from an encounter between Democrat strategists Paul Begala, a Clinton supporter, and Donna Braizelle, an Obama supporter: getting nasty........
PAUL BEGALA, CLINTON SUPPORTER, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: Well, I
think Alex makes an interesting allegation — put it this way — or
point. He said that Obama is closing the door on those white,
working-class voters. I don’t think that’s the case at all, although
some of the commentary tonight kind of bothers me.
When people say things — I love Donna and we go back 22 years.
We’ve never been on different sides of an arguments in our entire lives.
But if her point is that there’s a new Democratic Party that somehow
doesn’t need or want white working-class people and Latinos, well count
me out.
DONNA BRAZILE, CNN CONTRIBUTOR: Paul, baby, I did not say that.
BEGALA: We cannot win with egg heads.
Let me finish my point.
We cannot win with egg heads and African-Americans. OK, that is the
Dukakis Coalition, which carried ten states and gave us four years of
the first George Bush.
President Clinton — reached across to get a whole lot of
Republicans and Independents to come. I think Senator Obama and Senator
Clinton both have that capacity. They both have a unique ability –
well it’s not unique if they both have it. They both have a remarkable
ability to reach out to those working-class white folks and Latinos.
Senator Clinton has proven it; Barack has not yet, but he can. And I
certainly hope he is not shutting the door on expanding the party.
BROWN: OK. Let — egg heads and African-Americans? That’s the new
coalition?
BRAZILE: First of all, Paul, you didn’t hear me right. Maybe I
should come and cook you something because you’ve got a little hearing
problem.
I was one of the first Democrats who were going to the white
working-class neighborhoods, encouraging white Democrats not to forget
their roots. I have drank more beers with “Joe Six Pack,” “Jane Six
Pack” and everybody else than most white Democrats that you’re talking
about.
In terms of Hispanics, you know Paul, I know the math. I know
Colorado; I know Nevada; I know New Mexico. So that’s not the issue.
I’m saying that we need to not divide and polarize the Democratic Party
as if the Democratic Party will rely simply on white, blue collar male–
you insult every black blue collar Democrat by saying that.
So stop the divisions. Stop trying to split us into these groups,
Paul, because you and I know both know we have been in more campaigns.
We know how Democrats win and to simply suggest that Hillary’s coalition
is better than Obama’s, Obama’s is better than Hillary’s — no. We have
a big party, Paul.
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