A question about corporate contributions, the DLC, and free trade

[fujiyama]

The DLC and their types (the New Republic, etc) often say a few things they want in a candidate. There a few qualities and policies that are frequently mentioned and favored such as being "strong on defense and terror", fiscally responsible, "strong on values", and pro free trade.

I was wondering when it was the DLC began pushing free trade in the party, because often they claim that not being in favor of it is "looking to the past" with failed candidates such as Dukakis and Mondale. The DLC was started in '84, so was Dukakis not their pick? I assume they may have had some power in helping to decide who would be the candidate.

As most people here know, Clinton was very good at fund raising. He raised a ton of cash from various different sources, including Wall Street, and other corporations. It's also ABSOLUTELY UNDENIABLE that this need for fundraising was started by republicans. Even when democrats were raising a lot, they still never really matched the the GOP, which has whored itself beyond all recognition. Unfortunately it seems like many Democrats figured corporate fundraising was very easy. We also saw some direct results from that fundraising such as NAFTA, DMCA, the telocomm bill, etc.

So, I have a few questions - where did the party start stressing free trade? Are these free trade policies at all popular at with people? If not, why do people not seem to care? They have been constantly voting for those that support it. They had a chance to vote against it with Perot. They chose not to...He may have been a strange guy, and he ended getting a very large part of the vote (~20% in '92), but why didn't he win?

As for the other issues, people by now should know which party is fiscally responsibility, the values argument is bunk with the GOP throwing these wedge issues out there, and the way the admin is currently fightin "the war on terror" is a joke.

So, wouldn't the dems get more votes for being more rstricive on free trade? I'm not advocating one way or the other for it, but I'm curious why the DLC think beings pro free trade has helped get many votes.

[stepnw1f]

1. I have to dig up the doc

but from what I remember, there was to by some regulations implemented into the bill, yet the Repukes blocked it. Not to sure...anyone else know more?

[fujiyama]

2. .