Democrats Move to Ensure No More AOCs

[Brainster]

One is apparently enough, as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee promises to blacklist any consultants who work for a candidate primarying a sitting Democrat:

Six hours after the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee announced that it was blacklisting firms that work with primary challengers, I met with a potential client who was considering a Democratic primary. The client told me that two consultants dropped out that morning — and now the candidate may not run at all.

The timing of the DCCC’s blacklist is not remotely coincidental. In the first quarter of an off-year, many potential candidates decide whether to jump into a race. If campaign staff dries up before day one, a once-daunting campaign can feel impossible.

The concern on the part of the DCCC is that they don't want to spend their time and money fighting other Democrats. They can also argue that going too far left will turn off centrists.

On the other hand it is just incumbent protection and rather heavy-handed at that.

 

[Delphic Oracle]

I'm sitting down with a few folks who know our county/state committees and will ask what the attitude is on this.

Between this and a PAC that fights dirty for party favorites, I have a feeling it's going to get ugly (note: I intend to be an officer on a primary challenger's campaign committee).

I'd say we have about 6-8 months to fix this problem before serious decisions get made heading into the new year. If the season gets underway with this bickering, it's game over.

 

[Foolmewunz]

I just wrote to Nancy. This move (I tracked the link backwards to the actual statements by D-trip, and it's an accurate assessment, although I'm sure that it will gain interesting 'splaining if the objections gain traction) is horrific. We can't really call it "good old boys" politics because there are some good old girls in the caucus, but it sure ain't "Democratic".

Basically, this sucks. The D-trip, the DNC and the Senatorial fund need to stay out of the primaries. I'd say that about the RNC and the GOP parallel organizations, but Trump has co-opted the RNC so yugely that it would be pointless.

 

[Lambchops]

Look at those liberals doing their best for the people they are supposed to represent.

Lol.

 

[BobTheCoward]

I just wrote to Nancy. This move (I tracked the link backwards to the actual statements by D-trip, and it's an accurate assessment, although I'm sure that it will gain interesting 'splaining if the objections gain traction) is horrific. We can't really call it "good old boys" politics because there are some good old girls in the caucus, but it sure ain't "Democratic".

Basically, this sucks. The D-trip, the DNC and the Senatorial fund need to stay out of the primaries. I'd say that about the RNC and the GOP parallel organizations, but Trump has co-opted the RNC so yugely that it would be pointless.

You want to exclude private groups from participating in primaries?

 

[Brainster]

You want to exclude private groups from participating in primaries?

The party apparatus is not exactly an average private group; they are supposed to be the referees.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Gotta love establishment Democrats, they're so dedicated to making sure they lose elections the proper way.

 

[thaiboxerken]

Gotta love establishment Democrats, they're so dedicated to making sure they lose elections the proper way.

When are they going to learn that making the party Republican-lite isn't a winning strategy anymore?

 

[TragicMonkey]

When are they going to learn that making the party Republican-lite isn't a winning strategy anymore?

They aren't going to learn that. A new party will have to form and replace them. It's a very old party, time for it to fade away.

 

[Belz...]

They aren't going to learn that. A new party will have to form and replace them. It's a very old party, time for it to fade away.

That was also true 150 years ago.

 

[BobTheCoward]

The party apparatus is not exactly an average private group; they are supposed to be the referees.

No, they are not supposed to be referees. Political parties are private organizations.

 

[thaiboxerken]

It doesn't help that the GOP has veered so far right that many Republicans are now Democrats.

 

[Foolmewunz]

You want to exclude private groups from participating in primaries?

The party apparatus is not exactly an average private group; they are supposed to be the referees.

No, they are not supposed to be referees. Political parties are private organizations.

Bob,

The real world is quite a different one from Bob World. Golf Clubs are private. Pee Wee Football is private. Darts tournaments are private. Ditto chess tournaments, MLB, the NBA, etc... There are numerous "private" organizations whose members/participants (and by-laws) promote fairness and an even playing field.

"Private" isn't some magical libertarian elixir that means "anything goes". Members in all the above-mentioned anticipate that the management of the clubs and organizations will run fair tournaments and competitions. (Well, except members at Trump National, I believe, where the owner had himself falsely listed as holding the club record.)

 

[BobTheCoward]

Bob,

The real world is quite a different one from Bob World. Golf Clubs are private. Pee Wee Football is private. Darts tournaments are private. Ditto chess tournaments, MLB, the NBA, etc... There are numerous "private" organizations whose members/participants (and by-laws) promote fairness and an even playing field.

"Private" isn't some magical libertarian elixir that means "anything goes". Members in all the above-mentioned anticipate that the management of the clubs and organizations will run fair tournaments and competitions. (Well, except members at Trump National, I believe, where the owner had himself falsely listed as holding the club record.)

Determining a candidate is not a competition. That is why the term is smoke filled rooms. The room is just bigger now.

 

[Foolmewunz]

Determining a candidate is not a competition. That is why the term is smoke filled rooms. The room is just bigger now.

You realize they no longer smoke, right? Maybe we could go back to robber baron king-makers, too. That'd be a refreshing return to our roots.

I'm a member of the club we're speaking about. And I don't approve of this tactic. "Protect the incumbent" is a stupid and self-destructive policy.

 

[BobTheCoward]

You realize they no longer smoke, right? Maybe we could go back to robber baron king-makers, too. That'd be a refreshing return to our roots.

I'm a member of the club we're speaking about. And I don't approve of this tactic. "Protect the incumbent" is a stupid and self-destructive policy.

It's vape juice now.

 

[BobTheCoward]

I'm a member of the club we're speaking about. And I don't approve of this tactic. "Protect the incumbent" is a stupid and self-destructive policy.

Is it? Incumbency is a massive electoral advantage.

 

[Belz...]

Determining a candidate is not a competition. That is why the term is smoke filled rooms. The room is just bigger now.

You realise that the DNC could just pick and choose their candidate and forego the primary process altogether, right?

 

[BobTheCoward]

You realise that the DNC could just pick and choose their candidate and forego the primary process altogether, right?

I actually don't know if they could. Do any states tie ballot access to a process?

 

[Belz...]

I actually don't know if they could.

Well I just told you. Parties are essentially private organisations and until not so long ago didn't have open primaries and such. In fact in my view the process just complexifies the elections with little gain.