Saltonstall drops out of race for Stupak seat

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit Free Press

POSTED: 11:08 A.M. MAY 10, 2010
Saltonstall drops out of race for Stupak seat
She says Democratic Party has already made up its mind
BY BOB CAMPBELL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER


The first Democrat to announce she would challenge U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak in their party’s August primary — before Stupak said he would retire from Congress at the end of the year — said today she was withdrawing from the race for the northern Michigan seat.

“I am forced to do this because it has become apparent to my campaign that the leadership of the Michigan Democratic Party has preemptively anointed Gary McDowell as their Democratic candidate,” said Connie Saltonstall, a Charlevoix resident.

Stupak came under intense pressure and criticism from abortion choice advocates during the congressional debate over health care reform. On the final vote, he supported the plan after President Barack Obama signed an executive order that no federal funds would be used for abortion.

Saltonstall received national attention — and financial support — after announcing her candidacy while the health care debate was raging.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/article/20100510/NEWS15/100510023/1320/Saltonstall-drops-out-of-race-for-Stupak-seat

---

Deb Price of the Detroit News just posted this ...



"The leadership of the Michigan Democratic Party has preemptively anointed Gary McDowell as their Democratic candidate," Saltonstall said in a statement. "They are replacing Bart Stupak with another Upper Peninsula, anti-choice, anti-women's healthcare rights candidate. From past experience, I realize that with the Michigan Democratic Party actively opposing me, I will not be able to raise the money necessary to conduct a winning campaign."

The Michigan Democratic Party could not immediately be reached for comment.

Saltonstall called MacDowell "a very nice person," but said she "cannot" support his anti-abortion "politics, and I cannot support a party that endorses candidates who vote to restrict women's legal rights and access to health care."


From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100510/POLITICS03/5100389/1361/Saltonstall-withdraws-from-race-to-succeed-Rep.-Stupak#ixzz0nXbz0IhN

[Demeter]

1. What a Shame

She sounded like a real good person for the job. The pressure must be intense if she can't fight it.

I do hate when that happens. The party should follow the voters, not the other way around.

[dmallind]

2. Those leadership positions are not elected by the people of the district?

Trust me I would much prefer a pro-choice candidate, but it's silly to assume that the preference for one is equal in all districts. This unfortunately IS an example of listening to the voters.

[harmonicon]

7. that's what I think as well

I don't really understand all of the Stupak hate around DU. I don't agree with him, but he is popular with the people in his district, and he's honest about his positions. While I wouldn't like to have to vote for him, I can't blame those who do.

[No Elephants]

13. "Stupak hate" has nothing to do with this story. He's not running.

[No Elephants]

12. If the voters really chose, the state Party would not be involved until the election.

[dmallind]

17. Depends which voters you waqnt to listen to

the Dem party leadership are elected by party activists. why should anyone else but party activists have a say in support of potential candidates prior to the primary?

[xxqqqzme]

3. '...Today, she was strongly critical

of the party for supporting Gary McDowell, who – like Stupak – is an abortion opponent..."

The dlc strikes again!

[saigon68]

5. Disgusting

[ezmerelda39]

4. Just what we need..

another Blue Dog Democrat. Politics sort of works like the economy, top down, trickle down, watered down till when it finally reaches the voters we are stuck with what they wish to stick to us. Makes voting similar to whistling in the wind.

[defendandprotect]

10. Right . . . while the right wing t-baggers are refusing to keep Bennett in office . . .

because they want someone even more right wing --

We have DLC/Emmanuel in White House moving the Democratic Party to the RIGHT . . .

even on abortion!!!

Guess what's coming?

[PassingFair]

6. They pulled this shit on Nancy Skinner, too.

The club wants who the club wants.

It's an effing shame, because Progressive democrats
have as good of a chance here in Michigan
as those hand picked by the party do.

[SharonRB]

18. Amen to that!

I'm really sorry to hear she dropped out of the race.

Alma Wheeler Smith dropped out of the governor's race, too, but I understand her reasons. She and Virg would have split the progressive vote and it would have handed the nomination to Dillon. I respect her for it and hopefully it will help Virg.

[PassingFair]

21. When the hell did THAT happen?

Yesterday?

I believe it WILL help Virg.

The only thing that makes me feel better about
Michigan politics is PENNSYLVANIA politics!

What a LOAD those poor Progressives have been
forced to swallow over there!

[SharonRB]

22. I got an alert this morning

I guess it's in today's Detroit News.

http://www.detnews.com/article/20100510/POLITICS02/5100384/1361/Smith-ends-race-for-governor--Bouchard-files-petitions-to-run

On the bright side in PA, looks like Sestak may pull it off.

[PassingFair]

24. Check out this thread over in LBN....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=4375993&mesg_id=4375993


With dems like these, they may not need republicans in PA....

[maddogesq]

26. The DLC is like a virus, and it has taken root in Michigan.

It's one of the reasons I am taking a break from things. Until we rid the MDP of the DLC, people like wonderful Connie don't have a chance. I am hoping Virg is still the Word, and he can break the stronghold and put Lil' DLC anointed Prince Andy in his place come primary day.

DLC, MDP...sounds like a rap song. :)

[pundaint]

8. She should have let the voters decide. Dropping out, ultimately, is what is limiting the voters'

choice here. She could have laid the same case out, explained that money is about to silence her, and challenge the voters to reject party leadership manipulation and vote for her in August anyway. Without a candidate to vote for, the People don't get to choose.

[defendandprotect]

11. Possibly . . . but fighting DLC/Emmanuel influence would be quite a challenge...

I'm with you -- I'd like to see it happen!!

[No Elephants]

15. It's hard to keep throwing time and money away when the Party money and Party stars are backing

your opponent. Plus, suffering a humiliating defeat may not be good for her future.

I'm not sure why a Party gets involved when the battle is Democrats v. Democrats. IMO, it should stay out of it until one Democrat is running against one Republican.

If I donated to a state or national Party (as I used to), I'd be pissed that my donations were being spent to support one Democrat against another. I'd want all the time and energy going to defeat Republicans, period.

[pundaint]

16. I was not advocating spending more time or money, I see the career point, and there may have been.

other pressing personal considerations as well.

[SharonRB]

20. That's easier said than done.

They can make it very difficult for someone who decides to forge ahead despite the pressure to quit.

[PassingFair]

23. Like stiff-arming their backers. Low level extortion.

It makes the Lamont push in CT all the more heroic, IMO.

Even though the tentacles were deep enough to keep Lieberman
in power for one more cycle, real democrats gave him a run
for his (republican) money and a message was sent loud and
clear.

We are SO lucky to have Levin in the Senate.

He knows a shitty deal when he sees one.

:hi:

[SharonRB]

27. LOL

:rofl:

Gotta love Carl. Glad to see he and Debbie both voted to break up the big banks. Too bad it failed because of the Blue Dogs.

[pundaint]

28. No doubt, but all I was suggesting was that she suspend activity while leaving the voters the option

of choosing her over the monied interests Saying she's dropping out is like saying don't vote for me, saying Party leadership makes it impossible to continue an active campaign, but still vote for me, at least gives the voters a reason to still vote for her and reject the DLC. As it is now, she dropped out, so while her name may still appear on the ballot, it is now more of a waste of time to go to the polls.

But I don't know her personal situation, and she may not be in a position to be a passive candidate and I wish her well.

[defendandprotect]

9. More DLC/Emmanuel game playing to move Dems to the right . . . even on abortion-!!

Thanks to Connie Saltonstall for telling us the truth --

it ain't just money --

it's corporate/right wing influence coming from DLC/Emmanuel --


"The leadership of the Michigan Democratic Party has preemptively anointed Gary McDowell as their Democratic candidate," Saltonstall said in a statement. "They are replacing Bart Stupak with another Upper Peninsula, anti-choice, anti-women's healthcare rights candidate. From past experience, I realize that with the Michigan Democratic Party actively opposing me, I will not be able to raise the money necessary to conduct a winning campaign."

The Michigan Democratic Party could not immediately be reached for comment.

Saltonstall called MacDowell "a very nice person," but said she "cannot" support his anti-abortion "politics, and I cannot support a party that endorses candidates who vote to restrict women's legal rights and access to health care."

[No Elephants]

14. I hope people write her in.

[SharonRB]

19. This really sucks

I've been through this before with another candidate and last time it left a really bad taste in my mouth for the state party leadership. We really do need to get rid of Mark Brewer next time. We should have done it this last time. I doubt she decided on her own -- I'm sure they used some strong arm tactics to get her to quit. It's just an old boys' network.

[JNelson6563]

25. McDowell has already won several of those counties

2 or 3 times. I'm sorry but, even though the 1st CD MI is blue, it is conservative in some respects. Connie ran for a state house race and lost, badly. She worked very and hard and all of that but the fact remains, you have to give an objective, analytical look at the candidates and the real possibilities for them.

Connie hails from a small, affluent enclave in the southernmost part of the 1st distict. She is virtually unknown to most of the 30+ counties in the district. The R's have been longing to have a shot at that seat and now they have one. They will be throwing plenty of resources at that race. You don't want to send your weakest candidate into this fight.

I know it's fun to bitch and moan about party politics and scream bloody murder if the most liberal of the choices doesn't get the support. In this case this is the smart move.

Julie