WP,pg1: Democrats Are Fractured Over Strategy, Funds (Dean, Emanuel clash)

[DeepModem Mom]

Democrats Are Fractured Over Strategy, Funds
by Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 11, 2006; Page A01

Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and the leader of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have clashed angrily in recent days in a dispute about how the party should spend its money in advance of this fall's midterm elections.

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (Ill.), who is leading the party's effort to regain majority status in the House, stormed out of Dean's office several days ago leaving a trail of expletives, according to Democrats familiar with the session.

The blowup highlights a long-standing tension that has pitted Democratic congressional leaders, who are focused on their best opportunities for electoral gains this fall, against Dean and many state party chairmen, who believe that the party needs to be rebuilt from the ground up -- even in states that have traditionally been Republican strongholds.

Emanuel's fury, Democratic officials said, was over his concern that Dean's DNC is spending its money too freely and too early in the election cycle -- a "burn rate" that some strategists fear will leave the party unable to help candidates compete on equal terms with Republicans this fall.

Emanuel declined to talk about his meeting with Dean but was blunt about his concern that the DNC is not managing its resources wisely....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/10/AR2006051001927.html

[depakid]

1. "according to Democrats familiar with the session."

Lots of unattributed sources here.... hmmm.

Guess we have to trust the Post's motives and their penchant for never misrepresenting the truth.

[Robbien]

2. Exactly what I was thinking

Two people in the room. Now the WaPo is reporting on the conversation highlighting one side of the argument.

One guess on who the source was.

[xxqqqzme]

3. ah, the wapo's weakly story

about how Howard Dean is destroying the Democratic party. Substitute DLC for emanuel and you have the real conflict.

[ShockediSay]

4. repeat:Substitute DLC for emanuel and you have the real conflict

Amen

and who trusts an incumbent Congressman these days?

[crickets]

10. repeat again: Substitute DLC for emanuel and you have the real conflict

Exactly! Hold fast, Howard.

[6000eliot]

5. Have these Dem-bashing stories increased since KKKarl was put in charge

of the 2006 elections?

[0007]

12. I think so along with the fast turning Washington Post.

Who knows perhaps the Washington Times will become our new friend?

[annabanana]

6. We can expect this all over TV for the rest of the week.

The RW bullroarer is revving up as we speak.

[rodeodance]

7. msnbc website: Democrats split on election funding strategy

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12729892/

[Roy]

8. They can't raise republican poll numbers....

so now they launch the divide the democrats project. Reduce the dem numbers as much as possible.
These guys will fight tooth and nail for every edge, no matter how slight.

[w4rma]

9. They'll work it out. I have faith in both of them. (nt)

[Xipe Totec]

11. If The Washington Pravda says it, it must be true.

:eyes:

[bemildred]

13. Democratic Losers Committee doesn't like Dean's grass roots agenda.

Tough tittie. The DLC is part of the problem, and in due course we are going to demolish their ass. No wonder they don't like it.

[soleft]

14. Going back to the Kos article in the Wash. Post

Rahm wants Clinton as the nominee - he said so on Bill Maher - and Clinton is the anti-grassroots candidate.

[Zynx]

15. Apparently some still want this to be a 20-state party.

[mike_c]

16. he gets passionate over money, but not impeaching the war criminal...

...in chief! :grr:

[Oak2004]

17. Oh, but you don't understand:

Powerful corporatists = good; war crimes = "unfortunate collateral damage"

:sarcasm:

[creeksneakers2]

18. Both strategies have strengths and weaknesses

Donors have a choice. We'll end up with the more emphasis on the strategy the donors like. That means more donations. The GOP will be attacked two ways. This is all good.