Democrats sweat midterm fallout from Nevada party crack-up

[JoeOtterbein]

Politico

A bitter feud has divided Dems in a key swing state — and dragged in the national party.

By HOLLY OTTERBEIN

11/07/2021 06:45 AM EST

A war between Harry Reid’s political machine and pro-Bernie Sanders forces is dividing Democrats in a key swing state — and dragging in the Democratic National Committee on the eve of a critical midterm election year.

The Nevada feud, which erupted earlier this year when insurgent Sanders supporters took over the state party from allies of the former Senate majority leader, has spiraled into a flurry of resignations, embarrassing headlines and the creation of a fully operating shadow party.

The rift is threatening Democrats’ chances of defending a Senate seat in 2022 that they can’t afford to lose, in what’s already shaping up to be a back-breaking election cycle for the party. President Joe Biden won Nevada by only 2 percentage points — a far more narrow margin of victory than he enjoyed in Virginia, where Republicans romped in the gubernatorial race last week, and New Jersey, where the GOP came close to defeating the incumbent Democratic governor.

“So much time has been spent on this ongoing infighting. There’s not a lot of time until the election, and it’s really drawn resources and time and energy from recruiting a new slate of candidates and building those community bonds that you need,” said Shaun Navarro, former co-chair of the Las Vegas chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, which helped elect the left-wing state party leadership. “These are the reasons people don’t like politics.”

snip

more at link

She's back!

[MagickMuffin]

1. Shouldn't the DNC Chair get involved to sort through this?

We really need unity. We need to be working together. Instead of infighting. Too much is at stake.

[Cha]

15. Of course.. Fascism is

on the line.. And, Democracy and the Planet and the SCOTUS(oh Wait.. that's already sailed!).. but some don't give a shit about that.. it's all about them.

[Hortensis]

28. The DNC is mostly administrative, though; it doesn't drive or steer,

not even the national party it's part of, and not the state parties. It may do some problem solving, but this is beyond its powers.

As for working together, by their nature the far-left faction that's gotten control of the Nevada State Democratic Party mostly don't do working together with "corrupt corporatists" (i.e., mainstream Democrats) and proudly so. This is both their nature and their ideology. LW class warfare populists must always defeat "the establishment."

Not coincidentallly in these crazy times, NV's Republican Party is also split and warring between a far-right pro-tRump populist insurgency. This one's authoritarian instead of anti-class egalitarian, but it also doesn't do "working together" and their old guard.

Lucky NV. Maybe those of NV's voters who believe in working together for competent government should pay more attention to their own business.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

2. Democratic Socialists of America...I like it. A left wing tea party to counterbalance fascism.

From constructive conflict maybe will emerge the more radical reform aimed at the core of social and economic justice, not just more of nibbling around the edges.

[question everything]

3. Didn't a Sanderista physically attack the head of the Las Vegas Democratic

party after the primaries in 2020?

[Celerity]

4. Background: Democrats cut out state party with "Nevada Democratic Victory"

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/politics/democrats-cut-out-state-party-with-nevada-democratic-victory/

[JoeOtterbein]

5. Thanks...

...for adding!

[lapucelle]

11. New NSDP chairperson, Democratic Socialist Judith Whitmer sees this as her mission:

Whitmer said “moderates and progressives will have to work together” to succeed in 2022, and that all Nevada Democrats share an “absolute commitment to ensuring we keep Republicans out of office.”

https://algulf.net/2021/11/07/democrats-are-sweating-the-mid-term-fallout-from-the-nevada-partys-breakup/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's how Nevada Democratic Victory frames its mission:

Fighting for Democratic wins up and down the ballot across Nevada

https://demvictorynv.com/

Nevada Democratic Victory is not a "shadow party". It's mission is to elect Democrats.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Furthermore,

[S]omeone close to the group said it’s up to the state’s Democratic candidates to decide how to run the coordinated mid-term campaign – and they’re going with the Nevada Democratic Victory.

https://algulf.net/2021/11/07/democrats-are-sweating-the-mid-term-fallout-from-the-nevada-partys-breakup/

There's precedent for candidate autonomy in running campaigns. The campaigns of the sophomore representative from NY-14 are not run by the state or national DNC. Brand New Congress ran her first campaign, and she now has a PAC to raise money for primary challengers. Justice Democrats directs campaigns for candidates running as Democrats with no input from the local, state, and national Democratic Party.

"Autonomy for me, but not for thee" is a losing message.

[lapucelle]

6. A slate of Democratic Socialists of America wanted to run the Nevada state Democratic Party.

They got their wish, and now they have to do the actual work. What made them think that people who are not socialists would stay on board and do the work for them?

Furthermore, one of the newly elected leaders has already resigned, so some of the infighting is within the new leadership.

Treasurer leaves state Democratic Party over leader’s anti-Israel remarks

CARSON CITY — The newly elected treasurer of the Nevada State Democratic Party has resigned after statements critical of Israel by the state party’s chairwoman about the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Howard Beckerman was elected treasurer in March with a slate of other progressives who were endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, including Chairwoman Judith Whitmer.

Whitmer on Friday wrote, “The present moment requires courageous and honest leadership from the United States, which has too long turned a blind eye to injustice and violence committed by the Israeli government, dominated by the extreme right wing.”

That sentiment is not sitting well with Beckerman and other Democrats in Nevada. In a copy of his resignation letter obtained by the Sun, Beckerman said foreign policy is not part of the state party’s agenda.

snip=================================================================================

Whitmer’s statement also said, “The world cannot stand by as we witness atrocities and human rights violations being committed against Palestinians.” She added that “Palestinians have a right to live in peace. No caveats.”

The Jewish Democrats in Nevada also were critical of Whitmer, saying in a Monday release that “the statement by NSDP Chair Whitmer is unrepresentative of our values as Jewish Democrats and we strongly disagree with her. We expect party leaders to promote words of unity and stand for equality and peace for all people.”

Rep. Susie Lee, a Democrat whose district makes up much of Henderson, and Sen. Jacky Rosen have also been critical of Whitmer’s statement.

“I am disappointed by Ms. Whitmer’s statement. To ignore the carnage being inflicted on Israeli civilians hiding in shelters from indiscriminate rocket fire, or to give verbal cover to Hamas’ terrorist actions is unacceptable and not based on the facts,” Rosen said in a statement. “In Nevada and in the halls of Congress, support for Israel and its right to defend itself remains a strong bipartisan issue. De-escalation is the only way forward to protect innocent civilians on both sides, Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2021/may/17/treasurer-leave-state-democratic-party-anti-israel/

[George II]

8. Oh my. Right off the bat, "Harry Reid's political machine". Harry Reid has been out of state-wide...

....politics for more than five years, and had been backing away even earlier than that due to health reasons.

Isn't Politico owned by a billionaire, far right German publisher and now a "right-wing source"?

[Budi]

10. Yes it is! Sold to the 'Rupert Murdoch' of European Press for 1 billion dollars!!

Do we allow Fox News sources here? Just checking where we draw the line since I really need to know.

Opinion pieces by employees of a Billion $$$ For Profit RW biased publication seems to be a question we need to ask, since the buyout.

Axel Springer is his name in case anyone wants to know who he is.

He's not moving Politico to a Pay-to-view subscription Mag because he's totally not in it for profit.

Billionare Corporate Global Media...

[Celerity]

14. Axel Springer has been dead for 36 years

Sold to the 'Rupert Murdoch' of European Press

Axel Springer is his name in case anyone wants to know who he is.

He's not moving Politico to a Pay-to-view subscription Mag because he's totally not in it for profit.

[George II]

18. The name of the company that bought Politico is Axel Springer SE. Axel Springer and his father....

....were the original owners of the company. He was once described as Germany's Rupert Murdoch.

https://www.thelocal.de/20120502/42291/

His far right legacy lives on at Axel Springer SE, which has been wracked with several scandals.

[Celerity]

19. that is not what the poster claimed (and you know it)

[sheshe2]

23. Five years!

That was one hell of a reach to fit into today's news cycle. Hmmm...and still fighting the primary. Guess when you got nothing you dredge up old shit, clean off the cobwebs, toss it in the laundry to rinse recycle and spin. Then present it as new news.

[NurseJackie]

9. She's back all right, and worse than ever. What a hack...

... I've never seen a political writer so invested in doing their best to portray the Democratic party as "evil" or "incompetent" ... the typical "Dems in Disarray" theme that this particular writer gravitates to. Writers like that are doing the work of the GOP when it comes to throwing fuel on the sparks or distrust and resentment and celebrating the division. Fact of the matter is this: The Democratic Party is not the Socialist Party, and "Democratic Socialists" are not Democrats. Politico is a German-owned RW source. It's where bad writers go to end their careers. It's where dime-a-word and cut-and-paste bloggers go to deceive others into believing that they're legitimate reporters. What a joke Politico is!

I eagerly await the day that Politico is securely locked behind a pay-wall... and when others realize its RW agenda of stirring shit and division within the Democratic party. It's just another tool of voter suppression. The smears and exaggerations and hand-wringing only serve to create an atmosphere of negativity: Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

[George II]

12. As you point out the new owner of Politico is Axel Springer SE, a right wing German....

....publisher. There have been comparisons of them to Fox News and references to them being the "Fox News of Germany".

The original owners, Hinrich Springer and his son Axel, both had what might be called "checkered pasts" regarding political leanings and objectivity.

[NurseJackie]

13. I hope it's banned. If the news or events are of genuine interest...

... the other more objective sources will also cover it. That Holly Gotta-whine is a crap writer (but she can cut-and-paste the hell out of a press-release) and Politco deserves her. Anyone who writes and promotes or cheers-on that type of garbage is doing the work of the RW for them.

Checkered pasts, indeed. Raise that paywall! ASAP!!

[OilemFirchen]

16. LOL

President Joe Biden won Nevada by only 2 percentage points — a far more narrow margin of victory than he enjoyed in Virginia, where Republicans romped in the gubernatorial race last week, and New Jersey, where the GOP came close to defeating the incumbent Democratic governor.

My emphasis. Her emphasis.

[Cha]

20. Doom & Fucking Gloom..

Shocking!!

She Forgot to Mention a Dem Gov hasn't won Re-Election in NJ since 1977!

I wonder WHY?

[OilemFirchen]

21. Apparently, Holly is still "embedded" with the Sanders camp.

I honestly didn't know there still was such a thing. Nonetheless, I'm happy to see she's still gainfully employed.

[Cha]

22. NJ Gov: Dem now leads by bigger margin in NJ than Rs in VA

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216028003#post26

Doesn't go with the M$$$$$M's MO

According to posts above.. Politico was sold to a RW Billionaire in Germany, Axel Springer.

So I don't expect any reality based reports from that new owner.

ETA.. Oh & weren't the previous owners RW?

[George II]

24. And Virginia hasn't elected a Democratic governor in a Democratic President's 1st year....

....in a long time, if ever.

[JohnSJ]

17. Pushing Democratic Socialism candidates is the key to winning. Almost as good as defund the police

Buffalo NY mayor’s race demonstrated how well that went

[betsuni]

25. "Harry Reid's political machine" "pro-Bernie Sanders forces."

What does that mean?

[BlueLucy]

27. It means "US vs THEM"

[BlueLucy]

26. Oh wow! She's completely biased no wonder she is at politico.

I wonder if she is a member at JPR? If not, she should be.