The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

(Page 3 of 4)

Some DNC insiders have been monitoring the Webb campaign closely due to concerns about the influence MoveOn.org and other far-left organization have been having on some campaigns, Webb's included.

Recently, Ben Cardin, Maryland's Senate Democrat candidate, had to fire a relatively new, low-level aide, who posted racist and anti-Semitic remarks on her blog. She came to the campaign via MoveOn.org and the DNC.

Cardin's campaign disavowed the remarks, and has attempted to weed out other staffers on the campaign who might place the campaign in more embarrassing situations. "Anyone who came to us via the party of outside groups is being re-vetted," says a Maryland state party consultant. "It's an embarrassing situation for us."

Other Democrats silent on the matter are the two men responsible for recruiting House and Senate Democrat candidates, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Rep. Rahm Emanuel. Both men have thus far refused to repudiate the words of their base. "That they won't is embarrassing and perplexing," says a House leadership aide. "Both of them have been strangely silent on the matter, and there are some of us who would like to know why."

Part of their silence might be tied to their need to keep what they perceive to be their critical base happy and focused on victory. "Our party has changed," says a Democrat consultant. "It's not what it was five years ago. The Internet, and young people who can hide behind screen names online, have changed us. Dean ushered in the Internet age for fundraising for us, now we're seeing the ugly part of the Internet, but no one wants to talk about it."

p> LEADERSHIP SHAKES br> With Democrat Party polls confirming that takeovers of the House and Senate were slipping away, both House minority leader Nancy Pelosi and Senate minority leader Harry Reid are steeling themselves for challenges to their position in January. /p>

Just six weeks ago, Pelosi -- and even her potential opponents -- believed that her position was safe. But no more.

"She had a majority of votes locked in for her," says a House Democrat leadership aide. "People weren't thinking of anyone else, but you can sense that things are changing a bit."

topics:
Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Religion