In a discussion about Roemer's potential to splinter the party,
Blogfather Jerome Armstrong brings up a very important point that should be considered by all DNC members:
What's happened with the Democratic party, with the soft money and millionaire supporters no longer able to make large sum donations to Dem orgs like the DNC/DSCC/DCCC is that they've went elsewhere, creating this whole infrastructure that is being built outside the Democratic party organizations. And, in almost every respect, these 3rd party groups are more effective than the Democratic Party groups, and that's after only one election.
I'm convinced that the mental framework of those in the ASDC and Congress is that the small donors have merely replaced the previous large-money donors, and that we have no where else to go. What the Democratic Party leadership in DC and these states needs to realize is that the DNC relys upon the small donor as it's netroots ATM, yet the netroots does not rely upon them. We have just as much an opportunity to win campaigns by working with these outside organizations as we do by ATMing with the DNC et. al. (emphasis mine)
If Roemer were to be elected DNC Chair, would the volunteers and small donors work from within the Party or invest in outside groups?
True Blue: "In the last cycle I gave $500 each to Farrell and Sullivan, plus donations to Dave Thomas, Morrison, Herseth, Chandler, Barend, Ashe, etc. They totalled $1500, and that is a lot of money for me. (I gave significantly to MoveOn and Kerry in addition.) Simply put, if Roemer gets the nod, I ain't giving in the next cycle. Nada. Zilch. Nothing."
Colleen: "I assure you that anti-choice on abortion...is indeed a deal breaker for about 20% of the dem electorate. And these aren't people whose reaction will be anything simple like not voting for democrats and refusing to donate money. We will do serious damage."
LISoundView: "The largest party in the country is actually the group of people registered as Independents. If the Democrats appoint Roehmer, I will become one of them. And if Pelosi or Reid asks me for any money or time or even my vote the answer is, NO."
cscs: "If Roehmer is in as Chair, I'm out."
MimiKatz: "I gave thousands in this last election but not one dime for the DNC or his type of candidates if Roemer is the chair."
Boring Dem: "If Roemer is chosen as DNC chair, I will never donate to a democrat or to the party again, nor will I ever vote for one again."
wph: "If Roemer is selected for DNC Chair this will absolutely kill my motivation."
MJB: "If Roemer or any other DINO becomes DNC chair, then it will be time for the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party to become its own party."
Alumbrados: "If Roehmer is chair...I'm done with the DNC. Not a single dollar will go to them."
fishwars: "Anti-abortion is a deal breaker for me. I'm seriously considering registering in the Green Party if this trend continues in the Democratic party."
Frederick Clarkson: "The DP will lose alot of people if theu feel sold out on abortion and/or social security. This would be a great big Christmas presdent to Ralph Nader, and probably save the Green party from oblivion."
Michael in Chicago: "If the DNC does push someone like this, I agree that it's time to flex our progressive muscle and send our funding elsewhere."
Kimberly Stone: "I will stop this if I can. If not, it will be the last thing I do as a Democrat. I will immediately cease to call myself a Democrat and not only find every way possible to not only disassociate myself with the party, but actively find ways to tear it apart, taking as many liberals and progressives and real Democrats with me as possible. Roemer and Zell and their pimp Al From can cozy up to the RNC and I can say I am not part of their sold-out souled-out whored-out shitty traitorous weakass fucked up party any more."
Malacandra: "If Roemer gets the DNC nod, I'm going to consider DfA as the Democratic Party in Exile. They'll get my money, volunteer energy and support."
eugene: "So, if Roemer is picked, I'll donate to candidates, and will view the DNC as an enemy that must be destroyed along with the GOP."
PLS: "we can just go to DFA and the other real democrats and let the DLC and DNC wither on the vine."
Radiowalla: "If an anti-choice, pro-criminalization Democrat becomes Chair of the DNC then I will have no choice but to register as an independant. This I say with great sadness as I have been a loyal Democrat for over 40 years."
Del in MO: "If Tim Roemer becomes chair, I promise you this: I will stop my current work with the local county central committee. I will no longer work for any Democratic candidates. I will no longer contribute time or money for the party. I will change my registration from Democrat to Independent."
SusanHu: "I'm 57...and I've put up with enough bullshit candidates to last me a lifetime.... and the performance of the DLC-type candidates in 2004 has put me over the top. I will NOT support any DLC or DLC-lite candidates in the future with my money, my time, or my votes."
Ponderer: "I'm 57, too, and agree with you, Sue. There are lots of folks who got a first or fresh taste of activism during the past campaign. We're gonna keep it up and we're not gonna put out for candidates and positions we don't believe in. If the DLC thinks it can have a party without grassroots support, they're wrong."
Pounder: "These kinds of Democrats such as Roemer are so far out of the mainstream of democratic principles and core beliefs they are unsupportable. I wuold be more than happy building the green party into the second party of the country if the Democrats in DC choose to go this way."
firedoglake: "Abandoning a pro-choice platform in general, and a Roemer Chair of the DNC specifically, would be everything the Repubicans could ever hope for. It would be the final straw that split the Democratic party into pieces."
Voting Dem: "Roemer's bought and paid for, and when you hear anyone trying to foist him on the rest of us, remember that they are too."
Paul in Berkeley: "If Roemer becomes the DNC chair, I for one will withhold future campaign contributions to Democrats and to the Democratic Party. I may withhold my vote as well. I have no doubt that thousands of fellow Democrats and progressives nationwide will do the same."
Rumblelizard: "Add me to the list of disgusted Democrats who will cease to be the latter, and cease to donate a single frickin' dime to the national party, if this assclown is nominated chair of the DNC."
DreamofPeace: "I guess it's divorce then. They keep the name and we keep the values."
Kyriejazz: "If Roemer becomes DNC chair the party will disintegrate...I've busted my ass for the party, but if Roemer becomes chair, I may be forced to reevaluate my affiliation."
Sherilocks: "If Roemer heads the Democratic Party, I'm on my way out the door."
TheHandPuppet: "If Roemer is the choice to head the Dem Party, this Dem backer and volunteer of some thirty odd years will be shopping for an alternative. I've had it."
Neecy: "I've voted a straight Dem ticket since the Carter years, volunteered for countless campaigns, knocked on doors, did the shit work for a party I believed in...Roemer will be the last straw."
bettyellen: "Roemer = My Defection for sure"
SanJoseLady: "I cannot, and will not support Roemer for DNC Chair, and if he is elected as chair, the DNC can kiss ANY financial contribution on my part goodbye."
Mario: "Amazingly stupid. They're setting themselves up for a third party challenge that will insure a loss in 2008. It's not gonna be too hard for a third party candidate to argue that Democrats are just Republican Lite if this keeps up."
Bob Johnson: "If Roemer manages to take the chair, expect folks like my in-laws to display their discontent in ways well beyond mere griping to Dem officials. They'll donate less, too..."
juls: "they may not respect yet the grassroots aspect of the netroots, but they do know the dollar signs. the amount of money we donated online this cycle should factor into their decision. the money will go elsewere to moveon or ACT."
Kos: "Can we please strike this guy from the list?"
Paleo: "Roemer = Revolt. If the party is stupid enough to pick him, I really think they're going to have a revolt on their hands."
Delaware Dem: "Roemer. Fuggaboutit."
Colorado Gringo: "if the DNC is led by Roemer, than the DNC will lose the netroots as a source of funding. We have other progressive options and our shitload of money can go to those. "
raginillinoian: "If Tim Roemer is elected DNC chair in February, I am leaving the Democratic Party. And mind you, I have never not voted for a Democrat - EVER."
Please use the comments for your "if Roemer is Chair..."