Correct me if I'm wrong: the DNC chair determines who gets elected and who calls the shots

[TechBear_Seattle]

My understanding is that the chair of the Democratic National Committee has three functions.

First, he is a committee chair. He presides over meetings of the National Committee, oversees the workings of subcommittees, and performs various other administrative functions.

Second, related to his role as chairman, he has a great deal of influence in determing the qualifications that Democratic candidates must meet before receiving the endorsement and support of the National organization. If he wanted to, he could appoint people to the appropriate working committees and establish that a particular position on a given issue is a prerequisite for the backing of the national party in the primaries and possibly even in the general election. Candidates that publicly hold that position will be more likely to receive campaign support and endorsements; candidates that do not hold that position or have publicly repudiated that position will be less likely to receive support and endorsements.

Third is the money itself. The chair's main day-to-day role is to schmooze contributions from well-heeled supporters. The circles he travels in are key in determining who will be the party's major financial backers and, as a result, is very influential in determing the party's agenda: those who pay the band get to call the tunes, after all.

Is any of this off the mark?

If it is not, then the selection of Tim Kaine is a terrible, terrible choice. Through his second function, Kaine will be in a great position to help elect Democrats like him: anti-choice, anti-equal rights and anti-labor. Progressive Democrats will find themselves without the backing of the national party, while neo-conservative Democrats will become the party's big stars, with the kind of money and endorsements to all but guarantee a primary win. Through his third function, Kaine will very likely focus on people who have supported him and his right wing agenda. To keep this money flowing in, he will have to use his first function to shape the National Committe towards supporting an increasingly conservative agenda.

The Democratic Party of today looks very much like the Republican Party of Reagan's first term. With Kaine at the helm as DNC and principle shaper of the party, I greatly fear what the Democratic Party will look like in eight years' time.

[leftstreet]

1. The Republican Party of Reagan's first term - you got that right!

K&R

[democrattotheend]

2. I think the DCCC, DSCC and DGA chairs have more to do with candidate recruitment

Than the DNC. I am not aware of the DNC playing a big role in Congressional candidate recruitment. I don't know too much about how the DNC functions when we have the White House, but I believe its main function will be to support President Obama's agenda and help sell it to the American people.

Besides, Kaine has taken more conservative stands on social issues, either out of genuine religious belief or to make him viable in what was until recently a pretty conservative state. But I don't think he is a crusader for a conservative social agenda, certainly not to the point where he would make Republican-leaning social views a screen for candidates, except perhaps in districts where being pro-choice or pro-gay-rights is simply political suicide. But any chair of a campaign committee on either side would push out candidates who are deemed unelectable in a state or district.

[LiberalFighter]

7. Don't forget district and state parties.

They each play a part in assisting and promoting candidates.

The DCCC, DSCC and DGA don't come into play until after a Congressional candidate has made it past the primary in most cases. Then candidates need to promote their case for funding to the DCCC, DSCC, DGA and any other organizations. This is more likely the situation for US Representatives.

[BeFree]

3. Well

Compared to Dr. Dean who stayed above party fights and who was NOT well liked by the establishment Dems, and therefore had a tough time out of the gate raising money and 'schmoozing' contributions, it looks as if Kaine has a leg up.

And if not prejudicial, where do the anti- this or that stance you ascribe to Kain coming from? Yes, that is a challenge to show us the facts behind your assertions.

Frankly I haven't a clue about Kaine, so do us all a favor and educate us. K?

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Most of us are already educated

Kaine's views are public record. Do you know how to use the Google? Do so. The fact that you are unaware does not mean others need to prove what is common knowlege. And by the way. The world is round, get over it.

[BeFree]

6. Aww

That's the nicest thing anybody has said to me all day.

What makes you be so sweet?

[merh]

11. You know, if you want to be pissy, I can give you the link via pmail

to a mixed board and you can go piss all over dems, indies, repubs and greenies. Why waste your efforts here?

I don't think it is unreasonable to ask for some source to back up the claims made by the OP.

I mean, I always thought that the president was head of the party, the other person is there to be sure that his views are respected and followed.

[wyldwolf]

5. the DNC chair DOES NOT determine who gets elected and who calls the shots

And since that is true, your slam on Kaine is NOT true and, further, the Democratic party DOES NOT look anything like the GOP of Reagan's first term unless you can give some specific examples.

[Fearless]

8. The chairman IS A FIGUREHEAD WHEN THE PRESIDENT IS OF THE SAME PARTY!

[onenote]

9. your concern is noted

If you think that the DNC under Tim Kaine is going to deny the backing of the Democratic Party to candidates who are pro-choice, pro-equal rights and pro-labor, I want some of what you're smoking.

And if you think the Democratic Party today looks very much like the Republican Party of Reagan's first term, I want some of what you're drinking. Here are some of the repubs elected to their first terms in the Senate in 1980: Bob Kasten, John East, Jeremiah Denton, Frank Murkowski, Al D'Amato, James Abdnor: most of these guys were staunch conservatives, anti-choice, pro-gun etc etc. SOme of Reagan's first term cabinet picks: George Schultz, James Watt, William Casey, Cap Weinberger, William French Smith, Jeane Kirkpatrick.

And while a lot of the Democrats elected in the past couple of elections are more moderate than you may like, there is little question that are folks like Al Franken, Sherrod Brown, Sheldon Whitehouse, Claire McCaskill, Mark Begich, etc etc are a far cry from the anti-choice, pro-gun, pro-contra,etc etc. repubs that were being elected 25-30 years ago.

[BeFree]

10. Some of what you're drinking?

Please, don't tell me you want some of that anti-democratic party flavored kool-aid.

Bwahahahaha