Reply #61: Here is the statement of the DLC about themselves.

[madfloridian]

I think the DNC and DLC can work together, but they first have to get over their attitude toward what they call "activists." They usually add the word fringe. If they quit that, there is more hope.

I must give credit to Tom Vilsack. He is trying to bridge a gap. He posted a nice diary at Kos today. I think that was a good step. The ideal is for cooperation. Trouble is no one wants to compromise on anything at all.

http://www.dlc.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=86&subid=85&contentid=893

The Democratic Leadership Council is an idea center, catalyst, and national voice for a reform movement that is reshaping American politics by moving it beyond the old left-right debate. Under the leadership of founder and CEO Al From, the DLC seeks to define and galvanize popular support for a new public philosophy built on progressive ideals, mainstream values, and innovative, non bureaucratic, market-based solutions. At its heart are three principles: promoting opportunity for all; demanding responsibility from everyone; and fostering a new sense of community.

Since its inception, the DLC has championed policies from spurring private sector economic growth, fiscal discipline and community policing to work based welfare reform, expanded international trade, and national service.

Throughout the 90's, innovative, New Democrat policies implemented by former DLC Chairman President Bill Clinton helped to produce the longest period of sustained economic growth in our history, the lowest unemployment in a generation, 22 million new jobs; and helped to cut the welfare rolls in half, reduce the crime rate for seven straight years, balance the budget and streamline the federal bureaucracy to its smallest size since the Kennedy administration.

Now, with the help of Chairman Governor Tom Vilsack (D-IA), the DLC is promoting new ideas at the local, state, and national levels; working through a national network of reformers and practitioners; and offering an approach to governing that is distinctly different from traditional liberalism and conservatism to build the next generation of America's leaders.

The DLC publishes Blueprint: Ideas for a New Century, an innovative policy journal aimed at identifying the central ideas and policies that will guide American politics in the 21st century. The DLC also provides political commentary and analysis through its online newsletter, "The New Dem Dispatch," which is circulated by email to thousands of opinion leaders and policy makers in Washington and around the country.

The DLC was founded in 1985. The past chairs include former President Bill Clinton, Sen. Evan Bayh of Indiana, Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, former Rep. Dave McCurdy of Oklahoma, former Sen. John Breaux of Louisiana, former Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia, former Sen. Charles Robb of Virginia, and former House Democratic Leader Richard Gephardt of Missouri.

DLC Quick Facts:

Organization: The DLC is a nonprofit corporation exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is not a political committee and is not organized to influence elections.

Mission: The DLC's mission is to promote public debate within the Democratic Party and the public at large about national and international policy and political issues. Specifically, as the founding organization of the New Democrat movement, the DLC's goal is to modernize the progressive tradition in American politics for the 21st Century by advancing a set of innovative ideas for governing through a national network of elected officials and community leaders."