Volunteers bolt Bredesen over Kavanaugh support

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico

Tennessee Democrat Phil Bredesen is facing backlash from some of the staunchest supporters of his Senate campaign after coming out in support of Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court.

Campaign volunteers have been calling to cancel door-knocking and phone-banking shifts for Bredesen since his statement backing Kavanaugh, according to an internal spreadsheet maintained by the campaign and obtained by POLITICO. At least 22 volunteers so far have reached out to express frustration with the decision, according to the spreadsheet. POLITICO spoke with five who contacted the campaign to vent their anger.

It's a small fraction of Bredesen's total volunteer force, which numbers in the thousands, according to his campaign. But it's also just one slice of the frustration roiling Democrats since Kavanaugh was confirmed to the Supreme Court last weekend.

“As a woman voter in Tennessee, I felt torpedoed by the statement,” said Rhonda McDowell, a campaign volunteer in Memphis.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/10/11/bredesen-backlash-kavanaugh-support-894393

---

I requested a refund of my high dollar contribution. It can be better spent elsewhere.

[irisblue]

1. Unforced error by Bredesen.

He shot himself in his foot. IMO

[Maven]

7. +1

Why did he feel the need to say anything at all???

It's truly mind-boggling.

[only my opinion]

21. No, no, no, All politics must be local

He was very popular personally since he was a successful governor. Then he was painted as a national Democrat which is not so popular in his state. He needs to be elected first and help us win control of the Senate.

[Gore1FL]

48. But he didn't need to take an unpopular position on a vote he wasn't involved in to do that.

If I was trying to go for local politics, I am not sure supporting a rapist for the SCOTUS would be my first choice.

[Mr. Big]

2. I knew this was going to happen.

Expect the WV folks to depart from Manchin as well.

Lessons has to be taught to those who lean too far to the right and still call themselves a Democrat.

I think Heitkamp has a much better chance of getting the win than she was before because of her vote and the reasoning behind it.

[Iliyah]

30. Manchin is ok

[redstateblues]

79. Blue staters don't know what it takes to win in a deep red state

[saidsimplesimon]

3. Bredesen must by listening to Manchin.

[Lonestarblue]

4. Stupid, stupid decision to comment.

I don’t know whether his comment was in response to a question, but should have just responded that he could not make a decision without seeing all the information the Senate had. End of problem. He may well lose over this one comment.

[redstateblues]

51. I think it was a smart move. He needs Rs to win like he did when he was Governor.

I know a number of staunch Rs that are voting for Bredesen. Some folks don't like that but a lot of blue staters don't know what it takes to win in a red state.

[Progressive Jones]

61. The Southern Radical Right Wing Infestation Is Hard To Defeat. nt

[qazplm135]

5. this is why we lose

if the roles were reversed, the other side would have sucked up her saying she didn't support Kavanaugh and drove on because control of the Senate was all that matters.

[SunSeeker]

6. I hope Bredesen fixes this. nt

[DeminPennswoods]

9. Bredesen's comment had 0 impact on anything

Dems need this seat to gain control of the Senate, then there won't be anymore "Brett Kavanaughs" nominated and/or confirmed for federal judiciary seats. But, I guess it's better to cut off your nose to spite your face.

[brooklynite]

12. I have a very simple formulation...

Do I want him to win? Yes.

Do I want other Democrats to win? Yes.

Can I contribute to all of them? No.

Therefore, on dealbreaker issues (gun control, marriage equality, reproductive rights and now this) I'll target my money where it'll do the most good AND where I'm in sync with the candidates.

[DeminPennswoods]

14. Spend your money as you wish,

but, to me, it's petulant to give money then ask for it back based on a comment that was absolutely irrelevent. Did you not know Bredesen would be a fairly conservative Dem when you made your contribution?

[brooklynite]

17. Heidi Heitkamp is a fairly conservative Dem as well...

[DeminPennswoods]

26. That's the point, what a candidate says on the campaign

trail is not predictive of what a candidate would do once in the Senate and once in the party caucus. All the "conservative Dems" voted against Kavanaugh except Manchin and his vote made no difference. My bet is that if Manchin's vote had been determinative, he'd have voted no, but he waited until Collins and Flake voted yes, making his vote moot.

[Ms. Toad]

42. a comment that was absolutely irrelevent - seriously?

He volunteered that he supported someone who is not only under the cloud of credible sexual assault claims, but also who disployed profound inabaility to act with an appropriate judicial temperament.

Don't volunteer.
If you feel you have to volunteer, divert attention the the easily proven lies and violent temper, which are clear disqualifiers
If you can't bring yourself to supprt her, at least remain silent as to whether you believe her or not.

[cstanleytech]

23. Except we are near the end so the question is it worth throwing a potential wrench into the whole

thing for one stupid incident vs letting a Repugnant win a senate seat we need to win to stand a chance at stopping a President that is out of control?
Frankly in this case I would probably be willing to give him the benefit of doubt over the statement especially since its far to late to find a new candidate.

[redstateblues]

52. It was a smart move. It may be what wins the Senate seat

[Loki Liesmith]

10. 22 volunteers?

[brooklynite]

13. I think the key is that POLITICO got a hold of one volunteer sheet...

One can assume other volunteers have reacted the same way on other lists.

[OilemFirchen]

22. When one relies on Politico for unsubstantiated "news" one can assume anything.

For example, one can assume that this woman, despite the overblown headline, is telling the truth:

McDowell, a 63-year-old travel agent, said she had volunteered twice a week for the past four or five weeks, but she told campaign staff she could not continue after Bredesen backed Kavanaugh. McDowell told POLITICO she was rethinking that decision, but only because she was worried about the effect Bredesen’s support for Kavanaugh could have on other Democrats running in Tennessee.

“I was so conflicted about it for a while but the more I think about these candidates who are down the ballot, the more I think I don't want to cut off my nose to spite my face here,” McDowell said.

I sense that her volunteerism, however tepid, means a lot more to this campaign than your "high dollar contribution".

[Turin_C3PO]

11. Why did Bredesen even weigh in?

It would have been better for him to keep his mouth shut. There was absolutely no need for him to comment.

[Raven123]

32. My guess - he thinks he is gong to lose and threw a "hail Mary."

[Honeycombe8]

35. Both candidates were asked, I believe.

There's a price to pay for being too indecisive, or for being too meek to answer. He had to answer, if he wants to get elected. He had been avoiding it for a long time.

As for his answer, I assume TN is very red, so he has to say, or take a position, that gets the votes. If he doesn't, it doesn't matter what he thinks, maybe, since he would maybe not be elected.

I hate to hear that he feels that way. Horrible. But better than his opponent, who was a strong "yes" from the start. Bredesen did include a caveat, which is that he pointed out that he doesn't have all the information the Senators do. His opponent apparently doesn't even need all the information...she's a "yes" merely because Kavanaugh is the nominee.

Either the Republican or the Democrat IS going to get elected, so I'd probably hold my nose and vote for the one with the "D" by the name. It would pick up a seat and help toward getting a majority.

[Turin_C3PO]

43. I would definitely vote for him.

I just think he somehow should have side-stepped the question or, better yet, say he would be a “No” on Kavanaugh. Either way, it’s just an intellectual exercise because he didn’t have a vote.

[Gore1FL]

49. There was an easy answer for him.

"I am not a Senator yet. I have no access to any of the documentation. TN needs a reasoned mind to represent us in the Senate. This is too serious of a vote for me to speculate how I would choose given the lack of information available to me."

Instead he went for "I'll support Rapey McRape Face" because for some reason he considered that a safe answer.

[rogue emissary]

55. You mean all he had to do is tell truth.

[Polybius]

60. Beto O'Rourke is in a tight race in a red state too, and he flat-out said no he wouldn't support Kav

I admire Beto for being so courageous. However, your answer works well too.

[Honeycombe8]

64. Texas isn't as die-hard red as TN.

Trump won TN by a large majority. Clinton didn't come close. Trump won TX by a much smaller margin.

The big cities in TX are Democratic havens. Dallas, Houston, Austin.

But whatever the reason they gave their answers, I hope they know what the voters in their states will go for.

The bigger deal, though, is that both are behind their Republican opponents by a large margin. Bredeson is behind by double digits. Looks like he doesn't have much of a chance, anyway. And O'Rourke has fallen further behind Cruz.

[redstateblues]

78. I live in TN. It is more like West Virginia than TX politically speaking

[Honeycombe8]

62. No...a cop-out answer wouldn't work.

This was national news for months. EVERYONE in politics has an idea how s/he'd vote. I don't think a cop-out answer would work. He had to give a real answer, if he wants to win. Voters can spot non-answers.

He DID say that he doesn't have all the information. But if he wants to be a Senator, I would expect him, or anyone else, to have an idea how he'd vote.

He may have given the answer needed to win. Yes...unless information the Senators have would change things. Good answer, if you're going to say "yes."

But whatever the answer, the reality is that one of them IS going to be a Senator.

[Gore1FL]

65. Point, but he picked the wrong non-cop-out answer.

In an effort to get voters he'll never get, he alienated supportive voters; many of these were active volunteers an contributors. There was a long list of reasons that any reasonable person could point to that would exclude Kavanaugh from consideration.

If we have to go to the extent of supporting credibly accused rapist, known perjurer, ill-tempered, conspiracy-theory-believing dirtbag from a SCOTUS seat to get votes, then I submit our messaging needs close examination.

[Honeycombe8]

66. Kavanaugh was not accused of rape. I don't know why people keep saying that.

It was a mis-statement or misunderstanding of one of the stories. She was raped at a party...she did not claim that Kavanaugh participated. She said he was there & passing out punch in red plastic cups.

I view the volunteers' backing out as their choice and probably not a good idea for any chance for the Democrats to win in TN (altho doesn't look like there's much of a chance).

This is the kind of Democrat that wins in conservative states. A Democrat running in AL would have to say the same thing. If TN is like LA, even some of the Democrats are really more like Republicans.

[Gore1FL]

68. Failed Bank Robbery is called "Bank Robbery"

Calling failed Rape "Rape" isn't a stretch. His lack of success doesn't make it better. But as you wish. I will note it was only an attempt to rape in the future.

Unlike Bresden, some of his supporters felt the need to take a moral stand. It's too bad. The person to blame here is the candidate. Maybe he can get some of his new **attempted** rape supporters to fill in the gaps.

If we have to support **attempted** rapists to win, then we should use our resources elsewhere.

[Honeycombe8]

69. There was no attempted rape claim. It doesn't help to exaggerate the claims. nt

[zentrum]

15. OMG. Way to supress turn out.

[OldManTarHeel]

16. Oh Well . . . An Unforced Error and a Stoopid Move on His Part

[AirmensMom]

18. OK, I am TOTALLY pissed that he decided to make that statement.

But the alternative is f**king scary! We need to support Bredesen to 1) keep Marsha Blackburn out and 2) at least come closer to a majority in the Senate.

TN is a very red state. I have no doubt that he said what he said to try to appeal to Republican voters. Yes, it was miscalculated. He was not actually in a position to vote, so take what he said with a grain of salt. It is vital that we get him elected. I'd say this is a reason to send him money, not request refunds.

I live in TN and will vote for him. We are so screwed if Blackburn gets elected. If she is elected, she WILL vote with the Repugs EVERY TIME.

[Farmer-Rick]

19. What a Fu*king idiot. My better half is having serious second thoughts about voting for him now

Now, I'm going to have to have some long talks with her about this. Do Democrats understand what liberal really means? I think sometimes they think they are just nicer RepubliCONS.

Geez, let's just give him another gun to shoot himself in the other foot.

[redstateblues]

56. Any Dem that doesn't vote for Phil is

Essentially voting for Blackheart.

[Farmer-Rick]

81. I know, I told her that

She asks will it make a difference if a RepubliCON or Dem is forcing themselves on you? That having another clueless male siding with rapists is not going to bring back democracy.

At least she agrees that the Judas Goat Blackburn is much worse than a sexist Dem. She believes those women who sided with Traitor Trump and Rapy Kavanaugh do more damage to women's progress by putting a feminine approval on abuse and rape.

Why did he even go there?

[Blue Wave]

20. No Choice

If we want change we have to vote for Bredesen. If Marsha Blackburn is scary now, can you imagine her in the Senate? She would vote for every crazy thing that will take the country back to the stone age. Remember, what happened in 2016, do we want a repeat. I say NO, vote for the Democrat. We can fix it after taking over Congress and Senate.

Vote Blue.

[RobertDevereaux]

24. Must vote for him regardless...

Same with Manchin.

If we only get 50 Senate seats, that toxic motherfucker Pence is still the tiebreaking vote.

We must secure 51 Democratic seats.

[iluvtennis]

29. +++ agree

[elleng]

25. Not smart for him to say what he said. LESS smart:

Dems to withdraw support from him. Do we prefer blackburn?

[Chakaconcarne]

27. I get it, but they're going to advocate against to benefit the Republican?

Hate to say it, but the best option is to hold your anger until after the elections.

[iluvtennis]

28. I gave him a small donation and am regretting it. Only saving grace here is that is Bredesen wins

and we win the senate it gives us the numbers to be in contract of all of the committees.

[Iliyah]

31. My cousins in Tennesse are voting for him.

[muntrv]

33. Would they feel better if Blackburn wins?

[Freethinker65]

34. Senate is a six year term. We need as many Democrats as we can to restore checks and balances.

However, I can understand why some volunteers are now less than enthused. I hope they all still end up voting for him over Blackburn.

Perhaps his independence before knowing all the facts (he was not currently in the Senate to review all of the information on Kavanaugh that was, and also importantly was NOT, provided prior to K's confirmation) plays better in Tennessee than on DU?

[qwlauren35]

37. Just curious...

When did he make his statement? Before or after Ford testified?

I'm campaigning for him right now, and this turns my stomach.

[Freethinker65]

39. Not sure. Sounds like after Corker and Manchin started yapping about the after confirmation effects

I thought he was a well liked pretty non confrontational former Tennessee governor prior to running for the Senate?

Hard to imagine there are so many insane people state wide voting for Blackburn. I can understand loons having enough regional appeal to win a seat in the House, but I am constantly surprised by some that get elected to the Senate.

[aeromanKC]

36. This is why we can't have nice things.

We need DINO's in Red States if we want the gavel back. If Bredeson felt the need to say he would vote Yes on Kav the Perv then so be it. The Dems need that pick up!! Just get elected, caucus with the dems and vote with the Dems 60% of the time. The R's get it. And notice they have the Gavel.

[brooklynite]

71. I am a strong advocate of supporting Democrats who can win regardless of ideological bent...

...to a point. There are a few core issues I can't overlook. For example, I stopped funding Donnelly back when he voted against Planned Parenthood funding, and I stopped funding Begich when he voted against gun background checks. Since I can't fund every candidate, I'll move my cash to those that don't trip one of my dealbreaker issues.

[KayF]

73. people have different priorities as individuals

there's a way of thinking where people think of their own priorities as the correct ones, and others' as not being legitimate. For example democrats that prioritize economic issues over social ones.

[Racerdog1]

38. Really?

A fucking fence post is smarter than blackbum.

[rockfordfile]

40. If I lived in Tennessee, I would vote for Bredesen.

[CrispyQ]

41. Women are pissed.

These men should worry less about appealing to moderate republicans & independents, and worry about pissing off Democratic women.

[redstateblues]

54. All women are not pissed. My daughter is a hard core Progressive and she is all in on Bredesen

My wife is more moderate but she will vote for Bredesen, as will her Republican sister.

[CrispyQ]

74. My post wasn't to say that women shouldn't vote for these men,

it's to make a point that things have changed & the strategy of democrats appealing to moderate republicans & independents may backfire by pissing off democratic women.

[redstateblues]

76. I live in TN. It is more like West Virginia politically

A Democrat cannot win here without getting crossover votes the way Bredesen did when he was elected Governor

[underthematrix]

44. Black women are reliable DEMOCRATIC voters.

I am a BLACK woman and I care about people with pre-existing conditions, immigrant children in cages and voter suppression and sexual assault victims and the rule of law.

I am a black women and I'm voting DEM no matter what because I'm a grownup and I know what the stakes are and I know what they mean.

I am a black woman

[osmium]

45. I Have Been Saying This Since 1982..

..Small differences in initial conditions mean large differences over time. Of course that's *ahem* 'axiomatic' in chaos theory; but it applies to politics as well. You never get the candidate(s) you wish for. You must simply contend with the ones you are given. A blue-ISH seat is worlds better than a Red seat.

See English idiom concerned with a throw, a baby, and an unspecified amount of tepid water.

[JudyM]

58. Ha!

Enjoyed this post, osmium.

[osmium]

82. I wasn't really trying..

..to be humorous; save for that end bit, but I'll take it!

[TygrBright]

46. Because Blackburn is SO MUCH BETTER....?? WTF.... n/t

[Fullduplexxx]

47. The short-sighted party is doing it again

[redstateblues]

50. Any Democrat that won't vote for Bredesen is essentially voting for Blackburn

Do a little background search on Blackheart to see what she is all about. People in blue states sometimes don't realize what it takes to win in deep red states. Bredesen is a good man and would be a great Senator.

[Docreed2003]

53. Dumb move by Phil

But he knows the political climate in this state. From what I see, this report seems overblown. If any democrat can turn the senate seat to blue, it's Bredesen. Phil is a good man, I can attest to that personally. We need all the help we can get here and I hope you reconsider your request.

[kcr]

57. You pull your billions because of a Politico article talking about 22 people?

I'm sure Marsha Blackburn will be impressed.

[catbyte]

59. Wow. Talk about making an unforced error. WTF was he thinking?

My sweetie was involved in state politics for 30 years and he says there are two cardinal rules:

1. Keep your mouth shut;

2. Don't step on your own dick.

He managed to break both of them. I hope this doesn't cost him the election. Democrats need to suck it up and vote for him anyway. Marsha Blackburn is a goddamned nightmare.

[SharonAnn]

63. We're voting for him. Pay no attention to this.

[madville]

67. NY Times poll just released now has Blackburn up +14

Most money will probably begin being redirected to places like Arizona, Nevada, Florida, etc. I doubt he's gonna climb back out of this hole. It's Blackburn 54%, Bredesen 40%, covers from 10/8-10/11.

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/upshot/elections-poll-tnsen-2.html

[DeminPennswoods]

70. Wow, NYT made 28,670 calls and got 593 responses

Don't know if this is usual or not, but that's a lot of unresponsiveness. This poll doesn't seem to be weighted, just raw numbers so I'm not sure how seriously to take it.

[redstateblues]

77. I don't answer my phone if I don't recognize the number

[dajoki]

72. Here we go again...

bashing ourselves, we can't win like this.

[ck4829]

75. Kick

[rockfordfile]

80. Why did you kick this?