Hogg’s Clash With the DNC is in the News… Again

David Hogg, the 25-year-old Parkland shooting survivor and newly minted vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), has ignited a political firestorm within his own party. Through his organization, Leaders We Deserve, Hogg plans to invest $20 million to unseat long-serving Democratic incumbents in safe blue districts, aiming to infuse the party with younger, more progressive leadership. But many older Democrats, including strategist James Carville think Hogg is crossing a line.

Hogg Starts a Generational Clash

A few weeks ago, we discussed what we see as Hogg’s breach of his duties as Vice Chair of the DNC. Reports surfaced that Hogg was using DNC donor lists to raise money for personal projects—chiefly to primary sitting Democratic incumbents who don’t meet his ideological standards.

In a recent debate-style interview with Tara Palmeri, veteran strategist James Carville labeled Hogg’s plan as “insane” and “jackassery,” arguing that party resources should focus on defeating Republicans, not internal battles. This isn’t the first time Carville has weighed in on Hogg, whom he once referred to as a “contemptible little twerp.”

DNC Chair Calls Out Split Loyalties

DNC Chair Ken Martin has also weighed in, emphasizing the party’s tradition of neutrality in primaries. He warned that Hogg’s dual role as a party officer and activist could undermine the DNC’s impartiality. Martin suggested that Hogg must choose between his leadership position and his activist endeavors.

Hogg Facing a New Party Challenge?

Adding to the turmoil, Kalyn Free, a Native American attorney and party activist, has contested the legitimacy of Hogg’s election as vice chair that occurred last February. Free alleges that the election process violated the DNC’s charter and discriminated against women of color candidates. The DNC’s credentials committee will review her challenge on May 12.

Our Analysis: There Are No Heroes in this “Civil War”

Let’s break down the dynamics at play here.

James Carville’s public rebuke of David Hogg a highlights a deepening rift between the party’s establishment and younger progressives. He laced his recent comments with contempt for Hogg, matching his disdain for the far-left. But there’s also an element of bitterness at play. After all, Carville’s relevance in national politics has waned since he helped Bill Clinton get elected to the White House in the early 1990s. Nowadays, he’s better known for his public misfire in predicting a Harris victory in 2024.

As for Ken Martin and the DNC, let’s not kid ourselves—when has the DNC ever been truly “neutral” concerning competing Democratic candidates? Was the DNC neutral when they set up superdelegates in 2016 to help Hillary Clinton fend off Bernie Sanders? How neutral was the DNC when it allowed Joe Biden to simply coronate Kamala Harris as the 2024 nominee without a vote from the rank-and-file?

The dysfunction within the DNC is also reflected in Karlyn Free’s complaint about the party’s elective process. The DEI-infused Charter and Bylaws not only underscore how identity politics has ravaged the party but also shine a light on the bizarre circumstances under which Hogg ascended to Vice Chair. We’ll see whether Free’s challenge is successful—if it is, it could serve as a barometer for how much further the DNC is willing to bow to factionalism.

All that said, David Hogg needs to pick a lane. If he wants to be a party insurgent, that’s fine—but he must operate outside the party apparatus. If he wants to be a cog in the party machine, then he cannot use party resources for his personal goals. Simply put, Hogg can’t have it both ways.

The Road Ahead

As the Democratic Party wrestles with its internal divisions, observers like Carville see the outcome of this conflict as having significant implications for the party’s future direction. Hogg’s challenge to the establishment highlights the tension between maintaining party unity and embracing transformative change. Whether the party can reconcile these differences remains to be seen.

But more importantly, what do you think of all the DNC buffoonery? Looks like it’s time to pass the popcorn to conservative viewpoints as they watch these internal struggles unfold. Hit us up in the comments with your take, and don’t forget to check back for more shenanigans and buffoonery throughout the year!