Simon Rosenberg on the Stupid "Zephyr-Gate" Scandal About Dean and Blogs

I'm not advocating for Simon Rosenberg for Chair - personally, I prefer Dean. But I find it astonishing how Rosenberg has suddenly become "the enemy" to so many DU'ers. If you take a look at Rosenberg's views of how to reform the party you'll find that despite his conservative political views, he embraced Dean and Clark (one of the few "establishment" Dems to do so) and broke with the DLC, believing them divisive and calcified. He has embraced Amy Sullivan's call for thoroughly dismantling the Democratic consultant class and has talked extensively about using the netroots to revive the party.

Here is his statement on the whole non-scandal over Dean and Kos and MyDD:

http://blog.simonforchair.org/blog/archives/2005/01/armstrong_willi.html

January 14, 2005
Armstrong Williams and the Right
The internet and blogs represent a new way to communicate ideas and talk to voters, and as a party, we need to embrace these opportunities. I have invested a great deal of time and effort work to increase participation in politics through the Internet, starting in the mid-1990s and continuing through this campaign. While there may be only 447 DNC members, my campaign - which includes bloggers, I am proud to say - is using the Internet to open up the process to the increasing number of citizens who are going online to learn and participate in our politics.

Now, some on the right are cynically using the work of bloggers who have helped open up the democratic conversation to try to excuse the actions of Armstrong Williams. It's stunning to me, as someone who has worked in TV news as a producer and writer, that Williams can be talked about in morally equivalent terms to Markos Moulitsas, who was transparent about all his business relationships, or Jerome Armstrong, who shut down his web site to prevent any conflict of interest. Williams was paid with taxpayer money to propagandize for a corrupt Republican party leadership, and what happened deserves a full investigation in which the involved parties are held responsible.

Ultimately, however, we cannot lose sight of what is truly at stake. Williams is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the vast power commanded by the corrupt and radicalized Republicans that control our politics, and to some extent, our media. The power the right can bring to bear on any issue because of its investments in communications and intellectual infrastructure needs to be matched, and exceeded.

Regardless of our policy differences, as a party and a political movement we must build the communications infrastructure to restore our national conversation, because having two strong competitive sides is the only way that we can preserve and strengthen our democracy.

Posted by Simon at January 14, 2005 05:35 PM

"you'll find that despite his conservative political views, "

I'm supporting Dean, but there's a lot to like in Rosenberg's statement.

the one above doesn't refer to those.

As I said, DNC chair is not a policy position, so you can rest assured that even if Rosenberg gets the job, he won't be able to implement any laws.

but that has nothing to do with what I wrote or what this thread is about.

conservative views he holds?

When they get to the rudder they change course.

They have respect for each other. Some would like to use the divide-and-conquer technique in this case, but I don't think it's going to work. ;-)

I think Dean is en route to the DNC conference which is tomorrow. It was nice of Rosenberg to post this.

I don't like his war stance, and I don't like the war stance of our party now. It is past time to say it is ok. It was not ok. He was very wrong to go on TV and say that...was it today again?

However, he used very poor judgment in letting or allowing Trippi to post his endorsement there on the day of Dean's announcement. It was wrong, and it was poor taste.

Our party has to quit praising the war. Too many are dead. It is time for them to admit they were wrong.

It looks like Frost is moving ahead of Rosenberg, but Rosenberg has a great team in play....he also has a lot of party backing. He has a strong organization, and could be powerful. I think it is still too connected to the DLC.

I don't care who gets the position.

I also think Martin Frost or Donnie Fowler would do a realy good job. If I had a vote, I'd probably vote for Dean, but Martin Frost is every bit as pissed at Republicans and also a very nut-cutting street fighter.

Dean but didn't.

Just one was mentioned but a bunch of folks are there, Zephyr for one. Blogging for the President blog, Matt Stoller. He endorsed Rosenberg, but I did not realize he was hired.

If it is fair for one it is fair for another.

I think Rosenberg and Dean are friends, not sure. I do think it was tasteless of him to post Trippi's endorsement the day Dean announced.

Matt Stoller saying that he works for Rosenberg.

Only we rank and file donors can do that. When enough of us tell the DNC we're not sending any more money to the DNC until the consultant class is dismantled, only then will it be dismantled. It's that simple.

defend Kerry's position on the war.

it was insane.

He seems like a real nice guy, but he is really very confused and i don't want to see the party or the DNC lead by people with very confused policy issues on this matter. His explanation was straight out of the campaign speeches - i almost did a double take with my radio.

The war in Iraq was not based on bad intelligence. The war in Iraq was based on an agenda that was being planned before Bush even got into office, and shortly there after. Everyone knows the reasons that Bush gave to the American Public was a flat out lie.

You don't formulate national "security" policy on a foundation of lies.

Period. End of story.

since "its not a policy position,"
and Rosenberg's philosophy is to be more like republicans.

are you referring to.

for party identity. How anyone can't recognize that Rosenberg represents DLC views, warmed over as a less antagonistic, kinder and gentler DLC, strains credibility. The conflict IS IS IS party control, identity and direction, but we are led to believe it doesn't matter, it's not the Chair's job. Well, the would-be Chair is out there expressing his views over and over. It sounds to me like Rosenberg already is sending out cues as to where he seeks funding--and that ain't gonna be from me. Rosenberg postures with the usual DLC crap about "new ideas" and "modernizing" without any real substance. What do you want to bet that they will spout platitudes with non-threatening language while stabbing Dean in the back? It is war, and it is also CLASS WAR, where the elites seek to preserve their corporate and AIPAC funding sources while expecting us to still continue to fall in line.

This is a complete setup; a manipulation by Rosenberg and Co.; engineered by Trippi.

Trying to keep Dean out of the DNC chair.

Just find the Trippi + Zephyr Teachout connection and you'll see the purpose of this little stunt. Trippi publicly supports Rosenberg. Zephyr worked for Trippi on the Dean campaign. The connection is clear.

We experienced the beginning of this little campaign last week at DU with the pimping of Rosenberg here.

And, now, the final act in the little charade - Rosenberg gets to come out and "defend" the bloggers after his crew made them the enemy. Rosenberg=hero.

A complete setup and this thread shows exactly how effective it is.