The Next DNC Chair: TOM PEREZ WINS, makes Ellison deputy chair

[America Needs R'hllor]

I worry about Keith Ellison being a Congressman, though. Wouldn't it show that he's serious and actually honest if he promises to leave Congress if elected Chairman?

[America Needs R'hllor]

I worry about Keith Ellison being a Congressman, though. Wouldn't it show that he's serious and actually honest if he promises to leave Congress if elected Chairman?

It's not uncommon than not for a party chairman to serve in office.

That's true, and yet this time, they need someone who will dedicate all his time for the job. I really doubt he can perform perfectly as both a Congressman and Chairman.

[America Needs R'hllor]

With this, I remain a believer in the concept of the Jewish, Israeli state, but it should've been socialist, actual egalitarian socialism (mapam), and Israel wouldn't be as such segregated and discriminatory to the Palestinian People.

(Ignoring the normal, ugly, Israel vs Palestinians arguments in this thread)

I understand your point of view as a Socialist, but Mapam was at times a low point for Israeli democracy (though the current government is trying really hard to compete). Their almost absolute power harmed the freedom of speech and created a nest of corruption and discrimination towards Jewish immigrants from Muslim countries. In the end, their slight authoritainism sewed the seeds of some characteristics of current Israeli society that I dislike, like the sanctifying of the army and anything related to it, the corrupt primaries in the major parties, that are controlled by special interest groups, and some generally corrupt and disfunctional systems (like the Broadcasting Authority and the main labour unions).

[America Needs R'hllor]

Here's the real question: Will Ellison actually meaningfully change anything about the Democratic policy on Israel/Palestine? I doubt it. If its becoming more anti-Israeli and pro-Palestinian, it was likely to do that even with Chuck Schumer as DNC Chair. If its not becoming more pro-Palestinian already, then its unlikely to do so with Ellison.

Besides, with Schumer watching, I doubt Ellison will be able to do anything too "anti-Israel".

Will it have a long-term toxic effect on the Dems' Israel policy? Absolutely, but that likely won't come into play until they control the government again.

FWIW, I see Keith Ellison as a likely Secretary of State choice if a Sanders(-esque candidate) wins the Democratic nomination and the presidency in the next few cycles; in addition to being a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Ellison worked heavily with Bush and Rice to promote the State Department abroad, has taken a wide array of official visits to other countries with fellow Congressmen, and IIRC was occasionally mentioned as a possible SoS or U.N. Ambassador for Obama. That being said, his controversial positions on Israeli policy might make him a tough pill to swallow for a divided Senate, so in the above scenario, I think Feingold would be a more likely State pick, especially since he's completely out of a job now.

Feingold would be so great.

[America Needs R'hllor]

With this, I remain a believer in the concept of the Jewish, Israeli state, but it should've been socialist, actual egalitarian socialism (mapam), and Israel wouldn't be as such segregated and discriminatory to the Palestinian People.

(Ignoring the normal, ugly, Israel vs Palestinians arguments in this thread)

I understand your point of view as a Socialist, but Mapam was at times a low point for Israeli democracy (though the current government is trying really hard to compete). Their almost absolute power harmed the freedom of speech and created a nest of corruption and discrimination towards Jewish immigrants from Muslim countries. In the end, their slight authoritainism sewed the seeds of some characteristics of current Israeli society that I dislike, like the sanctifying of the army and anything related to it, the corrupt primaries in the major parties, that are controlled by special interest groups, and some generally corrupt and disfunctional systems (like the Broadcasting Authority and the main labour unions).

They were the only one's that had Palestinian members, had a policy for co-existence, and didn't support the expulsion of Palestinian from their lands, causing the problems they had, a lot of which Mapai did or didn't support. I believe if Mapam had been elected, Israel and Palestine would've been a been a better place, though more soviet-orientated it would have been. I really don't understand how a party that only once got second place had absolute control

Oh, I thought you argued for Mapai, not Mapam. Sorry.
In that case, I'm of the opinion that it would've been even worse. It's a fact that the Arabic countries at the time weren't willing to allow Israel to exist, so while Mapam might have been more compassionate for the Palestinians, they would still have to fight for survival. And if they got close to the Soviets, they would probably lose, because the Soviets favoured the more numerous Arabic countries while America was willing to support Israel. Not gonna delve into who's right and who's wrong, but the US was absolutely vital for the survival of Israel in the October War.

[America Needs R'hllor]

With this, I remain a believer in the concept of the Jewish, Israeli state, but it should've been socialist, actual egalitarian socialism (mapam), and Israel wouldn't be as such segregated and discriminatory to the Palestinian People.

(Ignoring the normal, ugly, Israel vs Palestinians arguments in this thread)

I understand your point of view as a Socialist, but Mapam was at times a low point for Israeli democracy (though the current government is trying really hard to compete). Their almost absolute power harmed the freedom of speech and created a nest of corruption and discrimination towards Jewish immigrants from Muslim countries. In the end, their slight authoritainism sewed the seeds of some characteristics of current Israeli society that I dislike, like the sanctifying of the army and anything related to it, the corrupt primaries in the major parties, that are controlled by special interest groups, and some generally corrupt and disfunctional systems (like the Broadcasting Authority and the main labour unions).

They were the only one's that had Palestinian members, had a policy for co-existence, and didn't support the expulsion of Palestinian from their lands, causing the problems they had, a lot of which Mapai did or didn't support. I believe if Mapam had been elected, Israel and Palestine would've been a been a better place, though more soviet-orientated it would have been. I really don't understand how a party that only once got second place had absolute control

Oh, I thought you argued for Mapai, not Mapam. Sorry.
In that case, I'm of the opinion that it would've been even worse. It's a fact that the Arabic countries at the time weren't willing to allow Israel to exist, so while Mapam might have been more compassionate for the Palestinians, they would still have to fight for survival. And if they got close to the Soviets, they would probably lose, because the Soviets favoured the more numerous Arabic countries while America was willing to support Israel. Not gonna delve into who's right and who's wrong, but the US was absolutely vital for the survival of Israel in the October War.

If you had a socialist Israel, that allowed the support for the Palestinian people and had USSR support, would the Arab nations attacked it? Mapam were the only one fighting for a egalitarian, equal Israel, while other parties were fine in treating Arabs as treating second class citizens. Initially when there looked to be a socialist Isreal, Stalin was fine in supporting the establishment and supported such a state. I'm not supporting the USSR, and Stalin was of course horrific, but I believe Israel under socialism would be much more equal and accepting of Palestinian rights and would be a more peaceful religion, than it is now. That's unless a communist dictatorship is established, but I doubt that'd happen.

Predicting the future is tough. What would happen when the USSR fell? If not for American money, would Israel become an advanced nation with a relatively high standard of living (which might not be that important from people that don't live there, but certainly is for me)? Would the Likud, after inevitably taking power, be even more extreme in response to Socialism? Not sure.

Ellison offers to quit Congress to lead DNC:

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https://politicalwire.com/2016/12/03/keith-ellison-offers-quit-congress-lead-dnc/

I like this. Ignoring the Israel business, if he actually resigns, I'd certainly be more likely to support him.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Does anyone in this thread understand that the DNC chair has virtually no influence over policy and that the vast majority of voters don't even know who holds the position much less vote based on it?

Agreed, that's why I don't see the need to delve into the Israel argument (other than interesting historical debate). The more important thing for me is that he resigns from Congress, to actually devote himself to this very important job.

[America Needs R'hllor]

J-Street: Stop Smearing Ellison

J-Street is great, and believes in the true interests of Israel- a Jewish Democratic state, which requires  a two state solution.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Sally Boynton Brown, executive director of the Idaho Democratic Party, is entering the race for DNC Chair.

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http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/sally-boynton-brown-dnc-chair-232740

Seems ridiculous. One thing is that the Idaho Democratic party seems incompetent, so she has no achievements to speak of, and the other thing is what she said- "the last thing we need is an ideological conversation". This is stupid. Would she prefer a conversation based on personal insults (like the elections) instead?

[America Needs R'hllor]

So Perez apparently after the NH primary, emailed Podesta telling him that while Bernie has the youth vote, they should change the narrative by claiming that Bernie only appeals to young white voters, which would hurt him in South Carolina.  So he pretty much came up with the idea of the idiotic Bernie bro stereotype.  The email was in the wikileaks emails.
For more information see:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riarqgogc3U

He can go f*** himself.

Ah, what a surprise! The guy running against our candidate is the source of all trouble ever!

And about Buttigieg, I have a feeling that he'll either become the next Jason Kander or a strong contender for the Presidency.

[America Needs R'hllor]

I really don't think that this Muslim preaching (or any preaching) at the start of a DNC meeting is necessary. The meeting has nothing to do with any religion.
Also, Jesus wasn't a Palestinian- he was a Jew in Judea which was renamed 'Syria-Palestina' by the Roman Empire that conquered it. I'm worried if that is the direction the Democrats are going.

[America Needs R'hllor]

The Applebaum guy speaking right now has such an annoying tone.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Vote on motion to strike the resolution passes. Corporate cash stays.

But didn't they want to replace it with a different resolution?

[America Needs R'hllor]

Bernice King is giving a very good speech.

[America Needs R'hllor]

In the speeches of this DNC meeting, Jon Kasich has been quoted twice. Lol.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Jason Kander now coming up to speak.

Is it just a speech or is he supporting someone?

[America Needs R'hllor]

Lol Kander took a shot at McCaskille, Manchin etc. "I didn't do it by pretending to be a moderate or hug the center".

[America Needs R'hllor]

I would vote for this piece of work in a heartbeat.

Same. Amazing speech.

[America Needs R'hllor]

I seriously don't get Putin's long game on what he did because Trump could very well lose in 2020 or be forced out earlier an the next democratic president will be openly hostile to him

Cold war tactics. He tried, and succeeded, to harm the American democratic system and make the nation more polarized.

[America Needs R'hllor]

Yeah, Ellison should win. Perez winning will only bring harm.

[America Needs R'hllor]

NOOO! He was the best candidate

[America Needs R'hllor]

He needs to run for something else soon. He's relateable, charismatic, I'd seriously love to see him as President one day.

[America Needs R'hllor]

He needs to run for something else soon. He's relateable, charismatic, I'd seriously love to see him as President one day.

Don't forget gay! That's the best part.

Have to agree

[America Needs R'hllor]

"A new blue wall"
Yeah, she lost me here.

[America Needs R'hllor]

"Say it with me"
Very bad strategy when you have little to no support.