secret recording released

The Intercept has the full audio of Steny Hoyer’s attempts to force Levi Tillemann out of the CO-6 primary (first reported by Colorado Politics in January), and it is brutal.

Some of the greatest hits:

• SH: “Yeah, I’m for Crow. I am for Crow because a judgment was made very early on. I didn’t know Crow. I didn’t participate in the decision. But a decision was made early on by the Colorado delegation.”
• LT: “So your position is, a decision was made very early on before voters had a say, and that’s fine because the DCCC knows better than the voters of the 6th Congressional District, and we should line up behind that candidate.”
• SH: “That’s certainly a consequence of our decision.”
• LT: “Which means effectively, Congressman Hoyer, I’m running a campaign against Crow, and against you, and against the DCCC. Because you guys are on Crow’s side.”
• SH: “Yeah. You know, frankly, that happens in life all the time.”

Nobody’s reaction was better than Tilleman himself, who told The Intercept for their story:

“They squash progressive candidates. They destroy the diversity of ideas in their caucus. They keep ideas like ‘Medicare for All,’ free community college, or impeaching Donald Trump from having a significant role in the national conversation. The issues that resonate most with voters are not the issues that the DCCC is telling candidates to focus on.” – Progressive congressional candidate Levi Tillemann