California Democrats choose pharma lobbyist as chair

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

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http://observer.com/2017/05/california-democratic-party-chair-eric-bauman-dirty-politics-pedophilia/

They just chose a privileged white male pharma lobbyist who plays dirty politics as their chair over a black woman who supports single payer.

He's worse than the old chair. The neoliberals would rather more even further to the right than compromise with progressives.

The vote was close, and it sounds like his opponent Ellis won those party representatives elected by the voters but lost the party officials. She hasn't conceded.

[TheSaint250]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://observer.com/2017/05/california-democratic-party-chair-eric-bauman-dirty-politics-pedophilia/

They just chose a privileged white male pharma lobbyist who plays dirty politics as their chair over a black woman who supports single payer.

He's worse than the old chair. The neoliberals would rather more even further to the right than compromise with progressives.

Congratulations, you're hung up on identity politics.

I can see why you might prefer the other candidate ideologically, but don't attack him for being a "privileged white male."

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

all politics are identity politics, sweetie

[Technocracy Timmy]

all politics are identity politics, sweetie

Yep. Politics is all about coalition building. Identity politics is built into this and *ahem* both sides do it.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://observer.com/2017/05/california-democratic-party-chair-eric-bauman-dirty-politics-pedophilia/

They just chose a privileged white male pharma lobbyist who plays dirty politics as their chair over a black woman who supports single payer.

He's worse than the old chair. The neoliberals would rather more even further to the right than compromise with progressives.

Congratulations, you're hung up on identity politics.

I can see why you might prefer the other candidate ideologically, but don't attack him for being a "privileged white male."

I'm throwing the identity politics right back in the face of the neoliberals.

[heatcharger]

So much winning!

[Chief Justice Keef]

This is probably more evidence that real change within the Democratic Party is not going to have to occur at the candidate-level, but within the organization of these state parties. Groups like Justice Democrats and Brand New Congress, I appreciate their attempts to push the party left, but trying to primary moderate incumbents isn't going to cement any kind of real progressive change. You can kick Nancy Pelosi out of office, but it won't matter when there's 15 other hacks waiting in line as well. What's more important is targeting guys like Bauman and Tom Perez who are going to be responsible if Democrats screw up in 2018.

Regardless, the fact that it came so close is a good sign (I believe only 60 votes separated Bauman and Ellis, it was the PLEOs that pushed him over), and hopefully we'll see more progressive takeovers of state parties. But until then, running some vanity candidate against Joe Manchin ain't gonna cut it.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Wait, didn't the Bernie wing take over it a couple months ago?

[Chief Justice Keef]

Gavin Newsom being a weasel as usual

Newsom endorsed Ellis.

[DrScholl]

Let's understand exactly why this happened. Bauman spoke at the local Democratic club luncheon and was very well received, because he knows how to run an organization and get things done. He is well qualified for the position.

The so-called progressives challenged the vote because there was a lack of photo ID, which is a strangely Republican gripe.

[Kingpoleon]

Gavin Newsom being a weasel as usual

Newsom endorsed Ellis.

No, Newsom cleverly endorsed both candidates so he didn't get anyone mad at him.

[Shadows]

Longtime party insider Eric Bauman defeated Ellis by 62 votes out of nearly 3,000 cast — a razor-thin margin for a candidate who lined up support from most of the state's elected Democrats and, until recently, was widely expected to win with minimal opposition. He had a natural advantage in an election where many delegates were selected by party insiders and elected officials.

Ellis and Bauman both endorsed Clinton's presidential bid and were largely aligned in their approaches to public policy. But Ellis adopted a Sanders-inspired message determined to minimize the influence of money in politics. Her supporters were outraged that Bauman's political consulting firm accepted money from pharmaceutical companies to work against a Sanders-backed initiative aimed at limiting government spending on medications.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory/california-democratic-chair-race-angers-berniecrats-47539918

Anyways, who knows how many unelected delegates were selected by the party leadership. This was supposed to be an easy win for Bauman but he barely scrapped by. Bauman is not a bad candidate per se, he supports Single payer too, but he is too beholden to the special interests & in bed with the status quo. The only part outrageous about him is his lobbying/consultancy firm working for big pharma to defeat affordable drugs ballot initiatives - That is unacceptable !

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Gavin Newsom being a weasel as usual

Newsom endorsed Ellis.

Newsom also endorsed Bauman. Newsom is kind of an empty suit.

[Zioneer]

Well, better luck next time to the left of the party, I guess. You might have a chance to get a left-wing party chair in Utah in a few weeks, however.

[Kingpoleon]

Gavin Newsom being a weasel as usual

Newsom endorsed Ellis.

Newsom also endorsed Bauman. Newsom is kind of an empty suit.

Better an empty suit than other, more dangerous Democratic "moderates".

[politicallefty]

Gavin Newsom being a weasel as usual

Newsom endorsed Ellis.

Newsom also endorsed Bauman. Newsom is kind of an empty suit.

If single-payer doesn't happen this legislative term (although I hope it does), how would you feel if a Governor Newsom signed it into law in 2019?

[The_Doctor]

all politics are identity politics, sweetie

Not really, example, economics can be an equally or more powerful indicator.

[Technocracy Timmy]

all politics are identity politics, sweetie

Not really, example, economics can be an equally or more powerful indicator.

Isn't identifying with a socioeconomic class (or even when it's coupled with race) identity politics?

[Antonio the Sixth]

all politics are identity politics, sweetie

Not really, example, economics can be an equally or more powerful indicator.

Economics is one factor shaping people's identities.

I have a lot of disagreements with Evergreen, but she's right on the money here.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Party chairs (state and national) really should be decided via caucuses, not this insider crap.

[Associate Justice PiT]

     "Identity politics" is up there with "moderate hero" in terms of phrases whose meaning has been contorted into something radically different from what they were coined to refer to.

[Crumpets]

I thought Berniecrats took over the California Democratic party?

[tallguy23]

Bauman is openly gay FYI. They still elected a minority to be the Chair.

Anyways, I would have preferred Ellis because Bauman is known for being a Grade A dbag.

[Holmes]

Ultimately this doesn't mean anything and it's it even worth getting mad at.

[Sorenroy]

Wait, didn't the Bernie wing take over it a couple months ago?

I thought Berniecrats took over the California Democratic party?