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Friday, July 22, 2005
DLC and the Political 11th Commandment
Posted by Bob BrighamRonald Reagan's 11th Commandment was, "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican." Reagan understood that it was counter-productive to triangulate against members of one's own Party.
This cap is lifted when a Democrat triangulates against fellow Democrats. Associating with the DLC, lifts the cap. The DLC is only relevant to the extent they attack Democrats, water-down message, and break solidarity. Smart politicians are fleeing the DLC but those who remain are fair game.
Three presidential contenders are trekking to the DLC's annual conference in Ohio, giving the organization a boost of legitimacy at a time when it faces increasing irrelevance in the political scene.Evan Bayh, Hillary Clinton, and Tom Vilsack are all dutifully trecking to Ohio to worship at the altar of the "vital center" -- that elusive moving target that has conspired to rob Democrats of all conviction. Every time you hear a Democrat talk about how Democrats don't stand for anything? That's the DLC, as they urge Democrats to chase after a "center" that gets constantly redefined rightward by an ideologically principled Republican party.
As we strive to find our core convictions, and define who we are and what we stand for as a party, the DLC is one of the roadblocks -- a divisive, fundamentalist organization willing to sell any and all progressive ideals to the altar of big business. And anything that threatens their dominance has met with their ire -- be it Howard Dean, the netroots, or regular people suddenly interested in transforming and reforming the Democratic Party.
Democrats have a choice to make -- stand with the DLC, or stand with the grassroots and netroots of the party.
(emphasis mine)
Remember what wrote last month...
The DLC is in debt for the hatchet job against (now DNC Chairman) Howard Dean and in 2007 the bill will come due. Under the turnabout is fair play rule this is certainly valid and the score will not only be settled, but settled with interest. Bayh, Vilsack, Clinton...it doesn't really matter who, for the result is the same when one lies down with dogs.
As Kos continues:
It's interesting that Democrats with a strong sense of self -- those who truly know what they stand for and are unafraid to say so -- are those least interested in the DLC's snake oil. Obama twice had to demand the DLC take him off their list. California's Phil Angelides -- the next governor of the Golden State given Ahnold's spectacular collapse -- also demanded to be taken off their list. Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan, who's anti-war floor speech made the internet rounds last year, also demanded to be taken off their list. Western Democrats in Montana -- blood red territory -- have shown no interest in cozying up with the DLC.
The choice seems clear.
Posted at 01:48 PM in 2008 Election - President, 2008 President - Democrats, Democrats, Netroots | Technorati
Comments
I have been reading the posts on this site for several months, and I don't think it's fair to tarnish Evan Bayh with the same brush as the DLC. Say what you will about the organization, but its former chairman (Bayh)has voted with the party on the issue of judicial nominations, and wasn't even a part of the "gang of fourteen". He has also been extremely hard on China and the CAFTA treaty. In other words, he hasn't sold any "and all progressive ideals to the altar of big business". A real moderate democrat like Bayh should not be demonized, particularly when he has a record that exonerates him.
Posted by: JRyan ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.swingstateproject.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 22, 2005 03:42 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
How can you not think it's fair to tanish Bayh with the same brush as the DLC?
Bayh has been Chair of the DLC for the last 4 1/2 years. The DLC's record over the last four years is Evan Bayh's record.
Posted by: Bob Brigham at July 22, 2005 04:33 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment
First of all, Bayh's voting record is entirely different from what you say the DLC stands for. When the nuclear option was the issue, Bayh did not stand on the sidelines. Instead, he voted with the democrats and stayed away from the gang of fourteen. When it mattered there, Bayh put his money where his mouth is. Similarly, Bayh has been tough on U.S. trade standards with China. He has consistently supported America's workers, even putting a hold on Rob Portman until his concerns could be addressed.
That record is entirely different than the one you say the DLC has. You can draw your own conclusions from this disparity, but the fact remains that before now, the people at SSP have rightly criticized Al From, not Evan Bayh. At least until now.
Posted by: JRyan at July 22, 2005 05:44 PM | Permalink | Edit Comment | Delete Comment