DLC lists not "members" but those who've participated in DLC events? Huh?

[flpoljunkie]

Has this always been the case? Very strange, indeed.



From left to right: U.S. Sen. Tom ("bankruptcy bill enabler") Carper is vice chairman of the DLC; U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton is chair of the DLC's "American Dream Initiative; Al From is founder and CEO of the DLC; Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is chairman of the DLC; (Not pictured: Bruce Reed is DLC president; Pennsylvania State Representative Jennifer Mann is chair of the DLC's State Legislative Advisory Board (SLAB); Columbus (OH) Mayor Michael Coleman is chairman of the DLC's Local Elected Officials Network.)

The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) does not have a membership structure for elected officials. The following list includes elected officials who have participated in DLC events, have been featured in the DLC's "100 to Watch" or "New Democrat of the Week," or have been involved with organizations of New Democrats at the federal, state, and/or local levels.

Senator list:

Max Baucus, U.S. Senator, MT
Evan Bayh, U.S. Senator, IN
Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator, WA
Tom Carper, U.S. Senator, DE
Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator, NY
Kent Conrad, U.S. Senator, ND
Byron Dorgan, U.S. Senator, ND
Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, CA
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
Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator, FL
Ben Nelson, U.S. Senator, NE
Mark Pryor, U.S. Senator, AR
Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator, MI

[Dogmudgeon]

1. As far as I know, yes

It's supposed to be more of a network than an actual institution.

Which is part of the reason why I think complaining about the DLC is a waste of time. It's far more direct to cultivate personal relationships with the legislators and their staffs to lobby them about issues that matter to you/us. If you're even a little active in your local Democratic Party, your voice will be heard much more clearly.

There must be some kind of progressive "answer" to the DLC. We ought to put more energy into promoting that than simply screaming about the DLC.

There will be plenty of opportunities to make your displeasure known when you're playing the role of the Big Tent Ringmaster. Besides, quiet and measured expressions of disappointment and disapproval usually work a lot better than invective and noise. Most of the time, they'll wonder just how big a stick you have if you're walking so softly. :)

--p!