In something of an upset, former Labor Secretary Tom Perez has defeated Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison to become the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
Ellison was widely favored by the so-called progressive wing of the Democratic Party and was endorsed by Bernie Sanders. But there was the question of Ellison's history of anti-Semitic remarks and ties to the Nation of Islam and in the end it proved a bridge too far for top Democrats.
Given President Trump's reluctance to condemn anti-Semitism, choosing someone with his own history of anti-Semitism would have undermined the credibility of the Democrats. It seems there is a semblance of sanity within the DNC which is more than I can say of the Trump Administration.
Upon his election, Perez named Ellison his deputy. One could argue that Perez is setting the stage for Ellison to be his eventual successor. On the other hand, it was probably the most politically expedient thing for Perez to do. It would mollify the progressives while at the same time "keeping his friends close, keeping his enemies closer."
Perez has quite a task ahead of him. Aside of being shut out of the White House and Congress, Democrats, they have only 16 Governor's mansions and only control 12 state legislatures. Much of that can be put at the feet of Perez's former boss, Barack Obama. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and Donna Brazile were utterly ineffectual and did their party more harm than good. But I have heard good things about Perez. During the last years of the Clinton Administration, Perez was the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (I work as a contractor in its New England regional office).
It will be interesting to see though if Perez can keep Ellison in line or if Ellison will work behind the scenes to undermine him. But for the moment, Democrats have chosen wisely.
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