Tom Perez and Keith Ellison are the top contenders for chair of the Democratic National Committee. The contest is looking more and more like a Bernie Sanders-Hillary Clinton rematch, with “Ellison as the champion of the insurgent left and Perez as the candidate of the establishment.” Many blame the DNC for the ugly divisions of the Democratic primary as well as Clinton’s loss, and say any new leader needs to plot a fresh course to rebuild a badly weakened party. Who should lead the DNC?
PERSPECTIVES
The Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party has lined up behind Keith Ellison, saying the DNC needs to clean house and get rid of corporate leadership, especially in the wake of Clinton’s defeat.
thetylt.com
But others argue that Tom Perez’s experience makes him the right choice to rebuild a badly damaged party. They say his leadership on voting rights, running the Department of Labor and the Department of Justice civil rights division all make him the right person for the job.
thetylt.com
Keith Ellison was endorsed by Bernie Sanders, and many Sanders supporters say the party must heed the progressive wing of the party or risk losing their support permanently:
The DNC chair race is the Democratic Party’s last opportunity to make a unifying concession to progressives, who were cheated and disenfranchised during the Democratic primaries by former DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. thetylt.com
But Perez supporters argue the chair of the DNC shouldn’t be chosen to pacify Sanders supporters. Sanders isn’t even a Democrat, yet the party allowed Sanders to help write the party platform — and Sanders supporters are still mad. Ellison’s CV just doesn’t compare to Perez’s, and the party needs to choose the best person for the job:
This wing-versus-wing dustup is unfortunate for the party. The vote for DNC chair — the person who will be stuck with a mountain of mundane but important tasks and responsibilities — probably should not be predicated on symbolism.
MORE: Why Tom Perez is a strong competitor against Keith Ellison in the Democratic Party race
Many view Ellison’s run for DNC chair as a continuation of the Sanders presidential campaign, and a new chance for Bernie’s revolution.
Keith Ellison: “When I’m DNC Chair…We’re not going to ask 10 people for $1 million. We’re gonna ask 10 million people for $10” #DNCForum pic.twitter.com/UrhOPLSlk3
— Our Revolution (@OurRevolution) February 11, 2017
We need a DNC chair who isn’t going to be scared when big money tries to dictate bad strategy. We need Keith Ellison.
— Zephyr Teachout (@ZephyrTeachout) February 17, 2017
.@DNC is toying w/ future of Democratic Party. @keithellison is only choice that can breathe life back in to party. https://t.co/v9S6xMCoxS
— Linda Sarsour (@lsarsour) February 20, 2017
Perez has been endorsed by Eric Holder and Joe Biden. Supporters argue Perez has success overseeing large organizations, and his credentials with unions and on voting rights make him the strongest candidate for the job.
DNC Chairman choice easy:
Tom Perez, a proven DOER who will address voter suppression & jobs.
Or Bernie pick who will split Dems so we lose.
— StillLes4Hill (@StillLes4Hill) February 12, 2017
His relationship with former president Barack Obama is also a plus.
Obama All But Endorses Tom Perez Against Keith Ellison For DNC Chairhttps://t.co/kHMFJGQmBM pic.twitter.com/vQSG3Veqvl
— Alexa Bellamy (@anna7bella) February 19, 2017
@dannydombrowsky
For me, anyway, Tom Perez has a long record of doing great stuff, and I think he’ll be a great DNC chair.
— Steve Zissou [?] [?] (@SteveZiss0u) February 9, 2017
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