What a Difference a Cycle Makes

Man, I sure do miss the Debbie Wasserman Schultz of old. Just one cycle ago, she was utterly unafraid to stand up for her party and campaign fiercely on behalf of her fellow Democrats:

While her moxie during debates over Terri Schiavo and Hurricane Katrina has earned kudos, it has also gotten the 39-year-old rookie into some trouble. She has rankled the longest-serving and most powerful congressman from South Florida, Republican Clay Shaw, by openly supporting his Democratic challenger.

Shaw's staff said he tried to welcome her to the Capitol by offering advice and temporary office space and was upset to learn that she was helping state Sen. Ron Klein raise money and meet party leaders.

...

Wasserman Schultz served with Klein in the state Legislature for 12 years, and they are close friends. She was tapped by Democratic leaders to help with recruitment and said she could not stay out of a competitive congressional race.

"It's not good for my relationship with Clay Shaw, but Democrats can't afford to leave a seat like that uncontested," she said.

What happened to DWS? Why are things all of a sudden so different? She took a big gamble taking on Shaw like that - Klein could easily have lost, and the Dems could very well have remained in the minority. Note that the article is from 2005, when Dem prospects didn't look nearly so bright as they later would. Also note the URL - Debbie was proud enough of that piece to re-print it on her own website.

Now, Debbie Wasserman Schultz has far less to lose - and yet she's being far more hesitant. In fact, she's being downright destructive toward Raul Martinez, Joe Garcia and Annette Taddeo, all in the name of "bipartisan comity." Debbie was right two-and-a-half years ago - Dems couldn't afford to leave a seat like Clay Shaw's uncontested. And they can't afford to leave FL-18, FL-21 & FL-25 anything less than vigorously contested this cycle, either.

•  See she was friend with Ron Klein

  So that is why she supported him over Shaw

  by bten on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:11:33 AM PDT

  •  But why throw others ...

    under the bus?

    by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:12:08 AM PDT

    •  she seems... comfortable

      She's been in the club for a bit longer now, so she's adapting; shedding the bonds of party discipline and the long view for the comfort of friends in the chamber.
      Democratic goals are being replaced by pewrsonal ones. The most insidious form of corruption, imo.

      She's becoming a poster child for term limits with this bone-headed and selfish behavior.

      by kamarvt on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:23:50 AM PDT

      •  Wasn't she the one

        Wasn't she the one who was complaining about the 5-day work week that Pelosi insisted on, because it meant she couldn't do her daughter's Girl Scout troop meetings any more?

        It's a petty thing to break with the party over, if true.  Most of the rest of the world does work at least 5 days a week, Ms. WS.

        by Nina Katarina on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:56:45 AM PDT

        •  Yes, they work (at least) 5 days a week...

          regardless of whether or not their daughters have Girl Scout troop meetings that they can't do any more.

          by homoaffectional on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:58:14 AM PDT

        •  Employers should allow time for family life

          and Congress can set a good example.

          In today's economy, the pressures of work often interfere with the basic family life of members of the labor force (and, whatever the color of your collar, you are "labor" as long as you have a boss concerned about productivity). This is a development harmful to society.

          Democrats have led the way in addressing this problem, such as supporting Family Leave. It's a popular part of the Democratic agenda. I wouldn't knock somebody for wanting to balance work and family.

          by word is bond on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:31:10 AM PDT

  •  The issue is not whether she wants to campaign

    against the rest of the Fla. delegation.

    She doesn't have to. I can understand why she wouldn't want to do so.

    However, if she makes that decision, she needs to relieve herself of her position at the DCCC.

    This is self-destructive for the party.

    by Skulnick on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:22:07 AM PDT

•  Have any of the front pagers ...

  called her office and asked to interview her? .. that would be a start ... lets get her on the record why she had a change of heart

  by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:11:42 AM PDT

  •  I'm not a front pager but I tried to talk with

    her, and was politely told she wasn't interested in talking to a blogger.

    by SmileySam on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:53:57 AM PDT

    •  Damn!! ...

      She really isn't the great person people make her out to be .. I'd love to get one of her constituents to ask her ... lets see if she is so dismissive then .. and with that kind of an attitude .. is it any wonder that most of America think Congress sucks

      by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:16:09 AM PDT

      •  Unfortunately, much of America...

        ... doesn't think too highly of bloggers, either, so DWS can use that to take cover for her attitude.

        Bloggers are still in the process of earning Americans' grudging respect.  It's getting better, but people who post on YouTube (who America loves already and the site's only been there for a couple of years) are sort of put in a separate category.

        by homoaffectional on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:00:36 AM PDT

        •  According to a poll I saw ..

          20% of Americans read blogs ... so the respect is coming .. just as the TradMed is dying a slow death

          by Calvin Jones and the 13th Apostle on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:00:08 AM PDT

          •  Yeah, let's just hope that...

            ... a sufficient level of respect comes in time to defeat whatever the "mainstream" media throws at the Dems in deference to their good ole Saint McCain... I have a feeling we'll need all the respect we can to beat the propaganda back and turn the country blue, finally accomplishing what we absolutely should have four years ago.

            by homoaffectional on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 05:31:25 PM PDT

•  I never thought I'd say this

  but I kind of miss Rahm Emanuel. Even though his positions aren't great, he ruled the DCCC with an iron fist that helped us take back the house last year.

  by smash artist on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:11:56 AM PDT

  •  I'll gladly trade Emanuel!

    I'd be glad to swap that weasel Congresscritter of mine for yours, even-up!  I'll even throw in a Chicago-stylt deep-dish pizza to sweeten the deal!

    by Randall Sherman on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:14:49 AM PDT

  •  Rahm claimed credit for stuff he

    didn't do.

    by hannah on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:17:50 AM PDT

    •  Maybe so

      but he managed to reign behavior like this in.

      by smash artist on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:21:33 AM PDT

  •  YES the DCCC head must be an As$hole

    It's just the way it is! You can't afford to have too many friends on the other side. You need to be a bomb throwing backbencher who can fundraise like the Dickens!

    by dopper0189 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:22:31 AM PDT

•  Hopefully,

  the voters in her district will take every opportunity to heckle and jeer her for turning into such a pathetic wimp!

  by Randall Sherman on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:12:21 AM PDT

  •  Yep

    I have nothing but praise for what DavidNYC is doing here on the front page of Kos but the pressure that will make DWS either stand up and fight her Republican colleages or resign her position at the DCCC  must come from Floridians.

    by ctkeith on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:21:09 AM PDT

•  Agreed.

  And I very much like DWS.

  by jim bow on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:13:16 AM PDT

•  DCCC Blog Has Post on This

  I'd encourage people to comment about this travesty:

  http://dccc.org/...

  by bigeugene on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:15:36 AM PDT

•  Have the primaries happened already?

  Is it too late to primary her?

  If yes it's too late, then can we run an attack ad against her?  Get moveon or someone like that to run an ad in her heavily D district about how she's supporting Republicans over Democrats, and then throwing up a few choice quotes from the Republicans, and say "*this* is the type of person Debbie Dubya is supporting?"

  If we just engage in massive handwringing here on dKos then nothing will change.  If there's a primary opponent to donate to like Donna Edwards then we can do something.  But if it's just us getting worried then she's fine and can do what she wants.

  -Fred

  by FredFred on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:15:43 AM PDT

•  Maybe the problem is with

  Raul Martinez, Joe Garcia and Annette Taddeo.
  Maybe they aren't suck-ups.  Have you considered that?  

  I have to admit to a bit of prejudice.  The DCCC wasn't supportive of our insurgent candidates in New Hampshire either.  It's part of their strategy to promote people that look like they're going to be easy to control.  DCCC support is an anticipatory bribe.  That's why I'm against this kind of interference with grass roots efforts.

  by hannah on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:16:46 AM PDT

  •  Long live "aren't suck-ups."

    This could be the larger issue. DCCC needs a little goose, no?

    by andreww on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:35:07 AM PDT

  •  In that case, the problem isn't with...

    the opponents of the Cuban Three, it's with the structure of the DCCC itself.  We had the same problem in New York state with the candidates that were running for state senate in 2006.  They were too independent for the establishment to support, so they'd rather watch them fail and wait another day for candidates that would toe the leadership's line 100%.  That strategy didn't work well for Spitzer... let's hope Paterson is a bit smarter about it, since he used to be senate minority leader not too long ago.

    by homoaffectional on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:04:58 AM PDT

•  There's GOTTA be more to this story

  We keep hearing how this is all about "bipartisan comity" etc etc.  My question:  is there some sort of factional struggle within the Dems being played out in SoFla over these candidates?    This explanation that ithis is all some sort of Higher Liebermanism in action just doesn't seem sufficient to explain  this complete tanking of the Democratiic Party by its own leadership.

  by ActivistGuy on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:17:06 AM PDT

  •  Maybe these candidates are too liberal on Cuba

    by bten on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:21:47 AM PDT

•  She MUST step down

  This is basic stuff.

  Would you put a guy with 3 visa cards in charge of running American Express?

  I don't understand how she has this position.

  by Skulnick on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:19:21 AM PDT

•  That could be the point

  when Dem prospects didn't look nearly so bright

  Perhaps now the privileged are so scared about a possible progressive routing of conservatives in the upcoming election that they are applying unheard of pressures and blackmail on politicians, pundits, and propagandists to try to stave off a large enough majority that progressives might actually make this democracy work.

  by lgrooney on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:22:32 AM PDT

•  If there are fundraisers in a district by BOTH

  ...Republican Reps and Democratic Reps, then they cancel each other out.

  Apparently, the Florida Reps want a truce. Fine.

  by Eric J in MN on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:22:36 AM PDT

•  I like Debbie W-S

  I've watched her ascend higher up the political ladder from her days in the Florida House. Her voting record is mostly solid.

  However, I live in FL-21, where Lincoln Diaz-Balart has squatted for 14 years, doing nothing for his district. He needs to go; so does younger brother Mario and sidekick Ileana. They are Dubya shills. We deserve and need better.

  Debbie, what the hell are you thinking? If the tables were turned those three would not hesitate to throw you under the bus.

  Watch your back, chica!

  by CocoaLove on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:23:20 AM PDT

  •  I would give her the benefit of the doubt

    before denouncing her.  We certainly don't know what those three have on her or other Democrats.  More Eliot Spitzer style scandals are likely in the pipeline.  I am not saying the Democratic Party should give the Republicans a pass in these districts, just that DWS doesn't have to be on point.  This means she ought to give up her co-chairmanship of the Red to Blue committee, though.

    by The Totalizer on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 11:06:14 AM PDT

•  she is a MAJOR disappointment

  With her refusal to support impeachment hearings!?  

  She should be primaried!

  by Afraid of Looking Nutty on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:24:17 AM PDT

•  Compromise and comity

  This is not the time for compromise and comity. America needs to be righted and repaired, and that does not involve Republicans.

  by Data Mining Telecom Fascist on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:25:20 AM PDT

•  Can anyone say: TERM LIMITS

  4 terms in congress and you're done. This is ridiculous. She's settling in for the next 30 years.

  by glutz78 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:25:30 AM PDT

  •  No. You should be able to file a petition...

    ... which would put an individual politician's ability to run again on the ballot; if voters reject it, then they will not be eligible to run again.  This is preferrable to blanket term limits, because better representatives will have the support of their voters and we won't lose them and have them replaced by scummy career politicians.  Same for the presidency.

    by homoaffectional on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:08:19 AM PDT

•  They've badly misunderstood Cubans

  The older generation--the ones that show up to rallies and contribute to campaigns--may still be angry over Bay of Pigs or may still believe the Republicans are going to anti up with money to send them home.

  But I live half a year with the younger generation of Cuban-Americans and they aren't there at all. They want to see Cuba, they want to visit grandma, and they want to be trusted. While tens of thousands of Europeans visit Cuba each year, we deny our citizens the right to find out what's really going on or present our perspective.

  Wasserman-Schultz is wrong, dead wrong.

  by MrMichaelMT on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:28:00 AM PDT

•  So that's how long the 'Old-Boy Network' takes to

  indoctrinate? One 2-yr term... Sad.

  by tnichlsn on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:29:29 AM PDT

•  I'd say "warrentless wiretapping" is

  at the root.  Not only was Spritzer's "problems" a way to shut down financial system investigations, but it was also a warning...

  by bfitzinAR on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:35:43 AM PDT

  •  Spitzer

    by homoaffectional on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:08:56 AM PDT

    •  sorry - fumble fingers today.

      by bfitzinAR on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 12:11:58 PM PDT

      •  's K...

        ... it's just not the first time I've seen that spelling, and it was from people who actually thought it was spelled that way, not a simple typo.

        by homoaffectional on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 01:50:09 PM PDT

•  Repetitive

  This is basically the same diary, all based upon the same report in the Miami Herald a week ago as
  this
  and
  this
  and
  this
  and
  this
  and
  this
  and
  this
  and
  this
  Can't we have some creativity and originality, especially on the left side of this place?

  Yes, DWS has some explaining to do for these comments. But you've beaten this horse to death already. We need to learn who are friends are, chastise them once for their failings and move on to attack those who are the real root of evil.

  by kansasr on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:36:23 AM PDT

  •  If I may...

    If this were a newspaper then you would have a point... but this site is about progressive activism... sometimes it takes getting beaten over the head with an issue until somebody does something about it.

    As for DWS... this appears to be less about her comments and more about her inability to do her job... a problem that has not, and will not go away with a single admonishment.

    $.02

    by weelzup on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:05:06 AM PDT

    •  Actually, newspapers...

      often rework stories also.

      by homoaffectional on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:09:38 AM PDT

•  what happened to schultz: hillary superdelegate

  so getting repuglyscams elected becomes a priority.

  by Zacapoet on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:37:16 AM PDT

  •  

    

    by shpilk on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 07:47:23 AM PDT

•  INCUMBANT!

  Her behavior suggests that she used every hook and crook to get elected. Now that she has the incumbent advantage she seems content to merely minimize her negatives and keep what she has...

  One day a hound, out hunting by himself (incumbent DWS), flushed a hare from a thicket (challenger DWS) and gave chase. The frightened hare gave the dog a long run and escaped. As the disappointed hound turned back toward home, a passing shepherd said jeeringly (DavidNYC), "You’re supposed to be such a fine hunter! Aren’t you ashamed to let a little hare one-tenth your size get the better of you?"

  "You forget," replied the hound, "that I was only running for my supper, but the hare was running for his life."

  So when Shultz was running for her future political life as a challenger, she had it all to lose. Now that she is an incumbent, helping others is a meal that can only give a number of her electorate indigestion. It probably seems safer to disappoint a few hi-info librul activist than it is to nettle far more complacent or disaffected GOP voters into partisan voting. For Klein, who was a friend and a jew, she had a plausible nopartisan reason to forego the genteel mores of the Florida delegation.

  Maybe there is some influence eminating from her founding of and participation in the Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus? Isn't she actively pro-embargo against Cuba? Isn't she the "whip" for the caucus? Didn't her efforts ensure the ban on exporting soap and toothpaste would continue?

  Maybe Martinez run against co-caucus member and possible friend Diaz-Balart has influenced her decision? Perhaps, Taddeo vs co-caucus member Ross-Lehtinen raises the same issues? As well as Joe Garcia vs co-caucus member Mario Diaz-balart?

  by Enterik on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:01:36 AM PDT

  •  Or

    maybe the moneybags that bankroll DWS's campaigns are the very same moneybags that bankroll the Diaz-Balarts and she's merely heeding her master's voice?

    by ActivistGuy on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:17:18 AM PDT

    •  Maybe both...

      ...fundrace and newsmeat might cast some light on the matter...

      by Enterik on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:25:09 AM PDT

      •  Newsmeat for Wasserman-Schultz reveals

        ...a $250 contribution to Hillary Clinton (01/22/07) and $1000 contribution to chafee-esque paleo-con blue-dog Joseph Heath Shuler (06/09/06) for his 54-46 win of the House of Representatives seat (North Carolina district 11) from 8-term Republican incumbent Charles Taylor.

        A search of open secrets 2008 shows that, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mario Diaz-Balart, Lincoln Diaz-Balart and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz share the following top contributors...

        FloSun, Inc. (LDB #2; DWS#5; MDB#4, IRL#5)
        Greenberg Traurig LLP (LDB#10; DWS#10; MDB#9)

        Who are they? Well, FloSun Inc is a major producer of Sugar crystals from Sugar Cane and Sugar Beets. Why do you suppose they might donate heavily to federal legislators who take a strong line when it comes the status quo embargo of Cuba? Could it be that this Cuban-American Fanjul family, with a history of supporting DLC Democrats and Bush Republicans alike, run business wants the everglade destroying $65 million per year subsidies to continue to flow like the waste from their processing plants? Not suprisingly, Flosun Inc is a new addition to the Wasserman-Schultz roster of donors, at least not one of her top contributors in 2004 or 2006.

        Not surprisngly, Greenberg Traurig LLP, the nations 7th largest law firm, is run by CEO Cesar Alvarez, an anti-revolution refugee, who cleaves to the GOP line on Cuba taken by Wasserman-Schultz. Greenberg Traurig is also a new top contributor, and I think it is belaboring the point to say why. Although I will note that he has donated $5000 to the NRCC and DCCC as well as the US-Cuba PAC that donates to Wasserman-Scultz...by the way, most of his presidential contributions have gone to John McCain...

        by Enterik on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 11:00:18 AM PDT

        •  A comment is not sufficient for these revelations

          They should be included in the next front page diary on DWS so everyone will be able to follow the money, as you have.

          by homoaffectional on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 01:49:01 PM PDT

  •  Is this idle speculation or do you have some

    real evidence for this statement?

    For Klein, who was a friend and a jew, she had a plausible nopartisan reason to forego the genteel mores of the Florida delegation.

    The rest of your comment is on firm ground, though.

    by The Totalizer on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 11:16:44 AM PDT

    •  A little of both?

      1.) Klein and Wasserman-Schultz are long time colleages and friends from the Florida Legislature.

      2.) Both Klein and Wasserman-Schultz are politically active in jewish affairs, the former through the Jewish Federation, the latter is a member of Hadassah. There is certainly a confluence of interest there that goes beyond the mere fact of their ethnoracial identity into what seems to be a shared politics regarding Israel.

      My only point was that Klein and Schultz share enough positions and a long enough relationship to over-ride the perogatives of the anti-Castro caucus. Her advocacy seems to have been a special exception, not the rule.

      by Enterik on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 11:40:25 AM PDT

•  Irrational

  Man, I sure do miss the Debbie Wasserman Schultz of old.

  I guess the "old" Debbie was before you realized she supported HRC?

  by kevinmac1231 on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 08:30:34 AM PDT

•  back story please?

  Can somebody please explain DWS's motivations here?  (Without snark, hyperbole, cynicism, or sarcasm).

  When I try to argue against somebody, I try to, first, understand what their motivation is and/or where they are coming from?  So, plain and simple: why would DWS not want to support these guys?  Are they too left wing for her taste, or what?  What's going on?  (Seriously)

  Thanks

  by sholom on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 09:26:43 AM PDT

  •  Some explanations in the comments above

    A mutual non-aggression pact among South Florida Congresspersons of both parties.

    Cuba policy as explained here:

    Maybe there is some influence eminating from her founding of and participation in the Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus? Isn't she actively pro-embargo against Cuba? Isn't she the "whip" for the caucus? Didn't her efforts ensure the ban on exporting soap and toothpaste would continue?

    Maybe Martinez run against co-caucus member and possible friend Diaz-Balart has influenced her decision? Perhaps, Taddeo vs co-caucus member Ross-Lehtinen raises the same issues? As well as Joe Garcia vs co-caucus member Mario Diaz-balart?

    by word is bond on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 10:23:40 AM PDT

  •  Joe Garcia...

    ...is a cuban-american Democratic challenger to Mario Diaz-Balart. He is Chairman of the Miami-Dade Democratic Party and Director of the New Democratic Network’s Hispanic Strategy Center. The NDN is a somewhat more progressive offshoot of the DLC started by Simon Rosenberg and now challenging the DLC for influence. Since Wasserman-Schultz endorses DLC-candidate Clinton and Garcia praises Howard Dean type grassroots organizing and appreciates Obama, there may be sectarian reasons for her lack of support. Also Garcia used to be Executive director of the Cuban American National Fund (CANF), so it's not like the Cuba-lobby will lose a seat either way.

    by Enterik on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 12:09:15 PM PDT

•  Blackmail. It happens a lot in DC. I suspect

  many politicians, from both parties, are compromised this way, over the years.  A little here, a little there, until you are hooked.  Bush I being head of the CIA didn't hurt in tis type of dirty politics, of course.  However, many other players, very rich, influential and connected, are at work , too.  

  Now the politician has a choice, play ball, become rich, but of course sacrifice your principles, beliefs, voters, party and country.  Don't play ball and be destroyed, politically, maybe even worse.  Well, good thing for the politician, in today's craptacular consumer focused, media numbed + dumbed, American Idolater drivel driven society, that is not such a hard choice, now is it!

  by FightTheFuture on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 11:53:20 AM PDT

•  I have to retract

  In a Sunday Talk diary a couple weeks ago I lister her as teh hottest FL congressperson.

  Once I found out about her from this series of diaries, I have to retract.

  I now wish to bestow the honor of hottest FL congressperson to Rep. Wexler.
  I'll take a hooker & cocaine fiend over a backstabber anyday.

  by Sam Loomis on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:00:46 PM PDT

•  I am so pissed at her!!!!

  by Hope Monger on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 03:55:50 PM PDT

•  Democratic Pledge

  DEC members take a pledge to support Dems. So, how can D. W-S. be a member of the party supporting 3 Republicans?

  by kmccook on Tue Mar 18, 2008 at 05:39:58 PM PDT