I have no problem if the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the campaign arm of the House Democrats, chooses to come out as a lobbying and support group for incumbents only . Indeed, I’d rather they be honest about it.
I gave once to the DCCC, long enough ago that I’m sure they have spent more on postage sending me requests for further donations than I gave them the first time. Their open declaration that their priority is only around incumbent congressfolk further frees me from any sense of obligation to donate to them again.
I don’t necessarily have a problem with incumbents per se. Experience and individual track records can be a good thing. But I don’t feel that it’s in the party’s, or America’s, interest to place all our hopes (and money) on them. Incumbency is not a virtue; nor is preservation of it except for those who benefit from such a mission. And while I expect that, given the truckling over the past few years by national and local GOP politicians to that narcissistic menace in the White House, I’ll be voting for and supporting Democratic candidates in 2020, I can donate quite easily and directly to the ones I care for, rather than hand money to a Preserve the Party Status Quo committee.
Do you want to know more?
- House Democratic Leadership Warns It Will Cut Off Any Firms That Challenge Incumbents
- The DCCC’s undemocratic decision