http://journals.democraticunderground.com/helderheid/113 Letter from Utah State Democratic Party Chair to Paul Begala
Posted by helderheid in General Discussion
Sat May 13th 2006, 12:03 AM
Mr. Begala:
"What he has spent it on, apparently, is just hiring a
bunch of staff people to wander around Utah and Mississippi and pick
their nose." -- Dem strategist Paul Begala on DNC Chair Howard
Dean's spending, CNN, 5/11
This statement hitting on the eve of our convention, where we are
about to nominate Congressman Jim Matheson for re-election, is not
helpful. And, the "pick their nose" comment is hurtful to Democrats
who are truly on the frontline. An apology to my hardworking staff is
in order.
By leaving the GOP unopposed in places like Utah, it frees them up to
concentrate on making inroads in marginal districts. Congressmen in
tough places deserve support, too. Jim Matheson, Stephanie Herseth
(keynote speaker at tonight's pre-convention dinner) and even a
potential pick-up like Gary Trauner in Wyoming deserve the support
they are getting from the DNC.
"Win for today" as a long-term strategy has left many areas of the
country without a healthy dialogue. The April 29 canvass where we put
the DNC message on 15,000 registered Democrats doorsteps was a first
for Utahns. They have never heard from the DNC. When Clinton was in
the White House, he never made a public address to the people of Utah.
Democrats have become outsiders who do things to us, not insiders who
do things for us. The 50 state strategy is one way to turn it around.
Even in Utah, there are thoughtful Democrats elected to office like
Congressman Matheson, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson, and Salt
Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. The DNC's investment here will make
sure that they retain their seats. I expect it will help Mayor Corroon
get a majority of Democrats to support his policies on the Salt Lake
County Council. That will show Utahns for the first time in a decade
that we have the ability to govern.
I wish I had more time today to be thoughtful. But this fight is
disheartening, and not productive. Chairman Dean is not going to
change what he has started. Too many DNC members appreciate it. (And,
they are Dean's electorate.) I encourage you and Congressman Rahm
Emmanuel to move on, and find a way to make it work for the DCCC.
Wayne Holland, Jr.
Chair
Utah Democratic Party
_________
Peter Corroon, Salt Lake County Mayor, is Howard Dean's 1st cousin. Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson is one of the most progressive Democrats I've ever met and was the keynote at our anti-Bush rally that with very short notice in the middle of a weekday pulled 3500 protesters. In the 1960s,
Utah was BLUE . It can be again!
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