DLC defends Kerry (? notes National Journal "liberal vote" #is subjective)

[papau]

http://thehill.com/news/072104/dlc.aspx

DLC defends Kerry
By Patrick O'Connor

The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) yesterday slammed the methodology behind National Journal’s ratings system, in an effort to defend Sen. John Kerry from the “liberal” charges levied against him by Republicans.

The ratings system “makes a decidedly subjective judgment about what is a ‘liberal’ vote and what is a ‘conservative’ vote that is based more on partisan than ideological differences,” the DLC wrote in yesterday’s New Dem Daily, an e-newsletter sent out by the centrist Democratic group.

The DLC was more opposed to the way the ratings were used than to the ratings themselves. “We’re not trying to pick a fight with National Journal,” said Ed Kilgore, the DLC’s policy director. “It’s the way it’s being used by the Bush-Cheney campaign.”<snip>

[WI_DEM]

1. funny they weren't so subjective towards Dean

who was actually a moderate budget balancing governor. Or were they afraid to have someone who steadfastly opposed Bush's war heading the democratic ticket?

[mzmolly]

3. Aint it though?

:eyes:

Kerry was the dream of Washington insiders. I am supporting JK FULLY, but I hope the DLC is destroyed.

[mzmolly]

2. "Liberal" charges? Charges? Gosh, it sounds like a crime these days

to be liberal. Screw the DLC.

[sampsonblk]

4. DLC will look really stupid 100 years from now

History students will ask "What the HELL was that all about?"

We are right - on the war, the money and the social issues. Yet it seems the be the sole purpose of the DLC to obscure that fact in order to attract swing votes. Even when I was a kid, if you got a right answer, you yelled it as loud as you could.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

5. The DLC, like the Taliban, needs to be destroyed.

[no name no slogan]

6. What can you expect from the DLC?

After all, they DO take money from the Koch family, whose past exploits include founding the John Birch Society, the Cato Institute and funding every rabid right-winger within reach. Not to mention the Koch companies are one of the biggest corporate polluters in the nation.

They are also featured quite prominently in the recent book "What's The Matter With Kansas?", too. Definately worth a read.

[Still_Loves_John]

7. Why is this a surprise?

The DLC still wants Democrats to be elected, they just think the best strategy is to out Republican the Republicans. Once the primaries are over, they're going to support the nominee. Dennis Kucinich could have won and they would be touting his conservative credentials.

[TeacherCreature]

8. It really looks like the Democratic party doesn't need or want my vote

They need to stop taking it for granted.

[sangh0]

9. I think you're onto something

Just the other day, we had a meeting and we were evenly split as to whether or not we wanted TeacherCreature's vote, and some of them looked like they were about to turn against you.

It's true! The world really does revolve around YOU YOU YOU!!!

[cprise]

10. All this really says

...is that alignment with political parties is a poor way to judge an individual politician.

I agree with everything they said, as well as the implication that Democrats are generally illiberal.