How Not to Win Support
Alright, so I have 3 examples of Democratic women who are not doing any favors in winning me over, or holding their current base intact.
1) Hillary, with her tacky non-concession to Barack last night. Her’s was a good speech, one of her best, and was certainly a good morale-boosting “thank you” to her supporters (despite the jarring jab about the popular vote and her needing to make a decision that was already made for her). She also picked the wrong night to do it on – it provided enough excuses over today’s news cycle to keep her from the #2 spot on the ticket.
2) Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who I defended in my debut on Daily Kos from attacks by the bloggers there for her desire to not ruffled South Florida feathers by targeting Cuban Republicans that aren’t necessarily in vulnerable seats. She returns the favor today by pushing a petition from Hillary’s supporters on the Hill to put her on the ticket, all because Debbie claims concern over the women in swing states that were disappointed. As a Kos blogger said, “Clinton has no more right to be Vice President based on her gender than Obama has right to be President based on his race. Those things were — and this is the historic part — never the point.”
3) Kay Barnes, who I wanted to defend against Congressman Graves’ shameful race-baiting, homophobic, anti-San Francisco ad barrage. I tried going to her website to learn more about her, so I could feel comfortable with endorsing her and maybe even sending her money. But all I found on her site was her bio, a couple news clippings, and a very impressive set-up for engaging activists in her campaign. Not even a single line on her website is devoted to the issues, except in the context of the news of moment (accusing Rep. Graves of being Exxon’s congressman). I was not pleased by the lack of any sense of what she stood for or wanted to do in Congress.
On an unrelated note, I added a few more names to the Ken’s List, the page where I indicate which candidates I am supporting. Today’s additions are: 1) Scott Klebb, who I endorsed in 2006 for U.S. House, in his Senate bid in Nebraska, and 2) Mark Begich, a mayor in Alaska running for U.S. Senate who has an impressive website, a strong committment to government ethics, and a good sense of the priorities for his state. I had previously endorsed Barack Obama for President, Mark Warner and Andrew Rice for Senator, and Travis Childers for Mississippi. Another change to the Ken’s List page is a new key indicating how much I’ve contributed to each campaign, and in what form the contribution came in. More transparency for ya!
