MyDD :: PA Democratic Party to DFA: "No Blog For You"

PA Democratic Party to DFA: "No Blog For You"

by Tim Tagaris, Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 04:23:44 PM EST

Ahhh, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, where reform goes to die. Forcing candidates out of the Senatorial primary. Endorsing Fowler for DNC chair after Dean secured the votes to win. Not giving Ginny their full support (more on that later). And now, this. No wonder in a state where Democrats lead in voter ID and voter registration, they are substantially behind in the legislature, the congressional delegation, and don't have a Seantor. Color me disgusted--Chris

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a Bucks County PA DFA attended by Pennsylvania Democratic Party Executive Director Don Morabito. This DFA group has been clamoring about a state party blog to help organize and provide mobilizing information to the grassroots. Now that the E.D. was there, they asked me to plead the case.

The meeting began with brief introductions, and the Meetup organizer, a terrific lady named Jeanne, introduced me, the State Party Blog Project. and the efforts of swingstateproject.com

So, I plead our case. Certainly I have been more passionate in the past. I spoke about two-way communication, listening to the grassroots, and providing mobilizing information. When he was no longer making eye contact with me, I decided to speak his language, fundraising and the urgency of the 2006 US Senate race.

His response?

Well, he said Pennsylvania would be getting a blog, in short order. Only, it will be a blog focused on the re-election campaign of Governor Ed Rendell. The party has made the decision they are not going to pursue any effective avenue for the two-way communication with the grass/netroots.

Case closed.

I didn't even mean to get all Internet evangelical. In fact, I held back quite a bit. But after I spoke, it seemed as if people took my cue. For the next hours, scattered among questions about the 2006 US Senate race, people insisted that the state party step up and start communicating with us.

It ain't gonna happen (I believe that is even a quote).

What was the excuse? He said money. I told him the party would raise money online. He said that the state party is in debt. I told him that getting a blog up can be free. He said they didn't have staff to work it. I told him there were plenty out there that would love to write for the blog. I even pointed to Chris Bowers of MyDD (sorry Chris). He said they hired a consultant from Massachusettsto look into it. Great...

And they wonder why they have lost 14 straight full-term U.S. Senate elections in PA.

At that point, I was through. They are officially going to pass up creating a blog to provide mobilizing information or even attempt to tap into the pulse of the grassroots. Que sera. I guess that just makes my job a bit easier here on my current campaign.

Tim

I don't know if the campus ethicists require a full-disclaimer here, lest I draw their ire in the next conference, but I am currently working for a U.S. Senate candidate in Pennsylvania whose name does not end in a suffix

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This is why I support redistricting in California (none / 0)

Not the bogus Ahnold plan, but some type of non-partisan redistricting. The California Dems have a serious case of sclerosis. Sounds like Pennsylvania may be worse. I think non-partisan redistricting was what the voters out here wanted when they voted for term limits.

Damn politicians are the same everywhere. Give them a chance to sit on their duffs for a couple decades and they'll sit on their duffs. I always thought Rendell was one of the good guys. Turns out he's just another political hack.

The web administrator at Bob's Blog promised a more interactive Dem party blog was on the way.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 04:31:17 PM EST

RE: no blog for you (none / 0)

I'm glad you tried to convince him, but I'm not surprised with the answer. If they knew what they were doing; well let's not go there.

The only way change is going to happen is when the DFA members and other progressives have built a caucus within the Dem Party that can replace the current leadership within PA. Which means getting voting members into the local Dem Parties.

by uptown on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 04:42:48 PM EST

Re: RE: no blog for you (none / 0)

I'm going to be blogging the Democratic Convention April 15-17th in L.A. If Orange County is any indication, DFA has made some pretty big inroads into the Democratic party in California. We'll see.

by Gary Boatwright on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 04:53:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

What a putz (none / 0)

Top down control, baby. It's the Governor's way or the highway. Suport me and screw you.

What a fucking putz.

Got anyone out there who can contest Rendell from the roots? It's time we start putting forth our own people. Does your DFA group have anyone who it could support and be a real challenge?

You know, it's one thing to turn down crazy offers of people trying to create a job in government for themselves. But to turn down people trying to help, who would be more than glad to donate most of the their efforts and set up something where the party could get valuable feedback, direction, and yes cash, is just stupid and infuriating.

Screw the bastards. If they don't want your help, screw them. Go help get some local candidates elected, then move them up to challenge for the top spot. It all takes time, but these dinosaurs need to be sent packing.

I really hate idiots. He doesn't have money, but he can hire a consultant from another state? He doesn't have any staff, but he's in a room full of voluteers (with ties to people like Chris even!). This is worse than saying no. This is insuting, mismanagement, incompetence, short sightedness, and crony-ism to the fullest extend.

If we're gonna ever win anything and take back the Senate, these types of party leaders need to go. Get some people in party positions and oust his ass. Mr. Morabito needs a new job.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrr...

Witty comment goes here...

by michael in chicago on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 04:59:03 PM EST

Re: What a putz (none / 0)

The top down campaign manager types fear the blogs because they deny them absolute message control. They fear that comment on a blog could backfire onto their candidate. I undrstand their fear but it is because they don't clue on how to speak to the grassroots.

by Delver Rootnose on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 06:27:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Did Morabito know about your affiliation with (none / 0)

the candidate whose name doesn't end in a suffix? Perhaps that's why you got the cold shoulder.

by ChgoSteve on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 05:10:07 PM EST

Re: Did Morabito know about your affiliation with (none / 0)

Not until after the Q&A. However, he was well aware that the candidate whose name doesn't end in a suffix had a lot of support in the room and at that DFA.

Tim

by Tim Tagaris on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 05:30:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Start your own (none / 0)

A year ago we started out own progressive blog in Georgia ( www.blogfordemocracy.org ), it's puny but it gets some local attention and we use it to promote Georgia for Democracy and DFA events, Democratic Party events and activities, and issues in the State legislature.

Many of us have gotten on the Georgia Democratic State committee but we are being met with similar resistance as being faced in many places across the country. My sense is that we have to play nice with the Democratic organization in one corner while organizing the progressives in another. Eventually we'll all come together and be a force for change. It's just gonna take time.

One thing I have come to realize more in the past 2 years than ever before in my life is: If you want it done, don't bring it up unless you're ready to do it yourself.

by CatherineAtlanta on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 05:40:46 PM EST

I have never heard truer words in my life (none / 0)

If you want it done, don't bring it up unless you're ready to do it yourself.

by lisadawn82 on Sat Mar 05, 2005 at 08:45:06 AM EST
[ Parent ]

He's out of his element (3.00 / 1)

Some people understand post-modern politics. Some don't. Those you are unwilling to learn, will lose.

This is a sad day for the PA Democratic Party.

But the reality is, they no longer have a monopoly. Electing Democrats doesn't require the Party -- in this case the Party is actually a counter-productive vehicle for change.

Democrats should stop donating to the PA Democratic Party. Don't reward incompetence. Take over the Party, fire the dead weigh and then invest in the Party.

Communication is a good thing. Participation is a good thing.

by blogswarm on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 06:23:40 PM EST

Re: He's out of his element (none / 0)

Bob,

When was the last time you made a donation to the PA Democratic Party?

I find myself in a bad spot of at least trying to defend them. They have a 3 person staff, and no money. Even with a free blog, who is going to moderarte it. Will they do it for free?

Put your money where your mouth is and donate, maybe then they can hire a decent staff.

by Deminpa on Mon Mar 07, 2005 at 03:56:32 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I wish I could say this is a surprise (none / 0)

but it isn't. The PA Democratic Party operation has been rather short-sighted for quite a while, and whatever success it has had has been much more dependent on the strength of a candidate than the strength of the organization.

Still, incredibly disappointing, and an opportunity for liberals/progressives in Pennsylvania that feel like building a better organization through internet interactivity.

by PSoTD on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 07:20:21 PM EST

CuriosityKilledTheCat (none / 0)

Invite Howard Dean to visit and use blogs to attact people from neighbouring states as well as inside PA. Dean will work with others to rejuvenate the ossified party structure in that state.

And then run your own candidates in the primaries ... funding and supporting them along the lines of the Dean Dozen.

by CuriosityKilledTheCat on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 07:53:15 PM EST

Re: dean visit and influence (none / 0)

Can the national party chairman compel them to do anything? Hold them up to the well deserved ridicule they deserve? etc.

by leschwartz on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 09:08:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: dean visit and influence (none / 0)

Can the national party chairman compel them to do anything? Hold them up to the well deserved ridicule they deserve?

At a joint DFA Keene, NH and Brattleboro, VT meetup this week there was a very impressive presentation by Ray Buckley of Manchester, NH who (among other titles) is the new Northeastern Region vice-chair of the Democratic Party. He was very optimistic about the changes that Chairman Dean intends to bring to the national party. One of the things that Dean intends to do -- in fact promised party organizations to do -- is to make DNC funds available to state parties for grass roots organizing. And there are -- or very soon will be -- experienced and serious people working full time at the DNC to coordinate such things.

It seems to me that in keeping with his plans and his commitments to state organizations Dean ought to be able to do a lot to ensure that they move in the direction of opening up some sort of state level blog capacity.

by Fred in Vermont on Sat Mar 05, 2005 at 08:03:05 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: dean visit and influence (none / 0)

The DNC what a Joke!!!!

Ooooh they will withhold funding if PA doesn't get a blog.. Oh damn. They left PA 250,000 in debt after the last campaign, and they were giving the state party money. So if they withhold funding, how much worse could it get.

by Deminpa on Mon Mar 07, 2005 at 04:05:29 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Send them a link to NJ's brand new blog: (none / 0)

http://www.njdems.org/blog.php

If this scares them they're hopeless.

by pammo on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 08:37:31 PM EST

You know what (3.00 / 1)

Fuck 'em.

This is too important to let slide. I would suggest some PA folks get together, form a PAC and start a PA blog if one doesnt exist and just take over that function.

they can use the state funding methods ACTBLUE have tremendously set up to get donations to PA canidates, and they can be free in their writings.

If I didnt live in Ohio, I do it myself.

by Pounder on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 10:10:33 PM EST

Re: You know what (none / 0)

This is underway, at least in Southeastern PA -- a group called Neighborhood Networks is in the process of building a citywide structure in Philadelphia, to work for progressive causes from a grassroots base. It's founders include MoveOn vetrans and people involved with the recent Transit movements, and we intend to become an outlet for voters' voices in the political process in the long term. The draft Mission Statement for the group (which intends to come into existence formally at a convention June 4) reads:

Neighborhood Networks is a culturally and racially diverse network of Philadelphians dedicated to advancing social equality, economic justice and resource stewardship by influencing political decision-making from a grassroots level. We aim to create a powerful coalition by connecting neighbors at the ward and precinct level and by forming strategic alliances with like-minded organizations throughout the City of Philadelphia, and eventually, within a larger geographical context. Our movement will educate, organize and mobilize voters to support progressive agendas and to select or support political candidates in local, state, and national elections.

We agreed this week to register as a PA PAC (although federal status may eventually be necessary, to allow lobbying on federal legislation, etc.). We hope to work both within and outside the Democratic structure, as appears appropriate on a ward-by-ward basis, and to focus not only on national issues such as Social Security by also on local issues such as City Council candidates, selection of judges, rights of neighborhoods to have input on development, and a range of topics of daily local importance. Keep an eye out for future announcements of building momentum!

acm

by redfox1 on Mon Mar 07, 2005 at 11:02:48 AM EST
[ Parent ]

What's wrong with these people ? (3.00 / 1)

It appears they would rather lose than do anything that they fear would take from their status and position. They are as much to blame for Rick Santorum as the radical right or corporate america is. WE must bypass the Democratic Party organizational structure in this state. Al O

by al o on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 10:29:45 PM EST

Re: What's wrong with these people ? (none / 0)

This has nothing to do with status. Get off your high horse. God forbid anyone do meaningful campaign activities instead of babysitting whinning bloggers.

by Deminpa on Mon Mar 07, 2005 at 04:00:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Create a PA Dem. Party Shadow-Blog (none / 0)

Why not just organize those favoring openness, aggressiveness, and change into supporting a blog with a reform outlook but the appearance of being a PA Democratic Party blog?

Blogs are cheap to start, can self-fund once started, and surely there are a team of writers that can be put together to reflect the need for change.

Build a shadow-party blog and (maybe) the people will come.

It seems like the effort to make the Dem. party apparatus respond could be better spent on making them respond the only way pols ever respond - make them fear for their positions with a media voice that captures the attention of the media and the people of PA.

"Pay any price, bear any burden"

by JimPortlandOR on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 10:46:15 PM EST

Chris, use statistics (none / 0)

Think of the probability that the state dems
would back the wrong side of the issue, particularly - the side that completely destroys any attempt
by regular voters to empower themselves ..
and empowers the special interest groups.

Then calculate the probability of who is controlling the special interest groups.

Chris, here's the thing. Pennsylvania went
blue, but note that the GOP had deeply
held territory all over the map in 04.

Zell Miller called it best: they are in stealth
mode in Pennsylvania, eating the party
away. Anything that put Dean anywhere away
from the chairmanship would've given them
a blank check. Fowler. rofl.

Hate Zell if you will, but the democrats
obsession with bringing down the commander
in chief is as much a direct result
of the democrats being unable to contain
their own party from the enemy as it has
the very public perception that Bush
has been unable to contain us against
Bin Laden.

Never had a problem with Bush. But those
guys around him... man. I hate 'em.

Guess what. They're in pennsylvania now.

by turnerbroadcasting on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 11:27:23 PM EST

Icky. (none / 0)

Morabito sounds like a guy who just doesn't get it. Too bad he runs the state party. Time to take it over.

I don't see how his intransigence and technophobia reflect badly on Governor Rendell. I know there are reasons to feel disillusioned with Rendell, but I don't see how this is one of them. It's not Rendell's job to administer the tech arm of the state party, or make sure there is one. It is, or should be, Morabito's-- boo to him.

I don't live in PA, but I agree with the earlier threads re: contested primaries. They're good for us... AS LONG AS the netroots really will support any genuine Dem who wins. Even if his name ends in a suffix. (Remember, suffix-guy's positions on reproductive rights still a heck of a lot better than Senator Man-on-Dog's, and the point is to replace Man-on-Dog with a Dem, even an imperfect Dem.)

Let's not take our rage at the paleolithic state party out on the candidates.

by accommodatingly on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 11:31:25 PM EST

Re: Icky. (none / 0)

Lets be very clear. The PA Democratic PArty is $250,000 in debt. They have a 3 person staff. The ED does the job of ED, Political Director, and Field Director. The Comptroller is still cleaning up the mess the Kerry campaign left in PA. The It Guy is responsible for the website, voterfile, network admin. If these people are working 10-12 hour days now, what would make you think that adding one more thing to their plate, would be useful? I don't get it. Why don't you guys just set up a blog, and ask them to link to it? If they don't have the money or the staff do it for them and have them link to it

by Deminpa on Mon Mar 07, 2005 at 04:19:44 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Pennsylvania traditions (none / 0)

My uncle was a country doctor in a small town in PA. He raised money and campaigned vigorously for Democratic candidate Milton Shapp in 71. Shapp was elected Governor. When my uncle turned down a seat in Shapp's cabinet (Secretary of Health), Shapp turned the state police on him to force my uncle out of politics. Shapp succeeded but sae his attempt to run for President quickly fizzled.

These guys play small ball and hardball at the same time. They've been doing it for the last 40 or 50 years (as noted above) and it has led nowhere.

The article talks about Democrats losing 14 consecutive full term Senate elections. IIRC,
the two winning Democratic candidates for the Senate in my life time were Harris Wofford who lasted for one partial term (four years) and Joe Clark. Clark upset the then Republican hold on the Philadelphia mayor's office in 1952 and went on to serve two terms in the US Senate. He's the closest thing to a real reform Democrat who got elected and stayed that way. In 1968 the National Rifle Association decided to mount an all out assault on Clark to show that any gun control/gun registration views were political suicide. Clark went down and it's been a long wait for a real reformer since.

by David Kowalski on Fri Mar 04, 2005 at 11:42:37 PM EST

We have a blog. (3.00 / 1)

The grass-roots Democrats have a blog.
Its at www.chuck2006.com.

Its really sad, but that's what we'll have to resort to - using an individual candidate's blog as the center of grassroots blogging in PA. I don't think the PA dems have a clue - i met one of the "higher ups" (and i mean HIGHER ups) shortly after the election at a Centre County Dems meeting, and when we pressed him about what their overall plan was for PA, he said they basically had none. There was a ridiculous amount of energy at that first meeting after the election, and one person from the PA dems deflated it all single-handidly. People wanted to get active again right away, they were angry about the results of the election and they wanted to DO SOMETHING. Unfortunately, the PA dems didn't have a plan. Fine, have no plan. WE WILL. And we'll WIN. Not just the electoral votes, either. We're gonna win the whole state. They're basically forcing the grassroots into Chuck Pennacchio's corner and when we come out of it they aren't even gonna see what hit them. Fortunately for them, when the grassroots strikes, they're gonna be the party liking the result =)

-shawny

by shawndgoldman on Sat Mar 05, 2005 at 12:07:13 AM EST

Re: We have a blog. (none / 0)

there's also a great set of forums available at Philly2DC: http://philly2dc.org/

and a general blog for all Pennsylvania bloggers at PhillyFuture: http://www.phillyfuture.org/

sorry for the Philly bias, but this is where I'm being made aware of other local bloggers and activists, and all of these are open to new members and activists...

acm

by redfox1 on Mon Mar 07, 2005 at 11:05:47 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Rendell himself was an insurgency candidate (none / 0)

Casey was the choice of the party in 2002 and Rendell collected signitures to run against him. Casey then campaigned for Rendell in NE Pa and Rendell owes him. However as someone who is a pragmatist and an insurgent himself, if some other democrat steps up and takes the nomination Rendell will be more than happy to work with that person.
The question is, does anyone have the guts to go against the state party like Rendell did in 2002?

Casey is as anit-choice as they come. Screw him and Moribito. The DFA blog can be our blog and DFA can be our state party organization. The state party only has the power we allow them to have.

DON'T COUNT THE VOTES, DON'T COUNT THE VOTES.... Obama and the Obamaettes... spring 2008

by TeresaINPennsylvania on Sat Mar 05, 2005 at 07:34:47 AM EST

PS.............Casey will not win (none / 0)

There is no reason to believe that anti-choice democrats win in Pa. All the anti-choicers either will vote republican or they are already voting for pro-choice democrats. Republicans are not going to swing to Casey just because he is anti-choice. ON the other hand if there were a social progressive fiscal moderate (in the mold of Dean)they would swing to vote for that person. It happens time after time after time and ED RENDELL is the perfect example of this.

Casey is seen in this state as a liberal and if there is anything the republicans hate, it is the Casey family.

DON'T COUNT THE VOTES, DON'T COUNT THE VOTES.... Obama and the Obamaettes... spring 2008

by TeresaINPennsylvania on Sat Mar 05, 2005 at 07:39:36 AM EST

Re: PS.............Casey will not win (none / 0)

Do you have any polling data, any PA demographers, or anything other than intuition, that tells you Casey will not win, or that he'd be a weaker candidate than the others? Recent polls rather dramatically show the reverse.

Based on what I've read I believe strongly that PA needs a strong blogosphere, that its state party needs an Augean-stables-style cleanout, and that a contested primary would be a very good thing.

None of these beliefs make me think Rendell, or Casey, are bad guys. And nothing I've read anywhere makes me think Casey half as bad as Man-on-Dog in the package of social issues I care about (not just preserving Roe, where Casey is wrong, but reducing homophobia, for example, which Santorum obviously wants to increase, or providing better medical care to people who need it, pregnant women included).

If Casey's actually a Zellesque raving right-winger, tell us how you know. If he's just on record as anti-Roe (but pro-labor, not a homophobe, and not a nutcase), and he wins a contested primary, those of us who support Roe (like me!) should swallow hard and work for him anyway. The point is to make the country better, not to make it perfect-- the latter won't happen; the former can.

by accommodatingly on Sat Mar 05, 2005 at 10:21:36 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: PS.............Casey will not win (none / 0)

Casey couldn't even beat another Democrat (Rendell) -- why should we believe that he can beat a Republican?

...those of us who support Roe (like me!) should swallow hard and work for him anyway.

Frankly, speaking for myself, I'm getting a little sick of swallowing these guys. I guess though swallowing would help cut back on the need for abortions, but in keeping with Casey's wishes let's keep all swallowing strictly hetro!

2 Political Junkies

by Maria in Pgh on Sat Mar 05, 2005 at 08:44:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Just get your google going and check the evidence (none / 0)

Look at who wins and who loses in Pa.

My evidence..... years of personal experience in Pa politics and an IQ over 95.

DON'T COUNT THE VOTES, DON'T COUNT THE VOTES.... Obama and the Obamaettes... spring 2008

by TeresaINPennsylvania on Sun Mar 06, 2005 at 11:39:09 AM EST
[ Parent ]

Cash machine (none / 0)

So, the Internet's a cash machine but they don't have the very minimal funds required to create a full-fledged blog to exploit the cash machine. Even by the most craven standards, where they ignore everything communicated from the grass/net-roots, this is incompetent business management.

by Steve in Sacto on Sat Mar 05, 2005 at 04:54:32 PM EST

I was there (3.00 / 1)

I was at this meeting and Mr. Moribito talked at us.
He didn't want to listen to us...when Tim expressed his excellent suggestion about a blog...Mr. Moribito stated that the Governor doesn't even know what a blog is but that he's going to arrange to have one for himself--not the Democratic party of Pennsylvania. He explained (whined, is more like it) that he's doing four jobs and since he's overworked and understaffed and underfunded, he can't do any of these jobs well. He's just trying to get through the next two years, get the Governor re-elected and then finally retire on golden pond and do some much needed fishing. He talked out of both sides of his mouth...how the part recognizes the grass roots and wants to support us in our efforts and financially and then stated that they have no money and we should generate some for them. He made it clear that the Governor would be endorsing Bob Casey and anyone else in the race didn't count. Some of the women in our group were beside themselves at the thought of endorsing and working for a pro-life candidate...and he told them--he's better than Santorum. We made it clear we're sick of the lesser of two evils stance...if we're doing all the work, we want to pick a candidate to endorse, fund and stand behind. He just wanted to slap us in the face with the state party's version of REALITY! This guy was an asshole--plain and simple and he can't retire soon enough as far as I'm concerned. Keep up the good work Tim!

by lilydee on Sat Mar 05, 2005 at 06:27:48 PM EST

What is DFA? (none / 0)

I live in Bucks and what to get involved in the County Democrats.

Where do I start?