Perriello fallout: Is Palin right about the National Democratic Party?
Guest Column by Paul Goldman

At least give Sarah Palin, and her dysfunctional politics this much: She would never have done to a Republican ally what the National Democratic Party did to Democratic Congressman Tom Perriello as reported in today’s newspapers. Technically, neither the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the DNC, nor the White House has officially decided to cut Tom from their 2010 election contribution list. But the party pros responsible for “Are National DEMS dumping Perriello?” headlines had a reason for putting out the story, knowing full well the dynamic they would set in motion. Amazingly, they tried to justify their coming decision to scale back or totally cut-off such campaign funds on the basis of a military strategy, as if they were veterans on a real battlefield under such circumstances. Indeed, if they knew anything about how real warriors fight real wars, they would know the solemn motto of the Marines now fighting in Afghanistan: no one is ever left behind on the battlefield unless there is no other possible option. Marines take care of their own. You go home together, or you don’t go home. Thus, their analogy – they had to publicly feed Tom to the wolves as part of some strategy to preserve the Democratic House majority – exposes them as wearing a uniform they never earned.

Would Sarah Palin have publicly knee-capped a loyal supporter in this way? No, for all her “diva” attributes, she is not a fair-weather friend. In the movie “Gladiator”, Russell Crowe’s character is to be executed. He kneels, facing the camera, the Grim Reaper to the side, sword raised and ready to swing and deliver the be-heading blow. As a Roman General, Crowe asks to be given a “soldier’s death.” Agreeing, the executioner stands behind the kneeling Crowe, raising his long sword so it can be plunged into the back of his neck. As a loyal Democrat, who backed the President on health care and the Congressional leadership on other hot button issues, Congressman Perriello didn’t deserve this morning’s political be-heading. He is and has been a loyal soldier.

I ask you: What does the National Democratic leadership gain from this morning’s story about how they have the “cajones” to leave their politically wounded on the battlefield to fend for themselves?

Earth to Washington: This was not a positive story about your political character. Any courtroom lawyer would offer it as Exhibit A to prove why the national democratic party has put the country in danger of being taken over by the Beck-Gingrich-Hannity-Limbaugh-O’Reilly-Palin crowd. They understand the concept of loyalty being a two-way street.

Is Tom Perriello the underdog in his fight for re-election? Yes, I tried to make that point last month in an analysis for George Roper’s web site, hoping to awaken those who were in such denial, they were spinning a poll showing Tom down 6% to his unknown GOP challenger Robert Hurt as good news.

But now the Big Hurt is about to be given to Tom, and it isn’t from the Palin side of the spectrum: it is from allegedly the liberal Democratic side, the top officials no less!!!

I repeat: How does today’s story about Tom help the Democrats do better in November? It doesn’t. The story was to help a few consultants and their clients.

That’s right: it is being used so some consultants and top party officials can have a story after the midterms about how “smart” they were in helping to save this or that incumbent from defeat by making the “tough” decision to redirect funds from those who lost.

It is sophomoric game, hardly “change we can believe in.” It fuels the very cynicism the GOP is using to get back in power this year. It emboldens Republicans who smell the blood in the water, and at the same time demoralizes Democrats.

Politically, Tom is over 21, so to the extent he knowingly voted for measures unpopular in his district, “push has now come to shove” as the saying goes. Statistically, he knew the risks, and presumably voted his conscience. Indeed, national Democratic officials may have warned him about the risks, and thus feel he has no cause to complain when they cut him loose to “twist in the wind” as they use to say in the Nixon White House.

Bottom line: The official Democratic line for nearly two years has been that Tom Perriello did the right and courageous thing to back the President and the Speaker. From the standpoint of a candidate in this year’s 5th district election, this may have been political suicide. But from the high ground Democrats claim to hold, this was a vote of principle, for the people, which in time will be understood, and valued accordingly.

Tom Perriello has earned the loyalty of the White House on down the national Democratic food chain. If they feel giving him money fails their risk vs reward equation, that’s for them to decide in private and handled accordingly. It is wrong but life isn’t fair especially in politics.

But publicly, Tom deserves, indeed Virginia Democrats must demand, the full, loyal support of all the smaller men and women in Washington. There are any number of ways to support his effort short of money, and furthermore to put the best “spin” on whatever money stories make it into the media.

A real soldier doesn’t abandon his buddies on the battlefield. If National Democrats want to know why they slow-walked themselves into their current mess, take notice: if all you have are fair-weather friends, then you are far more alone than you realize

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