DNC vice chair’s brutal primary strategy backfires, faces ultimatum

In a recent effort to address a growing internal conflict within the Democratic Party, DNC chair Ken Martin has made it unequivocally clear that the DNC will remain neutral in intra-party primaries. During a conference call with reporters, Martin emphasized that no DNC officer should attempt to influence the outcome of a primary election, whether in support of an incumbent or a challenger.

The statement from Martin was a direct response to DNC vice chair David Hogg, who recently announced plans to allocate $20 million through his outside political group, Leaders We Deserve, to primary challenge older Democrats in blue districts. Hogg’s goal is to support younger Democrats and challenge incumbents who he feels are not effectively representing their constituents.

While Martin acknowledged Hogg’s intentions, he stressed the importance of maintaining neutrality within the DNC. He emphasized that DNC officers must act as neutral arbiters and cannot simultaneously serve as both referees and players in the political arena. Martin made it clear that officers of the DNC must uphold the trust that has been built with Democratic voters by remaining neutral in primary elections.

Jane Kleeb, the president of the Association of State Democratic Chairs, echoed Martin’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of neutrality for DNC officers. Both Martin and Kleeb expressed hope that Hogg would recognize his role as an officer of the DNC and abide by the principle of neutrality.

The controversy surrounding Hogg’s primary strategy comes at a time when the Democratic Party is energized and mobilizing against the Trump administration. Progressive leaders like Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Chris Murphy have seen a surge in fundraising and support as they lead the resistance against President Trump.

Despite the energy within the party, recent polls have shown a decline in favorability ratings for the Democratic Party. In response, Martin announced a $1 million investment in Democratic state parties, emphasizing a commitment to winning elections at the state level.

Former DNC Chair Howard Dean praised Martin’s investment strategy, highlighting the importance of shifting the focus outside of Washington and adopting a 50-state strategy.

In the midst of the controversy surrounding Hogg’s primary challenge strategy, Democratic strategist James Carville criticized the move, questioning the logic of challenging fellow Democrats instead of focusing on defeating Republicans. Other strategists have joined Carville in condemning Hogg’s approach, calling it “insane behavior” for a DNC official.

Moving forward, Martin and Kleeb are focused on implementing reforms within the DNC and maintaining neutrality in intra-party primaries. The goal is to strengthen the Democratic Party and ensure that it remains focused on winning elections at all levels of government.