Dan Kildee to drop out

Best news all week (0.00 / 0)

The best candidates remain.  And I would very happily support Dillon or Bernero in the November.

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by: Brady @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 02:50:18 AM UTC

From MIRS... (0.00 / 0)

"Top Democratic officials had hoped Mr. Kildee would run, expressing concern about a race between Mr. Bernero and House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.)"

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by: Brady @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 03:02:08 AM UTC

Was Dillon one of the "Top Democratic officials"? n/t (4.00 / 2)

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by: kelster @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 15:46:24 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Kildee (0.00 / 0)

I was shocked to see Kildee drop out.  I had assumed that this would have eventually become a race between Dillon and Kildee with Bernero drawing down Kildee's vote to give Dillon a plurality.  Even since before Kildee was considering the race, I've been surprised to see the lack of enthusiasm from many progressives toward Bernero.  The reaction at BFM today is telling.  I personally think Bernero has the strength of character to be a great governor.  It will interesting to see how he polls in west Michigan and if he is able to be competitive in fundraising.  Kildee's decision yesterday may actually play out in Dillon's favor.

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by: Brady @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 16:42:14 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Bravo! (4.00 / 1)

4 for quick wit.  

"Kill the headlights and put it in neutral..."

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by: AikoAdam @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 22:32:06 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That is a shame (0.00 / 0)

He was kind of the last best hope for us this November. I sure don't know anyone who would want to vote for Dillon.

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by: nowooski @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 03:09:33 AM UTC

This is actually my fault... (4.00 / 6)

I signed up for that Yoville game through Facebook the other day, and one of the first things it asked me to do was to get into a fight with Kildee.  So, I pushed the little "yes" button and bombarded him with snowballs.  Next thing you know, there's this announcement.

Sorry, everyone.  Sorry.

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 03:46:48 AM UTC

My Question... (0.00 / 0)

My question is if thought what every one else had been saying from the get-go (that with Virg already in the race that he'd divide labor by jumping in), why did he bother getting in?  It's pretty clear he was expecting the UAW to reward him jumping in with an endorsement instead of working behind the scenes before his premature jump into the race.

This is almost becoming a joke.  You jump in the race one week, and quite literally jump back out the next.  I was really kind of excited about Kildee -- though, I'd wish he'd have jumped in before Virg -- but any candidate that jumps into the race knowing that he or she doesn't have any kind of backing, first, shows his or her a level of rashness I couldn't get behind.  I really lose respect for candidates that treat this process like a joke.  In a way, it almost makes Dillon waiting so ridiculously long to look better by comparison.  Surely, it's must better to wait too long than to jump in and jump back out like this is some kind of joke.

Anyway, go Virg.  I hear he's all but received the UAW endorsement, now.  For a very short second I thought about how cool it'd have been to see Virg choose Kildee as Lt. Governor, but I just can't get past the idea that these candidates that jump in and then out are disrespecting what you're supposed to be treating very seriously.

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by: MiddleGrandGuy @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 09:55:31 AM UTC

The story as I see it (4.00 / 1)

When Kildee got in it10 days ago it was clear the UAW was moving in Bernero's direction but it wasn't a done deal.  The done deal happened this week, but labor insiders and other progressives still thought there was a shot for Kildee 10 days ago but only if he was all in.

Those like myself who believed--and still do--that Kildee represented progressive's best chance of winning in November knew that unless Kildee got in, started raising money, and pushed back against the movement toward Bernero, then it would be game over.  Kildee was encouraged to get in by political leaders who feared that while Virg's message might win the primary day, Kildee's outsider status, record of accomplishment and approachable personality were a better fit for the general election.

I think those who write Bernero off are doing so prematurely, but those who think Dillon's too conservative to win a Democratic primary are also mistaken.  This will be a real fight and you have to give Dillon somewhat of an edge because he will have so much corporate money behind him.

It's time for progressives to rally around Virg.

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by: LiberalBubba @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 12:53:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Funding (0.00 / 0)

One has to consider how union spending on the primary and potentially on Bernero in the general election will affect the availability of funds to defend the open Democratic House seats (particularly the one's in Republican majority districts like McDowell's, Spade's, Neumann's, Espinoza's) and the effort to win a Democratic majority in the Senate and the Supreme Court.

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by: Brady @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 14:20:56 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Yes, because Dillon has trashed the caucus (4.00 / 1)

Dillon took the Democratic House caucus fundraising into the ditch.  He spent little time raising money for the caucus because he's so damn busy running for governor.  He blocked some of the most populist bills like consumer protection because he's sucking up to the business community, costing marginal Dems an opportunity.  Dillon kept marginal House Dems from being able to vote  on a bill that would have ended lifetime health care benefits for themselves...the list goes on.  

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by: LiberalBubba @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 16:24:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Actually... (0.00 / 0)

House Democrats have led all the other caucuses in fundraising during the time that Dillon has been speaker.  He's also been able to pull in non-traditional support.  This will end up being very important given that awful ruling the U.S. Supreme Court came out with.

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by: Brady @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 16:48:57 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

You're not really (0.00 / 0)

going to attribute the strong fundraising of the caucus to Dillon, albeit in an around the barn way so in the reply to this you can deny ever doing just that very thing....are you?

"Kill the headlights and put it in neutral..."

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by: AikoAdam @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 22:36:42 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Caucus, not members (0.00 / 0)

By caucus, I'm speaking of the House Democratic Fund, not individual members campaign accounts.  And while individual members donate to the fund and there is a fundraiser chair and staff that operate in a fundraising capacity, ultimately the Speaker is the head of the whole operation and that's where credit is directed.

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by: Brady @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 22:55:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Didn't he jump in to satisfy a deadline of some kind? (0.00 / 0)

Maybe I misread things, but I kind of thought he originally filed his paperwork to make sure he complied with the law while also thinking things through?

Among the Trees

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by: Eric B. @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 16:10:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Angry, just effing angry (0.00 / 0)

So let me see if I've figured this out. As of last week, the Democratic field had settled on four candidates:

Andy Dillon, a moderate with general election downside he's part of the current leadership in Lansing.

Alma Wheeler Smith, doesn't matter because I have as much chance of winning the primary as she does.

Virg Bernero, mayor of Lansing and guy who said some things on the Ed Show.

Dan Kildee, strong progressive and nationally recognized expert (with an impressive real world track record) in urban revitalization.  

And Kildee is out why? I mean let's not beat around the bush here. Let's not pretend this is something that it is not. This is the gray beards forcing out the one candidate who could make a prosperous Michigan 2040 instead of waxing nostalgic about the prosperous Michigan of 1970.

This is about progressives in the state Democratic Party saying the "DEY TUK R JIBS!" bitters are more important than the next generation.

Fuck this fucking state.

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by: Jeff Wattrick @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 11:14:07 AM UTC

Don't Knock the Jobs Issue (4.00 / 1)

It's a little hard to provide for that next generation if the current one is broke. Similarly, it's hard for someone to plan for the long term if they can't make ends meet today.

With ~15% unemployment in Michigan, any Democrat that doesn't realize this isn't going to make it.

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by: boehmianrhapsody @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 12:07:25 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Greece (0.00 / 0)

This is very true.  One only needs to look to Greece to see our future if we continue down the path we're on.  For years, Greece has relied on borrowing to finance its very generous worker benefits, pensions that begin at an early retirement age, and wide spending on social services in a country with chronically high unemployment.  Greece has reached its debt limit and has been forced to come face-to-face with economic reality.  This means deep wage cuts, pension freezes and tax hikes as part of austerity measures imposed on them by the EU.  As a result, there have been riots that make our tea parties look Victorian and political turmoil far worse than what we face this year.

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by: Brady @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 12:41:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Fine but... (0.00 / 0)

this are the kind of issues that should be decided in a primary.

If a month from now or whenever, Bernero appeared to be the stronger candidate and Kildee dropped out that would be one thing. But that's not what happened. The UAW got make a preference before voters even had an opportunity to review the candidates. That's cold bullshit. And it makes Rick Snyder and Joe Schwartz almost look appealing.

The "DEY TUK R JIBS!" crowd pushed a nationally recognized expert in urban policy over of the race. That's it, the end. And UAW rank-and-files deserve all the shit they get for electing such shitty, shitty leadership.

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by: Jeff Wattrick @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 13:11:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

not a politician (0.00 / 0)

Politicians build coalitions, determine overall agendas/platforms, carryout fundraisers, and win elections.   Technocrats bring specialized skills to run administrative agencies and serve on policy committees/commissions.  

Kildee is a skilled and knowledgeable technocrat and not a politician.  Virg would be well advised to bring Kildee into his campaign and to find an important role for him in a future administration.  This could be a real symbiotic relationship.  Progressives should realize that their best hope at actually implementing a progressive agenda is to support a politician that can actually win. Kildee could have the best ideas in the world, but if he can't win, what's the point?  It would be far better to partner with someone who does have a chance at winning in order to influence and guide the candidate on implementing the good ideas.

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by: ibelieveinMichigan @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 14:23:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That's kinda funny (4.00 / 1)

Let's see, Dan Kildee at age 18 ran and won a seat on the Flint Board of Education, has won several campaigns for the Genesee County Board of Commissioners and county Treasurer.  He has at various times chaired the Genesee County Democratic Party, the congressional district committee, chaired or co-chaired Democratic presidential campaigns locally.  He managed and won closely contested congressional district campaigns for his uncle, Dale Kildee, in 1992 and 1994 after redistricting. And he's not a successful politician?  

The rest I agree makes sense.  

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by: LiberalBubba @ Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 16:01:18 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Politician (4.00 / 1)

Dan has been in politics as long as anyone running and longer than quite a few currently running.  He's obviously more comfortable behind the scenes, but to pretend that he's not a seasoned politician is just crazy.  This guy didn't just run and win his own campaigns, he ran and won many of his uncles campaigns.

Really, let's not get silly, now.

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by: MiddleGrandGuy @ Sun Mar 07, 2010 at 09:24:24 AM UTC

[ Parent ]