Doug Tudor Can Not Win District 12
Susan Smith is attempting to increase support of Congressional candidate Doug Tudor over Democratic candidate Lori Edwards. Down With Tyranny has also endorsed Tudor. Why must the netroots back candidates that can not win?
Edwards is the Polk County Supervisor of Elections. She has more name recognition with voters and connections with the Polk County Democratic Party. Tudor is not even mentioned on the Polk County Executive Committee web site. Progressives should be very clear on this. Tudor has no chance of beating Dennis Ross in the general election. Acording to OpenSecrets.org, Ross has raised $236,889. Edwards has raised $102,636. Here is what should tell any astute political observer that Tudor should drop out. Tudor has only been able to raise $1,486.
I like Doug Tudor and would love to see him get elected to Congress. It isn't going to happen. The netroots needs to get behind Edwards. We not not always agree with her. We certainly won't agree with Ross. FriedGator is behind Edwards' candidacy.
I caught grief for backing Christine Jennings over (then) netroots darling Jan Schneider. Jennings ran a now infamously close election with Vern Buchanan. Schneider ran as an independant in 2008 and hindered Jennings' chances in her rematch with Buchanan. Schneider knew she couldn't win but decided to pull a Ralph Nader. Another netroots darling, Samm Simpson, endorsed Ron Paul.
Does any progressive believe Tudor can beat Edwards in the primary? Does Tudor honestly think he has a chance against Edwards? Why must we continue this charade? Edwards will win the primary and if progressives want District 12 to turn blue they are going to have to back a blue dog Democrat. I don't care if Tudor drops out. Tudor isn't running a strong enough campaign to damage Edwards. Sad but true.
Update: Tudor is now listed as a candidate on the Polk County Executive Committee web site.
Labels: dennis ross, doug tudor, lori edwards
posted by Michael Hussey @ 10:13 PM
19 Comments
19 Comments:
Hmmm, it appears Tudor is listed as the third candidate on the PCDEC page, above Lori Edwards. Wonder why the DEC didn't list the FL-12 candidates alphabetically? Perhaps we should read something into that.
Tudor is a great candidate, who will be a great representative. Lori Edwards is a DINO, who is scared of taking Democratic stances. If you want a Republican, vote for Ross, but don't think you are getting a Democrat if you vote for Edwards.
At the very least, Tudor stands up for what he believes. That's refreshing in my mind.
Michael,
Doug just got into the race last week. Maybe you should give him a few days before you write his political obituary.
If fundraising totals are the sole determination of who wins elections, why bother with something so foolish and time-consuming as voting? Let's just look at the next quarterly reports and declare the winner.
With the behavior of Blue Dog Democrats in Congress recently, I'm not about to endorse another one. Last November, Floridians voted for Barack Obama and a progressive agenda. Apparently Lori Edwards only wants to represent a conservative minority. But I'm sure she and Allen Boyd would work well together as they vote against the interests of people in FL-12 with opposition to bills such as the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act.
If we don't start electing real and better Democrats, then Democrats will continue to flail about and fight amongst themselves as is happening with healthcare. Blue Dogs are proud of being obstructionists. They don't provide effective leadership. I want a progressive in that office in order to pass the agenda that was voted for by the American people last fall.
I agree with Susan 100%. Quote: "If fundraising totals are the sole determination of who wins elections, why bother with something so foolish and time-consuming as voting?" My husband and I are believe Doug Tudor is the right person to represent FL-12.
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Enough with 'whoever raises big money gets the support.' That doesn't determine how someone will represent you. As far as PAC money is concerned, it is only an indication of which industries will be able to bend their ear easiest.
I am working to get Doug elected because although I don't agree with all of his positions, I respect the consideration he gives to all the issues. If I don't work to get a Democrat elected that I believe in - without paying attention to someone's perspective on electability - then I disregard my own positions. I value my beliefs more than that.
I can't wait to watch Doug be sworn into office. I am confident he will beat a DINO and a tea bagger.
Mike,
If you do not stand up for what you believe in and want to endorse a candidate that does not stand with you on choice, healthcare, the wars, unions, vetrans care, and a host of other very important issues, then maybe you do not stand for those issues, maybe you should be a blue dog or worse. The question is do we want a Florida Joe Lieberman? With Edwards that is what you will get. then, you will have zero standing in the activist community for endorsing this candidate. Tudor stands with us, she does not.
Get your facts straight . . .he is listed on the Polk DEC site. I do not think Tudor has made the announcement official.
Tudor wasn't listed when I posted the link. Perhaps because Tudor just entered. I will make a correction.
Enough with 'whoever raises big money gets the support.' That doesn't determine how someone will represent you.
That determines who will win. The point is Tudor doesn't have a chance against Edwards. I don't have anything against Tudor. I'm stating reality. The candidate with more money, name recognition and party backing wins.
If you do not stand up for what you believe in and want to endorse a candidate that does not stand with you on choice, healthcare, the wars, unions, vetrans care, and a host of other very important issues, then maybe you do not stand for those issues, maybe you should be a blue dog or worse.
Republicans have given a purity test and how has that worked for them. Republicans activists hammered Specter and Chafee. Now those seats are Democratic. Way to go Republican base. What are progressives going to do when Edwards wins. Not support her against Dennis Ross?
Let's make one thing clear: the Florida netroots hasn't elected anyone to office. Many bloggers are active with the party in their free time. More power to them. The Florida netroots hasn't raised Daily Kos/Firedoglake money. My advise to bloggers is if you believe in Tudor you better start raising money online. Do not kid yourself that money does not matter.
Michael,
First of all I know for a FACT that Doug Tudor has been on the Polk DEC website for more than a week. That is no matter!
How can you expect this party to see some real continuity if we continue to beat up our own candidates? I support Doug Tudor but not at the cost of defacing Lori Edwards. Obliviously that is not your view, that win at any cost attitude should be a thing of the past. If you work hard and really support your candidate then you can help them see a real victory.
Doug Tudor and his supports (like me) will work hard to WIN this election for him, not BUY this election for him. Money in a campaign is not everything and, if it is not put to good use ANYONE who has worked on a grassroots campaign can tell you it makes no difference if you are not taking to time to get to know the voters! So ANYONE maybe able to send more flyers but unless they knocks on more doors we will not be taking a victory taken away from anyone else!
Good job Susan, this post will definitely increase support of Congressional candidate Doug Tudor!!!
It seems even Paul Krugman does not share the view of Mr. Hussey. And who is Krugman . . .only a Nobel Prize winner . . .I don't have one . . .
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/27/opinion/27krugman.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
The Blue dogs in congress need to go . . .lets not add any more for heavens sake.
There is NO difference between a blatantly conservative Democrat who does not stand with me or a nut case Tea Bagger. I DO NOT support Nelson in the Senate . . . he does me and the Progressives ZERO good. So would I support Ross over Edwards . . . No, I would not vote.
Michael,
Please do not espouse the belief that the FDP can and/or will do anything to help a Congressional candidate. As an active, involved Democrat in the much-talked-about I-4 corridor, I can honestly say they haven't done much of anything for any candidate here.
And money doesn't always dictate the winner. That is far from fact. And something that Progressives who have been active since the Wellstone days know real well. Susan made the point loud and clear - don't write the obituary just yet.
Lori's self-identification as a Blue Dog, and the consequent endorsement of the Blue Dogs does nothing to help her in this primary. Her name recognition will not carry her through that with the true Dems in 12.
After all the time and money I put into candidates, at the end of the day, I need to know I did it for people I believed in, not just for a short-lived glow at a victory party.
I bashed Bill Nelson and the FDP for moving up the 2008 primary. Nelson has done good things against offshore drilling and surporting female contractors sexually assaulted in Iraq. Nelson is a mixed bag. Would you rather have Katherine Harris in the Sen. seat? Good God.
Please do not espouse the belief that the FDP can and/or will do anything to help a Congressional candidate.
I don't believe the FDP or DCCC will do anything for Tudor. Also, I did a text search of the post and comments for "FDP" and "Florida Democratic Party." I never mentioned the FDP. I do believe the FDP will help Kendrick Meek in the I-4 corridor. Meek needs I-4 to win. The Panhandle is a lost cause.
It is up to us, indeed. And if Progressives and activists in the area follow your lead and give up on a candidate - who hasn't even campaigned for a full financial cycle - this early, then the powers that be will choose our representatives.
The DECs are the FDP on the local level. And we'll just have to see what they do for Meeks on the I-4 corridor. (And I do mean the area between Orlando and Tampa, not just those metropolitan areas.) I'm guessing not much.
I want to clarify something. The FDP doesn't decide the primary date. The primary date is decided by the legislature. The rules about primaries are determined by the DNC which is the national party. Enough already with blaming the FDP for what happened last year.
Also in defense of the FDP, they have very little to do with Congressional campaigns. That's the responsibility of the DCCC (unfortunately). I do have a problem with their putting Edwards on the front page of the FDP web site as if she had been annointed the Democratic nominee.
Next, Michael, the Netroots has indeed elected candidates. As far as I know, most of the Netroots community is actively involved on the ground in their own communities. Our online activism is only a part of what we do. It concerns me that you don't know that because I thought you were one of us. Does that mean you aren't working offline?
As I just said at Daily Kos, with a majority in the House, there is no need to work to elect another Blue Dog. It's time to elect a REAL Democrat. That Democrat is Doug Tudor.
There are some very educated responses here. I am grateful for this article, as it does point out that Tudor does need our support, and he's worthy of it.
I agree that we need a democrat in THAT seat that is looking out for our best interests, and it's Doug Tudor.
What candidate has the Florida netroots put into office? Daily Kos and FireDogLake have helped elected candidates. The Florida Netroots hasn't.
I want to clarify something. The FDP doesn't decide the primary date. The primary date is decided by the legislature. The rules about primaries are determined by the DNC which is the national party. Enough already with blaming the FDP for what happened last year.
Wrong.
"TALLAHASSEE - Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman and U.S. Senator Bill Nelson (D-Orlando) today announced that the Florida Democratic leadership voted unanimously to accept January 29 as the date for the binding 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary in Florida.
"This week the Florida Democratic Party will submit a working version of its selection plan for its 241 delegates to the 2008 Democratic National Convention. After a 30-day public comment period, a final version will be approved by the State Executive Committee and resubmitted to the DNC later this summer.
"Nelson and Thurman held a conference call with reporters today, and the audio is available at www.fladems.com/primaryconferencecall."
The legislature and Crist decided the earliest date the primary could be held. The FDP did not have to move up the date. the election bill received bipartisan support.
Florida House 118 to 0
Florida Senate 37 to 2
I have blogged about this several times.
The FDP can decide how much or little they want to get involved in races. Alex Sink will be their main concern. Kendrick Meek has serious party support. If he can get Bill Clinton to stump for him then it isn't unreasonable to expect the FDP to held. His mother has connections through out the state.
Why won't Lori Edwards resign to run?
Her term expires in 2012, so SHE KNOWS she can't win, so she is hanging onto her job when she loses in 2010 because no progressives are going to come out for her and with Putnam, Dockery, and Ross on the ballot, Republicans will come out.
Doug and all progressives need to call on Lori Edwards to resign if she wants to run. She can't collect a paycheck from the taxpayer, take a leave of absence, and run for Congress. That is WRONG!
Tudor will lose the Primary by at least a 2 to 1 margin.
Still, I'll vote for Tudor in the Primary and sit out the general.
Lori Edwards is a Blue Dog Dem., AKA a Republican with a "D" behind her name.
Might as well have a Republican with an "R".
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