D.L.C. Leaders Cut Edwards Out

[Purveyor]

By Ariel Alexovich

As would be expected, the two gentlemen from the Democratic Leadership Council on a conference call today told reporters they’re very confident in their party’s chances of reclaiming the White House, they’re happy that substantive issues are being discussed…

And then Al From, the D.L.C. founder, said he was “very happy about the two candidates” Americans are considering.

Only two candidates? Our ears perked up as we listened on.

“This is a really hard choice, really, for Democratic voters because they like both candidates,” said Mr. From. “For me, I don’t see that going to be a problem. I think in the end, Senator Obama’s appeal that he’s made very firmly and directly to independent voters, and Senator Clinton’s appeal to the forgotten middle class are going to add up to a very smashing Democratic majority in the fall.”

“This is not uncommon in primaries to see this kind of passionate support for one’s candidate,” added Harold Ford Jr., the D.L.C. chairman and a former Tennessee congressman.
Well, O.K. But what about John Edwards? He beat Mrs. Clinton in Iowa, as one reporter pointed out, but Mr. From still doesn’t think Mr. Edwards is viable.

---EOE---

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/dlc-leaders-cut-edwards-out/

[polichick]

1. Gosh, I'm sick of the DLC....

What control freaks!
<><><>

GET OUT THE VOTE! http://www.cafepress.com/powerboutique

[aquart]

6. "I'm your girl"?

I'm just guessing that's NOT the official slogan of the campaign?

[Occam Bandage]

9. May as well be.

http://www.observer.com/2007/hillary-fund-raises-im-your-girl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V9JBItfTZI

[polichick]

21. Thanks for the links...

Hadn't seen that vid in a while ~ I thought it was a great line! Humanized her even as she reminded of what a fighter she is.

[Occam Bandage]

25. I like that line too. It's sharp and, as you say, humanizing. Clinton at her finest.

[surfermaw]

50. Doesn' this prove that WASHINGTON is afraid Edwards is going to hit the corporations hard

Sounds as if he could be the guy to get the changes done, with out ties to Washington and all the lobbyist ..Edwards is his own man, he is going to win , all we need to do is get out the vote for him, Isn't it a shame to cal and election free when so much money is given by huge corporations and others with their hands out to be repaid.

[polichick]

55. Yes, I do think it means DLC folks are afraid...

They couldn't control Edwards, and he'd do what he says he would.
<><><>

GET OUT THE VOTE! http://www.cafepress.com/powerboutique

[halobeam]

2. Now I'm hunting for more scraps to send John.

This is unacceptable.

[dmallind]

3. Well I'm voting for th guy and I agree he's a long shot.

It's not exactly DLC machination to look at the likely votes in the next primary states and see a prettyv tough climb for Edwards. He needs a major major cash injection to get his message out so he can compete.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

16. It's classic Clintonite DLC rigging to block out progressive candidates

The Edwards and Obama campaigns need a united front. The Progressive base will defect from the Democratic base in droves (and likely vote for McCain or Huckabee) if Hillary is nominated.

[dmallind]

20. If the progressive base votes for McCain or Huckabee

how can they sanely be called progressive OR the base?

I agree it would be very strategically sound for Obama and Edwards to form a united front, even though I don't think Hillary is the kiss of death or Bush lite or any other such nonsense. However remember these men are not stupid, and they are not being advised by political neophytes or amateurs. I think it's a safe bet Joe Trippi's a better political hand than either of us. Who knows what they are doing, when and why? Perhaps that's why Edwards is staying in iuntil the convention as he claims. Those delegates added to Obama's will be a formidable challenge to overcome. Sure once they are released they are not under any obligation, even ethically, to vote the way he wants, but by far most of them will. Perhaps they want to see where their repsective strengths lie regionally to see if a combo ticket would work. Perhaps one of them is carefully planning to drop out at the best time to do exactly what you suggest. I'm under no illusiuon I'm as insider savvy as Trippi et al and I can think of several scenarios that would work well if that's your goal, and of course they would never be idiotic enough to admit it now.

But some sort of DLC machination? next you'll be claiming Kucinich could win if only the DLC would talk about 4 candidates being in the field.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

27. Reasoning goes like this

Clinton, DLC as bad or worse than Rethugs on war, business kiss-assing and other issues. Election of DLC in 2008 would be as bad as Rethugs and guarantee an even longer string of DLC/Rethug rule.

So instead, if DLC and Rethugs are two choices in 2008, open up 2012-- get rid of the DLC candidate, allow the Rethug in, who will adopt the same economic stupidity that's put us in our current morass, then open up 2012 to an actual progressive such as Edwards.

I personally don't agree with all its aspects, but it has its own logic, and what matters is that it's also widely held.

[dmallind]

31. That's not "reasoning" though

There is absolutely nothing that would inspire any sane person to consider that HRC would continue the war as is, or be as blatantly regressive in tax policies. Clinton's calling for no estate tax? No - she wants to keep it. Clinton's looking to make the top-earner tax cuts permanent? No - against that too.

But let's be wild uber-progressive idealist fantasists for a moment and imagine that's absolutely true. 100%. So now the election boils down to a warmongering corporatist tool who will nominate troglodytic theocratic judges, and a similar one who will nominate reasonable pragmatists with at least some passing concern for human rights and equality. The former will continue to gut the EPA and insist on fossil fuel only solutions. The latter will at least stop the lakes being quite so brightly orange, and put a few bucks into alternative energy as a sop.

Again a fantasy, paranoid nut case completely false choice, but even if I try to live in that world for a moment, there's still a better choice there and it ain't Huckabee or McCain.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

33. Hey, I don't agree with the reasoning either, but it's a symptom

of the alienation that progressives feel. Hillary has been so pro-war and pro-big business for so long, that a lot of progressives don't see enough difference to motivate them to support Democrats. So given the choice between 1/5 of a loaf now and no loaf in the future (with likely GOP victories later), versus a whole loaf-- i.e., an actual progressive-- in 2012, and a restructuring of the Democratic Party, millions seem to be opting for the latter.

The good news is, most fellow Edwards supporters I talk to, will definitely vote for Obama if he is nominated. But they won't vote for Hillary. The chalice has been poisoned by the Clintons too much.

[dmallind]

47. Understood and agreed - and even that is optimistic on their part

By what means can we be sure that a GOP victory in 08 will pring a Kucinich or even Edwards in 12? It's more realistic to imagine Obama in 12 if not 08 or perhaps a very much centrist Webb.

heck it's not like Gore and Kerry losses (in the practical sense if not the scrupulously correct sense) gave a huge bump to Dennis in 08 is it?

[sellitman]

68. Absurd.

Totally absurd.

[sellitman]

40. You are deluded.

Either that or you are a troll. No Liberal alive should vote McCain. Say what?

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

45. No, you're just an idiot-- read the post, it's not my personal inclination

I didn't say that was my reasoning, moron. It's what I've been hearing from an awful lot of disillusioned Edwards supporters and others. I can understand the logic, even if I don't agree with it. The same way I can understand why some people like Pepsi instead of Coke, or Honda vs. Toyota, even if I don't agree myself. Kapisch?

[surfermaw]

51. I don't think Edwards needs to join either until the investigations are over

[sandnsea]

30. I agree

They have got to look at the record Obama supporters keep posting and stop buying into this Clinton propaganda. Talking to the opposition does not mean giving them what they want.

[terisan]

37. Obama votes like Clinton and has similar corporate backing-how is he more progressive?

[bvar22]

57. They won't be going to the Republicans.

They will go to a Populist AntiWAR/ProLABOR 3rd Party.
Be prepared for mass defections if Hillary or Obama is the nominee.

The DLC and the Democratic Party Powerbrokers are forcing many Liberals to take a longer view
by limiting the choice to either a Republican, or another BIG BUSINESS, AntiLABOR, ProWAR Democrat.

Many people cannot conscientiously cast a vote for a ProWAR candidate, Democrat or Republican.

"Redeploying" (whatever THAT means) some troops at some time in the future is a ProWAR position.


"There are forces within the Democratic Party who want us to sound like kinder, gentler Republicans. I want us to compete for that great mass of voters that want a party that will stand up for working Americans, family farmers, and people who haven't felt the benefits of the economic upturn."---Paul Wellstone

[ChiciB1]

61. I've Been Trying To Figure Out Where I'll Fit In After This Election...

I'm an Edwards supporter and I do know he was once what I called a "moderate to left" candidate. Now I really think he's changed a lot. While not a rabid "leftist" he does speak for me, and I hardly think he's DLC these days!

On the other hand, I do feel that both Clinton & Obama are tied very closely to the DLC! And for Conyers to support Clinton is yet another "ker-plunk" in that big pool of DLC! I don't understand why he has done it, but then I don't understand a Liberal like McGovern doing it either! Or many others who I once felt weren't so "middle of the road!"

I've always said and taught my kids, If You Won't Stand Up For Something, You'll Fall For ANYTHING!" And so it goes!!

[Omega3]

35. I agree it's a tough ride

but we don't need the DLC making it tougher to have all voices being heard. This sucks when your own party is against all viable canidates.

[Laelth]

67. Welcome to DU!

:patriot:

:dem:

-Laelth

[jsamuel]

4. If anyone was still having doubts about Edwards being the progressive, this should do it.

[Radical Activist]

5. Too bad. They used to be so close.

I guess its good that Edwards finally saw the light.

[Muddy Waters Guitar]

7. As someone who's been leaning toward Edwards, this is my last straw against the Clintons

If Edwards bows out, I'm fully supporting Obama. And in fact, I hope that Edwards and Obama decide to team up for the Convention. There's no way the Clintons and their DLC corporate shills could ever rally the party together.

[terisan]

11. uh the DLC likes Obama and his policies. He raises big Wall Street bucks and his voting record

is almost like Clinton's.

[sandnsea]

29. Divide and conquer strategy

Bill headed the DLC convention last year. Hillary was on their leadership team. The DLC supports the Clintons. Pretending they're the same as Obama has been a long time strategy that way too many Edwards people have bought into.

[terisan]

36. I am not seeing much difference in corporate support. I think Obama's social security plan is

more Republican than Clinton's.

Voting records in the Senate are similar.

Obama seems weaker on gay/lesbian rights.

I trust Clinton more on abortion rights because Obama supposedly has made some comment about the possiblity of a "revelation"

Clinton kept her word on not running for higher office during her first Senate term; Obama has not kept his word

His house deal in 2005 with the underworld figure Rezko is bothersome, especially since he has changed his answers when presented with new evidence.

He reminds me of Bush with the appeal to "change the tone" in Washington.

He has been voting to fund the Iraq War since getting to Senate.

I already have hope so I am much more interested in getting results.

[sandnsea]

43. Bill introduced the idea of privatization

I think everybody has forgotten.

The devil is in the details. I look to Illinois for an example of what he stands for. He has a real record of real change, not phony bullshit like $1,000 tax credits that only help the upper income.

Obama is solidly pro-choice and has the full support of Illinois Planned Parenthood. Hillary has been sharply criticized on her phony attacks. Talking to religious people with respect doesn't mean one will change their views.

I will be posting the Clinton scandals in the near future. Buying a strip of land is not much of a scandal.

When I post the Clinton scandals, I will also be posting all of Hillary's comments about staying the course on the war. Her leadership in the Dem Party has made it very difficult for anti-war people to change tactics. They are not the same on Iraq or foreign policy at all.

The results you get from the Clintons can be measured by what has happened the last 8 years. China trade. India outsourcing. No protection of old growth. No leadership on energy or Kyoto. Lousy welfare reform putting people into poverty. Lousy minimum wage reform. No support of unions. Deregulation run rampant. Lack of corporate oversight. It goes on and on. Bush's shit couldn't have happened without the crappy policies implemented by Bill.

[terisan]

52. Yeah, that is the Republican defense. Everything is Clinton's fault.

[sandnsea]

54. How about you deal with the issues

It is not lost on me that that was all Republican shit that was implemented. But let's not forget how much of it Bill praised as revolutionary reform. What you object to is the kind of compromise and appeasement that has been given to Republicans for the last 7 years. But who brought us that triangulation, telling us one thing and doing another, well the Clintons did. That's what that record shows.

Wake Up.

[DJ13]

8. D.L.C. Leaders Cut Edwards Out

What would you expect from an organization thats become the main campaign tool of the Clinton's?

If they thought they could get away with it without provoking an intra-party war they probably would have cut Obama out from being mentioned too.

[fadedrose]

10. DLC will pick for you whether you want them to or not

They are the main reason I don't want Clinton. THEY picked her. THEY didn't want Dean for chairman of DNC. I see a third party coming out of this a couple of elections down the pike...

Repugs have somewhat the same problem - religious against fiscal, war against anti-war . . .

[AllyCat]

22. I'd be happy with four parties.

We'd actually have some choice then.

[be inspired]

12. The DLC can kiss my ass.

If we can't nominate a real Democrat like Edwards who stands for traditional Democratic values, the Democratic party deserves to lose. I hope the DLC enjoys their continued losing streak at the expense of America. Damned Republican infiltrators!

[MGKrebs]

13. This should be a badge of honor for a true populist and

progressive campaign.

[whatdoyouthink]

14. I Agree

Like they have been allot of help - kissing Bush ass

and like they help the last 8 yr's (Bush won) so just confirms my support for Edwards

[benny05]

18. Thinking the same thing

Just as Edwards used to say getting bashed by Bill O' was another badge of honor.

[redqueen]

38. Indeed! (nt)

[Kucinich4America]

15. The only thing that needs to be "cut out"

Is this fucking neocon Repuke cancer calling itself the "DLC".

[whatchamacallit]

17. Some democracy we got here

The media and DLC decide who we vote for. "The American people have spoken!" :puke:

[progressoid]

19. “Joe Lieberman is a close friend of mine,” Mr. From said.

You said a mouthful there!

[MaineDem]

23. From is a fuckwit! n/t

[ChiciB1]

24. NOT The First Time I've Heard This... D.C. Elites Will Make SURE

Edwards stays "down under" and that's why I WON'T vote for ANYONE other than John Edwards!

When the DEMOCRATIC PARTY acts JUST LIKE THE REPUKE PARTY... it's time to hang it up! This is simply OUTRAGEOUS, and BTW.... UN-DEMOCRATIC!!

How can ANYONE argue that the cards aren't STACKED against him?? We The People are the only ones who can help him out... but there's so much to fight against, AND THERE'S WAY TOO MUCH APATHY!!

This is my LAST ELECTION! I've seen the light and it looks like it's up someone's ASS!!

[redqueen]

58. "THERE'S WAY TOO MUCH APATHY!!"

Agreed...

[ChiciB1]

60. Yeppers... Living Down Here Where I Do... It's So So Difficult To Get

a group of people together and actually DO SOMETHING!! I have tried many times going to this meeting or joining another group, but most of the time they "talk" about yet ANOTHER meeting! We've had a few demonstrations here, if that's what you'd like to call them. If the BEST demonstration turns out 200 people, you almost feel you've DONE SOMETHING!!

Pretty APATHETIC TO ME!!

[Krashkopf]

26. DLC is what is WRONG with the Democratic Party

They are a bunch a spineless, middle of the road, corporate suck ups.

If you like the way Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid have been caving in to Bush since WE won the elections in 2006 - you gotta LOVE the DLC.

That is why I am an EDWARDS supporter!

[avaistheone1]

42. Yes, the DLC is killing the Democratic party

They are directly funded by corporations and do their bidding.

[lisainmilo]

69. exxxxactllllllllllly!!!!!!!

Right on!
:)

[sandnsea]

28. That is the Clinton DLC strategy

Pretend Hillary and Obama are the same, and piss off Edwards supporters.

The Clintons are the DLC. He headed the 2007 convention. She is a team leader, or whatever they call their leadership.

[Thrill]

32. Just come home Edwards and run for Governor!!

[avaistheone1]

34. DLC are treasoness to the American people.

"During the rest of the call, the two men said they were pleased that none of the Democratic candidates supports a single-payer health care system, that they are all taking the environment seriously, and that they’re focusing on national security — a strength that Mr. From admits, “we’ve not always had.”

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/dlc-leaders-cut-edwards-out/

The DLC has a reputation for ousting populist candidates in local elections and replacing them with their shills. DLC gets their money from corporations surprise! surprise!

[dk2]

39. NO surprise DLC is the Clinton group

and Harold Ford Jr is whom Obama campaigned for during 2006 then went on book tour and could not find time to help Lamont!

According to Johnathan Alter (Newseek)on
the Charlie Rose show Obama is most like Clinton.
He said that he had known Obama for 8 years and said that he was most like Clinton. That he started by helping as an organizer and getting the vote out for Bill Clinton in IL.

Alter called Obama the "Third Way" candidate.

Third way of which was Bill Clinton and Tony Blairs way. DLC and the New Democrats


http://www.dlc.org/

http://www.house.gov/tauscher/ndc/

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=85&subid=108&contentid=254533

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_sub.cfm?kaid=103&subid=110


Those who do not plan to vote for Edwards - might just as well toss a coin and pick one, because Clinton and Obama voted most the same and are the same - the only difference is that with Clinton you know where she has been, where she is going, and what you are getting, with Obama - it depends on what he wants to copy form whom that week, you just don't know where he will lead other than bi-partisan concessions.

[Maestro]

41. I can't stand the DLC!

I would love for some of the DNC money to help Edwards or Kucinich and Biden for that matter!

[Lerkfish]

44. well, that raises edwards in my estimation immediately.

if the DLC doesn't like him, he must be FABULOUS!

[ShadesOfGrey]

46. I agree. It just confirms that Edwards is the best choice.

[Triana]

48. Yet another reason to support Edwards (n/t)

[K Gardner]

49. I'm so glad right now that Harold Ford isn't representing my state. What a

sold-out, f***ed up thing to say. Screw him and the DLC.

[madfloridian]

53. Same leaders who said Dean was not the man. Remember this?

DLC says Dean is not the man...they even had a press conference about it.

And guess what, he was not the man.

[Blue_In_AK]

56. It's interesting that all the Republican candidates

are considered still in the running, but JE is hardly ever mentioned. He must be doing something right.

[Horse with no Name]

59. Never thought I would see DU

support the DLC it all of it's glory.

[Divine Discontent]

62. From and Ford Jr... HAH!

when I see Ford now my stomach churns... what a false "Democrat" this person is.

[michaz]

63. I sent them an email and let them have it!

[liberalla]

64. I want to hug everybody on this thread that hates the DLC !

and I want to hug everybody on this thread that likes Edwards! :grouphug:

It seems many of the posters now have a better opinion of John Edwards knowing that the DLC is trying to smash him!
:kick:

[Gloria]

65. Screw Hillary and Obama and the entire DC Democrat establishment

it's write-in time in November! Why should I be forced to play a collaborating fool??

[cascadiance]

66. America needs some glasses to see these guys for what they ARE!

[eridani]

70. Not surprised that Edwards is next. He should have stuck up for Kucinich

Did he think he'd be immune to the same treatment?

[stillrockin]

71. DLC = dino's love clinton