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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Nation: Why We Support Keith Ellison for DNC Chair
He will address the partysand the nationscrisis by aligning Democrats more closely with movements for social and economic justice.
By The Nation
The Democratic Party hasnt faced this serious a crisis of confidence and direction since the 1920s. Republicans control the White House, Congress, 33 governorships, and 67 of 98 partisan state legislative chambers nationwide. Even as Americans fill the streets demanding resistance to the extremist agenda of Donald Trump, congressional Democrats often lack the numbers for the pushback.
The right response to this crisis is a retooling of the Democratic National Committee to align it more closely with movements for social and economic justice. The party must make the inside/outside connection that will strengthen immediate resistance to the Trump regime, while improving the long-term electoral prospects of Democrats. Keith Ellison, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, is prepared to do just that. In an impressive field of contenders for the position of DNC chairincluding party leaders that The Nation has often praised, like former labor secretary Tom Perez, as well as energetic newcomers like Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indianait is Ellison who combines the ideals, skills, and movement connections that will revitalize the party.
Thats why The Nation enthusiastically endorses Ellison in the contest to lead a DNC that must repurpose itself in order to derail Trump, while at the same time speaking to young voters who wont settle for anything less than an aggressively progressive opposition party. The job of DNC chair is to build a party that can win elections on every ballot line and in every state. But in an age when party loyalties are weakening, and when movements matter more to tens of millions of Americans than partisan labels, Ellison is ready to build an activist party. In fact, the high-energy congressman (who says hell quit his House seat if he wins the DNC post) is already doing that: calling for mass rallies to oppose Trumps Muslim ban, taking part in those rallies, and then appearing on the Sunday-morning talk shows to rip discriminatory policies as un-American.
Ellison is recognized as a pioneering political figurethe first Muslim congressman, the first African American to represent Minnesota in Washingtonwho has boldly opposed wars, defended civil liberties, protested racial injustice, and rallied for $15 and a union. His leadership bid has excited activists who have marched with him for labor rights, womens rights, and criminal-justice reform. It has also inspired blowback from some party insiders, who gripe that Ellison is too outspoken in his support for Middle East peace, too close to Bernie Sanders (though he joined Sanders in ardently backing Hillary Clinton last summer), and too passionate in his belief that the DNC must campaign not just for candidates but for justice.
What makes Ellisons vision exciting is the fact that hes already implemented it in Minnesota. As former Minneapolis mayor and DNC vice chair R.T. Rybak says, I have never seen him campaign only for himself
. Keith has used every campaign to protect every voters rights, expand our partys base, include those left behind, and elevate new leaders. That is exactly what the Democratic Party needs right now.
Rybaks right: What distinguishes Keith Ellison is his experience as a progressive who has won and won and won againand who knows that Democrats can turn red states blue by transforming their party into a movement.
https://www.thenation.com/article/why-we-support-keith-ellison-for-dnc-chair/
pat_k
(9,313 posts)Very nice to have two decent candidates to pick from for a change.
On edit:
Link to MJ article "This isn't an establishment vs. progressive clash"
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/01/why-tom-perez-strong-competitor-against-keith-ellison-democratic-party
LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)As in Supporting Congressman Ellison for DNC Chair. #KeithForDNC!!
murielm99
(30,717 posts)I believe that he will be regarded as a fringe left candidate who supports only that part of the
Democratic party. He will not appeal to the Democratic base that includes union members and and blue collar workers who have remained loyal. He will appeal only to white liberals who are educated. We need to remember all of our base. Anyone who remained as close to Sanders as he did is poison.
Donkees
(31,340 posts)LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)Civil Rights Icon and Congressman John Lewis..... #KeithForDNC
Else You Are Mad
(3,040 posts)I did not know that.. It makes a difference.
Else You Are Mad
(3,040 posts)I have a feeling that more than just white educated democrats will support Ellison.
LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)When a Reception for Keith was PACKED with #KeithForDNC Supporters including movers and shakers in the Michigan Democratic Party, The MDP Chair, Plenty of State Representatives, Senators, Local Elected Officials who were African-American, Caucasian, Arabic, Asian and More.
We Think Keith Got This.... #KeithForDNC!!!
ck4829
(35,038 posts)People feel disenfranchised from the system; they saw their votes not count. We need someone to stand up for the millions of Americans who saw their votes thrown out by the sham electoral college and see that the idea of "representative" government is becoming more and more of a joke.
Trump's xenophobia and Islamophobia is getting worse as well, we need a leader to stand up, not cower, not hide, not wait until 2020 or even 2018 to begin fighting back. Ellison is someone who can do this.
Scruffy1
(3,252 posts)When I here things like "far left fringe" coming from Democrats I just thing they have been watching Fox news. He has the support of over 70% of the voters in his district and has worked tirelessly to to elect other Democrats . I don't think Al Franken would have made it to the Senate without Keith's help. We need to stop worrying what the basket of deplorables think and breath some new life into the party of the people.
LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)Thanks For Making This Point!!! #KeithForDNC
otohara
(24,135 posts)or just when it comes to all things related to Sanders
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otohara
(24,135 posts)I can't wait to see who NYT's and Washington Post endorses for DNC chair - they too have impressive "about us" pages.
Not finding where they've ever endorsed a chairperson before nor for any RNC related business.
Donkees
(31,340 posts)there's only been one contested race for DNC chair in the past 25 years.
otohara
(24,135 posts)I'm quite familiar with The Nation. They've called Hillary a lying warmonger for years and finally just a few weeks before the GE they decided to endorse her.
Sorry I'm just not all enamored with the lefty media after this particular election - they did more damage to our nominee than the MSM IMO.
BannonsLiver
(16,313 posts)It's been 3 months since the election and will be 4 by the time the new chair is in place, maybe closer to 5 by the time the new regime is fully up and running.
Five months. There's just no reason to move that slowly, especially when there is a war on with an authoritarian loon and his devotees.
Seems like way too much dithering for the times we find ourselves in.