Emboldened Democrats court party's left wing

[matcom]

<snip>

WASHINGTON -- Former senator John Edwards got high marks from labor for a new effort to unionize hotel workers, and Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold's demand this week that President Bush be censured was music to the ears of activists on the left.

Meanwhile, Mark Warner, former Virginia governor, recently hired one of the leftist blogosphere's biggest names to run his Internet outreach campaign, and Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana began a blog on the liberal Huffington Post, peddling his foreign policy views.

The next round of prospective Democratic presidential candidates, even those with centrist credentials, is actively courting the Democratic Party's left wing -- which speaks loudly through its blogs, enjoys rising fund-raising clout built on Howard Dean's 2004 campaign, and is imbued with a confidence that it can build on Republican disarray. The Democrats are rushing to fill a void left in the hearts and minds of many liberal activists by New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's efforts to move to the center, particularly on the Iraq war.

''It's very important for them to know we'll fight for their beliefs," Edwards, a former vice presidential candidate, said of the party's liberal activists. Having run in 2004 as a moderate who supported the Iraq war, Edwards is busy building a large base of support on the left.

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/03/17/emboldened_democrats_court_partys_left_wing?mode=PF

[salin]

1. as if Bayh's blog will have any impact with progressives

the man is in the Indy star this week not only being against Fiengold - but stating that the pres didn't appear to break the law, and that he supported a tweaking of the law. Of course the tweaked law opens up the survelling to all sorts of "reasons" beyond "terrorism"... no prob Evan - just start blogging on the Huffington site - that'll win us over :eyes:

[Cassandra]

2. It will only be helpful...

if he reads the responses.

[depakid]

4. I doubt he even listens to his Dad

Birch wasn't a DINO back then, and I can't imagine he's one now....

[salin]

11. Would have to agree...

[Brazenly Liberal]

3. The Dems need some political Viagra

If this is what they call getting it up for November.

:banghead:

[leveymg]

5. Make sure they know you're DU.

Lots of us actively communicate with elected officials, the major media, and other public figures. Make sure they know that you're cross-posting your comments here, and that your message is being read by thousands of the most active members of the Democratic Party.

That'll give them a little kick and make 'em wake up and listen. :kick:

P.S. - Many major newspapers will not publish anything they know has been posted elsewhere, so this would not apply if you have reason to think that your LTTE or Op-ed may be considered for publication.

[Stand and Fight]

6. Recommended!

I like the article -- all except for that last bit about Hillary Clinton.

Kerry, Edwards, and Feingold are at the top of my list.

[rman]

7. By the RW's definition the majority is Left-Wing,

since the majority of people want tax-funded basic health-care, increased minimum wage etc. All things that are radically socialist (if not downright communist) - according to the RW.

If not-so-wealthy nations such as Chile and Venezuela can finance such things, then why not the wealthy nations?
The only downside is that our exceedingly rich minority won't be able to get richer still.

[wordpix2]

8. Edwards was interviewed last night in NO as he was helping with cleanup

I love the guy but think he's not yet ready for presidency re: military/foreign affairs---although his good looks and charm would give US diplomacy a real boost.

[Roy]

9. Actually... if Edwards learned the lessons his last campaign

(should) have taught him, such as his opponents are ruthless liars, his friends will support him if he support and speak to them, be ready to answer the always asked questions, etc. He already knows the RW arguments (verbatim talking Points) that never change, just have your answer ready and state it forcefully with conviction.

IMHO, he will be fine, although I personally prefer Clark.

[Radical Activist]

10. He already has more FP experience than Bush had

The public doesn't seem so worried about that. Edwards has made some amazing and thoughtful statements in the past year.

[WindRavenX]

12. agreed

Edwards always impressed me. I hope he is involved in some way, at least, in 2008.