Democrats’ Civil War in Pennsylvania’s 8th District
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has had a horrible week – and it’s only Thursday. First the DCCC loses it candidate in FL-13. Then the most senior Democrat in the House failed to get on the ballot in MI-13. Next the DCCC called an Iraq War vet and paratrooper a “coward.”
Now, they are embroiled in a viscous civil war in Pennsylvania’s 8th District primary. The DCCC hitched its star early to D.C. resident Kevin Strouse, touting him as the kind of candidate that they needed to retake the House. Emily’s List disagreed, choosing to back Shaughnessy Naughton.
Strouse’s support from Nancy Pelosi and the DCCC hasn’t led to much local support and just yesterday former Pennsylvania Governor and Chairman of the DNC Ed Rendell endorsed Naughton.
So now we have a former DNC chairman and Emily’s List vs. the DCCC. And that doesn’t even account for the battle between the candidates, which has taken a nasty turn.
All to find out who gets to lose by double digits to Congressman Fitzpatrick in November.
NRCC Comment: “This week the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee lost a recruit in Florida, may lose its most senior incumbent from Michigan, and lost all credibility by calling an Iraq War veteran a ‘coward’ in New York. Given all that, the last thing Nancy Pelosi, Steve Israel, and the DCCC need is a civil war between two underwhelming Democrats in Pennsylvania’s 8th District primary. Unfortunately for them, that is exactly what is unfolding as Kevin Strouse and Shaughnessy Naughton are fighting a nasty battle for the right to lose by double digits to Congressman Fitzpatrick.” – NRCC Spokesman Ian Prior