DLC getting a make-over

By GottaLaff

Centrist earthquake in the works?

"The Democratic Leadership Council -- a group of centrists that dominated politics during the Clinton presidency but is laboring to remain relevant in the Obama era -- is on the brink of a major shake-up," Politico reports.

"Al From, the DLC's founder and leader since its creation 24 years ago this month, said he plans to step down within the next couple of months, handing the chief executive reins to his longtime protégé, Bruce Reed."

Wiki:

He is credited with coining the welfare reform catchphrase, "end welfare as we know it." ^[1]

Reed served as chief speechwriter for Tennessee Senator Al Gore from 1985 to 1989. He was founding editor of the DLC magazine, The New Democrat and served as policy director of the DLC from 1990 to 1991 under DLC Chairman and Governor of Arkansas Bill Clinton. In 1992, he was deputy campaign manager for policy of the Clinton-Gore presidential campaign. During the Clinton presidency, Reed served as chief domestic policy advisor and director of the Domestic Policy Council, and helped to write the 1996 welfare reform law known as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act.

Reed is a native of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and the son of Idaho State Senator Mary Lou Reed. He attended Princeton University and earned a master's degree in English Literature from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.

Reed is the author of the taunt, "change you can Xerox," from the February 21, 2008 presidential primary debate in Austin, Texas. Reed supplied Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton with the phrase to invoke accusations of plagiarism against rival Senator Barack Obama while parodying his campaign slogan: "Change you can believe in."^[2]

Harold Ford heckled over Fox, FISA, Obama discussion

By GottaLaff

UPDATE: I updated in my original post, too, that Phil Gramm has been officially kicked off the McSurrogate campaign.... per CNN and Rachel Maddow.

Harold Ford got heckled at Netroots Nation (where Cliff is right now):

Former congressman Harold Ford was billed as a sheep amidst the wolves when he was booked for an appearance at the Netroots Nation conference here in Austin. And while for the most part the DLC head and self-described 'centrist' Democrat received a cordial welcome among the progressive audience, there were a scattering of hisses, boos, and the occasionally unruly heckle during his discussion of FISA, Obama and Democratic politics more broadly.

Appearing alongside DailyKos founder Markos Moulitsas - in what has become a series of appearances for the two since they butted heads during a Meet the Press appearance last year - Ford pushed back against the notion that Obama had abandoned the netroots on the FISA fight.

If you have a hard time hearing the video, go here for the transcript.

Does Obama's rise mean less clout for Democratic centrists?

By Paddy

I will admit to being almost painfully confused about exactly what Obama is doing. I agree 90% with this, but on the other hand I'm feeling like it's more of a consolidation of power than an actual tack to the right. Or at least I'm praying there is a bigger plan that we're just not aware of, because on the surface, some of this stuff is really disappointing. The DLC was a base for the Clinton's and very centrist (as we talked about here) and with Obama's current actions would seem to be a good fit, but they have been powerful, and just maybe his campaign wants to keep all the power for themselves. Or maybe I should just go make a drink and stop worrying about it. What do you guys think the Obama campaign is up to? Oh and btw, Keith has a special comment on the Obama FISA flip-flop tonight. Should be interesting.

CHICAGO — It helped launch the last Democratic president and has pushed and prodded every Democratic candidate since Bill Clinton to adopt its centrist positions on issues from budget discipline to welfare.

But when the Democratic Leadership Council met over the weekend in the shadow of Barack Obama's Chicago headquarters, he didn't bother to stop by.

Is it losing its clout? Its members hope not, sidestepping Obama's refusal to see them and politely urging him to consider their approaches.

**blogger is buggered- no pics uploading.

Group with Clinton connections ready to back Obama

By Paddy


Ugh, the DLC is so full of crap. Read the bolded graph and tell me if your eyes don't roll back into your head. I'd be willing to bet that there are more members at Daily Kos than there are of the DLC.

CHICAGO—By rights, a group that helped elect Bill Clinton president and counts Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton as one of its leaders should be hostile territory for Barack Obama. But members of the Democratic Leadership Council seem ready to embrace Obama rather than risk squandering an opportunity for victory this fall.

"Ultimately, what I care about is putting a strong Democrat in the White House," said Phil Bartlett, a state senator from Maine who backed Clinton in the primary.

But many DLC members, meeting in Chicago on Sunday, argued victory will require following their centrist organization's philosophy.

(snip)

"We need somebody who can pull us together," said Sen. Tom Carper, D-Md., a DLC vice chairman. "Voters want us to be united and they want us to govern from the middle."

Um, no. Voters want us to get stuff done, and that doesn't happen by being bi-partisan or trying to "govern from the center" or whatever twaddle you're pushing today. It happens by winning the White House and majorities in Congress and then steamrolling our agenda into law. In other words, we need to act like Republicans, not wussies. Even their logo is boringly passive.