Analysis of the Massa-Nachbar race
I’ve now had the chance to speak with several local party leaders as well as people close to MCDC and Louise Slaughter and would like to offer a few observations about the race between David Nachbar and Eric Massa for the Democratic nomination in NY-29.
A number of reliable sources have told me that Louise Slaughter will not formally endorse David Nachbar and did not encourage him to seek the nomination in this election cycle. These sources also tend to believe (though less strongly) that Slaughter will not back Nachbar informally either and that she may even back Massa, either officially (perhaps unlikely) or unofficially.
Nevertheless, there is an enourmous amount of hostility towards Slaughter for encouraging Nachbar to run in 2006. One county chair told me “She created this monster and she needs to clean up the mess.” More than one person I spoke to indicated that they would support a Democratic primary challenge to Slaughter should a viable candidate emerge.
Few observers believe that Nachbar will beat Massa in a primary. And even fewer believe that Nachbar would have much chance against Kuhl in a general election (Rottenchester has pretty good rundown of why). Sources in the southern counties are especially skeptical of Nachbar’s ability to appeal to voters in the rural southern tier.
All of the country parties, aside from Monroe, are likely to endorse Massa. Monroe County is unlikely to do so, but the town leaders from the seven Monroe County townships that are in the 29th district are ready to endorse Massa. One source tells me that Joe Morrelle has instructed these town leaders to remain neutral.
It is widely believed that the DCCC is supporting Nachbar. I have no firm proof that this is the case, but I have been told that Nachbar gave $150,000 to this PR firm, which employs John Lapp, who was previously Rahm Emanuel’s deputy at the DCCC. It is worth noting that the DCCC began sending out NY-29 specific emails a week after Nachbar announced his candidacy.
As a member of my town’s Democratic committee, I have to say that the experience is stiffling. There is no creativity and no thinking outside the box. When we meet to vote on “endorsing” candidates, our committee leader always speaks as if there is only one path to follow and that is usually followed by “Joe Morelle said…..”
Yes, there is an overwhelming idea that committee members at the local level are incapable of thinking and acting in their own best interests. Instead, pressure comes down from the top of the county party throught committee leaders about who we should support.
It’s been an eye opening experience for me. I’m not a radical by any stretch of the imagination, but I feel that is how I am viewed simply by stating the fact that other candidates exist and deserve our consideration.
What is the purpose of local town committees if Joe Morelle is ordering them to stay neutral? And why do the town committees do what they are told?
Slaughter and Nachbar…
Exile of Rochesterturning reports on his conversations with regional Democratic leaders about the Nachbar candidacy. He believes that Louise Slaughter will not officially endorse Nachbar for the 2008 race, and that most of the town and county Democrati…
It can easily be argued that one of Massa’s mistakes in the last election was his inability to strike Kuhl in the same manner that Kuhl was able to strike him. Concurrently, many might argue that this was biggest positive ni that he refused to make the race negative.
With that being said, Massas needs to “strike first, strike hard, no mercy sir!” And to do so he needs to get his face out there as much as possible, he needs his managers to put him in front of as many people as possible as often as possible because meeting him truely is a transformational experience. Contrast his lively, energetic style with that of Dopey the Dwarf and he will win.
This race is not about Louise Slaughter and making it about her takes away from her as well as Massa. Everyone needs to avoid it.
Unfortunately, in my experience, if you go after Republican candidates in Republican strongholds, the way they (viciously) go after Democrats, the local newspapers and tv stations label the Democratic candidate a negative campaigner and that’s enough to steer voters in these areas, in the opposite direction. It really frustrates me sometimes when these districts seemingly hold Democrats to a higher standard. If Massa had pulled anything like the crosshairs add on Kuhl, from my experience, the election would have been over within a day.
I think Massa did a heck of a job, given the voter profile in the district. A 1% loss in his district is truly a great accomplishment. I think if he keeps plugging away, holding Kuhl accountable for his actions, and continues to campaign with integrity, he’ll win!
So. “One source tells me that Joe Morrelle has instructed these town leaders to remain neutral.” Let’s see. That would be the same Joe Morelle who just last month, on the eve of the East Side Dems meeting to designate a candidate for City Council, East District, was known to be personally working the phones on behalf of Elaine Spaull, the insider candidate rumored to be personally recruited by the Mayor himself. Call me naive, but neutrality seems to be more a matter of convenience than principle.
As I recall, Morelle did the same thing for Lovely Warren in the D&C a few weeks ago, when she ran for the open city council seat.
Responding to the first comment:
I’m disappointed to hear that any of our town leaders would feel the need to be a “yes man/woman.” Its one thing, if sometimes undertakes some action to hurt the party, or the party’s designated candidate. Its another to surrender your better judgment, to appease those viewed as influential (i.e. brown nosing). If a town leader, and his or her committee, has reached a strong consensus on an issue or a candidate, they should feel empowered to exercise their democratic right to express their opinion. Especially, if there is such a strong consensus among multiple committees that bad things might be coming down the rode, if folks don’t start speaking up and reveal their preferences.
From my experience, not all town leaders tote whatever message is fed to them from above. Our town leader seems to think much more independently, while still working towards the party’s best interests. On the other hand, spectators are often swayed quite easily by arguments from persuasive figureheads. Even if those arguments are not all that persuasive.
How do other committee members feel? Are there other committee members who are able to think critically about what is going on? Or, are they ditto heads as well? It sounds like you don’t have a close relationship with your town leader. Perhaps, you should speak with other committee members and bring forth a consensus statement among like minded individuals at your next meeting that you’re worried about this particular aspect of your committee’s leadership? It seems to me that politics is often a game between figureheads and numbers. When the numbers dwindle, the figurehead holds sway. When the numbers are strongly opposed and organized, the figurehead may start to listen (unless its our current President).
When there is talk about being told to remain neutral, it sounds like “being fair” unless you consider there may be local committees who already feel strongly about supporting Massa–but now feel as if they can’t make that know. That’s censorship.
Regarding local committees and all the posits of pressure from MCDC to stay neutral. I don’t think it is censorship.
That said - If you are not a member of your local committee then don’t complain about it - join it. If the posits are true - I have no first hand knowledge so I’m not agreeing or disagreeing - then the way to avoid this is for the committees to review bylaws and vote for a designation.
I can’t imagine that if several towns voted to designate or otherwise support MCDC going the other way. Frankly the 29th is in a small portion of Monroe County so Pittsford, Brighton, Henrietta (who am I forgetting?) So they should drive the decision.
[...] I wrote a bit of analysis about the Democratic primary between David Nachbar and Eric Massa. There were a number of [...]