Keith Ellison pledges to leave congressional seat if he wins DNC race

[workinclasszero]

Keith Ellison pledges to leave congressional seat if he wins DNC race
By DANIEL STRAUSS 12/07/16 11:13 AM EST

Rep. Keith Ellison will leave his congressional seat if he wins the race to chair the Democratic National Committee, he said in a statement Wednesday.

"In order to further their commitment and maximize my effectiveness, I have decided to resign as a member of Congress if I win the election for DNC chair," Ellison said. "Whoever wins the DNC chair race faces a lot of work, travel, planning and resource raising. I will be 'all-in' to meet the challenge."

Ellison thanked those who had shared their views on his options. "But at this point," he said, "the Democratic Party must be the party that delivers for working people. We can do that by meeting folks where they are, looking them in the eye, treating them with respect, and working to solve their problems. For me, that means a chair with only one full-time commitment."

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/keith-ellison-congress-seat-dnc-chair-232313

[hrmjustin]

1. I like Jaime Harrison from SC. Hopefully the DNC members will give him a look!

[SunSeeker]

4. Harrison is great, but working at Podesta's firm is getting him opposition.

Regardless, he has a bright future with the Democratic Party.

[hrmjustin]

5. That shouldn't count against him.

[SunSeeker]

6. Totally agree.

Sadly, that is the reality.

[Vinca]

2. I like Keith, but he just doesn't strike me as the right person for the job.

But I could be wrong.

[SunSeeker]

3. With that and Dean out, his chances for DNC Chair are looking better.

But he was pretty damaged by recent stories. And I'm not sure if he has the know how for the job.

[Demsrule86]

7. With Dean out...we are screwed...he has proven his ability to win.

[KittyWampus]

8. That's what I think. Dean wouldn't need on the job training.

[SunSeeker]

9. Yes, Dean really knows how to do that job and has great instincts.

But those same instincts told him he couldn't get the job, and he didn’t want to create divisions in the party.

[PatsFan87]

14. Would you expand on "doesn't have the know how for the job"?

Just trying to understand what you mean by that.

[SunSeeker]

19. See post 18.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028339182#post18

[Suprk]

16. Interesting?

I am curious what makes you believe that he does not have the know how for the job?

[SunSeeker]

18. The job involves a lot of fundraising.

It doesn't appear he has done a lot of that and not sure if that is his cup of tea.

[JonLP24]

20. Congress members do ALOT of fundraising

Especially if they are new.

https://m.

[SunSeeker]

21. I get that they need to fundraise for themselves.

But fundraising for the Democratic Party, i.e. all other Dems, is a different animal.

[JonLP24]

22. If you see the clip they're doing it for the party

It's pretty much required for them. No different than a telemarketer.

[SunSeeker]

23. No, they're raising money for themselves. Per the clip, they're calling THEIR OWN supporters.

Sure, they must pay a cut of what they raise (the Party's "fee" as explained in that clip) to the Democratic Party, but they are not raising money explicitly for the Party or other Dem officeholders.

How good do you think he'd be at fundraising for a conservative Dem like Manchin?

[mulsh]

10. Does any one know Michigan's law governing replacment of congress members? This is not

reassuring to me if the Republican Governor is able to replace the congress critter until the following election.

As much as I admire Ellison this doesn't bode well for thinking strategically for the Democratic Party.

[workinclasszero]

11. Yes this is worrisome to me as well

[Bettie]

12. Ellison is from Minnesota!

And I believe they have a Democratic governor.

[think]

13. Ellison is from Minnesota. They will have a special election if Keith resigns:

Last edited Wed Dec 7, 2016, 02:33 PM - Edit history (1)

Keith Ellison will resign his seat if made DNC chair. Here’s who might replace him in Congress.

~Snip~

Ellison’s resignation would create a special election early next year for his Minneapolis-based congressional seat, one that could attract a crowd of candidates.

At least three different people have so far expressed interest in running for the seat should Ellison resign, including his 2016 Republican opponent and two Democratic state lawmakers. Many more could join them in coming weeks.

State Sens. Scott Dibble and Patricia Torres Ray, both Minneapolis Democrats, said Monday they might run if Ellison resigns.

“I’m trying hard not to get ahead of Keith. I support Keith,” said Dibble, 51. “Nevertheless … it was important for me to start organizing my thoughts and my actions.”

Torres Ray, like Dibble, said she supports Ellison’s run for Democratic National Committee chair. She said she was encouraged to run by friends.///

Read more:
http://www.twincities.com/2016/12/05/5th-district-candidates-start-lining-up-in-case-keith-ellison-resigns/

[PatsFan87]

15. Great move by Keith.

I support his run for chair but I also agree with the argument that we need a full-time person in that position. His support of a 50-state strategy, his GOTV methods in Minnesota, and his support for grassroots organizing make him an ideal candidate.

[MadBadger]

17. 100% behind him, then.