Delegation of Dem Challengers meets with DCCC and DC PACs

by Philosophe Forum, Tue Sep 20, 2005 at 04:41:48 AM EDT

From the Diaries. This is what it takes. Uphill Democratic challengers organizing for their own benefit. Jerome

Sometimes the tension between challenger Democratic congressional candidates and the Democratic Congressional Candidate Committee (DCCC) is strained at best. This was not noticeable 5 minutes into the meeting at 9 a.m., Thursday September 15, 2005. Staff members of PACs know only too well that a meeting with Rep. Rahm Emanuel's entire staff in a room and having his undivided attention for more than 10 minutes just does not happen. To have that kind of meeting for 45 minutes is an unprecedented event. Maybe we are seeing the first rays of hope from the party toward a greater commitment to challengers.

Cross-posted to SoapBox/Chicago.

The combined efforts of the Democratic Commitment Conference Political Action Committee (DCCPAC), the NovemberVictory online discussion group, and the candidate leadership brought together the delegation. The candidate leadership included Steve Porter, David Gill, and Tim Bagwell.

Tim Bagwell established the DCCPAC in March 2005 to support Democratic congressional challenger candidates. DCCPAC began working with the NovemberVictory online discussion group in April and organizing the meetings in June. The PAC achieves its goals through an integrated network of state chapters. Dr. Tim Bagwell chairs the DCCPAC. Bagwell ran against Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL) in the 2004 Election. Richard Morrison, Rep. Tom DeLay's 2004 opponent, is the DCCPAC Vice-Chair. The current chapters are Illinois, Texas, and New York with more to follow soon.

Democratic challengers coming together in one unified group meeting with the Washington Democratic leadership is historic. The Democratic congressional candidates completed three days of Washington meetings between September 13 and 15. The attendees completed their unprecedented agenda with a meeting with the DCCC leadership on Thursday morning. The candidate delegation consisted of 11 candidates from 8 states. As a delegation, the group represented 35 candidates in 20 states. It is also reported that the candidates have met with the leadership of the following political action committees (PAC):

The candidates reported in attendance are below. Most of them also ran in 2004:

At the DCCC, the candidates met with Congressman Rahm Emanuel (IL-05). He said that the DCCC is targeting Republicans with ethics problems, all open seats, & ALL GOP incumbent districts where Kerry got 47% or better. Until a candidate shows critical mass, certain non-monetary resources are available. There is an opening in the dialog between the DCCC and uphill Democratic challengers. Congressman Emmanuel also spoke of the challenges facing the party and the candidates. Each candidate has a role as an `agent of change' within the Party's `campaign for change'," said Rep. Emanuel. He also promised support for all candidates.

Rep. Emanuel took questions and comments from the delegation of mostly second-attempt candidates from the 8 states. The DCCC's key management staff also participated in the meeting. The candidates took full advantage as they asked the hard questions of the DCCC. They addressed their concerns about incumbent Democrat support within their states, support for second-time-around candidates, and low- or no-cost support of candidates. They also explored initiatives toward veterans including requests for veteran demographics for their individual congressional districts.

The DCCC accepted a draft of a proposed party platform from the candidates. In a breakout meeting with DCCC staff, candidates established channels for that support with the DCCC staff.

If delegation of committed Democratic candidates had not made the trip to DC, no one would know their thoughts and heard their voices. No one would be included in an ongoing dialogue for change. The real change will come from the grassroots that requires nurturing before the DCCC will truly listen and change.

For now, the delegation of candidates has proven themselves as a force to be reckoned with. Hopefully, the candidates that could not attend realize this and know that someone proudly gave them their voices.

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Steve Porter

Steve Porter is a proponent of forced sterilization and threatens the credibility of this group.

by upstatenydem 2005-09-20 05:35AM | 0 recs

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Source?

by craverguy 2005-09-20 05:48AM | 0 recs

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Re: Source?

Steve Porter wrote a Philosophy textbook, "Ethichs of a Democracy." The purpose of this book was to look at a theoretical framework applicable to governing in a Democracy, and discuss the consequences of such a framework. He does not advocate anything in the book. He discusses how, in applying the framework presented for discussion, sterilization might be acceptable. He never condones, or advocates it.

Unlike most, I have actually read the book in question. It is a philosophical treatise; nowhere in the book is there advocacy. Essentially, it is an exercise in determining a string of consequences from an ethical framework.

To make the accusations that upstatenydem (dem?) makes, Phil English, the troglodyte masquerading as a congressman in the 3rd CD of PA, had two paragraphs of the book leaked, out of context, to an AP reporter. I understand that you may take the word of GOP congressmen with a history of deceit as gospel; I doubt most of us will.

by PennStateDem 2005-09-20 06:23AM | 0 recs

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This Is A GOP Lie Used In The Last Election

It seems that Porter wrote a 1991 book, The Ethics of a Democracy, which the author describes as a book of philosophy, which presents examples "given to elicit philosophical discussion in the manner of philosophy books everywhere." That's just the sort of material you would expect the GOP to use to twist and smear a candidate they fear.

Less than 5 minutes of Googling yields this from PA For Democracy:

Mr. English begins his quote about me by saying that I make an "effort to politically rehabilitate eugenics" in a "bizarre" way. That is, of course, an outright lie. I have already sent you the position in my book, and I will repeat it here, quoting verbatim from the book.

"In summation, then, sterilization is an ethical option for the state when applied to individuals WHOSE ACTIONS ARE CLEARLY HARMFUL TO CHILDREN OR TO SOCIETY. It is an option, however, whose application MUST BE ACCEPTABLE TO THE INDIVIDUAL INVOLVED AS A QUID PRO QUO FOR OTHER FREEDOMS."

In addition, I am not now nor have I ever been in favor of forced sterilization. I repeat again that the examples given in my book are given to elicit philosophical discussion in the manner of philosophy books everywhere. The summation above occurs in a discussion of the issue when it is applied to a sample moral standard, not to my personal convictions. I believe that Mr. English knows this and is deliberately doing what he is doing because he can't run on his own pitiful record.

Mr. English continues that I embrace positions like "legalized prostitution, the ethics of deer hunting and restricting the suffrage of individuals who do not have a high school degree." I am not in favor of legalized prostitution, although it exists in several European nations and even in areas of the United States (e.g. Nevada). What I do advocate is the medical examination of known prostitutes so that venereal diseases are not spread. We are in the midst of a global AIDS epidemic. It has killed millions around the world and many in the US--some in Mr. English's own state of Pennsylvania. How would Mr. English deal with such problems, and why in the world would he call this topic "strange?" There is nothing strange about a medical epidemic. It must be dealt with. It cannot, as Mr. English does, simply be swept under the rug.

I have never and would never deprive anyone of the right to vote based on their educational attainment.

Imagine--a candidate who not only knows what a book of philosophy is, but actually wrote one.

Clearly, upstatenydem owes Porter a public apology.

by Paul Rosenberg 2005-09-20 06:15AM | 0 recs

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Re: Steve Porter

I had the same question about the source of this comment. In case there is no response this is what I have found. Steve or somone from his campaign has posted here previously:
http://porterforcongress.mydd.com/

this is an article from grassroots PA making a similar claim (note conservative site):
http://www.grassrootspa.com/2004/09/democratic-house-candidates-book.html

politcsPA interview with Rep. English:
http://www.politicspa.com/FEATURES/Interviews/english.htm

by jonahinnyc 2005-09-20 06:20AM | 0 recs

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now if only

we could get the DCCC and DSCC to stop picking sides in the party primaries ...

by Madman in the Marketplace 2005-09-20 06:57AM | 0 recs

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thanks

for FPing it, Jerome!

Philosophe, could you please post this on other community blogs such as daily Kos, My Left Wing, Booman tribune, also? This post needs to be seen by as many people as possible, and it may also inspire other "challengers" to come forward, and generate support for the current ones (via links).

Please ask gently but explicitly for recommendations :) And hopefully other sites will front page it too.

Thanks for posting.

Neo

by NeoLiberal 2005-09-20 08:37AM | 0 recs

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Re: thanks

I've been trying to post & so far it's either buried or ignored. This is the only place that has really considered it something of notice.

Yesterday, I tried posting it as a feedback comment to a post on the DCCC Stakeholder blog. It hasn't been approved. Even if it is, the 09/19 posting's already cycled off the main page.

It's here:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/9/19/1159/11147

I have front page permissions for the in-state community blog:
http://www.soapblox.net/chicago/showDiary.do;jsessionid=C91A83FA9B7F7EDEAC46A8E386C810B3?diaryId=306

It's also on my local blog:
http://philosopheforum.blogspot.com/2005/09/real-leadership-vs-monumental.html

by Philosophe Forum 2005-09-20 06:18PM | 0 recs

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Re: thanks

You may want to repost the dKos diary, after making it a bit more "attention getting". I am no expert, my any means, but some of these tips may help:

Title: something like
"DCCPAC: Meet the Challengers" sounds intriguing and draws attention :)

content:

place pictures of the "challenger" candidates, along side links, and perhaps a one/two line bio
use the "div" tag to put stuff in nice boxes, so is grabs the eye
good use of bullet point, and numbered lists etc (you soapblox version does this quite well)
as I already said, request the readers to RECOMMEND.

Look at some of Maryscott's diaries for further clues (sans the "flowery" words, which she can inject artfully, but most of us can't :)). "soapblox" may also be able to help you out.

If you are interested revising, update your soapblox version, and drop a note here (as a reply to my comment), I'll stop by and check it out tomorrow (or later if you'll take more time).

thanks and keep up the good work.
Neo

by NeoLiberal 2005-09-20 07:30PM | 0 recs

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Re: thanks

I'm trying again at DailyKos.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/22/73719/7418

Let's see what happens.

by Philosophe Forum 2005-09-22 03:38AM | 0 recs

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Re: thanks

Hi PhiFo:

It missed the boat again. You didn't "juice it up" as I suggested, did ya? :)

Anyways, I tried a bit to promote it, and pimped it in a couple of places like here, and even more aggregiously, requested Armando to FP it :) Not sure it'll work, but no harm trying.

thanks.

by NeoLiberal 2005-09-22 07:29AM | 0 recs

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Re: thanks

But, I don't have too high a hope that my suggestions will be received enthusiastically :)

by NeoLiberal 2005-09-22 07:36AM | 0 recs

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Re: thanks

I thought I embellished enough. Can't fight a hurricane.

The front page publishing here has had a positive impact from what I hear. The PAC should be working the print media. The rest is word of mouth.

by Philosophe Forum 2005-09-22 08:08AM | 0 recs

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Re: thanks

"I thought I embellished enough. Can't fight a hurricane."

Oh, BTW, I wasn't saying "missed the boat" with respect to embellishment, but instead to the diary not making the recommended list or the FP ad dKos. True, getting attention when a hurricane is descending is hard.

"The front page publishing here has had a positive impact from what I hear."

I am pleased to hear it, and thanks again to Jerome!

"The PAC should be working the print media. The rest is word of mouth."

Sounds goos. but, in addition, please come back and post updates.

thanks
Neo

by NeoLiberal 2005-09-22 08:55AM | 0 recs

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Re: thanks

Count on the updates! There's a momentum going with like-minded candidates & PAC representatives. It needs to continue.

Through these efforts, I hope to see a net increase in Democratic congressional seats in 2006. By 2008, there should be a complete reversal & a Democrat-controlled White House.

If this doesn't happen, the Dem Party as will know it will cease to exist. It's just a theory, & many things can happen in the next 37 mos.

by Philosophe Forum 2005-09-22 10:40AM | 0 recs

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Re: thanks

good luck, and see you around.

by NeoLiberal 2005-09-22 07:36PM | 0 recs

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Suppporting these groups

I get lots of info and mailings from the DCCC but I am interested in contributing to these challenger groups right now. Perhaps I will revert to the DCCC if they get more serious about challenging with some backbone. What are the contacts for the challenger groups? Links?

by Mimikatz 2005-09-20 08:55AM | 0 recs

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Re: Suppporting challengers

For the kick-off of a 50-state
campaign, this meeting left
a lot to be desired -- like
Texans, other Southerners.
Glad one from N.C. and one
from Ocala were present.

But Mimikatz speaks for many:
Where can we contribute most
effectively?

I'd like to see an outfit doing for
challengers -- with an emphasis
on red and purple states -- what
Emily's List does for women
candidates: Look over the hopefuls,
make a hard-nosed assessment
of their chances, cut to a short list
of the best bets, and raise early
money among us to jumpstart
their campaigns.

No, I don't want to give a dime to
incumbents, least of all to those
stained by our Congressional
party's record of appeasement of
Rove & Bushco. Let them get their
money from K Street, as usual.

by Woody 2005-09-20 09:44AM | 0 recs

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Re: Suppporting challengers

[Where can we contribute most effectively?]

Swing State Project has a PAC called "Leave No District Behind" which has an ActBlue contribution page. It has raised $5401 so far, mostly from one $5000 gift, but this is with very little publicity. The PAC's web site is undeveloped, but the description on the ActBlue page says that it will work for challengers, particularly in more difficult districts. Swing State Project is a group that has established some significant credibility.

A while ago I proposed a "Quixote Fund" to raise money to
fund non-trivial ($10K) challenges in as many otherwise
unchallenged districts as possible. Until or unless someone
wants to revive that idea, Leave No District Behind looks like
the simplest way to give money toward the 435-district strategy.

Bob Brigham, if you're out there, is anything noteworthy
happening with this PAC right now? I note you've had other
things on your mind...

by DaveMB 2005-09-20 10:52AM | 0 recs

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Re: $ for challengers

I like the Quixote Fund idea -- but it
needs a lot more funds !

Democracy for America is letting us
vote for our favorite challenger. We're
asked to donate, but can vote for free,
removing a big incentive to give.

A charity fund-raising scheme lets
people "buy" a vote.

Would election law allow a PAC to
let its members choose the first,
second, third, etc. condidates to
receive a minimum contribution,
say $10,000, with each member
getting to cast "votes" in proportion
to his or her donation ?

That way I'd figure, "My donation
could help [ name of challenger ]
get $10,000 from this organization.
I'm going to dig deep to try to win
the kitty for my guy."

The scheme allows "donation votes"
to have a real impact and sets up a
powerful reward for giving as much
as we can possibly afford -- or more !

O.K., O.K. It's not one man, one vote.
It's more like, dollars for democracy.

by Woody 2005-09-21 06:37AM | 0 recs

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Re: Suppporting these groups

There's a lot of PACs on ActBlue. The link to www.dccpac.com is in the posting. There should be a contact link with Dr. Bagwell's e-mail address as well.

by Philosophe Forum 2005-09-20 06:41PM | 0 recs

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Re: Suppporting these groups

Go to actblue.com to donate to each candidate.

Or for Dr. Gill (my candidate), you can go directly to davidgillforcongress.com and donate there (it is also through actblue)

by adamterando 2005-09-21 07:10AM | 0 recs

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What did the DCCC say...

... about their relationship with DFA and DFA supported candidates?

by Andrew C White 2005-09-20 10:16AM | 0 recs

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Re: What did the DCCC say...

The DCCPAC is an independent Political Action Committee. It is not affiliated with either Democracy for America or the Democratic Party. DCCPAC board member Richard Peterson is a member and supporter of DFA.

Dr. Bagwell also says that DCCPAC fully supports the efforts of DFA to organize the grassroots and promote the progressive agenda.

by Philosophe Forum 2005-09-22 08:10AM | 0 recs

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Re: What did the DCCC say...

Id wasn't sking about DCCPAC. I was asking specifically about the DCCC. I have heard third hand from one of the participants in this event that the DCCC has an adversarial view of DFA and DFA sponsored candidates. I am looking for confirmation or refutation of this third hand report.

Any help or insight you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

by Andrew C White 2005-09-23 09:03AM | 0 recs

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Interested in a DCCPAC/November Victory Candidate?

Hello:

I would like to send each of you a thank you note for your comments on this article, but unfortunately, I am not able to do that here on MyDD.

My name is Dave Bruderly and I am one of the candidates mentioned in the article. I am running for Congress in 2006, against a Republican who has been in the House for 18 years. He has, essentially, done nothing to support this District or it's people, and I want to change that.

I am a Floridian who cares about our environment, our economy, our safety, our families and our rights. I want to go to Congress and defend all of them against any enemy, foreign OR domestic. I am a TRUE originalist. I believe we should respec that the Constitution was written with the idea that members of the community would put aside their jobs for a few years, serving the members of their community in Congress. I am not a career politician, you won't see me running for Senate or for Governor. I just want to help better the lives of my friends, my family and my neighbors.

I believe the best way to do this is to listen to their needs and to follow a progressive agenda that will help boost our economy, protect our nation and defend our freedoms as Americans.

Take a look at my website, it's WWW.BRUDERLY.COM. Obviously, if you like what you see, I would love to have your help. I am running for Congress in Florida, but I would love to be part of a November Victory for the entire country!

Thanks,

Dave

by Bruderly For Congress 2005-10-19 08:36AM | 0 recs