Daily Kos

DLC: Oh, I guess Obama isn't one of us

by kos

Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:31:48 AM PDT

Twice the DLC has tried to claim credit for Obama, slapping him up on their list of members, and for the second time, they've had to back down. Their original defiant post:
He even took the trouble to dig down in our web page--bypassing a few hundred thousand pages of policy work, which is what we do to pass the time while waiting for the next call from Fox News--and discover that Sen. Barack Obama is still listed in our data base! Scandal! (He's in there because he recently joined the Senate New Democrat Coalition, all of whose members are in our database, which is about as controversial as a phone book).
Except that, er, they were wrong. The post was later updated:
UPDATE: Turns out I was misinformed about Obama's being a member of the Senate New Democrat Coalition. The misunderstanding was based on the two different meanings of "New Democratic Senators," but we were wrong about that, and have removed his name from our Directory. Still love the guy, though.
They may love the guy, but Obama want's nothing to do with the DLC. Remember, Obama raised over $3 million from MoveOn members, the very organization the DLC wants purged from the party's ranks. We know where Obama's loyalties lie, and it's wiith the netroots. He's one of ours.

This little episode also highlights the DLC's interesting tactic of slapping up people on the list without asking for permission to do so, an attempt to take credit for peoples' success. Most politicians won't give a damn, but it's damn weird for an organziation to have "members" when those people never asked to be members.

  • ::

Tags: (all tags) :: Previous Tag Versions

Permalink | 68 comments

  •  Didn't Obama (none / 0)

    specifically ask to be taken off the DLC list?  I remember reading that somewhere here...

    Check out & buy my work at Meredith Klinger Photography

    by mlk on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:25:39 AM PDT

    •  Yup (none / 0)

      And they still tried to put him back up on the list.

      by kos on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:26:30 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Assholes (none / 0)

        They didn't get the hint the first time he asked that he wanted nothing to do with them?  That's arrogance at its worst.

        Check out & buy my work at Meredith Klinger Photography

        by mlk on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:28:26 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  DLC 's LOATHSOME TACTICS (none / 0)

        This group behaves badly.  Whenever possible ,DLC whines and brings their "so called" gripes with democrat/liberals to as public a forum as possible.    They are a right wing group of supposed Democrats in the entrenched power sludge of DC politics.  Obama and other Democrats are being used by DLC to give them the credibility they no longer have.  This bunch is hanging on, and  acting  desperate.

        headhunter

        by morris1030 on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 06:00:19 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

    •  It Was in Black Commentator (none / 0)

      last year, cause the editors called him on it.  He told the editors he never agreed to be included on their list, but they included him anyway.

      He sent a copy of the letter he sent to the DLC, specifically demanding his name be removed from their list.  As usual, they ignored a direct demand from someone asking that their name not be used of affiliated with the organization.

      But, then again, this is the group of chumps who continue to believe that sleeping with their enemies is the best strategy for winning elections.

      "Washington, DC: Where Corrupt Officials are discovered daily."

      by The Truth on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:49:53 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  That is freakin' hilarious! (none / 0)

    Hahaha!

    Kos, thank you for making me laugh.  I needed it.

    What would Jesus Do? He would impeach Bush.

    (-6.75, -3.85)

    by mapKY on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:27:57 AM PDT

  •  Stay on this... (none / 0)

    Great work. We really need to get our house clean before next year's chance to make gains in the House and Senate, and you are apparently the broom to do it.

    We are living in an interminable succession of absurdities imposed by the myopic logic of short-term thinking. Jacques Cousteau

    by supak on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:28:01 AM PDT

  •  I support you Kos (none / 0)

    But disagree that this needs to be made frontpage news with so much else going on...
    Respectfully - jw

    Oh, the hills are groaning with excess, like a table ceaselessly being set.

    by faithfull on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:30:00 AM PDT

    •  Simma down na' (none / 0)

      I agree.  We don't need to create an unnecessary fissure where one doesn't really exist. Last I checked, most here think the DLC is a joke, but we are still all basically on the same page.  This site was created to unite, not to splinter.  AS far back as 2000 or was it 2001 when I started coming here anyone who was outreged with the real enemy had a home at Kos.  Let's don't start a "mini-cultural revolution" to measure our ideological purity.  

      When Fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross - Sinclair Lewis

      by Chilipalmer on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:42:15 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  Once again, the issue isn't ideological (4.00 / 3)

        When the head of the DLC writes an Op-Ed for the WSJ complaining that the Democrats are "leftist elites", that is not an ideological issue.

        The issue is strategic. The means used by Fromlings is ideological.

        Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

        by boadicea on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:09:08 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  the DLC is the problem (none / 0)

        I disagree. The DLC is what is wrong with the Democratic party today. Everything we can do to help take them down will benefit the dems in the long run.

        Zell Miller, Joe Lieberman, the DLC. These are the entities that need to be purged from the ranks.

        It's not about "ideological purity", whatever that means. It's about being an effective opposition party that reflects what the people actually want.

        If a free press refuses to do its job, democracy suffers.

        by ebie on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:27:24 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Point taken, but (none / 1)

          What you are engaging in whatever your motivation (tactical,ideological etc.) only ends up giving aid and comfort to the enemy.  So what if the chattering class gives them space to rail against "Liberal Elites" You are basically discounting about 40% of this country if you dismiss what the DLC stands for.  This is not to say the DLC is the right vehicle for the moderates of this country to place their political allegiance; but what you effectively do by ridiculing them as traitors or disloyal DINO's is create another barrier to splinter an already fractious coalition.

          Now if you want to delude yourself and call that tactics you really have a foreign concept of politics.  This is not to say that Fox Democrats are any better by calling Dean people out of the mainstream , but you are wrong in lumping Hillary Clinton, Mark Warner and Evan Bayh in with Holy Joe and BatShit Zell Miller.  Our goal is concensus among progressives not Nader like absolutism.  

          One side note.  Obama has voted for Rice for SOS and for the Bankruptcy bill.  I wouldn't exactly call that a great start.  

          When Fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in a flag and carrying a cross - Sinclair Lewis

          by Chilipalmer on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:48:18 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  You don't have to ridicule them. (4.00 / 3)

            Just take the name back. The Democratic Party ought to use its rulemaking power to combat confusion about Democratic policy, by discouraging the use of the words Democrat, Democrats or Democratic in the names of non-official organs.

            There may be nothing we can do about elected Democrats who go off the reservation, but there's no reason why the Party should stand idly by while ostensible allies are out diluting the brand.

            by Kagro X on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:54:21 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  If the chattering class gives them space (4.00 / 2)

            I expect them to rail against the Republican elites who want to send reservists to Iraq with inadequate armor, who want to dismantle the social safety net, and build a Dominionist Theocracy.

            That's prime message real estate that Dems don't get very often. When we do, and are putting forth opinions under the Democratic brand, as Kagro X points out, they need to use it to make points against the opposition party, not take pot shots internally.

            Stay on message. The msg should be Republicans can't be trusted.  From's message is "The Dems don't know what they're doing."

            That only serves to reinforce the anti-Democratic messages being served up all over the corporate media.

            Really, this isn't a complicated concept.

            Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

            by boadicea on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:13:00 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  the DLC only *thinks* its the center (none / 0)

            My sense is that the majority of people who call themselves democrats don't even know who the DLC is, much less what its membership is. I don't think I'm alienating 40% of the dems by criticizing the DLC.

            I personally believe that more people are against what the DLC stands for than are for it, and that its nuanced, privileged, corporate-friendly stance explains a lot of why DLC charter member Kerry lost.

            My problem is that it's the DLC who is 'giving aid and comfort', by trying so hard to be centrist, they have effectively become Republican Lite.

            And I think Hillary is more in this camp than most liberal Americans would like to believe. She and Bill are what gave the DLC the legitimacy it enjoys today. Don't forget Lieberman/Gore 2000 (pre-Gore 2.0). DLC, baby, DLC.

            Zell is a nut and doesn't belong in this conversation, you're right. I was just listing things that the dems need to jettison.

            If a free press refuses to do its job, democracy suffers.

            by ebie on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:31:24 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

        •  Reality check (none / 1)

          Zell Miller, Joe Lieberman, the DLC. These are the entities that need to be purged from the ranks.

          What are you going to do if everyone you "purges" forms a third party (a la Teddy Roosevelt and the Bull Moose Party) or, alternatively, shuffles on over to the GOP?

          We live in a democracy.  Contrary to what the term "purge" conjures up, you can't exile the purgees to Siberia.  They'll still be around, interested in politics, and likely to exercise their franchise.

          What do you think their reaction to the "purgers" would be?  "Gee, you were right all along?"

          I realize you think there are hordes of apathetic left-wing voters out there who have just not bothered to vote thus far because they are upset at the so-called mixed messages from the DLC.  Dream on.  

          Your "purge" recipe will do nothing other than put Democrats into permanent minority status.

          by He Who Must Not Be Named on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:19:55 AM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  Vs the tactics of the DLC so far, Al? (none / 0)

            Because that's a shining record to point to.

            Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

            by boadicea on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:24:51 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  relax (none / 0)

            Jeez. If you read upthread, I wasn't the first to use the word.

            I'll say it again, without the word "purge" (since you seem to be struggling with post-Stalinist stress disorder), and all gentled-up:

            Zell, Joe, DLC -- these are things the dems would be better off without.

            What did you think I meant?

            If a free press refuses to do its job, democracy suffers.

            by ebie on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:39:15 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  huh? (none / 1)

            I realize you think there are hordes of apathetic left-wing voters out there who have just not bothered to vote thus far because they are upset at the so-called mixed messages from the DLC.  Dream on.  

            I have no idea what you're talking about. Have you confused me with someone else? If not, you're gonna have to connect the dots for me, because I can't make anything I said map onto to this interpretion of my post.

            If a free press refuses to do its job, democracy suffers.

            by ebie on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:42:29 AM PDT

            [ Parent ]

          •  There are (none / 0)

            Hordes of americans who have stopped voting democratic because of the DLC.

            The DLC is what we used to call "country club republicans". No more. No less. The important thing to note there is the word "republicans".

            Most americans ARENT corporatists. They dont support outsourcing their jobs. They dont support cutting OSHA. They dont support eliminating overtime or child labor standards. They dont support destroying workers rights. They dont support bleeding the working class to death.

            The DLC Does. And it was the DLC takeover of the party that allowed the republicans to take control of all three branches of government. Quite simply because americans saw that the party of the working class, minorities and the bill of rights gave a rats ass about any of those anymore.

            The DLCers are quite simply Traitors in our midst. That you wish so badly to "reach out" to the traitors says to me that you are .. desperate and willing to grovel for scraps of power.. or that you support them (which i actually doubt).

            And a note: On the issues americans are VERY liberal. They Strongly support what rethug idiots and their press lackeys call us "commiepinkolefties" "utopian ideals".. you know.. like social security.. a living wage.. a government for the people.. not for the elite and the corporate.. civil liberty........

            I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever TJ

            by cdreid on Thu Mar 17, 2005 at 10:32:50 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

    •  I disagree (4.00 / 5)

      But disagree that this needs to be made frontpage news with so much else going on...

      Exposing the DLC is a public service and one which has long been promised. I am grateful.

      by colleen on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:01:40 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Not quite up and running (none / 0)

    for Shaw.ca (Canada, not California)

    I am still getting 'DKos cannot be found on links.'

    auto scrolled down to here.
    This post was test.

    This above all: to thine own self be true...-WS

    by Agathena on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:30:48 AM PDT

  •  random Obama plug (none / 0)

    OBAMA 2016!

    by srolle on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:31:43 AM PDT

  •  I'm waiting to see what happens (none / 0)

    Obama is on a strict "what have you done for me lately" policy with me.  Simply put, I don't trust him.

    by eRobin on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:35:21 AM PDT

  •  Given their admitted propensity for claiming (none / 0)

    members that may not be seeking membership in the DLC, I think it might be a worthwhile project to  ask each of those listed members if they are members of the DLC, and if yes, what they consider the role of the DLC in the contemporary Democratic Party.

    It's a long list. Probably best approached state by state. Definitely in writing.

    Anyone interested in such a project?

    Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

    by boadicea on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:37:11 AM PDT

    •  Count me in (none / 0)

      you can use my blog to promote this effort; cause I'm fresh out of ideas as to get rid of these morons who are Republicans in everything else except official party affiliation.

      "Washington, DC: Where Corrupt Officials are discovered daily."

      by The Truth on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:52:45 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I don't think we want to be so on the nose (none / 0)

        as your blog name for this effort.

        I see the purpose as twofold: Clear up the confusion as to who is in the DLC really and what the role of the DLC is in the absence of calls for the left of center membership to be disowned.

        In part, I'm genuinely curious as to what the DLC does for its members-not to mention if there are any more they claim that do not consider themselves DLC.

        Al "See, My Mouth Opens Up THIIIS  Wide" From claims ascendency against all available evidence. Is it classic monomania, or is there something to salvage from the wreck?

        Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

        by boadicea on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:22:31 AM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  What does that mean? (4.00 / 5)

    The misunderstanding was based on the two different meanings of "New Democratic Senators,"

    Did they forget that being newly elected to the national Senate does not necessarily render someone a DLC member.

    Shouldn't the folks on their membership list be limited to dues paying members?

    Perhaps we should write the all the elected representatives on their list (or at least the ones whose inclusion seems dubious) and ask why they allow themselves to be associated with such an organization.

    by colleen on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:49:11 AM PDT

  •  Membership (none / 0)

    but it's damn weird for an organziation to have "members" when those people never asked to be members.

    I dunno, it seems to be working pretty well for USANext...

    -dms

    Having trouble finding stuff on Daily Kos? This page has some handy hints and tricks.

    by dmsilev on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:49:15 AM PDT

  •  Hmmm (none / 0)

    This little episode also highlights the DLC's interesting tactic of slapping up people on the list without asking for permission to do so, an attempt to take credit for peoples' success.

    How, ummm, Republican of them.

    The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. - 9th Amendment

    by TracieLynn on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:49:28 AM PDT

  •  DLC (4.00 / 5)

    Blue House Diaries...because there's more to life than politics.

    by sean mykael on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:50:30 AM PDT

  •  It's funny: (none / 1)

    the DLC also claimed Howard Dean as one of their own, back in 1996, according to a recent article in the Nation.  Certain superficial resemblences exist, perhaps:  Obama's America  includes God and Little League, as well as social justice; Dean balances budgets.  But the whole modus operandi of these figures is anathema to the DLC:  their policy stances come not from corporate synergy, but from spontaneous grassroots organization.  

    Nothing could be more gross to the DLC than to have to sully their hands with the common folk.  And that, not superficial similarities of ideology, is what differentiates DLC drones from the small-d democratic Democrats that galvanized the nation last year.

    Nothing requires a greater effort of thought than arguments to justify the rule of nonthought. -- Milan Kundera

    by Dale on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 08:52:04 AM PDT

  •  Salazar? (none / 0)

    I heard Ken Salazar was on the list but is now off.  Anyone know anything about this?

    Liberal: "I still think it's a respectable word. Its root is "liber," the Latin word for "free," and isn't that what we are all about?"--Mary McGrory

    by mini mum on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:01:46 AM PDT

  •  When did they say "purge"? (none / 0)

    Just curious, when exactly did the DLC talk about the need to "purge" the Dem party of people like MoveOn.org?

    I'm not contesting that they said this; in fact, it doesn't surprise that From would say it. I just want to see it for reference, that's all.

    TAKE BACK OUR PARTY: DEMOCRACY BONDS

    by LiberalFromPA on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:12:17 AM PDT

  •  I'm DLC (4.00 / 3)

    and no one should be purged from anything.

    the only thing that i think is Michael Moore should not be viewed as the spokesman for the party.

    http://kydem.blogspot.com

    Hillary Clinton 2008
    http://kydem.blogspot.com

    by dsolzman on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:41:26 AM PDT

  •  That's terrifying (none / 0)

    All new Democrats are New Democrats!  How Orwellian is that...

    Read James Loewen's "Sundown Towns"!

    by ChicagoDem on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:49:13 AM PDT

  •  Oh, please. (none / 1)

    UPDATE: Turns out I was misinformed about Obama's being a member of the Senate New Democrat Coalition. The misunderstanding was based on the two different meanings of "New Democratic Senators," but we were wrong about that, and have removed his name from our Directory. Still love the guy, though.

    Please tell me they didn't see Obama listed as a "new Democratic Senator" and jump to conclusions from there!

    All the more reason why Democrats need to reclaim their brand, and end this confusion.

    If the DLC survives by the power of its ideas, it can do so without intentionally creating confusion about who does, and doesn't speak for the Democratic Party as a whole.

    by Kagro X on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 09:50:29 AM PDT

  •  DLC bashing (4.00 / 2)

    Do you people know how petty and immature this stupidity is?

    LOOK IT! I WROTE A COMMENT ON BIG ORANGE SEXY TIME!!!!

    by Mark Warner is God on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:13:53 AM PDT

    •  Cuz it's so much more mature to just ignore (none / 1)

      The forcing out of pro-choice candidates in PA, and the slamming of the netroots by From in the WSJ and the claiming of members that do not consider themselves DLC, right?

      From and the DLC are used to being able to bully everyone who opposes their agenda. When they can't do it internally, they move to do it publically.

      They are impolitic in their behaviour and they will not stop until it costs them too much to continue it.

      This is the long game strategy in the fight for the soul of the Democratic Party.

      Before you win, you have to fight. Come fight along with us at TexasKaos.

      by boadicea on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:34:33 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Very true (none / 1)

      I agree. Let's bash the people we all don't like...you know, Republicans. The politics of division really don't work when you're dividing up your own base. For all the dumb things Lieberman does and says, at the end of the day he's still a vote for Reid and is able to be whipped into shape on the crucial votes. We can talk about beating people in primaries only once we get to 51 and 218.

      And Mark Warner is God. And I like Nextel phones.

      by bstryker on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 11:09:20 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Naivite at it's finest (none / 1)

    "We know where Obama's loyalties lie, and it's wiith the netroots. He's one of ours."
    -Markos

    Man, you are in for a RUDE awakening if you think that Obama is loyal first to the netroots. You know nothing of his background, his politics, or his state. I don't think the netroots should be claiming Barack any more than the DLC should be claiming him. He's a great Democrat, a rising star, and perfect to represent Illinois and hopefully this country someday. Why can't we leave it at that?

    Markos, you fell into the same trap as the DLC. Everyone wants to claim someone that wins a state by 40 and gives a killer speech at the convention.

    by bstryker on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 10:30:11 AM PDT

  •  The DLC, like the RLC, is slowly fading out (4.00 / 2)

    of existence.  The RLC found it advisable to become moribund when a couple of their people were convicted of election violations.  The DLC is just morphing into the New Democrats, maybe because "leadership" is no longer a particularly attractive concept.  Indeed, I would argue, that Republicans, whose commitment to leadership was absolute, have managed to trash that concept with their current example in the White House.
    I mean, a leader who declares "mission accomplished" and then two years later there's no observable progress, gives leadership a bad odor, if nothing else.
    But, the reason I'm appearing to beat a dead horse, is because I've noticed that the people whose opinions are being featured on the ndol.org site are people who used to be in the Republican Leadership Council camp.  To be specific:  S. Robert Levine, MD, whose still pushing "consumer-driven health care" and David J. Rothkopf, who used to be with Kissinger & Associates and has now set up his own shop, Intellibridge, with help from a lot of people in the homeland security industry, formerly the intelligence community.
    Rothkopf may be a good guy, but I think Democrats are now pretty much agreed that there were some basic flaws in globalization, however much touted by Bill Clinton, and we need to redirect our focus to what's happening here at home.

    How do you tell a predator from a protector? The predator will eat you sooner rather than later.

    by hannah on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 12:50:30 PM PDT

  •  I Don't Get It (none / 0)

    If Obama is "for the roots" and presumably for the regular person, how come it seems like virtually every time I see vote results posted for some abysmal legislation, Obama voted with "them"?

    I used to like him a lot but my current feeling towards him is one of deep disappointment.

    When Dick Cheney smiles, beware...

    by Dean Nut on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 12:59:19 PM PDT

  •  Obama voted against the bankruptcy bill ! (none / 1)

    People. Get your facts straight before complaining for f**kin' God's sake !!! As pointed out here

    http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&sessio n=1&vote=00044

    Obama voted nay on the bill and actually stood up for what is right at least this time despite his vote for the so-called "Class Action Fairness Act" !

    by MT Democrat for Kerry on Wed Mar 16, 2005 at 05:28:21 PM PDT

Permalink | 68 comments