The DNC does not control local and state level primary elections, nor much with their generals.

[RBInMaine]

There is a thread attacking the DNC for Mississippi Dems electing an unknown guy as the Dem governor candidate in Miss. State dems choose candidates, not the DNC. In fact, it is the DGA (Dem Gov Assn) who has more influence over that process. Ultimately, the locals choose in primaries. Blaming the DNC is nonsense. In state and local general elections, the DNC has a very limited role, mainly some funding help and sometimes other logistical help. It is mainly the STATE party structures that control those campaigns, in support of the individual candidates' campaigns, NOT the DNC.

Also, aren't Dems for the little guy? Why are some trashing this truck driver candidate? Isn't that elitist? And how much chance would ANY Dem have in that VERY red state?

Yes, I think Wasserman should not be DNC head. Nice person, but we need a FULL TIME DNC head, and she hasn't been effective enough at all. She should concentrate on her work as an FL Rep. That said, it isn't her fault or the DNC's as to what happened in Miss. That would be a HUGE stretch.

Finally, PA and Maine have won special state level legislative elections recently. Do we give CREDIT to the DNC for that? Very little. Mainly credit that candidates and their state and local Dem party structures.

[RBInMaine]

1. Your thoughts?

[MADem]

2. The gripe is probably about funding/vetting, but your point is valid--DNC usually focuses on

the Senate and the House. They're less involved in state politics, i.e., legislatures or the governorship. Sounds like MS guys dropped the ball.

I like DWS. I don't think she's perfect but who is--she's got guts and she tells the right people to shove it. I also think she handled her serious illness with aplomb and I hope she stays healthy.

[kelliekat44]

3. An therein lies the rub. It is up to us...the grassroots Dems to educate, excite, and motivate our

folks to participate much more in local and state elections. This is where we lose because the hate and bigot policies flow upward, not downward. Attorney Generals, judges, school board, councils, sheriffs etc. get in at the state and local levels. The GOP has it on us at those levels just because we don't get our folks out to vote in those elections. But that is where the Congress is grown from...those little percents, those hamlets that go uncontested mostly. At least there should be no election, no matter how small that is uncontested!

[geek tragedy]

4. The level of ignorance and borderline stupidity about how politics works

on a political discussion board is disheartening sometimes.

[DonViejo]

5. I read an article last week, it predicted the guy who did win the election

would win it. The article also reported Democrats for state office do not stand a snowball's chance in hell of being elected; it's a rock ribbed GOP stronghold.