Florida US House District 23 is a bit higher on visibility on the Democratic Party primary. Most of it seems to be due to what appears to be a very public and high profile nature of current incumbent Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Currently there is a Democratic Party primary race going on to be the party nominee for US House seat. Main challenge is from Tim Canova.
I apologize if the story seems a bit higgledy piggledy and a bit of four different salamis in a single sandwich without anything else. The story is not aimed to be a complete whole picture. That would take a book. It is just a brief glimpse into things.
Due to the focus and what is more and more appearing as a personal vendetta against Debbie Wasserman Schultz by Bernie Sanders the race is getting more attention than it otherwise would.
Taking stock of what we have so far in polite terms. If some of the topics or themes that I have focussed on seem a bit weird then I apologize. Perhaps you could drop a comment and I will attempt to collect all the different ones and respond separately. There are still plenty of issues I have not covered here.
Meanwhile invite you to peruse through Nuts and Bolts Series : Which has series of articles by Chris Reeves
While I am a DWS admirer and supporter, I have attempted to present the status of the race and the reading as I see them, without the rose tinted glasses. Seriously I prefer green tint with a little bit of darkness to protect the eyes, maybe purple, and rimless design as a personal choice. Wherever I am unable to prevent interjecting my personal thoughts they are included in this curly writing/italics.
What is Florida House District 23?: The district consists of most of the southern half of Broward County and Miami beach part of Miami-Dade county. Population centres Davie, Hollywood (Tim Canova home), Miami Beach, Weston (Debbie Wasserman Schultz home), ...
Who is running? Debbie Wasserman Schultz (current US House Rep from FL-23 who is also serving concurrently as the DNC Chair) is facing a primary challenge from Tim Canova.
Background: Bernie Sanders presidential primary election campaign was heavy on output and emphasis on Establishment and system being rigged against Sanders. This alleged rigging and unfairness was supposedly led by DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Naturally in Democratic Party the highest office of party and the system is the DNC Chair. Repeated accusations of corruption, rigging, unfairness have been levelled at Debbie Wasserman Schultz. This came from all levels of Sanders campaign.
No doubt we have seen these many times in DK. So Bernie Sanders took the vendetta into personal level and very publicly backed the challenger Tim Canova (a Bernie supporter). Additionally requesting funding from Sanders supporters for Tim Canova. The fund raising for Tim Canova a first time office seeker took off extremely well.
There are plenty of stories/articles in public so I will not bother to list them at this time. If anyone really has trouble locating articles/stories make a note in comments and I will post them.
Naturally the level of vitriol aimed at Debbie Wasserman Schultz took off to a higher level than before. Elsewhere and also even here, the derogatory comments flew off the handle and personal attacks by some Sanders supporters (and probably a chunk of Republicans joined in too at the prospect of having fun at Democrats expense) became intense. Boundaries of misogyny and bigotry were crossed long time ago.
After the fund raising success by Tim Canova campaign, President Obama and Vice President Biden made a very public backing of Debbie Wasserman Schultz. For those who want to read back, here are all the Daily Kos Debbie Wasserman Schultz Tagged Stories.
Who is backing whom?
Tim Canova Backers:
http://www.timcanova.com
At national level: a very public backing from, Bernie Sanders Ben Cohen of the Ben&Jerry fame, various Sanders presidential primary campaign surrogates. Also an endorsement from grass-roots advocacy group Democracy for America. All three have indicated that they will actively campaign and carry out fundraising activities.
Labour unions at national level, National Nurses United and Communication Workers of America have also endorsed Tim Canova. Both unions had endorsed Bernie Sanders in presidential primary. Veterans for Bernie is firmly in Canova camp. Given the vociferous, unequivocal backing from Bernie Sanders a chunk of Sanders supporters and supporting organizations have lined up neatly behind Canova.
At local level: Local chapters of DFA, pipefitters association. Not sure if anyone not familiar with Florida stuff would know about the millionaire Democrat lawyer in Florida who has previously been very open with his wallet for Democrats (and also for legalization of marijuana in Florida) by the name of John Morgan is very much upset with DWS hence supporting Tim Canova efforts.
These endorsements have already proven to be awesome in terms of funds raised. Current gossipy/newsy stuff from local press which is quoted at Tim Canova campaign website is that Canova has already raised $2Million and was on track to raise more.
National endorsements and nationwide campaign efforts are very good at raising funds. Despite lack of much local enthusiasm for Canova, the funds make it possible to mount a lasting campaign.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz Backers:
http://www.debbiewassermanschultz.com/
National level: President Obama, Vice-President Biden, Barney Frank, Congressional Black Caucus PAC.
Whereas Obama, Biden endorsement was afterwards. Although it is pretty easy to say that Biden and Obama had always and were always going to support Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Given how many joint appearances/events and talks and lobbying of congress they have done together in the process of trying to get ACA (aka ObamaCare), Iran-Pact and Trade pact passed.
Some of Barney Frank engagement with Wasserman Schultz is related to current GOP attempts in US House that is trying to gut Frank-Dodd and naturally Frank and Schultz would like to prevent it from being gutted. Frank specifically also stated that Schultz work of CFPB stuff (getting it passed, usual lobbying colleagues).
The announcement of Congressional Black Caucus PAC endorsing Debbie Wasserman Schultz seemed to have been timed to get it out as a counterbalance to Sanders endorsement of Tim Canova.
At local level, the usual backers who have backed before: Firefighters Association. A number of other local unions have contributed and campaigned while a formal statement has not yet been issued.
And of course some very proper and funny and trolling endorsements from GOP side including Karl Rove controlled GOP super-PAC American Crossroads and Tea party Express. http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/281233-tea-party-group-endorses-wasserman-schultz.
Labour Unions: Labour union endorsements are important because they tend to be well organized, volunteer for campaigns, do door knocking/canvassing, organize runs to voting booths, and usually superb in getting the voters to polls. As noted previously both campaigns have various different labour union support. Although it seems from contributions and campaigns and such that Debbie Wasserman Schultz has more of the local labour unions behind her than Tim Canova. On the other hand there are more national unions behind Sanders who also announced as backing Canova. This presents an interesting trade off. National unions means more money, local union means more canvassers.
Labour Union comparison story at Sun Sentinel http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-tim-canova-sanders-labor-20160608-story.html
Campaign Finances:
Tim Canova had a fantastic 2016 Q1 fundraising. Starting with zero (naturally as a new candidate) raised roughly $559,000 with operating expenditure of roughly $98000 resulting in an amazing roughly $462,000 cash in hand at the beginning of Q2. Subsequent to Bernie Sanders endorsement in Q2 currently the campaign has raised over $2Million. According to campaign website, just on the very day/weekend of Bernie Sanders requesting help for Tim Canova the campaign raised whopping $250,000. Campaign has already exceeded $2Million marker. Campaign seems to be on track to raise around $3Million by end of Q2. A lot of national donations have poured into to Tim Canova camp and are continuing to do so.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz started the 2016 Q1 with roughly $468,000 in hand. Q1 funds raised, $632,000. Operating costs and expenditure amount to $264,000. Cash in hand at the beginning of Q2 $836,000. While most US House Representatives raise funds for re-election from day 1 irrespective of potential challenges, Debbie Wasserman Schultz seems to have neglected that effort which shows in Q1 starting funds. Most other incumbent US House Reps have on average starting 2016 Q1 funds of $700,000 compared to which $468,000 seems very low. You might have seem a handful or two sitting on more than a million dollars. Full cycle to date funds raised is however is roughly around 1.5Million of which most were spent in 2015.
Tim Canova fundraising is focused on getting enough funds to be able to survive and mount a credible challenge. So other focus on party building and allies accumulation is naturally currently not within the scope of the campaign. Debbie Wasserman Schultz fundraising events in Florida on the other hand are a mixture of raising funds for own campaign, raising funds for other local allies and for Florida state party. Which is naturally to be expected and would be disappointing and even negligent if it was not the case.
Previously planned Florida fundraiser for Debbie Wasserman Schultz with Vice-President Biden which was slated to include, donors making a whopping $10,000 contribution to Florida state party for a photo with Biden, was cancelled (postponed??) due to the horrific events in Orlando.
While Debbie Wasserman Schultz has been a prolific and vigorous fundraiser for national party and DNC and colleagues in US House and nation-wide, seems to be inexplicably having some trouble raising campaign funds for own campaign. I mean to say perhaps the funds have been raised and she has been fairly awesome at it but the challenger has raised vastly larger amounts.
Even then it is clear that Debbie Wasserman Schultz is comparatively way behind Tim Canova in fundraising.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-wasserman-schultz-money-challenger-20160520-story.html
{I have included the links above to each campaigns website for anyone who wants to pop in and check stories/articles}
Local Press:
While national press has picked up and ran with stories relating to the US House primary at Florida District 23, this is due to the national visibility of DNC Chair. Local press on the other hand do tend to have unsurprisingly more stories/articles in the local district, local counties and state related stories. Naturally US House Rep participation and involvement in local activities make it to the papers more frequently.
I have listed some of the local press in terms of which ones circulate/cover the district stories, are seen, read by district residents. Naturally local press support and coverage and most importantly their representation of stories, (positive/negative) would contribute to exposure.
Sun Sentinel: Here {Debbie Wasserman Schultz Stories In Sun Sentinel In The Last Month} naturally have a mixture of local and national stories. Sun Sentinel group also produces Spanish version as El Sentinel which while shares some of the stories is a separate Spanish and hispanic focused stories. Sun Sentinel tends have various cultural and heritage group focused sections which cater for each groups (including Jewish). And here→ {All Tim Canova Stories In Sun Sentinel}.
Miami Herald: Miami Herald is http://www.miamiherald.com/ calling for debates.
Bagel Wars: There have been occasional chuckle stories along the line irrespective of who you support. In summary Debbie Wasserman Schultz held a fundraiser with Barney Frank at Fort Lauderdale and Tim Canova countered with a concurrent a free bagel and meet-and-greet event at Cooper City. Miami Herald take on the event here → Miami Herald: Bagel Wars
Local Press Coverage Styles: Sun Sentinel appears to be a lot more friendly towards Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Historically they have covered many events where Debbie Wasserman Schultz was present or somehow linked in positively. The paper previously has diligently covered and written positive stories even defensively. They cover a lot of DWS stories. Even more than other local or state politicians. The editorials do however sometimes include and admonishment for policy mistakes like the stance against marijuana or that now resolved payday lender issues.
Miami Herald is a bit more cautious and more critical of DWS (I mean a bit less enthusiastic) and the level of slant depends on which of the staff are covering the stories. Also quite upset with DWS over that marijuana-PTSD fiasco stance. (more on that marijuana thing in later section).
Example: A Planned Parenthood protest in Florida. There were protests against closure and cutbacks. Naturally DWS was present and made a speech. Sun sentinel praised it glowingly, praised the event and praised people and praised DWS and the speech. They mentioned the campaign website. Meanwhile same event Miami Herald just reported it as a protest occurred DWS made a speech supporting planned parenthood and against Scott cutbacks.
Tim Canova being a bit new to the local political scene, has not had similar coverage. Not having had participated locally before in other political events there have been no occasion or reason for papers to cover or write about an obscure professor in a mediocre college in Florida. Recent stories have revolved around the same national storylines and of course the big success story of fund raising. Miami Herald is more supportive of Tim Canova and called for DWS to debate.
Local press is now putting more stories out than before in the context of what is definitely an exciting time to sell paper and national prominence of their local race.
National Press: The national press has been gleefully covering this spat in the Democratic Party. The story of primary and the characters involved, the things they say and proclaim all together the whole scene itself lends nicely to multiple narratives and weaves in and out with presidential primary and national politics. A little jolt of audience/readers/viewer boost couple with increase in number of online visitors is always good for the media. DWS bashing and by proxy bashing the Democratic Party is also playing well in various groups. Involvement and personal commitments, pronouncements and demands by Sanders has made the story fantastic.
Local Issues:
While the national issue and focus is revolving around Bernie Sanders repeated attack against Debbie Wasserman Schultz in national role, locally issues are slightly different. Mostly the primary is being portrayed as a Bernie Sanders vs Debbie Wasserman Schultz contest/dual. Of course this has added to the stories and circulation boost for local press. Some issues are local issues which should not have two sides from Democrats in a primary. I am listing the issues because they are important issues. However most of them are not local primary issues.
Healthcare: Healthcare and the consequential impacts are a big thing. This is going to be a bit like word salad here. Everything links into and is affected by healthcare. If my phrasing seems a bit demented then well..
Usual stuff, ACA brought relief to a slightly more percentage of population. Again an ideological split which can be summarized as “Hey why are we letting the Mexicans and Blacks have healthcare” versus “All americans should have access to basic healthcare”. Oh FYI Democrats are supposed to be in favour of it.
Planned Parenthood state funding cuts and clinic closures. This should not be surprising as the Republicans have done this everywhere. The usual partisan split between Republicans and Democrats who support or oppose it. This can be summarized as “Hold On Hold On. If they can plan their families means they will prosper and that means they might even start demanding that we spend their tax dollars properly. Does this affect us rich folks? ” vs “Women should have full control of their reproductive health”.
Flu Season and related issues: Seasonal flu vaccinations. Are they covered? are they not covered? {yes seasonal flu vaccines they exist and sometimes available for children at risk and elderly at risk, but not available to 14-60 year olds. Do not ask me why, I do not know. For all I know Sanofi or Novartis did not want to commit the cost of testing the vaccines for efficacy in that group. And that age group is generally not going to be spending much of flu vaccines hence not a commercially viable thing}.
State does treat seasonal Flu seriously enough due to its overall impact, disruptions and loss of trade. On the flip side Catch seasonal flu, job vanishes. Damn why is this happening. Why no job security? Have flu, turn up to work to not miss a days pay and not get fired, give flu to 20% of other people at work. Damn those unions they want to do what? They want to have more labour protective laws? What on earth is paid sick leave? This is Florida 35% of people get seasonal flu every year. A bit perverse, not my personal stance, just my take on the raging debate and the arguments presented and see how health links in with other things
Mosquitoes and Zika virus: This probably will not surprise anyone. Of course it also makes it a new and good storyline for press. Mosquitoes themselves are not new to Florida. Mosquitoes have featured regularly in the local dynamics. Miami Herald: Mosquitoes Not our first Rodeo
Hurricanes and all the related issues: Hurricane season officially started and this being Florida, it should not surprise anyone that weather is a very important issue. (At least when you get round to thinking about what might actually be the issues).
Culture and Heritage Revival: Spanish is undergoing a bit of a revival. Perhaps Hispanic population feel a bit more secure in their future. While early integrators / assimilation deliberately excluded Spanish teaching / speaking, recently the a more revivalist approach seems to be happening. Main issues, do we start providing a bit more Spanish language courses at school or not and should the public libraries and school libraries start stocking more spanish content. What other languages do we start including? Will other groups also start wanting their own books. Of course the bigger issue who pays for the increased cost versus damn them all to hell this is America and they can learn English. The dollars are however a bit more available (more than before) in Spanish language support and trading related. Is there anyway we can privatize some of this thing and make money out of it?
Florida the retirement village is definitely picking up a bit more Cultural Heritage groups registrations and and similar interest groups.
All the diversity also plays into damn these people are not American and they are somehow not to be trusted groups.
Guns and Violence Thing: Perhaps this is not just a local issue here but a local issue at every US House district. There Orlando events have again brought this to fore front. Sadly there will be more events before the primary.
Actual Primary Election Issues:
Constituency Services: This thing where people in local district feel that they have access to the US House Rep and can feel comfortable knowing that of they contact the office someone in the staff will politely and definitely and appreciatively return the calls. This thing has its value in terms of what we so often hear/read referred to as incumbency advantage. Naturally the very well staffed constituency services office of DWS has been operating in functionally more smooth and more efficient than others. She has been able to hire more permanent staff than average due to her normal fundraising advantages and being able to pay for them. The permanent larger size of staff has been an advantage to keep the local image and participation and operation on the up.
Tim Canova, again not having been active in local politics can not be expected to have any measure of constituency service. While this has not been brought up as a topic by either side yet, I suspect DWS team are a bit relieved that they spent the money in last decade building up local network.
Medical Marijuana for veterans PTSD Treatment Legislation: This has been a thorn on the side issue. While previously having supported loosening controls and providing easier access to medicinal marijuana this specific opposition stance on a particular bill which provided for access to marijuana for treatment of veterans with PTSD caught many people by surprise. This has regularly made local story as there have been regular attempts at some sort of legalization ballot measures. Read current take here from Miami Herald → Miami Herald - http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article79856367.html The baffling bit is that she has previously and subsequently been in favour of medical marijuana. {I have no conspiracy to peddle about this at the moment}. This has been an advantageous point for Tim Canova as a quite few people in Florida have supported Tim Canova because of opposition towards Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Local Party Organization: For those looking for Eric Cantor effect the local party apparatus is filled with Debbie Wasserman Schultz allies. So for primary a bit like incumbency advantage. For those looking in from the nationwide into the what is now a fish bowl of Florida-23, there are not many symptoms or clues to look for. The constituency service combined with long term allies building has made it a bit more difficult for Tim Canova to find a message or a stance that resonates locally.
Debate or Not: With Tim Canova pushing for debates in primary (backed by Miami Herald), the debate may or may not happen. Debate would give Tim Canova a substantial local exposure. Hence the push for it. Naturally Debbie Wasserman Schultz is not agreeing to a debate for the same reason. As for debate itself, if it ever happens, it is unlikely that Tim Canova has a found a suitable message for local politics. Bashing Clinton or equating Schultz with Clinton is not going to get any extra votes for Canova.
Tim Canova Looking For A Message: There have been some message searching and looking for a reason beyond “But she is the establishment” in Tim Canova camp.
There was that Iran Deal thing. Some well documented failures like “She voted for Iran Deal” or “I am a better Jew than she is” or “I Love Israel more than She Does” have missed entirely. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/05/30/1532601/-DWS-Opponent-Demagogues-Against-Iran-Deal. She is the DNC Chair, and previously deputy whip in US House. Of course she is going to support a national deal of the Party. Also to ensure that there were no seriously local electoral repercussions for all US House Reps from Florida, Vice-President Biden came to Florida and spent the day with her at various events selling the Iran Deal is too important, we must get it passed. It also was a salve aimed at some sections of Jewish population who might otherwise have been inclined to be against the deal.
The lack of finding a positive message is hurting Tim Canova http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/06/16/1539592/-Floridians-please-don-t-vote-for-a-reality-denier-even-if-his-opponent-is-DWS
National Issues: While national issues make national headlines and fun to read, they are not as important as local issues. So I shall for the purposes of this specific story only utterly ignore them. I have already covered the finances somewhere, national storyline has made it a lot easier for Tim Canova to raise heaps of funds that people can drool over. Trump probably wishing he could raise a tenth of what Tim Canova has raised.
The Demographics: The votes in democratic presidential primary went well for Clinton 2:1 Sanders. Population roughly white 59%, Black 15%, Asian 2%.
So in summary Tim Canova has a big financial advantage, Debbie Wasserman Schultz local constituency advantage.
Okay folks, this is getting longer and bigger than I planned. I will sign off for now and publish as it is. I hope I have covered enough.