Where the hell was Perez and the "new" DNC??

[LAS14]

As I understand it, Trump won the Kansas 4 by 30 points. Is that true? And if Thompson lost by only 7, wouldn't it have been a really good investment for the Kansas state party and the DNC (or DCCC) to have invested in this race?

I think it's a good investment to healthily support EVERY Dem race. I thought that's what Perez meant when he talked about a 50 state strategy. We can't build up the party over time if we ignore some races.

Do I have my facts right here?

[Warren DeMontague]

1. I think given the district we performed pretty well.

I also think the DCCC is pretty short on funds right now.

[LAS14]

2. Short on funds? Really? Every other left group....

... is reporting amazing donations. True, I haven't donated to the DCCC since the election.... Not sure if I've been asked, as I hang up/don't answer such phone calls. But if they haven't been fund raising in this climate they're sure missing an opportunity!!

Is the DCCC an arm of the DNC?

[Warren DeMontague]

4. I dont know exactly how that breaks down, honestly.

I just remember reading here a couple days ago that they -the DCCC specifically- had some big cash flow problems right now.

I wonder how much of it specifically vis a vis the DCCC has to do with the polarization of gerrymandered districts, so people are either complacent or hopeless, respectively.

I should probably donate, myself. I know I've held off on giving $ for a while to the DNC because.. Reasons, but the main one is gone now.

[mythology]

7. They are related and coordinate but are separate

The DCCC had about 6.5 million cash on hand and about 14 million in debt at the end of 2016 per the FCC reports.

You can find that here:

http://www.fec.gov/disclosure/committeeDetail.do

I think part of the issue is the polarization within the party. People are donating to outside groups or specific candidates rather than the party as a whole I'd imagine.

[Hortensis]

12. The Dem candidate was almost entirely grass-roots funded

and was well organized and well funded. Something to be proud of.

But this is KOCH country, plus big business interests are very anxious that these early races do not suggest a turn against them. No matter how much money we put in, they and outside interests would have made sure their candidate had all the money he needed. In fact, they did, once again, flood the race in the last couple of weeks with further donations.

[Alice11111]

61. Headed by Ben Ray Lujan

[hatrack]

10. If they keep this up, they're going to be permanently short on funds . . .

They couldn't kick in $100,000, or $50,000, or even $20,000.

Hell, he got $3,000 from the state party. $3,000.

Gotta keep that powder dry I guess . . .

[ananda]

3. We do need money and boots on the ground ..

.. in these special elections.

A strong 50-state presence and strategy is much needed.

[LAS14]

5. I was very excited by the ItStarts.Today fund raising effort,

but I haven't been able to find out how successful they've been. They only accept donations in an amount that can be divided equally among all Democratic races (they round down for you). I have visions of small Dem parties in places like the Kansas 4th waking up with money on their hands and launching PR campaigns and discovering other lonely Dems who come out of the shadows for the first time.

[Alice11111]

65. Well, I work in those elections, raising money,

but no longer through the DNC, DCCC, etc. I suspect many of us are doing that, from the emails I get from out of state candidates, even occasionally personal emails thanking me and telling me what is going on...so I can help, in the best way.

I'm a Democrat through and through. After the debacle of DWS and Donna Brazile (who I used to love, but she needlessly shot Hillary in the foot, plus she was dishonest to her party and employer) and the failure of the DNC to take control, or listen to us working in the field, during a badly managed election, I put my efforts toward competent individual campaigns. Once I SEE a 50 state approach, not just loud lip service, maybe my approach will change.

One would think, the DNC might have some introspection about why loyal Democrats are working hard for individual campaigns. They don't do feedback poles, like the Repubs did during the election and still do. They don't take feedback seriously. Ask the folks in Wisconsin, Kansas recently, & Michigan. Only after Maddow called them out in public on TV, did they help out in Georgia. I can tell you from my personal experience too. You are lucky to get a canned irrelevant response. As long as they function in an ivory tower, while the Repubs are talking to the troops, we need to work around them, and try to at least win some individual elections. I could say a lot more about mine and others experiences, but it would probably be construed as dissing Dems. That is unfortunate, as so many of us are working hard for Dems, but can't give feedback about how to improve the party, our party. Bingo...therein lies the problem.

[alarimer]

6. It says more about the power of the grassroots than about the party.

This was about "We, the people" and not about some party. And you know what? The Republicans are scared shitless. Because we are mad as hell and we aren't going to take it anymore.

I'm not sure the involvement of the party establishment would have made a difference here. But it does send a message for future races. One) that someone to the left can actually do well, even in places where you might not think they will. So stop stifling progressives and stop only supporting middle-of-the-road boring Democrats or DINOS. And Two) Trump is TOXIC as hell and this is about tying him around the necks of every single Republican. And Three) Turnout matters.

[Blue_Adept]

8. PEREZ SHOULD HAVE UPENDED EVERYTHING DAY ONE AND WON EVERY SEAT FOR DEMS

It's not like taking over the DNC, cleaning house, and all that's associated with getting involved in state level elections should take long after all.

WE WANT INSTANT GRATIFICATION AND WE WANT IT NOW

[LAS14]

9. :-) nt

[titaniumsalute]

11. Frankly that is rather simplistic thinking

First off Perez has basically just started running the DNC...cleaned house the past two weeks. The race in Kansas wasn't supposed to be anywhere competitive at all. Late polling only had it a tight race the past few weeks. As a Dem who donates money I don't want to necessarily piss money down holes that won't move the needle. Everyone was surprised how close this race actually was last night in Kansas. It is easy to armchair quarterback and blame the DNC for not helping but in a district where the former Rep won by 30 and the Preident won by 27 I would also have decided early to not go gangbusters. There are 435 races in the House next year. 33 Senators, I don't know how many Governors. We need our fire power for next year's elections.

I would agree that it is smart for the DNC to do what they can to help in georgia and Ossoff. That IS a close race.

[LAS14]

14. Then what did Perez mean by "a fifty state strategy?"

Winning isn't everything. Building up the party/progressive voters should be a goal. And you never know when there will be a surprise.

[titaniumsalute]

21. He just got into the position

I've started fairly high management jobs a few times in my life. It sometimes takes months to figure out the best strategy to move forward. Couple that with the "house cleaning" they did two weeks ago.

I agree we need a 50 state strategy as a whole. That includes, in many cases, airing more generic advertising statewide against the Republicans.

As much as I want to win, like you do, we have to let them do their jobs.

[dmr]

48. Frustration. I hear you, & I do understand, but

the Republicans found out (from their own private polling) that it was going to be a too close for comfort race. The Republicans (or PACs) flooded the district with money, & then they got out their "power players". Robo calls, & Pence at a rally (makes me want to gag - thinking of Pence as a power player.)


The DNC, & affiliates may not have much money, but I would hope they'd find a way to move heaven & earth to help our brothers & sisters out.

This candidate requested & was denied $20,000. Some may say that $20,000. probably wouldn't have helped. I don't know ... the Republican barely won, so perhaps that 20 grand, or even just 10 grand may have made the difference.

And, it's not just the money. Trump & Pence made robo calls, and Pence even campaigned. Did the DNC offer anything similar?

An email blast for donations might've helped. I'm on a fixed income, but I always try to donate to Democrats in need.

I know, too, what it's like to begin anew. Just thinking how dysfunctional DWS led the DNC I don't doubt Perez has his hands full right now. Yet, while I want to be understanding, & give Perez the time he needs, I am so tired of excuses, or lame reasonings why we are not, can not, or do not do something proactive. Did we have robot calls? Did we have our "A"-list Dems campaigning? Phone banking?

I am really impressed with the Democratic grass roots. I am hoping the gumption, attitude and energy of these new people, someday soon, become the leaders of our Party & its operations, kick ass and take names!

I'd be out there if I could. I can, and have work the phones, though.

Anyway, my point is: a lot of us understand the restraints, tight budgets, etc, but we are also frustrated to the point of anger. Frustration at excuses & complacency.

Oh, man, it would've been so sweet to win that race ...

[OnDoutside]

63. Great post - Recommended read. ****

[True Blue American]

58. The guy won by 37% last time.

7% this time.

But Perez is on a tour with Bernie,who is not a Democrat. Now,I read he will run again.

[KingCharlemagne]

13. Keep your eye on the prize (2018). This specific seat will be up again in 2018. It was

probably almost too soon to flip it, so the DNC putting money into it would have been wasting money best reserved for the prize (2018).

[LAS14]

15. See response #14.

[KingCharlemagne]

20. Even if, by some miracle, the seat had flipped, Repubs would still have

an unassailable majority in the House. The prize is in play in 2018, not in an individual 2017 by-election.

[SharonAnn]

30. But it sends a message to us that the DNC and DCCC are fighting for Dems.

Without that, it says that the DNC and DCCC pick and choose according to their preference.

I understand analyzing where the investment of $ makes sense to candidate's campaigns. Sometimes the objective is to win the seat and it could also be to "send a message" to the Dem supporters across the country.

I doubt that my district would ever be competitive but if it ever got close, I'd want to see the DNC and DCCC participate. That would really open up the state and local donors pocketbooks. And it would tell the people in our district that the seat doesn't have to be "R" forever and doesn't have to be held by a scion of the Duncan family.

[Demsrule86]

16. Hey just another complaint about the Democratic Party right?

What about purity? I am sure you don't want corporate money used and all...after all I have been told more than once that candidate can raise their own money...no need to raise corporate money to elect folks...why we need to lead by example and all and not take the filthy dinero.

[LonePirate]

17. The state party in KS is practically non-existent from organizational and financial perspectives.

They have next to nothing to offer in terms of money, people or infrastructure. The national party was largely uninvolved although I do not know why.

[uponit7771]

18. Hmmm.so it sounds NFS like we have to build infrastructure in these states

[NewJeffCT]

23. Kansas was one of the few democratic bright spots

In 2016. Republicans still have big majorities, but they were cut down and some of the most rabid right wingers are out now.

[sweetloukillbot]

64. A friend in Kansas was genuinely ecstatic about this result

With Brownback tanking, and other districts swinging back from rabid right wing, Thompson's strong showing bodes well for 2018. More money wouldn't have made a difference she said, Bernie could have gone door to door to ensure 100% voter participation in most of those counties, and Thompson still would have lost all of them big. Wichita flipped blue which is a big deal.

[KittyWampus]

19. Perez literally just got started and kicked out everyone is restaffing. This is shit-stirring.

Nothing more.

[mvd]

22. I feel a little money could have gone a long way here

Perez is just starting out, so not sure we can put it all on him. Hopefully they will see it was in single digits and help in Georgia and Montana.

[Demsrule86]

25. He almost won...and it is a dark day for the GOP

that a seat they won by 30+ points is just five points...Trump is going to bring down the GOP House...handwriting is on the wall...we have seen this before.

[Me.]

28. So Bernie Campaigned For Him?

[JHan]

31. Cool story bro

[NCTraveler]

37. I thought I had seen numerous posts where Perez and Sanders were making multiple stops together.

So many content free attacks on Democrats this morning.

How many times did Sanders show up for him? Why weren't all of his stops for Thompson enough to put him over the top?

[Demsrule86]

52. Divisive post don't you think?

But it won't work...do feel free to keep trying.

[Foamfollower]

26. If the DNC or the DCCC had gotten involved the entire dynamic of the race would have changed.

Estes would have been able to run against Pelosi and would have won by double digits, relieving much of the anxiety more than 100 GOP Congresspeople feel this morning.

Estes won by 7 points, which is 20 points lower than Trump won the district by last year and 24 points lower than Pompeo did in 2016.

That puts 123 GOP seats into play for 2018.

[crazycatlady]

49. Realistically the DNC does not have the resources to contest 123 seats

This is why they are prioritized.

Also in some districts, you don't want the national party involved. This seems like one of them.

[Foamfollower]

53. Yep, the majority of those 123 cannot be contested by the national party

PACs and Super PACs, on the other hand, would find ideal opportunities in many of them.

[nikibatts]

57. But they can be contested with an actual candidate. Just put the name on the ballot.

[Foamfollower]

67. And let the Super PACs fund them. ;)

[Me.]

27. That's What I'd Like To Know

And for all those saying he did pretty well,....he did...but it is still a loss and yet another Con elected. Maybe with help and support he might've had a real shot. I hope this isn't a sign we're going to do the same old same old. From statements printed it seemed the DCCC could've cared less with their 'we wish him well' statement.

[DeminPennswoods]

29. No one expected this to be a close race

Even dKos, which is at the forefront of these kinds of grassroots campaigns, didn't take it seriously until just a few weeks ago. Sanders' Our Revolution came in late as well, iirc.

[FSogol]

32. Monday Morning Quarterback Unite. Perez should have won the election. That's what I would have done!

* ?

[NCTraveler]

33. Since this is your op....

Please show the numbers. What did the state party and any affiliate of the DNC give to support Thompsons campaign? Seems to be an important part to your rant that is completely missing.

I also think it would be nice to know if a single person replying has donated to the DNC or Kansas state party.

[LAS14]

35. Sorry, I don't have the figures, only what I got...

... from other posts. I did make a separate post asking if the DCCC was short of money, as someone had said.

I did see outside of DU, maybe Google news, in at least 2 places that Thompson had asked the Kansas party for $20,000 and had been turned down.

[NCTraveler]

36. Then there just isn't much there to back up your op.

A $20,000 claim does not rise to 7 points in the polls.

[LAS14]

38. My OP was a question. I was hoping DUers would have answers. nt

[NCTraveler]

39. "Do I have my facts right here?"

I was highlighting your lack of facts.

[LAS14]

40. So... that's when you ask questions. When you know you don't have facts. Your point? nt

[NCTraveler]

41. Did the DNC help Thompson come as close as he did in Kansas?

Is the state party one of the big reasons the race was even close?

How much did they funnel in considering the enormous strides a Democrat made for this seat?

[LAS14]

42. See reply #10 in this thread for a little bit of info.

[NCTraveler]

44. What does that have to do with anything?

It doesn't cover the full discussion with respect to your concern.

[LAS14]

45. $3000 from Kansas party is a "fact." nt

[NCTraveler]

46. Can you link to that fact?

Even with that, it still doesn't cover the scope of your concern.

[LAS14]

47. I didn't supply that fact. The author of post #10 did. I repeat,

I was ASKING A QUESTION. You keep criticizing me for not providing facts. I'm done with this interchange. Bye.

[BannonsLiver]

34. Daddy!!1 I want an Oompa Loompa and....

[LAS14]

43. From a number of replies here it looks like one problem might be....

... that the DNC and/or DCCC is not getting money because it is being given to smaller organizations and specific races (e.g., Orssoff's 8 mil). But I don't think I've received any DCCC or DNC solicitations since the election. Have others of you received such solicitations?

[crazycatlady]

50. I receive DNC/DCCC/DSCC emails asking for $$ on a daily basis

[LAS14]

54. Huh... a puzzle.

[Alice11111]

59. Give to one person, and you likely eventually will be on

many lists. I must get at least 10 or more emails per day, which I don't like, but I have been involved in raising money for Dems forever. Plus, I raise money for out of state candidates, so I am on about every possible list.

[LAS14]

62. I've given to quite a few people, via their own campaign funds.

[Alice11111]

66. Well, that seems to be how most of us do it now.

I guess that just shows that some of the individual campaigns are no longer sharing their lists.

[Alice11111]

56. Me too.

However, I target my contributions and fund raising to particular candidates, rather than the DNC now. I raised a lot of money for the Senate races, for targeted candidates. I sent money to the Georgia race. I do not have a lot of money, and I want to make certain that my efforts and my money are applied where it can be used for the most good.

[elleng]

51. Tom Perez writes 'Bernie Sanders and I are hitting the road.'

'As Democrats, we believe that every hardworking American should have an opportunity to get ahead. We believe in standing up for working people, that you should get a fair wage for a hard day's work, and that access to health care is a right, not a privilege.

Those are our party's values, and they're America's values -- they're what most people voted for last November.

We need to turn our party around and get back on track to take on Donald Trump and win elections. But that doesn't mean changing what it means to be a Democrat.'>>>

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10028914480

[LAS14]

55. Glad to hear it!! nt

[redstateblues]

60. I will send money when I think we have a reasonable shot the way we do

With Ossoff. I don't think we had a real chance of getting the Pompeo seat.

[killbotfactory]

68. Analytics told them it was a lost cause.

Building a party? Representing voters who side with democrats but are in gop dominated areas? Presenting our case to geographical areas we've neglected?

Nah. What's the point?