Daily Kos

Al From and Bruce Reed: Knock on Doors for Paul Hackett

by Dean Democrat

Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 09:59:10 AM PDT

Stranger things have happened.

But, in all seriousness, why not? From, Reed and their DLC cronies are currently less than a two hour drive from Hackett's district. Rather than spend their days attacking Kos, shouldn't From and Reed lace 'em up and pound the pavement for a candidate who, when elected, will be the first Iraq war veteran to serve in Congress?

Who's with me?

[Update]: Matt Singer of Left in the West suggests we call the DLC press office, sure to take your calls, at (202) 546-0007 or email Al and Bruce using the DLC's online form.

Alternatively, write a letter to the editor of the Columbus (OH) Dispatch or, if you believe Republican operatives DLC staff don't read the Dispatch, send a letter to the Wall Street Journal.

[2nd Update]: This year's DLC "Conversation" is being held at The Columbus, A Renaissance Hotel. If you want to make sure Al and Bruce hear your suggestion before they depart Ohio, you can call the hotel at (614) 228-5050 and ask to leave either a message. (Though this might be a bit much).

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Permalink | 53 comments

  •  Knocking (none / 0)

    I can't see Al From as having gone door-to-door in his life.

    A proud member of the "far left."

    by Paleo on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 10:01:10 AM PDT

  •  I saw the title (4.00 / 10)

    and I thought, "wow, they're finally doing something to help their party."

    Of course I should have known it was a joke.

    What are they smoking? Find out at alien & sedition

    by BrooklynRaider on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 10:02:45 AM PDT

  •  This is awesome. (4.00 / 2)

    We need to get this recommended. We should start calling the DLC, saying we'll consider their cease fire, when they stop ragging on Democrats and help one get elected.

    by Left in the West on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 10:07:04 AM PDT

  •  Ask the DLC (none / 1)

    Call them: (202)546-0007

    or email them using their online form.

    by Left in the West on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 10:19:00 AM PDT

  •  OMG (4.00 / 9)

    If Al From ever came to my door, I'd let the dog bite him.

    The country we carry in our hearts is waiting. -- Bruce Springsteen

    by saucy monkey on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 10:30:53 AM PDT

    •  Our dog is a total creampuff (none / 0)

      but maybe I could train him.  '-)

      "We are the ones we have been waiting for" --Barack Obama reminding us we have to hold him accountable.

      by Jim in Chicago on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 12:07:21 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I have two (none / 0)

        They're both part wolf and both over seventy pounds. Ill happily loan them to you for the occasion.

        On note: you'll have to pay for the rabies shots. I dont let my dogs bite scum normally and i dont want them catching anything.

        I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever TJ

        by cdreid on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 02:48:13 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

  •  Please, no....no no no (none / 1)

    Having grown up in Cincinnati, I can't think of anything worse than His Creepiness Al From knocking on doors in that city of solid Midwestern values.  Well, actually, I can think of something slightly worse -- Jane Fonda knocking on doors.

    In loving memory: Sophie, June 1, 1993-January 17, 2005. My huckleberry friend.

    by Paul in Berkeley on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 10:34:40 AM PDT

    •  From (none / 1)

      So From can cut a $1,000 check and do phone-banking for a weekend. How 'bout that?

      Swing State Project: Campaign & Election News

      by DavidNYC on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 11:30:28 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Off Subject: Can you find it in your heart.... (4.00 / 2)


      to give Jane Fonda a few breaks here.  With what we know of the last "illegal" war, can you see how her youth may have affected her actions.  She has apologized for her "thoughtlessness" and I think her liberal activism can help us.

      Does she have to be vilified forever?

      (-5.63,-6.10) "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." - Edmund Burke

      by CyberDem on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 11:48:33 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

      •  I understand your point (none / 0)

        And yes, she may have been naive in 1970. But it's 35 years later, and she's old enough to know the effect her presence will have.  She's old enough to know that the Hanoi Jane thing still follows her around, and that she's a terribly offensive presence to veterans, and a divisive presence overall. She's old enough to show a little discretion, instead of doing the typical celebrity "me me me" dance.

        In loving memory: Sophie, June 1, 1993-January 17, 2005. My huckleberry friend.

        by Paul in Berkeley on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 12:02:15 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  understood (none / 0)

        The problem is, she's going to be, by lots of people who remember her only as "Hanoi Jane" even though she herself said recently she was wrong to do what she did then.  At this point, no matter how well meaning her efforts, she's going to be something of a liability in the real world.

        by MN camera on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 12:04:55 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

      •  Well, Paul certainly could cut her a break- (none / 0)

        but that's not who's at issue here. Your average southern Ohio voter may not be able to get over it.

        Last fall, I volunteered to do voter registration and help staff the state democratic party table at the Ohio State Fair-right next to the animal barns. A lovely gentleman from Clermont County (SW Ohio) came up to the table with a vitriolic tirade about Kerry and Fonda being commie traitors- mentioning specifically that fake photo with the two of them that was floating around the internet.  When I tried to explain to the guy that it WAS a fake photo and that Kerry served with distinction, he yelled that Hanoi Jane was still a #$&%#, right  before he actually spit right in my face.

        So, I suggest that you NOT underestimate the level of hatred that some people still feel for Jane Fonda. While her change of heart might be enough to satisfy you, please remember that Jane's trip to Hanoi may not be something that will ever be forgiven by others. For them, the discussion about her actions is simply not one that can readily be resolved with reason.

        "I'm not a humanitarian. I'm a hell-raiser." Mother Jones

        by histopresto on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 12:41:06 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        •  Sounds right to me. (none / 0)

          And my hat's off to you for 'taking one for the team.'

          Kingman, Barstow, San Bernardino!

          by jem6x on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 01:11:30 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

        •  I actually remember when Jane went to Hanoi (none / 1)

          and I remember attending a rally at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee when she toured the country after coming back. It was a great evening -- Jane and Tom Hayden, Holly Near singing wonderful protest songs, and the San Francisco Mime Troupe presenting one of their classic Brechtian street theater pieces on stage.

          For those of us on the historically side of the cultural divide in the early 1970s, Jane's trip to Hanoi was exactly the right thing to do -- demonstrate to the victims of the imperialist war that average citizens deep within the heart of the adversary understood what was going, and opposed with all their being. We may not have been able to stop the bombs from falling, in the short term, on their agricultural dikes and villages, but we sure as hell were doing everything we could in the long term to guarantee that Vietnam would achieve independence and peace.

          In the long run, we won. Vietnam did achieve peace and independence, and today -- though still a poor country recovering from the longest war of the twentieth century -- it stands out for its stable, rapidly growing economy, its universally accessible, high-quality educational system, and -- particularly -- the most equitable distribution of income in the world.

          Do you think any of that would have happened if the United States would have succeeded in propping up Saigon's corrupt torture state indefinitely? Fat chance.

          Jane was right. The people who hate her are wrong.

          It's that simple.

          Yes, We Can

          by litho on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 02:22:33 PM PDT

          [ Parent ]

          •  I'm not disagreeing with you (none / 0)

            Jane was right. The people who hate her are wrong.

            It's that simple.

             

            But I am accepting that in order to achieve electoral change in Ohio, getting democratic votes from people who don't agree with you and Jane is critical.

            "I'm not a humanitarian. I'm a hell-raiser." Mother Jones

            by histopresto on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 02:37:09 PM PDT

            [ Parent ]

    •  True that.. (none / 0)

      I'm trying to figure out what she is thinking.  So far, the most charitable version I can come up with is.. "me me me me me me me!  I know everything!"   The least is "thanks, RNC, I needed the $$$."

      on strike.

      by daria g on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 01:23:45 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  Don't hold your breath (none / 0)

    I would be amazed if From and Reed were ever to be caught "going door-to-door"; they just go from press-release to (nasty) press-release.

    by tankej on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 10:46:11 AM PDT

  •  They could probably do it (4.00 / 4)

    if one of us were marching in front of them with a big bag of money.

    Damn George Bush! Damn everyone that won't damn George Bush! Damn every one that won't put lights in his window and sit up all night damning George Bush!

    by brainwave on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 10:58:16 AM PDT

    •  But then of course (none / 0)

      their salivating would put the voters off.

      Damn George Bush! Damn everyone that won't damn George Bush! Damn every one that won't put lights in his window and sit up all night damning George Bush!

      by brainwave on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 10:59:31 AM PDT

      [ Parent ]

    •  Hah! (none / 0)

      Money, limos, won't dirty their hands with the grassroots.. this is what I'm reading in the comments here.  

      It looks to me like the beef with the DLC boils down to this: the netroots has its own sources of money that the DLC can't access or control.  These dispatches about lefty strawmen and patriotism or lack thereof don't fool me.  This is about patriotism like the Swift Vets were about truth.  

      on strike.

      by daria g on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 02:02:49 PM PDT

      [ Parent ]

  •  I emailed the DLC (none / 1)

    Anyone else?

    Told them I'd think about backing off when they finally put their shoes where their mouth is and help elect a Democrat in a tough race.

    by Left in the West on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 11:08:16 AM PDT

  •  Actually, I'm surprised they're not doing this... (none / 0)

    ....seeing as they would be able to take credit for his victory.

    Every good Christian should line up and kick Jerry Falwell's ass. - Barry Goldwater, 1981

    by Doug in SF on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 11:16:43 AM PDT

  •  heh (none / 0)

    cute idea worth a phone call to the DLC to harass them

    Buckeye State Blog

    by Pounder on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 11:18:41 AM PDT

  •  I love this idea (4.00 / 2)

    and I am all for calling the DLC.  But I don't like the idea of writing LTE's.  One of my big complaints about the DLC is how they criticize other Dems in the back in public.  I won't do the same to them.  

    Stop violence against women!

    by AndyT on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 11:24:51 AM PDT

  •  Tell them he can bring the limo (none / 0)

    I'm sure that'll go over well.

    stop marching on my freedom.

    by sunzoo on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 11:25:07 AM PDT

  •  They don't dirty their hands (none / 1)

    with this "grassroots" stuff.

    This idea has about as much chance of success as Operation Yellow Elephant.

    But that's okay, there are plenty of us plebeians willing to make the trip. I am considering driving down from Chicago Monday night to help on Tuesday.  If anyone reading this is from here and interested in joining me, please email me at jim@anotherdadfordean.com

    "We are the ones we have been waiting for" --Barack Obama reminding us we have to hold him accountable.

    by Jim in Chicago on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 12:05:46 PM PDT

  •  Why do you say it is two hours? (none / 0)

    I would imagine that Washington, D.C. is at least six-seven hours from the Second District of Ohio, which is down by Cincinnatti. Am I missing something here?

    by mrgavel on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 12:41:52 PM PDT

  •  dean dem: (none / 0)

    you seem to have "outed" dlc staff's undercover (gop operative) status.  that you did so for snarky purposes is no excuse.

    this is yet another demonstration of the left wing putting cheap political humor over the demands of national insecurity.  we (and i specifically mean i) should be a great deal more disgusted than is the case.

    btw, where is al from?  is he still at the horseshoe road in?

    we'll stand him up against a wall and pop goes the weasel /rufus t. firefly

    by 2nd balcony on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 01:18:10 PM PDT

  •  The DLC cannot do political activity (none / 1)

    Sorry about the last post. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the DLC cannot endorse, promote or denounce any candidate for office.  That means they can't go door knocking, for example. Now Reed and From could "personally" go down and door knock for Hackett, and I would like it if every Democrat who could would help out Hackett in SW Ohio, but I bet the FEC would investigate the DLC so fast your head would spin if those two where to doorknock.

    by Oldenburg on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 01:33:28 PM PDT

  •  Atrios doesn't get it (none / 0)

    Atrios is talking about what a horrible idea having these guys show up at your door would be, but he doesn't get to what issue this is referring.

    I think this post was brought about by tools like Bull Moose calling Dkos folks "netroots" not "grassroots," implying that the DLC conference is full of grassroots- um, elected officials?  Yes, I'm sure the DLC does much more than DKos or MoveOn to get out the vote.

    Wojo

    by jasonwhat on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 01:41:10 PM PDT

  •  this is a great suggestion (none / 0)

    pressure the DLC to sack up.

    did some google searches last night and found out carville spoke (or is scheduled to speak) at a luncheon for hackett.

    hackett's views are centrist, as far as i can tell.  he was against the war, but also feels the iraqis are grateful we got rid of saddam, says he saw that first hand.  says we need to stay and finish the job.

    he sounds like someone even the DLC can support.  so while i've spoken out against the wierd priorities of those who seem to value defeating the DLC more than defeating republicans, i still think we need to hold the DLC's feet to the fire on this kind of thing.

    if they don't, they'll become superfluous all in good time.  with or without us ripping on each other.

    I want Lamont to win, but I won't cry when he doesn't.

    by BiminiCat on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 01:45:04 PM PDT

  •  Since Hackett has come out against Bush's war (none / 0)

    I don't think that the DLC will help him. "We must have a musuclar foreign policy" says From.

    by Progressive Moderate on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 01:49:33 PM PDT

  •  Damn Straight (none / 0)

    Except for the fact that the Democratic Leadership Council elects Republicans, not Democrats.

    by Bob Brigham on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 02:11:47 PM PDT

  •  When I saw the diary title ... (none / 0)

    the cynic that I am said: "Typical, the 'white hats' ride in just as the townspeople have vanquished the 'bad guys'. The 'white hats' cart the captured thugs off to jail. And then they take full credit for the battle and capture."

    Thankfully I was wrong. Do you think Hackett really needs them at this point? He seems to be on a big roll. They might just screw it up.

    John McCain is so (Ned) Divine!!

    by Glinda on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 02:16:54 PM PDT

  •  Ed Kilgore replies (none / 0)

    here.    Make of it what you will, but I love his style.

    by Oldenburg on Tue Jul 26, 2005 at 02:30:56 PM PDT

Permalink | 53 comments