"We are in general election mode at the DNC at this point" DNC spokesperson

[madfloridian]

We were discussing this here recently. The campaign has dragged on so long with large donors threatening to get their money back from the DNC over FL and MI delegates, and Floridians harming fundraising. And just plain all the money going to the candidates.

It is even affecting the ability to get traction on down-ticket areas when the DNC is having to stay in primary mode.

From the Washington Post tonight:

DNC Officials Huddle With Clinton, Obama Campaigns

"We are in general election mode at the DNC at this point," said Finney when asked about the meetings with the two campaigns. "We can't wait."

The gatherings are the latest sign of an increased campaign presence by the DNC and its chairman -- former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean.

Here is more on the conversations they are having.

In an attempt to kick start the general election contest before the party has picked its nominee, Democratic National Committee officials have met in recent days with the top campaign brass of Sens. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) to brief them on the committee's plans in the coming months.

DNC chief of staff Tom McMahon and political director Dave Boundy met yesterday at Clinton's Ballston headquarters with Guy Cecil, political director for the New York Senator's bid, and Howard Wolfson, one of the campaign's chief strategists, among others. A similar DNC delegation huddled with senior officials from the Obama campaign several weeks ago.

The discussion, according to DNC communications director Karen Finney, centered on the field plan the national party is implementing for the fall campaign, a rough outline of the DNC's strategy in regards Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) -- the committee and the presidential candidates cannot directly coordinate on messaging -- and plans to form joint committees to raise money both for the nominee and the DNC.

We assumed this was happening when we heard about the fundraising deal between the DNC and the Obama campaign

Obama spokesperson Bill Burton just confirmed to me that the campaign has set up a joint fundraising committee with the Democratic National Committee, a development that was first reported today by Mark Halperin.

The move is unusual in the sense that it's typically the sort of thing that's done once there is a nominee.

That the DNC has done this with Obama before the contest is settled reflects two realities: First, that Obama is the likely the nominee; and second, that McCain is forging ahead with the building of a campaign apparatus while the two Dems continue to pour resources into an intra-Dem contest with no immediate end in sight.

"This is an effort to be a team player and make sure we have the resources we need," Burton says.

The column also states that "similar discussions are ongoing between Hillary and the DNC, but no deal has been struck yet."

Sounds like the pieces are falling into place for things to come to a proper conclusion.

[Tribetime]

1. I know they're running a commercial bashing McCain

here in Ohio. It shows him saying how people are generally better off today in all ways than they were 4 yrs ago.

[VolcanoJen]

3. I'm in Ohio too, and see it all the time.

It's an awesome ad. More like that, please!

Let's get on with getting all up in McCain's face. Please!!

[chill_wind]

37. Even the background music is effective. Almost like something from the soundtrack of The Exorcist.

eom

[Liberal Gramma]

10. It's playing in Washington state too

Great commercial!

[Kittycat]

14. It's a National Cable Ad Buy

We're getting it in IL, even. No way in hell will a Republican win this state.

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Thank Goodness!

We need to move forward towards kicking John "Passed the Commander-in-Chief test" McCain's butt.

[merh]

4. how can we donate to the DNC

can you give a link?

[madfloridian]

6. Here you go.

http://dnc.org/

Contribute button on the right.

[merh]

7. thanks so much

I think they can use some support.

:hi:

[Cha]

11. You know they

could..thanks, merh..I will when I can, asap:)

[merh]

13. it is about the party

that will do what is right for this nation, for the citizens.

:hi:

[Cha]

15. Yeah, Give

Peas A Chance:hi:

[merh]

21. peas train

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sjSHazjrWg

:)

[Cha]

32. Thanks merh! That felt really good seeing the old Cat sing his song

Here's our..

Peas Train For Change

[merh]

33. first concert I ever attended was Cat Stevens

I had the concert t-shirt up until Katrina took my memories and left me new ones.

You found the perfect photo and I love it!

thank you so much :hug:

[Sam Ervin jret]

57. are we still allowed to listen to Cat in "America" or did Bush outlaw it as an UNAMERICAN Activity?

Bush you ALIEN! Give me back my inalienable rights!

And crawl back into that pod you came from and hide.

[rwheeler31]

5. Thank you Doctor Dean.

[crankychatter]

8. Oh, Mad.... you makin' smile tonight

thank you, you hard workin' person, you.

[madfloridian]

23. Hey, I try.

:rofl:

[SunsetDreams]

9. all the signals are there, It's Obama vs. McCain time!

[Eurobabe]

40. It's OBAMA time

Fuck McInsane. :rofl:

[FrenchieCat]

12. I'm getting restless myself!

[madfloridian]

38. We all are. Gone on too long.

:hi:

[BlueIdaho]

16. My letter to the DNC

Expressed my concern about the length of the primary season. In an effort to "help things along" I let them know I would NOT be sending them any money until we have ONE candidate. Until then - they can stop contacting me. I believe things will firm up right after the DNC realizes the cash cow has dried up.

Join Me?

[madfloridian]

17. That is an asinine statement.

It makes no sense in the context of what I wrote. It looks like cut and paste job that is often repeated.

The DNC is moving ahead since no one can stop the 800 lb gorilla in the living room.

[BlueIdaho]

19. Respectfully...

Not asinine - until I see and hear more than just vague rumors, the money stays in MY pocket. I have and will donate to "the party" - always have always will. But it is my money and if you don't like it tough shit. I see no point in rewarding a bunch of fat cats taking stretch limo's to the circular firing squad exercise.

[madfloridian]

20. You think Dean who walks to his hotel and uses subways and taxis

is a fat cat? That's laughable.

I don't give a you know what about what you do.

[leftofcool]

18. Already asked for my 2000.00 back

But not for your reasons. Dr. "48 state strategy" Dean and his girlfriend "Impeachment is off the table" Pelosi are totally ineffective and Dean is well aware that his days are numbered as are Pelosi's.

[madfloridian]

22. This thread is really attracting....

some very odd comments. Truth hurts, don't it, fellows.

[leftofcool]

24. Doesn't hurt me. But it will hurt Dean

[madfloridian]

25. I love your attitude. Very positive.

Dean is trying to follow rules and you want him to be in pain.

That figures.

[Binka]

35. Left of Cool Is a Fucking Idiot Disregard The Shit They Spew

IT is a fucking freak. IT is here to stir shit. Fuck IT and the shitty art they peddle.

[John Q. Citizen]

28. Stomp your foot and demand your Hillary pony! Your rights are being violated!

You are of course donating to the DLC I hope?

They are your kind of Repos.

[Exilednight]

30. You mean the strategy that won us back both houses of Congress as opposed to...................

the DLC 17 state solution that gave both houses to Newt and the repugs?

[madfloridian]

42. Exactly

:hi:

[skyounkin]

44. Thanx

To Dean, the DNC, and his 50 state stratedgy we won both houses!! Inneffective?? Dean?? Are you freaking drunk??

Man- but I totally agree that Pelosi has been a huge disappointment.

But DEAN?!!

LMAO.

[cali]

53. Absurd. Hillbot "logic" at its apogee.

First of all, Pelosi is hardly Dean's bosom buddy, and secondly by any reasonable metric Dean has been effective. That's why he has so much support from state and local dems. Dean stated long ago that he wouldn't run for another term, and anyone who thnks Pelosi's days are numbered, just isn't very well informed.

[John Q. Citizen]

27. Like the DNC hasn't expressed there concern with the length of the primary season? Come on.

You think you are their cash cow?

It's millions of people as well as the big donors.

The DNC under Dean has been the most consistent voice of sanity anywhere. But, if you think sending them a letter and not donating is the way to "help things along," well it takes all kinds.

[madfloridian]

26. These are the donors and theats I spoke up.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1970

"At that point Clinton campaign finance chair Hassan Nemazee spoke up. He said Dean's response sounded to him as if the DNC chairman were "essentially trying to kick the can down the road" and that the chairman was not exhibiting the type of leadership one would expect. Nemazee said that since the campaigns obviously could not reach a solution on their own before June, Dean's argument amounted to passing the buck.

Dean then responded, heatedly, that in his experience, those who sought the intervention of party leadership were motivated by their own particular agendas. And that was not the sort of leadership he intended to provide."

That was the meeting to form joint fundraisers. Some of Hillary's walked out over FL and MI

[John Q. Citizen]

29. Just as well. The DNC doesn't need to be millions in debt like the Clinton campaign.

If she can't raise the money to fund her own campaign, she isn't much of a fund raiser.

"Please, please, send me 5 bucks, because I'm going broke going for broke."

[Why Syzygy]

34. The only reasons I can think of

for her to keep going for broke (other than ruin Obama) is,
a. Bill hold some kind of control over her and he insists (read newstories to that effect)
b. She's trying to prove she has the cajones to keep going, which doesn't rule out a.

In either event, it is all about the drama which the Clintons need to take with them and disappear from the public stage, until they can stop using it to display their dysfunctions.

[madfloridian]

39. That is the only reason to keep going...to hurt Obama.

You are right.

[Why Syzygy]

41. Sometimes I do wonder

if she has a persecution fetish, though. She seems to crave disgracing herself.

[beezlebum]

52. but she raked tons after her hugh PA win!!1! seriesly!1

[Scurrilous]

31. K & R

:thumbsup:

[chill_wind]

36. K& R n/t

[madfloridian]

43. I thought Dean was far more gracious on MTP today than I would have been

or that I can be now. He was totally neutral, said nothing to irritate either side, was calm, and very polite.

It was a good interview, but I bet he seethes inside at the attacks on him from the Clintons, FL, and MI.

Video and trancript from MTP today.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24338217/

[speedoo]

45. Yes, he was.

I was very impressed with his ability to thwart Timmeh's attempts to get him to throw away his neutrality.

[JeffR]

46. I'll say it again. Your work throughout primary season has been

extraordinary. I have to laugh whenever I see one of these all-caps screaming posts about "Disenfranchisement!!!" because all your hard work proves these charges are just bullshit spin. I'm at the point where I'd have to be dragged kicking and screaming in chains back to my native Florida, but if that ever happened, I'd content myself that I was back home among some courageous and clear-eyed people like you, among all the many nutcases.

Thank you for what you do. You're heroic.

[madfloridian]

49. Well, may I say...

I am not heroic, just totally pissed off.

:hi:

I am appalled at the manipulation of the voters here.

[JeffR]

50. Leads me to think that the line between heroic and pissed off

is not clearly demarcated. Gandhi, Spartacus, Abbie Hoffman, Martin Luther and Martin Luther King were pissed off, too. Things happened because of that. Not urging you to get all egotistical or anything, but you're fighting a damned good fight here, and I think a lot of us love you for it. I certainly do.

[democracy1st]

47. kick

[berni_mccoy]

48. Expect Clinton to quit soon. Very soon. I think even her supporters are realizing it now.

[skyounkin]

51. God-

I hope so.....it has gone on for too long.

The Gold Medal does not go to the one who came in second!!

Senator Barack Obama will be our democratic nominee for President.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

54. Hillary can't raise money for her own camaign

n/t

[rucky]

55. One of many signals that this is soon to be a done deal.

The supers are waiting for an opportunity to let Hillary step out with grace.

[L0oniX]

56. They should make an ad with McSenile in a rest home making decisions as to what to eat for the day

:evilgrin:

[jlove23]

58. Strategy is important

But let us not put the cart before the donkey.

I really hate to come off as someone with other than good intentions, however I must ask if anyone has looked at the slime machine that waits on an Obama ticket?

The obvious canards immediately come up, but far more sinister is this whole Trust #10209 business, it will derail any of Obama's chances in November.

It stinks and looking at it closer is closer to the stench of corruption.

The Rezko, community development, House ownership issues all make Dukakis in his helmet look competent. Even if there is nothing there, what do you see $20m of Republican scrutiny and advertising doing this fall? Standard practice by the media is playing pattycake with McCain, and gotcha with the Democrat.

This is a time bomb waiting on Obama's nomination. Is the Democratic leadership that clueless, and incompetent enough to miss this in the vetting process?