Is Senator Nelson trying to appeal to both sides of the aisle? He will garner Democratic support with an anti-drilling stance but surely his negative views on Obama’s efforts to revive our struggling national economy will broaden his appeal to a more conservative voter?
Unlike the Republican Party, the Democratic Party has not yet instituted a “purity test” . See links for GOP purity test:
http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474977917473
http://blogs.abcnews.com/george/2009/11/republicans-seek-to-impose-purity-test-on-candidates.html
…If they did, I can think of a few Democrats…Nelson included, who would fail. I can also think of a few Blue Dog Democrats who would pass the GOP version of the test!
What would a Democratic purity test look like, you ask?
Well, I could paraphrase and revise the “Resolution on Reagan’s Unity Principle for Support of Candidates” to fit a more Democratic perspective….and say exactly the opposite of each item.
1 – We support government for the people, by the people.
2-We support healthcare reform that provides coverage for all Americans.
3-We support green energy reform.
4-We support workers’ unions.
5-We support humane immigration laws and reforms.
6-We support our troops even when we do not support the war(s).
7-We support nuclear disarmament treaties and continued diplomatic action.
8-We support marriage between any two people who want to build a life together.
9-We support real health care reform that respects human dignity and does not curtail a woman’s right to choose.
10-We support intelligent and diligently implemented gun control.
Does that about cover it? The GOP boiled it down to ten statements. I think the ten statements I have listed represent a Democratic perspective. What would you include?
News coverage of Senator Nelson’s statements on drilling and Obama’s economic reform efforts:
Of course, you might ask…is it even consistent with prevailing Democratic ideology to consider something like a “purity test”? Probably not…
Good post.
Must say, I’ve all along said that the GOP base voter efforts to pressure for a more clearly-defined conservatism (what often is referred to as ‘conducting purges’ or whatnot) is not objectionable politics at all. WHAT they want to see policy-wise is gruesome, yes, but that’s a separate issue.
I would even venture to say that I think recent history (i.e. the last year of national politics under Obama) the Dems need this sort of housecleaning a great deal MORE than the GOP.
Which brings the issue back to our tepid dishrag of a Senator, Mr Nelson. “The less repellant one”.
Am I the only one surprised Nelson hasn’t taken any heat for his outing as a member of this Christian-authoritarianism cult/”bible study group” known as “the Family”? I could’ve puked when I read that he was one of this wingnut bastion’s few Democratic members. It speaks volumes about where old Bill is going to come down on tough reform issues when push comes to shove.
yay! a purity list!
I would change number 9 to “We expect women to have the same rights as men, including their right to choose their own health care (including abortion),” since number 2 covers health care.
and 10, I think commonsense gun control is on par with commonsense traffic law and probably shouldn’t rise to the top ten. I know very few liberals who want to completely excise the second amendment from our Bill of Rights, so maybe number ten can touch on an education policy that’s been supported by liberals from Dewey to Nader – Education reform must elevate civic education to be on par with reading and writing skills.
“Progressive” Democrats might read the charter of their party. The credo, in something like Article 9, section 16 or 17 has material that you might find useful.
Good point, Pat…I believe the following is what you referred to?
Section 17. Democratic Party Credo.
We Democrats are the oldest political party in America and the youngest in spirit. We will remain so,
because we enjoy the challenge of government. Time and again, for almost two centuries, the Democratic
CHARTER
9
Party has made government work — to build and defend a nation, to encourage commerce, to educate our
children, to promote equal opportunity, to advance science and industry, to support the arts and
humanities, to restore the land, to develop and conserve our human and natural resources, to preserve and
enhance our built environment, to relieve poverty, to explore space. We have reached difficult and vital
goals.
We recognize that the capacity of government is limited but we regard democratic government as a
force for good and a source of hope.
At the heart of our party lies a fundamental conviction, that Americans must not only be free, but they
must live in a fair society.
We believe it is the responsibility of government to help us achieve this fair society.
! a society where the elderly and the disabled can lead lives of dignity and where Social Security
remains an unshakable commitment;
! a society where all people can find jobs in a growing full-employment economy;
! a society where all workers are guaranteed without question the legal right to join unions of their
own choosing and to bargain collectively for decent wages and conditions of employment;
! a society where taxes are clearly based on ability to pay;
! a society where the equal rights of women are guaranteed in the Constitution;
! a society where the civil rights of minorities are fully secured and where no one is denied the
opportunity for a better life;
! a society where both public and private discrimination based upon race, sex, age, color, creed,
national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status, philosophical persuasion or
physical disability are condemned and where our government moves aggressively to end such
discrimination through lawful means;
! a society where we recognize that the strengthening of the family and the protection of children are
essential to the health of the nation;
! a society where a sound education, proper nutrition, quality medical care, affordable housing, safe
streets and a healthy environment are possible for every citizen;
! a society where the livelihoods of our family farmers are as stable as the values they instill in the
American character;
! a society where a strong national defense is a common effort, where promoting human rights is a
basic value of our foreign policy, and where we ensure that future by ending the nuclear arms race.
This is our purpose and our promise.