The Democratic Congress Campaign Committee last year implemented a policy aimed at protecting House conscripts by cutting ties with polling stations and consultants working with candidates who pose primary challenges to sitting Democrats, even in districts that are considered “safe”.
The movement caused fierce pushback from young progressives at the time, who said it would create barriers for women and people of color to enter politics.
That Pelosi’s move on Thursday to back a primary challenger to Markey, which has won support from progressive Democrats and organizations, reigned that quarrel again. Although Pelosi’s approval does not explicitly violate the policy, which only challenges the House’s conscientious objectors, many accuse them of hypocrisy and favoritism.
New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to suggest that Pelosi’s distinction should make DCCC policy irrelevant.
No one gets to complain about primary challenges again. 🤗
Sa @dccc, when can we expect you to reverse your blacklist policy towards primary organizations?
Because between this & lack of care ran @IlhanMNThe challenger, it seems less like a policy and more an activity for cherry-picking. https://t.co/xSneSK8H2q
– Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) August 20, 2020
Representative Ro Khanna, a California Democrat who is also considered a rising star in the party, said the distinction belonged back to an era when party insiders anointed candidates in “smoke-filled rooms.”
Pelosi supporting Kennedy is just evidence to support that @EdMarkey case against dynasty and smoke filled rooms anointing candidates. Fat prediction: it will increase. Markey is two. My judgment now is that he wins the race with more than 5.. Https://t.co/o4gqZneCGw
– Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) August 20, 2020
Cynthia Nixon, an activist and actress who challenged Andrew Cuomo in the New York Democratic gubernatorial primary, said “the hypocrisy is blind.”
Our Revolution, a Bernie Sanders-affiliated group that looks to progressive Democrats, also accused Pelosi of hypocrisy in its approval.
Locally, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins called Kennedy a “privileged, legacy candidate,” and advised Democrats to elevate Kennedy, while at the same time speaking a convention for speeches for Representative Ayanna Pressley. Rollins also chased Kennedy for his appearance during his 2018 release of The State of the Union, in which he applied too much ChapStick before appearing on camera.
In an encouraging video on Thursday, Pelosi praised Kennedy as “brave” and credited him for helping to bring the House to Democratic control in mid-2018.
“Even earlier, times have required us to elect brave leaders like today, and that’s why I’m proud to support Joe Kennedy for the House of Representatives,” Pelosi said.
In a news release from the Kennedy campaign, Pelosi said: ‘Joe Kennedy represents the future of this Party. He will help lead Democrats forward on the defined field battles of our time. “
Kennedy did not ask Pelosi for a distinction, according to an aide to Pelosi. After all, the Speaker felt compelled to do so given Kennedy’s work on behalf of House Democrats during the 2018 election cycle, which she saw as essential to winning back the majority.
The aide said Pelosi was also concerned about attacks that leveled Markey’s campaign on Kennedy and the campaign’s references to his family. The helper specifically pointed to Markey’s recent digital advertising campaign, in which the senator quotes a famous John F. Kennedy line to say, “With all due respect, it’s time to start asking what you land for you. can do. “
However, their distinction comes at an opportune time for Democratic leadership, which seeks to broaden the party’s appeal as well as drive its base ahead of a fierce battle with President Trump in November. The tension has been evident in this week’s speaking line-up to this week’s convention. The prime-time programming featured a number of Republican speakers, including former Ohio Gov. John Kasich and former Secretary of State Colin Powell, even as rising stars like Pressley and former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro were left out.
Despite the anger of Markey’s progressive supporters, the 74-year-old senator, who had served Pelosi in the House for decades, responded graciously to the news.
“Speaker Nancy Pelosi is a great, effective leader who has shattered glass ceilings throughout her career. I had the privilege of working alongside Nancy in the Second Chamber for decades. Every candidate would be proud of their distinction, and I congratulate Congressman Kennedy on securing her support, ”Markey said in a statement released by his campaign.
Christina Prignano can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @cprignano. Victoria McGrane can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @vgmac.
