David Sirota: Why Is Progressive Money Being Spent Promoting Grover Norquist?

[marmar]

from HuffPost:




David Sirota
Why Is Progressive Money Being Spent Promoting Grover Norquist?
Posted May 15, 2008 | 11:31 AM (EST)


The New America Foundation brands itself as a vaguely progressive organization that exists to "bring exceptionally promising new voices and new ideas to the fore of our nation's public discourse." The organization raises funds from progressive donors -- funds that could go to all sorts of progressive causes. As a progressive you may be fine with that, except when you read this invitation:

Grover Norquist on the Next Republicanism
Sign up to Attend this New America Event.

Of the two competing coalitions in American politics -- the "leave us alone" coalition and the "takings" coalition -- Grover Norquist argues that the "leave us alone" coalition is growing in both power and size and will continue to do so with the next generation. The debate stretches beyond the role of taxation and government to the heart of U.S. foreign policy and its role in the world.

Please join us for this provocative discussion, which will be moderated by American Strategy Program Director Steven Clemons.

Copies of Norquist's book, Leave Us Alone, will be sold at the event.
Start: 05/15/2008 - 12:15pm
End: 05/15/2008 - 1:45pm

Look, it's one thing for precious progressive resources to go to fund fellowships for elitist commentators like Michael Lind who deny that racism plays a major role in American politics. But it's a whole new level of craziness for progressive resources to go to promote Grover Norquist -- a shady operative who has been pushing some of the most pernicious right-wing policies out there.

And let's be clear - New America isn't hosting a debate. They are hosting a promotional event, that not only helps Norquist sell books, but helps reestablish his credibility and whitewash his history as the close confidante of convicted criminal Jack Abramoff. Additionally, Norquist isn't a "new voice" and he's not promoting "new ideas" -- last I checked, he's been a Washington insider for more than two decades, pushing the same "leave me alone" crap for his entire career.

New America has some solid individuals working there like Steve Clemons. But this example highlights a much bigger -- and almost completely taboo -- problem on the Left. Lots of progressive money is going into organizations that seem happy to promote right-wing frames -- whether it's Third Way or New America or other Washington-based organizations of that ilk. This is money that could be spent on real progressive organizing and work. Just remember, when you are out there toiling away trying to make progressive change in your community and scratching and clawing to raise resources, progressive cash is going to organizations that hold events designed to help Grover Norquist sell books and rehabilitate their image.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-sirota/why-is-progressive-money_b_101898.html

[formercia]

1. Grover Norquist a Progressive?

That two-legged bit of fecal matter belongs in prison.

Karl Rove reports to that flimsy excuse for a turd.

[marmar]

2. "That two-legged bit of fecal matter belongs in prison."

Apologies to fecal matter. :)

[catzies]

5. My cousin didn't know who Norquist was, on last night's Colbert Report

So I explained it to him thusly:

"Guys like KARL ROVE work to get guys like GEORGE W. BUSH elected, so then they can do the things guys like GROVER NORQUIST want them to do."

[blondeatlast]

3. All the more reason to revert to the word "liberal;" that one they won't touch with the Space Needle

We can't underestimate the effects of their corruption and maniipulation of language--remember the "Clean Air Initiative?"

Those fetid, tax-exempt think tanks can present themselves any way they want and they count on US to take their bait. Don't.

[supernova]

4. So, Grover is a "progressive" now?

Seriously, I'd be really OK if anybody wanted to give him a pair of concrete shoes and let him visit the bottom of the Potomac. :eyes:

[FiveGoodMen]

6. It would be much more fitting to drown him in a bathtub

[checks-n-balances]

8. That was a DUzy answer if I ever heard one!

:rofl:
:rofl:
:rofl:

[depakid]

7. "organizations that seem happy to promote right-wing frames"

Like the Democratic Congress and Senate....

[musette_sf]

9. that scumbag Richard Viguerie

seems to be trying the same kind of "rebranding":

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3291862&mesg_id=3291862

these two rats need to be nailed down to their sinking ship.