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Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Dwight Pelz: “It’s Not Working”

Posted by JOSH FEIT on April 26 at 16:12 PM

I missed this wire story on the recent DNC strategy setting convention in New Orleans , but given the recent sit-in at Cantwell’s office, these comments from Washington State Democratic Party Chair Dwight Pelz seem prescient.

From the April 23rd Knight Ridder account:

While not on the agenda, Iraq was raised in a meeting Dean had with state party officials Friday.

Washington State Party chairman Dwight Pelz told Dean the party’s “murkiness” on Iraq was causing problems with the rank and file and that tension between activists and the national party leadership in Washington could sap their energy this fall.

“I understand it’s always better to have a lot of passion around an election,” Dean said. “But what more passion could we possibly invoke than stopping George Bush from continuing to destroy the country?”

Responded Pelz: “It’s not working.”

Hat tip: Howie in Seattle.

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1

I agree. Dems need to stand up and be counted, and say it LOUD!

Look, Iraq is a frickin Quagmire.

Period.

The sooner we leave, the better off we'll be, and no amount of spinning will change that basic FACT.

Posted by Will in Seattle | April 26, 2006 4:22 PM

2

Way to go Peltz. Centrist Dems be damned!

Their "youre with us or against us" is tired and the state party boss knows it.

Posted by SeMe | April 26, 2006 4:46 PM

3

What's not working? Trying to ramp up a campaign based solely on "Our guy (or gal) isn't like them"? or "Our presidential candidate isn't like Bush"?
It is one reason John Kerry lost in 2004. Those of us who supported him from the get-go, got awfully tired of having people come to meet-ups, telling us, "I am here (reluctantly). I supported Howard Dean; but I hate George Bush." (This actually happened at the Tully's in Wallingford in February of 2004.)
It was a "Curb your Enthusiasm" moment. All that was needed was Larry David to wryly reply, "Thanks for coming."
The rest of the year was spent with people who thought a campaign was akin to a graduate level political science seminar. People now want to blame John Kerry for blowing it. Try looking in the mirror, folks.
It's about ideas, dumb ones or good ones, lame ones or insightful ones. The Republicans come up with them. Build a fence to keep immigrants out? Let's discuss it, they say. Grant people who have been here five years without documentation or clearance, who come forward automatic citizenship? Hey, that sounds better. Make churches that help illegal immigrants felons? Wait a minute.
But the thing is, they come up with ideas.
The last time the Democratic party had someone at the helm who was not afraid to throw out ideas was when Gary Hart first ran in 1984. The Democratic party needs to allow people the freedom, in caucuses or other forums, to throw out ideas and listen respectfully; and reject or accept them.
Forget Bush. At a 33 percent rating, he is in deep trouble. And in case anyone has forgotten, while he did ostensibly win the 2004 election, he is indeed a lame duck, yet with us - unless fate intervenes - until sometime in January, 2009.
But the complexion of Congress could change this fall. The Democrats need to look to people such as former Virginia governor Mark Warner (plenty of ideas) or the current governor of Montana (names escapes me, but a person, also with plenty of ideas) and that not Hillary Clinton (a hack who should be sent out to sea in a bottle with the Japanese current). For what it is worth.

Posted by Terry Parkhurst | April 26, 2006 6:34 PM

4

I LOVE DWIGHT PELZ! Let's clone this guy.

Posted by Mrs. Y | April 27, 2006 8:42 AM

5

Dwight has balls and is gaining a national profile, at the same time.

Posted by howieinseattle | April 27, 2006 6:36 PM

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