Why the DLC is risking its own political irrelevance

[fujiyama]

By bullying the base around as much as it has, the DLC is risking almost completely irrelevance - not only to the party, but to themselves.

As Democrats continue to lose federal elections, K street will have less and less of a reason to contribute money to Democrats. The DLC's main claim to fame is that they raised a lot of money (mostly corporate interests). That will soon change (in fact I think it has). As Democrats are in the minority in every branch of congress, these corporate interests will feel less and less of a need to give Democrats money. After all, what's the point? You give money to get things done. Democrats aren't getting anything done anytime soon.

I haven't read any articles on this, but that's my guess as to what's going on. Clinton raised a lot from corporate money because he could...and because they wanted things done.

At this point though, the last election proves that tons of corporate money ISN'T needed. Much of the money in this election was grass roots - millions raised from pissed off Democrats and independants nationwide wanting to get Bush out of office.

Let me start off by saying I have no problem with moderate, and even conservative Dems. Some states are more conservative than others. I understand that some Dems have electoral limits. I never expected Daschle to be in complete opposition to Bush on every issue. SD is a conservative state that Bush won by over 20 points. I know that Oklahoma's Brad Carson was a conservative Democrat, but that was fine. I would have voted for him in a minute over Coburn. Granted it didn't matter anyways because the states were almost reflexively voting republican. That's why I understand if conservative and moderate Dems want to form their own group like the conservativ Blue Dog Dems in the House but I'm sick of them having a leadership position.

The DLC is proving themselves unable to set any clear agenda. It's not left. It's not even center. It's just some mushy nonsense about enacting an agenda that's less threatening than whatever the republicans propose. The DLC has no idea that the republican party is virtually a fascist party at this point. They still seem to believe there is some common ground.

The DLC is leading all right - they're leading the party off a cliff.

[hippiechick]

1. A Thought

'...As Democrats are in the minority in every branch of congress, these corporate interests will feel less and less of a need to give Democrats money. After all, what's the point? You give money to get things done. Democrats aren't getting anything done anytime soon....'


This is precisely the reason and the opportunity for the Dems to become the PARTY OF THE PEOPLE again and stop whoring for corporate dollars.


:hippie:

[Eric J in MN]

2. I agree. The Democratic Party should stand for workers

and consumers. Let Republicans be the party of corporate managment.

[Metatron]

3. And the disenfranchised

Plus, I would like Dems to take back the "liberal" label. The main thing I wish Kerry would have done differently was to respond to the liberal charge by saying, "If you mean by liberal, am I someone who favors proposals for reform, is open to new ideas for progress, tolerant of the ideas and behavior of others, and is broad-minded - why yes, I am very proud to be called a liberal."

I am starting to suspect that the DLC's opposition to being portrayed as liberal is partially responsible for the Republicans being able to use it as a derogatory term against Dems.

[mermaid]

4. AMEN, Brother!! Say It ON!!! n/t

[meow2u3]

7. I've been saying this all along!

The Democratic Party has to return to its roots of standing up for the workers and to the bosses.

[bemildred]

5. They (the DLC) have no choice.

A populist Democratic Party will throw them in the trash bin first thing.
This way, there is at least a chance they will continue to preside
over the ruins, like the post-Goldwater Republicans once did. And
the Republicans will never let the Democratic Party be destroyed
completely, the Democratic Party and Liburuls are too useful as a
scapegoat.

[Gyre]

6. interesting observations.

hmmm.

Gyre

[gulfcoastliberal]

8. I almost wish Clinton was never elected president (heresy!)

and we still controlled the house and senate. Clinton and the DLC utterly devastated the party. We'd be a lot better off if the DLC just went away and never came back. Fuck em.