This disgusts me, damn DLC is bad for the Democratic Party

[Ruffhowse]

This is from the AP News Service story on the Dean candidacy for the DNC chair:

"Moderate Democrats have been searching for an alternative to Dean for the chairmanship, concerned that the former governor would lead the party in a more liberal direction. Some senior Democrats have approached current chairman Terry McAuliffe about staying in the job."

That's all we need, Terry McAuliffe to stick around. To me, moderate Democrats are just Republican-lite. Who needs that? Who's going to vote for that? We have to define clear differences between ourselves and the Republicans if we ever expect to win back our majority in government. We have to define clear differences and stand up and FIGHT for those differences. I think Howard Dean is the man to do just that.

[Bluzmann57]

1. Not quite sure if Dean is the answer

but I am sure McAuliffe isn't it. We Dems have lost ground in the last two elections and this must stop. So no McAuliffe.

[K-W]

2. We need to get progressives elected first.

Once we prove our power at the ballot box, the party will come running to us.

This internal argument over who is right is pointless and a waste of our time. Let the current democrats have whoever they want.

We need to build a movement outside of the party, get people energized on our issues and get our people elected. The Democratic party is a reflection of who wins democratic primaries.

[bryant69]

4. I don't agree

I do agree that we need more electoral success with progressive candidates, that's undeniable. However such success will be a lot easier with a Howard Dean as DNC chairman as opposed to Terry McCauliffe. The DNC arranges money for campaigns and also arranges visits to the various locals. So I think it could matter a lot who gets the DNC chair.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[K-W]

11. No, I agree with that.

I just dont think we should put our focus on the structure of the party right now. It would certainly help, but either way we have to win back our country on the ground. And I feel like there is an overemphisis on how important the DNC chair in 2005 is.

[eg101]

10. Exactly! We need to build a meme OUTSIDE the party

read this:
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/20946/

[toddaa]

3. New Meme

Howard Dean is a conservative Democrat.

Compared to me, anyway.

[eg101]

7. dean is conservative compared to Nixon!

At least Nixon didn't want to raise the SS retirement age to 70! Damn, that would drive the price of dog food right through the roof!

Here is the lowdown on that blueblood frat boy:
www.sf.indymedia.org/news/2003/12/1668089.php

[Upfront]

16. Bush Has A Plan

I am sure you like better, please feel free to join him.

[qwlauren35]

5. I agree that Dean is not socially liberal.

But he's a great firebrand. My only concern is that his greatest admirers are net-savvy, and that's not truly representative of the American people.

[eg101]

8. Groan! Dean IS socially liberal. But he is economically conservative

www.sf.indymedia.org/news/2003/12/1668089.php

[qwlauren35]

18. On some things...

he is not in favor of gay marriage. I guess that's why I say he's not socially liberal.

I believe he SPECIFICALLY pushed for civil unions instead of marriage.

[Warpy]

6. The DLC is NOT MODERATE!!

Dammit, they're not quite as far right as the loony Repuglicans are, but they are RIGHT WING. They are corporatist, globalist, antiunion and antilabor. Their support for civil rights for women is shallow, at best.

Stop calling them moderates!!!

[K-W]

13. Indeed centrist and moderate are NOT the same things.

The centrism is the problem.

[eg101]

9. I agree. So why not start with a anti-DLC forum on DU?

we want to get the DLC out of the party's business, right?
Let's start the movement off right with an anti-DLC forum here on DU!

[Ruffhowse]

12. You got my vote!!

[eg101]

15. OK, that makes 2 off us

But how can we get more DUers?
Also, how do coordinate a campaign to get a DU forum against the DLC?

[Stirk]

14. Yeah, because moderate Republicrats have been SO successful.

this year.

Note to the Democratic leadership: stop pursuing the asshole vote. The Republicans have it locked up.

[UdoKier]

17. For the millionth time, Dean *IS* a moderate.

There is not one position he holds that isn't moderate or centrist. I defy you to name one.

He is a MAINSTREAM democrat. KUCINICH and Feingold are liberals. Dean is not.

[eg101]

19. dean is rightwing

www.sf.indymedia.org/news/2003/12/1668089.php

As you can see from the above article, when you say things like, "this is the last gasp of the Left", you are rightwing.

When you want to raise the retirement age to 70, you are rightwing.

BY DEFINITION!

I am a leftwinger. I am not a moderate or a centrist or a corporate hack or a DLCer or "New Democrat" or a "mainstream" Democrat. I am a leftwinger, and so I support Leftwingers. If the media or the party does not offer any leftwingers for me to support, I just say "Buh Bye!"

[leesa]

20. No one will vote for that. Haven't we seen the proof of it over and over

again? Why should anyone vote for a DINO when they can have a real fascist? The DLC needs to go...they work for the GOP to keep them in power.