A "Blue Dog", a "DINO": what's the difference? What are the core characteristics of a Democrat?

[elocs]

Is there a line where, despite labels, a Democrat might actually fit better in the Republican party?

I believe a Democrat should support universal healthcare and stand up for the common person against the big money of the insurance and healthcare industry. That's not to say that a Republican cannot support universal healthcare, but it should be a requirement for anyone who wants to call themselves a Democrat.

Other basic traits and characteristics that make a person an unmistakable Democrat? One person need not have all, but there should at least some be core Democratic values.

[abumbyanyothername]

1. Core characteristics

1) Pro-labor, pro-economic equality, generally. Not that everyone needs to make exactly the same salary, but lets try and keep the ratio in the double digits at least.
2) Pro-civil rights for minorities, women and the aged.
3) Pro-social services for the poor, and others.
4) Pro- environment.
5) Pro-education.
6) Pro-choice.
7) Anti-war.

[Warpy]

3. Those are abstract core values that most of us here on DU share

but might not all be shared by all Democrats.

Alas, the Blue Cross Democrats share very few of them.

[Political Heretic]

7. They're not "abstract."

But you're right on the rest.

[Political Heretic]

6. Bullshit. According to your "core characteristics" virtiually no one in congress is a Democrat.

You are apparently giving your wish list. How about we list what are the CURRENT core things that define one as a Democrat in Washington?

[IDFbunny]

9. you forgot 8) Anti-Capitalism.

[Warpy]

2. For a party that claims its roots in democracy

one would think they'd support most majority positions:

Health reform with a strong public payer option

Withdrawal from Iraq

Pro choice

Alas, pro DP

In favor of higher taxes on extreme wealth

In favor of making corporations pay their way

Pro regulation on high finance, both preventing extremes in speculation and in protecting the people against abuse.

Unfortunately, the Blue Cross Dogs aren't in favor of much of this. They're marginalized in the Democratic party even as they seal themselves into a conservative bubble and claim they're the majority.

They need to be educated on what we the people want and need.

They also need to know the kind of rage the party will face if they wimp out on this stuff again.

[Laelth]

4. On all the social issues the left has already won.

It's just a matter of time before our victories get fully expressed in law and practice.

Thus, it's the economic issues that make us Democrats. We believe in economic justice and economic fairness. Any person who says they're "liberal on social issues and conservative on economic issues" I consider to be a Republican, whether they call themselves that or not.

It is for this reason I consider Bill Clinton to have been the best Republican President since Eisenhower. He actually balanced the budget, after all. He was a wonderful fiscal conservative.

Now, having said that, there are very few "Republicans" remaining in the party of that name. Most of them are pure fascists, and I'll take a Republican (Blue Dog Democrat, DLC Democrat) over a fascist any day. However, I still consider the Blue Dogs and the DLC to be basically Republican, in both essence and practice.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Canuckistanian]

5. Blue Dog==DINO, AFAIC

If people WANTED Republicans, they would have VOTED for Republicans.

Or else what's the use of having two political parties?

[bemildred]

8. There are none really.

Look at Joe Lieberman to name just one. If WE want being a Democrat to mean something, WE are going to have to enforce the distinctions we want.