Broad movement may dissipate if asked to work toward merely party-oriented goals
Los Angeles Times Nov 14, 08 1:48 PM CST
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Barack Obama’s campaign bred a network of grassroots activists who subscribed to the “Obama brand,” not necessarily the Democratic party. As Obama prepares for office, his advisers are split, the Los Angeles Times reports: Should the powerful grassroots operation remain separate from the party’s, mobilized to create consensus and push through reforms—or should the two be merged?
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Obama ally likely to take Democratic party leadership
Huffington Post Nov 10, 08 3:23 PM CST
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Howard Dean will step down as chairman of the Democratic National Committee at the end of his term in January, the Huffington Post reports. Although the success of Dean’s “50-state strategy” fueled speculation that he would stay on, the post is likely to go to an Obama insider like Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri, co-chair of the president-elect’s campaign.
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Win would vindicate screaming DNC chair
The Hill Nov 4, 08 7:33 AM CST
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If Democrats clean up tonight as expected, it’ll be a vindicating victory for Howard Dean. The DNC’s infamous screamer locked horns with many in his party over his “50-state strategy,” but this election his seemingly quixotic venture has borne fruit, the Hill reports. Barack Obama is within striking distance in places like North Carolina and Indiana, while Democrats could pick up congressional seats in deep-red Mississippi and even Alaska.
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Lynn Forester de Rothschild to endorse McCain-Palin
Muckety.com Sep 17, 08 2:09 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Democratic fundraiser and ardent Hillary Clinton supporter Lynn Forester de Rothschild will endorse the McCain-Palin ticket today, Muckety reports. De Rothschild, who worked with the Democratic National Committee, has been a steadfast critic of the Dems’ decision to nominate Barack Obama, whom she called an untrustworthy “elitist” in a July interview. Obama supporters countered that de Rothschild herself is a millionaire and wife to a British aristocrat.
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McCain Plus RNC Currently Double the Cash of Obama Plus DNC
Bloomberg Sep 16, 08 8:51 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Coming into the home stretch, the Republicans have about twice as much campaign money on hand as the Democrats, reports Bloomberg—about $200 million to $95 million. Though Barack Obama has raised record sums, the Democratic National Committee’s current $17.5 million lags far behind the GOP’s $76 million. These committees may continue to raise and spend money to support their candidates, so long as they don’t coordinate strategy.
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ANALYSIS
Candidate focuses on boosting top-to-bottom health through better infrastructure
American Prospect Aug 19, 08 1:23 PM CDT
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Barack Obama is running as an “outsider candidate” fed up with partisan politics—yet he is, ironically, perhaps the most party-focused presidential candidate in history, Dana Goldstein and Ezra Klein write in the American Prospect . Obama has moved much of the Democratic National Committee apparatus to Chicago, rebuilt its fundraising infrastructure, and is even training organizers for other Democratic campaigns.
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Potential McCain VP pick is 'completely without moral scruple'
Boston Herald Aug 15, 08 1:59 PM CDT
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Barney Frank ripped into Mitt Romney yesterday as part of a DNC effort to discredit the possible Republican VP choices, the Boston Herald reports. Citing flip-flops on abortion and gay rights, the Massachusetts Congressman called the ex-Massachusetts governor ‘the most intellectually inconsistent politician I’ve ever known.” Romney, he charged, will "say whatever he thinks will win the next election."
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60K apply for state's allotment of about 30K at Denver stadium where Dem will accept
Denver Post Aug 8, 08 1:26 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Colorado’s allotment of seats for Barack Obama’s Aug. 28 acceptance speech is accounted for, the Denver Post reports, with 60,000 people applying in 24 hours to be part of the bloc of about 30,000. There will be 60,000-75,000 seats available at Denver’s Invesco Field, with about half reserved for the host state. Requests from all states must be made by Tuesday, the AP adds.
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Long primary slows Denver fundraising; having nominee helps
Associated Press Jun 17, 08 11:30 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Democrats are scaling back their national convention plans in the face of fundraising shortfalls, the AP reports. The Denver host committee has just $29 million of the $40.6 million it promised to deliver by yesterday. The committee says it’s confident it’ll get the money before the convention begins Aug. 25, but organizers are shaving $3 million off events and vendor obligations.
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Issue may test McCain and Obama on their zeal to stop influence of big money
New York Times Jun 7, 08 10:14 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Big donors are pumping big money into both party's conventions, one of the last remaining loopholes in the rules governing so-called soft money contributions, the New York Times reports. And while it's all perfectly legal, the issue may test the conviction of both Barack Obama and John McCain on their desire to eliminate the influence of deep-pocketed contributors.
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analysis
Much depends on Clinton, who seems resolved to defeat
New York Times May 31, 08 10:18 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Hillary Clinton made a very public point of keeping her options open—with Harold Ickes angrily reserving the campaign's right to appeal today's delegate decision—but she seems increasingly resolved to defeat, the New York Times reports. Instead of taking the fight to the convention, close associates think she'll drop out at some point after next week's results and endorse Barack Obama. Just don't bet the house on it.
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Daylong meeting seeks compromise on Florida and Michigan
Associated Press May 31, 08 12:33 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Democratic party leaders continue to wrangle over the disputed delegates of Florida and Michigan today, hearing impassioned pleas from representatives of both states and campaigns. Hundreds of protesters are gathered outside the Washington meeting as the party's rules committee seeks a compromise, the AP reports. “We are strong enough to struggle and disagree and to even be angry and disappointed and still come together at the end of the day and be united,” said party chief Howard Dean.
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