Members voting in the DNC, I beg you, please, please vote for Pete...

[Firebrand Gary]

Beyond the Hillary/Bernie.
Once upon a swing state.
2 Tours in Afghanistan.
An actual Mayor.
Young.
Gay.

Pete is so far out ahead politically from Washington DC Democrats, let's, please launch our party forward! The Clinton's are yesterday, Bernie is yesterday as Warren is as well. Not that I don't love and admire these people, but for god's sake, make the bold choice!

https://petefordnc.com

[elleng]

1. YES!

[MFM008]

2. the diversity of all the candidates

is impressive.
Far more than the repukes.

[HoneyBadger]

3. No thank you

Ellison is in.

Pete should run in 2020. All of those qualities are important in a President.

[elleng]

5. Ellison is not in, Ellison and Perez are tied, according to H. Dean.

President and DNC Chair are different jobs, you know.

[Firebrand Gary]

12. Pete is the absolute right candidate for this period in time.

Right or wrong, many HRC's supporters feel like Sanders (Ellison & Gabbard by proxy) did lasting damage to her. We must move forward! We are facing the most dangerous administration in the history of the republic. If we make the wrong choice here, we're fucked for generations to come!

[DK504]

53. And Pete will be able to spend full-time on this job.

DNC is not nor has it ever been a part time job. It has been proven that a part time stance has screwed us for years. The DNC must be able to work 70 hours a wk. rather than a few.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

58. Pete would be a disaster for the progressive revolution... Keith is the way forward.

[fun n serious]

4. Yes! I agree! Please vote Pete.

He is super smart and fits the profile of where the democratic party is going.

[elleng]

6. Yes, IS going, SHOULD go!

[fun n serious]

7. Yes indeed!

[Amaryllis]

9. And he will get millenials like Obama got the youth vote.

[fun n serious]

13. Yes. Young intellectual fact driven millennials..

That is who formed the "indivisible" profile.

[Doreen]

8. I like Harrison. Give me points to change my mind.

[Adelante]

10. He dropped out

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/02/jaime-harrison-endorses-tom-perez-235310

[Doreen]

11. OK, that is a good point. My second choice was Ellison so I still need my mind to be

informed to want the other guy ( can't spell his name without looking at it. )

[Adelante]

14. Unity

I like Ellison, as well. But I think B-u-t-t-i-g-i-e-g, in addition to many sterling personal qualities and achievements, offers a way to bridge the Great Divide left over since the primaries. We haven't gotten past it and I don't see another way there. He falls nicely in between Ellison and Perez, but beholden to neither side. He's young and smart and accomplished, a Harvard graduate, a war veteran, and was re-elected to office as Mayor by something like 80% of the vote. It means a lot to me that he's been endorsed by Howard Dean and supports the 50-state strategy. All that said, I could also see Ellison or Perez in a co-chairmanship with Buttigieg, though if I have to pick one, it's Buttigieg. My humble opinion.

[elleng]

15. Good summary.

Thanks.

[Firebrand Gary]

20. Articulated beautifully, thank you Adelante!

[lillypaddle]

16. Agree!

Go Mayor Pete!

[lillypaddle]

17. Who gets to vote?

Who gets to vote?
Only the 447 members of the DNC get to cast a ballot.
Members include state party officers, local activists, donors and some elected officials. Few members are well-known outside local party circles. Some are elected to the DNC, while others are appointed to represent certain groups, such as labor unions.

[elleng]

18. In other words, insiders.

[Firebrand Gary]

21. elleng, lets hope that have a serious self check before casting their votes.

[elleng]

37. YES, Gary. SERIOUS!

I recognize it's difficult to let go of 'power,' but their/Dem party 'power' is seriously limited these days/years, so I REALLY hope the 400+- voters do the right thing for ALL of us.

[leftofcool]

19. Yes and Yes! If Ellison is in I am out!

[Firebrand Gary]

22. leftofcool, I've heard a lot of people feel the same.

It's reported throughout the media that Sander's supporters are saying the same about Ellison. if it's not him then they will support otherwise.

Fingers crossed that brighter, optimistic minds will prevail.

[StubbornThings]

24. What's wrong with Ellison? nt

[Jake Stern]

28. Some will cloak their hatred of the man with his (since repudiated) association with Farrakhan

Others are more honest and despise him because he had the chutzpah to support Bernie.

[NCTraveler]

30. "chutzpah to support Bernie"

It doesn't take "chutzpah" to support a rich white male in politics. Comments like that are why Ellison isn't a shoe-in. It's sad that his most ardent supporters are his worst enemies.

[truebluegreen]

51. Could say the same about another candidate, fwiw.

I'd say it takes as much chutzpah to support a rich white Jewish male as to support a very rich white former-first-lady, former-SoS female candidate. That door swings both ways.

I do agree that the most ardent supporters can be the worst enemies.

[NCTraveler]

68. You just argued a point not in contention. Nt

[truebluegreen]

69. You might have missed my point. Nt

[StubbornThings]

39. Good points.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

61. Nothing... he's great!

[njhoneybadger]

52. Out of what?

[StubbornThings]

23. Non of those reasons show how he would be the best at getting out the vote.

There are plenty of young, gay, veterans that are outside of Washington DC. And, what does "beyond Hillary/Bernie" mean? I want someone that truly understands what it will take to reach both sides...not someone that's beyond them.

[Demsrule86]

36. If we pick pete...he is not of the Bernie or the Hillary primary split.

He also is smart and has done a really good job in a red state...think about that.

[Peachhead22]

62. Being a *mayor* of a college city (pop. 100K) in a red state shows that?

Cite that when the guy's at least a congressman. But mayor of South Bend, Ind.? DNC chair is pretty important job. Mayor of large city (NYC, LA, Dallas, Chicago, etc sized) would probably do it for me, but IMO Buttigieg currently just doesn't have the experience and gravitas for the job.

I think "Mayor Pete" would be better off (for him and us) running for higher elected office in '20.

[rogue emissary]

25. Is he giving up his job as mayor if he gets the chairmanship?

[erinlough]

60. Yes, he announced he will step down as mayor.

[MineralMan]

26. I'd be willing to bet that there isn't a single member of the DNC on DU.

Not one. I'd be willing to bet, too, that most DUers couldn't name two people from their states who are members of the DNC. It's a small group.

So, I imagine your request on DU will go unseen by DNC members.

[DFW]

54. Not always the case

The DNC treasurer (and one of 75 non-regional rep votes) is a good friend of mine.

I sometime pass on DU posts to him.

[Tom Rinaldo]

27. I wil not "resist" the Party over who becomes Chair

I will seek to cooperate in implementing a constructive strategy that whoever our next Chair is helps facilitate the development of. I will give that person the time and space needed to do that. Pete may be the perfect choice. Others want Tom or Keith.

I applaud you for making a case for Pete. I am discouraged by those who say that they know in advance that they can't cooperate with the national Democratic Party if Keith or Tom is elected Chair. Actions speak louder than words. Whoever wins, I stand ready to help, and I will judge them by their actions.

[NCTraveler]

31. "I will judge them by their actions."

Well put.

[Demsrule86]

44. Frankly I don't give a damn what the chair does...

to annoy me...I would crawl across broken glass to vote for any Democrat over any Republican.

[Demsrule86]

35. I agree completely.

I think we have less chance with some candidates then others...but whoever is elected chair has my 100% support.

[elleng]

38. Thank you SO much Tom,

AS ALWAYS a voice of reason.

[DFW]

66. This is SO much bigger than any one personality.

Howard was plenty opposed when he went for the post in 2004/2005. He turned out to be a miracle worker, best we ever had. It's communication, the dedication and job done that counts. Él que vencerá será él que convencerá. Anyone so petty as to come out with the "if it is/is not......then I'm out" line just hasn't gotten ANYTHING.

[Larkspur]

29. Pete Who?

He's got no experience at the national level. Being a mayor of a mid size city, South Bend, IN, in a red state is not good enough qualification to be DNC Chair.

Ellison on the other hand represents a district in MN that is 63% white and he has handily won that district. He also has experience speaking on national talk shows and he is a good speaker. He would be the best one to rally Democrats of all races and ethnicitys.

[Demsrule86]

34. That is exactly what we need.

Someone who has executive experience and state experience...Ellison and Perez are both bad choices because either will divide the Dem Party in a primary kind of way...and Ellison alienates a big constituency...the Jewish vote...I like all the candidates...but Pete is the person who can best serve us...he also can not be easily attacked. We already had someone who was a house member. DWS...I won't speak of the political crap because I think she has been treated unfairly. But I will say she did a lousy job...ignored the states too. We need a fresh face.

[Larkspur]

40. Unlike DWS, Ellison said he would resign his House seat to become DNC chair

Will Pete resign as Mayor of South Bend, IN to become DNC chair?

Interesting that Howard Dean's group, DFA, does not agree with their founder. DFA supports Keith Ellison whole heartily.

Pete is the wrong person at this time to become DNC Chair. He is a big unknown and that is too risky for the DNC at this time.

Ellison is the best person because he represents the most energetic side of the Democratic Party and is a good public speaker.
Only the pro Benjamin Nuttyyahoo Jews oppose Ellison. Progressive Jews either support or can live with Ellison.

Tom Perez is also the wrong person because he represents the side of the Democratic Party that invested heavily in HRC winning the 2016 election and she lost the WH with another example of her and their poor strategic campaign planning. They have no business running the DNC anymore.

[Jake Stern]

42. This Jew has no issue with Ellison

Don't have one with Perez or Buttigeig either.

[Demsrule86]

43. I have no objection to Keith because of his time...he has said he would leave the House.

Keith is not a good choice for a couple of reasons...first... he alienated the Jewish vote....very important...google it if you don't think it is a serious issue. Secondly, the Perez / Ellison contest reeks of a proxy primary...thus I would rather see Pete get it and end this primary bullshit. Time to move on. I like all of them. But some are better choices than others.

[Larkspur]

45. Mayor Pete has no significant base of support

Perez has the support of the old, failed Democratic guard. Ellison has the support of the rising wing of the Democratic Party, the Progressive wing.

The Democratic Party is divided and probably will be so for a while. Mayor Pete would drown as DNC chair. I would not command any respect from the two sides. He's a political neophyte at the national level.

Ellison did not do anything to alienate the Jewish voters. His past is in the past and he has matured and changed his more militant and radical positions from his youth. He, a black Muslim, currently represents a district that is 63% white. There is no way he would win that district if he was as alienating as you say.

[Demsrule86]

49. Keith will cost us votes...this is why he should not be elected. good guy but made some

foolish comments. I think Perez is fine but I would rather see the proxy war end with neither side winning. A young energetic guy with fresh ideas would be great...and I don't want the DNC to be chaired by someone in Congress either...DWS was a disaster in terms of states...whatever your politics.

[Larkspur]

65. Pete just dropped out of the race and Perez and his wing of the Dem Party have already cost Dems

seats -- the Presidency be the highest office to date.

Perez represents the side of the Democratic Party that has also lost us seats in Congress, cost us control of state legislatures and lost governorships. If you want Dems to keep losing, Perez is your guy.

[Chipper Chat]

32. Pete is Positive

Listen to him speak. Works for me.

[Demsrule86]

33. He is a great choice.

He also has done amazing things as Mayor and is of the states where we really need to make some gains...he also talks of a 50 state effort...please vote for him...end the primary once and for all.

[Iggo]

41. ¡Basta ya!

trash thread...

[okieinpain]

46. oh man not this division stuff again. n/t.

[joshcryer]

47. Yep.

[YABOYNICKY12]

48. i have a bad feeling

http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/national-party-news/321040-i-will-leave-the-democrats-if-keith-ellison-is-elected

If keith ellison is elected, I have a feeling we might end up in a similar situation with Nixon/George McGovern and lose badly. We need more progressive candidates but not corporate and lobbyists like tom perez.

[Demsrule86]

50. I think so too...he will 'purge' donors...and starve our people when we need to win.

And he will lost the much of the Jewish American vote ...big Dem constituency...makes no sense to elect him. He is a good guy...and should stay in the House...he is very very good in the House.

[still_one]

55. I suspect no matter who is elected there will be major in fighting within the party. However,

because of what happened on November 8, 2016, and because some self-identified progressives refused to vote for the Democratic nominee, by either voting third party, or not voting, the country and the party are screwed, and those who play that same game because of the results of the DNC election, I would suggest politely that they pull their head out of their asses, and work within the party together to try to stem the tidal wave that is heading right for us.


Noam Chomsky said it best:

Progressives who refused to vote for Hillary Clinton made a ‘bad mistake’

“I think they [made] a bad mistake,” said Chomsky, who reiterated that it’s important to keep a “greater evil” from obtaining power, even if you’re not thrilled with the alternative. “I didn’t like Clinton at all, but her positions are much better than Trump’s on every issue I can think of.”

Chomsky also attacked the arguments made by philosopher Slavoj Zizek, who argued that Trump’s election would at least shake up the system and provide a real rallying point for the left.

“[Zizek makes a] terrible point,” Chomsky told Hasan. “It was the same point that people like him said about Hitler in the early ’30s… he’ll shake up the system in bad ways.”

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/11/noam-chomsky-progressives-who-refused-to-vote-for-hillary-clinton-made-a-bad-mistake/

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

59. Good riddance Alan Dershowitz!

[Iggo]

70. Leave anyway, Dershowitz, you fucking fuck. (n/t)

[NoGoodNamesLeft]

56. I would prefer him over Ellison or Perez

If one of those two win then half of the party will be pissed off.

[Peacetrain]

57. Could not agree more!!!!!!!!

there is a season.. and for older politicians.. it is time to mentor.. we all need mentors and they have a wealth to share..and I am speaking as an older person

[LAS14]

63. k & r

Especially "Beyond Hillary/Bernie"

[Phoenix61]

64. I agree 100%

He would be full-time. He's intelligent, a good public speaker and knows how to utilize computer technology. He doesn't have a lot of experience but I think he would be very open to working with those who do.

[D_Master81]

67. too bad

maybe b/c i lived for 5 yrs in south bend, part of which was when he got elected, but I was pulling for Pete to get the DNC head. I think though he has a long term future that isnt over in democrat politics.