Progressives Left Out In The Cold -- (Christopher Hayes - The Nation)

[democrat2thecore]

What is going on? It looks like bait and switch! Were those long lines to vote lines made up of people wanting a little tinkering around the edges?
This says it all from the perspective of progressive Democrats....

From The Nation blog by Christopher Hayes:

"Not a single, solitary, actual dyed-in-the-wool progressive has, as far as I can tell, even been mentioned for a position in the new administration. Not one. Remember this is the movement that was right about Iraq, right about wage stagnation and inequality, right about financial deregulation, right about global warming and right about health care. And I don't just mean in that in a sectarian way. I mean to say that the emerging establishment consensus on all of these issues came from the left. There's tons of things the left is right about that aren't even close to mainstream (taking a hatchet to the national security state and ending the prison industrial complex to name just two), but hopefully we're moving there.

And yet, no one who comes from the part of American political and intellectual life that has given birth to all of these ideas is anywhere to be found within miles of the Obama cabinet thus far. WTF?"

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/jstreet/385427/left_out?rel=hpbox

[wyldwolf]

1. Christopher Hayes - name one "actual dyed-in-the-wool progressive."

I noticed you didn't name on in your article.

[democrat2thecore]

5. ????

He was saying there hasn't been a single dyed-in-the-wool progressive even considered. You know, like maybe Corzine at Treasury? Robert Reich - somewhere? There are many progressives who are qualified. Just look at all the Republicans and Corporate Democrats praising these choices on MSNBC/CNN. Is that a good sign? Hayes' point wasn't about his specific picks, it was about the TOTAL lack of progressives - even mentioned(!) - for posts in this new administration. That's a long way from that terrific speech in Denver.

[wyldwolf]

9. Corzine and Reich are "died in the wool progressives?"

how so?

Corzine:

[PM7nj]

16. Corzine has to get his shit together here first...

Corzine was a much better senator than he is Governor.

[glowing]

2. It kinda sucks, but its what I expected. Obama is not a progressive.

I think he will learn really fast how to be progressive, but its not where he's comfortable.. He's much more comfortable with moderation and making things fair, but "free-market". Hopefully, we'll have some progressives in congress push for some strong progressive agendas.. so those ideals are signed in by Mr. President Obama's pen.

[Mojambo]

12. There's not enough progressives in Congress to get bills to him

If he were to get out front for progressive legislation, maybe, but without his leadership it'll all be slowed or outright killed by corporate dems and blue dogs.

The first real test will be the Employee Free Choice Act, and you're already seeing conservative dems grumbling about it.

[glowing]

15. We'll see. I don't think anyone wants to be seen as someone who is causing

more and more problems for their constituents back home. A lot of learned ideas have to be thrown out the window. I'm younger and understand adjustments to our ideas and ideals must be changed... but someone like my mom, who would just like to one day retire and is watching her entire life's savings die on the stockmarket, its tough to tell her.. the world is changing and it may be rough for a while, but we're not going to let ya'll fail while we figure it all out. Have some faith.

[midnight]

3. I just would love to see Howard Dean treated to some special

treatment, and given some position that would put into play his talents.

[Breeze54]

4. That's already been posted/// 3 posts below this one...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7908692&mesg_id=7908692

[democrat2thecore]

6. Sorry - My mind is spinning at this GOP-lite administration. -nt

[Breeze54]

8. Not to be sorry... just thought you'd want to know.

;)

and I hear you on that sort of GOP-lite admin! Gheesh! :(

[DCBob]

7. Who would be a true progressive that Obama could have selected for any major cabinet position?

And don't say Kucinich.

[Breeze54]

10. There are 72 members of the Progressive Congressional Caucus....

I'm pretty sure he could find one or two to help out!

[wyldwolf]

13. what are the requirements for membership in that (besides being in the Congress?)

[Mojambo]

11. Any progressive that is surprised is beyond dumb, imo. n/t

[unblock]

14. if he IS going to have a"dyed-in-the-wool progressive" in the cabinet, he's wise not to lead with it

if his first rumored appointment was an out-and-out liberal, then there would be such a sh*tstorm that it would be his last.
everyone would be freaking out about "signals" and "closet communist" and crazy crap like that, as if one appointment meant that every last post would be filled with ultra-lefties.

if he leaves a few posts at the end, though, it avoids that altogether, and he can easily get more liberals in without a fuss.

assuming that's his plan, of course. if his plan is to shut out liberals, then of course not picking liberals is consistent with that strategy.

so the moral of the story is not to get your knickers in a twist and just wait and see the finished product before declaring that we've been shut out.

[tomp]

17. still waiting for change. nt

[tomp]

18. still waiting for change. nt

[No Elephants]

19. During the primaries, Clinton referred to herself as a "progressive."