Why doesn't the DLC support Dean?

[IranianDemocrat]

I thought Dean was a centrist Clintonite, or am I wrong?

[poskonig]

1. Because Dean is bought and paid for by *us*

not their corporate buddies.

[ulysses]

2. evidently because

being spot-on about the invasion of Iraq makes him George McGovern.

:eyes:

[w13rd0]

3. Exactly...

...his being right puts the lie to the candidates that the DLC IS supporting.

[billbuckhead]

4. They'd like someone who can win and then be able to govern.

Me too.Dean comes from a state with a population less than an urban county. Dean has no military experience, no national experience and has no experience with labor. Comparing him to McGovern is a slight to McGovern. And to top it off he is the NRA candidate.

[IranianDemocrat]

5. Great Dean bashing.

Dean has no military experience because he failed the physical because he has a back problem.

Being an NRA candidate will help draw moderate democrats, and I like that.

I'm curious to find out who you support as the nominee.

[ulysses]

6. hey, bill -

Dean comes from a state with a population less than an urban county.

So what? I've known Rotary Club presidents who could govern better than Bush. Or is it about the home-state EC votes?

Dean has no military experience,

Clinton.

no national experience

Clinton.

and has no experience with labor.

I'm not a huge fan of the man, but...Clinton.

Comparing him to McGovern is a slight to McGovern.

Even if that's true, the DLC is hardly worried about slighting McGovern.

And to top it off he is the NRA candidate.

Ah, ok. I very rarely hit the gungeon, but as I recall, guns are a big issue for you. I don't begrudge you that, but his position doesn't mean that he's the NRA candidate, much less that it's the reason he doesn't have the support of the DLC. If anything, that's got to be one thing they're happy about with him.

[JohnKleeb]

9. The DLC is pro NRA like I did not know that

What did you mean bill by no experience in labor?

[TLM]

11. Wow, what a load of crap...

"Dean comes from a state with a population less than an urban county."

Yet a state that is 26th in income, and has health care for all kids and almost all adults.


"Dean has no military experience,"

Do you mean in terms of having been in the military? Neither did Clinton, and I'd say he did rather well against Mr. War Hero Bush I.

Besides Dean has a far better understanding of foreign relations than Smirk could ever hope to have. Plus he’s traveled all over the world, met world leaders that Bush doesn’t even know of.


"no national experience"

Hello, he was a state governor for 11 years... governors do have national experience as they work quite extensively with each other and with congress.

"and has no experience with labor."

Bullshit, he won the Wellstone award for his union support.


"And to top it off he is the NRA candidate."

Which is why he'll win half a dozen states Gore lost... like CO, MO, AZ etc.

Why is wining such a bad thing?

[Warpy]

13. Dean is not military

Dean is a physician, and he knows all the dirty tricks the insurance industry is pulling to deprive us of healthcare to fatten themselves.

That is why I'm hoping against hope that he gets the nod.

[Sal316]

7. Because Dean appeals to not only the left...

..with his "Democratic wing of the Democratic Party" style, but to the centrists (the DLC core) with some of his stances and policies.

That makes the DLC less relevant with their "gotta govern from the center" attitude. Dean is proving that you can energize the ENTIRE party with one candidate.

It's refreshing, to be honest.

[JohnKleeb]

8. he opposed the war and to top it off he is pretty popular in the liberal w

wing
Its odd though because Dean is typical DLC socially liberal but economically more conservative so I dont understand why our progressive wing is flocking to him when they can support the all around progressive, Kucinich. I dont know how Dean is on labor but gut tells me it will be pretty good but no Gephardt or Kucinich like the latter has a 98% lifetime career vote from the AFL-CIO and being a min wage worker and being a union dem yet a dem for many reasons I support Kucinich just a rant but good question.

[TLM]

14. Maybe because they want someone who can win?

"so I dont understand why our progressive wing is flocking to him when they can support the all around progressive, Kucinich. "


I like what Kucinich stands for, but the fact is that he has little charisma and no appeal to anybody outside of the far left of our party.

There is no way he can win being 100% anti-death penalty. It just won't happen.

Kucinich is too far left for most people in the middle to stomach. Whereas Dean is moderate, he is progressive, but not to the degree of looking kooky about it the way Kucinich does. So people in the middle, even the middle right, who are pissed at W can plug their noses and vote Dean... at the same time people on the far left can vote for Dean. Because while he may not represent 100% of what they want, he does represent maybe 50% or 60% of what they want.

That's called progressive compromise. You do not get everything you want right now, but you move in the right direction and get some of what you want.

I think Dean, Kerry, Graham and maybe Edwards are the only ones who would stand a good chance of beating Bush.

Although anybody who voted for the war will lose far left votes that Dean can maintain.

[JohnKleeb]

18. Why not Truman was anti death penalty

your guy is kinda anti death penalty. I am not that far left well I guess I am but you know he's not that bad. I could vote for Dean. Yeah I know but it seems like the progressive wing is only Dean and Kucinich supporting and Dean is not the most liberal. He is a good guy granted. It could happen anything can happen and I see an anti war candiate gaining momentum when Bush starts to crumble I know Dean was anti war.

[poskonig]

15. Kucinich has *awful* stage appearance.

That's probably the biggest factor. Plus his newage stuff doesn't resonate with many people. There's other minor stuff, like his abortion record and Cleveland controvery, but the creepy Martian factor is the best explanation. People just get the intuition Bush would give him a big wedgie during the general election.

[Beacho]

10. The Jig Is Up For The DLC

The rank and file are tired of being told to sit in the back of the bus. As shocked as the Democrats of the Liesure Class are that we won't use the servants entrance, that will be nothing compared to the realization that the mythical 'center they've chasing across the sands is nothing but a mirage.

Their bleatings contained in their press releases belies their realization that '02 was the Waterloo of the alliance between conservative southern democrats and corporatist neo aristocrats.

They're done for win, lose, or draw in '04.

[MODemocrat]

12. The DLC can't find their hindend, even with both hands

I support DEAN all the way. DLC wants Kerry

[sendero]

16. First off....

... I don't think Dean is near as liberal as some are trying to paint him. A liberal against gun control. Hahaa tell me more.

The problem with Dean is he is an outsider in the strictest sense of the word. He is not beholden to, or enamored of, the views of the DLC.

Months ago, I was a classic centrist. I still am in some ways. But not a DLC centrist. Not someone who believes that Republican Lite can get elected. And like many here, I've grown sick and tired of lilly-livered milktoast boys running our party.

If you cannot denounce Bush* and his policies with passion, and conviction - you are not going to get my vote and you will not win the election.

America is ready, now (probably not only a couple months ago) to listen and hear and realize what a huge mistake Bush* has been. Dean is the best of the few candidates who have shown a willingness to bring the rest of America around. Go Dean!

[blm]

17. The top two guys at DLC support Lieberman

and Edwards. Why would you say they want Kerry?

Maybe you confused the poll of active DNC members who placed Kerry first?