Obama as "New Democrat"

[nightrain]

I want to thank IndianaGreen for posting "Obama: I am a New Democrat" yesterday. Here's the link to the article IndianaGreen cites, originally from Politico.

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=254931&kaid=85&subid=900184


For many months into his administration it has been hard for me to grasp Obama's values. Now they are much clearer (not that I agree with them). Pigeonholes are useful and limiting. Sometimes I need at least some sort of starting framework, a skeleton on which to hang ideas. Something to begin to make a more coherent whole. New Democrats "support free trade and a muscular foreign policy", among other things.

Okay, so now it makes sense--this disconnect I've been feeling... I can now see perhaps a campaign strategy vs his governing style. The interview with Drew Westin last week started the proverbial ball rolling. Westin described his confusion/lack of clarity about Obama's values. http://firedoglake.com/2010/01/06/fdl-welcomes-drew-westen-leadership-obama-style-and-the-looming-losses-in-2010/

Now I see how Obama has gotten progressive support during the campaign, and through his mysterious/hidden and undefined ("pragmatic") governing style has alienated progressives who thought/hoped he was one of them. This seems to be the "cognitive dissonance" I've been experiencing around Obama and his Administration.

Had he run on a "New Democrat" platform, he wouldn't have obtained progressive votes which he needed. So, by talking and appearing "progressive", he got us during the campaign. But the truth will out, hence the anger/hurt/sadness/sense of betrayal and divisiveness we've seen on DU for months.

And I thought Bill Clinton was slick.... For me, this is a whole 'nuther level. And I spose still I'd rather have Obama than his predecessor. Okay, Obama's walking HIS walk. Had I known more about it, I might not have campaigned, phoned, contributed, nor voted for him. I guess that's the magic of campaigning--one can appear to be something, to hold certain values. Sadly, he really isn't going to be an FDR, he's going to be more like Hoover. Now that Harper's article last year makes more sense too, Obama will govern more like Hoover than FDR. Darn! EDR's more who we need. We can't expect those who dragged us into this massive void to be the ones to get us out. No wonder it's taking so long, this is not structural reform, this actually *is* tinkering at the edges. No wonder the bankers got rescued first and we didn't. Okay, now I get it.

Here's the link to the House New Democrats website, see if your Congressperson is a member of this group. The Senate has a group also.

http://ndc.crowley.house.gov/index.php

[shireen]

1. "new democrats" = old "conservative democrats" = too cool to be Republicans

I did a search to see who in Maryland belonged to this group. Frank Kratovil. He's too cool to be in the Republican party, but I wish he'd scurry back to where he belongs.

[Dr.Phool]

2. I remember in 2005, 27 "New Democrats.....

Signed a letter to Denny Hastert, to hurry up and bring that gawd-awful bankruptcy bill to the house floor, so that they could vote for it.

New Democrats=Old Republicans.

Fuck 'em all.

[HillbillyBob]

4. I agree on the fuckem all.

I Sure as hell will not be voting for a damned democrat, I have for the last almost 30 years, next time will be different I will not be voting for the lesser of evils, they have fucked us over for the last time. If there is no real progressive to vote for next time I won't even bother and I have risked a lot to go to the polls since I live in so called right to work states and have risked getting fired for insisting that I get time to go vote.

[Fearless]

14. K&R!

[corpseratemedia]

3. .

rock = "new" rockefeller republican democrats or
hard place = Idiocracy republicans

It's disappointing and a lot of people who didn't analyze Obama in depth feel betrayed. A lot less dems may be going to the polls this year because now people have a recent memory of a dem candidate may use progressive language but do something the opposite when elected. Larry Kissel and his ridiculous ad bragging that he voted against health care reform a few months ago (I think before it became an proxy insurance co. bailout) is also a good example. Who you gonna trust?

And you're right, not addressing "free" trade or only passing lightweight banking regulation, plus non-winnable privatized wars, the economy will stay probably the way it is, and that could mean a hemorrhage of democratic votes this Fall. Of course, if a lot of the folks up for re-election etc. are bought and sold, the choice we have again is only rock and hard place.

If Democratic means talking Democratic, but legislate republican, why would the base bother to vote? They may want to punish these dems.

I want a good scenario lol!!

[nightrain]

5. yes, since my House Rep is a member of this New Dem Coalition

I am doing much more research on their health care (insurance) views, since the New Dems are so "business-friendly".

So many more pieces fall into place for me now, my cognitive dissonance is finding some peace, now that I have more info on Obama's values.

[dflprincess]

12. Actually, you're probably insulting Nelson Rockefeller when you call thse sell outs

"Rockefeller" Republicans. I think old Nelson was more liberal.

[corpseratemedia]

16. true

just think of how he died. I'll be here all week.

just kidding - if I write "dlc" one more time i'll puke..oh, I just did.:puke:

[DisgustedInMN]

6. This line says it all:

"Sadly, he really isn't going to be an FDR, he's going to be more like Hoover."

How depressing. I feel like a cheap prostitute must feel.

'Cept MUCH angrier!

:nuke:

[nightrain]

11. yeah... It is depressing for progressives who feel betrayed. OTOH,

perhaps there's some solace in knowing more of Obama's values since he's played it very close to the chest these months, not wanting to get labeled.

Now that I get a better sense of who he is, I can let more of the grief through and work hard for progressive values, locally and greater. It feels better to be freer of the mystique/confusion/dissonance.

Obama's secrecy makes much more sense to me. I see him as much more of an astute politician/image-maker. We'll just see how he governs, so far, not so good on health CARE, jobs, rendition, empiring AFAIK.

[bvar22]

7. More of the same.

The DLC New Team
Republican Lite Only!
Working Class Democrats need not apply

(Screen Capped from the DLC Website)

[Triana]

8. "New Democrats" = "Same as the Old Republicans" n/t

[swilton]

9. Notwithstanding my disappointment in Obama

I don't see a litmust test (yet) for members of this group unless it ranks itself in between the blue dogs and the progressive caucus. It will be worth watching to see how this unfolds.

I have liked Jim Moran and I saw him to the left of Obama and many blue dogs on major issues.

[nightrain]

10. many people consider this group to be only slightly more centrist than

"Blue Dogs". I'm sure there are some positions where there is some common ground/agreement with Progressives. I'm involved in the process of researching their positions on several issues and will post my discoveries later.

My main points of discovery at this time have to do with pre-and post election dynamics, with particular attention to healthcare, the mis-match of rhetoric and action, and the felt sense of betrayal.

[Vidar]

13. K&R.

[Fearless]

15. Welcome to the two new parties... The Wingnuts and the Centrists.

That's all we've got now for certain. :banghead: