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Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Your Strength Is Your Weakness

Posted by JOSH FEIT on February 1 at 14:57 PM

When the Democrats elected Dwight Pelz as State Party Chair this past weekend, I cautioned that Pelz needed to brush up on his field campaign skills. His predecessor, Paul Berendt, obviously had know-how when it came to ground game, and I suggested that Pelz take some pointers from Berendt.

I also, however, applauded the Dems for selecting a quote machine like Pelz. For years, Republican party chair Chris Vance had run circles around Berendt in the media with his acerbic knack for sound bites. (Vance stepped down this year, and the Republicans replaced him with attorney Diane Tebelius.)

Well, what I saw as Pelz’s strength may also be his weakness. Democratic Party chair for less than 24 hours, here’s what Pelz told PI reporter Neil Modie about Tebelius…

from the PI:

“The two new chairmen expressed wary respect for each other Sunday. Pelz labeled Tebelius ‘Chris Vance with a skirt.’”
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1

I don't think that's so bad.

Posted by Belltowner | February 1, 2006 3:03 PM

2

Does that make Dwight Pelz "Paul Berendt with a penis"?

Posted by Fnarf | February 1, 2006 3:09 PM

3

I'm guessing Chris Vance has worn plenty of skirts.

Posted by Dan Savage | February 1, 2006 3:25 PM

4

You're not one of those journalists who tried to strangle Howard Dean before he could get a running start, too, are you?

Posted by Napoleon XIII | February 1, 2006 3:59 PM

5

From what I recall, the GOP called John Kerry a fucking coward, so I think Diane Tebelius is really getting off easy this time.

Posted by Belltowner | February 1, 2006 4:06 PM

6

From what I recall, the GOP called John Kerry a fucking coward, so I think Diane Tebelius is really getting off easy this time.

Posted by Belltowner | February 1, 2006 4:07 PM

7

Napolean,
You must be new to town. Go back and check the Stranger's Howard Dean coverage. We were early (2003) covering his first meet-ups here, and we sent a reporter out to Vermont. And we were loud and extensive. Again, check our archive on Dean.

An aside: Dean released a promo book in early 2004, and quoted our coverage.


Posted by Josh Feit | February 1, 2006 4:12 PM

8

Napolean,
You must be new to town. Go back and check the Stranger's Howard Dean coverage. We were early (2003) covering his first meet-ups here, and we sent a reporter out to Vermont. And we were loud and extensive. Again, check our archive on Dean.

An aside: Dean released a promo book in early 2004, and quoted our coverage.


Posted by Josh Feit | February 1, 2006 4:12 PM

9

echo?

Posted by seattle98104 | February 1, 2006 4:40 PM

10

You're pro Dwight Pelz, as well. But you're certainly ready to jump on him for his first public pronouncement.

Or perhaps you're just pro-controversy?

Posted by Napoleon XIII | February 1, 2006 5:10 PM

11

Josh, if I recall correctly, all that glowing Dean coverage came from the big political sell-out hack Sandeep Kaushik. (hugs and kisses, Sandeep!) That's not to say you didn't write and write well about Dean, but it's disingenuous to answer a charge about YOUR writing (which may or may not be true, I don't know) with a directive to look at OUR archives, specifically archives featuring writing primarily by another author.

Posted by switzerblog | February 1, 2006 5:20 PM

12

it might be disingenuous, unless josh were a) the person who hired sandeep and b) sandeep's editor. check, check.

Posted by annie | February 1, 2006 5:46 PM

13

Switzerblog,
My response was not meant as a slight against Sandeep, who despite working for Ron Sims, is still one of my favorite people on the planet.
I read Napolean's question as a question about my news judgment. Since I don't do the bulk of the writing here (I am the news editor), I pointed to Sandeep's Dean coverage. To take nothing away from Sandeep's kick ass coverage, I did play a central role in assigning, pushing, and editing the Dean coverage. By pointing Napolean to that coverage, I thought I would dispel his notion that my impulse is to strangle a politician in the early rounds.

Having said that, Pelz does have a habit of shooting from the hip...and some people have questioned his "awareness" on women's issues (note the intraparty brouhaha re: Pelz's answer about increasing the role of women in the party...a story that came my way, that I didn't report on). In that light, I thought the Modie quote was worth pointing out.

Posted by Josh Feit | February 1, 2006 5:47 PM

14

PC is overrated. This quote was aimed at Tebelius and Vance, not women in general.

Posted by Willis | February 1, 2006 5:55 PM

15

...Ding, ding, ding!

We've hit a Josh Feit trifecta here!

Josh writing about Josh about Josh! The self references! The contradictions! The disingenuousness! It's all here! And as a topper....in an attempt to make himself look good, he talks about a story HE DID NOT REPORT!

This is making him tired. Note the cliched transition ("having said that").

Let's hear from Erica!


Posted by Pageturner | February 1, 2006 7:17 PM

16

I don't think the skirt was the problem. Maybe he should have said "Chris Vance withouth the 'roids."

Posted by Carl Ballard | February 1, 2006 9:58 PM

17

People knew what they were getting with Pelz when they voted for him.

His job is to energize the State Democratic party--not appease the Republians.

Posted by Napoleon XIII | February 1, 2006 10:43 PM

18

This site is a lot of fun very well designed.

Posted by theodore | April 12, 2006 1:44 PM

19

Very interesting and professional site! Good luck!

Posted by toni | April 14, 2006 10:18 AM

20

I like this site!

Posted by kristina | April 16, 2006 9:02 AM

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