TPM - Josh Marshall "Is There A Problem?"

[NRaleighLiberal]

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/is-there-a-problem

I’ve always been resistant to criticisms of the main party committees like the DCCC, DSCC and others. This isn’t because I think they’re right or wrong. It’s because as the ones controlling the main or a main store of money and other resources they are a logical focus of criticism for everyone who isn’t getting maximal support or everyone who thinks if they just got that added burst of support they could win. The same applies to everyone who doesn’t have the same theory of the election – more gun-friendly Democrats in rural midwestern districts, more progressive candidates, more whatever. In other words, it’s not that I think these party committees are always right. Far from it. It’s that I’m aware there are structural factors that makes these committees a focus of criticism whether they’re doing solid work or not.

I say all this as a preface to saying something rather different.

In recent days I’ve seen and heard a lot of things that makes me think there are some real problems not simply at the DCCC but in how the institutional Democratic party in Washington and the main channels of money are interacting with the groundswell of activism among Democrats across the country – both activated existing Democrats and less political or less clearly aligned Democrats who have been activated by President Trump.

With that, I wanted to share a note I got this morning from TPM Reader DS, who served as Chief of State for a recently retired US Senator for 28 years. I give a sense of the professional background to make the simple point that this isn’t someone who hasn’t worked in campaigns or worked in DC and somehow doesn’t know how things work …


snip - long article, interesting, important read. Looking forward to people's comments here after reading.

[WestMichRad]

1. Politics is a battle for power...

...especially the higher up the ladder one goes. Reader DS makes the point that Democratic candidate Lamb has made a point of saying he won't support Pelosi as party leader, so the DCCC (led by Pelosi) retaliates by providing little support, even though Lamb has made it a tossup race in a strongly Republican district.

I also strongly agree with Josh's point about the potential consequences of losing this special election. Doing everything reasonably possible to support Lamb will provide a morale boost even should he not prevail, given Rump dominated the vote in the district in the past election. But with a close outcome, if Lamb doesn't prevail, it should and will be demoralizing to activists and supporters that the party couldn't bother to provide its support when winning the seat was within our grasp.

[zipplewrath]

2. Not alot new here

The DCCC and DSCC are incumbent serving organizations. The exist to further the chances of the incumbents and more importantly the leadership. They don't care about the desires of democrats in a particular district, or for that matter voters in general. The money would be better spent/gathered by the national party in the first place. The DNC has just as much, or more, interest in a congressional majority than the leadership does. But that would put it out of direct control of the congressional leadership.

[LuvLoogie]

3. His positions mirror what Hillary ran on. I think it's short-sighted

to claim you won't support a stalwart Democratic leader before you win one election as a Democrat.

Pelosi bashing comes in all forms. I think you answer, "Every two years there is a new Congress, and in the House of Representatives we get to vote on our body's leader. Nancy Pelosi has been one of the most productive and committed leaders in our history. Many people have aspirations for the position of Speaker.

I have to be open-minded and determine whether any "change" candidates are up to the job. You have to go a long way to be more Progressive than Nancy Pelosi. Show me what you got. Maybe I'll vote for you for Speaker.

Nancy has a lot of support, and rightfully so. She has earned it, many times over. "