DKos: Is Debbie Wasserman Schultz the next Eric Cantor? The odds are long

[brooklynite]

Daily Kos:

Members of Congress often receive primary challenges from unheralded opponents, and almost as often, they go nowhere. But once in a great while, a Some Dude manages the incredibly unlikely feat of knocking off an incumbent, like when college professor Dave Brat stunned House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in 2014—an upset that every little-known first-time candidate dreams of repeating.

That's the same dream that another university professor—this time a Democrat, Tim Canova—is busy chasing. Canova recently launched a challenge to Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who's best known as chair of the Democratic National Committee. Yet despite holding a post whose chief goal is to bring the party together, Wasserman Schultz has done a terrific job of alienating a whole lot of people, even Barack Obama, the man who appointed her to the position in the first place.

...snip...

But even if Wasserman Schultz really has "gone Washington" in the minds of many constituents, that's unlikely to be enough for Canova to unseat her. Brat, for instance, had the aid of popular conservative radio host Laura Ingraham, and Cantor made some mistakes, like running TV attack ads that only seemed to boost Brat's name recognition. Wasserman Schultz can learn from all of those errors and avoid them.

She also won't lack for money. What's more, Florida holds its presidential and congressional primaries months apart, so Canova won't be able to rely on enthusiasm from Sanders voters to trickle down to him. Even if he does everything right, he'll still need a lot of luck, magic, and a miracle or two to pull this off. Everyone wants to be the next Dave Brat, but it's no easy feat. And no one wants to be the next Eric Cantor, so you can bet Wasserman Schultz will do everything she can to avoid that fate.

Add to which, "Washington is a "bad" word in Republican circles, not in the Democratic Party.

If people want to help out Canova, I have no problem, but in terms of spending money, ask what's more important: "sending a message" about a seat that's going to stay Democratic, or winning back competitive Republican seats you'll need to advance Sanders' agenda?

[fredamae]

1. I have heard Canova speak...I suggest

the odds are Not long DWS would be unseated.
He's good-really good. And highly qualified.

Goodbye Debbie.

Washington is not "bad". We like government for the most part. We know we Need government. But it has to work For us.

Washington is being managed by bad, greedy and corrupted players who consider "The Peoples House" as nothing more than their personal ATM's.
That's the problem. That's why party affiliation doesn't matter in 2016-Why "we're" Pissed Off and Why we've collectively Had Enough.
imo

[tkmorris]

2. DWS has been in charge of the effort to turn Red seats Blues for nigh on a decade

How has she been doing in that regard?

I think getting rid of her would do more to revitalize that effort nationwide than any other single event, including electing Sanders.

[roody]

3. Both are important.