Democrats Split Again Over Party's Agenda

[ElsewheresDaughter]

Liberals and centrists trading magazine salvos reopen disputes on the war and economics. The debate could affect the next presidential race.

by Ronald Brownstein

WASHINGTON — The truce appears to be expiring among Democrats in Washington.

In the immediate aftermath of Sen. John F. Kerry's loss to President Bush in November, Democrats notably avoided the postelection squabbling that's consumed the party after almost all recent presidential races — even those it won.

But as the new year begins, a series of high-profile articles in leading liberal journals is suddenly reopening old divisions.



What Beinart is saying is we need to purge from the party the people who got the war in Iraq right. That is not going to happen, but the to make it happen, which the has now embraced, will be a brutal fight.

Robert Borosage, of the Campaign for America's Future
On one front, a liberal operative at a top think tank has accused the Democratic Leadership Council, the principal organization of party centrists, of pushing the party toward a pro-corporate agenda "that sells out America's working class — the demographic that used to be the party's base."

In equally combative terms, a leading young centrist commentator published a manifesto in the New Republic magazine accusing the Democratic left of slighting the struggle against Islamic terrorism and undermining the party's image on security — an argument instantly embraced and promoted by the Democratic Leadership Council.

more.... http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0102-02.htm

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

1. The Democratic Party is dead...

I want nothing to do with a party that abandons its ideals in order to curry favor with religious fundies, corporate fascists, and closet homophobes/racists/bigots.

If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything. And, so dies the right-of-middle Democratic Party led by Repuke appeasers and political opportunists.

Howard Dean...stay true to your nature and show those of us with BACKBONES a better way.

JB

[justinsb]

2. I've said it before

when I was active with the Dems - before moving to Canada. It's better to be right and lose than to be wrong and win. What is the point in becoming conservatives in order to beat conservatives? When you do that, the conservatives still win.

[48pan]

3. Damn Right (left)!

We are the liberal party. Let's start acting liberal!

We have the power in the Senate to block all Republican nominations. It's time to take the gloves off and stop the conservatives.

Filibuster everything that we don't like.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

10. Not fighting for our ideals only reinforces that we are WIMPS...

Of course, this isn't the case.

But, many of us have been led astray by those who have personal agendas and couldn't give two shits for the populist ideals that made the Democrats STRONG prior to and just after WWII.

It's time to call Repuke behavior on the carpet. When I hear Repukes talking their bullshit at parties and in public, I make sure to point out that their ideas are borne of racism, hatred, and bigotry.

They call us, "tree huggers." We call them, "environmental rapists."

They call us, "homo-lovers." We call them, "backward-looking idiots."

They call us, "bleeding heart." We call them, "Anti-Jesus."

They call us, "pro-abortion." We call them, "pro-fascist personal choice haters."

They call us, "Islam lovers." We call them, "imperialistic crusaders."

They call us, "communists/socialists." We call them, "devoid of social conscience."

They call us, "wimps." We call them, "stupid, short-sighted bullies."

They call us, "liberal." And, we say, "HELL, YES. AND, PROUD OF IT."

This is WAR, people. GET UP AND FIGHT FOR THE DIRECTION OF YOUR COUNTRY!!

JB

[Demeter]

49. Anti-Jesus Is Inspired--Everybody Use It ASAP

To fight fire with fire, you have to have some fuel. This is the key that will crack the GOP code.

[Voltaire99]

20. Tell the DNC: filibuster or no funds or votes from us.

If the filibuster isn't used, the DNC should expect no support from the grass roots.

Ah, ironically, Nader's critique is coming true with a vengeance.

[VegasWolf]

28. Exactly, no fillibuster, no spine, no reelection. n/t

[lovuian]

59. All I know is the democratic party will be dead if it doesn't

fight!!! Its obvious the middle of the road isn't working!!!

[mandyky]

7. If they don't chose Dean for DNC, They're nuts!

And I for one will be DFA all the way, and may even register Independent or Green. I need to check KY election rules since I've only lived here since 95.

[metisnation]

25. preacher man

positivity will prevail, I will remain loyal to this party and our ideals. Thank you but as long as I am alive so shall this party remain.

:dem:

[VegasWolf]

29. Not me, if they sell their loyalty, my vote goes to the greens. n/t

[SleeplessinSoCal]

44. If the Democratic Party is dead so's the Republican Party....

The existing GOP and Neo-Cons in no way resemble the Republican Party. Maybe we need to get the word out to those who call themselves Republicans that they're actually Neo-Cons

I wager half of them would deny it.

[Mojambo]

4. Irreconcilable differences

Lets just split up, go our separate ways and let the voters decide which faction is right.

[whalerider55]

5. what agenda?

i fear the dems have a marginally progressive platform which seems unable to invest their leadership with ability to react, respond, protect and defend.

i never, ever, ever thought i'd ever ever come close to agreeing with Nader- that there isn't much difference b/t the two parties.

but if you aren't willing or able to actively promote or defend your ideals, then there is no opposition. no clash of ideas. no alternatives.

if a tree falls...

whalerider55

[Lizzie Borden]

6. New Repulic?

Consider the source. That's what I'd expect them to say. This 'soul searching' about the party takes place again and again. Most of it is B.S. In the end the party needs every faction. They cannot afford to let the peaceniks (borrowing a '60's term) slip away. I'm not going anywhere. I'm staying in the party and they'll just have to deal with me and my attidue.

[Tinoire]

9. Yep- consider the source.

The New Republic is the DLC's mouth-piece.

[Dhalgren]

17. But that is what we have always done.

The Democratic Party goes right and we support it. It goes farther right and we support it. When does it stop? When the Democrats make you sign a loyalty pledge? Or you have to salute the party's "Great Leader"? No thanks. The Democratic leadership has taken the left and progressives for granted and will continue to do so until there is a mass exodus from the party's rotting carcass. There needs to be a purge - Democrats who want to be "moderate" Republicans should join the Republican Party. If the Democrats are only to become "moderate" Republicans, then I will not support that party.

[Tinoire]

8. Good post but need to fix it

the part in the quote that were in square brackets didn't show up...

and adding more because that shit young Straussian Beinart of the New Republic pulled was pure DLC bull-shit to shut up and it that didn't work, start purging the Leftist anti-war voice. If the DLC doesn't like the Democratic Party, let IT leave! Take your damn neo-liberal policies and go play with your neo-con friends.
===

Most provocatively, Beinart urged Democrats to "take back their movement" from antiwar elements in the party that he called "softs," a group that included filmmaker Michael Moore and MoveOn.org, the giant online liberal advocacy group that led opposition to the Iraq war.

Beinart's cri de coeur drew applause from the Democratic Leadership Council, which raised similar arguments in the December issue of its Blueprint magazine.

(snip)

"What Beinart is saying is we need to purge from the party the people who got the war in Iraq right. That is not going to happen, but the (attempt) to make it happen, which the (Democratic Leadership Council) has now embraced, will be a brutal fight. "

[lfairban]

16. ". . . their movement"?

Without Moore, MoveOn and the anti-war advocates, there is no movement, just Repuke lite!

[makhno]

18. Beinart is funny

Without the "antiwar elements", Kerry would've gotten what, 30%-40% of the vote? I sure as hell wouldn't have given these assclowns my time and money if it weren't for the motivation exerted by the "liberal advocacy groups".

Fucking assholes. I'd rather spend my energy on any of the myriad socialist parties in this country.

[Just Me]

11. Good. Squabbling is evidence of PRO-DEMOCRACY.

All voices are heard. All ideas explored. All thoughts expressed.

Ultimately, we'll end up with the best strategic solution and unite to defeat all those who are destroying the experiment of democracy.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

24. Exactly

A healthy government is not one in which there are no arguments. It's one in which all points of view are considered before making decisions.

The rethugs have forgotten this. It's only a matter of time before they regret it.

[Dr Fate]

12. They are idiots. Going "left' or "centrist" is the least important issue..

...the ISSUE is the party's inability to go on television and be BLUNT about the dishonesty & criminal activity of the Republicans.

The problem is not whether DEMS are "Liberal" or "centrist"- the problem is they are too chickenshit or corrupt to go on television and punch Republicans in their fucking throats.

Heres a start- have top, household name Democrats go on TV and list every single one of Bush's lies-with a source and a date. Go on TV the next day & do it again.

Then say, "We cant do business in congress until Bush explains, under oath, the literally hundreds of statements he made that were not true. It's a credibility issue, and we are not backing down."

Nothing "liberal" or "centrist" about that- and its somthing even "swing voters" can understand.

Until DEMS understand that its their inability to FIGHT that is the problem, these "left vs. centrist" debates will be useless.

[Just Me]

13. Corruption certainly has not stopped the red corporatists from,...

,...saying whatever the hell they want to say (which has, generally speaking, been either pure BS or complete misrepresentations).

Don't you find it interesting how, those with the practically NO conscience are willing to and get away with pure FRAUD; whereas, those with any conscience are most fearful of being persecuted?

I have to agree with your assertion that DEMS must channel into their passion to FIGHT!!!

In our country,...FIGHTING with a smile and confidence and clarity is the best strategic method towards winning.

After all, we are FIGHTING for "the people" whom we serve and against those who are using "the people". They are radical, power-mongering, profiteers (who have mastered the commercial act faux compassion and concern, and should be gently admonished and put in their place).

Apply the basics of any adult abuser model: they invest great energy convincing you that their personal benefit from inflicting pain is actually good and loving.

[snippy]

15. I agree completely. Allowing republican lies to go unchallenged

guarantees defeat.

[Solly Mack]

22. The funny thing about the truth is

it's "far"-reaching (iffen you know what I mean)

My momma always said: Telling the truth is like shit hitting the fan;it lands on everybody.

Which is why I think people avoid the truth. It's easier (i.e. more "comfortable") to frame the issue as centrists verses liberals than it is to examine the party as a whole. Cause the shit would hit the fan ...

[AndyTiedye]

34. Much Simpler

> ...the ISSUE is the party's inability to go on television

That's IT!



It doesn't matter what we say if nobody hears us say it!

[Dr Fate]

36. Kerry, Kennedy or Clinton could go on TV everyday if they wanted.

Especially if they gave they media "hot" issues to cover.

It might sound silly, but if they called Bush a "liar" and listed his lies, and then demand that "the issue of Bush's credibility must be cleared up b/f we can confirm his nominations or vote on his bills"- then they would get the coverage.

"We need to get back to business, but no one trusts Bush anymore- he lies too much. As soon as he goes under oath and answers some questions about the literally hundreds of lies he has told, then we can clear up the issues concernng his credibility."

You cant tell me that Brit Hume or Chris Mathews would not give top household DEMS a spot on TV if they were dropping bombshells.

Sure, Repubs control the media, but DEMS are too chickenshit to do anything even close to what I described above. DEMS have to be outrageous, yet truthful- they would get all the TV time in the world- but they would have to go on TV and FACE OFF their opponents in order to do so.

[barb162]

45. you're right

[Pepperbelly]

46. I agree totally.

And just as bad, the talking heads the party sends out to the wilderness to advocate for Democrats do not have a grasp of even the most basic facts regarding the stories of the day. So even if they had the grit to tell the truth, they don't know what it is.

[stickdog]

50. Yes, it's the inability to FIGHT, the lack of spine to speak the TRUTH

and expose the LIES, the lack of savvy to effectively CONVINCE, and the lack to acumen to clearly and concisely ELUCIDATE.

However, until every vote is subject to a truly random manual audit and our corporate media masters are required to actually serve public interest, we'll be fighting their clusterbombs with our bare fists.

[Guaranteed]

55. YES, Dr Fate. nt

[Pithy Cherub]

14. The truce is over and that is great!

No more kow towing to corporate interests and big money donors. It can't produce votes. Liberals have proven they can bring their own money and really strong voices to a party that has had long-term laryngitis the last four years!

[Voltaire99]

19. Fuck Peter Beinart and The New Republic, too

These, of course, are the guys who liked Lieberman in the primaries...lusted after the invasion of Iraq...clamored for welfare "reform"...cheerleaded for the first Gulf War...demanded money for the Contras in Nicaragua...and licked their lips every time Sharon and his predecessors flattened the West Bank.

Fuck the whole lot of in-name-only right wing Democrats. Ogres in pinstripes, they squat upon the party suffocating its better virtues. They are, alas, our overlords: they call the shots. Replace them, drive them out, and we might stand a chance of becoming a meaningful party again.

[Gyre]

21. Hopefully, everybody here

will remember in '06 and '08, when we get hit for $$$, that they let us down BIG TIME in '04. The only way they'll go down is if they lose a substantial percentage of the monetary base that turned out in '04 and that fact goes public.

Gyre

[Dr Fate]

23. I agree- send complaint notes minus the $$$ in donation envelopes...

That way they will at least get opened.

I'd like to help start a movement where the DEMS get hundreds of thousands of donation envelopes (you know, the ones they send out) with a note saying "you will get your donation when you can fight for our values again" or whatever...

[aikido15]

26. Good one!

I like that!

[Dr Fate]

31. Then do it- and pass the idea on to others...

...lets get a "movement" started- mabey they will get the fucking message if they get a few thousand empty donation envelopes from the base that they rely on, yet ignore.

[Califooyah Operative]

27. That is quite a brilliant idea. nt

[Dr Fate]

30. Thanks- I have actually sent mine in.

I would love for you to do it too- and pass this idea on to others.

I'd love to get a web-site or at least a kicked up thread to encourage others to do it.

DEMS need to get the "message" and this might be the only way to do it.

[aikido15]

33. I'm game...

Even though I believe the party is beyond redemption.

[Califooyah Operative]

40. How do we get our hands on the donation envelopes?

1 or 1000? either way?

[Dr Fate]

41. Well, I know how you can get at least one.

E-mail the DNC or call them and ask them to send you one so you can "send them a little somthing."

They send the solicitations to me b/c I was a donor & volunteer for the past few years.

I would love to know how to get several of them at once- good question.

A good start would be to spread the word here on DU, and get the people here who are already recieving the periodic solicitations to join in.

Even the knowledge that a few people are doing it might open a few eyes at the DNC...

I'm going to start suggesting this over & over in DU threads for a start.

[aikido15]

32. Time for a reality check guys...

Remember this? http://makethemaccountable.com/misc/DemocratsShame2001....


Dems...what a bunch of sell outs!

[aikido15]

42. Repost...Remember this?

Sorry...link did not connect on first post...check this out...we all need to remember this!

http://makethemaccountable.com/misc/DemocratsShame2001.htm


This was 2000, the year the Democratic party sold out.

[bpilgrim]

35. actually, it looks like the corporate DLC policies are being rejected

bout time, too.

they couldn't come up with 1 policy platform for dems cept to adopt MORE of the neoCONs platform :puke:

and here i though that these new "third-way" dems were supposed to understand dollars and cents...

what that article left out is how hard traditional dems hit back by reminding them that weTHEpeople raised more cash them the reTHUGs this year over $300 million, something the media are loath to bring up for some reason :evilgrin:

they need to be civilized and let another strategy be tried - one thats worked throughout history - POPULISM, hey it works for the free market ;->


peace

[Gloria]

37. "split over their agenda"?? What agenda???? The GOP controls

the agenda...

If the Dems have any agenda it is to keep beating up on the GOP and fighting them tooth and nail....not sitting around trying to figure out how to lose the next election...

[VegasWolf]

38. I guess they are looking to Lieberman to lead the party in the

right direction.

[lovuian]

39. Mc Aucliffe is out and Anybody who supported him is out

8 years of Losing is ugly!!!

We keep losing any more and the Democratic Party is Dead!!!

[The Judged]

43. Robert Borosage is correct! The "dlc" has got to go!

dlc = democrats love corporations? <rhetorical question!>

[LWolf]

47. This battle bears watching.

The outcome will determine my future support for democrats and the democratic party. If the "centrists" succeed in pulling the party farther to the right and adopting even more conservative positions, we may see a wholesale abandonment of the party, as those of us still to the left of the constantly drifting "center" head in new directions.

[leesa]

48. They have an orgy of Bush crimes to oppose and they can't find anywhere

to stand on the issues? Pure GOP propaganda.

[Massachusetts]

51. But where is the blue dress?

Dems better figure out a way to unite quickly, we've lost to much ground already.

[Terror Sell]

52. They sure have us on the run

I could easily see the party splitting into two. Wouldn't the pukes love that.

[struggle4progress]

53. DLC strategy gave the Repuiblicans 2000/2004

... Founded in the mid-1980s with essentially the same purpose as the Christian Coalition--to pull a broad political party dramatically to the right--the DLC has been far more successful than its headline-grabbing Republican counterpart. After Walter Mondale's 1984 defeat at the hands of Ronald Reagan, a group of mostly Southern, conservative Democrats hatched the theory that their party was in trouble because it had grown too sympathetic to the agendas of organized labor, feminists, African Americans, Latinos, gays and lesbians, peace activists, and egalitarians ... The triumphalist talk was backed up by the reality of the convention. Vice President Al Gore, a man present at the founding of the DLC and loyal to the organization ever since, was nominated for the Presidency. Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, the current president of the DLC and very possibly the truest of its true believers, was nominated for the Vice Presidency ...
http://www.progressive.org/nich1000.htm

... The DLC comprises three main clusters of New Democrats. The largest is a group of nearly four-hundred national, state, and local legislators and government officials. This contingent includes a wide range of centrist and conservative Democrats, including the following senators who sought the party’s presidential nomination: John Kerry, John Edwards, Bob Graham, and Joe Lieberman ...
http://rightweb.irc-online.org/org/demleadcoun.php

... These Democratic conservatives, out of touch with the Democratic rank and file yet hanging onto the leadership they gained at the Democratic National Committee during the days of Clinton and Gore, occupy themselves in two ways: 1) Finding ways to help Republican politicians, and 2) Devising strategies to undermine Democrats who attempt to challenge Republican politicians ...
http://www.irregulartimes.com/newpolls.html

... former GOP strategist Marshall Wittman, now a senior fellow at the Democratic Leadership Council ...
http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/nation/10553300.htm


Democratic Party core voters would have to be insane to support another DLC ticket in 2008, after the last two fiascos.

[Guaranteed]

54. LOL but guess who's gonna win THIS time around?

The DLC are LOSERS- pure and simple. Their strategy made us lose to the WORST PRESIDENT our nation has ever seen. And we've lost seats in Congress since '94.

Bye, guys- you're finished. :)

[leftchick]

56. Totally Pointless Until Election Fraud is Addressed!

Good God! WTF does it take to wake these assholes up??

[Rainscents]

57. DLC is fool if they are thinking about...

going to right! I will NOT support Dem or DLC if they go right!!! I will either turn to Independent or Green!!!
If DLC goes to right... they will lose lots of money from grassroots... That is donation from people like you and me!

[MisterP]

58. ha! Brownstein is a DLCer; guess he's trying to save his bacon

with this article.