"I don't think the DLC is a serious force outside of DC"

[Capn Sunshine]

Howard Dean spoke those words in this interview I did with him shortly before he was swept into office as the DNC chair. To be clear, here it is in context:
"Q Speaking of institutional resistance, I see kind of a split in DFA regarding whether or not it would be a good thing overall. I suspect a lot of this is because of … well, there’s still a lot of a hard feelings over the way the whole election scenario went. Many feel you would be more effective as a leader of DFA and of course a possible presidential candidate in ’08.

HD: Well, DFA will continue to exist , (our) grassroots support , we’re far ahead of where DNC could be, even in two or three years, and we need DFA very much to continue to exist, BUT …if we can reform politics in this country, reforming it through the major party is worth a try. If we can’t do it, then we can’t do it, but I think it’s worth doing. I think the Democratic Party will be, can be a vehicle for real reform, it has in the past .and I think that’s what the public wants. I think the common agenda that we have for the American People is reform. DFA is made up of all kinds of people from the progressive end of the spectrum to the moderate Republican end of the spectrum, and what we all have in common is we want progressive reform.

Q That’s certainly one of the key things that everyone discusses at the (DFA) meetings. I suppose, one of the other things that always comes up is the DLC. They seem determined to move us even farther to the right. Whether or not you become the chair, do you think that we’ll be able to effectively deflect their approach at this point?

HD: I don’t think the DLC is a serious force of politics outside Washington (DC). I don’t think anybody knows who any of them are, and know that they pay much attention.

Q So you think it’s just us wonky types that are so incensed with their conduct……it seems like, I suppose that it is the “Party People” that are the most affected by the DLC and their statements.

HD: Yeah, I mean I don’t think the average American or the average voter, ( they ) have no idea who the DLC is nor do they care.

Q But it seems that their articulated strategies are the ones that keep cropping up every election cycle, and there’s many that would point to that as being an undue influence on the party.

HD: I think it’s the other way around. I think that what the DLC simply represents is there ARE people in the party who are, who do believe that “republican lite” is the way to go, and I don’t think that is the way to go and I made that very clear.

Q Amen, brother."

So let's take a breath here. Howard is right. If you ask the average voter in the street about this, they have no idea what is going on.

The DLC can articulate everything they want, but the house is built and the cement is dry, baby.

Now let's talk about TRAITORGATE so we remember what the stakes are.
How about Abu Ghraib, child rape and what really causes terrorism instead of saying we need to fight more army war in the Middle East for all the good it's done?

And so help me, if you say "fight em over there before they come here", I'll puke. Tell that to London.

[Gloria]

1. However, the fact that most voters don'g know what the DLC is is the

problem. If the average Dem voter is served up Hillary or Bayh, they will go right along with them, not knowing what they are really voting for. The mere fact that these people seem to have the visiblity and $$ helps define what a Democrat is...in this case, it equals DLC.

PS--I just got in the mail today yet another mailing from Hillary, this time a "National Survey" on issues...is this about running for Senate or is it for President?? I'm in NM, for heaven's sake...

[Guaranteed]

3. Right- that damned "liberal" Hillary. nt

[Guaranteed]

2. Well, it seems as if we just kind of ended up where we began, there,

at the end of the interview.

We know the DLC has a losing approach, but the problem is that they, somehow, keep winning in the primaries.

So, I'm not sure what you're saying, here, or what Dean is saying. I hear that he's saying that changing the party from within is worth a try. That's clear, and it's correct.

However, we have to actually change the party, instead of ending up with the same idiot candidates in the national spotlight over and over.

So, what are we going to do about that? You seem to be saying that we should just keep attacking Bushco.

[Capn Sunshine]

5. you could support Dean in his efforts

and keep the heat on about Traitorgate and Abu Ghraib.

IMO It's not coincidence that all this came to pass after Dean became chair.

[Guaranteed]

6. You believe that keeping the heat on Bush from our side will change who

gets nominated for these positions?

[Capn Sunshine]

8. It just what we have to do

TRAITORGATE shows the neocons for whatthey are; willing to commit treason in a timeof war to further their partisan agenda.

If we knock them out, we stand a better chance of neocon lite not getting in.

[Carolab]

4. Hell, even Democrats don't know what the DLC WAS (not is)...

They are so OVER, baby!

You're so right--let's just keep on going after the grinches who stole our country and take it RIGHT BACK!

SUPPORT THE DNC!!!! FUCK THE DLC!!!!

[JDPriestly]

7. I know Democrats of all persuasions and ideological shades

None of them think of themselves as a member of the DLC. As the name, which includes the word "Leadership" suggests, the DLC is for "leaders," not for us grassroots Democrats. Apparently only the bigwigs belong. My impression is that DLC members focus on raising money from big donors so that they can run in the primaries. Their goal is to rise to "leadership" positions and "lead" those of us who are not in leadership positions.

[rman]

9. Seriously i think Dean is mistaken

I think Dean should make an issue out of the (informal) fight for leadership over the Dem party that is taking place between the DLC and the DNC. The DLC uses its connections and money to get their ('centrist'/right-leaning) talking points out there. The fact that many voters do not know those are coming from the DLC does not mean it has no effect. If anything, the fact that people do not know those talking points originate from the DLC only helps the DLC.

Wide publication of a comparison between DLC policies and DNC (and/or DFA) policies would clear up a lot.

[Capn Sunshine]

10. I'm not worried about Howard

If the DLC thinks they can intimidate Howard -they've already shot their wad IMO- they are as mistaken about this as they are about their influence on the party.

New York and CA basically the ATMs for the Democratic Party, are pretty solid with Howard, even with Hillary kissing DLC ass.

I'm telling you, they are over.
The money comes from the people now.
Not the Coors foundation, a right wing group that contributes a lot of cash to the DLC.

Follow the money, proud DLCers. Coors. Olin. Heritage Foundation.
You really on the same side as those guys?