So Rahm Emanuel is NOT in bed with the DLC, eh?

[Aaaargh]

From 'Seeking a Plan, Democrats Play by the Books:
Defining Missions and Coveting Congressional Gains,
Veterans Put Their Proposals Into Print,' by JACKIE CALMES, March 23, 2006, Wall Street Journal

..."The Plan," as it happens, is the title of a book by Clinton White House veterans Rahm Emanuel, now a congressman from Illinois, and Bruce Reed, president of the centrist Democratic Leadership Council. The authors promise "specific ideas" for universal health coverage and college education, and initiatives on retirement security and national security, energy, tax overhaul and deficit reduction. Their work is due out from PublicAffairs Books by Labor Day -- just as the midterm-election campaigns heat up.

Mr. Emanuel, not coincidentally the head of the House Democrats' campaign committee, then will hit the road to promote the book and his party's candidates. His co-author, Mr. Reed, says, "You wouldn't believe how desperate Democrats are for a mission."

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB114308412824806031-v2AcpZQWnNE3rBr24i1t70Dbn7E_20070323.html?mod=hpp_free_today

[The Magistrate]

1. Oh, The Horror, Sir!

What damnably bad things these are....

"Hints of ideas in "The Plan" are evident in Mr. Emanuel's legislative portfolio, such as his proposals to simplify the income-tax code and reduce deficits by ending scores of individual and corporate tax breaks and the Bush tax cuts. But he says the book "isn't a check list of legislative proposals."

Work on the book prepared Mr. Emanuel for an appearance last fall on NBC's "Meet the Press," where host Tim Russert challenged, "What are the Democrats' ideas?" The congressman listed five: health care for all workers in 10 years, universal college education, a bipartisan budget summit to reduce deficits, a new science-and-technology center and "a hybrid economy" to cut dependence on foreign oil."

What a terrible thing it would be if it should come to pass that a Democratic majority in the COngress should ever enact such measures! However would we survive!

[Capn Sunshine]

5. Note that Rahm quoted Howard Dean on this

He ticked off the five things Howard Dean (who has been touring the country relentlessly) mentions in his speech about what we stand for as Democrats.

Agree, this would be a good thing. I think we should recognize that the DCCC and the DLC are not our enemies, just motivated Democrats whose thinking represents a significant part of the party, even though they are incorrect about several major issues.

Isn't this is what a primary is for, to find the mean between these viewpoints and by elective process put up the best candidate to run in the general?

[The Magistrate]

6. Indeed, Captain

My view is that differences over strategy and tactics should not blind us to the shared goals we pursue in common. A preference for draw plays over screen passes does not indicate one or the other does not wish to move the ball downfield and score.

[Inland]

2. In-credible.

The guy has a plans and intiatives, promoting party candidates, and what you find remarkable is some "in bed with" innuendo.

No wonder this party is stuck in neutral.

[Capn Sunshine]

3. Is there a question here that it's otherwise?

The DCCC does much good , supporting Congressional candidates they deem worthy.

That this good is superceeded by a disagreeable philosophy about the direction of the party is no small matter.

I think they are aware of our disagreements with them by now.
Lets not throw the baby out with the bathwater. There's time for that after the election, and they aren't going to change before then.

I doubt they will ever change. It's a lifestyle as much as a philosophy.

[SOS]

4. "The Plan" is no such thing

Reed wasn't elected to anything. He just wrote a book of opinions with Emanuel.

[Rowdyboy]

7. Shocking! How dare Rahm Emmanuel offer ideas to solve problems....

Perhaps more progressive Democrats might offer their proposals and the party could then actually debate intelligently, instead of name-calling and fonger pointing.

[SOS]

8. http://pdamerica.org/policy/

nt

[Jai4WKC08]

9. We won't start winning elections

Until every faction of the party is "in bed" with every other.

[AtomicKitten]

10. for crissakes

We are ALL Democrats.

It's about time the whining stops and the hard work begins.

[wyldwolf]

11. heh!

Crash and burn. Lesson here? How one's loathing for anything remotely associated with the DLC will blind one to sound ideas and strategy.

[Fenris]

12. I'm curious as to what you find objectionable about their plan.

It seems to me that your primary (and possibly single) objection is that Mr Emanuel co-authored it with a member of the party whose association with the DLC you do not particularly praiseworthy.

What is your substantive objection to this plan?

[Neil Lisst]

13. Rahm is a good Dem, and we need more of him and less of Nancy

Pelosi.

In an age of Television, there's something to be said for being younger, more attractive, more comfortable in front of TV, and less objectionable to middle voters.

[OzarkDem]

14. John Podesta is better at policy

and Center for American Progress is everything the DLC wishes it could be - a quality think tank with real solutions.

http://www.americanprogress.org/site/c.biJRJ8OVF/b.8473/

[seabeyond]

15. universal health care, education, retirement, ....this is BAD dems???