My thoughts on Zell

[Stuckinthebush]

Zell is a conservative Democrat in the uniquely Southern style. The man was used to playing hard ball Georgia politics where the label doesn't mean as much as the special interests you are trying to protect. Zell was quite accurate when he answered the question about why he was a Democrat. "Because I've always been a Democrat." That sums it up nicely. He is not a Democrat because he believes in the Democratic principles, but because that is what he has always been. In his younger days, the Southern Democrats represented the party of bigotry and Jim Crow. Ever since John Kennedy, Dixiecrats have turned away from the party because they did not believe in the same values as the Kennedy Democrats - nor the Democrats of today. Zell is a Dixiecrat that never turned - he was and is a big wig in state politics, and it was always more valuable to him to be a Democrat in Georgia than a Republican.

Then he was appointed to the Senate.

He gets to Washington and quickly becomes a little fish in the Senate pond. He wants desperately to have his voice heard in the halls of power, however, the Dems won't listen. He gets more and more frustrated at having to play the good Democrat and never having his ideas thoughtfully received by his colleagues. He does find friendship and kindred spirits in many of the Republicans - especially the Southern Republicans such as Bill Frist. They understand Zell's positions, and they see a way to cut into the Democratic numbers game. They woo him, and coddle him, and tell him that he is so misunderstood. He lets them know what is going on behind the scenes with the Dems, and is probably happy to be the Senate spy for the Republicans. The Dems aren't stupid, and they realize that Zell is a snitch, so they continue to marginalize him more. Zell is a narcissist - like all politicians - and hates to be ignored so he becomes more aligned with the Republicans. He thinks about switching, but the GOP needs him where he is. Daschle continues to strong arm Zell with threats to his coveted committee posts - the only thing he has. Zell becomes more and more pissed at Daschle and the power brokers in the party - Kennedy for one. He approaches John Kerry as a friend and colleague to discuss his thoughts about the platform, and Kerry smiles but dismisses crazy Zell. Zell is so pissed now that he has been relegated to the back row, that he throws his lot in with the GOP. They love this because they can use Zell in their Bush campaign. The Dems realize that Zell is completely over the partisan line and totally alienate him - he is, after all, a lame duck Senator. Zell totally sells out and in spite, decides to keep the Dem label yet campaign for Bush. Zell will end his long political career as a spiteful, vindictive narcissist who never was ready for the national stage.

End of story.

Good night, Zell.

[mac56]

1. This is great.

You should send this to newspapers in Georgia.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

2. The dixiecrats were wrong then and they're wrong now

nice post!

[Stuckinthebush]

3. Just look at all of the Southern Dems

who have turned in the past 20 years.

In Alabama, no one was surprised at all when Shelby switched. On a state level, we have had so many switches that it would make your head spin.

To true Democrats, these switches to the GOP solidify our belief that the Democrats are really the party of inclusion, and the GOP the party of division. Usually, the switchers are rabid bigots who certainly feel more comfortable in the GOP.

[Minimus]

8. There is an interesting article in the American Legion

magazine (my father is retired Navy)about the original Southern Democrats and all the ones that became Repubs after civil rights admend. and also about them not supporting the GI bill because it allowed for the same benefits for blacks and whites. The racists ran to the GOP. Good riddance.

I will see if I can find a link to the article.

I am a southern democrat and a Quaker and proud of our work in equality for all.

[mac56]

9. Welcome, cliberty!

nm

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

4. I honestly believe there is one other thing in play:

Zell wanted to be the vice-presidential southerner. I suspect he has nothing but the greatest antipathy for Edwards. He wanted to be in his place, but, as we see, TPTB(Dem Division) knew what would be in store. Besides, he is obviously not a strong candidate outside of Georgia. Last night proved that.

But he persisted, and he announced his retirement to clear the field. But it went nowhere.

We say a very, very bitter man last night. Incredibly bitter. To the thin edge of his reason and sanity.

[Stuckinthebush]

5. Excellent point

Very good...I didn't think about that. I bet he was secretly hoping to be the VP candidate.

Pathetic.

[mac56]

6. Carville and Begala both worked with Zell.

Reportedly they urged Al Gore to pick Zell as his VP.

[liberalpragmatist]

7. Partly, but I think there are some other things in play too.

Zell was actually a very progressive governor and at one point a close friend of Jimmy Carter. Of course, this itself was a flip-flop, for he had previously run as a segregationist Democrat and the political apprentice of notorious segregationist governor Lester Maddox.

So it's very possible that Zell is just going with the flow of things - he simply aligns himself with whatever party or group is in ascendance in Georgia at the moment. Notice that even though he'd already become quite conservative in the Senate, he only swung hard-right in the last two years, following the midterms. I mean, between 2001 and 2002, he did sponsor Bush's tax cuts and vote with him on many issues, but he never endorsed him, remained at least publicly friendly with many Democrats, went to the Democratic Caucus meetings, and campaigned heavily for Cleland and Barnes in Georgia. However, once the Republicans swept to power in Georgia, Zell swung Hard-hard right.

The other possibility, somewhat more charitable, is that Zell grew alienated from the National Democrats because of cultural differences and what he perceived as "elitism" against rural people and deep-south Southerners. This disillusionment, coupled with an emerging bond through cultural heritage with Southern Republicans, led to his alienation from the Democratic Party and his wholesale abandonment of the Republican Party. Plus, 9/11 may have scared the shit out of him.

I, personally, think number 1 is a more likely scenario.

[Stuckinthebush]

10. Good point

Zell does have a history of going where the wind blows. I don't understand how it helps him this time, however. He is not running for re-election, and so he can be who he wants to be. Of course, maybe what we see now is the true Zell, not the political opportunist.

I had forgotten that Zell was in tight with Maddox. Mad Dog Maddox - there was a piece of work.