Ok, this started out to be a comment, but by way of being too damn much to say it's become a diary...
You see this whole "Rubicon" thing is way the heck out in left field (pun intended). I mean sure it's great - Markos lead us to the promised land. We're ready we're able - we got your back, Markos. It'll be aces. I promise.
The only problem with that is a tiny, tiny little thing called Openly Declared Statements Made In The Past (ODSMP).
The Rubicon has already been addressed by Markos on at least two different occasions in the past. He's been to the edge of the abyss, looked at it, and said, "No Thanks!", which I will add IS his right. The point of this diary is not to judge, but to inform people who may have forgotten or missed a few important statements made by Markos about what his "buy-ins" are and aren't, and what he is and isn't willing to be a champion for:
First up
October 3rd, 2004 a little history on what the stated purposed of Dailykos is, which is obviously important to be aware of when considering other issues:
"Once the election is over, we can get back to fighting over policy, whether to tackle the DLC, hating Greens or welcoming them to the fold, being a "Wellstone democrat" versus "Dean Democrat" versus who knows what else, etc.
For now, if you come here and trash a Democratic candidate [emphasis mine], expect to be trashed back (just like I get trashed when I criticize the party). If you can't take the heat, then don't write that post or diary. Or consider returning after November 2. It's that simple. This is a Democratic blog after all.
That is the earliest time I know of, in which Markos openly stated Dailykos "a Democratic Party" blog. And whether that is the case or not, it does make it clear that this site - above ALL ELSE (yes, anything) IS ABOUT ELECTING DEMOCRATS. Period. Whether that is short-sighted, or sets up conflicts with making a movement with convictions and character is for each person to judge for themselves.
What is clear is that such an approach DOES have its implications of one sort or another. Being a "Democratic Party" blog IS the sites DNA (not just part of it).
Next on
November 15, 2004:
" I see it too much in media reports and even in the diaries and comments here:
Daily Kos is a liberal blog.
No it's not. I'm a liberal, sure, (though pro-free trade, pro-balanced budgets, if that means anything). But I'm also a vegan. And no one claims this is a vegan blog. I am Latino, but no one claims this is a Latino blog. I am staunchly in favor of gay rights, but no one claims this is a gay blog.
Would an ideologue liberal blog endorse SD's Stephanie Herseth, who voted for the Hate Amendment? Or Kentucky's Ben Chandler, or Richard Morrison in Texas, or Brad Carson in Oklahoma, or Tony Knowles in Alaska, or Daniel Mongiardo in Kentucky, etc, etc? Would the site's community embrace these candidates and send money their way?
This is a Democratic blog, a partisan blog. One that recognizes that Democrats run from left to right on the ideological spectrum, and yet we're all still in this fight together.
We happily embrace centrists like NDN's Simon Rosenberg and Howard Dean, conservatives like Martin Frost and Brad Carson, and liberals like John Kerry and Barack Obama.
Liberal? Yeah, we're around here and we're proud. But it's not a liberal blog. It's a Democratic blog with one goal in mind: electoral victory.
And since we haven't gotten any of that from the current crew, we're one more thing: a reform blog.
The battle for the party is not an ideological battle. It's one between establishment and anti-establishment factions. And as I've said a million times, the status quo is untenable.
But it has nothing to do with ideology, and those who continue painting the battle in those colors is nothing more than a dishonest shill in the best tradition of Karl Rove and gang.
Then there is this which Markos said on
January 3, 2005"Since when was I appointed king of the liberal agenda? If nominated, I will not run. If elected, I will not serve. You know what's amazing about open source politics, about the growing netroots revolution? That everyone has the power to take matters into their own hands."
...so you see the fact that Markos wants nothing to do with Rubicons is nothing new. He is not the "leader" you want him to be. He has flatly turned down the job - which is certainly his prerogative! Further he may or may not even share your vision. His allegiance and loyalty to a party being stated above any other allegiance or loyalty has caused me quite a bit of concern, myself. (so much concern that it was a primary motivator for starting my own community site, and I mention that in the "About" page there, too - the point being, that I don't just sit here and bitch all the time - I know what Dailykos is and isn't and I accept it on its own terms and I particpate here with that understanding)
Finally, I'll just point out that these larger philosophical/meta issues have not been ignored in the larger blogosphere as a whole. Others have taken issue with Dailykos' approach and allegiances.
This review of Markos' and Jerome's new book (which I have ordered, but not read, yet btw) at Pandagon - as Markos says, "skewers" it for the ideology and vision therein (or rather lack of it, according to the article).
Well, that's about it. Everyone needs to make up their own minds about things. I know what they say about opinions and all, so I'll spare you any more of mine.