Back in April, DNC Chair Tim Kaine visited Seattle for an intimate little OFA fundraiser at the Columbia Tower Club. There were only a few dozen people there, including Governor Kaine and Governor Gregoire. I asked him what he thought Tarryl Clark's chances were in MN-06, and whether or not the DNC was going to help. I didn't like the answer.
Kaine explained that the DNC wasn't going to get involved in the Democratic primary. So far so good. He then recited all the reasons it was going to be tough to take Bachmann's seat. Then he said that he was essentially happy with Bachmann where she was, so the DNC could use her idiocy against the Republicans. I left with the distinct impression that the DNC was going to sit this one out after the primary as well.
Yesterday I heard Tarryl on the radio with Ed Shultz. He asked her if she was getting any help from the DNC. She evaded the question. He continued to press and she continued to dance. Finally Ed asked bluntly, "have they cut you a check?". Tarryl said "no", and offered no optimism that help would be forthcoming.
Where's Governor Dean when you need him?
All during the health care reform battle, I kept seeing Howard Dean on TV taking the fight to the Republicans and blue-dogs. Kaine was nowhere to be found, so far as I could tell. I was starting to wonder if he was hiding out in an undisclosed location with Dick Cheney and Salman Rushdie.
This party seems to be suffering from a lack of aggressive offense. I understand that Obama is President of all Americans, whether they voted for him or not, and feels the need to be diplomatic and respectful of every point of view. The President has to be a president first, and as much as possible leave the politics to others. But Tim Kaine is the head of the Democrats. I'm not inspired.
I think MN-06 is the most important Congressional race in the country and that we should mount a massive national offensive to take Bachmann's seat. I think Tim Kaine should be on TV every day if possible making the case for Democrats, especially Tarryl Clark.
I hear crickets.
What do you think?