MyDD :: Dean's Wrong: I Don't Have the Power

Dean's Wrong: I Don't Have the Power

by michael in chicago, Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 02:26:16 PM EST

Bumped. Also, please read Soapblox/Chicago, where this is cross-posted. Local Democratic party machines are the chokeholds that keep progressives, small donors, and bloggers from achieving real influence. This is a good example of how the system works. Also see Albert's diary. - Matt

I owe my political awareness to Howard Dean. Because of him I started blogging, volunteering and donating to Democrats. Dean's rallying cry in the 2004 campaign was "You have the power." The more I learned about the Republicans in control of our government, the more I wanted to use this power to help elect Democrats.

This is why I started supporting a local candidate running for Congress in my own district. Henry Hyde's district. With Christine Cegelis' campaign as a rallying point, I saw more Democrats active in my district than I've seen in my lifetime.

But now, as the Democratic primary approaches, I read of the DCCC again passing over a candidate who newly energized Democrats in my district overwhelmingly support. I read of the DCCC's backing of a candidate with no political experience and few ties to my district. I read of the advantages of military credentials and "wounds" - not issues that matter to the district. I read of the finest political consultants money can buy working for a candidate who hasn't even done any fundraising in the district yet.

As I watch this unfold, I wonder what power I really have.

I wonder how much power I have when a whisper campaign can be spread about Cegelis by a DCCC spokesman and anonymous incumbent Democrats and their aides:

While Democrats will not acknowledge publicly that they are frustrated with Cegelis, they have made it known they are open to other contenders' jumping into the race.
Bill Burton, spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), has said the committee has met with other potential candidates.
A Democratic aide on Capitol Hill said simply: "The Democratic field in Illinois-6 is still open."

I repeatedly hear that Cegelis is a poor candidate for one reason alone: her bottom line. But rarely do I hear any other criticism of her. And even less seldom do I hear this criticism put together with the reality of who controls the donor base Cegelis relies on and who is pushing Duckworth's campaign:

Emanuel (D-Ill.) has been encouraging Duckworth to get in the race for the west suburban seat being vacated by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-Ill.), undermining Cegelis because he is convinced she cannot raise enough money to win a general election..
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) first broached the idea of a congressional run with Duckworth, who, as his guest, sat in the House gallery at the State of the Union address last February.
[...]
While Duckworth is a political rookie with no campaign experience or political organization behind her, if she runs, she will be able to tap into a turnkey political operation engineered in large part by Emanuel.
[...]
Emanuel has been shopping for someone to run against Cegelis for months, so the emergence of Duckworth was not unanticipated.

Let's put two and two together here. The real power for Democratic fundraising in Illinois is Emanuel, not small donors like me. Cegelis shares a donor base with Emanuel, who's district is right next door to IL-06. For months Emanuel has been actively undermining the Cegelis campaign publicly. Yet people still wonder why Cegelis has had difficulty with her fundraising?

It is Emanuel, not me, who has the power to shut down a campaign by choking off it's sources of high dollar donors. Donors in Chicago. Donors in his district. It is Emanuel, not me, that has the power to provide a network of top dollar consultants for turn-key campaign for Duckworth.

Who's gathering signatures to get Duckworth on the ballot? Who's canvassing for her campaign? Who is funding her campaign? Nearly 200 volunteers have canvassed and circulated petitions for Cegelis this year. Approximately 1,400 people donating an average of $120 each have funded the Cegelis campaign. Who has the power here? Volunteers or paid campaign staffers? With the first FEC filing deadline for Duckworth's campaign happening in March, people like me will not have the power to find out who is paying for Duckworth's staff, media, publicist, and turnkey campaign.

Who has the power to decide who runs in my district? Again, it looks not to be residents like me:

Emanuel wants Ladda "Tammy" Duckworth, an Army National Guard pilot who lost her legs and suffered a broken arm when Iraqi insurgents hit her helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade, to jump into the race. According to Bill Burton, the Democratic Campaign Congressional Committee's (DCCC) spokesman, Emanuel believes her military credentials and wounds give her an edge in a district that no Democrat has ever won.

Military credentials and wounds! I understand the idea of a "fighting Dems" narrative, but didn't think such a narrative would trump name recognition, a volunteer network, boots on the ground, or a deep understanding of district issues. The emphasis here seems to be on the photo-op Duckworth will generate, not district issues. What does that say to Democrats like me in the district?

Gayl Ferraro, chairwoman of the DuPage County Democratic Party, said the issue of Duckworth's residency coupled with her outside backing could hurt her prospects.
Ferraro noted that Democrats in DuPage, many of whom back Cegelis, have been working for years to build the party despite long odds.

Long odds that will just get longer, as Duckworth's campaign demonstrates that the power to choose a candidate rests not with voters like me, but in the hands of those with money and power outside my district. By ignoring the reality on the ground in IL-06, Rahm and the DCCC set up a lose/lose situation:

If Duckworth runs and wins:
This will be a blow to Democrats in the district who have used the Cegelis campaign as a rallying point as they work to build the local Democratic party. Such a win will most likely be viewed as a hostile take over of the district by Chicago Democrats and have a lasting effect on those most active in the district, as a bitter primary will hurt a race in which every vote will be needed to win.
If Duckworth runs and loses:
Roskam will jump all over this and run with the "Cegelis' own party wouldn't support her" narrative. Just as was done to Dean in his primary, Roskam will use this to falsely paint Cegelis as radically on the fringe of her own party. The primary would be essentially a complete vote of no confidence by the Party for Cegelis, making what is already going to be a difficult race for any Democrat that much more difficult for her. How will Rahm and the DCCC support Cegelis then after working against her in the primary?

Gov. Dean told us "You have the power." In 2004 I believed him. As I watch what's happening to the Cegelis campaign, I'm not so sure anymore.

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What is Duckworth's position on the war? (2.00 / 4)

Does Duckworth have a position on any issue? Rahm Emmanuel certainly knows where Duckworth stands on Iraq and other issues as well.

While I was walking a precinct for Steve Young earlier this week, it struck me that there is a pattern to the Democrats that Rahm Emmanuel and the DCCC either actively or passively oppose. They are all opposed to Bush's war in Iraq. Pennacchio, Cegalis, Hackett and Young all oppose Bush's war in Iraq.

The DCCC is going to do everything it can to prevent a Democratic seat from being filled by an anti-war progressive Democrat. They have been doing it subtly for years and can no longer hide the fact that progressive Dems need not apply to the DCCC or the DSCC for assistance.

While I did not explain my thesis very well, that was the basis for my diary that the Democratic Party is finished. The DCCC is going to ride a hawkish position on the Iraq war into the ashbin of history. They have convinced themselves that the Republican Party is so noxious that anti-war Feingold supporters will ignore their conscience and support Hillary or Biden.

We have the power. We just may not be able to exercise it within the Democratic Party. If the current trend continues of progressive candidates being blocked out of primaries, we may have to take our power outside of the party.

I'm pretty certain I have ten or fifteen people willing to knock on doors in Loretta Sanchez's district encouraging them to vote for her Republican opponent. If B-1 Bob Dornan wins, so be it.

We have to be willing to demonstrate to the Democratic Party leadership that we are mad as hell and we're not going to take it. We have to be willing to take our our votes, our energy and our contributions and leave the Democratic Party behind. As Ronald Reagan said, "I didn't leave the Democratic Party, the Democratic Party left me.

by Gary Boatwright on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 09:44:05 PM EST

Chuck Pennacchio, Don Quixote of the netroots (1.00 / 1)

I'm sure the DCCC would love to support a candidate who has no connection to the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, who has held no elected office, and who has raised a grand total of $64,000 since he started his campaign.

by johnny longtorso on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 09:56:00 PM EST
[ Parent ]

GOP Pollster on Casey (1.33 / 3)

CSPAN had a panel discussion between GOP pollsters and strategists. I didn't recognize him, but a former pollster for Bob Dole said that Santorum was going to put together such an incredible fundraising list and raise so much money when he was re-elected that it would vault him into being a leading Presidential candidate.

Nobody blinked or disagreed. It was just common knowledge that Santorum was going to win in a walk. They have analyzed Casey's weaknesses as a campaigner, taken his measure and written him off already.

Of course, your sidebar about Pennacchio does not address the main issue I raised. There is a pattern. The DCCC and the DSCC will actively oppose any anti-war or progressive candidate.

by Gary Boatwright on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 10:07:51 PM EST
[ Parent ]

um, dude... (1.00 / 1)

they're Republican strategists. they're going to pretend they're unbeatable no matter what happens.

what would happen if Chuck somehow won the Democratic primary? he'd have no money, Santorum would crush him, and he'd be lucky to walk away with 30% of the vote.

I don't think you're wrong (certainly, Cegelis should be receiving full party support), I just don't think that the anti-DCCC candidate is always the right choice.

by johnny longtorso on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 10:22:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Like they pretended they could beat Kerry? (1.33 / 3)

Bob Dole's pollster was not engaging in bragadocio. He was participating in a serious panel discussion about the future of the Republican Party. There wasn't even any question about it. They had Kerry's number. They've got Casey's number. It's the very same script.

The GOP has got to be absolutely astounded that the Democrats are falling for the exact same game plan. Are you kidding me? The RNC are pissing their pants they are laughing so hard at Bob Casey. He can't run against Santorum on Iraq, abortion or family values. Casey's only game plan is running against Bush.

by Gary Boatwright on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 11:07:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Like they pretended they could beat Kerry? (1.00 / 1)

a quick look at Casey's campaign page has told me he supports the following things:

-raising the minimum wage
-repealing CAFTA
-expanding health care coverage
-government negotiation to lower the prices of prescription drugs
-increasing funding for education at all levels
-increasing the use of alternative fuel and hybrid technology
-opposing drilling in ANWR

I can't find one reference to Bush anywhere.

by johnny longtorso on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 11:22:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Like they pretended they could beat Kerry? (1.33 / 3)

Does Bob have another campaign site? I was amazed at how barren Bob Casey's issues Page was. I don't see any real hot button issues even in your expanded issue list.

The RNC and Santorum have nothing to fear from a Santorum doppleganger.

by Gary Boatwright on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 11:31:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Like they pretended they could beat Kerry? (1.00 / 1)

did you click on the Economy, Seniors, etc. words on the left?

by johnny longtorso on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 11:34:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

With anyone BUT Casey (none / 0)

The race gets instantly nationalized, as Santorum is way, way, too extreme for his state, and the entire left wing despises him. I could see a groundswell of support coming post-primary, arising from fundraising, and the horrors of Santorum.

However, if it's him and Casey, with the latter's toxic position on abortion, I am, let's say, extremely lukewarm, about supporting the guy.

I don't think Pennaccio has a chance at winning the primary, and if I was a Pennsylvania voter, I would vote for Casey, but that's probably about it.

"You say the world has lost it's love I say embrace what it's made of" -Dar Williams

by Valatan on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 02:55:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: With anyone BUT Casey (1.33 / 3)

I would have no problem with the primary winner if the DSCC and Chuck Schumer were leaving it up to the primary voters. They are doing the very same thing to Pennacchio that the DCCC is doing to Cegalis. Casey was a reluctant candidate who wasn't even considering running until Schumer strong armed him into running.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:51:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Unless you're willing to walk away from the table (1.33 / 3)

You don't have any power in a negotiation.

We have to demonstate that we are ready, willing and able to walk away from a pro-war Democratic Presidential nominee. That's why I'm going to be knocking doors against Sanchez next month. I've already informed her office and stopped by the office of a young Asian candidate that ran against her in the primary last year. If I recall, his name was Tan Nguyen.

If Sanchez wins the primary, I will campaign for her Republican opponent, even if it is B-1 Bob Dornan. I will not condone, even passively, Blood Thirsty Beast Sanchez as my voice in Congress.

by Gary Boatwright on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 10:11:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Unless you're willing to walk away from the ta (none / 0)

"I will campaign for her Republican opponent, even if it is B-1 Bob Dornan."

So you support war, torture, theocracy, massive debt, dissolution of unions, subjugation of women, etc?

-- Seeing the Forest

by davej on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 02:49:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Exactly the opposite (1.50 / 4)

I am not willing to condone, even passively, support for those issues and values in a political party or organization that I support. B-1 Bob Dornan will do less damage to the values I believe in than Loretta Sanchez will with her support of Bush's war and her failure to actively oppose Bush.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:42:42 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Dornan (none / 0)

So has B-1 Bob made clear his opinion on the Iraq War? I'm curious because I could actually see him going either way... either in favor of dropping tactical nukes into Fallujah, or in favor of immediate withdrawal through some Pat Buchanan-esque so-far-right-that-it's-back-around-to-the-left logic. (Or in favor of both... withdrawing and then nuking Iraq.) (And is he even in a mental state capable of running again? Or is he too busy fleeing men in white suits wielding butterfly nets?)

I ask partly because the problem with protest votes is that the person being protested has to know she's being protested against, and why. An unexpectedly large turnout for Dornan seems like it might have the effect of convincing her that she, in fact, needs to take a harder line on the war to please her constituents (assuming he is, in fact, pro-war). So all I'm saying is, if you're going to take the protest route, please at least do it for the Green candidate so the message is clear. (And if there's no Green candidate in the race? Heck, maybe it should be you. You could probably take up a collection around here to at least get your filing fee covered.)

by Crazy Vaclav on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 02:53:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dornan (1.25 / 4)

I would be a terrible politician. Anyone that thinks Howard Dean is outspoken would absolutely shudder at the things I would say. I have made a personal commitment to myself to work through DFA until the 2006 election to attempt to reform the Democratic Party. At that point I will re-evaluate.

I made a comment at Seeing the Forest just last week that I was not sure I could stomach the moral equivocation of the Democratic Party on issues like war, torture, the minimum wage and kitchen table economic issues.

My message to Loretta Sanchez will be very clear. I have already informed her local office staff that I will be knocking on doors telling her constituents to vote for anybody except her. I met at least a dozen people at this weeks DFA meeting that feel the same way. By the beginning of the new year I may have twenty or more progressive Democrats knocking on doors in Sanchez's district every single weekend for the next ten months.

If there is a viable Green candidate in Sanchez's district I would appreciate knowing who they are. I have already contacted a young Asian man who is running against Dornan in the Republican primary about helping him beat B-1 Bob so I can be certain Sanchez will be running against an anti-war candidate.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:49:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dornan (none / 0)

You don't have to be a good politician or even attempt to act like a politician; you don't even have to show up anywhere or say anything beyond letting your DFA friends know that you're an option. All you need to do is offer up your good name as a repository for protest votes in such a manner that won't inadvertently return Bob Dornan to office. 'Cause, as much as he'd provide the Daily Show with a lot of golden material, that would still suck big time.

by Crazy Vaclav on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 04:15:59 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: What is Duckworth's position on the war? (none / 0)

It looks to be DLC style centrist, as opposed to Cegelis who has been against the war since it started.

See my last post for quotes and more details.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 10:33:05 PM EST
[ Parent ]

This seems to be a pattern (3.00 / 3)

with the DCCC. In one district in Florida they recruited a Republican to run, and "asked" the two Democrats to drop out.

DCCC reminds me of nothing so much as the girl who badly wants to be Prom Queen. In fact, she wants it so much she sleeps with the football team, the basketball team and most of the band. She gets to be Prom Queen, and doesn't care that she's become the world's biggest sleazoid slut in the process.

There are many reasons why the DCCC may be pursuing this course. Maybe they want to put people in office who "owe" them, consolidating their own power. Maybe they really just think of the public as the great unwashed, unworthy of a voice in our own governance. I'm sure there are reasons, more than one, but I can't figure them out.

by SusanD on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 10:49:19 PM EST

Politics 101 (2.33 / 6)

This is really a very simple analysis. The RNC is laughing at the DSCC and the DCCC, because they won't run any candidates against them that will criticize Bush and the Republican Party's greatest vulnerability -- the Iraq war.

The DLC, the DCCC and the DSCC are laughing at the DNC and the grass/netroots, because they don't think they have anywhere to go. The old "Fuck 'em if they can't take a joke" attitude.

The DLC, DCCC and DSCC don't care if they win back Congress. They have more power and get more contributions as a minority party than they would as a progressive majority party. If Howard Dean and progressive Democrats are allowed into the party and become the dominant force, the DLC Dems lose their influence.

DLC Democrats do not want to win back Congress if it means they lose their influence. Howard Dean is a bigger threat to their power base than Bush or Santorum or DeLay.

by Gary Boatwright on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 11:39:38 PM EST

Re: Politics 101 (2.00 / 2)

Great. Another stinking troll stalker that calls itself Bodot.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 11:46:56 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Politics 101 (2.00 / 2)

I have some very special troll ratings just for you Bodot. Turn about is always fair play.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 11:50:37 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Politics 101 (1.00 / 1)

Boy, you are really out there. Of course the DCCC and DSCC want to win back the majorities - they will raise more money and have more power as the majority than as the minority. I'm not a big fan of either organization, but trust me, they want the majority. Don't you think Democrats want to have their own version of the K Street project, and put their former staffers in those corner offices?

by nascardem on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 02:19:21 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Politics 101 (1.33 / 3)

Wrong. The Democratic Party will have more power as the majority. The DLC and Blue Dogs will have far less influence with a Democratic majority than they do with a Republican majority. DLC Dems are already maxing out their contributions from corporate donors and are already doing more for them than they could ever accompllish with a Democratic majority.

Case in point, bankruptcy. MBNA Biden would never have been able to get his bankruptcy bill through a Democratic Senate. Not in a hundred years.

Another case in point, CAFTA. Conservative Dems would never have been able to deliver their votes on the version of CAFTA that passed Congress if Democrats controlled even a single house.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:36:15 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Politics 101 (1.00 / 1)

With all due respect, being a minority within a minority in congress - or even being a majority within a minority - is a very lonely, not very influential place to be. Your suspicion of, and dislike for, Democrats who may not be as progressive as you, is interfering with your analysis. The DCCC is encouraging candidates it thinks can win. You may not agree with the DCCC's analysis of what will make a candidate electable in 2006 (and I don't carry a brief for the DCCC or, especially, the DLC), but that may just mean you have an honest disagreement, not that the DCCC is controlled by the spawn of Satan.

by nascardem on Sat Dec 10, 2005 at 06:18:15 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Politics 101 (2.50 / 4)

If I were incredibly naive I might consider your point. Maybe Rahm Emmanuel and Chuck Schumer really are Reform Democrats looking out for the interests of their constituents. Maybe MBNA Biden really does believe that his bankruptcy bill was good for working Americans. Maybe the moon really is made of green cheese.

My analysis is exactly right and is supported by the facts on the ground. The DCCC is ignoring the candidates that the Democratic base wants to represent them. The head of the DCCC has been DLC for the last 25 years. The DCCC and DSCC have repeatedly blocked progressive Dems out of primaries.

You have it exactly backwards. My dislike of the DLC, DCCC and DSCC isn't blurring my analysis of the facts. The facts caused my dislike of the DLC, DCCC and DSCC. If the facts are biased against the DLC that's their problem, not mine.

Why is it that every time the DCCC or DSCC step in to help a Democrat in a primary that candidate is pro-war? Do they have secret polls that show the Democratic base supports Bush's war? Am I supposed to believe Rahm Emmanuel has some deep, profound insight into the psyche of Democratic voters that I just don't get? Or is it more likely that Biden, Rahm and Chuck don't give a shit about average voters as long as their big contributors are kept happy?

by Gary Boatwright on Sat Dec 10, 2005 at 10:52:44 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Politics 101 (none / 0)

This is all part of the DCCC's pattern of conventional wisdom. It stopped working a decade ago.

Emanuel doesn't care about a Majority. Cegelis can win. She has local & national support. She's met all of his requirements for DCCC financial support & backing.

Except she's progressive. The DCCC doesn't back ANY progressive Dem., & Emanuel's #1 mission as DCCC chair is to put anyone else in congress. If they lose, so what. Returning to the Majority isn't the objective.

by Philosophe Forum on Sat Dec 10, 2005 at 01:44:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Emanuel's Lose-Lose Strategy (3.00 / 2)

Good instincts would say to support Cegelis. Unfortunately, this isn't anything new for him. The Party did the same thing last year with the IL Senate race (pages 2 & 3 in the report). I'm also concerned about all the money Emanuel's wasting. The DCCC argument for not supporting more than "targeted" races is based on "limited" financial resources. He's risking a lot on Duckworth. When she loses the Primary, he's wasted it instead of "investing" such a large amount on candidates the DCCC should really support.

With so much money to start & a Chicago Hilton fundraiser for Duckworth's stealth campaign, she doesn't have to spend time on fundraising until after the Primary. As for the low fundraising numbers for Cegelis, it's all part of the plan:

1. Emanuel doesn't support a candidate because millionaire donors don't contribute literally thousands.

2. Emanuel doesn't sponsor DC fundraisers with PACs (like the RNCC) so candidate exposure is minimized.

3. Candidates are poor fundraisers as a result of #1 & #2.

4. Candidates don't deserve the votes as a result of #1, #2, & #3.

Ultimately, Dem candidates can never win an election against a GOP incumbent, & the Minority remains the Minority.

Best case scenario:

Emanuel wastes too much money that the DCCC doesn't have on Duckworth's campaign.
The voters kick ass showing Emanuel that THEY chose their representative & not him. A Duckworth loss proves Emanuel's lack of leadership skills.
Emanuel gets kicked out of the DCCC chairmanship.
Someone with common sense takes Emanuel's place as chair & gives Cegelis the support she so richly deserves.
Cegelis wins in November 2006, & the Party's legislative delegation becomes a Majority in IL.

Now if we can only find someone in the Party with common sense.

by Philosophe Forum on Thu Dec 08, 2005 at 11:45:12 PM EST

Michael, You Do Have the Power (3.00 / 4)

You do have the power. Dean, however, should've completed that thought more frequently, I'm afraid to say. Because, while you, I, and every one of us have the power to challenge the status quo and bring about change, it ain't gonna be easy.

I saw Dean at UCLA when he was out in LA during the 2004 primaries and he, of course, ended the small rally with that infectious yell, You have the power, You have the power, You have the power! As the crowd dwindled and my girlfriend and I walked away from the small outdoor stage, I remembered what Dean had said as he opened his remarks that evening, It's not going to be easy... but YOU have the power.

It's never easy. Every activist has known that... and needs to be reminded of it now and then; because we're going against entrenched interests for whom the status quo works just fine, so why fuck with it. Therefore, entrenched interest count on that fact alone, that it's never easy to dislodge them, to remain securely in power; that's why incumbents and entrenched interests gerrymander, hoard political contributors and, thereby, make it nearly impossible for third parties and challengers to arise.

Accordingly, the only thing that's left for us, the grassroots, to do is to organize and mobilize -- and, again, it's not easy and I don't know that an easy formula exists. However, out here in CA, the nurses, teachers and firefighters have shown us that, indeed, it can be done. Man, the nurses, teachers and firefighters brought down Arnold -- I mean, remember, not that long ago Sen. Hatch was talking about amending the Constitution so that Arnold could one day run for president; and, well, now that this mighty Goliath has been brought down, I don't think there'll be any talk of an Arnold amendment to the Constitution.

Perhaps the entrenched Democratic establishment in Chicago, especially Rep. Emanuel, need to start hearing from Cegelis's supporters every where they go -- and don't forget their friends, too.

Vox Mia -- Adding My Voice to the Chorus

by bedobe on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:13:27 AM EST

Re: Michael, You Do Have the Power (none / 0)

Everytime grassroots asserts its power it grows stronger. Perhaps not successful today but as it grows, it will reach a critical mass and be a force to reckon with, especially if your cause is in the right.

Perhaps, grassroots should also talk to Duckworth and see what she is all about. Maybe, she is just like Ceagelis--then it will be may the best person win.

by jasmine on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 09:27:12 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Michael, You Do Have the Power (3.00 / 2)

The whole point of a late stealth campaign is to keep people from having an opportunity to ask questions. The NG hasn't released her yet so she's not allowed to personally campaign. The DCCC provided the 7-figure start-up money for the campaign & hosted a fundraiser for her at the Chicago Hilton. One of Durbin's staff is on "leave" circulating petitions. The FEC reports won't be available until after the March Primary. Having the media provide articles about her is free advertising.

Everyone is controling Duckworth's message except Duckworth. Less time campaigning means less time to hear about anything other than the 'war hero' narrative. She also doesn't have to discuss her understanding of district issues, & Cegelis wins that debate hands down.

There are 3 types of Dem voters:

Diehard -- They'll always vote Dem no matter who's on the ballot.
Disenfranchised -- They'll stay home because Emanuel's just about "telling" them how to vote. They don't see their vote truly counting for anything.
Pissed off -- They see the Party as a mirror image of the Republican Party, with sleazy fundraising, & candidates owing the money people instead of we the people.

If IL-06 constituents want a different country, it's a no-brainer --> support Christine Cegelis.

by Philosophe Forum on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 10:03:14 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Michael, You Do Have the Power (none / 0)

speaking personally its hard to get excited about local races unless they're reported objectively.

local races are usually not populated up by heavy hitters. the approach that would get me excited is if I could watch the arc of transformation - the way society itself is changing. its one of the draws, for me, of reality TV - that is, deep down inside we all know we're changing alot. we want to take notes.

same thing for politics. I am curious if the political landscape is changing. Will the candidates, themselves - actually stand up and speak truth to power?

whisper campaigns don't bother me. Read "What do you care what other people think?" by Richard Feynman.

What does bother me is the whole idea that you have to somehow position yourself to one group or another that doesn't represent the real will of the people. Democrats are fond of saying that they'll want to teach the great unwashed - reality is that some dems just think they're better than everyone else.

look at who's sleeping under the christmas tree..

by turnerbroadcasting on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 10:22:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I understand the discouragement (3.00 / 4)

but Michael it is exactly because you do have the power that the DCCC is taking you and Christine on. They are threatened by you because they know that you do have the power and as you reach for that power you take it away from them. You threaten them. That is why they are doing what they are doing. It is THE REASON they are supporting an alternative to Christine. I believe it is THE REASON they are supporting an alternative to Paul Hackett as well. There are multiple battles for power going on here and one of them is between the beltway boys that currently hold power and we the people of the Democratic Power that truly hold the power.

You are on the front lines Sir. You are in one of the most important battles of this election campaign. You have the power. You have to work double hard to make sure that Christine wins. The power of the small donor is the way to go. You folks need to get small donors from across the country contributing to Christine. Make the case that this is the premier battle for power and control of the Democratic Party this election season... because it is.

Peace,

Andrew

Christine Cegelis for Congress in Il-06!

The 10,000 Things

by Andrew C White on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 10:31:58 AM EST

Just Asking (none / 0)

Everyone reading this post has, of course, given $100 to the DCCC. Right? This would, of course, help them to fund many more candidates. If everyone visiting this blog gave $100 to the DCCC it would vastly increase the influence of the netroots AND vastly increase DCCC's ability to get Democrats into the Congress.

I'm not taking sides on the whole DCCC issue. I'm saying it would certainly open up DCCC's ability to fund in non-competitive districts if they had about ten times as much money. It would greatly increase the influence of the small donor interests if DCCC was bringing in a ton of cash $100 at a time.

-- Seeing the Forest

by davej on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 02:45:42 PM EST

Why should I? (none / 0)

When the central point of this post is how the DCCC is wasting money sending out candidates to oppose estabilished progressives in primaries? Seems that my money is better spent on the DSCC right now.

"You say the world has lost it's love I say embrace what it's made of" -Dar Williams

by Valatan on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 02:57:33 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just Asking (3.00 / 1)

Dave,

Love ya but the problem in this case IS the DCCC. Sending them money is the exact wrong incentive. We need to STOP sending them money.

by Matt Stoller on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 02:59:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just Asking (none / 0)

I don't think so! If I have any money to donate, it goes directly to the candidate's campaign. Duckworth's campaign was underwritten by DCCC funds. Since Emanuel's fixated on $1M for an "effective" campaign, I expect that's what he gave to her to start out with. Follow that with a high-ticket fundraiser at the Chicago Hilton, I don't see any reason for people to donate to Duckworth.

If DCCC provides so much to their "targeted" campaigns & not even non-monetary support to any of the other high-quality candidates across the county, ActBlue is the way to go! Stop wasting your hard-earned money on Gatekeeper Emanuel -- Millionaires for Congress -- No one else need apply.

by Philosophe Forum on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:27:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Just Asking (none / 0)

THAT is just as good as what I was saying. YES do that instead!!!! Contribute directly to the campaign. Thanks for your comment about what I said.

I just don't want to let arguments about the DCCC etc. be a reason not to be sending as much money as we all possibly can into Progressive candidates, organizations, etc. to fight the Republicans. It's too important. THAT is what I am trying to say.

My point is we have power in this conversation if they know we really do wield a financial club. Talking about withholding from the DCCC doesn't mean anything if they don't see us as big contributors.

-- Seeing the Forest

by davej on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:47:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

NEVER contribute to the DCCC or DSCC (1.25 / 4)

We are far better off contributing to individual progressive candidates who the DCCC and DSCC are shutting out anyway. Every penny you donate to the DSCC goes to help Casey win instead of Pennacchio. Every penny you give to the DCCC goes to help Rahm Emmanuel chop block Christine Cegalis.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:39:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm giving $17.76 to Pennacchio every month (1.00 / 4)

That's my only regular political contribution, but then I'm collecting unemployment.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:52:11 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Emanuel did the same in Minnesota (3.00 / 2)

The 6th district. All kinds of support for the centrist Dem, and played down the progressive Scott Mortensen.

I actual emailed the DCCC in anger.

Now they may be doing the same thing to Colleen Rowley MN-02. Anti-war candidate, not getting big donor support because she wants to figure out the war. Russ Feingold is coming to her aid a bit, but I do not think the DCCC has done crap.

by Demrock6 on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 02:52:39 PM EST

Re: Emanuel did the same in Minnesota (3.00 / 1)

I knew it! I positively knew they were doing the same thing in races that I had not heard about.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 03:40:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Emanuel did the same in Minnesota (none / 0)

by turnerbroadcasting on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 10:27:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Somtimes people from the DCCC post here (none / 0)

Maybe the could chime in John Lapp, where are you?

by Demrock6 on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 04:31:49 PM EST

Time for a rant (none / 0)

I read your diary and remember the disrespect that Howard received during the run up to Iowa. Then I remember the ridiculous way that the party "elders" seemed to embolden the press to discredit Dean for the no imfamous "Dean Scream". I cry as recognize that the party "elders" selected Joel Lieberman as the running mate for Al Gore. It amazes me that these same people are making the same types of bad decisions over and over again.

Do not despair though, you and I do have power. It is diluted by corruption in voting and a watered down Democratic party; but to give up is folly. The truth has a way of working to the surface. The DCCC does not speak for me, they speak more like me then the GOP. It will likely take a third and forth party to truly give democracy the kick start it needs. If we survive it will only be by the awareness and efforts of those that subscribe to the only free press and free thought left.... you are there so you're ahead of the pack.

by WhyldBill on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 06:38:51 PM EST

uh, (none / 0)

why should I trust what "michael in chicago" thinks ? Seems to me that supporting a war veteran who opposes Bush in a conservative district is a good idea? I trust Rahm Emmaniel more than some dude complaining on this blog.

by rajk on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 06:38:57 PM EST

Re: uh, (3.00 / 1)

You shouldn't. You should trust what the people in Illinois' 6th Congressional District think. Too bad you'll never get to see that the way that the DCCC and Emanuel are undermining the Cegelis campaign...

PrairieStateBlue - Open Source Politics (formerly SoapBlox/Chicago)

by ltsply2 on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 06:50:48 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: uh, (3.00 / 2)

I checked this out with some contacts in IL. Michael's not bullshitting here.

by Matt Stoller on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 07:08:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I live in the same building as... (none / 0)

Hyde's district address and I definatly know mike is not BSing here. If Christine is not on the ballot in the general election I will not be voting since I really cannot stand Blago and have no other motivation for voting unless is it to vote GREEN or maybe for Baar-Topinka as Gov.

by Delver Rootnose on Sat Dec 10, 2005 at 07:25:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: I live in the same building as... (none / 0)

Quckie note. Topinka's in the race because she has Rove's backing. Orders are for everyone else to gradually drop out.

Blago's screwed up so bad. She'll probably win, too. IL is the 2006 prize that Rove is salivating over.

by Philosophe Forum on Sat Dec 10, 2005 at 01:48:56 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: uh, (3.00 / 2)

Do you live in this district? Michael and I do. We want a candidate that represents us, not Rahm Emmanuel. Christine Cegalis has actually worked for a living. She has seen the devastation that the pro-business policies that the DCCC touts have done to the IT industry. Once this was Silicon Prarie. No longer. H1-B's and outsourcing have destroyed it. Gary Boatwright, is this what happened to you? In contrast, Duckworth appears to be a Melissa Bean clone. In other words, a DINO. Hardly mentioned is the third candidate in this race, Lindy Scott. If Scott should win or Duckworth ON HER OWN EFFORTS and not as a manufactured candidate in the Chicago Machine's hip pocket, I will support him or her. But they better not take my vote for granted. I'd rather have a Republican who is honest about who they represent than a Congressman who thinks I'm a sucker. http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-nws-sweet28.html http://www.napervilledemocrats.org/node/1341

by antiHyde on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 07:18:54 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: uh, (3.00 / 2)

Here's why:

I'm not bullshitting anyone
I grew up in Henry Hyde's home town
I've lived in the District for 32 of my 41 years.
What I saw in 2004 in this district was centered around Cegelis
I know how Cegelis will vote and that she was against the Iraq war from the get go. I don't know how Duckworth will vote, nor will I find out in the next 14 weeks as all I will hear is 'war hero' in the media thanks to a seven figure campaign budget for a candidate who hasn't even declared yet.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 07:19:43 PM EST
[ Parent ]

How do you know Duckworth opposes the war? (1.50 / 2)

To the best of my knowledge, Duckworth is a blank slate. Do we know any of her positions on any issue?

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 08:48:41 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How do you know Duckworth opposes the war? (none / 0)

Duckworth on Iraq:
"It's unclear what Duckworth would say about the Iraq war. When I asked her, she would not declare the war right or wrong: "There is good and bad in everything."

Link.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 09:05:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How do you know Duckworth opposes the war? (1.00 / 1)

Ohmygawd. Good and bad in everything? How much more mealy mouthed can a candidate get? I think I understand what Rahm Emmanuel sees in Duckworth. She would fit right in with the DLC clowns.

by Gary Boatwright on Sat Dec 10, 2005 at 12:20:46 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: How do you know Duckworth opposes the war? (none / 0)

There's little printed about Duckworth outside of singing her praises. Since she's still military, no one will know much until after the March Primary.

Bio from the MSM:

Duckworth grew up in Southeast Asia, where her father worked for the United Nations and oil companies. Although a U.S. citizen, Duckworth didn't live in the United States until she was 16. She is a native of Pearl City, HI. She graduated from the University of Hawaii and, thinking she might want to work in the Foreign Service, moved to Washington to attend George Washington University and study international affairs. She has a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's in international affairs, in addition to having extensive experience with public health programs in the United States and abroad.

Before she left for Iraq, she was working toward a doctorate at NIU. Her research focused on the political economies of Southeast Asia and the public health systems in the region.

MSM Research

Whether she ultimately seeks office isn't important. Whether she could win is even less so. The true accomplishment, not just for Duckworth but for medical science and the scores of people around her, is that she can consider such an ambitious endeavor just a year after being shot down . . . Duckworth intends to fly again; to continue her military service. She may even run for Congress. (Daily Herald, 11/27/2005)

She received a standing ovation when she said she wouldn't hesitate to strap on her new, titanium legs and return to Iraq. "I, along with the rest of the soldiers at Walter Reed (Army Medical Center) would strap on our new limbs, pick up our weapons and go right back, if we could," she said. (US Fed News, 11/12/2005)

Nearly all of her right leg has been amputated, and she has lost her left leg beneath the knee. Her left leg will be fitted with a prosthesis, and Duckworth is grasping at every hope that she can also be fitted with a right-leg prosthesis, her husband explained, so she can again fly helicopters or fixed-wing airplanes or at least remain in the Army Guard.

"Remaining a Soldier is her fall-back position," her husband told a reporter while Duckworth talked and joked with her visitors. "She will try to fly Blackhawks with prostheses after a long recovery period. (US Fed News, 12/27/2004)

by Philosophe Forum on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 11:18:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Compare the candidates (3.00 / 2)

Christine Cegalis:
http://www.cegelisforcongress.com/

Lindy Scott:
http://scottforcongress.net/

Tammy Duckworth:
Couldn't find a web site. Apparently she will be running an MSM campaign. Plenty of TV and flag waving.

Check them out and help give Emmanuel the lie on fund raising by contributing to Christine. Or Scott, if you like him better. But don't let the DCCC kill grass roots candidates with the money YOU gave them to defeat Republicans.

by antiHyde on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 07:32:27 PM EST

Re: Compare the candidates (none / 0)

A few quick comments:

Duckworth can't do anything b/c she's still in the military. I don't know when she gets out, but she's going to have a bit of a late start....

How did Cegalis do last time? I gave money to her campaign, but all I know is that she didn't win.

At least IL-6 has choices. In IL-19, with an incumbent who's breaking a term-limits pledge, the only Dem seems to be some kind of anti-world government nut who's not going to get any support.

by mlr701 on Sun Dec 11, 2005 at 09:10:55 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Compare the candidates (none / 0)

Cegelis got 44% which some have criticized as too low. But it is the best, repeat best that anyone, that's anyone ever did against Henry Hyde for 30 years. Thirty years, an entire generation.

If the DCCC would support her, she could take this seat. But Rahm Emmanuel is more interested in his personal power than in taking seats.

by antiHyde on Mon Dec 12, 2005 at 08:51:25 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Damn! (none / 0)

I know better. It's Cegelis, not Cegalis. Typing in the dark is not recommended.

by antiHyde on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 07:34:57 PM EST

Re: Damn! (3.00 / 1)

Well if you have a new keyboard, doing it in the dark can help you feel her action. If you develop a good touch she will respond to you nicely.

Just stroke and then, keep good, but gentle pressure on her and trust your fingers to move where they need to be.

Then, if you're seeing that she's starting to make funny sounds .... you're going to be needing to feel your way back to where she says
o
o
oooh

asdfgghjkl !

home row, baby. do it in the dark

by turnerbroadcasting on Fri Dec 09, 2005 at 10:32:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I've been wondering how things have been going (none / 0)

In my home district since I moved to MI 5 years ago. This Cegelis/Duckworth deal is a very apt illustration of the battle for the heart and soul of the Democratic party. My personal knee-jerk liberal reaction is to say SCREW the DLC/DCCC. Their idea of a winning strategy is to become indistiguishable from Republicans. If we avoid real progressives like Cegelis (or Feingold) because we are affraid they are "too liberal" to win general elections, then we have already capitulated to the reich wing. Stand up. Be proud. Say yer name. Out loud: "I AM A LIBERAL".
Oh, and I'll try to sift through the sands of my ever failing memory to see if I can recall any dirt on Roskam. I used to date his little sister. Peace. (and by that, I mean PEACE RIGHT F*@KING NOW!)

by hazzcon on Sat Dec 10, 2005 at 03:25:33 PM EST

Re: I've been wondering how things have been going (none / 0)

You dated his sister?!? LOL.

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Sat Dec 10, 2005 at 04:55:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

yeah (none / 0)

and my brother was one of his best friends in high school. I'll try to get my bro talking about some of their misadventures. Most of their pranks were pretty innocuous, but maybe I can get him to cough up some good dirt over a couple pints. My brother is almost as strident a Liberal hothead as I am. ;) By the way, who won the West Suburban Silver Conference football title this year?

by hazzcon on Sat Dec 10, 2005 at 05:17:18 PM EST
[ Parent ]

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