Kerry to Tap Dick Durbin and Stephanie Tubbs Jones for Senior DNC Posts

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/1_1/breakingnews/5159-1.html (subscription required)

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is expected to name two Midwestern Members of Congress to senior level posts at the Democratic National Committee in the coming days to help him raise money and amplify his message on the campaign trail.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio) are negotiating specific roles and titles with Kerry’s presidential campaign staff, four well-placed Democratic sources confirmed late Wednesday afternoon.

“It is important to the Kerry campaign to have these two Members play important leadership roles not only because of the leadership they display in their key states, but their national leadership as well,” said a key Kerry adviser, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Joe Shoemaker, a spokesman for Durbin would not speak directly to the issue, saying: “Senator Kerry has talked publicly about Senator Durbin playing an increasing role in the campaign.” A spokeswoman for Jones would not speak on the subject and a spokesman at the Kerry campaign could not be reached for comment.

Tubbs Jones like Kucinich is based out of Cleveland. Durbin is great too. I am glad Kerry has them out there, those are two dems I would like to have represent me or be my senator.

Jones is a very sharp strategist from what I have heard.

Jones was once considered for governor of Ohio but she turned it down, that political alamanac of mine sure is useful. Ive also used it in my research on proving Kerry is more liberal than some think.

I'm one of Durbin's constituents. The man is fantastic. Im getting reall y happy to have a possible Illinois delegation of Durbin and Obama!!!

http://obamaforillinois.com


Anyway, if Durbin is VP, I think he's involved in that GOP-spying-advocacy group memos to Teddy Kennedy thing. We gotta watch out for the radical Wingnuts on that.


Ah, who am I kidding, SCREW the right wing! They can bitch all they want, but they chose * over McCain, so they deserve the fallout from his failed policies.

This guy is a class act! And IL is safe...OBAMA IS GOING TO PUMMEL RYAN!

By 20 points!

Ryan, just give up!

I dont know what it is with the ILGOP.

George Ryan: Scandal ridden. -- Licenses for bribes
Jim Ryan: scandal ridden: the mexican dupage county murder case coverup
Jack Ryan: scandal -- possibly messy Jeri Ryan divorce thing and lousy last name


OK, Jack Ryan's marriage to Jeri is none of our business. Unfortunately for him, the Tribune and one TV station is working to unseal his complete divorce record. Obama's campaign is backing off.

And it ain't no coincidence that "Big" Jim Thompson is on the 9/11 whitewash commision.

Is there something about these two that I am unaware of? I have positive feelings about both of them but also posess an open mind. Share.

I also am curious.

I think there is room for more. :)

and philanthropic cities in America?

And Durbin is WAY more high profile than you think.

What would you like?

I'm sure a few of us progressives and liberals are stunned that Durbin and Jones are beneath slink's standards.

I am thrilled that Kerry is sending such a forceful signal that progressives will have a greater voice in the DNC powerstructure.

Only real committed DLC centrists would be offended.

:)

who is gifted with the innate capacity to come across as moderate.

He NEVER takes shit from Republicans EVER.

:)

Or is it just his campaign?

Now that Kerry is effectively the nominee and therefore the head of the party. He tells the DNC what they are going to do and they listen.

Not that I don't want him to. And I also could give a fuck if this pisses off Daschle, but it just doesn't seem accurate.

he doesn't have to be the official nominee to make these decisions. there is no formality in this. it's just that whoever is seen as the head of the party often picks people for the dnc. he doesn't have to do it , but he wants to.

He is the one that got the investigation going on the stolen memos and also was the one who pushed for the investigation of Halliburton waste. Sen. Durbin is also one of the major reasons the Energy Bill has not passed so far. He is one of only a handful of Democrats who stood up and cried fowl during these past couple of years when all the others were playing BushCo lapdogs.

Would this appointment mean he would have to leave the Senate?

Obama is looking really good right now, but we won't be sure until November.

FWIW, I doubt Durbin will leave the Senate (except to run for the White House), but even IF he did, given the Dem Governor in Illinois along with the Dem House and Senate, I think it is a safe bet that we'd see another Dem to replace Durbin.

I can see Dan Hynes (State Comptroller and Dem Senate primary candidate this last time) maybe being in line for it (however, Blag and Hynes are not best buddies these days) along with maybe Emil Jones (another black State Senator--talk about an historic opportunity for Illinois!) Jones is a long shot, however because he's not seen as being terribly polished even if he is the Illinois Senate Majority Leader.

Maybe (less desirable, but quite possible) Glen Poshard who is well liked downstate but not liberal at all, would be considered. Maybe Rahm Emanuel from Chicago area--I dunno how he and Blag do with each other. Maybe even Congress woman Jan Shakowski (however her husband is under federal indictment right now and that could be an issue.)

My best guess is that Blag would look to downstate for somebody--if I had to bet on it as of today, I'd look at Jay Hoffman from the East St. Louis/ Belleville area. He was one of the first to climb on board for Blag when he ran for Governor, and Blagojevich badly needs to shore up support in downstate. Another added plus would be that Durbin was originally from that same general area as Hoffman...

From talking to Durbin staffers, however, I don't see him as likely to leave his Senate seat except to serve as President someday.

Laura

not an alternative one.

Then it is okay to share him with Kerry. I just didn't want to lose him as a Senator of my state.

The article says that it will be like when Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut became chair of the DNC in the '90s. He remained a senator but was also DNC chair. Now, Durbin will remain in the senate but also be some type of official at the DNC along with Stephanie Tubbs Jones who will remain in the House.

Why on earth would any lefty be bothered by Kerry's choices here?

Back when TBD was president, DNC leadership wad divided into two arms--the Chairman and staff (in those days Steve Grossman, then Joe Andrew), who ran the day to day operations of the DNC, and the National Chairman (Roy Romer, then Ed Rendell) who oversaw the the message and fundraising operations. Late in Joe Andrew's tenure he decided he wanted to take over the whole thing, and we all know how that went. Terry continued that practice, and we know how that went in 02.

Durbin is the perfect choice--a good fundraiser and a great messenger of our party's ideals.

.

....Both appear to have the "common touch" while at the same time very formidable styles to combat the wingnuts....Kerry has certainly fired a shot across the bow of the GOPs cruise ship Titanic......

I know less about Tubbs Jones but I'm willing to learn! :-)