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