Meet the DLC

[paineinthearse]

There have been several messages recently discussing the DLC. Who exactly IS the DLC? Take a look, there are several names that came as a surprise to me!

Source: http://www.dlc.org/new_dem_dir_action.cfm?viewAll=1

Edit - Deleted list sorted by state, per AntiCoup2K4 "too much bandwidth" post.

[Dogmudgeon]

1. The DLC is a convenient hate object

They aren't quite my style, either, but I don't think they are the evil right-wing toadies that a lot of DUers think they are. They won us some elections in the 1990s. The kept the Republican Party from further marginalizing us. They're not exactly the "traitors" some of the hotheads claim.

--p!

[sendero]

7. I don't think they are "traitors"...

... I just think they have outdated ideas and a proven failed strategy for getting Dems in office.

But then, that's bad enough.

[Dogmudgeon]

8. I can't argue with that

Maybe a little. But not enough to want to. I am not a DLC supporter, either, and would like the group to, ideally, become a progressive group.

But some people 'round these parts just go ballistic at the mention of DLC. Some of them even confuse the DNC (Democratic National Committee) with the DLC (Democratic Leadership Council) and go ballistic anyway.

They're not worth that kind of agita. Fuggedaboudit, I says, and get back to work on the progressive agenda.

--p!

[paineinthearse]

9. "get back to work on the progressive agenda"

Does working on the progresive agenda not include running progressive candidates against DINO incumbents?

[Dogmudgeon]

11. Where'd you get that idea?

Of course not. We should be winning primaries and promoting our vision of America's future (starting with tomorrow morning).

At the same time, the intense anger (as distinct from criticism) toward the DLC is counterproductive. And we ought to work on bringing as many of them over to our point of view as possible. Admitting defeat and complaining bitterly isn't going to help us win.

Too many progressives are too cynical, too bitter, and too defeatist. It is an easy trap to get stuck into in times like ours. But it took the flying-monkey Right just 16 years to go from total disgrace to electing Reagan as President. We're already five years along, counting from the theft of the 2000 election.

My point is that instead of attacking them, our energies ought to be put to more constructive use -- one of which is to prepare candidates to defeat them in primary elections. But don't overlook the opportunity to recruit DINOs and re-infuse them with the progressive idealism most of them once had. They could eventually be very valuable progressive movers and shakers, having learned from their mistakes.

If WE are to regain control of the party and the public conversation, then WE will have to assume the roles of leaders. Part of leadership involves redeeming backsliders. The existence of the DLC and DINOs isn't a curse, it's an opportunity.

--p!

[1932]

15. They're too pro-corporate in a world where corporations have won.

Democrats who are pro-worker, pro-consumer and pro-citizen should be carrying the flag today.

[Kolesar]

10. I think the DLC's influence is overstated--positive or negative

Some people seem to think the DLC is calling all the shots in our party. That is hardly the case. I won't even give them credit for getting Clinton/Gore elected. Clinton was a great politician in his own right.

[1932]

16. I agree. Contrary to popular opinion, DLC did not control 2004 message

and they didn't get their candidates on the ticket.

I believe the message could have been more pro-consumer/pro-labor/pro-citizen, but I don't think it was the DLC that prevented that.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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

[paineinthearse]

3. Governors & Lt Governors

Janet Napolitano Governor AZ
Ruth Ann Minner Governor DE
Tom Vilsack Governor IA
Kathleen Sebelius Governor KS
Jennifer Granholm Governor MI
Michael Easley Governor NC
Bill Richardson Governor NM
Ed Rendell Governor PA
Mark Warner Governor VA
Jim Doyle Governor WI
Cruz M. Bustamante Lieutenant Governor CA
Mark Taylor Lieutenant Governor GA
Sally Pederson Lieutenant Governor IA
Beverly Perdue Lieutenant Governor NC
Tim Kaine Lieutenant Governor VA

[JNelson6563]

12. Granholm needs to court her base

lots of Dems in MI pissed at her, she's on shakey ground. I got some advice for her, court your base. The R's hate you and the D's are falling out of love and hard. Better get on it.

Julie

[PassingFair]

18. As usual, J...I agree with you 100%

When I was canvassing for Kerry, I got nothing but negative reactions towards our gov, and I wasn't even bringing her up!
The catholic smear machine, which spent over half a million dollars on the anti-gay measure, will have all their laser guns set to "excommunicate" also.
Don't waste your hopes on her "courting her base", DLC candidates seem to despise their base.

[JNelson6563]

20. Thanks PF, I wish we were wrong instead

We can only take small comfort in the fact her opponent, DeVos, is a lunatic. Wealthy, yes, but tres' looney.

You're right on the DLC and their general view of their base, at best they take us for granted, at worst, well, lots worse....

Still, my county party agreed to give her half the proceeds of a recent event so tonight she gets $3,000 from our county party and the proceeds from a posh, private, for-your-benefit-only-Jen event. She'll walk outta there with $10-15k easy. Everyone knows Devos is filthy rich so all will give generously to a candidate they disagree with often so she can beat the well-funded nut-case they loathe.

*sigh*

Julie

[paineinthearse]

4. U.S. Representatives

Artur Davis AL
Vic Snyder AR
Adam B. Schiff CA
Ellen Tauscher CA
Jane Harman CA
Juanita Millender-McDonald CA
Lois Capps CA
Loretta Sanchez CA
Susan Davis CA
John Larson CT
Jim Davis FL
David Scott GA
Ed Case HI
Rahm Emanuel IL
Melissa Bean IL
Dennis Moore KS
Ben Chandler KY
Charlie Melancon LA
Russ Carnahan MO
Bob Etheridge NC
David Price NC
Mike McIntyre NC
Rush Holt NJ
Tom Udall NM
Shelley Berkley NV
Brian Higgins NY
Carolyn McCarthy NY
Eliot Engel NY
Gregory Meeks NY
Joseph Crowley NY
Steve Israel NY
Darlene Hooley OR
David Wu OR
Allyson Schwartz PA
Stephanie Herseth SD
Harold Ford, Jr. TN
Charlie Gonzalez TX
Jim Moran VA
Adam Smith WA
Brian Baird WA
Jay Inslee WA
Rick Larsen WA
Ron Kind WI

[paineinthearse]

5. U.S. Senators

Blanche Lincoln AR
Mark Pryor AR
Dianne Feinstein CA
Christopher Dodd CT
Joe Lieberman CT
Tom Carper DE
Bill Nelson FL
Evan Bayh IN
Mary Landrieu LA
John Kerry MA
Debbie Stabenow MI
Max Baucus MT
Byron Dorgan ND
Kent Conrad ND
Ben Nelson NE
Hillary Clinton NY
Tim Johnson SD
Maria Cantwell WA
Herb Kohl WI

[Larkspur]

13. Lieber-bush used to be chair of the DLC

I won't be voting for him in 2006. Maybe I'll write in Rachel Corries for CT senator in 2006.

[paineinthearse]

14. Are there any primary challengers?

I heard Blumenthal was considering a challenge.

[Larkspur]

19. Blumenthal is politically timid and a friend of Lieberman, so he won't

challenge. Blumenthal is considering running for Governor of CT but Rell's high poll numbers right now may disuade him from doing so, and he may run again for AG.

I think he'd like to run for the US Senate but neither Dodd nor Lieberman are interested in stepping down. Lieberman is already committed to running in 2006. Professor Orman from Fairfield, a Lieberman critic and political science professor, is considering a challeng to Lieberman. He's the only one I've heard about. I don't live near New Haven or Fairfield County, where Orman is from. I live catty-corner to Fairfield, in Northeast CT, the poorer side of CT.

[AntiCoup2K4]

6. waste of bandwidth

Anybody who wants to read the complete list of DLC traitors can do so at their website.

[Mass]

17. Well, I still prefer to fight against people because they dont have

progressive views and not because they listed on a web site.

There are A LOT of Dems that belong to the US House and Senate and that are as bad or worse as these people.

I think all these talks about DLC do only one thing: make this organisation a lot more powerful it is. Should we not fight to run candidates like Hackett everywehere, in each district and states starting by those who have no candidates.

This would dilute the supposed power of these organisations a lot more than this type of ranting we see everyday on DU.

BTW, why where you surprised by some names.

[paineinthearse]

21. Martha Coakley nt