A Little More About PDD Endorsements
My recent comments about how John Tobin helped launch the PDD’s endorsement process got me to thinking about how effective that operation has been.
For people who still don’t know about the PDD, like the Stonewall Dems and the Women’s Democratic Club we are a Recognized Club of the Delaware Democratic Party. Like the Stonewalls and the WDC we have an agenda, a special interest within the Party. Our interest is in pulling the party to the left from within. As Paul Wellstone famously put it, we represent the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party
As the entire nation swung hard to the right, the Democratic Party moved to the right as well. That was a huge mistake. Politcal Parties don’t exisit to chase voters, or they exisit (or should exisit) to arttract candidates to run for office based on some shared values.
Has the PDD helped do that? Absolutly it has. Just look at our track record.
Democratic candidate Bryon Short was victorious in the 7th District Special Election this spring and PDD played a role in that victory. So far, Short is doing a nice job in Dover. No complaints here.
In the 25th District PDDers worked hard for two cycles to elect John Kowalko. John is also doing a nice job, with a few toe-stubs that should be allowed for newly elected Representatives.
PDD has endorsed other good progressive candidates including, Senator Karen Peterson (who’s affiliation with us goes back to our Howard Dean campaign days), Treasurer Markell, and Insurance Commissioner Matt Denn. All three of these elected officials have sponsored and supported legislation and issues that PDD holds dear. Some of these are Wind Power for Delaware, FOIA for the General Assembly, and several insurance regulation reforms aimed at making insurance rates fairer for everyone in Delaware.
We don’t always win. In 2004 we endorsed Diana McWilliams, Steve Tanzer, Terry Schooley, John Kowalko, John McNeal and John Cartier. Only McWilliams, Schooley and Cartier won.
In 2006 we endorsed Charles Potter in the primary against Harris McDowell. Potter lost. We also endorsed Vincent White in the primary against Dennis Williams. White lost. Up in the 7th District we endorsed Carl Colantuono against Boykin in the primary and Colantuono won the primary but lost the general to Wayne Smith.
Diane Clarke Streett was endorsed by PDD and won her race for Register of Wills. We also endorsed Michael Kozikowski for Recorder of Deeds. Other candidates who received PDD endorsements in 2006 include: Pat Morrison, Richard Korn, Mike Barbieri and Dennis Spivack.
We do not blanket endorse the Democratic slate. Candidates must file a questionnaire with our endorsement committee and those who meet the minimum progressive score are called in for an interview. The endorsement committee prepares a slate of approved candidates and the steering committee votes to approve or disapprove these candidates. A PDD endorsement carries support in the form of contributions and volunteer time. Staffers at the Delaware Democratic Party know that we will knock ourselves out for our endorsed candidates and welcome the help.
Those same staffers, and the party hierarchy, know that there are some Democratic candidates that we won’t touch. No money, no volunteers for these folks. No need to list them here – those who need to know, know, including the candidates. We’ve sent a clear message. We can do that because we choose to work within the party.
Do we work behind the scenes?. You betcha!
Are we non – or bipartisan? Hell no!
That does not mean that Green Party members have not helped out and some even count themselves as members. It simply means that we have limited resources and we choose to apply them where we think they will do the most strategic good for progressive Democratic causes in Delaware.
Finally, we strongly believe that the people who do the work set the agenda. PDDers who turn out their pockets and volunteer their time get to say how the organization operates and determine the tactics we follow to achieve our ends. You can be certain that publicly chastising us will have no effect on our course. If you want to have some influence, join us and work with us toward a better Delaware.
My biggest disappointment is the Dem federal legislators who voted for the war for apparently no other purpose than they thought it would get them more votes. Either way, Dem or GOP, if they voted for the war, I’m not voting for them.
I’ve supported some of the candidates mentioned above, but am curious as to what other criteria are required for membership in the PDD. Can you publish a copy?
Both DEM Senators voted yea for Amnesty – a bill that BUSHIE pushed – another form of coroporate welfare.
Hey Dis!
Anyone with a progressive heart can join PDD, although you must be a registered D to be on the endorsement committee or the steering committee. There are no dues but we occasionally hold fundraising drives to support our endorsed candidates. Having some money to spread around does help when you want to be heard, but nobody is required to donate. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 PM at Delaware Democratic Headquarters, 19 E. Commons Blvd, New Castle. For more information see http://www.progressivedemsdel.com or join the yahoo group at http://www.groups.yahoo/progressivedemsdel.com
Thanks, Rebecca. I’m a registered Dem, and have worked on a few campaigns (for people that appear to be compatible with the organization). I’d like to attend a meeting soon. I’ll keep in touch.
Thanks, Jason, for explaining PDD’s endorsement process. The ones I’m most proud of are Charles Potter and Vincent White because they made it obvious that we aren’t towing to the Party line, if the Party candidate is not a Progressive (by our standards). There were 2 you omitted — JJ Johnson and Dave Sokola, who both won.
PDD has been run through the mill by some of the bloggers. One thing that needs to be clear is that we endorse and work for Progressive DEMOCRATS; after all, we are Progressive Democrats for Delaware. We don’t endorse Progressive Republicans, if there is such a thing these days. But some of us who are Progressives before we are Democrats might support such a creature.
The folks in PDD all work together for what we believe in. Sometimes we agree to disagree but we keep our mission foremost in our minds. That’s the important thing.
Thanks to both Jason and June for their comments. PDD is the most amazing group of people I’ve ever been associated with. When we’ve got a job to do all egos are set aside and we get it done. Each member is a star but nobody hogs the spotlight. It’s very remarkable. And somewhere along the line we’ve learned not to eat our young. At least not in public.