Election Day was tough on house democrats. The minority party lost 25 seats to republicans. And in the wake of that defeat, house democratic leader Peter Burling faces two separate challenges for control over a fractured democratic caucus.
Cornish Representative Peter Burling was shaky when he assessed the circumstances that could spell the end of his six year run as house democratic leader.
'I think the Democratic Party is in grief. And I think a lot of folks are saying and doing things out of a reaction to that grief.'
Grief or not, Those folks ? including some who served on Burling?s leadership team last session -- say the house democratic caucus needs a new helmsman. The first candidate to throw his hat into the ring was Walpole rep Jack Pratt. Pratt points out that the last four years has seen democrats lose a quarter of their seats in the house and half their seat in the senate. He says that trend needs to change.
'Clearly the Democratic Party has got to start rebuilding itself. And I think it?s got to start rebuilding itself from the grassroots up, and no from the top down. I think we?ve had way too much top down. I think you?ve got to start rebuilding a party based on hope and gives them hope and gives them reasons to support it.'
Pratt says a good first step is to let the caucus, and not it?s the leader, call more of the shots. Pratt hopes to achieve that goal by having the caucus select not just its leader, but also all other leadership positions.
'Their mandate should come from the caucus. Their loyalty should go to the caucus. To me the difference is between what I call trickle down politics and bubble up politics.'
Changing the way the caucus elects leaders is not the top priority of the other candidate to succeed Burling as democratic leader. Nashua Represenative Jane Clemons has already chosen her top lieutenants. They include fellow Nashua Reps Bette Lasky and David Cote, and Manchester Rep Jim Craig. Jane Clemons, does however, echo Jack Pratt?s call for a more inclusive leadership style. Clemons says under Peter Burling, dissenting views too often get short shrift.
'People are brought in and out of leadership. People are ignored, people sometimes get labeled, and it shouldn?t be that way.'
Peter Burling calls such charges ridiculous. Burling also say he finds it hard to fathom how any of the people hoping to replace him accuse him of ignoring their opinions.
'Every single person you were talking to was a member of my leadership team. And frankly, since we made all the critical policy decision over the last two years by a caucus vote. I don?t understand what they?re problem is. I don?t see how you could be any more open or any more democratic that that.'
Jane Clemons, however, believes Peter Burling?s frayed relationship with his own caucus is only part of the problem. She claims a larger issue is Burlings? rapport with leaders on the other side of the aisle.
After last year?s fight over legislative redistricting, that may stand at an all-time low. Jane Clemons says it?s wrong from the entire caucus to pay for Burling?s lack of unpopularity.
'We?re trying very hard to keep it non-personal, because it?s not personal. This is about credibility for us as democrats, being able to work with the majority party, the heavily majority party at this point. Passing legislation without retaliation. We want no adversarial relationship when we all come together in January.'
For has part, Peter Burling says he?s seen nothing to indicate republicans will penalize house democrats if they elect him to a fourth term.
'He also says caucus members should concentrate on his record?..not speculation.
'I don?t believe it makes any sense for democrats to kowtow to the phantom of a republican threat. I?ve been a good leader; I?ve done what the caucus wanted me to do. I?ve had a simply amazing career passing bipartisan legislation. I intend to keep on doing that.'
House Democrats are expected to elect their next leader on Saturday.
