The Democratic Left Won This Election But Can't Govern Without Moderates

[Tace]

William Chirolas -- World News Trust

Nov. 10, 2006 -- While House victories in NH-01, NH-02, NY-24, FL-22, PA-07, PA-08, IA-01, IA-02, CO-07, AZ-08, KY-03, CT-05, CA-11, MN-01, and NY-19 all point to folks more left than center winning for the Democrats, the Blue Dog moderates replacing GOP moderates were a major part of the mix that allowed the Democratic Party to gain the majority.

There really are fiscal conservatives who are Dems -- not like that is a bad thing (sorry Seinfeld -- :-) ).

So why the anger against the DLC -- is it their position of no impeachment until, and only if, oversight hearings reveal crimes that force a move in that direction? This "DLC" approach seems just like smart politics to me.

Culturally conservative Democrats and fiscal conservative Democrats are all part of the big tent -- the big tent that must govern as a 51 percent majority and make compromises with the even more distasteful to the left group known as the GOP -- if they are to get anything passed into law and signed. Of course, as the majority, those bills must be presented with feigned magnanimity to the GOP as a choice between bad and worse.

Social conservative Democrats agree with those not socially conservative about the need for social justice. We on the left should be able to get our legislation passed into law if we can compromise around the edges. Indeed this election can be viewed as a defeat for the extremes of the Religious Right and of the secular Left.

more

http://www.worldnewstrust.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=583

[wyldwolf]

1. moderates only lost 5 targeted races

Blue dogs picked up 9 new members. DLC picked up 7.

More liberal candidates won half the time in the districts they should have won in. Centrist candidate won more than half the time in red districts they were not supposed to win in.

[sampsonblk]

3. Great!! Soon we'll be Republicans!

In the end, the party cannot leave its core constituency behind to follow a dream of winning consistenly with moderate candidates. How long will liberals hold their noses and vote to maintain a majority of lukewarm elected officials?

I am convinced that this was one of those hungry years. This "moderate" stuff will not work as a long term strategy. And to try it, in my opinion, would invite a well-deserved defeat.

[wyldwolf]

4. all that is certainly debatable, but we won't know until '08.

[messiah]

9. The core constituency

can be left behind and most of that core will continue to vote for conservative Democrats out of loyalty and because there is no alternative.
In the long term expect the country to continue it's rightward drift.

[sampsonblk]

21. Keep hope alive

There has to be a way to reverse this trend and return to uhhhh reality. There HAS to be.

[Bobbieo]

10. Go Ahead! Bite the hand that "freed" you.

[sampsonblk]

17. I hope that was supposed to be sarcastic-nt

nt

[gully]

15. In the end we need to realize that we agree on most things and

as such, we can act like adults. This "moderate" stuff worked and will continue to if we don't demand group think on every issue.

[sampsonblk]

18. Work in what way?

What good is the majority if it doesn't produce the desired legislation? I don't think its childish to ask that question, and I won't be the first or last to ask it.

[gully]

19. WHO'S desired legislation?

Ralph Naders?

We have legislation we're working on now, tuition tax breaks, increasing the minimum wage, dealing with corruption, BRINGING THE TROOPS HOME, and on and on and on.

[sampsonblk]

20. My question was more general

Over the course of time, there will be plenty of measures, just like NAFTA, that will traditional Dem voters. You certainly understand what the impact of this new moderate tint is going to be, otherwise, you would be pursuing this tangent.

Its going to cause conflicts, regardless of how you and I feel about it. So get ready.

[churchofreality]

16. Its not about left or moderate, its the issues

If the democrats had campaigned on pro-choice, gay marriage, gun control etc, they would have lost. They were smart. There are enough progressive ideas that get people excited without hitting wedge issues. Getting out of Iraq, minimum wage increase, education, healthcare, etc. That is what will keep the left and center together.

[Ken Burch]

2. The anger is partly due to the fact that the DLC is trying to say that the left deserves no credit

and no say in what the new Congress does.

They have no right to claim the victory solely or even primarily for themselves.

The WHOLE party won this, and it would be an injustice for progressives to be left out in the cold or even in the back seat in the new Congress.

It was a voter turnout, people power victory, not a big donor Beltway victory.

[wyldwolf]

6. ah, Ken. You know what I'm going to say...

Show me links where the DLC has done what you charge them with.

[Ken Burch]

12. It's been in all the media

And you don't get to play "I'm stopping the discussion until I get a source I'll accept and I'll never accept ANY sources" anymore.

That's never been your place. You aren't the Official Arbiter of Truth.

And I've now put you on ignore.

Which is what I will do to all who falsely imply that I make things up.

[wyldwolf]

13. then it should be relatively easy for you to find

And you don't get to play "I'm stopping the discussion until I get a source..

But I can declare your point of view "fantasy" until such time you prove it isn't.

Imagine being put on ignore for seeking the truth.

[Demeter]

5. Fine! The Left Will Lead, and the Moderates Will Follow

same shit, different day, but sheeple are used to following. The trick is to get them to follow the good, instead of the bad.

[Tyo]

7. Doesn't the DLC kiss corporate ass almost as much as the Republicans?

Aren't they the folks who brought us NAFTA? I think that if we blow the next two years it'll be because of Democrats who behave too much like the party we replaced.

[Warren Stupidity]

8. The progressive agenda is the center.

Fair wages, health care and college for everyone, energy independence with environmental awareness, equitable tax policy and fiscal responsibility, and an end to our criminal endeavor in Iraq are policies that are straight down the center of the american electorate.

Don't let the right define the center.

[Dr Fate]

14. This is my position as well. GOP and some far-right DEMS are not "the center" n/t

n/t

[IndianaGreen]

11. This is true, but we must work to restore Constitutional rule

and Congress must take back the powers that it has unconstitutionally given to Bush.

There is still no compromise when it comes to the war in Iraq (it must end), women's rights (they must be protected), and LGBT rights (they must not be betrayed).