Perez and Ellison agree on DNC playing neutral role in primary

Both front-runners to lead the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn.) and former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, agreed to stay neutral in party primaries.  As the dust settles on a 2016 presidential primary where evidence of favoritism within the DNC drove a wedge into the party and cost it its chairwoman, both candidates preached a hands-off approach on primaries.  But South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jaime Harrison bucked that idea, arguing that brutal primaries hurt Democrats’ chances of winning races.  ADVERTISEMENTIt’s an easier pitch for Ellison, who is the favorite of the progressive wing that is restless about potential primary challenges against establishment Democrats who are backing some of President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s priorities. But it’s a tougher spot for Perez, who has more support among the establishment wing that worries tough primaries could hurt the party’s chances in general elections.  “The role of the DNC chair is to let the process run its course, and we move forward when the general election moves ahead,” Perez said.  “I’m confident that this year, if you look across this country right now … this energy is electric. Jan. 20 was undeniably an important day, but Jan. 21 and beyond was more important because people were rising up and saying Donald Trump does not stand for our values.”  Ellison, a former top surrogate for Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE’s (I-Vt.) presidential bid, went a step further.  “The role of the DNC is to be neutral and fair to all primary contestants,” he said.  “I will make a personal call and say, ‘Let’s not kill each other off, guys,’ but I will not publicly shame any Democrat in a primary.” But while both Perez and Ellison said they’d support neutral primaries, Harrison took another route. Noting that Republicans need just seven more Senate seats in 2018’s tough map for Democrats to reach a filibuster-proof majority, and control of one more state to call a constitutional convention, he argued that effort spent on primaries will only hurt the party in the fall.  “If Democrats want to be in a permanent minority, let’s spend all the time fighting each other. But if we want to fight against Donald Trump, then fight against Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward CruzSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote The Hill’s Morning Report – Trump’s public standing sags after Floyd protests GOP senators introduce resolution opposing calls to defund the police MORE, fight against the Republicans who are up,” he said.  “We don’t have the time or energy, and all the people we are fighting for don’t have time for this purity test.” Leaked DNC emails from 2016 showed some party staffers working to favor Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE’s presidential bid, while others went as far as suggesting that news organizations look into potentially damaging stories for Sanders’s campaign.  That led to resignations within the DNC, including then-Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a congresswoman from Florida.  Click Here: New Zealand rugby store