Clinton Surrogate David Brock Pleads with Base to Stick with Clinton

[portlander23]

An Open Letter to Democrats: Stop Freaking Out, Start Fighting Back

What if I told you we had a chance to elect a transformative progressive president -- someone with an inspiring personal story, a long record of accomplishment on behalf of the most vulnerable, a keen understanding of how to effect real change in a broken political system, and an ambitious agenda for bolstering the middle class?

And what if I told you we were at risk of blowing that opportunity because we couldn't stifle our own propensity to panic?

Clinton ally slams pro-Warren effort as ‘cynical’ and ‘misguided’

David Brock, the former conservative journalist who switched sides to found an archipelago of leading Democratic groups, including two PACs supporting Clinton, devotes most of his new book “Killing the Messenger” to the media and the “right-wing plot to derail Hillary.”

“And then there are those like the leaders of the online activist group MoveOn who rather cynically see the opportunity to build their e-mail lists and make some money by backing ‘a more progressive alternative,’” Brock writes. “MoveOn joined forces with a PAC that was trying to draft Elizabeth Warren for president, despite the fact that she said emphatically she wasn’t interested and even signed a letter with her fellow women senators urging Hillary to run.”

“It was all part of a misinformed campaign by some of the left, unwittingly serving the interests of the right and enabled at every turn by a press corps that always favors conflict,” Brock continues.

“Doesn’t David Brock have something better to spend his time on than driving a wedge between grassroots progressives and Hillary Clinton?” MoveOn spokesperson Nick Berning said in an email to msnbc. “I’d bet there are lots of folks in the Clinton campaign who are livid at him for lashing out at progressives like this. She needs progressive support if she wants to win.”

Brock elaborated on the thought while discussing Sanders in an interview with Bloomberg Tuesday evening: “I don’t necessarily see so much logic in a significant primary challenger to her, because she’s been [on the progressive side] on these issues.”

[peacebird]

1. We have the op to elect a real progressive - Bernie Sanders. Not a DLC/3rd way corporatist

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. Heh.

What if I told you we had a chance to elect a transformative progressive president -- someone with an inspiring personal story, a long record of accomplishment on behalf of the most vulnerable, a keen understanding of how to effect real change in a broken political system, and an ambitious agenda for bolstering the middle class?

I'd ask who you're talking about, because it sure isn't Clinton.

(ETA: I'd also say Brock didn't actually move very far in his 'switch' from 'conservative' to Hillary supporter.)

[ibegurpard]

4. indeed

[magical thyme]

37. +1B. oh wait. we do have that opportunity. His name is Bernie Sanders.

[840high]

52. ...+1

[kenfrequed]

55. Brock is talking out of his guilt

He said so many horrible things about the Clintons in the 90's that he is trying to feel like he has done something about that.

I recall having to defend the Clinton's from mindless accusations by right wing idiots all thorugh the 90's thanks to the American Spectator and the Arkansas project.

In his book, "Blinded by the Right," Brock discusses how he was trying to use his conservatism to connect with his father. I think he still feels guilty for the harm he did, which had the good outcome of his creating the Medaimatters website. An act that I applaud him for. But he feels obligated to make amends to the Clintons personally was well and while that might be true, this is not the way to do it.

[restorefreedom]

3. his own words

make a fabulous case for bernie

What if I told you we had a chance to elect a transformative progressive president -- someone with an inspiring personal story, a long record of accomplishment on behalf of the most vulnerable, a keen understanding of how to effect real change in a broken political system, and an ambitious agenda for bolstering the middle class?

uh, that's bernie, dude.

its not too late, mr brock.....

[brooklynite]

22. I would challenge the "chance to elect"...

...I still don't see a solid strategy that wins a national election with an electoral where 45% will automatically vote for the Republican, and where the opposition will have $1 B plus to spend on staff AND advertising.

[restorefreedom]

25. it is not going to be a cakewalk

and i don't think anyone thinks so.

but the interesting thing about bernie and trump is they are appealing to people who traditionally are lock step on "the other side."

this election is not playing by any of the previous rules of engagement.

should make for a very interesting ge

[Admiral Loinpresser]

33. +1 n/t

[bunnies]

35. Apparently Brock didnt get the memo that Clinton is now a moderate centrist.

His arguing for a progressive after Hillarys shift is down right laughable.

[restorefreedom]

36. but a great endorsement for bernie! nt

[bunnies]

40. Agreed! nt

[magical thyme]

38. maybe he's stuck at Hillary v7.0?

[bunnies]

39. He needs to download the update. Stat!

[Autumn]

5. With all due respect. Nah, I'm gonna stick with Bernie cause he sticks with me.

The desperation is palatable.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. I don't care much about the email thing,

and I agree that it's probably been blown all out of proportion. I also agree that Hillary has been on the receiving end of some really unfair, sometimes sexist stuff. None of that has anything to do with why I prefer Bernie. The reason it looks like the "base" is starting to move away from Hillary toward Bernie has nothing to do with emails or Benghazi or any of the other fake scandals, and everything to do with policy positions. Bernie is a for-real progressive; Hillary has finally admitted she's a centrist. It would appear that progressive politics is getting to be a thing now. Brock might want to consider that rather than fussing about what he thinks hoi polloi think about the email non-scandal.

[upaloopa]

11. The base is moving to Bernie?

He has never gotten out of the 20% range nationally since he entered the race.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

13. His poll numbers have steadily improved.

Hers have slipped.

Just wait.

[upaloopa]

17. How long?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

19. Considering that he's already polling ahead in Iowa and NH,

the earliest primary states, I'd say not long.

[upaloopa]

21. No the easiest primary States for him

He is down everywhere else.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

23. Whistling past the graveyard, are we?

[AgingAmerican]

29. He is ahead in states where he is known

He is behind in states where he isn't well known. This will all change over the next five months.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

34. He'll pass her nationally in six weeks. n/t

[restorefreedom]

49. tops. nt

[frylock]

42. How about when the primary voting actually starts?

I know you guys would like to hold the GE tomorrow, but that ain't happening.

[upaloopa]

48. I asked how long

I am sure till the primaries start. Most likely till Super Tuesday.

[LondonReign2]

14. Progressive politics already showed how powerful it was in 2008

Unfortunately Obama, after the groundswell he brought out, governed far to the right of where he campaigned.

[Faux pas]

7. I don't like

that the one 'coronated' one has to use others to fight her battles. She gets less impressive by the minute.

[upaloopa]

10. Admit it you weren't going to let yourself

get impressed with Hillary anyway so what does it matter to you?

[Faux pas]

12. ...

[AgingAmerican]

30. It's hard to get inspired about someone

Who sleepwalks through the issues, and exists in a hermetically sealed world untouched by the people.

[upaloopa]

8. This from MSNBC the Comcast Trump 24/7 channel

[HooptieWagon]

9. To a former Rethug like Brock, Clinton appears progressive.

To this 40+ year Democrat, she's republican lite...a bit right of Ike, a bit left of Reagan, just about same as Nixon. No thanks, I'll take a real progressive - Bernie Sanders.

[SMC22307]

15. "a long record of accomplishment on behalf of the most vulnerable,"

Wow, Hillary's a regular Mother Teresa.

[restorefreedom]

26. lol....i know! nt

[jkbRN]

18. Ugh

He's pathetic and kind of a creep.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

20. I love the smell of desperation in the morning.

Brock apparently hasn't figured out yet that the "base" isn't panicking over the email non-scandal; many Democrats are just starting to find Bernie the more attractive candidate because of his consistently progressive positions.

[Prism]

24. Brock puts the Hill in shill

I've never liked the guy. Gay men who aid the right-wing never impress me, and just because his oiliness is now being served to our side doesn't make him any more palatable.

He's always struck me as an establishment opportunist.

[AgingAmerican]

27. He went after Sanders from the right

And it instantly blew up in his face. He used to to the exact thing to Democrats when he wrote books for the GOP.

[arcane1]

28. She can't be a "transformative progressive" and a self-described "centrist" at the same time.

Unless that term means "transforming from a progressive to a centrist", which wouldn't surprise me one bit.

[hifiguy]

47. An absolute contradiction in terms

like "Justice Thomas."

[randys1]

31. Brock knows what is at risk. I think he is actually scared, the idea that

the GOP could take the WH will drive him to do anything in his power to stop that, I will help him.

[frylock]

43. Brock is scared, but it's not fear of the GOP that drives him.

[hifiguy]

46. The stronger Bernie becomes

the more corporate "Dem" pants are being loaded. Bernie means the end of the comfortable corporate-oligarch driven gravy train they've all been riding for the last 20 years.

for Bernie!

[randys1]

50. You clearly dont know anything about him, his history, to say that.

[frylock]

54. It's not like it's been touted all over the board and easily accesible on the internet or anything..

let's see, he was a right-wing douchebag that wrote some pretty awful things about the Clintons, and is now trying for redemption by prostituting himself by issuing attacks from the right on behalf of Team Clinton. Does that about cover it? And yeah, I'm well aware of Media Matters, as if that gives him a pass on his bullshit. I actually conducted a phone interview with them several years ago for a spot on their team as a sysadmin and web dev. I probably would've landed the job if I wasn't living in CA at the time. In any case, fair.org is better, and has been around a lot longer. Also, fuck David Brock.

[randys1]

57. Fuck Media Matters? Boy, cant believe I read that here

When you say Fuck David Brock you are saying Fuck Media Matters, right?

[frylock]

58. When I say Fuck David Brock, I'm saying Fuck David Brock..

like when I said Fuck Joe Lieberman, I wasn't saying Fuck the Democrats, right?

[randys1]

59. Brock is Media Matters. I would expect to hear that crap elsewhere, not here.

You are just adding to my reasons to no longer consider certain people liberals or Democrats.

Whether terribly blind or misguided or GOP plants, I no longer care which.

The endless and now harmful attacks of the likely Democratic candidate must not continue on an alleged board dedicated to the Democratic Party.

Yet not only are they continuing, but if someone fights back against it, they are silenced.

Crazy shit

[frylock]

62. Well then Brock does Media Matters a disservice with his red-baiting bullshit..

something he should've considered prior to sending that email. But nobody is going to accuse Team Clinton of using any kind of foresight, that's for sure. In any case, I'm sorry you feel it sacrilege to criticize The Brock. That's the problem with identity politics.

[m-lekktor]

61. I am not a fan, is it a requirement in the DU TOS to like Brock or Media Matters?

Brock is a DEM establishment partisan hack who spins for establishment DEMS. I much prefer Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting for my media watchdog stuff, they are leftists who aren't beholden to one of the two parties.

[frylock]

63. I think it's verboten to speak ill of anyone that Clinton surrounds herself with..

evidently, if you're not kissing this former right-wingers butt, your liberalism is called into question.

[Dems to Win]

32. Hillary should have gotten a new pack of attack dogs

Brock, Carville, Begala, Lanny Davis -- I'm exhausted with all of them, don't have any interest in listening to them on TV.

They are not serving her well, in my view.

[Hydraulico]

41. What's a surrogate?

?

[ColesCountyDem]

51. http://dictionary.reference.com/ n/t

[hifiguy]

44. Remind me again, Dave, what exactly is progressive

about cozying up to Blankfein/Wall $treet and War Criminal Kissinger.

Bueller? Bueller?

[reformist2]

45. Excuse me if I sound rude, but David Brock looks like hell!

[PoliticAverse]

53. It's been a tough 2015 for him, see...

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/02/david-brock-resigns-priorities-usa-action-115028

[SamKnause]

56. We do have a chance to elect a transformative president !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His name is Senator Bernie Sanders.

.......Conservative journalist who switched sides.............

She sure knows how to pick them.

[olddots]

60. you can take the man out of repukian land

but you can't take the republican out of the man.