C-Span Interview: Jane Hamsher of FDL on "Obama and the Left!" ..

[KoKo]

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/296703-4

President Obama and the Left
Nov 20, 2010

C-SPAN | Washington Journal
Jane Hamsher talked about the frustrations between the White House and the progressive movement. The movement feels the administration caves into conservative democrats and republicans. The Left is urging the Obama administration to get tougher or lose their support. She also responded to telephone callers

.. Read More and Listen at......

http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/296703-4

[KoKo]

1. Sorry about mixed up edits to Subject Line...posting on the run...n/t

[KoKo]

2. The callers into C-Span who are mostly CRAZIES were very good with Jane...She Attracted Excellent

folks who could speak their minds and Jane was not the "Lefty/Socialist/Anarchist" she has been betrayed as here on DU.

This was Jane at her best...and I don't think ANYTHING she said would offend even the most RW DLC Supporter here on DU who have hated her for years.

It's just an excellent watch to see where Jane's thinking is and I think that many here would applaud her for where she's going.

It really is a good watch and DU'ers who "hate Jane" might be very surprised at her answers to questions from moderator and callers.

[KoKo]

3. No Comments? Anyone watch it? Seems there's some interest..

:shrug:

[GrpCaptMandrake]

4. Here. Let me help.

When did Jane Hamsher get elected to speak for me/us? Did I miss the memo? Or the ballot?

[KoKo]

6. Excuse me? What are you talking about? I really don't get what you are saying...

Jane isn't speaking as a newly elected. She's speaking as a Lefty/Progressive Blogger who has worked hard for the Democratic Party. :shrug:

[GrpCaptMandrake]

8. The term "The Left"

and her position as apparent spokesperson for it.

(A) WHAT "Left?" and (B) who decided she speaks for it? She seems to show up in that capacity from time to time.

I'm not aware of any instances of her working hard for the Democratic Party.

[KoKo]

9. Ahh...you must be new to the Dem Party, then.

Jane goes back to the Netroots founding back to Daily Kos and Move On. org. Over Ten Years Old that Movement to the Left of the DLC.

Firedoglake was an early offshoot.

[GrpCaptMandrake]

10. VERY new!

I've only been a Democrat for thirty years.

Yes. FireDogLake was named for her fireplace, her dog and the L.A. Lakers.

But I've never known her to work for the Democratic Party. As far as I've known, she's always been a free agent.

[KoKo]

12. You prefer "Lock Step" Democrats over Free Spirit New Democrats on the Left?

I've been voting Dem longer than you, btw.

[Raine]

5. Unfortunately I didn't see it but I love Jane Hamsher. nt

:thumbsup:

[KoKo]

7. When you have time watch the link ...it's available on C-Span from link to watch.

[Stevepol]

11. I saw her and thought she did a fine job.

Her way of looking at the issues is thoughtful and I feel a lot more accurate than most of the people I have heard talking about the issues. She's a Dem but she's also a realist and understands the severe limitations that Obama has had to labor under.

She certainly doesn't just mouth a superficial mantra and let it go at that. She's always got a little something different to say that you don't expect and yet that speaks to the real nature of the question.

[KoKo]

13. Thanks...I thought she was an excellent spokesperson for where the party now finds itself...

and that you saw it too, makes it worth me posting it.

[davidwparker]

14. K&R

[mzmolly]

15. So glad she's the new face of DU.

:eyes:

"The Left is urging the Obama administration to get tougher or lose their support."

Sorry Jane, you don't speak for me. This threat is a form of bullying and terrorism. WHO wins when Democrats "lose support?" And more importantly, who really loses? Clue. It's not Jane Hamshire. It's one thing to advocate from a progressive position. It's another to suggest you'll discourage voters, if you don't essentially get your way.

I'm reminded of Gloria Steinem's statements on the candidacy of Ralph Nader. http://www.hartford-hwp.com/archives/45c/072.html

"He was able to take all those perfect progressive positions of the past because he never had to build an electoral coalition, earn a majority vote, or otherwise submit to democracy."

Nader has done great things. However, he and Jane Hamshire can hold perfect, progressive positions, because they don't have to submit to our democracy. How fabulous, for them!

It would be easy to ever be a critique. To look always to the "what hasn't happened to perfection" position so that I could feign progressive superiority. But, I'd prefer to continue actually advocating for justice. And there is one means to that end. It involves voting for Democrats.

[mzmolly]

16. I meant

it would be easy to ever be a "critic" not critique, sorry. That's what I get for continually changing my wording. ;)