Time for a Draft Durbin Movement

[Tom Rinaldo]

Last edited Fri Aug 7, 2015, 04:00 PM - Edit history (1)

Dick Durbin is actually the Democratic Senator second to Harry Reid in the Senate Democratic leadership. He announced he would stick to his current post in the leadership hierarchy and allow Chuck Schumer to leapfrog past him into the top position after Reid retires. Why? I don't know but everyone knows that Schumer has been hungering to become top Democratic dog in the Senate.

Would Durbin reconsider and respond positively to a draft movement asking him to contest the Senate leadership position? I don't know but it doesn't matter. He is the logical first choice to ask, Senate Democrats have supported him for leadership positions in the past, give him first crack. Even if Durbin won't reconsider, a powerful draft movement asking him to oppose Schumer can still leave its mark and another Democratic Senator could then still step forward to challenge Schumer instead.

Anyone who lives in a State represented by at least one Democratic Senator can put direct pressure on his or her Senator(s) to withdraw support from Schumer in light of his opposing the crucial position regarding Iran backed by our Democratic President and the vast majority of Democratic Senators.

THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF ANOTHER IWR VOTE! We can't allow a Senator who will not give peace a chance to lead the Democratic Party in the Senate. If we start mobilizing now it might even send a timely message to any wavering Democratic Senators that they need to back their President on Iran or face the wrath of rank and file Democrats who will not sit back and allow America to move toward a war potentially much more deadly than the one in Iraq when a negotiated settlement may still be able to prevent it.

[Purveyor]

1. Oh hell yes! I'm in... eom

[PoliticAverse]

2. Why Schumer?...

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/239033-schumer-may-shatter-fundraising-records

[Tom Rinaldo]

5. Our own one percenter problem yes. But money can't pay for our blood

To quote Bob Dylan "Something is happening here and you don't know what it is, do you Mr. Jones?" It's time for politicians like Schumer to "Feel the Bern" and realize that our democracy is no longer for sale to the deepest pockets. This can be that moment.

[misterhighwasted]

3. Definately Durbin.

[Warren DeMontague]

4. I like Durbin, but he's not the only choice.

We have some fine senators from solidly blue states west of the Mississippi, too, you know.

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. Certainly

He is by no means our only choice. I just see him as the loical starting point for a "Draft" movement since he actually is next in line. But there are other we can turn to.

[geek tragedy]

7. Murray would be a good choice as well. nt

[ieoeja]

8. Durbin is from a split state.

Illinois may have become reliably Democratic nationally, but on in-state politics it most definitely is not. We have 10 (D) reps, 7 (R). We have 1 (D) senator, 1 (R) senator. We have a (D) majority in the state legislature and an (R) governor. We recently had a 12 year run with (D) governors, but those were the first (D) governors in decades.

Durbin's re-election chances would take a severe hit were he to run the Senate. Illinois likes bipartisan politicians. His current position is actually more partisan than running the Senate. But the Leader is the face of his party and more noticeable in his/her partisanship.

[Tom Rinaldo]

11. That might be a reason for him to decline - but not a reason for us not to ask

If there is a big enough push for Durbin to step up the ladder rather than let Schumer jump in front of him after what Schumer is now doing - other Democratic Senators will know about it. There was a draft Warren movement, but ultimately it was Sanders who entered the race. It was important to show dissatisfaction with the choice being presented us. If it's a different Senator who challenges Schumer instead of Durbin - it's alright with me.

[Agnosticsherbet]

9. An honest question, since the Senate alone has the power to elect its leaders,

what is the purpose of a Draft Durbin movement, or anyone else for that matter?

If it is just to express public opinion, how amenable are they to public opinion?

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. It is a realistic focal point for organizing efforts. We elect the Senetors who elect the leader

We can put pressure on Democratic Senators to NOT reward a Senator to lead their caucus who has turned his back on the President's efforts to avoid a war. It simply is unacceptable to me as a Democrat for Schumer to be promoted to the highest Democratic leadership position in the Senate in the wake of this move.
Our Democratic Senators are free to vote their own will of course, but it is entirely appropriate that Democratic voters in each of their states should let their feelings be known to them on this matter. This is about leadership inside the entire Democratic Party, not just within the Senate - we all have an honest stake in this.

If nothing else we can not just roll over with a muted whimper when something like this happens or they will always take our ultimate support for granted.

This is the only direct way to respond to what Schumer is now doing. We must take it.

[Agnosticsherbet]

13. Thanks, yu convince me of the wisdom.

I appreciate that.

[jeff47]

12. Because unless you happen to live in NY

you can't do anything else to indicate to Schumer that you are very unhappy with his recent actions.

[Agnosticsherbet]

14. Thanks, I agree with the importance of organizing

and activism. I'll support it however I can.

[angel123]

15. Durbin is my senator

Durbin is my senator, I have let him know that I would be very displeased if he voted for Schumer as Majority Leader. In fact, I told him that if he backed Schumer in this effort, I would be inclined to vote against him for re-election. That's how pissed I am with Schumer.

[Tom Rinaldo]

16. Welcome to DU! Yes, they all need to hear from us

If the backlash against Schumer is fast and severe enough it can prevent a few other wavering Democratic Senators from voting with him regarding Iran. They too are accountable if Schumer gets rewarded with a leadership promotion after what he's done. We will not forget this, and the sooner Democrats in the Senate realize it the better for both them and us.

[oasis]

17. Kick for Dick

[Enthusiast]

18. How did Durbin vote on the Catfood Commission?

I know he had high praise for Bowles and Simpson.

[Tom Rinaldo]

19. To be honest I'm not sure - if I wasn't super busy today I would research it...

But again honestly, there are only a relative handful of Democratic Senators who I can not find some serious black mark against and it's doubtful any of them can get enough support inside the Democratic caucus to win the leadership post. This vote Schumer just announced he would make rises to a capital offense in my book. It can easily lead us into a prolonged massive war, and it gives direct aid and comfort now to the Republican candidates who are trying to attack the Democratic Party over foreign policy in order to win in 2016.

Durbin is generally among the more liberal Senators and he is currently next in line behind Reid in the Democratic Senate leadership. He is the natural choice to organize a draft behind. We are unlikely to do better than him anyway. And the statement that we will make by attempting this will be heard just as loudly by other Democrats in the Senate whether or not Durbin actually steps forward

[Enthusiast]

20. Before I heard what he said regarding the Catfood Commission I had actually donated to Durbin.

No more. That is one line in the sand I will defend. No excuses.

[Tom Rinaldo]

21. I respect your position

But unless something changes Chuck Schimer will be the next Senate Democratic leader. I honestly am not at all invested in Durbin replacing him, any attempt to use him for a draft target is more a vehicle toward an end rather than the end itself. Regardless of whether we suggest an alternative to Schumer or not, Democratic Senators (and King in Maine) need to hear that rank and file Democrats can't accept Schumer as a leader and that we expect them to pull their support from him.