where you live, I understand, but the visibility and effort really must come from the local supporters, no matter who is in the chair.

        This is hard for me, too. I'd just as soon wake up from this BushCo nightmare that began in November 2000. But it really began in the 60s, with the ascendency of St. Ronnie as the first national victory. I expect it won't take us 10 years to succeed in electing a president, since our values really are much more in line with those of MainStreet America (despite what the pundits say).

        by wystler on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 02:28:35 PM PDT

•  Could someone please clue me in about S. Rosenburg

  In several of the postings on kos I've read the name of Simon Rosenburg bandied about as a desirable candidate for DNC Chair while at the same time I'm reading how opposed to anyone connected with corporate funding and the DLC most of the bloggers here are. I'm confused because Simon Rosenburgis a corporate lawyer who was in charge of the DLC's corporate funding arm, aka the New Democrat Network. He was the one who recruited and prostituted Dem candidates by having them fill out detailed questionnaires for the Corporate Masters and then interviewed the candidates to ensure that the Master funders would get accountability and a sure return on their "investment" in the Dem candidates recruited. Even if SR defected from the DLC when he became dazzled by the Dean money machine, isn't it likely that he dragged his bidness buddy clients along with him only to be where the action was? I'm sorry if I'm offending anyone with my questions, but what makes you all think Simon Rosenburg's corporate money network is no longer intact? If he became DNC chair wouldn't we just be getting more of the same ole sell out to big money?

  by not4bushwa on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 11:29:17 AM PDT

  •  The DLC and NDN are not related

    They both may be "centrist" groups, but there is quite a bit of difference between the two.

    by Geotpf on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 11:45:58 AM PDT

  •  Here's Rosenberg's profile

    Kos put this up a while ago as a backgrounder on Rosenberg. Enjoy.

    by natasha on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 12:59:51 PM PDT

•  Double Trouble - Roemer or Folwer

  I guess Pelosi or Reid's staff have never heard of google. If they had you would think that they would be speaking out against both their new favorite candidate of the week Tim Roemer and the young Mr. Donnie Fowler Junior.

  As mydd and other blogs have pointed out Mr. Roemer is virtually a Republican. The question I have is Mr. Roemer going to speak out on judges who will overturn Roe v Wade or will his friends at the National Right to Life Committee keep him quiet.

  Mr. Folwer to date has been flying under the radar screen, however, a quick google search notes that he advocated the election of Republicans just two years ago while he was a corporate lobbyist for TechNet. If you do not beleive me read it for yourself at: http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2002/01/28/newscolumn1.html.

  If either of these two get their hands on the DNC we might as well make an extra set of keys for Mr. Rove
  

  by wolverinedem on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 03:46:48 PM PDT

  •  link issue

    my spybot s&d anti-malware program is blocking the link you cite ... i'd like to believe there's no problem with the site and content, but could you summarize?

    by wystler on Mon Dec 27, 2004 at 10:37:39 PM PDT

•  But it can't be Dean

  I'm a moderate Democrat and was intrigued by Dean until his mouth shot off about republican lite's.  We can't have a guy who you can't trust to open his mouth.  Like it or not fellow Dem's there's some good publicans out there, few in numbers unfortunately.  We're talking about 1/2 of the nation here and to tip the scales we need someone to whet the appetite but not make them wonder if it will give them indigestion.

  by Clarkster on Tue Dec 28, 2004 at 12:04:40 PM PDT