Wasserman Schultz goes down to wire against primary challenger

[DonViejo]

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the embattled former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), will seek to survive a serious primary challenge from a liberal rival on Tuesday.

The primary will cap a tough summer for the Florida Democrat, who decided to resign from the DNC on the eve of the Democratic National Convention, after leaked emails showed that staffers at her organization appeared to be plotting ways to undermine the presidential campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

Wasserman Schultz took a public beating from the left during the presidential primaries, and was booed at a breakfast meeting of her own state delegation at the Democratic convention. Yet she is considered the favorite to win Tuesday's primary over law professor Tim Canova, who has sought to take advantage of her national difficulties.

Wasserman Schultz has deep relationships in her district that go back to 1992, when she first won election to the state legislature. When she was elected to the House in 2004, she became Florida’s first Jewish congresswoman. Party strategists said loyalty to Wasserman Schultz in the predominantly Jewish district will be tough for Canova to shake.

-snip-

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/293506-wasserman-schultz-goes-down-to-the-wire-against-primary-challenger

[DURHAM D]

1. What does that headline even mean?

She is up by double digits in the polls.

[underthematrix]

8. Yep. She's fine. It's just spin.

[MADem]

17. It's THE HILL--say no more. They're in the tank for the GOP and scared poopless of DWS. nt

[still_one]

56. It is the typical Hill BS.

[bigwillq]

2. Hope Canova wins (nt)

[tammywammy]

3. The headline doesn't match the article

From the article:

Recent polls have shown Wasserman Schultz well ahead of Canova. A South Florida Sun Sentinel/Florida Atlantic University poll released last week found Wasserman Schultz with a 10-point lead and higher favorability ratings among Democratic voters than Canova. An internal poll released by Canova’s campaign late last month showed him behind by 8 points.

[bigdarryl]

21. That's very unfortunate was hoping voters voted her out

Because of all the DNC scandle.My question is who the hell is voting in that distrct for her ?

[CentralMass]

30. Fans of the Pay Day lending industry ?

[tammywammy]

52. Apparently it's the majority of democratic voters in her district voting for her.

[Unit 001]

4. I hope she loses.

She is clearly lacking in principles.

[oberliner]

5. Headline writer doesn't know the meaning of the phrase "down to the wire"

DWS is leading comfortably and will win by a healthy margin.

[Blue Idaho]

6. Down to the wire?

As in times almost up? That's about the only way the headline makes sense. A 10 point lead is monumental.

Talk about sensationalizing a humdrum story...

[DirkGently]

7. KNR. n/t

[MohRokTah]

9. Fortunately, Wasserman-Schultz has this by double digits.

Canova is an extremist who belongs nowhere near the halls of power.

[think]

33. Canova is NOT an extremist. What a load of unsubstantiated crap. /nt

[Tommy_Carcetti]

36. He did happily appear on RW crazy Joyce Kaufman's show.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512382481

And bragged about all the Republicans he was getting to vote for him.

[think]

37. Oh no!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

39. You tell me if someone ought to embrace a rabid Trump supporter/tea partier...

....who once proclaimed, "If ballots don't work, bullets will!"

[think]

47. So if a candidate goes on Fox News that means they support their statements there?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

49. More like if a Dem goes on Hannity or Limbaugh and yuks it up....

....and never once bothers to call Rush or Sean to account for their statements.

At very best, it's gross negligence.

[think]

50. Canova went on a show. DWS resigned from the DNC, supported GOP friends over Democratic candidates

refused to support medical marijuana and then changed her mind to try to win votes, supported pay day lending legislation while taking cash from pay day lenders.

DWS oversaw a huge decline in Democratic leadership in America while the head of the DNC.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

57. "Meet the Press" is a show. "Anderson Cooper 360" is a show. Joyce Kaufman is not a show.....

.....for all intents and purposes.

For people in South Florida, it is a notoriously disgusting three hour screed against liberals, immigrants, Muslims, and anyone else who dares raise Kaufman's ire.

http://www.loonwatch.com/tag/joyce-kaufman/

http://www.rightwingwatch.org/content/conservative-radio-host-orlando-club-targeted-because-patrons-were-unarmed-not-because-they-

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/what-joyce-kaufman-actually-said-about-hanging-mexican-immigrants-6547791

[LanternWaste]

79. From extremism to gross negligence. Exhausting to mover the goalposts so quickly and so far.

From extremism to gross negligence. Exhausting to mover the goalposts so quickly and so far.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

81. I said at the very least.

If Canova went on not knowing that Joyce Kaufman was a Donald Trump loving, xenophobic and bigoted loon, then he's just plain stupid.

If Canova knew about who Joyce Kaufman was, and even with that knowledge still went on and sucked up to her as he did, then he deserves to be painted an extremist.

Either way, it doesn't work out good for him. He should have never been on that show.

[MohRokTah]

42. He is most certainly an extremist (rightwing) who shouldn't even be dog catcher! eom

[think]

44. You can't speak to issues but you sure can toss out insults.....

[MohRokTah]

53. HE WAS ON THE RIGHT WING RADIO TALK SHOWS GETTING KUDOS!!!!!

Jesus Christ, you obviously know nothing about the guy you are supporting! He's a WINGNUT!!!!

[Exilednight]

71. Bill Clinton went on Rush Limbaugh's show. What's your point?

Bill went on Limbaugh's show to drum up support for Hillary.

Using your logic, that would make Hillary as bad as you believe Canova to be.

What right-wing issues does he support?

[ISUGRADIA]

97. When?

When was Bill Clinton ever on the Rush Limbaugh show, please provide a link.

[Exilednight]

98. Google is your friend.

I just googled Bill Clinton on Rush Limbaugh show. It was on the first page.

[ISUGRADIA]

100. Yeah

Help me out, googled that already, can find no link to him being interviewed by Limbaugh. Plenty of links about Clinton being mentioned on the show. Just one link to an actual article would help.

[LanternWaste]

80. The gold standard of extremism is indeed, simply appearing on a RW radio show...

The gold standard of extremism is indeed, simply appearing on a RW radio show...

"Obviously know nothing" indeed.

[onehandle]

10. She'll win. All that money that could have gone to defeat Republicans.

What a waste.

[NurseJackie]

12. Purity for vanity's sake. It's a luxury that we can't afford.

Wasted money. Missed opportunities.

[Ken Burch]

13. We don't need Dems who are right wing on a LOT of major issues, as DWS is.

It's arrogant to demand that Dem incumbents be given automatic renomination. Why should they only be accountable to voters from OTHER parties?

[NurseJackie]

15. LOL

[think]

31. DWS refused to support other local House Democratic candidates because of her GOP friendships

Democrats torn between party, GOP friends

By Lesley Clark - McClatchy Newspapers - MARCH 9, 2008 2:23 PM

Democratic party leaders have tapped Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz to raise money and coach candidates in a high-stakes, aggressive bid to expand the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives.

But as three Miami Democrats look to unseat three of her South Florida Republican colleagues, Wasserman Schultz is staying on the sidelines. So is Rep. Kendrick Meek, a Miami Democrat and loyal ally to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

That wasn't the case just two years ago when the pair flouted a long-standing Florida delegation agreement to not campaign against colleagues and vigorously backed Ron Klein in his winning bid to oust veteran Republican Rep. Clay Shaw.

This time around, Wasserman Schultz and Meek say their relationships with the Republican incumbents, Reps. Lincoln Diaz-Balart and his brother Mario, and Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, leave them little choice but to sit out the three races.

Read more here:

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/article24478039.html

[NurseJackie]

32. This will all be over very soon. ;-P

[think]

34. Yes. And Debbie can be back in congress with her GOP friends. Laugh all you want. It's not funny

though....

[NurseJackie]

40. The voters of Florida's 23rd will have chosen her. Why do you have a problem with that?

They prefer DWS, not Canova.

Shouldn't they be able to make up their own minds? Shouldn't their wishes be respected?

I celebrate her victory! She will be a strong ally for Hillary.

[think]

43. DWS supports GOP friends over Democratic candidates. That shows where her loyalty lies....

It's quite understandable why we lost so many Democratic politicians in govt. under her leadership at the DNC

[NurseJackie]

48. Ah, I see. So this is all about "revenge". ~~ Got it.

I guess you'll have to wait and get revenge another day. DWS will be the winner.

[think]

51. No. It's about DWS supporting GOP FRIENDS over Democrats. Keep posting that emoticon though

if it helps you laugh off her lack of support for other Democrats...

[NurseJackie]

54. The voters in Florida's 23rd love her enough to elect her ...

... that should be enough for you. Why do you want to disrespect those voters?

[think]

59. She defended GOP FRIENDS against DEMOCRATS. Good grief. /nt

[NurseJackie]

61. At some point, it seems to me that you'll just have to ...

[think]

62. Support Republicans like Debbie Wasserman Schultz? Resign in disgrace from the DNC?

Good grief.

[NurseJackie]

63. She resigned under pressure, not in disgrace...

... and she did so for selfless reasons.

[NurseJackie]

64. By the way... DWS is *NOT* a Republican. You should probably stop saying that.

[think]

65. Did I say that? NO. Quit playing games. I stated she supported GOP friends over DEMOCRATS

This is a fact as the article pointed out.

[NurseJackie]

66. If you say so. (That subject line certainly reads differently than your tortured interpretation.)

In any case, after tomorrow, none of this will matter.

DWS will have won.



Won't that be great?! She'll be our party's nominee for Florida's 23rd.

[think]

67. You can't reply to the FACT that DWS supported GOP friends because it's true. Emoticons don't

change facts. Sorry....

[NurseJackie]

68. Why should I do such a thing? ;-P

It's all in the past. Move on. Get over it. Let it go. Shake it off.

No matter how much anyone wants to hold grudges, it appears that those rooting against her will be very disappointed.

And, that makes me very happy! I'll be delighted to see DWS in Congress as a strong and experienced supporter of Hillary.

[Ken Burch]

83. It's right wing to be hardline against drug legalization(the drug war is a total failure)

It's right wing to oppose more regulations on payday usury.

It's right wing to support subsidies for private prisons.

It's right wing to refuse to campaign for Democratic congressional candidates in winnable Florida seats.

She's pro-choice, and that's about the only issue she's progressive on. And it's a safe Democratic seat and ANY Dem would be pro-choice.

So no, you have nothing to laugh or be smug about.

A Democratic congressmember is supposed to be progressive. There are almost no seats in the entire country in which a "blue dog" is going to beat a GOP candidate anymore.

[NurseJackie]

84. LOL! Tick-tock!

Time's running out. After tomorrow, she's the party's choice for Florida's 23rd. She'll no longer be eligible to serve as a by-proxy punching bag. The irrational fixation on a local race for symbolic purposes will need to come to an end. DWS will be the winner, and that makes me very happy. Very very happy!

[Ken Burch]

85. Nobody's opposing her to stick it to HRC.

Why be so loyal to someone who has nothing to offer?

DWS was NEVER a victim. She was and opposed because of her conservatism.

Why are you so hateful to people who are guilty of nothing but working for a better world?

[NurseJackie]

87. Hateful? LOL!

What an odd response. It's a pity you see it that way. There's no reason for you to take it personally. I'm looking forward to Hillary having a strong and experienced ally in Congress, and I celebrate her victory.

[bettyellen]

89. I've gotta say it does appear the only reason some care is to trust and stick it to her-

Seems like a lot of people are more interested in revenge than supporting viable candidates.

If Canova moved down there just to take her seat when she is actually popular in her district I have to question why he didn't go after another seat?

Wouldn't that be- in the big picture- a smarter thing to do? Honestly it seems like a symbolic middle finger and not much else. If he doses t really live there you can't fault voters for not wing interested in him.

[NurseJackie]

90. You are correct, of course. The reasons for behavior like that are quite obvious on the face of it.

We're smarter than they give us credit for.

[Ken Burch]

93. A poll that came out three weeks ago had him within eight points.

So it's not as though NO one is showing interest in Canova. Not sure why anyone would feel this much loyalty to a congressmember who is much further to the right than she has to be in a district like that.

She's simply not all that special.

[bettyellen]

96. it's embarrassing at this point how many people are "interested" in her district

and don't give the first shit about the people or things happening there. Its punitive and arrogant
And I'm done with that shit.

I'm very liberal but understand that not everyone else is quite there with me....And some areas have special interests that conflict with my values and it's the way shit works. .

[GulfCoast66]

16. Right wing??

Really?

[Warren DeMontague]

19. Okay, which wing thinks granny should go to prison for eating a pot brownie?

http://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/on-medical-marijuana-debbie-wasserman-schultz-sounds-like-a-republican-6544176

[GulfCoast66]

88. There are plenty of Democrats who do not favor legal pot

Democrat activist, like those on this site, are so quick to find an issue that other democrats disagrees with them on and brand them right wing. I mean, good god, she is a safe Democratic vote and on most issues will be with any Democratic president. But because she comes up short on this issue, in your opinion, she is relegated to the category of right wing.

I voted against the medical marijuana law here in Florida last time. I did so because it was a thinly disguised attempt to make marijuana easy to obtain with any doctor's note, making a mockery of the law. I will vote against it this time as well for the same reason. I think passing constitutional amendments on such cynical grounds harms democracy. So I guess I am right wing as well?

Oh, and if it were an up or down vote for legalized or at least non-criminal status, my vote would be in the affirmative. I just think the process matters.

Have a nice evening

[Warren DeMontague]

92. Whatever wing it is, it's putting people in prison in your state over the stuff as we speak

and that's your tax dollars at work, isn't it?


http://floridapolitics.com/archives/212884-martin-county-woman-faces-medical-marijuana-charges-prescription-issued-maine-doctor

Meanwhile, my state is on track to pull in over 100 million from fully legal recreational marijuana this year. Oh, and all the major state offices here are held by DEMOCRATS.

Hmmmm, Guess the joke is on the citizens of one state or the other, huh.

As for DWS, she has a primary opponent who is a also Democrat, and that's who I support, at least until tomorrow. If he wins, he too will be a safe Democratic vote with any Democratic President.

Where some people have got it in their heads that "support Democrats" means they're entitled to tell people who to vote for or support in a still undecided Democratic primary, I don't know; I have to imagine it's leftover fallout from a bitter primary process which left some people who haven't been on DU through multiple presidential primary cycles, with misconceptions about how this place works or what the rules actually mean.

[Ken Burch]

82. Support for the status quo on drug policy...opposition to greater regulation of payday usury

Support for continued subsidies to private prisons...altogether, deep support for set of policies that have immiserated millions of people, and disproportionately immiserated people of color.

And she refused to campaign for Democratic congressional candidates in winnable seats in Florida just because the Republican incumbents were personal friends(never mind that the "no mercy, no let-up" policy those incumbents take towards Cuba is indefensible in a post-Cold War age).

Yes, right wing. What else could you call those positions? Most of her district is to her left on those issues and many others. It's not a "blue dog" district.

I'll grant you she's pro-choice, and pale green on the environment...but that doesn't exactly make up for the above.

And if DWS does get re-elected, HRC will just appoint her to something and the seat will be open again anyway.

[NurseJackie]

86. Yet she wins. Weird huh? LOL.

Most of her district is to her left on those issues and many others. It's not a "blue dog" district.

If that were true, then she'd be in danger of losing. But that's not the case, is it? I guess they like her better than any others. Go figure.

I don't think it's natural to obsess over a local race like this. It really doesn't have national importance. From all appearances, the opposition to her is likely to be little more than symbolic and a symptom of lingering bitterness and resentment from the primaries.

But, after tomorrow, she will be the party's choice and the attacks on her will have to stop. I, for one, will be glad to see it come to an end.

[Ken Burch]

94. She was only eight points ahead in the last poll, three weeks ago

And of course she was going to win the primaries before this if she wasn't facing significant opposition in previous primaries. Most incumbents are going to get renominated in a landslide unless they get caught in compromising positions with farm animals or something.

You have no cause for smugness and no reason for anywhere near the level of vindictive resentment you are carrying around. The Clinton-Sanders contest is over and the Sanders people are doing all we CAN do to work for victory in the fall. Just admit the war is over already and accept the fact that Sanders supporters aren't the enemy.

[NurseJackie]

95. LOL

[molova]

14. Down to the wire as in...up by 10%

I see.

[LexVegas]

18. It's a virtual tie!

[alcibiades_mystery]

22. Burn

[Warren DeMontague]

20. DWS will probably win.

But if I lived down there I would be voting for Canova.

[Demsrule86]

27. You don't live down there.

Can you tell me who is running in the primary anywhere else without looking it up? She is disliked because some blame her for Bernie Sanders losing the primary which is unfair. She did nothing that would have changed the outcome of the primary. I am relieved that she will win because I want to hold the seat and fear Canova might lose it.

[NurseJackie]

45. That's it exactly. She's just a convenient target. A symbol. A way to keep fighting the primary.

... but at the expense of losing the seat, or at the risk of having a newbie, freshman, inexperienced critter in Congress.

DWS will be a strong ally for Hillary.

[Demsrule86]

103. Thank God Debbie won...we could have lost that seat. nt

[emulatorloo]

74. Bernie supporter here, and if I blame anybody for Bernie's loss it is Jeff Weaver

Weaver didn't bother broadening Bernie's coalition, just threw a bunch of red meat and CT to DU-types.

Followed the DNC "scandal" story pretty closely, nothing there but bullshit spin by Assange and some exploitative bloggers feeding nonsense to gullible BOB's to get more site traffic.

Def not a fan of DWS positions on somethings, but I don't live in her district so it is not up to me. They seem to like her ok.

[Demsrule86]

102. Guys he didn't get enough votes and that's that.

Does it really matter anymore? The primary is over.

[Warren DeMontague]

77. Are you inside my head?

No?

Then you can't tell me why I don't like her. Thanks.

Here's a clue, its because she's quite possibly the top promoter of cannabis prohibition on our side, in the house of representatives.

[Demsrule86]

101. Legalization will come through the states.

He is another clue, if you don't live in Florida, you have no say in a Florida election. Work towards your goals in a state that you can affect the outcome...

[Warren DeMontague]

104. I have the say in that I can support who I want, thanks.

I'm supporting Tammy Duckworth in Illinois, and I'm not an IL resident.


Representatives vote in the house on legislation which affects me on the Federal Level, that means they are my concern as well.

[Demsrule86]

105. If I lived in Illinois I would to. She is awesome.

She is not being primaried. DWS has a safe seat (why primary her except for payback), and you live in Illinois. Are you aware that Florida tossed out the gerrymander? We have a shot at by my count at least three seats in Florida ...maybe more in the end so let's spend money on these races. Also, pot will be on the ballot again in Florida this year. I live in Ohio and have Tim Ryan as my congressman ...he is a good guy. I hope Tammy wins...really like her and we need the seat!

[Warren DeMontague]

106. She (DWS) won her primary, so it's moot now.

[Demsrule86]

107. I live in Ohio

Except for the fact that I think DWS was scapegoated for Bernie's loss...(yes primary is over) I didn't care who won the primary...just want the seat to remain in Democratic hands. I will say that Canova was not a gracious loser.

[MineralMan]

23. Tim Canova isn't going to win this one.

Bernie Sanders withdrew from making an appearance for him just before the primary, which is tomorrow. All signs lead to a DWS victory, as expected.

Canova's bid for this was a long shot in the first place, and it appears to have failed. She's popular with voters in her district, which is pretty much all that matters for an incumbent.

We'll know on Wednesday.

[NurseJackie]

24. DWS became a convenient "punching bag" due to the leftover and lingering resentment of many.

There's a reason she's ahead. There's a reason she won before. There's a reason she's going to win again. There's a reason that her constituents in the party are rejecting Canova... as would likely be the case if he'd made it to the general.

[MineralMan]

26. I suppose. Bottom line is that DWS will win.

I don't think there was ever much of a chance for Canova, but I don't live in that district, or even in Florida.

House races are local elections, and national concerns don't mean much in them. I never bother with any of those campaigns except in my own state. I don't know enough about the local politics anywhere else.

I suppose he was a symbol of something, but I can't see how that is relevant to a congressional district election, really.

[NurseJackie]

29. I know, it seemed out of place. Awkward and forced. Not sincere.

House races are local elections

Ta-dah! Bingo! Ding-ding-ding!

It's likely that she'd never win in Washington, or Oregon, or Massachusetts, or Maryland... but in her little corner of Florida, she does just fine.

[MineralMan]

38. Those district boundaries are classic gerrymandering

in action. Florida has some of the most tortured looking congressional districts in the USA.

[NurseJackie]

41. The ones in NC really amazed me.

[MineralMan]

46. Yes. Some of them are blatantly on racial grounds.

Ugly side of politics.

[zipplewrath]

69. Think you have an old map

Big long case here in the Florida SC that overturned the GOP maps TWICE. Now we have new, slightly more balanced, districts. The first clue is that district 5 isn't Brown's snake like district anymore. It runs east-west now, not north-south.

Actually, this is a very important state wide election this year because the democrats have the opportunity to pick up large numbers of seats in the state legislature "all at once". Every single seat is up for re-election in both houses. A real chance to close the gap in the senate here. It's why we need democrats to show up, regardless of what they choose to do in the presidential. With the GOP vote potentially being depressed by Trump, democrats showing up and voting democratic, even while doing some protest vote in the presidential, could be critical. Florida dems need to let the presidential be, and focus on the state level races.

I've actually had some success with disgruntled Bernie folks in getting them re-engaged with the November ballot by discussing the local and state level races where we have some real opportunities.

[MineralMan]

76. Thanks. Could you post the latest map?

[Demsrule86]

25. She has a double digit lead in the primary.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/poll-debbie-wasserman-shultz-has-double-digit-lead-in-florida

[Tommy_Carcetti]

28. Link to Tim Canova on RW Hate talker Joyce Kaufman show

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512382481

Bottom line: Even if you're upset with DWS, Canova's not the answer.

[NurseJackie]

35. His typical supporters seem to be nothing at all like the actual residents of Florida's 23rd.

I guess that helps to explain why he's not going to win.

[Exilednight]

73. Bill Clinton went on Rush Limbaugh's show. What's your point?

[Demsrule86]

108. So Tim went on a Trump person's radio show?

He deserved to lose. I had heard about it, but it is different when you hear it.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

109. Yeah, and a batshit crazy one to boot.

Just take a look at her home page:

http://www.850wftl.com/shows/joyce-kaufman-show/

[Demsrule86]

110. You are not kidding...she may be worse than Limbaugh. nt

[Thinkingabout]

60. What is the objective of the Republican party, get a weaker candidate to go against the

Republican candidate so they can possibly steal another seat in Congress. Just because Canova is opposing DWS does not mean he is the better candidate nor does it mean he can defeat a republican challenge.

[NurseJackie]

70. It's all about the vanity and "revenge" of targeting DWS... she represents Hillary...

... it's left-over resentment and bitterness, it's a parting shot. They take things too personally and get too emotional.

[Thinkingabout]

91. Yes probably but the fact remains of who the nominee is and

Going after DWS will not change the results.

[Tarc]

72. Most intelligent people would classify a 1-2pt margin as "down to wire"

not a 10-point lead.

The Hill's Cristina Marcos is a GOP shill, https://twitter.com/cimarcos is full of glowing suck-up re-tweeting and writing.

[snooper2]

75. Do you believe this? You haven't responded to anyone?

[molova]

99. It was a hit and run

For sure.

[orpupilofnature57]

78. Just desserts for obstructing Democracy .