Dean tried to nix early Becerra nod

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean tried to stop an effort within the DNC to secure endorsements for Rep. Xavier Becerra’s (D-Calif.) House leadership bid.

Although Dean personally admires Becerra, a DNC official said, he objected to the timing and venue of the endorsements, arguing that the committee typically does not get involved in such internal leadership battles, especially when Democrats had yet to win. Becerra is running for vice-chairman of the Democratic caucus.

The dust-up dates back to the DNC’s August meeting in Chicago. At a gathering of the DNC’s Hispanic Caucus, the caucus’s chairman, Alvaro Cifuentes, surprised the group by asking them to endorse Becerra.  Dean objected to the move and sent a staff member to advise against it.

“One concern was that it was premature given that Democrats have yet to win a majority. Another was that it would be akin to a primary and the DNC doesn’t get involved in primaries,” said the DNC official speaking on condition of anonymity. “Our focus is on winning in November.”

Hanging over the debate was the prospect that another Hispanic candidate might challenge Becerra, in particular, Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.).

If she were to declare her candidacy, the DNC Hispanic Caucus would be in the awkward position of having endorsed one Hispanic against another, wading into an internecine battle in the House.

In July, Becerra narrowly edged out Solis and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) to win the endorsement of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC). Sanchez abandoned her bid afterwards, but Solis is still considering running, House sources said.

Central to the rivalry is Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the CHC and the only member of Congress serving on the DNC’s Hispanic Caucus. She was thoroughly supported endorsing Becerra in both groups.

Several DNC members shared some of Dean’s qualms.

“I thought it was highly premature to start cutting up the pie before even winning the election,” said Eliseo Roques, who advised against the move along with Roberto Prats, Maria Echaveste and others. “I thought the purpose of the meeting was to discuss how to win back Congress in November rather than getting into the divisive politics of backing one person against another…There are some other people that might be interested.”

Roques proposed an amendment striking Becerra’s name and indicating that the group supported simply a Hispanic for the post. That amendment failed.

Becerra’s allies eventually secured a unanimous endorsement. The group backed a resolution stating that it “endorses, supports and will actively promote Rep. Xavier Becerra for Vice Chair.”

“I like Xavier and our caucus likes Xavier because he’s a good guy and he’s brilliant,” said DNC member Steven Ybarra, who thought the DNC Hispanic Caucus was “absolutely the right place” to do an endorsement. “There were a few people who were saying ‘Oh, shouldn’t we let other people get a chance to compete?’ Fine. Let them compete.  I don’t care about anybody else.”

A Democratic aide said that Becerra had not asked for any endorsements from the DNC and that his backers were acting on their own.

Steve Haro, a Becerra spokesman, said, “The congressman is always appreciative of any support thrown his way.”

Another internal DNC group, the DNC’s Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus, also considered endorsing Becerra, said Rep. Mike Honda (D-Calif.), who favored the move. The group later backed off after Dean raised concerns.

“We were told the chairman would prefer if we didn’t do it now,” Honda said. “Our mission is to work hard to bring candidates together for the Democratic Party not to have our attentions dissipated by having people come in for endorsements.”

Becerra has long been a member of the Congressional Asian and Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), even though he has no Asian ancestry. His district is 14 percent Asian American.

Honda praised Becerra’s work on Asian issues.

“It was not just something that was convenient for him; it’s his persona.”

Both Becerra and Solis have been fundraising to help the Democrats win in November. Becerra has fulfilled his entire $150,000 dues obligation to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Solis has given $241,000 of $250,000 she owes.