Here is why kos is probably in line to become his generation’s Paul Begala with a slot as the Democrat spewing worthless, Beltway insider pablum on a major news network. Watch this progression from November 9 through yesterday:
kos on November 9:
Bernie Sanders, or Elizabeth Warren, or Van Jones for DNC Chair
First things first, no one has to give up their Senate seat to run the Democratic National Committee. Remember that Debbie Wasserman Schultz was a member of Congress during her tenure.
That aside ...
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But just like in late 2004, I am now focused on the future of our party, and that means, first and foremost, bringing the base together with someone at the helm who is ready for the fight.
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But there are others who could fit the bill. Elizabeth Warren, obviously. She’d get under Trump’s skin on a daily basis, and could lead the fierce opposition both from inside the Senate, and as party leader. I’d be 100 percent into that. And there’s something valuable in responding to an election based on xenophobia, racism, and misogyny with a strong woman.
And her ability to speak to working-class economic anxiety would be huge given our losses with working-class whites, yet would do so in a way that wouldn’t compromise the core ideals of our true multicultural base.
Van Jones would be amazing if he’d consider giving up what looks to be a sweet, lucrative gig at CNN. As an orator, he has few peers in the party. I still fantasize about him running against Diane Feinstein in 2018. But heck, I’d love to see him representing the party. And as a full-time chair, too.
Note kos’ dissing of any claim that the person holding the position needs to be “full-time.” Now, look at this:
kos on November 10:
Keith Ellison for DNC Chair? Yup, definitely.
I can go for this.
Bernie Sanders has stated his support for Ellison, but who cares. Ellison stands on his own—chair of the House Progressive Caucus, a fantastic speaker, and great at communicating our core values. And what better way to yell out our proud, fierce resistance to the results of the election than by elevating the first Muslim-American in Congress to lead our party?
And, yet, surprise, surprise, yesterday (November 30) kos comes out with this:
Amidst several great candidates, I'm backing Ilyse Hogue for DNC Chair
On one side we have Rep. Keith Ellison, who is a personal hero of mine, and would be a great spokesperson for the party. I have nothing bad to say about him, other than the fact that he’d be another part-time chair when the party deserves full-time attention. Ellison already has a great perch at the top of the House Progressive Caucus, and the person who whips that caucus up into a national fighting force in the mold of the Republican Study Group will be a national hero. Ellison can do that. And really, I’ll be perfectly happy if he wins the DNC chairmanship. He’d be great.
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But I’m casting my lot with NARAL President Ilyse Hogue.
As I noted in a comment on November 27:
He (kos) hasn't announced who he's backing for DNC chair. Watch. I will predict that it won't be Ellison and kos will use the talking point circulated by the Beltway mucky-mucks in the past 10 days that Ellison’s not the right choice because it's “a full-time job."
These same mucky-mucks then point to the disastrous tenure of DWS as proof — choosing to ignore the hard reality that these same mucky-mucks were the ones who gave her the job in the first place and continued to back her until backing her was no longer useful to them.
These are the same mucky-mucks who gave us Time Kaine as DNC chair before DWS. He was worse than useless in the role.
For anyone wondering what the difference is between Ellison as DNC chair and Hogue as DNC chair, one need only witness the vicious attacks on Ellison since November 10 (he’s an anti-Semite, etc.), and the sudden consensus building around Hogue among the Beltway consultant class. She’s a “don’t-rock-the-boater” who will make sure this tired group, many of them with long ties to the Clintons, remains in power and able to feed at the DNC trough.
And don’t forget, just like kos, Schumer and a few other Dems threw in for Ellison on November 10. I will wager that you won’t hear a peep from Schumer in support of Ellison going forward. Schumer may not change his endorsement to Hogue, but he won’t go to bat for Ellison, either.
As I wrote in another comment on November 27:
As I noted early on in the primary process here, this was the first time since the place’s inception that kos put his thumb on the scale in favor of a candidate early in the primary process who was not the consensus choice of the rank-and-file. (kos’ early polls of membership showed overwhelming support for Sanders over Clinton.)
I wondered aloud how that would play out, ultimately, for the site. I think we’re seeing it now. He fucked up. At the very least, he shouldn't have piled on Sanders and his supporters after March 15. He showed poor leadership. I think he has diminished this place. It's official voice now sounds just like that of the tired, old insider class in D.C.
kos has become the Paul Begala of Democratic bloggers — a tired, old Beltway pundit still clinging to the ratty coattails of the Clinton years.
Hogue will be the next chair of the DNC. And we can expect more of the same from her.
Congrats, kos. You’ve been assimilated by the borg! I look forward to you taking Paul Begala’s seat in The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.
Hillary 2020!