In keeping with its strategy of delicacy, of never clearly stating its philosophy, of burying its motives in the cat box of history, the Democratic Party has concocted a pile of acronyms designed to befuddle even the most dedicated among you. They form groups with different purposes but confound their existence. They blend "D's", and "C's", and even the occasional "S" or "N", in a salad bowl, dressed with piety, tossed with abandon, and designed to serve as a shorthand that conceals both the intent, and the function, of organizations whose sole reason for beings is to raise money to further their goals. I refer, of course, to the DNC, DCCC, and the DSCC.
This would not be of serious concern if these groups shared goals. The problem arises when the careful and attentive reader can not discriminate between these groups, and subsequently assigns the vices of one to them all.
A few days ago I published a diary asking for your support of one of those groups, the Democratic National Committee, or DNC. I was enthused when we found that we had raised over $16,000. After the FISA fiasco however, many of you, properly furious with the Democrats in Congress, bemoaned your contribution.
It would seem that a clarification is in order.
The three groups that are difficult to distinguish because of their acronyms are:
- The Democratic National Committee. (DNC)
From Wikipedia:
The Democratic National Committee (DNC) is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support of Democratic Party candidates, and not on public policy. The DNC was established at the 1848 Democratic National Convention.[1]
The Democratic National Committee provides national leadership for the Democratic Party of the United States. It is responsible for promoting the Democratic political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy.
Note the bold portion of the above quote. "Not on public policy". The DNC is not responsible for legislation. It does not effect voting behavior among Congressional Representatives.
The DNC is the overarching group that is responsible for organizing and overseeing state and local parties, developing the Party platform for national elections, organizing the national convention, training and development of Party leaders, and getting out the vote on election day.
When you donate to the DNC you are showing your support for organizing and growing the Democratic Party. You are not influencing individual legislators. You are NOT showing approval for legislative actions. You are supporting the ideals and policies such as the 50 State Strategy, and the growth of a Democratic voting base. You are supporting the election of Democrats.
The Party is currently Chaired by Dr. Howard Dean who developed and brought the 50 State Strategy to fruition and, who has spent millions of dollars to ensure that almost every district in the United States has a trained organizer to assist in the election of Democrats.
The next pile of acronyms is very different in both its goals, and its processes.
- The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. (DCCC)
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (commonly referred to as the "D triple C," or the "D-Trip") is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats to that body. They play a critical role in recruiting candidates, raising funds, and organizing races in districts that are expected to yield politically notable or close elections. The DCCC was founded in 1866 as the Democratic National Congressional Committee.
The DCCC is candidate oriented. They play a large role in selecting, supporting, and funding individual candidates. They are the initial "money machine" that assists candidates in getting on the ballot, creating and fielding polls and advertising, and insuring the re-election of Representatives of whom they approve.
They do not coordinate their activities with the DNC. They work within the House of Representative, with the Party Leadership, to identify and promote the election of individuals who would further the current goals of the House and its Members.
- The Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. (DSCC)
The DSCC performs the same functions in the US Senate as the DCCC performs in the House of Representative.
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I have been asked to add an explaination of the Democratic Leadership Council, DLC. The current entry in Wikipedia is blocked from edit and is under dispute as not being sufficiently neutral. I include it here for your information.
The Democratic Leadership Council is a non-profit 501(c)(4) corporation [1] that argues that the United States Democratic Party should shift away from traditionally populist positions. The DLC hails President Clinton as proof of the viability of third way politicians and as a DLC success story while progressives assert that Bill Clinton won campaigning as a populist only to abandon those positions after getting elected. Critics contend that the DLC is a powerful, corporate-financed mouthpiece within the Democratic party - or "The Republican Wing of the Democratic Party"[2].
The DLC's affiliated think tank is the Progressive Policy Institute. Democrats who adhere to the DLC's philosophy often call themselves New Democrats. Others use this label too though and belong to other organizations and have differing agendas contesting to define that term and control the party's future.
The DLC's current chairman is former Representative Harold Ford, Jr. of Tennessee, and its vice chair is Senator Thomas R. Carper of Delaware. Its CEO is Al From and its president is Bruce Reed. U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is chair of the DLC's American Dream Initiative.
The DLC has no affiliation with the National party or the Congressional apparatus.
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Corporate money is directed to individual candidates, and to the DCCC and DSCC. This funding is designed to elect candidates who express support for the interests of the money sources.
Granny sez: Get these differences straight!
When I beg for support for the Democratic National Committee, I am begging for party building, GOTV, and the growth and development of local and state wide party apparatus. This is the area of American politics where you can have the greatest impact. This is where you can get involved, make your voice heard, and effect the platform of the party which is offered to the National Convention. This is where you can make your effort to get elected.
Donate directly to individuals who support your beliefs. Go to Act Blue and find a candidate you can trust and value, and give them money.
By-pass the DCCC and DSCC, which work very hard to maintain the status quo, and make it your business to find good Democrats that you can support.
Do not confuse individual candidates and their re-election apparatus (the DCCC and the DSCC), with the nationwide party building organization (the DNC), devoted to democratic ideals, and training citizens to participate in the election of their leaders.
The DNC is not responsible for the foolish voting decisions of those who elect corporate hacks. They are not the ones who elected Blue Dogs. They are not the ones collecting millions in corporate contributions to protect the seats (and the asses that fill them) of the current crop of Congress Critters.
Support individual candidates. Support the Democratic National Committee. Let the corporate hacks and the Beltway Insiders have the DCCC and DSCC. They have nothing to do with People Power. The DNC most certainly does, and as such, deserves your support.
You may go, now... <g>