A Position to Be Dictated To?

by: michael in chicago

Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 14:19:40 PM CDT


OK, so I get this article from Roll Call emailed to me that is entitled "Democratic Discord May Aid Roskam." (It's behind a firewall, hence no real link.) So I'm reading and I get to this gem:

Gayl Ferraro, the chairwoman of the county party, said in an interview that Turn DuPage Blue wanted her to “abdicate and let them come in and take over the party.”

“We were not in a position to be dictated to,” she said.

Gee, where do I start with this masterpiece of public relations...
michael in chicago :: A Position to Be Dictated To?
Well, let's start with an idea of what position the DuPage Democratic party is in that is should not be dictated to. Last I checked, it had no elected Democrats in office in the county. For those math challenged, that would be zero. Zippo. Nada. That's one hell of a strong position there Gayl. But I think the DuPage GOP is doing the dictation.

Then let's talk about who's "dictating" much of anything else. Who refused help from whom? From where I see it, seems Amy and those hard working Democratic activists have a pretty strong point:

Amy Tauchman, who was the office manager for Cegelis’ campaign before working for Vosicky and is now on the steering committee of Turn DuPage Blue, said the group brought its plan for recruiting precinct committeemen to the county party but was rebuffed.

“They didn’t perceive the lack of precinct committeemen to be a problem,” Tauchman said. “We did, and we started doing something about it. In a district with 735 precincts, a national election, with demographics turning rapidly, and only 120 with precinct committeemen?

God I love you Mrs. Tauchman. Again for those math challenged, that would be 120 of 735 (carry the one, divide the bottom thingy...) equalling DuPage Democrats having a whopping 16% of precincts filled. I don't know about you, but given such a well oiled machine that can produce numbers like that, the last thing I'd want is to be offered help from a bunch of gung-ho activists who actually know a thing or two about canvassing.

You go Gayl! Way not to cave to their outrageous demands that we fill those seats! Next thing you know, DuPage might have someone working a majority of precincts just like the DuPage GOP. We might develop a farm team. We might even pick up a County Board seat or win a State Representative race. Hell, Democrats might even - gasp - be competitive on the ground!

But you're right Ms. Ferraro, better not to be dictated to by rabble wishing to do such outlandish feats. Next thing you know, these people might actually recruit committee people who wouldn't be loyal to you. Such people might not vote for you to head the local party. You know that might lead to all sorts of chaos like a working Democratic party that sees the need to fill committeeman seats in an effort to actually be competitive.

To drop the snark for a moment, seriously? "We're not in a position to be dictated to" is a responsible quote from the leader of the local party? You've got to be kidding me. Never mind the fact this statement is divorced from reality. Never mind this smacks of the old "ward boss" mentality that is stunningly anti-democratic. Let's just look at this from a leadership standpoint. Leaders by their very nature need to be inclusive, or at the least appear to be so, especially in print in the NATIONAL media. This is as divisive as you can be, and continues the trend of telling those ignorant people who are working the trenches to shut up and fall in line. This worked so well in the IL-06 race, remember?

Nope. I've had enough. Support Operation Turn DuPage Blue. The only way we are going to defeat the likes of Peter Roskam is to start by getting rid of party leaders locally who think they are in any position to dictate to anyone, especially those willing to help.

Update 6-8-07:
I've contacted Amy Tauchman and asked her to post more on Operation: Turn DuPage Blue and hope to have something in the near future.

Also, for disclosure's sake, I'm not affiliated with O:TDB and haven't had any contact with this organization until this post. But I have worked with most of those on the steering committee during the Cegelis and Vosicky campaigns, as well as other Democratic and Anti-War efforts.

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A Position to Be Dictated To? | 25 comments
There are two kinds of leaders (0.00 / 0)
Those who work to maintain and expand the power of their organization, and those who work to maintain and expand their own power.
And then (4.00 / 1)
there are those who have no real idea how to do either.
[ Parent ]
people who like to have titles (0.00 / 0)
for the sake of having titles.
[ Parent ]
It even happens in Democratic bastions... (4.00 / 1)
like the 48th Ward.
[ Parent ]
The real funny thing is.. (4.00 / 2)
...is that when the Chicago, state, and national Democrats started to dictate to her and the rest of the district who could run Gayl stood aside and let them do the dictating.  No resistance what so ever.  Now she is being tough.  F@!# her.
the OTDB website is great! (0.00 / 0)
Michael, I clicked through to the website expecting to see something bare bones, and was really impressed!  Lots of info, easy to navigate, pretty to look at, and seems very functional. I am actually a little jealous ...  :-)

What Amy is doing is GREAT and is just what SHOULD be done.  Thanks for writing this, and for letting the rest of us know about it.

Basic stuff: The common wealth should be used for the common good, not to enrich the well-connected few.  

agree (0.00 / 0)
I don't know who did it, but it is very functional and informative.
[ Parent ]
Mostly Seth Arkin. (0.00 / 0)
Seth designed the site and he and Amy wrote the bulk of the content. I set up the hosting and did the programming for the calendar and contact forms.

"In order for somebody to win an important, major fight 100 years hence, a lot of other people have got to be willing -- for the sheer fun and joy of it -- to go right ahead and fight, knowing you're going to lose." -- I.F. Stone
[ Parent ]
Link (4.00 / 1)
I assume this is the site your are referring to:

http://turndupageblu...

I love the slogan "You are NOT the only Democrat on your block"

I can't tell you how many times I've heard people claim they were when canvassing in "red" areas -- and then being told the same thing by one of their neighbors!

Howard Dean in 2016

[ Parent ]
it's one of the results from the way that... (0.00 / 0)
republicans organize (social networks) and the inevitable networking that goes on.  i hope this will be real clear as i finish that series (two more, i think)...

"We have a lot of kids on the ground acting like adults and we have a lot of adults in this room acting like kids," President Obama told his advisors about all the infighting
[ Parent ]
I went door-to-door (0.00 / 0)
with Debbie DeChinistso and got the answer "I don't want to put up a sign b/c all my neighbors are Republican."

Ummm, the last three houses said they were voting for Duckworth, but they wouldn't take signs b/c all their neighbors were Republican.

Go figure.

[ Parent ]
I intend to write my township Democratic chair (0.00 / 0)
and ask why the offer of help from OTDB was rebuffed

ask what THEY think of the asinine statement from County chair Ferraro

ask what THEY are doing to reach out to the many groups in the area.  There are partisan and non-partisan activist groups.  There are groups crusading for a specific cause.  There are groups with a progressive bent.  There are groups of a more centrist nature.  Even the Greens should have a stake in ending 100 plus years of Republican domination in the county. 

If the Democrats want to bring new blood into the party, tap into people and resources that are willing to work for change, then they can't turn their backs on an offer of assistance from folks who know better how to get the job done.


I'd urge you to also... (0.00 / 0)
...check to see if there's an elected PC in your precinct. If there isn't, file to get your name, or the name of someone you can trust, on the ballot. If there is, ask your PC how he or she intends to vote on this, and file to run against him or her if you don't get a good answer.

"In order for somebody to win an important, major fight 100 years hence, a lot of other people have got to be willing -- for the sheer fun and joy of it -- to go right ahead and fight, knowing you're going to lose." -- I.F. Stone
[ Parent ]
abso-frickin'-lutely... n/t (0.00 / 0)


"We have a lot of kids on the ground acting like adults and we have a lot of adults in this room acting like kids," President Obama told his advisors about all the infighting
[ Parent ]
"Not dictated to" is entirely reasonable... (0.00 / 0)
...if one goes to a group that sees itself as The Party in the County and you start telling them how to conduct their business.  So now it looks like you are simply going to have to take it over.  Do you have a plan?  And do you have the stones?

(If you look into it, you may discover that it is simply a technical exercise.  You can start by contesting their precinct captains in the primary.  In some cases, you run one of your own.  In others, if you dig deeply, you may just find that some of the people listed as precinct captains are not qualified by the rules to hold those positions.  A group did this in Kendall County and too the party completely over.)

Here's a couple of caveats.  1) If you try this, you'd better win.  2) If you win, you'd better figure out a way to then co-opt those old Party people you want to keep, since you don't want a split, especially before the 2008 election.  3) As they say in the theatre, if YOU want to be the prima donna, you'd better be prepared to dance.  Which is to say, if you win, you'd better do a better job.  It ain't just about ideology and principles.

Finally, if you do this, you will be overlaying an internal grab of power at the same time that you will need a strong unified organization to win the 2008 election.  You could make it work.  But don't forget to see the forest for the trees.  You will have to make it ALL work, or there will be a counter revolution next time.

Omnes vulnerant, postuma necat

If you look at the numbers (0.00 / 0)
You'll see that there is no need to challenge incumbent precinct committeemen. Simply elect recinct committeemen in places where there currently are none and Turn DuPage Blue has about a 2:1 majority.

At which point a peaceful merger rather than a fight is easily imaginable, although not guaranteed.

Bill Thomasson

Permission to reprint explicitly granted

[ Parent ]
Issues (0.00 / 0)
You know, I agree with what you are saying, but I think it highlights some issues that need to be addressed. First, the idea that one needs "the stones" to be a part of the Democratic process is really irritating. This is not some macho thing. It isn't about being tough. Unless you mean being tough in the way you look out for your own power and keep everyone else down. But that's not all that Democratic IMO. The idea here is to have a more effective and competitive local party. That's the goal. Not to have a pissing contest. Because basically what I'm hearing in your message is that if a group of people successfully take over leadership of the party, fill more seats with committeemen, and make the party more competitive and Democratic, then those deposed from power will this try to take back their power rather than work with the new leadership? That's a sad statement and shows who really 'just wants to win.'

Second, is your premise that a group like OTDB in trying to take make DuPage Democrats more competitive would not be competent in doing so? Again, look at the existing committeeman in place and ask yourself, is 16% a demonstration of an effective working model for filling those positions? If I'm the party structure I'd have to be foolish not to entertain any and all suggestions, regardless if they told me how to conduct my business, as I've failed at 16%. There is little credibility to this position.

I don't speak for OTDB, nor Amy. I haven't been a part of their actions at all. But I know most of the steering committee. I've worked with many of them directly for extended periods of time. I trust them. I know they don't want to just win, they want to dominate. They see the opportunity DuPage is becomming for Democrats and they are positioning their organization to fill the void that is opening that the local party seems content to not capitolize upon. They are doing this to beat Republicans and put Democrats in power. That's their focus. They aren't trying to pull a power grab for anyone but the Democratic party.

Regarding 2008, I don't see it much differently than 2006. This idea that we have to all get along or we will lose to the GOP is just another way to say "shut up and fall in line." We all need to work together. That's a two way street. At some point, when there is a legitimate difference of opinion on what is the best way to move forward, the focus needs to shift from unity for unity's sake, to building the party. This is a long term view that extends past one election cycle, and will return stronger and more consistent results over time.

None of us want to see the continued dominance of the GOP here. That we can agree on. But look at the performance of the local party and tell me this this is not an argument for change rather than unity. No one is saying they are prim donnas here. They are saying based on 16% of committeemen positions filled, the way we do business as a local party needs to change. Those who need to 'work together' this time need to be the local party with their activists rather than the other way around.

[ Parent ]
Stones. (0.00 / 0)
When I said stones, I meant that you are going to have to go all the way.  It would be nice if people cooperated, but you seem to be saying that right now, the regular party organization is not doing this.  So you can either walk away, set yourself up outside their system, or take it over.

While the party may be lax, it is still the official party and it is still connected to the State Party apparatus.  That red phone on the desk of the county party chairman doesn't go to the Kremlin.  It goes to Madigan.  The State Party may not be doing much in/for your County.  But they still want to call the shots overall.  You are going to have to take this on too.

I would argue that if you want to see the kind of cooperation between Democrats that you are talking about, you are going to have to get control of the County Party first, then institute your plan.

Politics is about power.  It doesn't have to be about having power as such.  It can be about having power and using it to get things done; like electing local Democrats.  So take it over and change things.

Omnes vulnerant, postuma necat

[ Parent ]
O:TDB is already doing a better job (0.00 / 0)
We've already reached out to progressive groups that the official party has snubbed. We have a better web site than the "real" party. We get many more people out to parades. And we (most of the same people, although we weren't O:TDB at the time) got Joe Vosicky closer to winning than any other local candidate.

"In order for somebody to win an important, major fight 100 years hence, a lot of other people have got to be willing -- for the sheer fun and joy of it -- to go right ahead and fight, knowing you're going to lose." -- I.F. Stone
[ Parent ]
Thanks, Michael. (0.00 / 0)
To try to be fair, Ferraro didn't say that say that the lack of committee persons wasn't a problem, only that they didn't want us (O:TDB) to be the ones in charge of recruitment. She ended up starting a recruitment committee with Christine Hotchkin in charge. Hotchkin was the chair of the Downers Grove Township Democrats, until she stepped down to run the new committee. This may seem like an odd choice, considering that Hotchkin currently has a seriously ill family member which limits her available time to spend on stuff like this -- until you remember that Hotchkin is one of Ferraro's biggest supporters within the party and persuaded a lot of committeepersons to vote to re-elect Ferraro last year.

Ferraro justified this move on the basis that the chairs of the nine township organizations asked her not to cooperate with O:TDB. This seems to be false. In fact, I've heard that at least one township chair was told by Ferraro that he would not get a key to the party office or volunteer data from the Duckworth campaign unless he agreed to what he described as a "loyalty oath" to the county party over O:TDB.

It's also true that a number of us in O:TDB did express a desire to see someone else take over the party. At this point I think everybody here can understand why. Ferraro has tried to characterize this as people still being upset over the Cegelis/Duckworth debacle, when in fact that was mentioned very little at the meetings which gave birth to O:TDB. People were more concerned over the recent defeats in the November election, and the apparent lack of any strategy on the part of the party leadership to start winning, or even any concern that there should be such a strategy.


"In order for somebody to win an important, major fight 100 years hence, a lot of other people have got to be willing -- for the sheer fun and joy of it -- to go right ahead and fight, knowing you're going to lose." -- I.F. Stone

Thanks Gary (0.00 / 0)
Suggestion: Could you or someone (Amy?) from OTDB write a post regarding the organization and what your aims are. I know much of this is covered on your website, but it might be good to start a dialog about it.
[ Parent ]
I'll see what I can do. (0.00 / 0)
BTW, I emailed you yesterday on an entirely different matter. Just wondering if you received it.

"In order for somebody to win an important, major fight 100 years hence, a lot of other people have got to be willing -- for the sheer fun and joy of it -- to go right ahead and fight, knowing you're going to lose." -- I.F. Stone
[ Parent ]
good additional info (4.00 / 1)
Gary, thanks for the additional info.  These details give a much clearer picture of what is going on.  I am sure the reason why Gayl does not want people from O:TDB recruiting precinct captains is because they will likely give those new people the impression that she is not doing a good job.  The only problem with that, however, is that it happens to be true -- she is not doing a good job.  It's so hard when the facts are skewed in your opponent's direction!  ;-)

But seriously, I sympathize with her position. It is not easy to think that people, for whatever reason, are coming to radically change an organization that you have given much of your life to.  But this can't be about one person trying to maintain the status quo.  It needs to be about what is the most effective way to fulfil the mission of the organization, which I assume is to elect Democrats.  If that is not getting done, then there needs to be a willingness to do whatever needs to be done to make that happen.  Even if that means embracing a bunch of newcomers who want to do things differently. The fact that she hasn't been willing or able to integrate these new people into the existing organization is, to me, proof that what you say is true -- she is not being effective in that job.



Basic stuff: The common wealth should be used for the common good, not to enrich the well-connected few.  

[ Parent ]
they tried to work with her... (4.00 / 1)
and she was resistant.  you should have amy or someone come and talk to your linkup...

"We have a lot of kids on the ground acting like adults and we have a lot of adults in this room acting like kids," President Obama told his advisors about all the infighting
[ Parent ]
I've asked Amy (0.00 / 0)
to post about O:TDB here. Hopefully we'll have more in the next couple days.
[ Parent ]
A Position to Be Dictated To? | 25 comments
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