Martin Frost as DNC chair?

[imenja]

I'd like to hear what people know and think about Martin Frost and his suitability as chair of the DNC. I understand most DU members will only consider Dean for chair. Leaving that aside, even assuming Dean is the best candidate, I'd like to promote a discussion of Frost's qualifications.

When he spoke at the Southern Democratic Caucus, he demonstrated a fierce determination to take on the Republicans, and Delay in particular. He also noted that in our quest to win the white Southern vote, we cannot forsake African-Americans.

Would others please share what you know and think about Frost?

[SharonAnn]

1. I was very impressed with him and his absolute determination to

stand up for Democratic values and take the fight to the Republicans.

That, and the fact that he said his wife is the (?) highest ranking woman in the Army and is a ?? Can't remember the rank.

I'd prefer Dean but I'd be very happy with Frost.

[Lostnote03]

2. .....again if my vote counted, Frost is Certainly worthy and able!!!!

[dolstein]

3. It Could Happen . . .

While I wouldn't consider Frost to be the kind of genius political strategist that could return the Democrats to majority party status, he could emerge as a concensus candidate. As a moderate but highly partisan Southernor, it's hard to imagine his selection upsetting any key Democratic constituencies. He's also popular among Democrats in the House, and previously headed up the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. I haven't seen him on the political talk shows, so I don't know what kind of spokesman he'd but. But I'd much rather have Frost as DNC Chair than Howard Dean, that's for sure.

[tkmorris]

4. I don't know him well but

He seems like a pretty effective campaigner and spokeman. This is from his site:

"In 1995, following the loss of the U.S. House majority to Newt Gingrich and the Republicans, Congressman Frost was chosen by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Politicians and pundits alike predicted further losses for House Democrats, but Martin Frost would hear none of it. He dramatically revamped the DCCC, restructuring both the Finance and Political divisions. For the first time in its history, the DCCC invested in Hispanic and African American turnout efforts at the local level to maximize Democratic turnout in marginal districts.



Despite dire predictions of more losses, Frost proved the pundits wrong, and House Democrats picked up 14 seats during the four years he served as DCCC Chair. No subsequent DCCC has been as successful. Frost’s colleagues recognized his success by electing him to Chair the House Democratic Caucus. As Caucus Chair, Frost proved himself as one of our party’s most effective, insightful and persuasive spokespersons.



At home in Texas, Frost has worked closely and effectively with his State Party. Following the loss of statewide Democratic office holders in Texas, Frost led a coordinated campaign effort with state party and legislative leaders that protected a number of very marginal legislative and congressional seats and challenged vulnerable GOP seats. In 1996, 1998 and 2000, during the height of Governor Bush’s popularity, most Texas observers expected the Democrats to lose their State House majority. However, Democrats held a majority in the Texas State House and a 17 - 13 majority in the Texas Congressional Delegation. The GOP was able to claim a majority in the Texas Legislature and Congressional Delegation only after Tom DeLay’s outrageous and illegal redistricting efforts.

http://www.martinfrost.com/

That's a fair to middlin' resume he's carrying. I'd like to see more of him myself.

[ClarkUSA]

5. I like him. I support Dean but also like Frost

He is very down-to-earth and no showboat, but he has a quiet charisma borne of sheer intensity of intellect and seriousness of purpose. He headed up the DCCC at one time. DeLay's redistricting cost him his bitterly-contested House race in 2004
so he'd love to tear the GOP limb-from-limb. He knows the Southern mentality and he's Jewish, which makes him a unique blend of sensibilities. I think he'd be
a great organizational mind with lots of good ideas - with Dean as spokesman
with lots of good ideas.

He's a solid pick whose ego is firmly in check and he has no national ambitions to cloud his thinking. :thumbsup:

[PassingFair]

6. He would definately be my second choice.

However, if Dean is not chosen, no money from the sweat of MY brow will EVER go directly to the dem party. It will all have to filter through DFA first.

[crispini]

7. Speaking as a Dallasite, Martin's an asskicker

who is not afraid to take on the tough fights. And he ran a HELL of a campaign, complete with "wily pol" tricks. He's a seasoned campaigner and strategist.

That said, his district was perhaps more red than he had bargained for, and his (resulting?) "tough on Iraq" stance is not going to sit well with the more left-of-center Dems. He ran a TV ad here which paired HIM with Shrubya as "tough on terra." :puke: More than one local Dem got upset about it and called him on it, and I don't think it ran very long, but still, I didn't like to see that.

Martin's a good guy, and he's shown a continued track record of producing good legislation (the Amber Alerts, among other things). He's also done very well for his district.

I'd be happy with Martin -- and there is no doubt that the Texas delegation will support him until he drops out. But at this point I'm worried that if it's anyone other than Dean, that'll piss off an awful lot of people.

Rumor says that Dean's actually the 2nd choice for a lot of the Texas delegation-- make of that what you will. :shrug:

[Bouncy Ball]

8. I live in his (former) district

he's far too moderate for my taste. The way he stayed in office here was to appease the republicans a LOT.

No thanks.

[imenja]

9. moderate in what sense?

Would you please be specific? Thanks

[Bouncy Ball]

11. I can't get very specific, sorry.

But I know that several Dems who worked on his campaign this past year had to hold their noses to do so, since he touted himself as being in step with a lot of republican-endorsed policies.

See crispini's post for more. He certainly isn't against the war and that's a big deal breaker for me.

He's very moderate. Almost right-leaning. I don't want more "go along to get along" Dems in charge, no thanks. He'd be a GREAT deal better than McAuliffe, but not nearly as good as Dean.

(I've got nothing against Frost personally and I'd take him back as my congresscritter in a heartbeat--I got a repuke now--but for DNC chair? No.)

[mhr]

25. I Worked His Campaign Last Fall As Well - Martin Is Definitely Moderate

In Dallas, The Choice Was Pete Sessions Or Martin Frost.

That choice was easy to make - Martin all the way.

However, for DNC chair - It's Dean in spades.

[imenja]

44. additional opinions?

kick

[Comicstripper]

12. Personally, I think a Southerner could only help.

Remember, this guy won't be writing legislation. He'll be representing the party. Frost has proven to be popular in the south (Texas, no less). He's a good speaker and a quick debater. Agree with him or not, he won't be making policy. I like the guy just fine.
To spare myself the nervous breakdowns I suffered during the Presidential Election, I'm gonna sit this one out. Watch from the sidelines. It's a little easier and a lot more fun.

[Bouncy Ball]

13. I hear ya.

I just want someone in there who is really going to get us back to being Democrats. I've seen Frost do too much glad-handling to think he would do that.

[imenja]

16. people seek to think of DNC chair as head policy spokesman

Which is not what the position has been in the past. It's importance is in terms of organizing, fund raising, and election strategy. I also agree there is an advantage to having someone who doesn't have aspirations for higher office, as Dean does. The fact Frost is a Southerner is also good. From what I can tell, he is every bit as fierce as Howard Dean.

On Washington Week in Review, the commentators noted that this is the first time in the history of the Democratic party that so many politicians have vied for DNC chair. They attributed that to the fact that the party is at a crossroads.

Whomever people decide they think is an acceptable DNC chair, it's important to remember that we are not choosing a presidential candidate or congressional majority leader. The demands of the job and thus the qualification are quite different.

[Bouncy Ball]

19. Look, I understand that.

I simply don't have Frost as my first pick. You asked, I answered. Don't worry, I don't get a vote.

[imenja]

21. of course you do

I'm not suggesting you don't. I'm simply making a point of my own. I haven't made a decision on who I want for chair. I won't even be able to vote on the position. I'm just interested in discussing the options.

By the way, this post was in response to someone else's comments, not yours. You certainly should not interpret it as an attack on you or anyone else for that matter.

[imenja]

23. p.s. and I've very glad that you did share your point of view.

Thank you.

[dolstein]

14. What, you expected him to vote like Cynthia McKinney?

Get real. House members are accoutable to their constituents. And Martin Frost compiled a voting record that was acceptable to the voters in his district. Indeed, Frost represented his constituents so successfully that the GOP had to gerrymander him out of a job.

[Bouncy Ball]

15. Yep, they sure did.

And I knew repukes who were very happy with Frost. That told me something.

I'm not saying he's a bad guy. I'm saying I want someone who I know is going to really get this party back where it belongs--in a very strong progressive position.

I don't see Frost being the guy who would do that. It's exactly his experience with needing to "conservative-ize" his positions that make me unsure of him as DNC chair.

[imenja]

17. so now you have a Republican congressman

They have to represent their districts. That is their job. Frost was purposefully redistricted out of office, but to demand a Texas Democrat act or vote like he is from San Francisco is a guaranteed path to Republican domination.

[Bouncy Ball]

18. WHO said he had to act like he was from San Fransisco???

I said I KNEW why he voted the way he did. Doesn't mean I think he's a good pick for DNC chair.

[imenja]

20. you said your friends expected him to vote like C McKinney

I used geography and chose San Francisco rather than Georgia, to illustrate the regional point.

[Bouncy Ball]

22. Where did I say my friends expected him to vote like

Cynthia McKinney????

[imenja]

24. subject headings

The subject heading of the post that you replied to said: "Did they expect him to vote like C McKinney." Yours said: "Yep, they sure did." I thought you were responding to the preceding subject line. After reading again, I realize you were referring to his being redistricted out of office. I apologize for the mistake. If you look at the posts from the perspective of someone who didn't write them, you'll see there was a reason for my mistake.

[RogueTrooper]

that was a poster called dolstein

who was presenting a straw man arguement. You should read who is posting comments more closely.

[imenja]

29. Sir

It was bouncy ball's response to dolstein. I did read them, and I already explained and apologized for the mistake in interpretation. None of my comments were directed at you.

[RogueTrooper]

27. that was a poster called dolstein

who was presenting a straw man argument. You should read who is posting comments more closely.

[Albert Einstein]

35. Of course, that's exactly what Dean has done.

Dean kept repeating that he was to the right of Bush on various issues. His positions on the environment were more in line with those of Whitman, Norton and Veneman than with the Democratic Party. I wish Democrats would stop trying to reach the Republicans. Dean managed to convince me that he might oppose the environmentalists on most matters.

[AntiCoup2K4]

31. Cynthia McKinney doesn't exactly live in a blue state liberal paradise...

...maybe if more so-called "Democrats" did vote like Cynthia McKinney we would actually HAVE a goddamned opposition party in this country?

[imenja]

41. For congresspeople it is their district that matters

and she was defeated, remember? It's wonderful that she has been able to gain office again, but to imagine politicians should ignore the concerns of their constituents in favor of your particular agenda is not exactly Democratic.
I'd love to see a more progressive party, but to achieve that, we need a more progressive nation. How the ideas are framed are crucial to persuading voters.

[itzamirakul]

10. What is his relationship with the DLC?

That point alone is major in deciding who I would support if I had a vote in this. I am excercising my write to email those who DO vote.

[saltpoint]

26. We could do worse, and have, often.

But if I'm the deciding vote, the job goes to Howard Dean.

[RogueTrooper]

28. No

He got turned over by Delay and that does not bode well for the future.

[ClarkUSA]

32. He got f*cked by DeLay's rancidly illegal redistricting

5 seats got lost that way (the only five that the GOP gained in 2004, btw).

Before that he was the highest-ranking Democrat in the House. Let's be as fair with other candidates as we are with our chosen favorites, okay?

[RogueTrooper]

33. Yes, that is the point

[ClarkUSA]

34. DeLay had to fight to win, which was a shocker for the GOP...

and Frost lost by a much smaller margin than expected in a very-red redrawn district. DeLay was forced to actually campaign in-state and spend millions
to defend a seat thought impregnable to many earlier last year.

Martin Frost hates DeLay. Look, I know you're for Dean, and so am I, but if Dean can be allies with Rosenberg (who is pro-Iraq War and never held office in his life and who's DLC) then cut some slack to Frost, who could make a very smart choice to be a second-tier leader under Dean.

[RogueTrooper]

36. I have nothing against Frost, per say

In fact I have nothing against any of the candidates. But I do want somebody who has a record of success against the Republicans. What Delay did was a disgrace to Democracy.

[ClarkUSA]

37. Frost had a LONG record of success against Republicans before DeLay

crapped on the Texas Constitution. I hope Dean and Frost can work together in the DNC to crush DeLay, because Frost understands Southerners.

Frost also presided over the greatest gain in House seats in DNC history as DCCC Chair from 1998-2002. That's proven organizational and strategic success against the Republicans. He'd be a great COO compliment to Dean's DNC Chair, IMO.

Frost would have won in a landslide this year if DeLay hadn't played GOP thug
with TX districts.

Rogue Trooper, I just want the best, too. :hippie:

[imenja]

40. that would seem to count Dean out

If you criteria is electoral success, Dean doesn't come out well outside of Vermont. I don't have a position on who should be chair of the DNC, but I know Frost had a very strong record defeating Republicans as head of the DCCC.

[ClarkUSA]

42. I'd like to see Dean and Frost co-chair the DNC with Dean as spokesman

and Frost as the organizational behind-the-scenes nuts-and-bolts guy with both working on a combined strategy to crush the GOP until they cry for their mommies.

[marcologico]

30. I like the idea of getting an LBJ in there to round up some red states.

n/t

[ClarkUSA]

38. Frost's voting scores look Democratic to me

Here is a representative sampling of his most recent voting scores--

AFL-CIO: 93 percent

Human Rights Campaign: 88 percent

Leadership Conference on Civil Rights: 92 percent

League of Conservation Voters: 85 percent

NARAL Pro Choice America: 100 percent

National Hispanic Leadership Agenda: 83 percent

[sendero]

39. Since the DNC chair...

... doesn't have to win an election from the general populace, I'd prefer Dean - since I like Dean's energy and toughness but I think he will have a very hard time ever winning something like the presidency.

That said, Frost wouldn't be bad. He's moderate, I'll give you that, but he's no pushover and he's a tough campaigner.

We could do a lot worse.

[BlueInRed]

43. Martin was my mom's rep for many years

And I see him a lot differently than some of the other DLC supported candidates. He is a scrappy fighter, knows the ins & outs of Congress and the DNC, hates Bush for redistricting him out of a job, and is conservative on some things, but pure Democrat on some others. He's also a big fundraiser. And he's been on the Sunday talk shows forever and knows the history of a lot of laws.

He's the kind of Democrat you see in the South when they've been around a long, long time. Sometimes they're willing to stand up for stuff that will surprise people who lump all Southern Dems in one bunch.

His old district had a lot of minorities, so he has definitely supported issues important to the minority community.

His negatives would be he's not Mr. Personality and he probably won't release a lot a power to the local parties, but then again, he has a tendency to surprise you, so he might do it anyway.

One thing's for certain, it would tick Bush off if Frost got it, because he was one of Bush's main targets in the Tx redistricting scam. And I think Frost would love to rub Bush's nose in it that he's still in a position of power.