Centrist Democrats Ponder How To Counter Netroots

The NY Sun ^ | July 21, 2006 | Josh Gerstein

[siunevada]

At a time when centrism has become a dirty word in some Democratic Party circles, hundreds of the party's avowed moderates are convening in Denver this weekend to discuss their agenda for this fall's election and the presidential contest in 2008. The annual meeting of the Democratic Leadership Council, a group that came to prominence in connection with President Clinton's electoral victory in 1992, takes place as the organization has become a lightning rod for criticism from liberal Web-based activists known as the netroots.

The Denver gathering is scheduled to hear from the putative Democratic frontrunner for 2008, Senator Clinton, as well as other possible contenders such as Senator Bayh of Indiana, Governor Vilsack of Iowa, and Governor Richardson of New Mexico. A former Congressional staffer sharply critical of the group, David Sirota, said the speeches to the group will carry some political cost. "Among a certain segment of voters, it's absolutely, positively negative. It's radioactive," Mr. Sirota said. "Candidates should at least consider the radioactivity."

The tension dates back to the last presidential race when council officials threw cold water on the populist, Webdriven campaign of Howard Dean. Dr. Dean, who is now chairman of the Democratic National Committee, derided the council as the "Republican wing of the Democratic Party." A sharp-tongued aide for a Dean rival told the New Republic that the Vermont governor's Internet-savvy backers resembled the grotesque denizens of the "bar scene from ‘Star Wars.'" The conflict between the two camps is so intense that when Mrs. Clinton appeared before the council last year and called for a halt to the internecine fighting, bloggers unleashed attacks on her that are still reverberating.

[ClaireSolt]

To me, Pat Cadell said it best, when, during the 2000 vote recount he exclaimed, "The party of my grandfather has been taken over by gangsters." Maybe this is the first time in the history of the spoils system of political machines based on patronage that a huge cadre of retired, self-important, infantile clients assert themselves. Forget about democracy. They don't believe in it.

What they should do is reform, but instead their party is collapsing just like their boondoggle the Big Dig. And as they went to bat against the Dubai ports deal on behalf of the longshoremen, the justice department petitioned a court to take over the union and rid it of gangsterism.

Their problems aren't about liberalism or religion. They are about the fact that a lot of them are just crooks.

[be4everfree]

In the end, the political "middle" is pushed even further left as the Democrats lose more offices.

I agree completly as I have been saying this for 2 yrs.

[weegee]

No. That would be a response (reactionary) politics to "Conservative extremism". Moderates didn't go to the Democrats and they didn't stay home.

We know of the RINOS. Who are the DINOS?

[weegee]

I must've missed your posts but it is a view I've firmed up in the last 6 months. I've made some other posts about it this year.

It certainly is becoming apparent. If you are seeing it to, then it seems to be universal.

The media likes it because they can also poll "Republicans" about the "Extreme Right Wing policies" that turn off "the party" (even if they are planks in that party).

And some conservative Republicans would rather win re-election than hold to the platform.

[be4everfree]

Sorry, But I have not posted this opinion, it is something that I have discussed with others.

Today, a moderate Republican will win (for political expediency) over a moonbat, but when in office they all become more liberal, especially on social issues.

A Democrat like Zell Miller, Sam Nunn, Breaux (sp?) and currently, Lieberman and God forbid Hillery, would/could move the party more to the center/right on issues of security and patriotism that would move the country has a whole more conservative.

It's unfortunate that so many people are enjoying the demise of the Democratic party without seeing the big picture.

Thanks for your insight.

[weegee]

The only way to move beyond having one party rule is to have two healthy parties that are both focused on the continued "health" and strength of this nation.


The advancement of socialism does not make America healthier. Open borders does not make America healthier. Raising taxes does not make America healthier (but more revenue is needed to pay for more programs).

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for America". That guy couldn't win today. Just ask his brother.

[be4everfree]

Sadly, I would rather see Lieberman run and win as a Republican than the seat go to this Lamont fruitloop.

[goldstategop]

There are NO moderates. All the Democrats are liberals and what has the netroots up in arms is they lie about who they are. As usual, elected Democratic leaders are dreaming up ways on how can you fool 'em today? But more and more people are seeing through it and are tired of the faked moderation. They want the real 100% unadulterated liberal product.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em, Down Hezbullies.)

[be4everfree]

The Democratic party is deeply split and I believe beyond repair.

But, as Weegee and I are suggesting, at the end of the day it erodes the conservative gains that have been made.

[darkangel82]

DINO= Zell Miller, Ben Nelson, etc.

[winner3000]

The DLC, the American wing of the Democrat party.

[Reily]

To all
My dream is the following
The Democrats go the way of the Know-Nothings
The Libertarians lose their single-issue 'I-Want-to-Do-Drugs-Wing'. (Maybe they & the Democrat Moon-bat wing can join!)
The GOP becomes the 'Party of the Left'
The Libertarians are the 'Party of the Right'
The whole center-of-mass of the political landscape will be permanently to the right.
That political dynamic would deliver us good constitutionally oriented government.

Its a dream.

[ReignOfError]

I want a defunct Democratic Party that is obliterated off of the American Political System.

So, then, you want all the Kerry and Clinton voters in the Republican Party??

Be careful what you wish for ...

[Adiemus]

If Lieberman is thrown overboard I believe many Jews will leave the Party. The message will be that America's Party of the Left is moving away from support for Israel.

I hope you are correct... Perhaps the Jewish people in our country will finally wake up to this "in your face" fact that's been slapping them for years.