We need a new DLC chair...

[ConservativeDemocrat]

Here are a few snippets of an article by Josh Marshal:

I got an email this morning from a New Dem friend alerting me to the column (note: registration required) by Al From (CEO) and Bruce Reed (President) of the DLC on the Wall Street Journal editorial page.

The essence of their argument is that Democrats must put back into play most, if not all, of the red states if they're to have any hope of winning presidential elections or again becoming the majority party. Some of the particulars I agree with; others I don't.
...
I asked my friend whether he thought From and Reed were fully aware of the 'optics' of running such a 'Dems get your house in order' piece on the Journal's editorial page. He said yes, they did and that they enjoyed the optics of it. I responded, yes, I knew that; but still really didn't think they quite 'got it'.
...
...to advise Democrats you've got to be a Democrat, part of the Democratic party. And what that means is a certain threshold level of lack of contempt for people who, day in and day out, are the Democratic party. I don't mean 'the base'. I mean everyone -- right, left and center, the volunteers, the funders and the intellectuals, the issue activists and the occasional voters. And this shows a basic unwillingness to do that -- even in the most simple symbolic ways, indeed, a delight in not doing so.

Mr. Marshall is, I think, pointing out something that is becoming increasingly obvious: Al From, the current Chair of the DLC, is not only "no Bill Clinton" (our esteemed previous Chair), he seems to have taken on a personal cause to provide ammunition for the Democratic post-election circular firing squad. By being deliberately denigrating fellow Democrats, he is not only marginalizing the centrist voice within the party, he is giving aid and comfort to extremist Republicans. And that latter is flat out unacceptable.

I say this even though all the standard excuses still apply. Centrist party builders still suffer routine attacks from Democrats who prefer ideological purity over even the barest hint of electability. And it's hard to take constant insults without wanting to say something back. However, we must also recognize that this excuse is still an excuse. The leaders of the realistic wing of the Democratic party must always act like adults. A thick skin is part of the job. And Mr. From is obviously lacking in this.

It's time for Al From to step down, and for the DLC to elect someone who can better effect its purpose: to help Democrats tune their message to the wide swath of voters who are not ideological puritans, help them be aware of the consequences of extremist rhetoric and symbolism, and to work for the combined good of the party and country.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[Skidmore]

1. The Democratic Party needs to lose the entire DLC. nt

[saracat]

9. Amen.

[blondeatlast]

11. Indeed. End of story. nt

[Pepperbelly]

65. Why? nt

[greenohio]

2. Howard Dean for chair of the DLC

He supports NAFTA. He cut taxes. I heard he was once a member. He could implement real change there!

[Radical Activist]

14. Just what I was thinking!

He'll fit right in! He also wanted to keep the military budget high like it is now so we look strong on defense, just like the DLC does.

[greenohio]

15. I didn't know that one. Well if the whole DNC thing doesn't work

out he could try to mend his bridges with the DLC. Don't want to put all your eggs in one basket you know.

[JohnKleeb]

21. hell he even bragged that he was more tougher on korea than bush

I am not dissing that or being critical but his supporters are critical of dems who like to act tough on defense.

[Cheswick2.0]

25. well John you have really turned into a me tooer

FYI, we are not critical of those tough on defense. We are tough on those who are for unjust and unnecessary wars.

[cali]

48. John, you're a nice kid

but you criticize frequently and then hasten to add that you're not criticizing. It's not plausible. It is kind of passive aggressive.

[newsguyatl]

51. he's a kid

i guess he just doesn't know better eh?

[ProudToBeLiberal]

59. stop kowtowing and make up your mind

[cali]

50. Jealous juvenile flamebait

This thread isn't even about HD, but you had to get your erroneous digs in. As a long time Vermonter I can disabuse you of your ignorance, but not alas, of your prejudices. Let me simply state that Howard is not an easy guy to pigeon hole, and most of us liberals and progressives up here, long ago gave up trying to do that. I can tell you I knew a heck of a lot of people in his administration, and there were many liberals, and lots of strong women. As a woman, it was always important to me that Dean was so strong on women's issues. Yes, he pissed me off some of the time, but he was hardly the figure you and some others make him out to be. Vermont liberals voted for him over and over, and supported him in the VT primary. In this state, we vote for individuals as well as ideology and not for some media creation. That's hard to explain to people who aren't familiar with the state. Most people here have met Dean, Sanders, Leahy and Jeffords. It's the ultimate in retail politics.

[greenohio]

67. "Yes, (Dean) pissed me off some of the time"

Really. So what did Dean do to piss you off?

And what type of person do I make Dean out to be?

You sound upset.

[DireStrike]

3. I have a question

What makes the DLC democratic? I haven't been able to get a straight answer to this.

My general feeling is that they're moderate republicans. I don't have any real data.

[greenohio]

4. Rendell, Feinstien, Cantwell, Landrieu, Stabenew, Dodd...

If you considers these Democratic, then that is what makes them Democratic. If you think of them as repukes, then the DLC is repuke.

[wantedtohelp]

27. Wonderful logic

So as long as an undemocratic thing is composed of more liberal people it is not undemocratic? You know, if Kucinich was declared dictator for life over the US the fact that he is kucinich wouldn't make him any less of what he would be.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dr.Phool]

5. The new chair for the DLC should be

One with wires, restraints, and a skull-cap with a light bulb on it.

[sadiesworld]

6. Good answer!

:toast:

[BattyDem]

7. Why do we need the DLC at all?

Ever since they came along, the Dems have been slowly creeping towards the right. The Dems used to have their own identity, but thanks to the DLC, they are simply "GOP-lite" - JMHO

[LimpingLib]

8. The DLC has won policy wise. Goals met.

The GOPs policys have gotten plenty of Democratic support in the Senate. HMOs are now taking massive government funds to compete against Medicare. Nearly every major Senate Democrat supported the war which frankly is what made it so much more possible.Patriot Act.

They have made somebody a rabid "left wing" extremist to support anything higher than a $6.65 minninum wage. A $7 per hour minninum wage is considered "progressive". Which btw is what wages McDonalds and Burger King hired at back in 2000 ("progressive").

The "surplus" can make a $500 billion +++ swing (more like $750 billion per year if you look at total debt increases per year)from 2000 to present , yet the most modest "step" in spending $80 billion per year on minor health care coverage is some socalist fantasy according to the DLC. Regardless of our opinion of Dean , its amazing the way the DLC and co. went after him for being the first to break the water on this vital issue the last campaign. Its like they figured the goal posts should be so far right that the football field being several blocks right of the stadium was a roughly speaking good position to be in.Good position for those who want a large under class.Disposition for all workers everywhere that are in constant danger of loosing their health insurance , not to mention hopeless for the 15% who always seem to be lacking insurance.

I hope Al From stays. His constant temper tantrums have been effective in measuring whenever the party actualy is moving in the right direction.

Plus like Liebermann , the guy sticks out and is easy to keep an eye on. He has been marked. I generally think that the party at large (primary voters even many activist types)cant even tell what is good or bad for it , but if somebody consistently in changing times moans at even the slightest of progress (Liebermann , From , etc.) many are able to figure out who their enemys are.

Now that Liebermann has been I.D.ed by every voting schmuck in the party for what he is , its obvious he isnt running again. Now we have some tough work when it comes to I.Ding our enemys.

Here are some tips.

First , start by asking McDonalds workers what they make.Then see what minninum wage proposal is offered by Candidate X.If they propose a minninum wage that is anyway near what the average McDonalds worker makes , then they are a DLC stealth candidate.Example.... McDonalds workers start out at a little more than $7 per hour on average. Minninum wage is $5.15. A 40% increase will put the minninum wage at just slightly over $7 per hour:equal to McDonalds wages. Thats not only bad but bloody disgusting. When some candidate comes asking for your vote , just ask what his minninum wage position is. When he says something like "we need a 40%-60% increase for 'hard working Americans' vote for generous me" then simply say to him...........NOT ONLY NO.... BUT HELL NO!!!

[no name no slogan]

53. Dang, you nailed this one HEAD ON

It's absolutely pathetic that the 'left' party in this country now has a platform that makes Richard Nixon circa 1972 look like a bleeding socialist.

Even Nixon advocated for a MANDATORY minimum dollar amout for poor people-- enough to provide for their basic needs. The best we got out of the 2004 platform is an minimum wage 'increase' of $1.00/hour-- which would make the minimum wage still well below the poverty level in most of the country.

We now have more working poor in this country than we've had in 30 years. You can thank the "progressive" economic policies of both the Repubs AND Dems over the past thirty years for that.

Even during the "golden era" of Clinton, wealth disparity skyrocketed, working people's debt load soared, and their wages stayed relatively the same. More Americans dumped their money into 'investments', which are just another way the rich move wealth upward. Saving rates hit all-time lows, and personal bankruptcies increased alarmingly.

There's an old saying; "everybody does better when everybody does better". Unfortunately, the Dems have redefined their concept of "everybody" to only mean "middle-class" voters with 401k plans and kids in college. John Kerry repeatedly used the words "middle-class" in his campaign speeches-- but he RARELY talked about "working-class", "lower-class" or the "working poor".

More DLC leadership of the party will NOT bring us back into the majority. Standing up for real economic justice WILL.

[sophie996]

10. what we need

is to repudiate the DLC, which is _not_ an arm of the Democratic Party, but a gang of self-selected wannabes. for a start, we could urge our elected reps who are members to get out of the DLC/New Democrats. look them up at http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ka.cfm?kaid=104

[Skidmore]

13. Lists of them....

Don't forget to check your state reps out. Iowegians can count Vilsack and Pederson among the membership. Pederson is one of our electoral college members. Sigh.

Senate

Evan Bayh, U.S. Senator, IN
John Breaux, U.S. Senator, LA
Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator, WA
Tom Carper, U.S. Senator, DE
Kent Conrad, U.S. Senator, ND
John Edwards, U.S. Senator, NC
Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, CA
Bob Graham, U.S. Senator, FL
Tim Johnson, U.S. Senator, SD
John Kerry, U.S. Senator, MA
Herb Kohl, U.S. Senator, WI
Mary Landrieu, U.S. Senator, LA
Joe Lieberman, U.S. Senator, CT
Blanche Lincoln, U.S. Senator, AR
Zell Miller, U.S. Senator, GA
Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator, FL
Ben Nelson, U.S. Senator, NE
Mark Pryor, U.S. Senator, AR
Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator, MI

Congress


Tom Allen, U.S. Representative, ME
Joe Baca, U.S. Representative, CA
Brian Baird, U.S. Representative, WA
Chris Bell, U.S. Representative, TX
Shelley Berkley, U.S. Representative, NV
Marion Berry, U.S. Representative, AR
Earl Blumenauer, U.S. Representative, OR
Lois Capps, U.S. Representative, CA
Dennis Cardoza, U.S. Representative, CA
Brad Carson, U.S. Representative, OK
Ed Case, U.S. Representative, HI
Jim Cooper, U.S. Representative, TN
Bud Cramer, U.S. Representative, AL
Joseph Crowley, U.S. Representative, NY
Jim Davis, U.S. Representative, FL
Susan Davis, U.S. Representative, CA
Artur Davis, U.S. Representative, AL
Peter Deutsch, U.S. Representative, FL
Cal Dooley, U.S. Representative, CA
Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Representative, IL
Anna Eshoo, U.S. Representative, CA
Bob Etheridge, U.S. Representative, NC
Harold Ford, Jr. , U.S. Representative, TN
Charles Gonzalez, U.S. Representative, TX
Jane Harman, U.S. Representative, CA
Baron Hill, U.S. Representative, IN
Ruben Hinojosa, U.S. Representative, TX
Joseph Hoeffel, U.S. Representative, PA
Rush Holt, U.S. Representative, NJ
Mike Honda, U.S. Representative, CA
Darlene Hooley, U.S. Representative, OR
Jay Inslee, U.S. Representative, WA
Steve Israel, U.S. Representative, NY
Chris John, U.S. Representative, LA
Ron Kind, U.S. Representative, WI
Nick Lampson, U.S. Representative, TX
Jim Langevin, U.S. Representative, RI
Rick Larsen, U.S. Representative, WA
John Larson, U.S. Representative, CT
Zoe Lofgren, U. S. Representative, CA
Ken Lucas, U.S. Representative, KY
Denise Majette, U.S. Representative, GA
Carolyn Maloney, U.S. Representative, NY
Jim Matheson, U.S. Representative, UT
Bob Matsui, U.S. Representative, CA
Carolyn McCarthy, U.S. Representative, NY
Karen McCarthy, U.S. Representative, MO
Mike McIntyre, U.S. Representative, NC
Gregory Meeks, U.S. Representative, NY
Michael Michaud, U.S. Representative, ME
Juanita Millender-McDonald, U.S. Representative, CA
Brad Miller, U.S. Representative, NC
Dennis Moore, U.S. Representative, KS
Jim Moran, U.S. Representative, VA
Grace Napolitano, U.S. Representative, CA
David Price, U.S. Representative, NC
Silvestre Reyes, U.S. Representative, TX
Mike Ross, U.S. Representative, AR
Steve Rothman, U.S. Representative, NJ
Loretta Sanchez, U.S. Representative, CA
Max Sandlin, U.S. Representative, TX
Adam B. Schiff, U.S. Representative, CA
David Scott, U.S. Representative, GA
Brad Sherman, U.S. Representative, CA
Adam Smith, U.S. Representative, WA
Vic Snyder, U.S. Representative, AR
John Spratt, U.S. Representative, SC
Charles Stenholm, U.S. Representative, TX
Bart Stupak, U.S. Representative, MI
John Tanner, U.S. Representative, TN
Ellen Tauscher, U.S. Representative, CA
Mike Thompson, U.S. Representative, CA
Jim Turner, U.S. Representative, TX
Tom Udall, U.S. Representative, NM
Robert Wexler, U.S. Representative, FL
David Wu, U.S. Representative, OR

[JohnKleeb]

22. they're some good and bad names in the group

and not all of those people voted for the war resolution btw.

[Zhade]

41. True, John.

I'm pissed that Feinstein, my ex-senator (and yeah, I still live in California, it's just that she was dead to me after voting for Negroponte) voted for the war.

But then, her husband owns major stock in "defense", so it's not like it was a surprise.

[Walt Starr]

12. How about the DLC just goes away?

Works for me. Screw that outfit!

[blondeatlast]

16. The D*N*C should be doing that. The DLC should go the way of the dodo.

Worst thing to happen to the Democrats--ever.

With the Radical Right in charge, the DLC is useless anyway. We won't need them to "persuade" swing voters; the Radical Right powers in the House, Senate, Administration, and the Supreme Court will all do a fine, fine job of it.

They can't blame the Democrats anymore, folks.

[mattclearing]

17. The DLC needs to change its name to the RLC - Republican Lite Committee

Bill Clinton would not be pushed by the DLC these days. He was actually kinda liberal when they pushed him compared to their current tastes, which are somewhere between Lieberman and John Breaux.

[gottaB]

18. CD, I applaud you

Al From is sowing dissent among Democrats. The animosity you see in threads like this reflects his disruptive influence. Conservative and moderate Democrats deserve more responsible leadership. It's time to mend fences, and channel our energies towards defeating our common foe.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

20. To be fair...

It's not all Mr. From's fault. Many Democrats (including a significant minority of posters in the D.U.) are as - if not more - counterproductive, disruptive, and ultimately damaging to the Democratic party. And they'd be that way even if the DLC had a paragon of equanimity as its leader.

Hell, there are a significant number of Bill Clinton haters. Some are the more outspoken posters on the D.U.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[gottaB]

23. Sure, there's stupid rhetoric coming from all sides

And serious disagreements on policy issues that can't be papered over. My Senators do a fairly good job of representing my liberal views without resorting to divisive rhetoric. I'd say the same thing about the progressive leadership in the House and Senate.

So what am I supposed to do about some of the more outspoken critics of the DLC or their fanboys? Write them a letter? They don't claim to represent me, and to be honest many of them don't see the difference between my political views and yours.

I used to be extremely harsh in my condemnation of the DLC, but my thinking has matured. And what happens? Just when I'm trying to encourage rapprochement between the differing factions, Al From appears to pour some gasoline on the fire.

It's very frustrating. I applaud your effort.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

69. No it's TOTALLY Al From and Bruce Reed's fault..both have written

regular articles denigrating and marginalizing the party's base including organized labor which is where they GET many conservative Democrats from (teamsters and the like) They have consistently taken pro Bush stands on many an issue. They have MADE the DLC the punching bag it didn't need to be.

[ElectroPrincess]

70. Yeah, we are not suck ups to the republicans and the giant

corporations like the DLC leadership. They no longer care about the people. The DLC loves corporations almost as much as the * administration.

I'm proud to leave the democratic party and vote green if the DLC doesn't pull it's act together.

Newsflash and "Reality Based" you DLCers will lose your political a** if you don't turn left. Maybe the greens won't win but, at this point, I don't see all that much difference between you and the moderate republicans.

I hate to admit it but Nader was right. You have sold out your integrity to Corporate America.

Good riddance to the present leadership of the DLC. ;)

[Robbien]

19. The DLC got into power because it could raise money. That's over now

The DLC got its money from corporations, but the GOP is telling the corporations they will not stand for them to give money to the Democrats.

The DLC will never be able to raise money from its grassroots since it has spent all its time spitting on the grassroots.

The DLC is over.

[Cheswick2.0]

24. I hear John Ashcroft is unemployed

He'd be about right.

[DaveinMD]

28. that is ludicrous

yeah Bill Clinton and Ashcroft are just the same.

[Cheswick2.0]

36. Did you watch that jackass From on C-span today?

He gave the "there are arabs waking up every day and the first thing they think is how to kill us".........please that man is only slightly left of ashcroft.

Don't bring Clinton into it. I didn't say they were the same did I? Your post is ludicrous.

[ulysses]

26. ??? "By being deliberately denigrating fellow Democrats"

When has he *not* done this?

The leaders of the realistic wing of the Democratic party must always act like adults.

By calling themselves the "realistic wing", of course. :eyes:

[ConservativeDemocrat]

29. Ah yes, I left out a "to" : "denigrating to fellow Democrats"

A grammar flame. Yes you caught me. I surrender.

And, FYI, the "realistic wing" is largely intended to be descriptive, not denigrating. The far left of of our party are our "values" voters: people who view any sort of compromise as betraying their moral core. And willing to publicly tell vast swathes of U.S. voters to go to hell (Fuck the south comes to mind).

DLC centrists understand, and to a certain extent sympathize with, the feelings of the more liberal members in the party, but we're a bit more, well, realistic. Here's one of our basic observations: you don't persuade people to vote for you by insulting them. In fact, you can often get voters to come over to your side by listening to them. Really!

- C.D. "Proud Member of the Reality Based Community"

[ulysses]

30. no, I overlooked the typo.

We all do it. My point wasn't about that. I quoted you verbatim simply because that's what you wrote.

And, FYI, the "realistic wing" is largely intended to be descriptive, not denigrating.

Yeah, sure.

In fact, you can often get voters to come over to your side by listening to them. Really!

Simply listening? Not, say, listening *and changing your party's stand on issues*? Hell, I listen to people all the time - how are you more "realistic" than I am?

[ConservativeDemocrat]

32. If you choose to be insulted, that's your choice

In the realistic vs idealistic debate, many think "realistic" to be the insult - thinking it morally compromised. If you place realism in such high esteem, why do you take issue with me?

Simply listening? Not, say, listening *and changing your party's stand on issues*?

Sometimes it is. Usually it's not. Usually it's just a change in strategy, re-framing issues to be more acceptable, and putting controversy on the back-burner until after the election.

For example, there is no doubt in my mind that Mayor Gavin Newsom was doing the "morally correct" thing in regards to gay marriage. But it was also utterly stupid. First, because Mayors don't have the power to do what he did (the whole thing got overturned - so gays are in no better a position today than they were before). And Second, because he drove millions of cultural conservatives to the polls last election. If he hadn't have done what he did, we'd now be talking about President Elect Kerry.

That's what's so galling about all the uncompromising pie-in-the-sky Democratic idealists. They engage in antics that drive people into the arms of the GOP, and then after the inevitable happens in the next election, pretend that it's all our fault: You DLC losers! Why... if only we'd nominated Dennis Kucinich, he'd have won in a landslide! Yeah right.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[Zhade]

43. The insult is that you think you're realistic, and others are not.

Thankfully, you are not the sole arbiter of who is and is not "realistic".

Also nice how you picked up the "fags cost the Dems the election" rightwing propaganda.

[ulysses]

54. oh, I'm not insulted.

Amused, as always, by the idea of a sharp idealistic/realistic dichotomy - the world doesn't work that way - but not insulted.

That's what's so galling about all the uncompromising pie-in-the-sky Democratic idealists. They engage in antics that drive people into the arms of the GOP, and then after the inevitable happens in the next election, pretend that it's all our fault: You DLC losers! Why... if only we'd nominated Dennis Kucinich, he'd have won in a landslide! Yeah right.

1. If anyone has said that Kucinich would have won in a landslide, it wasn't me, and I voted for him (edit - in the primaries).

2. You're being simplistic. We lost control of the Congress ten years ago, when nobody knew who Gavin Newsom or Dennis Kucinich were and gay marriage was not an issue. Who was in the White House then? Could it have been the savior of the party Himself?

[ConservativeDemocrat]

56. Well, you said it was "denigrating"...

So I assumed you found it insulting...

We lost control of the Congress ten years ago, when nobody knew who Gavin Newsom or Dennis Kucinich were and gay marriage was not an issue.

You're absolutely right. It wasn't gay marriage. It was Gays In The Military. Yes, different indeed.

Notice however, that Clinton did wait to push the issue only after he was elected (clever, that man). But we did lose Congress over it. I still remember the GOP slogan to this day - Send President Clinton a message. And the public wasn't sending any stupid message about the so-called "Contract With America" either: most voters couldn't even name a single plank. It was all hatred of the "gay lifestyle".

So don't go pretending to yourself that we lost over some DLC/Centrist issue. We didn't. We lost because our guy went to bat for the moral-idealist wing of our party (because, frankly, it was the right thing to do), and we all got collectively burned.

- C.D. "Proud Member of the Reality Based Community"

[ulysses]

57. "denigrating" was your word, not mine.

You're absolutely right. It wasn't gay marriage. It was Gays In The Military. Yes, different indeed.

Ok, then - what paragon of centrist virtue pulled *those* stunts if not Bill Clinton himself?

Notice however, that Clinton did wait to push the issue only after he was elected (clever, that man). But we did lose Congress over it.

We did? Someone told me it was over "socialized" health care. I do wish you folks would get your story straight.

So don't go pretending to yourself that we lost over some DLC/Centrist issue. We didn't. We lost because our guy went to bat for the moral-idealist wing of our party (because, frankly, it was the right thing to do), and we all got collectively burned.

ROFLMAO! Bill Clinton the altruist. Sure. :D

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ulysses]

60. oh, you're not wrong.

I was being sarcastic, I just wansn't insulted. :)

It was all issues that the liberal wing of the party wanted that lost us Congress.

You don't get to have it all ways. I thought it was Gavin Newsom and the gay marriage thing that stood in John Kerry's way to the White House. Now it's all things liberal?

Clinton signed welfare reform, reestablishing his credentials as a moderate.

It's always amused me that party moderates and centrists claim JFK and LBJ as their own, yet those men would have laughed a five-year limit on welfare benefits out of the house.

The next thing you know, he's reelected.

Thank you, Ross Perot.

It's comments like this - mocking people who've literally spent their lives trying to help others - that make me wonder if Mr. From is right: that there is nothing salvageable in the irrational hate-filled anti-Democratic left.

Am I supposed to feel badly about myself at this point? Has Bill Clinton spent his life trying to help others? I don't think that the man is Satan incarnate, but he's a purely political animal. A man who spends his life trying to help others used the execution of Ricky Ray Rector as a campaign photo op? Please.

Have no fear, ulysses, there is a site created especially for people who like to pass their days attacking Democrats. Go join them, and leave us Democrats alone.

Nice try. I've been a Democrat my entire life, and I'm not about to go anywhere. It's my party *at least* as much as it is yours.

[scarletwoman]

61. I know Ulysses. Ulysses has been here a hell of a lot longer than YOU have

And YOU have the f**king nerve to tell ULYSSES to join Free Republic?!?!

You're no Democrat, you're just an ass.

sw

[Forkboy]

63. hehe

you said it.

[Zhade]

42. Just saying you're the "realistic wing" hardly makes it so.

Similarly, calling those of us not more rightward in our politics "far left" - a tired rightwing talking point - doesn't make us any less realistic.

In fact, with regards to things like living wages, outsourcing, and illegal wars, the "far left" (in actuality, traditional Dems and progressives) are even more realistic than the DLC.

[blondeatlast]

44. Right now, anything left of hard right is is left.

The RadRight is so far out of the mainstream that Arlen Spector is too far left for them.

The country is bound to shift left as the Radical Right assumes more power.

Which renders the DLC USELESS.

[Bouncy Ball]

49. Oh really?

Well I'm a very far left Dem and I am perfectly realistic. Living in a red state will do that to ya. I don't insult red voters, and I listened my ASS off to them for years. Talked to them, too. Maturely and intelligently.

Didn't win over a single one of them. Appeasement DOES NOT WORK.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

33. Zell Miller is available and would fit in nicely.

Now that the parties are merging, Zell has a record of getting along with the DLC and Bush. Then the DLC/RNC coalition would be complete.

[otohara]

35. I Can't Tell Difference Between Al From

and Zell Miller -

[scarletwoman]

34. How about a table, too? And a sofa? Hell, take ALL the furniture!

And MOVE OUT of the Democratic party!

sw

[Skidmore]

37. Definitely, a possibility here. If enough of us move out, perhaps

it'll give the DNC/DLC some time to focus on convincing all those Republicans to be left of center.

[scarletwoman]

38. Nah. It's the DLC I want to move out. The Democratic party is MY party.

Like MoveOn says, "we bought it, we own it." The corporate whores and "centrists" who stand for nothing can take their game elsewhere.

My Depression era parents always taught me that the Republican party was the party of Big Business and that the Democratic party was the party of the little guy. I grew up believing that and have voted Democratic my entire adult life.

The DLC has betrayed us, has made a lie of what my parents always taught me. I do not forgive the DLC for that. I want them rooted out of MY party. I want them sent packing. I want a Democratic party that works for my parents' interests, for MY interests, not the interests of Wall Street and mega-corporations.

I want my party back, and I will work for as long as it takes to make it so.

sw

[Skidmore]

40. That's good to know, and it would be my preference too. However,

if it topples back to them, it is something I anticipate to be a serious option for me.

[blondeatlast]

45. I'm a 4th gen Dem; my grandparents were adults during the Depression.

I learned the same thing. If we become the party of big business, why bother to be a party at all?

The DLC must go.

[Zhade]

39. Mr. Marshall...

...is entirely too kind to the DLC. I wonder, has he ever discussed that traitorous PNAC endorser Will Marshall? I should go search TPM.

[Zhade]

62. It does not appear he has, or else I cannot find anything.

NT!

[llpoperations]

46. Not a "New DLC" - A bloodletting!

We need a PURGE!

Destroy the DLC and the DNC.

Publicly announce that we are going to present a Progressive Platform for the 21st Century, and demand alligance from anyone who wants our money, time or effort.

If it means that the GOP retains control for the next 20 years, so be it. I'd bet that within a very short period, the Thugs would screw the average American so badly that even the most redneck among them would start to understand.

Our role is to continue to speak the truth, and scream "We told you so!!"

Progressives should take no part in bipartisanship, or compromise. The responsibility for the disaster must rest squarely on the GOP.

In the meantime, we should focus all our attention on gaining complete control of every Blue State, legislatures and Governors.

Support devolution, regionalization and states' rights.

Show the Red States that the Blues can provide our citizens with universal health care, quality education, good jobs, clean air and water, and energy independence simply by stopping our taxes flowing to the federal government.

Show the pukes that we're tired of being fucked with, and we're not going to take it anymore.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

47. Sounds good to me.

Not sure if you really mean it but, it sounds like a workable plan.

[IndianaGreen]

52. Evan Bayh is the DLC Chair

Al From is the CEO.

DLC could stop pretending and join the GOP for good!

[Hippo_Tron]

55. The ratio of non DLC supporters to DLC supporters on DU is about 50/1

You're asking the wrong crowd to have a discussion of the future leader of the DLC.

[Q]

64. The DLC is not 'part' of the Democratic party...

...and Democrats have no say in it at all. They are not elected officials...just Think Tankers who have assumed power over the party.

[Zynx]

66. The DLC has made us an economically conservative and socially liberal

party. That's a losing strategy. They've done it to pick up more donations, but it has killed us.

[greenohio]

68. Funny, that's how our reforming champions describe themselves.

Why do they say that if its such a loser?

[Radical Activist]

72. You mean Howard Dean?

I do seem to remember him calling himself a social liberal and economic conservative. I think that's a losing strategy too. Dean sure does sound a lot like the DLC.

[greenohio]

73. Did I say that? Nooo. If I said that, well, that'd be blasphemy.

But you feel free to say it all you want.

[AntiCoup2K4]

71. Satan should be the chair of the DLC

because the hottest darkest most putrid corner of Hell is exactly where those treasonous bastards belong :evilgrin: