The Democratic Leadership Council was at one time thought to be the way forward for the Democratic Party — an alternative to the ultra-Left domestic policies and the McGovernite wing of the party on foreign policy. But if you had any doubt about what has happened to them, this report from DailyKos can set you straight. Use of an expletive about Senator Joe Lieberman now engenders cheers from a DLC gathering. Yes, I agree with Kos on this one that this “means something.” What it means is that there is virtually no voice in the Democratic establishment for a responsible, robust foreign policy.
Lieberman laid it out very clearly in his Commentary Fund address. (Which may explain why the DLC is so mad at him.) We have lost, at least for now, any hope of a bipartisan consensus on America’s indispensable role in the world. It is ironic that Lieberman said in his speech:
I continue to be a Democrat because I believe there is a critical need for two great American political parties with strong national security wings. We need a Democratic Party whose national security strategy isn’t subject to editorial review by Moveon.org and Daily Kos.
One can admire Lieberman’s optimism while noting how thin a reed it rests upon. What we know for sure is that one significant source of adult supervision and responsible rhetoric for the Democratic Party is now reduced to cheering an obsenity about a U.S. Senator. Perhaps it’s time to reassess the Democratic Party’s prospects for improvement.
He could go down in history as a self serving sell out. Or he could be a hero. Benedict Arnold faces a similar choice. The Brits never gave him any respect in the morning.
I have this crazy idea that Barry didn’t come up with this on his own.
Are you talking about the Coleman/Franklin seat in Minnesota?
Anon, if you mean the Coleman/Franken seat, then yeah.
You KNOW it’s a rule of the internet that almost any comment made as a correction will have at least one error of its own in it…
Thanks for the correction. I’ll see if I can fix that.
J.
A cabinet post is a step up from senator?
Take the cabinet appointment Senator Gregg. The waters in NH are chummed up to the max as the Dem sharks prepare to take you out during the final clean ups of republicans in this region in the 2010 and 2012 elections. This is a far better deal with the Obama administration than you’re ever going to get from the good ole’ southern boys that now dominate the GOP.
@6 Explain your shark metaphor — it doesn’t work on a number of levels but I am curious as to how you think it does.
I don’ t know that I would consider Michael Steele to be a good ole’ southern boy — although Maryland is on the south side of the Mason Dixon line, perhaps you could explain that too.
Ain’t that the truth! Of course, to make it perfect, I should have called you a moron when I “corrected” you.
What possible incentive does the Democratic governor of New Hampshire have to appoint a Republican to fill out Gregg’s term? Why in hell should he listen to a single thing the Republicans have to say about that, given the political realities in his state? Are you people on Rushbo’s drugs?
@ #7 -
A little late in the day to respond, but I’ll try to help your little mind figure it out.
Metaphor: “chummed up waters” & “dem sharks” = NH voters disgusted with GOP rule and prepared to finalize the purge of GOP senators and representatives from their ranks. It’s a real simple metaphor. Try to fire two neurons within the confines of your mind and hopefully there will be a connection. Maybe you’ll get it.
Michael Steele – I have nothing against the man. He seems like the standard pol part of national party machinery. Oh, now I see your simple logic: Michael Steele is black, and he’s now the leader of the RNC – therefore the GOP can’t be accused of being a southern party only loyal to the good ole’ boys. Good luck with that. Please don’t hold your token up to me and then attempt to deny the obvious about the GOP morphing into a regional-southern party. The election of Steele will do nothing for the GOP’s efforts to become a competitor again in New England or just about any other area of the nation in which GOP rule is coming to an end. You’re too simple. The stuff about Maryland being on the south of the Mason-Dixon line, well…. you get an A for contentionista geography.
Looks like it’s a done deal. A filibuster-proof majority. Chew on it, wingnuts!
What a difference 2 weeks make.