'The Return of the New Democrats' by Al From with a forward by Bill Clinton

[flpoljunkie]

Say it ain't so!

Due out in December.

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2013/11/22/the_return_of_the_new_democrats.html

[PoliticAverse]

1. "principles ... including economic centrism, national security, and entitlement reform,"

From: http://us.macmillan.com/thenewdemocratsandthereturntopower/AlFrom

Here, he outlines for the first time the principles at the heart of the movement, including economic centrism, national security, and entitlement reform, and why they are vital to the success of the Democratic Party in the years ahead.

[flpoljunkie]

2. Just what private equity billionaire Pete Peterson's 'Fix the Debt' has ordered

[HooptieWagon]

3. Cue the swooning corporatists.... nt

[libdem4life]

4. Is that the Progressive Dream candidate who won't take money from a corporation for a run for office

and still think they can get past local politics? Or can they get a little but not a lot? When I do the math, it means that every Democratic voter needs to contribute $16.66 to the national campaign, give or take. When someone has a well-thought-out plan for that, please discuss.

And also note how many of these Dream Candidates aren't lining up for the job.

Back in the day, what we used to call Straight Commission, was the joke of the industry. It just meant you do all the work, spend your gas, drive your car, go out and canvass to find somebody who will purchase whatever you are selling and/or get them to sign a contract. Then, 2-4 weeks later, the check comes in. If lucky, 90 days later you might get a lousy health care plan and a couple of other HR benefits. If you can't cut it...out the door.

Here's what Everyone Knew ... if you were good, you didn't have to take that kind of a job. If the Product was Good, they paid a decent base with benefits.

I see some comparisons here as far as candidates and corporate money are concerned.

[wyldwolf]

7. A topic beat to death in election cycles past. They ALL take corporate money

Some try to make the distinction that the money comes from corporate PACS, where corporations (employees and owners) contribute to a PAC which then donates money to the candidate. Silly distinction to make.

It was sad days on DU in 2004 and 2008 when links were posted showing the corporate money flow into campaigns from Dean, Kucinich, etc.

[libdem4life]

10. Thank you. Newbie here learning a lot. I tried to think of one part of my life...purchases,

services, health, food, utilities, entertainment, Twitter...etc. that was not deeply involved with a corporation. Be pretty hard pressed to figure out which one to get rid of. Someone posted Cory Booker campaign finance details. He got 10 to 1 what the other guy got and 90% was corporate donations. I don't normally look that stuff up, but was shocking.

A wise parent told me once, right after I became one, "You've got to learn to pick your battles."

I fervently hope we get federally funded elections, which is more likely before any small dent in "corporations", or whatever that refers to.

[antigop]

5. oh, good lord. nt

[otherone]

6. beat

just beat

[wyldwolf]

8. Psst! They never went away

[polichick]

11. No kidding! This is just to shine a bright spotlight on HRC...

Obama's as much a "new Dem" - meaning corporate sell-out - as she or Bill.

[Whisp]

16. No he isn't. Not Near. No Comparison.

the Clintons are marinated in power and money and have their own shadow mafia out there sticking noses in everywhere to smooth the path for whatever a Clinton wants done. Their closets are too small for all their skeletons.

Obama is like the new optimistic kid trying to undo some of what the Clintons and the Pugs did.

Not Even Close.

[polichick]

17. I wish that were true but Obama has packed...

his admin. with corporate insiders - and his position on the TPP pretty much says it all.

[Chan790]

9. Fuck Al From.

He's a tinpot RW fascist trying to co-opt the Democratic party and relying on his connected powerful friends.

He's like the L. Ron of the Democratic Party...his "New Left" the Scientology. If the Clintons want to hitch their wagons back to that asshole...it's one more reason to make sure Hillary never becomes President.

[Hippo_Tron]

12. I'm not a fan of people extolling the virtues of this crap, which is why I voted for Obama in 2008

He turned out to be basically just as centrist as Hillary, as I suspected he would. But at least he gave me the sense that he actually would prefer governing to the left if he believed it was politically safe to do so. Al From and the Clintons talk about this centrist crap like it's actually good policy rather than simply what we have to do in order to get elected in a country where people vote against their own interests.

[Arkana]

13. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.

[TheKentuckian]

14. Don't you have to go away to return?

[flpoljunkie]

15. Interesting point. Perhaps Al is concerned about the populist turn in the Democratic party of late?

Elizabeth Warren and Bill de Blasio, two examples.

[TheKentuckian]

18. Probably exactly right. Gotta cut off the "uncompromising extremists".