While moderate Democrats fall in line with the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s (DSCC) chosen Democratic candidate, Patrick Murphy, progressive Democrats are urging another candidate to run in the potential Democratic primary: Rep. Alan Grayson.
CNN Politics reports:
[DSCC’s endorsement of Patrick Murphy] hasn’t discouraged liberal firebrand Rep. Alan Grayson from the race. If anything, it’s made him more eager to compete.
"Florida Democratic voters choose our party nominee, not out-of-touch party bosses sipping cognac in a smoke-filled room in Washington," Grayson said in a statement shortly after the DSCC announced its endorsement.
Supporters of Patrick Murphy argue:
"It would certainly be better to not have him [Alan Grayson] in the race," said Florida Democratic strategist Steve Schale, a Murphy supporter. "[Grayson] tends to sort of rely on hyperbole and invective, and I’m not sure that’s the kind of primary which is healthy for us."
"I think [Florida is] a center-right state, I think [Grayson] is not electable in a general and I think he has the ability to create a pretty divisive primary if he runs," he said.
Many Democrats also worry about what kind of campaign Grayson would run. The Washington Post recently highlighted Grayson’s eccentric tactics:
His campaign Web site’s URL is congressmanwithguts.com, and it liberally uses ALL CAPS, which gives you a sense of what a possible Grayson for Senate campaign would be be like.
In another weird ad, schoolchildren chant in unison, "Alan Grayson saved our schools" over and over. And then there are the kids at the end, lovingly fussing over the congressman.
[youtube url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Eo-wVI2QblM"]
Alan Grayson doesn’t care.
Grayson is preparing himself for a primary battle against the DSCC and Florida Democratic Party’s chosen candidate, Patrick Murphy.
Grayson boasts that he is following in Elizabeth Warren’s footsteps, both by acting as a champion of the Far Left and progressive issues and by being a candidate fueled by grassroots support.
Unfortunately for Florida Democrats, many are not so ready for the costly Democratic Senate primary Grayson is anticipating. CNN reports:
A bruising, resource draining intraparty fight through the end of August, when Florida holds its primary, leaves the eventual nominee little time — just nine weeks — to replenish depleted campaign offers and correct any negative attacks that stuck during the primary.
It’ll be a hugely expensive race, said former Democratic state Sen. Dan Gelber.
[Gelber] predicts the primary alone could require candidates to spend up to $15 million.
Florida Democrats had better start saving up now…their continued intraparty division won’t be cheap…and it will more than likely cost them a Senate seat.