Over the past few weeks, we’ve been talking about the race for DNC Chair, and with a few weeks to go before the election happens in Atlanta, Georgia, candidates are reaching out and making their case.
Today, I had time to talk to Raymond Buckley, Chair of the New Hampshire Democratic party and candidate for DNC Chair. Buckley became the first openly gay DNC Vice Chair in 2009, as head of the Association of State Democratic Chairs.
He began our conversation by highlighting what is said most frequently about Buckley: "I'm someone who understands the process, from the beginning, and I know the details of what needs to be changed."
In comparison to other candidates, Buckley’s 15-point plan can seem like an insiders guide to the nitty gritty of detailed policy changes, and that’s something that Buckley sees as his strength. “How much change will we really see, that’s a question people have to ask.”
Having read through Buckley’s plan, I asked about a few areas I was most interested in. Several outside of the process view the race between Tom Perez and Keith Ellison as a replay of the primaries, but Buckley instead argues for a complete change in the process itself:
Remove the scheduling and criteria for the DNC sponsored presidential debates and forums from the Chair’s sole prerogative.
- The debate process should be decided by the diverse and representative DNC Executive Committee.
• Remove the fundraising policy of the DNC from the Chair’s sole prerogative.
- The policy should be decided by the diverse and representative DNC Executive Committee. I would push to ban any Joint Fundraising Agreement (JFA) between the DNC and a Presidential candidate in a contested Primary.
• Strict neutrality for the staff and officers of the DNC must be enforced.
- In both 2008 and 2016 the NH Democratic Party staff followed my lead and remained neutral and fair to all presidential primary candidates.
Chairman Buckley argued that if there aren’t truly tangible proposals to be had regarding change in the Democratic policies, “then you just elect a chair and we feel good for a while. But does a lot get changed? That’s debatable.”
Buckley offered up more points that we referred to as “nitty gritty” or “the nuts & bolts” of the party:
DNC Officers
- Any decision by DNC chair can be overruled by unanimous vote by the officers
- Officers will receive a monthly financial, operational and political report.
- Officers will approve any bank loans.
- Officers will approve all transfers of over $1,000,000.
- Officers will approve all DNC staff hires of salary over $100,000. • Officers will approve all DNC contracts of over $100,000.
- Officers will stay through the conclusion of every DNC meeting for the DNC membership’s “soap box” open forum giving any DNC member up to 5 mins to talk on any subject.
Several of these items are significant, but especially the changes in the role of the DNC Chair itself. By changing the DNC policy from one of universal fiat to one that requires consent of the board, Buckley argued, “people feel involved in the process.”
I took time to ask about one of the proposals that I could see drawing some opposition from other Democratic members:
DNC Transfers
All too often funds that could be spent on community organizing and direct voter contact are wasted. As Chair, I would ensure that the DNC would not transfer money to the DSCC, DCCC, DGA or other entities for television ads. DNC funds will only be used for constituency engagement, field programs, voter protection and GOTV purposes.
“We have to get away from a favored consultant class that sells things, moves on, then they go to work for the company they sold you on. It is a vicious cycle we have to snap out of,” Buckley contended, “I think we need to focus on actual efforts that get people to the polls.”
You can read more of Buckley’s proposals HERE.
This is part of a series discussing with the candidates for DNC Chair. Other Entries:
An Interview With Keith Ellison
Jaime Harrison’s Positions
Ilyse Hogue Decides Against Run
As well as several entries regarding the Vice Chair and platform positions.
Thank you to Chairman Buckley for sharing his time.