Donna Brazile Urges Primaries For Dems Who Vote Against Health Care Reform

A leading Democratic consultant who serves in an official capacity with the Democratic National Committee has come out in favor of primary challenges to Democratic lawmakers who help kill the president's health care bill.

Donna Brazile, who is the Vice Chair of Voter Registration and Participation at the DNC and a top-ranking strategist within the party, said on Monday that Democrats who "decide to defeat" the health care bill "deserve to get a primary challenge" in future elections.

The one-time Al Gore presidential campaign manager told the Huffington Post that while at home in Louisiana she had "decided to stop pretending that I will go back to support anyone not backing health reform."

Brazile declined to elaborate, but made her view clear in a tweet she wrote shortly after President Barack Obama made an impassioned health care speech in Ohio on Monday.

DNC spokesman Hari Sevugan said that Brazile's call to support primary candidates for Democrats who vote against health care was not committee policy. Indeed, as former DNC Chair Howard Dean noted to the Huffington Post, the committee is prohibited under its bylaws from "being involved in a primary challenge."

Nevertheless it is a telling illustration of just how high emotions are running in this crucial late-stage portion of the health care reform debate. Until now, the main voices calling for primaries for Democrats who withhold their support for reform have been progressive organization and union groups.

Brazile doesn't carry the same type of threat as these institutions, both of which can rally supporters or funnel donations behind candidates. But to the extent that her remarks illustrate reluctance among those with close ties to the party to support candidates who oppose reform, they are foreboding. Though for Dean, they are no different than how emotions run in any big legislative battle.

"I don't see a war within the Democratic Party except the usual push and pulling that always happens over the issues that the core groups cares about," Dean said.

Comments

[maserati2]

11:22 PM on 03/16/2010

News Break, Huffington Post 3-16-10.

Miles Mogulescu, "NY Times Reporter Confirms Obama Made Deal to Kill Public Option"
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/miles-mogulescu/ny-times-reporter-confirm_b_500999.html

Comments, please?

[maserati2]

11:37 PM on 03/16/2010

We've officially been sold friends. We've been sold.

[pdsimdars]

05:15 PM on 03/16/2010

This has happened so often on major issues . . it is an awesome, enlightening experience. What a great place has been created here.
The reason I say this is because I see what the big push is on TV and in the media . . the big intimidation and push by the Democrats to force this bill. And my position is what really makes sense for the country. We can't keep getting sold out to corporate America by BOTH Democrats and Republicans with their promise that it's the right thing to do. . ...
All I hear is their talking points. And I disagree with them and I don't hear my disagreements voiced. I feel I am alone with my thoughts. But then, I am surprised when I read comment after comment stating pretty much exactly the thoughts I am having. Ahhhhhh. It feels so good to know there are other thinking people who are not lemmings being whipped on with lies and false promises.
Thank you all.

[Robin Carlson]

04:46 PM on 03/16/2010

oh my Donna is at it again. Bully lady Brazille told Hillary supporters "we don't need you... go ahead and work for the other side" ... nice. This is what unity looks like?

[GoodBySweetAmerica]

03:24 PM on 03/16/2010

House and Senate members alike are elected by their constituents to represent their interests in Washington. If democratic members are fearful of losing their seats for voting yes on the health care reform bill, it stand to reason that a majority of their constituents do not want the bill passed in its present form, and accordingly, that member should vote no. That member is not in Washington to carry forth an agenda promulgated by the DNC, that member is there to represent their constituents. This basic concept seems to have gotten lost along the line.

[pdsimdars]

05:02 PM on 03/16/2010

And a HUGE majority of the public (the people they are supposed to represent) want the public option. If they don't vote for that, they are not representing their constituents. The question comes, who are they representing? It's not a good answer.

[Alessandro Machi]

02:48 PM on 03/16/2010

Donna Brazile is insane and needs to apologize for fixing the 2008 democratic race in favor of Barack Obama. 10,000 foreclosed homes A DAY in this country.

[StopSexismNow]

03:10 PM on 03/16/2010

She should be apologizing for f'ing up Gore's campaign in 2000. The man lost his own home state under her "management" of his campaign.

[party-of-one]

05:18 AM on 04/14/2010

Bill Clinton should be apologizing for so alienating much of the swing vote by his irresponsible personal behavior and lies that the backlash was so great against Gore that EVEN George Bush could be elected. Utltimately, it was the Clnton baggage that defeated Gore, and history is well on the way to documenting that.

Btw, you seem particilarly harsh in your comments about people of color, even progressives.

[EWeiss]

03:51 PM on 03/16/2010

LOL. I thought you guys were extinct.

Remember how you were going to tip the election to McCain?

[doesnt drink kool-aid]

02:08 PM on 03/16/2010

is it me..or is this randy jackson in drag

[Overbluff]

02:11 PM on 03/16/2010

This is the woman who told Al Gore to wear brown to get elected.

[StopSexismNow]

02:52 PM on 03/16/2010

LOL...probably. She certainly did a crapactular job of managing his campaign.

[notmd]

02:06 PM on 03/16/2010

one point that has not been made..if we do not pass health care reform ,we have nailed the coffin on hospitals..they continue to increase the amount of charity care they provide,state and feds are reducing payment rates and the commercial insurers are pushing back on cost shifting so how do we all expect them to survive?..if we pass reform at least he insurers and pharmaceutical companies will pay to cover the uninsured..

[doesnt drink kool-aid]

02:27 PM on 03/16/2010

if we dont pass this health care bill

there may be hope for the US yet

if obama was a real president ..

he would..start over ..get everyone involved in the process

come up with ...cost cutting legislation

leave the health care to the professionals

[GeneralDisarray]

03:47 PM on 03/16/2010

doesnt drink kool-ai...
Member Since March 2010
Comments (434)

[pdsimdars]

05:06 PM on 03/16/2010

Well, you were half right . .. Obama needs to be a leader. Not start over and all that nonsense, the Reps had years and did nothing, they are useless. All they have to do is add the public option, medicare buy n for all, or single payer and move us into the modern age. But that would mean he has to abandon his corporate overlords.

[Countess]

12:17 PM on 03/16/2010

The two fanatical sides of this debate are the republicans who will oppose anything Obama does and the democrats who will support anything Obama does. All the people that do not fit into these two groups are worth listening to.

[AyeChart]

12:23 PM on 03/16/2010

Republicans HAVEN'T opposed EVERYTHING Obama has done--they supported his Afghanistan surge, for example. They support what they find good and reasonable and oppose what they find harmful to the country--and they are voting with their constituents, which counts for something in a republic.

[doesnt drink kool-aid]

02:31 PM on 03/16/2010

the ..dems have opposed more the the reb..

thats how freaking messed up the dem party is

to many agendas...
not enough brains to ...get it done

[GeneralDisarray]

03:47 PM on 03/16/2010

doesnt drink kool-ai...
Member Since March 2010
Comments (434)

[AyeChart]

12:12 PM on 03/16/2010

Poor Democrats. Vote against this monstrous bill and go down in a primary; vote for it and go down in the general election! What a choice.

Well, just do the RIGHT THING FOR THE COUNTRY! Vote "NO!" It's not about you--it's about the USA/'s survival.

[doesnt drink kool-aid]

02:09 PM on 03/16/2010

sucks to ...have obama ..in your party

[AyeChart]

11:52 AM on 03/16/2010

"Donna Brazile Urges Primaries For Dems Who Vote Against Health Care Reform"

Excuse me, but aren't there primaries for people who oppose OR SUPPORT health care reform?

[August369]

11:47 AM on 03/16/2010

Where was Donna Brazile last summer when conservative Democrats were killing the public option in congress? Why didn't she call for challenging them in primaries at that time?

[doesnt drink kool-aid]

02:10 PM on 03/16/2010

someone had to tell her ....to speak

[StopSexismNow]

02:54 PM on 03/16/2010

good question

[bronceye]

10:58 AM on 03/16/2010

Why is this woman relevant? She was Gore's campaign manager and allowed him to lose(?) to the least qualified man to ever run for pres. Her views and opinions have the depth and clarity of a republican. She is laughable on the discussion panels. I'm just mad that she allowed Gore to lose.

[sailor422]

11:42 AM on 03/16/2010

National Student Education Fund, Washington, D.C., lobbyist, early 1980s; 20th Anniversary March on Washington, national director, 1983; worked for the Rev. Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign, and for the (Walter) Mondale-(Geraldine) Ferraro Democratic ticket, both 1984; Gephardt for President, national field director, 1987; Michael Dukakis for President campaign, national field director, 1988; affiliated with Community for Creative Non-Violence (an advocate group for the homeless), Washington, D.C., 1989; chief of staff for Eleanor Holmes Norton (delegate from the District of Columbia in the U.S. House of Representatives), 1990-99; head of Voter/Campaign Assessment Program for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, 1998; Al Gore for President 2000 Campaign, began as deputy campaign manager and national political director, May, 1999, became campaign manager, October, 1999. Also an adjunct professor of political science, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Now, may I ask why you are relevant?

[August369]

12:02 PM on 03/16/2010

Somehow, I fail to be impressed. She'd have been a lot more useful to Americans if she had stuck with the stance of the Rainbow Coalition on the party's left wing.

[pmc617]

12:25 PM on 03/16/2010

If she backed that many losers at the track she'd be living in her car.

[doesnt drink kool-aid]

02:11 PM on 03/16/2010

thats the only thing she did right..
imagine the hell hole we would be in if al..its getting cold in here... gore had won

[wagelaborer]

10:33 AM on 03/16/2010

What is wrong with those who can't see that this is not a health reform bill, but a bailout to insurance companies.

I can't afford health insurance. The Democrats don't give a damn about that. They only want to force me to pay over $500/month that I don't have, so that the insurance companies can rake in $70 billion more a year.

And you idiots call that "a step forward".

No. Medicare was a step forward. Take another step and give it to everyone.

Screw all blue dog Democrats and those of you who support them!

[PalaceOfWisdom]

01:23 PM on 03/16/2010

They don't want you to buy private health insurance if you can't afford it. They want other taxpayers to buy it for you via subsidies. The corrupt, amoral insurance industry will rake it in by mandate no matter where the money has to come from (read: more Chinese-owned debt). This bill further locks their strangle hold by requiring that big insurance be a middle man that performs no service to anyone.

My question is: If corporations are people, shouldn't they also be required to buy health insurance?

[ETSpoon]

10:11 AM on 03/16/2010

How about primary challenges for every Blue Dog and DLC Democrat?

[ElleVelle]

09:43 AM on 03/16/2010

I am very disappointed - they voted B Markey in office up in FTCollins - unsetting incumbant Musgrave in that area ... only to get Markey to vote against the health bill ....

I have NEVER heard of anyone anyone complain about the$1,160.00 in Medicare premiums per YEAR - not month - per YEAR ... no one on Medicare has EVER said they got sub-standard care to me EVER.

Who thinks America doesn't want or NEED desperately the public option? There are SO MANY people without health insurance ... WHY? WHY do you nave to go through so many HOOPS to get coverage for your health problems? Does someone actually think a person would commit HEALTH FRAUD? What? ......You think someone's going to have a back surgery they don't want? No one can fake green snot running down your nose ... If you need a doctor - you need a doctor ... no one is lying about being sick ....

The only sickness I see is the GOP blocking health care and the public option. I say to you - get your profits elsewhere DON"T play in the sand with something so vital as basic healthcare for your fellow human beings.... it's not where you should be gambling or fighting for profits... please move on to another industry - let us see a doctor please without all the barriers ("pre-existing", cost, etc).