Daily Kos: Howard Dean's DFA and DCCC Join Forces

[Larkspur]

http://maura-in-va.dailykos.com/story/2004/8/14/31520/4554
by Maura in VA

Here's some news. This ain't something I ever would have predicted. Not in a million years.

Democracy for America and the DCCC have joined forces to create the Campaign for a New Majority Committee and are hosting a joint fundraiser in Seattle on August 31 honoring Nancy Pelosi and Howard Dean.

The link referring to this new joint fundraising committee is simply an RSVP page for the August 31 event, so I'm not clear whether this is a limited committee set up for just this event or whether DFA and the DCCC plan to do a series of joint events around the country using this joint committee. (Details on the August 31 event after the jump.)

In a way, this relationship seems naturally symbiotic. The DCCC seems to target incumbents and only the most "winnable" races. DFA supports a variety of candidates and takes more risk in supporting long shots, keeping an eye on the long term goal of stregthening the party from the ground up. DFA can fill in gaps where the DCCC fears to tread and builds the "farm team" that, ideally, will later earn DCCC support.

Still, the relationship is surprising to me, knowing the players involved. If the joint committee goes beyond this one event, I am delighted and enthusiastic about it for two reasons. One, it is another sign that the DCCC is willing to take risks and build new alliances that are focused on strengthening the party base. Two, it demonstrates a growing maturity for DFA and is a major sign that DFA is being taken seriously by the party and inside the Beltway.

[RubyDuby in GA]

1. Oh so now they decide to take Gov. Dean seriously

'bout time.

[Kolesar]

2. I have been envisioning DFA making the DLC obsolete

The goals of the Democratic Party are different these days.

[madfloridian]

4. Yes, that is the goal of DFA, one of them.

The goals are different now. Dean has said that is a goal, to work inside the party and pull away from the DLC.

[Kolesar]

5. I am going to have to surf to Democracy For America more often

That is so cool.
www.democracyforamerica.com

[janx]

6. The problem with the DLC, as I see it, is that its leaders refuse

to adapt. They did well with Clinton, but they seem to insist on doing the same thing in a different age.

So I agree with you.

[madfloridian]

7. They are 40 people sitting in an office.

Deciding which way things will go. Very corporately tied, which is getting to be common for Democrats of all ilks.

Actually DLC and PPI together are 40 people. That is what their shared secretary told me last year. I said you mean those 40 men think they can control all of us. She laughed.

[madfloridian]

3. I think this is great.

Found this post.
"Not only did DFA and DCCC form a partnership but they hired members of the Dean Internet team to do their strategy. Nicco, the former webmaster and his new firm eccoditto are the people behind the scenes over at D-trip."

Here is Nicco's site:
http://echoditto.com/

Here is dtriptv:
http://www.dtriptv.com/

Here is the webpage to RSVP for the Seattle event.
http://blog.dccc.org/newmajority/
I think it great to see both Pelosi and Dean being honored at the event.

[madfloridian]

8. Here are the details on the fundraiser in Seattle.

This is the Campaign for a New Majority committee reception:

The $100 Revolution Returns to Seattle!
Save the date!
Please join
Congressman Brian Baird,
Congressman Norm Dicks,
Congressman Jay Inslee,
Congressman Rick Larsen,
Congressman Jim McDermott,
and Congressman Adam Smith

for a reception honoring
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
and Governor Howard Dean

Tuesday, August 31
Bell Harbor International Conference Center
Pier 66
Seattle, WA

5:30pm - VIP Reception & Photo Line for Hosts
6:00pm - 8:00pm
General Reception
Host $1000 (contribute or raise), includes private VIP reception
Guest $100
Proceeds go to the Campaign for a New Majority, a joint fundraising committee between Democracy for America and The DCCC.
RSVP, via the Web at:
http://blog.dccc.org/newmajority/
(If you have questions, you can contact Selene Hofer-Shall at [phone] ext. 130)
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Also just saw that Howard Dean will appear at another event.
They're setting up a dinner Aug. 31 with a $25 admission for elderly and low-income. That is thoughtful, as all the events get so expensive near election time. No further details on that.

[unfrigginreal]

9. Wish I felt better about this

I thought the intent of DFA was to work toward change in the Party by supporting candidates of a non-DLC bent. It's hard to see how that's accomplished by marrying into the DCCC. Aren't they part of what we were hoping to change?

Maybe I'm reading it wrong but doesn't this remove DFA's independence from the party establishment.

[T Bone]

10. Don't knock the DCCC too much they were instrumental

in taking the recent special elections in KY and SD for the Democratic candidates. Stephanie Herseth, I think in SD.
Both in districts that went heavily Bush in '00.

[unfrigginreal]

11. You make the point better than I did

I would hope that DFA would find a candidate to run in the primaries against Stephanie Herseth in the next election.

[madfloridian]

12. It still is his intent to change. He is working from within the party.

No,it doesn't remove independence. It means he gets 25% as well of what comes in donations to the new committee, most of which will come because of his presence. DFA fundraising continues to be quite good for a campaign that is over, and meet-up is growing again.

I had some problems with Pelosi and the letter about Israel, but I have decided that if you are working from within it is important to be a part. At least for now. Not sure about later.

DFA supports candidates who are not always considered winners, but they support them in areas that need competition. The DCCC does not do that, the candidates must be viable. So there is really no conflict there.

I think this is ok, and for now it will bring more coordination.

[unfrigginreal]

15. You're probably right Madfloridian

I'm just a little sensitive about cozying up too much with the party establishment that worked so hard to bring Dean down. It will probably be fine and I'm probably overreacting. I have that tendency at times. :)

[madfloridian]

17. Hey, me, too. Very sensitive.

It is hard to think you are making a difference, then you realize you can't for a while. Not sure how the group will play all this stuff, as it is such a new phenomenon. Take it one step at a time.

And while a lot of mainstream politicians who feared a Howard Dean campaign could sleep peacefully after what happened to Howard in Iowa, what they forget is that those 600,000 energized Americans are still out there. In the next election, they will number two million. Or four. Or ten. And now that they had a taste of power that's been held back from them all of those years, they are going to want more.
Joe Trippi

[madfloridian]

13. Pelosi is not listed at the DLC site. Was she a member before?

I never thought about it. Some of the DCCC are, but many are not thought well of now by Al From. Look at Gore and Dean. They were members, but DLC blasts them now. I do not even see Pelosi listed.

It is Dean's intention to try and pull away from their policies.

[wyethwire]

14. Trippi is a key consultant for the DCCC

[madfloridian]

16. Was this great quote from Trippi's book?

"And while a lot of mainstream politicians who feared a Howard Dean campaign could sleep peacefully after what happened to Howard in Iowa, what they forget is that those 600,000 energized Americans are still out there. In the next election, they will number two million. Or four. Or ten. And now that they had a taste of power that's been held back from them all of those years, they are going to want more."

Joe Trippi
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

It is attributed to him, but is it from the book? He is so right on that statement. Wow!

[incapsulated]

18. This is very encouraging!

This is how we can start to reform the Party, folks. :)

[madfloridian]

19. It is encouraging, and hopeful as well.

It is trying things that have not been tried before in just this way.
:hi:

[madfloridian]

20. Here is Dean's Shrimp Feed rally in Seattle Aug 31.

Anyone in the Seattle area who wasn't notified, Howard will be attending a Cajun Shrimp Feed (with music by the Cajun band, "Cayenne"), on Aug. 31st.

Seattle Summer Cajun Shrimp Feed

Celebrate the anniversary of the historic August 2003 Sleepless Summer Tour in Seattle

Welcoming Back HOWARD DEAN!
to support Washington State 2004 Democratic campaigns

Master of Ceremonies:
Former Governor Mike Lowry

With music by the hot Cajun band - "Cayenne."

Tuesday, August 31st
5:00 to 8:00 pm

At the home of Kay Bullitt
1125 Harvard East, on Seattle's Capital Hill
Cost: $45 Adult, $25 Senior or Low income
$250 Sponsorship

Parking available at the Scottish Rite Temple - 1155 E. Broadway.
On August 25th, 2003, Governor Howard Dean faced his biggest crowd - over 10,000 eager Democratic supporters in Seattle. Now, Governor Dean returns determined to help John Kerry send George W. Bush back to Crawford, Texas. Please join Howard Dean and Washington State Democrats for
George W. Bush's first "Send-off" party. "Say Goodbye, George!"
Paid for by the Washington State Democratic Party, P.O. Box 4027, Seattle, WA 98104.
Contributions are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

[KoKo]

21. This sounds good.. grass roots effort and party renourishing and

rebuilding.