Ford Bell gave one helluva speech at the DFL Central Committee Meeting today. The speech is both powerful and provoking. Bell points out one of the deepest flaws in the Democratic Party: Washington Insiders trying to tell the grassroots what is right for them:
This race has changed dramatically during the past few days. The junior Senator from New York, Chuck Schumer, has sent a clear message to you, the grassroots of the DFL, that you don't matter in the process of choosing a U.S. Senator.
Chuck Schumer is telling you, the heart and soul of the DFL, to sit down, shut up, we're from Washington and we know best.
I say here today, no. I reject this attempt to bulldoze over our party's strength. Our strength is diversity and debate, then consensus.
and:
Friends, I cannot be more clear. Our Senate race in Minnesota this year is a referendum on the soul of the DFL. For that reason, I'm asking my DFL colleague Amy Klobuchar to agree to a series of open debates around the state - to talk about the serious issues facing our country and about what kind of party we will be.
As DFLers, we don't need "Third-Way" Dick Morris DLC Democrats telling us what is best for our party. But, Ford Bell's remarks are a little off though.
- From what I can tell, Amy Klobuchar has as much activist support as she does "Insider" support. Had the local activists not pushed her ahead in fundraising, she never would have caught Washington's eye.
- Amy was not drafted by the DSCC to run in this race. She was encouraged to run by Democrats across the state.
Even though Bell's words don't necessarily apply to the Minnesota Senate race, they needed to be said. Washington insiders merely strip mine during elections. The grassroots, and the power of the people build a party. Two major examples of this can be found in Montana and Illinois.
In Montana, the DLC and Washington crowned John Morrison to be the Senate candidate. But the grassroots and the netroots have found a much better candidate in State Senate President Jon Tester. Montanans know what kind of candidate can win in their district, the Beltway doesn't. Because of the people, Tester is now leading both Morrison, and incumbent Republican Senator Conrad Burns in the primary.
In Illinois-06, Christine Cegelis took 44% of the vote from Henry Hyde in the 2004 election. She did this because she had the support of the grassroots. Now, with Hyde stepping down, it is an open seat. Suddenly, the DCCC has taken an interest and Rahm Emmanuel convinced Tammy Duckworth to run. I am not saying that Duckworth is not a great candidate, but Cegelis is the candidate of the people.
In short, the people need to take back the Democratic party. Ford Bell should stay in the Senate race, even though he doesnt have a chance at winning. The people can decide who is the best candidate to represent our party. We don't need Washington to tell us.