I'm confused. Is Kerry more liberal than Kos?

[europegirl4jfk]

Okay, guys, please explain this to me. You know much more about US politics than I do.

Aren't the bloggers and especially blogs like dKos often considered "left-wing", "too liberal" etc. in the MSM and the public opinion? (and just for the record, "liberal" is a very positive word here in Europe because it means "tolerant") Aren't these blogs the ones criticizing Kerry for being too moderate or to be a member of the DLC etc.? Why is it then that now Kos and his friends preach caution about the filibuster and Kerry is totally on fire for it?

I was reading dKos since a few days and was very surprised to see all these posts on the main page that says things like the filibuster is over or keep your fight for the future and the elections. Kerry's and Kennedy's diaries were in total contrast to these posts. And now I found a diary exactly expressing what went through my mind these days:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/28/02059/1098
Isn't that all very strange?

[wisteria]

1. I'm confused too, and I live here. They want us to have a backbone

yet, we are suppose to roll over on this one? Is Alto dangerous or isn't he? Is there something we aren't being told? Are they supporting Reid and Reid's control over the body? Has Reid made some sort of inside deal. What is with all this talk about saving the filibuster for another nominee. It would seem to me that this nominee is worthy of a filibuster. As you can see, I have many questions too.

I don't get it. I really don't.

The only thing I am sure about is that Kerry has done the right thing. I am being to think most of our political system is corrupt with the exception of a very few people- Kerry being included in this class for sure.

[FreedomAngel82]

11. I think Kos has a personal thing against Kerry

He could be against this because it's Kerry and not someone else. I think if it was anybody else he'd be all for it probably. He has this hate relationship with Kerry because I think he's a big Dean supporter and Kerry beat Dean and got the nomination and all that. :shrug: Only thing I can think of.

[kerrygoddess]

2. IMHO

Kos is in this for Kos and Kos's headlines and Kos's traffic and he'll do what it takes to create a stir on the blogosphere, not what is right for the Dem party.

It's also a pretty well know fact that Kos was actually a "Green" before becoming a "Dem".

Edited to add:

Kerry and Kennedy are far more liberal than Kos and also we all know far more experienced in politics.

[MH1]

3. Isn't he also trying to get tight with Reid and other

inside-the-Beltway Dems, while claiming to not be inside-the-Beltway?

[sandnsea]

5. That makes sense

Everybody has an agenda. *sigh*

[sandnsea]

4. Will Pitt too

He posted at least twice yesterday about not having the votes, said he wasn't being negative but he can count. Also, in the email from Feminist Majority, it said a "group of Senate Democrats" were leading the filibuster, and my local Citizen's Watch email had literally NOTHING about the filibuster and the guy who runs it simply doesn't miss this kind of thing. So it has been interesting to watch.

[ProSense]

6. Here is a release from NOW

NOW Applauds Kerry and Kennedy for Leading Filibuster,
Calls on Women's Rights Supporters in Senate to Join Effort


For Immediate Release
Contact: Lisa Bennett, 202-628-8669, ext. 123; cell 202-641-1906

NOW Applauds Kerry and Kennedy for Leading Filibuster,
Calls on Women's Rights Supporters in Senate to Join Effort

January 27, 2006

"NOW applauds Senators John Kerry and Ted Kennedy for taking the lead in launching a filibuster of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito," said NOW President Kim Gandy. "We call on all women's rights supporters in the Senate to join this important effort."

A cloture vote to end debate is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 30, at 4:30 pm. Several senators have announced their support of the filibuster, and others privately indicated their willingness to join Kerry and Kennedy, but now they must do so publicly.

"We need an extended debate on this nomination, so that the public sees clearly what is at stake if Alito is confirmed," said Gandy. "Women and men from across the country have spent the last month calling, writing and visiting their senators to get the message across that Alito is the wrong judge at the wrong time for women and this nation."

Today, NOW called on its supporters once again to phone those senators who profess support for women's rights, civil rights and liberties, and the separation of powers, urging them to unite in a filibuster of Alito.

"This nominee is opposed to women's rights on every count," Gandy said. "His record is 20 years long. He was the architect of a plan to overturn Roe v. Wade. He has repeatedly ignored privacy rights. He made it infinitely harder to bring claims of sex discrimination and sexual harassment. There is nothing on his resume or in his numerous opinions suggesting that he would support our fundamental rights."

Gandy concluded: "The filibuster is our only option at this point, and it is every senator's right to use it. Shrinking from a fight will only weaken us for the next one. Your silence will not protect us."

http://www.indybay.org/news/2006/01/1798727.php

http://www.now.org/press/01-06/01-27.html

(full list of Senators phone numbers here)http://www.now.org/issues/judicial/supreme/12706filibuster.html

[FreedomAngel82]

12. My comment on that

is Kerry started it. Kennedy is just supporting him.

[whometense]

15. That's true,

absolutely. But they are very close, and must have worked this out between them. I'd be shocked if Kerry's announcement came as a surprise to Kennedy.

[karynnj]

7. Unlike Kerry and Kennedy, Kos seems to have no real underlying

philosophy of government. The people he supports seem to be those willing to scream, yell or complain. In the sense that he is more interested in politics versus governing or principles, Kos is probably more similar to Bush and Rove (who he hates) than to Kerry.

[JI7]

8. remember his anti women comments ?

and his support for Reid who is conservative over Kerry who is clearly the liberal between them.

i agree with those who say Kos is about himself. not about liberal, moderate or whatever. the dlc is used to get his sheep in line. just like the skull and bones crap.

if it was anyone other than Kerry they would be applauding it and attacking Kerry for not doing the same.

[Dr Ron]

9. Yes, Kerry is more liberal

This is just another example of what I've been saying all along about Kos. He is only interested in tactics, not principles.

Kos chooses candidates not on ideology as much as whether he likes how they sound, often winding up backing more moderate candidates despite his fighting with the DLC. He will sometimes use lip service about consistency when it suits him to justify his choice, but that is just a tactic of his.

[europegirl4jfk]

10. Tactics, not principles... I see

Thanks Ron and all of you for your thoughts. I know that most politicians are like this (and that makes JK even more cherish-able) but somehow I was naive enough to think that all bloggers would have some kind of "noble" reasons to do what they do.

[beachmom]

13. My take on Kos and the dKos community

Kos historically hates Kerry. We all know that. But now that Kerry has become a guest in his house, he isn't sure what to do. His instincts are to bash Kerry, put him down, and side with Harry Reid, as he did all last year. But his COMMUNITY thinks differently. They're working their butts off to make this happen, and I think that Kos is truly floored by that.

Some things become bigger than personalities and this is one of them. If Kerry keeps this up (going to the blogosphere to lead AND to listen), Kos, if he can evolve (not sure that will happen), will simply have to change his mind about Kerry.

The thing that I am enjoying over there is how the "Kossaks" are patting themselves on the back for this. I think this is EXACTLY what Kerry wants -- remember his words about "citizen". No matter what happens, after this is over, Kerry should make another diary, thanking the community, and talking about their power. He should make the post about "us", not him. For what it's worth, I divide Kerry's motivations as follows: Presidential ambition: 10% Substance of the issue: 70%, testing what the blogsphere has the power to do: 20%.

Yes, we love Kerry and think he is brave about doing this. But you know what? This is less about him, more about "us" (the activist liberal blogosphere), and like that post states, we have crossed the Rubicon.

[beachmom]

14. Now Georgia10 has a post front paged acting like it was

ONLY the blogosphere. Here is my (I think) diplomatic response:

Completely agree (none / 0)

with you Georgia10 about "us". The liberal blogosphere really stepped up to the plate. But . . . we were sort of asked to by . . . Senator Kerry. Don't forget his place in this. He's the one catching most of the bullets, being ostracized all over the MSM. I think the timeline was that he came for the first time a week ago Friday, and read comments for a filibuster. Then he sent out his "Stop Alito" petition, for which a ton of us signed and added "filibuster" to our comment line. He was already arguing, quite futilly with the Dem Caucus this past Wednesday, for a filibuster. It did hit him that this thing may be possible or at least could send a loud message that there is a BIG constituency out here. I'm going to give kudos to him for officially rallying the troops. Before that, it was less organized.

But I'm sure he sits in awe of us, most definitely. And I sit in awe of him.

Just my two cents.

[demdiva]

17. Nice Post

I think it was great response . . . and was diplomatic

[demdiva]

16. Kos Kids Moving on Kerry

First, let me say that I don't know a lot about Kos himself, but my uncle is an avid Daily Kos poster and supporter, and although we frequently disagree on democratic politics (he remains a big fan of Dean) he's starting to see the light on Kerry.

There will always remain a few sore losers of the Democratic Party, those who are despondant that their own revolution never garnered any votes (ahem . . . the Deaniacs) and those who want to blame Kerry for not taking the White House although they really didn't do their part to support Kerry's candidacy (ahem).

But, I believe, overall, the Kos Kids are excited to see Kerry posting on Kos and having the guts to stand up to the Republicans abuse of power. And, the support of the "people" is much more important then the support of Kos. Thoughts?

[whometense]

18. Very true.

And welcome!!!!

The best Kerry can hope for from Kos may be a letup on the trshing posts. I don't see Kos as ever coming all the way around to actively support him, but miracles do happen. ;-)

There was one particularly interesting thread over there yesterday: Markos this is your Rubicon; cross it in which the poster challenged Kos outright.

It's certainly been heartening to see the positive reaction most of the posters there have had to Kerry's attempt to reach out!