Maybe it’s just me …
… but I find myself wishing Debbie Wasserman Schultz was a candidate to be the Democratic Senate nominee from Florida. In a state with only a handful of political stars (Alan Grayson is another, but may be too unpredictable to grow beyond the House,) she certainly is one. Her appearance on “This Week” today was a fine example of how Democrats, when they have convictions, can sock it to the opposition without appearing shrill. Watch as the congresswoman, a breast cancer survivor herself, takes down Marsha Blackburn and her blizzard of page numbers (raise your hand if you think Blackburn has really read the House healthcare bill…) for politicizing the illness:
Nice work. There are, I’m sure, a lot of reasons the congresswoman chose not to run, not least of which is her friendship with and loyalty to Kendrick Meek, who clearly wanted and pushed for the shot this year, causing Florida Democrats to clear the field (having Bill Clinton in his corner didn’t hurt, either.) Or maybe she just doesn’t want the job. That’s too bad. Wasserman-Schultz would have instantly energized women, and Hillary Clinton supporters in particular, who would have then had the prospect of two women running statewide next year (counting Alex Sink). White, middle class women are going to be crucial to the party’s prospects next year, and a “year of the woman” narrative could have been a strong counterpoint to the “year of the government overthrow” message pumping up the other side, especially with younger women, who might not be so reliable on turnout next year. Even if Democrats just had a serious primary, a person of Wasserman-Schultz’s political skills and charisma would have instantly driven interest in the race, and weakened the Republicans by driving them away from the riskier — but more passion-inducing — Rubio, toward a wounded Charlie Crist. And with her griwubg profile (and personal story) on healthcare, Wasserman-Schultz would have had an easier time raising her statewide name I.D. than Mr. Meek, who has no signature issue or theme (at this point) to organize his candidacy around. Anyway, wishful thinking. Not a useful way to spend a Sunday.
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