[Marxism] The DLC on two major political figures

[Louis Proyect <lnp3@xxxxxxxxx>]

On John Kerry:

As a charter member of the Senate New Democrat Coalition, Kerry has
often rejected the stale left-right options that disguise the real
choices facing the country -- choices that are rarely reflected in
mechanical interest-group Congressional vote ratings, but that are in
line with the real sentiments of the American people.

As a Blair Democrat and a proponent of a tough-minded progressive
internationalism, Kerry understands that America's security and our
influence in a dangerous world depend on both a willingness to use
America's military might and a willingness to advance our values in
concert with countries that share them.

As a long-time deficit hawk and supporter of key reforms in welfare and
education, Kerry believes that traditional progressive goals must be
pursued through modern means and a determination to bend the creaky
machinery of government to the popular will.

And as a true war hero and a powerful advocate of national service,
Kerry will not tolerate attempts by the GOP to hijack mainstream
American values and deploy them in a divisive and distracting battle of
cultural stereotypes.

We suspect the more voters learn about John Kerry's actual views, the
more they will be inclined to say: "If this is a waffle, bring on the
syrup."

full: http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?contentid=252427&kaid=131&subid=192

===

On Ronald Reagan:

Since today's Republicans invariably cite Ronald Reagan as their guiding
inspiration, they should pay special attention to three aspects of his
political career that his conservative heirs have too often forgotten:

--Despite his fervent anti-communism and unshakable belief in the unique
mission of the United States, he remained faithful to the Cold War
bipartian tradition in foreign policy, and never abandoned America's
traditional alliances or the multilateral institutions created to
advance them.

--Despite his longstanding championship of a conservative domestic
agenda, he was willing to compromise and adjust his policies to reflect
real-life conditions, as shown by his decision to sign a liberal
abortion law as governor of California, and to support tax hikes both as
governor and as president.

--Despite his many years of service to the GOP, he never sought to
demonize his political opponents, and never questioned their patriotism
or sincerity.

Reagan's universally praised decency was undoubtedly rooted in a healthy
sense of his own limitations, and of politicians generally. That,
ironically, is why he was larger than his ideology, his party, or his
record, and why his memory will live on when all the debates that
accompanied his long political career have faded.


--

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