31 Democrats Have Chosen To Stay Away From The Democrat National Convention

Posted September 3, 2012
ObamaIsntWorking.Com

PARTY LEADERSHIP HAS TOLD DEMOCRATS TO SKIP THE PARTY’S NATIONAL CONVENTION

“The Man Responsible For Getting Democrats Elected To The Congress This Fall Has A Message For His Party’s Candidates: Stay Away From The Democrat National Convention In September.” (Samuel P. Jacobs, “Democratic Campaign Chair Tells Candidates To Avoid Convention,” Reuters, 6/27/12)

Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY), Chairman Of The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee: “I Think (Candidates) Should Be In Their Districts.” “‘I don’t care if the president was at 122 percent favorability right now,’ he said. ‘I think (candidates) should be in their districts,’ rather than spend time at the convention, which will be in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 3-6.” (Samuel P. Jacobs, “Democratic Campaign Chair Tells Candidates To Avoid Convention,” Reuters, 6/27/12)

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Is “Not Encouraging Anyone To Go To The Convention” And Wants Democrat Congressional Members To Stay At Home. “’I’m not encouraging anyone to go to the convention, having nothing to do with anything except I think they should stay home, campaign in their districts, use their financial and political resources to help them win their election,’ Pelosi said in an exclusive interview for POLITICO Live’s ‘On Congress,’ a new weekly show to be streamed live on POLITICO’s website and broadcast on NewsChannel 8 on Wednesdays.” (Tim Mak, Nancy Pelosi: Democrats Should Skip The Convention,” Politico, 7/18/12)

VULNERABLE DEMOCRATS ARE AVOIDING OBAMA

SEN. JON TESTER (D-MT): Tester Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention In Order To Concentrate On His Senate Race. “Both Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-Mont.) and Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) will skip their parties’ upcoming national conventions, their campaigns told The Hill on Monday, in order to concentrate on their Senate race.” (Cameron Joseph And David Kaner, “Montana Senate Candidates Will Skip Parties’ Conventions,” The Hill, 6/25/12)

SEN. JOE MANCHIN (D-WV): Manchin Has Declined To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “On Monday, West Virginia ‘super delegates’ Sen. Joe Manchin, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Rep. Nick Rahall, D-Beckley, announced they would not attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention, set for Sept. 3-6 in Charlotte, N.C. All have expressed concerns about the policies of Democratic President Barack Obama.” (Joselyn King, “House Candidates Not Attending Convention,” Steubenville Herald-Star , 6/20/12)
The Hill: “Sen. Manchin To Skip Democratic Convention.” (Justin Sink, “Sen. Manchin To Skip Democratic Convention,” The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room, 6/18/12)
U.S. News & World Report: “West Virginia Governor Opts Out Of Democratic Convention.” (Elizabeth Flock, “West Virginia Governor Opts Out Of Democratic Convention,” U.S. News & World Report , 6/19/12)

REP. NICK RAHALL (D-WV): Rahall Has Declined To Attend The Democrat National Convention Citing “ Concerns About The Policies Of Democratic President Barack Obama.” “On Monday, West Virginia ‘super delegates’ Sen. Joe Manchin, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Rep. Nick Rahall, D-Beckley, announced they would not attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention, set for Sept. 3-6 in Charlotte, N.C. All have expressed concerns about the policies of Democratic President Barack Obama.” (Joselyn King, “House Candidates Not Attending Convention,” Steubenville Herald-Star , 6/20/12)

REP. LOUISE SLAUGHTER (D-NY): Slaughter Is “Skipping” The Democrat National Convention. “The four incumbent Democrats facing the toughest challenges in New York – Representatives Bishop, Hochul and Owens, as well as Representative Louise M. Slaughter of Rochester – are all skipping the convention, which begins Sept. 4 in Charlotte, N.C.” (Thomas Kaplan, “New York Democrats Skipping Convention For, Well You Name It,”The New York Times , 8/16/12)
Rep. Slaughter Cited “A Lot Of Work To Do At Home” As Reason Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “And Ms. Slaughter said, simply, ‘I have a lot of work to do at home. I’ll be here working in the district.’” (Thomas Kaplan, “New York Democrats Skipping Convention For, Well You Name It,”The New York Times , 8/16/12)

REP. MARK CRITZ (D-PA): Critz Said He Would Rather Campaign Than Attend The Democrat National Convention . “U.S. Rep. Mark Critz said on Tuesday he will skip the Democratic National Convention in favor of campaigning in Pennsylvania, much like top elected Democrats in neighboring West Virginia who are disgruntled with President Obama.” (Salena Zito, “Rep. Mark Critz, Other Dems, To Skip Convention In Favor Of Campaigning In Pennsylvania,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review , 6/20/12)
Internal Polling Showed Obama Down Double Digits To Mitt Romney In Critz’s Congressional District. “His campaign spokesman, Mike Mikus, said their internal polling shows the president is down double digits to Republican nominee Mitt Romney in the redrawn, six-county congressional district where Critz won a close victory against U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire of McCandless in the April primary. He will go against Republican Keith Rothfus, an Edgeworth attorney, in the general election.” (Salena Zito, “Rep. Mark Critz, Other Dems, To Skip Convention In Favor Of Campaigning In Pennsylvania,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review , 6/20/12)
“It Is Fair To Say” Critz Will Not Ask Obama To Campaign For Him. “That makes the decision to avoid the convention ‘pretty easy,’ [campaign spokesman Mike] Mikus said. Moreover, he said, ‘it is fair to say’ that Critz will not ask the president to campaign with him.” (Salena Zito, “Rep. Mark Critz, Other Dems, To Skip Convention In Favor Of Campaigning In Pennsylvania,” Pittsburgh Tribune Review , 6/20/12)

REP. BILL OWENS (D-NY): Owens Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention After He Declined To Endorse Barack Obama. “At least half a dozen Democratic officials have said in recent days that they won’t attend the Democratic National Convention this September in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the president will formally receive the party’s nomination for a second term. The latest: New York Democratic Reps. Bill Owens and Kathy Hochul, both of whom won special elections in recent years that were heralded by party leaders.” (Dan Hirschhorn, “More Dems Plan To Skip Convention,” The Daily, 6/20/12)
Rep. Bill Owens (D-NY) On Skipping The Democrat National Convention: “I’m not sure if I am dissing the president any more than I am Washington, I would lump it all together, unfortunately, a dysfunctional group.” (Matt Henson, “Owens To Skip Democratic National Convention,” WCAX – Plattsburg, NY, 7/5/12)
Rep. Bill Owens Would Not Endorse Barak Obama After Narrowly Winning Reelection In 2010. “Owens narrowly won reelection in 2010 and faces another competitive race this year. Last summer he declined to say whether he’d endorse Obama for reelection.” (Dan Hirschhorn, “More Dems Plan To Skip Convention,” The Daily, 6/20/12)

REP. BEN CHANDLER (D-KY): “ U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler Will Join A Group Of Prominent Democrats Who Will Not Attend Their Party’s National Convention This Year.” (“Prominent KY. Dems Will Skip National Convention,”The State Journal , 7/12/12)
The Chandler Campaign Claimed That Chandler Has “A Full Schedule And That’s What We’re Going To Stick To.” “We have a full schedule and that’s what we’re going to stick to. We’re going to be in the district. That’s the Congressman’s job, is to represent his constituents and since Congress is not in session during that time he will be in Kentucky,” says campaign manager Eric Nagy in an interview with WEKU, an affiliate of National Public Radio. (“Prominent KY. Dems Will Skip National Convention,”The State Journal , 7/12/12)

EVEN NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATS HAVE DECIDED TO SKIP THE DEMOCRAT NATIONAL CONVENTION

REP. LARRY KISSELL (D-NC): Kissell Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention, Which Is Being Held 10 Miles From His District. “Democratic Representative Larry Kissell’s district is within 10 miles of the Charlotte, North Carolina, arena where the Democratic National Convention will be held starting Sept. 4. Kissell isn’t planning to attend.” (Kathleen Hunter, “Democratic Lawmakers Keep Obama At Distance In Campaigns,”Bloomberg Businessweek , 8/3/12)

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE HAYDEN ROGERS (D-NC): Rogers Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention And Refused To Endorse Obama. “’My sole focus is on running for Congress in the 11th District,’ Rogers said. ‘I will be concentrating my time and energy on reaching out to as many voters as possible to discuss the issues facing Western North Carolina and America. I have no plans to attend the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte and will not be endorsing in the 2012 presidential race.’” (John Ostendorff, “Rogers To Skip DNC, Won’t Endorse Obama,” Asheville Citizen-Times’ Politics Now, 7/3/12)

MANY MORE DEMOCRATS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DECIDED TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THE DEMOCRAT NATIONAL CONVENTION

GOV. EARL RAY TOMBLIN (D-WV): Tomblin Won’t Attend The Democrat National Convention Due To “Concerns About The Policies Of Democratic President Barack Obama.” “On Monday, West Virginia ‘super delegates’ Sen. Joe Manchin, Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and Rep. Nick Rahall, D-Beckley, announced they would not attend the 2012 Democratic National Convention, set for Sept. 3-6 in Charlotte, N.C. All have expressed concerns about the policies of Democratic President Barack Obama.” (Joselyn King, “House Candidates Not Attending Convention,” Steubenville Herald-Star , 6/20/12)

REP. KATHY HOCHUL (D-NY): Hochul Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention In Charlotte. “At least half a dozen Democratic officials have said in recent days that they won’t attend the Democratic National Convention this September in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the president will formally receive the party’s nomination for a second term. The latest: New York Democratic Reps. Bill Owens and Kathy Hochul, both of whom won special elections in recent years that were heralded by party leaders.” (Dan Hirschhorn, “More Dems Plan To Skip Convention,” The Daily, 6/20/12)

SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL (D-MO) : The Associated Press: “McCaskill Opts To Skip Democratic Convention To Campaign.” (“McCaskill Opts To Skip Democratic Convention To Campaign,” The Associated Press, 6/27/12)
Los Angeles Times : “Sen. McCaskill Joins List Of Democrats Skipping National Convention.” (Morgan Little, “Sen. McCaskill Joins List Of Democrats Skipping National Convention,” Los Angeles Times , 6/26/12)

REP. DAVE LOEBSACK (D-IA): Loebsack Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention In Order To Best Use His Time Campaigning. “’Having been to conventions in the past, I am utterly convinced that my time will be best used by being in Iowa, talking to Iowans about how to create jobs and get the economy back on track,’ said Loebsack.” (Rod Boshart, “Many Iowa Congressional Candidates Don’t Attend National Conventions,The Gazette, 7/6/12)

REP. JOHN BARROW (D-GA): Barrow Has Announced He Will Not Attend The Democrat National Convention, Opting To Schedule Campaign Events In The District Instead. “Augusta U.S. Rep. John Barrow will skip the Democratic National Convention in September, adding to a growing list of Democrats distancing themselves from the national party’s major quadrennial get-together. Barrow spokesman Richard Carbo said Tuesday that Barrow is not going to Charlotte because he is ‘planning a number of events throughout [the] district during that time.’” (Daniel Malloy, “Barrow To Skip Democratic National Convention,”The Atlanta Journal-Constitution , 6/26/12)

REP. JIM MATHESON (D-UT): Matheson Announced He Would Not Attend The Democrat National Convention. “Utah Rep. Jim Matheson told The Daily today that he won’t be going to Charlotte, North Carolina, in early September, where the president will formally receive the Democratic nomination for a second term. ‘I’ll be spending my time this summer and fall doing my job in Congress and visiting with and listening to people in Utah,’ Matheson said. ‘I won’t be traveling to North Carolina.’” (Dan Hirschhorn, “DNC? No Thanks,” The Daily, 6/21/12)

REP. STEPHEN LYNCH (D-MA): Lynch Has Declined To Attend The Democrat National Convention To Instead Focus On His Campaign. “Rep. Stephen Lynch, a 9th District Democrat who is unopposed in the primary but will face a general election challenger, will also be staying home. ‘I take every election seriously. This one is no different,’ Lynch said in a statement. ‘There is a lot of work to be done to prepare for Election Day and to get our vote out, so I plan on being here.’” (Shira Schoenberg And Robert Rizzuto, “At Least 2 Massachusetts Congressmen To Skip Democratic National Convention In Charlotte, The Republican, 7/2/12)

REP. RICHARD NEAL (D-MA): Neal Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “At least two members of the state’s congressional delegation are staying home because of the election, including U.S. Rep. Richard Neal, a Springfield Democrat. ‘It’s the week of the election, so the Congressman is going to be staying in Massachusetts,’ said Neal campaign spokesman Matt Fenlon.” (Shira Schoenberg And Robert Rizzuto, “At Least 2 Massachusetts Congressmen To Skip Democratic National Convention In Charlotte, The Republican, 7/2/12)

REP. HENRY CUELLAR (D-TX): Cuellar Said He Has “No Plans To Attend” The Democrat National Convention To Spend More Time Focused On His Own Reelection. “Add Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar to the growing list of Democrats who are skipping the Democratic National Convention this summer. The moderate Democrat backs President Barack Obama’s reelection but told POLITICO on Tuesday he won’t be attending the DNC in Charlotte, N.C., in September. ‘I went to the Texas state Democratic convention [in June],’ Cuellar, a four-term congressman, said by phone from Laredo, Texas. ‘As I get close to my election, I want to spend more time in my district and focus on my reelection. Right now, I have no plans to attend.’”

REP. JERRY MCNERNEY (D-CA): McNerney Has Announced He Will Not Attend The Democrat National Convention. “Add Rep. Jerry McNerney to the list of Democratic elected officials who won’t attend the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., this September even as they try to retain their seats.” (Josh Richman, “McNerney Will Skip Convention, Garamendi Unsure,” Political Blotter, 6/27/12)

FORMER REP. CHARLIE WILSON (D-OH): Wilson Has Declined To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “Democratic U.S. House candidates Charlie Wilson in Ohio and Sue Thorn in West Virginia won’t attend this summer’s Democratic National Convention, their respective campaigns said Tuesday.” (Joselyn King, “House Candidates Not Attending Convention,” Steubenville Herald-Star , 6/20/12)
The Wilson Campaign Cited A Scheduling Conflict As The Reason To Skip The Democrat National Convention. “’We will not be attending mainly for scheduling reasons and existing campaign events,’[Wilson Spokesman J.W. Starrett] he said.” (Joselyn King, “House Candidates Not Attending Convention,” Steubenville Herald-Star , 6/20/12)

FORMER REP. BETTY SUTTON (D-OH): Sutton Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention Because She Has “Things To Do.” “Rep. Betty Sutton, D-Ohio, tells National Journal she does not expect to attend the Democratic convention in Charlotte, where President Obama will be renominated. ‘I would anticipate that I will have things to do in the district. There will be a lot of work to do locally. I would be more inclined to be here with my people,’ she said.” (Jill Lawrence, “Sutton Plans To Skip Democratic Convention,” National Jouranl, 7/6/12)

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE SUE THORN (D-WV): Thorn Has Declined To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “Democratic U.S. House candidates Charlie Wilson in Ohio and Sue Thorn in West Virginia won’t attend this summer’s Democratic National Convention, their respective campaigns said Tuesday.” (Joselyn King, “House Candidates Not Attending Convention,” Steubenville Herald-Star , 6/20/12)
Thorn “Didn’t Enter The Race To Be A Delegate.” “She did not turn down any designated spot, she just didn’t enter the race to be a delegate,” [Thorn Spokeswoman Erin] Beck said. (Joselyn King, “House Candidates Not Attending Convention,” Steubenville Herald-Star , 6/20/12)

DEMOCRAT SENATE CANDIDATE RICHARD CARMONA (D-AZ): Carmona Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “Presumptive Arizona Democratic Senate nominee Richard Carmona does not plan to attend the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. …” (Sean Sullivan, “Carmona Planning To Skip Dem Convention,” National Journal’s Hotline On Call, 6/26/12)

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE HEIDI HEITKAMP (D-ND): Heitkamp Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention, To Focus On Her Campaign In North Dakota. “North Dakota Senate candidate Heidi Heitkamp will skip the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte this September. Heitkamp’s spokesman Brandon Lorenz told Hotline On Call that the former state attorney general will be campaigning in North Dakota rather than attending the gathering.” (Julie Sobel, “Heitkamp Skipping Dem Convention,” National Journal’s Hotline On Call, 6/26/12)

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE JOSEPH KENNEDY III (D-MA): Kennedy Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “The Democrat with the most name recognition running to replace Frank – Joseph Kennedy III – will stay in Massachusetts the week of the primary.” (Shira Schoenberg And Robert Rizzuto, “At Least 2 Massachusetts Congressmen To Skip Democratic National Convention In Charlotte, The Republican, 7/2/12)

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE CHRISTIE VILSACK (D-IA): Vilsack Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “Former Iowa first lady Christie Vilsack has attended the Democratic national convention in the past, but will not be doing so this year as she makes her first bid for public office, trying to unseat King in the redrawn 4th congressional district in northwest Iowa.” (Rod Boshart, “Many Iowa Congressional Candidates Don’t Attend National Conventions, The Gazette, 7/6/12)
Congressional Candidate Christie Vilsack Did Not Attend President Obama’s Campaign Rally At Morningside College. “Vilsack, a former Iowa first lady whose husband serves in Obama’s Cabinet, said during an appearance Thursday in Sioux City that she has a previously scheduled event Saturday in Carroll, Iowa, and won’t be on hand for Obama’s stop at Morningside College.” (Bret Hayworth, “Professor: Christie Vilsack Ducking Obama’s Sioux City Visit,” Sioux City Journal , 8/31/12)
“An Iowa Political Science Professor Said Congressional Candidate Christie Vilsack Is Ducking President Barack Obama’s Saturday Appearance In Sioux City To Avoid Alienating Independent Voters And Giving Her Rival Extra Ammunition.” (Bret Hayworth, “Professor: Christie Vilsack Ducking Obama’s Sioux City Visit,” Sioux City Journal , 8/31/12)

REP. TIM BISHOP (D-NY): Bishop Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention Due To A Tight Reelection Race. “But only two House members from Long Island said they are taking a pass on the Democratic conclave in Charlotte: Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton), locked in a tight race with Republican businessman Randy Altschuler, and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), facing Republican Francis Becker and Conservative candidate Frank Scatturro.” (Tom Brune, “Two From L.I. To Skip National Dems’ Convention,”Newsday’s Spin Cycly, 8/5/12)

REP. CAROLYN MCCARTHY (D-NY): McCarthy Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “But only two House members from Long Island said they are taking a pass on the Democratic conclave in Charlotte: Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton), locked in a tight race with Republican businessman Randy Altschuler, and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-Mineola), facing Republican Francis Becker and Conservative candidate Frank Scatturro.” (Tom Brune, “Two From L.I. To Skip National Dems’ Convention,”Newsday’s Spin Cycly, 8/5/12)

DEMOCRAT GOVERNOR CANDIDATE JAY INSLEE (D-WA): Inslee Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention To Campaign In Washington State. “Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee is skipping the Democratic National Convention next month. Inslee earlier had said he planned to attend the convention, which runs Sept. 4-6 in Charlotte, N.C. But Sterling Clifford, Inslee’s communications director, confirmed Wednesday that Inslee has decided to stay in the state for campaign events. ‘It definitely makes more sense to be campaigning here,’ Clifford said.” (Jim Brunner, “Jay Inslee Will Skip Democratic National Convention,”The Seattle Times’ Politics Northwest, 8/8/12)

DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE DAN MAFFEI (D-NY): Maffei Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention To Campaign In New York. “One of the Democratic challengers, Dan Maffei, is a former member of Congress seeking to unseat Representative Ann Marie Buerkle, the Republican who defeated him two years ago; Mr. Maffei will be in Syracuse, not Charlotte, at the start of September.” (Thomas Kaplan, “New York Democrats Skipping Convention For, Well You Name It,”The New York Times , 8/16/12)

SEN BERNIE SANDERS (I-VT): Sanders Has Decided Not To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “Sen. Bernie Sanders (Vt.), a liberal Independent who caucuses with Democrats, does not plan to attend the Democratic convention, according to a spokesman.” (Alexander Bolton, “Both Party Conventions Snub Lieberman,”The Hill, 7/31/12)

THE CONVENTION’S FLASHBACK TO THE PRESIDENCY OF BILL CLINTON WON’T EXTEND TO FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE.

FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE: Gore Has Declined To Attend The Democrat National Convention. “But his vice president, [Al] Gore, is taking a pass, a dozen years after losing the 2000 presidential race to George W. Bush.” (“Big Names Will No-Show At Conventions,” The Associated Press, 8/16/12)