Althouse: "How a bipartisan group that hoped to make Washington more functional became yet another cog in the D.C. moneymaking machine

२९ जुलै, २०१४

"How a bipartisan group that hoped to make Washington more functional became yet another cog in the D.C. moneymaking machine — and infuriated Democrats."

Finally, an answer to the question that's been bugging me for years: Whatever happened to "No Labels"?

Now, I wonder if anyone can tell me: What's brewing in The Coffee Party?

२० टिप्पण्या:

great Unknown म्हणाले...: "What's brewing in the Coffee Party?" Dregs.; २९/७/१४, ८:३७ AM
Hagar म्हणाले...: Years ago I made a small contribution to Common Cause - but it turned out to be just a scam to get moderate Republicans to contribute to the Democratic machine.; २९/७/१४, ८:५१ AM
Deirdre Mundy म्हणाले...: No Labels had branding issues. They needed a catchier logo.; २९/७/१४, ९:०१ AM
Paco Wové म्हणाले...: infuriated Democrats

If you're not for the Democrats, you're against the Democrats.; २९/७/१४, ९:०८ AM
Hammond X. Gritzkofe म्हणाले...: Of the two major political parties, Democrats are *far* more associated with emotional tactics (i.e. name-calling, "labeling") than Republicans. Ergo, no surprise than a self-described "No Labels" outfit would be more frequently associated with Republican logical argument tactics.

Not unusual for any organization - however funded - to spend a large amount of intake on self-maintenance and self-promotion. Why, heck! Elected officials and bureaucrats, no less than private corporations and "non-profits" put retention of personal employment as first priority.

If, indeed "No Labels" shows Republican favoritism, it's because the organization is a way for wealthy donors - who need to buy political favors (read "corruption") from both parties to entertain Republican influence peddlers without being outed and castigated by screaming name-calling Democrat partisans.; २९/७/१४, ९:२० AM
lgv म्हणाले...: It is just another non-profit group or agency that works to not entirely accomplish its goal. If they successfully eliminate gridlock, then they no longer need to exist. Therefore, they must show a few victories in the battle so they can raise more money and continue the mission, which is keep themselves employed.; २९/७/१४, १०:०१ AM
Sam L. म्हणाले...: There was no chance that the No Labels group was any different from the Dems. What's brewing in the Coffee Party is bitter bile and gall.

I didn't donate to Common Cause; they sounded too good to be true.; २९/७/१४, १०:४३ AM
Mike (MJB Wolf) म्हणाले...: Dang it is just SO HARD to construct a decent Potemkin village nowadays. The actors keep wandering off the set and losing interest in the charade.; २९/७/१४, १०:४४ AM
traditionalguy म्हणाले...: There will always be a place for a party that refuses to fight any enemies. They can meet at mostly empty Episcopalian Churches.; २९/७/१४, १०:४८ AM
Biff म्हणाले...: I think the criticism is mostly coming from the (surprising) fact that No Labels has supported some nominal Republicans and that it has not acted as much as an undercover Democrat organization as the Dems originally expected. In other words, it lived up to its stated mission more than anyone ever expected.; २९/७/१४, १०:४८ AM
Mitch H. म्हणाले...: Huh. You know, if that's true, it might be a bona fide refutation of O'Sullivan's Law. But more likely, it's not what they're saying, and it's some sort of inside baseball pissing match between Establishment factions.; २९/७/१४, ११:०० AM
Quaestor म्हणाले...: And I thought nothing related to coffee could be a soporific. Shows what I know... yup.; २९/७/१४, ११:३३ AM
NotWhoIUsedtoBe म्हणाले...: "Much of the group’s budget goes toward sustaining or promoting itself. According to No Labels’ confidential document, the group employed 22 paid staffers and eight consultants as of May. Of its projected $4.5 million budget for 2014, only 4 percent — or $180,000 — of spending was slotted for “Congressional Relations.” By contrast, administrative and operational expenses got $1.035 million over the same time period. Another 5 percent was set for travel. A further 30 percent ($1.35 million) was earmarked for digital growth and press, and 14 percent for fundraising."

Uh huh.; २९/७/१४, ११:३६ AM
CatherineM म्हणाले...: Who didn't see this coming?; २९/७/१४, ११:५६ AM
furious_a म्हणाले...: Dang it is just SO HARD to construct a decent Potemkin village nowadays.

Astroturf doesn't grow back after it wears out.; २९/७/१४, १२:५३ PM
Sal म्हणाले...: I never understood what Coffee Party was supposed to be. Grassroots statism?; २९/७/१४, ३:३६ PM
gadfly म्हणाले...: No Labels blocks out the constituents what got these Ruling Class people into office in the first place. That sounds something like a Harry Reid tactic and it is pretty much the way everyday politics are played by the both political parties.

So No Labels is trying to play the rent-seeking unionist role representing any and all takers that will join the union. In other words they are just another useless cog in a broken gear assembly.; २९/७/१४, ४:०० PM
अनामित म्हणाले...: Well, let's see: Chloe started a vegan kindergarten non-profit, Sara moved on to Park Slope because Matt's back at Deutsche Bank, and Connor finally came out of the closet.

Add to that Organizing For Action's been poaching our table at Ye Olde Fair Trade Coffee Roost, and the thing just fell apart.; २९/७/१४, ६:४४ PM
Hyphenated American म्हणाले...: One word comes to mind, "solyndra". With obama's rise, the level of liberal intellectuals went down considerably.; ३०/७/१४, ६:११ AM
Achilles म्हणाले...: Mike said...
Dang it is just SO HARD to construct a decent Potemkin village nowadays. The actors keep wandering off the set and losing interest in the charade.

The .001% is having trouble finding good minions these days.; ३०/७/१४, ११:०७ AM