Burnt Orange Report

December 13, 2004

DNC Roundup

By Byron LaMasters

Greg links to Simon Rosenberg's ASDC Meeting - Orlando Speech and likes much of what he reads, as do I.

MyDD has the "post-Orlando" cattle-call, along with an informal exit poll of members of the DNC. The verdict? "Outsiders" such as Howard Dean, Wellington Webb and Ron Kirk seem to have made a strong impression, and "insiders" such as Simon Rosenberg, Martin Frost, James Blanchard and Harold Ickes are well behind. Then again, the poll is a small sample, and could easily be marred by some sort of groupthink mentality among ASDC (Association of State Democratic Chairs) attendees.

Jerome has a rant about getting kicked out of various meetings at the ASDC. Geez, some of these people still just don't get it. Ignore bloggers at your peril.

Panhandle Truth Squad has decided after today's anti-Dean editorial in the Amarillo Globe News that Howard Dean is obviously the man for the job.

Speaking of Howard Dean, he has a column today about moral values. Democrats often cringe when asked to talk about values. Social liberalism is often equated to moral relativism, when in fact liberals simply see moral values as something more than God, gays and guns:

It is a moral value to provide health care. It is a moral value to educate our young people. The sense of community that comes from full participation in our Democracy is a moral value. It is a moral value to make sure that we do not leave our own debts to be paid by the next generation. Honesty is a moral value.

Dean has the right message, here. Democrats so often feel squeamish when talking about our values, because we often squirm at religious sounding rhetoric mixed in political discourse. It's a fear that we must overcome, as we find ways to project our values in a sincere and honest manner. I don't think that Howard Dean is the right messenger for that task - for all his talk in the primary about "southerners who drive pickup trucks with confederate flag stickers" - I don't think that Dean understands the root values of those very people he liked to talk about. In many ways, I don't either, but I do believe that we ought to elect as chair someone who has at least made a serious attempt towards reaching out beyond the Democratic Party base.

Simon Rosenberg's work in Alaska and Oklahoma certainly places him in that category. Ron Kirk and Martin Frost have similar experiences in running uphill races where appeal beyond the Democratic base was a requirement. Both achieved some success in that department, but not enough to win. I'd like to hear more about other candidates as well. We shall see.

Update: Anna weighs in on the race. Her preference? Howard Dean, or "someone who has a clue".

Another Update: Matt Stoller posts his endorsement of Simon Rosenberg.

Via comments, another Rosemberg blogger endorsement at KY Dem.

Posted by Byron LaMasters at December 13, 2004 02:28 PM | TrackBack

Comments

I posted my endorsement of Simon as well.

Posted by: kydem at December 13, 2004 06:08 PM

I'm with Ron Kirk, but would be fine with Simon Rosenburg. Not that my little endorsement matters anyway.

Posted by: pc at December 13, 2004 07:19 PM

Byron, I emailed you on your BOR email.

Posted by: pc at December 13, 2004 07:20 PM

Even as a terrible candidate (unfortunately), Wes Clark was talking about values in Dec, Jan, and Feb in terms that Democrats are only now realizing are important to discuss.

His domestic stump speech consisted of discussing values in terms of job creation, education, health care, and inclusion. He talked about growing up in the south were "everybody can quote the scriptures, but there is a difference between quoting the scriptures and living them."

I think we need a party chair (not advocating any particular candidate) who will empower the grassroots to work with our neighbors and friends and to help define the issues important to us in terms of their impact on our communities.

I think the Repub. marketing machince has done a masterful McCarthy type job to debase Democrats. Liberal = Communist. We need communicate with our Limbaugh/Hannity/Rove'd friends that they have been duped, in much the same way as I am duped to buy beer everytime a hot chick is in a commerical (Love those Twins!)

It is easy to demonize and vent at a "Democrat" or a "liberal" when you are stuck in traffic listening to the drive time brainwashing or sitting in front of the tube watching Fox. But, I believe when they have to discuss important issues seriously with the teacher who teaches their kids, or the nurse who comforts and cares for their family, or their neighbor who has a cushy corporate job, but still actually cares about access to affordable health care and quality public education, they cannot equate the facade created by the puppet masters with the reality of their neighborhood.

We are best equipped to share the vision of the Democratic Party at the level it matters most, not ruling Politik.

Posted by: Bill at December 13, 2004 07:43 PM

I think writing about the subjest and making endorsements is greta if you makes bloggers happy, but this isn't an open deal.

Less than 500 people are going to decide this, and I don't think bloggers will have much of an impact on this one.

Posted by: Steve at December 14, 2004 06:41 AM

News, Politics, and Fun From Deep in the Heart of Texas

December 13, 2004

DNC Roundup

By Byron LaMasters