The election for DNC chair is today.
I googled to see if I could find more details, like the meeting time and when we might know the results. The first thing that came up was a Politico article that is so filled with bullshit that I won’t link to it. CNN, NTY and WP all have lame articles up.
Jamie Harrison remarks: (paragraphs 1 and 4 are a rough transcript by me)
Jamie Harrison says in his speech that there have been people threatened about their vote. They have been intimidated about their vote. That folks have been having donors call and say that we’re gonna pull funding because of their vote. Folks, in this party, there will be no tolerance for that type of behavior.
He goes on to say that the candidates themselves may not be aware of those behaviors being done on their behalf.
(skipping ahead a bit)
My friends, the other side is about fear, fraud and fascism, but we don’t do that in the Democratic Party. If you have been guilty of saying certain things, it stops right now. I want to establish that as the floor for today’s discussions.
I recommend fast forwarding from the beginning to Jamie Harris.
It appears that Ken Martin has more than twice the number of pledged delegates as Ben Wikler. Ben Wikler showed a lot more fire at the candidate forum on Thursday, and I will be heartened if he emerges the winner.
There’s a decent chance that Ken Martin will win on the first ballot – he is the insider in the race. But if not, there could be multiple ballots. My opinion: fuck the insiders; they have gotten us nowhere good.
It’s time for the DNC to turn over the table and elect someone who doesn’t want business as usual. I feel certain that they’ll be calling me for my recommendation any minute now!
prostratedragon
I suppose I’ll look it up, but who is Ken Martin? I heard a lot of talk lately about Wikler, so I have an idea of who he is.
WaterGirl
If you’re tuning in now (assuming anyone does tune in) they are having 10-minutes speeches from each candidate.
Martin O’Malley was up first. I fast forwarded through that one. He ended with “government of the people by the people and for the people”. Very dramatic delivery. Lame, I thought. Let’s see what Ben Wikler does. He’s up next.
Ben Wikler has completed his, and I have to un-pause to watch that one for sure.
WaterGirl
@prostratedragon: Ken Martin is the party chair for MN.
Ken Martin is definitely the insider candidate. He’s well-liked in the DNC. You could look at my post from Thursday night’s candidate forum and fast forward to the various spots where he answers questions.
prostratedragon
@WaterGirl:
I see. I did just look him up on wikipedia. Feeling a little grumpy today about machinations where they don’t seem necessary.
Ohio Mom
I will always be a straight Blue voter, up and down the slate, no questions asked. But reading about the DNC chair election, I begin to see why people get stuck on “both parties are the same.” (Preparing myself in advance to be disappointed).
Melancholy Jaques
I don’t know enough about Ken Martin or Ben Wikler to have a useful opinion. Martin may be an insider, but he doesn’t seem to be the crusty old guard. He worked for Wellstone, which says something maybe? I have some interest for Wikler because I admire the way the Democrats in Wisconsin have battled back from the white supremacist revanche that swept the Great Lakes states after Obama’s election.
I know I want them all to stop asking me for money – stop asking all of us Democrats for money – because I no longer trust that they know how to spend it effectively. Ask me to volunteer, to do something, and I will listen. But for now, until they have a plan & are willing to explain it to us, stop asking us for money,
Tazj
I thought Ben Winkler was the favorite to win. I’m disappointed to learn otherwise.
I turned it on to see someone speaking who said the Democratic Party wins when they do things for people, like Medicare and Social Security and when they have they have big ideas pushed by big personalities. I’m thinking ok sounds fine so far. The big personality they were talking about? Marianne Williamson. Well, that made me laugh a little anyway.
WaterGirl
Ben Wikler gave a GREAT speech. I just finished watching it. Goosebumps.
So far, the things worth taking the time to watch is the 3-5 minutes where Jamie Harrison calls out the people who are threatening and intimidating members for their votes, and the speech by Ben.
It’s also worth it to watch the (very short) speeches of the folks who are formally nominating them. The two or 3 for Ben Wikler tells the tale. The first one was another state chair who talks about Ben always supporting his fellow chairs. The middle one is the chair of the Hispanic caucus who talked about WisDems being active in Hispanic, Native, Black media and the results that brought in Wisconsin in 2024. The last one is Anderson Clayton, the NC state chair who spoke very forcefully and effectively for Ben. She is a powerhouse.
About to watch the next speech, not sure who’s up next. If it’s Williamson, it’s fast-forward time.
Baud
I have no reason to be down on Martin, if he gets it.
Melancholy Jaques
I am making the inference that it is either Martin or Wikler. I thought they both gave good speeches, with Wikler having the edge in emotional delivery. The thing is, it doesn’t seem that giving good speeches is what the DNC chair job is all about.
The 21st century DNC chairs were: Terry McAuliffe, Howard Dean, Tim Kaine, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Tom Perez, & Jaime Harrison. Donna Brazile served as acting chair twice, but I’m not counting her.
I can’t recall a single speech by any of these people when they were DNC chairs. I do recall that somehow Debbie Wasserman Schultz became the most evil person in the world & it was all Hillary Clinton’s fault even though it was Obama who picked her.
Maybe we need the role of the DNC chair to change, evolve, or adapt to these times & the present circumstances. Maybe fiery speeches from the DNC chair will help. Couldn’t hurt.
WaterGirl
Ken Martin is the third nomination. About to watch it now.
suzanne
@Melancholy Jaques:
Word.
I gave a few hundred dollars this cycle, and I know that isn’t much compared to others, but I have three kids and a mom who have plenty of needs. I’m absolutely done with political donations until I see changes. It’s not a good use of my funds.
Bupalos
Honestly having a big ugly blowup with donors might be good for the party. We outraised and outspent Trump and did it in what looks to be traditionally effective, targeted ways. And Trump pretty easily overcame it just by commanding vastly more attention by running his mouth with dumb shit like “they’re eating the dogs.”
Trump knows how to announce what he stands for far more effectively and efficiently than the staid Democratic machine that is hyper focused on not making mistakes and buying attention with donor cash. It’s not that we should or can copy him exactly, but we need to understand the field we’re playing on and the tools that are and are not effective in a different era.
Another Scott
@Baud: This is kinda where I am. He seems to have done well in MN. Wikler has done well in WI, and seems to have a better online activation game (the Princess Bride reading for a fundraiser was genius) but hasn’t yet flipped the state back Blue. (Of course, that is not all on him, and he’s moving the state in the right direction.)
Wikler is regularly touting his new endorsements on his twitter thing (which is much more active than his BlueSky thing). He lists Jeffries’ endorsement as of 13 hours ago. I don’t know if endorsements mean anything in this race (MOM had a bunch early on).
Whoever wins, I wish them godspeed and I hope they will build a strong team that can work together.
(I’m continuing monthly donations to the DNC, DCCC, DSCC, DLCC. Unfortunately, as long as public funding is a far-away dream, effective politics still requires money from donations from the hoi polloi like us.)
My $0.02.
Thanks.
Hang in there, everyone.
Best wishes,
Scott.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
The concerns I’ve seen raised about Wikler’s ties to the usual suspect billionaire class, as if we don’t have enough of that baked into both sides of the aisle.
How does Faiz sound? Yeah, Bernie’s 2020 Campaign Manager (I’m no fan of Bernie) but from what I’ve seen, heard and “done my own research”, he’s more than capable. He formed a media outfit, A More Perfect Union, that does reporting on labor issues. But I still don’t really have a feel for what exactly makes an outstanding DNC chair.
I have no horse in this race but I’m really tired of billionaire agendas seeping into the Democratic party mainstream.
WaterGirl
@suzanne: Very curious.
With our BJ fundraising we focus on groups that work with black, asian, native, and the formerly incarcerated, etc.
They are fighting to give a voice to and turn out the votes of groups that are underrepresented, do you think that’s a waste of money?
Professor Bigfoot
“As they say around the Texas Legislature, if you can’t drink their whiskey, screw their women, take their money, and vote against ’em anyway, you don’t belong in office.” — Molly Ivins,
Professor Bigfoot
@WaterGirl: oh no, that’s actually how we know the Jackaltariat is actually on the side of the angels– however I may bitch at us, this is a crew of smart righteous people.
With some blinders, but hey, they be human, right? ;)
WaterGirl
@comrade scotts agenda of rage: @Another Scott:
I would urge you and everyone else to listen to Ben Wikler and Ken Martin, who are the front-runners.
They only get 10 minutes total per candidate: that 10 minutes includes both the nominating speeches + the candidate speech.
It’s easy to move the little red ball until you see the face you want, then backtrack a tiny bit until you see Jamie Harrison – that’s when the nominating speech for that candidate starts.
I’d love to hear what you think after watching those two candidates.
Ken Martin is right after Ben Wikler, so that makes it easy.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@WaterGirl:
Nope, it’s not. In fact, it’s the best way for anybody who’s understandably skeptical if not downright suspicious about how major campaigns spend money to donate money and not feel ‘taken’ by the act.
What you’ve been presenting to us has been a fantastic way to help financially not only in terms of most bang for the buck but that goes to groups/interests that have been chronically overlooked and underfunded.
Thank you for your efforts along these lines.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@Professor Bigfoot:
The problem with that is we don’t end up “voting against them anyway”, instead “we” (white Dems predominately) promote certain policies that work directly against other elements of the party (black Dems) and low-info/enthusiastic voters who see that shit at the local level and go “why bother?”
Another Scott
@Professor Bigfoot:
Sounds like you’ve been reading Dean Baker at CEPR (or he’s been reading you!):
Personalities are important. But we have to keep our eyes on the prizes and find ways to do our best to make incremental progress (and limit the damage) no matter the circumstances, matter who the personalities are.
Best wishes,
Scott.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@WaterGirl:
I will say that the white woman in the yellow Wikler hat from NC who just said “we need year round organizing” after saying they in NC haven’t stood down their efforts, has my vote based just on that statement.
Wikler’s great up there but I gotta admit, I like what Faiz actually said although he’s not gonna set the world on fire as a speachifier, that’s for sure.
That being said, I still have no clue as to what will make an outstanding DNC head and we need outstanding at the moment.
Another Scott
@Another Scott: Oh, and to revise and extend my remarks…
I don’t know if Baker is right here. He’s a very smart and level-headed guy about economics, reporting on economics, how humans made the economic system we have and humans can change it, and how economic choices affects real people’s lives.
But, like Krugman, he can get out over his skis or out of his lane when he starts talking political strategy.
Whatever happens in the next few weeks, and next few years, we’re not doomed. Humans can and will change political and governmental systems over time. We can and must keep working to make things better, no matter how bleak things look (and actually are) at any particular time.
(I saw the candidates in the first “southern” forum. It’s worth hearing their perspectives. Whoever ultimately wins, they can’t do it alone. Even with our annoyance and disappointment and frustration, we need to keep working together no matter who wins. It’s going to be a slog.)
Best wishes,
Scott.
hells littlest angel
Well, I’m off to read all the legacy media BREAKING NEWS stories about this.
/jk
BlueGuitarist
@comrade scotts agenda of rage:
That NC woman is Anderson Clayton, youngest state party chair.
Seems to be doing a great job in NC.
Tom Sullivan (from NC) over at Digby’s place is a big fan.
BlueGuitarist
i liked Wikler best, but association with Paul Wellstone is a pretty good recommendation for Martin.
some info:
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/ken-martin-dnc-chair-interview/
Professor Bigfoot
@Another Scott: I see Cuban as a guy from far more humble means— who was born into a working class family, and who hasn’t forgotten where he came from.
I got NO problem with businesspeople who *do right and act right* and make a few bucks at it— like his generic medications factory.
(I’ll even forgive him for hiring Kyrie, who I consider the worst teammate in the entire NBA ;)
WaterGirl
@comrade scotts agenda of rage:
I think that Thursday was the first event that Faiz participated in. On Thursday he said something about being late to the party.
I did like what he had to say at the panel on Thursday, but I imagine he is like the older guy presidential candidate we had for a few cycles who was in it not because he had a chance to win but because he wanted to get his issues out there as part of the conversation.
As to what we need for an outstanding DNC head right now?
FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!
And that’s Wikler, not Ken Martin. Just my opinion.
Melancholy Jaques
@comrade scotts agenda of rage:
I agree that has been a problem historically, but I didn’t really see much of that during Biden’s term. Nevertheless, you are talking about what I think is our biggest problem with normie voters.
I know I sound like a broken record (do people born after 1990 understand that?), but it’s about the two questions: Who are the Democrats? What do they stand for? Normie voters either do not know or give an answer that was supplied by Republicans & their tools in the media.
That’s a problem we can solve.
dc
@WaterGirl: I just got an email from Martin, so I see he’s won. I think besides Winkler, he was the one who’s shown he knows how to organize and has good results in Minnesota. I hope Winkler continues as chair in Wisconsin, they’ve has so many successes, but always on the edge, as the presidential loss shows.
pajaro
Wickler would be great. He’s done great work in Wisc.
Tazj
I was much more familiar with Winkler but it seems as if Martin has a great record of success himself in Minnesota so congratulations to him on the victory.
comrade scotts agenda of rage
@Melancholy Jaques:
Not sure if you’ll see this…
I saw nothing but what I describe during Biden’s administration.
Now, it didn’t come from the Biden administration per se but all from local, pale blue Dems: overwhelming white professional transplants from a lily-white burb elsewhere, raised by people my age (the “socially liberal/fiscally conservative” types always used as a cover for their (R) voting record) who parachuted into an urban setting and proceeded to tell black and brown folks what was best for them (leave) and act like they’re some paragon of liberalness simply because they might have voted for Obama and support abortion rights…but push a lot of things that are mightily resisted not just by staunch (D) voters (black folks) but a host of others who see the inherent conservativness of what’s being pushed.
That local aspect of politics, all presented by people either with a (D) after their name or, in the case of theoretically, non-partisan races, a nudgenudgewinkwink (D) after their name, resonates with those same low-motivated/info voters who aren’t gonna differentiate between what the locals do and what, some of the nationals do. They just see “(D) are doing this, fuck em” when given a choice.
It’s *an* element of what Bupalos said earlier in the week: our basket of voters got whiter and wealthier and that’s why we lost.
Suzanne
@WaterGirl:
I just am coming back to this, so sorry for the delay.
I consider issues-based groups a bit differently, and representation groups are also good. I’m talking about money to the party and campaigns. I’ve donated every cycle to those and I am going to stop for a while.
Geminid
@comrade scotts agenda of rage: I think this question varies from state to state. In Virginia, Black people are 20% of the population and remain the largest bloc of Democratic voters. The fastest growing groups of voters are Asian and Hispanic immigrants plus their children and grandchildren, and Democrats win a majority of their votes. We just elected a 37 year Congressman from the 10th CD whose parents came from Bangalore India. Then, Rep.Suhas Subramanyam’s state Senate seat was won by a Sikh American.
I cannot give numbers for Arizona, but I remember reading in 2020 that historically, Hispanics had lagged their Anglo counterparts in political participation but they were closing the gap. Since then, Arizona Democrats elected Adrian Fontez Secretary of State in 2022 and Ruben Gallego Senator last year. I doubt the Arizona Democratic Party has gotten more “White;” I would bet it’s gotten less.
The composition of the Democratic party from state to state, and it’s dynamic within states because their demographics are dynamic. A lot of those White assholes that you see infesting the Colorado Democratic Party may have came from Minnesota. Many of those have been replaced by Somalis and other “non-White” immigrants. So the Democratic Party there may well have become less White.
Now, the Minnesota Republican party has probably gotten less “White.” I know the Virginia Republican party has. But they started from a very low baseline and there are a whole lot more “non-White” voters now than 30 or even 10 years ago.
Wikipedia’s Presidential Election articles break out the demographic aspects of each year’s electorate. I remember looking up Hispanic voting share in 2012 and comparing it to 2020. The vote share in 2012 was 12% and it was 18% in 2020. That’s a 50% increase in 8 years. But in 1976 when Carter beat Ford, the Hispanic vote share was 2%!
Under these circumstances, how could the Republican Party not become less White or in this case, less Anglo? This is true generally, I think. As the U.S. becomes less “White” its institutions including the Republican Party inevitably become less White. And at least on a national basis, so has the Democratic Party.
The commenter you cite hasn’t persuaded me otherwise. And he sure hasn’t persuaded me that “our basket of voters got whiter and wealthier and that’s why we lost.” That strikes me as too simple and too certain an analysis to be making so soon after the election, and it was put out within weeks.
WaterGirl
@Suzanne: Got it. You said no to political donations, and I consider those groups to be political donations.
Now if you’re talking candidate donations that aren’t going to be used for boots on the ground, I’m right there with you.