Hoyer to Dean: Leave policy to us -The Hill

[Rose Siding]

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) offered some free advice to incoming Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean: Leave policy to the elected officials.

“I don’t believe it is the party chair’s role to set the policy of the party. That is the role of the elected officials,” Hoyer told reporters yesterday.

“I think his job as party chairman is to ensure the party is organized well and ready to, in every district, contest the Republicans, every congressional district in America, every county and state and city in America, and that we raise sufficient finances to compete effectively.”
...
“He called me, which I appreciate,” Hoyer said. “I congratulated him on winning. As you know, I was for Frost. He knew that as well. I will certainly be prepared to work with him.”

http://www.hillnews.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/020905/brief.html

[rpannier]

1. Rick to Hoyer...

Get your head out. Do your job. Let Dean do his job. And keep your free advice to yourself...or do it one on one with him. Keep it out of the press. Stop trying to focus attention on yourself.

[ClassWarrior]

3. Agreed.

Steny's a good man, but this sniping shit has to end. He's getting a call from me today.

NGU.

[KittyWampus]

13. How Is This "Sniping"? Chairs DO NOT Set Policy. And Dean IS Going

to strengthen local parties.

[ClassWarrior]

16. Yes. We all know this. So why did Steny need to shoot off his mouth...

...about it to the press? That's how it's "sniping." Chest-puffing. Pure snot. And I thought Steny was above that kind of thing.

NGU.

[Eloriel]

38. And a bit of bullying and thuggery thrown in. n/t

[NewYorkerfromMass]

59. really? Did he send hit men and death squads

to bash down Dean's door? This Steny's an evil one.... no doubt.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

70. Shocker!

[Rockerdem]

42. Memo to Hoyer: Party platforms bubble up from the bottom

This is not the CPUSA taking cues from the Soviets. This is the "Democratic" Party, and the old ways of doing things are over. And Howard Dean is more in tune with us than most congress critters.

Now that you understand that, we can work together amicably. Thank you.

[IndianaGreen]

49. Did Hoyer say the same thing to Terry McCauliffe?

I don't think so...

[OrwellwasRight]

66. Set policy v. talk policy

If Steny is telling Howard to shut up, he can KMA.

We had a lame DNC chair who couldn't talk policy and what did we get? Lost seats, no presidency.

Give me the liberal equivalent of Gillespie, Melman, and Rove any day. Give me a fighter to watch on Tim Russert every Sunday morning. Give me Dean with his no-holds-barred calling the Repubs on the carpet for all their lies, mistakes, and pro-wealth policies.

And to anyone else who does not want the DNC chair to use his position to sell, sell, sell our far superior polices, well, I guess you are content with the status quo, huh?

[MoJoWorkin]

18. I emailed him--why doesn't he let the PEOPLE have a say in policy--

and Dean is a voice "of, by and for the people" at the grassroots level. I am sick and tired of this top down mentality. They have been in DC so long they think that they are all that counts, and that policy should be made in smoke filled rooms.

Please let Dean be Dean---he has a right and responsibility to speak up as he has( and I hope will always do).

[mudderfudder77]

21. The People do have a say

by electing officials. Dean was not elected by the public, represenatives were.

[reprobate]

31. Do you actually believe that representatives answer to the public?

No, the elected answer to the corporate contributers that give them the campaign money they need to run their media campaigns.

Look at the laws and rules that have been put in place in the last decade and try to point out ALL those that benefit the individual, not the corporate contributers.

Then try to get an audience with one of your "representatives" as an individual. Let me know when it will be. I'll wait.

[pokercat999]

57. Exactly

when you can contribute large sums you set policy.

Most merican politics today = No money, no voice. (both sides)

[loudsue]

40. The PEOPLE no longer elect their officials: Republican voting machines

elect officials.

Go on over to the 2004 Election Discussion forums and check out the issues.

:hi: And welcome to DU! :hi:

:kick::kick::kick:

[pearl]

69. That is funny

and it does get the point across.
The republican voting machines indeed.

[ClassWarrior]

22. Excellent point.

He needs to remember that it's his job to leave the policy to US, his bosses.

The aide that answered the phone when I called seemed quite taken aback at my mini-tirade, but seemed to be dutifully recording everything I said. And I made sure to make the point that we need to remember who's the enemy, the Radical RW and the Bush** band of criminals, not our own people.

What's more, the aide didn't ask for an address, so I'd encourage everyone to call no matter if you're in Steny's district or not.

NGU.

[Skink]

4. Which policy is refering too...

One where almost every Senator votes to give W heightened war powers. Or the one where Bush gives away the treasury to a few select friends.

[brainshrub]

2. Brainshrub to Hoyer:

You won't be able to get your own republican-lite butt re-elected if you don't embrasse the Liberal values that Dean represents.

Let Dean do his job. You, in the meantime, go act like a real opposition leader.

[DainBramaged]

5. Do I sense a little fear from our asshat leaders of Dean?

[robcon]

6. Hoyer is right.

The DNC chair has never been a policy-generating position. Dean will have strong powers, not the least of which is raising money, and doling it out to some state/local elections. Dean can extract concessions due to this patronage (as DNC chairs often do.) He will be a power broker based on deciding which politicians, and to what extent, the DNC provides money or help.

But Democrats, as they always have, will ignore the DNC chair's more direct influence on policy.

[GR]

9. Not This Time....Dean Is Gonna Set Policy...

get used to it...

[KittyWampus]

15. No, Actually He Isn't. Some DU'ers Need To Get A Clue.

[GR]

17. Are You A Precinct Chair?

I am...I was also a representative to our district convention during which we picked a party chair and representatives to the state convention. The representatives of the state convention elect the state chair. The state chair asked for our input on who we wanted as national chair. It's all very democratic and national in scope. Hoyer is not a national representative, as Dean will be.

Of course, Dean will not set policy in isolation, but he carries a very big stick both financially and ideologically.

Hoyer carries nothing comparable.

If you look at my post on having it both ways, that's what's happening now. I called the idiot in Colorado who supported Gonzalez and that's the response I got...are you a constituent. When you go to webform to write email to congress they make you choose a topic so they can spit backed a canned letter to you, even though the topic is not what you wanted to say.

If you send an e-mail they won't look at it if it doesn't have a home state zipcode.

These people, like Hoyer, are not responsive to the base and Dean will be. That gives him power, a lot more than Hoyer has.

I generally do like Hoyer, but he's wrong here....

[Rockerdem]

43. You are absolutely, 100% correct.

The Party, if it still means something, is where the planks for our platform are first discussed and agreed upon. I've been to precinct meetings and county conventions, and that is a large part of the business. Not just gluing yard signs onto sticks.

Hoyer is trying a power play and is going to get a smackdown. I dont quite understand him and Pelosi. They are good folks and should be natural allies of Dean.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

46. I am in Hoyer's district...

The thing I don't understand about him is that time and time again, he takes the "republican lite" stance, while his constituancy is solidly democratic.

What's the problem with this district? Hoyer never has competition within the democratic party, and few of us could stomach voting rethug.

[OzarkDem]

72. Sounds like

you and the other Dems in Hoyer's district might want to think of running someone else next time.

[Debi]

48. So is getting a clue

meaning that I should quit believing that I am part of a representative government?

Should I retire my position on my county and district central committee? Should I stop going to my county/district/state conventions and voting on platform issues?

Should I stop going to listen posts that my reprentatives hold or writing letters or calling their offices.

If I'm not part of setting policy then who is?

Governor Dean came to Iowa and spent time with as many people as he could. He addressed our issues as each individual asked (by using examples of what he did in Vermont or what he would try to do as President). He LISTENED to THE PEOPLE. As our National Party Chair is he supposed to stop doing that because Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and Steny Hoyer have told him to stop?

Tom Harkin is my Senator and he supported Dean for President and for Chair of the party - he listens to me, I expect him to work with Dean for the good of the Party.

[depakid]

63. Getting a clue involves understanding how policy gets made

in the real world.

It all starts with language and framing the issues- and that.s excatly what Dean is going to do- and what the Democrats sorely need- because most of them are bloody incompetant and impotent in the face of Republican rhetoric.

[robcon]

37. Dean can try to set anything he likes.

If you think you can 'herd' Democrats by 'setting policy' I think you are wrong.

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GR]

7. These "Elected" Officials Like To Have It Both Ways....

When you call or write...they ask "are you a constituent?" and if not, they deep six your e-mail or phone call, even though what they are doing affects every American, not just their constituents. So they want to retreat into a shell of local representation when you try to have an input into their policy presentations, but want truly national representation, like Dean to shut up and let them set policy.

It won't wash...Dean is gonna set policy. At least I hope he does, because we're freaking losing Steny...we're losing....

[smoogatz]

8. Any precedent for this?

I wonder, have other DNC chairs been subjected to public instruction of this nature?

[GR]

11. Only The Ones They're Scared Of....

Dean is not and will not be controlled by their money...

[KittyWampus]

10. Gee, I Wonder Why THIS Guys Comments Are Being Reported

BTW, his comments are absolutely spot on.

[GR]

14. Not At All....The State Parties Were Elected By Local Party...

and Dean will be elected by the committee. That's democracy. Hoyer was elected by a relatively few people in Maryland. Dean has the legitimacy to set policy, and will...

[Debi]

56. I believe he's Nancy Pelosi's Whip...

It's his job to be the tough guy

[Rob H.]

12. Pfft.

“I don’t believe it is the party chair’s role to set the policy of the party. That is the role of the elected officials,” Hoyer told reporters yesterday.

So you'll be sticking with the current policy of rubber-stamping everything Bush wants, then? Just checking.

[GiovanniC]

19. I Said This Yesterday to Pelosi and Reid

And I will say it again to Hoyer.

If you spent half the time fighting Bush that you guys are spending to fight Dean, we'd actually get somewhere.

QUIT FIGHTING DEAN YOU DUMB FUCKERS! He is not the enemy... Jesus H. Christ.

Someday... someday... I hope we can get Democratic representatives who represent Democrats.

[truebrit71]

20. Amen.

n/t

[ladjf]

28. I couldn't read your interesting point. It was blocked out.

What did you say?

[GiovanniC]

30. This

WHO sets Democratic policies? Is it really Pelosi and Reid? Is it Hoyer? Is it Lieberman? Is it Biden or Bayh? Is it Dean or Kucinich?

I would say that Democratic policies are set by the Democratic rank and file and the people who represent us had damn fucking well better get in line.

If the bulk of Democrats oppose unjustified, illegal foreign wars, then fuck any idiotic pink-tutu, don't-rock-the-boat, boot-licking Shrub apologist who disagrees.

The policy of the Democratic Party is determined by Democrats in a Democratic way. Why is that so fucking hard for some of our so-called represntatives to understand that?

[ladjf]

52. Got it and agree.

[reprobate]

33. You'll get representative who represent democrats when.....

....when you take the profit motive out of politics.

When elected reps have to spend half their time begging corporate and special interest for money to run their campaigns, how can we expect them to represent us?

A dog doesn't bite the hand that feeds him, and a representative doesn't vote against the corporation that contributes to him. Basic logic.

There IS one way to correct the situation, and that's to make giving money by a corporation or other special interest group a felony, and then pay for the campaigns with public funds with media donations of air time.

Of course the guaranteed way to end all political corruption: Elect all political offices for a life term. Then, each year hold an election to determine if we let them live another year.

[ladjf]

23. Since the Democrats haven't been too successful in making

their policies clear, I'd say than anyone who has some good ideas and can express them to Party leaders can make , or at least influence policy. It would be a good idea for the elected Dems to look for good ideas from many sources instead of pre-emptively telling Dean to keep his mouth shut when it comes to matter of policy.

[GiovanniC]

27. That Brings Up an Interesting Point

WHO sets Democratic policies? Is it really Pelosi and Reid? Is it Hoyer? Is it Lieberman? Is it Biden or Bayh? Is it Dean or Kucinich?

I would say that Democratic policies are set by the Democratic rank and file and the people who represent us had damn fucking well better get in line.

If the bulk of Democrats oppose unjustified, illegal foreign wars, then fuck any idiotic pink-tutu, don't-rock-the-boat, boot-licking Shrub apologist who disagrees.

The policy of the Democratic Party is determined by Democrats in a Democratic way. Why is that so fucking hard for some of our so-called represntatives to understand that?

[MoJoWorkin]

24. Once Dean is officially DNC Chair

I am going to send him encouragement to continue to LISTEN TO US, the PEOPLE, and not to let the "Party Powers" destroy the relationship we have had with him. He should continue to speak for US and that is part of his responsibility, as chair. He may not "set policy" but he should continue to speak truth to power the way he always has, and not let those sniping DC insiders have their way. Dean can help formulate the agenda as chair, and he should. All dems should work together, but when did the party of the people become the party of the "elected officials"?
I have faith that Dean will continue to be Dean, and that is all I ask for.

[William Bloode]

25. I don't expect Dean to set policy.

I do however expect him to set the tone. I fully expect him to work to inject a bit of spine into the party.

Steny however should have kept quiet. We need to present a united,fearless front to the public.

[aden_nak]

26. Aden to Hoyer: Is "Getting Your Asses Kicked In November" a policy?

[ladjf]

29. Right. What policy? They should welcome any good ideas

from the Dr.

[progressivebydesign]

32. Hoyer is wrong..

The elected officials do what THEIR constituents CHOSE them to do! The PARTY is the one that chooses the platform.. that's US, the PEOPLE.. not the elected officials. I'm grateful we have elected Democrats, but THEY WORK FOR THE PEOPLE THAT CHOSE THEM, and that is their job. The PARTY (i.e. we, the people) sets the priorities... he has it all wrong.

[Massachusetts]

36. YUP!

:kick:

[Devil Dog Dem]

34. Thanks Steny! Maybe if we do it your way we'll hold onto our majorities

in both houses, and our hold on the White House.

Oh! Never mind!

[Vidar]

35. Dean is in for sure? please respond.

Been out of touch for a few days. This would make my whole week. Toasting a new beginning, a renaissance, if it's only true.

[Eloriel]

39. Yes, unless there's some funny business pulled on Saturday -- all

his opponents have dropped out, even Roemer.

[Vidar]

64. Thanx so much for the response, Eloriel. YeeHawww!!!!!!!!

[Laurab]

73. I am so happy to hear that too

I don't know all that much about Dean, but what I do know, I like. I hope he sets whatever the hell he has to set, in order to get the dangerous repukes OUT OF POWER. Whatever it takes, and I like the thought of a little cage rattling.

WHY do we fight our own? We simply can't afford to.

[fishwax]

41. elected officials set party policty, and their refusal to listen to

the people who make up the Democratic Party is a pretty good start on explaining why the number of elected Democrats has been in decline for the last three freaking election cycles. Memo to Pelosi, Reid, et al.: WE ARE the party, dammit.

[Cocoa]

44. Pelosi said this too

said that it's up to the elected dems to set policy, not the DNC chair.

I don't think it's as controversial as this headline is making it out to be.

I also think it's misleading. It doesn't seem like Hoyer was addressing this to Dean, I'm sure this was an answer to a reporter's question, like it was with Pelosi. Probably a question about Dean being "too liberal" to which the quote would make sense as an answer.

[Nancy Waterman]

45. Even if Dean doesn't set policy

He can help create talking points and help the Dems come up with short pithy ways of saying what they want to say. And he would be GREAT at that!! Most of them are close to incoherent on TV. Dean will be good at strategy and getting the message across. And that is what we need in spades!!

[MADem]

55. I think you've got it right

It's people who don't play the game who like to speculate on the "inside baseball" aspects. The GOP just loves it when our team gets wrapped around the axle over shit like this.

I spent three days with Steny on a CODEL. I was prepared for a puffed up, pampered politician. What I found was a genuinely nice, absolutely decent, kind, bright, fair, funny and HUMBLE man. Very personable, a thinker, a listener. He almost persuaded me to move to MD!

Dean will do a fine job as chair. Issues will be resolved to the satisfaction of all. We just need to let it play out, and not worry overmuch about it--and certainly cease this eating of our own. These folks are bright, they'll sort out the differences, develop a firm game plan that has as its centerpiece big, big gains in 06, and position us firmly for victory in 08.

[Debi]

47. I don't know why it is so important for our supposed leadership

to try to 'dumb down' Dean's position of Chair. They never pulled this crap on Mcawful (boot licker of the Clinton Clan).

I wonder if Pelosi/Reid/Hoyer were born in office or if their leadership position was the first office they ever held (being sarcastic here).

I agree with everyone here who has said the people w/in the party should be setting policy (county/District/state positions) go to your meetings...go to your conventions...set your platforms. THAT is how policy is set.

AND THAT IS WHERE DEAN'S STRENGTH IS....WITH US.

Steny Hoyer (personally) is a nice person, I wonder if this is just the "leaders" trying to intimidate Governor Dean.

[rayofreason]

50. intimidate?

It is the other way around...they are intimidated by Dean.

[Debi]

53. Agreed

:hi:

[robcon]

61. I think no one is trying to "dumb down" Dean's position

I think Dean will have as much, and as little, to dio with Democratic party position as McAuliffe has had. In other words: zero, or near to it. Democrats don't take direction from the DNC chair - never have, never will, IMO.

[Debi]

62. Might want to change that never will part...

Campaigns were never like Dean for America and never like Democracy for America....things could very well change during his term as Chair.

Do I think he'll sit on a throne and make the Dem leaders kiss his ring? No, but they may have to listen to their constituancies a little more thanks to Governor Dean.

[lyonn]

65. Terry Mc was on Chris Matthews show

this evening and as usual he was pompus and boring.

[lavenderdiva]

51. does anyone else notice a sense of fear in Hoyer's comments?

it sounds as if he is actually afraid that 'we the people', represented by Dean, will infringe on 'his' territory. Maybe if 'they' listened to us, and our views were represented, the Dems wouldn't be in the situation they are in. Just my humble opinion...

[Debi]

54. And a VERY good one!

;)

[rayofreason]

58. the smell of fear

Who was the only Democratic candidate to generate real excitement?

You bet fear, and loathing, and not just in Las Vegas.

[Gyre]

67. Fuck him.

Elect THIS bitch! :nuke:

Gyre

[Placebo]

68. Candidates & Elected Officials Set Policy...

Dean takes care of the rest. End of story.

[DemoMemo]

71. Sorry, We Set Policy

This is the kind of sniping and infighting that hurts the party. Hoyer and Dean both have to be smart enough to know that they work for us. We set the policy. I think Dean knows who he works for. Hoyer is a career politician, who -- by the way -- does a very good job. But, his remarks, if accurate, are really not very helpful to us. We need the party to succeed.