Time to get your facts straight: John Kerry isn't DLC

[jeter]

To some people here the DLC is the Democratic boogeyman - responsible for everything and anything they disagree with within the party.

So if Kucinich or Dean loses - well, it's because of the DLC.

If someone you don't support wins the nomination - well, it's because of the DLC.

What is the DLC? It is a southern-based POLICY forum for moderate to conservative Democrats.

It has no operational function within or outside the party.

It has no voter lists. It doesn't mobilize voters in elections.

It is a forum for policy. The Progressive Policy Institute and the New Democrats, and releases a quarterly policy magazine called: "Blueprint."

That's what the DLC does.

The DLC gets behind candidates from time to time. It got behind Bill Clinton. It got behind Al Gore. This time it got behind Joe Lieberman. But what good did it do him?

Occasionally, members or leaders within the DLC make speeches - where they argue that we should be more conservative. That's all they are SPEECHES.

About 50 to 60 various members of Congress and the Senate are members of the DLC. They use the DLC for policy issues and the like and generally agree with its philosophy. These Democrats tend to be southern moderate-to-conservatives.

The DLC did not support the Kerry candidacy.

They supported Joe Lieberman. So like Dean supporters, Kucinich supporters - the DLC lost in this nomination battle.

In fact, the past four years have been horrible for the DLC. They believed that they found the formula to win elections in the 1990s. That same formula has led Democrats to defeat after defeat ever since. No one even listens to what Al From (the founder of the DLC) has to say anymore.

So its time to stop believing in boogeymen. And time to kick some Republican ass.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. LOL the DLC was behind Cruz Bustamante too!

[lcordero]

2. WRONG

http://www.ndol.org/new_dem_dir_action.cfm

check in this search

[DjTj]

4. DLC Senators:

Evan Bayh, U.S. Senator, IN
John Breaux, U.S. Senator, LA
Maria Cantwell, U.S. Senator, WA
Tom Carper, U.S. Senator, DE
Kent Conrad, U.S. Senator, ND
John Edwards, U.S. Senator, NC
Dianne Feinstein, U.S. Senator, CA
Bob Graham, U.S. Senator, FL
Tim Johnson, U.S. Senator, SD
John Kerry, U.S. Senator, MA
Herb Kohl, U.S. Senator, WI
Mary Landrieu, U.S. Senator, LA
Joe Lieberman, U.S. Senator, CT
Blanche Lincoln, U.S. Senator, AR
Zell Miller, U.S. Senator, GA
Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator, FL
Ben Nelson, U.S. Senator, NE
Mark Pryor, U.S. Senator, AR
Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator, MI

[flpoljunkie]

31. Read somewhere that Kerry did not join the DLC until sometime in 2000.

Certainly a mistake for him with a lot of folks here at DU.

[Sean Reynolds]

3. John Kerry isn't a member of the DLC?

Hm, hop on over to www.dlc.org

You'll see THIS:

http://www.ndol.org/new_dem_dir_action.cfm

Martha Coakley, District Attorney, Middlesex County MA
Barry R. Finegold, State Representative, MA
John Kerry, U.S. Senator, MA
Peter Larkin, State Representative, MA
Richard Moore, State Senator, MA
Charles A. Murphy, State Representative, MA
Therese Murray, State Senator, MA
Marc R. Pacheco, State Senator, MA
David Ragucci, Mayor, Everett, MA

Not DLC? Hm......

[slinkerwink]

5. oh, sean, you shouldn't offer proof that Kerry is a part of the DLC....

;-)

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Sean Reynolds]

56. I'll leave that to the ABB people.

Who continually bitch and cry at the fact I won't support their candidate.

:cry:

[bushwakker]

57. You're an embarrassment to this site

Someone who proudly aknowledges their admiration of Stalin has no business here. Perhaps I'm wrong but I wasn't aware of the DLC being responsiblr for the oppresion and murder of millions.

[Sean Reynolds]

60. No...but give it time.

Remember, the DLC backed an unjust war tha has killed 10,000+ Iraqis and 500+ troops.

[Scott Lee]

65. Bush and or Kerry will make up that body count quickly

[Sean Reynolds]

69. Yup.

Bush and Kerry, pushing the PNAC agenda one war at a time!

[cally]

6. Good point

The DLC promoted 'moderate' Democrats. Kerry has always been seen as a liberal Dem.

[slinkerwink]

8. funny, Kerry is listed as a member of the DLC

[OKNancy]

10. He is seen as a liberal because he is a liberal

I don't care if he's DLC or not. I think some DUers go way overboard on this DLC thing...like they have any real power...
John Kerry is a liberal. He has one of the highest rankings of all Senators in every ranking chart there is.

Wait until the Republicans start in on him. It will be all liberal all the time.

[jeter]

14. Exactly, The DLC is nothing

They peaked in 1996 and have been in decline ever since.

People need to get a grip.

[dansolo]

44. But they are taking the Democratic Party down with them

It is true that the DLC is in the decline, but they are too entrenched in the Democratic Party. They are dragging down the Democratic Party with them. Look at what has happened in the last few election cycles. The DLC's fingerprints are all over it.

[jeter]

47. They were formed in 1985

Didn't win an election until 1992. And have lost every election since.

How ARE THEY ENTRENTCHED?

[cally]

15. I agree

After almost 30 years following politics closely, I've always admired Kerry for his stances. He's always been a hero of mine. He's stood up for many liberal causes when the issue wasn't popular. I've never doubted that he is a principaled man.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

7. Better let Kerry in on it.

[revcarol]

9. The first dog in the fight got whupped.

Time to open the cage and let out the next one...he's more photogenic anyway.

[wyldwolf]

11. You're wrong about Kerry, but I still agree...

The fringes of both parties need things to fear. Boogymen.

On the right, it was communism. Now it is Muslims and liberals.

On the left, it is shadowy government agencies.

Whereas the replies so far have been quick to point out that Kerry is a member of the DLC, they don't deny the truths of your post otherwise.

To do so would expose the failings of non-DLC organizations to influence policy and such as much as the DLC has.

That is why they want to believe the DLC weilds so much power - it reinforces their martyr complex.

[Capn Sunshine]

26. As a member of the DLC , I can state categorically you are mistaken

I know EXACTLY what the DLC wants; what they do as an interest group , and who they are backing, and why they fear Howard Dean.

The DLC mantra of electability is what put Kerry over the top, and you want to run from that?

The DLC support of the war because of its benefit to business, following the old conventional wisdom that the best way out of a recession is a hot war and tax cuts; thissounds awfully close to Kerry's platform.

Kerry's main objection to the war was in it's application ,not its precept.

The third richest potential president in US history is aligned with differnt interests than the middle class, and the DLC seeks to smooth transitions from one side of the aisle to the other, acting as a modulator that assures the markets that all is well.

There's more but I think you get the idea. It's a bogeyman in the sense that their views of how to get elected are rife with failure since 2000, and their interests lie with corporate health more than that of the body politic.

Unless you wish to argue the DLC's ideal candidate, Joe Lieberman, was an abberation. Choice two: Senator Kerry.

[flpoljunkie]

28. No, DLC Choice Two was John Edwards.

[wyldwolf]

36. How about pointing out to these good people where my post was mistaken?

[HereSince1628]

58. So what are you elected official or proven civic leader?

To be DLC you have to be one or the other.

Then again to be a "New Democrat" you just have to admire an authoritarian elite enough to sign up and send them money.

Being DLC and being a New Democrat are NOT synonomous.

The DLC are elist and conservative compared to Democrats in general, the NDOL are simply dyed in the wool followers. Which isn't suprising since the DLC is a _conservative_ movement within the Democratic party. Conservative personalities are attracted to authority and willingly subject themselves to it. Moderate for DLC is a misnomer.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

61. uhhhhh

the fact of the riginal post
"Time to get your facts straight: John Kerry isn't DLC"

kinda ironic that it's title spouts facts that aren't facts at all.

May be time to take one's own advise!

[unfrigginreal]

12. Thanks for setting us straight

I don't understand why the people can't see that Kerry is a populist :eyes:

[cyclezealot]

27. Just skeptical

Just skeptical..I recall too readily calling Kerry's office when he voted on the wrong side.
The war, Patriot Act, Medical Care for all, Trade. that is enough for me. Did not say we will not vote for him.we just expect him to fly right, when he learns what the views of Democrats are.
Is it too much to ask,that he reflects the views of the parties members.? Too many Democrats are just looking for a pretty face and issues are secondary..Who will write the platform and what will it say? Sticking to my candidate, Kucinich give credience to my issues. To fold up and let Kerry know,we do not care is sure cause for him to not reflect populist views.
Do not blame the DLC for Dean or Kucinich's fate. It is caused mostly by the media's role and a party faithful too guilible to electibility concerns. Dean and Kucinich in a debate would cream Dubya..I suspect Kerry will be apologetic, just like Gore was.. Also, Bush can say you voted for my mistakes.! You have no beef now.
Yes, I do think the DLC has more influence due to its business connections to cash, over Democratic senators, than some here credit ..But they are not Machevelian string pullers.

[G_j]

13. you may not agree with the conclusions

in this article, but it should at least offer some insight.

THE ASSASSINATION OF HOWARD DEAN
Naeem Mohaiemen, AlterNet

Why did Dean's insurgent candidacy, which had energized and excited voters in every state, come to such a screeching halt? Ask the DLC.

http://www.alternet.org/members/story.html?StoryID=17881

[jeter]

19. G-j, what did the DLC do to destroy Dean?

Write a nasty commentary about him?

The fact is this:

first, Howard Dean went after the DLC first with all guns blasting. It shouldn't surprise you then that they were less than excited about him.

Second, was a member of the DLC during his terms as governor of Vermont.

Third, when he looked like he would win the nomination. Made several attempts to reconcile with the DLC.

[cally]

20. I agree that many long time party activists worked to defeat

Howard Dean. Guess what, many Dean activists worked to defeat Kerry, Clark, and Gephardt. Many are now supporting Edwards to defeat Kerry. :shrug: I just don't get the outrage about that.

[jeter]

22. It's crybabism.

I lost. I hate the guy who beat me.

[Walt Starr]

30. The only crybabies I see on DU

are the hysterical crybabies decrying Nader for exercising his rights.

I won't support Nader, but I welcome his run.

[jeter]

33. Of course, because Bush winning again doesn't matter

Defeating Bush has been my preoccupation for three years now. I allied myself with liberals and others because it would seem that they too wanted Bush gone.

Apparantly they don't care that much about it since they support Naders run.

John Kerry has done far more for Progressives than Ralph Nader ever has.

[Walt Starr]

37. I'm voting for The Ham Sandwich (D) on November 2nd

but Nader has every right to run if he so chooses and IT CRACKS ME UP!!! Kerry was supposed to be OH SO ELECTABLE, so why the apoplexy over Nader? If Kery is really electable, Nader is a non-issue.

[Scott Lee]

66. Aye! Be American! Go Ham!

[emulatorloo]

55. I have a right to do a lot of stoopid stuff, but I have the sense not to

do at least half of it!

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

40. Dean represents what the media claims about Dems the most

That we are a bunch of ineffectual crybabies...his candidacy and press interviews after the heat was on him are a verite performance act.

[salin]

51. you know... I still can't figure out why that behavior is an asset for the

GOP (newt, delay, cheney, ashcroft, hatch and more have all acted like this at one time or another)... but a debit for democrats.

Angry is what took the house over in 1994

The whining about the otherside - ala newt - got rid of Jim Wright - and made Newt a shining star (for 10 years) in the party

And of course - the newcomers to the category who are still rewarded by the media and the right: Bill Bennet, Rush Limbaugh, Trent Lott, and others...

The crowd reaction to Hillary at the huge 911 memorial ceremony was heralded by the right.

The crowd reaction at the Wellstone Memorial (as portrayed in the media) cost the election in Minnesota.

Go figure.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

52. It's simple. They do it better.

For some reason their shit sticks.

[G_j]

41. I did hear a DLC guy (I forget his name)

do a pretty vicious attack on Dean on NPR. Quite frankly I was shocked and found it disturbing. (I'm a DK supporter BTW)

I'm not an expert on the subject, but it sounds like you have understated the DLC's influence.

The article is worth reading.

[jeter]

43. A person makes a "vicious attack" and suddenly he has influence?

Great logic G_j

[belle]

48. *sigh* Look, my main problem with Kerry always was just this:

He had, to my eye, no charisma. Dean, I thought, was charismatic. In other words, I liked Dean because I thought he had popular appeal (not to mention guts, a quality sorely lacking in the party). But apparently, shadowy government machinations or whatever the cause, he wasn't popular enough. And then again, there are still people who describe Dubya as "charismatic," which is something I've never understood and never WILL understand. But I guess it goes to show that charisma is at least somewhat subjective.

So I figure, hey, if big shadowy government/media/corporate giants can somehow sell Dubya as a likable sort of "just folks" guy, then hey, maybe they can persuade us that Kerry is a rip-roaring rock star with sex appeal and righteous anger and affinity for kissing babies just oozing out of him. Hell, I'm trying to persuade myself. As long as I read his words, I can actually sort of get there. And the haircut is an improvement.

The issues? Kerry is actually more to the left than Dean on a lot of it. His environmental record, I'm learning, is quite good; he's come out more against the DP than has Dean; and while I'm pissed that he's waffling on gay marriage, Dean's done the same thing when it cme right down to it; the only one who came right out and said he supported the whole nine yards was Kucinich. As far as corporate backing: well, yeah. But I never really had a lot of faith that Dean or anybody was going to get into the White House and start trust-busting left and right: for one thing, there's Congress to contend with. For another, Washington tends to effect a sea change on even the best intentioned of folks, *I* believe. I *like* Dean, okay. I just don't know whether a Dean presidency would really have been so much more progressive than a Kerry presidency, whether in intent or execution.

And yes, clearly, I am, and have been, Anyone But Bush. But that aside, I feel a lot better about Kerry than I would have about Lieberman--the DLC's choice, and, more to the point, a total wanker.

[OKNancy]

68. Appeal is important

but charisma is in the eye of the beholder. When Dean was still in, I never wrote a bad thing about him here on DU, but now I will say this: I couldn't stand him. In fact, I thought he was creepy. I didn't like his demeanor, or the way he talked. Some of his policies stunk too, but that has been hashed and re-hashed.

Edwards or Kerry...both are fine with me.

[Scott Lee]

74. Still, its sad that current events have us holding our noses - again

I decided I had enough of that. It's getting so that nose plugs should be issued at all Democrats going to vote.

[mmonk]

16. Both Democratic frontrunners left in the race

are DLC (Kerry and Edwards). Due to their current delegate counts and chances, I had little choice but to choose one after my candidate left the race. I can't go Nader because the cost of a bush re-election is just too dang high.

[revcarol]

17. DLC tries to decide our nomination. Calls my candidate Rummy's twin.

"Just shut lie down on the concrete and get beaten one more time."

Lose your job because of NAFTA, GATT, WTO,IMF, free trade w/China, which Kerry voted for?

"Just lie down on the concrete and get beaten one more time."

[Walt Starr]

18. Um...dude...maybe YOU had better get YOUR facts straight

Kerry is as DLC as the day is long.

[jeter]

21. boo Hoo, so I was wrong and Kerry is a member of the DLC

Still, he wasn't supported by them. Lieberman was.

Still it doesn't change the fact that the DLC has no real power within the party other than offering opinions, which for the most part are usually ignored now.

[Walt Starr]

23. You just go ahead and believe that

I'm sure it makes you feel better.

[jeter]

24. Oh brother.

Why must there always be some giant conspiracy afoot?

What if you pulled back the curtain and there was no wizard?

[Walt Starr]

34. I'm not the one who made a false claim about Kerry not being DLC

:shrug:

[wyldwolf]

39. no, but you have made an unproven claim that Kerry was supported by them

[Walt Starr]

45. Quote me then

Quote where I made that claim on this thread.

I'm waiting, but I certainly won't hold my breath.

[wyldwolf]

49. oh, gee, you got me...

Although by saying that "Kerry is DLC" would denote their support of him to anyone else, you want to draw a distinction.

That is your right to do, though.

So let's be clear. Kerry is DLC, but you don't believe the DLC supports him.

Now I understand.

[wyldwolf]

38. Hey, Walt, PROVE Kerry was supported by the DLC.

[Walt Starr]

46. I said Kerry was IN the DLC

Please, don't put words in my mouth.

[Scott Lee]

67. Uhm....animal, vegetable, or mineral?

[revcarol]

25. Their pronouncements only get page 1 in the "librul" media.

But Democrats can't read?

[jeter]

29. When are they page 1?

I don't remember the last time they were on the front page of anything.

Give me some examples.

I don't like the DLC either. But not because they weild all this power. It's because their strategy is all wrong.

I'm pretty happy that most people within the party see this too now.

So who cares about the DLC.

[GodHelpUsAll2]

62. Careful

Your throwing out facts again. You sure this time?

[Tinoire]

32. Wow! Now I've heard it all!

Astounding. Kerry not DLC. Kerry is the DLC's poster boy.

[Donna Zen]

50. Actually I think not:

Kerry was never part of the DLC during the Clinton years, high-times at the DLC. IIRC, it was right before his more active seeking of the presidency began, and right when Gore snubbed them about a luncheon in NYC.

Personally I think it less about ideology for Kerry and more about building alliances for this run.

Disclaimer: I have no dog in this fight.

[George_Bonanza]

54. A great point

[Tinoire]

70. There's a lot of information out there about Kerry being pre-2000 DLC

All of this is from a 2000 Kerry page

Member of Democratic Leadership Council.
Kerry is a member of the Democratic Leadership Council:

Mission
The DLC’s mission is to promote public debate within the Democratic Party and the public at large about national and international policy and political issues. Specifically, as the founding organization of the New Democrat movement, the DLC’s goal is to modernize the progressive tradition in American politics for the 21st Century by advancing a set of innovative ideas for governing through a national network of elected officials and community leaders.
Who We Are
The Democratic Leadership Council is an idea center, catalyst, and national voice for a reform movement that is reshaping American politics by moving it beyond the old left-right debate. The DLC seeks to define and galvanize popular support for a new public philosophy built on progressive ideals, mainstream values, and innovative, non bureaucratic, market-based solutions. At its heart are three principles: promoting opportunity for all; demanding responsibility from everyone; and fostering a new sense of community.
Since its inception, the DLC has championed policies from spurring private sector economic growth, fiscal discipline and community policing to work based welfare reform, expanded international trade, and national service. Throughout the 90’s, innovative, New Democrat policies implemented by former DLC Chairman President Bill Clinton have helped produce the longest period of sustained economic growth in our history, the lowest unemployment in a generation, 22 million new jobs, cut the welfare rolls in half, reduced the crime rate for seven straight years, balanced the budget and streamlined the federal bureaucracy to its smallest size since the Kennedy administration.

Now, the DLC is promoting new ideas -- such as a second generation of environmental protection and new economy and technology development strategies -- that is distinctly different from traditional liberalism and conservatism to build the next generation of America’s leaders.
Source: Democratic Leadership Council web site 01-DLC0 on Nov 7, 2000

==

New Democrat: "Third Way" instead of left-right debate.
Kerry adopted Third Way principles of the Democratic Leadership Council:

America and the world have changed dramatically in the closing decades of the 20th century. The industrial order of the 20th century is rapidly yielding to the networked “New Economy” of the 21st century. Our political and governing systems, however, have lagged behind the rest of society in adapting to these seismic shifts. They remain stuck in the left-right debates and the top-down bureaucracies of the industrial past.

The Democratic Leadership Council, and its affiliated think tank the Progressive Policy Institute, have been catalysts for modernizing politics and government. The core principles and ideas of this “Third Way” movement Bill Clinton’s Presidential campaign in 1992, Tony Blair’s Labour Party in Britain in 1997, and Gerhard Shroeder’s Social Democrats in Germany in 1998.

The Third Way philosophy seeks to adapt enduring progressive values to the new challenges of he information age. It rests on three cornerstones:
the idea that government should promote equal opportunity for all while granting special privilege for none;
an ethic of mutual responsibility that equally rejects the politics of entitlement and the politics of social abandonment;
and, a new approach to governing that empowers citizens to act for themselves.
The Third Way approach to economic opportunity and security stresses technological innovation, competitive enterprise, and education rather than top- down redistribution or laissez faire. On questions of values, it embraces “tolerant traditionalism,” honoring traditional moral and family values while resisting attempts to impose them on others. It favors an enabling rather than a bureaucratic government, expanding choices for citizens, using market means to achieve public ends and encouraging civic and community institutions to play a larger role in public life. The Third Way works to build inclusive, multiethnic societies based on common allegiance to democratic values.
Source: Democratic Leadership Council web site 01-DLC1 on Nov 7, 2000

==

Member of the Senate New Democrat Coalition.
Kerry is a member of the Senate New Democrat Coalition:

The Senate New Democrat Coalition (SNDC) the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) in the House. Members of both groups are moderate Democrats who advocate a new centrist, progressive approach to governing and who often reach across party lines to get things done.

Established in 1997, the House New Democrat Coalition (NDC) grew to 64 members between 1998 and 2000, making it the largest caucus in the House. With the success of NDN’s top House candidates on Election Day, the NDC has grown to 72 members in the 107th Congress. The Senate New Democrat Coalition (SNDC), established in 2000, is already 20 members.

In announcing the establishment of the SNDC in February 2000, Sen. Landrieu stated, “The American people are tired of the same old proposals and are demanding that we work together in a more creative way on the many problems facing our nation. Too often here in Washington, the loudest voices are the ones on the far left and far right. That is why this group was formed, to give voice to those in the sensible center.” The SNDC has already made its voice heard on critical issues ranging from education to trade to health care and, with the Senate evenly divided, the Senate New Dems are increasingly determining the balance of power.

Source: Senate New Democrat Coalition web site 01-SNDC0 on Jan 1, 2001

http://www.issues2000.org/2004/John_Kerry_Principles_+_Values.htm

[Donna Zen]

71. The best description of DLC vs Old Dems

In the "Two Percent Solution" Miller does a great comparison between the main factions currently operating in the Dem party. He doesn't side with either of them, but clearly draws out the reasons that they exist, and moreover, can get nothing done. It is all about getting elected and has little to do with policy. Ditto for the repubs. who know they're assholes but use their little memes for one thing and one thing only: election cycles.

Because most voters go by what the "think" they are hearing on their TV, they believe that the reporters are reporting. Actually, the talking heads have done little but read the press releases coming from the various sides for some time now.

[mdmc]

35. Dean was DLC

You think Kerry ISN'T? LOL

[Nicholas_J]

53. THe DLC has had significant

Problems with figuring out what to do with John Kerry. A member of the organization who has taken the record for voting against the DLC's desired platform and legislative compromise with neo-conservatives in the organizations history.

The DLC's chief worry in the spring when Kerry was the front runner was how they were going to run the candidate with the most radical political history in the Senate as a centrist. They have been gravely concerned that Kerry's 60's style democratic radicalism doesnt quite fit with the philosophy that the DLC has that only a centrist can win against the neo-con steamroller. Kerry's enormous lead in the polls is indicative that the entire nation may be tired of centrists.

None of the Bush attacks on Kerry's liberalism have stuck, in fact everytime they mention that Kerry voted against new weapons systems, Kerry goes up in the polls another three points.

[Killarney]

59. Thank you! Great post.

I'm sick of all the DLC boogeymen idiocy. Same as the Skull & Bones idiocy. I'm not even a Kerry supporter, but it's obviously naive immature crap.

[Tinoire]

63. Kerry Proud signer of the DLC's Hyde Park Declaration

The Hyde Park Declaration 00-DLC0 on Aug 1, 2000

DLC | Key Document | August 1, 2000
The Hyde Park Declaration: A Statement of Principles and a Policy Agenda for the 21st Century

Publisher's Note: Last May, at the invitation of the Democratic Leadership Council, elected officials from across the country met at Franklin D. Roosevelt's estate in Hyde Park, N.Y. Their goal was to begin drafting a statement of New Democrat principles and a broad national policy agenda for the next decade. This manifesto, The Hyde Park Declaration, is the result of their work.

The Hyde Park Declaration has a historic antecedent. At their 1990 annual meeting, held in New Orleans, DLC members -- chaired by then-Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas -- issued The New Orleans Declaration. That statement of principles became the guiding philosophy of Clinton's 1992 run for the presidency and later that of his presidential administration. The New Orleans Declaration's call for a citizen-government relationship based on the values of opportunity, responsibility, and community subsequently became the main organizing principle of Third Way political movements in Britain and around the world.

"Because of the work done in New Orleans and the fact that the American people gave us a chance two years later to test it, we have proven that ideas matter, and that for the decade of the '90s our ideas were the right ones," President Clinton told the Hyde Park gathering. "They have put the Democratic Party at the vital center of American life."

"Now, I think we have a rare opportunity to identify and move on the big, long-term challenges the country faces in the new century," he continued. " both the opportunity and the responsibility to put forth a declaration here which will guide our party and should guide our nation for the next 10 years. ... I've done everything I could to turn the ship of state around. Now you've got to make sure that it keeps sailing in the right direction."

A partial list of signatories of The Hyde Park Declaration appears at the end of the document. The full list will be available at a later date.

To order additional copies of The Hyde Park Declaration, call the DLC at 1-800-546-0027.

Al From
President
Democratic Leadership Council

<Hyde Park Declaration Signatories:

Signatories include:

Evan Bayh, United States Senator, Indiana
John Breaux, United States Senator, Louisiana
Lee Brown, Mayor, Houston, Texas
Bob Buckhorn, City Councilman, Tampa, Fla.
Tom Burroughs, State Representative, Kansas
Kevin Cahill, State Assemblyman, New York
Ken Cheuvront, State Representative, Arizona
Michael Coleman, Mayor, Columbus, Ohio
Pat Colwell, State Representative, Maine
Kathleen Connell, State Controller, California
Marti Crow, State Representative, Kansas
Donald T. Cunningham Jr., Mayor, Bethlehem, Pa.
Wayne Curry, County Executive, Prince George's County, Md.
Jim Davis, United States Representative, Florida
Dan DeMarco, Commissioner of Ross Township, Pennsylvania
Dana Lee Dembrow, State Delegate, Maryland
Calvin Dooley, United States Representative, California
Douglas M. Duncan, County Executive, Montgomery County, Md.
John A. Fritchey, State Representative, Illinois
Jeff Gombosky, State Representative, Washington
Ron Gonzales, Mayor, San Jose, California
James S. Gregory, City Councilman, Bethlehem, Pa.
Daniel Grossman, State Representative, Colorado
Lars A. Hafner, State House Democratic Caucus Chairman, Florida
Bob Hagedorn, State Representative, Colorado
Karen Hale, State Senator, Utah
Robert Henriquez, State Representative, Florida
Scott N. Howell, State Senate Democratic Leader, Utah
Sam Hoyt, State Assemblyman, New York
Calvin Johnson, State Representative, Arkansas
Paula F. Julander, State Senate Minority Whip, Utah
Ember Reichgott Junge, State Senate Assistant Majority Leader, Minnesota
Delores G. Kelley, State Senator, Maryland
John F. Kerry, United States Senator, Massachusetts
Kwame Kilpatrick, State Representative, Michigan
Mary Landrieu, United States Senator, Louisiana
Thomas Lazieh, City Councilman, Central Falls, R.I.
Joseph Lieberman, United States Senator, Connecticut
Blanche Lambert Lincoln, United States Senator, Arkansas

<snip>

Brought to you from the DLC web-site: http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?cp=5&kaid=128&subid=174&contentid=1926

[AP]

72. Kucinich and Edwards are NOT signatories.

[Tinoire]

73. Kucinich has never been part of it and Edwards...

((received this from a friend))

From the day that he announced his candidacy, Edwards' message has been about standing up for regular people against powerful corporate interests and insiders in the Bush administration. Here are a few of Edwards' positions that directly contradict the DLC.

On education, the DLC recommends:

New Democrats have consistently argued that investment must accompany standards and accountability. The president's proposals are not adequate to help states meet the challenges of No Child Left Behind. However, Democrats cannot focus on funding alone. No Child Left Behind is an important education reform and rather than attacking it in calls for greater funding, Democrats should argue for adequate investments to meet its goals. It is essential, though, that Democrats link increased funding to increased school performance both in policy and rhetoric.

Compare that to Edwards' position:

Senator Edwards called for a major new effort to get quality teachers into every classroom. He called for more funds for quality teachers, and better pay, scholarships, and tax credits for teachers who go to the schools that are hurting most. While stressing the need to pay teachers better, the Senator also insisted that teachers hold up their part of the bargain. The Senator also proposed a return to smaller schools, where teachers know all their students, and large expansions in courses to prepare disadvantaged students for college.

The Senator's "College for Everyone" plan would provide states with the resources to make the first year of tuition at every public university and community college free for students who come to college prepared to study and work hard while they are there. Edwards also proposed a nationwide program to pay for the education costs of students who make a five-year commitment to fill jobs that meet our homeland security needs.

Finally, Edwards believes we need to make entrance to college more fair, getting rid of early decision and legacy programs, which only help those most fortunate.


Compare the DLC plan for closing corporate tax loop holes:

There is no DLC plan for closing corporate tax loop holes.

With Edwards proposal for closing corporate loop holes:

Eliminate tax shelters that merely allow companies to hide income: Edwards called for eliminating tax loopholes that allow companies to avoid taxes by renouncing their citizenship or moving overseas -- with dummy headquarters that are hardly more than mailboxes.

End the corporate-owned life insurance deduction for low-level employees: Edwards believes that "COLI" for low-level employees is a loophole that must end. Government should not be subsidizing companies with tax breaks when former secretaries and janitors die.

Eliminate corporate subsidies: Edwards endorses Senators McCain and Congressman Gephardt's proposal for a commission, similar to the base closing commission, to eliminate corporate subsidies.

For those not familiar with COLI, the business - not the family - gets paid when employees die.

and also www.johnedwards2004.com/corporate-responsibility.asp for Corporate Responsability

Finally, compare the DLC plan to help unions:

The DLC has no plan to help unions.

To Edwards' position on unions:

"Every time I go to vote in the Senate, I get a picture of the people who worked in the mill with my dad and I think about whether this will help them." - Senator John Edwards

Ensure that Working Families Could Participate in the Political Process: Edwards believes union members deserve to have their voices heard in the political process, and has voted against so-called "paycheck protection" measures. Edwards has voted against measures to require unions and corporations to obtain permission from dues-paying members or shareholders before spending money on political activities.

Support the Rights of Workers to Organize: Edwards believes in the right to organize, and he will fight efforts to weaken that right. Labor has been a powerful force for good in this country and across the globe, and he supports tougher penalties and stronger enforcement to protect workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain. Edwards also opposes permanent striker replacement because he believes we should not punish an employee with permanent job loss if he or she exercises a legally protected right to strike.

Oppose Fast-Track Trade Authority After Edwards' Worker Protections Were Dropped from the Bill: In 2002, Edwards voted against giving President Bush fast-track trade authority, after several provisions he supported to help workers and the textile industry were dropped from the final bill. Edwards worked to include amendments that would have laid out objectives for the White House to follow when negotiating textile deals with foreign countries, sped up aid to displaced textile workers hurt by the trade deals, and increased financing for community college retraining programs. When these provisions were taken out of the final bill, Edwards voted against it.

High Ratings on Union Scorecards, Was Endorsed by AFL-CIO in Senate Race: Edwards has consistently earned high scores from labor unions for his votes on behalf of American workers. Edwards has a lifetime rating of 94 percent from the AFL-CIO, and scored a 100 percent from the group in 2001. Edwards has earned a 100 percent in three of four available scorecards from the SEIU, including 2002. In 2001, he received a 92.86 percent voting record with the UAW. During his 1998 Senate race, Edwards was endorsed by the AFL-CIO as the candidate best able to win the primary, unseat incumbent Senator Lauch Faircloth, and stand up for labor in the Senate.

[Scott Lee]

64. John Kerry is the DLC's Annointed King

No one said John Kerrybot was DLC. Guess you better rethink your thread now.