Harkin says Vilsack will be chosen to run DNC

[Freddie Stubbs]

By Todd Dorman, Globe Des Moines Bureau

DES MOINES — U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin predicted Wednesday that Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack will be picked to lead the Democratic National Committee, citing what he contends is growing support for Vilsack among party leaders.

Harkin, D-Iowa, said Vilsack has the support of U.S. Sen. Dick Durban, D-Illinois, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-California, and U.S. Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the party’s 2004 presidential nominee.

Earlier this week Vilsack received strong backing from newly elected Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada.

“He’s getting more and more support as the days go by,” Harkin told Iowa reporters on a conference call. “And I think he’s going to be our next Democratic national chair.”

more: http://www.globegazette.com/live/state/st1.php

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. Hammer them...

With mail and email. Scare the pants off of them.

We want a voice in this too.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

63. Link Please

http://harkin.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

This is the best I could come up with now.

I want to write directly to anybody with power in this.

I want Dean!

[Atlant]

2. Just another reason for me to stop saying "I'm a Democrat".

Vilsack helped prop-up the candidate who went on to lose the general
election *AND* lose Vilsack's own state. It seems to me that this is
exactly the wrong sort of leadership to create a Democratic party
that can *WIN* elections instead of throwing elections.

Atlant

[Teaser]

5. Scared to fight for your party?

Oh well, I guess liberals don't have the balls conservatives had in the 1960s, when they started their fight to take the party right.

Ah well.

[Julien Sorel]

8. The conservatives lost that battle.

And the election that came with it in a massive landslide. Four years later, they nominated the moderate Nixon. Who won.

[NashVegas]

15. My Party?

No, this is not my party. This is the party of "let's reach out to soccer moms, Wall St. and splinter groups, and if basic democracy goes by the wayside, well, at least we'll still get some votes."

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. What is wrong with soccer moms?

:shrug:

[Ripley]

22. You mean the ones who don't watch or read the news

because it's so depressing, then vote Republican because the commercial they saw of Gee Dub looked patriotic? Those are the "soccer Moms" I know.

Keep pandering to the insipid and you'll lose every time.

[Freddie Stubbs]

26. So you think that we should just give up on those

who don't watch the news?

[JI7]

27. we will lose everytime if we only depend on the informed for votes

[Richard Steele]

53. Reminds me of that Adlai Stevenson quip...

When a woman in a crowd yelled,"You have every thinking person's vote!"

Without missing a beat, he replied:
"It's not enough, Madam...we need a MAJORITY!"

[demokatgurrl]

48. You'd lose me for sure- I NEVER watch the news on TV.

[NashVegas]

42. You Miss the Point

The Dems have overreached themselves by allowing their priorities to be broken down for 40 different groups with 40 different agendas. *This* makes it so so soooooooo easy for the BFEE and others to splinter what would otherwise be a Democratic coalition.

It is time to focus on the broad strokes and let the details sort themselves out for a little while.

[GR]

3. This Is A Stop Dean Move....We've Got To Fight It...At Least I Will...

nfm

[SleeplessinSoCal]

64. Email Address

To whom do we write now? Can somebody post it here soon please?

I wrote to Democracy for America and asked tried to get an address from them.

I've written the DNC many times and don't think they have ever acknowledged one email.

My hope for the party lies in this decission and I think we need a voice in that decision.

How do we be heard.

[xultar]

4. WTF in my opinion Kerry doesn't get a say, he QUIT and lay dead to early

effin effer. :grr:

[KeireG]

6. Ridiculous

Senator Kerry has not quit, and he is NOT "laying dead". You just trying to cut and run, we need to stay united as a party.

[Walt Starr]

10. That's teh same bullshit we've been fed for 4 years

I'm not eating bullshit any more.

From now on when given a choice between a Republican and a Democrat who acts like a Republican, I'm going with the real deal to hasten the horror.

[ally_sc]

9. I agree with Xultar

Kerry's concession speech was a tad to early given the speculation of voter fraud,machine tampering and the like.

[Ripley]

7. Oh boy, someone from IOWA to lead the LOSERS.

Did Iowa have even one blue county on the map?

Do tell, what is their big plan for their pathetic party moving forward?

Maybe... act more conservative?

Fuck your party. I'm glad I never registerd D.

[ElectroPrincess]

12. I WANT to support the Democrats but they must grow a spine!

[Freddie Stubbs]

14. Iowa had many blue counties

http://uselectionatlas.org/USPRESIDENT/state.php?year=2004&fips=19&f=0 (Please note that this site uses blue for GOP and red for Democratic)

Bush won Iowa by less than 1%, which is less than the margin for the country as a whole.

[Ripley]

21. Okay it had blue counties.

How again does it make it the bellweather for Democrats in America?

Just like them being first in the primaries. Why? Is their state really the heartbeat of what the Democratic party stands for? 50/50 is not exactly a ringing endorsement.

[Freddie Stubbs]

31. If you really want a bellweather

You would want a state that reflects the nation as a whole. Bush won the popular vote 51%-48% nationally and won Iowa 50%-49%.

[Ripley]

35. For president maybe...

But not for the Leader of the OPPOSITION PARTY. This concession crap has got to stop. The repigs do not stand for liberals, so why the hell do the Dems want to stand for the bible-thumpers?

[unfrigginreal]

11. Oh Good! Let's put a guy in charge that couldn't even deliver his

own state for Kerry. Business as usual for the Democrats.

[Seabiscuit]

59. Because...

the DLC has turned into one huge Repuke machine with a wrecking ball destroying the Democratic Party from within.

Thought we were having a tough time taking back our party in 2003? It just keeps getting worse and worse. Keep this up and we'll be living in a fascist police state in 10 years, drafting 18 year olds as cannon fodder for endless wars of "liberation" around the globe. Oh, and say bye-bye to NYC, SF and LA - they'll be the first targets of millions of terrorists we've spawned. It only took Al Queda 8 years to vastly improve on WTC1 (1993) with WTC2 (9/11/2001). They've had 3 years to prepare since - imagine what's coming in the next 10 years with the Bush family dynasty on their newly crafted throne?

[Walt Starr]

13. That's almost it for me, then

I am very near to making a Personal Declaration of Independence.

[Strawman]

16. Having a leader with "sack" in his name opens us to ridicule

Don't know a thing about the guy except that on election night his state was redder than Toby's ass and that's not exactly confidence inspiring. I'm assuming he's considerably more conservative than Dean. Everytime I hear his name I think of a pickle (Vilasic) or a scrotum (ball sack).

I'll find out more about him. Maybe he's not so bad, but my gut reaction is "meh." Doesn't exactly fire me up. Maybe I'll organize some Vilsack Meetups around the country because I like the sound of crickets chirping. I'd like to see Trippi in the job personally. I think he's probably more on top of what it takes to do that job and would be more innovative than Dean.

[Freddie Stubbs]

17. Iowa was not red on election night

It was so close that we didn't know who won the state until several days later.

http://uselectionatlas.org/USPRESIDENT/state.php?year=2004&fips=19&f=0

[Strawman]

23. fair enough but

it was one of 2 states that swung from the Democrats in 2000 to Bush in 2004. Not exactly a governor who is delivering the goods. A governor should be able to mobilize the people in his own state to win a close race.

[Freddie Stubbs]

29. States are won by the Presdiential candidates' campaigns, not

by the Governors.

Take Pennsylvania for example. Gore won Pennsylvania by about 205,000 in 2000 when it had a Republican Governor. Four years later PA has a Democratic Governor. So how much did the Democratic candidate's margin increase? It didn't. Kerry won by about 130,000 votes.

[Strawman]

34. not buying it

He couldn't help put together the ground game to squeeze 15,000 more votes out of his state? In MI, the governor's husband managed the Kerry campaign, and you gotta believe the governor's political muscle was heavily involved. We had a gay marriage inititative on the ballot that caused heavy Republican turnout and we still won a tight race. Governors get some share of credit and blame for that. When McCain beat Bush in the 2000 primary in MI, then Gov. Engler got a good share of the blame. That's how I understand it to work.

Was there a gay marriage initiative in IA? If there was, that might explain some of it. But I'll bet if the Dems had won IA he would be claiming credit. If he wasn't that involved in assisting the campaign (which I have a hard time believing) well then he should have been and I would question his judgement.

[unfrigginreal]

24. The last Republican to win Iowa was Reagan in '84

so Iowa was indeed redder than it's been in 20 years. Does Vilsack offer any explanations for that?

[Atlant]

38. "It's Howard Dean's Fault"

> The last Republican to win Iowa was Reagan in '84" so Iowa was indeed
> redder than it's been in 20 years. Does Vilsack offer any explanations
> for that?

"It's Howard Dean's Fault"

(Yes, I *THINK* I'm joking.)

Atlant

[unfrigginreal]

39. LOL

:thumbsup:

[msongs]

20. has a Trippi candidate actually ever WON an election?? eom

[Strawman]

25. Jerry Baliles, Bob Casey, Alan Cranston, Tom Bradley

http://www.joetrippi.com/bio

Has Vilsack ever raised 50 million bucks on the internet? How many Vilsack candidates have won national office? By that standard we can rule out everyone except James Carville.

[demokatgurrl]

49. Never. He has a perfect losing record.

[Minstrel Boy]

30. I'm glad you raise this, because it's fucking true.

Given the state of political discourse in America, which is like Fourth Graders at recess, "Vilsack" is a huge handicap.

[Freddie Stubbs]

33. No one is asking voters to vote for Vilsack

This is to be chairman of the party. And even if he were, his victories in Iowa have shown his name is not a major impediment.

[Minstrel Boy]

37. Iowa is one thing. If Vilsack rises to national prominence,

you can count on the playground taunts.

Not that that should deter the Dems if he's the best choice. But I don't think he is.

[Strawman]

40. OK, but what exactly is that job going to entail?

Being a spokesman or a front man or the face of the party? ("Next up on Larry King, Governor Ballsack") Raising money? (Can he do that as well as Dean, Trippi or even McCauliffe?) Firing up the base for 2006 (chirp, chirp)?

I'm sure you know more about him than I do and I hope your confidence is well founded because like it or not he's probably going to be the guy, but he's not exactly an inspiring choice.

[msongs]

19. Great news!!! Now Dean can keep doing what he does best....counter the DNC

and its money grubbing republican-lite ways.

Msongs
Riverside Ca

See our political t shirts!
www.msongs.com/political-shirts.htm

[Freddie Stubbs]

44. He ceratinly did a great job of that in the primaries

;)

[GoBlue]

28. Ah a breathe of fresh air....

Pander to heartlands like your competitors

I think that having a Tom Vilsack as the head of our party would say to people around the country…we’re now going outside, we’re going out to the heartland of America to re-establish some of our bases. That would be a good signal. Harkin said.

Work part-time

Vilsack would remain governor even if he becomes his party’s top leader. But Harkin dismissed concerns expressed by some Democrats that their party is in need of full-time leadership.

Real leadership not needed just a front man

Several sitting elected officials have served as party leaders on both sides of the political aisle. Cook said those leaders usually serve as a public voice for their party while full-time strategists handle day-to-day operations.

SOS

[Larkspur]

32. Well, the good news will be that Vilsack can take the heat for Dem losses

in 2006.

I'd rather have Dean running DFA and freely blasting away at Repukes and Repuke-lite Dems than being hamstrung as DNC chief.

When Vilsak, assuming he becomes DNC Chief, sends me requests for money, I'll send it back with $0.00, tell him I donated to DFA, and make the DNC pay the postage.

[MARALE]

36. I may get flamed for this

Vilsac has done a lot of good work in Iowa. The main reason Iowa went red was because of Fundies, there are a lot in this state. Vilsac is a lot tougher than people think and is quick on his feet. I can say though that his wife has a lot to do with the reason that Kerry won the primaries. Many people listen to her and respect her in this state. Vilsac is not afraid to get things done, even if it means pissing off tha majority for something that is good for the state. Give the man a chance...

Okay, flame away........

[Strawman]

41. I'm not going to flame you or anybody. Your post is helpful

I just have doubts. The guy is an unknown to me. I need to be convinced. Your post is helpful.

[Logansquare]

43. OK, I give up on the Democratic party

I'll continue to support individual candidates with donations and volunteering, but screw the DNC.

[bvar22]

45. Tired of elephants in donkey suits?

There is a Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party. It is growing in spite of efforts from the Corporate owned DLC to silence it.

http://www.pdamerica.org/

Check it out.
I no longer send money to the DNC/DLC.
I am sleeping better.

[denverbill]

46. I guess I don't know enough about Vilsack.

I know enough about Howard Dean to support him, but Vilsack was pro-Kerry IIRC. Then again, Harkin was pro-Dean and he supports Vilsack and Harkin is undeniably liberal.

All I can say is that the Democratic Party cannot continue to remain ball-less. They've GOT to start taking some real stands on real issues to differentiate themselves from Republicans.

Why are we pro-NAFTA? Why are we pro-illegal-immigration? Why are Democrats so loathe to overturn 'right-to-work' laws? Why do we have to support Israel no matter what the hell they do? Why do we have to continue to pander to the anti-Castro Cubans and embargo Cuba?

[Zhade]

60. Why? Easy: $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

NT!

[Seabiscuit]

61. With Vilsack heading the DNC, Dem leaders will never grow cajones.

"more of the same". The Democratic Party will be ancient history in 4 years. I'm looking either for a newly created party or a successful Howard Dean movement.

Fuck the spineless DLC.

[Ima]

65. He has mucho cajones.

Before I bashed him, I decided to do a little research.


http://www.iowapolitics.com/index.iml?Article=16663



Vilsack Vetoes Spark GOP Anger
5/14/2004

By Mike Schramm

--Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack issued 18 vetoes Friday afternoon, scolding the Republican-run Legislature and angering Republicans on the eve of their Lincoln Day Dinner.

Vilsack blamed Republicans' unwillingness to compromise for some of his vetoes, saying "Many of the bills I am taking action on today reflect a reluctance by the majority party in the Legislature to work with me and legislative Democrats to reach consensus. ... They made funding choices that could put education, health care, job creation, and other priorities at risk."

[LittleClarkie]

68. I ain't bashing squat until he takes the job and does something

There is nothing much to react to yet. If he's the guy, I want to see what he actually does before I pass judgement.

[geek tragedy]

47. Looks like Donkeysaurs aren't extinct.

To quote John Kerry, Tom Vilsack will give us "more of the same."

Gotta protect those caucuses, I guess.

[davidinalameda]

50. I didn't want Dean in the first place

I rather have Governor Ballsack on Larry King than see the clip of the "scream" for the next four years

Howard Dean as DNC chair would be the Repukes' wet dream

[Claire Beth]

51. I still believe Howard Dean....

would be the BEST person to head up the DNC. I heard Dean wasn't interested but not sure if that is true.

[CAcyclist]

52. Ok, Fine. I'll Just Stay in The Green Party Then

and my only donations will be to the people and groups fighting this fight.

Looks like the rest of the Democratic Party is going to need to form a Grassroots Democratic Party to challenge the DLC for control.

[dkofos]

54. Fuck the party leaders

Leave it up to the people

I cast my vote for DEAN

[Freddie Stubbs]

55. Which people?

:shrug:

[Bread and Circus]

56. If Howard wants to start a new party, I'm in.

[Seabiscuit]

57. I could just...

:puke:

[lies and propaganda]

58. if we go with Vilsack....

my hiatus from this party will be sealed.
I want so bad for Dean to get the job because he is the only one with any balls to set this party back in motion.
DraftHoward.com

[VegasWolf]

62. Howard Dean for 3rd Party!

[VolcanoJen]

66. Grrrrrrrrrr.

Vilsack couldn't even pull off Iowa for our party, a state the Republicans have failed to win since Reagan's 1984 electoral landslide.

We cannot stand for this.

[Tacos al Carbon]

67. What do you propose?

n/t