Left faces off with Dem establishment in primary fights

[FarCenter]

An energized left is taking on the Democratic establishment in primaries across the country, deepening the fissures within the party.

Progressives are riding a groundswell of enthusiasm since President Trump took office as Democrats look to take the House and defend Senate seats in 2018.

But progressive activists are also challenging fellow Democrats in the hopes of reshaping the party in a significant way after their 2016 defeat. Progressives are championing efforts that urge Democrats to embrace policies like single-payer health care, $15 minimum wage and unequivocal support for women's reproductive rights.

That’s heightened tensions between progressives and more moderate Democrats, as some worry that the party is risking votes by moving too far left.

The tug-of-war within the party has been front and center in Texas, which will hold the first primaries of the midterm elections next week.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has come under fire from progressives and even some party leaders for wading into the Houston-area primary in Rep. John Culberson’s (R-Texas) district.

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 “to stop undermining progressive values.”

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/376528-left-faces-off-with-dem-establishment-in-primary-fights

[FSogol]

1. After reading the first paragraph, I knew this crap came from the Hill.

A divisive attempt to pretend primary politics is something new and troubling and that our party is fractured. Thanks for the chuckle.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

2. It's definitely not new or fractured... it's called Democracy!

[blogslut]

3. Yeah, seriously.

The Hill can fuck right off.

[Weed Man]

9. No.

We need new blood.

[OnDoutside]

14. New blood for the sake of it ?

[dembotoz]

4. the rhinestone cowboy david clarke was on the ballot as a dem....so we were wrong to challenge him?

[blogslut]

5. David Clarke is a Democrat like Fred Phelps was a Democrat

There are lots of Dixiecrats who have never gotten around to officially switching parties.

This is not that. This is the Hill trying to divide and discourage the Democratic party because the Hill sucks.

[struggle4progress]

6. It's a very good year to target Republicans

and not to go after Democrats

[Jake Stern]

7. So we should just accept who the DCCC reccommends?

[treestar]

11. Who the majority of voters decide they want.

[MagickMuffin]

13. In Texas most Democratic seats do not have a challenger to the Republicans

This year is different. We have candidates running in all the seats. Which means there probably aren't that many Democratic incumbents to worry about unseating.

[jalan48]

8. Change is not always easy.

[treestar]

10. As long as if they lose, they don't work themselves into a frenzy of not

being able to vote for the "establishment" Democrat. Seems Republicans never do that. They always hold their nose and vote for the Republican, no matter what.

[bigtree]

12. the title's premise is poorly sourced in this hit piece on Democrats

...Dems are unified against republicans.

This is wishful thinking by a conservative media source who spends her time trying to stir shit with Democrats and puff up republicans: http://thehill.com/author/lisa-hagen

[ismnotwasm]

15. Yes

It’s got a bitter tone to it.