Wasserman Schultz insults FL Dem candidate...says "don't pull that populist stuff on me."

[madfloridian]

She tells him he has not raised enough money for her to support him. He says he has raised $100,000, she says that is not enough.

Part of that money is ours, mine and my hubby's money. We have been donating to his campaign. He has hardly been mentioned in a major newspaper in Polk County where his opponent, Adam Putnam, rules the roost in every way.

This occurred at the convention. He eagerly awaited a chance to talk to Wasserman Schultz. He learned his lesson. Howie Klein at DWT asked Tudor if he could share this note he received from him about his convention experiences.

Let me share a note I got from Democratic candidate Doug Tudor with you. I begged him to let me publish it and he said ok. I've written about him before, back when he said that members of Congress who voted for Bush's warrantless wiretap FISA legislation had violated their oaths of office. He's a twenty-year Navy vet who's selflessly challenging rubber stamp Republican Adam "Howdy Doody Nimrod" Putnam in a district that mostly corresponds with Polk County east of Tampa, Florida. Unlike DWS' district (PVI is D+18), FL-15 is a tough, tough district for Democrats. In fact it was designed to give a Republican a safe seat (PVI is R+5). But Doug is putting up a strong and valiant fight.

I am beginning to feel much fear that Debbie Wasserman Schultz will probably be the next DCCC chair. It does not bode well for our party in the future to continue such thinking.

From Down With Tyranny

Doug Tudor's note to Down With Tyranny. Shame on you, Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

One of the most satisfying aspects of my time in Denver was being able to see Democrats uniting together to help other Democrats. I received financial support from Congressman John Salazar (D-CO), Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL), future Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO), as well as from convention attendees from Washington, Montana, North Carolina, and Florida. What I have not been able to do is to get Democrats from Florida’s congressional caucus to risk offending their good friend, Adam Putnam, by contributing from their personal wealth or campaign accounts, or by endorsing me.

I, of course, was most anxious to meet and speak with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (DINO-FL), who is chairing the DCCC’s Red-to-Blue program. I just knew that she would welcome the chance to defeat Adam Putnam, as that would allow her lay sole claim to the title of “Wonder Kid” in Florida’s politics. Adam, after all, isn’t her next door neighbor. Once she comes onboard, I assumed, the other members of the caucus would lose their timidity and also support me. I was dead wrong, and I should have known better.

It is well known that Wasserman-Schultz supports Republicans Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Mario Diaz-Balart, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen over their Democratic opponents, although lately she has been pressured into giving belated and grudging support to Joe Garcia and Raul Martinez who are opposing the Diaz-Balarts. I always figured that she was just afraid of the Hispanic backlash in her own district. What I hadn’t considered is that she is just afraid of all incumbent Republicans in Florida. When I met her in Denver, she immediately told me that she couldn’t support me, saying I hadn’t raised enough money. I told her that I had raised $100K, that I was a military retiree, that my family is living on my wife’s Air Force E6 pay, and that I wasn’t able like other “viable” candidates to drop a quarter of a million dollars into my own campaign. I then told her, “Congresswoman, I am one of those working-class guys that our party claims to represent.” Her response was “Don’t pull that populist stuff with me.” I thanked her for her time.

Like a slap in the face. Like a kick in the butt.

Thanks for trying, Doug Tudor, and thanks for letting Howie Klein share your correspondence. And thanks for "pulling that populist stuff" on Debbie WS,



Doug Tudor's website.

[hobbit709]

1. Debbie Wasserman Schultz needs to get a pink slip

She definitely needs to find a new line of work. Kissing Republicans asses is a good career change for her.

[DaLittle Kitty]

85. A Review of Additional Evidence Sufficient to Get Debbi A Pink Slip from 2006!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=145x10536

Sclitz-Lieberman MUST Be reigned in!

[Freddie Stubbs]

89. Not one Democrat filed to run against her this year

Perhaps her constituents know her a little better than you do.

[AmyCamus]

94. She won 70 percent of the vote - sounds like some are just jealous of her success.

Haven't found anything bad about her via Google yet - except on a few blogs and bulletin boards.

[madfloridian]

2. This is actually FL District 12, not 15...

[yellerpup]

3. Democrats appreciate that "populist stuff".

I see Wasserman-Schultz on TV often. She should be promoting candidates like Doug Tudor, not slapping them down. Kick for visibility! :dem: :dem: :dem:

[madfloridian]

5. You have to play their game if you want to be a "hotshot"..

All the candidates will have to play her game if she becomes DCCC chair.

oops meant to reply to antigop's post.

[redqueen]

41. "Their" = DLC?

[madfloridian]

45. Not necessarily.....the kingmakers seem to be chosen by DSCC and DCCC

leaders. Schumer for the Senate and Rahm and then Van Hollen for the House.

I can see some of it, but I have seen too many good Democrats shunted aside here in FL, hand-picked.

[Supersedeas]

55. gotta drink that DLC Harold Ford Koolaid if you want to make it in THEIR show

[antigop]

4. Time Magazine lists her as one of "The Hotshots-- Five Democrats to Watch"

http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1834724_1834723_1834712,00.html

Yikes!

[DaLittle Kitty]

75. PUKE!

:puke:

[peacetalksforall]

77. Well let us tell them what we think of Debbie 'populist crap' S-Wasserman.

It's like Mr Smith going to Washington and morphing into a Karla Rove or a Debbie DeLay. What a manipulator and traitor?

Perhaps there is something about floor minimums for donations from others, but to insult the guy like that?

I'm sick of her and and I can hear myself praising her everywhere. I just wish I knew everyone I said that to so I could personally contact them to retract it.

Florida seems to be stuck in DLC. Makes you wonder more and more about 2000 including Joe Leiberman and all the pressure on Gore to play Mr Nice Guy. I don't think that we or Al Gore knew how sick that year was and what it has meant to the world.

I know she wasn't in her position then, but someone trained her in those philosophies of being nice and friendly with Republican leaders fast.

What a grand disappointment. I hold no respect for her.

Regrettably, the count of Dems I can't respect is mounting.

[marmar]

6. Di*no (n) - short for Democrat In Name Only....

......illustration: U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

[Supersedeas]

96. Wasser-Shultz is our House Lieberman

[libnnc]

7. sounds like Little Debbie needs an attitude adjustment

...like getting canned.

Ambitious little thing ain't she...

[Cosmocat]

100. she is a snake - OUR snake ...

but a snake. What is it with these pols from Florida.

For the record, Putnum is a Rick Santorum type - he is the next generation R scumbag powerhouse. Seems to me that ANYTHING dems can do to try to take him down, they should be doing it.

[Blue_Tires]

8. incredible...

talk about losing your vision and direction...but i hear money does that to people entrenched in the political machine...

[endthewar]

9. Sorry, but money and politics are joined at the hip

If you can't raise enough money, you can't get elected. If you have a lot of voter appeal, you need to find a way to convert that to cash.

[madfloridian]

10. Sorry, but $100,000 is a good amount in this conservative area.

It needs a second look by Miss Priss Schultz.

She is not God, and she should try to pretend she is.

[endthewar]

11. I have no clue if $100,000 is enough money

However, Schultz seems to disagree, and disagree very strongly. I don't agree with your sentiment that Schultz is ignoring him because she's prissy. I think an objective viewpoint is that Schultz doesn't think he has enough money to win.

Sorry if I seem combative. However, Schultz has been one of the best Dem surrogates so far pushing back against McCain picking Palin. I feel a little debt of support to her for sticking her neck out there before most other Dems to go after Palin.

On another note, I must commend you for your fervent advocacy for Florida, especially during the primaries. Keep up the great work! If there was a Patriot of the Year award (or something like that) voted by DU members, you would surely win. :patriot:

[Truth2Tell]

12. Wasserman Schultz is supporting the Republican

Do you think that is defensible? In cases where the Democratic challenger can't meet your standards of money-grubbing, do you then support the Republican incumbent instead? :shrug:

Edit to add the Wasserman

[endthewar]

14. Has she endorsed the Republican?

It seemed like a circumstantial charge to me. Video link please? :hi:

[madfloridian]

15. She is refusing to speak against them. Yeh. yeh, I know...it's politics.

you seem to think it is all just politics.

Sadly in FL that is how it is. It is why this state is so screwed up with Democrats having an identity crisis.

Little Debbie has her own identity crisis.

[endthewar]

18. I do see your point about inter-Party comradery though

No doubt this happens in many states. Probably an unwritten agreement to not attack each other too harshly. They probably have lots of dirt on each other and that's why they express tepid support for new contenders in their Party within their state.

[Truth2Tell]

20. I wrote "supporting" not "endorsed."

By supporting, I mean that she has made it clear publicly and privately, by her actions and her statements, that she doesn't want Tudor to win, and that she believes the reactionary goon Putnam is doing a fine job. If you want to pretend that she supports Tudor go ahead. I'd rather stay in the reality-based realm.

[Dr.Phool]

30. In 2006, she did everything short of an outright endorsement of Ginny Brown-Waite.

Over progressive John Russell in the fifth district.

In an interview in the St Pete Crimes, she praised her for her courage and "spine of steel".

[DaLittle Kitty]

63. As An Agent for The Establishment Their Worst Nightmare Is To Have People Like John + Doug Elected

to Congress... The the wheels will come off this nightmare we call American government!

[DaLittle Kitty]

64. Lil Debbie IS The "Agent" of Which I Speak for The "Establishment!"

Such "agents" must be challenged and defeated on both sides of the aisle for America to regain its former glory!

[madfloridian]

13. I have so many issues with her.....she was most divisive during the primary

and it hurt a lot of people who did nothing but stick with the rules.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/2075

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/2133

Those two posts contain videos in which she stretched the truth about the primary rules, attacked the chairman for actually believing a party needed rules.

She can look and sound really good when she decides to do so..and the next day she can switch sides and attack from the other direction.

[endthewar]

17. I agree. I hated her during the primaries as well.

Often felt dumber after listening to her Hillary-logic. :rofl: However, I think that she's clearly on board with the Obama campaign now and has done a good job so far in a short period of time. Overall, I'm much more interested in having her trying to defeat McCain/Palin than I am interested in holding a grudge about the primaries. I think that the McCain/Palin ticket is just too dangerous for our country to not focus 100% on defeating them. I might even send Cheney a fruit basket if he writes an op-ed in the NY Times about how he's scared of how bellicose McCain is. :rofl:

[madfloridian]

19. I can't get on board with her getting to pick and choose our future.

I am sorry, but that is wrong for her to tell someone not to talk about populism.

Of course I support our Democrats.....but I do not consider Wasserman Schultz being completely on board.

She is the one who is hurting our future when she talks to candidates like that.

Not me, I am on board.

[DaLittle Kitty]

59. It IS A Shame No Dem Challenged the Little Trollop!

[Freddie Stubbs]

125. No one runs against her because she is so popular with her constituents

[DaLittle Kitty]

58. Obama Over McPalin Is Important But Replacing The "Bought" Congress That Writes The Laws Must Not...

Be Ignored! John Russell IS Picking Up Steam W/ Bubba The Love Sponge Exposing Ginny Brown-Waite and Pushing John Russell. :)

[DaLittle Kitty]

67. www.johnrussellforcongress.com Be A Leader Not A Follower You Decide WHO IS Viable,

Don't listen to these assholes... Do You REALLY NEED To Be Told who is viable by these DINOs self serving as they are?

www.johnrussellforcongress.com

[Dr.Phool]

29. It used to be. They're looking for a quarter-mil now.

But, that's not the only problem. People like Debbie Dubya, and Rahm, and the DCCC have access and influence with mega-donors. A word from them will get them them money they need. If they don't give the word. You don't get the cash. Plain and simple.

On the other side. If you get a little too populist or progressive for them, they'll cut your donors and support off. And find a DINO to support against you.

I've seen it happen too many times already.

[madfloridian]

40. It has happened to John and Jan, and an old buddy named Jeff..

who tried and had someone put in against him as well. Someone who was JUST LIKE Putnam...anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-everything.

[Dr.Phool]

46. I'm assuming you mean Jeff Siemer.

I've met him several times. Good guy.

We spoke at several functions together.

[madfloridian]

47. Yes, he moved. Great guy.

I think to the west coast. What a nice guy. We met with him several times in our home when he was running, and knew him from DFA.

[madfloridian]

16. Oops...I forgot to say the magic word...PALIN...

Without that word things just drop here lately. Wonderful word, over used. Over done.

[madfloridian]

21. And everyone swoons when Debbie says Palin is no Hillary Clinton.

I am glad she says it, it does make a great sound byte for our side.

Now I expect her to quit attacking "populism" and those who choose to speak in those terms.

Debbie WS is having an identity crisis. She hurt our state a lot during the primaries as a primary attack dog against the chairman of the party. People trusted her to be honest. When she was not honest they believed her anyway.

[Raineyb]

22. Isn't that like saying water is wet?

I hope that this isn't going to convince people in the district that she's doing all she can. It seems rather obvious to me that she is not. As the old saying goes with friends like these who needs enemies?

That woman needs a pink slip.

Regards

[Freddie Stubbs]

23. $100,000 is nowhere near enough to run a competative congressional campaign

[madfloridian]

26. It could be if Dems supported him....so I say bull hockey Freddie

He did it just on his own with NO PARTY SUPPORT.

[Freddie Stubbs]

32. It is the job of the candidate to convince to convince others that they are a viable candidate

Why can't he convince his future constituents that he is a viable candidate?

[madfloridian]

36. Because the party leaders want to effing hand pick them, Freddie Stubbs

And you perfectly well know it

Debbie is NOT the one to be deciding the way our party goes in the future.

I will speak out when she drags us to the far right.

[DaLittle Kitty]

61. Freddie You Need A Little School'n... The Media and the Insider Pols like Lil Deb Are ...

All in cahoots with job ONE to Maintain the Status Quo! So people like John Russell and Tudor are left battling for funding and credibility against NOT ONLY their opponent but the papers who are constantly throwing the little zingers like... "So and So has got an uphill battle or a mountain to climb."

And so the folks not connected to the dccc who might GIVE... are reluctant as each new challenger who may be credible in EVERY way and then some is faced with... "Well he has good ideas but he can't raise the money."

Fred it is a system of PROTECTION for the well vetted and tested incumbents who are RELIABLE BOUIGHT AND PAID FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE ESTABLISHMENT LINE...

WHO CAN BE TRUSTED NOT TO vary... giving mere lip service to the masses while passsing legislation for the insider Benefactor Class...


THAT RUN THIS COUNTRY! John Russell, Doug Tudor, Jan Schneider and others who have stepped up to take on THE SYSTEM... are the heroes of today together with those who support their efforts to break up this corporato/political monopoly.

[DaLittle Kitty]

62. Why Is Deb W so active in 2008. Cause the People/Voters Are Pissed and are Not So...

likely to fall in line this time... due to the more broadly shared ECONOMIC pain this year. The Voters are ready for change!

[madfloridian]

65. Wow...may I say

:applause:

[Freddie Stubbs]

86. If this guy has less influence on his local Democrats than a Congresswoman for 200 miles away,

he must be a very persuasive guy.

[madfloridian]

90. You are not telling the truth. That is the how things have been done here

for years in Florida. Make stuff up, toss it out, and hope it sticks.

That is what you just did.

No matter who is running, the party elders just ignore them....UNLESS they put them into the race themselves.

Debbie is not God, and she should trying to act like it.

I am just as bright, just as good as she is, so was David Lutrin, so was Jan Schneider, so is Annette Taddeo, so were all the others I have written about who had fundraising squelched by the party elders here.

I am saying good by to you again. I emptied my list, thinking it might be possible to not have one for a while.

[Freddie Stubbs]

92. If you are just as good and bright as DWS, perhaps you should help Mr. Lutrin with his fundraising

I'm sure that you can just as well.

[Dr.Phool]

48. Not quite.

The party tends to recruit millionaires who can be self-funding, and already have a large financial base. And they give them more money.

A candidate will spend upwards of 8 hours per day calling people they've never met, begging for money. This is one reason that input from Lieberman-Schultz is so important. They can help clear the way for donations.

The practice of fundraising is a repulsive, demeaning experience. Very time consuming, and frustrating. Everyone hates it.

By their definition, there is no such thing as a viable grassroots candidate.

[madfloridian]

49. Yes, self-funding millionaires

Exactly.

[Freddie Stubbs]

87. There certainly are plenty of viable grassroots candidates. Here's a picture of one:

[Gman]

24. Well, there goes any chance now of raising significant money

Many money people don't like people that go public like this. Makes them come across as a whiner and a flake which implies loser which means their money contributed is for naught.

He didn't need to do this, and especially have it splashed all over somewhere like DU. Too bad. He could have been a good candidate.

[madfloridian]

27. If he doesn't get Debbie's blessing, he has no chance anyway.

6 of one half dozen of the other.

[DaLittle Kitty]

66. Absolutely Incorrect ... This Year! The Repubs Are ready to Cross OVer Due To Lost$!

John Russell has been talking to these people in the most conservative areas of Dist 5 and he told me that in one word ... these retirees are PISSED! Repubs are handing out his palm cards!

[NorthCarolina]

54. Or perhaps he saw it as a "chance" to get some donations in spite of her roadblock

If he has progressive positions it may be worth considering a donation to his campaign.

[dionysus]

76. thus spaketh the DLC hack...

:eyes:

[Dr.Phool]

25. A friend was at a Labor Day event in Tampa yesterday.

He said that he witnessed Kathy Castor give him the kiss-off too. And she's much more progressive than Debbie Lieberman-Shultz.

[madfloridian]

28. They must have the blessing...or they are dead.

[eggplant]

31. I sent him $25.

The best way to tell DWS off is to send him money.

I also emailed him the link to this thread.

[Divine Discontent]

33. she has a very shrill voice and attitude, I really love our Democratic leaders, but I don't "like"

her. Now I know even more, why.


MORE AT www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable

[bbgrunt]

34. k & r.

[WatchWhatISay]

35. She will not be our next Democratic Party Chair

Howard Dean will keep that job, to finish his work, for the next six years. After that, if he wants to run for President, after our Party is fixed, that'd be great with me.

Doesn't Obama have the most say in this matter? I would think he would concur with keeping Howard Dean around.

[madfloridian]

37. I meant the DCCC chair, like Rahm was and Van Hollen is now.

They decide who runs for the House seats. Rahm handpicked a millionaire Republican here to run against a Democrat in the primary.

Here is a lot about it...it happens all over. You can not change a party if the leaders hand pick.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1487

There is a good article from Truth Out at the link about how the Democratic leaders manipulate who runs and who does not.

[WatchWhatISay]

38. Thanks, I guess I read over that too fast.

And I was not aware that we had "kingmakers", so thanks for the education

[madfloridian]

39. Ah, yes...we do indeed have kingmakers. Putnam is only starting to be vulnerable.

But Doug Tudor is trying and getting some traction with progressives.

To have Debbie just flat out throw cold water on him is sickening.

I don't think the party leaders want Putnam out. I think they are too tied to his fortunes as 3rd in line for the GOP.

He is a right wing extremist, and they appear to be refusing to support anyone who runs against him.

That is sad, but it appears to be true.

[DaLittle Kitty]

74. On The Other Side How Does Schlitz-Wasserman Get Away W/ Supporting Neanderthal GinnyBrownWaite

Ginny leads nuthing... just there to collect the check, and provide a reliable vote for thr establishment line and... AIPAC! That IS da root of this. Who IS running our country? It ain't us! Got to DUMP RAHM, DEBBIE VAN HOLLEN, FORD AND OTHERS.


We Need Public Campaign Financing ... and John Russell IS A HUGE Advocate for that! www.johnrussellforcongress.com

[Freddie Stubbs]

91. How did Rahm Emmanuel do in increasing the number of Democrats in the House?

:shrug:

[Dr.Phool]

108. Easy. He claimed credit for all Howard Dean's work.

After he fought the 50 state strategy every step of the way.

[Freddie Stubbs]

111. Who recruited many of the new Democrats in the House?

Dean or Emmanuel?

[Freddie Stubbs]

113. Obama has already started putting his people into top positions at the DNC:

June 5, 2008, 1:58 pm
Obama Extends Campaign Operation to DNC

Susan Davis reports on the presidential race.

With Sen. Barack Obama now the party’s expected presidential nominee, the Illinois senator is branching out his campaign operation to the Democratic National Committee.

Obama has tapped senior campaign aide Paul Tewes to help oversee operations at the party committee, the Associated Press reported. As national field director for the campaign, Tewes has played a key role in organizing Obama’s ground game in the primary fight—including Obama’s Iowa Caucus victory in early January.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean–who has had rocky relations with Democratic Party leaders but remains popular among the party’s grassroots activists–will stay put.

more: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/06/05/obama-extends-campaign-operation-to-dnc/

[sadbear]

42. Jim Clyburn needs to crack his whip

over DWS's back!

[Synnical]

43. I'm glad I moved back into Alcee Hastings district

I used to like her . . .

-Cindy in Fort Lauderdale

[brentspeak]

44. People need to contact Howard Dean's office about this

DNC's main number: 202-863-8000

[DeeDeeNY]

50. K & R

[Greyhound]

51. Dr.Phool hit it. "By their definition, there is no such thing as a viable grassroots candidate"

and this is why we have no choice when it comes time to make our choice. Our political system is run by the Democratic wing of the Amerikan Corporate Party, "whoever wins, wins because we say so".

[madfloridian]

52. The only viable candidates are the ones they pick.

[Freddie Stubbs]

97. Tell that the Barack Obama

[Greyhound]

107. Vetted and approved by our Royalty over two years ago.

Dean caught them off guard in 2004, that almost fucked things up and it won't happen again.

[Freddie Stubbs]

110. Who had more superdelegate support before the primaries started?

:shrug:

[Greyhound]

121. The other corporate approved candidate, as you well know.

Do you have to submit a report?

[Freddie Stubbs]

122. Which corporations 'approved' Senator Obama's candidacy?

:shrug:

[Greyhound]

123. LOL! Since it takes about 10 seconds to find several lists, I can only assume you already know

or wish to remain ignorant. But I'll kick this thread again.

[Freddie Stubbs]

124. Corporations are prohibited by law from contributing the the campaigns of federal candidates

[Greyhound]

126. LOL!

Is there some kind of boiler room operation down there in FL where you guys all work?

another :kick:

[madfloridian]

53. Doug still speaking up....I just got an email.

Which you can read at this link. He links to Howie's post at DWT, and he points out why he is running against Adam Putnam.

We should not have one person in Florida playing God. Good for Tudor for speaking up.

http://www.teamtudor.org/blog.asp

"I was absolutely floored when I saw this comment by Adam Putnam, as he tried to explain Sarah Palin's supposed appeal to working-class voters.

“The media doesn’t understand life membership in the NRA; they don’t understand getting up at 3 a.m. to hunt a moose; they don’t understand eating a mooseburger; they don’t understand being married to a guy who likes to snowmobile for fun. I am not surprised that they don’t get it. But Americans get it,” said Florida Rep. Adam Putnam. “A mooseburger means she is like one of us. She is not some jackass who’s ‘gone Washington.’”

Now I don't know if Adam has ever went moose hunting or has eaten a moose burger. What I do know, though, is that the multi-millionaire son of a multi-millionaire son certainly isn't "like one of us." I'll let you be the judge as whether he's a jackass who has 'gone Washington.'

Now, as if that quote wasn't enough to make my day, our friend Howie Klein of DownWithTyrannny.com. posted a note I sent him last night. You can read it here.. He was so frustrated with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz' refusal to support a fellow Democrat – and thus refuses to support you – that he created this ActBlue page to help us raise money."

[Dr.Phool]

68. He's definitely another jackass, who's gone to Washington.

Let's send him up to Alaska and let him moose hunt.

With any luck, he'll run into a few grizzlies first.

[ihavenobias]

56. WTF, that's crazy. n/t

[madfloridian]

57. Well said.

It is just crazy. :hi:

[roody]

60. Vote her OUT!!!!!

[HughMoran]

69. She's awesome - stop attacking her

Really, you should think about your tact here - she's a real star for the Dems.

[madfloridian]

70. She has her good days. What do you think about her attack on a good candidate?

What do you think about her attack on populism?

[Usrename]

72. Why does she shill for the Republicans?

Maybe you can explain it. I don't get it. I mean, Lieberman was a star for a while too.

What's so great about her? If her Repubican friends that she supports are so wonderful, why doesn't get them to switch parties?

[democracy1st]

73. she freakin sucks

[Dr.Phool]

78. They're giving her a lot of face time now.

Ten will get you twenty, that she has plans to run against Mel Martinez in 2010. I hope she has a really tough primary.

In fact, I hope she gets a royal ass-kicking in the primary.

[DaLittle Kitty]

83. YEP! The Corporate Dems Who Are EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE REPUBLICANS!

"Wake Up A'Merika! :puke: on Lil Debbie and her ilk! :puke:

[Duppers]

71. k & R

nt

[autorank]

79. I saw her perform at the July 25 hearing on the Kucinich impeachment bill

She was tentative and when she spoke, she had absolutely no authority. The Democrats on the committee
all spoke. They were all quite effective save this person.

She's known to endorse Republicans. She's not really a Democrat. She's a member of
the Narcissist Party with occasional Democratic leanings and an honorary member of Lieberman for
Connecticut.

[Freddie Stubbs]

88. Which specific Republicans has she 'endorsed?'

:shrug:

[Dr.Phool]

109. Put a cork in it Fredo.

I have personally seen her, in campaigns I've been involved in, praise the shit out of a repuke incumbent. She won't support a progressive from her own party, much less put in a good word.

She doesn't come right out and use the word "endorse". But, anybody listening or reading can pick up the unmistakable endorsement.

[Freddie Stubbs]

112. Did she say that she 'supported' the Republican?

:shrug:

[Dr.Phool]

116. Can you understand English?

A pretty good unspoken endorsement.

[Freddie Stubbs]

120. Did she say that she was an effective legislator?

:shrug:

[autorank]

117. Here's one and info on how in 2006 FDC gave NO MONEY to progressives running for Congress

Read the whole article to see how FDC screwed their progressive Democratic candidates - no support because they didn't have enough money.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00219.htm

"Prominent Florida Democrat Endorsed Republican Incumbent in Russell’s Race
Before the campaign in Florida’s 5th Congressional district ever got underway, one of Florida’s most prominent politicians seemed to endorse the Republican incumbent.

“The bottom line is that the voters, whether they’re in the most liberal or conservative or moderate districts, they like their elected officials to have the backbone of steel that Ginny Brown-Waite has,� said Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a liberal Democrat from Broward County who has worked with, and against, her since their days in the Florida Legislature.

“When constituents know they are represented by someone who is willing to vote her conscience and do the right thing and is independent and not a rubber-stamp, that’s going to be tough to beat.� St. Petersburg Times 27 May 2006

Russell said, “It is extremely tough to beat an incumbent representative when the people who should be working to elect Democratic candidate are instead working to insure Republican Ginny Brown-Waite’s re-election.�

Russell had worked hard for the party in 2004 delivering the 5th for Betty Castor in a tough election. His campaign issues were all within the mainstream of the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. In addition, he took thoughtful positions on election integrity issues that were more than justified by Florida’s election experiences since 2000.

With less than a month until Election Day 2006, another story appeared in the St. Petersburg Times 15 October 2006 in which Rep. Wasserman-Schultz again commented on Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite: "She's pretty independent-minded, she stands up for what she believes in, and if she changes her view, it's because she's carefully evaluated" the issue.

This inspired Russell’s question, “So why would an elected official from my party be actively working for my Republican opponent?� "

There's more. Ask MadFloridian who is the expert on this.

And how about this:

"Karen Thurman is the current Chairman of the Florida Democratic Party. Al Cardenas is the former Chairman of the Florida Republican Party and a major player in Republican politics in Florida. Al pays Karen $3,500 a month to lobby Democrats in Washington in behalf of Miami-Dade County.

Ms. Thurman gets $100,000 a year for the full time position of party chair. Apparently she’s giving 242% since the Cardenas contract and another extracurricular endeavor earn her an extra $142,000 beyond the cool $100,000 she gets from the Democrats.

The St. Petersburg Times quoted Rep. Dan Gelber, (D-Miami Beach) as saying: "Everybody in political life navigates the ironies of relationships and friendships. It's ironic, but it's not improper." This was typical of the tolerance shown by others in the Florida Democratic establishment to this apparent conflict.

It could have been more ironic. The other firm representing Miami-Dade in Washington is Greenberg Taurig of Miami where convicted felon and former Republican operative Jack Abramoff served as a partner. "

Interview with Thurman.

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL0707/S00271.htm

"Karen Thurman: John you know what. You and I are just gonna disagree… This why I am doing these kind of event so that I can have the money. OK. The fact of the matter is how much money did Glen raise? How much money did you raise?

John Russell: And how much money did your son receive from the Florida Democratic Party?

KT:, I told you this… my son raised $60,000 dollars, he received little or nothing… there was not one mailing. You know what… you and I are…

JR: Yes he did. I have his finance report right here. The finance report is right here… He received $11,000 from the in in-kind

KT: Oh my God!

JR: and $4,000 in a check. (See appendix for financial records)"

----------------

After this, Russell was barred physically from the FDC convention despite being the candidate for Congress, getting 40% of the votes, and spending $40 thousand or more of his own money, AS EVERY SINGLE OTHER PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT HAD TO DO IN FLORIDA IN 2006 because the FDC gave them NO MONEY.

[AmyCamus]

80. If true, that's wrong. But I doubt she said that to him.

Why would she?

[madfloridian]

81. I don't doubt it at all

I have seen the way Democrats are treated here who try to run for office with the consent of TPTB. Meaning Debbie and Karen Thurman and selected DEC officials.

You must have their blessing.

I am glad to see Tudor speaking out about this. It happened to others many times. One other spoke out firmly about what they pulled on him.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1487

So it isn't just Wasserman Schultz. It the party leadership in general.

I don't blame them for trying to keep just anyone from running, but these people are NOT just anyone.

[AmyCamus]

93. Well, OK. You and Tudor don't like her.

Excluding the opinons of you two, it seems she's a very popular elected Democrat. Winning 70% of the vote and raising 17 million sure gets my respect!

From Time magazine:

She knocked on 25,000 doors over six months and beat a field of five others to become, at age 26, the youngest woman voters ever sent to Tallahassee. "She's a very, very hard worker," Deutsch says. Twelve years later in 2004, she ran for U.S. Congress from her district north of Miami, winning easily with 70% of the vote. In the House, the mother of three has sponsored bills to tighten child-safety laws concerning swimming pools and restrict imported toys that might be tainted with lead. Her canny grasp of politics and a take-no-chances vote-counting style won her a leadership post, first as a deputy whip and then as a "cardinal" when she became the youngest subcommittee boss on the powerful Appropriations Committee. "That was an overwhelming, oh-my-God moment," Wasserman Schultz, now 41, recalls. Such a rapid rise disgruntled more senior colleagues—the next youngest cardinals are approaching their 10th terms—but the $17 million she raised for her colleagues in the 2006 elections has helped smooth things over. Observes House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: "It is a testament to her intelligence and diligence that she has risen so far so fast after just a few years in the House."

[madfloridian]

95. She is a rising star....will be a party leader. It has been decided long ago.

She was a very disturbing factor in Florida during the primaries.

Wasserman Schultz says emphasis on party rules "unproductive".

"Congresswoman and Hillary supporter, Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) states while advocating for a new "Do-Over" Florida primary that we need to stop worrying about whether rules were broken and that "all of this talk about the rules and that kind of thing is counterproductive".

Wasserman Schultz reinvents the party rules for choosing the nominee

"Here is a video of John Harwood interviewing her in her DC office. She makes it clear that superdelegates will break for Hillary, that the campaign truly believes the Wright controversy is relevant and will use it, that there are many ways to choose a nominee...that we need to look not only at delegates....but get this:

She is using the meme that we must also look at the popular vote, but especially in the end...the electoral vote.

To the latter two I say bull hockey. The nominee will be chosen by the delegate count, the Clinton campaign does not get to rewrite the rules like that."

And she and Kendrick Meek refused to campaign against the Diaz Balart brothers and Ileana Ros Lehtinen.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1909

It's not a matter of liking or not liking....it is a matter of realizing that one person has so much power over anyone who wants to run.

It is the exact opposite of change. We can not have change if they hand pick.

[Vattel]

82. Nice presentation of one side of the story. n/t

[madfloridian]

84. Please feel free to present the other side.

One person should not have this much power, the snap of a finger, to determine who our candidates are here. I felt that way when Rahm interfered in 2006, and I feel that way no matter who it is.

[Vattel]

98. oh, that's the point of the post

well, then, I withdraw my remark

[madfloridian]

99. So you agree then and are unable to dispute that one person..

should not hold power of life and death over candidates.

I think she has done this too often. She has too much power and will be getting more.

As I say, dispute and present your side....but do it without insults.

[Vattel]

101. what I think

is that you shouldn't present one person's side of a story that is highly critical of someone without finding out what the other side of the story is. It's unfair.

[madfloridian]

102. I trust this candidate who spoke on this.

He had been excited about getting with the Florida delegation at the convention.

I have written about so many other times she has done stuff like this with impunity.

I posted some above. With facts. Do a search on my name and her name. I am nothing if not fair.

It is time for us to be outraged that the Florida candidates are so hand-picked and controlled.

I will be outraged for you, while you get upset with me.

[Vattel]

103. I'd still like to hear the other side of the story. n/t

[madfloridian]

105. Some have tried to verify....

But no luck. I always liked her in the past...just as I liked and respected many other Democrats. The Florida primary fiasco brought out the worst in many people.

They divided my state, they lied about the party chairman, and they never backed down on any of it.

She is one I used to respect, but now I have very mixed feelings and a lot of concern.

She once asked a Florida blogger to keep the bloggers off her back.

It just does not work that way anymore.

We are in Iraq, we have the bankruptcy bill, we had the terrible FISA legislation passed.....because we have the same party leaders forcing the same people on us as candidates.

And the same voting patterns will continue.

[Vattel]

104. besides,

even the way the story is presented in your post makes me wonder whether he got all silly and self-righteous on her for no good reason. I wasn't there; so I don't really know.

[madfloridian]

106. If you think I am wrong....then YOU present the facts. Contact her.

Then I can say I don't believe her, that I believe Doug.

She has a pattern, he does not.

[democracy1st]

114. great job thank you

[Dr.Phool]

115. It might be different if it were just one candidate.

I've seen this happen MANY times in races in Florida. They come in and interfere in primaries, when they're supposed to remain neutral. A couple of examples I've seen first hand.

Jan Schneider vs. Christine Jennings in 2006.

Schneider whipped Jennings ass handily in the 2004 primary to run against Katherine Harris. Schneider lost in the general by about 10 points. She would seem to have a better shot running against Vern Buchanan in 2006. Jennings (a former repuke, the kind Rahm and Thurman like to recruit) filed again. Two months before the primary, the DCCC sent Barbara Boxer down to Sarasota to raise over $400,000 at a fundraiser, which Jennings spent running negative TV ads against Schneider (A labor attorney and former Hillary classmate). Earlier this year Schneider met with the DCCC asking them to please remain neutral in the primary this time. They refused.

John Russell vs Rick Penberthy, David Werder in 2006.
(Disclaimer- I worked for the Russell Campaign in 2006)

Werder is a nice guy, but very eccentric. Penberthy was the FDP and DCCC favored candidate in the race. All the DEC's were told to back him, and I saw it first hand. The problem was, he was a very poor campaigner and had a very poor campaign plan. Russell won the 3-way primary by 10 points despite all the obstacles they put up in front of him.

Debbie Lieberman-Schultz, in an interview with the St' Pete Times raved about Ginny Brown-Waite (R-epugnant), and her spine of steel, and how she takes care of her constituents. At about the same time, we were trying to get John Edwards to record a voice-over for a robo call. They agreed, but they had to get direction from the DCCC to do it. The DCCC didn't do it.

Later Max Cleland agreed to do one for us, but said the request had to come through the FDP. We contacted Karen Thurman personally several times over a 3 week period. She kept saying, yeah, Ok. It was, after all, her old seat. She never followed through. Finally the Friday before the election, she made the call. For all intents and purposes it was wasted. Absentees had gone out a month earlier, and it was the last day of early voting.

Also, the DEC phone banks were making calls for everyone, but us. They conveniently "forgot" to form a Federal PAC, so they couldn't give us any financial support.

I can mention a few more races where I knew they were pulling their bullshit, but, I need a drink after re-living their treachery.

[autorank]

118. If we lose Florida, it will be on the "in crowd" at FDP

What an approach they have? Oh, you don't have above $XXX,XXX, so we can't give you any money.

Wouldn't you think the allocation of funds would be based on something more than that? Nope.

How much do you have? If you want progressives out, you just cut off their funding or you put
a primary candidate in there against them, that's another of their excuses, FDP and DCCC. 'Oh,
you have a primary candidate, sorry, no money.' They leave out this part, 'We put a primary candidate
in there to screw you so now we'll say ... 'Oh, you etc.'

I know some outstanding Democrats in Florida, real warriors for the party and progressive cause
(like you) who are the real heart of the party.

[JCMach1]

119. Could she possibly be more disgusting...

Why doesn't she just change parties now?