According to Blast Off!: My date with Debbie, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz isn't happy that some local blogs have been beating up on her for her stab in the back of our three strong local Democratic Congressional candidates.
Well, I'm sorry, but I'm with Daily Kos: Why we fight, or, why Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a problem: if she has a leadership role in the DCCC, not to mention Senatorial ambitions, this just won't do.
Update: More about this from Daily Kos. I think the nickname “Debbie Dubya” may be a little harsh, but I understand why people are upset about this.
Hey Prof, I’m cross-posting this from BlastOff, hope you don’t mind:
I have some conflicting thoughts on this.
First, as a former Congressional staffer, I can tell you that Congressmen & women feel much stronger about their delegation relationships than most folks realize. Historically, that’s where all the day-to-day work happens.
BUT, she is in a unique position, as a member of the RTB outfit, AND this country is at a unique crossroads that requires some hyper-corrections to some hyper-partisanship. And the loathsome Ros-Lehtinen is a big part of the problem.
HOWEVER, Joe Garcia aside, I look at this group of candidates she is supposed to champion at the risk of her personal working relationships, and ask myself “Are you f***ing kidding me?!? Raul Martinez and a Columbian woman in Miami-Dade?!? This is politics, and perceptions and ethnic realities matter – no matter how misinformed.
Tough spot for her. But that’s why she’s paid the big bucks.
I’m sorry, but I almost totally disagree.
#1 “Joe Garcia aside”???? That’s like saying, “other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play.”
#2 I also disagree totally about using ethnic politics as an excuse to fail to assail my congressperson, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, who is a terrible fit for this district. If you’re going to be a leader in the DCCC, you recruit the best Democratic candidates you can get — and you run with what you get. And we’ve got something: Annette Taddeo is the best challenger we’ve had for this seat in a long time.
#3 As Monty Python said, “there is no number three.” Well, maybe there is at that: Martinez is electable. That’s worth something. And if you don’t campaign for him, you at least KEEP REAL QUIET ABOUT IT.
As for the delegation, I’m sorry but that’s mostly not what matters in this congress. The important votes on things like FISA and health insurance have been party-line votes. A few bucks of pork here or there don’t cut it.
#1 You got me there. I’m a Garcia fan from way back.
#2 Agree that Taddeo is very impressive. Like you, I have the misfortune to be saddled with Ros-Miserable-Excuse-For-A-Batshit-Crazy-Congresswoman, and I will gladly vote, and campaign, for Taddeo. But that doesn’t change the fact that she is a Columbian running in an overwhelmingly Cuban district, and there is no way she will be elected. Though I suppose Garcia could help her some in this regard.
#3 In the end, I come down on your side on this: By virtue of her position on the RTB Project, DWS should have to bite the bullet, and get out there and help elect even the likes of Martinez.
My overall point in all of this was more a slam at party leadership who don’t seem to be coordinating these concerns very well.