BTW, that pick of Ted Kaufman to replace Biden is a major blow to the DLC

[LynneSin]

Tom Carper, our other senator, is like vice-chair for the DLC and a bit more moderate leaning that Joe Biden (and yes Biden has never been in the DLC so stop saying that).

I kept dreading the concept that John Carney would be picked, who has served under Tom Carper when Carper was our governor and is also a member of the DLC. Carney's name was top on the list because he had run for governor this year and lost to Jack Markell. Everyone assumed that since Carney was the current Lt. Gov he'd win the primary easily but instead lost out to our State Treasurer Jack Markell.

Although Biden and Carper are good friends, Biden found someone who would be more 'Bideny-like' as a senator instead of bringing in a DLCer to take his seat.

But ultimately Ted is a placeholder - Joe wants his son Beau to run in 2010. Mark my words on that one. (Beau can't serve now because he is currently serving in Iraq)

[wyldwolf]

1. what's interesting is up until very recently, Biden was considered "DLC-like" on DU...

...but, then again, how is this a "major blow" for the DLC?

After the elections of Mark Warner, both Udalls, Mark Begich, and Jeanne Shaheen, the re-election of Mary Landrieu (not to mention Lieberman being "saved"), the DLC is better positioned in the Senate than it has been in a decade.

[LynneSin]

2. Any democrat who disagrees with whatever one believes in is 'DLC-lite'

it's like me calling you a spaz because you said something I didn't like.

[wyldwolf]

4. yeah, very true

Spaz? I resemble that remark!

[murbley40]

3. I like the pick.

I too, dreaded the idea that Carney might be picked. Since Kaufman has been an adviser and close friend of Joe for many years, you can pretty well guarantee that he thinks like him. Carper and Carney have never really impressed me .

[Parche]

5. are you sad you lost the bid?

:woohoo: :hi: :hug:

[LynneSin]

6. Seriously - my first bill I would pass would be to ban you permamently

:woohoo:

[Parche]

7. Fukin awesome

:cry: :cry: :cry::cry: :cry:

[SoxFan]

8. Lynn, I don't agree with your analysis

Carney lost to Jack Markell. Jack is about as "DLC" as you can possibly get. He has written op/ed pieces on the DLC web site, moderated DLC/PPI workshops on financial literacy and urban banking policy, and is one of the most active members of the group.

I think you are making a mistake that a lot of people make. They see the Democratic Party as a binary creature. On one side, you have the progressives/base/"Democratic Wing of the Democratic Party"; on the other side you have The Evil DLC & Its Blue Dog Underlings.

The reality isn't always that simple.

My sense is that Carney isn't so much a DLCer as he is an "Establishment Democrat", a guy who avoids confrontation and tries not to ruffle feathers. Markell is definitely a New Democrat in terms of his policy proposals, but his political style is more grass-roots oriented, less tied to old Democratic power bases. He's similar to his old friend Mark Warner in that regard.

[Cha]

9. May this all work

out like we want..Beau comes home from Iraq and runs in 2010 and wins his dad's Senate seat.