Posts
Jul 22, 2011
DailyKos (sort of) endorses a non-Democrat
Not quite third party related, but notorious Democrat exclusive community DailyKos is now supporting Independent Bernie Sanders in an campaign against Social Security & Medicare cuts.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
14 comments:
I'm confused... is this shocking to you at all? DailyKos isn't just a dem blog, its a liberal blog, and Sanders could be the most liberal elected official in Washington.
It's a partisan blog by far. Even mere mention of other parties (on their same scale) is a bannable offense.
Actually, I should rephrase. Mere mention is unlikely a bannable offense, I'm sure I could make a post proclaiming why Nader "cost" Gore the 00' election or whatever and how much third parties are "spoilers" blah blah blah.
But endorsement of third parties and independent is not allowed in DailyKos.
Do they consider him a third party guy? From the perspectives I've seen from hard core libs, they see him as what they'd like the democratic party become some day, much like the tea party precurser types wanted to see the GOP become (and have begun to be successful at accomplishing).
I'm not sure how they particularly view him. He's an Independent though, so that makes him at least nominally outside the duopoly sphere, and he's certainly more independent in his actions, well, some of the time at least.
It's a stretch no doubt, but I thought worthwhile bringing up given DailyKos's extreme partisanship.
D.eris, was this appropriate or not?
I think this is a fine post TF. In general, Kossacks are extremely hostile toward any real liberals and progressives who are not Democrats. It seems like most of the time they just pretend that Sanders is a Democrat rather than an Independent. I think a lot of Democrats probably don't even realize that Sanders is an Independent and not a Democrat – they're not the brightest bunch. Which is why it's so funny when liberals and progressives point to Sanders and say, "hey, why can't more Democrats be like Sanders?" The answer is really simple: BECAUSE THEY'RE DEMOCRATS AND HE'S NOT. Whatever happened to the draft Bernie Sanders for president movement?
@D.eris
"I think a lot of Democrats probably don't even realize that Sanders is an Independent and not a Democrat – "
To be fair the media does no favors in this regard, often times in fact, referring to him as a Democrat in some form or fashion (I remember one interviewer asking him a question that went something along the line of "You and other Democrats..."). Of course, a simple wikipedia search would shatter such illusions. You're right, a lot of the hyper partisans aren't very bright.
"Which is why it's so funny when liberals and progressives point to Sanders and say, "hey, why can't more Democrats be like Sanders?" The answer is really simple: BECAUSE THEY'RE DEMOCRATS AND HE'S NOT. "
It reminds me of a time when a neighbor of mine kept complaining about my cat eating his food, throwing accusations I wasn't feeding it (I was properly) and demanding I keep it in doors (it was an outdoor cat). In response, I simply told him "well, you could stop feeding her.", and he for whatever reason continuously refused. The solution was just right in front of him and he just wouldn't take it.
"Whatever happened to the draft Bernie Sanders for president movement? "
I think it ended when he gave a statement he wouldn't run, as a primary challenger or as an Independent. Disappointing I thought, but let's also remember, we're in the midst of a great "recession", and elected members of Congress get European style benefits most of our citizens are not afforded. I can't fully blame him for being hesitant by putting that on the line. Not that it's an excuse, just an explanation.
lol, that's pretty funny, projecting his own actions (putting out food) onto the desires of a cat. For some reason, that reminds me of the old Simpsons episode with the evil "tomacco" plant that was the most addictive substance in the world. There was one plant left, sitting in a pot in very bad condition, and the whole family is sitting around the table in front of the plant. Lisa says, "Dad, you have to destroy it!!!" And Homer replies, "But I'm only one person!! What can I do?!!"
On your other point, don't elected congressional reps get a pension even after they're out of office?
I seriously doubt Sanders' reasoning for not running for President against Obama has anything to do with his benefits or financial wellbeing. He's a darling of the far left. He'd make far more money outside of elected office.
I think these folks care about the liberal democrat agenda more than the label Democrat. Bernie Sanders is one of the most reliable votes for the democratic agenda as there is. They'd probably prefer to see him run as a democrat, but what matters is that he votes like one, and caucuses with them.
To be fair, he's fairly independent in some action (filibuster over the refusal to let the Bush tax cuts expire) and certainly represents a faction against the increasingly rightward drift of the Democratic Party.
As for why he didn't run, it's just speculation. I doubt he wants to challenge Obama head on, he's independent at times, but is afraid of losing his position I believe. Whether it's because of benefits, or just the status of being a Senator I can't say since I can't read his mind.
I think it's fair to say DailyKos very much cares about the label Democrat, they certainly represent a particular faction of the Democratic party, but they're also terrified of the Republicans and generally give Obama a lot of slack, whist complaining about his ever increasing "compromises" and rightward policies. They're partisan, even if they're a particular faction within that partisan framework.
@D.eris
"And Homer replies, "But I'm only one person!! What can I do?!!" "
I'm driving off a cliff, what do I do!?!?!
"On your other point, don't elected congressional reps get a pension even after they're out of office?"
That's something I didn't factor in, my apologies. I think after a predetermined amount of years, yes there is a pension. I figure one way or another, benefits or not, he doesn't want to threaten his Senate seat. And if he ran against Obama, primary or not, they'd unleashed the DNC machine against him. Now, that might actually be a good thing, because there's a good chance he'd win, and could exert then more independent influence. Of course he could lose... But regardless, that's why I figure he didn't run.
I'm trying very hard to not to be snarky here...
Where exactly do you see a "rightward drift of the Democratic Party", after an election where a gigantic chunk of the remaining moderates lost their seats?!? They're certainly not as far into left field as the GOP has moved into right field, but I don't see any indication what so ever that they've done anything but gotten more liberal over the last several election cycles, with the exception of the short lived bump in 2008 & 2012, when Dean's 50 state strategy brought in a few more moderates (they lost more moderates in 2010 than they gained in 2008 though.)
There have been a slew of articles recently describing the exact opposite thing, where there are less moderates in office now then any time in generations.
@Solomon
"I'm trying very hard to not to be snarky here..."
I appreciate it, let's keep it civil.
"Where exactly do you see a "rightward drift of the Democratic Party", after an election where a gigantic chunk of the remaining moderates lost their seats?!? "
I'm referring to their policy for the last twenty years. Before we continue, I'd rather answer this with a question so we don't end up talking past each other. Tell me in what way do you believe the Democrats have gone more leftward? What policies in particular are we talking about?
Sorry, meant policies*
Post a Comment