DLC leader Reed on WaPo discussion now

[eyesroll]

Talking about the primaries and Democrats' chances in '04.

http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/03/r_outlook_reed121903.htm

So far, he's bashed Nader and Dean (and Bush to a certain extent), said little about the other Dems...he's not exactly making a convincing argument about much of anything (IMHO). He's just...there, I guess.

Why can't the DLC have decent leadership? There are a lot of good people in the DLC, centrist Democrats who don't write off the rest of the left as loony fringe. Reed, et. al., are not among them.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Reed on Dean in today's Times

Bruce Reed, a former Clinton adviser who is now president of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council, said, "He took a cheap shot at Clintonism which wasn't appreciated." Mr. Reed added: "You know it just doesn't make any sense. One day Dean says Americans are no better off with Saddam out of power, now he seems to be saying Democrats are better off with Bill Clinton out of power."

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/19/national/19DEAN.html?pagewanted=print&position=

[rucky]

2. Contrary to their name, the DLC is not interested in leadership

they're led by the corporate interests who feed them. The "good" members are probably more attracted to the dough than to the message.

[HereSince1628]

Centrist or populist?

Centrist would imply that the DLC has a philosophical grounding. I don't think that's true.

The DLC "third way" (which I might point out is also a term that the Falangists used to describe themselves--Franco's fascist party) is really to appeal to the demographic center on every issue. Since that center is embedded in current events, it is always moving, and the result is shifting policy positions to "get the votes." It promotes governance by focus group, and is very vulnerable to monied interests--which is to say although it seems like a pragmatic way to get elected it is also subject to being corrupted and hijacked.

[librechik]

3. Shut up, Bruce! You are the problem, not the democratic majority!

We want you OUT of that job, you are incompetent and don't represent us!

[babzilla]

4. what an asshole

Outlook: Election 2004
Bruce Reed
Democratic Leadership Council President
Friday, December 19, 2003; Noon ET

"As you take pity on the less fortunate this holiday season, you might add Democratic presidential candidates to your list. Over the past month, they have watched George W. Bush bask in the reflected glory of rapid economic growth, a soaring stock market, a new Medicare drug benefit, a surprise Thanksgiving visit to the troops in Iraq, and the capture of one of history's most wanted villains. If Bush gets to campaign on peace and prosperity, what's left for Democrats to run on? Gay marriage?"

Has anyone checked Bruce's party registration lately?