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The headline in a recent Wall Street Journal stated "Democrats Sidestep Leadership Fight." "Democrats avoid divisive caucus vote," over the Whip position which Rep Clyburn currently holds in name and Mr. Hoyer claims in rank.
The WSJ stated that under the arrangement Rep Hoyer will remain the #2 Democrat and the Democrats would create a new unnamed position allowing Rep Clyburn to remain as the #3 Democrat and only African American in party leadership. This in hope of appeasing the Black Caucus while maintaining the support of the majority of the Democratic Caucus.
The conflict is the result of the major losses suffered by the Democrats in the recent election. This has resulted in the loss of the House Speaker's position which eliminated one senior leadership position in the Democrat caucus. Rep Pelosi stated in an recent NPR interview that, "I have the overwhelming support of fellow Democrats," and "We didn't lose because of me" and she has made it known that she intends to remain in the number one spot as the minority leader and is calling in all her markers.
I find it really hard to determine what part of this whole situation is the most disheartening. As a Democrat it has become very clear to me, just how far out of touch the Democratic leadership, both at the national and state levels is. It isn't about us; it is about them maintaining their own status. There seems to be no one at the top that understands that we lost because of them, just like the owner of the 1-7 Dallas Cowboys, he couldn't fire all 53 players, so he sent a strong signal to those 53 players by firing the coach and some of his assistants. He told the remaining coaches and players if there isn't improvement more will go. Your future will come down to individual responsibility and personal accountability. As of late that is lacking in the people being selected for leadership positions.
Without question the party is being controlled by the old gray bulls, unwilling to let go of their power, unwilling to understand that the Great Recession, just like the Great Depression has changed the mindset of Americans for generations to come. These old gray bulls are unwilling to hold themselves accountable or to allow and accept constructive criticism from subordinates, let alone develop leadership from within their ranks because they truly believe that the next election will prove them right. They have close circle and rallied among themselves to ensure that all leadership positions are filled based on friendship and seniority rather than effectiveness.
Whenever the situation demands it they create a meaningless "leadership position" in hope of appeasing this group or that group often under the guise of diversity, when in reality it is only about maintaining power and protecting egos.As a bi-racial American, as someone who has been elected to the School Board and to the State House as the top vote getter and the City Council as the number two vote getter from a city that is about 98% white. I would like to believe that I earn the voter's trust based on ability not on their desire for diversity.
Rep Clyburn is not the only person of color in Congress, he is not the only person of color in leadership position, two others current or former chairmen are under ethics investigation. Creating a meaningless "leadership position" has nothing to do with diversity it is about picking the right person, to go along, to get along, while at the same time undermining any potential threat to leadership by more talented and effective subordinates regardless of color or gender.
However, what I find the most troublesome of all is the lack of fight in the current old-guard leadership combined with their readiness to appease. When you hear that members of the caucus don't want to have to make a choice, that they would rather walk out of the room than vote, do whatever is necessary to avoid a fight, or make a hard decision, one has to ask him or herself do I really expect these people to stand and fight for me? Do I really except these people who were selected for their current leadership positions because they were able to avoid a fight or through appeasement to stand up when the chips are down, take the gloves off and fight to the bitter end for me; where are the Jackson's, the Truman's and the Johnson's among this group?
I would recommend that the current well-educated, well-connected, wealthy leadership elite of our party review the history of Presidents Jackson, Truman, Johnson and even Clinton, none were from the elite, all had harsh childhoods, none were accepted by the party leadership, but each knew what made their fellow Americans tick. Each knew that we as Americans love our fighters, we love our underdogs, so maybe, and just maybe our current leadership will "Cowboy Up" get into the arena, get sweaty and dirty and start fighting for us, instead of selling us out for leadership positions.
We can only hope.
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