Chairman Dean gets grief from Clinton finance chair re MI & FL delegates

[Adelante]

This was supposed to be a meeting about funding the DNC, (second link), but Clinton bundlers chose to inject the issue of Michigan and Florida and it became heated.

-snip

Dean said that in his view, the question could be settled only after the primaries had finished in June, and after the superdelegates had made their decision.

At that point Clinton campaign finance chair Hassan Nemazee spoke up. He said Dean's response sounded to him as if the DNC chairman were "essentially trying to kick the can down the road" and that the chairman was not exhibiting the type of leadership one would expect. Nemazee said that since the campaigns obviously could not reach a solution on their own before June, Dean's argument amounted to passing the buck.

Dean then responded, heatedly, that in his experience, those who sought the intervention of party leadership were motivated by their own particular agendas. And that was not the sort of leadership he intended to provide.

Nemazee answered that he had in know way insinuated that Dean should bring about a particular outcome, and was only calling for the chairman to take a more active role in exercising leadership. Nemazee said it needed to happen before the primaries, not after.

He also said, according to the attendee, that he found Dean's tone accusatory and "pejorative."

Nemazee left shortly after the exchange.

http://www.observer.com/2008/more-clinton-donors-versus-dean/

The above was a followup to this earlier post

Clinton Donors Press Dean at Fifth Avenue Bundler Summit

http://www.observer.com/2008/clinton-donors-press-dean-fifth-avenue-bundler-summit

[marmar]

1. Something tells me that the Democratic Party will be much better off....

.... when the Clinton machine's influence has waned.

[SoCalDem]

5. Like an enema...starting clean & fresh

That's what is at the heart of the matter.. Clinton was the last democratic president..and with that, went the "claim" to be the party leader..

Hillary loses, and all that's gone..baby... gone..

a new guy is "in charge", and the Clintons are no longer the movers & shakers..

C'mon Bill & Hill.. try it..you'll LIKE it :)

[madfloridian]

21. What a comparison. Heh heh

But I love it. :rofl:

[Cha]

32. Without the dinos breathing down its neck and

nipping at its heels the Democratic Party could soar with Obama leading us into a 180 degree turn.

[Mooney]

2. Oh.... Praise Jesus!

"Dean then responded, heatedly, that in his experience, those who sought the intervention of party leadership were motivated by their own particular agendas. And that was not the sort of leadership he intended to provide."

That, my friends, is what they mean by "calling a spade a spade."

[redqueen]

17. That's probably why the guy stormed off in a huff...

I doubt he expected to be confronted for pulling that kind of a stunt.

[Mooney]

25. That's how people typically behave when you call them out on their bullshit.

I'm sure he was expecting to get pampered and coddled, and perhaps be hand-fed some grapes. Instead, he gets to eat shit.

The gravy train has derailed. Sucks to be him.

[redqueen]

27. .

"and perhaps be hand-fed some grapes"

:rofl:

I love that the big money types are so nervous... GOBAMA!

[Mooney]

28. Indeed.

I'm not so naive to think that there won't be new big money types to replace these guys, but it's nice to know these assholes are unhappy for a change. Hopefully it will disrupt their sleep and give them tummy trouble.

[redqueen]

29. Exactly...

they are used to being the ones who incite fear in others. :)

[AX10]

3. I am...

ready to tell the party to go to hell!

[DJ13]

7. Good!

And take the Clintons and their DLC pro-business bullcrap with you!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

8. Why does this not surprise me?

:eyes:

[JimGinPA]

9. Obviously

[Zachstar]

11. Bye!!

Clinton or bust eh?

[madfloridian]

12. Good...go ahead... good by.

[Debi]

22. Don't let the door hit you and all that n/t

[Coexist]

4. I love Howard Dean

and I own a Democracy Bond. Do you

"Dean then responded, heatedly, that in his experience, those who sought the intervention of party leadership were motivated by their own particular agendas. And that was not the sort of leadership he intended to provide."

[democrattotheend]

10. I own a Democracy Bond too

I've had it for almost 2 years. Just $10 right now but I am thinking of upping it to $20 now that I make more money.

[fascisthunter]

6. Clinton.... the GOP Has Made Great Use of You

You can go back home now. We don't need you.... but they seem to.

[madfloridian]

13. Good for Dean....this statement is right.

"Dean then responded, heatedly, that in his experience, those who sought the intervention of party leadership were motivated by their own particular agendas. And that was not the sort of leadership he intended to provide."

[mohc]

14. At this point any resolution MUST occur after all other votes are counted

What FL and MI were seeking in breaking the rules and moving up their primaries was influence. They expected sanctions, but not to the degree they received. I am hopeful that the eventual conclusion to this issue includes seating all or most of the FL and MI delegations, but to do that now returns FL and MI influence. The narrative of the campaign would change if FL and MI were seated as is now, and the only reason to seat them as is would be a show of good faith. After all the other votes are counted, a solution will be reached based on the size of Obama's lead. Many that support seating them regardless complain about this solution because if they are only seated if they do not effect the outcome then they do not really matter. To which I respond, "exactly". Show elections get you nothing more than show delegates.

[redqueen]

19. Very well put.

:thumbsup:

[madfloridian]

15. Those are some of the Clinton donors who threatened the DNC and DCCC

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1946

[TheDoorbellRang]

16. Good for Dean

K&R

[madfloridian]

31. I agree.

.

[madfloridian]

18. Fl and MI bullied Dean bigtime....now they want him to be the fall guy.

No way in hell.

[Debi]

20. This is why I adore Howard Dean

He speaks clearly and w/no question about what he means.

He is a great leader of this Party

(How's Terry Mc's legacy btw???? x()

[Mooney]

26. He takes zero shit and he doesn't back down.

All Democrats should be taking notes.

[madfloridian]

23. From your 2nd link...Maureen White...former DNC finance chair..shame on her.

"White had a different take, saying that politics was a nasty and sometimes very unfair business. Nobody ever said democracy would be easy, she said, but called on all of those present as leaders in the party to reduce the level of rancor, even if it went to a convention.

According to the source, White's intervention met with applause. At least from the Clinton donors."

Clinton money people are bullying Dean into submitting to their wishes.

I hope he keeps holding his ground.

[madfloridian]

24. Kick....

and linked.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=5384393&mesg_id=5384393

[madfloridian]

30. Compare those names to this donor list who threatened the DCCC and DNC

Clinton donors threatening party

"But a brouhaha has erupted over recent comments made by Pelosi on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos", when Pelosi, who will chair the Democratic National Convention, seemed to give a boost to the campaign of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., by saying "If the votes of the superdelegates overturn what's happened in the elections, it would be harmful to the Democratic Party."

Taking umbrage, a list of big Democratic donors who support the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., have written a letter to Pelosi (subsequently released to the press) pointing out that "Several states and millions of Democratic voters have not yet had a chance to cast their votes" and arguing "None of us should make declarative statements that diminish the importance of their voices and their votes. We are writing to say we believe your remarks on ABC News This Week on March 16th did just that."

Then the donors --
Marc Aronchick,
Clarence Avant,
Susie Tompkins Buell, S
im Farar,
Robert L. Johnson,
Chris Korge,
Marc and Cathy Lasry,
Hassan Nemazee,
Alan and Susan Patricof,
JB Pritzker,
Amy Rao,
Lynn de Rothschild,
Haim Saban,
Bernard Schwartz,
Stanley S. Shuman,
Jay Snyder,
Maureen White and Steven Rattner --

reminded Pelosi that they have given generously to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which helps fund Democratic House races."

And they threatened Dean about the FL and MI delegates. A very threatening bunch.

In an interview with Election Central, venture capitalist Alan Patricof, a member of Hillary's finance committee and one of the Democratic Party's most influential fundraisers, said that he'd privately urged Dean to do more to get the Florida and Michigan delegations seated -- something that's crucial to the Hillary camp's hopes of closing the gap with Obama.

"I've expressed to Dean my feeling that it's critical that this matter be resolved on a timely basis," Patricof says. "The voters in Florida and Michgan cannot be disenfranchised."

"He's got to exercise some leadership, and the sooner, the better," Patricof continued. "This is a party issue. We cannot afford to alienate this large a voting population in two very important states.

And he is not the only one threatening Dean.

Pushing to seat the Florida delegates, at least one top Clinton fund-raiser, Paul Cejas, a Miami businessman who has given the Democratic National Committee $63,500 since 2003, has demanded Democratic officials return his 2007 contribution of $28,500, which they have agreed to do.

“If you’re not going to count my vote, I’m not going to give you my money,” said Mr. Cejas, who was the United States ambassador to Belgium from 1998 to 2001.

Christopher Korge, a Florida real estate developer who is another top fund-raiser for Mrs. Clinton, held an event last year in his home that brought in about $140,000 for the national party, which was set aside in a special account for the general election battle in Florida. But he told committee officials this week that if Florida’s delegate conundrum was not settled satisfactorily he would be asking for the money back.

“If we do not resolve this issue,” Mr. Korge said, “I think it’s safe to say there will be a request for a return of $140,000.”

[Coexist]

33. 3 florida donors asked for their ball back, too

to the tune $45,000.

[atal]

34. Howard Deen for the VP position

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

35. the Big Money guys don't like us little money people having a voice

pretty much what its all about.