Will Dems misread Nader rage as permission to go "centrist?"

[BurtWorm]

Will Terry McAuliffe and the nominee believe they can flip off progressives because the base is furious about Nader joining the race? Do DUers who are outraged by Nader mind if that's how the DNC responds to Nader? Or should the DNC make some effort to keep progressives under the "big tent?"

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Kerry doesn't

He has already stated he was going to take Nader's issues away from him.

[ulysses]

3. good.

May he start doing so soon.

[BurtWorm]

4. That would be encouraging.

I read that Nader said Kerry's record was basically sound, which would make the timing of his announcement rather weird, to say the least.

[Brian_Expat]

2. If they go any more "centrist"

. . . there won't be a party next election. Look how "well" centrism worked in 2000 and 2002.

[Cigarskunk]

17. Screw the center!

Who wants those wishy-washy fence sitters anyway - the Democratic party needs to get back to the old days - rule with an iron fist, everyone votes the same way and keeps in line - none of this "appeasement" nonsense - go for the throat and don't let go once you've got a hold.

Just look at how desperate the Republicans are - they keep whining about how "nasty" people are and how no one likes them - were they acting that way back when they were winning in '94? We've got em on the ropes - keep up the attacks, keep slinging the mud, hit 'em with everything we've got and we can take it all back!

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. They go centrist no matter what Ralph or anyone else wants

It's the DLC way.

[Fovea]

8. I would bet that a day does not go by

where Terry gets bitch slapped by angry Democrats.
I bet he flinches every time he opens that asbestos inbox of his.

I think that the DLC should have gotten the same message as Joe L.
We have had enough centrism and cooperation with the PNAC party to last a lifetime.

Now we fight!

[goodhue]

13. exactly

If anythign Nader actually helps to pull party away from center.
But better to support pull from inside the party a la Kucinich.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. And for the record

I'd be happy to work with Dems and other progressives, but as a coalition and not under a big tent. I don't feel that two party politics is healthy for democracy.

[BurtWorm]

9. A lot of Dems don't believe three-party politics is healthy

for the Democratic Party. ;) They do have a point. The conservatives seem to be able to maintain a fairly disciplined coalition under the Republican roof, but lefties seem to have a difficult time staying on the same page even within the Democratic Party, let alone in a coalition with other parties.

Ideally, the day will come when leftists will use their power as a bloc to demand and get a seat at the table. I tend to think, still, that now is an excellent moment for them to assert their power within the Democratic Party. This moment in particular is quite unlike any in recent memory. The Democratic Party needs progressives far more than progressives need the Democratic Party, whether either side realizes it or not. I firmly believe that if the left realized this, we could use it to yank the Party and the country left as well. Of course it would take great discipline to coordinate this use of power so that it is actually effective and not just alienating and counterproductive.

[HFishbine]

11. Didn't the dems like

having Perot run? I think it may depend more on where the 3rd party is coming from.

[JVS]

7. I would not be surprised

[maxanne]

10. They already have

gone centrist - without permission.

[julialnyc]

12. Who is behind Nader?

Who is behind Nader? I was wondering today who the other players on Nader's team are.

[lams712]

14. The Leadership of the Democratic Party doesn't.........

.....GIVE A RAT'S ASS about it's progressive wing.

OF COURSE THEY ARE GOING TO GO "CENTRIST" DURING THE GENERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN, why should this time be any different????

Just FOLLOW THE MONEY!!!! Maybe Ralph is on to something.

[Iverson]

15. What does the evidence indicate?

I don't see anything interrupting the ongoing swoon to the right. If the Nader candidacy is invoked at all, it would be a rationale for what is happening, and would happen, anyway.

[mouse7]

16. If Kucinich won the nomination, even he'd lean center in general

Promoting the center in mainstream media is just what you have to do in US general elections.

Between the convention and the general election, don't get your campaign news from the mainstream media. Focus on what candidates have offered in policy statements.