Last night I attended a DLC event with Senator Mary Landrieu in midtown Manhattan. (Yes I'm on their mailing list and many others because I want to show up at places and often ask the questions that don't get asked plus size up a person firsthand.)
After taking about 20 minutes and finding a parking spot a half mile away I walked straight into the Dream Hotel, up to Ava Lounge on the 14th floor, and in my poorly dressed attire (sweats and a boating jacket) innocuously and quietly faded into the background to wait for the Senator to speak. There were about 60-75 people in the room.
Of the 75 people, there were at least 3 other strong spined Democrats in the room. Prior to Senator Landrieu speaking, Iraq war veteran Jon Powers, who is running against wingnut Tom Reynolds in upstate New York, spoke.
Mr. Powers, a likable young man, agreed to answer questions. When a man at the bar spoke and started listing legislative items that the Democrats weren't fighting on, someone yelled out, "And your question is....." (More on this later)
Finally, Senator Landrieu spoke. Frankly I find her impressive notwithstanding some ideological differences. The Senator embraced the word progressive and her ten minute speech was filled with words that I think all of us, from progressive to moderate to liberal, could embrace.
Afterward she took questions. A gentleman before me asked a great question. He listed about 5-6 items in 15 seconds, brought up the approval ratings of Congress, and asked how can she expect the base of the Democratic Party to keep showing up at the polls if Democrats won't stand up for people on these basic issues. It was a GREAT question and respectfully asked. Not one DLCer cheered or clapped. They were silent.
Senator Landrieu gave a respectable answer talking about how things would change if Democrats had 60 Senate seats and the White House and how there are things getting done that people may not know about. Fair enough.
Senator Landrieu talked about business and how Democrats are perceived by voters in Louisiana as "anti-business" and said, "I don't think Democrats are anti-business." That's problem one. I KNOW Democrats are not anti-business, can back it up with examples, and show how Republicans are anti-small business. It's this wishy-washiness and willingness to accept Republican talking points that has killed us in past elections.
Two minutes later I follwed up the early gentleman's question by quickly mentioning that compromise is a part of life and that we all have to compromise everyday. I then went for the jugular by listing major items like S-Chip, illegal wiretapping, the ignoring of Osama/invasion of Iraq and asked the Senator, "Why would you compromise on such core issues that go to the heart of who we are as Americans?" I got a DLCish answer.
Senator Landrieu said to me, "Well we have to compromise because we don't want to get blamed for things." I cringed and groaned. This mentality is why Democrats have lost elections despite representing the views of the vast majority of Americans.
First, wingnuts aren't interested in compromise. So you can only compromise with people willing to compromise. What DLCers do is capitulate. Second, the wingnuts are going to blame you NO MATTER WHAT you do. So just do the right thing. Third, stop worrying about what the Washington Cocktail Party Elitists and Conservative talking heads think and just do the right thing. Tell people where you stand, be willing to compromise in good faith, but know when and where to stand your ground.
Later the Senator had a glass of wine and I approached her again cordially mentioning how you should just keep resending the bills and fighting. She concurred.
Later, after the Senator had a glass of wine, I went up to her individually and she liked the idea that I had spine and she does too. We spoke for another 60 seconds and whether it was the wine or not, she was agreeing that we should just keep sending the legislation to the President every week.
I will say that Senator Landrieu seems like a really good person, someone you wouldn't mind having as a relative, friend, or neighbor. I think she has guts and courage but from time to time will get caught up in the Washington cocktail party elitist mentality of caving into republicans. She knows what's right, will usually do what's right, but will from time to time act too much like a politician and capitulate when leadership is necessary.
Some additional thoughts. I found the DLCers to be decent people who would agree with us 85% of the time. However, once again I find DLCers as people who get more upset with Democrats who stand up to the bully than they do at the bully who mistreats people. DLCers are the kind of people who stand around when someone is being brutally assaulted and then get angry at the person who says that brutally assaulting people is wrong even though they know it's wrong too. They're angry at us not because they disagree with us 15% of the time. They're angry with us because they are jealous of us and wish they could have the courage and conviction we have.
Also, there will always be many DLCers who will grow spines but only if they feel safe that the bully is not a threat or they just look in the mirror one day and say enough is enough. Al Gore grew a spine after 2000. Max Cleland grew a spine after 2002. John Edwards grew a spine after 2004. All 3 men are great leaders TODAY.
Finally, this is not a hit piece on Senator Landrieu like some may have expected. She's a good person, not perfect, but a hell of a lot better than Diaper David Vitter and the other wingnuts of Louisiana. If you live in Louisiana, she deserves your support. Just stay on her case though.