The DLC/Third Way's hilarious lashing out at criticism. Funniest blogging I've ever read

[Zaidinit]

For some background, I'm a Campus Progress student representative (until May when I graduate). Campus Progress is part of the Center for American Progress, the Clintonite think tank. It's basically a student wing aimed at dealing with Young Americans for Freedom and other such right-wing groups. I also help run a college progressive paper completely funded by the Center.

I've always wondered just what the line is with CAP -- how far you can go criticizing right-wing or corporate Democrats, for example. Technically CAP is a 501(c)3 which means it is not partisan. During our national conference in the summer someone actually said CAP is nonpartisan on the stage and people laughed -- so that tells you about that.

But on the hilarity.

ThinkProgress is a blog published by CAP's Action Fund. Matt Yglesias is one of their writers. He recently made a post calling the Third Way, a PR trust basically masquerading as a think tank, on their "hyper-timid incrementalist bullshit" policy agenda. That's when CAP drew the line.

Their acting CEO (Podesta is out chairing Obama's transition, remember), commandeered his blog and wrote this:

A Special Note Re: Third Way
This is Jennifer Palmieri, acting CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund.

Most readers know that the views expressed on Matt’s blog are his own and don’t always reflect the views of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Such is the case with regard to Matt’s comments about Third Way. Our institution has partnered with Third Way on a number of important projects - including a homeland security transition project - and have a great deal of respect for their critical thinking and excellent work product. They are key leaders in the progressive movement and we look forward to working with them in the future.


The comments were the most hilarious political commentary I've ever read.

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2008/12/a_special_note_re_third_way.php

I think the DLC/Third Way hurt themselves more than helped themselves here.

[Zaidinit]

1. And to add, the Atlantic parody

http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/12/a_special_note_re_hummus.php

Where Yglesias used to work.

[yardwork]

2. Very interesting.

[Zaidinit]

3. Yglesias responds here

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/archives/2008/12/teach_the_controversy.php

He doesn't say very much or seem very angry. I think part of that is a sort of understanding that you might just get fired if you say too much.

[Zaidinit]

4. kick for the thursday crowd