Progressives Call Out Florida Democratic Party On Behalf Of Wasserman Schultz's Challenger

[Purveyor]

A dispute over access to voter data in a South Florida congressional race is highlighting a divide between the Florida Democratic Party and its progressive caucus.

For the second time this month, leaders of the progressive caucus are openly criticizing their party leaders, this time on behalf of Debbie Wasserman Schultz's primary opponent.

But the caucus' complaints were immediately rendered moot, though, because -- unbeknownst to them and independent of their grievances -- Florida Democratic Party leaders already agreed to make a special exception that addresses critics' concerns.

The controversy stems from a decision by party leaders earlier this month to deny Wasserman Schultz's challenger, Democrat Tim Canova, access to its voter database.

In an "open letter" sent Wednesday and provided to the Herald/Times, the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida asked Wasserman Schultz -- a Weston congresswoman and chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee -- to intervene to ensure her challenger has a fair shot in the primary race.

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http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/progressives-call-out-florida-democratic-party-on-behalf-of-wasserman/2270627

[djean111]

1. This is why it is one thing to airily and, IMO, condescendingly tell liberals and progressives to

get to work and elect liberals and progressives at the lower levels, and they will rise through the ranks, and another thing to actually succeed at that. The party has mechanisms in place to prevent incumbents - conservative, DINO, whatever - from being successfully challenged. This has become a club for insiders, and seems to have not much to do with what voters want. The voters can only vote for whatever the DNC has decided to present to them.

Party voter files are a treasure trove of data and information that campaigns collect, curate and share between their state and national political parties, and they're especially valuable to political newcomers -- if they can get access to them.

It's been the policy of the Florida Democratic Party for the past six years to withhold access to candidates challenging incumbent Democratic members of Congress.

But the party has changed its mind this week -- in this single instance -- and will now give Canova access to the voter file "to avoid any appearance of favoritism," Scott Arceneaux, the state party's executive director, told the Herald/Times on Thursday.

The DNC - and DWS - have a lot of say in which politicians get real support, at all levels. They hold the purse strings and the voter information.

Canova would not have gotten access if this had not been dragged out into the open. By liberals and progressives. IMO, too, this would not have been dragged out at all, if Bernie was not running. His supporters are looking at liberals and progressives down-ticket now. And he is giving those candidates a base to work with and help them.

[MrMickeysMom]

2. I agree with Bill Moyers...

DWS is a prime example of what is wrong with the Democratic Party. She and Emanuel are the root of a dead plant.

Good luck, Tim!

[djean111]

3. And this, separately for effect -

The voter file is housed and maintained by the DNC, but the Florida Democratic Party manages the database for the state and controls Florida candidates' access to it.

Arceneaux said most candidates can get it, but the state party has had a policy since 2010 to not give it to primary opponents challenging incumbent Democrats representing Florida in Congress.

"We do support all of our incumbent members of congress for re-election. We think they do a great job and we want to help them get elected," he said.

He said that policy will stand in every other congressional race. No other exceptions will be granted aside from the contest between Canova and Wasserman Schultz because of "the truly unique factors," Arceneaux said.

Just reading comments at DU, I had been under the impression that denying access was some long-standing tradition. Nope. Since 2010. This does explain why it is so difficult to replace politicians, though - seems that, once elected, they are a protected class. We can't vote to replace DINOs because the DNC protects them.

[nc4bo]

4. I seriously doubt real progressives will get a dime from any of the Hill/DWS/DNC

Donation Fund to help with their campaigns.

Not just in Florida but in any State where there's a challenge to a DINO.

Corrupt to the core.