Keith Ellison Supporters Warn Of Fallout If He Loses DNC Chair Race

[workinclasszero]

Keith Ellison Supporters Warn Of Fallout If He Loses DNC Chair Race
A defeat in Saturday’s election would “keep the DNC what it is: an irrelevant, old, stale entity,” a backer of the progressive congressman said.
By Daniel Marans 02/21/2017 09:15 pm ET


WASHINGTON ― Days after the November election, the progressive wing of the Democratic Party was ascendant. There was no greater sign of its rising stature than the momentum Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota was enjoying in his race to chair the Democratic National Committee.

Ellison, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) during the 2016 presidential primary, was racking up endorsements not only from Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), but establishment figures as well, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers — both of whom backed Hillary Clinton in the primary.

But in December, former Labor Secretary Tom Perez jumped into the DNC race. Now, Ellison and Perez are neck-and-neck, with the election days away. The DNC’s 447 voting members will decide the party’s next chair in Atlanta on Saturday.

That has some Ellison supporters worried that their chance to reshape the party is in danger of disappearing. In an attempt to head off Perez, some prominent Ellison supporters argue that failing to elect him would squander a major opportunity to energize the progressive grassroots and heal the wounds of the 2016 presidential primary.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/keith-ellison-dnc_us_58acc9c5e4b03d80af7075b3?c2him2tqgwqht1emi&

[brooklynite]

1. It's only Democracy if MY choice wins...

Would it hurt to point out that Party ideology is NOT determined by the DNC Chair?

[rusty fender]

27. Plus 1,000!

They hate democracy if their choice loses--like a child who takes his ball home if doesn't win

[LiberalLovinLug]

84. sigh...no they didn't say that

“If Perez wins, we’re not gonna come out with pitchforks and say, ‘No, no, no,’” said Murshed Zaheed, political director of Credo Action, an online progressive heavyweight that has experienced record growth since Trump’s inauguration. “But people are going to roll their eyes and just keeping doing what they do. It’s going to keep the DNC what it is: an irrelevant, old, stale entity that hasn’t been re-serviced since the Howard Dean days.”

Their point is that the Democrats will loose out on an opportunity to try and be more inclusive, and to heal divisions by showing that the leadership does not hate the almost half that voted for Bernie. It seems like many in DU hate them but thank gawd this bitter group doesn't decide for us.

So now Warren and Schumer are also unclean lepers for daring to endorse the same candidate as Sanders? As well as apparently most other Democrats (if he is indeed still ahead)

Reading through this thread it seems like a lot of bitter folks determined not to ever accept back the 40 something percent of members that originally wanted Bernie and his platform to succeed in the primaries. Talk about sore winners. And a failing strategy to win. Lumping Stein with Bernie (who roundly rejected her overtures) is getting old as well.

[Hortensis]

45. Sigh. Sadly typical. This attitude of some illustrates the biggest reason

it'll be best if Ellison does not win. Not that either party committee is much more than a tail trying to wag the dog these days.

Democratic Party activists who tried unsuccessfully to sink Hillary Clinton’s nomination at last year’s convention are at it again ...

Party leaders are eager to incorporate the energy of progressives who buoyed Sen. Bernard Sanders’ presidential campaign last year — but less enthusiastic about the activists’ rough edges ...

They say the phone calls to lobby for Rep. Keith Ellison, the choice of progressives, over Tom Perez, viewed as the establishment choice, are out of control.

“It was over the top, and I contacted Keith, and Keith tried to stop it, to his credit. It took a while,” said Marcel L. Groen, chairman of the Pennsylvania Democrats. “I want their enthusiasm and energy, but I do want it harnessed. I am not interested in anarchy.”

Mr. Groen said he is a fan of both Mr. Ellison and Mr. Perez, the Obama administration’s former labor secretary — but the pro-Ellison effort convinced him to go public with his support for Mr. Perez.

Ellison seems to be ahead a bit. If he wins he may have to to move away from a hostile barn-burner radical faction to get anything done with the others. If these people were able to cause havoc in the party, though, I'd be switching my auto donations to the DCCC and DSCC to other organizations. I've always been an independent at heart, but I register Democrat because forming alliances to work together is what wins elections . And these people don't do alliances.

[LisaM]

76. It wouldn't heal my wounds.

It would rub salt in them.

[Hortensis]

89. I'll ally with anyone who will focus on defeating the

tremendous fascistic threats from the right. Don't have to like or agree with allies all the time, just have to be able to work together to achieve common goals.

Unfortunately, I believe, from their own longstanding behaviors, that Ellison's/Sanders's most zealous supporters simply cannot move beyond attacking Democrats and would spend the next years mired down in their typical infighting. Right now the Republican leadership is dismantling more of our long-established processes critical to democracy, and who do the zealous ones believe they must remove from power?

IF Ellison wins, I'll wait and hope that he gets to work forming a solid front of Democratic Party factions to strengthen the party and rescue our nation. For all the noise, he may turn out to be made of the right stuff. If he won't or can't, well, most money and power already goes around the DNC, and radical dysfunction would only further weaken the DNC while mainstream factions strengthened behind other leaders.

The worry of course is that the inevitable angry demagoguery among a recalcitrant radical faction could cost us 2018.

Otoh, this could force attention on who and what liberal and other mainstream Democrats are. Reintroduce ourselves to the nation, so to speak. A favorite right-wing insult of Democrats, after all, is to insist we're all radicals. A big, noisy separation might help clarify things.

[NurseJackie]

52. The attitude you describe has presented itself on many occasions (regrettably). And...

... with regard to your other observation: of course it wouldn't hurt, it could only help. But it won't. The element within our party who believe such things would not believe you. And even if they did believe you, they're so full of piss and vinegar that they likely believe in their ability to bypass such things.

I'm sure that in consideration of Sarandon's endorsement of Ellison, should he win, there are many who would feel "vindicated" (for lack of a better word) as a result of his victory.

Personally, I think it would be a disaster for the party. Not because of anything that Ellison would (or would not) do ... but because it would only serve to inflame and divide party members. It would weaken the party and slow any progress or the party's ability to effectively fight (and win) against the GOP agenda and GOP candidates and GOP nominees and GOP appointees.

He's an honorable man, but heaven help us if he wins.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

81. Sarandon can go to hell

She is disgusting. If she wants him then he is clearly not the right choice. In fact, whoever she wants I oppose.

[NurseJackie]

83. I, too, was grateful for Sarandon's "assistance". If she's for it, then I can safely oppose it!

No further research or analysis needed. I know that whatever Sarandon supports is NOT good for our party or our nation.

[Demsrule86]

92. If that creature Sarandon wants him then I don't.

Blood on her hands...helped elect Trump.

[Kingofalldems]

2. Trumpian. I hope he loses now.

[NewJeffCT]

3. Yes, my thoughts exactly

Very Trump-like of them

[Squinch]

78. Yep. Exactly. FFS, have they learned NOTHING?

[yallerdawg]

4. But, of course!

We seen this fallout before - in the White House now!

Still won't work.

[Blue Idaho]

5. Cult of Personality...

I say the best ideas win and we stop playing Personality Politics.

[KittyWampus]

12. And I'm not sure it's even Ellison's personality that is the focal point of the devotion.

[Blue Idaho]

19. I think you are probably right... nt.

[BlueMTexpat]

44. +1! eom

[JaneQPublic]

6. Seriously? Even after the #45 win, they're going to pull that sh@t?

Threatening to take their bat and go home if they don't get their way? Well that's just another reason AGAINST Ellison, if that's the mindset of his constituency.

That's not leadership, and it's certainly not the way to unite the party.

[workinclasszero]

14. Whoever wins

We must have a united front against 45 and his party, that's for damn sure.

[Demsrule86]

16. They will always do that which is why we can't count on them or cater

to them.

[Blue_true]

54. I agree. Why try to build a foundation with people who think like

that in it. We are better off pulling in progressives and moderates that accept majority decisions then work toward making the party stronger at all levels.

[Demsrule86]

69. Yes...I believe we will move left but it will be more gradual after Trump.

In the meantime the big tent D gave us all progressive programs ...such as social security medicare health care etc.

[get the red out]

57. Not leadership at all

It's not caring about anything except getting your way. I am so sick of people having that attitude.

[hrmjustin]

7. What the hell are they going to do?

People's attachment to Ellison or Perez is ridiculous.

[KittyWampus]

8. I prefer Perez and would be fine if they settle for Ellison even though his resume doesn't speak

to working with a nationwide organization.

But as other posters above have stated... now a part of me hopes he loses.

This is behavior we have seen before on DU. And I'll leave it at that so another post of mine doesn't get a bogus alert.

[AJT]

9. So what's next, purity tests?

[TomCADem]

10. Sounds Like a Gaff...

Did he intend on mirroring Trump's rhetoric? Or, will he double down and complain about votes by "illegals."

[still_one]

11. What consequences? Some may not vote Democratic? Gee, some already did that, voila --- trump

[Demsrule86]

13. I never thought that Ellison was right for the job...

he would starve our candidates in the age of United for 'purity'...and the Jewish voters who are an important and reliable constituency could be lost...but now I say no way to Keith even though I like the guy...I am tired of being blackmailed by those who cost us the election.

[flamingdem]

15. "Some supporters?"

This looks like gossip meant to divide

[JudyM]

26. Exactly right. Ridiculous without facts. The article doesn't suggest any threats of fallout!

[bunnies]

28. And look how easy it is.

Every other post in this thread (so far) has taken the bait.

[JudyM]

34. Pavlovian.

[bunnies]

42. Just substitute food with fud and watch the salivation begin!

[JudyM]

85. Too funny!

(Had to look that up, good one)

[MineralMan]

17. Are they threatening to leave, then? That worked out so well in 2016.

We need a new Chair for the DNC. We'll have one shortly. I, for one, plan to support whoever is chosen. It seems pretty simple, really. We have a lot of work to do before the 2018 election. Bickering among ourselves isn't going to get that work done. Surely we learned a lesson in 2016, right?

[gordianot]

18. I hope not and I like Ellison.

We are at the point specific persons do not matter.

[Wounded Bear]

20. Threats, now? How Republican of them...

I had hoped the whole "Be reasonable, do it MY way!" crap would have fallen by the wayside. We shouldn't be worried about ideology in this debate anyway. This is about electoral mechanics, not the party platform. Any DNC chair that gets out and expands the base into those red areas and flips some districts is fine by me. Hell, we need to at least gets some Ds on ballots in so many areas where Rs have been running unopposed.

[LexVegas]

21. Hmm...where have I heard that childish shit before? nt

[NCTraveler]

22. BoB'ers are every bit as bad as Trump Humpers.

They have been Ellisons worst enemy during this process.

Their words in this instance are extremely stupid and filled with hate.

[Peacetrain]

23. Okay you lose me right there! Do not threaten me

Vote who you want to..

[JNelson6563]

24. I'm glad I focus on state and local.

the boring, invisible components to many here.

[mcar]

25. My way or the highway again?

[UTUSN]

29. DRUMPF praised him, a *KISS OF DEATH*?!1 n/t

[NurseJackie]

62. So did Susan Sarandon ... so I guess that's the antidote.

[bluedye33139]

30. Lies lies lies

Perez and Ellison hold similar points of view about everything. Perez is not some evil monster. This hateful absolutist narcissistic drivel is sickening.

At this point, I support Perez 100% because the alternative is to hand the Democratic party to Bernie Bros who hate the Democratic party, Democrats, and elected officials who are Democrats.

[rogue emissary]

31. Hate when they slap a sensational headline on an article.

Most of the quotes are about weariness from his supporters if Perez wins. Which is understandable as Perez supporters would probably say similar things. I have to agree with other in this thread that the so-called Ellison supporters are hurting him. This article's objective is to amplify those that would be rejected if Keith doesn't win. When they could highlight Symone Sanders practical and fair assessment of the race.

[otohara]

32. They Gave Us Trump, What Else

could they possibly do?

Form a 3rd party - nah that would be too hard.

[lillypaddle]

33. What's up lately

with the veiled, and not so veiled, threats if somebody's candidate doesn't win? Ever hear of democracy, assholes?

Saw Howard Dean this morning talking about some 26 year old whom he is supporting, but I missed the name.

ETA:

Link to tweet

[msanthrope]

49. He punted. Smart. nt

[lillypaddle]

60. Not sure what you mean

Howard punted?

[msanthrope]

61. Yes. nt

[lillypaddle]

73. I believe him

that he wants new blood to head up the party. I can get behind that.

[joshcryer]

91. Pete Buttigieg is the only move.

The only winning move in this bullshit is not to play.

But Buttigieg is getting shit from Sanders supporters because he endorsed Hillary.

After Hillary shored up the nomination.

[Iggo]

35. Fifty.State.Strategy.

I don't give a fuck who's in charge, as long as they bust their ass in all fifty states 24/7/365.

(Well actually, I do give a fuck. Anyone but DWS. What a fucking disaster.)

[Gothmog]

36. I have met and like Keith Ellison but I do not support his bid for DNC chair

I am supporting Tom Perez

[Motown_Johnny]

37. I agree. We have an opportunity here and Ellison is the best choice to take advantage of it.

Not electing him would squander that opportunity.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

38. ohh the threats again. how lovely, how completely unexpected

[KPN]

39. I'm surprised at the reaction here. I'm guessing some of you

reacted to the article's title which seems to have been created -- as news headlines typically are -- to stimulate readers' reaction and review. .... There is nothing in the article that says anything about threats by Ellison supporters -- which is what many of the comments above imply. The article actually does a fair job of comparing Ellison and Perez -- their strengths and weaknesses. Concerns expressed by a couple of influential leaders that Perez may not attract some current fence-sitters are simply expressions of concern, not threats.

[BainsBane]

40. They are trying hard to put people off Ellison

and it's working.

[JHan]

53. Is it then, an attempt to cause a divide so that they can pick off dem voters?

In case they want to start a third party?

[BainsBane]

55. Honestly, I don't think they can help themselves

It's just how they are.

What are they going to do anyway? Vote for Trump/Stein again?

[JHan]

70. All they can say is..

"keith is the future" and he's not like "establishment" democrats - I don't know what this means, because last I checked the only person who wants to end what they fussed about during the primaries- super delegates - and the only person who is prepared to get rid of caucuses is Jehmu Greene

[BainsBane]

75. They don't know what it means either

What matters is that he is Bernie's pick.

[Jamaal510]

80. The "establishment"

term has lost all meaning for me this election cycle. Somehow Perez gets labeled as part of the establishment, but Ellison dodges the label even though he has been a Congressman for a number of years.

[JHan]

90. They called the CBC the "establishment" too...

Is the CBC still the "establishment"?

I realise it's not supposed to make sense.

[MattP]

41. Just make sure the new guy hires a better IT guy than DWS

[Blue_true]

63. For sure. One that speaks plainly, like "Don't open or respond to that link, it is corrupt". nt

[BlueMTexpat]

43. THIS is exactly why I have been

very wary of this whole push for Keith Ellison, who SHOULD be working very hard in the House, IMO.

I am also STILL pissed that people like this forced Howard Dean and Martin O'Malley out of the running early on.

IMO, they are BOBers and I want nothing to do with them. Nothing! Let them go back to their Trumpian/authoritarian roots.

The DNC is hardly an "irrelevant, old, stale entity" when nearly THREE MILLION MORE people voted for Hillary Clinton.

[blm]

46. How is it irrelevant, old, stale to elect the first Latino chair?

Is it because he is supported by the first black president?

[Azathoth]

51. Apparently black and Muslim trumps Latino in the freshness competition

[BainsBane]

56. Nah, the only thing that matters

is that he's Bernie's pick.

[oasis]

47. I'm 100% sure, Elizabeth Warren, Howard Dean, Bernie, Schumer, Biden

and every living, breathing, real Democrat will accept the election results of the committee.

[blm]

59. Exactly - I'd be happy with any of them supporting pro-active, nationwide GOTV efforts.

And, from what I gleaned, they all do.

[peggysue2]

72. Bingo!

Dems of all stripes will accept the results. Those that don't are the crybabies and/or faux Dems that ultimately gave us Trump.

Divided we fall. 2016 should have taught us something important. Throwing temper tantrums isn't one of them.

[Stinky The Clown]

48. Yippeeeee Just what we need

Division and internecine warfare.

[Blue_Tires]

50. So now we're about mafia-style threats, extortion and reprisals?

And of all the things, THAT is the fucking hill they want to die on?

Never before have I seen so many people with a stake in what has mostly been a ceremonial and symbolic office... I've said repeatedly that some people seem VERY interested in making this as drawn out and as contentious as possible

Here is the list of some not-so-illustrious predecessors:

Chairman and (state)—Democratic Term
Robert E. Hannegan (Mo.) 1944–1947
J. Howard McGrath (R.I.) 1947–1949
William M. Boyle, Jr. (Mo.) 1949–1951
Frank E. McKinney (Ind.) 1951–1952
Stephen A. Mitchell (Ill.) 1952–1954
Paul M. Butler (Ind.) 1955–1960
Henry M. Jackson (Wash.) 1960–1961
John M. Bailey (Conn.) 1961–1968
Lawrence F. O'Brien (Mass.) 1968–1969
Fred R. Harris (Okla.) 1969–1970
Lawrence F. O'Brien (Mass.) 1970–1972
Jean Westwood (Utah) 1972
Robert S. Strauss (Tex.) 1972–1977
Kenneth M. Curtis (Maine) 1977
John C. White (Tex.) 1977–1981
Charles T. Manatt (Calif.) 1981–1985
Paul G. Kirk Jr. (Mass.) 1985–1989
Ronald H. Brown (D.C.) 1989–1993
David Wilhelm (Ill.) 1993–1994
Christopher J. Dodd (Conn.) 1995–1996
Steven Grossman (Mass.) 1996–1999
Joe Andrew (Ind.) 1999–2001
Terry McAuliffe (Va.) 2001–2005
Howard Dean (Vt.) 2005–2009
Tim Kaine (Va.) 2009–2011
Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) 2011–16

http://www.infoplease.com/us/government/democratic-committee-chairs.html

[Greybnk48]

58. Who exactly said this? Is this a hit piece on Ellison?

Are we trashing progressives now based on shit labeled "a backer of the progressive congressman said." Who said it?

[workinclasszero]

67. From the article...

Alex Lawson, executive director of Social Security Works, an organization fighting to expand Social Security benefits.

Murshed Zaheed, political director of Credo Action, an online progressive heavyweight that has experienced record growth since Trump’s inauguration. “But people are going to roll their eyes and just keeping doing what they do. It’s going to keep the DNC what it is: an irrelevant, old, stale entity that hasn’t been re-serviced since the Howard Dean days.”

Credo’s Zaheed, who was an aide to former Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), argued that Perez’s election would dismay the party’s progressive base.

[Cha]

93. That's too damn bad.. I think #TomPerez would be excellent.

Link to tweet

[Blue_true]

68. No one is trashing progressives. But I have no tolerance for BoB

and Jill Stein people wanting to take over the party after what they did in the election. Screw them.

[Greybnk48]

74. Except Bernie Sanders and his supporters during the primary?

I don't know WHAT Jill Stein is, but some people are working VERY hard to drive a wedge between anyone who supported Sanders during the primary and those who supported Hillary. It's not going to work on me.

[JudyM]

86. Did you read the article? It doesn't even support the headline. It's clickbait.

[NurseJackie]

64. Does the DNC Chair determine our party's ideology? How much power does the Chair have?

[Bettie]

65. That is stupid

Frankly, I think Ellison is better for us in congress. He is a progressive voice and we need as many of them as possible.

Very short sighted. Right now we need to be at least somewhat united (as united as a diverse party ever is).

[grantcart]

66. This is why all surrogates should be turned out and a process

leader who can go everywhere be selected.

[Rex]

71. Great, this Cult of Personalities has really REALLY helped us so far!

We've got to stop worshiping politicians. They are just people and if they lose a contest, it is not the end of the world!

[Vinca]

77. That would be dumb. My personal opinion is that we need someone who can devote all of his time

to the job of DNC chair, which Ellison obviously can't. But if Ellison wins, I'm not going to go berserk. Stupid splits like this is why we have a bloated orange blob in the White House now.

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

79. This sounds an awful lot like the threats from the Bobs...

And if that's the case...they can fuck right off.

It's sad...but the second I saw "supporter of Bernie Sanders," I immediately got angry. I don't think the flashbacks will ever end.

[Mike Nelson]

82. I can't believe he...

...would say this... I liked him.

[Starry Messenger]

87. Greater fallout than a fascist as President?

There's not much left to threaten with when you help let that happen on the last opportunity.

[Lil Missy]

88. I have no patience or compassion for this kind of thuggish behavior. They're no better than Donald.