The DNC gets new leadership
The Democratic National Committee has hired Jessica O'Connell as their new Chief Executive Officer.
Jessica comes to the DNC by way of Emily's List
Emily's list, of course, is the pro-choice organization which was out in front endorsing Hillary Clinton as early as 2015. This doesn't bode well in my eyes. I can understand an organization like Emily's list gritting their teeth and endorsing Hillary in the general. But to do so in 2015 before the options were even on the table speaks of being fully invested in the corporatocracy. A liberal organization would've waited till the last moment. A neoliberal organization, on the other hand, would do exactly as they did do... and look at how well it paid off for O'Connell! When you serve the plutocrats well, you get rewarded.
The Dems have identified a few key points that need working on. Her mission, as stated, is:
- To position the DNC as an ally in 2017 and 2018 races,
- a partner for activists in the movement to oppose Donald Trump's presidency,
- and an operation better equipped to function without relying on a Democrat in the White House.
Looking at the other bullet points, it appears to me that the Dems have chosen the perfect identity-politics face for their org... an openly gay woman who's the head of a pro-choice org. They intend to use that cachet to partner with activists in order to oppose Donald Trump. So they still have no message, no plan, no nada. And what, exactly, does "an operation better equipped to function..." mean? Holy hell! How much have these people been being paid that that's even an issue? This is the meritocracy that the professional class adores so well.
As always, I dislike taking single data points (like an endorsement) and running too far with them but this seems part and parcel with the Dem party plan. I expect lots of identity based happy talk and lots of fighting words and phat sacks of cash money being exchanged in the background. But Jessica is a woman and she'll definitely profit from this so hey, pro-women right? At least they've got some part of their plans in tighter focus. They know they've lost part of their income stream since they can't sell the oval office any more.
Most of the changes have yet to be finalized. But many, particularly in the case of the finance department, will move to adapt to a reality without four principals in the White House. After relying on the fundraising power of the Obamas and the Bidens for eight years, Perez told Democrats on the Wednesday call, the party will have to diversify their event-based model. The DNC is considering a new prospecting desk to locate new donors and meet small-dollar donors where they are, sources said.
That's going to be a bit of a problem for them since, as I remember, Hillary didn't do so well in terms of individual fundraising. But if they can whip up enough STOP TRUMP! hysteria they may well be able to pull money from individual wallets at a reasonable clip. I'm going to out on a limb here and guess that "meet small-dollar donors where they are" does not mean they'll be holding face to face meetings with "we the people" and soliciting $27 from me.
What was notably missing from the story I read is any current reference to the anti-establishment sentiments shown so clearly in 2016. They brought it up in relation to Perez but treated it just as backgrounder -- Oh yes, there was this split in the Democratic party but then we had a Unity tour. So I fully expect their string of unity successes to continue to flow. Selling Senators should still be lucrative so all in all... good move Democrats!
STOP TRUMP! THEY TOOK OUR JOBS! RABBLE RABBLE!
Comments
Sounds like their gearing up for another run...
at the "Year of the Woman" crap that worked so well last time.
Yep, 1992, right at the start of the Hillary campaign for president. Yes, I am that cynical.
Which means we'll get a nice new crop of corporate tools that properly check the requisite minority boxes, all while the MSM breathlessly heaps praise on it.
I do not pretend I know what I do not know.
corporate tools
And Markos Moulitsas has an orgasm.
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
All the more reason for Tulsi Gabbard to run
Or Nina Turner or Jane Sanders.
Beware the bullshit factories.
New leadership. Riiiiight. "New and improved" means
the same packaging with re-designed graphics to disguise fewer contents. These people are marketing geniuses! Better than "The New Nixon" who turned out to be just the same old Nixon. I wonder how many will fall for it?
"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"
This does not surprise me
The DNC is obviously still corrupt (see Tom Perez).
Same ol' crap.....#PUMA
They apparently don't need to unify anything. All of the fleeing Trump escapees and the Dem's professional Republican constituency will put them over the top.
"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon
That is obviously their plan
And honestly, I can't fault it. It's worked pretty well every 8 years like clockwork. It is my hope that support for the LOTE paradigm is eroding but I doubt it's eroded enough to avoid another few flip-flops. My current prediction is Dems lose the oval office and have mixed results in congress in 2020. In 2024 I think they'll win in a wave.
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
To position the DNC as an ally?
An ally to whom would be the pertinent question. Although hey, maybe I'm just being too much of a purist to really get it, eh? Sure, that's it.
Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur
Vapid Neoliberals communicating in Corporate-Speak makes me gag.
So perfect that these out-of-touch assholes, insist on phony corporate talk to hide their emptiness. Contrast that with Bernie Sanders no-frills, genuine, straight-talk from the heart. One fills stadiums, the other Tupperware parties.
Another development these days that really rubs me the wrong way is just how quickly we minions assimilate Corporate Speak. "When branding our event, we really need to pay attention to the optics but think outside of the box. You know, but, it is what it is."
I find this kind of phony, daytime tv talk show host, vernacular deeply repulsive. It's the language of liars (read: advertisers/marketers, whose job it is to prey upon your insecurities and to sell you ideas/things you had no interest in, but were carefully crafted in such a way as to convince you, through fear and subtle, subconscious manipulation, that you feel like you need whatever it is they want you to need).
Lobbyists, consultants, think tanks - the engine that pumps Neoliberalism ideology - are full of these lying and manipulating profit-seekers.
Let the master take it from here. Every Single Word, of this, is fucking perfect:
George Carlin on Soft Language
"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
One thumb up for you...
... and 20 for George Carlin.
Maybe as a public service we need to come up with a neoliberal -> english dictionary? Here, I'll make a start!
branding our event: Worrying about the appearance of the event rather than it's content or outcome. See also: optics.
Optics: The concern about appearances.
Diversify: Seek deeper penetration in the areas we already are strong.
Event-based model: A model based around events within the process rather than outcomes or engagement.
Lobbyists: The professionals who bribe politicians. Also, the designated gatekeepers for the political class. These two functions synergize nicely.
Consultants: Paid propagandists.
think tanks: Groups of consultants.
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
deleted, wrong reply target
this is not the post you were looking for.
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
Before Emily's List...
O'Connell was:
So she's a Podesta flunkie.
'nuff said.
The current working assumption appears to be that our Shroedinger's Cat system is still alive. But what if we all suspect it's not, and the real problem is we just can't bring ourselves to open the box?
Good catch, NHK. DNC chair is Podesta Flunky. It's a Big Club..
"and you and I ain't in it."
George again, please:
"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
You know those diagrams they draw of Russkies?
You know... the ones where everyone who has ever talked to or been sitting near or knows the name of any person of significance (or not) in Russia gets put on a chart then we start drawing a zillion interconnected lines?
We should do one of those for ClintonCo.
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
@SnappleBC
Abby Martin does the Venn on Podesta pretty well:
@hellinahandcart
I love Abby Martin, but I wish she'd drop the cheesy music score. It always makes me feel as though there's an attempt being made to emotionally manipulate me and I wind up shutting her off, even though I'd like to hear her information...
Edit: not to mention that it makes the series sound like some goofy Elvis space alien baby-type CT site, when she seems to produce perfectly reasonable and grounded information, as far as I can tell by what I'm able to listen to, which is less all of the time, except when she's a guest somewhere and minus the annoying musical effects, music having rather profound effects on our moods and all.
Psychopathy is not a political position, whether labeled 'conservatism', 'centrism' or 'left'.
A tin labeled 'coffee' may be a can of worms or pathology identified by a lack of empathy/willingness to harm others to achieve personal desires.
Oh gee, I wish I could say I'm surprised...
On second thought, why would I wish for something that I know is absolutely impossible? Of course Bill Clinton's Turd Way Neo-liberal 'New' Democratic Party is naming a gay, female Clinton supporter as it's new, improved fearless leader. They're still playing 'identity' politics. And they're still trying to pull in everyone but the "Alt-Left", which I believe is only one of the names they refer to all Sanders Supporters and anyone else who doesn't buy into the idea that it's the 'divine right' of Her Heinous to be coronated like they planned. This is the cynical way they intend to suck up all the women that didn't vote for her ass last time around. And gay people. And pro-choice voters who don't think beyond that one issue. And millennials who are easily persuaded that the 'Dims' have their best interests at heart.
In s way this is kind of funny. And in another, it's kind of sad. Regardless, as far as I'm concerned, they can still fuck off and die (figuratively, not literally).
I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks
Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa
Yup, good catch. Just more Clintonista insiders.
I have come to have no regard for any organization that supported Clinton during the primary. For organizations like Planned Planned Parenthood and Emily's List absolutely no reason to choose to endorse either candidate on their issues. And in some cases, choosing to endorse Clinton was blatantly against the interests of the organizations, such as the SEIU.
I wonder if these Clintonistas are dreaming of repeat Hillary run?
rabble rabble
The DNC appears to have gone Sumerian on us. We object and object, but they just continue to Babylon....
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
So to be redundantly redundant
I hope you noticed the above is centered. We wouldn't want to be confused about such an important thing like that now would we. Oh! and the bullet points, don't miss the bullet points. Such a solid grasp of the most important concerns of the masses, the true 99%. Sigh, I think I am about to swoon.
I am sure that the denizens of TOP will sing the praises and elaborate upon the subtleties of that second one ... endlessly.
Oh come now. Don't be a Debbie Downer
We've got a gay, female CEO of the DNC. All progressive goals are marching forward apace.
Pay no attention to the poverty, hunger, crime, pollution, and infrastructure decay. Don't worry about the ongoing epidemic among white males (who cares about them anyway amirite?). Certainly there's no need to be concerned about a 20 year life expectancy gap. And all those bombs we're dropping on those terrorists are good for the economy!
Besides... RUSSIA!
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
I am an awful ...
... homophobic, misogynistic, anti-establishment "jerk".
I must commence self-flagellation immediately.
True Story:
I came home one day to find my 3 year old daughter sitting in a chair facing the corner of the living room. I asked my wife why she was doing that. My wife said she had no idea. Daughter had come from her bedroom acting upset, pulled up the chair and proceeded to stare at the corner like she was doing penance for some reason. She had been setting there for several minutes when I had arrived. After another five or so minutes (an eternity for a child) she got up, moved her chair back to her play table, and cheerfully went back to her room to play.
To this day we have no clue, what happened. The only explanation we could imagine: As a Montessori Student she tended to take her experiences seriously and would often practice aspects of the classroom environment with her friends and (if alone) her dolls and stuffed animals. Even more interesting: My granddaughter is similarly very focused on academic and social development.
A friend of mine would often tease my daughter by telling her she was a mutant, because she always acted older than her age. During the debates granddaughter was concerned that the man always looked angry and/or sad. Most revealing, after the "win" she noted that he seemed happier, but she still didn't like the way he was acting and was concerned for him.
How is it that a three year old has more discipline than a fully grown man? How does it happen that a five year old can be so much more aware and empathic than grownups? This is not something that can be taught at that age. These two were/are internally (not externally) motivated. Maybe I am raising mutants. If so maybe we will get lucky and they will supplant the human race before we completely muck up the works.
Trump is a Plutocrat
When in his life did he need to develop discipline?
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
But that's not how it works ...
This sort of development is not about development through deliberate action it's about development of fundamental brain function grounded in biological changes that happen in spite of intentions.
Trump is not acting. He is not pretending to have a lack of empathy or discipline. These traits appear to be the result of inherent, rather than cultivated characteristics. If they were affectations, there would be some sign by how. This guy is not a con artist, no one is that good. And, he has been so very public for so very long ...
Let me guess, the number one problem the DNC will work on
is "messaging".
So who are we going to run against Pence in 2024, assuming a) The planet is habitable, b) The Constitution hasn't been rewritten and c) We have time and money to do something else besides our slave labor?
Beware the bullshit factories.
"We" aren't running anyone
It seems like us outsiders are going to put pressure on the corporatocrats and the Sanders wing is trying to leverage that pressure. I see no credible effort to spawn a 3rd party.
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
Hot seat.
I just listened to an interview with the attorney who is representing the class action suit against the DNC and I think this new CEO of the corporate DNC is in for a ride. Good luck to her! So far there has not been a big reporting of the suit, but I think that is about to change.
"Without the right to offend, freedom of speech does not exist." Taslima Nasrin