DCCC Accepts Recusals from Meek & Wasserman Schultz

The good news: Top Dem brass sent letters of support to our three South Florida candidates - Annette Taddeo, Joe Garcia & Raul Martinez - who are each offering stiff challenges to incumbent Republicans.

The bad news: The DCCC seems to think that this is an adequate response to our complaints and those of local Democrats. Here's why we still have a host of problems:

1. The DCCC has not in any visible way reprimanded Reps. Kendrick Meek and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who previously said they would not assist our three candidates. This amounts to a tacit acceptance of an unacceptable practice - ie, allowing incumbent Democrats to recuse themselves from helping challengers and expanding our majority. There are no recusals in politics.

2. Debbie Wasserman Schultz is still a co-chair of the Red to Blue program. This initiative is specifically tasked with increasing the ranks of Democrats in the House. Anyone running this program simply cannot refuse to support particular Democrats. We need someone in charge who will unhesitatingly embrace every worthy challenger. Besides, how can Wasserman Schultz objectively evaluate potential Red to Blue participants if she's already pre-disposed against certain campaigns? She's had a week to change her tune; the fact that she hasn't yet is a strong sign that she is the wrong person for this job.

3. Wasserman Schultz didn't just recuse herself from her responsibilities - she also "cracked out of turn" and lavished praise on one of the Republicans in question, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen. Why on earth would a supposedly good Democrat sabotage our party's chances by giving a recidivist Republican such a perfect, ready-for-TV soundbite? As many commenters have pointed out, no Republican would heap such compliments on one of us - and if they did, they'd have no problem stabbing us the very next day. Another sign that she is the wrong person for this job.

I don't think it's too much to ask that the chair of the Red to Blue program be a partisan bulldog at all times. That's what the job calls for. If Debbie Wasserman Schultz can't or doesn't want to perform these sorts of duties, then she needs to be relieved of her position.

But on a broader level, the DCCC cannot accept these sort of faint-hearted recusals by anyone. It's not enough to say "Well, if X won't help out, we'll send Y instead." This is a team, and every member of the caucus has to play. Rahm Emanuel fought bitterly against the "but I don't wanna" crowd, and with good reason. Toleration of this special pleading is one reason we spent twelve years in the wilderness; Rahm's battle against it is a reason we finally took back the majority last election.

Don't get me wrong: I'm glad that Pelosi, Rahm and Van Hollen have all affirmed their support for our South Florida trio. But I expect more from the DCCC and our caucus.

•  Now how much you wanna bet...

  ...she'll be Obama's VP pick...?

  by odum on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:09:33 AM PDT

  •  Debbie Wasserman Schultz

    should resign her position on the DCCC.Her refusal to fight the fight means her rightful place is that of a backbencher not  a Leadership  role.

    by ctkeith on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:14:16 AM PDT

    •  Leadership?

      She strongly backs Clinton in Florida.  

      by Kitty on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:22:29 AM PDT

    •  I'm more pissed after reading the article

      It has the wrong kind of headlines for Dems...is that what Little Debbie wants?  She is SUPPOSED to build the fucking party for the better of the nation and world.  Arggg....

      by Los Diablo on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:48:53 AM PDT

      •  Call her office.

        I did yesterday, although I'm in a neighboring district (Wexler's). Couldn't hurt since her Red-to-Blue leadership position is a national position, not one directly related to her work for her district.

        Her DC number:  [phone]
        Her FL number:   [phone]

        Calls from the affected Miami districts, especially from Ros-Lehtinen's district, would be particularly useful, I would think.

        by psnyder on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:32:34 AM PDT

    •  Not unusual at all for members to refuse to

      campaign against neighboring members with whom they have a working relationship.  I use to see it all the time when I worked on Capitol Hill.  Also senators won't take on fellow senators from their own state.  Harry Reid wouldn't campaign against John Ensign and basically gave nothing but lip service to the Democratic senate campaign in Nevada.  

      by Lilly on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:27:23 AM PDT

      •  Those are facts

        that suck.  Time to make new facts.

        by jgtidd on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:32:06 AM PDT

        •  Except that she DID support...

          another Dem down here in '06 again a long term Republican incumbent and the Dem WON (sorry, names escape me right now, but it happened right here in Ft. Lauderdale).

          I call BULLSHIT on DWS.

          by Skubwa on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:19:21 AM PDT

      •  Not ok for leadership

        I can understand some comity as you describe, but there is a difference between leaders and followers.  Reid is a leader.  He evidently had a deal with Ensign not to oppose him if Ensign left him alone.  That is unacceptabble in a party leader, and one more example of why the next Senate majority leader should be from a safer seat.  I understand not wanting someone who seems "too far out of the mainstream" but the seat should be safe enough that the occupant can take some risks.  This is why Debbie Dubya needs to be removed from her DCCC position and replaced with someone who believes in contesting every seat.

        Secondly, the three South Floridians should be added to the Blue Majority list.  This is a real opportunity to fill a void left by the DCCC and its weak-kneed leadership.  One criterion for adding people to the Blue Majority list, and it needs to be done soon because the 1Q fundraising deadline is coming up in a little over 2 weeks, is supporting candidates that the risk-averse Dem leadership won't adequately support.  The second is finding more game changers like Darcy Burner to promote.  Here are a bunch of possibilities.

        by Mimikatz on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:36:59 AM PDT

      •  Thats how schmucks like Lieberman Survive

        Those are the OLD RULES.

        The Clintons lived by these rules and the Democratic Party came close to death because of them.

        by ctkeith on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:39:39 AM PDT

      •  If Sherrod Brown

        doesn't get behind our efforts to unseat George voinovich in 2010, I'll crack HIM. I somehow can't imagine if we have a candidate like Tim Ryan who has fought side by side with Brown for the same key issues such as trade, health care, loss of maufacturing base, getting out of Iraq and helping working people more than the wealthy that he would not campaign for him.

        by anastasia p on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:18:05 AM PDT

    •  get the hell out of the way, Debbie

      This is the DCCC's JOB and if she is not on board they should throw her overboard.

      by vard on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:58:40 AM PDT

    •  She's just "Not on the Bus"...

      she is obviously off the bus. The expression came into being in Tom Wolfe's recounting of the bus trip taken by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters in the Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test. Halfway to the East Coast some of the participants were starting to have a hard time dealing with the unending focus of the mission (OK, and the non-stop use of psychedelic drugs). When they wavered, the question they were asked is "Are you on the bus or off the bus?" The statement they were given was, "You're either on the bus or you're off the bus." There was no middle ground.

      As a professional cat herder (software development manager) I use the question and term frequently for dealing with team members whose focus on the mission is somewhat less than desirable. ;-) We're halfway to November. Debby is obviously not on the bus. It up to the leadership of the DCCC to find her a new job or to reshape her head (as we say in software dev mgmt terms.) It's not her fault if she's left in place. It's the fault of the management team.

      BTW, for more "on the bus" reading that's very appropriate to this election cycle, try Timothy Crouse's  The Boys on the Bus. Also, try Hunter S. Thompson's Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail. These excellent reads covers the '72 cycle - two tales of an epic struggle and loss to the forces of darkness.

      And here's a fine way to pass ten minutes on a rainy Saturday (no matter what comes down, the mission is still the same):

      http://www.youtube.com/...

      by RUKind on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 04:00:15 PM PDT

  •  Black, Check Jewish, Check, Female Check

    well at least that would get her out of that role.

    by CTMET on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:26:18 AM PDT

  •  Why Obama?

    It seems to me she's exactly duplicating Hillary's "cracking out of turn" tactics in suggesting John McCain is more qualifed to be president than Barack Obama.

    by anastasia p on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:15:51 AM PDT

•  Carrie Meek weeps.

  by vicki on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:10:31 AM PDT

  •  How dare you talk for the dead -

    and use it against her son!
    Extremely bad taste.

    by Barry in MIA on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:39:11 AM PDT

    •  LOL

      Its pretty rich for a Clinton shill to say that after Clinton used a video of a dead woman (Ann Richards) endorsing her.  

      by Mia Dolan on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:25:59 AM PDT

  •  Please. She was a total sell out too. nt

    by bradnickel on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 12:49:20 PM PDT

    •  Clarification. She sold out to highest bidders

      here in Florida on a regular basis. Not always on the issues.

      by bradnickel on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 12:50:28 PM PDT

•  I used to really like...

  Wasserman-Shultz, my congressman...but then she just started to get center-right. Then she stood on stage with Hillary in Davie, to celebrate her "primary victory" in Florida. Now this. She's unchallenged this year, again, and the seat is hers for a long time, but I'd love to see a PROGRESSIVE Democratic challenger put  her out of office.

  by Skubwa on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:10:31 AM PDT

  •  Yep it sounds like she's a little too comfy cozy

    there.

    by CTMET on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:26:56 AM PDT

•  For all the bashing Rahm has taken here,,,

  I'm glad his worth is being acknowledged.

  Spot on with this post - Love Debbie, but she is definitely the wrong person for this particular job.

  by Miss Blue on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:10:43 AM PDT

  •  Rahm deserved most of the bashing but he

    did his utmost to elect Democrats: that was the job he volunteered for and that's what he did. It is good to learn that he was as blunt with rightist Dems as he was with progressives. Still, there were a lot of us here that stopped giving to his org. because of his rightest stances on some issues that meant much to us.
    Thanks for a very informative article.

    by daliscar on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:14:44 AM PDT

  •  Politically...

    ...Rahm has done more than a few things to annoy me, but he is always one to bring a gun to a knifefight when it was time to elect Democrats.  Wasserman-Schultz should be reminded that politics isn't a cordial business.

    by DH from MD on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:27:22 AM PDT

  •  Yes, I agree!

    It might just be a historic occasion--a positive statement about Rahm Emanuel here on Daily Kos!

    As for the whole saying-nice-things-about-Republicans thing, I haven't quite decided how I feel about it.  

    by lungfish on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:28:11 AM PDT

  •  Rahm is always a Love/Hate...

    You definitely want him on your side and if he is on the right side, he is a fucking pitbull.  But the wrong sides he takes can be infuriating.

    by Los Diablo on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:50:32 AM PDT

•  Debbie, by being a floridan rep who WONT

  speak against the other party candidates from HER STATE is doing more harm to those candidates then an outsider coming into the state to campaign for them will help....   Debbie MUST realize this, if she doesn't THAT is another reason she really needs to step aside and let someone else take her place at the DCCC.

  by KnotIookin on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:11:39 AM PDT

•  Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's voting record...

  ...in pure neocon.

  Debbie has got to go...

  by Silence Do Good on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:13:25 AM PDT

  •  How can you be friends with something like

    this neocon? How can you work to see she stays in office when you're supposed to be the opposition?
    This seems wrong on many substantive levels.

    by daliscar on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:16:43 AM PDT

    •  This is what Washington does...

      ...two people who disagree on the issues become personal friends...

      ...and we end up with NAFTA.

      uggg!

      by Silence Do Good on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:25:46 AM PDT

      •  and no impeachment!

        by lisastar on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:47:59 AM PDT

        •  Unless you're a horndog Dem governor, of course

          Then it's OK!

          by Phoenix Woman on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:16:21 AM PDT

      •  Because all of them are pampered

        with high salaries, gold played health care and all kinds of perks, they may forget how the rest of us are feeling about the crumbling economy. Not all do but I suspect to many it becomes a matter of less urgency.

        by anastasia p on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:21:09 AM PDT

    •  This is just political mind over matter.

      The politicians don't mind...

      and the American people don't matter.

      by George Gould on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:30:54 AM PDT

      •  This is exactly the problem with the HRC/DLC

        And many Democrats are s-t-i-l-l ignorant of the anti-progressive taint that Clinton brings to this political season. And it is in her life blood to be against liberal values.

        I almost puke when I hear someone say HRC is progressive. They just don't know anything about what they are talking about.

        When Bill Clinton was President it was Terry Mc that ran off any new candidate that was progressive/liberal, particularly if they couldn't self fund their own run.

        by socks on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:40:26 AM PDT

•  Good

  post, and this is unlike Wasserman-Schultz. She has been on some imprtant matters an admirable example for other Floridian politicians to follow, not to mention she and her staff have been more blogger friendly and netroots adept than any other sitting Sunshine State congress critter I can think of right now.

  by DarkSyde on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:17:42 AM PDT

•  Question

  Anyone know who one would write or email at the DCCC to tell them to grow a spine and do their jobs?

  I'm not donating to Democratic challengers (on my very tight budget, no less) to have Dem incumbents sabotage such efforts.

  by bramish on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:18:09 AM PDT

  •  This is why........

    it is far better to send any funding to individule candidates that you want supported, and leave the politically biased DNCC or DCCC out of it altogether.

    by socks on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:43:14 AM PDT

•  So, does this call for a coordinated

  call-a-thon? Or email-a-thon?

  Seems like a call for action waiting to happen.

  by bumblebums on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:23:32 AM PDT

  •  Perhaps van Hollen's phone should melt down

    by bumblebums on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:26:51 AM PDT

  •  I called her office last week,

    and e-mailed the DCCC.  Her staffer was somewhat rude, said maybe I should call her re-election campaign office, that "this is a congressional office."  What I heard was it's NMFP.  Now the big FL donors are turning on the DNC unless they seat the FL delegates as is, based on the beauty contest vote.  SO I just gave another donation to the DNC, as a S. FL voter, and sent a note to DR. Dean to stand strong.  This is all making a real mess of our efforts here locally, so many difficult questions without any good answers.

    by godislove on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:30:44 AM PDT

    •  Thanks for making that call

      and reporting on it here.  As far as I'm concerned you called the right office.  

      Oh.  And thanks for sending that $$$ to the DNC.

      Wasserman-Shultz needs to stap down as co-chair.

      
      
      ````
      peace
      
      

      by peace voter on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:11:09 AM PDT

  •  It needs to come

    From Debbie's constituents.

    by Ivan on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:32:38 AM PDT

    •  Does it?

      Seems like a reasonable argument could be made for all Democrats weighing in on it.

      by bumblebums on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:38:13 AM PDT

      •  I agree

        All Dems are impacted by her sabotage of Ros-Lehtinen's Democratic challenger.  Wasserman-Shultz needs to understand that comity is one thing - and that it's great to have a cordial relationship with all members of the Florida delegation.  BUT.  If she wants to assume a leadership position in Democratic politics she should not be undermining our effort to increase Democratic numbers in Congress.
        
        
        ````
        peace
        
        

        by peace voter on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:15:57 AM PDT

•  Precedent

  Why on earth would a supposedly good Democrat sabotage our party's chances by giving a recidivist Republican such a perfect, ready-for-TV soundbite? As many commenters have pointed out, no Republican would heap such compliments on one of us - and if they did, they'd have no problem stabbing us the very next day.

  Clinton obviously thinks that it's ok.

  by Arabiflora on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:25:17 AM PDT

•  Debbie you schmuck

  Ileana would gut you from stem to stern if the GOP told her to do so.

  by trillian on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:26:20 AM PDT

  •  absolutely

    by lisastar on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:29:58 AM PDT

•  Grownup behavior: You do your job against friends

  Sometimes it seems like our elected officials are acting like schoolkids. Imagine if this behavior became contagious to other lines of work:

  Athlete: "Sorry coach, I can't tackle the opposing quarterback next week in the Super Bowl.  He's my friend."

  Salesman: "No boss, I can't pitch our product to General Electric. My friend over at our major competitor has the GE account."

  Lawyer: "I've been happy to handle your cases for many years, but now you want me to sue your landlord, and your landlord's lawyer is my friend. I guess you'll have to find someone else for this case."

  It.just.doesn't.happen.among.grownups.

  by word is bond on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:27:19 AM PDT

  •  or republicans

    could be why they seem to control everything

    by lisastar on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:29:39 AM PDT

  •  The word is "professional"

    I believe the word you're looking for is "professional". Professionals do their jobs and don't whine about it. Amateurs don't do their jobs and then they whine about what they're not doing. Congresspeople who don't understand how to behave professionally should be slapped.

    A word after a word after a word is power. -- Margaret Atwood

    by tmo on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:01:57 AM PDT

•  She is not just dissing the Democrats in

  south Florida, she is dissing all Democrats.  She is basically telling us that she knows better than we do. Money talks people, withhold any donations to the DCCC. Write or email and let them know your reasons.  Friendships are important but when you assume a position of power and responsibility within the party you must give it your all.  Extremely disappointed in Debbie.

  by temptxan on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:32:03 AM PDT

•  I first noticed wassserman schultz and meeks on

  their late night prtests with the massachusetts congressman against bush and republican policies.
  they were fun to watch, and it was clear that she was an up and coming star in the democratic party.

  It pains me to see how both of them are clinton supporters, and now that democratic challenegers are in need of their support, we find out that wasserman schultz is supporting the republican!!!!

  this is horrible.

  I agree.
  She should resign her position as chair of the red to blue campaign.

  by Taz Man on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:33:40 AM PDT

•  During the 2006 election

  a member of our county Democratic Executive Committee expressed support for the Republican candidate for house of delegates. The committee requested the member's resignation and got it. It should be just as simple on the state and national levels.

  by wv voice of reason on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:37:32 AM PDT

•  Whats up with Obama's pastor?

  Top news story of the last few days, and NOTHING on the kos front page - - but at least we're finally getting around to discussing Debbie!

  by Barry in MIA on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:38:06 AM PDT

  •  This isn't an open thread

    by bumblebums on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:38:53 AM PDT

    •  No, I was complimenting the poster !!!

      Finally, news on this story!!!!

      by Barry in MIA on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:40:33 AM PDT

      •  This is David's 6th post on the subject

        by bumblebums on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:52:33 AM PDT

        •  Really? I thought it was new fresh info - -

          Thank god kos front pagers comment on the top political news in the country!

          by Barry in MIA on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:56:05 AM PDT

          •  Got anything on John Hagee?

            The corporate media in America seems not to know he exists:

            http://mediamatters.org/...

            by Phoenix Woman on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:18:46 AM PDT

•  Is she a Blue Dog, Bush Dog, DLC'r ?? Her brain

  sure works like it has been infected by the loser-crat mentalities of 'our' incompetent / sell out 'leaders'.

  why don't they just join the fucking fascists?

  rmm.

  by seabos84 on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:42:29 AM PDT

  •  gotta have corporate hacks

    on both sides of the aisle for it to work

    by lisastar on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:49:24 AM PDT

•  3 things about Debbie

  This is how formerly good people get turned.  DWS is cochair of the Florida Clinton campaign. Back in the Summer when Cheney impeachment was heating up she put forth here, on Air America and elsewhere the "is not enough time"/now is not the time" excuse for ignoring the evidence and not pushing it forward.

    Why? because it was a political decision to help her favored candidate, HRC who wanted nothing controversial like a urgently needed impeachment to derail her candidacy's chances.

  Selling out our future to back her candidate.

  The issues of not supporting dems in those close by races.  That is another example of conciliating and appeasing the power brokers in that area.

  That has another component. The Repubs thru Bush and the RightWinger Cubans pushed penalties on ordinary citizens of not being able to visit Cuba and relatives except once in 3 years. It used to be once.
  (for cuban Americans with family back in Cuba)
  Ordinary Americans are forbidden to visit Cuba at all!.  What, are we ignorant children that can be frightened or swayed if Big brother doesn't tell us what to do?  

  DWS backed the tough provisions of her Rethug "friends". Many Cuban Americans are opposed to those family hurting regulations. Not DWS!

  Now she is among the worst on Cuban issues,to the right of George Bush. Why does she support it...

  In return there is the Israel aid caucus. You vote for my dirty politics,and we will suppport yours. Punish Palestinians. Give billions in weapons and loan guarantees to the worst elements. Take sides that leave America more hated,not less.

  So it gets worse for everybody, and all are hurt, and DWS gets to stay a "liberal" Democrat.

  I'll call her a "Judas " democrat, because she supports the democrats that benefit her projects, and stabs the ones that don't help her particular pet causes.

  And the Democratic Party? It is just something she does for appearances. Some days she is aproud democrat,other days she lieaves being a Democrat in the junk pile, in the (de) basement.

  If she wanted to HELP democrats get stronger she would have resisted the move to January 29 primary skip ahead fiasco, but she willingly caused a ruckus and problem to help one faction. She hurt us, not helped our fight to get the White House by that stunt.

  She is not a leader, she is a tool for more powerful factions in the Party. She ought to step aside as the Red to Blue cochair and give it up to a new enthusiast who hasn't the baggage she carries. I wasn't especially a fan of Rahm but he is 100% right on this. Why do we fight like death on things that matter and she sits it out or bad mouths our efforts?

  I'm as mad as he is now!

  by Pete Rock on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 07:52:56 AM PDT

•  Regarding

  recusals, it may not be a good idea to expect dems like these to campaign for the other dems, because their lack of enthusiasm for the candidate may hurt the candidate.

  Maybe these uncooperative dems could do 'time' doing something else in place of campaigning--such as being a gofer for the campaign staff.  :)

  [and definitely boot DW off that committee]

  by dfarrah on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:03:38 AM PDT

•  Agreed, if she's not doing the job,

  little Debbie should be let go (presumably she's not getting paid).  However, I'd still argue that elected public officials should not be promoting candidacies other than their own.  Every state and county has party organizations whose members can recruit and promote candidates for office.  

  by hannah on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:11:16 AM PDT

•  Seems like the fox gaurding the henhouse.

  Is she a blueDog?

  by ROGNM on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:22:57 AM PDT

•  Supporting a Candidate

  Doesn't mean kneecapping their opponent.  I don't understand how congressional dems such as Wasserman can't agree to campaign on behalf of candidates who oppose her friends in a positive manner.

  But then again, where was Reid in campaigning against Ensign and for Carter in 2006?  

  by phidda on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:25:18 AM PDT

•  Contacting them

  Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
  Mailing Address:
  430 South Capitol Street
  Washington, DC 20003

  Phone: [phone]
  Fax: [phone]

  And you can also use their webform, but I suspect that will be less effective because they'll pigeonhole you (ie. "don't worry, it's just from a pesky blogger").

  by PeteB2 on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:42:03 AM PDT

•  any worthy challengers to W-Schultz's seat

  we can encourage/support in a primary next year?

  by tnichlsn on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:43:28 AM PDT

•  sick of Florida

  I'm pretty much sick of all Florida representatives at all levels at this point.

  by Nellcote on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:43:33 AM PDT

  •  Me too......and I live there

    It is a Fiasco.  

    by Trial Lawyer Richard on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:24:13 AM PDT

•  Cold-blooded politics?

  I just can't get into that attitude.  Sorry, I suppose we should always go for the jugular, but just because the Republicans do it doesn't mean we should.  

  I have no doubt that the South Florida Republicans deserve to lose their seats.  And, yes, I think South Florida Democrats should support each other's campaigns.  But this full-throated roar is over the top.  From the Rockies, it looks just too, too.

  by red moon dog on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:52:47 AM PDT

•  I still don't see any problem with this.

  Based on this article:

  http://www.miamiherald.com/...

  I don't see what the big deal is. Politics is complicated. It sounds to me like these people are acting in good faith. The diarist, I'm beginning to wonder about.

  There are no recusals in politics.

  Heh. Sure there are. Most of them are delivered in smoky back rooms though. Kudos to these folks for standing in the light.

  Debbie Wasserman Schultz is still a co-chair of the Red to Blue program. This initiative is specifically tasked with increasing the ranks of Democrats in the House....she is the wrong person for this job.

  I don't see why. According to the linked article, the role of this group is to raise money for and provide guidance to candidates, not to personally take on their opponents for them.

  Rahm Emanuel fought bitterly against the "but I don't wanna" crowd, and with good reason.

  Eh. While I try to give Emanuel the benefit of the doubt, my general reaction is that, if he's butting heads with someone, I'm probably on their side. I have not forgotten how "helpful" he was to the Democratic grassroots candidates running in Florida's 16th CD in 2004:

  http://shadowbfa.blogspot.com/...

  by Free Spirit on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:56:04 AM PDT

  •  Wow

    So I guess it's OK for Democrats to vote for Bush.

    This is a betrayal of the people of Miami Dade. Screw you, you can have these 3 scumbag Republicans represent you as long as it's agreed they don't mess with my fiefdom. We should find real Democrats to challenge them in up coming primaries.

    by hankg on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:08:43 AM PDT

    •  Heh

      I think Carol McLean's story about Emanuel's actions with regard to the 2004 FL-16 primary election makes it clear that he is not overly concerned about electing "real" Democrats.

      by Free Spirit on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:35:22 AM PDT

      •  I don't care about Emanuel

        I care about Democrats sabotaging other Democrats. These are not marginal candidates. They have a good chance of winning. How can you be the head of Red to Blue when you are defending keeping Miami Red?

        I hope the 3 win and support primary challenges to these two as thanks for their support. What goes around.

        by hankg on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:59:33 AM PDT

        •  When it comes to sabotaging other Democrats...

          ...Meek and Wasserman-Schultz can't hold a candle to Rahm Emanuel.

          by Free Spirit on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:25:22 AM PDT

          •  You are missing the point

            This has nothing to do with Emanuel. I'm no fan of Emanuel. This is about 3 Democrats running for office in Miami. What Meek and Wasserman-Schultz are doing to Miami Democrats is inexcusable.

            by hankg on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:30:58 AM PDT

            •  True. I'm OT.

              I'll stop now.

              by Free Spirit on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:38:37 AM PDT

•  Wasserman Schultz

  Ros-Lehtinen is a reactionary and the Diaz-Balart brothers are no bargain. The Dems have 3 very viable candidates that should receive full support.

  by ardentgent on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:00:17 AM PDT

•  Out with Debbie as a leader of Red and Blue at

  very least.  A friend of Ileana Ros Lehtinin is no friend of the Democrats!

  by jjackso1 on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:02:26 AM PDT

•  Mail In Ballots Go Missing In Florida

  Here is one more reason NOT to have any type of "re-vote" in Florida:

  Mail In Ballots Go Missing In Florida

  I am a Floridian. A Florida Re-Vote would be a total fiasco.  Don't do it....under any circumstances.

  by Trial Lawyer Richard on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:13:33 AM PDT

•  Everyone needs to calm down - this is a non-issue

  She was very effective in previous campaigns (DWS that is) and will be in future campaigns.  The fact that she won't actively attempt to destroy people that she considers personal friends is not a bad thing.  They will put someone else in there that will go full throttle at the Diaz-Balart brothers and IRL.  

  There are far bigger issues to worry about than this...keep your eye on the ball.

  by Rockville Liberal on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 09:51:30 AM PDT

  •  BS

    Does she vote against her friends? Yes.

    She can stay friends and let them know that it's nothing personal they are competing for the success of different visions for the country. It's inexcusable. How do you think Miami Democrats feel about her position?

    Will she be expecting their support if elected? I'm sure Raul an 8 term mayor in Hialeah and popular old school politician will remember the stab in the back.

    by hankg on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:08:17 AM PDT

  •  I agree to a certain extent.

    If she's not up to the fight, it's best to pull her out.

    They should pull her red-to-blue chairmanship too, though. Her heart's obviously not in it.

    I used to think she might have a future nationally...no more.

    by Bush Bites on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:21:52 AM PDT

  •  I think your motives are good here

    but you miss the point.

    She's in charge of capturing Republican seats for Democrats, and she has effectively strongly endorsed a conservative Republican in her own state. She should not be Red to Blue co-chair.

    by No Preference on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:31:08 AM PDT

•  I have waiting a week for a response

  from the Congresswoman because I was so taken aback by this report in last Sunday's Miami Herald.

  She was such an ardent supporter of Ron Klein's successful effort in 2006 to unseat 13-term Republican Clay Shaw that this took me completely by surprise.

  She has been such an effective leader in Congress and a supporter of many of the issues that I chamption that this took me completely by surprise.

  I at first assumed that it was an innocent comment or two that was blown out of proportion by a local reporter.

  Her failure to respond to these quotes in the week that has passed is what give me great pause.

  I have faxed a letter to my Congresswoman letting her know of my disappointment and my expectation of some better response from her on this issue.

  All 3 of the congressional districts in question have shown improvement in Democratic voter registrations since 2006 to the point where they are all much more competitive, despite the Republican gerrymandering of congressional districts in 2002.

  It is not acceptable for Democrats to sit on the sidelines, regardless of the personal relationships with other members of congress. If the past 2 years have shown us anything, it is that we need to replace more Republicans in both the House and Senate if we are to achieve truly effective change from the darkness of the past 8 years of Republican administration.

  by kansasr on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:08:54 AM PDT

•  Schultz is a hillary Superdelegate:

  no one should wonder why she supports republicans over Democrats, she simply is falling in line w/ her mistress.

  by Zacapoet on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:09:59 AM PDT

•  Isn't Wasserman Schultz a Hillary supporter?

  The Clinton campaign today announced the endorsements of leading Florida elected officials, including Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Congressman Alcee Hastings.

  "We need a leader with a clear vision and sound judgment, who can work with a Democratic Congress to renew the promise of America. Hillary is that leader," Rep. Wasserman Schultz said.

  http://www.hillaryclinton.com/...

  Figures.

  They just love praising Repubs.

  by Bush Bites on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:11:07 AM PDT

•  We Have 'Winter Soldier' Going On

  Testimony Of War and Look what Makes NEWS at ABC, and probably other MSM:

  KOS Strike

  and ALL RIGHT MARKOS!!

  UPDATE: I asked Kos himself, Markos Moulitsas, what he makes of all this.

  His response: "First, these people should read up on the definition of 'strike.' What they're doing is a 'boycott.' But whatever they call it, I think it's great. It's a big Internet, so I hope they find what they're looking for."

  Now would You People Grow The F**K UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  by jimstaro on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:11:58 AM PDT

  •  Nah.

    Let 'em stay on "strike."

    It's much nicer around here now.

    by Bush Bites on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:26:44 AM PDT

•  Just Suppose

  Suppose you were head of marketing for Pepsi and you had a friend who held the coke distributorship in Miami.  

  And then you said you were not going to sell Pepsi in that district because Coke is really good in Miami.  And you said this on TV.   Would you get to keep your job at Pepsi?  What would the the shareholders of Pepsi say?  Would the rest of the Pepsi marketing team think you had good judgment for the other areas where Coke and Pepsi was competing?

  I think you would be asked to get another job.  There are plenty of areas that Debbie can help in, this job is not it.

  by clearchoice on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:22:28 AM PDT

•  Take It From Someone With Insider Knowledge

  I know someone who was an intern for her.  He said often she would have earmarks cosponsored with these Repubs, although that didn't necessarly set off a red flag, since regional projects are often supported in a bipartisan manner. What did set it off was when he said she would send her interns out to do favors for these aforementioned S. Florida Repubs, esp Ros-Lehtinen.  In member to member phone calls, the staff of Ros-Lehtinen would be the most frequent.

  When I heard these things, I thought maybe thats just how Congress works, even liberals working with Republicans to get stuff done for the good of the district.  I see its way beyond that since she as a DCCC leader won't even endorse their defeat.  I'd love to talk to my friend again about this and get his take on it.

  by skidrow on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:52:21 AM PDT

•  Wasserman Schultz = Clinton??

  Is Wasserman Schultz' praise of Ros-Lehtinen any worse than Clinton's declaration that McCain is more qualified to be commander-in-chief than Obama is?  I agree Wasserman Schultz shouldn't get a pass for stabbing good democrats in the back.  But I'm more offended by Clinton, who is driven by craven self interest -- no matter what the cost to the Party.

  by jim sfca on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 10:59:32 AM PDT

  •  yes, it's worse.

    Clinton is not saying that she won't campaign against McCain.

    by Joe Buck on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:43:22 AM PDT

•  Ignorant

  If I were Debby Wasserman-Schultz or any other of the FL Dems keeping as far away as possible from this slate of Dems, I'd be doing exactly the same thing -- at least when it comes to Raul Martinez.

  There is nothing about this guy's character that is admirable.  He's a two-bit crook cut from the South Dade cloth of political corruption.

  If that's the only candidate Dems have to offer against one member of the Diaz-Balart Republican hegemony, I'm passing.

  I'll be passing in the voting booth.  Sorry, this Dem voter doesn't vote for a crook just because it's dressed in Democrat clothing.

  Yuck!

  by Limelite on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:38:57 AM PDT

  •  but you use Fox News phrasing

    While I don't know anything about Raul Martinez, Democrats don't say "Democrat clothing".  Misusing the word "Democrat" as an adjective that way is Republican/Fox News usage.

    by Joe Buck on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:49:30 AM PDT

    •  I'll Use Any Phrasing I Want

      to tell the truth.  You go ahead and hide your head in the sand of an empty accusation.

      I'm a Democrat, and I'll stand by "Democrat clothing."  What an empty unsubstantive criticism.  Is that the best you can pounce on in the face of the substance in the post?

      Carping tedium.  

      by Limelite on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:53:22 AM PDT

  •  Thanks for the Republican talking points

    These 3 candidates have the support of the Miami grassroots. Raul Martinez is one of the most popular politicians in South Florida, he was elected 8 times as mayor of Hialeah, the city with probably the largest concentration of Cubans in Miami. He has never been convicted of anything so leave the mud slinging to the Diaz-Balart brothers. I'll pop a bottle of champagne the day those two creeps are run out of office.

    by hankg on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:54:21 AM PDT

    •  Popularity Is Now Your Litmus Test

      of character,eh?

      The Diaz-Balarts are Republicans; they're too conservative; they're blind to any concerns of their constituents beyond Cuba, Si! Castro, No!; and they've been in office too long.  They need to go.

      But they're not creeps and one of 'em doesn't need to be replaced by an authentic creep who was convicted of corruption and racketeering in '91, but had his conviction overturned due to lawyering on a technicality and two deadlocked juries.

      Two years later he was involved in election scandal that involved "suspect" absentee ballots.  

      Raul Martinez, in his third term, was the rising star of the Democrats. Martinez was counted in by 273 votes, which was all the more remarkable because, at the time of the election, he was a convicted felon sentenced to 10 years in prison for extortion and racketeering. (The conviction was reversed on appeal three years later)

      "Martinez's sister-in-law, Maria del Pilar "Lula" Rodriguez's. . . signature as a witness was on 14 of the allegedly fraudulent absentee ballots."

      Martinez has nothing beyond "popularity" to recommend him, and you're all for him? Just great!

      I'm proud that Democrats in the know in the state are not advocating for his candidacy.
       

      by Limelite on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 12:07:40 PM PDT

      •  The Díaz-Balart

        Díaz-Balart is not a creep? He was the Republican who disrupted the memorial service for Tom Lantos. Real class.

        Díaz-Balart has told The Miami Herald and El Nuevo Herald that Martinez’s return is part of a ploy by Fidel Castro sympathizers to lift or weaken the U.S. trade embargo on Cuba.

        The Cuban old guard has been punishing more recently arrived Cuban families. Many if not all of whom have relatives in Cuba who are dependent on them for remittances until the Díaz-Balarts screwed them and severely limited their ability to send funds. If it's an aunt or uncle you can send nothing. If your maother is dying and you want to visit tough luck.

        Yes they are low life creeps and I'll be happy to pull the lever for Raul. DWS and Meeks can kiss my ass.

        by hankg on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 05:55:56 PM PDT

        •  You'll Get the Gonvernment

          you deserve.

          What happened to the old-style (yesterday) anti-Clinton "We can do better than this" sanctimony that's so popular among the Kos Kool-Aid drinkers?

          by Limelite on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:27:14 PM PDT

          •  Pardon My Typo: "Government"

            by Limelite on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 08:27:58 PM PDT

          •  Clinton supports Martinez

            This has nothing to do with Clinton. Hillary recently held a fund raiser at Raul Martinez' home and Raul is on the Clinton campaign's Mayors Council. Raul Martinez supports Hillary and is part of her campaign. So maybe you  better talk to Clinton about why she supports Raul Martinez and has enthusiastically accepted his support.

            I suppose your objections to Martinez extend to Joe Garcia and  Annette Taddeo? Why are they not getting any support? All the Democrats are crooks in South Florida and the Republicans are all paragons of civic virtue?

            You think the 3 Republicans we have representing Miami is the government we deserve? When it comes to a swamp of corruption both political and personal it would be hard to beat the Florida Republican party starting with Jeb Bush whose connections in South Florida are as sleazy as they come.

            So excuse me if I don't vote Republican. I'll take just about any Democrat down here to any of the nastiest bunch of Republicans you will find anywhere.

            by hankg on Sun Mar 16, 2008 at 04:11:15 AM PDT

•  what to do about DWS

  No one in the DCCC leadership can give any Republican incumbent a pass, so DWS should resign her position as co-chair.  But there will always be backbenchers who have friends on the other side, that is unavoidable.  So sure, give her a pass, but the price is that she loses her leadership role.  If she wants the freedom to back her Republican friends, then she can accept the lowest possible rank.

  And Democrats should stop quaking in fear about the militant anti-Castro Cubans.  They represent a smaller and smaller group as time goes on, and my brother who lives in Fort Lauderdale (he's a Republican, but has turned against George Bush some time back) says that most of South Florida hates those people, including many younger Cuban-Americans.  The stupidest thing Al Gore did in 2000 was to pander to them (and to attack Janet Reno) on Elian Gonzales; the Cuban-Americans went strongly for Bush anyway, and the rest of Florida was disgusted.

  by Joe Buck on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 11:39:43 AM PDT

•  We are Democrats--we fuck our own

  period.

  by Ismay on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 12:09:54 PM PDT

•  Write the 30-Something Working Group!

  Contact Them and Give Debbie and Kendrick Hell!

  by InquisitiveRaven on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 12:34:30 PM PDT

•  From Greatest Potential to Greatest Loser

  She has sold out repeatedly and not just on elections. From Cuba to Fisa to Iraq, this woman has completely forgotten her roots and the fundamentals of the party adn what got her here.  She is trying to be position herself for more and in the mean time is whoring herself out to whoever will listen. She is a despicable embarrassment to Florida and Democrats. Yet another example of the sellouts that politics creates. Disgusting.

  by bradnickel on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 12:48:03 PM PDT

•  So, plan of action?

  Call/email the DCCC?  Something else?

  by bosdcla14 on Sat Mar 15, 2008 at 02:00:58 PM PDT

•  Wasserman-Schultz and AIPAC

  You know, it is not anti-semitic to point out that W-S is totally loyal to AIPAC and its priorities.  Most Jews are not.
  It is just an organization, which means one can criticize it and those who put loyalty to its interests above the need to defeat Republicans.
  A  group of Jews who oppose her anti-peace process views went to her DC office to discuss the issue with her last year. The first thing she said was that she was not interested in opposing views. "I'm with AIPAC,"
  she said.
  Simple, and kind of refreshing.  Most AIPAC types repeat AIPAC's talking points.  They do not end the discussion, as she did, by saying, "I'm with AIPAC."
  Bob Wexler and Howard Berman, for instance, are as hardline on Israel as W-S.  But they will engage, discuss, listen and argue the issue.  They would never say anything as offensive as, "I'm with AIPAC." It's offensive because it shuts down debate and suggests that a Member of Congress bases her decisions on a lobby's agenda, not her own mind, analysis,national security etc.
  I suspect that statement tells everything you need to know about why she supports Ros-Let etc.
  I find her position on electing Dems offensive.  Almost as offensive as her indifference to Israel's future as evidenced by her dogged support for the ugly status quo.

  by mjx47 on Sun Mar 16, 2008 at 08:13:00 AM PDT