David Sirota, The Nation Jan 3, 2005 issue: Debunking Centrism

[antigop]

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20050103/sirota

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Looking out over Washington, DC, from his plush office, Al From is once again foaming at the mouth. The CEO of the corporate-sponsored Democratic Leadership Council and his wealthy cronies are in their regular postelection attack mode. Despite wins by economic populists in red states like Colorado and Montana this year, the DLC is claiming like a broken record that progressive policies are hurting the Democratic Party.

From's group is funded by huge contributions from multinationals like Philip Morris, Texaco, Enron and Merck, which have all, at one point or another, slathered the DLC with cash. Those resources have been used to push a nakedly corporate agenda under the guise of "centrism" while allowing the DLC to parrot GOP criticism of populist Democrats as far-left extremists. Worse, the mainstream media follow suit, characterizing progressive positions on everything from trade to healthcare to taxes as ultra-liberal. As the AP recently claimed, "party liberals argue that the party must energize its base by moving to the left" while "the DLC and other centrist groups argue that the party must court moderates and find a way to compete in the Midwest and South."

Is this really true? Is a corporate agenda really "centrism"? Or is it only "centrist" among Washington's media elite, influence peddlers and out-of-touch political class?
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[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. No, they are merely using the word

to camouflage their agenda. I've visited Unity08, the internet group that says they wish to nominate a centrist candidate for President and allow the people to create the party platform. From what I've read there, almost everyone is anti-corporations. I haven't visited in several months, but when I did the talk wasn't favorable to downsizing, decreasing pensions, nasty business practices, etc.

[Demeter]

2. I Think Al From is Protecting His Turf

He's already demonstrated no desire to serve the public, the little people.

Progressive policies would put him out of business. He couldn't deliver to his wealthy cronies. He likes the Democratic Party in deadlock, warring with itself. He loves Blue Dogs.