The DSCC and the Oregon's Democratic Senatorial Primary by: maloney Wed Jul 25, 2007 at 07:22:39 AM PDT

Even before it's been decided that there is going to be a contested primary for the Democratic Senatorial Primary race, a lot of discussion has been had about where money should come from in a state primary.  Over at BlueO recently, a thread about Jeff Merkley's "electability" quickly  became a discussion over what role (if any) the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC) should play in selecting that nominee. Stephanie V. weighs in: So here's my next question: if Jeff Merkley really cares about what's best for Oregon, has he sought and obtained a commitment from the DSCC that they will support the ultimate Democratic nominee no matter who it is? DSCC support and "viability" can be a bit of a self-fulfilling prophecy, after all. If the DSCC want to unseat Gordon Smith, they need to collaborate with Oregon Democrats to ensure the economic viability of the nominee. Top-down "democracy" is a contradiction in terms. BlueO editor Jeff Alworth (in response to a different comment) comes in on the other side: ...the implication--that the Congressional committees corrupt the process--is naive. Candidates don't emerge from a vacuum to run for US Senator. Politics is an activity of connections, not least the connections between candidates and people. To think that there could be some kind of pure starting place where candidates would be judged in the rarified air of a Lincoln-Douglas debate misses what the whole endeavor is about. The DSCC and DCCC are there to support and nurture talent. And not supporting the DSCC just ties one arm behind our backs as the wealthy Republican committees flood elections with money. What should the role of the DSCC be in the (likely) primary race between Steve Novick and Jeff Merkley?

maloney :: The DSCC and the Oregon's Democratic Senatorial Primary

I think that the DSCC should stay out.  Period.  Their role is to support the eventual nominee in their race against Smith, not interfere in internal local party decision making. I have a lot of respect for Jeff Merkley, and I think he's done a fantastic job as Speaker of the Oregon House.  I'd like to see him stay there for another session, but that's up to him.  I think he's a man of integrity, and I think he wants what's best for Oregon. In doing what's best for Oregon, I would ask Speaker Merkley to talk to the DSCC and to ask them to commit whatever financial backing they've offered him to whoever the nominee turns out to be. It's not just a matter of money, it's a matter of preventing supporters of the candidate who doesn't win the primary from becoming alienated.  If they feel, as I probably would, that the decision has been made in DC who the nominee should be, a lot of that support could be lost. There's a lot of antipathy towards Gordon Smith in Oregon and the eventual nominee needs their support.  A clear commitment from Jeff Merkley to make this a local race, without the national mechanism's involvement, would go a long way to keeping the peace after the primary.

Tags: US Senate, DSCC, Steve Novick, Jeff Merkley, (All Tags)

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