Here's why the Beltway hacks and DLC will lose

[quaoar]

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20050131&s=borosage

Turning Up the Heat on Bush
by Robert L. Borosage

For a nanosecond after November's election defeat, the Democratic unity forged by the radical provocations of George W. Bush seemed intact. From the corporate-funded Democratic Leadership Council to Howard Dean's new Democracy for America, Democrats drew similar conclusions from the election about what needed to be done: Challenge the right in the so-called red states and develop a compelling narrative that speaks to working people--don't simply offer a critique of Bush and a passel of "plans." Champion values, not simply policy proposals. Don't compromise with Bush's reactionary agenda. Expose Republican corruption, while pushing electoral reform. Stand firm on long-held social values, from women's rights to gay rights. Confront Bush's disastrous priorities at home and follies abroad.

But this brief interlude of common sense and purpose quickly descended into rancor and division. Peter Beinart of The New Republic and Al From of the DLC rolled out the tumbrels once more, calling on Democrats to purge liberalism of the taint of MoveOn.org, Michael Moore and the antiwar movement. Apparently anyone who worries about the suppression of civil liberties at home, doubts that the reign of drug lords in Afghanistan represents the dawning of democracy, prematurely opposed the debacle in Iraq or isn't prepared to turn the fight against Al Qaeda terrorists into the organizing principle of American politics is to be read out of their Democratic Party. Then, normally staunch Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi floated for chair of the party former Congressman Tim Roemer, a New Democrat distinguished mostly for his opposition to women's right to choose, his vote to repeal the estate tax and his ignorance of grassroots politics. Consolidating its corporate backing, the DLC solemnly warned against "economic populism" or "turning up the volume on anti-business and class welfare schemes"--despite the corporate feeding frenzy that is about to take place in Washington and Bush's slavish catering to the "haves and have-mores," whom he calls "my base."

After a year in which progressives drove the debate, roused and registered the voters, raised the dough and knocked on the doors, the corporate wing of the Democratic Party is trying to reassert control. Its assault on MoveOn.org and the Dean campaign--the center of new energy in the party--is reminiscent of 1973, when corporate lobbyist Bob Strauss became head of the party and tossed out the McGovern mailing list, insuring that the party would remain dependent on big-donor funding.

This time, however, the entrenched interests aren't likely to succeed, no matter who becomes party chair. That's because progressives have begun building an independent infrastructure to generate ideas, drive campaigns, persuade citizens, nurture movement progressives and challenge the right. It includes a range of new groups such as MoveOn.org, Wellstone Action, Progressive Majority, the Center for American Progress, Air America, Working America and America Coming Together, along with established groups that have displayed new reach and sophistication such as ACORN, the NAACP, the Campaign for America's Future (which I help direct) and the League of Conservation Voters. These groups--and their state and local allies--came out of this election emboldened, not discouraged. Just as the infrastructure that the right built drove the Republican resurgence, these groups and their activists--not the party regulars or the corporate retainers--will stir the Democratic drink.

[katinmn]

1. Great article. I agree 100 Percent.

Progressives are the heart and soul of the Democratic party. The fight for control is just starting.
:dem:

[WhoWantsToBeOccupied]

2. Screw the DLC

Why be moderate when the Republicans ignore voices arguing for reasonable compromise? Republican leaders don't even care about moderate Republicans any more. And there are no swing voters.

Thinking people constitute a majority in this nation now, no matter what the media tries to tell us. People are turning to The Daily Show, blogs, and websites like Democratic Underground because their bullshit detectors are going haywire.

We Dems need to pour out with such passion that our monied puppet masters (whether calling themselves "Dem" or "Rep") can't steal their way to another election "win." We especially don't need any more Republicans in Democratic clothes. Those with money may try to let "us" win next time... but only after ensuring that "we" pick a party candidate they can control. But we're on to their tricks now!

[LisaLynne]

3. I hope they're right ...

and I'm willing to do whatever I can to make sure they are. :)

I take heart in the fact that people are actually SAYING that all this moving to the right stuff is the WRONG thing to do. The party leadership didn't do much for us. We're the ones who got out there and did the work. We can keep it up.