Debbie Wasserman Schultz Unrepentant

At a town hall meeting Tuesday night (it's a Congressional "district work period"), Debbie Wasserman Schultz had this to say about her abandonment of three strong Democratic challengers in South Florida:

I know there are people here that are interested in a political matter, so I will get that out of the way right at the beginning. If you have a concern about my previous comments about my staying out of the races in South Florida where candidates are challenging Lincoln Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros- Lehtinen and Mario Diaz-Balart, I will tell you two things:

First off, I have not endorsed any of the three incumbents in South Florida, nor will I, and I do not support their re-election campaign. I am supportive of the Democratic candidates who are running against them. I have never said otherwise.

Second, I have a national role as one of three co-chairs of Red to Blue Program. All candidates, from Florida to Alaska, have criteria that have to be met to get on this targeted list. Let me guarantee that if they fulfill those criteria, these three Democratic Candidates will be part of our Red to Blue Program...period, end of story. We have three co-chairs in order to be able to spread the workload among us.  It makes much more sense to have someone from outside of one's own region to be able to make the hits necessary.  

But at the same time I am a representative of the 20th Congressional district of Florida, and I think it is absolutely my responsibility to work with my Republican colleagues.

But just one cycle ago, Debbie had an entirely different outlook - and with good reason:

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.

Why was it okay to do things that weren't "good for her relationship" with Clay Shaw, but not okay to do so with Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and the Diaz-Balarts? If Debbie Wasserman Schultz values "working with Republicans" more than expanding our majority in Congress, then she should step down from Red to Blue, regardless of how many co-chairs there are. Everyone running Red to Blue needs to be a partisan bulldog.

And, of course, if the shoe were on the other foot, would any of these three Republicans hesitate to stab Debbie in the back? Of course not.

(Hat tip: FLA Politics.)

•  Please

  Please Debbie. Do what's right. You need to stand up for the dem candidates, loudly and publicly.

  by discocarp on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:54:47 PM PDT

  •  Or at least be honest about what you're doing.

    We're not friggin' idiots, no matter how much you hope the traditional media will joyfully reprint their assertions (and yours) that we are.

    We know what you're up to. It's Cuba.

    At least be big enough to admit it. You're afraid to openly oppose Cuban-Americans who are hard liners on the embargo, but you feel free to oppose non-Cuban Floridian colleagues who won't get you in trouble with Cuban-American voters.

    We get it. If that's it, then just stop hiding, at the very least. Don't hand us a line of crap about collegiality when it didn't stop you with Shaw.

    by Kagro X on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:58:42 PM PDT

    •  Why should she be forced to publicise

      such a political calculation?

      by fisheye on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:40:41 PM PDT

      •  Because the other ones are so transparent.

        And now she's out there saying those oh-so-crazy bloggers are getting the story wrong, saying they're accusing her of endorsing her Republican colleages, when in fact they've got it quite right, and have nailed the motive as well.

        She shouldn't be forced to publicize such a political calculation. Her other choice is to admit she's too compromised to handle the Red-to-Blue job. I'd be fine with that.

        by Kagro X on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:43:34 PM PDT

        •  But the Red to Blue program

          is national and exclusive to candidates who prove themselves to a degree of winning probablility. Is it her job to promote her own states candidates into that qualification, or is that a conflict of interest also? Could that be seen as partiality amongst other state candidates?

          I make these questions only in regard to the relevence of her status as a chair of the program.

          by fisheye on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:38:56 PM PDT

          •  especially if that action as, I infer

            from your comment, could actually be self defeating. Wouldn't the blowback from that same Cuban community hit the Democratic contender she alligns with?

            by fisheye on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:56:57 PM PDT

    •  Jeebus-Wasserman-Shultz!

      BS is smelling better than Chanel #5 in Florida these days, it would seem.

      Smells like Coco to me.  

      Hey, Debbie?  Grow up and get involved in the Democratic Party or get ready to be uninvolved by the voters.  

      No, really.  I'm sure of it.  

      by funluvn1 on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:47:35 PM PDT

      •  Why does this always...

        have to be Florida?  Has too much sun cooked everybody's brains?

        Jeb bush*, 2000 elections, WTF?

        by Josiah Bartlett on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:19:00 PM PDT

        •  Drop your brain here! at the Fl state line really

          As Dave Barry says, I am not making this up. For years there was and probably still is on Interstate 75 as motorists entered Florida from South Georgia a sign that says   " you are entering the sunshine state, deposit your brain here!"  As a resident of Florida since 1968 this now makes so much more sense.

          by jjackso1 on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:22:13 PM PDT

          •  I'll have to look for that sign.

            I was born in Florida and still live here.  

            by Josiah Bartlett on Sun Mar 23, 2008 at 06:09:17 AM PDT

    •  Time to primary her.

      by Bartimaeus Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:11:30 PM PDT

      •  I don't think so.

        But it is time for her to come to understand that BS-ing your way through a fight with the blogs only gets you so far.

        There really are people out there who can see through stuff like this, and it's better to just be honest.

        by Kagro X on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:45:23 PM PDT

        •  The instinct to BS is not a healthy one.

          And, unfortunately, the issue of winning seats is more important, often, than the a vote her or there.

          by Bartimaeus Blue on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:47:37 PM PDT

  •  And if she's unwilling to do that...

    she needs to step down as a co-chair of the Red to Blue Program and let someone who's willing to do what the post entails take over.

    by Trix on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:59:24 PM PDT

    •  exactly!

      by aaraujo on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:23:06 PM PDT

    •  Maybe we need to ask Debbie

      why she supports Hillary Clinton and Bill Nelson with their dishonest tactics with the Florida re-vote too!   She and our DLC, Hillary buddy, Senator Nelson were surely in favor of breaking the rules before they became the chief whiners,  aside from Craig  Crawford.                                                                                                              I have news for the nation, as long as we get Hillary out of her lost election and she quits her "scorched earth" policy against Obama,  Obama will win Florida this fall.   The voters will vote in November!   Obama has tons of Florida state university students chomping at the bit for him to get down here and to begin campaigning and he has many disenfranchised "Independents" and moderates in his corner too!  (I feel like I know half of them in our crucial Tampa Bay area)

      by mjd in florida on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:39:34 PM PDT

      •  And this has fuckall to do with my comment :) n/t

        by Trix on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:40:55 PM PDT

        •  You are obviously not a Florida voter

          We all knew that the presidential-portion of the ballot was non-counting.  The early ballots went out in mid-December and the only people that voted in unprecedented numbers were "SENIORS" and long-term homeowners that received huge tax breaks with the "Property Tax Amendment" on the ballot that passed by 63% as they were voting for improving their pocketbooks, although it hurt many communities with incoming funds.   The amendment gave SENIORS tax breaks and long-term homeowners to take their "SAVE THE HOME" tax cap, since 1991, with them to their next home.  That is the "fuckall" with Hillary coming down here and whining!

          by mjd in florida on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:05:42 PM PDT

          •  No... I'm not a Florida voter

            But I still fail to see how your comment relates to mine.

            We were discussing Debbie Wasserman Schultz's refusal to campaign for Democrats... what that has to do with Hillary, or Florida's non-binding primary, I don't quite understand.

            by Trix on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:09:45 PM PDT

            •  You answered yourself,

              as far as I am concerned.   She "refuses to campaign for Democrats".  

              by mjd in florida on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:25:58 PM PDT

              •  Huh?

                I'm not trying to be confrontational... I'm asking you a question.

                FWIW, I don't even necessarily disagree with your comments... I just didn't (don't) see how they relate to mine.

                :-)

                by Trix on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:27:37 PM PDT

  •  Yeah, It Makes Perfectly Good Sense...

    It makes much more sense to have someone from outside of one's own region to be able to make the hits necessary.

     
    ... to have some representative from Alaska come down here to South Florida to get us Floridians all fired up for one of our new, hopeful candidates.

    How come I have a gut feeling that Republicans don't play it this way?

    by brentmack on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:59:46 PM PDT

•  Debbie W won't support them

  but she is supportive of them. Makes perfect sense.

  by doorguy on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:56:33 PM PDT

•  Wait a minute...

  Wasserman-Schultz is now saying she never supported the three Republicans, and she's always supported their Democratic challengers - but that's not actually true, is it?

  In Poland under communism, folks used to say, "only the future is certain; the past can change without notice!"

  by karpaty on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:56:52 PM PDT

•  She just doesn't get it.

  and she won't on her own, but that doesn't mean others can't beat it into her (figuratively, of course).  Van Hollen, are you listening?

  by Nailbanger on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:57:09 PM PDT

•  During Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's first campaign...

  her #1 issue was getting a pardon for Cuban terrorist Orlando Bosch... and her campaign manager was Jeb Bush.

  by Trix on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:57:17 PM PDT

•  There goes her chance for her district to be a

  national leader.

  Its her choice to move up in the democratic party or to sit by and watch other aspiring democrats do what is right for the party and the United States of America.

  by jalapeno on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:57:26 PM PDT

•  They get used to Washington ways so quickly.

  The ccongressional clubhouse has one new member, I guess.

  by Bush Bites on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:58:44 PM PDT

•  More BS from a Lieber-crat.

  What is this phony "across the aisle" BS?  Friends you can be; but they ARE the enemy!  

  She just doesn't get it.

  by Phil S 33 on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:58:49 PM PDT

•  I can't hate her for this

  but if she can't do the job, she's gotta go.

  I still think she, and Meek, are great in their leadership positions, and I can understand her wannting to be a team player in her delegation, but if that's the case, she can't be a co-chair on the R2B committee.

  by joe from Lowell on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:59:10 PM PDT

•  sure hope in Nov we get the kind of

  majority in congress that won't stand for this crap.
  You don't have to hate or berate your opponents to support your party.

  Debbie has got to go.

  by lisastar on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:59:26 PM PDT

•  She's blurring the line

  between legislative and campaign activities.

  I think it is absolutely my responsibility to work with my Republican colleagues.

  What does her actively supporting the candidates of her own party have to do with behaving collegially while doing the work of legislation in the House?

  Adults should be able to negotiate this simple divide without turning into Heathers.  

  by bumblebums on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 01:59:56 PM PDT

  •  Guess it's one and the same to her.

    Scary, huh?

    by Bush Bites on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:01:30 PM PDT

•  We won't pay

  Others may have suggested this already, but I've given money to the DCCC in the past few years and they are constantly calling me.  (Right now, all the political contributions I can muster are going to Obama.)

  The next time they call, I'll simply tell them that I won't give money to the DCCC anymore, until they convince me that they are making an all-out---not half-assed---effort.

  by DapperDan on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:00:42 PM PDT

•  Debbie -Dubya is toast

  She will get a primary challenger next time around. It is too late for this year but GUARANTEED in 2010.
  We here in So Florida are OVER Wasserman-Bush....she has become REthug-lite...we have enough loser DINOS in Florida and she is an easy one to get rid of, there is plenty of talent here.

  by gaiilonfong on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:03:02 PM PDT

  •  Why is too late this year?

    Thanks for the guidance.

    by raatz on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:45:48 PM PDT

  •  How about a sybolic write-in campaign?

    Could someone still declare as a write-in candidate to create a podium to vioice disgust over DWS?

    by Randall Sherman on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:19:27 PM PDT

•  Debbie Wasserman Schultz

  First off, I have not endorsed any of the three incumbents in South Florida, nor will I, and I do not support their re-election campaign. I am supportive of the Democratic candidates who are running against them. -Debbie Wasserman Schultz

  I don't know enough about this, but just tell me one thing. Which ones are the Liberals and which ones are the DLC/Blue-Dogs, the incumbents or the challengers?

  by William Domingo on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:05:39 PM PDT

  •  The incumbents are all Republicans (eom)

    by DavidNYC on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:55:47 PM PDT

    •  The incumbents are Republicans

      I thought the problem was she wouldn't support the Democrats running (and I didn't know if they were trying keep the seats or take the seats). Is that statement above just a "cover your ass" line from her then? It sounds like it.

      by William Domingo on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:11:12 PM PDT

      •  She is refusing to support

        Three Democratic challengers who are running against three Republican incumbents.

        by DavidNYC on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:13:44 PM PDT

        •  refusing to support

          And just because she doesn't support their challengers doesn't mean she's endorsing the Republicans. (According to her). I got it now. Thanks.

          by William Domingo on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:32:17 PM PDT

•  No wonder she supports HRC

  Self before party all the way.

  by vawolf on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:07:33 PM PDT

•  I guess she has

  forgotten who she was sent to represent. She is living in a Washington bubble and clearly is out of touch.

  by ctsteve on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:09:17 PM PDT

•  Huh?

  All candidates, from Florida to Alaska, have criteria that have to be met to get on this targeted list. Let me guarantee that if they fulfill those criteria, these three Democratic Candidates will be part of our Red to Blue Program...period, end of story.

  Someone want to fill me in here - what the hell is she talking about? I thought the only "criteria" is that they win their local primaries.

  by USSF Ref on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:12:04 PM PDT

  •  Her response is about directing

    energies effeciently and where it will be most effective. Forcing her into a discussion of why she may be less useful spending her time trying to unseat Florida's Republican incumbants doesn't seem like a helpful endeavor. Why publicizing the purposes for every internal strategic allocation of resources (including individual advocacy) is so important is not at all clear to me.

    by fisheye on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:33:22 PM PDT

•  Bottom line

  And, of course, if the shoe were on the other foot, would any of these three Republicans hesitate to stab Debbie in the back? Of course not.

  That's really the issue here.  More unilateral disarmament by the dems.

  by libdevil on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:12:11 PM PDT

•  Here is a clue Ms Debbie Wasserman Schultz...

  ...most Democrats do not want you working with the Republicans, most Democrats do not like their basic civil rights abused, most democrats do nor like $3 plus pump prices or the monopolies that are squeezing them with such prices. Most Democrats are fed up with Republicans, corporate greed and do not want you working with anyone pursuing the domestic and foreign policies of the past 28 years. Get your head out of your backside and start listening to Democratic party VOTERS or take a hike.  

  by Bobjack23 on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:16:08 PM PDT

•  The Florida Demnocratic Party is a disaster.

  Period.

  by irishamerican on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:20:01 PM PDT

•  Would she somehow be more

  effective campaigning for them than other Dems as perhaps the other Red to Blue co-chairs as she suggests. Could it possibly hurt her reputation in Florida if she does devote her energies to unseating south Florida Republicans? Is an intrastate battle between their seated congresspeople over incumbant removal beneficial to Democrats there?
  As prolific and repetative your lobbying has been on this issue it just as consistently lacks any political depth, analysis or back up.

  As far as I've seen from my exposure in Michigan Shultz has always impressed me as a very competent, effective and outspoken advocate for a progressive agenda who deserves our support, not this perpetual disparaging screed.

  by fisheye on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:27:20 PM PDT

  •  As a fellow Floridian in a neighboring district,

    rather than a random Congressional leader from out-of-state, it would seem apparent, on the face of things, that she would be a more effective voice for the challengers.
        As Kagro X commented above, she may be afraid to campaign against the only three Republican Cuban-Americans in Congress, for fear that it would damage her own chances at re-election.

    We are men of action; lies do not become us.

    by ER Doc on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:17:46 PM PDT

    •  It wouldn't damage her chances at reelection to..

      ... the seat she holds now (that is done by not doing that, courtesy of a few good primary challengers), but it might put a crimp in future attempts to run for higher office.

      by homoaffectional on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:01:08 PM PDT

    •  The first part

      not if she's resented for meddling in their election, if it's percieved as bad form in the state? Seems to me some state electorates would value state loyalty priority as much as party loyalty. If some rural Michigan Republican came into Detroit to attempt to help unseat a Democrat it would be a very self defeating antagonism.

      by fisheye on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:48:04 PM PDT

      •  and vice versa

        by fisheye on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 08:49:04 PM PDT

      •  Not analogous...

        Debbie Wasseman-Schultz represents the 20th district, including portions of Broward and Miami-Dade Counties. As you can see in this Wikipedia article by scrolling down to Florida, her district borders directly on Lincoln Diaz-Balart's 21st district and his brother Mario Diaz-Balart's 25th district. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen's 18th district is on the opposite side of Lincoln's 21st district, including many of the southern Miami suburbs. They are all neighbors, representing the same metropolitan area.

        We are men of action; lies do not become us.

        by ER Doc on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 09:11:32 PM PDT

•  There was a time whe was with the netroots

  She was seriously on board with FireDogLake's Rubber Stamp Republican Congress.  There's a link in this diary to her speech using the Rubber Stamps as props.

  http://www.dailykos.com/...

  by JayAckroyd on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:33:17 PM PDT

•  Fla dems and Cuba

  Is Debbie suddenly flip flopping b/c she's afraid of losing Cuban/Hispanic votes?

  I haven't seen anything either way on this, but if people know something I'd love an update.

  Either way, Florida democrats don't need to pander to the radical anti-castro Cubans because that community is not the majority any more. Since the early 1990's Cuban-Americans have steadily leaned further and further away from strong anti-Castro positions. Long-time Castro-haters like the Diaz-Balart family won't help the Dems now or later.

  by berkeleygrad on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:34:56 PM PDT

•  Spin Spin Spin

  Does Debbie really think we're stupid?

  by InternetJunkie on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:38:26 PM PDT

•  Calm down you crazy people!

  Debbie--like an Congressman--does not represent the Democratic party first; she represents her district.  It's eminently reasonable she maintain a collegial relationship with her neighbors. So she's not supporting them; she's recusing herself.  This kind of Mafioso enforcement is just going to backfire.

  by p mac on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:44:45 PM PDT

  •  How is she rescuing herself?

    She's in a rock solid Democratic district and she doesn't have to suck up to FL GOPers to save her ass. If we're talking about someone like Jim Matheson (UT 02) I can understand that.

    by pademocrat on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:53:13 PM PDT

  •  I am in South Florida and

    Debbie Dubya's constituency has nothing to do with the Diaz-Balart brothers or Ros-Lehtinen. Her constituents would be glad to see all of those Republican rubber stamps gone. She needs to go in 2010.

    by neonineten on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:01:55 PM PDT

•  asdf

  This will be an exclusive program that will reward the candidates and campaigns that are most skilled, not only at raising money on their own, but at getting their message across to the voters they hope to represent.
  ...
  "Two key components of a winning campaign are message and the resources to make sure that message is heard by your voters. The DCCC’s Red to Blue program will put the right structural and financial resources in place in campaigns across the country. Our goal is to identify the campaigns that can win and provide them with the extra resources to ensure that they do win," said Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
  ...
  Candidates must meet specific requirements before qualifying for the Red to Blue program. The program is designed for campaigns that prove they are capable of meeting fundraising goals and executing press events every quarter.

  As a Red to Blue program chairperson is it her job to promote specific races in her own state to increase their particular chances of qualilifying for 'Red to Blue' resources or would that hint at a conflict of interests with the Nation wide program?

  Again, why is she being put on the chopping block for not expounding on her internal strategy determinations with the successful Red to Blue program?

  In regard to her roll as a chairperson for a national Democratic program why would she be expected to devote her energies to Florida specific seats?

  by fisheye on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:50:01 PM PDT

•  This is exactly why Democrats don't win elections

  It is people like Debbie Wasserman Schultz who STILL think that the best way to win elections is to to bend over and kiss the ass of Republicans. What the Democratic Party needs are leaders who want to win and are NEVER willing to cater to their opponents. The Democratic Party is STILL dominated by DLC types who think like Hillary Clinton and Debbie Wasserman Schultz. And as long as that is the case, we won't win, it's that simple.

  by pademocrat on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 02:50:39 PM PDT

•  Schultz is a naive child

  just like all Democrats who think they can "work" with today's present batch of Republicans. They remind me of those parents and loved ones on shows about addiction who enable the sick person to continue the way they've always done.

  "If I show them support, they'll change."

  "If I'm only patient, they'll change."

  "If I don't work with them, they'll end up hurting [themselves/the country]."

  "If I buy the drugs for (work on projects with) them, at least I'll know where they are and what they're doing."

  And then when the person continually screws them over, they just entrench themselves even further in the same self-defeating, enabling behaviors.

  I hope Schultz reads this. Maybe she'll realize she's only feeding and enabling the GOP's addictions to power, fanaticism, and neo-fascism.

  by DavidHW on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:09:22 PM PDT

•  What is the criteria that must be met?

  I have already been critical of an official not doing his or her job within the Democratic Party; I was critical of W.-Schultz.

  What I want now are the facts: What is it that she believes is lacking from the contenders?  What detail does she hang on to as a way to deny them support?

  Really, what is it?  Plain and simple, please.

  by algebrateacher on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:51:43 PM PDT

•  A fundraising call from the DCCC

  I posted this in an open thread earlier, but this here it is specifically on topic...

  I got a fundraising call today from the DCCC. In the past I have given small amounts when I can, but today I very politely told the man calling that I wasn't going to donate at this time, and that I wanted him to send it up the chain that it is because I am concerned about Debbie Wasserman-Schultz refusing to support Democrats in three Florida races because she doesn't want to campaign against the Republicans in her delegation even though she is the co-chair of the Red-to-Blue program. The fellow on the other end was very apologetic and really seemed to get what I was saying, and wanted more information. I gave him the names of Raul Martinez, Joe Garcia and Annette Taddeo, and he said he had not heard of this issue at all, but felt it should be something they are briefed on and have in their notes, because he didn't even know how to respond. He said he would immediately bring this to the attention of his supervisor.

  He asked me if they could send me a pledge card anyway, and I said I would prefer they save the money on the mailing and I would rather contribute online, but I will watch this issue and as soon as DWS either steps down from the Red-to-Blue program or commits to campaign for the Dems in Florida, I would make a contribution.

  by scottmaui on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 03:54:55 PM PDT

  •  Interesting. So apparently the DCCC leadership

    considers this concern (Debbie W's behavior) to be such a non-issue, that they aren't even trickling its existance down to the worker-bee level.

    So folks, good to know the emails and calls being sent to the DCCC are just being round-filed.

    DavidNYC- thanks for keeping the pressure up on this, & hopefully more diaries in the future

    by homerun on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:05:52 PM PDT

    •  that's why i wanted to bring it up in this way

      i figured if I just called or emailed the DCCC, it would just end up in the same channels, but if they heard about it from a fundraising phone banker, more people would hear about and it would trickle up from the inside, and realize it is directly tied to their fundraising.

      I am just one person, but if more of us bring it up in this way, perhaps it will have more of an effect.

      by scottmaui on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:30:42 PM PDT

  •  BEAUTIFUL!

    Thanks so much!  People, rec the above comment!!

    by homoaffectional on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:03:58 PM PDT

•  keep hitting her, way to keep it up David

  Let her choose between helping the GOP and destroying her brand with Democrats. As somebody who was very impressed with her until this scandal, I'm now to the point where I hope she is made so radioactive that we never have to worry about her ascending to a higher position, as if anything, she's proven she won't do the job.

  And the idea it makes more sense to have somebody outside the region make the hits just makes her look even more out of touch with reality.

  If she doesn't get with the program or quit Red-to-Blue, I'm thinking it would be in the best interests of the party to pin her down with a primary.

  by blogswarm on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:00:04 PM PDT

•  In Illinois, we have a name for this....

  We call politicians of either party who wish to benefit personally from their politics...in Illinois it is usually financial benefit...part of the Combine.

  Rep. Schultz is a part of her state's Combine.  How sad.  I'm a lifelong Dem, but much more Clinton lovefest with McCain and much more Rep. Schlultz low road and I am going to support a third party.

  A third party may be necessary if the Dems do not start supporting the wishes of the base of their party.  I never thought that I would feel this way, but I do, and I suspect that I am not the only Dem who does.

  by El Tomaso on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 04:04:25 PM PDT

•  What do the Republicans have on her?

  This is probably just another case of blackmail. Ms. Wasserman-Schultz, of whom I've always been a big fan, probably committed some indiscretion with whose revelation she is being threatened.

  You can bet on it.

  by dratman on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:05:50 PM PDT

•  Why not work to get more Democratic colleagues?

  ...and I think it is absolutely my responsibility to work with my Republican colleagues.

  Shouldn't she want fewer Republican colleagues to have to work with?  She signed up for an election year role.  I think her GOP friends will understand if she has to get on the offensive.  It's not personal, it's just politics.

  by eastlake on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:18:10 PM PDT

•  This Waserman Debacle

  Is particularly poignant the week that Bill Richardson -- the guy that served in two cabinet positions for Pres. Clinton and who is purportedly good friends with Bill and Hillary -- endorsed and campaigned for Obama.

  Look Debbie, you want to talk about political courage and turning red to blue?  Give me a break -- you won't even campaign against a Republican when Democrats are campaigning against Democrats and there is a near civil war going on in the Presidential nomination election?

  Step down from your post or get on the platform.  We don't need your present kind of leadership.

  by phidda on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:25:37 PM PDT

•  teflon has a new name Obama

  he is BAAAAAACK 48% 3 points above Clinton (45%)
  Gallup daily

  by akhinaten on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:31:51 PM PDT

•  Triangulation

   There are votes that are unpopular with  a majority, but of great interest to a vocal minority.
  Such as votes on toughening the embargo against Cuba,threatening Americans who "violate"it etc etc.

   That is also how we get $4 billion or $5 billion a year giveaway to Israel with  military goods from US taxpayers,(and of course 2 billion or more to Egypt,etc) to keep the MidEast boiling.

   The votes punishing Cuban Americans by restricting from 1 year to 3 years between visits, making it harder for US farmers to sell foods to Cuba, etc, etc are not popular. Neither are the Israel votes. Therefore if you are a lobbyist for one or the other you cross party lines to get it done.

   The Israel vote and the Cuba vote, both negative for America's long term interest are "paired" and those groups like Deb and the 3 amigos in S Fla.trade one for another and get them thru. Of course Bush is an enthusiast of both so that helps(no veto).

   DWS plays off the Cuban right wing to get votes for her pet project. Another Dem in the 3 amigos position might not play along with her.

  by Pete Rock on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 05:37:48 PM PDT

•  DWS Flawed Logic

  http://money.cnn.com/...

  Ms. Schultz applied for this insurance in 2005, the year BEFORE the "travel" question was removed from allowed insurance underwriting by the Fl. State Legislature in 2006.

  Apparently her "political" common sense and her "legal" common sense are BOTH missing in action.

  by phantomlib on Sat Mar 22, 2008 at 07:25:14 PM PDT

•  What's the difference?

  Has Wasserman-Schultz at least endorsed the candidacies of Martinez, Garcia and Taddeo?

  Apparently, Wasserman-Schultz can't say enough good about Taddeo's Republican incumbant Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.

  But at least Wasserman-Schultz has endorsed Suzanne Kosmas' run against Tom Feeney (R-FL24) and she's even a Red to Blue candidate.

  So what's the difference? Feeney is part of the Florida delegation, isn't he? Could it be that he is not a member of the hardline Congressional Cuba Democracy Caucus? Or that Feeney's top donors do not include anti-Castro sugar magnates? Could it be that the Democratic challengers take a softer line on travel, financial and trade restrictions? Could it be that the GOP favoring U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC contributions to her re-election campaigns have had an influence?

  by Enterik on Mon Mar 24, 2008 at 07:29:23 AM PDT