blogger interrupted

This kind of thing is a former NDI-staffer’s wet dream, and Chris Redfern’s coming headache.

The plan could prompt tensions with members of Congress, who are unlikely to welcome the idea of Obama’s political network targeting them from within their own districts. Already, Democratic Party officials on the state level worry that it could become a competing political force that revolves around the president’s ambitions while diminishing the needs of down-ballot Democrats.

…

Another Capitol Hill strategist, however, said some lawmakers in closely contested districts were anxious about the Obama plan, “watching very carefully to see whether or not they’re going to be pressured at home.”

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Concerns about Obama’s ambitions are coming from state party leaders as well as from Capitol Hill.

“The party needs to be rooted not just around one individual, but it needs to have a grass-roots base that can survive the times and even endure past whoever may be in office,” said Jerry Meek, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party. “Obama brings a lot to the table, but, on the other hand, state parties exist for more than serving the objectives of the president and are in the business to elect county commissioners, school board members and members of the legislature.”

Wahmbulance!!!  I can’t think of any group of people who need a swifter kick in the ass than Democratic party “officials”, either statewide, or local, or national.  And this is going to be one well-funded kick.

“No one’s ever had these kinds of resources,” said Republican strategist Ed Rollins, who led political operations under President Reagan. “This would be the greatest political organization ever put together, if it works.”

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Though the plan still is emerging, one source with knowledge of the internal discussion said the organization could have an annual budget of $75 million in privately raised funds. Another said it would deploy hundreds of paid staff members — possibly one for every congressional district in certain politically important states and even more in larger battlegrounds such as Florida, Ohio, Colorado, Virginia and North Carolina.

If there is one staffer, or more, in every congressional district of Ohio for 4 years, that’s a better organization than ODP has ever had in this state.  Ever.  And Chris Redfern won’t control it.