Al From on CSPAN this morning listing DLCer likely to run for Prez

[LittleClarkie]

He mentioned.

Sen. Hillary Clinton of NY
Gov. Tom Vilsak of Iowa
Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana
Gov. Mark Warner

He did NOT mention John Kerry.

Interesting. Does From not consider Kerry, or now that I think of it, Edwards, as DLCers? Wasn't Edwards on their list while he was Senator?

Or are they both too liberal for him?

[Crazy Guggenheim]

1. *snore*

:puke: :puke: :puke:

[mitchtv]

2. Ha , what a gang!

No thank you to all of the above. I prefer someone like Al Gore, W. Clark, J Edwards. J Kerry. and of course the good doctor.

[ladjf]

3. None of these please!

[Crazy Guggenheim]

4. Graphic warning ..............

[wisteria]

5. Well, I'm not too thrilled with this line up!

I am happy that Kerry isn't in this group.He believes in the grassroots movement mainly- reaching the people and working on their behalf, not courting corporate donations and having to work for them. Actually, at some point it would be nice to try to come up with a donation strategy that works on all levels combining the two groups. For now though, give me the grassroots over just corporate donations. Our DLC reminds me to much of a Repub group.

[elsiesummers]

6. In 2004 when they wrote anti-Dean essay also made anti-Edwards remarks...

I remember this clearly because I was an Edwards volunteer. They were not pleased with the populist tone of the Edwards campaign and when they issued the scathing anti-Dean essay they also put a few anti-Edwards zingers in there (about Edwards' trade stance, I believe).

Yeah I saw From this morning, also. What really bothers me about him is not what he says (except for too much security hoo rah there was nothing undemocratic about his positions) but that his effect on the candidates who listen to him is to make them sound wishy washy - which really kills campaigns and candidate image, IMO. Also, From has a sort of stuttering speech pattern that is not easy to listen too - making him a poor spokesperson for Dems, going beyond the merits of demerits of actual positions. Every time I hear him I wonder how someone so inarticulate could have risen so far as a message manufacturer.

I simply don't like the idea of him out there suggesting he is representative of the Democratic party - not because of his positions but because he is a poor representative and a bit of a loser, IMO.

As for Kerry, no matter whether he is running or not, I've noticed on more than one occasion that he has been written off by the insiders for 2008 (and I think "they" are probably right - he's seen as a loser and I don't think he can undo that damage). I especially noticed this regarding his conspicuous absence from a NewsWeek article where the votes on John Roberts of the Democratic Senators who are potential presidential contenders on were parsed for their politics. They analyzed Feingold, Clinton and one other (Biden, maybe) and mentioned a couple others and Kerry didn't even get a mention, like he didn't exist. I really think he has been written off and won't be able to move past that perception since the media and the party won't let it happen.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

10. I have been trying to find that copy of this:

"I remember this clearly because I was an Edwards volunteer. They were not pleased with the populist tone of the Edwards campaign and when they issued the scathing anti-Dean essay they also put a few anti-Edwards zingers in there (about Edwards' trade stance, I believe)."

Do you have a copy of it or know where I can find it?

[elsiesummers]

16. The essay was on the DLC site prior to Iowa 2004...

I think. Anyway, it was definitely a DLC essay/publication and on their site - and it was scathing towards Dean and very much Dean-centric but along the way snide and displeased with Edwards on trade. I do not remember which member of the DLC wrote it, but it was possibly also published as opinion in a major newspaper.

Hope this helps. One thing I remember clearly was that, although I was not a Dean fan, they had me on Dean's side by the end of the piece. Of course they didn't win me over by slamming Edwards:)

[Crazy Guggenheim]

17. Thanks. I'll try to find it.

[LittleClarkie]

13. What a frightening thought, that they would write off Kerry but take Biden

seriously enough to parse him.

I didn't think ANYONE took Biden seriously.

[elsiesummers]

21. While I actually like Biden, I agree Kerry may yet do well.

I'd be proud to support either one of them in the general election.
I do not blame Kerry for the circumstances of 2004, but I think it will be hard to sell him as our candidate in 2008. I agree that not being on From's list works in Kerry's favor.

I know there is a lot of anti-Biden sentiment on this board but I don't think he is given enough credit for his overall extremely liberal voting record over many years.

And although he didn't oppose the bankruptcy bill, It is the bread and butter corporation of his state. I never really expected Levin to support CAFE standards either.

I think Senators and Congressmen owe their first allegiance to the citizens of their state, and their second to their country. This is Biden's approach and I really think he did right by DE on the bankruptcy bill.

As for war, well, that's another ball of wax. He was right when he pointed out that the only real way to win over the ME is with American media innundation - a thought that may seem too much like mind control - but a lot more effective than killing people. God knows, the Fox network has certainly succeeded in exerting mind control on a substantial portion of our population. Biden is smart and I'm glad he is on our side.

That said, I'm currently dreaming of an Edwards/Feingold ticket, but I have an open mind.

And while I'm opposed to much of what the DLC does, I don't think they are the demons they are often made out to be at DU, merely a group of message manipulators who try's to sell a Democrat Lite brand because they believe that it should be the best selling brand, when the real more flavorful stuff would go down better. Occasionally the DLC make a good point, but usually they are too squishy for my taste.

[LittleClarkie]

22. It's not his politics, but his demeanor that gets me

I don't have a problem necessarily with his voting record. He's just a bit too much of a glory hound for my liking, is all.

[wisteria]

14. Well, News Week never reports on Kerry unless they have to.

I still see him as a possibility in 2008. Those who may have written him off, are very partisan and are supporting their own candidate choices. I would still vote for Kerry over the above list of people. He is still popular when he goes out to promote other candidates and usually draws large crowds. He has a massive e-mail list and he still is able to raise large sums of money. His accounts are about as large as Hillary's. That new documentary - I use that term loosely, titled, "Inside the Bubble" has experienced enough downloads on line to place in the top five downloads. The most popular segment downloaded is the one called "Private Moments", in which kerry actually makes a very good impression. I don't consider him a loser, He came close to winning the last election and he won a lot of people over. Those who dismiss him do the party a disservice, Kerry was and is a winnable candidate and he would make a damn good president too.

[politicasista]

18. The purpose of Newsweek is to keep dems divided

And take the focus off * and his problems. Too bad the party and others don't know how to fall in line with the candidate. It's too early for 2008. I wish these so-called pundits would focus on 2006.

By talking about 2008, we are only playing into the hands of the republicans. Whoever runs in 2008 is going to have a huge, massive mess to clean up once * leaves office.

Newsweek is trying to distract and divide the dems instead of keeping the focus on * and 2006, too bad people are falling for it.

[Maccagirl]

7. Given Frum's track record

Being on his list is kiss of death. Please, Bob, go away!

[AntiCoup2K4]

8. I think you may be confusing Bob Shrum with Al From

Two different guys. But they both suck, and they're both corproatist tools who have sabotaged the last two presidential camapigns.

[Maccagirl]

9. Oops! Sorry.

But you're right-they both suck. Shrum is the crappy campaign manager and From is still stuck in 1992. They both need to be jettisoned.

[Dr Fate]

11. I've noticed some DLC elements linking Kerry's loss with the Grassroots..

...or at the least, distancing themselves from "tactical errors" in his bid.

ON EDIT: For the record, I'm not "pro" or "anti" DLC. I rarely even get in those spats- except with Mr. Benchly ;)

[wisteria]

15. That bothers me, that they want to dismiss the grassroots.

Even the Repubs know how important their numbers can be. The DLC annoys me because they still command respect based on Clinton's election. His victory had more to do with a splintered Repub party and an electorate discussed with the first Pres Bush, There really wasn't that much love of Clinton the first time out.

[Warren DeMontague]

12. Wow. All you need is a little Joe-Mentum, and it's INSPIRATION CITY

Message to all of the above: Fuck Off.

I want someone with

Guts on Domestic Economic Issues

Clarity on the Iraq War

Vision on issues concerning the Future and The Environment

RESPECT for the Separation of Church and State...

and last but certainly not least, a Fresh, UNAPOLOGETICALLY Socially Libertarian Approach to Individual Rights, Privacy and Freedom.

Republican Lite aint gonna cut it this time, folks.

And don't think you can wait until the Anti-Bush parade gets really huge, then jump in front of it and claim it as your own.

[cascadiance]

19. Where's Feingold?

[LittleClarkie]

20. He's not a DLCer

You wouldn't want him included in that list from From, would you?

[Hardrada]

23. It's VilSACK by the way. Gov. of my state

He has less political sense than one would want. He announved from the outset he would only run two terms in IA so became Instant Lame Duck. He is stubborn and won't back off positions that are demonstrably bad. But he is streaks better than any of the repugs they put up to run against him. An inspiring state gov, he is not but is the sort of person who could head a "caretaker government." He also picked for Lt. Gov. and inert dog and pony show giver millionairess instead of a vital active populist and party rejuvenator. Vilsack does however give the Des Moines Register columnists conniptions since the Dem leaders refuse to blow them.