Nepotism alive and well among Democrats

In a state with Castors, Meeks, Bushes, Bilirakises, and Diaz-Balarts, we probably shouldn't be surprised to see nepotism popping up in the FDP's elections of wanna-be delegates to the Democratic national convention. But with interest stonger than ever in becoming delegates - even with all the uncertainty - there's a growing Buzz of discontent over the deck being stacked for relatives of party insiders in big south Florida counties that dominate the state Democratic executive committee. Among them: Lori Glasser, daughter-in-law of Diane Glasser; and Jared Moscowitz, son of Mike Moscowitz.

There's also grumbling about Miami-Dade Chairman Bret Berlin pushing for his mother to be elected to one of the 40 at large delegate slots that nearly 400 people are vying for. But Democrats being Democrats, they have big time affirmative action guidelines, and Berlin tells Buzz he's actually not voting for his mother and is discouraging others from doing so. Why? Because mom's not black, Hispanic, native American, Asian, disabled, a vet, gay, lesbian, bi or transgender and thus doesn't fit the affirmative action plan.

"Especially on Mother's Day, it's not easy to have that discussion with your mother,'' Berlin said of opposing his own mother's candidacy. Below is an e-mail making the rounds of Democratic activists. The header: "Broward and Miami-Dade party leaders abusing the system for their own special interest"

The e-mail: "At the recent State Executive Committee meeting to elect Party Leaders and Elected Officials (PLEOs), delegates were elected by a weighted-vote formula. This puts almost all the power to elect our entire state's PLEOs in the hands of a few people who represent the largest Democratic populations. In theory, this may be fair, but in practice it invites abuse of power.

The reason for this letter is because the evidence of such abuse was rampant at the meeting. I could cite many examples, but here are four that make my point:

A delegate was elected whose main qualification was that she is the daughter-in-law of her county's State Committeewoman.
Another delegate elected was the son of the same county's State Committeeman. Yes, he's an elected official—a small-town vice mayor representing a population of 23,000 that's 91.4 percent white. Is this a PLEO who is representative of the Florida Democratic Party at large?
A recently elected City Council member John Dingfelder was elected a delegate.
Also elected was Frank Williams, who is neither a Party Leader nor an Elected Official and should have run for an at-large seat. His election has also incited the Unions because another delegate Mike Williams, president of the Florida Building & Construction Trades Council, which represents unions in the Florida AFL-CIOwas denied for Frank Williams, a contractor who uses non-union labor.

Meanwhile, six important and deserving PLEO candidates—State Senate Democratic Whip Dave Aronberg, State Legislature Democratic Whip Franklin Sands, Representative Arthenia Joyner, Representative Terry Fields, Tallahassee Mayor John Marks and Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan were denied places in our delegation. In fact, only 25 percent of the PLEOs elected were Florida House and Senate leaders and big-city mayors.

These elected officials are the public face of the Florida Democratic Party, and their faces should be seen at the convention. We often hear that our elected officials don't always respect our efforts. Maybe that's because we do not show them the respect they've earned.

Remember, too, that PLEOs are supposed to be elected in accordance with our diversity goals. I challenge anyone to defend on that basis the PLEO slate that was elected. 

One person did attempt to defend the PLEO election by saying that "in politics there are tradeoffs." Yes, of course tradeoffs and compromises are a part of politics, but when we trade away our party's principals we betray the trust of every member of the Florida Democratic Party, and that is shameful. 

Lest anyone think this matter is of no consequence outside the "inner circle," think again. Many Democratic activists and party supporters are not happy, and some are showing their disgust already. Martin County's 2nd Annual Golf Tournament was put on indefinite hold because Union support for it dried up after the spectacle of the PLEO election—and this was not an isolated reaction—Okeechobee County also felt the slight at a recent JJ event.   

On May 17th, we meet again to vote for 40 at-large delegates and 6 Alternates. Let's resolve to end the same old cynical game of horse-trading, currying or repaying favors, rewarding friends and punishing rivals, or building a power base as the basis for selecting delegates. Let's put an end to the hypocrisy, cronyism and nepotism we witnessed at the PLEO vote. At the very least, let the names of those who present slates be clearly identified, and let claims of broad support or the Chair's support not be made when not true.

The 2008 Democratic National Convention will be the most important in recent memory, perhaps the most important in our lifetimes. Unlike recent conventions, the nominee may not be known beforehand. There may well be a floor fight over the seating of the Florida and Michigan delegations. We may even see the torch of leadership passed to a new generation. We owe it to the future of our party to choose delegates who are responsible, dedicated, deserving on merit and—above all—representative of the Florida Democratic Party at large.

Celeste Bush, Chair
Democratic Executive Committee of St. Lucie County

Comments

Typical Democrats...identity politics or nepotism?

such a conundrum...

[Donald Lance]

They forgot to add Rubio to the list.

I’m just a regular white guy who’s been paying taxes for decades… can someone please count me!

By the way, what’s the story on the Republicans… no doubt they’re not engaged in any for of nepotism or favoritism… right?

Hey; we're the fools who elect them.

The day we stop treating – AND ENDORSING – our public offices as long-term careers, retirement plan supplements, and family heirlooms… we’ll rid ourselves of this dysfunctional, inbred, corrupt government… and be one our way to a better tomorrow.

[Alex]

Stop complaining and run for office yourself.

Of course you won't

[ROBERT WEXLER 20 YEARS AGO]

YOu don't matter unless you vote for Obama

[American of today]

You won't die avenging Dubya's daddums unless you vote for McSame

[Christie]

Try running for office when the people with the influence are more interested in taking care of their own.

from the looks of her letter, this Celeste Bush woman must have been working side by side with Howard Dean to organize the screwed up national delegate selection scheme we're suffering through.

if your a transgender, hispanic-afro-asian, disabled vet you might just have a chance.

This is quotas counters gone mad! These people are nuts.

Rubio, Rubio, Rub-I-O!

As corrupt as Republicans are, Democrats are just plain stupid - -which is why I will never vote for them.

[Time Out!]

The next round of voting for delegates to the Democratic Convention will separate the wheat from the chaff. Anyone planning on playing the Judas role will find their career in the Party terminal. If nepotism trumps sending representatives of the Party’s base, it will be the local candidates and the local Democratic Party that pay the freight. …And if this goes sideways on Saturday, Hillsborough has the most to lose!

[terminator]

geez, what a bunch of sick freaks.

whatever happened to people who actually "worked" and volunteered on campaigns or at party headquarters?
what are they chopped liver?

I about puked reading all the sub-categories of this minority and that minority. Of course you've got the usual suspects (women, blacks, hispanics, native americans, blah, blah blah).
Then throw in the freak show brigade with the gay, lesbian, bi, transvestite, transexual, pole smoker, carpet cruncher, cross dresser, sheep f*cker, etc. etc.

Maybe they could fill the spots with Madonna, Rosy O'Donell, Oprah, Ellen de Generes, Whoopie Goldberg, Elaine Lancaster and any other assortment of sick and perverted individuals.

Another good reason not to vote for any Dem candidate who would endorse such a concocted scheme of demented sadists.

Denver, are you sure you're ready for this? The hotel lobby bars will look like the Star Wars bar scene.

Christie:
You seem so sure, why aren't you running and ridding the world of all the horrible people? That goes for the rest of you. Quit your bitching. If you think you can do better and you will be the "perfect" politician, Run, baby, run. Otherwise shut up.

Read this blog. Everybody has their own right answer, everyone thinks they can do better, everyone thinks everyone else is corrupt. For God Sakes, that's what elections are FOR. Exercise your right, and the majority of the people will choose who they think is right.
Susan Smith - shut up. you are the most useless piece of life alive.

Nepotism ******* None of the above politicians are doing anything illegal, therefore there is no nepotism fault. How about Beau Bridges, JEff Bridges, Goldie Hawns daughter? These actors have followed in their parents footsteps, but because it is Hollywood, you wouldn't use the word nepotism. What you are, are a bunch of lonely, bored, big mouth know it alls who have opinions on everyone and everything, but yourself.
This is Susan Smith of the Democratic Executive Committee crap if I ever saw it. Get a life Susan. Your jealousies are going to eat you alive.

the pleo debacle was jon ausman and bret berlin's doing. There were many more deserving left off. Ridiculous.

"... Beau Bridges, JEff Bridges, Goldie Hawns daughter..."

Actors don't steal our tax dollars and send Americans to die to avenge daddy... idiot.

The numbers represent the Democrat voters of Florida... I applaud the Democratic Party for making efforts to represent all the voter's in thier party, not just the elite.

If 10% of Democrats are gay, then 10% of thier delegation should be gay.

NObody sends Americans off to avenge daddy. This is an all volunteer military. Anyone that "goes off" did so at his or her own choosing, knowing fully well what "might be". Keep in my mind, all volunteer military, by choice. Maybe not your choice, but their choice and they are still signing up and the highest enlistment numbers are being done "in theatre", which means in Iraq and Afghanistan. What does that say for our troops? That they are great Americans, and great leaders and heroes. Not gutless like those who constantly insult their intelligence.

Christie:
That's why there is a thing called "parents". They take care of their own. Thats the way it is supposed to be. Sorry you didn't have parents that cared enough about you to take care of you, or you wouldn't be such a bitter woman. I am sorry for you.

9:24 is drunk and delusional. Please do not procreate.