The more I read about the rich donors who told Nancy Pelosi to shut up, the more angry I get. I may not agree with her on quite a few issues, but Speaker Pelosi is second in line to the Presidency, the first woman to hold her position and a figure demanding of respect - especially from people who are supposed to be her fellow Democrats. These guys seriously think that because they went to a fancy fundraiser or maybe played a round of golf with the ex-president that they really are better than the rest of us. They have every right to add their voice to the chorus supporting Sen. Clinton, but they have no place, no standing, no right to order the Speaker around.
These people are symptomatic, quite frankly, of the negative that came along with all the good President Clinton did during his tenure. The moribund liberal wing of the party, defanged after the losses of Carter, Mondale, and Dukakis, gave way to the big check writers, the elite crowd whose cash did prop up the party for the short term and helped President Clinton gain his office. But for the Democratic party and the progressive movement they have been a waste. Just look at the congressional seats lost during Clinton’s tenure, look at how unprepared the party was to field a coast-to-coast slate of candidates under Terry McAuliffe’s leadership - a party chairmanship that was all about fundraising to the exclusion of getting majorities and a president elected.
But the Clintons and the moneybags crowd have not learned. That’s why they tried to throw their money around in Michigan and re-do the primary. That’s why the Clinton campaign is now faltering at fundraising, having maxed out these whales she doesn’t have the pool of Average Joe donors (like myself) that Sen. Obama will have in the general who have not come close to the $2,300 limit. That’s why, as their anointed candidate began to fail they just cut another of their fat checks to form a 527 committee whose work product is horrendous compared to the work of groups like MoveOn and the labor unions. Sure, wealthy donors help fund some of those efforts as well, but they are truly nothing without their regular Joe volunteers and members. And none of those groups is so in love with themselves that they believe that they can tell Speaker Pelosi what she can and cannot say.
We poor unwashed masses, lacking mansions and minks and chaueffers, elected Rep. Pelosi to the position of Speaker via our representatives in the House. We may not have tee times at the golf club, a yacht parked on the intra coastal, nor do we feed our pets prime rib — but we know that the Speaker is to be afforded a modicum of respect.
This is the stain that remains on the party even after the events of Crashing The Gate were documented by Markos Moulitsas and Jerome Armstrong. These are the hangers-on who look down their plastic surgery noses at Governor Dean’s 50-state strategy and his middle class demeanor even as the party begins to regain its role as a truly national party. These are the people who think nothing - nothing - of throwing a tantrum because us people, us regular Joes and Janes, had the gall to not vote and caucus for the candidate they bankrolled and sought to shove down our gullets the way they always do. Instead we chose to vote for a candidate whose donor base is almost 2 million strong. Just like a couple of weeks ago when they were demanding refunds of their donations to the party they thought they owned they are once again trying to tell us they bought the Democratic party the same way they bought a diamond necklace at Tiffany’s for their trophy wife.
Not any more. The Democratic party is once again becoming little-d democratic. A party where the rich guys have a say, but so do the regular guys. Speaker Pelosi speaks for us, from Park Avenue to Georgetown to Skid Row to Baltimore to The Lower 9th Ward and beyond.
And you respect her, or shut up.
I like how Obama smacked them around.
Also, Clinton’s campaign is practically bankrupted, while Obama is swimming in cash. Pelosi should realize Obama is where the money is.
got over it OW it’s politics. you can always vote for john w mcbush you know.
from my post at dkos:
I don’t know what to make of the Aronchick thing. He’s hosted Jim Dean and DFA events at his house. He’s supported a local progressive against the Philly Democratic machine candidate for PA State House.
He’s hosted events for Congressional candidates with Adam Bonin. His firm has hosted events with Barney Frank and Joe Sestak. He was part of a fundraiser for Lois Murphy and Pat Murphy which featured Obama as the special guest.
Wow, is all I can say…
Word.
I find this “open letter” pretty funny actually. It might have some teeth if Sen. Clinton lead by a wide margin in the fundraising department. That would represent a real threat by people with a real point. Instead it is 20 private citizens impotently throwing what little weight they have into a matter over which they have no impact. Democracy works.
z_adura:
They used to have impact. Obama winning means they lose whatever clout they have. I think those 20(or is it 21) read Dylan Thomas a bit too literally.
Our party doesn’t need these fatcat slumlords anymore. They are a relic of the pre-internet age. Obama showed you can raise 9 figures with the average donation of 100 dollars
Ummm…
They’re DEMOCRATS?
Outraged at the way Obama and his supporters keep trying to close the books before all the votes are counted?
Here’s what they said to Madam Speaker Pelosi, who last time I checked was a fat-cat multimillionaire fatter than most of those who wrote her:
“…Several states and millions of Democratic voters have not yet had a chance to cast their votes.
We respect those voters and believe that they, like the voters in the states that have already participated, have a right to be heard. None of us should make declarative statements that diminish the importance of their voices and their votes. We are writing to say we believe your remarks on ABC News This Week on March 16th did just that.
During your appearance, you suggested super-delegates have an obligation to support the candidate who leads in the pledged delegate count as of June 3rd , whether that lead be by 500 delegates or 2. This is an untenable position that runs counter to the party’s intent in establishing super-delegates in 1984 as well as your own comments recorded in The Hill ten days earlier…”
I agree with them 100%.
Pedantic Man sez: I thought Speaker Pelosi is thrid in line to the Presidency.
Up, up and away!
Pedantic Man sez: I thought Speaker Pelosi is thrid in line to the Presidency.
Pedantic man is wrong. The president isn’t in line for the presidency; he’s the president. First in line is Vice-President, Second in line is the Speaker of the House, third in line is the Senate President Pro Tempore (Robert Byrd), fourth in line is Secretary of State.
Yeah, I got that the second after I posted that. Please to disregard.
“Outraged at the way Obama and his supporters keep trying to close the books before all the votes are counted?”
Bullshit. Even Clintons campaign team admits they can’t win in pledged delegates or total votes. This has nothing to do with letting the voters have their say.
We poor unwashed masses, lacking mansions and minks and chaueffers, elected Rep. Pelosi to the position of Speaker via our representatives in the House.
You funny. Ms. Pelosi is richer and fat-cattier than all those letter writers put together.
They’re just the whiny assed tittie babies of the neodem wing of the democratic party. Their misplaced sense of entitlement echoes the same wing of the neocon party and they deserve the same fate. Ignore them and focus on the prize.
Yeah, and guess what? Speaker Pelosi has been ELECTED to her position of power.
Speaker Pelosi has been ELECTED to her position of power.
Yeah, OW. By the popular will of little folks like us. Wealth, influence, and insider status had nothing to do with it.
I didn’t say wealth and power had no role, but you make it as if the Speaker is in her position only because of Richie Riches.
but you make it as if the Speaker is in her position only because of Richie Riches.
Oh no you don’t. We started here:
QitB: You funny. Ms. Pelosi is richer and fat-cattier than all those letter writers put together.
Quick check around shows Pelosi’s net worth estimated around 25-40 million.
So you saying on average the “fat cats” have only a measly 2 million each?
Strains your credibility
So you saying on average the “fat cats” have only a measly 2 million each?
How on earth would we know how much any of them have?
So you’re saying that a net worth of a mere 40 million makes you one of the common folk?
If that’s so, I’m among the poorest of the poor.
A mere $40 million?
Shit, I’ll take half that in cash.
Newsflash. Obama campaign has proven that lots of people giving a little can beat a few people giving a lot–$55 million last month–apparently well over the current fat cats collective net worth. The fat cats threaten, arm twist and demand favors. People who give $20.00 don’t threaten. People who give $1000.00 don’t think they own the legislature. If we want control of our party, we have to take financial responsibility for it. Donate what you can to DNC Now. Let’s show ‘em that when we work together, we can effect big changes. They said Obama couldn’t run a presidential campaign without lobby or PAC money and he beat them all. We can do better then mad. We can do take it back for the people of Jefferson. Pass it on!
QitB: So you’re saying that a net worth of a mere 40 million makes you one of the common folk?
Nope. I didn’t say anything like that. Nice dodge, switching from what you did say to what I didn’t.
She rich? Yup. But not “richer and fat-cattier than all those letter writers put together.”
Duros62: A mere $40 million?
Shit, I’ll take half that in cash.
Hell, I’d settle for a tenth and retire.
But the issue isn’t her wealth. It’s that those others who have wealth are acting like they own the Democratic party.
You’ve convinced me to creep a little bit closer to my $2,300 for the Big BO.
I have no illusions that my voice will be heard over the “fat cats”. I don’t want anything for my donation or my vote other than a little honesty and some work toward COMMON goals.
Keep up the good work. Saw this first on the Huffpo.
I don’t want anything for my donation or my vote other than a little honesty and some work toward COMMON goals.
You will get a nice thank you note. May I suggest you buy a hat and round up your donation.
She rich? Yup. But not “richer and fat-cattier than all those letter writers put together.”
Very well. Let’s just say she’s among “her people” and let it go at that, shall we? My point regards OW’s characterization that Ms. Pelosi was selected by we, the unwashed masses.
And my credibility feels just fine, thank you.
Let’s just say she’s among “her people” and let it go at that, shall we?
I could debate whether “her people” are those who voted for her, those who contributed to her, or a combination of both (since both were needed for her to obtain office). But I’m fine with letting that go.
But let’s note that she did get voted into office, which the signers of the letter did not.
And if “her people” is taken to refer to the rich donors, then alone among “her people” she is suggested super-delegates have an obligation to support the candidate who leads in the pledged delegate count. That is, that the preferences of the general population should be the main influence. While the rich donors are suggesting she should shut up and let the rich donors have influence.
But let’s note that she did get voted into office, which the signers of the letter did not.
As long as you’re noting that, you might also note that the signers of the letter are, in fact, influential Democrats.
Who wrote a letter.
How dare they? How dare they?
Who wrote a letter purporting to tell the Speaker what she can and cannot say. Who believe that their voices are worth more than you and I.
a letter purporting to tell the Speaker what she can and cannot say.
I believe you mean, “a letter at odds with what I, Mr. Willis, think is best.”
Seriously. These people dump tons of money into the party. If I was in their shoes, I’d make my opinions known to Ms. Pelosi. Let ‘em have their letter writing party.
a letter purporting to tell the Speaker what she can and cannot say.
In other words, I’m saying, “That’s allowed.” The Speaker is also allowed to tell the letter writers to pound sand.
Hillary, shut up and quit.
The Speaker is also allowed to tell the letter writers to pound sand.
Sure, it is. Why should the letter writers try to buy influence? I always thought that was frowned upon.
Why should the letter writers try to buy influence? I always thought that was frowned upon.
You thought all those rich folks were giving money for the improvement of…what was it…the “unwashed masses, lacking mansions and minks and chaueffers”?
I’m sorry, Duros. There’s something we should talk about. And when we’re finished, there’s also something I need to tell you about the Easter Bunny.
The Speaker is also allowed to tell the letter writers to pound sand.
Ahem!
Dammit! NOOOOOOO! Not the Easter Bunny, too!!
Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly said late Wednesday the California Democrat stands by her argument that the party’s superdelegates would do damage if they go against the will of voters and hand the nomination to the candidate who finished second among those delegates awarded from the round of caucuses and primaries.
Well, see? There ya go.
Hey better yet have you seen who the people are that signed the letter?
Here is my favorite.
Bernard Schwartz - Chairman of the Board and CEO of Loral Space & Communications. His time at Loral, he was instrumental in helping the Chinese military to acquire weapons techonology. In 1997 he celebrated his 71st with Bill and Hillary Clinton in the White House. Schwartz became embroiled in a controversial transfer of missile technology to the People’s Republic of China.
For the complete letter who all the signers are and how much money they have raised for Hillary and the democrats check out
http://endthecorruption08.blogspot.com/
Yep Mr and Mrs Howell say “we have lots of money, we will not fund the DCCC”. The very DCCC that is riddled with …….READY……..SUPERDELEGATES!!:))) A NOT very thought out letter by Buffy and Lovey…….
By the by. OW, that was a very inspirational post…..Congrats and my thanks………..
I don’t know how DUROS62 knew I was a street musician. That was awesome.
But I did get a new hat to collect for the Big BO. It’s kind of an Irish thing, I went with the O’bama pun.
That worked real well, I came up with nearly $300 dollars this week.
THANKS DUROS62. You give me the incentive to try even harder.
Er, whadido? I meant buy a hat from the O’bama website for $14 and round up to $20, but I’m glad the other thing is working for you too. Keep up the good work.