More on the DLC at Sirotablog

[SeanQ]

"The story is about the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) holding a three-day conference in Ohio about how to reverse conservatives' gains. The story quotes the DLC's ultimate Beltway insider Bruce Reed saying "If Democrats can't win in Ohio, we don't deserve to win the presidency." That's a true statement. But it's ironic coming from the head of the DLC, a group that has ardently pushed the very "free" trade policy that has destroyed Ohio's job base, and has pushed that policy at exactly the right time to stab the Democratic Party in the back.

...

The DLC also tells the Monitor that "If Democrats are smart, they also will avoid copying Rove's strategy of polarization, using controversial issues to whip up support from a loyal base of voters." How, may I ask, is that "smart?" Last I checked, Karl Rove has won almost every political campaign he's been involved in with that strategy, and now Republicans dominate every branch of government. How is it "smart" not to take some tactical lessons from him? I'm not saying we take our ethics lessons from Rove - but to say that he hasn't been politically successful in winning elections is beyond tone deaf: it's just plain stupid."

http://www.davidsirota.com/2005/07/crystal-clear-view-of-democrats.html

[lancdem]

1. I think the point about Rove is

if you rely on polarization you never get a governing majority. Of course, that hasn't stopped Rove from trying to push a RW agenda; the fact Bush has low approval ratings is a testament to how out of touch this administration is.

That being said, Rove's MO shouldn't be dismissed out of hand.

[unlawflcombatnt]

2. DLC and Free Trade

Thanks for posting this. I had read some recent statements about the DLC's position on free trade, and I thought maybe I had "mistakenly" labelled them as free-traders. Now I see it was no mistake.

Though I can tolerate some DLC positions, free-trade advocacy is a deal breaker for me.

unlawflcombatnt

[Eloriel]

3. Very good. Nominated too. n/t