Wasserman Schultz and the DCCC: What We Can Do

Are you frustrated at Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz' recusing herself (in her capacity as the DCCC's Red to Blue co-chair) from three critical races in her home region of South Florida? Do you believe, as I do, that it is critical for our elected Democrats-especially our Democratic leaders, and most particularly the few we entrust with expanding our Congressional majorities-to provide as much support as possible for strong Democratic candidates everywhere?

If so, it is time to take action.

To recap: Wasserman Schultz, along with fellow Florida Rep. Kendrick Meek, recently told the Miami Herald that they would be on the sidelines for three high-profile races in South Florida with Republican incumbents, in the 18th, 21st and 25th Districts.

These races pit, respectively,

FL-18: Annette Taddeo against Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
FL-21: Raul Martinez against Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart
FL-25: Joe Garcia against Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart

Compounding the problem, Wasserman Schultz was also recently quoted heaping praise on Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, which surely can't do much for Annette Taddeo's campaign.

This would be upsetting under any circumstances-it's always frustrating to see powerful local political figures, whose endorsements and support could be of critical importance, sitting out a race where a Democratic candidate has a real shot.

But it is all the more important due to Wasserman Schultz' position as the DCCC's Red To Blue co-chair. She is personally responsible for doing everything she can to expand the Democratic majority as much as is within her power.

The people running the DCCC have to be cutthroat. That's the nature of the job. It's an overtly partisan position. If it's impossible for Wasserman Schultz to be that person, then the position should go to someone who can.

And as DavidNYC points out at Swing State Project, the DCCC has dismissed our concerns on these races so far:

Brian Wolff, executive director of the DCCC, says the bloggers are making "much ado about nothing," noting that it's "customary" for members to remain neutral in races involving GOP members of their respective congressional delegations.

Well, that's a custom which Wasserman Schultz was able to break with in 2006, when she found it in her heart to support Florida Democrat Ron Klein in his bid to upset Republican Rep. Clay Shaw.

Frankly, with Wasserman Schultz being a high-profile and well-respected South Florida Democrat, as well as the Red to Blue co-chair, I should think her assistance with these races should be of the utmost significance and importance.

Most of this has been covered in more detail and greater elegance in DavidNYC's terrific series of diaries.

So looking forward, what exactly would we have Rep. Wasserman Schultz do?

Ideally, she should declare her staunch and unqualified support for Annette Taddeo, Raul Martinez and Joe Garcia, and hold a fundraiser for each of them.

If she's unable to do that, she should resign as Red to Blue co-chair. If she can't be a partisan bulldog, that's one thing, but she should give the job to someone who will.

You can help take action and pressure Rep. Wasserman Schultz into doing the right thing. Call or email Wasserman Schultz' campaign office. Call or email the campaign office of the chairman of the DCCC, Representative Chris Van Hollen. Call or email DCCC headquarters itself. Here's the relevant information:

Debbie Wasserman Schultz (campaign office):
E-mail: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen (campaign office):
E-mail: [e-mail]
Phone: [phone]

DCCC Headquarters:
Contact form
Phone: [phone]

Let your voice be heard. Be polite and respectful; I think we're being pretty reasonable in what we're asking for, and I think our argument is strong and that we're on the right side. Let the argument speak for itself.

Also, you can help out Joe Garcia on Blue Majority.

Rep. Wasserman Schultz and the DCCC have heard us on the issue, but they aren't listening just yet. Let's make them pay closer attention.  

Race tracker wiki: FL-18 FL-21 FL-25

•  Politics is partisan now.

  In that case, Debbie needs to support her party, or move aside.

  by dnamj on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:01:05 AM PDT

  •  Made my calls this morning

    Thanks for the reminder. I spoke with one of Van Hollen's staffers, who was polite, and who took down my name, number and message. And I left a voicemail for the DCCC, promising to make a contribution on condition that their co-chair of the Red-to-Blue Committee fulfill her duties and endorse her fellow Florida Dems or step aside.

    by jhutson on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:06:53 AM PDT

    •  DCCC Contributions

      I've gotten emails to make contributions to the DCCC to help them with these 3 races, but currently I'm not giving them anything and I wrote them telling them why.

      I instead donated money directly to Garcia and Martinez.

      by DRStarks on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:18:34 AM PDT

•  only certain turds stink. n/t

  by jalapeno on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:04:44 AM PDT

  •  Eeeww!!! Well, This One Does...

    by serrano on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:06:01 AM PDT

•  And she hasn't been ousted...

  why, exactly?

  by Captain C on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:06:12 AM PDT

  •  Because

    Some of think there shouldn't be litmus tests on single issues.

    Some of us may not like the political realities that exist in Washington, but we need to know who are friends are and aren't.

    Debbie Wasserman Schultz is my congressperson and I find such calls for her ouster over this single issue to be offensive.

    by kansasr on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:30:07 AM PDT

    •  I certainly don't think she should be primaried.

      I think she's generally a good Rep.

      But the DCCC job isn't for everyone.

      by brownsox on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:35:48 AM PDT

    •  She can step aside

      from the Red to Blue program without losing her Congressional seat.  But having people who are going to phone it in when we need bulldogs hurts the whole party.

      by jaslusher on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:41:53 AM PDT

    •  Offensive.....

      No here is whats offensive;

      A rookie congresswoman refuses to endorse, fundraise or campaign with three fellow South Florida Dems, placing a virtual stamp of disaproval on their campaigns.

      To top it of she has accepted a leadership position wherein she is charged with heading up efforts to win a stronger dem majority in the House.

      You are offended? Waaaaah! Take your thin skin and Republican enabling and go join a support group.

      We want our country back.

      Primary DWS.

      by comeinpbrstreetgang on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:57:10 AM PDT

    •  single issue?

      Since when is getting dems elected an "issue"?

      Aren't issues things like Health Care, Energy, Mountain Top Removal, etc., etc.?

      I don't think that your framing of this problem makes sense.
      
      
      ````
      peace
      
      

      by peace voter on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:22:46 AM PDT

    •  However,

      Some of think there shouldn't be litmus tests on single issues

      ...when the issue is whether the chair of a Democratic Committee dedicated to poaching vulnerable seats from Republicans declares her support for a Republican and effectively announces that she won't be helping three excellent Democratic candidates because she doesn't want to jeopardize her "friendship" or whatever, then she's clearly not fit for that chairmaniship.  Such a stance is perilously close to Liebermanism (to wit, claiming "bipartisanship" while attacking your own party and promoting the other one).

      If Wasserman Schultz wants to support her friend, the Republican, that's her business, but then she needs to step down from the Red to Blue committee immediately.  

      I repeat my question:  why hasn't Wasserman Schultz been ousted from the Red to Blue committee?

      by Captain C on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:53:17 AM PDT

    •  I don't think

      anyone is suggesting she step down from her congressional seat, just from this Red-to-Blue program.

      I understand that she wants to get along with her Florida colleagues across the aisle, which is fine, but then the Red-to-Blue program isn't for her.  

      by RogueJim on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:20:01 AM PDT

•  Disgusting

  I want to know why DWS feels it is necessary to not only kiss the butts of the Miami-Cuban population but also those of Ros-Lehtinen and the Diaz-Balarts.  Her lack of support for the Democratic nominees is just as bad as if she were to campaign actively for the republicans.

  At this point, I'm not sure the DNCC will take any action at all and DWS certainly shows no signs of backing down.  

  by InternetJunkie on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:08:12 AM PDT

•  All three of these are in play

  Please see the bottom of this page

  http://www.2008racetracker.com/...

  There's little doubt that if money were put into all three of these races, they would be competitive.

  by shpilk on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:10:10 AM PDT

•  Loyalty and principle

  If only these two were loyal Democrats.  I understand that there will be times when we cannot and must not have blind loyalty...but this wasn't the time.  

  by jamaicanblood on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:12:33 AM PDT

•  One question...

  DWS says she wants to be civil to "her" delegation. My question is:

  It the favor EVER returned? The GOP does not have a track record of bipartisan cordiality, AFAIK.

  by drobertbfm on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:13:14 AM PDT

  •  Civil?

    Ask DWS if by "civil" does she mean like Lincoln Balart did during the Rep. Lantos ceremony?

    by DRStarks on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:20:13 AM PDT

  •  It's a truce.

    She doesn't campaign for Democratic challengers in FL, and the Republican Congresspersons don't campaign for Republican challengers in FL.

    This cancels out. It's fine.

    by Eric J in MN on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:31:44 AM PDT

    •  Which brings me to my question

      Has the GOP shown any inclination to follow up on those kinds of agreement in the last 14 years?

      No. DWS, IMHO, is a chump for falling for it, ONE MORE TIME.

      by drobertbfm on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:49:05 AM PDT

    •  The nature of the "truce"

      Wouldn't Republicans calling a "truce" when they are in decline and Democrats are on the rise be similar to Hitler calling a truce after the Allies crossed the Rhine?

      by Spinning Head on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:05:52 AM PDT

    •  Even if that's true

      We're party-building here, and Florida is a state that could use it.  If she doesn't want to campaign for other Florida Dems to challenge Florida Republicans, that's fine (grumble grumble), but at the very least, she should step down from the Red-to-Blue committee.

      More and better Democrats.

      by RogueJim on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:24:42 AM PDT

•  Mr Richardson...

  ...looks like Don Quixote with his beard. Bravissimo!

  by galliano on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:14:55 AM PDT

•  Am I frustrated?

  No, not much...because you watchdogs are on the job here at Kos.

  Seriously...no matter who we send to D.C., some of them are going to end up being suckfaces. And keeping an eye on what they do and who they do it with is what the liberal blogosphere does better than anyone else.

  Sic 'em!

  by DaddyO on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:15:23 AM PDT

•  Axe Wasserman-Schultz from her leadership role...

  Then start to threaten her ability to fundraise. DLC, DNCC funds should be cut off.

  Start finding a primary challenger.

  by comeinpbrstreetgang on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:16:04 AM PDT

•  I Don't Think She Can Campaign Now...

  With some much attention on this now and with her earlier refusal to help the up and coming Democrats, why would they want her help now?  If I'm any of those 3 I certainly don't want her help at this point.  Why twist her arm to do it, when everyone knows she doesn't want to upset the Republicans?  

  She has only two options, IMO:

  1. Quit the DCCC Red to Blue Position

  2. Raise money for the candidate on her own

  I think we should keep up the pressure, by not just writing her people and the DCCC, but writing the Miami Herald and our own major papers.

  by DRStarks on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:16:46 AM PDT

  •  Ooooh no...she can campaign.....

    She can sit there and do her job. If she finds it embarassing then tough crap. Next time she'll keep her tennis club friends separate from her job and the needs of this country.

    by comeinpbrstreetgang on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:19:47 AM PDT

  •  This is very smart from DRStarks...

    think we should keep up the pressure, by not just writing her people and the DCCC, but writing the Miami Herald and our own major papers.

    Writing my letter now.

    by comeinpbrstreetgang on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:20:55 AM PDT

    •  The More National Attention

      We bring to this...the less the DCCC can just brush us off.

      If we bring more media attention and more focus on DWS and Meeks...they will have to address the issue eventually.

      by DRStarks on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:35:35 AM PDT

      •  heck yeah....

        I truly think flooding DWS' local paper with letter and then sending her a copy (fax, fedex, snail)is a good idea.

        Pols hate it when their name shows up in the Letters to the Editor section of their hometown paper. Much more effective than the phone call to some staffer.

        by comeinpbrstreetgang on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:29:23 AM PDT

•  debbie needs to understand that

  its a 50 state strategy ..... Florida included

  by KnotIookin on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:19:16 AM PDT

  •  When you start counting our votes in Florida

    we might consider it a 50 state strategy

    by kansasr on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:31:15 AM PDT

    •  I didn't know that

      KnotIookin got Florida's delegates stripped.  All this time I thought it was the Democratic Party in Florida that moved the primary dates up.  Shame on you Knot - this could have been a lot smoother if you had follwed the rules like the Democratic party leaders in Fla wanted you too.  Lessons learned i guess...

      by OCD on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:02:20 AM PDT

    •  is that a threat?

      Do you think that KnotLookin is Kathryn Harris, or are you referring to the outcome of the Democratic Primary that was held on a date that did not conform to the schedule set forth by the DNC?

      
      
      `````
      peace
      
      

      by peace voter on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:34:11 AM PDT

•  influence

  Seems Rep. Wasserman Schultz is playing by Pelosi rules--and that John Dean has no sway.

  by melvynny on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:20:18 AM PDT

•  It's parochial BS is what it is...

  DCCC's Red-to-Blue targets FL-24 (Rep. Tom Feeney) and FL-13 (Rep. Christine Jennings) but not the South Florida Reps that sit and Cool Debbie and Kendrick's lunch table? This is about some arbitrary "South Florida" distinction within Florida and it's a big reason why the Florida Democratic Party sucks eggs. The S. Florida faction sees themselves as independent from the I-4 Dems and farther north.

  I like Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz but she's behaving like a pharmacist that doesn't want to dispense birth control because it's against her beliefs. GET A DIFFERENT DAMN JOB! Your job with the DCCC is all about winning seats, not about avoiding awkward moments in the halls of Congress with your BFF Republicans.

  by joejoejoe on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:23:04 AM PDT

  •  FL-13

    Oops...Christine Jennings is the candidate in FL-13. The GOP incumbent (due to corrupt elves) is Vern Buchanan.

    by joejoejoe on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:25:09 AM PDT

    •  Just the same

      It was very forceful.  :)

      by RogueJim on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:26:32 AM PDT

•  This is OT but..

  the Jedreport video needs to be on the front page.

  by MAORCA on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:23:14 AM PDT

  •  agreed and agreed

    silly woman. as if we would not find out.

    by agnostic on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:27:55 AM PDT

  •  Thanks for giving me a reminder to go view that

    telling video.  I will also go rec'md diary if still available.

    by Oliver W Holmes the 3rd on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:52:45 AM PDT

•  Ron Klein for Red to Blue Co-Chair

  I'm sure Ron Klein would be more than happy to campaign for Taddeo, Martinez, and Garcia!

  by Pragmaticus on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:26:20 AM PDT

•  did any of these 3 candidates

  make the Red to Blue list?

  by whitewidow on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:27:32 AM PDT

  •  Oh course not!

    With a co-chair actively refusing to campaign on their behalf, some of the best DP challengers to come along in years, were done in by her conflict of interests. If a high profile local politician and fundraiser recuses herself and won't help out, why should the DCCC co-chaired by that same person choose those candidates for red to blue?

    by Enterik on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:32:09 AM PDT

•  A truce helps Democrats as much as it hurts us.

  I don't understand why there are so many front-page posts on this.

  If DWS doesn't campaign for Democratic challengers, and the Republican Congresspersons in Florida don't campaign for Republican challengers, then it cancels out.

  by Eric J in MN on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:29:05 AM PDT

  •  It helps incumbents.

    Our incumbents are mostly safe. Theirs aren't.

    by brownsox on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:30:59 AM PDT

    •  Maybe in two years it will be the other way,

      ...and Republican incumbents in FL will be mostly safe.

      by Eric J in MN on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:42:24 AM PDT

      •  And then?

        Do you think the Republicans would NOT want to turn blue seats to red?

        I see you've written about the Tester and George Allen races before, so it's not like you're new to this.  Why  wouldn't you want more Democratic leadership in Florida?  After 8 years of fuckupery on the national level and an exciting presidential candidate (who has already helped the party immensely just in getting people registered as Democrats), we have an opportunity to really help the party at every level, national to local.

        I understand why people would debate whether she should be primaried or not, but I'm baffled by your not understanding how her not campaigning for other Florida democrats hurts us.  Even if you thought the Republicans would live up to their end of a "truce," it would just further what we have now.  There's a lot of clean-up to do around the country, including Florida, and we need as many Dems as possible to do it.

        by RogueJim on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:43:10 AM PDT

        •  Democrats are going to donate to a good...

          ...challenger with-or-without a Congresswoman appearing at a fundraising event for that challenger.

          by Eric J in MN on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:51:55 AM PDT

          •  Wouldn't it be nice to think so.

            by RogueJim on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:56:16 AM PDT

  •  They have, though. Ginny Brown-Waite.

    by DemocraticLuntz on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:59:29 AM PDT

    •  What happened with Ginny Brown-Waite? NT

      NT

      by Eric J in MN on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:28:57 AM PDT

      •  They campaigned for her against an incumbent

        in 2002.

        by DemocraticLuntz on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:24:56 AM PDT

  •  LOL

    sounds like you might actually "trust" republicans to do the right thing. That's pretty funny.

    by lisastar on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:35:06 AM PDT

•  Brownsox

  is my nominee for the Chair of the "Blue to Really, Truly Blue" campaign.

  by jaslusher on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:39:31 AM PDT

•  Perhaps, but

  Frankly, with Wasserman Schultz being a high-profile and well-respected South Florida Democrat, as well as the Red to Blue co-chair, I should think her assistance with these races should be of the utmost significance and importance.

  In the words of Francis Urquhart, a character in the BBC miniseries "House of Cards", "You may very well think so, I could not possibly comment."

  I suggest that many many grassroots Democrats perceive the party and particularly its relationship to other elements of the power structure very very differently from the way in which the party leqders themselves see things.  This should have been driven home by an extensive series of votes, policies and practicves over the past 30 years, but it's likely most grassroots Dems have willingly chosen not to see the evidence being jammed in their faces.

  by ActivistGuy on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:43:18 AM PDT

•  For all the crap Rahm took, strike takes here, y

  think for a minute he'd allow this bu!! sh!t to continue?

  While I have many some issues with how Rahm "ran" the DCCC (i.e. Tammy Duckworth being the first that comes to mind), he was in the best possible sense an a$$hole and would have booted Wasserman Schultz from her leadership position and given Meek a stern talking to as well.

  by Oliver W Holmes the 3rd on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:46:12 AM PDT

•  Enough about her already!

  I'd rather hear what people are doing to build our forces on the ground in these Districts to elect Taddeo, Martinez, and Garcia.

  Nothing will send DWS more of a message than that. It's a classic case of "Don't get mad, get even."

  How about finding out what these three campaigns need and helping them get it? I'll read about that before I'll read another Debbie outrage diary.

  I'm sure some people need to vent. Goodness knows I need to vent sometimes, like everybody else does. But let's see less venting and more action.

  by Ivan on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:50:11 AM PDT

  •  Enough already?

    I am trying to organize my neighbors for Joe Garcia in Homestead, FL.  I am getting questions about DWS and her lack of support.  My neighbors want to know what is wrong, and will not commit to the campaign if our own local congressional Reps won't.  She and Kendrick Meek are making my job much more difficult.  If she can't fulfill the requirements of her position as co-chair of Red to Blue than she should step aside for someone who will.

    by wsejour on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:17:36 AM PDT

    •  Your situation is different

      You are on the ground in that particular District. Most of the rest of us are out there in Internet-land. We need links to the three campaigns, and more reports on this site from them with more specific information, just like you are giving us.

      I want to beat those three gusanos, too, but from the other corner of the country, my options are more limited.

      Please keep up the good fight, and keep us posted. When Florida people go after DWS and Meek, it will mean a lot more than e-mails and phone calls from elsewhere.

      by Ivan on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:39:08 AM PDT

    •  Identity politics?

      I don't know about your neighborhood, or the breakdown of Florida's 25th district, but it seems to me that prominent jewish (Wasserman-Schultz) and african american (Meek) national political leaders from the local region refusing to campaign and fundraise on behalf of the Democratic challenger is not going to inspire those portions of the Democratic Base to throw some cash away into what seems like a doomed endeavor from the get go...

      ...also, I have been entertaining the notion that refusal to support these candidates may in part be due to sectarian Democratic sentiments. Both Meek and Wasserman-Schultz are Clinton supporters and members of the New Democrat Coalition. In contrast, Joe Garcia is a member of the National Democrat Network that is vying for power with the DLC and NDC.

      by Enterik on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:29:40 AM PDT

  •  Bullshit.....

    Write letter to the Miami herald and all other FL newspapers and see what that does. Pols hate nothing more than their name besmirched in the local paper.

    DWS has a lot of splaining to do. If she can't get with the program then she needs to get her ass a new job.

    This from a NY'ker. This asshat DWS has made herself of national significance because she has become the posterchild of lukewarm, do-nothing Dems. Her kind has got to go.

    by comeinpbrstreetgang on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:36:40 AM PDT

•  Where would DWS help most but in Florida?

  She says she will go to other places but she has a solid standing in Florida and is respected so her going to suburban Pennsylvania and campaigning or raising money is surely not as big as doing so in Florida her home state.

  by bten on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:50:16 AM PDT

  •  I agree, still...

    ...demographically she seems likely to appeal wherever there are women or jews. Politcally, she has cultivated her anti-Castro credentials, although there aren't many powerful Cuban expatriot communities outside of Florida. She was also an outspoken critic of Congressional intervention during the Terry Shiavo hullabaloo which no doubt lends her a certain appeal in certain circles. She also has that mover and shaker up and coming fast track DP brand and now being a Clinton Campaign National Co-chair gives her an in with the party's top down superstructure. She also has generational appeal.

    So how does one compare many small contributions to several wins with one effort to push one candidate over the top? The season is young, and there are two women Red-to-Blue candidates in Florida that she can support.

    Personally, I think Joe Garcia has been hung out to dry for DP sectarian reasons, but I also think Wasserman-Schultz's participation in the Cuba Caucus has severely hampered her willingness to act as a partisan, outside the party. I won't go all hyperbolic on her, I can step back and see that this whole issue looms large as we dissect it under the microscope. Surely, it's troubling, since this seems to be the best of circumstances to grab some of these seats. And her seat is golden, with no serious opposition on the horizon. But she can still do good things for the Democratic Party and progressive causes.

    by Enterik on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 08:46:30 AM PDT

•  Leave her alone

  As long as the DCCC is raising money and putting it into targeted races, they are doing their job. We have enough problems without another divisive arument over whether someone with a primarily ceremonial title should resign. If people have time on their hands, they should be wrting to their papers about why John McCain woiuld not be a good president, or encouraging their friends to donate to the DNC or the DCCC or the DSCC or to some of these Democratic  congressional candidates.  

  by nascardem on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:59:31 AM PDT

  •  Actually we can do both....

    Defeat McCain and drag dingbat asshats like DWS back into line.

    by comeinpbrstreetgang on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:16:30 AM PDT

    •  The best tool for changing

      errant Dems is exactly what we are doing. We also can threaten or actually Primary them. This is the way to make Mo better Democrats turn deep BLUE!

      by eddieb061345 on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:24:53 AM PDT

  •  No. It's important to elect a Dem House! She

    could help do that and refuses to do it where she is most well known. Arguably, a sizeable Democratic majority is as important as a Dem president.

    by Gorette on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:57:00 AM PDT

•  Joe Leiberman / Debbie Wasserman Schultz

  Make a nice independent ticket, huh???

  Calls made

  by Gilmore on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:01:50 AM PDT

  •  Perspective

    Let's try to keep some. Her leadership is far from ideal, but having said that, she has endorsed another Red-to-Blue candidate name Suzanne Kosmas who is trying to unseat vote-fixing Abramoff-croney Tom Feeney in Florida's 24th. Now how much she will do towards that end, is another question entirely. Certainly, her impact on an election way up the coast will be diminished and unlikely to be as decisive as it would in those South Florida races.

    What remains to be seen is whether she will endorse and fundraise for another Red-to-Blue candidate, Christine Jennings, who is running against the Diaz-Balart endorsed GOP incumbant Vern Buchanan? This will be a true test of her DCCC leadership, if she can't bring herself to oppose the GOP candidates endorsed by friends, then I become more dubious of her claims.

    by Enterik on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:23:10 AM PDT

    •  Too bad she didn't endorse

      Clint Curtis, who knows exactly how Feeney fixed votes. He even testified under oath before a Congressional panel about it.

      by pattyp on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:33:35 AM PDT

      •  Wasn't Clinton Curtis...

        ...a lifelong Republican when he wrote the software to alter touchscreen voting results?

        I wouldn't touch that candiacy with a ten foot pole.

        by Enterik on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:39:59 AM PDT

        •  Yes.

          Here's his story.

          IMO, criticizing Curtis for making a naive mistake and then coming to his senses is no different than criticizing David Brock, founder of Media Matters for America, who once was in a similar position. These two men realized the truth about modern conservativism and left the dark side. Look at all the other Republicans who are still letting themselves be blindly misled.

          by pattyp on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 12:16:50 PM PDT

          •  Too soon to tell...

            ...while I am cautiously encouraged by Clint Curtis' change of heart, I am, or is it was :-/, dubious of his intention to turn noteriety into legislative rewards for himself, before he actually did any heavy lifting for progressive causes outside of hamstringing Feeney.

            by Enterik on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 12:52:51 PM PDT

            •  I understand.

              I've known Clint since 2006 when I volunteered for his campaign in the last election. For what it's worth, I can assure you he isn't pursuing the FL-24 seat as any sort of legislative reward or out of revenge. He genuinely believes he can make a better contribution to the country than Tom Feeney can. Which may not be saying much, since I find objects in my cats' litter box every day that would be at least as good a Congressman as Feeney. ;-) Since Clint's encounter with Feeney over the vote-rigging software, he's ardently fought for election integrity, which no one can argue this country doesn't sorely need. And that was long before he decided to run for Congress. I suspect he'll continue that fight regardless of whether he wins the seat.

              by pattyp on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 01:16:02 PM PDT

              •  No offense intended...

                ...but that Clint Curtis page reads like the laundry list of a paleoconservative issues. Not the most attractive platform to this decidely progressive liberal. I guess some of his policy statements activate my conservative metaphors and that raises red flags. Still, having a blue dog type who will caucus as part of the Democratic delegation is certainly better than a GOP Feeney. At least at first. But then, that is how people used to think about Zell Miller and Joe Lieberman.

                by Enterik on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 07:54:05 AM PDT

    •  If your not dubiousof her ldrship by now....

      sheesh!

      by comeinpbrstreetgang on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 10:32:48 AM PDT

      •  I did say...

        more dubious. I still think she has, and will do good things for the DP. However, she will not do everything she can to get other Democratic candidates elected. Unfortunately, she seems to have done some sort of electoral calculus and decided certain South Florida candidates are unlikely to win, even with her support. That would dilute her reputation as a giant killer and sour the working relationship she has with the respective incumbants.

        My sense is that she is fully vested in the party establishment and that her grass-roots appeal as a challenger was a flirtation born of necessity and not reflective of her true political nature which has been heir apparent

        by Enterik on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 02:54:20 PM PDT

•  I am a former constituent of DWS in NYC.

  She should know better than to try to pull this crap in Florida, of all states.  It's just another sign of an inability to adjust to rapid change among the voters when one's own partisans jump ship.

  I would not be surprised if she joins a fundraiser held by the other Red to Blue DCCC officials. But that will only come later.

  by ezdidit on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:07:44 AM PDT

•  The "everything she can" talking point

  brownsox,

  In this article you wrote (emphasis is mine),

  She is personally responsible for doing everything she can to expand the Democratic majority as much as is within her power.

  You've used that phrase in this article as well.  DavidNYC used it in this article.  It's starting to sound like a talking point.  

  I agree with your general point about her sitting on the sidelines during these races, but I find the "everything she can" meme to be creepy and totalitarian.  (Does anyone do "everything" they can on behalf of the party?  Is such a thing even possible?)  

  Can we urge her to take an active role in these races without the we-own-you rhetoric of demanding she drop her agenda and become "personally responsible for doing everything she can" in these races?  

  by osterizer on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:10:32 AM PDT

•  my comment

  left on the DCCC email comment form:

  This whole thing with Debbie Wasserman Shultz in Florida just crystallizes why I removed myself from the DCCC email lists a long time ago and haven't ever brought myself to send a donation.  I want to endorse my own candidates, not to fund DCCC board members endorsing republicans.  Really, what is the point of you if you can't support democratic congressional candidates even with mere words??  Please don't add me to your mailing list because I've sent this comment or I will just remove myself again.  We need more AND ALSO BETTER democrats at the Capitol.  Debbie W-S is not getting the 'MORE' part of that so maybe she will find out that she will be impacted by our drive for the 'BETTER' part.

  by fotyc on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:23:25 AM PDT

  •  excellent!

    
    
    ````
    peace
    
    

    by peace voter on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:40:50 AM PDT

•  You can also comment at the DCCC's blog.

  Here's a recent post about these three races:

  Turn South Florida Blue!

  by pattyp on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:26:50 AM PDT

•  DCCC is wealthy Dem club anyways.

  Screw them, I won't give them a dime.

  by Skid on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:31:02 AM PDT

•  Her email address!

  That email address is not accepted.  It is the latter part that is not acceptable ie.  DWSforCongress.com

  It states that there is no such domain!

  by ajleiker on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:45:08 AM PDT

•  Yes, if she can't support them heartily she needs

  to quit that post because she is not working for Dems to get elected. It's so simple......common Debbie, this Floridian and former supporter is ashamed of you.

  by Gorette on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 08:54:41 AM PDT

•  I don't understand

  Does she not understand the whole point of the Red-to-Blue idea?   Why would she want to be a Red-to-Blue co-chair if she doesn't want to replace Reds with Blues?

  I'm very confused.

  by RogueJim on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:14:29 AM PDT

  •  Ego! That's why.

    She can strut around with another feather in her cap during her re-election Compaign.

    by eddieb061345 on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:18:23 AM PDT

    •  It makes me wonder

      I assume she makes political donations.  I wonder to whom the cheques are made out.

      by RogueJim on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:49:38 AM PDT

      •  Ask and ye shall receive...

        ...from Newsmeat

        She made a $250 primary contribution to Hillary Rodham Clinton in January 2007.

        And $1000 to Joseph Heath Shuler campaign for North Carolina House Seat of district 11 in June 2006 (By the way, that money came out of her federal political committee). Blue Dog Shuler went on to oust 8 term Republican Charles Taylor.

        That is all that has been reported thusfar.

        by Enterik on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 08:13:30 AM PDT

        •  Hey, thanks!

          by RogueJim on Tue Mar 25, 2008 at 09:09:36 AM PDT

•  Voice mailbox is full nt

  by JayAckroyd on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 09:45:12 AM PDT

•  made the call

  Spoke to DCC Chris Van Hollens  assistant. she promised me she would pass my concern and insistance Wasserman Shultz get off her High Horse and support fellow Dems.

  by eddieb061345 on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 11:16:31 AM PDT

•  Raul Martinez=Full Inbox

  I sent the Martinez camp an email regarding their site and setup and got this:

  The message identifier is:    1JckOJ-0003SL-0B
  The date of the message is:    Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:46:44 -0700 (PDT)
  The subject of the message is: Website

  The address to which the message has not yet been delivered is:

   [e-mail]
     Delay reason: mailbox is full

  by DRStarks on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 02:08:59 PM PDT