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There was a bit of a stink after Chuck Todd suggested the Democrats wish they had the diversity the GOP showed at the RNC this week. Josh Marshall said it was, “one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard anyone say.” And then Marshall and Todd debated about it over Twitter. At which point Todd made it clear that he was reporting what the Obama campaign had said to him.
And this is reported material btw, not pundit speculation.
Marshall pointed out how diverse the Democratic party is.
Dude. Actually, let me rephrase that … DUDE. Black prez. 2 asian-am sens, 1 Hisp sen, black gov. (1/3)
2 huge caucuses of hispanic & af-am lawmakers in House, do u really believe the dems “had to go” to a red state to (2/3)
To which Todd repeatedly suggested that this came from the Obama Administration and claimed he was talking about “high profile” positions.
how many govs and senators do the dems have on this front? That was my point. High profile positions
ask the Obama campaign if they wish they had govs and sens as diverse as GOP right now.
Now, frankly, I think Chuck Todd’s problem–in this particular instance–is that he repeated what the Obama campaign said to him, rather than pointing out how crazy the Obama campaign is. It’s not just diversity they want, it’s the right kind of diversity.
Which brings me to the Sunday shows, which include the following lineups–which presumably were made with the significant input of the Obama Administration. (h/t Elliott)
ABC’s This Week: White House senior adviser David Plouffe.
CBS’ Face the Nation:Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD), former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Obama Deputy Campaign Manager Stephanie Cutter.
CNN’s State of the Union: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Gov. Bev Perdue (D-NC), and Gov. Martin O’Malley (D-MD). Then, Obama Senior Campaign Adviser Robert Gibbs. Senior Romney Campaign Adviser Eric Fehrnstrom.
Fox News Sunday:DNC Chair Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Obama Campaign Senior Advisor David Axelrod.
NBC’s Meet the Press:Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel.
The Latino Mayor of Los Angeles, a tainted but Latino former Governor of New Mexico, lots of dickish top campaign advisors, dickish Rahm, Governor O’Malley (who’s been a superb campaign surrogate).
And just two women, one Stephanie Cutter appearance and one appearance from the Governor of the state hosting the Convention.
Not even DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who whatever else I might say about her is also a terrific media figure. To say nothing of someone like Elizabeth Warren.
Now, first of all, aren’t Dems supposed to be winning by turning out all the women? Aside from Cutter, are any of these assholish advisors–Axe, Plouffe, Gibbs–really the people you want to be reaching out to women?
And is it really a good idea to have people notorious for beating up the party base as the guys introducing the party convention?
I’m beginning to really sympathize with Todd on this point. The Democratic party has terrific diversity. I’m just not sure the campaign likes that diversity.