EDIT: I stand corrected by commenter, Rick Perlstein (who knows? People read this blog?), that this speech I refer to was not given solely to the DLC, but to a wider audience that had some DLC members in it. Thus, my criticism about the DLC being the less ideal audience for Perlstein to waste his effort is moot. But whether or not Perlstein spoke to the DLC alone, I think it is still important to consider circumventing and calling out the DLCers for the reasons I lay out in the post… we can think of the DLC audience in an abstract sense. Sorry for the mistake, and thanks for the correction.

I know, “reading is fun and easy.”

Perlstein gave a speech to a group of powerful Democrats…

END EDIT

I am glad to learn (via Digby) that the DLC is taking the time to listen to Rick Perlstein.

Here is some of what he had to say:

Here’s Bill Kristol, in a famous 1993 memo I’m sure you’re all familiar with: “Health care is not, in fact, just another Democratic initiative . . . the plan should not be amended; it should be erased. . . . It will revive the reputation of the . . . Democrats, as the generous protector of middle-class interests.”

I’d say this memo is the skeleton key to understanding modern American politics, if it didn’t make me yawn. There’s nothing here that’s unfamiliar to historians who’ve read Republican secrets going back 25, 35, even 70 years. You can sum them up in 10 words: “If the Democrats succeed in redistributing economic power, we’re screwed.”

They have reason to fear.

There is a website that thousands of committed Republicans spend hours on, giving and receiving marching orders. When people stray from the party line, it’s not unusual for them to be banned. Free Republic, I’d argue, is far more crucial to the Republican infrastructure than the Heritage Foundation.

The prescription for the Democrats?

…They [the Republicans] know they’re screwed if we’re credible in our pledge to deliver new kinds of power to ordinary people in their every day lives.

Democratic congressmen can do that, for example, by making a credible collective pledge that if you vote Democrat enough you will never pay another medical bill as long as you live. You really think people wouldn’t stop voting Republican then?

. . .

Guaranteed. Health Insurance. For All. Not, as I found it formulated on the website of even one of the most liberal senators, “access to affordable health insurance.”

Side note: the new darling congressional candidate (perhaps rightfully so… perhaps) of the progressive bloggers is guilty of the wussier stance on healthcare.

I believe Perlstein’s words accurately depict one reason why the Democrats keep losing. And it is one very important reason in need of elucidation, particularly to the DLCers.

But, as David Sirota would agree, Perlstein’s audience, the DLC, is itself an equally important reason for the Dems’ consistent electoral failures (and yes, I consider garnering around 50% of the vote a failure where popular and progressive political stances are ripe for the taking).

My concern is that Perlstein’s words are being wasted on the DLC. What will they do? Probably they will either (a) ignore the advice, still convinced of (or beholden to, thanks to corporate dollars) the “centrist” (read: socially moderate, economically evil) strategy will win the day; or (b) they will steal the language only to betray the cause upon election.

But possibly, they will (c) heed Perlstein’s advice and begin to govern according to their progressive mandate. This third option sounds fine. It strikes me as unsatisfying, however, that these DLC opportunists should be the electoral beneficiaries of Perlstein’s (and all of our) wisdom.

I understand that many progressive movements in the past were led by those who could bend with the winds. Even FDR and his Dems, though perhaps partially altruistic, were probably more afraid of the rapidly organizing socialist and communist parties. Here’s the 1932 party platform… though it sounds fairly progressive today, it certainly did not call for The New Deal that came to be. (I think Zinn writes about this… couldn’t find any decent links).

The New Deal further illustrates the problem. Back then, the Democratic politicians gave more than they were promising. Today, they promise more than they give. Why? Back then, the people were organizing outside the Democratic party. Today, the people keep falling in line.

If the DLCers take Perlstein’s words to heart, I bet we will continue to fall in line. Then we risk betrayal, whether it be upon election, or upon the first instance that Perlstein’s strategy fails is blamed for failure. And the whole time, in victory and defeat, we will remain dependent on these milquetoast boors to organize and unite us under their shaky wills and their changeable allegiences.

Progressives need to organize themselves outside the Democratic party, or at the very least organize in concert with the Dems who can push the party in the right direction, while circumventing DLC types. Though the DLCers need to hear Perlstein, and though it will be better if they run with his gospel, I would rather see Perlstein giving pep-talks exclusively to the rank-and-file who could use the reassurance that, yes, they are on the right path. The progressives need to draw a line in the sand. The DLCers need to choose what side they are on… and fall in line.