In an opinion piece published yesterday, former U.S. Rep. Dave Obey shared his view that the problems that led to the lackluster election results here in Wisconsin on November 4th were more a product of poor messaging on the part of the national Democratic Party, and not because of the failures of Mike Tate, chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
There is no question that when a political party suffers losses of the magnitude experienced by the Democratic Party on Nov. 4 a serious review of events and operations is required.
But if we are to draw the right lessons from those losses, we first should heed the well-known physician’s warning: “first do no harm.” Such a review must be rooted in pragmatic analysis, not predictable scapegoating.
That is why I have significant concerns about a number of comments I have seen since the election that suggest the culprit is Mike Tate, chairman of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.
I have no doubt that the mechanics of the state party effort need to be reviewed and analyzed. In fact, Tate will certify that I have been a long-term nag on that score. But it is essential to put things in perspective.
So let me ask several questions:
Does anyone seriously believe that the Democratic Party of Wisconsin chairman has the slightest capacity to overcome the weaknesses of the national Democratic message on the central issue of sagging wages and expanding income disparity? In fact, week after week, the national Democratic Party was knocked off stride as numerous issues — the Islamic State group, immigration, Ebola — pushed the economy, wages and jobs into the back seat. If the White House and national party leadership could not regain focus on those issues, why is that the fault of any state party chair?
Having read the post-election thoughts of Dave Obey, John Nichols, and a host of others, I’ve come to realize that while I’m certainly angry and upset at the results of the 2014 elections here in Wisconsin, my blame of Mike Tate as the main culprit behind the lackluster results of the 2014 elections was misplaced. It’s clear there’s plenty of blame to be shared by Mike Tate, the Assembly Democratic Campaign Committee (ADCC), the State Senate Democratic Committee (SSDC), and a host of other folks within the political establishment in Wisconsin.
In fact, weak after weak, the national Democratic Party was knocked off stride as numerous issues — the Islamic State group, immigration, Ebola — pushed the economy, wages and jobs into the back seat. If the White House and national party leadership could not regain focus on those issues, why is that the fault of any state party chair?
I couldn’t have said this better, or maybe I did!
Has anybody noticed how the Ebola “crisis” disappeared instantly and completely from the news immediately after the election? Along with a few other distractions?
Mike Tate is guilty only of not pointing out the elephant in the room. There is an urgent need for the Democrats and the American people at large to wake up to the fact that over the past couple decades our elections have been compromised by this very kind of media manipulation – not to mention electronic vote flipping – perpetrated by what Ms. Clinton accurately called the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.
That’s a classic case of getting it right and wrong at the same time. While Dave Obey did acknowledge that the Democratic messaging at the national level absolutely sucks (on many issues, such as workers’ rights, it’s nonexistent), what he doesn’t realize is that there’s nothing preventing a state-level Democratic organization (whether it be the Democratic Party of Wisconsin or the state Democratic Party of any other state) from using different messaging than the national party.
There is no doubt that Tate cannot be the fall guy in total for the disappointing results. Perhaps he did his best with the hand he was dealt. But on his management style and coordination at my County level, failure by him or his staff to return my calls,. and the manner in which Burke was “anointed” earns him a failing grade.
Duane beat me to it. Yes, national factors and DNC failures played a role, but there’s no excuse for Wisconsinites to overwhelmingly vote in favor of expanding BadgerCare and raising the minimum wage, and then voting for Scott Walker, who won’t do either of those things. That’s directly on Mike Tate for not connecting those dots, and the overwhelmingly GOP Legislature is not acceptable. That’s why Tate has to be demoted to the behind-the-scenes role he’s more fit for.
My take on this is that not only must Tate go, but Debbie Wasserman-Schultz needs to be thrown to the curb, too. And I wholeheartedly agree!
Translation: abandon hope all ye who enter here. This editorial is worthless cover and nothing more, just like Genrich’s. The rest of us who actually give a crap about building a Wisconsin that works for everyone should turn towards kickstarting a completely new movement. Forget this left/right, Dem/Rep silliness, call it the La Follette Party and build a platform around economic reform, anti-corruption, anti-authoritarianism, pro-education/environment/modern infrastructure investment, social justice, universal healthcare, and legalizing cannabis. I can’t imagine why anyone would spend even 5 minutes or 5 dollars as a volunteer/donor on the rotting corpse that is the DPW. And it should be based far from those toxic, no-talent, who-you-know, so-called elites in Madison.
And on that note: Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Dave Obey can defend Mike Tate all he wants, but if Tate decides to run again and wins it’ll be an absolute disaster. I think it’s time to quit listening to Dave Obey. When he had his chance to stand and make a fight of it in 2010 he turned tail and ran. You can’t tell me that a thoughtful, 40 plus year incumbent who seriously cared about keeping the 7th CD in democratic hands would decide to retire only six months before the election. That was four and a half years ago. Dave Obey said he was tired of doing the peoples business. We should hold him to his word.