An anti-DCCC backlash is forming

Like the DNC before it, the DCCC brand has become so toxic that even Democratic voters are rejecting it. The inflection point was reached two weeks ago in Texas’ 7th Congressional District when the DCCC attacked a progressive candidate like a Republican would.

In a rare move, the DCCC published opposition research about journalist and activist Laura Moser, who’s been backed by several major progressive groups. The campaign committee has tagged Moser, who recently moved back to Houston, as a “Washington insider.”
The attack against a fellow Democrat infuriated progressive groups who fired back at the DCCC and argued that voters should be the ones deciding who will represent them. Groups like Credo, Our Revolution and Justice Democrats launched a petition on Friday calling on DCCC chairman Ben Ray Luján (N.M.) “to stop undermining progressive values.”

In fact Our Revolution hadn't decided who to back in the race until the DCCC identified who the progressive was.
If the DCCC thought that their smear attack was going to undermine Moser, well, they thought wrong.

But there are few signs here that the DCCC’s punches have landed. Instead, Moser’s fundraising has ticked up — she’s collected more than $130,000 since the DCCC post on Feb. 22 — and she’s urging voters in a digital ad to “[reject] the system where Washington party bosses tell us who to choose.”
... Addressing two dozen voters at a candidate meet-and-greet in a townhouse here last week, Moser urged them to bring a friend to the polls on Tuesday, joking, “I would usually ask for money, but the DCCC has set us up for a while,” drawing a mixture of laughter and boos from the group.

Not only did the DCCC attack garner Moser the support of progressive groups, not only did it give her fundraising a boost, it also helped out her standing in the polls.

According to the poll, conducted with 726 “likely Democratic primary voters,” Moser has moved from sixth to second place since January, which would secure her a place in the May runoff — exactly what the DCCC had tried to prevent.

The anti-DCCC backlash has spilled onto the editorial pages.

The Nation: When DCCC Calls, Hang Up the Phone

BoingBoing: Don't give a dime to the DCCC, they'll just use to front DINOs and smear Justice Democrats

Normally, when your voters are responding in exactly the opposite way that you intended then you might pause and reflect on your methods. But this is the Democrats we are talking about, and if the Dems have anything in abundance it is arrogance.

Asked if the DCCC had been “clumsy” in its approach to Moser, Israel said that people were missing the forest for the trees.

“The more critics of DCCC focus on the process, the less we’re focusing on how to win that district,” the former congressman said. “I understand that people are upset but you know, I’d be more upset if we get involved in a civil war that costs us a victory in a district and produces another Republican who will rubber stamp Donald Trump.”
...
“People are voting for or against the Trump agenda,” the former DCCC chairman told The Daily Beast.” Most voters are not propelled or motivated to cast their vote for a candidate that is for or against the DCCC or the DNC. To make this a referendum on the DCCC is the ultimate in inside baseball.”

First of all, if Moser's fundraising and polling is proof of anything, then voting against the DCCC is exactly what people are doing.
Secondly, it is the DCCC and DNC that are responsible for the Dem's civil war.
Thirdly, a civil war is exactly what the Dems need, because the establishment has no respect at all for progressives.

It's not just that one race in Texas. The DCCC has been putting its finger on the scales in Pennsylvania too.

The drama in Pennsylvania is centered on Greg Edwards, a pastor running for a newly drawn swing seat in the Lehigh Valley. On Thursday, he told The Washington Post that the DCCC had approached local Democrats to ask whether he could be persuaded to seek another office.
“As far as I know, they only targeted one candidate to leave this race — the most progressive candidate, the only candidate of color,” Edwards said. “Their inability to understand why that’s fundamentally wrong says everything.”
...“It’s a shame that the DCCC and the wealthy white donors and revolving door consultants that make up the Democratic Party establishment are actively trying to stop Greg [Edwards],” said Waleed Shahid, a spokesman for Justice Democrats, a group that has endorsed left-leaning candidates in a number of races, including some with incumbents, where party leaders prefer different candidates. “Their consultant-driven strategy seems to prefer milquetoast candidates who they believe can appeal to moderate Republicans over progressive candidates of color. This is what systemic racism looks like.”

Shahid has a point.
The DCCC is consistent in it's support for former-Republican candidates over genuine progressive candidates.

In the second district of Virginia, the DCCC has endorsed a former Republican, Elaine Luria, who voted twice for Scott Taylor, the Republican she's hoping to unseat on behalf of the Democrats; she's not the only "former Republican" whose campaign you'll be supporting if you donate to the DCCC -- there's also Nebraska's Brad Ashford. Both secured the DCCC endorsement over progressive Democrats, who were shunned by the party establishment.

At this rate, candidates will be asking for the DCCC to endorse their opponents in order to prove to voters that they aren't part of the establishment.

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The Aspie Corner's picture

...It will be 2006 all over again. Mark my words.

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Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.

Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.

@The Aspie Corner
in 2006.
back then it was just "elect Dems".
Now the DCCC and DNC are toxic with the grassroots. There are lots of uncorrupted progressives running this time.
The only question is if enough of them will win?

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The Aspie Corner's picture

@gjohnsit Especially when you consider these folks are trying to change a capitalist controlled system with reform which is literally impossible. That, and as far as I know, there are no lefties running in my blood red Flawer'Duh district because the Democrats only give a fuck about Broward County, home of Debbie Wasserman-Shill.

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Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.

Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.

orlbucfan's picture

@The Aspie Corner .I'm married to a cracker. I've lived in the same house in downtown O-ville for almost 40 years. I've always been active, worked the Dean and Sanders campaigns, and voted. I know what crooked shambles the FL Democratic Party is. It has been worsening for decades. You've got to start somewhere to change it. Hope you can make it to CStMS's initial FL Meetup Saturday. BTW, I'm disabled/retired. Plus, when Rayguns won in 1980, it's the only time in my life that I openly wept over a friggin' election! I respect your beliefs. I don't agree with the giving-up vibe. Rec'd, gjohnsit!

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

The Aspie Corner's picture

@orlbucfan .....has run unopposed since the day he took office in '08. I say unopposed because even when a Dem candidate runs, they pretty much pretend Brevard County doesn't even exist. Bar none, it has to be the worst county to live in as a person with disabilities.

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Modern education is little more than toeing the line for the capitalist pigs.

Guerrilla Liberalism won't liberate the US or the world from the iron fist of capital.

Meteor Man's picture

It is encouraging as hell how people are waking up and about time. There's an old saying that you can't tell the difference between evil and stupid, because the results are the same. Trump is a perfect example.

The difference with the Democratic PTB is that we know they are not stupid. Obama is far from stupid. Bill and Hillary are not stupid. The only remaining conclusion is that the DNC, DCCC and entire Democratic establishment is evil.

I've been binge watching old episodes of 24. I knew things were bad in 2001, but had no idea how bad they really were. I recall catching a few of the first season's episodes and thinking the characters were caricatures; that real American politicians we're not that duplicitous, conniving and evil. Now I realize that real life politicos, journalists and corporate scumbags are even worse.

It has been a long journey and I am tickled pink that a significant percentage of voters are waking up. The same trend is occurring among Trump and GOP voters in spite of the fact that the media hides the truth.

Let's hope it isn't too late. God bless the backlash and every single person waking up and pushing back.

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"They'll say we're disturbing the peace, but there is no peace. What really bothers them is that we are disturbing the war." Howard Zinn

orlbucfan's picture

@Meteor Man What's with this lesser-of-2-evils shite? Why the h3ll are they both evil??? Screw that and the rock it slithered out from under!!!!!!

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Meteor Man's picture

@orlbucfan
I thought I was very clear that Corporate Dems are evil and do not deserve our vote or respect. My whole point was that a lot of people are waking up and recognizing the true nature of the Democratic party.

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"They'll say we're disturbing the peace, but there is no peace. What really bothers them is that we are disturbing the war." Howard Zinn

orlbucfan's picture

@Meteor Man My question came from decades of having no choice regarding Democrats. The Lesser-of-2-evils really took off with Bubba. Voter choice: either a genuine GOPuke or a DINO aka GOPuke Lite. Hence, 2 evils.

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Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.

Meteor Man's picture

@orlbucfan
Thanks for the clarification orlbucfan. My misunderstanding.

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"They'll say we're disturbing the peace, but there is no peace. What really bothers them is that we are disturbing the war." Howard Zinn

mhagle's picture

I have to say I was pleased. I had used http://www.vote411.org/ to compare candidates. Also checked out the AFL-CIO endorsements. I liked what I read about my choices. No republicans running unopposed in state and national races this time. There were many in 2016.

And the Democrat propositions were straight out of a Bernie handbook:

1. Should everyone in Texas have the right to quality public education from pre-k to 12th grade, and affordable college and career training without the burden of crushing student loan debt? Yes/No

2. Should everyone in Texas have the right to refinance student loan debt with the Federal Reserve at a 0% interest rate, as relief for the crushing burden of debt and an investment in the next generation of Americans? Yes/No

3. Should everyone in Texas have a right to healthcare, guaranteed by a universal, quality Medicare-for-all system? Yes/No

4. Should everyone in Texas have the right to economic security, where all workers have earned paid family and sick leave and a living wage that respects their hard work? Yes/No

5. Should the Democratic Party promote a national jobs program, with high wage and labor standards, to replace crumbling infrastructure and rebuild hurricane damaged areas, paid for with local, state, and federal bonds financed through the Federal Reserve at low interest with long term maturities? Yes/No

6. Should everyone in Texas have the right to clean air, safe water, and a healthy environment? Yes/No

7. Should everyone in Texas have the right to a life of dignity and respect, free from discrimination and harassment anywhere, including businesses and public facilities, no matter how they identify, the color of their skin, who they love, socioeconomic status, or from where they come? Yes/No

8. Should everyone in Texas have the right to affordable and accessible housing and modern utilities including high speed internet, free from any form of discrimination? Yes/No

9. Should every eligible Texan have the right to vote, made easier by automatic voter registration, the option to vote by mail, a state election holiday, and no corporate campaign influence, foreign interference, or illegal gerrymandering? Yes/No

10. Should everyone in Texas have the right to a fair criminal justice system that treats people equally and puts an end to the mass incarceration of young people of color for minor offenses? Yes/No

11. Should there be a just and fair comprehensive immigration reform solution that includes an earned path to citizenship for law-abiding immigrants and their children, keeps families together, protects DREAMers, and provides workforce solutions for businesses? Yes/No

12. Should everyone in Texas have the right to a fair tax system, where all interests (business, corporations, and individuals) pay their share, so that state government meets its obligations? Yes/No

Finally, the voting booth. It was an electronic system that printed out a hard copy. A dude told me the votes were being recorded electronically in 3 places in addition to the paper copy.

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

travelerxxx's picture

@mhagle

Marilyn, I voted on the last day for Texas early voting, Friday. I'm in northern Harris County. I'm interested in what you saw regarding the number of folks present. I was shocked at how many were at my polling place. In the past, as seems to be traditional in Texas, you could swing a dead cat from wall to wall and hit no one. Not this time; the joint was packed! I actually had to wait in line. Not a long line, but a line -- which I have never, ever, seen before in Texas early voting.

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mhagle's picture

@travelerxxx

And I was there at an odd time of day. I think it is looking up! I did my early vote in Corsicana.

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Marilyn

"Make dirt, not war." eyo

Lily O Lady's picture

the DNC, the DCCC, etc. When they call, I tell them that I can’t support people that vote like Republicans. Then I hang up.

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"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"

@Lily O Lady their emails. Man it's nice not to see their frantic whining! As for the phone I just don't answer! If I allowed myself to I'm sure I would be nasty, why bother.

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Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur

Mark from Queens's picture

@lizzyh7
begging for money, and they never bother you again. Only problem is they all probably get each other's lists (or in this instance, as some working talking about today, sell theirs, as in Obama I believe I read earlier getting over $1mil for a loan of his), so you get new and other clowns taking over the fear-mongering and pandering. That's Ok. I completely ignore the new ones, until either I want to have some fun or I perchance to glance at the contents and it sets me off. Then I write another rant and fire it off.

Wasn't sure if you "reply" that anyone actually gets my diatribes. But it seems they do. It even worked with my local Neoliberal NPR station who have pretty much stopped or definitely slowed down with their correspondence. I'm not totally convinced "unsubscribing" does anything. Man, it's such a crappy world of parasitic capitalists at every turn, pretending to want to help you.

As for the phone calls, I kind of like them because you can have evenmore fun. I've done my fair share of phonebanking and canvassing, so I'm partial to some person donating their time thinking they're doing a good deed. Then I let them have it. After I give my preface of having done what they are doing for years, I launch a fusillade of why the Dem party is totally corrupt, just as much as the Repugs, list all the ways they cheated Bernie, how our electoral system is a sham, the militarism and Wall St bailouts that the Dems supported, that the duopoly is the real problem and that until we take Money Out Politics none of what we say to each other even matters, because every elected official is beholden to the money that got them elected.

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"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:

THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"

- Kurt Vonnegut

Hawkfish's picture

@Lily O Lady

Well I included a note saying I was now green and please take me off your list. And I didn’t put a stamp on it so they paid the postage...

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We can’t save the world by playing by the rules, because the rules have to be changed.
- Greta Thunberg

SnappleBC's picture

It is an utterly safe bet that if DKOS likes a candidate then it's a neolib and they won't be getting my vote. It really cuts down on the effort involved in screening.

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A lot of wanderers in the U.S. political desert recognize that all the duopoly has to offer is a choice of mirages. Come, let us trudge towards empty expanse of sand #1, littered with the bleached bones of Deaniacs and Hope and Changers.
-- lotlizard

k9disc's picture

The Civil War in the Democratic Party is like shutting down the government for the Republicans.

It is a desirable state. Think about it. It's a good thing; now they can REALLY blame the Left and court the RIght. And they won't have to bite the corporate hand that feeds them.

It's like manna from heaven. lol

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“Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ~ Sun Tzu