Posted on 09/24/2011 7:01:33 AM PDT by Kaslin
Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultzs toxic brew of fierce partisanship and eyebrow-arching statements has been alienating moderate voters and raising conservatives ire ever since she assumed the position in May. DWS has arrived on the national stage with a bang, exhibiting a contentious relationship with the truth and a special knack for incendiary rhetoric. Given her prominent role as a top party spokesperson, fundraiser and cheerleader, some of Wasserman Schultzs critics may forget that she simultaneously wears another hat: Three-term Congresswoman from Floridas 20th Congressional District. Karen Harrington wants to strip DWS of that title in 2012.
A local businesswoman and relative political novice, Harrington is gearing up for a second run at DWS in the upcoming general election. Last year, she cobbled together a rag-tag, under-funded campaign, and fell to the incumbent by a 61-39 margin. This time, she says, could be different: We didnt know what we were doing [in 2010]. We ran a short, five-month campaign and didnt have very much money. This time well have 18 months, and weve brought [Florida Senator] Marco Rubios finance chairman on board. Were traveling the district and the state introducing ourselves. A lot of people really dont like Debbie.
Although 2010 marked the first time in DWS Congressional career that she attracted less than 70 percent of the vote, Harrington readily admits that 2012 will still be an uphill climb. Voter registration runs roughly 2-to-1 Democrat to Republican in the district. Nevertheless, the Harrington campaign views President Obamas unpopularity especially in Florida, where only 41 percent of state voters say he deserves a second term, according to a new Quinnipiac poll as a major vulnerability for their opponent in 2012.
America realizes that Obamas policies are failing. Its Debbies job to defend them, and sometimes she blatantly lies in doing that, Harrington says. If Obamas dismal numbers dont improve in the Sunshine State, a reflexive and prominent Obama defender may run into trouble anywhere -- even a left-leaning district that encompasses much of Broward County, and part of Miami Dade.
The Harrington campaign will also seek to exploit another perceived Achilles heel associated with DWS new role at the DNC. The people of our district elected her, and shes getting paid to be our Congresswoman, but shes never home. Shes always flying around the country campaigning and raising money for other people. Were an afterthought, Harrington says. This line of attack has spawned a snappy, unofficial Harrington campaign slogan: Debbie Wasserman Schultz is a part-time Congresswoman, but shes Americas full time problem.
The Republican has crisscrossed the state spreading that message, and has generated a steady stream of donations. Fundraising has been pretty good so far. Weve been raising money from both inside and outside the district because Debbie is becoming a household name, and a lot of people want to beat her, she explains. One of Harringtons most effective fundraising tools is simply repeating her opponents own words, which more than occasionally drift into the realms of blind Obama devotion, inflammatory attacks, and factual inaccuracy. Debbies mouth is the gift that keeps on giving, Harrington chuckles.
The contrasts between the two women are numerous and substantial. Wasserman Schultz has been active in Florida politics for two decades, relentlessly working her way up the food chain from local office holder to Congresswoman to national party chairwoman. She has zero private sector experience, according to Harrington, whose biography is markedly different. She runs her familys successful restaurant business, which consists of three branches of Rickeys eateries in the greater Ft. Lauderdale area.
Were known for our wings -- family recipe since 1978, Harrington beams. But you wouldnt want to miss our homemade key lime pie, either. Its clear that she takes immense pride in her familys hard work and success. Ive done everything at Rickeys, from cutting chicken for the wings to managing the restaurants, she explains. A central element of running the local franchises involved managing personnel; Harrington employs approximately 95 people. She says she knows what it takes to pay the bills and meet a payroll, another piece of real-world experience DWS lacks.
Ironically, the Democratic incumbent has actually helped grow Harringtons business over the years. She and her husband used to eat at our restaurants all the time, Harrington recalls. Wasserman Schultzs patronage curiously dried up last year, however. We noticed that Debbie stopped coming in after I first ran for office, which I guess isnt a surprise. She likes punishing the private sector when things dont go her way.
The chasm between Harrington and Wasserman Schultz extends far beyond background and experience, of course; theyre also worlds apart ideologically. Im a conservative Republican, Harrington says, explaining that she doesnt embrace the Tea Party label because her passion on issues pre-dates the existence of that movement. Her policy goals settle comfortably within the GOP mainstream: Repealing Obamacare, reining in taxes and regulations (theyre killing us because its so hard to plan ahead), and addressing the exploding national debt. She supports the Ryan budget, and backed the House-passed Cut, Cap, and Balance debt reduction measure this summer. Harrington is pro-life and supports the Defense of Marriage Act, although she concedes that social issues arent on a lot of peoples front-burners right now.
Another issue on which Harrington senses an opening to challenge DWS is US-Israeli relations. Florida, and especially the 20th district, is home to a large and engaged Jewish population. Im a strong supporter of Israel. Debbie says she is, too, but as DNC Chair, she has to stand behind this president and all of his positions, she says, sounding a well-worn theme. After quoting statistics suggesting that Obamas support among Jewish Floridians has eroded considerably since 2008, Harrington alleges that Wasserman Schultz has backpedaled and obfuscated on Obamas infamous 1967 borders comments made in mid-May. Its amazing. Debbie has been side-stepping these questions, she scoffs, adding that her campaign kept a very close eye on the dynamics of the GOP upset in NY-09 earlier this month.
Israel isnt the only subject on which Wasserman Schultz has been elusive. She refused to debate Harrington last year, turning down all four invitations a relatively common tactic of comfortable incumbents. One of the few opportunities that district voters have to meet with their representative, Harrington asserts, is at unannounced, highly controlled and choreographed town hall meetings.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz doesnt have any real plans to help our district or fix this economy. All she does is attack, Harrington says, arguing that South Florida voters deserve an on-the-job representative who isnt tasked with defending every last one of her partys failed ideas. Were making name ID and fundraising inroads, and were getting ready to give Debbie her toughest fight ever, she says. To that end, her campaign has launched its official website: FireDebbie.com.
An added benefit to firing Debbie would be that we wouldn’t have to look at her mayonnaise hair anymore.
I sorta like Debbie. She’s an apt representative for the dim-bulb-crats.
Heck, if you add her and the OBamaloon’s IQ, you must might get double digits.
Please don’t fire Debbie ,,,,,, she’s PRICELESS ,,,,
As a result of the 2010 Census did Florida Re-districting impact Debbie’s District?
Just sent Karen a donation... at http://www.karenforcongress.com/
That’s the first time I saw a picture of her showing her from the waist down. Wow, now I know why.
wow, and I thought Pontiac was the wide-track
DWS' new role at the DNC is to DWS (Demagogue While Stupid).
What a great descriptive!
That photo is beggin’ for a captioning...
“we wouldnt have to look at her mayonnaise hair anymore.”
That’s not hair! It’s matted fur.
If she flies Southwest, they’re gonna charge her for two seats.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz's toxic brew of fierce partisanship and eyebrow-arching statements has been alienating moderate voters and raising conservatives' ire... exhibiting a contentious relationship with the truthIOW, she lies, and is a liar.
For moving the independent voters to the right, there are no better people we could have out there speaking than Howard Dean and Debbie Washerwoman Shultz.
She thinks Bammy is the savior/genius of the millennium. Debbie is madly in love with Bammy. You can see it any photo of the two. If she wasn't a mother of three she would be giving Obama what Lewinsky gave Clintoon
I'll pick up that gauntlet.
"So tell me, schatzi - is it twue what they say about the way you people are.... gifted?"
I don't think being a mother of three would stop her. The only thing that might stop her would be 0bamas reluctance to receive a Lewinsky from a white woman.
Google Mans Country for insight into his preferences.
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