MoveOn vows to rule Democratic party
Weren't some (other) people wanting to take back the party?
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I recall seeing this article recently: The Liberal Party has to become The Democratic Party again (by citizen Zoomba), and was mostly in agreement with the points that were made. Even if I don't support the Democratic party in most cases, like Solnac, Gideon and others on these blogs and forums, I support choice. We need something to contrast against, and show the possibilities.
Because of this, I'm somewhat astounded, while also being some what gleeful at the possibility of more self destruction among liberals, when I read articles and news like the following.
From the St. Petersburg (Fla) Times, originally noticed in The Washington Times. Found via web search from original source. Headline is linked.
Unshaven, unbowed and in our face
MoveOn.org's youthful leaders are keeping followers and politicians stirred up.
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
Published February 18, 2005
WASHINGTON - Tom Matzzie describes himself as a pacifist techno geek. Maybe so, but MoveOn.org's man in Washington sounds like one cocky computer nerd.
Between bites of sushi, Matzzie noted how senior Democratic senators eagerly rearrange their schedules to meet with MoveOn. And how MoveOn would be comfortable helping defeat Democratic Rep. Allen Boyd if the Panhandle congressman continues embracing private accounts for Social Security.
What's more, "We're going to have to have some discussions with Bill Nelson," because Florida's senior senator appears reluctant to block President Bush's controversial judicial nominations. And the centrist Democratic Leadership Council that helped guide Bill Clinton into the White House? So 1990s.
"The candidates want nothing to do with the DLC, it's so out of vogue," the 29-year-old scoffed. "If the DLC disappeared from the Democratic Party tomorrow, no one would notice. If MoveOn weren't part of the party, people would notice and care."
Most of the leaders in this new powerhouse in the Democratic party establishment are younger than 40, which MoveOn suggests makes them better equipped to re-invent politics. They're known to millions of donors by their first names - Tom, Eli, Adam - and tend to go for facial hair.
"A bunch of us have beards," Matzzie chuckled, "because we're all self-conscious about the whole age thing."
Having helped revolutionize online organizing and fundraising, MoveOn isn't about to let the Democratic Party forget it. The organization and its legions of Internet-savvy activists are determined to have their say, as have labor unions, trial lawyers and other longtime Democratic fundraisers.
"In the last year, grass-roots contributors like us gave more than $300-million to the Kerry campaign and the DNC, and proved that the Party doesn't need corporate cash to be competitive," MoveOn's 24-year-old executive director said in a recent e-mail urging members to back an outsider for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
"Now it's our Party: we bought it, we own it, and we're going to take it back."
A lot of Democrats are terrified at the prospect.
... more at linked article, well worth reading
So, yet again, we see news that tells us that MoveOn won't go away, and that they firmly believe they have bought the Democratic party, lock, stock, and barrel.
I agree with the last line from the clipped content. A lot of Democrats must be terrified at the prospect.
MoveOn (and their friends) are marginalizing the Democratic party into non-existence. They threaten politicians that don't agree with them, and who may actually be looking out for the best interests of the nation and all citizens. What are they looking for, to convert more of the "Reagan Democrat" types over to Republicans? Given the re-election rate for encumbents, and the relatively small difference between a conservative Democrat and a Compassionate Conservative Republican, do they really want people like Rep. Allen Boyd or Sen. Bill Nelson to jump parties and hand the Republicans even bigger margins to deal with?
If these people (the Boyds and Nelsons) get fed up with the pressure, and totally abandon the liberal lock step will the filibustering and delay tactics that the MoveOn folks seem to favor not self destruct? The Republicans have a shortage of approximately 5 votes to be able to avoid going Nuk-u-lar in the Senate in the Judiciary fight. If Nelson jumps, then only a few defections would seal the deal for the Republicans and leave the Democrats crying that they've been completely shut out.
I really hope that MoveOn keeps rocking the boat. They serve perfectly to show a contrast to the relatively moderate Republicans that they're going to create.
Because of this, I'm somewhat astounded, while also being some what gleeful at the possibility of more self destruction among liberals, when I read articles and news like the following.
From the St. Petersburg (Fla) Times, originally noticed in The Washington Times. Found via web search from original source. Headline is linked.
Unshaven, unbowed and in our face
MoveOn.org's youthful leaders are keeping followers and politicians stirred up.
By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
Published February 18, 2005
WASHINGTON - Tom Matzzie describes himself as a pacifist techno geek. Maybe so, but MoveOn.org's man in Washington sounds like one cocky computer nerd.
Between bites of sushi, Matzzie noted how senior Democratic senators eagerly rearrange their schedules to meet with MoveOn. And how MoveOn would be comfortable helping defeat Democratic Rep. Allen Boyd if the Panhandle congressman continues embracing private accounts for Social Security.
What's more, "We're going to have to have some discussions with Bill Nelson," because Florida's senior senator appears reluctant to block President Bush's controversial judicial nominations. And the centrist Democratic Leadership Council that helped guide Bill Clinton into the White House? So 1990s.
"The candidates want nothing to do with the DLC, it's so out of vogue," the 29-year-old scoffed. "If the DLC disappeared from the Democratic Party tomorrow, no one would notice. If MoveOn weren't part of the party, people would notice and care."
Most of the leaders in this new powerhouse in the Democratic party establishment are younger than 40, which MoveOn suggests makes them better equipped to re-invent politics. They're known to millions of donors by their first names - Tom, Eli, Adam - and tend to go for facial hair.
"A bunch of us have beards," Matzzie chuckled, "because we're all self-conscious about the whole age thing."
Having helped revolutionize online organizing and fundraising, MoveOn isn't about to let the Democratic Party forget it. The organization and its legions of Internet-savvy activists are determined to have their say, as have labor unions, trial lawyers and other longtime Democratic fundraisers.
"In the last year, grass-roots contributors like us gave more than $300-million to the Kerry campaign and the DNC, and proved that the Party doesn't need corporate cash to be competitive," MoveOn's 24-year-old executive director said in a recent e-mail urging members to back an outsider for chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
"Now it's our Party: we bought it, we own it, and we're going to take it back."
A lot of Democrats are terrified at the prospect.
... more at linked article, well worth reading
So, yet again, we see news that tells us that MoveOn won't go away, and that they firmly believe they have bought the Democratic party, lock, stock, and barrel.
I agree with the last line from the clipped content. A lot of Democrats must be terrified at the prospect.
MoveOn (and their friends) are marginalizing the Democratic party into non-existence. They threaten politicians that don't agree with them, and who may actually be looking out for the best interests of the nation and all citizens. What are they looking for, to convert more of the "Reagan Democrat" types over to Republicans? Given the re-election rate for encumbents, and the relatively small difference between a conservative Democrat and a Compassionate Conservative Republican, do they really want people like Rep. Allen Boyd or Sen. Bill Nelson to jump parties and hand the Republicans even bigger margins to deal with?
If these people (the Boyds and Nelsons) get fed up with the pressure, and totally abandon the liberal lock step will the filibustering and delay tactics that the MoveOn folks seem to favor not self destruct? The Republicans have a shortage of approximately 5 votes to be able to avoid going Nuk-u-lar in the Senate in the Judiciary fight. If Nelson jumps, then only a few defections would seal the deal for the Republicans and leave the Democrats crying that they've been completely shut out.
I really hope that MoveOn keeps rocking the boat. They serve perfectly to show a contrast to the relatively moderate Republicans that they're going to create.