I just called the DLC...

[Jolene]

I guess I'm just a little radical, and didn't know it. I had a simple question, really--and it was related to the latest article written 'A Third of a Third.'

The question which seems to upset the DLCers--a question, which btw, no one can answer but Kilgore is: 'What defines the left.'

Boy, howdee. The lady said the only person who could answer the question was Kilgore, and he was in a meeting with From...would I like his voicemail.

'No,' I said.

'I'd prefer to speak to Mr. Kilgore. Could you give me a ballpark time for when the meeting will be over?'

I was told that she was not his scheduler.

'Surely someone there can define the 'left' for me,' I said.

She said that unless I had a question someone else could answer, she'd have to let me go...but before doing so, she said 'I'd suggest consulting a dictionary.'

CLICK

That's what I heard, folks. The woman had hung up on me. So...I called back and got her name.

Not to be undone, I decided to call the DNC to see what kind of response I could get there. I seriously did want to know what the party believes defines as the left. I didn't get a definitive answer, but the man was so gentlemanly, and apologetic...I could work with these people. There's always the possibility that he was telling me what he thought I wanted to hear--but it beat the hell out of being condescended to and hung up on. As a matter of fact, he gave me his time AND his ear.

We so oftentimes get the DLC confused with the DNC, so I thought I'd post one of the major differences between them. I believe the DLC is a rock-hard solid wall, and not an organization open to what our thoughts are.

I told the DNCer, that it doesn't help the party when the DLC does stuff like this, because the first thing an online activist does, is to go online and relate the story. Then, like the legs on the Dean campaign...it takes on a life of its own.

So here I am...thanking Mr. Tutt from the DNC...for being the ear, instead of the foot. :toast:

[madfloridian]

1. Good for you.

I called the DLC after reading "Good Night, Vietnam" by From and Reed, I think.

I asked basically the same thing, for something to be defined so I could know what I really was. She is the secretary for the Progressive Institute as well.

I was really fuming that day, found out there were 40 in the building.....but no one was available. She was very nice, said she agreed with my points. She thought they were going the wrong direction.

[Jolene]

2. I wouldn't suggest asking the DLC...

to define the 'left' for you, then. It upsets them.

[madfloridian]

7. Ha Ha, I learned that.

:hi:

[dpbrown]

3. Thank you, Mr. Tutt!

I am the left.

;-)

Dan Brown
Saint Paul, Minnesota

[Jolene]

5. Mr. Tutt was an extremely helpful gentleman

He gave an example of one of the differences, citing the war. (And he did clarify that it was just an example.) I asked him if this meant war in general, or the Iraq war.

That's when the conversation turned more friendly and I dropped my defenses learned that there are major differences between the DNC and the DLC.

[dpbrown]

6. There are major differences

And I really wish the DNC would so a little better job of illustrating them, although I understand they are trying to facilitate fundraising.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

4. thank you for sharing your experience with the DLC and DNC

i like the DNC better :7

[AeryFaery]

8. I'm the receptionist at the DLC

and first off, I would like to apologize. I felt very badly about what I said, and there was no excuse for it.

The only thing I can say in defense is that I'm just an underpaid, underappreciated receptionist that took this job to pay her bills (I really hope my bosses aren't reading this).

Over the last few weeks, I have been assaulted by very angry callers that seem to think that venting their (understandable) frustration upon me is fine. I can't even repeat some of the filth that's managed to travel through the phone. But I guess that politics, for you. Usually I take it in stride, and actually enjoy talking to all the different types of callers that call in because many people have very interesting things to say.

But you caught me at the end of a really hard day and my rope snapped. What can I say? I'm human.


Jolene, please accept my apology and do call the DLC again sometime. There are actually very nice people here, believe it or not ;)


K, humbled receptionist.

[Jolene]

9. How very gracious of you...

to respond publicly like this.

I understand your position right now must be a very difficult one--probably as difficult a position as citizens who call up to speak to leadership, (after it prints stuff like the they print) asking for clarification...only to get the brush off and the 'voice mail' offer.

I know...you're only doing your job, and I do appreciate your candor.

Perhaps you can give me tips on timing as it relates to contacting someone there who can answer my question. I really would like to know who the DLC considers to be 'left.'

You see, they depend on some Gallup poll to support their case that disaffecting 'lefties' is ok, because liberals are so few in number in this nation--but the poll question asked was about how democrats classified themselves--not how leadership classified them.

I classify myself as being moderate democrat...leadership clearly thinks I'm 'left.' Since I classify myself as being moderate and the message the DLC is sending as it relates to disaffecting what they consider to be 'lefties,' (in a purported effort to reach out to ME) makes me want to PUKE, you can understand why it is that I would like for someone who writes these articles to explain for me just what a 'lefty' is. I suspect that a 'lefty' is a democrat who speaks out...but I thought it was only fair to ask one of the people who wrote the article. (And, btw...I don't believe it's productive for the DLC to work to disaffect democrats, anyway...whether they're 'lefties,' righties, or even upside-downies. The last election was just too close for this type of rationale.)

I didn't mean to give you a hard time. I would have rather spoken to the gentleman who wrote the article, but I suspect he may never be 'available' to this moderate...or is that 'lefty?'

BTW: Jump in...the water's warm. Stick around for a while...IMO, dialogue is a good thing! You could blow off steam here :D

(Hint, hint...perhaps you could pass that on to the bigwigs in the DLC. I believe that if they read these boards and participated in the dialogue, it would be nice.)

[MisterP]

11. welcome to DU, AeryFaery

[northofdenali]

13. Now I have at least one thing to recommend about the DLC!

They've managed to hire one terrific receptionist who has a LOT of class!!

Aery, welcome to DU :hi: - we've all had rotten days like that, and boy howdy do we appreciate that you've joined us here :bounce::toast::bounce:

[myrna minx]

15. Wow, I have great respect for you

for your public apology. :hi: We have all had our days.

[election_2004]

10. oh wow!

So AeryFaery, you're actually the same person who Jolene actually spoke with at the DLC?

How did you find this post?

What a cosmic coincidence!

[DagmarK]

12. Pretty cosmic.......

but I would guess Mr. Tutt made a quick call over to the DLC.......and of course got the same person that Jolene got.

I think it's great that K wrote a response publicly. Pretty cool!

BUT, as a former receptionist......you don't have to (and shouldn't) field the substantive aspects of the calls that come in. About all you could do in that situation is to tell Jolene you'd ask Kilgore to call her. As for folks who refuse to leave their number or a voicemail, they are out of luck and have to be shut down (sorry Jolene).....but a receptionist can only take and give messages.....and give out info that s/he is authorized to give out.

[Jolene]

17. Actually...

While the receptionist stands between the management and the citizenry, (a very sticky position to hold) it's just as frustrating for the DLC to write the stuff they do, while sending us to voicemail which may never be answered. There is no excuse for the DLC to be doing this stuff and sending us off on some wild voicemail goosechase when we have questions.

I have spoken to this very gracious young lady, and have managed to open a line of communication to the DLC. Even if it's not management who is willing to hear me, that's a start--so I disagree with your assessment that all a receptionist can do is forward us to voicemail. When people call, they want to talk to someone...even if it's just someone who is willing to listen.

[AeryFaery]

14. Heh

Actually it WAS a weird cosmic coincindence.


I was chatting with someone else on a completely unrelated board with someone who is a Dean supporter, and we were discussing the whole DLC vs. Dean thing. I had mentioned the phone call and that I thought I went a wee bit too far that time. He went home and told his wife, who is a member of this board, the story, and she recognized this post and told him about it. Who then pointed me to it.

Must be karma, eh?

[Avalon Sparks]

18. Hi Aery Faery!

Thank you for joining us. :)

What a wild story - it made my day. I wanted to give you a big high five for your response. One of the most admirable traits I believe for a person to have is the ability to offer a gracious apology. There are so many people that won't do it.

I've been a receptionist and can completely relate... more than once it was simply impossible for me to hold my tongue in check. Sometimes you just gotta say what you're thinking.

I wish you the best of karma and hope you stick around on DU.

[Az]

19. Not karma

Community. We are all in this together. Each fighting in our own way. Its little wonder that paths will cross from time to time.

[JohnKleeb]

20. wow thats something else

real interesting it would be like me finding a classmate or teacher from school on here or a coworker. I hate the GOP more than the DLC but as you can tell I am a member of the progressive wing. How very interesting of you to turn up perhaps you'll stay.

[IranianDemocrat]

16. I bet the DLC gets a lot of hate calls and e-mails.

eom