Can someone explain to me how Gep is DLC?

[mrgorth]

I don't get it. Half of the guy's policees are further to the left than Dean's. He's for slashing the whole tax cut, ardently pro-labor, wants a global minimum wage, etc. The only thing he agrees with the DLC on is that goddamn war. Is the stinking war that important to the DLC or is this just a membership thing?

Thanks.

[MysticMind]

1. I'm pretty in touch with the DLC..

And I think they could push Gephardt because of his apparent strength on national security. I feel the ideal DLC candidate is Hillary Clinton.

[Bandit]

2. DLC is soo yesterday ~ It really doesn't matter what they think

They sold out and most Democrats know that to be true. It is one thing to have a D in front of your name but quite another matter to really espouse the ideals of the Democratic Party. Dennis Kucinich is the one to do that the most but he is painted as a fruitcake and no chance of winning. He may have no chance of winning but what he has to say has great merit and I have heard nothing from the DLC that stirs me in any manner. They are like the Republicans in that they use fear to sway the voter. Tell me what the DLC stands for other than "We need to move closer to the Republican positions in order to win" You either believe in the Democratic Party or you don't. IMHO they don't.

[HereSince1628]

3. I think he was a past chairman...

It seems to me there are a number of candidates with past DLC ties that are moving away from that affiliation.

What do they know that we should?

[eyesroll]

4. He is listed in the DLC's online directory

www.ndol.org
(They don't have a direct link to search results.)

So, technically, he is DLC. (That's not a comment one way or the other on his policies or opinions -- like you said, this is just a membership thing.)

[PATRICK]

5. I wonder if

they even have a preference at all other than that the winner owes them something. They have not helped or propped up anyone, not even a slate, which would be typically weak so than again maybe they did.

Mostly what they do as a support group and supposed strategy tank is really low key compared to 'bossess" and kingmakers of the past. Anyone who has been a disaster by following their advice or stealth posture is only DLC by bad political judgment, more than on issues. So by some twist they support guys they have wrecked with their tepid system, always looking for the Rockefeller Republican image but not nervy enough to go all the way. It didn't work for Rockefeller nationally either by the way. Gephardt and other successes are not "DLC" but the DLC top leaders(none of them from strong electoral holdings) clings to them as long as they share. You would think after 20 years of absolute, humiliating subservience Gephardt would explode with frustration. But the ties that bind inhibit that extra level of leadership that coincidentally keep some candidates from having the gravitas to win- and subsequently shakeup the party structure.

In their bitterness, in the silent dark they probably whisper "Liebermann" and drink deep from the bottle. Whoever wins, however unDean they appear to be, the glory(hah) days of the third way are over. The third way being a votive shrine to Nelson Rockefeller with cheap candles fluttering in the rising wind.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. "Don't-rock-the-boatism"

and pander to the middle class and conservatives. To me, that's what makes the DLC the DLC. And Gep, despite seeming to have some very progressive policy ideas just doesn't seem to fight for progressive values and provide strong leadership for progressives. (ie Iraq war, patriot act etc.)

[Cocoa]

7. I wouldn't call him a progressive

he's more of what I consider to be a mainstream dem.

And I wouldn't dispute that people like Gep try to appeal to the middle class and conservatives, though I wouldn't call it pandering.

But I agree with the original poster, I've never really considered him quite fitting in with the DLC, just his NAFTA views would seemingly exclude him from the club. If free trade isn't a hallmark DLC issue, I don't know what would be.

[corporatewhore]

10. I agree with you

who'da thought that protesters (some partaking in direct action no less)would wear a sticker of a DLCer I really respect Gephardt when it comes to labor anyway

[JohnKleeb]

11. Yes on labor, I really like Gephardt too

Love him or hate him, I like him personally for his more liberal economic views like on labor, I think he would make a good secretary of labor, he is after all I think retiring from the house.

[Democrats unite]

8. The funny thing here is most people who speak of the DLC...

Know absolutley nothing about it.

[sendero]

9. Ok....

... so why don't you take this opportunity to correct the record rather than make a pointless snipe?

[wyldwolf]

12. I do know this: Many people here equate DLC with moderate dems...

...so if a democrat is a centrist or only a little left of center (like me) then they must be DLC.

I typically proclaim myself a "Clinton Democrat."

If it makes me DLC, so be it.