E&P: NYT Sunday Preview: Democrats Need Shot of 'Cold War Liberalism'

[DeepModem Mom]

'NY Times' Sunday Preview: Democrats Need a Shot of 'Cold War Liberalism'
By E&P Staff
Published: April 28, 2006

NEW YORK Democrats may feel they are riding high, heading into the midterm elections with President Bush’s approval rating at an all-time low, but Peter Beinart offers a warning, and a new direction, for the party in a feature piece upcoming this Sunday in The New York Times Magazine. It’s titled provocatively, “The Rehabilitation of the Cold-War Liberal.”

The article is adapted from his forthcoming book, “The Good Fight.” Beinart is currently editor-at-large for The New Republic.

Beinart warns that it is not enough for the Democrats to simply run on “competence” this year, rather than telling Americans “what their vision is.” For better or worse, the Republicans have such a vision, which voters understand: “America represents good in an epic struggle against evil.”...

***

So what are the Dems to do? According to Beinart, they should look back to the late 1940s and 1950s and embrace the cold war liberalism of the time, best represented by Reinhold Niebuhr and George F. Kennan.

Besides being tough and anti-isolationist, this is defined by “a struggle not merely for democracy but for economic opportunity as well, in the belief that the former required the latter to survived.” It also requires admitting that even in fighting evil America must admit that we are not "inherently good." He also calls for “generosity at home” as well as “generosity abroad.”...

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002424939

[tishaLA]

1. Maybe Beinart should pay attention

Because, d'uh, Democrats DO have a plan and I'm pretty fucking sick of people pretending we don't. All they have to do is click on "Agenda" on the DNC site. Sure, Democrats don't speak with one voice, but is that what they want? Hegemony? Fuck that. We can think for ourselves.

[ruggerson]

2. Well, now, this is an important and provocative discussion to have

and a vital one if Democrats are to regain leadership.

Yet this post sinks like a stone at DU.

I understand that DU represents only a faction of Democrats, but what garners attention here and what doesn't is mind boggling.

[sandnsea]

3. Democrats stopped saying that -- when???

These self-serving Democratic "helpers" are beginning to sound a bit like the just dumped single gal telling her married girlfriend how to have a relationship. :eyes:

When have Democrats NOT stood for economic opportunity for all??