For your consideration. Cori Bush - MO 01

[Algernon Moncrieff]

https://www.votecoribush.com/

When Cori Bush says she is the people she represents, it's not a campaign slogan.

Cori Bush is a former early childhood educator, a community-based mental health registered nurse, and an ordained pastor. She is a single mother and a community activist and organizer.

Cori has felt the burden of being uninsured and the pain of homelessness. She has endured racism and sexism. She is a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence. Cori experienced the challenges of raising children on her own, living paycheck to paycheck, making just above minimum wage, taking on student loans to continue her education.

And Cori Bush stands tall, using her experiences as fuel to fight for the disadvantaged, the disenfranchised, and the voiceless.

Cori is a tireless advocate for creating dramatic change. Now is not the time for baby steps. Incremental change is no change at all when her patients can’t afford medication, and families are struggling to put food on the table and find justice in the streets.

A native of St. Louis, Cori Bush is running to bring transformative change to Missouri’s 1st Congressional District. Stand with Cori, because she stands with you.

[George II]

1. Is this the Cori Bush who is running the primary against progressive Congressman and....

....influential member of the Congressional Black Caucus? Why is she taking on an incumbent Democratic Congressman?

Also, didn't she run in the 2016 Senate Democratic Primary and was defeated by Jason Kander 70% to 13%?

[lapucelle]

2. The Democratic incumbent has a better graphic,

and it's based on an actual record.



http://house.ontheissues.org/House/William_Lacy_Clay.htm

[Cha]

6. Mahalo, lapucelle!

I just added it to my Lacy Clay For Congress campaign post down thread.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

9. His voting may be outstandiing, but he funnels campaign money to his sister.

As has been the case in past years, much of what Clay raised last year went to the law firm of his sister. Fourth-quarter reports show that Rep. Clay’s campaign paid his sister, lawyer Michelle Clay of Silver Spring, Md., $36,000 in the quarter and $171,500 for the year. The FEC report said her payment was for “record-keeping and compliance,” “community organizing,” “fundraising” and “FEC compliance.”

The Post-Dispatch has written about that arrangement multiple times. Last year, Rep. Clay told the newspaper: “Every time you all write about her and the salary she gets from me, she goes and researches what other people get — so I have to raise her salary.”

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/new-records-show-brace-yourself-that-congressional-incumbents-getting-most/article_a546e44d-9d8a-5a3d-85b7-1c11e8b15e22.html

It may be legit, but it's horrible optics, and he keeps doing it.

[EffieBlack]

20. How much has Jane Sanders been paid by her husband's campaigns?

What about his kids?

Does that mean he should be primaried, regardless his record, because bad optics?

Or does that standard only apply to some politicians ...?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

23. That's a great question, and Senator Sanders should answer that question.

But this thread isn't about Bernie.

[George II]

30. Unless it's verifiably "legit" (as you say) and corroborated, this shouldn't be posted here....

....it is a questionable attack on a Democratic Congressman.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

37. It was published in a mainstream, respected news source

The St. Louis Post Dispatch ain't Newsmax.

Sending campaign money to family members looks really bad - even if the reasons are perfectly legal.

And the congressman is quoted in the article and does not deny the arrangement.

[lapucelle]

64. The St. Louis Post Dispatch absolutely did NOT report that Clay was "funneling money to his sister".

Here's what they actually reported:

As has been the case in past years, much of what Clay raised last year went to the law firm of his sister. Fourth-quarter reports show that Rep. Clay’s campaign paid his sister, lawyer Michelle Clay of Silver Spring, Md., $36,000 in the quarter and $171,500 for the year. The FEC report said her payment was for “record-keeping and compliance,” “community organizing,” “fundraising” and “FEC compliance.”

You chose to frame this as "funneling money to his sister". Those are your words, not the newspaper's.

And why on earth would anyone expect a candidate to "deny" an allowable and legal campaign expenditure that he openly and publicly reports on his FEC filings?

[George II]

65. And every penny that Clay's campaign committee spent has been duly reported to the FEC.

[lapucelle]

67. Why on earth would anyone frame such a misleading narrative

about a sitting Democratic congressman and candidate? Who benefits and at what price?

[George II]

68. And then say, in effect, "I'm not saying he did anything wrong"!

[Algernon Moncrieff]

73. Clay chose to spend campaign funds with his sister's law firm.

I find that to be an ethically questionable practice, and I'd venture I am not alone. If Clay wins the primary, I hope he ceases the practice.

In the meantime, I've chosen to support his Democratic opponent in a primary. She is supported by another candidate for Congress that is bringing a lot of positive energy.

[lapucelle]

74. And you chose to mischaracterize a legal expenditure as "funneling money to his sister"

and then couch the negative framing by suggesting that a respected newspaper was on board with your subjective and inaccurate assessment.

Does that qualify as an ethically questionable practice?

[RandySF]

51. That IS interesting and unfortunate.

I called Mosher (former TX-07) candidate out for the same thing and would be remiss to not do the same for Clay. Congress should pass a law to address it.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

55. To be clear - I'm not saying he did anything illegal

But it's bad optics, and it's ethically questionable.

If Congress can't/won't address it, the party should make clear that the expectation is that it's unacceptable. And to another poster's point, if Bernie Sanders is doing it, he should answer for that as well.

It's be easy enough for Clay to find someone else to provide those services and use them going forward.

[RandySF]

57. It's shitty

[George II]

66. Then why did you bring it up in the first place?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

69. Because it's ethically questionable

Most reasonable people believe paying family members for services with donated money is wrong.

[George II]

79. Would you find it "ethically questionable" for a candidate to pay him/herself for anything?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

81. I think the practice of campaigns paying family needs more scrutiny

[George II]

82. And oneself?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

83. You are obviously going somewhere with this.

[George II]

87. Since it's such an issue for you, I checked Cori Bush's FEC filings. Did you know that she paid....

....HERSELF for two days "per diem"? How does that look?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

92. Well, I'd have to know how much we are talking about

If it's an amount consistent with two days food & lodging while campaining, and represents coverage of reasonable expenses, it's probably a reasonable use of campaign funds. If It's thousands of dollars, it's probably questionable. If it is payment to a relative 5 states away for organizing services, I'd question it.

What did the Post Dispatch think?

[melman]

95. $80

Seriously.



http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00638767/1204828/sb/ALL


Trying to make a big issue out of 80 bucks.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

96. That's less than what most companies allow for daily meal money on trips

I don't even think the IRS requires receipts for < $50.

[George II]

102. In all my years as a treasurer, other than reimbursements (which are also in that report)....

....I've NEVER seen a candidate committee pay the candidate anything, not a penny.

$80 is more than $0.

Remember how this sub-discussion began.

[George II]

100. Does the actual amount really matter?

BTW, it wasn't for covering expenses. On the same day her committee paid her the "per diem" it also paid for "reimbursement".

And as I've pointed out elsewhere here, roughly 20% of all members of Congress have family members as paid staff members. It's nothing bad or corrupt or "horrible optics" as you keep insinuating.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

111. Yes it does

[lapucelle]

109. And if it were a $12,000,000 payment to a secretive LLC inside the Beltway,

but far from home, a seven figure disbursement to a business entity so opaque that no public profile for the company exists, and if it were discovered that the shadowy LLC has connections with a member of the paying candidate's family...would it be fair to characterize this payment (legal under FEC rules) as "money funneling"?

Can anybody seriously argue the elasticity of an ethical rule contingent on whether the impugned "funneling" is $10 or $10,000,000?

The FEC has spoken on whether these payments are a "reasonable use of campaign funds". The FEC says they are.

What does the Post-Dispatch think of a candidate disbursing campaign funds to herself for personal use during a campaign? They haven't said.

What does the Post-Dispatch have to say about Rep. Clay disbursing campaign funds in payment to his sister's law firm for campaign related services? That it's legal but that it might be time for the FEC to revisit its policy.

What does the local press have to say about the $12,000,000 campaign payment to the mysterious LLC? Simply that they wish that the candidate or his campaign would take their calls and answer a few questions.

[George II]

110. You know what's really interesting, to see how much of a "story" this is, I decided to google...

..."Lacy Clay Sister".

First hit is an article on the Free Beacon in January 2018
Second was one in the St. Louis Post Dispatch in July 2011
Third hit was one on Infowars in January 2018

Then there were a few follow up stories with Clay's comments in 2012.

So, other than the Free Beacon and Infowars, this story has pretty much been a non-story in the real world for six or seven years, unless one wants stir things up.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

112. Well it's obviously not Clay - but I think all he's sent to sis' firm all told is half a million

That's what I recall reading.

Cori Bush has about $4K in the bank right now. She seems unlikely.

So the person to whom you refer, I suspect, isn't being discussed here. Maybe start a separate thread on this person?

To answer your question - I'd certainly want to know more. It probably wouldn't be good.

[lapucelle]

114. ...

[lapucelle]

71. This is exactly the kind of nonsense that so damaged

the Democratic nominee's chances in the 2016 GE. If you don't approve of a campaign practice that is entirely legal, say so honestly, objectively, and across the board: "I don't like when it's done by any candidate, including those from Vermont, Texas, and Missouri."

Why single out a particular instance, misleadingly frame it as some somehow underhanded, walk away, and then come back and "clarify" after the damage has been done.

Who benefits and at what price?

[xmas74]

107. She was a paid member of his campaign .

She has done paperwork and accounting for him and has even been a campaign manager.

She was an employee.

[lapucelle]

59. Why would anyone use the pejorative "funnel money to his sister"

when they were really describing legitimate, FEC reported and allowable payments to his sister's law firm for actual campaign work?

Of course it's legit. The optics are only terrible because you chose to paint the picture a particularly terrible way.

This tactic in framing the narrative is dangerous and ultimately unwise. "Bad optics" are often illusory, especially when they are used against our side and our allies.

https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2016/01/bernie-sanders-family-money

https://vtdigger.org/2016/07/15/sanders-campaign-millions-go-to-mystery-firm/

[brer cat]

61. +1 nt

[Algernon Moncrieff]

70. The voters will decide, won't they.

In my opinion, the behavior is unethical. Easy fix, though. He can either pay for the services out of personal funds or find a provider of those services to whom he's not related.

[lapucelle]

72. "The voters will decide" who uses a pejorative to mischaracterize a legal practice?

That's an odd answer. My question was:

Why would anyone use the pejorative "funnel money to his sister" when they were really describing legitimate, FEC reported and allowable payments to his sister's law firm for actual campaign work?

If you had originally framed your concern as, "The candidate engages in an entirely legal behavior that I personally find unethical", it wouldn't have led to my first question, nor to my second:

Who benefits from an inaccurate and negative framing of an entirely legal practice engaged in by a Democratic congressman / candidate and at what price?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

75. Just because it's legal does not make it ethical or right.

Everyone benefits from ethical practices from our politicians.

[lapucelle]

77. Yes, it is perfectly legal to inaccurately frame facts in a negative way to serve an agenda,

but that does not make it ethical or right.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

86. I don't think my framing is that different than this Post Dipatch piece

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10909690

[George II]

76. If he paid for the services out of persona funds, THAT would be illegal! What he did/is doing....

....is certainly not unethical, either. I don't know why you continue to go down this path.

Bottom line - not illegal, not unethical, and all done out in the open for all to see.

[lapucelle]

78. Trying to claim the moral high ground

after launching an inaccurate and misleading attack is a bewildering tactic at best, but both Republicans and Russians have found it effective in the past.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

80. There are other opinions on that topic

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/all-in-the-family-campaign-spending-in-congress-raises-questions/article_af483b6d-6cac-5ba0-8a9d-29207f0625b9.html

ST. LOUIS • For more than a decade, U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay has had a trusted political ally on his campaign staff. His sister, Michelle C. Clay, a Washington-area attorney, has served as campaign manager, fundraiser, legal counsel and even data entry worker.

For her work, she’s been paid more than $500,000 in fees over the past 10 years, records show — all of it from a campaign fund that, under law, wouldn’t be allowed to pay a nickel to Rep. Clay himself.

Channeling campaign dollars to family members for election work is a legal but often controversial practice that is getting increased scrutiny nationally because of the potential for fraud.

A study last year found 82 U.S. House members have relatives on their campaign payrolls, often for unspecified work. The study, by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, recommended outlawing or heavily regulating the practice.

[lapucelle]

88. You said that the candidate was "funneling money to his sister".

Some might say that anyone who does not see a difference between that inaccurate and misleading headline and the more measured, objective, and reasonable assessment of the Post-Dispatch needs to hone his or her critical reasoning skills.

Channeling campaign dollars to family members for election work is a legal but often controversial practice that is getting increased scrutiny nationally because of the potential for fraud.

A study last year found 82 U.S. House members have relatives on their campaign payrolls, often for unspecified work. The study, by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, recommended outlawing or heavily regulating the practice.

I wonder what a seasoned editor whose professional judgment is grounded in honest and ethical journalism would have done with the headline you chose to write.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

90. I think channeling and funneling are synonymous

I'd defer to Roget's on that.

I note that Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington recommended outlawing or heavily regulating the practice we are discussing, irrespective of what you consider to be misleading.

Since we are on the topic of campaign funds, Cori Bush wrote this:

Super PACs should be banned, private donations to politicians and campaigns should be banned, and a clean public financing system should be implemented to end the takeover of our government by corporations and billionaires. Americans deserve free and fair elections — free from the corruption of big money donors. The Supreme Court has effectively legalized bribery.

[lapucelle]

93. The ability to make nuanced distinctions between the meaning, register, and tone

of two similar but distinctly different words is indicative of a sophisticated and analytical mind. It is a skill worth cultivating.

Of course, this all still begs the question of why anyone would employ a different word than the one used in the actual headline of a five year old story, and why someone would need to try to support a claim by citing a story other than the one to which the "funneling money to his sister" invective was originally attached. Here's the headline for that story:

New records show (brace yourself) that congressional incumbents getting most PAC money

Nowhere in that story does the reporter use the term "channeled" or "funneled". He uses the word "paid".

[Algernon Moncrieff]

94. Again, the voters and readers here can decide for themselves

Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) paid the law firm of his sister, Michelle, about $309,000 — more than any other vendor or staffer — for everything from campaign management to data entry.

During the same period, his campaign has doled out $800 to his niece, Angela, for media consulting, and an additional $400 in disbursements to his ex-wife, Ivie Lewellen Clay. He also paid $11,000 to his nonprofit, the William L. Clay Scholarship and Research Fund, for "voter education research."

"I would say that for us, the family that works hard together, wins together," said Michelle Clay, who works as the campaign's political director, legal counsel and chief fundraiser as well as "a trusted voice in the Congressman's political circle."

"Over the last decade, my brother and I have built on the historic legacy of public service that our father, former Congressman Bill Clay, established in Missouri's first Congressional district," she added.

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/57_13/house-spouses-make-good-money-from-campaigns-207654-1.html

Let’s not pick on U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay for being true to his kind — a politician who helps out his family. It isn’t exactly news that he paid his sister, Michelle C. Clay, to be his campaign manager, fundraiser, legal counsel and data-entry worker for the past 10 years.

A search of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch archives shows that the story was written in Sunday’s paper, and that similar stories appeared in 2012 and 2011.

Mr. Clay used campaign funds to pay Ms. Clay, a Washington-area attorney, more than half a million dollars over 10 years. That is not illegal. Mr. Clay also used campaign money to pay his niece, his former wife and a nonprofit fund named after him. Also not illegal.

https://www.stltoday.com/opinion/editorial/fair-or-foul-all-in-the-families/article_ff51cf7a-249d-5671-80f0-f308ddd6292f.html

For more than a decade, U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay has had a trusted political ally on his campaign staff. His sister, Michelle C. Clay, a Washington-area attorney, has served as campaign manager, fundraiser, legal counsel and even data entry worker.

For her work, she’s been paid more than $500,000 in fees over the past 10 years, records show — all of it from a campaign fund that, under law, wouldn’t be allowed to pay a nickel to Rep. Clay himself.

Channeling campaign dollars to family members for election work is a legal but often controversial practice that is getting increased scrutiny nationally because of the potential for fraud.

A study last year found 82 U.S. House members have relatives on their campaign payrolls, often for unspecified work. The study, by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, recommended outlawing or heavily regulating the practice.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/all-in-the-family-campaign-spending-in-congress-raises-questions/article_af483b6d-6cac-5ba0-8a9d-29207f0625b9.html

Under this system, some lawmakers go to expensive places surrounded by people with the means and motivation to write them thousand-dollar checks.

“Especially if they are not themselves affluent to begin with,” Krumholz said, “this is a step up and a job not to let go of anytime soon.”

The Post-Dispatch analysis of primary campaign accounts showed the seven members spent a lot of their money simply to raise more, with some spending roughly 30 cents on the dollar to pay professional fundraisers, travel around the country or rent space, sometimes from corporations or associations with business before Congress.

Reps. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, and Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, had modest challenges and spent the most. Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, spent the least.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/even-in-easy-wins-congressional-incumbents-spend-big-money/article_50a6accb-48e7-58c2-82b7-4456e4514dc1.html

Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, is also a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He had about $327,000 cash on hand as of July 1. His top Democratic primary opponent, Cori Bush, had just over $4,000 cash on hand.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/metro-east-republicans-in-congress-raise-big-bucks-for-fall/article_f8bb5608-e28f-51d8-accf-c01b926c98ee.html

Rep. William Lacy Clay, D-St. Louis, reported raising $69,906 in the last months of the year, most of it — $60,000 — from PACs. They include St. Louis-area PACs such as Enterprise Holdings ($2,000), and Emerson Electric ($1,000). Clay also received $1,000 from Boeing’s PAC, which is slated to build an additional 24 F/A-18E/F Super Hornets for the Navy at its St. Louis plant.

Clay reported raising just under $248,000 for the whole year of 2017, $210,000 of that from PACs.

Clay’s top-funded Democratic opponent in Missouri’s Aug. 7 primaries, the Rev. Cori Bush, reported raising about $12,000 from October through December. She had just under $18,000 in the bank at the end of the year, to Clay’s more than $301,000.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/new-records-show-brace-yourself-that-congressional-incumbents-getting-most/article_a546e44d-9d8a-5a3d-85b7-1c11e8b15e22.html

Super PACs should be banned, private donations to politicians and campaigns should be banned, and a clean public financing system should be implemented to end the takeover of our government by corporations and billionaires. Americans deserve free and fair elections — free from the corruption of big money donors. The Supreme Court has effectively legalized bribery.

https://www.votecoribush.com/issues

[lapucelle]

99. I get it. Desperate attempts to justify an inaccurate and misleading allegation

proffered in the hope of damaging a candidate are always sad. It's especially sad to see it done to a Democratic congressman and candidate. And when, in the end, it all comes down to cobbled quotes about legal activity and "troubling optics", it is especially sad.

The voters will indeed decide, hopefully based on an actual record rather than on negative campaigning by any opponents or partisans.



William Lacy Clay is a Hard-Core Liberal

[xmas74]

106. So campaign workers shouldn't be paid?

My daughter plans on working political campaigns for a living. She doesn't deserve to be paid?

Clay was part of the campaign . She did verifiable work . There was no funneling.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

113. Is it your campaign?

If so, I think its ethically suspect. JMHO. Other opinions abound.

If not, (and it's not your spouse/her biological parent), then I wish your daughter well. It's a tough living, but it's necessary work.

I have to disagree that it's not funneling/channeling/whatever you want to call it. If someone was mayor of a city; and the mayor's brother's contracting firm wins a contract to build an arena for the city, it may be legal -- but it looks really bad. It doesn't inspire faith that the mayor is honest. It reinforces people's worst opinions of public servants, generally. Again, JMHO. I think Clay and the party would be better off if he took this business (hundreds of thousands of dollars) to another Democratic analyst/strategist/organizer.

[xmas74]

115. My daughter is on the McCaskill campaign

Which I believe is adding Lacy soon. Missouri is running a coordinated campaign. Any candidate may join during the primaries, as long as they pay their share, declare themselves Democrats and are willing to assist in helping other Dems statewide in the GE. It started as a campaign for McCaskill and Galloway but has had a number of state races jump on because it is cost effective and offers man power they wouldn't have during a primary . I spoke to Hillary Shields, running for state senate, and she said the coordinated campaign is beneficial to the state party.

Added :just asked the kid. She said if Clay signs on it is absolutely her campaign ,since they can be expected to phone bank and address post cards for any candidate that is part of the coordinated campaign .

[Algernon Moncrieff]

116. Everything said in this thread aside, kudos to your daughter

She's fighting the good fight and she was obviously raised right. The McCaskill campaign is very important.

My daughter is doing some unpaid work.for our state party, as well as paid clerical work for Legal Aid.

[xmas74]

117. Clay is important too.

He has the experience and backing to take a position of power if we could ever flip the House.

I have met Clay on a few occasions . He is establishment but the kind who was taught to give for the benefit of others. I liked him.

I met Cori Bush in 2016. I wasn't all that impressed. She could be more in the future but she needs to put in the grind for more experience . She needs to throw herself into a state position ,where she is needed and can really build experience .

I don't have a problem with youth. I do think some want to make a big jump onto a national stage with little experience . They say all politics is local-the new ones need to start local, build experience , build relationships. If Cori Bush would run for a state office she could climb her way up, maybe into governor down the road.

I will cut down the rambling and get to the point: why run a bunch of kids with little actual office experience against seasoned candidates who will gladly pick a fight with anyone not representing us properly ? Those same candidates could be very useful in a state house,senate or office, where they are more needed.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

118. I can only speak for me

This is going to be the first election since the 70s (I think) in which Boomers won't be the majority - millenials will be. The O-C victory over Crowley presents the possibility that this will be a changing of the guard election. On a perfect world, I'd like to see more women elected; see the candidates be further to the left than what we have now; and see younger congresspersons. So I'm intrigued by Our Revolution. Ultimately, I'll support whoever comes out of these primaries. I like Cori Bush, but if she falls short, I do hope she will - as you say - look at state house, school board, city council.

[George II]

62. I'm not going to go looking for them, not worth the trouble, but do you have any idea....

...how many candidates have family members on their staffs drawing salaries?

This isn't "horrible optics", its a highly unfair smear of him and his sister, particularly by blithely using the term "funneling". I would consider deleting this post.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

84. No

The Post Dispatch used the term "channeling" in the article I cited in response to another post. An ethics watchdog group (same article) thinks the practice should be ended. I agree. There are many other firms that don't involve his sister that provide comparable services. He should use one of them. The article I referenced above us from 2013; the issue isn't new.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/all-in-the-family-campaign-spending-in-congress-raises-questions/article_af483b6d-6cac-5ba0-8a9d-29207f0625b9.html

[George II]

89. Your own post #80 partially answers my question:

"A study last year found 82 U.S. House members have relatives on their campaign payrolls"

[Algernon Moncrieff]

91. We aren't discussing all 82 here

Just this primary.

Also, that piece was from 2013 IIRC. So the issue isnt new, but that number may have changed.

[George II]

103. But you're acting like what Clay is doing, and fully documenting, is out of the ordinary....

....yet 20% of Congressman do the same thing, probably equally as aboveboard and within the laws/rules.

[Kaleva]

3. Cori Bush is herself black and a progressive.

And Jason Kander himself lost to incumbent Roy Blunt in the general election.

[George II]

4. And?

Just for the record, before Kander opposed him, Blunt ran for Congress nine times and Senate once, never losing by less than 14% (most were in the 20-30+% range) He barely defeated Kander by only 3% in 2016, and got less than 50% for the first time ever.

Yeah, Kander was a slouch, right?

As for Clay, he's won nine times, never getting less than 70% of the vote (no republican got more than 27% against him). Why would anyone want to unseat such a popular Congressman? Unless.....

[Kaleva]

7. If he's so popular, you have nothing to worry about

As you know, a very high percentage of incumbents historically get re-elected in the primary and general elections. The rate was 97% for the House of Representatives in 2016.

https://www.opensecrets.org/overview/reelect.php

I don't understand what has you and others so worried about this particular race.

[George II]

11. I'm not worried about him winning, I'm worried about some trying to divide Democrats in Missouri....

....a potential "swing state".

[Algernon Moncrieff]

12. It's a primary. Democrats run against one another. It's what we do.

[George II]

14. I understand that, I'm just not accustomed to politicians traveling 1,000 miles to campaign....

....against incumbent Democrats.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

18. O-C has caught lightning in a bottle. She excites voters.

I agree she's newcomer-clumsy ("Let's flip the state red" ), but a younger, lefter, woman beating an "establishment" man means a lot to some voters. She's campaigning for other progressive women. I don't see the problem.

[EffieBlack]

22. She's also campaigning AGAINST progressive women

I am beyond disgusted that she's campaigning against Sharice David's, whom she dismissed as a "corporate attorney."

[Kaleva]

26. What do you have against these women then?

Zephyr Teachout

Ayanna Pressley

Kerri Evelyn Harris

Julia Salazar

[EffieBlack]

27. Who said I have anything against these women?

Nice try, though.

[Kaleva]

33. So then, do you support the women I listed?

They have all been endorsed by Ocasio-Cortez who you seem to have a real issue with.

[George II]

28. Harumph, a "corporate attorney" who moved to a reservation to advocate for....

....native Americans. Of course, she's been bashed for doing so in South Dakota, not her native Kansas.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

32. This article from Kos kind of sums up my opinion on that race

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/07/19/1781757/-Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez-has-inspired-me-to-support-Sharice-Davids-for-Congress

Ideology and movements aside, I just don’t see the grit and determination I see from Ms. Davids, who clearly worked her rear off for every inch of ground she’s ever gained in life.

And the diversity factor is important to me. Look...I’m a white guy. I feel for white guys who might get overlooked because we are energized by women, and POC, and LGBTQs. But in the grand scheme of things, I feel that having a diverse Congress gives some candidates an edge when we have a slate of good contenders.

I’m going to have to back Sharice Davids on this one. She’s the right choice for where we are, and where we want to go.

I would like to see both Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sharice Davids sworn in next January. We will be a better country for it. If you have some time, check out her website. Perhaps she will inspire you too.

Here is O-C's comment from a different article in Kos.

Brent is leading the Republican incumbent by 7% in a poll conducted by the PCCC. Hillary Clinton won this Kansas district – and Bernie won it in the primary.

Brent’s primary opponents include a banker, a corporate attorney, and a guy who emblazoned his website with the words “leading from the center” and boasts of “the courage to compromise.” Brent’s Republican opponent is the #1 recipient of campaign funding from payday loan sharks.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/7/18/1781722/-KS-03-Alexandria-Ocasio-Cortez-Teams-Up-With-Bernie-Sanders-amp-PCCC-To-Help-Brent-Welder-D-Win

I'd be happy with either of them.

[lapucelle]

60. Why do they keep trotting out a misleading February poll

that was commissioned by a PAC supporting Brent Welder? The poll doesn't mention any other Democratic candidate and was conducted the day before and the actual day of Davids' announcement that she was entering the race. The data is both skewed and stale.

Here is the only question concerning any of the candidates:

If the general election for Congress were held today, and the candidates were Democrat Brent Welder and Republican Kevin Yoder, who would you be more likely to vote for?

Brent Welder 49%
Kevin Yoder 42%
Not sure 9%

At least they've stopped characterizing this as a PPP poll. While PPP did conduct the actual polling, the poll appears to have been written as a marketing tool rather than as an objective measure of public opinion, a service that PPP will provide to paying customers.

http://act.boldprogressives.org/survey/2018polling_ks03/

[Kaleva]

17. I really doubt there will be any division in Missouri...

as Clay will very likely cruise to an easy victory in the upcoming primary.

[George II]

24. So what's the point of running against him in a PRIMARY other than to divide?

[Kaleva]

31. The bigger question is why be excited about a race where the incumbent is almost sure to win easily

You have offered no evidence that there will be division in Missouri because of this primary other then speculation.

Your argument is like saying no Dem incumbent ought to face a primary challenge.

[George II]

36. You're putting words in my mouth (keyboard) But a Democrat challenging a VERY popular...

...and effective progressive incumbent Democrat can accomplish nothing but division and doubt, even if Clay wins 90-10.

You haven't demonstrated what would be accomplished by such a challenge.

[Kaleva]

45. You are the one making the claim so it's up to you to support it with evidence.

Your words:

" But a Democrat challenging a VERY popular...

View profile
...and effective progressive incumbent Democrat can accomplish nothing but division and doubt, even if Clay wins 90-10. "

[Algernon Moncrieff]

13. I'm not getting that either

What I do get is that electing progressive women is good politics. In this election cycle, especially.

[George II]

29. Electing progressive women is great, I'm all for it, but not at the expense...

...of progressive incumbents with valuable experience and seniority in Congress. Agree?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

47. No, I don't necessarily agree

I think we need some newer younger blood. Again, JMHO.

[George II]

49. WHAT? Lacy Clay is only 61 years old, certainly not "old blood"! Doesn't his experience...

...count for anything in lieu of "younger blood"?

So, how do you feel about someone approaching 80 years of age running for President?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

52. I don't think it's a good idea

I have a hunch you are making incorrect assumptions about me. I wasn't a Sanders supporter in the last election, and I don't think he should run this time. I'd love Joe Biden, but I think he should also step aside for someone younger. I'd like both men to lend their efforts towards getting younger, more diverse, more progressive candidates elected.

[Cha]

54. Yes! Lacy Clay has invaluable experience and is an esteemed member of CBC..

[GaryCnf]

35. Is that the same Jason Kander who is endorsing Welder?

https://shawneemissionpost.com/2017/12/19/northeast-johnson-county-morning-roundup-935-68411

Former Mo. Sec. of State Jason Kander, who is now the president of the organization Let American Vote, announced he was endorsing Welder as well.

[George II]

40. I thought this was a discussion about Cori Bush challenging incumbent progressive Democrat Clay?

Kander endorsing Welder is an entirely different situation, neither he nor any of his opponents is a successful and effective Congressional incumbent. Why muddy the waters of the discussion with that?

[Algernon Moncrieff]

44. I thought so too, but it seems to be all over the road

[TheFarseer]

58. I did some research and

This district would be almost impossible for the Dems to lose. Why not let the MO-1 Democrats choose who to send to Congress. If they like Clay, great. If they think someone else could represent them better, that’s fine too.

[JCanete]

97. do you have any valid point to make here? nt

[George II]

101. Yes, and have.

[JCanete]

104. I must have missed it. nt

[Cha]

5. VOTE FOR William Lacy Clay in Missouri District 1!

http://house.ontheissues.org/House/William_Lacy_Clay.htm

https://twitter.com/LacyClayMO1

“First of all, I welcome Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to my hometown — St. Louis, Mo.,” Clay said. “I am glad she is coming because it will now highlight the differences with my opponent.

“I am a progressive Democrat, whereas my opponent is a democratic socialist,” Clay continued. “I have a record to run on, unlike her and my other opponent, and I have results in the areas of health care, of housing, of voting rights, the environment. I can point to that. The people in the heartland in St. Louis, they know that this is not the Bronx.”

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10904753

[lapucelle]

8. Good for him.

With all those different colors on Bush's graphic, no wonder campaigners from out of town are confused.

[Cha]

10. Yes, Good on Lacy Clay! Thank You

for his chart and checking this out, lapucelle

[George II]

16. This isn't the seat that they're hoping to flip "red", is it?

[George II]

19. Uh oh, check the twitter feeds in the morning!!!

"The people in the heartland in St. Louis, they know that this is not the Bronx.”

Comments like that prompted a visceral attack on decorated war veteran Tammy Duckworth.

[Cha]

38. I saw that.. The little mindless attacks will continue..

They're both just stating the facts. They have to be concerned with GE elections.. so it's not the Bronx where AOC is supposedly a shoo in.

[George II]

43. People ignore the fact that 70% of the electorate in the 14th District are in QUEENS....

....the lifelong home of Joseph Crowley.

New Yorkers are territorial and competitive with respect to the borough in which they live - dissing Queens in lieu of the Bronx is not going to make friends.

[EffieBlack]

15. No, thank you. I'm all the way with Lacy Clay.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

21. You do you.

If Clay wins the primary and holds the seat, I'd be happy. I think running and electing progressive women is important. JMHO.

[EffieBlack]

25. I agree - but not just because they're progressive women

And apparently, AOC doesn't share your interest. At the same time she's campaigning for a progressive woman against a progressive African-American man, she's also campaigning on behalf of a man running AGAINST a progressive woman.
So much for that progressive woman thing.

[Cha]

41. Yeah, he must be for Sharice then..

Link to tweet

[Algernon Moncrieff]

48. This was my reply to Effie

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210907753#post32

It's actually upthread, but the thread has gotten schematically complex.

[Cha]

39. Yeah? You think so in District 3 Kansas then, no doubt.

Link to tweet

[brooklynite]

34. For your consideration: MO-1 is a Safe D district...

If you want to volunteer for this campaign, great. If you're thinking for a minute about contributing funds, consider all the races where we're trying to pick up Republican seats.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

42. Such as Kara Eastman

http://eastmanforcongress.com/

I was born in the Midwest and raised by a single Mom, who by necessity received a lot of help from her parents. I became incredibly close to my grandparents because they really did help raise me. When I was young, I remember the stories they would tell—about my grandfather’s military service and the Purple Heart he earned in World War II, and about my uncles, who served during Vietnam. They would tell me about my great grandfather, who moved up in the ranks of his local union until he was the head of the Carpenter’s in Chicago—my mother still has his hammer that he would proudly display as a sign of his hard work.

When I was nine, I told my mother I wanted to save the world; when I was 15, I told my best friend that I was going to a college that would best prepare me to help others (she told me that wasn’t smart because I would never make any money). I met my husband, now an associate professor of history at Creighton University, when we were in college together, and we’ve been married for sixteen years. We chose to raise our daughter, who we’re so proud of, in Nebraska. She’s a junior at Central High School in Omaha.

I take ideas and turn them into tangible actions. I started Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance (OHKA) and have grown it from a small, start-up lead poisoning prevention organization to a nationally recognized, award-winning nonprofit that has raised more than $13 million to support green, safe, and healthy housing in Omaha. We have directly served over 4,000 Nebraska families over the last decade. In the process, I created dozens of jobs within the organization, in city government, and through partnerships with the small businesses and contractors we work with.

I was honored to win election to the Board of Governors of Metropolitan Community College in 2014 with 64% of the vote and subsequently to be elected as Vice Chair of the Board. At MCC, I’ve been proud to strengthen the college’s non-discrimination policies, develop contractor training programs that created jobs in the community, and lead the initiative to ban tobacco usage on all campuses.

It’s fair to say that I strongly believe in a tradition of service to others—it was ingrained in me, and it’s a fundamental part of what my family stands for. That’s why I’m running for Nebraska’s Second Congressional District. I’m a life-long Democrat, and I’m not going to sit on the fence while our political system is assaulted and undermined by those who don’t represent Nebraska’s values. Nebraskans need someone who isn’t afraid of a fight, someone who will take the lead in healthcare, education, and climate change.

I want to work together as we move forward, and I want to earn your vote in 2018.

-Kara Eastman

FYI, she is running against one-term incumbent Don Bacon

[brooklynite]

46. Toss up seat that Clinton only lost by 2.2%, and DCCC "Red to Blue candidate"

Only reason I wouldn't support her is that there are equally competitive candidates in other States with more up- and down-ticket impact.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

50. I'll tell you why I would support this race in a more holistic level

On one side of river is NE-2 (Eastman v. Bacon). On the other side of the Missouri River (largely in the same TV viewing area) is IA - 3 (Axne v. Young). Most polls show that Young is vulnerable.

https://cindyaxneforcongress.com/

So this is probably a good area for the DCCC to make media buys to, where possible, support both candidates.

[RandySF]

53. Eastman was just screwed over.

Two unions that backed her primary campaign just endorsed Bacon.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

56. Yes. That's a head scratcher.

I suspect they are writing her off prematurely.

[kcr]

63. Thanks for the reminder to donate to Clay n/t

[Algernon Moncrieff]

85. We'll all support whoever wins the primary.

[Gothmog]

98. I do not like rhe logo or campaign colors

Last edited Sun Jul 22, 2018, 05:52 PM - Edit history (1)

Link to tweet

[oberliner]

108. Cori Bush is a woman

[xmas74]

105. Nope.

Lacy Clay has my support.