So the fight for Democratic chair is coming up soon. I have been following it from a distances. Personally I would like Ellison because he seems really sincere, but it wouldn’t be a terrible thing to have Perez. I keep reading how there really isn’t much of a difference between the two. That may be correct. I don’t know. But what I am beginning to understand is there will be a massive difference in electing one or the other — or more specifically, shutting out Keith Ellison.
Keith Ellison came into the race early with the backing of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. Many of the people who voted for Bernie, or wish they had voted for Bernie, began to feel it is important to elect him as DNC chair. Many are actually quite passionate about it. I don’t know why, but there it is. I think they think it will be an affirmation that progressives are an important part of the party.
But then Thomas Perez entered the race and the race for DNC chair became ridiculously competitive. Supposedly there is little difference between the two. Supposedly the DNC chair isn’t that big a thing. So why did Perez enter the race. But forget that, if there is no difference between the two why the f*ck don’t you just elect Ellison as a nice gesture to the progressives who right or wrong felt kind of left out in the cold last election. (Not just DNC’s reaction to Bernie but picking Tim Kaine as VP and protecting DWS until it became impossible and a whole host of other things). A party building gesture right?
Now, now that maybe neither Ellison or Perez have enough votes and Peter Buttegieg is emerging as a dark horse/white night candidate for DNC chair. He is friggin Ed Rendell’s candidate. Now I have no idea what is going on behind the scene but I can tell you the way it will be read by Ellison supporters. Perez didn’t have enough votes so to keep Ellison from the chair they are joining forces with Ed Rendell’s candidate so the “right person” can be the chair. I don’t care if people feel this is not a fair interpretation. This is the way it will be read. And the progressives will go nuts.
So why not just vote for Ellison. If the DNC chair isn’t important why are establishment forces willing to rip apart the party to win it? Inquiring minds want to know.