It never ceases to amaze me how Democrats can continue this capacity to sabotage themselves in every conceivable way.
Take for instance, Newark Mayor Corey Booker on Meet The Press yesterday. In the midst of a concerted effort by the Obama Campaign to give the real story of Bain Capital and the false Romney premise that it takes a businessman to “fix” the economy, Booker gives a counter argument about private equity. He calls the Obama promotional campaign “nauseating”.
Obviously, Booker has become more concerned with his own future rather than current politics. New Jersey is home to a lot of private equity firms and Booker will probably be looking for future financial support from those same firms in future campaigns.
But even if that is the case, why take such a stance to a nation wide audience and undermine a Democratic argument? Good heavens, the RNC was using Booker as the headliner on their new fundraising pitch.
But let’s not let the Obama campaign off the hook either. They have been stoiclly silent on the first major battle of the 2012 campaign…namely, the Scott Walker recall election. The Wisconsin Democrats and their labor allies are left twisting in the wind by the DNC and the President. Monetary and vocal support are horribly inadequate. Are they intimidated by the Walker money machine? Are they unwilling to gamble on being part of a possible loss?
There is just no political courage left out there. Obama is focused solely on his re-election. The DNC is unwilling to take any chances on heavy investing in a political campaign that is not a sure bet. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign is only willing to play defense and not gamble on risky but promising investments in North Dakota’s Heidi Heitkamp or Wisconsin’s Tammy Baldwin or Indiana’s Joseph Donnelly.
And in Minnesota’s Congressional races, the Democratic Party has been ever so slow to meet any kind of challenge. Again, seeming to be satisfied with the status quo and not pushing to open up the field with Mike Obermueller in the Second or Brian Barnes in the Third……and leaving Graves to his own devices in the 6th.
And in the Legislature, the Republicans are in disarray but the Democrats almost seem to be like a deer in the headlights – mesmerized by the train wreck happening in the GOP but unable to move to capitalize. Watching but not acting. Hoping for local campaign miracles, but seemingly only able to watch from a distance.
This election year is at a pivotal juncture. Opportunities don’t just fall into your political lap….you have to create them. Democrats have always been a reactive force…but they need to be proactive. Especially this year in Minnesota — where an opportunity a minute is waiting to be exploited.
If I am wrong about this, I would be happy to hear about it. That’s the trouble, we aren’t hearing anything. The media talk is about the GOP and stadium, stadium, Ron Paul, stadium.
Democrats, where the heck are you?
This post was written David Mindeman and originally published on mnpACT! Progressive Political Blog. Follow Dave on Twitter: @newtbuster.
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Oops
a democrat told the truth. And for that he shall be severely punished.
narcissist
The Democrats chose the most self-centered man in the history of this country to be their standard bearer, and now they are shocked and indignant that President Obama is, well, self-centered.
Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor party
I have a different perspective.
The DFL’s mission is to support DFL-endorsed state house and senate candidates in Minnesota. In addition, and on top of that, the state DFL party has been highly supportive of congressional races as well, communicating with their base about challengers Brian Barnes, Mike Obermueller, Jim Graves, and Rick Nolan and of course, current elected reps Walz, McCollum, Ellison and Peterson.
On the federal level, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, whose mission is to elect Democrats to Congress, is absolutely supporting challengers Brian Barnes, Mike Obermueller, and Jim Graves – with campaign consulting, compliance counsel, and fundraising.
Not only that, our current elected Congressional Reps – and U.S. Senators – are doing their part to support these challenger candidates, with advice, hosting fundraisers, and even direct contributions.
Thanks, Dave Mindeman, for opening the discussion, and thanks for spelling the names right, but within the Democratic Party, we are absolutely supportive of each other!