TNR: "Moderates" abondon Dem principles by caving on bankruptcy bill

[jefferson_dem]

If TNR is bitching about turncoat "moderates"...there's REALLY reason to bitch.

***************

FOR SHAME: This e-mail came in over the transom today from the House New Democrat Coalition. If you consider yourself a moderate Democrat, it should turn your stomach:

Washington, D.C.--With consumer debt reaching record highs of more than $2 trillion, members of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC) sent a letter today to Speaker Dennis Hastert, urging him to schedule House action on the bankruptcy reform legislation as soon as the Senate completes its consideration of the bill. The letter, signed by twenty NDC members, including the four NDC leaders, reiterates New Democrats' long-standing support for common-sense bankruptcy legislation and states an intention to work across the aisle to pass bankruptcy reform into law.

<SNIP>

# # #

The Honorable J. Dennis Hastert
Speaker
U.S. House of Representatives
H-232, The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Speaker:

We write to encourage you to bring bankruptcy reform legislation to the House floor as soon as the Senate completes its consideration of the bill. The New Democrat Coalition has backed common sense bankruptcy reform in the past and helped in passing the bankruptcy reform bill by overwhelming margins in the House of Representatives during the 108th Congress.

<SNIP>

It is our hope that the House of Representatives will consider this important piece of legislation in an expedited manner. We stand ready to work with you and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass bankruptcy reform into law.

Sincerely,

Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher
Rep. Adam Smith
Rep. Ron Kind
Rep. Artur Davis
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy
Rep. John Larson
Rep. Stephanie Herseth
Rep. Dennis Moore
Rep. Mike McIntyre
Rep. Joe Crowley
Rep. Jay Israel
Rep. David Wu
Rep. Diane Hooley
Rep. Melissa Bean
Rep. Jim Davis
Rep. Harold E. Ford, Jr.
Rep. Ed Case
Rep. Jay Inslee
Rep. Shelley Berkeley
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks


<SNIP>

But, even worse than that, support for the bill by Democratic moderates betrays a striking obliviousness to the most important debate underway within the Democratic Party. Moderate Democrats have been under assault from grassroots liberals lately for selling out Democratic values in their rush to appease conservative interests. I normally think this criticism is highly misplaced, and that moderates have exactly the right instincts when it comes to social issues and foreign policy, even most economic issues. But in this case the moderates proved the liberals' point for them, which could set back the cause of moderates within the party for months, if not years. It really is a colossal, inexcusable mistake.

http://www.tnr.com/etc.mhtml

[still_one]

1. I know two Senators who are voting against it

Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer

[LittleClarkie]

2. Kerry and Feingold as well

Alas, my other Senator disappoints. Bad Kohl, bad, bad!

[Nite Owl]

3. Moderation is not what is needed

these days. It's a matter of principles and there really is no room to compromise. It's really a matter of right from wrong.

[jefferson_dem]

4. Right! This is one of those issues that should separate us from them.

FIRST principles! It couldn't (or shouldn't at least) be more clear than in this legislation. With whom do you stand -- ordinary people vs. big corps?!?!

[w4rma]

5. Holy moly. TNR gets it correct. (nt)

[KT2000]

6. Jay Inslee???

This can't be - has he had a stroke or something?

[madfloridian]

7. Keep your eyes on these sites.....NDN blog and New Donkey blog.

They are the blogs for the DLC (New Donkey) and the New Democratic Network (Simon Rosenberg's blog) at NDN.

I don't think standing up for things that benefit the people will be easy. I have been watching the DNC blog as well.

The corporate Democratic Party has had their way too long to give it up easily. Just saying.....

http://www.newdonkey.com/

http://www.ndnblog.org/