Whose genius idea was this, to destroy real grassroots organizing? Democrats don’t like winning? Sigh.

This sounds like a very stupid decision. I sure hope Rahmbo isn’t behind it. I can’t imagine that Obama would allow him to do that after the successful campaign that was just run. I have a feeling it is somebody else’s big idea. It smells of a Schumer type decision.

dufi (plural for dufous)

Lieberman called DiFi and DiFi called Shumer. Then they ran the whole idea past Mukasey.

This is ugly if true.

Maybe it’s an Obama coup. Thinks he did all his own organizing & doesn’t want any rivals?

Having functioning party apparatuses in each state is very beneficial — and not just during regular election years. It allows the party to take advantage of special situations and move quickly.

This is unbelievably stupid and short-sighted.

A classic Dem move… Shoot the goose that laid the golden egg…! :-(

This is a joke, right?
I smell a Rove.

That would be odd, since he and the Deans get along well from all reports. But stranger things have happened.

Hope this isn’t the beginning of the over control of the dem party by Rahm and Barack.

Digg it!

Rahm = Rove…

No. I don’t believe this.
Rahm is either in service to the President-elect or we have figured Oabma all wrong from the start. And we haven’t. Obama loves Dean.
I don’t believe it.

OK, but I have one question:

Is Difi among the Dufi?

Obama’s machine was a lot like the 50 state strategy – albeit centered on a laser focus on electing one man.

Founding member of Dufi International.

Just a wild ass guess. All we can do until we get more info. Looks disastrous though.

Yeah, that’s exactly what I was thinking.

actually, I guess you already answered that

I surely hope this is just a rumor! We cannot afford to allow the organization be dissolved just after it showed just how effective it truly is!! If this true we need to go after the decision maker with everything we can muster and stop this in it’s tracks!!

I would like to see Howard offered a cabinet post as opposed to remaining DNC chair, because I think he deserves it

but I would hate to see his legacy at the DNC discarded so quickly

does the WH COS traditionally call the shots at the party HQ?

I do not know. I would think he would have his hands full at the WH.

will be interesting to see who Obama names as new DNC chief

will it be a Rahmbo operative? we shall see.

But he’ll control the DNC…

Although it is true that Dean gave a ton of money to the States, and the States love him for it, but Obama might want the money for other things.

Still, I find this decision odd, if true.

Perhaps it’s only certain states?

State of Confusion? State of Denial? State of Insanity?

Remember Ian said that this is just a rumor. Perhaps a trial balloon. I am choosing not to believe it for now.

Gawd no, his DCCC selections were abysmal, Heath Shuler, Mahoney, etc…!

Dems before the 50-state: nada.
Dems after the 50-state: bonanza.

Are they that dumb (excluding Harry Chuck and company)? I do not see it.

Maybe Texas??

I mean, I just found this article at Huffpo
saying that this is the 50 state strategy, realized. So what would this say? We win, now we give up?

As I said, just a wild guess. Based on the general observation that people who crave power, crave it all.

Not much more one can do other than speculate at this stage of info. As GdP sez, it might be better to hope it isn’t a fait accompli.

Sorta stupid ya think???

And in other depressing news… new post

darcy thread upstairs :(

Picking Rahmbo is certainly an inauspicious start for the Medacity of Nope. I was so touched when Obama won the other night, I was as emotional as I have ever been and will remember that night forever. But the Rahmbo pick is not exactly where I think Obama should have started. He’d have been better served by picking Dean for the job of CoS and following up on Deans so-far flawless instincts for politics. After all, despite the adversity of Rahm, Dean delivered, and since 2006 all we have gotten out of Emmanuel, Pelosi and Reid and Hoyer has been caving-in and equivocation.

Rahm Emanuel is a piece of shit: http://www.alternet.org/audits/106189/

In essence, Rahm is a neocon in sheep’s clothing. That means that either Obama is on the other side, or that he’s a bit daft.

Well yeah. Like saying, “OK, we’ve got a much better cancer cure rate due to xyz medicine, now let’s stop all production of that medicine.”
If this is Rahm’s idea, he can go take a low crap on a high cactus.

After all, despite the adversity of Rahm, Dean delivered, and since 2006 all we have gotten out of Emmanuel, Pelosi and Reid and Hoyer has been caving-in and equivocation.

They are not on our side.

If this is Rahm’s idea, he can go take a low crap on a high cactus.

Unfortunately, the problem isn’t Rahm, but rather him who appointed Rahm.

We were served notice with the FISA flip. And, granted, we had no alternative. But, damn, this is disappointing. (I’d like to cry, but can’t.)

On C-Span, this evening, I watched a Roast for Rahm they held Sept.20, 2005, everyone was there…Hillary, Rahm, Obama, right, left, they are all one machine..keep your eyes open, with the powers that Bush/Cheney have accumulated, plus the powers behind Obama, it’s very scary.

late late nite 2 flights up

I’ve long suspected that actual democracy isn’t all that popular within the Democratic Leadership.

Why, for example, all the insistence on “buypartisanship” even when clear pluralities, or even majorities, of Americans simply don’t support this kind of ideological supplication?

Why does the alleged “progressive” Nancy Pelosi insist that wholesale healthcare reform is simply out of the question? Why did Rahmbo leak Dem strategy to the press in many a legislative battle?

How about the Paulson Executive Wealthcare Program, aka “Bailout”? Why did no real debate take place, even though leadership had a solid year’s worth of notice it would come up? Isn’t it convenient that this so-called “emergency,” which only took a couple years of development, suddenly occured a few weeks before the election?

Thus far, at least $70 Billion of this so-called bailout has already gone to executive compensation, according the Guardian. So what kind of emergency was that anyway?

I’d mention AIG, but that would tie me up for another 1,200 words at least.

My point is Rahmbo isn’t the key to this. Pelosi and Reid are, along with their corporate sponsors. This situation is bigger than Rahm, even though I’m quite sure his investment banker pals (that’s what he is, after all) are quite happy to hear of the demolition of the Democratic Grassroots.

On the other hand, why not consider that there are now a lot of people who are well trained and networked… shouldn’t we just think in terms of making new infrastructure for these people?

the DNC organizers who implement the 50 state strategy are about to be let go

how many are there and how much does it cost?

seriously.

maybe on the order of $5 million a year?

because if this is true we’ve got just a couple of weeks to see how much we can raise to keep at least a portion of the organization intact. this could an amazing opening if used to continue to organize based solely on the desires of the people who’ve been doing all the hard work to get obama elected. i bet they’d love to now work to hold obama to his campaign promises.

but i really, really hope it’s not true or at least not a done deal.

On the other hand, why not consider that there are now a lot of people who are well trained and networked… shouldn’t we just think in terms of making new infrastructure for these people?

bingo.

That was exactly my first thought on hearing this. Rahm and Barack are political brawlers, products of the Chicago-machine system. Granted, Obama is a much smoother operator, but they are going to want to have full control over the newly built machine — and that means Obama’s crew.

Ian, do you have any suggestions about how to respond to this? Whom to contact? What to say? Is there an organized way that the Netroots can respond?

This is all a game for them, all of us are being lead down the path that the Top wants us to follow, it’s like a mother picking 2 suits out for you to choose, you get to pick one that has already been pre-selected, playing both sides is always a safe bet. It doesn’t matter what side we choose, Dems/Repugs/Libers/Greens, same agenda for all.

I know it’s a whimsical thought…I wonder what the cost in real money would be to hire them as the core team in a new and better Liberal Party? Probably way too much payroll without donors like AT&T et al.?.
We’ve got a few incredible candidates from Act Blue that lost, right?
I’m trying not to go negative but I’m already signing petitions again.
Isn’t it time to be included in the roundtable? I’m so tired of hauling this fucking pitchfork around.

Ian, It wasn’t but a few days ago that I read somewhere that one of the brilliant things about Obama’s organizing ability was going to be to hold onto the email’s, home addy’s, phone’s and the VOLUNTEER’S themselves, as part of a long term effort to continue the ‘roll’.

I refuse to believe that what I thought I’d read, is not true.

Ian, love ya hoss . . . but don’t every campaign shut down after a win or a victory?

There’s a database, it’s there for the future.

Why would you want to put forth a negative spin on the closure of a campaign?

A campaign that gave us a victory? Gave us an Obama?

An Obama and his leadership who I thought said, they’d keep the names, numbers and addresses for further needs as Obama takes the mantle of the presidency?

I’m not sure if this 50 State issue is even warranted as you put it.

Doode. The campaign is over. Obama and the Dem’s won.

Next up, 2010.

I hardly think Dean and anyone else in the hallowed halls of the powers that be are gonna be deciding or arguing with ANYONE, much less Obama, what the 50 State Strategy is gonna be. Not for now. Later, sure.

And there’s NO way Obama and his peeps are gonna toss out the 50 State connects they’ve brought to the fold. That’s just insane to believe that shit, hoss.

I think that 50 state issue is gonna come down the pike later on. And in the meantime, there’s a TON of shit to resolve, fix and solve upon the part of President Elect Obama.

What am I missin, Ian?

Yep.

My posit is there’s so much insanity everywhere no one at this point can be counted on for clarity OR purpose of reason.

We wait, n’est ce pas?

Thanks for the sanity. And the clarity.
Glad I’m not alone in this regard. *G*

I’m still wondering why so many libs and progressives are as afraid and hateful of a black man as the demonic fundie’s and 23% are. Oh. Racism. Now I remember. *G*

And yes, I’m calling out some hard core FDL commenters as being such.

Thank dawg Jane, her crew of forevery, Ian, and others are NOT as such . . . *G*

The others, they know who they are.

Time will tell how equal we become under Obama, and how equal some so called libs and progressive’s in here, WANT us to become. Some, I don’t think they want equality, so much. *G* Course, I don’t think they are so liberal or progressive, either. *G*

Here’s to President Elect Obam, his crew, and the hope for a better future with their leadership. *G*

A better future that is, for ALL humans. Poor, colored, white, women, men. Gay. Straight. Rich. Poor.

A better future for all. And the key phrase being ‘For All’. *G*

Some in here, they don’t really show for that. I expect they, too, will be marginalized. *G*

With all due respect and remembering that we’re talking about rumors…what would be missing is the contact with citizens. We’ve all been in need of true communication as a country. Very few of our elected officials really connect with the average American.
Obama did. Maintaining the grassroots community organizers is crucial to our mental health!!!

I know we can’t pay them, but I hope we can consider ways to identify them, thank them and perhaps link up with them. One thing FDL/liberal blogs have grappled with is a local presence. When DeadEye shot Harry in the face, a lot of Texas FDLers surfaced. When McSane picked Caribou Barbie, we got a lot of help from Alaska liberals via their blogs. It’s likely these people being let go are great resources heading into the 2010 primary season. That will be critical for liberals/progressives. We have much more leverage in primaries than we do in general elections.

I still think it’s untrue, but I didn’t sense racist intent in any comments here.

I’m in complete agreement with you.
Let me say it again.
I agree with you. Spot on, Solid, Hoss or Hossette.

Spot on. *G*

Being a 95% I feel horrible that the paid staff sweat bullets for all these years and their Christmas bonus is a kick in the groin. If there is a kick. It’s still a rumor. Like gossip only different.!

I’m sure you didn’t. It’s how it goes. No intent acknowledged, no action or vote acknowledged.

However, it’s always there. Always. Even among liberals and progressives.

An Obama, v. McCain and Palin. And only 52% v 48%?

And yet, all them blues in places of red, on the maps?

Prop 8, and the insane vote to deny gays rights, is no less than a racist vote.

We got a long ways to go, before everyone is equal.

I’m sure you concur with that?

And I respect your comments, always have . . . always will.

Same.

The 50 state strategy was effective. It’ll be back because of the success it’s had this time around. The R’s will probably use it, also.

Yeah, but one reason for it’s success was that Dean seeded money and time, recruited enthusiastic local staff, and gave them resources.

Starting over is a bad idea, especially when you don’t have to.

What’s going on here? The title of this post is presented as fact, yet we have a supposed anonymous source suggesting this MAY BE the case?

I didn’t realize Howard Dean wasn’t going to run for DNC Chair again. Did anyone else know this?

It’s been three days since the election. There’s no evidence in their actions or statements that suggests Obama or Dean would would encourage suffocating the 50 State Strategy. In fact, just the opposite. I’ll need to see to believe these rather “out there” claims.

This is a very Taylor Marsh-ish post, I must say.

I take a some comfort in the first sentence, which begins,

“A rumor at this point (or rather, someone unwilling to go on record)”

and I believe Dr. Dean’s term is up. I have no idea if a term can be extended or another added, or if Dr. Dean would accept one.

But the strategy explains Democrats ‘06 and ‘08 successes very well, IMO.

nite pups

Regarding Obama and Emmanuel: this surprised me, too. My second thougt is that Obama, a consummate politician, knows what he’s doing and if I can’t figure it out it’s probably because I’m lacking information or imagination, or both.

I now wonder if this is a strategy for “managing” some of the power in the party. Obama, no pugilist, will not go head to head with people whose cooperation is needed.

Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m not. But I look forward to finding out.

Wait: Think about it.
Keeping 50 organizers for what purpose? If they are kept because we won [or even if not] then that is the start of an established bureaucracy. I am not sure any of us want that. These guys are organizers, have learned a bunch, and know the bottom up routine. They have talent and will be progressive forces wherever they land. Keeping them on without a bottoms up push and local support flies in the face of what they accomplished.
Some will continue organizing, if they find local consensus issues that bring people together. If not, what do they do? Looking for raison d’etre
is demoralizing.
We already have way too many 501[c]{3} organizations that should have folded their tents long ago.
I really hope all this talent, the assistants, staff do get into community organizing. And it must be bottom up. Keeping them on a string is top down.
Obama knows this. Read Alinsky. There will be opportunities.

Al Giorgano has his Field Hands that are still organizing and keeping the grass roots going. Check out his site. There are a lot of level headed people over there.

Yes, indeed. But think about this: There are a lot of good reasons to maintain Democratic organizations in all 50 states — the least of which is it creates a conduit for good candidates to be identified from the rank and file. There’s been a lot of talk about “better Democrats” and maintaining the organizers either helps to identify good candidates, or creates an opportunity for a successful organizer to run for election at the local or state level.

The other real benefit is to maintain a counterweight to the DLC, or what remains of them. There’s no need to “move to the right” or to “triangulate” or whatever f*ck all nonsense the DLC was blathering about. The Democratic Party can establish a legislative and policy agenda where its various parts want it to — not where corporate sponsors demand they go.

Obama’s campaign money came from small donors; Dean’s funding of the 50 state strategy came from small donations (mine among them). If Rahmbo thinks his is the only way, we need to remind him that just as quickly as we made money available, we can shut it off.

Emanuel = Bremer

Same strategy — different results? Prolly not.

I’ve thought that a lot. So far it’s looking a lot like Lucy snatched the football away, but it’s still early. I’ve always thought the people should have had a lot more say in government than who we elect. The only accountability comes at election times, and I’ve never thought that’s enough. It looked to me like Obama veered right and stayed on that course throughout the election. He could have switched parties after Caribou Barbie made the scene, and he still would have been elected.

That’s just my opinion. I’m usually happy when I’m wrong.

If this is true, then the guys who are doing the firing have forgotten that those being fired are trained community organizers.
Want to bet that it doesn’t come back to haunt them in the next two years?

The organizational abilities will be outside of the party’s control and able to get people moving for candidates who are outside of the party structure.
Yes. We. CAN!

I’ve known about this for about a month. Here is my blog post about it:

http://wa-demchairs.org/blog/node/252

Please read the comments, including one from our state tech director. Many of the people who worked hard on this election want to move on and move up. I’m already getting emails from Obama delegates who want to run for City Council here in Seattle, and I’m sure that’s true all across the country.

We need to hold fast to our ideals of grassroots organizing, no matter what the DNC does and no matter what happens to the Barack Obama campaign. We can push for the national party to be smart and keep the organization running, but now that the election is over, we don’t know what the financial realities are of keeping it running.

The only thing that we can do is to keep organizing locally so we have groups ready to be plugged in to another national campaign in 2010. Remember, we have the power, and that power grows every time we attend a meeting, hold an event or contact one of our elected officials.

By the way, I’m going to be stepping down from my role as Chair of the Washington State Progressive Caucus so I can focus on the 46th Legislative District in North Seattle. I’m running for Chair of the 46th District Democrats.

Unbelievably stupid.

Wonder if Obama’s ok with this?

I think that he’s just fine with it, actually – he’ll certainly never mention it. I’m learning to live with disappointment.

I think they are just floating this idea to see what the reaction will be. So many of the best people in the party are still focusing on the past, on the way things used to be rather than the way they are now.

We need to bring these experienced party officials along now. We need their knowledge and contacts working with us. We can use their knowledge, and learn from the past without being bound to it.

This is exactly why Rahm Emanuel is much more helpful on the inside shooting arrows out, rather than on the outside shooting arrows in.

The fact is, we need more than 60 Senate seats to get 60 votes in the Senate.

If we want to get real control of our Government and keep it, we need to get over the old idea of states that count and those that don’t.

We also need to get over the idea that after the election, you can just fold your tent and go home. We need community organizers working all the time, not just parachuting in when we need something.

In response to scory @ 66..
I agree with the sentiments, and the need to use all the talent we can muster to continue the effort. given that:
The bottom up money raised for the campaign was to elect Obama, to defeat the Bush/McCain fiasco.
Continuing the organizing effort requires a different approach. It has different objectives short term, and will be negotiated locally. If you were to get the top 150 state organizing people together to get a set of goals, objectives, issues, the results would be all over….some congruence, sure, but that kind of organizing has to deal with the existing, day in/out issues the local party people deal with and know.

Perhaps worst case situation. In rural TN, AK, NC, GA there may have been an inverse Obama effect….many of these counties went up to 20% more Republican than Kerry experienced. And some of the voters were Democrats, and some are influential in their local party apparatus. In deep blue areas, the issues and approaches will be vastly different. There are already existing Democratic organizations in all 50 states, some strong, some not so great. How integrate? How get that famous discipline? How energize when an exciting election is not pending? Lots of thinking out needed.

OK, so the key is finding common ground, common issues those voters and progressive voters can mutually support. I am echoing Obama here, and I am sure he is aware that he will have to generate common support through consensus issues to launch, move and sustain his programs. And it must be bottom up or it will not work.

Keeping 50 to 150 top notch organizers on a payroll without some really good thought as to what they will do, and how the work differs enormously from getting Obama elected presents cart/horse problems.
I think, and fervently hope thought has been given to this, and I do not know that it has.

I agree with chadlupkes@70. These guys knew what their job was. They will have few problems moving on and up, and the farther and higher they go, the better off we all are. Keep your eye on them.