Labor Secretary Tom Perez will join race to run DNC

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Source: Washington Post

Labor Secretary Tom Perez will join race to run DNC

By David Weigel December 13 at 7:58 PM

http://twitter.com/daveweigel

Labor Secretary Tom Perez will launch a campaign to be Democratic National Committee chairman this week, becoming the first serious challenger to Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) for a lead role in rebuilding a shellshocked party.

According to two sources familiar with Perez’s thinking, he will announce his candidacy Thursday, a day after a planned rally for Ellison with the American Federation of Teachers and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The announcement would come after weeks of quiet pressure on Perez to give Democrats another alternative to the Minneapolis congressman.

A spokesman for Ellison said there would be no comment until Perez made his bid official, but the two other candidates for the job welcomed him to the race.
....

Ed O’Keefe and John Wagner contributed to this report.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/labor-secretary-tom-perez-will-join-race-to-run-dnc/2016/12/13/0b368ee0-c15f-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html

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There's an earlier thread about Tom Perez in LBN, but this thread is based on a Washington Post article published Tuesday night.

[blm]

1. THIS is who I have been hoping to see as DNC Chair. Intellect, principles, charm, and wit.

And he can run a large organization.

[MBS]

22. " " " " n/t

[StevieM]

2. Barack Obama has given us two great Labor Secretaries, Tom Perez and Hilda Solis. (eom)

[nycbos]

3. Thought he was going to run for Governor of Maryland.

[DinahMoeHum]

4. At least Perez can devote himself FULL-TIME to this job. . .

. . .unlike Ellison (and I like the guy, but he is too valuable to replace in Congress)

And in any event, the DNC chair is now a full-time position that should NOT be held by a currently active legislator.

Besides, Perez, being a soon-to-be-formerLabor Secretary, can help the Democrats win back working class people.

[NewJeffCT]

6. agreed on Ellison

I like him a lot - in Congress. I'd hate to lose him if he did step down.

[rpannier]

7. Ellison said he'd resign from congress to run the DNC

His is a very blue district with a high voter turnout
I still prefer Perez though

http://www.startribune.com/rep-keith-ellison-i-will-resign-my-seat-if-i-win-dnc-chair/405232966/

[George II]

5. He's my candidate - I'd vote for him if I could. He has NO baggage!

[LovingA2andMI]

8. If Ellison is not picked....

Say Goodbye to the Democrats chances for 2018 or 2020 for that matter. The Progressive Wing of the Democratic Party is not playing. It's either Ellison or ELSE.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. WTF?

I like Keith Ellison but this bullshit of arrogantly defining who one thinks is part of some "progressive wing" while unceremoniously dumping everyone else into some nonsensical "other" category, shows exactly why the discord continues. Those who continue to do this reveal themselves as nothing but the disgruntled fringe.

[LovingA2andMI]

10. Was The Post Not Clear....

Re-Read It.

[KittyWampus]

12. Your mistake is confusing Bernie-or-Busters for Progressives, Democrats and the Left.

[BumRushDaShow]

21. And?

Did my post confuse you somehow? Your post sounds like something a juvenile in a school yard might say. The only "clarity" is that it was clearly a nonsensical empty threat.

[LovingA2andMI]

29. No Obviously....

The term Re-Read is hard for you. That's not our problem. See ya!

[BumRushDaShow]

32. "That's not our problem"

"Our"? The Borg collective it seems...

[Jose Garcia]

11. And if Ellison is picked say goodbye to Jewish Democrats

[KittyWampus]

13. Saw Ellison interviewed about that and blew it off. Didn't have the guts or grace to even address it

[LovingA2andMI]

14. Jewish Democrats Have An Issue With a Muslim Democrat????

Really? Please detail....

[KittyWampus]

15. Ellison talked smack some years back. Why defend/support him if your knowledge of him

is this deficient?

This ought to be good

[Jose Garcia]

16. It's his past associations with known anti-Semetic hatemongers which is the problem:

Rep. Keith Ellison faces renewed scrutiny over past ties to Nation of Islam, defense of anti-Semitic figures

Rep. Keith Ellison's past ties to the Nation of Islam and his defense of its anti-Semitic leader, Louis Farrakhan, are resurfacing as he campaigns to lead the Democratic National Committee.

Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, publicly renounced his association with the Nation of Islam in 2006 after it became an issue during his run for Congress, when local Republican bloggers began publishing his old law school columns and photos connecting him to the organization.
"I have long since distanced myself from and rejected the Nation of Islam due to its propagation of bigoted and anti-Semitic ideas and statements, as well as other issues," Ellison wrote at the time.
But several outlets have resurfaced Ellison's past writings as he runs for DNC chair, raising new concerns about his own views and what they would mean for the Democratic Party if he were to be its leader. A CNN KFile review of Ellison's past writings and public statements during the late 1980s through the 1990s reveal his decade-long involvement in the Nation of Islam and his repeated defense of Farrakhan and other radical black leaders against accusations of anti-Semitism in columns and statements to the press. None of the records reviewed found examples of Ellison making any anti-Semitic comments himself.

http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/01/politics/kfile-keith-ellison-nation-of-islam/

[LovingA2andMI]

17. Don't copy/paste a CNN post

The question WAS Do Jewish Democrats have an issue with a Muslim Democrat? Also, if so -- what about other Muslim Democrats? Do Jewish Democrats have an issue with them also?

We'll wait....

[Jose Garcia]

18. I've seen no evidence of Jewish Democrats having an issue with Muslim Democrats

Perhaps Ellison's would rather talk about religion than about his embarrassing past.

[LovingA2andMI]

20. Then there should not be an "Problem"....

With Ellison being Muslim.

Now, let the rest of any other facts -- be determined HOWEVER, considering Keith's strong support from outgoing and continuing DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP (Schumer/Reid), Unions (The American Federation of Teachers -- who STRONGLY backed Hillary by the Way) and Bernie Sanders along with MANY of his supporters -- and Keith's background in Michigan (he was born and raised in Detroit)....

Trying to make Ellison's faith be a "Factor" to throw him under the bus would not be a wise move for any TRUE DEMOCRAT to take.

With that...we have other discussions to focus on.

[blm]

23. That's absurd. Perez is a fine choice whether or not you are willing to admit it.

DNC chair is a whole lot of work and should be more than a part-time job. RNC chair is full-time and they make no bones about working every angle they can 24/7.

[LovingA2andMI]

24. Ellison Has Said...

Over and Over Again -- He Would Leave His Safe Democratic Seat To Become DNC Chair. Also, NYC Mayor De' Blasio added to the LIST of Ellison endorsments TODAY.

Perez needs to run for mayor of Delaware of something. Ellison for DNC -- PERIOD.

[blm]

25. Well, other people have PERIODS, too.

Just wanted you to know that in case you really do believe that ONLY what you want matters and millions of other longtime progressive Dems and future Dem voters can go fuck themselves, eh?

I'll take someone with EXCELLENT communication skills and organizational skills as my DNC leader, thank you very much.

[LovingA2andMI]

27. Angry Much?

"Just wanted you to know that in case you really do believe that ONLY what you want matters and millions of other longtime progressive Dems and future Dem voters can go fuck themselves, eh?"

Speaking of "excellent communication skills" or pointedly, a LACK there of.... Well, what's above says plenty...

Meanwhile -- KEITH for DNC. And truly, we have plenty other things to do then go back and forth about what is likely a DONE DEAL.

[blm]

30. Actually, I posted with a smile on my face.

And am not running for DNC chair. Period. ; )

[Bud359]

26. there are a lot of decent progressives out there without Ellison's anti-semitic baggage

Ellison will be an anchor

[LovingA2andMI]

28. So says the poster....

With 2 posts. Welcome to DU?

[blm]

31. Pretty sure you should post awhile before making a statement like that.

Religion has nothing to do with whether or not he becomes DNC chair. And it shouldn't.

[think]

19. Would like to know where Perez stands on the TPP now and what his goals are for the DNC

For those who want to know more about Ellison's ideas and goals for the DNC his platform is laid out here:

https://keithfordnc.org/platform/