Tom Perez and Keith Ellison are the top contenders for chair of the Democratic National Committee. The contest is looking more and more like a Bernie Sanders-Hillary Clinton rematch, with "Ellison as the champion of the insurgent left and Perez as the candidate of the establishment." Many blame the DNC for the ugly divisions of the Democratic primary as well as Clinton's loss, and say any new leader needs to plot a fresh course to rebuild a badly weakened party. Who should lead the DNC?
The Bernie Sanders wing of the Democratic Party has lined up behind Keith Ellison, saying the DNC needs to clean house and get rid of corporate leadership, especially in the wake of Clinton's defeat.
But others argue that Tom Perez's experience makes him the right choice to rebuild a badly damaged party. They say his leadership on voting rights, running the Department of Labor and the Department of Justice civil rights division all make him the right person for the job.
Keith Ellison was endorsed by Bernie Sanders, and many Sanders supporters say the party must heed the progressive wing of the party or risk losing their support permanently:
But Perez supporters argue the chair of the DNC shouldn't be chosen to pacify Sanders supporters. Sanders isn't even a Democrat, yet the party allowed Sanders to help write the party platform -- and Sanders supporters are still mad. Ellison's CV just doesn't compare to Perez's, and the party needs to choose the best person for the job:
MORE: Why Tom Perez is a strong competitor against Keith Ellison in the Democratic Party race
Many view Ellison's run for DNC chair as a continuation of the Sanders presidential campaign, and a new chance for Bernie's revolution.
Perez has been endorsed by Eric Holder and Joe Biden. Supporters argue Perez has success overseeing large organizations, and his credentials with unions and on voting rights make him the strongest candidate for the job.
His relationship with former president Barack Obama is also a plus.
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