Washblog

The Continuing Battle for Hearts and Souls

So the question is asked, `are we a national party or a loose collection of candidates?' Watching the video below you will see and hear James Carville, political consultant to Bill Clinton and other Democratic candidates, espouse the notion that the candidates are the highest level persons in the party. Most of us are familiar with Howard Dean's call for a "50 State Strategy" which is about strengthening the 50 state parties and helping them build a strong  base for the long term.



Part of Carville's rant is that Dean and the DNC "left some $6 Million on the table" while ten or eleven House races were lost by just one percentage point or so. What he actually says is that the DNC had a $10 Million "line of credit" and only used $4 Million of that. He states that the DCCC and the DSCC "borrowed to the hilt" to support their candidates. Another question then should be, `do we want the DNC to operate in the red and, therefore, always be playing catch up with the RNC?' I think this question takes on a particular relevance if you believe that Darcy Burner might have benefited from additional DNC spending.


You can view Howard Dean's response to Carville by following this link to a clip provided by the folks at Crooks and Liars. Basically Dean responds that, while the DCCC and the DSCC did a great job with federal candidates, the Democratic Party picked up six new governors and control of nine new legislative chambers in addition to regaining control of the US House and US Senate. Again, here at home, we know what was accomplished at the legislative level and how much more competitive we became in Eastern Washington.


Personally, as one who came in to this mess at Dean's encouragement to make the party more inclusive and relevant at a national level, I know where I stand. By the way, don't forget Cherisse's suggestion about sending $20.06 to the DNC for Howard's birthday on 11/17 (tomorrow).


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

< Looking for new blood | Why I never trusted Mike McGavick >
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I was in a good position to argue for the program because in the 1980's while chairing Alan Cranston's campaign here, I had discovered how pathetic many of our state parties actually were. Many were literally bankrupt, the office supplies and machines (typewriters) had been taken for unpaid debt, and padlocks were on the door. The State Committees that had the franchise were held in one or another lawyer's file cabinet, (In Georgia it had been Bert Lance's for about 20 years), and the reason for this condition was frankly racism. The Southern States would not allow the release of the franchise to a newly elected Central Committee or Board, because it would be Black. They could do this because the parties were in bankruptcy, and whatever lawyer had the letterhead in his files was also the court appointed trustee.

When Dean took over the DNC -- this was the condition of about twelve of our State Parties. He actually had to find lawyers to go into court and get the parties out of this kind of "Trusteeship" before he could even begin to reorganize. In fact, one of the reasons some of the Field Organizers Dean appointed are on the staff of the DNC rather than state parties is because it avoids dealing with old trustees and old court judgments.

The really sad thing is that Democrats all around the country don't know about all this -- about how the party structure was sabotaged essentially over the matter of race over a long stretch of years. By not actually dealing with the matter -- and it should have been argued out and dealt with in at least the 1970's -- it has festered, and now we have this assumption by James Carville that he is the great white master, who can dictate the structure of the DNC, including which African American should head it as opposed to Dean, or whom ever else the properly constituted DNC should elect.

Yes, given what Dean has done, in 2008 the DNC will be still supporting state parties and field organizations that might elect a Congresscritter or two in the really red states, but may also progress in electing state legislators, county commissioners and all the rest. But he has also created the model for the "voter file" -- the microtargeting that the Republicans call their Voter Vault -- and it was rolled out in a number of states this year, and is ready for National roll out next year. Every state now has the technical ability to use it, access it, and apply it to all sorts of requirements. In 2004, using old fashioned methods, we came within two seats of controlling our State House. Using these new methods we picked up 19 seats, nearly a veto proof House. Of course it has maintence costs -- but it is worth it. Dean also introduced the idea of putting field offices in every Congressional District, not just in the State Capitol. Off years, the staff will do organization, election seasons they will coordinate all activity in each district. It is so simple minded it boggles the mind. But yes, it does mean that a Washington DC operative cannot actually control how local parties operate. And with Carville, that is the crux of the problem.

by eridani on Sat Nov 18, 2006 at 04:01:44 AM PST

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