House Democrats... Grumble Grumble

by Matt Stoller, Thu Jan 12, 2006 at 11:28:52 AM EST

Congressman James Clyburn of South Carolina, the newly and unanimously elected Chairman of the Democratic Caucus who has lived his life with a commitment to a high ethical standard, will head the Clean House Team.

From NPR:

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay isn't the only politician facing ethics charges. South Carolina's James Clyburn and Mississippi's Bennie Thompson, both Democratic members of the Congressional Black Caucus, also had to answer tough questions last week. In 1997, both men traveled to the Northern Mariana Islands, a U.S. commonwealth. The trip -- and an earlier trip to the Marianas by two associates of DeLay -- appears to have been paid for by lobbyist Jack Abramoff. It is a violation of House ethics to accept gifts from a registered lobbyist. Abramoff is now the subject of a federal corruption probe. Farai Chideya speaks with Rep. Clyburn.

The NRCC pounced a few hours later.

This clean house committee mistake should never have happened. Clyburn didn't do anything illegal, and there's no proof he even did anything unethical. What's happening here is that the Congressional Black Caucus was probably making a move to raise Clyburn's profile. But a two minute Google search could have shown that this was a politically silly move.

Look, House Democrats, we WANT to defend you. We WANT to take the House back, so YOU'LL have the ability to GOVERN and wield power. We care about the country. But help us, a little bit. I mean come on, throw us a bone here, put some fresh faces in there, maybe a Tim Ryan or someone, anyone, who hasn't taken a trip on Abramoff's dime. It's not rocket science.

UPDATE: Jane Hamsher has more. She brings up the astute point that we're not actually Powerline or Michelle Malkin, and don't like this kind of stuff.

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I love Tim Ryan!

And gang- what do you think folks like us can do to pressure the House Dems on this stuff (other than our continued online pestering-- and if that, is there a plan on how to target it?)

The illustration you use, that a google search would have revealed this goes to show exactly where some people's thinking is-- the stone-age.

In NY the Republican newspaper the NY Sun already has a front page story on this this morning. We keep repeating the "This is a REPUBLICAN problem" meme - (a point that should be obvious to anyone who knows how DeLay bullied lobbiests in to NOT giving money to Dems anymore) but this revelation messes with that.
We must move quickly.

by Our Gal in Brooklyn 2006-01-12 11:33AM | 0 recs

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This is why....

I trust the leadership of Sen. Reid and Rep. Emanuel and not Rep. Pelosi. Pelosi is a liability. If we retake the house, I hope for and expect Rep. Emanuel to successfully challenge her for the Speaker position. To make a football analogy, if Congressional Democrats were a football team Pelosi would lead the team in fumbles.

by rapid response 2006-01-12 11:55AM | 0 recs

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say what?

I disagree with this statement greatly, also Rahm has shown nothing but contempt for the grassroots and for anybody that isn't pro-Iraq war.

Why him?

Also, if Rahm wanted it, he would have Minority Whip Steny Hoyer to go through as well... who somehow seems to think he can lead the Moderate Democrats group and still impartially enact the Minority Leader's wishes.

-C.

by neutron 2006-01-12 12:18PM | 0 recs

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Re: say what?

Rahm Emanuel and his attack on suburban Democrats is why I'm thinking of leaving the Democratic Party.

by antiHyde 2006-01-12 12:28PM | 0 recs

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Re: say what?

I have heard the claim that Emanuel is "pro-Iraq War" or won't support candidates who are anti-war. However, I have yet to see firm evidence of this. Anybody who can enlighten me please do so...
Ok, this view isn't going to be popular... but here goes anyway. I have never bought the idea that we should support a candidate just because they post a few blog diaries. The lefty blogosphere's affinity for underdog candidates who post diaries is silly in my book. Look at how every candidate and their brother (quite literally) is now posting diaries on MyDD and DailyKos. They just want your money -- and the worst part is that in most cases that money could be better spent on candidates who actually have a shot at winning.

Now people tell me that Cegelis came close in 04 and has a lot of support in her district. Good for her. She should have no problem winning the primary. However, I don't mind at all if Emanuel wants to get involved and help Duckworth. Newsweek stories about Duckworth and the fighting Dems sure do give a boost to our candidates out here in the heartland. If Cegelis is as strong as the blogosphere thinks, then she should win easily -- more power to her. I respect Rahm's views though, and if he thinks Duckworth has a better shot at winning than I don't see whats wrong with him supporting a competitive primary.

The fact that Emanuel gets involved in primaries against candidates who have made a few blog posts doesn't make him an enemy of the grassroots. The primary voters are the grassroots, and at the end of the day they'll have their say. Seriously, what does it say about a candidate when they have to solicit most of their money and buzz from out of state blog readers. Does that really make them 'grassroots?'

Emanuel justs wants to win, and I respect him a hell of a lot for that.

by rapid response 2006-01-12 01:33PM | 0 recs

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Re: say what?

The fact that Emanuel gets involved in primaries against candidates who have made a few blog posts doesn't make him an enemy of the grassroots.

It is a violation of explicit DCCC policy to get involved in a Democratic primary:

Opensecrets.org gives the appearance that we gave $3,500 to Russ Carnahan's campaign in the very competitive primary campaign to fill Dick Gephardt's seat in Missouri. Unfortunately, despite the ability to just ask us what the deal was, he instead assumed we were up to mischief and painted us as bad guys once again. Not true. The DCCC has a policy of not contributing in contested primary elections unless it is an incumbent

Rahm Emanuel started a divisive fight in the Democratic Party and with the blogosphere for no good reason. His judgement is highly questionable.

by Gary Boatwright 2006-01-13 12:05AM | 0 recs

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More Divisive Emanuel Tactics

It is turning into a common pattern for Emanuel to interfere in Democratic primaries:

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is definitely trying to preempt the will of the voters in the State of Florida. Ignoring past election results and polls, the DCCC Chair, Rahm Emanuel, is trying to force conservative candidates - several in the nature of "pale imitation Republicans" -- on Congressional districts around the state. Are these "Trojan Horse" ("Trojan House"?) tactics on the part of Republican "wannnabe's"?

The currently best-known instance is the Florida 13th. Congressman Emanuel is pushing Christine Jennings, a retired President of a small bank with a high school education, over Jan Schneider, the Democratic nominee who ran better than any Democrat in decades in the district.
<snip>
Jennings was a registered Republican her entire time in Manatee County

Another egregious example is the Florida 16th, where Emanuel recruited a wealthy Republican to change parties and run against two progressive Democrats. After Emanuel selected Tim Mahoney, a Republican venture capitalist reportedly willing to self-finance, Democrats Carol McLean and David Lutrin were reportedly asked to get out of the race to avoid a primary.

You already know about Phyllis Busansky in the Florida 9th, for whom Emanuel appeared at a fundraiser and to whom he donated $5,000. While Busansky, a former Hillsborough County Commissioner, is a great candidate, she is also 68 years old. Further, such blatant favoritism from afar in anointing one Democrat, in spreading rancor, may well kill any chance she may have of winning the general. There were already three candidates in the primary: Greg Rublee of Oldsmar, a former Defense Department official; Fred Taylor of New Port Richey, a real estate broker and veterans affairs activist; and Tampa lawyer Bill Mitchell.

The case of Ron Klein, Minority Leader of the Florida Senate, running for the Florida 22nd is also well known. Although there is a Democratic primary with two other candidates, John Glassie and Robert Watson, among other things, Emanuel gave him $2,000. The story is much the same with Charlie Stuart in the Florida 8th, to whom Emanuel also gave $2,000 despite a primary. There are also strong rumors that the DCCC is favoring Kathy Castor in the Florida 11th, whose primary opponents include Florida Senate Minority Leader Les Miller, as well as Scot Farrell, Albert Fox and Michael Steinberg. Similar rumors relate to John Russell in the 5th, against primary opponents Richard Penberthy and H. David Werder, but so far all that is known is that Russell was sent for candidate training.

The bottom line is that the DCCC is trying to buy off every single Democratic Congressional primary in Florida. Apart from angering good candidates and their supporters, this whole strategy is counterproductive. Florida has a very late primary, this election cycle on September 5, 2006. Typically, if there is a Republican primary and no Democratic counterpart to capture the attention of the media and the voters, there is simply not enough time to mount a viable campaign before early voting starts in mid-October.

Why is Emanuel fighting so hard to divide the Democratic Party?

by Gary Boatwright 2006-01-13 12:13AM | 0 recs

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Re: More Divisive Emanuel Tactics

<<Why is Emanuel fighting so hard to divide the Democratic Party?>>

First of all, the DCCC getting involved in primaries is nothing particularly new. Sometimes they get it right (Mike Honda in California, for example) and sometimes they don't (See: Republican incumbents of Melissa Hart and Mike Ferguson).

That aside, there is sometimes a vast difference between candidates that can actually WIN in a district and candidates that some, myself included, would prefer under ideal circumstances.

Given the lack of ideal circumstances in districts like IL-06, it shouldn't surprise anyone that the DCCC is went looking for another candidate. You go for the candidate who you think can actually win.

As a result, I don't really care if Cegilis got 45 percent in 2004 because that was 2004 and she was running against a dinosaur of an opponent who hadn't really campaigned in years.

It's an interesting number to look at, but basically irrelevent against a new Republican candidate.

by Politicalhack06 2006-01-13 06:04AM | 0 recs

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I'm confused

Please don't think I'm a troll or anything (just look at my previous comments, as few as they are) but I'm a bit confused. Last weekend, Dean said that Abramoff gave no money to Democrats. I understand that he gave no campaign dollars to Democrats, but this seems to be a gift. I'm just wondering, not trying to stray off-message.

by nanoboy 2006-01-12 12:00PM | 0 recs

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Campaign Donations

100% of Jack Abramoff's campaign donations went to Republicans.

Grease from the K Street/Abramoff influence peddling machine went primarily to Repugs, with a little bit to Dems.

This would have been a trip paid for on the client's dime -- and since it happened a long time ago, it was before the rules of the game had changed.

But it's still a bone-headed move, given the opportunity we have. Definitely a ready-fire-aim moment in House Leadership.

by ck 2006-01-12 01:20PM | 0 recs

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Or Mel Watt

the head of the caucus...

by Robert P 2006-01-12 12:06PM | 0 recs

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Leadership Races

If the Democrats take the House in November, the big story will be that Nancy Pelosi is poised to become the first woman Speaker in the history of the House.
What good would it do Emanuel to run for Speaker in 2007, if he could be Majority Leader? He's been in the House three years--he going to stop the First Woman Speaker?
Leadership elections are very closed things--it's a secret ballot. I wish the progressive blogs had a say in Democratic leadership contests, but I don't think it's ever likely to happen.

by Ron Thompson 2006-01-12 12:51PM | 0 recs

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Re: Leadership Races

Those are some good points and that seems a very likely scenario. I suspect that if Democrats win the house, Rep. Emanuel will get the lion's share of the credit. If you win big when you chair the campaign committee you usually get a nice promotion (i.e. Newt Gingrich). I could see Emanuel sliding in as ML behind Pelosi, but considering that he rose so quickly to DCCC chair I think he would make a run for the top stop.

If he ran, he would immediately have the support of all the moderate Democrats in the house. This illustrates what I see as the main problem with Pelosi as leader. While Reid can effectively bridge the moderate-progressive divide in the senate, Pelosi will never be able to do the same in the house. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we need to put a blue dog at the top. I'm saying that our House caucus will continue to be embarrasingly divided until we have leadership that can unite both wings of the party.

Allow me to make two more quick critiques of Pelosi. What I was trying to say with the fumble analogy earlier is that Pelosi is prone to making communications and strategy mistakes. This is in stark contrast to Reid's stellar gaffe-free leadership in 05. Also, consider her media persona. Reid has a folksy grandfatherly demeanor that masks his tough as nails style. Pelosi comes off as a San Francisco liberal... and, well, she is a San Francisco liberal. Not that there is anything wrong with that. However, as I said before we need a leader for our caucus that can bridge the moderate-progressive divide. Pelosi has been an entrenched leader of the progressive wing for years. This is part of the reason why we have embarrasing sagas like the bankruptcy bill. Moderate Dems in the house are straight up leery of Pelosi. They know she isn't one of them, they don't think she understands them, and they defect on PoS bills like the Bankruptcy Bill b/c we she doesn't have sway over them.

I would love nothing more than to have a leader in the house who is not a liability to our candidates in the south, the heartland, and the mountain west.

by rapid response 2006-01-12 01:16PM | 0 recs

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Harry Reid Is A Putz

The blunt truth is that Harry Reid has cooperated with Bush and the GOP more than he has challenged them. Reid is much better at flapping his gums than he is at opposing fascist Republican policies.

Exactly what has Harry Reid accomplished? Name three pieces of Bush/GOP legislation he stopped this session.

by Gary Boatwright 2006-01-13 12:23AM | 0 recs

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Rahm Emanuel Is A Closet Republican

It is more likely that Rahm's legacy will be the most divisive intra-party squabble since the Dixiecrats left the party. The credit for whatever gains Democrats make in 2006 will go far more to Abramoff than Emanuel.

Pelosi has been an entrenched leader of the progressive wing for years. This is part of the reason why we have embarrasing sagas like the bankruptcy bill.

You're an idiot if you think anyone at MyDD is going to buy that line of crap. Bankruptcy sailed through the Senate quicker than it passed the House. Biden and Reid greased the skids for it in the Senate, which gave carte blanche for corporate Democratic whores in the House to vote for it.

by Gary Boatwright 2006-01-13 12:27AM | 0 recs

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Pelosi Should Not Be Speaker

It would be nice to say that the Democrats elected the first female speaker of the house. However, the Democrats' goal should be to wage political battles rather than cosmetic ones. If Democrats miraculously regain the House in 2006, it will need to prove to the American people almost immediately that they have the capacity and energy to govern. This is becuase the public views existing Democratic elected officials (and they're not too far off in my opinion) as lazy, reactive, and very out of touch, even with their own base much less the rest of the country.

If the Democrats regain the House, they will need to select a young, energetic, and competent progressive who can move things along in the house. Unlike Pelosi, they will have to be very politically saavy and skillful in their tactics, and not look like a deer in the headlights every time they have their picture taken or appear on camera.

by gatordemocrat 2006-01-12 01:32PM | 0 recs

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Re: Pelosi Should Not Be Speaker

The problem here is that I can't really think of anybody who would be able to get the nomination on our side.

I've heard grumbling about Pelosi and all for awhile. But the top alternative is Hoyer.

by RBH 2006-01-12 01:40PM | 0 recs

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Clean House

I read the Pelosi release and it's a not a bad idea if they 'Clean House' team is going to attack the GOP on actual votes and legislation.The Abramoff scandal is not a lobbying scandal, it's a Congressional scandal. Abramoff was just the bag man for partisan GOP machine.

Slaughter's study on the 108th Congress is a good start. Cut adds for '06 on midnight votes, Medicare arm twisting, and Nick Smith bribes - NOT on Jack Abramoff. Abramoff was never elected to anything - you can't run against him.

But it is sloppy and weak to allow Abramoff associations (however tenuous) anywhere near a reform effort.

by joejoejoe 2006-01-12 01:52PM | 0 recs

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Points

I agree this may appear to be tone deaf but come on these are the same people who smeared Kerry as being just short of being the Manchurian Candinate because he for served in the military. They will find and/or create something. That said it is still a little tone deaf.
Legitamate interests. Minority representatives visiting a source of a growing minority presence in the US. US has responsibilities. Saipan involves federal questions/oversite. Legitimate.

If this trip in any way involved in the hearings I believe Conyers had on labor conditions in Saipan that revealed the worst abuses imaginable this could turn into an attack issue for the D's. .. Hot off the presses...
How the D's challenged the Lobbyist paymasters by taking the trip and seeing through the Potemkin Village tour he arranged to reveal the crimes that were behind the facade.

3) Pelosi is the one who supplies whatever spine the Congressional D's have. I look forward to Speaker Pelosi. ( I would settle for Barney Frank but since he will be moving to the Senate soon...)

Rep. Emanuel's behavior in ignoring grass roots candinates espiacially in Illinois plus his Old school approach to fund raising and organizational structure has left me with little faith in his desire to promote a truly progressive agenda.

by Rational 2006-01-12 01:59PM | 0 recs

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Re: Points

Emanuel is a closet Republican pure and simple.

by Gary Boatwright 2006-01-13 12:29AM | 0 recs

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Uhh

"Clyburn didn't do anything illegal, and there's no proof he even did anything unethical."

Isn't that what the Republicans say about Tom Delay?

I have one set of standards for every member of Congress. We ought to treat corruption in our party the same as corruption in the Republican party. Accepting money from lobbyists is simply unacceptable.

by Covin 2006-01-12 02:16PM | 0 recs

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And who will vote for Alito's confirmation?

My guess it's the Senatorial Democrats who most resemble Tim Ryan. Why Ryan is held up as an answer when the Democrats we already have keep straying away from progressive values to vote with the Republicans is beyond me. Some say we need Democrats who look more like Republicans on issues like a woman's right to her own body. Sorry, but that litmus test doesn't fly with me.

by media girl 2006-01-12 03:41PM | 0 recs

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Re: And who will vote for Alito's confirmation?

In this case, it's a criminal issue.

by Matt Stoller 2006-01-12 05:55PM | 0 recs

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Re: And who will vote for Alito's confirmation?

Well, Di Fi is making noise that she will. Also ben Nelson according to Yahoo. What's up with Feinstein?

by David Kowalski 2006-01-13 02:44AM | 0 recs

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Democrats have to fight back

I don't even see a problem here. NPR and the RNC are bellyaching about a possible problem that happened ten years ago? If the Democratic leadership had the spine to fight its way out of a brown paper bag, this would not be an issue.

Bilmon on the Bi-partisan scandal:

Today

I'm not, frankly, all that familiar with a lot that's going on over at Capitol Hill, but it seems like to me that [Abramoff] was an equal money dispenser, that he was giving money to people in both political parties.
George W. Bush
Fox News Interview
December 14, 2005

When you look at this scandal, there's no question both Democrats and Republicans received money . . . The way I look at it, we shouldn't be pointing fingers.
RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman
CNN Interview
January 9, 2006

Yesterday

The Washington office of Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds, a Seattle-based law firm, keeps adding Republicans . . . Earlier this year, Preston Gates hired Jack Abramoff, a high-powered Republican with impeccable conservative credentials.
National Journal
From the K Street Corridor
April 8, 1995

If a Republican era began in 1994, Jack Abramoff is K Street's future . . . Abramoff has given himself the tough task of advancing the goals of the conservative revolution while also making money. ''They agreed that I could work on things that were important to me,'' Abramoff said.
National Journal
Jack Abramoff: A Lobbyist
With a Line to Capitol Hill
July 29, 1995

Some insiders have already bet on the Republicans. This summer the Association of American Railroads hired a Republican, Edward R. Hamberger, as president; and the new head of AT&T Corp's Washington office, James W. Cicconi, was a top official in the Bush White House. ''These groups really drive K Street,'' says Jack Abramoff, a Republican lobbyist with the law firm of Preston Gates Ellis & Rouvelas Meeds.
National Journal
K Street, That GOP Street?
September 19, 1998

Lobbyist Jack Abramoff and his book of lucrative clients and GOP connections are leaving Preston Gates Ellis and Rouvelas Meeds 12/31 to join Greenberg Traurig. Abramoff, a member of the kitchen cabinet of House Maj. Whip Tom DeLay (R-TX), plans to bring about 10 lobbyists with him . . . Greenberg Traurig nat'l gov't chair Fred Baggett: "We're heavy into substance lobbyists. Jack is heavy into the relationship side."
Hotline
Career Track: Abramoff and Running
December 14, 2000

Now comes word that Jack Abramoff, the firm's star GOP lobbyist, has jumped ship to Greenberg Traurig and plans to take up to 15 folks with him. " They're completely Republican-less with a Republican House, Senate and president," one source crowed about Preston Gates.
Roll Call
Heard on the Hill
December 18, 2000

Abramoff said the Bush team's careful and deliberate approach to leadership is the exact opposite of the Clinton team. "The feeding frenzy which started even before Clinton was inaugurated, and continued to the final pardon, was perhaps best exemplified by the reckless and unprofessional handling of his responsibility to appoint honorable public servants," he said.
The Hill
Lobbyists approve of Bush's businesslike style
May 2, 2001

Jack Abramoff has recruited a new Republican lobbyist for his team: Hill staffer Neil Volz. Volz, 31, works as the chief of staff for Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio . . . Volz says he'll miss the flow of the legislative process, but now he plans to "enjoy it from a different angle."
National Journal
People
February 9, 2002

It's being dubbed the "battle of the Republican uber-lobbyists," pitting Haley Barbour, once the face of the GOP, and quiet Jack Abramoff, his biggest competitor. The jockeying for the top spot kicked into high gear this month when Abramoff helped open the posh Signatures restaurant, down the street from Barbour & Co.'s Caucus Room. This place is hot -- and booked with GOP fundraisers . . . Also, Abramoff's lobbying team just beat Barbour's over an Indian casino issue in Louisiana. What's more, he's a big pal of Rep. Tom DeLay, the likely next House majority leader. "He's the face of the new generation," says an ally.
U.S. News & World Report
Washington Whispers
March 25, 2002

Believe it or not there's more. Democrats have to speak out loud and clear. It would help if they had half a brain, but that isn't even a requirement if they locate their spine and their vocal cords.

by Gary Boatwright 2006-01-13 03:33AM | 0 recs

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Don't attack the Dems

Guys, don't attack the Democrats! Do you see Republicans attacking each other? Take the time to search and publish the dirty activities of the Republicans. There is plenty to write about with new scandals erupting daily. Take for example: Is taking a bribe a family value? Republican Rep. John Boehner talks about representing his constituents but then he belongs to a men's only golf club. Does that support equal rights? Boehner belongs to a club which costs $75,000 to join. How do the people of Montgomery County, Ohio (part of his district) feel about membership fees when the unemployment rate in their county is 5.8%????? What is Boehner doing to help those people?

by Marie Smith 2006-01-13 04:36AM | 0 recs

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Tell it to Rahm n/t

by Gary Boatwright 2006-01-13 05:15AM | 0 recs

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One last thing...

Here is an interesting correlation--the 7 deadly sins and the states that voted for Bush in the 2000 election:
http://www.mythopolis.com/sevendeadlysins/default.htm

by Marie Smith 2006-01-13 04:48AM | 0 recs