I detect a silver lining in the DLC attack on the base.

[Raenelle]

Here's my theory. The DLC, ever willing to follow the establishment (shouldn't they be called the DFC--Dem Followship Council), believed the hype that Chimpy was just simply unbeatable. So, they sort of ceded 2004 and placed their bets on 2008. Their recent attack thus means that they finally see what even the Chimp Regime admits now--that the election will be at least close--and they now want in on the race. These guys are opportunists and pragmatic in their essence. They want to control the nomination, because they now see that it is worth controlling.

On the side--they are claiming that the DLC birthed Clinton. Granted, but it was also the DLC that WAS NOT THERE during impeachment. I don't mind pragmatism, but pragmatism should be in the service of something other than personal power.

[whoYaCallinAlib]

1. You could be right.

I think everyone expects this to be a very close election decided by suburban and middle class voters.

[damnraddem]

2. They fail to appreciate the distinction between pragmatism and ...

opportunism.

[IDUDOYOU]

3. What is your definition of "base"?

Do you mean the far left of the Democratic Party?
Do you mean those who support Dean?
Sorry, that is not the "base" of the Democratic party.
It may be the base on DU, but that is not the "base" outside of cyberworld.

Also, be careful how you use the term "the base"
In Arabic it is translated as Al Qaeda.

[GOPFighter]

4. Whew! After reading the transcript...

...of From's interview at http://discuss.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/zforum/03/sp_politics_from072903.htm I realize just how out of step the DLC is with America, and how shallow they are!

It nevers dawns on them that the best way to win in 2004 is NOT to pretend we're slightly saner than the Republicans, but to educate them, open their eyes, show Americans how we've been hoodwinked, manipulated, and swindled by this administration. Liberals want to LEAD America to a better future, the DLC is determined to FOLLOW the Republican's bogus remedies!

[HFishbine]

8. Yes!

You are right on! That's the kind of the point that get's lost sometimes. The race can be run one of two ways:

1) Accept the Bush paridigm of fear, hard times and pessimism which, admitedly, the majority of Americans currently subscribe too, and propose an alternate way to operate within that world view.

OR

2) Reject Bush's view of the world and set about to educate people about the possibilities for a better, more peaceful, more prosperous future.

Yes, #2 involves changing people's minds -- a harder task than finding a better way to push the current buttons. But it's a way that excites a lot of people. It is a more honest approach and it honors the traditions of the democratic party as embodied by FDR, Kennedy and Clinton.

The DLC looks at polling data and views the opinions it sees as unchangeable. Their thinking is that the dems must manuever their message to appeal to current public opinion.

Some candidates are suggesting a different approach. Rather than tweak the message to fit current opinion, they would change minds to have us believe in an optimistic view of America.

It's called vision. It happens through leadership.

[GainesT1958]

5. I agree that Al From probably...

Privately wanted to "write off" 2004 to position Hillary to run in 2008--ever looking after the wishes of his "boss", Clinton.

But I also think he felt that "Brutus" Lieberman had a better shot for next year's nomination than it now appears he does--and, ergo, he and the DLC leadership now want in on whomever ELSE best suits their agenda.

Evan Bayh and Al From are so enamored with their own ideas and words, I think they really are convinced that Howard Dean is the second coming of George McGovern. On many counts, they're dead wrong about that, of course; nonetheless, that's what they've made themselves think.

Hey, if they hadn't done so much to alienate Al Gore, they'd have someone at least PARTIALLY sympathetic to their ideas as the front-runner, and with a super chance to beat Dub next year. For what their arrogance towards him has led the DLC to, I've no choice but to say that they deserved their predicament. Still, the REST OF US deserve better!

B-)

[TNOE]

6. Nope

I can't buy it - they just want their guy in there and THE POWER. Bush is going to be a BIG loser in 2004 and they should know it or they have no comprehension of the Democrat's message. Obviously they could give a shit about what the Democrat's want - because we DO NOT WANT LIBERMAN OR GEBHART!

[diplomats]

7. I hope you're right

I find it interesting that their complaints about Dean seem to pertain exclusively to his opposition to the war. On everything he seems to be fine, according to the DLC.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Uh, their recent attack was against left-leaning Dems.

DLC= Democratic Lieberman Council