It might be time for Tom Perez to step down

[ecstatic]

Over the past few weeks, we've seen a completely out of control president & White House. Where is the LOUD and overwhelming message from the democrats? Now Spicer is rolling back the daily pressers--no cameras or audio allowed. Where is our representation???!!! We need to be shouting from the rooftops. Hysterical almost.

If Ossof loses tomorrow, Perez might need to step down. We need fighters right now!

[NightWatcher]

1. I sure would like a vocal, organized opposition.

Seems pretty easy given how insane trump is.

[elleng]

2. YES, a VOCAL, ORGANIZED opposition!

[Blue_Tires]

3. No fuckin' way in hell...

Perez deserves to see out the election cycle at the BARE minimum, which means November 2018... THEN he can be evaluated properly.

The last thing the party needs is another period of flux and uncertainty for three MORE months as we go through the same song-and-dance infighting that we had trying to find the current chair.

Or was that something you actually enjoyed?

[Mickju]

43. Agree

[onetexan]

151. +1

He deserves a chance. No instability needed.

[VOX]

152. Thank you! n/t

[mythology]

4. Poe's law I hope

Otherwise this is really silly. I'm glad he's not throwing temper tantrums. Fixing the structural issues with the party will take time and a reasoned approach.

[BeyondGeography]

5. What, no prison time?

[George II]

22. Or a tumbrel ride to the guillotine?

Sometimes we just have to

[mcar]

34. I'll see your

add add

When, oh when, will we stop eating our own?

[Blue_true]

59. We evaluate Perez after 2018 midterms.

His job is to fix the DNC, let Pelosi and Schumer take on Trump.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

76. At least a flogging with a wet noodle

[OnDoutside]

6. "Over the past few weeks, we've seen a completely out of control president & White House." What was

happening the previous weeks ??? !!!

I think your barbs are misdirected, Perez and the DNC are about reorganising the Democratic Party structures, and supporting the likes of Ossoff, not automatically out there himself. Pelosi and Shumer are running the playbook.

[YCHDT]

67. lofl, yeah ... that week were King Con agreed to pay 25 million to settle a fraud suit was meh ..

[Blue_Adept]

7. I WANT SCALPS AND I WANT IT NOW!

Frankly, just because YOU don't see what they're doing doesn't mean they're not doing things. Hell, the majority of thetime the media simply WILL NOT COVER DEMOCRATS. The sunday shows are tilted towards republicans, they're the ones that get in front of the cameras, and they often say controversial things that get them back on camera whereas dems tend to be more evenhanded.

[ecstatic]

47. I think the media would cover dems. Remember when Pelosi

And Schumer held those pressers in response to either Flynn or Sessions, calling for one of them to step down? They took complete control of the news cycle for that day. The media loves drama. They would cover it.

[Lotusflower70]

8. Why?

Have to give him some time to work. The residual anger and despair from the election is still being rehashed and processed. We need to get the focus on 2018 and energizing the base for those midterms as well as finding a candidate for the 2020 election.

[ananda]

9. Agree!

Loudly!

[stephensolomita]

10. A Little Discipline

When it comes to mouthing talking points, Republicans are far more disciplined than Democrats. Remember the fiscal cliff we were about to go over? Remember death tax over inheritance tax? How about job creators instead of bosses? And when did we last hear a Republican call a blatant tax cut for the rich anything but tax reform?
Democrats just aren't that disciplined. Or maybe they're not that cynical, maybe Dems refuse to have their speech determined by polls and focus groups. That would be a good thing. Right?

[hrmjustin]

11. If he should go so should Ellison.

[WoonTars]

17. Not really, no.

Pretty sure Keith would have been much more aggressive than Perez.

[hrmjustin]

19. Then why isn't he doing that now?

He is co-chair.

[George II]

23. Excellent point.

[hrmjustin]

24. .

[NurseJackie]

46. Excellent question.

[sheshe2]

61. +1000

[JustAnotherGen]

74. +1000

[WoonTars]

96. Because he's not head of the DNC?

...

[hrmjustin]

97. no excuse!

He is co-chair.

[WoonTars]

99. So lets suppose that he actually did get out there...

How long world's is take for the centrists to knock him down? Two, maybe three whole minutes?

[hrmjustin]

101. Well we see some "progressives" are already knocking Perez down.

Life is full of criticism.

[WoonTars]

102. With good reason....

....

[hrmjustin]

104. name them and I remind you Ellison is his right hand man so...

[WoonTars]

106. After the unmitigated disaster that was the DWS regime...

...the Democratic party needs to be uncompromised, clearly defined, and all-inclusive. It can no longer afford to be the party of fat cat corporate donors and 'inside the beltway' politics.

It needs to genuinely reach out to the disadvantaged and disaffected and LISTEN TO THEM, rather than tell them what they need.

They need to show that they are not simply 'not quite as shitty' as the opposition, but a real, genuine alternative to the status quo that has stagnated politics in DC for decades.

And they have to stop taking money from people they claim they will regulate.

[hrmjustin]

107. This is not a reason to get rid of Perez.

[Demsrule86]

124. They share the job.

Why isn't he doing more...he is also in the House and would be great on TV.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

78. who exactly is stopping him?

[brooklynite]

100. I heard Ellison speak at a private event earlier this month...

If you believe that the role of DNC Chair to be the public voice of the Democrats (hint: it's not), I have to tell you that Ellison isn't a compelling speaker, whatever you think of his policy positions.

[Demsrule86]

109. No, Keith would starve candidates...so he is non-starter unless we want to lose.

Look how much the Georgia race cost us...it doesn't matter because Perez is not stepping down.

[geek tragedy]

12. OFFS!

His job is to organize field organizers and fundraising and party infrastructure.

What's he supposed to do, sit in front of a camera and hold his breath and stamp his feet?

Circular firing squads are not a luxury we have right now.

[Hamlette]

13. so you want a party leader who will act like Trump?

get serious

[SaschaHM]

14. This is absurd. DU posts responses from Democrats to the crisis of the day daily.

The opposition has been there. Perez also has organizational responsibilities when it comes to preparing for 2018.

If Perez resigns for Ossof losing a R+8 districts held by Republicans since 1978, I expect our "Chair of Outreach" to resign w/ him.

[procon]

15. It confounds me to see Republicans queued up 4-5 deep waiting to do

live TV interviews, compared to a lone Democrat caught unawares whilst walking down a hallway. I don't want to single out one person because every Democrat in DC needs do a better of talking to the public about the issues of the day.

Why don't these politicians understand the importance of mass communication in the modern age? From TV to the Internet the public is engaged in electronic media. Its no llonger good enough just to do the occasional in-person Town Halls and staged speeches for screened audiences, and bombarding voters with requests foe money doesn't change hearts and minds to support our causes.

The lack of a cohesive plan, a concise message, an authorized team message of the day is a start. Where is a schedule of congress critters who are lined up to deliver the Democrat's POV? Why aren't more Democrats engaged in social media events, or at least adding frequent remarks on current events and criticising Republicans?

It is so frustrating. Seriously is it age, apathy, are they too busy, maybe our Dem leaders don't recognise that they have a problem? I just don't understand the lack of participation in public messaging.

[geek tragedy]

25. the reason you aren't seeing Democrats is because the media is ignoring them, not because

they are camera shy. Because Democrats hold no power.

Dear lord, think, then post.

[procon]

31. That petty, snide remark was uncalled for.

I disagree with your opinion. I don't find it necessary to bash you personally just to advance my own POV. I disagree with you because today's journalism revolves around conflict and nothing plays better than a ripping verbal cage match. We actually have some democrats who like doing interviews such as Warren, King, Sanders, Schiff, Franken, or Klobuchar, and the reporters must like having them as they appear frequently. So, where are the rest of them?

I also disagree with you that the "media is ignoring them" because nearly every host on MSNBC has complained on air that Democrats (and Republicans, as expected) won't accept their calls or appear on their shows. I'd like to see a Dem appear every night on Maddow's and Lawrence's shows. Sure, Fox would meet your conjecture, but with a 24/7 news cycle to fill with fresh news, the cable news crews would welcome interviews with key Democrats. Do the Dems treat them all like they do MSNBC and just ignore the opportunity to do interviews, don't they call or invite the press to come talk with them, or take a couple of minutes to stop and just talk to reporters at large?

Anyway, while I disagree with your premise, best to you nonetheless.

[geek tragedy]

32. How many swing voters watch Rachel Maddow? nt

[JI7]

66. people who watch rachel and lawrence already ate likely to vote democratic

There is a whole other world out there outside of cable news

[Cha]

52. The corporate media doesn't want Dems on TV..

to make their case.. they have their fucking agenda. I would think that would be obvious.

[still_one]

16. Bullshit. The Democrats have been pounding the issues on healthcare, environment, and other social

issues that impact millions of Americans. These have been regularly reported through the media and elsewhere

I wonder what the OP will say if Ossoff wins? The 6th district in Georgia has been controlled by republicans for decades, and a quite conservative district at that, and the OP is already setting up a straw man argument to blame Perez if the Democrats do not win, ignoring that this election is closer than anyone predicted. In fact it can be argued that the Democrats under Perez helped make this race competitive, while some progressives were hesitant about endorsing Ossoff, because they weren't sure about his progressive credentials, though that information was widely available

[Skittles]

18. repukes are making fools of themselves daily on the national stage

Americans do not need Tom Perez to point that out

no doubt he is focused on 2018

[George II]

20. Are you serious?

[pirateshipdude]

21. I have been listening to a lot of Democrats address ACA and other issues.

Stridently. I see the Democratic Party working hard to stand with us. I do not know what you are missing, but they are certainly out there, and working for us.

[ecstatic]

44. On c-span? If so, that's wonderful, but I'm referring to the

public relations strategy. It's non existent. They don't engage with the MSM. Maxine Waters is the lone fighter out there, but her message is weakened because she's all alone in her condemnations of Trump. Occasionally I see Adam Schiff go on CNN to discuss the Russia probe. But that's it.

[pirateshipdude]

69. I do not watch MSM.

I haven't for a very long time. The reason I do not watch MSM is because they have 3 Republicans to every one Democrat. Letting Sanders be our Democratic Party voice, often.

I do not know how often our Democrats have been discussing this on MSM, but I do know I am constantly reading statements from our Democratic Party, often. Consistently.

Too bad that we tend to ignore, forget, dismiss all the times they do speak up.

I watched one today, on FB, that was excellent. (I looked and could not find it. I did find a lot of clips of a lot of different Democrats discussing Republicans secret Health Care). I think it is telling that I saw the video once, and I was not able to find it this evening.

[haele]

149. Two sides need to be involved for an engagement.

Democrats don't make money for the Media and their investors.
But Republicans, because they limit the amount of "work" they actually do in governance on how much money it can make them, have a lot of money to throw around - and so, attract all the cameras. They have time to come up with talking points that they can ensure all their people spout on cue.
Republicans have time to tell click-bait whoppers on TV, and the money to hire "entertainers" to put their talking points out. They can also pay for all sorts of "gifts" and are perfectly willing to entertain quid pro quo for corporate heads to get their stories out first.

Democrats work. They govern. They also aren't lockstep with talking points - they don't pay entertainers to support them and be their face on TV and voice on Radio; the entertainers that do so are either interested in honest politics, or interested in the Democratic party in particular. They also don't have a lot of wealth invested in them, because the return the Democratic party will provide is in progress, stability, and social insurance - long term and intangible for the most part, not directly into someone's bank account.

That's just not flashy enough for the Media to be interested in them. So Democrats can talk all they want, and be as passionate about causes and the future of the country as they want but none of the talking heads wants to put them on the air like trained Poodles for the evening and Sunday shows, they're just not going to be on the air.

Here's something to remember. Your local station will go on and on with interviews and footage about the drunk driver that killed a family going wrong way for days on end, but spend maybe two minutes the night before and the night of on a local sustainability fair that has new, easy "fixit" that can save the average family hundreds of dollars over the year for the cost of a few dollars at the local hardware store upfront, and take strain of the environment as well.

We aren't sexy. We aren't outrageous. We aren't "Reality TV". And we don't waive around money and regulatory favors we could shovel the way of the Network Executives.

Haele

[Demsrule86]

157. They are on MSNBC and CNN all the time...in the early afternoon mostly and sometimes at night ...

quit blaming Democrats and expecting things which can't happen in this environment. We are in the minority...many of us warned what that would be like when we still had a chance before the election to stop the evil GOP...but some refused to support Sec. Clinton, the only candidate who could stop Trump and now you want to heap more blame on Democrats...How is that helpful?

[0rganism]

26. Perez could start holding daily press briefings

looks like there's going to be lots of journalists in DC with time on their hands, just hold a counterbriefing at the usual WH presser timeslot, golden opportunity to upstage the grandstanders

[ecstatic]

38. That would be a great start!

Something. Anything. I don't hear anything from them. The "sit back and let them hang themselves" approach does not work, if it did, all the recent special elections would have gone our way.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

50. yes!

[Demsrule86]

111. He should never do that...when I hear stuff like this I have to wonder if people want to win

elections. You don't want to give the GOP a hate target to rev up their voters.

[0rganism]

117. because we've done so much winning lately, right?

we're winning so much my head is spinning. i'm sick of all the winning.

really? Democrats shouldn't take an opportunity to get a message out? any Democrat who does anything automatically becomes a hate target for the GOP agitprop machine, to me that doesn't mean we should be silent and passive going forward.

if the GOP needs a target they can always fall back on their standards: the Obamas, the Clintons, the Kennedies, the protesters, the environmentalists. from what i can see it doesn't matter much, their voters are easily revved. sure they like fresh meat, but the old standards work just fine for their three minute hate sessions.

[Demsrule86]

118. I voted for Hillary...and those who did not are responsible for Trump.

We have had not elections since 2016...except for a few specials in deep red states and one Mayors race which I have not idea why we even cared...so maybe one should be allowed to have an election before yelling 'the sky is falling'...and those who criticize the Democrats help Republicans. Vote Democratic always.

[0rganism]

133. would you like to clarify your position?

from what i'm reading it looks like you're saying we may never criticize the Democratic party, its strategy, or its operations without helping the Republicans. nor may any Democrat come forward to elaborate on Democratic alternatives, as such a Democrat becomes a proxy target for Republican attacks. other than voting for Democrats always, what would you like to see Democratic leaders do?

do you think the Democratic leadership has any responsibility for messaging beyond that handled by SuperPACs during campaigns?

[Demsrule86]

144. Wrong...we live in a free country...do as you will . I am saying it is unwise to trash the

Democratic Party and that it drives voters away.

[0rganism]

148. i did not infer any imperatives from your previous posts

nor did i include any such implication in my further inquiry as to your position.

now it seems to me that your position holds that any criticism of Democrats or the Democratic party whatsoever has the direct consequence of enabling Republicans and depressing voter turnout.

is that closer to your intent? just trying to understand where you're coming from.

also i'll repeat one of my earlier questions: do you think Democratic leadership has any responsibility for messaging beyond what is handled by SuperPACs during campaigns?

[bagelsforbreakfast]

27. we need a charismatic figurehead...

Bernie at 35; Howard Dean without the scream, Barak with a little more Malcolm, FDR with the Rock's body...

Say what you will, Twittler has a nose for news.

And their base, Neo-nazis, racists, Evangelicals and the greedy are more prone to Nuremberg-style TRIUMPH OF THE WILL revivals.

Dems are now the wine and cheese crowd.

Middle America's not going for it. (though they still should even so).

[lunasun]

29. FDR with the Rock's body... ?????

[bagelsforbreakfast]

30. You didn't really want me to say FDR "with legs" did u? :)

Just somebody who commands the news and knows how to play it the America LOVES and TRUSTS more than the horde from Mordor.

[kcr]

33. Hell, if you're going to dream, dream big

What the Dems really need is Alexander Hamilton as a cyborg! Fuck yeah!!1111

[Warren DeMontague]

40. 500 FOOT TALL ROBOT MOTHERFUCKING FDR

With kung-fu grip.

[bagelsforbreakfast]

41. Now you're talkin'! n/m

[steve2470]

159. LOL

fuck yea!

[NastyRiffraff]

45. No Democrat is QUITE good enough for you, eh?

If only if only if only if only if only if only if only if only if only if only if only

Wine and cheese crowd

[NurseJackie]

54. That would definitely appear to be the case...

... maddening, isn't it?

[pirateshipdude]

73. Yes. Eom

[tonyt53]

79. You nailed it!

[Jamaal510]

87. +1

[lunasun]

92. Certainly not Senator Tammy Duckworth from Illinois see post 30

[betsuni]

94. Wine and cheese crowd -- sounds like a line from a late 70s Woody Allen movie.

[George II]

62. Are you REALLY saying that Obama wasn't charismatic enough? Really?

[LanternWaste]

98. I don't think we need that... only the shallow do.

I don't think we need increased focus on commercial branding and image... that's a simple mechanism for shallow minds, regardless of whether cheese is politically incorrect.

[Demsrule86]

125. There is no Democratic savior people...only us...

We must save ourselves. And that means hard work and getting out and voting for Democrats always even in boring midterms, even if you are lukewarm towards the candidate running...vote Democratic always...stop waiting for a messiah...we don't need to be 'inspired', we need to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

[Demsrule86]

156. And would such a candidate win today? I don't know. We need to build for the future.

[lunasun]

28. past few weeks? huh

hysterical looks good on no one really

[ecstatic]

39. Should have said past 6 months.

He's been a nuisance for the past 2 years, a nightmare / fiasco since 11/9/2016.

[mcar]

35. Unrec

This is balderdash.

[lunasun]

91. Truly

[ismnotwasm]

36. Oh for Gods sake.

No it fucking isn't

[NCTraveler]

37. Knee jerk imo.

I think he wasted too much time early on trying to placate a non-democratic party coalition. He seems to have rightly started realizing that was a waste of time. I'm looking forward to see how he comes out of that.

[Warren DeMontague]

42. I'm not seeing the problem.

Right now the GOP clusterfuck is sucking up all the attention, and that's just fine.

Perez has been doing a decent job so far, in my estimation, of course the rubber will meet the road as we get into next year's election cycle.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

48. You are so right!!!! and it is so hard

not to think all this objection is not meant to obstruct. If EVER there was time for well placed creative ads this is it. Surely monies could be raised! And bet Hollywood and NYC could supply the creative. Trump and Republicans doing lots of damage quietly. Need a unified opposition and sterling ads. If Perez can't do it...get rid of him. Bet the opposition is laughing their asses off because we aren't doing anything.

[Gothmog]

49. I strongly disagree with the concept of Perez stepping down

[shenmue]

81. Yeah

What is it with these bros?

[Gothmog]

82. Agreed

[revmclaren]

51. Unrec!

[bresue]

53. I got to agree....

and while I do not wish to speak negatively of another Democratic, we need someone like JFK or Martin Luther King or Obama.

Someone that will bring hope to all.

[nini]

55. Im sure the bernie bros are foaming at the mouth for Ossoff to lose

I guarantee you they are practically praying for that.

[Blue_true]

65. Does seem some are not warm to Ossof.

That is sad because the guy needs to run to the interests of his district, not Washington.

[nini]

71. I gave him money

we need to fight for every seat we can.

And yes, his district needs someone who will fight for them instead of the republican party

[Demsrule86]

112. Yeah ...well their guy didn't endorse Ossoff but endorsed Mello who voted for pipelines

and curtailed women's abortion rights.

[Blue_true]

116. Ossoff is running as a moderate-progressive. That message triggers some on the farther left.

The consequence is we get Trump or some other republican who is hellbent on rolling every bit of progress that we have made for the last 50 years.

[Demsrule86]

119. They can't understand the concept of the big tent...but somehow Mello was OK and even Perriello who

voted for the Stupak amendment...now granted in the end in he voted for the ACA which had weakened abortion coverage due to his earlier vote. It all boils down to one guy and what he thinks...and he is not even a Democrat! We can't run a party based on one non-Democrat's opinion. If we want to win, we need a big tent. I had hoped Howard Dean would be elected.

[Blue_true]

138. I wanted Dean also. But I think Perez will turn out ok.

Any guy that hauled garbage to help put himself through an Ivy League University and who hailed from a poor family damned SURE IS NOT ESTABLISHMENT, and anyone that thinks so need their heads examined. By some's arguments, Black women, who form the very heart of the Democratic Party are part of the establishment - how stupid is that claim on it's face value?

[Demsrule86]

141. I like Perez. I thought the unity tour was a disaster but he tried and sort of got stabbed in the

back.

[shenmue]

83. They've been posting negative crap all week

Each and every one should get banned.

[nini]

86. No shit

I'm on to that crap..have been for some time and I am over their games.

They're NOT on our side one stinking bit.

[nini]

134. Oh they'll find something to bitch about either way it goes

I love your username btw LOL

[superpatriotman]

56. We need Eliot Spitzer

And Anthony Weiner.
Two guys, though flawed, who are never afraid to fight.

[JI7]

64. And both lost their elections. weiner dragged spitzer down with him also

[Blue_true]

68. But, but. Who do we keep one away from his dong and the other off hookers? nt

[Blue_true]

57. Taking on Trump and the Trump Whitehouse is the job of the Democratic and House caucus leaders.

Not the job of the DNC Chair. Ossoff is well funded, at some point local candidates must win with THEIR message.

[tammywammy]

58. GMAFB

What a ridiculous post.

[Foamfollower]

60. FUCK THAT COMPLETE BULLSHIT!!!!!!!

[still_one]

80. The good news is the OP isn't talking about Ossoff, but some guy named Ossof

[JI7]

63. internet warriors think politics is everyone watching cable news all day

And whoever is the loudest wins.

The job of the dnc chair is more administrative and organizing. Not whoever can get in front of the cameras all day.

[YCHDT]

70. True, I'm sick of folk wanting a single all out savior of all that is wrong with everything

[JI7]

72. yup. the fact is it comes down to the usual boring hard long work by many people

We won't always win but when you do that will be an important part of it.

Take Obama as an example. EverYone would agree about his appeal. But he had to work very hard to get where he was. If he had only relied on large rallies and tv appearances ClinTon would have beat him.

He did all those "little" things like trying to talk to as many one on one that he could. Phone banking. Writing letters.

[Demsrule86]

114. It will never happen...what are we a fan club or a political party?

[ecstatic]

89. Isn't STRATEGY a part of it?

The strategy, thus far, is not working. Has a single district flipped yet? I know we should give it time, but it shouldn't be that hard considering we have the worst, most temperamentally unfit, unqualified president in modern history.

And yes, a presence on cable news is essential. Most people do not watch c-span or take it further than a few minutes of viewing CNN or MSNBC.

[JI7]

93. that's not how it works. some areas are just conservative

People have differrnt views. You can't make many people change by cable news.

[Demsrule86]

130. Oh I know those mid terms were just tragic...oh wait. There has been no elections yet...just

red state districts...And actually we took some seats in New York and will win a house seat in Carolina pretty easily according to polls.

[Baconator]

75. What would you have them do exactly?

It's easy to say 'FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT' and much harder to come up with a workable strategy that gets you where you want to go.

Otherwise, it's just a tantrum that makes the party look weak when it fails.

[JHan]

77. ridiculous.

[Madam45for2923]

84. Nah!

[Tatiana]

85. Unfortunately, I'm starting to think he is not up to the task.

I think people saw "worked for Obama" on his resume and assumed he'd be awesome.

We do need someone charismatic, forceful, on-message, with name recognition.

I really think we need to page Dr. Dean. And, I wasn't happy about his lobbying stint, but I do believe he is the person who can get things done (and who DID demonstrate he could get things done across all 50 states).

I don't want a 3-headed monster, but I think we need Dean's leadership to get this ship headed in the right direction.

[mvd]

88. I thought he started out better than expected. Not sure..

what to think now. One of Obama's faults is his organizational choices could have been better, and someone new would have been nice. Someone forcefully on message - like saying the Repuke health care plan really intends to take assistance from the poor, elderly and sick in order to give tax breaks to the rich - is needed. Not huge on Dean's trade stance or his lobbying, but he would certainly be forceful.

[RealityChik]

95. Same old, same old...

When the stuffed-shirt establishment Democrats stepped up to install their man, Perez, to lead the Democratic Party, I knew it would be the same old, same old. Sure enough, they missed another golden opportunity to rally behind Democratic challengers in all the upcoming Congressional Special elections vacated by Republicans joining the Trump cabal in his clown car administration. The DCCC was again caught flat-footed in Kansas and gave no support to Jim Thompson until the very last minute, when it looked like he had a shot at winning.

Similar scenarios occurred in Montana and in the Georgia primary. Thanks to a citizen grassroots campaign that raised boatloads of cash for Ossoff through small donations, the DCCC was shamed into contributing at the end, then disappeared when they should have demanded a recount after the bizarre shenanigans by the repubs that enabled them to steal yet another close election. And in Montana, the DCCC was nowhere to be found!

And what about South Carolina? Who the heck is Archie Parnell and why isn't every Dem in Congress and the DCCC getting the word out in his behalf and sending crates full of money to fund his campaign? That run-off is tomorrow and it's been crickets from the party AND the media!

Now, remember this is Tom Perez's Democratic Party leadership. We can't wait until 2018 to evaluate his leadership. By then we will have lost the momentum and will have lost every off-year election by a hair. That's no way to succeed in 2020! If this what we can expect from here on out, we're doomed.

I think we should be searching for the person or persons who organized the grassroots campaign initiative that gave Ossoff a winning chance and beg THEM to lead the DCCC!

As long as Dems are the minority party, they, WE, have no power. If we don't throw every last ounce of energy and resources into winning short-term, smalltime elections, how do we expect to regain Congress in 2018, much less the presidency in 2020!

[GulfCoast66]

121. By establishment Democrats

You mean those that take the time and put in the effort to be in a position to vote on the matter? Not to mention the side that won the vote for chairman. You know, the majority of the Democratic Party.

[Demsrule86]

131. Did it ever occur to you that keeping quiet and quietly funding an election might be the way to go?

Otherwise you bring out the GOP voters...these are all strongly held GOP help districts in a gerrymandered congress...so some are just waiting to pounce for any reason because there is no concern yet...do you know how many specials we won before we took the House in 2006? The answer is none...and we have already beat that record.

[RealityChik]

142. Keeping quiet and inaction not the same...

In all news accounts I read, candidate interviews I heard or watched and Twitter chatter for each race, it was clear to to me that the DCCC showed little or no support for these races until they were shamed into doing so at the very end of the campaigns.

That's not quiet support. It's not giving a sh*t until it looked like these candidates could win.

The past doesn't matter and cannot be used to pat ourselves on the back for doing slightly better than zero. We are running out of time. The future of the party and the country are at stake this time. As long as Dems are the minority, they (that means WE) have no power. No power means Republicans get to destroy the country and there's little we can do about it, short of a full-on citizen revolt.

[Demsrule86]

143. The races in Montana and Kansas were not winnable.

Montana...the local Dems chose a bad candidate . As for Kansas, it is a re red district-it was quite surprising to so close...so I think you just want to blame Democrats for some reason. Georgia is a red district in the end...it would be an upset if we win...hope we do, but it certainly is not a failing of the Democratic party if we don't...and I think that those who try to make it so may have another agenda.

[RealityChik]

146. I respectfully disagree...

But at this point it's best for us to agree to disagree. And I respect your right to have a different opinion according to your own perception of the Democratic Party. I hope you will do the same for me.

End of story.

[Demsrule86]

153. With a different candidate we might have taken Montana. but locals chose the candidate

not the DNC. I have no idea why suddenly some think we can win deeply red states; it is either wishful thinking or a means to bash Democratic leaders over something that is out of their control...and the same folks for the most part support primarying candidates like Manchin who win in deeply red states...totally foolish. I know many think that if we just run as progressives, we can win in red areas. It simply isn't true....we gave it our best shot...but the Georgia seat was Gingrich's seat. I lived in that district...they don't even run Democrats often.

[Demsrule86]

155. The DCCC has only so much money. I actually think it is a waste to use it on candidates who

are in office for about a year and who will not give us the House anyway...I supported Ossoff myself financially. But the DCCC needs to work for the governor's races and prepare for 18...field candidates etc. And you must recognize that the House is still gerrymandered. With a normal house, would have a wave election in 18 most likely. But that won't happen, we will have to fight for every seat and may still come up short. That is why it was so important to vote in 16 for the Democratic candidate...and those who are screaming the loudest often didn't vote for Sec. Clinton and have only themselves to blame.

[Demsrule86]

113. Oh please, this is about Ellison.

He won't be the DNC head no matter what. 18 is approaching...Perez is doing what he can. Some want instant results and that won't happen.

[RealityChik]

145. I'm not so sure about that...

I'm on Ellison's email list and there's nothing in his messaging that convinces me things would be any different with Ellison in charge. His strategy is all about the same issues as before. Issues are important but right now it needs to be all about strategies for winning elections and restoring integrity to our election so we can stop the Republicans from stealing our elections. It also needs to be about aggressive recruitment of Millennials and younger. We cannot win without them.

[Demsrule86]

154. We need Howard Dean...but there is still much anger towards the Democratic Party and some use

it to lash out when we lose special elections in deeply red states or for any reason. You seriously have to put the petty disagreements aside and work for the good of the Party...and that can't happen as long as a minority spoiler segment has more loyalty to a person than the party. I sincerely hope we can win despite the best efforts of some who didn't vote for Sec. Clinton and are not progressive in my opinion. Progressive's understand how damaging a GOP government is and would not enable the GOP for any reason.

[RealityChik]

158. Please rethink your last statement...

Your statement about Progressives understanding how damaging a GOP government implies Progressives know better than the rest of the party about it. That's the kind of inflammatory statements that keep us divided and that's just what the Repubs are counting on to keep them in control.

Some things are just beyond our control. We need unity inside the party more than ever before. Even Trump Republicans know how corrupt their party is but will continue to vote Republican with the only objective being the satisfaction of "sticking it to the elitist 'libtards'".

[obnoxiousdrunk]

90. Ridiculous BS.

[JustAnotherGen]

103. Nope - that would not be very smart

Hysterical is also perceived as weakness - in particular by me.

I guess I'm lucky in that I'm represented by Booker and Menendez and they represent the interests of New Jersey. I'm not seeing the issue.

[MineralMan]

105. Tom Perez? He's not responsible for countering

Trump. His job is to organize Democrats for elections. There are two such elections today, both in long-held Republican districts. So, if we don't win in those districts, you want to do what? Remove the DNC Chair? WTF? And then what?

I think it's really time to stop tearing our hair out and get to work in our own districts and states. Us. Together.

[Demsrule86]

108. And it might not...sorry.

You have to give the guy some time...and if Perez steps down so does Ellison...and maybe Howard Dean takes over.

[YoungDemCA]

110. I supported Ellison for Chair but Perez is fine. I do agree that Democrats need to be more united.

However, it's not enough to just unite around opposition to Trump. We need a POSITIVE vision of our own that is genuine, sincere, and that has emotional resonance for as many people as possible - both voters and nonvoters who just might start to come out to vote for Democrats if they become convinced that we can give them that. Above all, we need clear, no bullshit, easy-to-understand, and consistent MESSAGED DISCIPLINE. And we need to focus on local, state, and congressional elections, because the next presidential election is still three and a half years away.

[Demsrule86]

115. Those who voted for a gorilla or Kremlin Jill kind of wasted any power we might have had.

Georgia 6 is a GOP district. It will be a miracle if we win.

[Vinca]

120. Perez seems to be MIA. I haven't seen him on television in ages.

[Demsrule86]

122. It really not his job...he needs to be working for 18.

[GulfCoast66]

123. Not his job

He was not elected spokesperson. We have Senators and congress members for that. His job is organizational and he works in the background.

All these people pining for Dean confuse his presidential run with his chairmanship.

[Vinca]

135. IMO, we are currently in an "all hands on deck" situation. If you will recall,

Reince was on the tube 24/7 while he was GOP chair and they won just about everything.

[BannonsLiver]

129. Sounds to me like he's a guy who knows who the stars are

And knows well enough when it's time to get out of the way. An admirable quality.

[Vinca]

136. But maybe we really need a star. We have a reality star as POTUS for heaven's sake.

I know Democrats are smarter than this, but the rest of the population doesn't seem to be.

[BannonsLiver]

137. Look I like Perez a lot

But I'd rather listen to Kamala Harris, Al Franken, Booker, Warren, Schiff, and the rest all day and twice on Sundays than Perez. He's a make the trains run on time, behind the scenes guy. Expecting him to be the guy isn't realistic or ideal for the party.

[Vinca]

139. Maybe I'd appreciate him more if I knew what was going on behind the scenes.

[BannonsLiver]

140. It's probably not really that interesting.

At any rate, if the party chairman is the party's star, someone is doing it wrong.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

126. Uh....what?

No. He and Ellison were practically just elected to pick up the pieces of last year's election. They need quite a bit more time at the helm before we just go and declare them failures IMHO.

[mulsh]

127. right on get rid of each party official who immediately doesn't meet our standards,

That way we won't stand a chance of having a plan in place or even develop strategies for coming elections. So hell yeah, defenestrate Perez and while we're at it Ellison and for good measure we should get rid of Warren too, she's just senatorial dead wood.

or maybe people like me and you, yeah you over there too, should get way more active and work to effect success in our party.

I guess that would be another option

[Demsrule86]

132. Yeah that is how we win ...all purging all the time. sarcasm.

[Stinky The Clown]

147. Stop it

Silly and counterproductive.

[ecstatic]

150. Maybe, but we're 0 in 4 now despite the most incompetent clown president in modern history

The Tweeter in Chief. Something is very wrong with this picture. Look at Thug's poll numbers! The DNC needs a better strategy, ASAP-- a strategy that also takes voter suppression, purging, and fraud seriously.