I recently caught wind of the following:
Following a week in which the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) lobbed several attacks on Congressman Scott Garrett’s (R-Wantage) skewed priorities, Congressman Steve Rothman (NJ-9) joined the General Wesley K. Clark, Teamsters Joint Council No. 73, New York Governor David Paterson, and numerous New Jersey political figures in endorsing Dennis Shulman’s campaign to unseat Garrett in New Jersey’s Fifth Congressional District.
“After meeting with Dennis and hearing about him from people throughout Northern New Jersey, I am convinced that he will make an excellent Member of Congress. I am committed to working with Dennis in 2008 so that, together, we can help solve the problems of New Jersey and the nation in 2009,” said Congressman Steve Rothman.
Did you catch that? Rep. Steve Rothman of New Jersey’s 9th congressional district just the other day endorsed Rabbi Dennis Shulman, who is taking on Republican Scott Garrett in New Jersey’s 5th CD. That is to say, an incumbent Dem endorsed a challenger running against a member of his own state’s delegation.
But what does DCCC Executive Director Brian Wolff have to say about endorsements like that?
Brian Wolff, executive director of the DCCC, says the bloggers are making “much ado about nothing,” noting that it’s “customary” for members to remain neutral in races involving GOP members of their respective congressional delegations.
Quick, someone call up Steve Rothman! He’s violating a long-practiced custom! How dare he! Does Chris Van Hollen know about this breach?
Seriously, folks, I think we know this “custom” is bullshit. Debbie Wasserman Schultz herself recognized this back in 2005, when she unhesitatingly supported challenger Ron Klein against fellow Floridian Clay Shaw:
“It’s not good for my relationship with Clay Shaw, but Democrats can’t afford to leave a seat like that uncontested,” she said.
Scott Garrett is a total recidivist crumb-bum, and the people of NJ-05 deserve better. Rabbi Shulman knows this, and that’s why he’s running to replace him. And Rep. Rothman knows this, too, which is why he’s backing Rabbi Shulman. Surely the good folks in South Florida deserve no less from Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Rabbi Shulman is definitely my favorite candidate of the cycle.
I can’t resist a quick joke, though, seeing as how Gov. Paterson also endorsed him – is that like the blind leading the blind?
Someone also notify Rahall and Mollohan that their endorsement of WV-02’s Anne Barth against Republican Shelley Moore Capito was a violation against long-held practice. /snark
Must be fuming that Marcy Kaptur endorsed challenger O’Neil in violation of the DCCC code!
DCCC better contact Betty McCollum for endorsing Steve Sarvi over her neighbor!
Debbie Dubya needs to make alot of calls as Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky endorsed Dan Seals over her neighbor.
Reps. Loretta Sanchez and Jane Harman endorsed Debbie Cook over Dana Rohrabacher.
He’s breaking long-standing tradition by endorsing Bob Lord over his friend and colleague John Shadegg!
I see that Brian Wolff of the DCCC did a Huffington commentary on the South Florida races without even mentioning the controversy over Wasserman Schultz.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…
They think they can ignore the netroots on this, but I believe they are mistaken. Meanwhile, over at TPM Cafe, Steve Clemons has a nice column entitled, “A Republican-Hugging Debate: The Sins of Debbie Wasserman Schultz” that looks at the foreign policy ramifications.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsme…
that there is another Democratic candidate in that race. The blind rabbi is a cute story, but that primary is far from over.
Is totally hilarious! Keep `em comin’!
In a shocking display of contempt for bipartisan comity and longstanding tradition, Rep. Shelley Berkley of Nevada endorsed Robert Daskas over her dear friend and colleague Jon Porter (NV-03)!
This cannot go unpunished!
These California congresscritters had a lot of nerve to break longstanding House custom by endorsing Russ Warner against their close friend and colleague David Dreier (CA-26).
Diana DeGette, Mark Udall, John Salazar, and Ed Perlmutter should be ashamed of themselves for violating tradition and throwing their dear friend and colleague Marilyn Musgrave under the bus by endorsing her Democratic challenger, Betsy Markey!